Book review and possible giveaway-you tell me! BUNHEADS by Sophie Flack

I love the cover of this book. The dancers look like abstract flowers. It just begs for you to open it and find out what it's about. There's a new show on ABC Family called Bunheads and I wondered if it was an adaptation of this author's book, but I don't believe it is. The premise of the stories are radically different and I definitely like the book better! Then again, who know? Her boyfriend is Josh Charles from The Good Wife, so she may be making connections...lol...She did audition to be Natalie Portman's trainer on the film, Black Swan. The job went to one of Flack's fellow dancers of the New York City Ballet. Kind of reminds me of some of the scenario's from the book.

Check out the novel's description...

On-stage beauty. Backstage drama.

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

What I found so great about this book was that it gives you the real deal of what it's like to be a ballet dancer from someone from the inside: Sophie Flack, the author is a former dancer with the New York Ballet Company. I don't think I'll ever see ballet the same way again--even though I did some dancing myself--nowhere near professional level like Flack, but I did perform on the stages of Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall in New York. It was an experience never to be forgotten. My own limited dance experience and consideration of going further, fueled my interest in BUNHEADS.

Sophie Flack

BUNHEADS combines an intimate behind-the-scenes look at the world of ballet and adds a nice thread of romance throughout. I don't want to ruin the story by giving you too many details, but I wondered if the author struggled with romance as does the main character and if that theme is based on her own real-life experience. I highly suspect that it is.

I throughly enjoyed this book and it's original theme. Whether you're a dance enthusiast or not, it's a fresh story with grit and a great addition to contemporary YA--nothing supernatural--real girls, boys and real-life problems and decisions to make.

Now to the givewaway situation. I like this book and I'm thinking of keeping it and adding it to my collection. I'm undecided, so here's the deal. If you're interested in it, leave a comment saying so. If I get a big enough response, I'll post a giveaway of BUNHEADS in the future. If not many people seem interested, fine. I'll keep it for myself! Win-Win.

My thanks to Little, Brown and Company for sending me this truly lovely book.

Toodles, ya'll!