Ultimately hopeful, this coming of age story follows the dreams and challenges of a young girl from the midwest who desperately wants to be a ballerina.

Thank you, Random House, for providing the copy of Starting From Here by Paula Saunders. In the beginning, I loved this book and the writing drew me into René’s story. As the story went on, it didn’t feel like it was going anywhere and became a mishmash of what I think are issues teenage girls experience, or could experience. They were just kind of dropped into the story with no buildup or conclusions so they didn’t feel genuine. I wish the book had kept the earlier pace and promise! 3 stars

Really hoped for more from this book as I absolutely love books about the ballet world and people who have such strong passions for their calling. However, I'm afraid I really couldn't get into well -- I didn't like the characters much, even when I really wanted to, and the plot did not offer much in terms of closure or interest. Sorry!

I love books about ballet, and was so excited to receive an ARC of this novel. However, that's where it ended for me. Just as I was getting into Rene's story, the book seemed to just end. I felt that none of the character's plot lines had any resolution.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

3.5 stars, rounded down to 3 stars.

This was interesting, I have to say. The writing style was pretty straight-forward, which I appreciate, and pretty down-to-earth. This is a coming-of-age tale of a young dancer from South Dakota, who has a dream to make it to New York. This journey makes her leave home, first to Phoenix, then to Denver, and is unflinching in presenting the difficulties René faces.

It also takes place in the early 70's -- a fact that really isn't utilized much in the plot, which sort of surprised me.

I liked the ending, but I also wished for a little more...

All in all, this was worth reading. Would I read more from the author? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Unpleasant is the only word I can come up with to describe my experience reading this novel. It was difficult to relate to Rene, the main character, or any other character for that matter. I expected more from an author who won the Schweitzer Prize for a first novel. This one missed and was a chore to finish.

I wanted to love this book more than I did, however the plot pacing was uneven for me, and the characters ultimately fell flat. It made for a quick read, but not one I thoroughly enjoyed. Further, the tone was heavier than I expected, which was not what I was seeking from my reading at the time, which is more my fault than the book's, but I do feel that the description didn't lend itself to conveying the tone properly.

Great writer but I really could not get into this story. Thanks for the opportunity to read but it was just not for me. Good Luck with the boo.

The storyline of this book was definitely different. It was about a family with three children. The oldest one was a boy/young man who had a substance abuse problem and the dad was always yelling at. The other two were girls. The middle girl was in high school- either a sophomore or junior who aspired to be a ballerina. She was supposedly a really good dancer and her teacher was retiring/quitting. The teacher and mother found her a new teacher in Arizona- they lived in another state. And the story took off. Some of it was too much and some not enough. It wasn’t real cohesive. It wasn’t horrible but it wasn’t great either. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review.

Short, straightforward sentences provide a short, straightforward narrative. That makes for easy page turning. But the tone is so sour as to wring any pleasure from the story. Much emotional suffering, and the protagonist Rene is awarded with scant praise. Does she even like to dance? Where is her joy? Rene is such a blank screen about everything, except perhaps her desire for a boyfriend. The ending was so easy, so tacked on, as to be completely unbelievable. If you're looking for a dance high, this book doesn't give it.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy.

This novel grips the heart from the first line with its simple, aching truth—a girl chasing beauty and transcendence in a world that often offers neither. Set against the backdrop of 1970s America, this coming-of-age story explores the price of ambition, the complexities of growing up, and the quiet, enduring hope of being truly seen.

The author masterfully evokes the sights, sounds, and textures of each setting—from the dusty limitations of Rapid City to the sun-drenched studios of Phoenix and the unpredictable streets of Denver. René’s journey is not just geographical but emotional and spiritual. Each new city introduces her to a cast of vividly drawn characters, from the genuinely kind to the dangerously manipulative. It’s a world that feels as precarious and exhilarating as a tightrope walk, and we follow René with bated breath, hoping she never falls.

What makes this novel truly special is René herself. She is raw, determined, vulnerable, and resilient—never reduced to a stereotype or trope. Her hunger to dance is not just about performance but about survival. She longs for something pure, something hers, even as the world demands she be smaller, thinner, quieter, or more palatable. Her self-worth, belonging, and identity struggles are rendered with deep empathy and unflinching honesty.

The prose is elegant and emotionally resonant, balancing moments of lyrical beauty with the hard edges of truth. Themes of family tension, body image, exploitation, and the search for unconditional love are handled with nuance and care. Eve, René’s mother, deserves a special mention—a complex figure whose sacrifices and sorrows are felt in every interaction.

Overall, this is a beautifully written, emotionally powerful novel that dances through pain, passion, and perseverance with heart-stopping grace—highly recommended.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This fell a bit flat for me. This is a great introspective book about trying to figure out what the FMC really wants in her life but I don’t think it ever dove as deep as I would’ve preferred

This is certainly a coming of age story following Renè who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer. There is a lot of emotional depth to the story but overall the book pacing is quite slow. There is a lot of drama between high school, host families, inappropriate relationships, and more. I wish the characters had a bit more depth to them in order to really connect and be invested in Renè and her journey rather than just bad thing after bad thing. I wanted to know her and her inner thoughts more. Overall not a bad book but pacing and lack of character depth were enough to turn me off a good bit.

I started this book with some hope. The opening pages about the brother and how wonderful he was at ballet were painting something that might have been interesting. However, the brother was quickly dropped and only mentioned sparingly throughout. As for the main character. Tragic instance after tragic instance the whole way through the book. I have read books about war with more levity and/or joy than this book. In fact, nothing "good" happens to the main character till (according to my copy of the book) 96% of the way through. Finally, I do not think the reader needed any at all but, four different scenarios of adult to minor intimate relations scenes definite overkill.

The body shaming aspect in this book made it hard for me to read, as well as the highschool drama aspects. I had to DNF. Not really because the writing wasn't good. It was good. But I just felt triggered the whole time. Just was not for me as much as I enjoy moody literary fiction.

Starting from Here by Paula Saunders is a coming-of-age novel set in 1970s South Dakota, following René, a young dancer chasing her dreams. While the writing is often lyrical and emotionally resonant, the pacing and plot development feel uneven at times. Some readers may find the characters underdeveloped or the story more suited to a YA audience. However, Saunders captures the emotional struggles of girlhood, ambition, and identity with sensitivity. It’s a reflective read for those who appreciate introspective literary fiction, though it may not resonate with everyone.

This coming of age story never really caught fire for me. It seemed more like an exercise or better yet, a YA rather than a literary treatment.

Rene wants to be a ballerina but living in South Dakota is far away from the bright lights of New York City. With her mother Eve’s support, Rene starts the journey to fulfill her dreams.

I had a very difficult time with this book, I found the writing lackluster, the characters were flat for me, what I thought would be a coming of age story felt like an dragged out teenage high school drama. The experiences the young dancer struggles with range from mean girls, to body shaming, to predatory teachers, and continued family angst. Leon, the brother character to me was a filler character and did nothing to add to the plot. Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book and felt underwhelmed by it.

This is a deep dive into the life of a young girl with dreams of becoming a famous dancer. The story explores her girlhood, and we get a chance to get right into it. The author does a fantastic job of creating a hopeful but struggling woman as the main character. The story will consume you. It's beautifully written. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I was invited by the publisher to review this book. It is 1973 in South Dakota, and Rene dreams of becoming a classical ballet dancer, even as the classes become more of a financial burden for her family. Rene eventually leaves to train in Arizona, where the competition is fierce and her host family does not exactly welcome her. As Rene continues to pursue her dream, she starts to question what it is that she really wants: to excel at ballet, or be content just existing as is.

This is a good read for people who enjoy the journey of identity and self-fulfillment. It's a great book for readers who want to be introspective and follow a girl coming into her own. While this book has a lot of depth in terms of emotions and the thought process, I would have liked just a tad more to propel the plot forward.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.