The Unexpected Waltz

By: Kim Wright

Narrated by: Kirsten Potter

Kelly Wilder becomes recently widowed from a much older wealthy man with whom she spent her married life, as she says, "pretending to be a whole lot more conservative and stupid and nice than I really am". Now, with too much time and money on her hands, Kelly has absolutely no idea what happens next. So, on a whim, she signs up for a ballroom dancing class, and begins to rebuild her life with the help of friends old and new: Nik, a young Russian dance teacher who sees the artistic potential she left behind; Carolina, a woman in hospice, anxious to experience a whole lifetime in a few months; and Elyse, Kelly's girlhood best friend who knows all of her past secrets - including the truth about the man who long ago broke Kelly's heart.

©2014 Kim Wright (P)2014 Dreamscape Media, LLC

Critic reviews

"Wright... expertly guides us through a moving, layered, and lyrical exploration of transformation." ( Publishers Weekly)

"Wright's second novel, after Love in Mid Air (2010), captures our fear of the unknown and the tender joys of coming into one's own." ( Booklist)

"Kim Wright's charming novel chronicles one woman's second chance at happiness and an opportunity to find her authentic self. The writing is pitch perfect - this is a winner!" (Elin Hilderbrand, New York Times bestselling author of The Matchmaker)

"An insightful novel about the unexpected places where we stumble upon second chances. Kim Wright writes with wisdom and grace." (Sarah Pekkanen, bestselling author of The Best of Us)

I couldn't finish this book

I love Kirsten Potter! One of my favorite narrators but I just couldn't get into the story. there were some funny one-liners but I just couldn't finish the book.

Bravo

'The Unexpected Waltz' is an unexpectedly delicious read. I had no expectations, as I didn't read the blurb explaining the book. One of the first times I've laughed and cried while listening to a book. Kirsten Potter is an easy to listen to narrator. Always nice when the narrator seems to know what the author is writing about and puts feeling into the narration.

Solid and satisfying

I don’t like to pigeonhole books as chick-lit. I think the term is meant to denigrate both the audience and the writer. So I will say this was a book about ballroom dancing and the second part of our lives. I had no idea there was so much to learn about ballroom dancing and if that’s some thing you dislike you might skip this. But if you’re neutral or even slightly curious, this is the book to read.

The writing is very good, I learned a lot, and the narration was enjoyable. The cover art, however, is not up to snuff.

Better on audio

Switching between the book (print) and audio emphasized how a good narrator can make a book entertaining. If I'd had only the print version, I would not have stuck with the story. Ok for what it is, but a little bit too chick lit for me.

Unexpected Pleasure!!

If you could sum up The Unexpected Waltz in three words, what would they be?

Life With Informed Innocence (OK i know it was 4... don't judge me)

Who was your favorite character and why?

Dr. Boob!

What does Kirsten Potter bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Reality of the characters!

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Dancing through life...

Any additional comments?

An unexpected balance and depth of the characters and development of the plot. I really enjoyed the nuances of the dancing and the way she built on her marriage and what it was and was not... Interesting the way Ms. Wiley unfolds her characters and develops the story! I really like this "Unexpected" style! Loved it!!!