Moonlight Over Mayfair: The uplifting and charming Sunday Times Bestseller from Anton Du Beke

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As an historian, I loved the insight into the 1930s London in the period of the coronation of King George VI and the lead up to the Second World War. The book evokes the same nostalgia as Downton Abbey and Gosford Park, and I could easily imagine this to be made into a Sunday night series. I loved the added touch of the characters list at the start as there is alot of characters to get to grips with especially if like me this is your first encounter with them. Perfectly written, easy to follow and very addictive, I’m more than happy to recommend Anton and his fashionably historical romance sagas set during the 1930’s. Moonlight Over Mayfair’ has been compared to ‘Downton Abbey’ and although I can’t comment on that because I don’t watch ‘Downton Abbey’ but what I will say is that ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair’ would be perfect for adaptation for television. Upstairs, Vivienne Edgerton is desperate to do something worthwhile with her time and her stepfather's money, rather than spending it on frivolity and debauchery - but will this land her in even more trouble?

Glamorous, enchanting, and beautifully detailed, MOONLIGHT OVER MAYFAIR by Anton Du Beke is sure to delight historical fiction fans around the globe. I was absolutely thrilled to be offered the chance to review Anton du Beke's new novel Moonlight Over Mayfair. I admit to reading the first chapter in Anton's voice but soon got over my adoration and enjoyed the book for its own merits. To be frank, I probably would have liked this because I love Strictly, enjoy the entity that is Mr Du Beke and am a tad partial to a meaty historical saga, however, I am delighted to say, with all sincerity, this is a very enjoyable read. It’s a good, stylish, with more than a soupçon of charm. Rather like Mr Du Beke himself. Recommended. It wasn’t really for me, but I think this book will appeal to fans of Strictly or those who like period dramas like Downtown Abbey. It is not very historically accurate (unless your history knowledge is entirely from Downton Abbey, Call the Midwife & similar!), but it has a charm & I could see it being adapted to a Sunday evening TV miniseries!I would have liked to know more about Helene, our of all the characters she seemed the most real, with an interesting past and a history of an interracial relationship during a time when this was still somewhat taboo. The last third of the novel spoilt the whole thing for me, unfortunately. It felt implausible to me. Raymond de Guise, the main character from Book 1, is offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go to Hollywood and be launched as a star to rival Fred Astaire. However his girlfriend, Nancy, is horrified at the prospect of leaving her job as a chambermaid and her volunteer charity work with London's poor. In fact she can't understand why he would want to leave the Grand Ballroom. But don't let this put you off as there stories weave together perfectly, and I soon got to grips with everyone.

Disclosure: I received an advance reader copy of this book free via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the author & publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own. I doubt the novel would work as well as it does if read as a stand-alone, with much of the enjoyment coming from seeing how far the characters who came to life in the first novel fare in the second. And with another instalment in the pipeline I can only recommend readers follow this one from the start!I have a little, teensy weeny confession to make. Yes yet another one. Although I have Anton’s first book called ‘One Enchanted Evening’ on my ever growing ‘to be read’ mountain, I haven’t actually read it yet. What a mistake to make. Having just finished reading ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair’, I can guarantee that ‘One Enchanted Evening’ will not be on that ‘to be read’ mountain for very much longer. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair’ but more about that in a bit. Prepare to be swept off your feet by the romantic and irresistible new novel from Sunday Times bestselling author and Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke I so want to find out where these peoples lives lead to in the future. Just such a tremendous read. Loved it! With a new king in place, tensions are rising in London and across Europe. Shaken by the Great Depression and with