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Anton Du Becke is better known for his fantastic dancing prowess in "Strictly Come Dancing" and for being a well respected television personality. "One Enchanted Evening" is his first debut novel featuring glitz, glamour, scandal and secrets set in 1936 in a fabulous London hotel focusing on its magnificent and opulent ballroom. The descriptions of the hotel and it's ballroom were just exquisite and I truly felt I was a guest there myself enjoying the ostentatious surroundings. Anton really cares about his characters, introducing them in such a way that you will instantly love them or understand and appreciate why they are the way they are. I loved young Billy Brogan and I couldn't help but equate the debonair Raymond de Guise with Anton himself, charming and handsome! Who would have thought there would be so much fierce competition and rivalry between London's top hotels and the amount of secrets and scandals that they tried to keep hidden was quite eye opening. The fight scene in The Midnight Rooms was exceedingly authentic and I felt as if I was there in the alcoves watching it all develop into a brawl with the beat of the band in the background. I also sensed elements of the movie "Dirty Dancing" at times with the risqué Latin dances hidden away in clubs for the more adventurous dancers to enjoy and partake. As the secrets start to unravel, each character is worried how it will impact on them, once they are exposed and it was interesting to see just how varied everyone's hidden secret was, each totally different to the other. Elegantly written in a beautiful era of the 1930's - which is obviously a favourite period of Anton's - his passion for dancing, the people he's met along the way and the places he has visited has inspired him to write an incredibly entertaining book where page after page the story unfolds into an intriguing and uplifting story. A lighthearted but fully heartwarming tale completely different to what I would normally read (Anton couldn't be further from my gruesome serial killing authors you could get) but I'm so pleased to have read it and enjoyed every second of it. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or a fan of Anton himself for his beautiful dancing etc then you'll love this book - give it a twirl and take a waltz down memory lane - you shouldn't be disappointed! I do hope Anton writes more like this - I even think this book would make a wonderful television series along the lines of "Downtown Abbey" but filled with beautiful dancing and glitzy characters - he now has an additional talent of writing and as a debut novel this one really does deserve a "10 from Len"! 5 starsRead full review
Verified purchase: No
this is a very good book I could not put it down and the same with all Anton's books you get a real feel for the people in the books. Thanks Anton keep writing some more please. Thanks JoeB..
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Anton du Beke writes so well and I never expected a 'page turner' such as this. The historical aspects both political and social are fascinating and am very sorry I have finished reading it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Well written which makes easy reading. Also the characters are very believable. A very entertaining read.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
A compelling story of prewar London. Life in a top hotel from guests to the staff with dancing thrown in. An interesting read. Will be buying the next one or maybe a Xmas gift?
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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