I enjoyed hearing a lot of the story from his point of view–a bit unusual, the male perspective, but very good. A spinoff perhaps? Alec was very likeable. She has a few good friends though that I would really like to know better. It wasn’t that she was super spoiled or selfish she’s just annoying at times. I think Julia learns a lot throughout the events in the novel, but something about her rubbed me the wrong way.

Speaking of characters, many times I like the main female leads in these cheesy romances.

Many good books are set up that way, but sometimes it is fun to try to figure out the mysterious events as the characters do.

There were lots of secrets in this book, and I liked that the reader didn’t learn secrets before the characters do.

Maybe it wouldn’t have been outlandish back in Regency times but it seemed sort of silly today.

My biggest gripe about The Dancing Master was that everything was soooooo draBut seriously, it takes forever to learn WHY dancing has been all but outlawed in this tiny town, and even then, it’s a pretty outlandish reason.Sometimes before beginning a new book, I’ll peruse the reviews before I begin reading and one of the first ones I saw was that this book is “Footloose in Regency England!” How fun, I thought–and it was. I use Goodreads to help me find new books.With Alec’s help, can Julia uncover old secrets and restore life to her somber village.and to her mother’s tattered heart?įilled with mystery and romance, The Dancing Master brings to life the intriguing profession of those who taught essential social graces for ladies and gentlemen hoping to make a “good match” in Regency England. Valcourt would leave London, or why he evades questions about his past. Julia is quickly attracted to the handsome dancing master–a man her mother would never approve of–but she cannot imagine why Mr. Though he’s initially wary of Julia Midwinter’s reckless flirtation, he comes to realize her bold exterior disguises a vulnerable soul–and hidden sorrows of her own. But he is stunned to learn the village matriarch has prohibited all dancing, for reasons buried deep in her past.Īlec finds an unlikely ally in the matriarch’s daughter. Here is a description of the book from the publisher:įinding himself the man of the family, London dancing master Alec Valcourt moves his mother and sister to remote Devonshire, hoping to start over. I was sent a free copy of this novel as part of Bethany House Publishers‘ book review program.

Happy Monday! Need a book to read during this March snowy/icy week? How about Julie Klassen’s The Dancing Master? It is a fun read that I’m excited to share with you today.

The Dancing Master by Julie Klassen