Show Up by Renee Dahlia is a sweet romance set against the backdrop of Seraph’s Burlesque Club in the UK.
Yolande is getting over a breakup. Ghosted by her long term girlfriend and left to do her neo-burlesque act alone she is trying to pick up the pieces of her life when she gets a wedding invitation from her ex. Yolande decides that she will attend the wedding to get some sort of closure and she turns to her good friend Reiko to help.
Reiko holds her feelings for Yolande close to her heart. She is good at keeping secrets and isn’t planning on telling Yolande about her wealthy family and their media empire, let alone how in love she is with the outgoing dancer.
When Yolande asks Reiko to be her fake date to the wedding Reiko agrees and finds herself unexpectedly thrust into a situation where she can no longer keep her secrets.
Is Yolande really over her ex and can she forgive Reiko for keeping her life a secret? Will Reiko be able to finally tell the woman of her dreams how she feels?
Pros And My Favourite Parts
I enjoyed the audiobook. Kitty Mewl did a great job with the narration. Her characters were distinct and her pacing kept me interested in the story and returning to the audiobook.
Heads Up
I was slightly disappointment that the book wasn’t steamier and didn’t involve more of a burlesque show. I love the concept of the romances being between folks who work for the club and the covers are smoking hot so to discover that the romances were sweet and a little dramatic but not particularly steamy or even burlesque heavy was a bit sad for me.
The Conclusion
If you like a sweet romance with UK based characters, some fun story moments and a cool series tie in then grab this audiobook.
It’s a solid addition to any romance collection and the audiobook is worth it.
Excerpt from Show Up by Renee Dahlia
“Okay. News time. Helen didn’t just quit working for us. She’s given up burlesque forever because…” Beth rolled her fingers on the bar like a fake drum roll.
“Oh come on,” Yolande grumped.
“Helen is getting married and we are all invited to the wedding.” Beth announced this as if it wouldn’t completely devastate Yolande. Reiko rushed around the bar and wrapped her arms around Yolande’s waist. She rested her head between Yolande’s shoulder blades, but it didn’t last. Yolande pushed her away and bolted out of the room, leaving Reiko to stand there while her friends stared awkwardly at her. Now they all knew that she felt more for Yolande than friendship, and she’d been thoroughly rejected. She focused on trying to breathe.
“Helen can’t be serious?” Reiko had to say something to clear the awful silence. Everyone talked at once, with all manner of horror and speculation at Helen’s announcement. “Why quit and then invite us to her wedding? And what is wrong with her that she couldn’t give us more notice?” Ace’s questions had everyone in agreement. “It does seem like a dog act to leave so quickly. Perhaps inviting us to the wedding is her way of asking our forgiveness? After all, we don’t know who she is marrying.” Jack’s voice of reason shut everyone up.
“Actually, I do. It’s a Mr Blakeney. He’s a stockbroker and third son of the Earl of Gattingly.”
Reiko didn’t want to hear anymore; Helen had obviously given up her burlesque family for a much grander one and at what cost to those left behind? Let alone the consideration of what cost Helen might face too. Life with money wasn’t always happy, not that anyone would believe Reiko if she said that. She’d heard all the jokes about how it was better to be miserable in a Porsche than unhappy on the streets and she was used to getting zero sympathy from the few people that she’d talked to about her biological family. It’d quickly taught her to keep quiet. Inoue was a common surname in Japan, so people didn’t always connect her to the powerful media tycoon that was her father. She’d worked here at Seraph’s for years without anyone knowing and she hoped to keep it that way. She ignored her friends and raced down the hallway to Yolande’s dressing room, then tapped on the door.
“Go away.” Yolande’s quiet sobs weren’t hidden by the door and Reiko ignored the request.
“I’m so sorry.”
Yolande glared at her. “Why are you sorry? You didn’t break my heart. You didn’t sleep in my bed for two years, and dance with me in the most intimate ways, and then suddenly one day just walk away and get fucking married. Was she with the other person the whole time? Why didn’t I know?”
“Helen is apparently getting married to Mr Blakeney. He’s the son of an Earl.”
“Of course he is. I could never compete with that.”
Reiko nearly choked on her tongue. “You shouldn’t have to compete for love. Yolande, we’ll all support you whatever you decide.” If only she believed her therapist’s words when she parroted them for Yolande; even after all these years, she still tried to earn people’s love by being what she thought they wanted her to be.
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Series
Show Up
Show Off
Show Queen
Bits and Bobs
ISBN number: 9780648962649
Publisher: Thorpe-Bowker
Audiobook Publisher: SAGA Egmont
Narrator: Kitty Mewl
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Note: I received a free review copy of Show Up by Renee Dahlia No money was exchanged for this review. When you use our links to buy we get a small commission which supports the running of this site
