I'd first encountered Carrington when chasing the part of a female barrister. Wanting to gen up on how my character might act in real life (and now, knowing the man - in every sense of the word - I'm more convinced than ever that those called to the bar are actors worthy of any Sunday evening TV series...)
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Robyn Allen is finally getting closer to her dream of West End stardom. And along with her role dancing in the latest hot musical, she’s being wined and dined by an equally hot man – the wildly successful and well-connected Fabian Carrington. But one slip up and her dreams are shattered, and Robyn has to hobble back to the Yorkshire village of Beddingfield, and the life she hoped she’d escaped.
Moving back into her mum’s house with her recalcitrant teenage sister Sorrel, next door to her older sister Jess who’s fed up with picking up the slack, is not how Robyn pictured her year. But there’s more to come. Sorrel needs a new school, and the school needs a new drama teacher. Despite having vowed never to teach again, Robyn knows she has to support her sister.
So together Sorrel and Robyn vow to take on St Mede’s – home to jokers, tearaways and trouble-makers, but with a hidden heartbeat ready to be inspired. And who knows, the kids might have something to teach Robyn about life too...
Welcome to the village of Beddingfield and the first book in bestseller Julie Houston’s new series set in Yorkshire. Funny, fabulous, heart-warming and hilarious, you’ll never forget the Allen sisters and their one-of-a-kind community. Perfect for fans of Jo Bartlett, Cathy Bramley and Philippa Ashley.
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I was already a fan of Julie Houston's books before this book tour came along. As you can imagine, when the tour organiser offered me a place on the tour for A Class Act, I virtually bit her hand off in my eagerness to take part.
I have previously read and enjoyed four of Ms. Houston's other books; A Village Vacancy, Sing Me a Secret, Goodness, Grace and Me and The Village Vicar. You can find my review of these books by clicking on the respective title.
When the world is so full of doom and gloom, we need more books like this. It was such a joyful book to read, and I enjoyed it from start to finish.
The main character Robyn is achieving her dream and is dancing on the West End stage in London. When she sustains an injury and cannot dance, she thinks her career may be over. Consequently, she retreats with a broken heart from a brief love affair with Fabian the barrister, to her childhood home in Yorkshire to join her two sisters while their mother is in hospital.
Robyn was a fabulous character. She is feisty, warm-hearted and funny. It has been delightful to become acquainted with her. The author brings her alive on the page and I was rooting for her every step of the way.
The secondary characters are equally well portrayed. The dynamic between the three sisters was totally believable. Older sister Jess is the responsible one and younger sister Sorrell appears to be going off the rails. Sandwiched in the middle, Robyn is trying to play her part in supporting the family.
Largely set in Yorkshire where the author herself resides, it is easy to detect her love for her county through her words. Indeed, I've been lucky enough to visit a few times and it really is lovely.
Ms. Houston is a brilliant story teller. I would have loved to have settled in a gobbled this up in one sitting had opportunity presented itself. I am so pleased that this is the first in a planned series. I will definitely be at the front of the queue to get my hands on the second one when it is published.
I heartily recommend this book to anyone who would like to bring a little joy into their life. It is impossible not to adore Robyn's character. I am sure you will enjoy this book every bit as much as I have.
ISBN: 978 1835610060
Publisher: Boldwood Books
Formats: e-book, audio, hardback and paperback (currently available on Kindle Unlimited)
No. of Pages: 368 (paperback)
About the Author:
Julie Houston is the author of 12 novels. She lives in West Yorkshire and writes warm and
funny books about characters who are still learning about life.
(ARC and media courtesy of Rachel's Random Resources)
(all opinions are my own)
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