Review: With Every Heartbeat -- the perfect combination of passion, drama, and dancing!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 8, 2013
Melody Grace travels away from Beachwood Bay all the way to Rome to bring us passion, drama, and dancing in her latest novel, With Every Heartbeat. This story is the first in the Cities of Love Series and introduces us to Annalise and Raphael.Annalise loves ballet and has dedicated her life to perfecting her craft. She follows in the footsteps of her mother who was an extraordinary ballet dancer until becoming pregnant with Annalise and retiring. I love this character because when she commits to something, she does so wholeheartedly. Melody really won me over with her attention to detail. She thoroughly described the rigorous training and diet dancers must endure to be at the top. As much as Annalise loves ballet, I wanted her to escape that life so she could know what it was like to be a normal young adult without the daunting responsibilities. I admire Annalise for following her dreams and letting her heart lead the way even if the path she travels isn't the one she is expected to choose.Raphael is that irresistible European every gal dreams of meeting while traveling abroad. He and Annalise are a dynamite combination on the dance floor and in the bedroom! Like Annalise, Raphael is driven by dance and has made significant sacrifices to follow his passion. His dream of dancing for a professional company led him to be ostracized by his father. I love the chemistry between the couple but also fell in love with how they supported each other's desire to dance professionally. Neither one was intimidated or jealous of the other's talent or goals. Through their ups and downs I never stopped hoping their love would prevail over the obstacles they faced.I finished this novel in a matter of hours. The story quickly draws you in and holds your attention. Although there are plenty of peaks and valleys within the story, overall I found it to be a lighthearted read with mild angst and drama. An eloquent writing style and picturesque detail allowed each scene to play out so vividly in my mind.I was swept away to Italy and got lost in dance, gelato, and love without ever changing out of my pajamas. Indulge yourself and escape to Rome in Melody Grace's latest, With Every Heartbeat.