Review: Love Waltzes In by Alana Albertson

Love Waltzes In (Dancing Under the Stars #1)
written by Alana Albertson
published by Bolero Books

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iBooks, Smashwords, Goodreads

Why did I pick this book: I was asked by the publicist to review this book. (I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)

Did I enjoy this book: I did enjoy this book. It had dance, romance, excitement. It was a fun read. I read this book in one day.

Love Waltzes In is not quite chick lit and not quite romance; it is a wonderful mash-up of those two genres (or sub-genres? I’m not really sure how to describe it but it is a great combination!). Anyway, this love story between Selena and Bret is sweet. It is part predictable, part unbelievable, part keep-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat. Selena is a strong dancer who wants more out of her personal life but isn’t ready to sacrifice her professional life. She is with another dancer but not really with him. I did not like her partner, Dima. He was arrogant and controlling. Bret is a former (reluctant) dancer who is now a Marine and wants to do right. He puts on his dancing shoes, despite the razzing that will surely come his way, for a one time gig in order to raise money for his fallen comrade’s family. If that doesn’t grab your heart and make you want to read this book, I don’t know what will.

Ballroom dancing is the focus of this book. The section/chapter breaks describing a bit of each different type of dance was interesting and fun. I’m not a huge ballroom dance fan but I am a fan of shows like So You Think You Can Dance and Dancing with the Stars. I saw quite a few similarities between the characters in Love Waltzes In and people on those television shows. I don’t know if that was on purpose, based on fact, or merely a coincidence. It didn’t bother me. In fact, it helped me to picture these people in my mind.

I have read books about ballet and other solo dancers. This is my first ballroom dance book and it won’t be my last. I will definitely read more by Ms. Albertson.

Would I recommend it: I would recommend this book if you like romantic, fun stories.

Will I read it again: I may. I do know that I want to read the sequel, Waltz on the Wild Side.

About the book – from Goodreads: To her millions of fans, ballroom champion Selena Marcil seems to have the perfect life: a great dance partner, a hit reality show, and celebrity perks. But underneath the glamorous ball gowns, Selena longs to find someone to share her life with when the stage lights dim.

Selena’s childhood sweetheart, Bret Lord, hung up his dance shoes after winning two national titles with her as a teenager, and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He never saw his former fiancée again, except on television and on the cover of men’s magazines. Ten years and three deployments later, Bret gets an offer to audition for Selena’s dance show. When the Marine Corps gives him temporary leave to appear on the series, Bret can’t refuse the quick cash that will enable him to provide financially for the widow of his buddy, even if it does mean coming face to face with his past.

When Bret shows up at her national championship, Selena is shocked. For years she searched for him to no avail. After spending time with Bret, Selena realizes despite their past romance, they have no future. He has no desire to live under a spotlight and she has no desire to leave it. Can Selena and Bret recognize when Love Waltzes In?

About the author: Alana Albertson is the former President of Romance Writers of America’s Chick Lit and Young Adult chapters. She holds a Masters of Education from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Stanford. A recovering professional ballroom dancer, Alana currently writes contemporary romance. She lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, two sons, and four dogs.

Find Ms. Albertson here: Goodreads, web, Facebook, Twitter