Save the Last Dance

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review.

Save The Last Dance by Shelley Shepard Gray is the third book in the trilogy Dance with Me which is about three sisters. This stories is about Kimber's life and her new relationship with Gunnar Law. Kimber is feeling a bit lost now that she has decided to stop modeling but she doesn't know what she wants to do. She also has a stalker that she doesn't tell her sisters about, hoping that he won't find her. Along the way she meets Gunner and his foster son Jeremy who she makes a connection with. This story was sweet but I felt like Kimber and Gunner's relationship went from one date to, now we were together. On the other hand I did love Kimber's relationship with her sisters and Gunner's relationship with his foster son. There was also a bit of suspense in New York, a clearing up of many misunderstandings and the discovery of who her stalker really was. I enjoyed Shannon, Traci and Kimber's stories and I'm sad to be leaving Bridgeport.

I loved this book. Couldn't wait for it to come out. What a great story between Kimber and Gunnar. Opposites do attract but with family who cares. What a change being with the right person brings. A happy ending to this series.

SAVE THE LAST DANCE – Shelley Shepard Gray
Dance With Me Series – Book 3
Blackstone Publishing
ISBN-13: 978-1982658588
November 17, 2020
Contemporary Romance

Bridgeport, Ohio - the Present

Kimber Klein doesn’t regret leaving her successful modeling job to join her new-found sisters Shannon and Traci in Ohio. Unlike Traci, she was adopted and her parents love her. However, she is unsure of what direction her life should take. She is volunteering in an elementary school library reading books. A high school boy, Jeremy, is there too, doing volunteer work credits for school. Leaving the school, Kimber finds her brand-new Mercedes in the parking lot with two split tires. She fears her stalker from New York, Peter Mohler, has discovered where she is.

Gunner Law is waiting at the school to pick up his foster child Jeremy. The stunning-looking woman draws his attention, and he sees her car has two flat tires, not old-tire break-down, but someone’s intentional slicing of the tires. Learning Jeremy, his foster child, knows who the woman is, he suggests they help her. Once her car is towed away, Gunner is hoping he can see Kimber Klein again.

Kimber is as attracted to Gunner as he is to her, but their lives are complicated. Her agent keeps contacting her about possible jobs, and his latest one is very tempting. Gunner wants to adopt Jeremy, but the boy is quiet and withdrawn and fighting issues of another possible abandonment. Jeremy also worries about what his schoolmates would think if they discovered he is a foster child. Jeremy is, however, interested in one of his classmates and is trying to work up the courage to ask her to the Christmas dance, but he has no idea how to approach her.

This story, like the previous two in the series, is about family and friendship, building new relationships, and helping those you love when things go wrong, and lots of things go wrong in the story. Great Christmas read!

Robin Lee

I chose to read this book because my Mother recommended it. She said that she had really been enjoying the series and couldn't wait to read this one. I had been a fan of the historical novels that the author had written but was undecided about this series. When I saw it come up on Netgalley in exchange for a review, I thought that I may as well read it.

I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would. I loved the themes of trust and enjoying the moments that life gives you. I thought that the pacing was good and made for an enjoyable reading experience. I was pleased that I found it hard to put down.

Would I pay for this? Yes, I would and because I enjoyed it so much, I'll go back and read the previous books in the series as a result.

Save the Last Dance by Shelley Shepard Gray is the third book in the Dance With Me Series.
Kimber Klein has left her high paying modeling career in New York to move to Bridgeport, Ohio to be reunited with her two sisters. The sisters were separated as children and have been living together for about a year, getting to know each other. Kimber has shared many things with her sisters but has not told them that she had a stalker while living in New York. Kimber thinks that the stalker is in her past and will not find her in Ohio, but she might be wrong. When she is leaving the elementary school that she volunteers at, she finds her car with two slashed tires and all of her past feelings of fear return.
Gunner Law while waiting at the school to pick up his foster son, Jeremy, sees Kimber distressed about her tires and reaches out to help her. And, that is where the romance begins, but can it last with so many changes in both of their lives?
This book can be read as a stand-alone but you will enjoy meeting the other two sisters, Shannon and Traci, in the first two books of the series.
I thank you, Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book, and giving my own opinion.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here on November 17, 2020: https://www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Dance-Me-Book-ebook/dp/B089LJ8LV1/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=save+the+last+dance&qid=1600474297&s=digital-text&sr=1-1

Ok, I had to read it. I know it doesn’t come out for another two months and you guys are going to have to sit and pine for this novel, but there are other books in this series that you can devour! This book had love where you least expect it, tragedy when you did not expect it, hope when everything is gone and community! I loved this book so much! I am so hasty to write my review because so much happens in this book and well. .. I am not one to read and tell, but I will give you basics and leave it at that. We have some teenage romance, adult romance, scary situations and lots of drama. I finished this book in one sitting, but the review takes me a lot longer to write because I am torn between giving away spoilers and just being vague. I am going to stick to being vague and just tell the facts, sir, just the facts. I have many other books to read with publishing dates prior to November, but after reading the prior book, well I requested this one and my wish was granted and well, I absorbed this book in one day and was so happy when I finished it!
This is the third book in the dance with me Series. Yup, I really read the prior book, which is so unlike me. I have to go back and read book #1, but hey..small miracles. We begin this book with Kimber. Kimber has been through a wee bit of a stalking situation. Moving from NYC to small-town Ohio not only stopped the stalking, but also her career as a model. There isn’t much model work in tiny town Ohio. Kimber has been volunteering at the library in the elementary school. Not only that, but she has been bonding with her sisters; sisters that she hadn’t grown up with, ones that she didn’t even know that she had. We learn quite a bit about foster care and the risks and all the benefits too. Kimber’s sister was also raised in the foster care, but not as nice as the one that we hear about. Kimber meets someone special after an unfortunate situation occurs. Kimber has such an amazing support system and we learn how they all come into play and are by her side in an instant!
This book had me so intrigued about what the first book contains. Shelley has two additional books coming out soon! A Perfect Amish Romance that comes out January 2021 and Amish Midwives that comes out in March 2021. I will be keeping my eyes pealed for those, but hoping that this is not the last book in the series. I am hooked and want to dance some more! Bring me some snowflake dancers or some ballroom dancing any day! Did I mention that back in the day when we could shake hands and interact with people, I actually MET THIS AUTHOR at BOOKCON! GEEK ALERT! I am hoping that the next Book Con that I go to that I can now fangirl the heck out of this author and be like..OMG when Kimber…. Xyz and then gcd… sorry no spoilers.. I cannot wait to see her in real life! My library loves it when authors come to talk about their new books, just saying….

Save The Last Dance is a sweet romance and the third book in Gray's Dance With Me Series. This book featured super model Kimber and her love interest Gunnar. She has a stalker and so there is some mystery and suspense to this book. My favorite parts were with Gunnar's foster son Jeremy and his crush Bethany. It was so sweet. And I loved how Gunnar was so good with Jeremy. I really enjoyed this book and the series.

This is a well written book that hooks you on the first page. This is a sweet romance that just the right amount of mystery and suspense to keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. Kimber and Gunner's story was a joy to read. Thank you Blackstone Publishing via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I have reviewed this book for New York Journal of Books where it will be posted on the evening prior to the release date.


"Save the Last Dance" by Shelley Shepard Gray
Blackstone Publishing
November 17, 2020
10-1982658584
400 Pages
Contemporary Christian Romance


Book #3 in the Dance with Me series has Kimber Klein leaving the high-stress demands of a New York City supermodel to relocate to Bridgeport, Ohio to live with her new-found siblings. Though she has amassed wealth from her career, she is tired of having to watch her weight and making sure she always looks flawless. When she is given the chance to move in with Shannon and Traci, she is ecstatic.

Kimber had been adopted as a baby, yet when she recently learned about Shannon and Traci, meeting them was the highlight of her life. Being the only child to her adoptive parents, she never had much of a family life for they were always busy. Now she's ready to put down some roots in this small town and escape Peter, a man who worked with her on a photoshoot and who has been stalking her.

Kimber volunteers to read to school children at the local library, which is something she loves doing. She believes she is safe in this little town, though her fear escalates when she leaves the building only to discover the tires on her Mercedes are slashed. This appears to be a deliberate act, not just a case of maybe driving over some nails. Could Peter have followed her to Ohio?

Lucky for her, Jeremy Widmer, a high-school student who shelves books at the library for volunteer credits sees she's in trouble. When his foster dad, Gunner Law pulls in to pick him up, they offer Kimber assistance. Gunner, who is a mechanic as well as a builder, he calls his boss to get her car towed.

A handsome single man, Gunner is in the process of trying to adopt Jeremy, whom he's been fostering for several months. He totally enjoys the 15-year old and hopes to make up for the hard life Jeremy has lived. With Jeremy in his care Gunner's life is full and uncomplicated, that is, until he comes to the aid of this damsel in distress. Fascinated by her, he wants to help in any way.

Burned before, Gunner isn't considering a relationship, but something about Kimber tugs at his heartstrings. His boss Ace picks up on Gunner's sudden concern about her and gives him a bit of a ribbing:

"'She's real pretty, and she seemed sweet too. Not every woman is like that you know.'

"Gunner knew. Avery, his ex-girlfriend, had seemed sweet—until she'd opened up and turned into a demanding, conniving shrew.

"'You got lucky with your wife, Ace.' His wife, Meredith, was one of the sweetest ladies Gunner had ever met.

"Ace's voice brightened. 'True that. Now, I know I'm sounding all in your business, but you've been alone for a while now. You might want to think about giving Kimber a call. She seems like a woman who would be worth your time.'

"She'd been a mystery, that's what she'd been. Beautiful, direct, and confusing. And, most likely far too city for a hick from a small-town West Virginian like him."

As time goes on, Gunner finds himself thinking about Kimber more, and he is surprised to learn she appears attracted to him in return. Though not knowing where her life is leading her, Kimber is settling in well and assisting her sisters in any way she can. They live in the apartment above Shannon's dance studio, which Shannon owns and operates, and because Kimber has a lot of free time, she busies herself helping Shannon while she prepares to put on the production of The Nutcracker for the upcoming Christmas season. Kimber is in awe of her delicate sibling whose life revolves around dancing and she hopes to discover something she's as passionate about for her future.

Gunner's and Kimber's relationship begins to bloom, and she imagines she will be a permanent fixture in the lives of her siblings and even Gunner and Jeremy. She adores the teenager and notices how wonderful Gunner is with raising him. Then, when Kimber gets a call from her agent Brett, about a modeling offer that every top model yearns for, she is torn. She doesn't need the income, but this is too good an opportunity to pass up, for it means the prestige of a cover and full spread. Deciding to accept the project, she insists to Brett it's to be her final job. She now has a family she loves, and this is to be her last hurrah!

While back in New York City, Kimber works tirelessly on this assignment yet cannot wait to return to Ohio. Gunner worries constantly about her safety, which she brushes off. After all, she’s lived there for years.

On the way back to her hotel after dinner with Brett, she is talking to Gunner when she is suddenly attacked on the city street. Is her attacker, Peter or is this just a random act of someone trying to rob a beautiful woman?

Though this story is based around the Christmas holiday, it can be enjoyed at any time of year, and it stands alone from the other two novels in the series. The reader is offered some information on the fostering/adoption process, and also insight into the grueling demands of being a top fashion model—a job that appears to be glamorous, but actually consists of a lot of hard work. A fun and easy read that is character-driven Save the Last Dance demonstrates how strangers become family with their caring ways and unfailing faith in each other.

I've read tons of books by this author and I find her to be a very reliable author. So I had high hopes going into this book, and it lived up to my expectations.

Another great read by Gray. I have read the first two books in this series and I enjoyed this one just as much. Each of the girls have such a different personality and it has been fun getting to know them all. The plot was a little different from the other 2 and it pulled me in. These are such good books and you know you are getting good story when you pick up a book by this author.

I didn't want this series to end! I loved getting to know the people of Bridgeport and especially the three sisters. As Kimber found out, sometimes it takes a bit to see what's really important. Often it's the people around us more than anything that gives so much light and beauty to our days.


Kimber is a little out of sorts as she leaves her modeling career for small town Ohio. She's hoping she's left her stalker behind as well. After a day reading to kids at the library, things get a little more complicated. Life is not as carefree as she'd like it to be.

Kimber and her sisters are still coming to know one another. They're all very different. I appreciate their intentionality in being in each other's lives even at great personal cost.


While you could easily read this book as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read the whole Dance With Me series...and the Bridgeport Social Club series. They all have a strong message of family. I'd highly recommend it.

Bridgeport Social Club series:

Book 1: Take a Chance

Book 2: All In

Book 3: Hold on Tight

Dance With Me series:

Book 1: Shall We Dance

Book 2: Take the Lead

Book 3: Save the Last Dance

If you are new to the series, it centers around three sisters that at a very young age were given up for adoption, separated and never knowing the others existed. It was a Shannon , the main character in book one, that discovered she had sisters and reunited them in the town of Bridgeport. Each of their upbringing was totally different. From Shannon growing up as a Southern Bell, Traci Lucky, growing up in the foster system and the protagonist in this book, Kimber Klein, growing up in NYC becoming a well known model.
Kimber has left her career and a stalker behind. But she’s at a loss as to what to do with her life. While volunteering at a school library, she meets young Jeremy and later his foster dad, Gunnar Law, when he comes to her rescue after her tires are slashed.
There is an attraction between them and as the story progresses, so does their attraction.
But the story is more a vignette of scenes about the lives of the three sisters and their “sisterhood”, life in Bridgeport, the budding young love of Jeremy and Bethany, and Gunnar’s mother. It also gives the reader a glimpse of being a foster parent wanting to adopt a child.
I loved Gunnar, his mom Willa and Jeremy. I also enjoyed “seeing” how Shannon and Traci were doing.
I have to confess that though it was a good story, I just never warmed up to Kimber and book 1 continues to be my favorite in the series.
Having read not only this series, but also The Bridgeport Social Club series, I will miss spending time in Bridgeport.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was looking forward to this book, the third sister and final of the new family.
This is Kimber's story, sister to Shannon and Traci, and we get updates here, we are all together!
Kimber is a beautiful young woman whom has had a successful modeling career, and is now enjoying her found family.
As we journey this final book in this series we get to meet Gunner and his foster/soon to be his son Jeremy, and we get a look into each of their lives.
This read brings us to the Christmas season and the dance studio is doing the Nutcracker, Traci is busy with the baby and being a police officer and Kimber get a chance for the job of a lifetime.
There are surprises and bombshells that are dropped, and it will keep you on your toes!
I wish there were more reads in this series, I loved meeting these sisters!
I received this book through Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing, and was not required to give a positive review.

Kimber has stepped away from her career as a model and is spending time with her newly found sisters Traci and Shannon. She's also hopefully escaped a stalker but then one day she finds her tires have been slashed while she's volunteering at a school. Jeremy, one of the teens, calls his father Gunnar and well, Kimber's life changes again. This is the third in a series- each book about one sister- but it's fine as a standalone. Each of these women has had a tough go but each of them has found happiness with each other and with a love interest. What makes this special is that Gunnar is fostering to adopt Jeremy, who is a terrific character. There aren't, to be honest, any big surprises here but that's not why you read this sort of novel, is it? This is nicely written with characters you will root for. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's got a huge heart and it cheered me up.

Save the Last Dance
The Dance With Me Series - Book 3
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Blackstone Publishing - November 2020

Contemporary Romance


Kimber Klein had recently retired from a successful career as a model, and was glad that life was behind her. She had enough money that she didn’t need to work, but she needed to do something. So far, she busied herself by helping others, including volunteering at the elementary school library, and assisting her sister at the dance studio. She also really liked being able to eat what she wanted, and when she wanted, especially since one of her roommates was a brilliant cook and enjoyed experimenting. She now never had to say no. She had thought her modelling life was behind her, until one day when her tires were slashed and she feared a stalker from her past had resurfaced.

Gunnar Law was still adjusting to his new life. He had taken in a teenaged foster son, and the two of them were slowly settling in together. They were also discussing making everything official with adoption. They help Kimber when she is stuck with two flat tires, and Gunnar sees not just a beautiful woman who was a model. He sees a beautiful woman who helps others and seems a perfect addition to their life.

Save the Last Dance is the perfect ending to the Dance With Me series. Gunnar is a wonderful hero, worried about making the right decisions, dedicated to his new son, and fearful of his mother. Well, not really, but it was endearing to see his reaction to her. It is interesting to see Kimber work at finding her new footing post-modeling career. I loved how she took an interest in volunteering, both officially at the school, and simply with her sister. I am sad to leave Bridgeport, but look forward to Ms Gray's next series.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

A good addition to the series. Save the Last Dance is very well written. Good plot and character dynamics. I highly recommend it. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley and this is my unbiased review.

Kimber is the third sister in this trilogy. Kimber is sweet and kind she is at a crossroads. She was a successful model. She wants more in her life. She meets Gunnar who is wonderful foster dad to teenager Jeremy. Gunnar was burned in the past at first he was afraid to put himself out there again. Kimber and Gunnar clicked. Gunnar and Kimber have wonderful chemistry. This book perfect amount of small town romance and suspense. I loved the secondary romance of Jeremy and Bethany. I am going to miss fictional town of Bridgeport. I loved these three sisters. This is wonderful sisters trilogy. I recommend this trilogy to anyone who loves small town romances.

This series is about three sisters who never knew the others existed until a DNA test was run. I love how they all make the sacrifice of their current lives in order to move together and get to know one another. Kimber Klein left behind her glamorous life of modeling. With it she hopes her stalker has given up. Finding her tires slashed, Kimber cannot help but fear that he has found her. Gunner comes to the aid of the beautiful young woman with slashed tires. He likes his life simple but adding a foster son and possible love interest tends to complicate things. I love how these sisters interact and take care of each other. I also love the introduction of the foster son Jeremy and his first love interest Bethany. They were so sweet together. Each of these books can be read as a stand alone but the series is one worth investing in. Shelley Gray writes stories to appeal to all. Her characters are well balanced and relatable. I have enjoyed visiting Bridgeport, Ohio and these three sisters. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Each of these novels in the series feature a different sister that has come together through DNA testing and has agreed to live together for a year. This one features Kimber Klein who has just retired from her modeling career. She is trying to discover her gifts and where she fits into her community. Kimber has started to volunteer at a school in Bridgeport, Ohio where she meets Gunnar through his teenage son, Jeremy.

I enjoyed learning about Gunner who is a kindhearted, gentleman type of sweet guy. Kimber cannot believe he is real, given the world she came from. Gunnar’s mom is a hoot, and I adored the way Gunnar is willing to help her out by agreeing to be her dance partner. Just so happens Kimber’s sister owns the dance studio Gunnar, and his mom will be going to. This novel will make you smile and in some parts bit your nails.

This is a fun, feel good book to read especially now that it takes place during the Christmas season. Shannon runs the dance studio and is performing the Nutcracker. Traci is busy with her baby and being a police officer as Kimber is trying to navigate her way to a new life and avoid getting hurt by her stalker.

Each of these novels can be read as a stand-alone but it’s a richer experience when you read them in order. This was a warm-hearted, family fun series I hated to see end. The author begins the novel by telling readers about her next series, she says, “I’m honestly a little sad to say goodbye to all the characters and places I made up in the fictional town of Bridgeport. I loved writing all six books set here, both the Dance with Me trilogy and the original Bridgeport Social Club series. I’m so pleased to share that I’ve recently been given another contract from Blackstone. These books will be more romantic suspense in nature and take place in Ross County, Ohio. They feature English characters but many Amish secondary characters – which of course, are close to my heart. I hope you enjoy Edgewater Road, the first book in the series, which will be published in 2021.”