jvantland's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have so many feelings about this book. I couldn’t stand the Dad and how his affair was all hush hush from the younger sister, or how he just fell into a HEA with the woman he cheated with and then married her a year later?! And everyone expects Evie to be over the betrayal and heartache and celebrate with him?! That never made sense, even if the dad’s apology and efforts to reconcile did seem sincere later. And why didn’t Evie tell her sister when she asked outright near the end? It bothered me that we’re supposed to celebrate that kind of sisterly concealment of his fuck up for the sake of his rosy reputation.
I liked X the most of any of them, and wished we got more of his back story and perspective. The dancing was fun, though their rise from beginner to expert level dancing in months seemed a little contrived.
Spoiler
I don’t understand what the seeing the future magic really did for us. Or how if she knew X was going to die, why she wouldn’t spend those months encouraging him to get every medical work up possible? Did she know it was a heart issue, or was that bit just retrospective? I also feel like it’s valid not to dive into an intense romantic relationship with someone who is dying?I liked X the most of any of them, and wished we got more of his back story and perspective. The dancing was fun, though their rise from beginner to expert level dancing in months seemed a little contrived.
eeliyah's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.25
sparkingbright's review against another edition
3.0
[b:Instructions for Dancing|55600878|Instructions for Dancing|Nicola Yoon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1611784820l/55600878._SY75_.jpg|86708659]
[a:Nicola Yoon|7353006|Nicola Yoon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1610567480p2/7353006.jpg]
I picked up this book on a whim while visiting a bookshop because a YA novel that included ballroom dancing piqued my interests and on that front it definitely delivered, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA romance but if you're planning to read it because Evie's power piqued your interest, you will be disappointed. *spoilers ahead*
On that front, it fell short in my opinion; She was already cynical about love because of her parents separating, it's one of the first things we learn about her as she is throwing out her old favourite romance novels. She didn't need a power to solidify that belief, she already seemed pretty set in it. The only times the power has any plot relevance could have been handled without it.
For example;
-Her 2 friends getting together and her seeing that their eventual breakup would also break up their friend group? The worry of a breakup affecting a friend group is a valid worry to have, you don't need a superpower to get to that conclusion
-Her accidentally seeing Archibald and Maggie kissing and therefore seeing their whole love story? She was already dating X at that point, she could have easily found herself in a situation with them where they tell her their story. It feels like we only see their history to learn that someone dies and to build up the mystery of who that is.
-That brings me to her seeing that X will die in less than a year. I feel like that plot twist was just thrown in for shock factor. It really doesn't have much plot relevance and happens so close to the end that the resolution of her learning that fact happens over the course of 2 chapters. The few sentences at the end where it explained how he will die feel so rushed it didn't affect me as much as it probably intended to. I got a shock when she first learns his fate but after that, it all gets resolved so quickly that it felt like an afterthought.
Overall I did enjoy the book but I feel like you could take out one of the major selling points of the book, her power, and the book itself would be pretty much unchanged.
X was enjoyable to read and provided several moments that actually made me laugh. It's refreshing to see a male love interest in a YA novel that is actually interesting to learn about and enjoyable when he shows up. He really felt like a real person that I would want to get to know. Evie's journey of love throughout the book is really sweet and the two of them together are believable and pleasing to read. Even before they got together their banter and chemistry were interesting and enjoyable.
[a:Nicola Yoon|7353006|Nicola Yoon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1610567480p2/7353006.jpg]
I picked up this book on a whim while visiting a bookshop because a YA novel that included ballroom dancing piqued my interests and on that front it definitely delivered, I would definitely recommend this book to fans of YA romance but if you're planning to read it because Evie's power piqued your interest, you will be disappointed. *spoilers ahead*
On that front, it fell short in my opinion; She was already cynical about love because of her parents separating, it's one of the first things we learn about her as she is throwing out her old favourite romance novels. She didn't need a power to solidify that belief, she already seemed pretty set in it. The only times the power has any plot relevance could have been handled without it.
For example;
-Her 2 friends getting together and her seeing that their eventual breakup would also break up their friend group? The worry of a breakup affecting a friend group is a valid worry to have, you don't need a superpower to get to that conclusion
-Her accidentally seeing Archibald and Maggie kissing and therefore seeing their whole love story? She was already dating X at that point, she could have easily found herself in a situation with them where they tell her their story. It feels like we only see their history to learn that someone dies and to build up the mystery of who that is.
-That brings me to her seeing that X will die in less than a year. I feel like that plot twist was just thrown in for shock factor. It really doesn't have much plot relevance and happens so close to the end that the resolution of her learning that fact happens over the course of 2 chapters. The few sentences at the end where it explained how he will die feel so rushed it didn't affect me as much as it probably intended to. I got a shock when she first learns his fate but after that, it all gets resolved so quickly that it felt like an afterthought.
Overall I did enjoy the book but I feel like you could take out one of the major selling points of the book, her power, and the book itself would be pretty much unchanged.
X was enjoyable to read and provided several moments that actually made me laugh. It's refreshing to see a male love interest in a YA novel that is actually interesting to learn about and enjoyable when he shows up. He really felt like a real person that I would want to get to know. Evie's journey of love throughout the book is really sweet and the two of them together are believable and pleasing to read. Even before they got together their banter and chemistry were interesting and enjoyable.
ark99's review against another edition
4.0
~I received an e-arc from netgalley~
I first thought this book would be a cute romance, but honestly I should've expected a lot more since its Nicola Yoon!
This book made me so emotional. It is just packed with such a powerful story and it really isn't just a cute romcom at all.
This is about a girl going through a hard time in her life, and she feels like everyone has moved on except for her. This story shows her growth and I think this might be such a good story for people who may be going through similar issues of families getting a divorce or kids with parent issues, especially younger teens.
Yoon gives this powerful story and then adds the really interesting ballroom dancing plot to it, which I really enjoyed because I used to take ballroom dancing classes so it was fun for me to read this and then in my mind see the dances that they are doing on the page.
The way that this "power" that Evie has is also really interesting and really helps her grow as a person, I think.
I also really liked the love interest, he was a really interesting character and he was such a great person to be there for the main character during her hard times.
I also really enjoyed the sort of open ending that happens, it doesn't really tie everything completely up, it leaves it open to let the reader wonder what really happens and if Evie's vision really does come true or not.
I did think the ending of the ballroom dancing, like the end of the competition could've been explained a little better. The way it was written seemed a bit rushed and wasn't as descriptive as I would have liked it to be, but other than that I thought this was a great book!
I first thought this book would be a cute romance, but honestly I should've expected a lot more since its Nicola Yoon!
This book made me so emotional. It is just packed with such a powerful story and it really isn't just a cute romcom at all.
This is about a girl going through a hard time in her life, and she feels like everyone has moved on except for her. This story shows her growth and I think this might be such a good story for people who may be going through similar issues of families getting a divorce or kids with parent issues, especially younger teens.
Yoon gives this powerful story and then adds the really interesting ballroom dancing plot to it, which I really enjoyed because I used to take ballroom dancing classes so it was fun for me to read this and then in my mind see the dances that they are doing on the page.
The way that this "power" that Evie has is also really interesting and really helps her grow as a person, I think.
I also really liked the love interest, he was a really interesting character and he was such a great person to be there for the main character during her hard times.
I also really enjoyed the sort of open ending that happens, it doesn't really tie everything completely up, it leaves it open to let the reader wonder what really happens and if Evie's vision really does come true or not.
I did think the ending of the ballroom dancing, like the end of the competition could've been explained a little better. The way it was written seemed a bit rushed and wasn't as descriptive as I would have liked it to be, but other than that I thought this was a great book!
mnkern's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
sunnivavi's review against another edition
4.0
boka minner meg litt om når folk ikke vil ha kjæledyr for tenk så trist de blir når de dør, men de tenker ikke på hvor mange fine minner man får før det skjer.
hjb_29's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.25
bookedandfrizzy's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
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? No
4.5