Contemporary
A group of mature women from Manchester, united by their love of dance, head to Paris for a prestigious competition. Amid personal struggles, secret marriages, and budding romances, they face betrayal and sabotage...
Paperback
What do a dress designer, a nanny, and a dentist have in common? Their love of dance and Clarissa’s amateur dance group for mature ladies.
Now the Manchester troupe heads to Paris for the finals of the Expression competition. However they're carrying more baggage than just their costumes. Monica’s marriage is on the rocks, Ruby is torn between her lascivious lifestyle and a new love, Ingrida has secretly married her employer. Meanwhile, Fay longs to reconnect with her daughters, and Asha is obsessed with nailing her Bollywood routine for her upcoming wedding.
With Clarissa’s choreography and their shared passion, the ladies are determined to triumph. But betrayal and sabotage threaten their friendships and their chances of winning.
Can they overcome the obstacles and claim the prize?
Here's what readers have to say about this book....
Dancing Fools and All That Jazz is a thoroughly enjoyable read that vividly captures the highs and lows experienced by a group of women competing in a Parisian dance competition. For many readers, this setting may be unfamiliar, yet the author skilfully introduces the intricacies of the dance world in a manner that is both informative and entertaining. The dialogue is consistently crisp and witty, bringing the characters to life, while the storyline unfolds compellingly through the perspectives of the protagonists. One particularly memorable scene involves the group’s rehearsal in a grand Parisian studio, where tensions and camaraderie are equally palpable. Moments like these not only highlight the emotional stakes of the competition but also showcase the unique personalities of the ensemble cast. As someone with little prior knowledge of the dance world, I found myself both entertained and enlightened by the vivid descriptions and the authentic portrayal of the characters’ journeys. This novel is a delightful blend of humour, insight, and emotional resonance, and I would highly recommend it to fans of contemporary fiction, as well as anyone interested in stories of friendship and personal growth.
Brilliant! What a page turner. The characters are so real and loved to device of writing complete chapters around one character, it made them so recognisable.
Whether a fan of dance or not, Dancing Fools and All That Jazz is a fabulous read. Becky Fleetwood's method of introducing the characters one chapter at a time, allows the reader to really see events from their perspective and understand the hidden depths within their personalities. As a fan of her 'Chroma' trilogy aimed at young adults, I was eager to read Becky's first 'adult' novel. I was not disappointed. I highly recommend 'Dancing Fools and All That Jazz' and am eagerly awaiting a sequel!
Dancing Fools is a page-turning, heartfelt, gem of a book with a host of diverse female characters who you cannot help but become incredibly attached to. I really hope the author writes a follow-up as I am dying to know what happens post-Paris for the women I’ve grown so fond of! I loved the pace (couldn’t put it down), the vividness of the dances in the vibrant setting of Paris and the characters’ authentic voices narrating their version of events in each chapter - Ruby and Ingrida were my favourites! It’s a compelling read with the perfect balance of challenges, emotional moments and humour; I laughed out loud in many a moment! Will definitely be recommending this read to everyone this summer!
A great light holiday read with a lot of characters to keep your mind engaged.