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Published: Nov. 19, 2012
Words: 58,155 (approximate)
Language: English
Short description
For Alana Summer, ballet dancer and magnet for awkward moments, life is far from simple. She struggles with an alcoholic father and an abused mother. She vents her frustration through dancing and spending time with her two best friends: Chris and the hot looking Adin. When one of her biggest fears come true, she is forced to leave the ones that keep her sane.Extended description
For Alana Summer, ballet dancer and magnet for awkward moments, life is far from simple. She struggles with an alcoholic father and an abused mother. She vents her frustration through dancingand spending time with her two best friends: Chris and the hot looking Adin.
She has been secretly in love with Adin for as long as she can remember and is pretty sure he feels something for her. So she concocts a plan to make him confess his feelings for her. But when one of her biggest fears come true, she is forced to leave the ones that keep her sane. Choosing between her family and her heart, she has to make tough decisions, even when the one she loves the most, loves her back.
Tags
young adult romance ballet domestic violence friendship love kissingAvailable ebook reading formats
Single purchase gains access to all formats. How to download ebooks to e-reading devices and apps.| Format | Full Book | Sample First 20% |
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| Palm Doc (PDB) (for Palm reading devices) | Buy | Download sample |
| Plain Text (download) (flexible, but lacks much formatting) | Buy | No sample available |
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The Kiss InstructorReviews
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Review by:
Jonel Boyko
on May 12, 2013 :
This is one of those novellas that catch you right from the get go and don’t let go. You also forget that you are reading a novella rather than an actual novel. It is so well and fully developed that it really tells a whole story. This story didn’t just bring tears to my eyes, it made me cry.
With this novel Anton brings verbal abuse to the forefront in a shockingly vivid way. She takes a hard hitting subject and turns it into a brilliant tale of surviving, overcoming, and loving. She also doesn’t mince words and really puts it out there. She also shows the topic in vivid realism and clarity. Characters involved react in realistic ways. But above all, she shows how difficult it can be to overcome the situation in a story that keeps you captivated.
The characters in this novella were extremely well developed. I couldn’t believe how real each and every one of them became. I also appreciated how Anton develops each to fit their role in the story as well as their backgrounds, both sociologically and culturally. I love how the author switches perspectives from character to character, giving the reader everyone’s point of view. It really adds to the impact of the story.
This was a phenomenal novella that I couldn’t put down. I was so wrapped up in the lives of the characters that I didn’t want it to end, but yet was thrilled with the ending. It was the perfect story.
Please note that I received this novel free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Sheri
on May 11, 2013 :
This is a super sweet story about growing up and finding your way. Alana is struggling at home with an abusive father and an abused mother. Not knowing what she can do to help, she tries to stay out of the way, having no one to turn to but her best friends, Adin and Chris. The three of them have been friends for years. The only problem…Alana is in love with Adin. Afraid to tell him her feelings and potentially ruin their friendship, Alana concocts a plan to get him to realize that maybe…just maybe…he is in love with her, too. When life gets in the way of Alana's plans, she has to learn to choose her own path and find her own happiness.
I love that this story was told from Alana and Chris's POV and left out Adin's. We get enough of the story through those two characters that having Adin added in would have been repetitious while leaving him out left a bit of mystery to the story. Plus, I really like Chris. He is the kind of friend everyone needs at least one of.
All of the characters in this story were great. From Alana, Adin, and Chris, whose friendship was completely believable, to the Alana's relations in Puerto Rico, including Med, they made the story come to life. The other thing I really loved was the descriptiveness the author used. Though you get this throughout the story, this was most notable after Alana arrived in Puerto Rico, almost like that is when her life really started. The descriptions were vivid and bright on the pages.
(reviewed long after purchase)
Review by:
Trish
on March 02, 2013 :
True rating - a very high 3.
This is a very sweet, frothy read and I really liked it. And that cover, from the colours to the dance pose, wow, I love it.
Alana is a ballet dancer who has to cope with an alcoholic father and an abused mother. 2 things save her from the awful reality of her home life - her ballet dancing and her 2 besties Chris & Adin. A time comes where she has to choose between her life and saving her mother and the choice she made rose her several levels in my estimation.
My big fear about this book was that it was going to be yet another book about a love triangle. Thankfully it's not! It's also not insta love which is my pet hate. Instead the mutual love between Alana and Adin feels real, passionate and totally believable. My favourite part of the book was the bits in Puerto Rico, it sounds amazing from the scenery to people, I fell in love with it a little. The humour that was scattered throughout the book was another plus for me too, Alana's awkwardness at times made me smile knowingly, been there, done that!
The only downside for me was that I would have liked the story to move a little faster. At times it was a little too drawn out for me.
Overall though, a fun read and recommended to fans of YA books.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
Anne Conley
on Feb. 26, 2013 :
Alana, a high school girl with an abusive father, is trying her best to convince one of her best friends, Adin, that they were meant to be together. Told from the first person point of view, from Alana's and her other best friend, Chris' perspective, the simple prose of this story painted a picture of a young girl. Growing up, and coming to terms with the sins of her father, she eventually has to learn to love herself and let go of hurts beyond her control, in order to be happy with the love of her life.
This story was a rare jewel for me to read. From Long Island to Puerto Rico, the women in this story reminded me of women in my own family that I have heard stories about for years. Strong, opinionated, and obstinate, they are wonderful secondary characters, adding a dimension to this story that was unexpected.
This author broke several "rules," but in this particular story, it worked to help tell the story as a whole. There were a few issues with the writing that a good editor could fix, but it certainly didn't detract from the story. I loved this novel, and would recommend it to anyone looking for something to do on a rainy day.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)
Review by:
Snigdha Prakash
on Dec. 11, 2012 :
Okay...This book is a pretty teenage romance....sweet and simple.
The writing of the author is amazingly easy to flow with and so is the storyline.
You fall in love with the characters almost immediately....
I mean,it's impossible not to...what with Alana's vivacious character who is full of life and spirit and Adin with his sweet and caring and lovable himself. And Chris??? Chris is awesome! :P I guess,he is my favourite character amongst the three... I absolutely love his narration part in the story...it's outright hilarious!
Med is good too. He comes in for a short time,but I like his character.
The only teeny tiny drawback was that...I wanted more of conversations there in the story..I mean instead of explaining things in the passive form...I would have loved to read dialogues instead.
But nevertheless, this book has a very sweet touch to it... Those who are in search of a simple romantic story..this book is highly recommended.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
Snigdha Prakash
on Dec. 11, 2012 :
Okay...This book is a pretty teenage romance....sweet and simple.
The writing of the author is amazingly easy to flow with and so is the storyline.
You fall in love with the characters almost immediately....
I mean,it's impossible not to...what with Alana's vivacious character who is full of life and spirit and Adin with his sweet and caring and lovable himself. And Chris??? Chris is awesome! :P I guess,he is my favourite character amongst the three... I absolutely love his narration part in the story...it's outright hilarious!
Med is good too. He comes in for a short time,but I like his character.
The only teeny tiny drawback was that...I wanted more of conversations there in the story..I mean instead of explaining things in the passive form...I would have loved to read dialogues instead.
But nevertheless, this book has a very sweet touch to it... Those who are in search of a simple romantic story..this boom is highly recommended.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
Ayush Sharma
on Dec. 11, 2012 :
Well, what can I say now? Beautiful. That's the only word I can think of to describe this book. It had a beauty in everything, from Alana and Adin's love to the three buddies' friendship to the scenery of Puerto Rico. The one thing I can't stop admiring about the author is how she can make a simple story look so touching and lovable. I also liked how the author so easily switched between POVs. Though mostly it was from Alana's POV, I couldn't help but appreciate the other ones. The only thing that took the one star away is, the story was a little fast. Maybe it's just me who likes long reads. Anyway.
About the characters, my favorite one was Med. I loved the vivacity in him. And how he was so understanding towards Alana's love when he clearly felt something for her.
All in all, the story was worth my time. I'll say it's one good piece to read if you get tired of the paranormal ones. Sweet and fluffy.
(reviewed within a week of purchase)
Review by:
Rachel Lewis
on Dec. 11, 2012 :
Ok, I really enjoyed this, it was a simple easy to get into story and I enjoyed it from the very first page.
Alana was different from all her friends but I think that's what Adin and Chris like the most about her. Adin and Chris are Alanas two closest friends and she relys on them and dancing a lot when
her life gets a tad hard to deal with. I was pleased when Alanas mum left her dad but was shocked when he died.
I really enjoyed The kiss instructor and give it 5 stars. would certainly recommend.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)
Review by:
Kris Kendall
on Nov. 20, 2012 :
This is a sweet story about love and pain and sacrifice. Alana wants the best for her friends and her family and always put their needs above her own. In the end, she chooses to sacrifice her happiness to ensure her mom's safety. The characters are fun and likeable and I really enjoyed this story!
(reviewed the day of purchase)