Say It With Sequins: The Charleston- Georgia Hill

The Blurb

For fans of reality dance shows, this series is strictly irresistible!

Into the last stage of ‘Who Dares Dances’ blasts Meredith Denning, a tour de force! She’s a voluptuous, beautiful Oxford grad looking for a direction in life.

Merry is partnered with professional dancer Daniel, who is still nurturing feelings for a newly engaged Julia. Though it’s not long before these two take their incredible chemistry from ballroom… to bedroom!

With Daniel on her arm and the trophy within reach, Merry finds herself in danger of breaking the habit of a lifetime as she falls heavily for Daniel.

Find out how it all ends the final part of the flirty, fun and FAB-U-LOUS series, Say it with Sequins!

The Review

When I read the first Say It with Sequins book The Rumba back at the start of 2014, I fell in love.  Firstly, because there was going to be a romance series based around a dancing show- how brilliant a discovery that was for a Strictly addict!  But secondly, I came across a character I totally fell head over heels for- the gorgeous Welsh sweetheart Harri.  I'd enjoyed the plot, but found there were a lot of characters introduced in quick succession. 

By the time the second book in the series came out (The Waltz) I was ready to be reacquainted to the characters.  Max and Lucy's 'will they/won't they' was another enjoyable read with a hunky hero to boot.

But it's The Charleston which finishes this series with a bang.  The doubts I'd had about surplus characters in the first two books were wiped away, with short cameos from those with big personalities (the judge who is obviously based on Craig Revel-Horwood for example- genius!) lightening the mood whilst we're also reunited with protagonists from previous books (yes, I mean the lovely Harri, who's preparing to tie the knot).

Merry, a failed comedian, is drafted into the show as a last minute replacement.  Feeling conscious of her height and weight and generally out of her depth, she's paired up with Daniel, the professional dancer who's still lusting after Julia, Harri's wife to be.  The couple work hard and Merry is the surprise favourite to win the show.  However, the show's vile producer Bob has thrown down the gauntlet by forcing the contestants to face their fears.  As Merry bravely tackles a long-held phobia Daniel's loving nature and strong moral standing are revealed.    I loved this moment!  It's the equivalent of when Clark Kent becomes Superman- my heart fluttered wildly and I wanted to cheer for his forceful belief in what's right.  What a hero!

Without wanting to reveal the nature of the plot too much because that's this book's strength, I can only say it's touching and swoonsome with plenty of humour.  Romantic, satirical and wonderfully written, this is the glitterball-worthy performance in the show that has been Say It With Sequins.  Fantastic!

The Charleston is out now (as both an individual title and as part of the Say it With Sequins complete series), published by Harper Impulse.

I read this book as part of the #HIReadathon 2015.  For more information, search the hashtag on Twitter or Facebook.

Say It With Sequins- The Waltz- Georgia Hill

 

When writer Lucy agrees to take part in a TV dance show, she knows she is out of her comfort zone.  However, she doesn't realise that dancing will only be part of the problem.  She develops a huge crush on hunky swimmer Max, a fellow contestant on the show- but the word on set is that he is gay.

I enjoyed this novella and read it in one sitting.  Lucy and Max were both charming characters- very 'normal' and easy to relate to.  And Max was HOT.  Not as hot as Harri from The Rumba ( he was Welsh, no one was ever going to compare), but he got my heart fluttering none-the-less.

I did find there were mentions of a lot of minor characters that I personally felt were surplus to the plot, but that didn't spoil my enjoyment of this sweet, romantic tale.  It was lovely to get a little update on characters from the previous Say it with Sequins book, The Rumba (you can read my review here ).

There is a wintery, festive backdrop to The Waltz, but don't let that put you off.  Whilst it has a festive feel it could just as easily be enjoyed on a beach in the height of summer.  It is essentially a story of repressed lust, something that can be experienced at any time of year!

If you are missing the glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing, the Say It with Sequins series could be just what you are looking for to fill the void.  Although be prepared- I totally craved butterscotch Angel Delight after reading this book!

The Waltz is out now, published by Harper Impulse.  Find out more by clicking the banner below.

7.5/10

With thanks to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Say It With Sequins:The Rumba- Georgia Hill

The Blurb
For fans of reality dance shows, this series is strictly irresistible!

Slip on some dance shoes and step up to love!

Who Dares Dances is a reality TV show with a difference. Not only do contestants have to learn to dance, they also face a series of bizarre challenges.

Julia Cooper signs up in a bid to revive her flagging acting career. But when she meets dare-devil TV presenter Harri Morgan the attraction is instant – and hot!

Forced to perform a sexy rumba together, the sequins really start to fly. Will they score the perfect ten, or is their romance destined to be a dance disaster?

Find out in Say it with Sequins, the first in a series of three novellas.

The Review
Firstly, how gorgeous is the cover of this one?  Eyecatching and classy it encapsulates all the glamour and romance of ballroom dancing.

There were aspects of this book that I found hard to get to grips with, mainly that there are a lot of peripheral characters which were surplus to the main plot.  For a short novella I personally would have preferred there to be less named characters which would have made it easier for me to follow.

However, as a huge Strictly fan and a dancer myself I absolutely loved having a story about dance to snuggle down with.  The rumba certainly lends itself to a bit of sauce and spice and I think Harri may be my first book boyfriend of 2014.  Honestly, I loved him.  It made me wonder why on earth there aren't more Welsh men in romance books because they are HOT!  Especially when they talk Welsh... Mae'n boeth iawn...

I enjoyed how the romance built up and found both main characters easy to warm to.  I just wish it had been longer so I could have had more of hunky Harri.  Honestly, Georgia, get writing more about him.  Please.  I'm begging.

Cheesy in parts but also the kind of sweeping romance I adore, I'll definitely give the other books in this series a whirl...but until then, I'll keeeeeep dancing.

Say it with Sequins:The Rumba is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

8/10

I received an ARC of this book in return for my honest opinions.

Find out more by clicking the banner below.