What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dunstable Ladies' Dance Academy
They came for a fitness class… and found something much more.
A funny, feel-good story about friendship, laughter, and belonging.
In a small hall in the small English town of Dunstable, a group of women gather for Zumba. At first, it’s about music and movement. But somewhere between the warm-up and the cool-down, something changes.
They laugh more.
They stay longer.
They notice each other.
At the edge of the room sits Peter, convinced he’s just there to observe. The class has other ideas.
Led by the unstoppable Havva and the quietly in-control Alex, what begins as a simple class becomes a place where people feel stronger, lighter, and less alone.
Funny, uplifting, and full of heart, this is a story about friendship, community, and the unexpected magic of showing up.
Because it turns out…
it was never really about the dancing.
A funny, feel-good story about friendship, laughter, and belonging.
In a small hall in the small English town of Dunstable, a group of women gather for Zumba. At first, it’s about music and movement. But somewhere between the warm-up and the cool-down, something changes.
They laugh more.
They stay longer.
They notice each other.
At the edge of the room sits Peter, convinced he’s just there to observe. The class has other ideas.
Led by the unstoppable Havva and the quietly in-control Alex, what begins as a simple class becomes a place where people feel stronger, lighter, and less alone.
Funny, uplifting, and full of heart, this is a story about friendship, community, and the unexpected magic of showing up.
Because it turns out…
it was never really about the dancing.
311 pages, Paperback
Published May 25, 2026
About the author
Peter Barber
47 books29 followersPeter Barber is the award-winning, bestselling author of Greek travel memoirs, including A Parthenon on our Roof and A Parthenon in Pefki.
A native Londoner, he lives between England and Greece. Marrying his fiery Greek wife Alexandra not only made him part of a Greek family but also immersed him in Greek life and culture. Fascinated by the people, history and traditions, Peter dove in head first. He wished to be among the locals and experience Greek life first-hand.
From his cultural and language flubs to the trials and tribulations of life in Greece, Peter sometimes got more than he bargained for. But with his signature wit, he found humor in their escapades. And, as he learned more about Greece’s history, his new family, and modern life in Greece, he knew he had to share his insights.
His humorous and heartfelt travel memoirs reveal the real Greece—not just sun and sea, but the wonderful people, rich history and culture. If you can’t get to Greece, live Greece through his books.
Peter is a proud member of the UK’s Society of Authors.
A native Londoner, he lives between England and Greece. Marrying his fiery Greek wife Alexandra not only made him part of a Greek family but also immersed him in Greek life and culture. Fascinated by the people, history and traditions, Peter dove in head first. He wished to be among the locals and experience Greek life first-hand.
From his cultural and language flubs to the trials and tribulations of life in Greece, Peter sometimes got more than he bargained for. But with his signature wit, he found humor in their escapades. And, as he learned more about Greece’s history, his new family, and modern life in Greece, he knew he had to share his insights.
His humorous and heartfelt travel memoirs reveal the real Greece—not just sun and sea, but the wonderful people, rich history and culture. If you can’t get to Greece, live Greece through his books.
Peter is a proud member of the UK’s Society of Authors.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I thought this was going to be a book about dancing.
I was wrong. It's a book about people. People who dance, sure. But it's not the dance that is the focus: it's what drives them, what has happened to them, and what Zumba dancing brings them to. Zumba dancing brings them to. And it takes a special kind of person to watch a Zumba class and realize this.
The observer in the corner, who watches, and understands. Who doesn't see a group of mixed age, ability, and cultures. He sees people. He sees lives lived.
Yes, there are giggles. I used to do linedancing. We NEVER went wrong. We put in variations, and Alex puts in interpretation. Sounds very familiar! This is a fabulous book. It's the kind of book that's more than the sum of its parts. It's philosophical, it's thoughtful. It's entertaining. It's humorous, and it's compassionate. I loved it.
I was wrong. It's a book about people. People who dance, sure. But it's not the dance that is the focus: it's what drives them, what has happened to them, and what Zumba dancing brings them to. Zumba dancing brings them to. And it takes a special kind of person to watch a Zumba class and realize this.
The observer in the corner, who watches, and understands. Who doesn't see a group of mixed age, ability, and cultures. He sees people. He sees lives lived.
Yes, there are giggles. I used to do linedancing. We NEVER went wrong. We put in variations, and Alex puts in interpretation. Sounds very familiar! This is a fabulous book. It's the kind of book that's more than the sum of its parts. It's philosophical, it's thoughtful. It's entertaining. It's humorous, and it's compassionate. I loved it.
June 3, 2026
I'll start by confessing to be a big fan of Peter Barber's books, mostly set in Greece. This is a complete departure and I loved it. Peter is the observer in the corner at his wife Alex's Zumba class and over time he realises just what the ladies gain from their class and what they give to each other. It's beautifully written, with warmth and perception. It's entertaining, funny and it did make me laugh. It also brought a huge lump to my throat.
Take a group of women of different ages, different cultures who for different reasons come to Havva's dance class. There, differences ceased to exist, friendships blossomed, support was given, confidences shared and laughter was ever present. Peter gives us an insight into all this and more. That Luton Park Carnival - Wow! It's a celebration of what the women of the Dunstable Dance Academy achieved and continue to do. Great stuff.
Take a group of women of different ages, different cultures who for different reasons come to Havva's dance class. There, differences ceased to exist, friendships blossomed, support was given, confidences shared and laughter was ever present. Peter gives us an insight into all this and more. That Luton Park Carnival - Wow! It's a celebration of what the women of the Dunstable Dance Academy achieved and continue to do. Great stuff.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews