A Christmas Waltz by Josi S. Kilpack

 

One dance, once a year.

This defines Marta and David’s friendship from the moment they first meet at the Yuletide Ball. Now, dancing the annual Christmas Waltz is a tradition between the pair in which they agree to tell each other the truth about their lives. Over the years that follow, their lives take different directions, wrong turns, and heartbreaking spirals, but they never miss their chance to reconnect and encourage one another to live their best lives, even if they can’t live them side by side.

 * Amazon * Goodreads *

This book was not what I was expecting it to be.  It definitely isn't your typical romance book in the way it is laid out.  Each chapter is told from alternating perspectives and at their dance together each year.  It begins when Marta is just 16 and David is much older.  Most of the book is, honestly, a bit sad.  Marta and David come together once a year to dance and recap their past year.  It's mostly disappointment, unfulfilled dreams, loneliness, death and struggle.  It has an air of melancholy. They do encourage each other during those brief moments, sometimes more than others and usually one person more than the other.  You definitely get to know both Marta and David- but without a lot of the good things to balance out the hard things. The Christmas Waltz is, for both of them, the highlight of their year.

This book definitely has depth and is neither light nor fluffy.  There isn't a lot of happiness but there is always a thread of hope.  I'm a little sad this week so I think my sad may have leaked into my feelings about this book.  I liked it but I didn't love it.

Can I just say that I LOVE this cover?  I think it is absolutely gorgeous.

Content:  depression, marital affair mentioned, death mentioned.  Kissing.

- I received a complimentary copy of this book.  All opinions expressed are my own.