Member Reviews

How to Dance is a captivating story of opposites attracting and sparks igniting as a passionate dancer and a charismatic ladies' man who has lost faith in love find themselves falling for each other—one tango at a time. This enchanting novel promises a delightful and heartfelt journey of romance.

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I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

Jason does a fantastic job writing about passion, and falling in love.

Nick Freeman, swoon, is our male lead with a huge heart. However, he also has some pretty big inner demons when it comes to how people see him due to his cerebral palsy. He struggles to let people in too close, afraid they can’t see past the physical to the amazing person he is.

Cue our darling Hayley. She’s a new to town dancer hoping to make it into the local dance company, along with her boyfriend. However, not all is great in paradise. Her and Nick, after a fumbled start become fast friends. But neither of them can keep their heart from getting too invested. When nothing is left to keep them from being together will they both be willing to take down the walls they have built up in their hearts to let each other in?

Note to the Author/editor: I have to say, the reason I gave this story four stars instead of five is mostly due to Nick. I LOVE NICK. Please don’t get me wrong. After reading the author’s note I understand nick a little better too. However, there may have been too much of the authors projection into the character. I understood that Nick struggled with accepting love, accepting help, accepting basically anything, but I felt I was repeatedly beat over the head with the sentiment. It made it harder to see the characters growth throughout the book too. I genuinely love Nick and want the world for him. So feeling like I also want to roll my eyes at him for saying or thinking the same thing for the hundredth time in five chapters. *End of rant/thought*

Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press for the opportunity to read such an incredible debut Author’s ARC!!

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This is an incredible book that I want everyone to read. I absolutely loved the way the romance unfolded, and it was just super fulfilling to see authentic representation of cerebral palsy. I wish that we had more books like this. I will be recommending it to anyone who wants to listen to me scream about it! More like this, please!!!

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Thank you to Jason B Dutton, Netgalley and Alcove press for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

I loved the concept for the book, but the execution left me wanting so much more. Nick was a very promising character, living with cerebral palsy and trying to make the most of it . Hayley is navigating the world to the best of her ability. But the way they got together was not it for me - emotional cheating for me is something I don't enjoy in a book. I also wish it was open door. But overall, not bad for a debut.

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This was a total miss for me. Haley was unlikable and whiny. I don’t love the she’s off limits but I’m going to be her friend while pining away thing. The dance school names were inconsistently used making it hard to follow (ie referring to the dance school as Icarus at the Vivez performance). I just did not like the book

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Love this!!!!


Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

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This was so good! I loved the fact that there is a disabled male main character and a female lead that loves him no matter what. Love it!
I just reviewed How to Dance by Jason B. Dutton. #HowtoDance #NetGalley
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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. It was a cute premise but ended up being super cheesy.
I loved the MMC and his snark but could not stand the FMC which did not help. She came across as indecisive and whiny which is a no go for me.

I liked the book and it’s a quick beach read.

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This book offers a unique storyline and that is sure to leave a lasting impression. The authenticity of the characters is something I loved. The character growth of both Nick and Hayley is something I loved even more.

Hayley, a dancer, and Nick, a karaoke star with cerebral palsy are both dealing with insecurities of their own. Throughout the book we see them overcome these insecurities to find what they’re ultimately looking for- Happiness.

Books that make me stop and think about what’s most important in life and my favorite but also very rare. This is one of those books for me.

Read this book if you enjoy:
Opposites Attract
Friends to Lovers

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This was cute and as someone who knows people who use walkers, wheelchairs, and other mobility devices, I understand both how limiting and yet still freeing having those things can be.

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An enchanting journey through vividly imagined worlds and compelling characters. This fiction gem weaves a tapestry of emotions, adventure, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages. The author's masterful storytelling evokes a powerful connection, making this book an absolute delight to read. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a captivating escape into a richly crafted story!






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The plot of this book was phenomenal!

When I saw the cover and description of the book I immediately had to send a request in for this book and it did not disappoint!

There wasn’t a single moment where I wasn’t completely enthralled with this book and swooning over the MMC

Everyone needs to go read this book ASAP!

*thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

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I'm sorry to say that this was a complete miss for me.
The book went well over emotional cheating territory, something I don't appreciate, like, or condone.

Hayley relationship with her boyfriend Kevin lasted half the book, and it was normal. It was a human relationship with ups and downs, you couldn't feel anything wrong with them, and I certainly didn't root for them to break up.

Haley and Nick's behavior wasn't appropriate in any way.
We (and Nick) see Hayley with Kevin, she loves him, lights up calling him baby, and is genuinely happy to be with him, so I don't get why on Earth Nick would even think to come between them and how Hayley would say to him that she would've said yes if he's asked her out, and would've kissed him.

You don't like your boyfriend anymore for whatever reason? Leave him and stop being the disgusting person who cheats. She then decides to use Nick as a rebound and literally sleeps in his bed the very night her boyfriend leaves her.

I didn't see any sparks between the two protagonists, nothing to warrant the supposed love they feel for each other. And honestly? Kevin was right to call her a bitch when Nick insinuated that she cheated on him. Sure, she didn't physically, but she sure did emotionally.


Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I kept waiting for more emotion, it never came. I didn’t connect with the characters in any way.

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When I saw the cover and description of How to Dance, I immediately ran to NetGalley to request an early digital ARC. It doesn't come out until February of next year, but I couldn't wait to read it. I read it in one sitting, and I thought this was a very solid debut by author Jason B. Dutton. Readers definitely need more books like this one. The main character, Nick, has cerebral palsy, just like the author. I appreciate the fact that Dutton used his own experiences and condition to write Nick's character. Although Nick is a fictitious character, he comes across as very genuine and authentic, which is a definitely a reflection of Dutton basing Nick's character on his own experiences and life with cerebral palsy. You can't really separate Nick's life with cerebral palsy away from the rest of the story, but I appreciated how this was, at its heart, a story about resilience and overcoming obstacles, whether those be physical, emotional, or mental ones. Although Hayley did not have a physical disability, there was a lot she also had to overcome in the story, and I liked how she and Nick brought out the best in each other. I also appreciated how authentic Hayley's character was. She never let Nick get away with anything; she was always blunt and upfront with him from the beginning. I liked watching their friendship gradually develop into something more, although, I must admit I could have done without Kevin interfering throughout the story. I'm not really the biggest fan of love triangles, but I still really enjoyed this book. I definitely hope that this is not the only book by Jason B. Dutton that we get, because I would really like to read more of his stories. Thank you to Alcove Press for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book. It comes out in February, right before Valentine's Day, which is the perfect time for this heartwarming romance.

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Nick Freeman is the star of weekly karaoke night at his favorite bar. His wit, his singing, and his smile easily distract most people from his cerebral palsy. Hayley Burke is a new dancer in town, and notices Nick's smile at the bar one night.

The two trade some pretty uncomfortable jabs, originally misplaced, then as a way to protect themselves, but eventually find a way to a truce, then friendship. As their friendship shifts to something more, they are both looking for themselves and their own way in the world beyond their own insecurities.

This is a sweet book, and I really appreciate the way the author treated Nick's cerebral palsy. I felt that it was very well done. The characters were fun, the romance was slow and sweet. For a debut novel, Dutton did a nice job, especially writing a character like Nick in a realistic way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

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This was such a refreshing read!!! I loved getting to know Nicky and following him and Haylee on their journeys of self acceptance, self love, and choosing happiness.

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I want to start off by saying thank you to Netgalley and Jason Dutton for my advance readers copy. I really did like the premise of this book. The representation in this book felt spot on. I could feel the hero frustration at time with people around him and I really felt connected with him. I think the part I struggled with was the romance. It just fell flat to me and I did not get the angst that I am sure the author was striving for. For me is was just ok. For this debut author I think it was a great start to a long career ahead of him. Will I be reading this author again, absolutely👏

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Recommended!

This is a delightful, original and refreshing love story. It’s a slow burn romance between Nick, who has cerebral palsy, whose body often betrays him, and dancer Hayley, who uses her body to express herself. It's got pining, and longing and swooning and I couldn't wait for Hayley to see the light with Nick.

Nick is perhaps a touch more fully realised, and his emotional arc is more obvious. Hayley is a sweetheart, ending a long-term relationship as she grapples with her growing feelings for Nick. It’s gentle and at times very painful as Nick’s inner dialogue borders on self-loathing and he has a lot to prove to himself.

It’s a closed door and I admit I’d have loved to see them in the sack. Jason, open the door in your next book :)

There’s strong friendship groups (Mel, you are awesome), a super-cute littlie, two wonderful workplaces, angst and jealousy and a vivid insight into the realities of living independently with cerebral palsy.

I was intrigued, not least because romance is typically written by women for women but it's all good. The representation is spot on and most importantly the connection between Hayley and Nick is heartfelt.

Looking forward to reading more from Jason!

Thank you NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC.

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The book cover is undeniably adorable, adding an enticing element to the overall charm of the story. Although I generally lean towards first-person narratives, the choice of dual POVs and third-person storytelling in this novel appears to strike an excellent balance, offering a comprehensive understanding of the characters' inner worlds while maintaining a broader perspective on their unfolding romance.

A very entertaining story with an interesting plotline and featuring fresh characters, “How to Dance”, by Jason B. Dutton (Alcove Press), presents a captivating, extrovert hero, able to charm a rock.
Nick Freeman’s authenticity as a very affectionate, outgoing person, but a bit guarded, and also dealing with serious mobility issues, make this wounded hero fascinating.
The friendship and romance between Nick and Hayley is slow, although their connection is instantaneous and powerful.

This book is an excellent read for someone looking for an emotionally involved book with great representation.

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