Review: Fabulous story of fighting for your dreams!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 20, 2013
This book tore me apart. But not for the reasons a book typically would. The sheer determination of one girl to make it big and to live up to someone else’s expectations is just a bit much for me to handle. I could never imagine living in a world where my every move and motive was questioned and I was told to live my life a certain way to fulfill a life that was laid out for me. I couldn’t imagine daring to live in my own dreams. It tore me apart to read Annalise’s story and to know that she has never been given the chance to dare to dream of what she wants in her future.This is a breathtaking story of the determination of a ballerina trying to win the top spot and trying to stay there to live up to the expectations of someone else. To be good enough for her mother. Annalise has the strength and determination to be the best ballerina so she can see that look of approval from her mother. Her mother knows what hard work and dedication is needed to make her daughter the best, she was the best. She lived at the height of it all.So when her daughter is expected to go to Rome and vie for one of the company’s top spots, she goes. But what she doesn’t expect is to truly find her heart when she follows the music. The music leads straight to him. Raphael is doing what he loves despite his parent’s disapproval. He wants to dance, in his own time and to his own tune. Though his parents live many miles away, he chose to live the life that he loved instead of becoming what his parents had envisioned. But there was always that cloud hanging over his head, the cloud of disbelief. If his own parents don’t believe in his dreams, can he?When Annalise and Raphael meet for the first time they are captured. It only takes a second to see that what the two of them have is an amazing and deep connection. But Annalise will have to risk everything to have love and dance. Is she willing to sacrifice one for the other? More so, can Raphael hope for more than street performances or will his dreams be crushed because he is afraid to stand out amongst the others?When these two are together they are amazing. They dance perfectly together to their own beat. But that is not met without obstacles. Annalise has a curfew and has already risked so much to see him outside of her training. But what happens when the walls fall down and all of the forces collide? Their need to be together and the need to be perfect?This book was full of so much passion. And though I can honestly say, aside from the few performances I have seen life, I know very little about ballet, this book shows us the behind the scenes of what it takes to be a ballerina on center stage. It is more than dancing well. You must be the best. But at what cost? This is the thought that I had in my mind for most of the book. Why can’t Annalise have the best of both worlds? Why can’t she be a shining star on stage and be in love?This book tugged on my heart and made me cringe and ache for the characters. I was appalled by her mother and his parents. I kept wondering what I would have done in their shoes. Would I have fought for love or lived out my mother’s dream? Sometimes fighting for what you want is more important that pleasing those around you. This book is a shining example of that and I was left in complete awe by Melody Grace’s writing. It is a fabulous story!*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*