Book Review: A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash

I am thrilled to be hosting a spot on the A WHOLE SONG AND DANCE by Sarvenaz Tash Blog Tour hosted by Rockstar Book Tours. Check out my post and make sure to enter the giveaway!

 

About The Book:

Title: A WHOLE SONG AND DANCE

Author: Sarvenaz Tash

Pub. Date: April 4, 2023

Publisher: Disney Hyperion

Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook

Pages: 304

Find it: Goodreads, https://books2read.com/A-WHOLE-SONG-AND-DANCE

Sarah Dessen meets Abigail Hing Wen in this heartwarming romantic comedy starring Nasrin Mahdavi, an Iranian-American college freshman who’s a triple threat on Broadway—but who’s living a double life.

It’s her first semester majoring in musical theater at NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, and Nasrin spends her days prepping for auditions, sweating through dance classes, and belting her heart out for the viral streaming show she’s been cast in. But on calls with her maman and baba, she’s the golden child who put her theater dreams aside to follow in their entrepreneurial footsteps as a business major. 

At least her whole life isn’t a lie—she is taking a single business course. Except she’s kind of failing it. Nasrin needs to bring her grade up fastif she’s going to keep her parents in the dark, so she grudgingly signs up for tutoring with the infuriatingly smug and annoyingly attractive Max. And yet . . . as the semester rushes by, the sparks of anger that first flew between them start to turn into a very different kind of spark. The kind she definitely does not have time for.

Except when Nasrin’s charmingly devious cousin takes an interest in Max too, Nasrin has to figure out exactly what has been an act, and what’s for real. Can Nasrin decide what—and who—is truly worth fighting for, and find a way to step into the spotlight as her full self?

 

Why Should You Read This?

A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash is a charming and heartfelt young adult novel that follows the story of Nasrin, a freshman in NYU’s prestigious musical theater program who is struggling to balance her passion for theater with her family’s expectations for her to pursue a business degree. When Nasrin starts to fail her business course, she reluctantly enlists the help of Max, a smug and attractive tutor who quickly becomes more than just a study partner.

Tash has created a cast of characters that are both realistic and endearing. Nasrin is a relatable protagonist, grappling with the pressures of being the “golden child” in her family and trying to find her place in the world. Max, too, is a well-rounded character, with his own motivations and struggles that make him more than just a love interest. Nasrin’s cousin, who causes a bit of romantic drama, is a particularly entertaining character who adds a touch of mischief to the story.

One of the strengths of A Whole Song and Dance is the way that Tash incorporates themes of identity, family, and pursuing one’s dreams into the story without feeling preachy or heavy-handed. Nasrin’s struggles with balancing her passion for theater with her family’s expectations will resonate with many young readers, and the way that she learns to stand up for herself and pursue her dreams is empowering.

The romantic storyline between Nasrin and Max is also well-handled, with their chemistry and banter feeling authentic and sweet. The slow burn of their relationship is satisfying to read, and the obstacles that they face feel organic to the story. Overall, A Whole Song and Dance is a charming and uplifting read that will appeal to fans of both musical theater and romance. Tash’s writing is engaging and witty, and the characters are a delight to spend time with. Highly recommended!

 

About Sarvenaz Tash:

Sarvenaz Tash is the author of The Geek’s Guide to Unrequited Love (an Amazon Best Book of the Year, YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant YA Readers), A Whole Song and Dance, Virtually Yours, Three Day Summer, The Mapmaker and the Ghost and the co-author of Ghosting: A Love Story and Hollywood Ending (as Tash Skilton). She was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up on Long Island, NY. She received her BFA in Film and Television from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, which means she got to spend most of college running around and making movies (it was a lot of fun). She has dabbled in all sorts of writing including screenwriting, copywriting, and professional tweeting for the likes of Bravo and MTV. Sarvenaz currently lives in Brooklyn with her family.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a finished copy of A WHOLE SONG AND DANCE, US Only.

Ends May 6th, midnight EST.

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