_butfirstbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I debated what I should rate this book for a long time. While it wasn’t my absolute favorites the lessons in this book will leave a mark on you like it did for me. I know months from now I’ll still be thinking about the ending of this book and how it was so bittersweet. This was my first book of Nicola Yoons even know I’ve heard of her other books - and I guess I should’ve expected it but I was not prepared for how sad that got.
The synopsis drew me in from the start. It makes me wonder if you could see a couples (even your own) beginning middle and end of the relationship would you still risk falling in love even though you know it won’t work out? Would you be cynical about love and runaway or would you jump? There’s also lessons about giving the ones we love a second chance, cherishing the moments we have with the people we love before it’s too late and being brave enough to risk it all. And I think ultimately that’s why I gave this book 4 stars in the end.
This is an easy cute read that I would recommend.
The synopsis drew me in from the start. It makes me wonder if you could see a couples (even your own) beginning middle and end of the relationship would you still risk falling in love even though you know it won’t work out? Would you be cynical about love and runaway or would you jump? There’s also lessons about giving the ones we love a second chance, cherishing the moments we have with the people we love before it’s too late and being brave enough to risk it all. And I think ultimately that’s why I gave this book 4 stars in the end.
This is an easy cute read that I would recommend.
amberivas's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I'm just past the phase in my life where the cheesy high school romance is appealing to me? I enjoyed this as an entertaining read, and I finished it in a day so it was very quick. I thought the characters were likeable enough, if not too perfect of a stereotype - but I appreciated the constant comparison that Evie makes between her life and a romance novel, which makes that "perfection" sort of redeemable.
I didn't think that, nor was it necessary...but I can see why the author did it that way to fit in with the theme message of the book (which I also sort of disagree with in subtle ways, at least the way it was presented here...so again, maybe not the right genre for me anymore).
I didn't think that
Spoiler
everyone being ok with the cheating ex-husband was acceptableSpoiler
Overall a sort of lighthearted read that in my opinion should have stayed lighthearted. I really like a sad ending when it's appropriate...this one just felt pretty forced in order to prove the point. I was sort of hoping that once Evie took the chance on loving X, she would learn that "Xavier Darius Woods" was his dad's name as well, and THAT was the vision she saw...with some cutesy thing about how their love has no end, or maybe that she couldn't see it because it was her own or something.elena_georgiana04's review against another edition
4.0
I dont even wanna talk about the ending, but the whole book is chef kiss
k_baney's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ireadbookssopleasehelpme's review against another edition
5.0
Instructions for dancing is a fast paced, hooking read perfect for any time of the year, although more so summer.
It was a delightful, heartfelt read that i could have read in a sitting if i had the time. I loved how perfectly the author wove the curse Evie has into the story balancing it with the main plot and making it that just much more interesting.
I also enjoyed the ballroom aspect in it as well as i have never really read much with that in it but thanks to this book i would love to read more.
I love the way the story leans more toward acceptance than anything else. I love how Nicola Yoon wrote the dynamics between Evie and her friends, and I could feel how deeply personal Evie’s journey in this book is. But most of all, I like the way this book wrapped: that people can fall in and out of love, but what matters is what is happening in the present, and that yes, people can fall out of love too, but that doesn’t mean that what they had wasn’t real or that the love they had was pointless or wasn’t worth it. It’s not all about how it ends; it’s also about the beginnings and the in-betweens.
It was a delightful, heartfelt read that i could have read in a sitting if i had the time. I loved how perfectly the author wove the curse Evie has into the story balancing it with the main plot and making it that just much more interesting.
I also enjoyed the ballroom aspect in it as well as i have never really read much with that in it but thanks to this book i would love to read more.
I love the way the story leans more toward acceptance than anything else. I love how Nicola Yoon wrote the dynamics between Evie and her friends, and I could feel how deeply personal Evie’s journey in this book is. But most of all, I like the way this book wrapped: that people can fall in and out of love, but what matters is what is happening in the present, and that yes, people can fall out of love too, but that doesn’t mean that what they had wasn’t real or that the love they had was pointless or wasn’t worth it. It’s not all about how it ends; it’s also about the beginnings and the in-betweens.
thesempiternalreader's review against another edition
5.0
This is a story I would remember for a long time. I was filled with joy, sadness, heartbreak throughout the story. I can't express how much I loved it.
readingrambles's review against another edition
4.0
Nicola Yoon is so good at deceptively reeling you in thinking you’re reading a sweet little YA romance, then shatters your heart to pieces! I love Yoon and her books. They always leave an impact.
hrector's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
tinyfemale's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
itsheatherfox's review against another edition
4.0
I haven’t read a YA book in a hot minute and I’m so glad this was the one I decided to pick up! It was a quick read full of emotion and while the ending broke my heart a little, I really enjoyed this book!