Happy Friday Friends :)
I pray today finds you all doing well, and that you're all enjoying the teaser to the start of one of my all time favorite seasons.
While I know that fall does not officially begin until September 22nd, September 1st always seems like the start of it to me, and I'm already loving the leaves changing color and the cooler temperatures.
I recently had the chance to read an upcoming Christian fiction title that revolves around ballet, and today I'm here to share with you all what I thought about it.
Keep reading for my full review.
A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano:
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: September 7th, 2021
Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction
Synopsis:
All theater romances are tragedies. Ella Blythe knows this. Still, she cannot help but hope her own story may turn out different than most--and certainly different than the tragic story of the Ghost of Craven Street Theater. Yet as she struggles to maintain her tenuous place in the ever-shrinking ballet company, win the attentions of principal dancer Philippe, and avoid company flirt Jack, Ella cannot deny the uncanny feeling that her life is mirroring that of the dead ballerina.
Is she dancing ever closer to the edge of her own tragic end? Or will the secrets that are about to come to light offer release from the past?
Mystery and romance make the perfect dance partners in this evocative story from fan-favorite Joanna Davidson Politano.
(synopsis from goodreads)
My Review:
I had previously read and loved Finding Lady Enderly by Joanna Davidson Politano, and when I found out that her newest release was going to be centered around ballet in the Victorian era, I couldn't wait to dive in. However, this book just wasn't for me, and was not at all what I was expecting it to be. I can see how so many others have loved it, but too many elements just worked against my enjoyment of it, and I was left feeling really unsatisfied after finishing it.
I do want to say that I loved the overall message of how we can serve God in anything and everything. Ella's journey of discovery to a place of realizing that ballet can serve as a form of worship to our Heavenly Father was beautiful, and poignantly done. I also adored Jack's character. He's gone through so much, and I really admired the selfless kind of hero he's become along the way.
However, I found the mystery was really murky and hard to follow, and I was not at all satisfied with how everything wrapped up at the end. Ella's character wasn't one I enjoyed for a large portion of the story as she can't make up her mind, and acts terribly immature and standoffish throughout a large portion of the story. I also felt that at least half of the story seemed to be overlaid with a sensual tone that I wasn't at all a fan of, and it ended up taking me quite awhile to end up finishing this one.
While I did enjoy certain components, and I really do think Joanna Davidson Politano is an extremely talented storyteller, overall this one just wasn't for me, and it won't be one I will be rereading.
Final Rating: 3/5.
Thanks so much to Revell for allowing me to advance read and review this!
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Revell) via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thanks so much for reading guys! Have a great weekend :)
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