BOOKS

From the first line of a novel with ballerinas on the cover, I realized this was not going to be the typical ballet story. And Bunheads by Sophie Flack definitely is not. Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, Hannah decided to become a professional dancer. When she was accepted into the prestigious Manhattan Ballet Academy, she moved away from her family and her small hometown to New York City to pursue her dream.

Hannah’s given up a lot to dance in the Manhattan Ballet – like the typical high school experience and her senior prom. And when she learns that the director of the ballet is casting a girl from the corps de ballet – which Hannah is a part of – to perform the lead role in the company’s next production, she can’t help but think it’s her time to shine. Though she has her fair share of competition and frenemies who will stop at nothing to steal the part, Hannah’s committed to becoming a soloist.

That is until she meets Jacob, a total hottie from NYU. Jacob’s got Hannah wondering what it would be like to ditch the fierce competition and strict eating habits that come with the lifestyle of a professional ballerina and just breathe. The way the action plays out is sure to surprise you.

What’s most interesting about this book is that it’s written by a former ballerina at the New York City Ballet. Since Sophie Flack once lived, slept and breathed ballet, it’s totally realistic – from the way Adriana sews her feet into her ballet shoes to the frenemy relationship between Hannah and Zoe over the soloist role.

For all dance enthusiasts out there, this is a read for you. Be sure to pick up Bunheads when it hits shelves Oct. 11. Then come back and let us know your thoughts.

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by Devin Alessio | 2/1/2016