I love books set during the Great Depression. The Last Dance is another good one, but different from others I’ve read. I love the protagonist, Evie, and her ability to not give up! She survived an abusive childhood with a horrible mother and went on the nursing school, but didn’t graduate because of an abusive and prejudiced nursing director. This leads her to a dancing marathon group who dance marathons for a meager living. Evie ends up becoming a dance marathoner herself. This was really a fascinating part of the book. People literally danced for days on end for a little amount of money. There were many twists and turns with a great cast of characters! Very enjoyable read!

I love books that are written by story tellers. Sarah Bird is a story teller extraordinaire! I'm so glad I discovered this book!

If Evie Grace Devlin hadn't had bad luck, she wouldn't have had any luck at all. As an emotionally abused child whose mother manipulated Evie at a young age, and made her work to support the two of them, to an unsure and gangly adult, Evie had a hard row to hoe all her life. Getting into nursing school is a dream come true for Evie.

This book illustrates the dance marathons of the 1920s and 1930s, and the diverse people who populated them. Normally, a book that has this many characters in it drives me to distraction, but all these characters belonged here and showed the numbers and differences of the people who made up the regulars on the marathon circuit. Throw in a healthy dose of mobsters, and this becomes quite a story!

Evie meets Zave, a dancer and a beautiful specimen of humanity. Zave knew Evie's father, back in the 1910s, and the connection carries forward. Evie becomes a nurse for the dancers and their lives all mesh throughout the book.

There is so much more to this book, so many more stories. Get this book and become one with Evie's world!

Oh, I hope this book earns Sarah Bird the attention she deserves. It dealt with so many issues that remain pertinent today. I learned a great deal. A serious, frightening, loving story kept me turning the page. I can’t recommend it highly enough. It absolutely will not disappoint.

WoW! Thank you St. Martin Press, NetGalley and Author for this stunning advanced ebook!.

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird is the first I've ever read by this author!
And y'all this book is brilliant!
I'm telling ya.... Any historical fiction lovers out there will go nuts over this one.
Maybe about 6 months ago I recently just started getting into historical fiction novels. And this story right here is why I love a good HF read!
The Great Depression always fascinates me. And I love reading more about it. Well Bird did such an outstanding job here painting the picture of those awful times!
The characters were brilliant and very well written.
Overall story.... Oh my gosh I could go on and on. Beautiful, heart breaking, the courage and strength here is something amazing!
This is just going to be such a talked about book!

Thanks again NetGalley, Publisher and Author for the chance to read and review this amazing book!
I'll post to my Social media platforms closer to pub date!

Last Dance on the Starlight Pier by Sarah Bird is a great historical fiction novel that takes place during the Depression Era and into WWII and is so unique and enjoyable in its narrative involving the wonderful world of dancing and dancing competitions. I really enjoyed it.

This is such a breath of fresh air in regard to subject matter and narrative. A lot of books are written about the Depression and during the long-difficult years surrounding WWII, but I do not think that I have ever read a book that delved into the world of dance-offs and competitions that sprang up during this time period. During a time of such difficulty, loss, fear, change, and darkness, these events and gatherings seem to me to be a way that many could express themselves, let out energy/frustration, and make a few ends meet in the process if possible. The added level of companionship, togetherness, mutual interest, and therapeutic aspects of bonds and support formed to create a steady aspect in a bumpy world seems to be perfectly fit.

There were twists, turns, surprises, heavier moments balanced with fun/lighter aspects that had my toe tapping created a really great experience. I enjoyed the cast of characters and enjoyed how it all played out.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and St. Martin's Press for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.