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The Ballroom on Magnolia Street
by
Sharon Owens
On the heels of her delightfully charming debut comes Sharon Owens's new novel of romance and regret--and the winding paths to love.
Johnny Hogan, raised on Hollywood movies, has opened the ballroom on Magnolia Street to bring that glorious fantasy to life--for himself, for devoted romantics, and for everyone in town who still believes in impossible dreams.
Johnny Hogan, raised on Hollywood movies, has opened the ballroom on Magnolia Street to bring that glorious fantasy to life--for himself, for devoted romantics, and for everyone in town who still believes in impossible dreams.
Paperback, 336 pages
Published
December 27th 2005
by Jove
(first published 2003)
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This is perhaps my least favorite of Sharon Owen's work. The Ballroom on Magnolia Street starts off very slow, in fact, the first half of the book I consider largely useless. Luckily, I stuck through and was rewarded with a decent second half of the book.
Unlike her other works a great portion of this novel actually doesn't involve the ballroom. While the characters are sometimes there or mention it, it isn't the main focus like the Tea Room or Pub were in her other novels.
At the beginning we're...more
Unlike her other works a great portion of this novel actually doesn't involve the ballroom. While the characters are sometimes there or mention it, it isn't the main focus like the Tea Room or Pub were in her other novels.
At the beginning we're...more
I read this book for book club, but it was my choice as I thought the story sounded pretty good and I was not disappointed.
It was an ordinary story, nothing really exciting, but cutesy - except for Kate Winters, who drove me a little crazy.
Johnny Hogan (nicknamed Hollywood Hogan) owned and ran the Ballroom on Magnolia Street but was lonely. His one true love gave him up 20 years ago when it seemed that he would not marry her, Marion was pregnant so she went back to her former boyfriend Eddy Gree...more
It was an ordinary story, nothing really exciting, but cutesy - except for Kate Winters, who drove me a little crazy.
Johnny Hogan (nicknamed Hollywood Hogan) owned and ran the Ballroom on Magnolia Street but was lonely. His one true love gave him up 20 years ago when it seemed that he would not marry her, Marion was pregnant so she went back to her former boyfriend Eddy Gree...more
I love the books by Sharon Owens. They all take place in Ireland and each book is the name of a business on some sort of street. What I like is that each book follows the lives of several characters and how they all interact in some way at this location. But these books aren't a series and there aren't any re-occurring characters, just a concept.
Johnny owns a ballroom and foils the mob, but he loses his girl in the process. Fast forward 20 years. We now follow the lives of his lost love and her...more
Johnny owns a ballroom and foils the mob, but he loses his girl in the process. Fast forward 20 years. We now follow the lives of his lost love and her...more
I'm looking forward to my Ireland trip and listening to audiobooks with Irish sounding narrators to get me in the mood. I've never heard of this author, but I was really reminded of Maeve Binchy.
The action centers around a ballroom in Belfast--it's the happening place to hang out for years. Couples meet there, fight there, and the owner, Hollywood Hogan, knows everyone in town. Two sisters, Kate and Shirley, are not doing well in the romance area, but end up meeting two men who just might be the...more
The action centers around a ballroom in Belfast--it's the happening place to hang out for years. Couples meet there, fight there, and the owner, Hollywood Hogan, knows everyone in town. Two sisters, Kate and Shirley, are not doing well in the romance area, but end up meeting two men who just might be the...more
Like Sharon Owens other book The Tea House on Mulberry Street, this is a delightful book. Just lovely really.
I happened upon it by chance and enjoyed every minute of reading it. Its a charming tale of love (and lost love) set in Ireland. It brings a sense of nostalgia, and you feel warm inside upon finishing.
I read it very quickly and easily, as you tend to do with this kind of book. Its a great way to come down after reading a more serious title I feel. A great holiday read, and akin to watchi...more
I happened upon it by chance and enjoyed every minute of reading it. Its a charming tale of love (and lost love) set in Ireland. It brings a sense of nostalgia, and you feel warm inside upon finishing.
I read it very quickly and easily, as you tend to do with this kind of book. Its a great way to come down after reading a more serious title I feel. A great holiday read, and akin to watchi...more
For some reason it was difficult to rate this book. Maybe because I listened to it and that's a very different exprience. But in this case it probably made it better. The Irish accent took a little getting used to but added some authenticity to this story of sisters and family and friends in Belfast in the 1980s. One thing the author did well was make all her characters believably, realistically flawed. Will probably try another of her books.
This was okay, I liked parts of the story but not others. I thought Johnny Hogan was a bit flat, I never understood him very well. I also found Kate a bit vague and annoying. I liked most of the other characters though, especially Eddy and Marion. And I liked what the story said about the importance of choosing to love, not just chemistry.
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Although I have only rated this book a minor 2 stars, it is a book that I remember for its beautiful story line. It's not particularly gripping, but the sincere beauty, and the use of description used by Owens is portrayed perfectably throughout.
A lovely, easy and pleasant book to read for a quick read.
A lovely, easy and pleasant book to read for a quick read.
I was disappointed with this book, I have read 2 of Sharon’s books in
the past, and usually I love them, I found this book quite hard to get
into and boring, it did get slightly better, as the book went on, I
wouldn’t recommend, but I will look for more books by this Author in
the future.
the past, and usually I love them, I found this book quite hard to get
into and boring, it did get slightly better, as the book went on, I
wouldn’t recommend, but I will look for more books by this Author in
the future.
Anybody who enjoys Maeve Binchy's books will enjoy this one. The story revolves around the ballroom and the people who frequent it. Quite a cast of characters and fun to read. It an Irish story and I really like the author.
This was a lovely read and just the thing after a long hard week of final exams.
Sharon Owens has created some fascinating characters. She writes the way we were taught in class. The characters start out with various problems and immaturities and grow before our eyes to resolution. The truly clueless remain clueless, as a good "bad guy" (sorry I forget the proper term) should. The rest learn some new thing about themselves, make decisions to become better people, and begin down the path of maturi...more
Sharon Owens has created some fascinating characters. She writes the way we were taught in class. The characters start out with various problems and immaturities and grow before our eyes to resolution. The truly clueless remain clueless, as a good "bad guy" (sorry I forget the proper term) should. The rest learn some new thing about themselves, make decisions to become better people, and begin down the path of maturi...more
When I couldn't get a hold of my beloved Maeve Binchey's new book, I opted for this as a consolation. It's a simple and sweet story - emphasis on the simple. I wanted the characters to share more of their experiences living in Belfast in early 2000, dealing with what is refered to as "The Troubles". The violence and uncertainty of the religious/political strife is mentioned a few times, but the characters do not share their feelings of what it's like to life under those circumstances. To me it s...more
Very cute. Cheers to Tana for recommending this book.Made me want chips and Vodka, what Irish book doesn't? The storyline had a little bit of everyhting, from lost loves, to kidnappings, to the drama of sisterhood. Lots of fun for a light read. :)
Good fun, I like how it's Elaine's local book, I feel like it made it a little more unique. The drama-rama in this book though. Mobsters, love childs, galore. I really can't believe she never told Johnny about their baby. I mean she shoulda said something before leaving him and running back to her old boyfriend. And what makes this chick so desirable??? That was really the only part I didn't like. I loved the young love story between Shirley and what's his face. I read this book awhile ago so ca...more
Such a sweet book about love, life, and relationships. Set in Belfast, it is a collection of characters who seem real-people with whom you can relate. I was all choked up at the end.
Although this book had a slow start, I found its ordinary telling very appealing. I listened to it and the reader did have a very lilting Irish accent which I think added to the appeal of the book. I liked the generational flow - the broad story of two generations.
Chick lit - not threatening, non-demanding. Does exactly what it says on the jacket..... It's a quick, easy read.
The Ballroom on Magnolia Street is where all the regulars go on a Saturday night. The ballroom is owned by Johnny "Hollywood" Hogan who loves the limelight and the activities that go on in his establishment. The crowd is always lively ath Johnny's place, but problems aren't just left at the door. Even without all the hoopla of the ballroom, the magic of the twinkling lights and the soft music the patrons will find what they are looking for: family, friendship, or even true love.
A little unusual - slow start that I felt was confusing - but a fun book - good romance - good summer read.
This book was just o.k. The ending was better than usual so makes it worthwhile reading.
This was fairly standard Irish chick-lit - an enjoyable way to spend a rainy day but I'll have forgotten it by next week.
This has to be one of my all time favorite books. An adult fairytale!
Aug 29, 2009
♥ Marlene♥
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
bookcrossing,
fiction
Finished last night.
What can i say. I did enjoy the book, mainly because it was so different than most books i read. Did not see where things were going. This is not a chick lit book, also not really a romance so I put it in the non genre category.
I might try another book by this author just cause it was a relaxing read. 3.5 stars.
What can i say. I did enjoy the book, mainly because it was so different than most books i read. Did not see where things were going. This is not a chick lit book, also not really a romance so I put it in the non genre category.
I might try another book by this author just cause it was a relaxing read. 3.5 stars.
12/26/07
TITLE/AUTHOR: THE BALLROOM ON MAGNOLIA STREET by Sharon Owens
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2005/9 CD's
TIME/PLACE: 1980's/ Belfast, Ireland
CHARACTERS: Shirley & Kate -- sisters
COMMENTS: Good narration. The ballroom on Magnolia Street is the social/meeting place for generations. Two sisters attend the dances -- Shirley, the younger is more conservative and looking for Mr. Right and Kate, the older is more fancy-free. When Shirley gets engaged, Kate feels she can be bea...more
TITLE/AUTHOR: THE BALLROOM ON MAGNOLIA STREET by Sharon Owens
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Fiction/2005/9 CD's
TIME/PLACE: 1980's/ Belfast, Ireland
CHARACTERS: Shirley & Kate -- sisters
COMMENTS: Good narration. The ballroom on Magnolia Street is the social/meeting place for generations. Two sisters attend the dances -- Shirley, the younger is more conservative and looking for Mr. Right and Kate, the older is more fancy-free. When Shirley gets engaged, Kate feels she can be bea...more
Jul 31, 2012
Melissa
added it
up lifting enchanting story.....
Very quaint as well as her other books!
Fun, light-hearted book about families and sibling rivalry. An entertaining read.
Pure chick-lit
Aug 31, 2010
Rusty
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
romance,
won-arc-for-review
Fun light read.
Light and fun.
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Here are some questions I get asked a lot:
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?
No, it never crossed my mind, though I have always loved books.
WHAT BOOKS DID YOU LOVE AS A CHILD?
THE BORROWERS
THE BORROWERS AFIELD
THE BORROWERS AFLOAT
THE BORROWERS ALOFT
THE BORROWERS AVENGED, all by Mary Norton
THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by CS Lewis
WHAT BOOKS DO YOU LO...more
More about Sharon Owens...
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE A WRITER?
No, it never crossed my mind, though I have always loved books.
WHAT BOOKS DID YOU LOVE AS A CHILD?
THE BORROWERS
THE BORROWERS AFIELD
THE BORROWERS AFLOAT
THE BORROWERS ALOFT
THE BORROWERS AVENGED, all by Mary Norton
THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett
THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE by CS Lewis
WHAT BOOKS DO YOU LO...more
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