A Step In Time: A feel-good read, perfect for fans of Strictly Come Dancing! by Kerry Barrett

A Step In Time: A feel-good read, perfect for fans of Strictly Come Dancing! Reviews

• 
  Catherine Leggitt

  Beautiful! Fun. Romantic. i cried, I laughed. I was disgusted. I was captivated and transpired to a new reality of greater respect for values and personal integrity.
• 
  Rachel Gilbey

  The second I saw the stunning cover for this book revealed, I knew it would be one I wanted to read. My first thoughts of the title were of the Mary Poppins song "Step In Time" but thankfully I didn't have it running in my head as I read this.
  
  A Step in Time is definitely a book for fans of Strictly Come Dancing, or other ballroom dance TV shows, and even if you aren't, like me, I was still able to enjoy the story, and wished I knew more about the various ballroom dances, to picture them fully as I read this.
  
  After a public brawl with the reality TV star seen kissing Amy's almost fiancee, Amy is in public disgrace, and her soap opera drops her, and all the endorsements she had start drying up. Amy's only option according to her agent Babs, is to take part and preferably win a reality TV competition.
  
  The problem is the only one that Babs can get Amy on is Strictly Stars Dancing, and Amy has two left feet. Added to the fact there may have been a slight incident with her dance partner the night before they are paired up, and Amy is off to a rocky start to repair her career.
  
  Although Amy's story is light hearted and fun and by itself would have made an enjoyable book, but possibly lacking substance.. we are also treated to Cora's story. Cora is the older lady in the apartment above the one Amy has to move into. Amy has agreed to keep an eye on Cora, but if anything its the other way around, as Cora takes Amy under her wing.
  
  In turn we learn about Cora, and her war time romance, which is really bittersweet. Cora is an elegant and wonderful character and also used to teach dance, so helps Amy a lot.
  
  I really enjoyed seeing Amy's interactions with Cora, Patrick her dance partner, Matty the ex-boyfriend, as well as Cora's best friend. She clearly cares a lot about the people around her, and she is determined to put her career back on track, regardless of what others may think is best for her.
  
  I thought A Step in Time was fabulous, glitzy story, that was a lot of fun to read, and thanks to Cora, had more depth than I was expecting, but very glad that it did.
  
  Thanks to Netgalley and Carina for this review copy. This is my honest opinion.
• 
  Fiona Wilson

  This was a really enjoyable, funny read. It features a show based on Strictly Come Dancing which is currently on TV, making it extremely relevant.
  
  Amy Lavender is instantly recognisable as being similar to more than a few 'celebrities' over the years. She makes a mistake, one which is caught on camera, and suffers professionally as a result. In order to try and gain her 'celebrity' status once more she is forced to take part in reality tv.
  
  In order to achieve her goals Amy has to do things she really shouldn't, and at the same time learn to dance when she has two left feet. Misunderstandings ensue and she finds herself doubting her own decisions. But are they her decisions, or ones she has been forced to make?
  
  I loved the character of Cora, Amy's upstairs neighbour. When Amy meets Cora she instantly bonds with her. Cora is able to help Amy in ways she couldn't have imagined. And, in a way, Amy repays that favour to Cora right at the end of the story.
  
  The story becomes something more than Amy's as we begin to learn more about Cora's early life and what brought her to make the decisions which dictated how her life ended up. Cora's story is my favourite part of the book. Don't get me wrong, the book as a whole is a great read, Amy's antics are very funny, and her story is a good one. But Cora's story helped make this book, for me at least, what it is.
  
  I recommend this book to fans of Strictly, and also to anyone who wants a feel good story with so much more depth to it than some I have read.
  
  Many thanks to Netgalley and Carina for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Babs

  I have loved all of
  Kerry Barrett's books in the past, so I eagerly awaited the publication of A Step in Time and downloaded it on to my kindle as soon as it was available! I have to say I think that this is, without a doubt, the best book she has written to date.
  
  It follows the ups and downs of Amy Lavender, disgraced soap star and media tart as she rebuilds her life after being fired from one of the country's biggest TV shows. The friendship with her new landlady and neighbour, Cora, brings a wonderful extra dimension to the story, as we're transported back to the 1940's and find out more about Cora's life along-side Amy's story.
  
  It's all set against the backdrop of Strictly Stars Dancing, adding an extra element of glitz and glamour to the proceedings.
  
  This is a great book that I devoured in two sittings and it's absolutely perfect for summer holidays or wintry days snuggled on the sofa.
• 
  Kim

  What a fantastic read for fans of Strictly Come Dancing. A very enjoyable page turner.
  Amy, a celebrity, is trying to recover from some bad publicity and finds herself signed up for the dancing show- even though she has no sense of rythym . She’s trying to raise her profile again with the public even though the dancing isn’t coming naturally.
  We’re introduced to the other characters who add lovely interest to the story. Cora is her neighbour and we learn how her early life has shaped the way she lives now.
  A great book to curl up with whilst you try to guess who is going to win the dance competition.
  With many thanks to Net Galley for the chance to read this book.
  
• 
  Corene

  Cute story of a British soap opera actress who suffers an embarrassing scandal, leaving her jobless and homeless. She accepts an offer to compete on a reality television dance competition, and coincidentally moves into the basement flat of an elderly former dancer. The novel alternates between the two women's stories, and is most interesting, with moments that are poignant and compelling, when describing the older woman's life as a WWII performer for the troops stationed in London. I did enjoy the make-believe inside look at life inside a production like "Dancing with the Stars," though. An easy, lightweight read.
• 
  Ann Cooper

  This is a charming story. I started it on a Sunday morning and read it in a day! Being a fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I really enjoyed the book and the characters.
  
  I'm not a fan of reality TV, Strictly and Bake Off aside, and the reality stars in this book merely cemented my beliefs. Amy was so much nicer than Matty and Babs to start with, and Patrick was just plain gorgeous!
  
  I liked the way Cora's story was interspersed with Amy.'s and a tear in my eye on more than one occasion! As for the winner of the dance show - you'll have to be patient and read the book!
• 
  Kim T

  I love when books are written from more than one persons perspective and in different times too. Going through Amy's big change in life is interesting but my favourite part of the book was looking back at the past life of Cora. Things that happened so many years in the past shaped the wonderful person she became and she was obviously loved by so many. Sometimes heartbreak can form a strong and great person.
• 
  Darcie Boleyn

  A Step in Time is a funny, heartwarming read. It is perfect for fans of Strictly Come Dancing and for anyone who loves a sweet romance with main characters that you'll want as your best friends and / or dance teachers. The story made me laugh, cry and want to put on my dancing shoes! Kerry Barrett is a seriously talented writer with a lovely, warm author voice and the ability to completely immerse the reader in her engaging prose.
• 
  Madeleine O'higgins

  I enjoyed this even more than I thought I would. It brought a tear to my eye on more than one occasion and was a great page turned!
• 
  Rachel Chiapparine

  I picked up the book in the Nook store on my tablet because it seemed interesting and it was on sale for $1.99. My personal review of the book is as follows:
  
  The writing style of the book made me feel like I was in London with the characters, I thought that the use of time jumps was well done. I personally preferred “Cora’s” love storyline to that of “Amy’s” especially with all of the “will they won’t they” moments.
  
  I definitely think that you should pick up this book if you enjoy watching “Dancing with the stars” in my personal opinion it really is a cute romance. Overall I personally rate this book a 5 out of 10.
• 
  Tarsha Woods

  Great and Light read if you're looking for something to read in between series or to read.
  
  Barrett provides you with life consequences of actions taking if you allow anger and jealousy to cloud your judgement.
  
  Everyone you feel has your best is not always in your corner cheering you on. People are placed in your life for a reason, season or lesson which Barrett provides within "A Step In Time."
• 
  Emily

  So much fun!
  
  Loved this book! Part Bridget Jones, part WW 2 war romance, I read it all nearly in one sitting. Likeable characters, enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. It is a LITTLE predictably awkward in the middle but then she gets back on track most satisfyingly. Looking forward to reading other books by this author.
• 
  Melinda

  10 stars! I was hooked right away! This was an amazing tale of finding oneself. Of realizing what's important. of learning to stand on your own. And of the importance of those people who stand by us. I couldn't put it down. a MUST read for sure!
• 
  Nikla

  The suspense about what happened in the past had me holding on more, over the predictable what happens in the present but it was still a sad but fluffy ending and i really liked that. I had 5 chapters to go and gave up an early night to see it out.
• 
  Josie Hink

  loved it
• 
  Tina Zuffoletti

  Light, fun read. I loved the characters and the joy in this book.
• 
  noel hensley

  Delightful read
  
  Good summer read. The interaction between the generations poignant and an interesting blend of the lives of Amy and Cora.
• 
  Karen

  Very light and very predictable. It was a break from the WWII historical fiction I have been reading.
• 
  Ellen

  This is a fun, quick, easy read. A good summer novel.
• 
  Jeanne Truesdell

  Conflicted about this one. Loved Cora but hated Amy. Still, good overall read.
• 
  Trish

  Fun story, although I did want to give Mary a shake. Seriously, girl, THINK FOR YOURSELF! I really liked Cora, although the "mystery" of Donnie was quite silly.
• 
  Aubrey

  Easy, light read. Kind of cheesy bu nice book to blow through when you want a beach read.
• 
  Tina Ranum

  Great Read
  
  A great read. I kept smiling the whole time I was reading the book. I also highly recommend this authors other books.