Living la Vida Loca

This is a lovely book, joyful and uplifting. It has sufficient humour to prevent the message about emotional issues becoming too heavy, and plenty of local colour to make the three destinations come alive. It has inspired me to go on a dancing holiday somewhere, someday!

I needed something light and fluffy after In Cold Blood and Brave New World and this certainly ticked both those boxes. It is a very quick non-taxing read. However I don't think this book worked very well.
The story starts in London before moving onto Argentina,Spain and Cuba and in each of these countries the main characters Beth and Carmen are going to learn a dance for a reality tv show. Beth who is a professional dancer but can't get any work disguises herself so that she can audition for a reality show that is going to teach an absolute beginner how to do the tango, pasa doble and salsa. She passes the audition and her and her friend Carmen goes on the trip as well, because Beth has work problems in the great tradition of chick lit show more Carmen's problems must be man related in her case an abusive ex-boyfriend. During the section in Argentina they get found out but it is decided that the show will go on but now with both Beth and Carmen learning the dances.
For me not enough of the book was given to the story in Spain and Cuba, less than a third of it. Also while we get to know all about Beth and Carmen when Rick the shows producer decides he is not going back to London and is going to give up his career and stay in Cuba it is never explained why, other than he is tired of the cult of celebrity. show less

Two friends head off on a reality TV show to learn three traditional dances in their country of origin. The story is okay but overall a bit weak. None of the elements end up going into that much detail and the ending leaves you feeling a bit "muh". But the cover was sparkly! ;)