Book Review: The Dating Dance

Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A lighthearted romance that navigates the difficulty of modern dating and relationships

Sarah Shuster has loved ballet since she was a child. But after sustaining a serious injury in college, she lost all hope of ever continuing her passion for dancing at the New York City Ballet Company. Refusing to give up her love for ballet, she chooses to teach at a conservatory and experience the joys of instructing bright young minds who are eager to learn the art.

A few years later, a teaching position opens up at New York City School of American Ballet, giving Sarah a new opportunity to pursue her dreams.

But in the midst of this, Sarah meets Theodore Caddel, a charming and caring paramedic, through a dating app called iMatch. As the resumption date for her teaching position at NYU draws closer, Sarah is left with a dilemma. 

Should she go after what she has been dreaming about for years or stay behind and see where her new blooming love with Theodore takes her?

The Dating Dance is a lighthearted story about making a tough decision—and leading with your heart. One of the central themes of the book is the importance of choosing what makes you happy, even if that choice may not be the one you thought it was.

Author Danielle Nowell skillfully depicts the modern dating scene in The Dating Dance. It doesn’t shy away from the complexities of real relationships and ultimately highlights the resilience and patience required to navigate love and life simultaneously. My favorite romances are the ones that feel real. This one does that.

Sarah’s internal struggle to decide between the two most important parts of her life serves as a reminder to readers that their idea of the best path can (and maybe should) change sometimes. While the ending isn’t too surprising on its own, I enjoyed playing witness to Sarah and Theodore’s love story along the way. Their relationship is filled with sweet and bubbly romantic gestures that add great charm to the story.

Nowell’s writing style is simple and easy to read, making this novel a sweet and delightful romance suitable for casual reading and for passing time in love. My connection with the story could have been enhanced a bit with more scene setting and description, as it feels like it depends a bit too much on telling us the story rather than showing it. Some of the surprise dissipates because of that.

Nonetheless, the relatable and likable characters wrapped up in a slew of heartwarming moments makes The Dating Dance a satisfying and worthwhile read. If you’re in search of something quick and cute, The Dating Dance could be a great choice for you.

---

Thank you for reading Tomi Alo’s book review of The Dating Dance by Danielle Nowell! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.