I was reading a different library book that I was just not connecting with when I started this book. I figured I would pick it up to read a chapter or two as a type of palate cleanser and to improve my mood. Yup, still haven't picked the library book back up. Ruth Hogan’s books are a much needed break from the dark, dystopian books I tend to read.. I love to be reminded there are good and kind people in the world. This book left me with a mile on my face and a lot of days, that is really needed.

This book is not all smiles and rainbows. It starts with a couple funerals, a husband for one, mother for the other. The stories intertwine in a beautiful way, with each character having a well developed back story. I especially appreciated Venetia’s relationship with Kite. There is something about that generational gap that works. The side characters really rounded out the overall story. Swan was my favorite!

Side notes:
* They never explained what dead fly biscuits are, what are they? It didn’t seem like even Liberty knew.
* How does no one comment on Liberty Bell’s name? Not a single comment. Is that because it is England?, At one point,Heron even forgot her name!
* I didn’t realize that Kite was a bird, had to look it up.

This book has a lovely cast of characters. Heron, Hawk, Kite, Swan and Nightingale are all part of the same family. Venetia is the widow of Hawk and the mother to Heron. This was a proper British family with the formal, upright bearing and stiff upper lip of the well-to do. Swan and Nightingale, sisters to Hawk, were not the typical British women. The book opens with Hawk's funeral and Venetia living alone in her 70's. This did not suit Heron who believed that his mother was old and frail and in need of a caretaker. Thus, Liberty Bell came to live with Venetia. Liberty came with her own set of issues: a mother that disowned her, the married man that rejected her and a depressed attitude. Soon, Tommy (the dog) came along and the house became busier. Kite, the son of Heron, ran away from boarding school and straight to Venetia's (Neesha) home. And then, along came loud, hard of hearing Swan. The house was full of interesting people. That wasn't all though--Venetia buys a non-denominational church, with a ballroom upstairs and the cast becomes bigger and quirkier. This was a feel good book as Venetia goes through a coming-of-age period in her senior years. I liked that she was able to move into a new life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of a digital ARC. This review is my own opinion.

Another fabulous story by Hogan. Just like her previous two stories, she has a beautiful way of creating characters that immediately draw you in and her focus on their development and relationships make the stories such great reads. Just perfect.

Ruth Hogan, your fabulous books are just what I look for when I need to reinvigorate my faith in human nature or just need the perfect comfort read. I have savored all of your previous four books, and I think The Phoenix Ballroom just might be your best (to date).

This lovely book has everything I look for in a life-affirming, entertaining read: quirky characters of diverse ages who instantly feel like friends, initially questionable characters who develop into more engaging humans, past secrets or troubles that need to be resolved, dreams that haven't yet been fulfilled, sparkling dialogue, a vibrant setting, and heartfelt emotion. Throw in a rescue German shepherd named Colin Firth, and I am even more invested.

The central character, Venetia, is a spirited widow of a certain age whose fussy son nevertheless insists on hiring her a "granny nanny" before he and his wife move to France on business. Their 10-year-old son, Kite (all of the males in the family have bird names), is left behind at a boarding school but would rather live with his beloved "Nisha." Venetia's fortyish personal assistant (definitely not a granny nanny) is also facing a big life change and isn't at all sure this live-in job is going to work for her. And Venetia's brash, larger-than-life sister-in-law comes to visit and never leaves. Then there's a neighborhood spiritual church that's in danger of losing its lease and a rundown ballroom where Venetia taught dancing many years ago.

I absolutely loved every page of this book, and now I sadly have to wait for the next one. Ruth, please keep them coming. You are one of my go-to authors, and you deserve all of the accolades you are sure to collect when this book is released in June.

My sincere thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this stellar book.

The phoenix ballroom was such a great book! I loved it so much. The writing was very done and I could not put it down!

MANY thanks to NetGalley and William Morris for the opportunity to trad The Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth Hogan. It just happens that I am Ms. Hogan's #1 fan. Her books are always worth the wait and as soon as I finish reading her newest i start wishing for the next one. This was a delight. I loved every character and am sorry to say goodbye. Guess I'll just have to read it again.