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annika678's review
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
laurensilhol's review
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
read__aholic's review
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
dwinprincess's review
5.0
This story hit home as a mom to a ballet dancer. The competitions, the auditions, the ALL day rehearsals. Most of all, the relationships that are formed and change over the years. This story is about Hannah, a beautiful red haired, blue eyed ballet dancer who's dream is to get a scholarship and end up dancing in a ballet company in the future. She has friends that share her love of dance, but sometimes as you grow, the priorities change.
Come along with Hannah, Olivia, and their friends on their adventure of life, dance, family, and just what friendship means. Feel the pain, the happiness, and cheer on your favorite character through whatever the world throws her way. I am definitely looking forward to the 2nd book, Head to Head.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Come along with Hannah, Olivia, and their friends on their adventure of life, dance, family, and just what friendship means. Feel the pain, the happiness, and cheer on your favorite character through whatever the world throws her way. I am definitely looking forward to the 2nd book, Head to Head.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
mishale1's review
4.0
I signed up for the author’s ARC team and she sent me an early ebook edition of this book.
Hannah and Olivia are both ballerinas. Their mothers were best friends and the girls grew up as best friends too. But life changes us and sometimes our childhood best friends don’t stay our best friends as we get older. The breakup of a friendship can really be a heartbreaking thing to go through and I feel like this author did a beautiful job addressing this topic.
Hannah is ambitious and takes ballet very seriously. Hannah has had a crush on Tyler for four years and Olivia knows it. But Hannah has also never acted on the crush, she’s admired Tyler from afar. Ballet always was top priority for her. Not boys.
Olivia is now dating Tyler. She knew it would hurt Hannah, there’s no denying that. Maybe she even wants it to hurt Hannah. After all, Hannah’s life is so perfect that Olivia is a little jealous. Hannah’s home life is easier and she’s better at ballet.
The girls’ drama comes to a head during the time surrounding a major ballet event that’s very important to Hannah and less important to Olivia.
This book ends in such a way that a sequel is a must. I’ll definitely read it. I’m curious what will happen next with Hannah, with Trevor and with the two girls that are more minor characters in this book. I imagine that their stories will be told in Head to Head.
Hannah and Olivia are both ballerinas. Their mothers were best friends and the girls grew up as best friends too. But life changes us and sometimes our childhood best friends don’t stay our best friends as we get older. The breakup of a friendship can really be a heartbreaking thing to go through and I feel like this author did a beautiful job addressing this topic.
Hannah is ambitious and takes ballet very seriously. Hannah has had a crush on Tyler for four years and Olivia knows it. But Hannah has also never acted on the crush, she’s admired Tyler from afar. Ballet always was top priority for her. Not boys.
Olivia is now dating Tyler. She knew it would hurt Hannah, there’s no denying that. Maybe she even wants it to hurt Hannah. After all, Hannah’s life is so perfect that Olivia is a little jealous. Hannah’s home life is easier and she’s better at ballet.
The girls’ drama comes to a head during the time surrounding a major ballet event that’s very important to Hannah and less important to Olivia.
This book ends in such a way that a sequel is a must. I’ll definitely read it. I’m curious what will happen next with Hannah, with Trevor and with the two girls that are more minor characters in this book. I imagine that their stories will be told in Head to Head.
yallshouldreadthis's review
5.0
I stumbled upon one of Penelope’s posts on Instagram just a few days ago. I’d been following her but we know how the algorithm works, it picks and chooses what to show you even if you want to see everything from everyone you follow. So finally, FINALLY, it decided to show me that there’s a book series out there from an indie author that combined so many of my loves: ballet, female friendship, and sweet romance. I bought Toe to Toe instantly and devoured it.
Hannah, Olivia, Lisa, and Katy feel like girls I knew in high school. While I didn’t start dancing ballet until I was an adult, I still participated in competitive activities and Penelope just hit the nail on the head with that aspect of this book. The way Hannah pours her heart and soul into dancing while navigating a long time crush, a deteriorating friendship, and a possible new love interest is so realistic and took me straight back to when I tried to balance school and band and theatre and boys and everything in between. The dialogue between characters flowed so naturally, their interactions with each other were perfectly written, the growth and moments of self-realization that Hannah and Olivia both had were so poignant and beautiful. It really felt like watching a friend grow up from a teen into a young adult, right before my eyes.
And the teen romances sprinkled in are some of the best. When the girls talk about boys, when the boys start to pay attention to the girls, when there’s flirty texts and DMs—all of that sent me right back to high school and left me squealing and giggling in excitement for them, like I’m not a married 33 year old.
I just am dying that there’s three more to read. I can’t wait! I am so happy Instagram put Penelope’s post front and center on my feed. I can’t recommend this book enough, and I know the others will be just as amazing!
Hannah, Olivia, Lisa, and Katy feel like girls I knew in high school. While I didn’t start dancing ballet until I was an adult, I still participated in competitive activities and Penelope just hit the nail on the head with that aspect of this book. The way Hannah pours her heart and soul into dancing while navigating a long time crush, a deteriorating friendship, and a possible new love interest is so realistic and took me straight back to when I tried to balance school and band and theatre and boys and everything in between. The dialogue between characters flowed so naturally, their interactions with each other were perfectly written, the growth and moments of self-realization that Hannah and Olivia both had were so poignant and beautiful. It really felt like watching a friend grow up from a teen into a young adult, right before my eyes.
And the teen romances sprinkled in are some of the best. When the girls talk about boys, when the boys start to pay attention to the girls, when there’s flirty texts and DMs—all of that sent me right back to high school and left me squealing and giggling in excitement for them, like I’m not a married 33 year old.
I just am dying that there’s three more to read. I can’t wait! I am so happy Instagram put Penelope’s post front and center on my feed. I can’t recommend this book enough, and I know the others will be just as amazing!
leeshb123's review
5.0
A super cute -little bit gritty- look into being a young, aspiring ballerina in a competitive circuit.
The characters were relatable and had well-defined voices.
The characters were relatable and had well-defined voices.
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