Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June is a fairy tale retelling with a modern twist. Following a dancer who is given a second shot at pursing her dream, this one contains plenty of drama and a passionate main character. I especially enjoyed the direction Christina June has taken modernizing Little Red Riding Hood, choosing to focus on paths for the future. Those looking to experience the magic of fairy tales, but in a modern setting, will enjoy this one.
Title: Everywhere You Want to BeAuthor: Christina June
Also by this author: It Started With Goodbye
Publisher: Blink
Genres: Contemporary, Retelling
Publication Date: May 1, 2018
Rating:
From author Christina June comes Everywhere You Want to Be, a modern tale inspired by the classic Red Riding Hood.
Matilda Castillo has always done what she was told, but when she gets injured senior year, she watches her dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer slip away. So when Tilly gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the summer with a New York dance troupe, nothing can stop her from saying yes--not her mother, not her fears of the big city, and not the commitment she made to Georgetown. Tilly's mother allows her to go on two conditions: one, Tilly will regularly visit her abuela in New Jersey, and two, after the summer, she'll give up dancing and go off to college.
Armed with her red vintage sunglasses and her pros and cons lists, Tilly strikes out, determined to turn a summer job into a career. Along the way she meets new friends ... and new enemies. Tilly isn't the only one desperate to dance, and fellow troupe member Sabrina Wolfrik intends to succeed at any cost. But despite dodging sabotage and blackmail attempts from Sabrina, Tilly can't help but fall in love with the city, especially since Paolo, a handsome musician from her past, is also calling New York home for the summer.
As the weeks wind down and the competition with Sabrina heats up, Tilly's future is on the line. She must decide whether to follow her mother's path to Georgetown or leap into the unknown to pursue her own dreams.
Review: Everywhere You Want to Be, Christina June
After getting injured, it seems like Tilly’s career as a professional dancer is over. However, when she gets the opportunity to join a dance troupe in New York for the summer, she seizes the chance to prove herself one last time, on the condition that she gives up dance after the summer and goes to university. What Tilly’s mother doesn’t know is that Tilly has deferred her admission to university and plans to use this summer to launch her career as a dancer. As the summer comes to an end, Tilly must decide if she wants to follow the path her mother set for her or pave her own way.
❀ Strong Main Character
Tilly is such a strong main character, and I admired her determination. She knows exactly what she wants, and she is willing to risk everything to make her dreams come true. What I especially enjoyed about her character is the way she handles conflicts. This book contains the common trope of the mean girl dancer, but I liked the way Tilly chooses to kill her with kindness and be the bigger person. Throughout the book, Tilly is faced with many difficult decisions, and she handles each with maturity.
❀ Modernized Little Red Riding Hood
This book is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and I loved the way Christina June has modernized the original story. The direction she took with the paths, being more metaphorical, is clever, and I enjoyed the tension of Tilly being caught between the path her mother has set for her future and her own dreams. I am a big fan of fairy tale retellings, and this contemporary version is well-executed.
❀ A Heartfelt Story
Everywhere You Want to Be by Christina June is a heartfelt story about following your dreams and paving your own way. I loved reading about Tilly’s passion for dance, and she is a sweet and driven main character. This one is also a loose retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, and I enjoyed Christina June’s fresh take on the classic story. This is a short and sweet read perfect for the end of summer.
About Christina June
Christina June writes young adult contemporary fiction when she’s not writing college recommendation letters during her day job as a school counselor. She loves the little moments in life that help someone discover who they’re meant to become – whether it’s her students or her characters. Christina is a voracious reader, loves to travel, and hopes to one day be bicoastal – the east coast of the US and the east coast of Scotland. She lives just outside Washington DC with her husband and daughter.
I still need to read this one, but I enjoyed June’s other two books a lot. The number one reason is probably what you pointed out – heartwarming. That’s my thing.
They are so heartwarming! I am looking forward to reading more of them. 🙂
I never would’ve expected this to be a Little Red Riding Hood retelling, even a loose one. But that’s so awesome! 😀
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I know! I think the covers are a bit deceiving! 😉
I love a good heartwarming story with a strong character. Thanks!
This is a perfect book for that! 🙂
I don’t know that I’ve ever read a modernized Little Red story. That intrigues me! Plus, I love a strong character and this just sounds good. I’m glad you enjoyed it so much.
This author has really drawn me in and I can’t wait to read more like this! 🙂
This cover is so pretty!
I really like this cover.
What an interesting take on the Little Red Riding Hood tale!
This sounds like an excellent read!
I have not read this author. Sounds like a nice read.
Sounds like a great book