A well-told YA romance - this one will definitely become a movie just like Nicola Yoon’s two other books. It’s about love and loss, beginnings and endings. When Evie’s Dad cheats on her Mom leading to their divorce, Evie writes off love. Why fall in love if it will only end in heartache? In a riff on the movie, Big, she finds a magic book, starts having visions and enters a dance competition with a dreamy teen. It’s the last semester of senior year and everything is changing - from her family to her friends. This will be a fun movie that I can’t wait to watch.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, Random House Children’s, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Evie is struggling with believing in love after her parents get divorced. She throws out her romance books she once loved, critiques her friends’ relationships, and avoids a relationship of her own. To make matters worse, one afternoon she sees a couple kiss and suddenly she *sees* their entire relationship—a highlight real from the beginning to the end. There is always an end. Desperate to find out why this is happening, she curiously ends up at a dance studio and agrees to partake in a ballroom competition with the cute boy named X; it doesn’t matter that she’s never ballroom danced in her life...

When suddenly Evie finds herself entering into a relationship she didn’t ask for, she’s in trouble. Her views on love, life, and friendship are being questioned at every turn. This is a YA romance that will make you, the reader, question as well. We all know many relationships end whether it’s a break-up, growing apart, or death, but does that mean it’s not worth it?

Typical of all Nicola Yoon books, the writing is beautiful and captivating. I do wish I could have seen more of the dancing scenes! I thought that was such a unique angle and I wanted to see more of that passionate Step-up like chemistry! Instead, there wasn’t much description of those cute eye contact, heart pulsing, breath-catching moments, or even the dances themselves. If this ever got adapted into a movie, I’d love to see those shown.

But anyways...go and pre-order this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book was absolutely delightful and I loved it. Truly just loved it! I didn’t want it to end. It ended up wrecking me in the end but it was so well done. Highly recommend!

REVIEW FOR INSTRUCTIONS FOR DANCING

Thank you to @netgalley and @delacortepress for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars

So this was my first YA novel in a long time, and it reminded me why I miss them. The feeling of being young and free permeated throughout this whole book while still maintaining the sense of responsibility that age 17-18 kids have.

The story centers around Evie Thomas, a senior in Los Angeles, California who has written off ever finding love after her parents recent divorce (any kid who has experienced this can absolutely relate- still am unsure of it myself). She decides to donate all her romance book and drops them off at a “take one, leave one” roadside library. A woman shows up and convinces her to take this book called “Instructions for Dancing” and, against Evie’s better judgement, she does. What follows are powers beyond her imagination, an experience of a lifetime, and a love that defies all expectations, even if life is still as unkind as always.

Let me start by saying, this book was beautiful. From the cover artwork to the way it was written, Nicola Yoon did a great job of writing from the perspective of a young adult without it sounding too young adult-ish. The chapters were short, which held your attention, and the book discussed race, LGBT community, and other modern concepts without it being overly centered around those things (which was nice only in that it allowed the characters to grow without expectation or drama).

However, while it was a unique concept, I felt like the “old woman shows up and gives girl the gift of foresight” is a tired trope. I liked that it wasn’t the central focus of the story, but it was central enough to cause what I felt was unnecessary drama. I also felt like it put a lot of pressure on the protagonist, having to decide how to act when you know how things end. But, while I didn’t necessarily love that point, I did love how the author didn’t abide by the “happy ending” that many have for romance and YA novels. Life is messy- I’m glad she kept it that way.

A cute, easy read and would highly recommend for those who love YA and would like to remember how they felt the first time they fell in love too 💕

Oh my gosh! I cannot even begin to put into words how much I loved this book. I finished it in less than 2 days because I just couldn't get enough. Nicola Yoon has done it again, I was so emotionally invested that I started sobbing uncontrollably 2 or 3 times while reading. I am a daughter of parents that have an almost identical story as Evie's and this book brought back so many emotions and feelings I completely forgot I had. I relate to Evie in so many ways and I have never felt represented in this way before. I know that this book is going to mean a lot to other young girls that have these shares experiences because I absolutely adored it.

I always love Nicola Yoon's books, and Instructions for Dancing did not disappoint! Cute, funny, yet emotional, it took me back to my teenage years and reminded me why love is so important in our lives. Loved it!

silly little romance book not supposed to make me cry this much??

this was super Cheesy particularly in the first half & i am not the biggest fan of Cheesy but it worked in this bc of the acknowledgement of the Cheesiness. but anyways,, slightly cheesy but super cute romance with an extra layer of sumn sumn to give you the feels — nicola yoon has done it again!

i started reading & rlly thought this was gonna be like your average cute fun romance but No it turned into something so sad but beautiful & just so good. the last bit (is it called the third act? unlike evie i am in fact Not a romance expert) was especially emotional; evie coming to terms with her past & soon to be future experiences with love & loss was rlly beautiful to read.

*review will be published to goodreads on 18 May 2021, link to review will be put on instagram on the same day*

Realistic Fiction with a touch of sight. Evie is angry at her father; she may never speak to him again. Then she comes across a book on dancing that causes her to change her life by including dance and looking at love's journey in a different way. There's also a young, handsome man added to the mix. Perhaps that little book possesses a bit of magic for Evie and a prescription for living that all of us could use.

Get hyped for June, because this is the best Nicola Yoon book as of yet! Instructions for Dancing is romantic, exciting, fun, and it's even sad. The bittersweet ending broke my heart, but it was so satisfying at the same time! And did I mention there's dancing?

If you like YA romance, you'll like this book. If you LOVE YA romance, you'll really like this book. Either way, it's worth reading.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Instructions for Dancing by Nicola Yoon follows main character Evie, former lover of romance novels, currently grappling with the futility of love in the face of her parents' divorce. Following a mysterious interaction with a strange woman at a little free library, Evie finds her way to a dance studio, where she's convinced to partner with the drop-dead-gorgeous, lives-life-in-the-moment X for an amateur ballroom dancing competition.

It's 4am. I finished this book about twenty minutes ago. I'm still weeping. I saw a couple reviews ahead of time that mentioned how absolutely heartbreaking this book is, so I knew what I was walking into. About a quarter into the book, I figured out pretty much exactly what was going to happen. Even so, my soul was absolutely shattered. I don't think I've cried over a book this much in a very, very long time.

One of Nicola Yoon's particular skills is convincing you to care deeply about her characters. Another is weaving grief and joy together so seamlessly you feel both at once. Both skills are on full display in this absolutely gorgeous novel. And it's not just grief and joy about the romance in this book (or her backlist titles, to be honest); it's about the griefs and joys of friendship, of parenthood, of sisterhood. It's about the griefs and joys of being alive.

I won't get into the losses I've felt in life; everyone has lost something, everyone loses something or someone at some point. But I do want to say that Evie gave a voice to the grief I've had in me for the things and the people I've lost, gave tangible words to those amorphous and difficult and beautiful feelings for the first time. I'm leaving this book knowing myself better than I have in years.

I don't know what else to say other than I couldn't recommend this book more, and I'm going to continue recommending this book for probably the rest of my life. It hurt me, and it made me laugh, and it made me feel seen. This story will stay with me forever.

I adore this book about love and breakup's. I loved that she was able to see the future when a couple is kissing. I loved the friends . I adored that she was able to see into each of her friends relationships. I loved the mom and dad even divorced they still parented. I love the sister. what can I say I loved this book and the dancing and romance with X. I loved that she tried to be good child but made choices that helped her out.

An absolute delight of a book to read!! But, it will also hit you right in your feels in ways you do not expect, that ending, holy cow!! It is funny, touching, warm, bittersweet and heartbreaking. It is such an easy story to immerse yourself in as the characters are so vibrant and real. Evie is a senior in high school and her friends are planning their last months and summer together. Evie's home life has endured a radical change as her dad had an affair and she and her mom and sister have moved into an apartment. Her trust in her father has completely broken and that affects how Evie looks at everyone's relationships. A strange encounter gives Evie an extraordinary gift and leads her to a dance studio where she meets a wonderful group of people including Xavier, a gorgeous musician who she reluctantly falls for. I truly adored Fifi, she brings such energy and humor to the story. I love Xavier's optimism and 'say yes to everything' view of life and the relationship between X and Evie is so beautifully written. All of Evie's emotions, and changes of heart are so understandable and the joy she discovers is wonderful, which makes the ending all the more wrenching. Highly recommend this marvelous book!!

“Happiness is tricky. Sometimes you have to fight for it. Sometimes though it sneaks up behind you, wraps an arm around your waist and holds you close.”

Nicola Yoon is an auto-buy author for me. I loved her previous two books, but was a little weary when I read the synopsis for this one. It seemed a tad too much fantasy for my liking. But a few chapters into this book, my notions were proved wrong and I fell in love with the story and the characters.

Evie is struggling with the news that her parents are getting divorced after her father has cheated. She used to love romance novels, but they've now lost their luster after watching her parent's marriage implode. Evie just wants her old life back, but can't seem to find her way. When she donates her books to a Little Free Library and grabs a book entitled "Instructions for Dancing," her world is turned upside down with the visions about the romantic future of others when they kiss. As she starts to predict the short lifespan of the relationships around her, she must weigh the whether it's worth starting a relationship of her own, especially when she doesn't believe in love anymore.

I love Nicola Yoon's writing. She is an absolute master with words and I find myself feeling every emotion right along with the characters. This book was anything but predictable. I had no clue where the storyline would go next. Evie's group of friends were so fun and X was the perfect fit for her, just when she needed it most. The two helped each other heal, both from very different kinds of grief, which moved their relationship forward.

Instructions for Dancing was a surprise hit for me and I am so glad that I picked it up. It was the perfect mix of romance, fantasy, and real life. The story touched my soul in unexpected ways and completely wrecked my heart. I absolutely loved it.

Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Such a sweet, thoughtful story. This was a joy to read. Thank you for the opportunity to read it early

I absolutely love Nicola Yoon's work and could not wait to read her latest book! Thank you to partner Netgalley for the ARC of this one; Nicola Yoon's Instructions for Dancing releases on June 1st, so preorder your copy today!

The question at the center of this book is a hard one -- should we continue to love others even though all love essentially ends in loss? It's a heavy question that resonates throughout this book. As the story begins, we find Evie packing up her previously beloved romance books; she plans to donate them. Although they are lovingly organized by sub-genre and have been her treasure, after learning about her dad's affair (which has remained secret from her sister) and watching her parents' marriage deteriorate and end in divorce, she finds she has no room left in her heart for love stories.

And yet after an unusual encounter with a quirky elderly woman at the local Little Free Library, mysterious forces are at work, and Evie discovers she has a surprising new magical ability. This mystical skill adds to Evie's complicated feelings about love and romance. In an effort to figure out more about the strange new skill she possesses, she winds up at the local ballroom dance studio, where she meets X, the grandson of the studio's owners. X has also seen his share of hardship, but he maintains a "yes" attitude and continues to embrace the positive parts of life undeterred by setbacks. Despite this encounter with X and the cracks in Evie's stoic exterior, she remains steadfastly determined to keep her distance:

"I know how this looks. it looks like we're bantering, like sparks are flying between us like in witty, old romantic comedies. It looks like the start of something. But I promise you, there are no sparks. Nothing is on fire here."


As X and Evie get to know each other better, it becomes harder and harder for Evie to maintain her resolve to stay away from romance for good. And yet the more that she learns about love, the more she worries about what the stakes are for the people who are in it. Evie comes to see that there are no easy answers in relationships, and yet she also learns more and more about how much people need each other. Along the way, there's lovely banter, amazing friends and family, and more than a little dancing.

I shed more than a few tears during this beautiful book. I loved Evie so much, and X is amazing. I also adored the secondary characters, each of whom were richly crafted. Nicola Yoon continues to amaze me with her phenomenal skills! There are so many gorgeous passages, but I'll leave you with these words from Evie's dad... and with the not so subtle suggestion that you go read this amazing book!

"But I know that to love is human. We can't help ourselves. The philosopher-poets say love is the answer, but it's more than that. love is the question and the answer and the reason to ask in the first place. It's everything. All of it."

I was first drawn to this book by its title and cover, and also realized I've read some other books by the author, Nicola Yoon. But it was so much more than that, it was INCREDIBLE! It had it all: a romance, family dynamics/drama, a twist, a lil magical realism. It was just so lovely and I didn't want to put it down. I loved Evie, the main character, and how she grows throughout the story, and deals with themes of forgiveness and change. Evie's love interest, X, is just so charming and adorable, I was obsessed with the two of them! I would highly recommend reading this one, even if you aren't super into YA. Definitely one of the best YA stories I've read in a while!

This story follows Evie, a high school senior wholly disillusioned with the idea of love after her parents' recent divorce. And when Evie suddenly finds herself able to see the stories of couples' romance in her mind after witnessing them kiss -- a romance that seems to always end in heartbreak -- her belief in the happy endings romance novels show fades even more.

In trying to figure out what's happening to her, Evie finds herself at La Brea Dance studio, learning any and all kinds of ballroom dancing with a boy named X. A boy who just might be the key to finding answers -- and opening her heart.

This quick read flew by, a cute story of magical realism with a plethora of deeper layers and emotional questions. Main character Evie is stubborn but relatable and her journey of growth was laid out wonderfully. X is the kind of boy everyone wants to be friends with, the irresistible open-hearted charmer you can't help but love.

Y'all. This book surprised me. There's a twist that I guessed was coming but was not prepared for how wholly and completely I fell apart at its reveal. (My boyfriend literally stared in shock as the tears rolled dripped onto my Kindle.) An evil choice that is masterfully executed, that ending elevated this book to another level.

A YA contemporary hiding deceptively bittersweet moments, be prepared for love, laughter, and plenty of longing. And be sure to have the tissues on hand for this one.

Do not hesitate, pre-order this book now. (Actually there's a pre-order contest through Barnes and Noble .). I had expectations, huge ones, and Instructions for Dancing, surpassed them. I have ordered multiple copies for my library but I'm afraid I won't need them because everyone is going to rush out and buy themselves a copy. Like all of Nicola's books this isn't light. It packs an emotional punch, all wrapped up in a dreamy cover. Be prepared for that. Now, my lips are sealed.

I loved this book but it also broke my heart at the same time. If you love Nicola Yoon's other books - this one will not disappoint.

This book follows Evie Thomas as she navigates her parent's divorce and decides love is no longer for her. This is only affirmed when she develops the "power" to watch a couple kissing and see how their love started, and how it ultimately ends. She struggles when she meets X, her future dance partner, at a dance studio. Not wanting to fall in love, this book follows Evie as she struggles to maintain her distance from X.

This book is a delight - it is sweet and magical. And just when you think you have it figured out, Yoon drops a bombshell that leaves you torn and yelling at the wall. I absolutely loved this book and the ending will stay with me for awhile!

Nicola Yoon has a habit of tugging at your heartstrings and Instructions for Dancing is no different. I first read Everything, Everything and was captivated by her voice and her talent for characters. Evie and X are compelling characters. The added aspect of her visions makes her complex and to me, X was such a question mark in the beginning. I really enjoyed this story and their journey together.

Synopsis: 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?