Pretending To Dance by Diane Chamberlain- 352 pages
ARC – Courtesy of Netgalley
Book Blurb:
Molly Arnette is very good at keeping secrets. She lives in San Diego with a husband she adores, and they are trying to adopt a baby because they can’t have a child on their own. But the process of adoption brings to light many questions about Molly’s past and her family—the family she left behind in North Carolina twenty years before. The mother she says is dead but who is very much alive. The father she adored and whose death sent her running from the small community of Morrison’s Ridge. Her own birth mother whose mysterious presence in her family raised so many issues that came to a head. The summer of twenty years ago changed everything for Molly and as the past weaves together with the present story, Molly discovers that she learned to lie in the very family that taught her about pretending. If she learns the truth about her beloved father’s death, can she find peace in the present to claim the life she really wants?
My Review: 4 stars
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Pretending To Dance is a well-developed novel that adds to Diane Chamberlain’s wonderful collection of books. In my opinion, her writing rivals Jojo Moyes as she crafts equally smart, rich and page- turning Chick lit.
This story is based on a current day lie that came into fruition based on the main character’s childhood. Therefore the reader is transported back to the 90’s as we learn the reason for the aforementioned lie. At the heart of this book is the art of pretending which ironically mirrors the lie. The pretend therapy was an interesting concept to weave through the storyline. Motherhood, adoption, teenage angst, disability, guilt, father/daughter bonds, coming of age, honesty and love are equally explored.
Highly recommend for a great, easy story to sink into.
Quotes I liked:
It’s hard to move on if you don’t forgive. It’s like trying to dance with a lead weight on your shoulders. The anger can weigh you down forever.”
-“I couldn’t say no. I was so afraid of sounding fourteen.”
-“I knew that I had to be your mother, not your friend. If that cost me some of your affection, so be it.”
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