Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Instructions for Dancing

Just couldn't get into this book, Also, the main character (and her parents) were horrible for keeping that huge secret from her sister, I truly thought they would all eventually come clean but they never did. I just could not see the reason for keeping that a secret, like why just from one person?? There wasn't a good reason for doing this in my eyes, and just went on to reinforce the idea that no this wasn't ok and that wasn't an act done out of love.
In fact, the theme of love just wasn't fleshed out well: the father never gets redeemed and the MC doesn't really ever get the explanation she deserves; they just all choose to gloss over it and say well he's done some alright things so all is forgiven? huh? In the span of a few months?? please. I totally understand that this happens in a ton of relationships, the refusal to address the elephant in the room really undermined the exploration of love and it's different interpretations. I felt like the major plot of the book, was just swept under the rug by the end of it. That wasn't really her learning about love, but more so learning to just hide shit.
Overall, this book was a way too sad for me. I went into it thinking it was going to be a romcom about learning to fall back in love but it's not. There's no happy ending, and no redemption for the biggest trope in the book. The theme of love isn't explored in a way that made me think it was doing anything spectacular nor saying anything meaningful.

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ebonyrose's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I'll admit it: I am a crying mf. I cry all the time - movies, tv, books, commercials, tiktoks...anything with even a slight emotional quality to it will usually make me cry. But this book? I finished it last night and WEPT. I mean, I sobbed myself to sleep, feeling incredibly moved by another phenomenal Nicola Yoon read.

I am not sure how to put into words what reading this book was like - especially the second half that was full of so much emotion, and so many equally wonderful and painful life lessons. Nicola Yoon is so special, and I feel so lucky to have experienced this book (which is how I always feel reading her work).

Instructions for Dancing was just so beautiful, so full, so tender, so raw, so aching, and so loving. I feel cracked wide open. Highly recommend.

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destdest's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

Cons:

-no thanks to cheating dad redemption though I do like the struggle of Evie’s relationship with him. She truly wants to hate him, but it’s still her dad, y’know.

Evie’s dad made a conscious decision to be tonguing down another woman while married. That’s on you, sir! At first, it’s like he gets no consequences for his actions. Breaks up his family home and moves onto another woman, and Evie has to see them giggling and gleeful all in her face. You’re not supposed to hold a grudge as it builds into resentment but UGHHHHH

-neutral: Fifi. Hmm, I feel like characters with strong accents show better in film than writing. Eez jest too minny Zee’s fo meeeee en she’s speech.

-X and Evie were fine but not swoon-worthy to me.

-none of her friends were memorable

Pros:

+Loved the dancing and the cover

+Danica and her revolving roulette of boyfriends

+Evie’s struggle with cynicism

+Poking fun at romance tropes

+The magical realism

+The complexities of relationships, and if “I love you” is really forever

+The ending and the overall

Love again message

+The acknowledgements that gives the backstory

Nicola Yoon is one of my favorite writers, but this one wasn’t for me.

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bookrecsbyjess's review against another edition

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sad medium-paced

4.5

While I didn’t love this book as much as Nicola Yoon’s other books, this was still a very enjoyable story.

I loved Evie and X; their relationship was so cute.

Like Yoon’s other books, I enjoyed the short chapters.

I really liked the setting of this story with the dancing. Also, the fact that Evie had visions of peoples’ relationships was an interesting twist on the story.

What I didn’t like was the fact that Evie’s dad got to have a happy ending even though he was crappy and had an affair.

Also, Evie’s sister kind of annoyed me.

The ending killed me! I almost threw my book at the wall because it was so upsetting.

Overall, it was a good but emotional book.

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melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was such a cute and quick read. I really loved the message in this book, and the exploration about love--is it worth it if it eventually ends? And friendships and everything. It was super cute and a very easy read! I loved it.

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