Beth Moran's I Hope You Dance ~ Reviewed

I Hope You Dance
Beth Moran
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Lion Fiction (November 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 178264170X

Description:

Can dancing mend Ruth's broken heart?

Ruth Henderson has moved back in with her parents--something she swore she would never do, especially not at the age of thirty-three. But in the face of the mountain of debt left by her late partner, and the fact that her teenage daughter, Maggie, is expressing her grief through acts of delinquency, there was really only one option.

Returning to a house Ruth swore never to set foot in again is bad enough. Add to this an estranged father, whirlwind mother, and David--the boy next door who broke her heart--and it is little wonder Ruth can barely make it out of bed.

But then, reunited with her old friend Lois, Ruth is persuaded to go along to a monthly girls' night. Here she meets a bunch of incredible women and for the first time since leaving home at eighteen, Ruth begins to make some genuine friends.

She also has her first ever date--with the charming Dr. Carl Barker. However, after a disastrous dinner, and an upset Maggie still struggling with her father's death, Ruth promises her daughter she won't go out with any other men. A promise she quickly regrets when David, the boy next door, asks her to dance. . .

Review:

I loved this novel. A couple of years ago I found Making Marion inside my mailbox. It was a charming read and I loved the skill Beth Moran showed in her characterization. And to my delight I opened the mail a few weeks ago and found I Hope You Dance. Sigh. Even better than Making Marion. 

Let me sing the praises of this novel. First off, Moran writes charming yet heavy plots. A little wistfulness, a lot of humor, and a cast full of quirky characters that are realistically complicated. Secondly, Moran tackles longing and grief and faith struggles and challenges with realistic grace and shows the gossamer threaded frailty of humanity. Finally, Moran just tells a great story full of hope and realization and growth. 

Those who love British novels and charm and certainly those who eat up realistic fiction that features characters limping toward or returning to faith might want to check this one out. I love that I received a copy in exchange for an honest review. And honestly, I loved it. 

Reviewed by: Kelly Klepfer