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Frankie Valente
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Dancing with the Ferryman Kindle Edition

by Frankie Valente (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 out of 5 stars 438 ratings
Jo McMorrow is delighted when she discovers she is pregnant. She is not quite so happy to find out that her fiance David is a gambling addict. When she discovers that she was just days away from losing all of the assets from the sale of her home she panics. She runs away to Shetland to start a new life for herself. She is hoping for peace and quiet; after all, what could happen in Shetland? It is so far away from everything. What could go wrong? Everything it seems.

A romantic comedy.

Cover photo of the Northern Lights over Shetland: Dave Wheeler (Fair Isle)
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  1. Print length
    305 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    14 Mar. 2011
  5. File size
    573 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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Product description

About the Author

Frankie Valente lives in Shetland and is studying for a Masters in Professional Writing. She has lived in London, South Wales and in Ireland. She loves Shetland most of all.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B004S7BFFK
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 14 Mar. 2011
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 573 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 305 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 438 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Frankie Valente

Frankie Valente

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Frankie Valente lives in Shetland with her teenage son and his Siamese cat. She has a degree in Cultural Studies of the Highlands & Islands, and a Masters in Professional Writing. In 2007, after a lifetime's obsession with reading books, she decided to try and write one herself. The result was Dancing with the Ferryman which was published in 2011. This story was inspired by her life on the island of Whalsay in Shetland.

The positive feedback she received from this encouraged her to carry on writing and in 2013 she published Chasing an Irish Dream. She started writing this book during the 18 months she spent living in Ireland. She completed the novel after moving back to Shetland and finishing her Masters. She then went on to complete Learning to Dance Again and Dreaming in Norwegian.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
438 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book well-written with believable characters and a happy ever after ending. Moreover, they appreciate the setting in Shetland, with one customer describing it as a descriptive view of the islands. Additionally, the story is heartwarming, with one review mentioning it's "warming with tears and laughter." However, the pacing receives mixed feedback, with several customers finding it predictable.

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75 customers mention ‘Readability’75 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and well-written, with one customer noting it's an easy story to follow.

"This book followed a predictable line, slightly wimpy girl has problems with nasty fiance, girl runs away, girl meets nice new hero-type boyfriend,..." Read more

"...Shetland sounds beautiful from the descriptions. I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely say give it a go...." Read more

"...meets a myriad of new and interesting characters who are all beautifully described and given life by Ms Valente and this book seems to just settle..." Read more

"As previous reviewers have said, this is a light read - a bit of escapism... a bit too light for me to be honest, too predictable...." Read more

25 customers mention ‘Story quality’20 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as a feel-good narrative with a happy ever after ending.

"...Shetland is the main character, and the descriptions of it are wonderful and real...." Read more

"...Oh, and certainly NOT all lovey dovey, cheesey or graphic!" Read more

"...I found Magnus to be fascinating and frustrating at the same time, but what a catch!!..." Read more

"...Believable, likeable characters and therefore an enjoyable read." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Likable characters’24 positive0 negative

Customers like the characters in the book, finding them believable, with one customer particularly appreciating the good descriptions of locations and character development.

"...Sadly not working that day. The characters are nice and normal, nothing spectacular, I'm so grateful for that, I hate mystery, blood and gore,..." Read more

"...However, I thought this was lovely. Characters were believable, and their interaction was described beautifully, and really did come across as..." Read more

"...She meets a myriad of new and interesting characters who are all beautifully described and given life by Ms Valente and this book seems to just..." Read more

"...Nice likable characters and good for a freebie (at the time)." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Island life’8 positive0 negative

Customers love the island setting of the book, with one customer providing a descriptive view of the Shetland Islands, and another noting it serves as a great advertisement for the area.

"...book, it was a nice relaxing read, I also liked the descriptive view of the Shetland Islands, just makes me want to go for a visit. Mary" Read more

"...As someone else said a great advertisement for Shetland, so much so I've booked to go this summer :-)" Read more

"Really enjoyed this book.gave a good insight about Shetland life and how two peoples lives came together . Easy read." Read more

"...Love the setting on Shetland, the author really brings out the flavour of island life." Read more

5 customers mention ‘Heartwarming story’5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book heartwarming, with one mentioning it brings both tears and laughter, while another notes that Shetland elements made them smile.

"...enjoyable easy story. warming with tears and laughter, what more can you ask for." Read more

"What a brilliant read!!! Being from Shetland everything made me smile, and made so much sense, she has written the book well and has summed up the..." Read more

"...A very heartwarming story that is an easy read. Great work Frankie Valente!" Read more

"...'s books and enjoyed them because her characters are believable and sympathetic.." Read more

4 customers mention ‘Travel value’4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's travel value, with one mentioning how it transports readers to the Shetland Isles, and another expressing a desire to visit the island after reading it.

"...The author transports you to the Shetland Isles, somewhere I have never visited but would now love to do so...." Read more

"...I liked the characters and it made me want to visit the island. A pleasant read." Read more

"Totally transports you to Shetland, you eel the remoteness, but the closeness of the people. It is a love story, but not a smushy smulchy one...." Read more

"Well written, taking you to the Isles of Shetland and leaving you there...." Read more

3 customers mention ‘Feel good factor’3 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the feel good factor of the book.

"...simple plot with equally simple characters it definitely has the feel good factor...." Read more

"A very enjoyable read, not challenging but a comfortable, curl up on the sofa with a bar of chocolate book." Read more

"feel good book that makes a nice bit of light reading..." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Pacing’0 positive9 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book slow and predictable, with one customer describing it as tedious.

"...read - a bit of escapism... a bit too light for me to be honest, too predictable...." Read more

"...It's a bit predictable but well written. I would describe it as a light read. A good advertisement for the Shetlands!" Read more

"...A bit predictable in places but I enjoyed not having to concentrate too hard. Give it a go. You wont be disappointed" Read more

"Ok but lightweight and predictable. I didn't find the characters entirely believable or with any depth to them...." Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Readaholic
    5.0 out of 5 stars Predictable - but wonderful!!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 September 2015
    Verified Purchase
    This book followed a predictable line, slightly wimpy girl has problems with nasty fiance, girl runs away, girl meets nice new hero-type boyfriend, they get married, live happily ever after, 2 kids and 2 dogs. We've all read these with a few variations, since we could first read. Dull, dull, dull - BUT I LOVED IT!! So much so that not so many months later I found myself on the Whalsay ferry looking around for my own Magnus. Sadly not working that day. The characters are nice and normal, nothing spectacular, I'm so grateful for that, I hate mystery, blood and gore, nasty hidden secrets. Shetland is the main character, and the descriptions of it are wonderful and real. I hope Frankie soon gets a good contract so her books can be found on the ferries, ST bookshop and so on. I looked and they weren't there, but should be in all tourist venues as they are brilliant marketing for the area.

    Looking forward to reading more from the same author.
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  • Teo
    4.0 out of 5 stars Lovely!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 February 2012
    Verified Purchase
    I've never read a romance. I'm just not that way inclined! However, I thought this was lovely. Characters were believable, and their interaction was described beautifully, and really did come across as genuine. Shetland sounds beautiful from the descriptions. I really enjoyed this book, and would definitely say give it a go. Well put together, flowed easily, but kept a good pace. Oh, and certainly NOT all lovey dovey, cheesey or graphic!
    Helpful
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  • ange2670
    5.0 out of 5 stars A gentle romance
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 October 2014
    Verified Purchase
    After reading Learning to Dance again, and loving it, I downloaded Dancing with the Ferryman and was not disappointed. It starts with Jo finding that she is pregnant and then her world falling apart when she realises that her fiancé is not all he might seem. She then sells her house in London, takes a career break and heads off to Shetland to, basically, hide out and think about what she is going to do. She meets a myriad of new and interesting characters who are all beautifully described and given life by Ms Valente and this book seems to just settle into her day to day life in Shetland with a few minor dramas here and there. One of these new characters is Magnus, who has experienced his own recent heartbreaks and from their friendship, love begins to develop, although neither one of them seems prepared to admit their true feelings. I loved this book because of its simplicity. It just describes how two people meet, get to know each other as friends and then, gradually, fall in love. Its a gentle escape to what seems to be an idyllic but simpler life away from the rat race. I read it on the beach but I could just imagine enjoying it just as much, sitting in front of the fire on a cold winters night. Download, read and enjoy!
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  • Nicky Hatherell
    3.0 out of 5 stars easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 February 2012
    Verified Purchase
    As previous reviewers have said, this is a light read - a bit of escapism... a bit too light for me to be honest, too predictable. But I have to say it made me want to visit the islands at some time! Nice likable characters and good for a freebie (at the time).
    Helpful
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  • S. Lindfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 May 2012
    Verified Purchase
    This was a fabulous read. Having been to the western islands I could picture the way the Shetlands were written about and sense the atmosphere of the place. The characters are charming and you just want to be there. Great story and beautifully written by someone who obviously understands that part of the world. I found Magnus to be fascinating and frustrating at the same time, but what a catch!! Jo did a courageous thing to move so far away from a slime of an ex and the epilogue was such a great ending to the book.

    Cannot wait to read more by this author she has a great talent. Great book for those lazy days when you just want to lose yourself in a good story. Go on, buy it, you wont regret it.
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  • Shadowgirl
    4.0 out of 5 stars Really liked it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 February 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I would recommend Dancing with the Ferryman, especially if you want a change of pace, something totally different from what you have been reading. I originally downloaded it for my mum's kindle. I was intrigued by the name and the cover and thought id give it a go. We all ended up reading it.

    I really enjoyed this book, I loved reading about what life is like up in Shetland.

    Believable, likeable characters and therefore an enjoyable read.
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  • Amazon Customer
    2.0 out of 5 stars Lightweight
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 3 September 2017
    Verified Purchase
    There are some very well written narratives here and good interaction between the main characters. I found the ending rather unsatisfactory but overall a compelling story.
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  • Kevin Marsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars A beautiful read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Dancing with the Ferryman is a beautifully written story about emotional struggles set in an outstanding location. I bought this book as a holiday read. Having previously read a book by Frankie Valente, I knew that I would not be disappointed and sure enough I found this a cracking read. The characters are so natural and as I was drawn into the plot I found that I could not stop reading.
    Dancing with the Ferryman is a book that would delight any serious reader and one that I would recommend.
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • AnneM
    5.0 out of 5 stars You must read it !
    Reviewed in France on 3 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I don't know how I came to read this book : the writer is still not known except by her friends and the happy few who have read her... It was a real pleasure. I couldn't put it down. The plot is interesting and the characters living. It made me think of Rosamund Pilcher...Read it and book your stay in Shetland... Frankie should get an award by the Shetland tourim organisation:-) I loved it. Try it. You won't be disappointed.
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  • Amazon Shopper
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Keeper
    Reviewed in the United States on 12 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a nice easy read with no vulgar language so I was able to recommend it to a lot of different people. Very nice! I cared about the characters and found them believable. At first I thought the main character was a little dense but then I remembered she was single, pregnant, newly relocated and romance was probably the last thing on her mind. I really liked the setting too. The author was so descriptive in her writing that now I would like to visit Scotland one day. I’ve never thought much about the Shetlands before but after reading this book I found myself “Google Driving” all around the islands. I loved the book and I loved where it took me weeks later. I don’t often keep E-books in my Kindle after I read them (space issues) but I am keeping this one. I’ll reread it in front of a fire with a cuppa something hot when it is below zero and the snow is flying at my house this winter. Good job Frankie.
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  • Tahy Smo
    3.0 out of 5 stars Se lit facilement
    Reviewed in France on 27 March 2015
    Verified Purchase
    L'histoire est sympathique mais pas extraordinaire.
    Toutefois, ce livre se lit facilement donc il convient pour se changer les idées.
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  • LindaMercury
    4.0 out of 5 stars A sense of place
    Reviewed in Canada on 28 June 2020
    Verified Purchase
    There is a lot to like about this book. Yes, it is a romance with a HEA and the assorted complications one might expect to find, but maybe a little off the beaten track. The characters are mostly likeable adults, complete with virtues and flaws, making them relatable to the reader. The circumstances are believable as is the resolution. This book is factually informative, and while interesting, it didn't move the story along for me. What I really liked was that the place was a character and our heroine has a relationship with her surroundings. Valente captured the atmosphere and our heroine's conflict. There isn't any insta-love or graphic sex. All in all, I liked this book and will look for this author again.
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  • Maegan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun weekend read
    Reviewed in the United States on 17 November 2014
    Verified Purchase
    This was a very sweet book. I really enjoyed it. The author created a beautiful story line and fun characters. I felt like Jo was a real person, and so were all the people on the island with her. The story covers a fairly short period of time yet the story lines don't feel rushed. I think I will read books by this author again! What a great find for a free book!
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