This is a quick, easy read about small-town coo Dylan and new-to-town dance instructor Shannon.

There were elements of the characters and story that I thought were interesting, However, it covers so many story elements including sisters meeting and living together for the first time, Dylan's sister's past trauma and current situation, opening a dance studio, and a romance.

It just felt like too much stuffed into a shorter book and it didn't expand on or give enough to any part of the story. By virtue of that I didn't feel any real chemistry between Dylan and Shannon, nor did I feel like I got to really know any of the characters enough.

I loved the strong theme of family in this book. That there was a budding romance here just was icing on the cake. Since I was a dancer, I loved every aspect of the dance studio too! This was a sweet, heartwarming story that was just a delight to read.

Cute book with an even better story. To be honest I didn’t think this book would be as amazing as it was. I was pleasantly surprised at how good the whole thing turned out to be.

Super cute story of love and acceptance. Friendship and family. I fell in love with the main characters as well as the supporting characters. I enjoyed the story as we got to see how their friendships/relationships developed. Fantastic book.

This book was a sweet romance that I was excited to read, but not necessarily my current preference for romance. This is a nice heartfelt, sweet romance, but I missed the spice of the things I have been reading lately.

I actually was more invested in the story of Dylan's younger sister than I was in the romance between Shannon and Dylan. I understood their attraction and I did by into it. I was just left wanting to know more about the side characters. So even though this book did not fall into my current reading tastes, I will probably pick up more books in the series.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here : https://www.amazon.com/Shall-We-Dance-Me-Book-ebook/dp/B07XPDJB9G/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=shall+we+dance&qid=1600542201&s=books&sr=1-1

OK, after reading the two other books in this series, I had to go back and read this one, the first one in the series! At least I read the two other books in order. Boy was I missing a lot by skipping this one! WHAT AN AMAZING READ!!! This book is about Shannon Murphy, she is 27 and meeting her biological sisters for the very first time. TWO sisters and just now meeting them, can you imagine? I think meeting my sister when I was 27 may not be a bad thing, you don’t have all that teenage angst growing up and the competition of parental unit attention and more. Shannon’s mother died suddenly twenty-four years ago, not only leaving three daughters, but a mess of bills, and web of lies. Good old DNA tests have gotten her to this discovery! Not only discovering that the people that she thought were her parents, but that she also had sisters! TWO SISTERS! She contacted them and after many emails and phone calls, they all decided to live together for a year to get to know each other above Shannon’s recently purchased building. Her two sisters are giving up their entire lives as they know it to move to nowhere Ohio to bond. Traci was a big city cop from Cleveland and Kimber was a model from New York City. Both of her sisters are going to help out with her ballroom dance studio, a dream that Shannon has dreamt a long time for. I am so mad that I waited so long to read this book! This book focuses on the bond that the girls form and them getting to know each other. There is a hint of romance after a handsome cop loses a bet in his fantasy football league. He has to take five dance classes with Shannon and doesn’t care what he learns. If you were told that, which dance would you teach? Would you torture him with the most difficult or make him learn ballet? Well, you will have to read the book to find out what Dylan learns.

What a beautiful book about sisters. I loved this book from beginning to the end! Highly highly recommend if you’re looking for a sweet story!

Shall We Dance by is a book I'm finding hard to put down in words. Was it beautiful? Yes. Was it insightful? Double yes. Did it have the right amount of romance? Triple yes. I mean, it was so much more than a contemporary romance. I am a dancer and everything about it just catches me. And it was seriously described in such an enchanting way that I couldn't help but get wrapped into it. What's more? It was like an entry point for various important issues that we face in our society. I was properly satisfied with the characters, the descriptions and how the plot turned out.

Awww....I loved this sweet story about these three sisters who find each other and decide to make a home together so that they can finally get to know each other. Their separate roles as a police officer, a super model, and a dance instructor would tend to make the reader think there would be no way they could live together in harmony. But they are not only sisters—they are sisters of the heart. This story focuses more on Shannon, the dance instructor, who is possibly the sweetest of the three and the one who brought them all together. We also learn about their friend Jennifer’s story of recovering from fear and depression. There’s clean romance in this story, but also a touch of suspense as Jennifer is being threatened by a stalker who has a grudge against her. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series to see what happens next in the sisters’ lives.

Just a note: Although it’s handled very appropriately, Jennifer’s storyline does include a violent attack against her. Be aware of that before you read the book if this is a trigger for you.

Although I mainly review Christian fiction, this is a general fiction book. It’s a clean and sweet storyline, but is not told from a faith point of view.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book. I thought that there were a lot of stories to follow, but it wasn't overwhelming and character development was amazing. I definitely will recommend this book to family and friends.

Shall We Dance is a fun romantic novel, the first in a new series, by Shelley Shepard Gray. I give this one 5 stars and highly recommend it for your Keeper Shelf. Shannon Murphy is starting a new life in more ways than one. She has a new Dance Studio and above it a new apartment with which she is going to share with two sisters she has only found out she has and they've all agreed to move in together for a time to get to know each other.

Dylan Lange is a cop who lost a bet with his buddies and taking dance lessons are the consequences. He doesn't get off to a good first impression with Shannon but as the lessons progress, they get to know each other better. Dylan has a sister who has survived a trauma and lives with him. She is trying to get out and live again--complicating his life and hers.

On top of all this, Shannon's new sister is Dylan's partner on the job. As you can see, the plot thickens. The dance scenes are sweetly orchestrated. I am sure you will enjoy. I received this one from Blackstone Publishing through Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

Shall We Dance is a wonderful read. Shelley writes the most emotional and heart pounding books. I absolutely loved this book!

This is a cute, small town romance. There is good character development with the sisters as well as the romance. Very clean, heartwarming story. My Grandmother would love it.

This is book 1 in a new series, Dance with me. It is the story of Shannon Murphy, 27 years old, who has just discovered she has 2 sisters. The three ladies decide to live together in the loft above Shannon's dance studio for 1 year to get to know each other. Dylan has lost a bet with fellow police officers and has to take dance lessons. He and Shannon become friends and she helps Dylan's sister rejoin the world after a terrible trauma. This is a good first book, it introduces the reader to the town of Bridgeport, the main characters and their backgrounds. Looking forward to book 2, Take the Lead. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I enjoyed this book but I’m not sure how to classify it. Normally this author’s books are Christian fiction, but there are a few words and circumstances where the main characters are drinking that disappointed me.. I would have a hard time recommending this title to our Christian fiction readers at my library.

Shall We Dance? By Shelley Shepard Gray is the first tale in The Dance with Me Series. It is an extension of The Bridgeport Social Club Series, but Shall We Dance? can be read on its own. I found the story easy to read thanks to Shelley Shepard Gray’s writing. The story moved along at a swift pace and I quickly finished it. I love the setting of Bridgeport, Ohio. It seems that a friendly town especially with the addition of Shannon Murphy and her two sisters, Kimber and Traci. Shannon took a DNA test and was shocked to find she had two sisters. After the three of them connected, Kimber and Traci agreed to move to Bridgeport with Shannon who is opening Dance with Me. The three sisters are sharing the loft apartment above the studio. Shannon opens her dance studio and Dylan Lange is her first private client. It turns out that he lost the fantasy football league pool which forced him to perform a penance (Shannon really did not appreciate that word). Dylan must take five dancing lessons. I believe his friends expected the teacher to be an older woman with white hair and thick lensed glasses. When I began reading Shall We Dance?, I felt like I was dumped into the middle of an existing book. I kept wondering if there was a prequel. I liked the main characters (Shannon, Kimber, Traci, Dylan and Jennifer) who are friendly and relatable. I wish the author had taken more time to establish the characters. As this is only the first book, I am sure we will get more details on Traci and Kimber in their books (I am curious to Kimber’s last name). While we do learn about Shannon, I felt details about Dylan were missing. The romance between Dylan and Shannon started off nicely, but then it was shoved aside when a threatening note was left inside Jennifer Lange’s (Dylan’s sister) car. Jennifer went through a horrific incident about two years ago and it devastated her as well as her family. She is finally venturing out into the world by visiting a local bookstore, Backdoor Books which has a fabulous cookbook section. I loved the descriptions of the cookbook area of Backdoor Books (reminds you of a 1950s kitchen). I felt for Jennifer and I like how she handled the situation. Jennifer’s story, in my opinion, should have been a novella on its own. I felt the dancing and romance aspects of the story were neglected. The parts of the romance that I wish were featured were left out (spoilers). I did appreciate the epilogue that nicely wrapped up Shall We Dance? I enjoyed the quotes on dancing before each chapter. There is humor sprinkled throughout especially regarding the sisters’ inability to cook. There is also a puppy named Harvard who provides amusing and tender scenes. It was nice to see the sisters connecting and establishing bonds. They were getting to know each other after a lifetime apart. I thought it was sweet and touching. Shall We Dance? is an emotive story with revealed relations, a serious stalker, whirling waltzes, bibliophile bliss, racy rumbas, and scrumptious culinary creations.

This was a sweet small town romance centered about three sisters that find each other after the system separated them as toddlers and a newborn.

Shannan doesn’t know how she did it but she moved to Bridgeport, opened up her own dance studio and talked her two estranged sisters into moving in with her for one year, to get to know each other.

After they were separated and adopted out, the three sisters didn’t even know they had siblings until Shannon reached out. This part of the story was so sweet and heartbreaking. Each sister is was raised in vastly different walks of life. Shannon was raised as a single child to loving parents in a small West Virginian town, Traci became a cop after growing up in the foster system and the baby of the family, Kimber, a professional fashion model, grew up in the bid city of New York.

Watching these three form a close family bond with each other was a highlight!

While her new business starts to take off and Shannon grows closer to her sisters each day, she also meets Dylan. Traci’s new partner and the guy who lost a bet and had to get dance lessons as his due. Along with Dylan, there’s also his sister Jennifer, who was also a really great character. Would love to see her get her own story as this intro to her character barely scratched the surface!

This was definitely a slow burn romance that has the two MCs at a nice simmer from first meeting to the sweet conclusion.

Would I recommend? Yes. This is a clean romance (no smexy times) with heart and great family/friendship ties. Was very sweet and left me with feel good vibes all around.

Shall We Dance
The Dance With Me Series - Book 1
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Blackstone Publishing - February 2020

Contemporary Romance


Shannon Murphy was a sibling. It was something she hadn't known, and now not only has she found her two sisters, but all three of them were going to live together. It would be challenging as although they were blood, they were still strangers to one another, but it was also exhilarating. Having been a champion competitive dancer growing up, Shannon had now opened a dance studio in Bridgeport, Ohio. She worked on the first floor, and the three of them would live upstairs. Shannon was really enjoying what she was doing, which explained why she was a bit more than miffed when she learned her newest student was only there because he had lost a bet.

Honesty probably wasn't always the best policy if you were telling a professional dancer that you were being forced to be there, but Dylan Lange was able to encourage Shannon to continue with the lesson. And it was much better than he ever expected. It had definitely been good to smooth things over with Shannon, as their lives continued to intersect outside of dancing. Dylan was a police officer, and not only was his new partner one of Shannon's sisters, but his own sister, Jennifer, had made friends with her. This was an important step as Jennifer had been attacked and was only now venturing out into life again.

Shall We Dance is a sweet romance brimming with characters, relationships and love. I loved the idea of three sisters discovering each other and coming together to start new lives in a new town. Their different backgrounds makes each sister unique, but they are all equally caring. It was difficult to see Jennifer's setbacks as she struggles to overcome the violence of her past, but equally joyful to see her triumphs. Best of all was watching Shannon and Dylan work through their issues and come together. I really hope to see both of Shannon's sisters find heroes of their own.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

A wonderful first book in a brand new series by master Christian storyteller Shelley Shepard Gray!

For full review: go to the link below

Today I’m reviewing Shall We Dance? by bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray. Thank you to NetGalley and to Blackstone Publishing for allowing me to read this advanced copy. All views expressed in this review are my own.

Shannon Murphy is a dance studio owner in Bridgeport, Ohio, and she’s currently renting the upstairs loft with her two sisters, Kimber and Traci. Separated as children and adopted into different families, this is the first time in decades that the sisters have had the chance to live with one another and get to know each other better. They each have their own backgrounds and personalities, and they each bring something unique to the loft. But over time, they also learn what they all have in common.

As the sisters’ relationship develops, so buds Shannon’s dance studio. Her new endeavor is a hit in Bridgeport, and Shannon finds herself busy teaching boisterous teenagers how to tap and couples how to samba and waltz. She often feels nostalgic for her own dance competition days, but being able to give back to her community and to follow her dreams simultaneously leaves Shannon with little room to complain.

Her newest mentee, Dylan Lange, is a police officer in town who recently lost a bet with his buddies—and his comeuppance is fancy dance lessons with Shannon. When he first shows up to the studio, it’s clear that this is the last thing Dylan would like to be doing. But he’s not one to back down from a challenge, and Shannon isn’t afraid to have her toes stepped on a few times if it means waltzing with the handsome—albeit slightly taciturn—man in blue.

As the dance lessons progress, Dylan’s dance moves aren’t the only things developing. The lythe dancer with the Southern twang captures Dylan’s interest, and he finds himself enjoying the dance lessons and looking forward to holding Shannon in his arms every week. His home life is a bit distracting, as he lives with his twenty-one-year-old sister, Jennifer, whose traumatic past makes it difficult for her to leave the house at all. But, as fate would have it, Shannon and her sisters have entered both Dylan’s and Jennifer’s lives at the perfect time.

I enjoyed this sweet romance. There’s always something wonderful about a drawn out, budding romance, and I always enjoy it when the characters are great flirters. Dylan has some pretty great lines, I must say! But I did miss a stronger tension and anticipation between Shannon and Dylan. This Hallmark-sweet novel contains many elements that you would expect—the obvious attraction between the two main characters, a picturesque setting, quirky second characters who push the main characters into hilarious or awkward situations, and a happily ever after. But the happily ever after felt a little too rushed to me, even for a sweet romance, which is why I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

The author tackles some personal issues in the lives of her characters, and I really loved the subplots. Shannon, Traci, and Kimber’s growing relationship was fun to watch, and I can definitely see how the author is planning to make the book a series, each book focusing on one sister. The trauma of Jennifer’s past was treated appropriately, respectfully, and without fear, which is something I obviously like to see when you’re dealing with heavier content, even when it’s framed in a character’s past.

I expected there to be a heavier dance theme, and, while dancing was present throughout, it was only surface-level. This is by no means a dance novel, so make sure you know that before going into it. But it is evident that the author loves dance, and that she’s created Shannon with this same joy.

Overall, if you’re looking for a super-sweet romance, Shall We Dance? is a wonderful choice. It actually released earlier this week, so it’s available now!