Audition by Stasia Ward Kehoe

Synopsis:  When Sara is offered a scholarship with the prestigious Jersey Ballet, there's no way she can turn down the opportunity of a lifetime.  But to take it, she must leave her family and friends for a strange city.  Suddenly, she's thrust into the life of endless ballet class and rehearsal, of juggling schoolwork with hours in the studio, of constantly being critiqued, corrected, and judged.

Overwhelmed and lonely, Sara connects with Remington, a brilliant up-and-coming choreographer.  Though he's too old for her sparking scandal at the studio, Sara is thrilled to become Rem's muse.  But as the secrets pile up and Rem's innovative dances start to attract wider attention, Sara wonders whose dreams she's making come true.

Debut author Stasia Ward Kehoe spins an intense and romantic page-turner about the deeply flawed yet irresistible world of ballet.

My 2 cents:  First of all, I read this book in a day.  And its not really a short book, either.  At first, I wasn't sure I was going to like it.  The entire novel is written in prose, not my typical thing.  And for the record, I have no ballet experience.  But after about 20 pages in, you don't even notice the prose anymore.  And it makes the novel so beautiful, almost lyrical, like the dances they are doing in the studio.

I really related to Sara.  Her biggest problem is her loneliness; also her inability to talk to boys.  I can so relate to all of that!  Moving to a new town, school, with all new people--not an easy thing.  I saw the train wreck that was happening a mile away, but I didn't begrudge her her choices.  If I were in her shoes, I probably would have done the same thing!

Of course, Remington is a big jerk.  I saw the appeal, but as a character..didn't like him!  I actually like Julio, a younger boy who lives in the house Sara stays in, a lot better.  I really wished there had been more of him in the novel.  He really is Sara's only true friend in the story.

Overall, loved this book!  It really felt like poetry as I was reading it!  4 stars!