Pretending to Dance Paperback – 24 Mar. 2016

Brilliant story, well written and not easy to put down. Thank you Diane your books are all so different. Sue

This is the first book I've read from the author, but definitely won't be the last. Beautifully written story, especially the chapters set in the past, which were evocative and moving. It was slightly harder to relate to Molly's present day scenario, only because I couldn't imagine myself being generous enough to accept an 'open adoption' and all it would entail, but it certainly made me think. I loved the concept of 'pretending to dance' and also the way that fourteen-year-old Molly couldn't quite see what was going on around her while she embraced her own awakening. There's so much to praise about this novel, I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a compassionate and emotionally complex family drama with plenty of heart.

Well what can I say. A very different book to Diane normal books,We share Molly's story between her young and adult life. It is a complex life. There is love, compassion, complexities, anger, resentment, joy and much, much more.To begin with I felt it was very ordinary, but the further I read the more I was intrigued as to where it was going.Half way through I struggled to put it down. What an amazing heart rendering (at times) story.I really, really recommend it

Well written engrossing novel, alternating between past and present events in a way that works well. The storyline is good too, it draws you in. So, why have I only given it 3 stars you may wonder? I am afraid I found the pace rather slow, had it been a little quicker I would have definitely marked it higher.

An emotive subject dealt with in a very thoughtful manner. This book shows the reader that what appears to us as a straightforward choice when viewed in isolation, actually throws out ripples that can affect the lives of all the other people involved . The main characters, Dad and Daughter have a wonderful relationship, The unusual family situation recreates itself later in life and works very well in the story. I am not a fan of books that have two stories running separated by time, but it didn't irritate me on this occasion. A good story, well written.

Have enjoyed all the books I have read by this author. Not an intellectual read but not a lightweight either. Good story and I was keen to find out how it ended. The author tends to give you an update ( one year on kind of thing ) which I always like !

What a fantastic book! I didn’t want it to end. Keeps you gripped from start to finish, thoroughly enjoyed it.

I loved this book.The teenage angst, the challenges of motherhood and the anguish of living with a life limiting illness. Only Diane could stuff so much emotion and passion into one tear jerker of a book