Homecoming week is upon us and so comes the rush to find a dress and dinner reservations — not to mention dates. In preparation for the dance, I’ll be supplying you guys with a few recommendations that embody the excitement and stress of dance season. All three of these are romances (shocker) so take whatever you need.
“Better than the Movies” – Lynn Painter
When Liz’s childhood crush moves back to town, she begrudgingly becomes friends with her next door neighbor so she can have a chance at her prom rom-com moment.
“Better than the Movies” by Lynn Painter is one of my favorite YA rom-coms. I found myself giggling into the pages, with my feet actually kicking, not to mention that it is genuinely funny (because we all know that some “rom-coms” are not funny). Wes and Liz’s dynamic drive the plot, and that’s great, but what’s even better is that they are great characters too. As promised, it centers around a dance, prom, and you will not be disappointed.
If you are looking for an easy cutesy romance at any time of the year, this one’s for you (and bonus, it comes with a playlist).
“Instructions for Dancing” – Nicola Yoon
Evie can see other people’s relationships — how it begins and how it inevitably ends. But when she starts to fall for a boy at her ballroom dance studio, she must decide whether she’s willing to risk it.
This one’s got a little magic realism for you. “Instructions for Dancing” by Nicola Yoon doesn’t center around a school dance, but a dance competition. And it’s ballroom dancing (something I’ve always wanted to learn), so dances like the tango and waltz are featured.
The added element of Evie’s ability to see the course of people’s relationships touches on some frightening, but crucial life experiences, making the story heavier than most romances. However, it’s still enjoyable. If you are even remotely interested in ballroom dancing, you should give it a shot.
“You Should See Me in a Crown” – Leah Johnson
When her financial aid falls through, Liz is determined to win her school’s scholarship for prom king and queen so she can attend her dream college.
Last but not least, we have “You Should See Me in a Crown” by Leah Johnson. In this one, prom is more of a make or break moment than the rest of the recommendations in this post. Liz has a lot riding on the prom king and queen competition, and she is set on proving herself.
It’s a story about determination and dreams, and there’s also a romance to look forward to. Who could pass that up?
These recs share the chaos of preparing for the big dance and will hopefully ease some tension through the night itself. I wish you a drama free dance week and if you aren’t a high school dance-goer, you can get your fill through these bookish experiences. But if you do go, don’t forget to bring your book with you when you get your boogie on.
