Gina Rae Mitchell

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon | Review

An Ultimate Book Blog Tour from The Write Reads.

Thank you to the author, publisher, NetGalley, and Dave & the Gang at The Write Reads for providing me the information for this tour.

Book Details

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon
Published by Penguin on 06/03/2021
Genres: Fiction, African-American Literature, Clean Romance, Contempoary Romance, Family Life, Friendship, LGBTQ, Multi-Cultural, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Self-Esteem, Teen, Young Adult, Inspirational & Personal Growth
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Hardcover, Paperback
Pages: 285

Evie Thomas doesn't believe in love anymore. Especially after the strangest thing occurs one otherwise ordinary afternoon: She witnesses a couple kiss and is overcome with a vision of how their romance began . . . and how it will end. After all, even the greatest love stories end with a broken heart, eventually.

As Evie tries to understand why this is happening, she finds herself at La Brea Dance Studio, learning to waltz, fox-trot, and tango with a boy named X. X is everything that Evie is not: adventurous, passionate, daring. His philosophy is to say yes to everything--including entering a ballroom dance competition with a girl he's only just met.

Falling for X is definitely not what Evie had in mind. If her visions of heartbreak have taught her anything, it's that no one escapes love unscathed. But as she and X dance around and toward each other, Evie is forced to question all she thought she knew about life and love. In the end, is love worth the risk?

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Source: NetGalley, Received from the author or publisher for review., The Write Reads Tours

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Purchase Links for Instructions for Dancing

Amazon      Amazon UK     BookShop/IndieBound

Barnes & Noble     Kobo      iTunes

Waterstones     The Book Depository     Chapters/Indigo

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My thoughts on Instructions for Dancing

Wow! This story hit all the buttons for me. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it gave me hope, and ultimately, it brought me joy.

I have to say; friends warned me ahead of time that this might be a tear-jerker. I thought I was prepared, but no, I was not.

The story started simply enough. Evie’s parents are divorcing, and she has trouble dealing with her emotional reaction. Planning an after-high school graduation road trip with her besties will hopefully bring her out of her doldrums and curb her cynicism about love.

The magic begins when a mysterious woman gives her a book titled “Instructions for Dancing.” An inscription leads her to a small dance studio, where she meets a unique group of characters. While there, she has her first experience with precognition.

From this point on, I won’t divulge more of the story as you simply must read this for yourself. The tale is unique, funny, heartbreaking, poignant, and so much more.

The characters are so well-developed you instantly feel like you know each of them. Admittedly, sometimes you love them, and sometimes you wish to shake some sense into them. But, you will never be bored with them.

Through Evie, you can explore your feelings, hopes, dreams, reminisce, and plan for the future. Will you learn the same lessons she does? I promise you won’t be unaffected.

No matter your age or gender, this book is a must-read 5-star recommendation from me. So grab a box of tissues, a copy of the book, and settle in to read this touching story. Or if you are as cynical as Evie, read it to prove me wrong.

I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.

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Purchase Instructions for Dancing online from a local book store.

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I also share many of my reviews on the following websites:

• Lovely Audiobook’s Monthly Link-up (Not limited to audiobooks)
• The Inspire Me Monday Link Party
• Inspire Me Monday with Anita Ojeda
• Grammy’s Grid Unlimited Monthly Link Party
• Esme’s Salon Monthly Link-up