kiingchika's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The quote at the beginning of the book, “Almost nobody gets out of love alive”, slapped me so silly when I finished the book because they just love with their entire being. I firstly love dance, and this book made me want to explore dance so much more. It was a lovely book, honestly the best high school romance I’ve read in the sense that they just feel so real. It has its own cliches honestly for the sake of the story. I definitely can’t wait to read and cry about this again, I genuinely enjoy when I can tell how much the characters feel
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Death
Minor: Alcohol
aishallnot's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5 (maybe 4.25)
This was a book on my tbr that I finally got to after two years. I was a fan of Nicola Yoon back in high school when she released her debut novel (that later turned into a film), so when I was getting back into reading a couple of years ago and found out about instructions for dancing, I was immediately excited to one day read the story. I think if I read this back then, my feelings would be a lot different compared to now in which I would have given the book five stars without questions. However, I found the story to be okay for the most part. I picked up this book back in June, but I softly dnf'ed bc I wasn't really in the mood (which might have impacted my rating). About a week and a half ago, I started reading it again and I enjoyed the story a lot more than I did when I first read it. I def related to Evie at times when it came to her outlook on love. I think this is a story that is unique with the magical realism twist liked how this story basically is a "happy for now", which I feel like we don't see in many romance novels. What was also really touching was how Evie started to slowly accept change not only with relationships but also friendships as well now that she and her friends have graduated high school and are off to different. I feel like this story was a lesson/reminder to accept that things may not go as planned or in regards to relationships may not be a fairytale. There are challenges along the way, but it's how we respond/react that makes an impact. I did wish that the ending was a bit longer bc I really like Evie and X, but I found the book to be cute with its overall message.
This was a book on my tbr that I finally got to after two years. I was a fan of Nicola Yoon back in high school when she released her debut novel (that later turned into a film), so when I was getting back into reading a couple of years ago and found out about instructions for dancing, I was immediately excited to one day read the story. I think if I read this back then, my feelings would be a lot different compared to now in which I would have given the book five stars without questions. However, I found the story to be okay for the most part. I picked up this book back in June, but I softly dnf'ed bc I wasn't really in the mood (which might have impacted my rating). About a week and a half ago, I started reading it again and I enjoyed the story a lot more than I did when I first read it. I def related to Evie at times when it came to her outlook on love. I think this is a story that is unique with the magical realism twist liked how this story basically is a "happy for now", which I feel like we don't see in many romance novels. What was also really touching was how Evie started to slowly accept change not only with relationships but also friendships as well now that she and her friends have graduated high school and are off to different. I feel like this story was a lesson/reminder to accept that things may not go as planned or in regards to relationships may not be a fairytale. There are challenges along the way, but it's how we respond/react that makes an impact. I did wish that the ending was a bit longer bc I really like Evie and X, but I found the book to be cute with its overall message.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death
axel_p's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The pacing was a bit off and I wish there was more dancing.
I cried
I cried
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Car accident, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Infidelity
sweetsxrrxw's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
most people who have read this book have loved it. and it is pretty easy to understand why: poc main characters, queer side characters, super short chapters and a bittersweet ending with including an important lesson.
i would be lying if i said i dislike the concept of this story because i really loved it so much. i am a firm believer that, no matter the ending, love is never wasted.
honestly, i struggled through the book. and, despite being a super emotional person, i couldn't get myself to experience the big emotions i often feel while reading. this may have happened because of me being in a reading slump for about two months now, because i may be in the process of outgrowing ya or both of these reasons.
of course, nicola yoon's writing was beautiful, evie's personal growth was good and the whole plot made sense
overall it was not a bad book, but i just feel like i didn't pick it up at the right time.
i would be lying if i said i dislike the concept of this story because i really loved it so much. i am a firm believer that, no matter the ending, love is never wasted.
honestly, i struggled through the book. and, despite being a super emotional person, i couldn't get myself to experience the big emotions i often feel while reading. this may have happened because of me being in a reading slump for about two months now, because i may be in the process of outgrowing ya or both of these reasons.
of course, nicola yoon's writing was beautiful, evie's personal growth was good and the whole plot made sense
Spoiler
i despise cheating but she needed to forgive her dad in order to move on. and x's death was the trigger she needed to realize that loving, even if it is just for a short time, is always better than wasting your time.overall it was not a bad book, but i just feel like i didn't pick it up at the right time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Grief
Minor: Death
iamsammie27's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Death, and Grief
alina_mrs's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Infidelity
saraavowlerr's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Grief, and Death
bzliz's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Evie doesn’t believe love can last after her parents divorce and she finds out her dad cheated on her mom. She even starts to have visions of how relationships form, evolve, and eventually end. Chance leads her to a dance studio where she meets X, a boy who lives every day like it’s his last and Evie can’t help but let down her guard just enough that he sneaks into her heart.
This delightful take on cynicism surrounding love and learning to enjoy the journey rather than fear the outcome put me through so many emotions- joy, worry, sadness, excitement, frustration, and on and on. It would make a perfect teen rom-com.
This delightful take on cynicism surrounding love and learning to enjoy the journey rather than fear the outcome put me through so many emotions- joy, worry, sadness, excitement, frustration, and on and on. It would make a perfect teen rom-com.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Grief, Infidelity, and Alcohol
totallybookedforlife's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Death
ldwty4's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity