Nicola Yoon has written books that I’ve loved so far and when her third book was announced I knew I needed to read it. Instructions for Dancing sounded like a book I would love, so when The Write Reads announced the tour I signed up right away! Today I’m going to tell you about the book and what I thought. Keep on reading to find out more.
A big thank to the publisher for providing me with an e-arc to read and review!
Publisher: Penguin
Length: 304 Pages
Publishing: 3rd June 2021
ISBN: 9780241516911
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star Nicola Yoon is back with a new and utterly unique romance.
Evie is disillusioned about love ever since her dad left her mum for another woman – she’s even throwing out her beloved romance novel collection.
When she’s given a copy of a book called Instructions for Dancing, and follows a note inside to a dilapidated dance studio, she discovers she has a strange and unwelcome gift. When a couple kisses in front of her, she can see their whole relationship play out – from the moment they first catch each other’s eye to the last bitter moments of their break-up.
For Evie, it confirms everything she thinks she knows about love – that it doesn’t last.
But at the dance studio she meets X – tall, dreadlocked, fascinating – and they start to learn to dance, together. Can X help break the spell that Evie is under? Can he change Evie’s mind about love?
Book Links
Review
“Happiness is tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for it. Sometimes, though – the best times – it sneaks up behind you, wraps and arm around your waist and pulls you close.”
Even though I finished Instructions for Dancing a few days ago I’m still having a hard time putting how much I loved this book into words. Nicola Yoon mixed the contemporary stories I’m come to love by her with the perfect amount of magical realism. This story was everything I wanted and more.
The main character Evie is done believing in love. After finding out her Dad cheated on her Mom she’s done with love. How can it exist if the people she thought loved each other the most didn’t stay together? Evie was such an amazing character. I loved that she loved books and how when she cared she does so with her whole heart. I think that’s why this hit her so hard.
So when Evie finds a book and ends up at a dance school her life changes. Besides learning how to dance with a boy she doesn’t want to like she also sees someone’s love story when they kiss. She sees the happier moments, but also how it will end. Nobody seems to stay together forever, so what’s the point in loving?
Evie meeting X was a lot of fun. They were definitely opposites. X says yes to everything. He’s learned life is too short not to take risks. I couldn’t put the book down as they got to know each other. Evie started opening her heart and X started finding ways to heal. But can their feelings stand the test if Evie sees how their relationship will go?
Instructions for Dancing isn’t just a romance. It’s so much more. This story talks about love: falling in love, falling out of love, losing someone you love, friendship, family, growing up and taking the risk and letting yourself fall even if you get hurt. The amazing cast of side characters made this story complete. Nicola Yoon truly hit me in all the feels. Even though this story is heartbreaking it’s also truly beautiful. I know this book will be on my favorite reads of 2021.
About the Author
Nicola Yoon is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Instructions for Dancing, Everything, Everything and The Sun Is Also a Star. She is a National Book Award finalist, a Michael L. Printz Honor Book recipient and a Coretta Scott King New Talent Award winner. Two of her novels have been made into major motion pictures. She’s also co-publisher of Joy Revolution, a Random House young adult imprint dedicated to love stories starring people of color. She grew up in Jamaica and Brooklyn, and lives in Los Angeles with her husband, the novelist David Yoon, and their daughter.
It’s been a few days since I’ve finished Instructions for Dancing and I definitely will be thinking about this one regularly. I see a re-read happening in the future. If you love a good contemporary that hits you in all the feels with a touch of magical realism this one is for you!
Wow such high praise! I keep seeing great reviews I really need to read this 😄
Brilliant review! I like how the book seems to be much more than the standard romance novel. I’m certainly excited to read it!
I still get a little choked up remembering the story. It is so incredibly touching ❤️ Wonderful review!