Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
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I’ve been a Susan Elizabeth Phillips fan for years now. Before ebooks, and Goodreads, I usually found a new author by going to the library. And then started to binge their entire backlog. That’s how I found SEP. Now I must admit I didn’t realize that she hadn’t written anything in the last four years. Which makes this new release a big day for her and all her fans.
Run, run, as fast as you can!
When life throws her one setback too many, midwife and young widow Tess Hartsong takes off for Runaway Mountain. In this small town high in the Tennessee mountains, surrounded by nature, she hopes to outrun her heartbreak and find the solace she needs to heal.
But instead of peace and quiet, she encounters an enigmatic artist with a craving for solitude, a fairy-tale sprite with too many secrets, a helpless infant, a passel of curious teens, and a town suspicious of outsiders, especially one as headstrong as Tess. Just as headstrong, is Ian North, a difficult, gifted man with a tortured soul—a man who makes Tess question everything.
In running away to this new life, Tess wonders— Has she lost herself . . . or has she found her future?
Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
MY THOUGHTS & REVIEW
Dance Away With Me was wonderfully different. It still had the author’s signature style, but it also was more emotional, with some heart-breaking moments, and delivered a surprisingly complex plot.
The story reminded me in a small way about all the books I recently read that have been set in the Appalachian mountains. It’s set in a small mountain community, with many courageous and colorful characters.
And it had a wonderfully gruff hero which I adore. With his blunt way, dry humor, and grumpy nature, he was easy to fall in love with. The chemistry between him and the heroine felt right and genuine to me. They both had some emotional package that needed to be unpacked first, but I liked how they pushed each others button from the very beginning.
I also loved the many friendships that developed, and the characters that had their own stories, and intersected with Tess’s throughout the novel. And the way Tess was compelled to help and in the end found herself was heart-warming and a part of the story I enjoyed the most.
Overall the book had depth, and focused on some deeper issues with eloquent skill. I was surprised that the novel wasn’t as fluffy, sexy and light-hearted as the author’s usual books, but I actually enjoyed it more because of it.
FOUR STARS
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I received a copy of this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review.
My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.
Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
oh this book sounds so delightful. I have such a fondness for mountain settings.
In that case you might really enjoy it 😀
Great review! I’ve read pretty much her whole backlist. Will have to borrow this book from the library ?
You have???? What’s your favorite? I think I need to read Breathing Room again 😀
Yes! I loved that one too. I think my favorite would have to be the Chicago Stars series – probably It Had To Be You. I loved all of the books in that series! She was one of the first contemporary romance authors that I read waaaay back in the early 2000’s ?
It Had To Be You was my first book by her and I fell in love with it and her writing, but I agree it’s still, years later, one of my most favorite books by her.