Adult romance author Jasmine Guillory (The Wedding Party) makes her YA debut with It's Only Dancing, a delightful, diverting take on Dirty Dancing that features a Black teen rediscovering her love of dance.
Up until two years ago, Kat adored ballet. When she was 15, a new white instructor began singling her out as one of the only Black girls in the dance academy: she made hurtful comments about Kat's changing body, put her on a caloric deficit diet, and took away her roles. Kat lost her confidence and decided to leave dance. Now Kat is being forced to spend the summer with her family at Camp Ochoa in Southern California. One evening, Kat sneaks into a staff dance party and is "mesmerized" by the movement of 17-year-old Jordan, "the tall, hot, dimpled Black" hip-hop dance instructor--he reminds her how much she misses ballet. Jordan sees Kat and begins a friendly campaign to get her into his class. She demurs. Later, though, when Jordan needs a dance partner for an important performance, Kat agrees to help. As they practice, Kat regains confidence, reconnects with dance, and develops feelings for the sunny Jordan. Their relationship, though, is complicated by camp rules that prevent staff members from dating campers.
It's Only Dancing is a welcoming YA rom-com that explores identity, body image, and racism through Kat's first-person perspective. Kat experiences pressures to meet other people's expectations at the same time that she finds joy in dance and a sweet romance. Guillory gives YA readers a romantic romp and depicts a teen rediscovering her passion. --Natasha Harris, freelance reviewer