For week #3 of the 2021 edition of YA Fest, I have chosen Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon. In 2017, I read Yoon's The Sun Is Also a Star and was introduced to her romantic style and complicated characters. She is a writer who believes in joy and happy endings, both of which we could all use more of.
The Situation: Yvette 'Evie' Thomas is actually a little bit embarrassed by how much she used to love romance novels. Since her mom and dad have gotten divorced, she is not sure she believes in love anymore, and has decided that all of her old romantic books must go. But two things happen when she rides her bike out to a local Little Free Library: 1. She is suddenly given the power to see visions of a couple's relationship - the beginning, middle, and end - when she witnesses them kissing, and 2. she ends up with a copy of the book Instructions for Dancing, which leads her to the La Brea Dance studio. At the studio, she meets the striking and powerful dance instructor/receptionist Fifi, as well as X, the grandson of the studio's owners. It was enough dealing with her feelings about her dad, and the seemingly lack of feelings from her mom and sister. Evie had no idea that the final semester of her senior year would also include unwanted visions of the couples around her, as well as dance lessons with this new, and somewhat annoying, though very attractive friend.
The Problem: To hear Fifi tell it, Evie has no reason to believe she and X have even the slightest chance of winning the upcoming dance competition, and the struggling studio needs a trophy to add to its display, and the publicity that will come along with it. It does help that X is funny, and charming, and cute, and free in a way Evie wishes she could be, but the situation with her dad has not helped her in the whole "opening up to new people and experiences" department. And with the visions showing her how people's relationships will end, including some close to her, Evie is ready to push the possibilities away before they have a chance to hurt her. But she cannot deny her attraction to X, and she cannot deny she enjoys dancing with him. She even has a hard time denying she misses having her father in her life. Evie will have to decide for herself if love is worth the risk, or if playing it safe is a reasonable way to live.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a young adult novel set in modern-day Los Angeles. Because of her parent's divorce, and the true cause of it, Evie can no longer stomach the romance novels she used to love, and no longer sees the point of sharing her heart with someone if heartbreak is the only guaranteed ending. Her little sister Danica seems unfazed by everything, even after the two of them move out of their house and into an apartment with their mom, and Ms. Thomas has decided to busy herself with baking. While X is still recovering from his own tragedy, his approach is the opposite of Evie's. He says yes to everything, and does his best to drag Evie along, as she will struggle with the fine line between protecting herself, and being willing to take a chance. Evie essentially finds herself in the middle of one of the romance plots she used to to devour. But instead of ending up in one of her three (former) favorite romance genres (enemies to lovers, love triangle, and second chance), what Evie becomes involved in is more of an opposites attract situation.
My Verdict: Possibly what I appreciate most about this book is its ability to make fun of itself and the romance genre, while also taking itself seriously. Throwing Evie into a dance studio and competition with a hot rock 'n roller may cause a few readers to roll their eyes, but the sharp-tongued dance instructor will also make them laugh, and the lovely older couple that owns the place can only make us mile. Many can relate to Evie's pain of dealing with her parents' divorce, and while the visions may seem like a strange detail, they do bring up the question of if it is better to know how things end, or to simply take a chance and enjoy the ride? It is a complicated question that is placed in the setting of the last semester of high school, and Evie is a great guide as the options are explored. Lovers of YA romance should rejoice, and this book is a perfect addition to almost any summer reading list.
Favorite Moment: When Evie and her mother are able to discuss, honestly, the divorce and the aftermath.
Favorite Character: If they had appeared more in the book, I would have selected Maggie and Archibald, the sweet owners of La Brea Dance. But instead I will pick Evie's mom, a woman who has done what a lot of women have to do, and that is hold it together, seemingly alone, while working and raising kids.
Favorite Quote: "Sometimes the only thing to say about a period of time is that it's passing and that you're surviving it."
Recommended Reading: The Sun Is Also a Star is also a YA romance, but a very different kind of story.
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