caro(lee)na &
Up to This Pointe by Jennifer Longo

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights ReviewsHarper has her life planned out with her best friend Kate. They have a list of everything they will accomplish together like renting an apartment and auditioning and getting accepted at San Francisco School of Ballet. When this plan falls through the floor, Harper takes a chance and travels to Antarctica. Harper's story is a lot of finding out who you are as a person and what you want to do in your life. Sometimes things we plan aren't necessarily for us but new opportunities are opened and this is the case with Harper, which I was glad to see grow more and more each day in a very far away place from home. I liked that the book had past and present chapters: past would be focused on Harper's life as a ballet dancer before traveling to Antarctica and the present is focused on Harper at Antarctica. I preferred her Antarctica life. I feel she was free in that place even though she was confined to stay in if there was a snow storm. I felt like she got to discover more of herself in that place than back home with people she loves. She also met new friends in Antarctica that I wish had gotten more light in the book. They were very nice and were there for Harper, unlike her best friend Kate. I didn't like reading about her past because it was centered on her friendship with Kate and let's just say I wouldn't want to have a friend like Kate. While she was good, she was kind of selfish and ready to drop her plans with Harper for a better offer that concerned ballet. Harper was ALWAYS complimenting Kate and Kate wouldn't even really bother to return back any compliment. I couldn't deal with her at all. Also, note that this book has lots of ballet terminology and if you don't know ballet (like me), you might be lost and not understand very well these terms. Overall, I liked Harper's character because I could relate to her a few times. Her story is also focused on discovering herself, which made me like this story even more.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews

Harper Scott has one goal - become a professional ballerina with the San Francisco Ballet Company. She shares this goal with her best friend, Kate. Both work tirelessly, but unlike Kate who is naturally blessed with the correct body type, feet, and hips, Harper has to strive twice as hard. When Harper is dropped from the first round of auditions and has no clear path in front of her, she jumps at a chance to live in Antarctica for six months, leaving behind her family, Kate, and a really nice boy. An extreme move, but one she hopes will clear her head and point her in the right direction. Super charming, and full of great cast of supporting characters. The alternating chapters of pre-ballet audition and Antarctica were great, and helped show Harper's character development. I also love the Noelle Stevenson designed book jacket!

Although the first time I tried reading this I only got through two chapters, years later I am so glad I picked it back up. This is the most connected I’ve felt with a new book in a long while. The characters were raw and real; the settings and descriptions of both ballet and Antarctica were so beautiful; the plot was so well developed and staged. I love the arc of acceptance and forgiveness and all the different kinds of love.

This review was originally posted on Latte Nights ReviewsHarper has her life planned out with her best friend Kate. They have a list of everything they will accomplish together like renting an apartment and auditioning and getting accepted at San Francisco School of Ballet. When this plan falls through the floor, Harper takes a chance and travels to Antarctica. Harper's story is a lot of finding out who you are as a person and what you want to do in your life. Sometimes things we plan aren't necessarily for us but new opportunities are opened and this is the case with Harper, which I was glad to see grow more and more each day in a very far away place from home. I liked that the book had past and present chapters: past would be focused on Harper's life as a ballet dancer before traveling to Antarctica and the present is focused on Harper at Antarctica. I preferred her Antarctica life. I feel she was free in that place even though she was confined to stay in if there was a snow storm. I felt like she got to discover more of herself in that place than back home with people she loves. She also met new friends in Antarctica that I wish had gotten more light in the book. They were very nice and were there for Harper, unlike her best friend Kate. I didn't like reading about her past because it was centered on her friendship with Kate and let's just say I wouldn't want to have a friend like Kate. While she was good, she was kind of selfish and ready to drop her plans with Harper for a better offer that concerned ballet. Harper was ALWAYS complimenting Kate and Kate wouldn't even really bother to return back any compliment. I couldn't deal with her at all. Also, note that this book has lots of ballet terminology and if you don't know ballet (like me), you might be lost and not understand very well these terms. Overall, I liked Harper's character because I could relate to her a few times. Her story is also focused on discovering herself, which made me like this story even more.This review was originally posted on Latte Nights Reviews