I loved the marvellous and evocative 84 RIBBONS by dancer and award-winning author Paddy Eger. Now she shows us the next step on Marta's journey. Marta was a ballet dancer working her way up through a corps, battling to control her weight amid the physical and emotional demands of her chosen career. Having suffered an injury she has had to leave the ballet, at least temporarily. What will she do WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS?

Home from the Billings, Montana dance school, 18-year-old Marta keeps letters to and from friends there like a lifeline. Her mother has a new beau and a busy life. Marta wants to be happy, but she doesn't know what to do now. This is a 1950s story and choices for girls are limited, so she starts searching out options. She's living at home, but a place of her own would be better. And a job. And she should go talk to her former ballet teacher, if only she didn't feel like such a failure.

I swiftly became totally immersed in Marta's life and could see her stretching in one direction and snapping back as she lost confidence again. Her talents are soon put to good use and she learns about costume and set design for theatre. She also has time for a social life, even though she already has a sort of boyfriend, Steve in Billings. As a girl who never had any time to call her own, Marta is understandably confused about dealing with new situations. She's certainly not finished with ballet even though it means wearing ice-filled socks.

If you like ballet or any kind of theatre, dance or fitness activity, you'll find a lot to identify with and enjoy. Marta meets people of all ages, united by their love of the arts. The young woman seems incredibly mature for her age, which must be a side-effect of her dedication and discipline. Some new characters, like a pushy mother determined to see her daughter as a solo artiste, provide a wry look at ballet, while the beauty and passion of Marta's dancing demonstrates why people want to learn this craft. There's also the recurring theme of potentially harmful diet pills.

WHEN THE MUSIC STOPS is again suitable for teen readers, but the theme is more business-minded so New Adult and adult readers will be just as keen to learn from Paddy Eger's tale.