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The Last Dance
Two people couldn't be more opposite...
Kellen Peterson, the gorgeous star quarterback of the Griffin High football team, seems to have it all. Until the night of the Homecoming game, when Kellen gets tackled and suffers a traumatic brain injury - an injury that changes his life - including his ability to walk, talk and throw a football.
Ivy Ly is a senior and counting down the days until she can escape to college. Though her parents have big plans for her to be a doctor, Ivy is afraid to tell them she'd rather pursue music as a career.
Ivy's best friend, Mira, is obsessed with Kellen. When Ivy is asked to tutor the injured football player upon his return to school, she thinks it's the perfect opportunity for Mira to get to know him better - but sparks fly - in more ways than one...
Kellen Peterson, the gorgeous star quarterback of the Griffin High football team, seems to have it all. Until the night of the Homecoming game, when Kellen gets tackled and suffers a traumatic brain injury - an injury that changes his life - including his ability to walk, talk and throw a football.
Ivy Ly is a senior and counting down the days until she can escape to college. Though her parents have big plans for her to be a doctor, Ivy is afraid to tell them she'd rather pursue music as a career.
Ivy's best friend, Mira, is obsessed with Kellen. When Ivy is asked to tutor the injured football player upon his return to school, she thinks it's the perfect opportunity for Mira to get to know him better - but sparks fly - in more ways than one...
268 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2013
3 people are currently reading
3225 people want to read
About the author
Kiki Hamilton
17 books672 followersKiki Hamilton is the award-winning author of THE MIDNIGHT SPY-named One of the Best Books of 2015 by Kirkus Reviews; THE FAERIE RING series and several contemporary novels. Kiki lives near Seattle, though she loves to travel and is most likely plotting her next adventure - in more ways than one! :-)
Visit her website at: www.kikihamilton.com
Visit her website at: www.kikihamilton.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 22, 2013
It's been a while since I've managed to read a book, let alone a paperback book, in one day. That being said, I couldn't put this book down. Every second of downtime with my children on Saturday found this book in my hands and my eyes furiously devouring the story.
The Last Dance centers around Ivy Ly, a high school senior with a very planned and prepared for Ivy League future waiting for her after graduation. Ivy has a mother who has been strict with her time since she started playing the piano at the age of three. Ma, as Ivy calls her, desperately wants her daughter to follow in her older brother's footsteps and go Pre-Med but what Ivy really wants is to follow her own dream and pursue music, though she'd never tell her mother that.
Every high school girl dreams of falling in love and living her happily ever after. But Ivy has long ago given up on this dream since she is 17 and never even had a boyfriend. Who has the time with her mother breathing down her neck about expectations. But there is a hero to this story and his name is Kellen Petersen or "Q" as Ivy and her best friend Mira refer to him. "Q" has become their code word designator for Kellen meaning Quintessential Quarterback. Mira has been in love with Kellen for over a year but of course he doesn't even know she exists. Ivy will never understand Mira's attraction to Kellen or any other jock in school.
Kellen has always considered giving up football and going Pre-Med in college but football is the one thing he truly shines at. That is until the big Homecoming game or "dance" as he and his friends refer to all football games. During the game Kellen suffers a vicious assault on field by a helmet to the spine and appears to be fine afterwards but he is anything but okay. When Kellen blacks out at the Homecoming Dance later that night his whole world comes to a screeching halt.
Now Kellen must come back to school after suffering from severe brain trauma and battle to finish his senior year and recover from his internal and external injuries. Armed with Ivy as a tutor, the two put Kellen on the road to recovery and a few "heart zings" later, a chemistry that neither can deny begins to build between them.
Oh I could go on and on about this story but then you wouldn't have to read it and what fun would that be? This book touched me on a personal level. I think we all remember the different social classes in high school and how some more than most always ignored others while some gravitated to each other. The cheer leader will always get the football player but I just love a story where the geek gets the guy even if he has to be broken to finally see her. I got a little of this attention my last few months of high school with my very own football player so maybe that's why this story touched me so much. It was real, the characters were overwhelmingly believable and it made me miss those carefree and sometimes stressful high school days. I just really loved this book and am even happier that Kiki Hamilton personalized the book to me when she sent it because it now has a very prominent and special place in my heart and on my book shelf! Enjoy!
The Last Dance centers around Ivy Ly, a high school senior with a very planned and prepared for Ivy League future waiting for her after graduation. Ivy has a mother who has been strict with her time since she started playing the piano at the age of three. Ma, as Ivy calls her, desperately wants her daughter to follow in her older brother's footsteps and go Pre-Med but what Ivy really wants is to follow her own dream and pursue music, though she'd never tell her mother that.
Every high school girl dreams of falling in love and living her happily ever after. But Ivy has long ago given up on this dream since she is 17 and never even had a boyfriend. Who has the time with her mother breathing down her neck about expectations. But there is a hero to this story and his name is Kellen Petersen or "Q" as Ivy and her best friend Mira refer to him. "Q" has become their code word designator for Kellen meaning Quintessential Quarterback. Mira has been in love with Kellen for over a year but of course he doesn't even know she exists. Ivy will never understand Mira's attraction to Kellen or any other jock in school.
Kellen has always considered giving up football and going Pre-Med in college but football is the one thing he truly shines at. That is until the big Homecoming game or "dance" as he and his friends refer to all football games. During the game Kellen suffers a vicious assault on field by a helmet to the spine and appears to be fine afterwards but he is anything but okay. When Kellen blacks out at the Homecoming Dance later that night his whole world comes to a screeching halt.
Now Kellen must come back to school after suffering from severe brain trauma and battle to finish his senior year and recover from his internal and external injuries. Armed with Ivy as a tutor, the two put Kellen on the road to recovery and a few "heart zings" later, a chemistry that neither can deny begins to build between them.
Oh I could go on and on about this story but then you wouldn't have to read it and what fun would that be? This book touched me on a personal level. I think we all remember the different social classes in high school and how some more than most always ignored others while some gravitated to each other. The cheer leader will always get the football player but I just love a story where the geek gets the guy even if he has to be broken to finally see her. I got a little of this attention my last few months of high school with my very own football player so maybe that's why this story touched me so much. It was real, the characters were overwhelmingly believable and it made me miss those carefree and sometimes stressful high school days. I just really loved this book and am even happier that Kiki Hamilton personalized the book to me when she sent it because it now has a very prominent and special place in my heart and on my book shelf! Enjoy!
December 31, 2014
As soon as Kiki Hamilton revealed her plans to release a YA contemporary book, The Last Dance, I was thrilled. I love her Faerie Ring series so I was excited to see her try her hand at something different and The Last Dance proves just how talented she is.
The Last Dance is told in alternative points of view, going between Kellen and Ivy. Kellen is a star football player for the school's team and Ivy is a quiet girl who likes to keep her head down and study. Both characters feel a certain amount of pressure from everyone around them to be the best that they can be, so when Kellen gets injured, these two characters come together like no one could have predicted and they find they have more in common than they realise.
I really enjoyed The Last Dance. It's a quick read, one that I managed to read within about 24 hours and it's one that was completely compelling. Once I started reading I just had to finish it and find out how Kellen and Ivy's story would end because their story was so entertaining. It's full of heart-ache and uncertainly but it's a story also about hope and love, so their story really touches your heart. They were also both enjoyable characters - ones I found easy to connect too
In all, Kiki Hamilton is a wonderful writer and I can't wait for more of her work whether it is fantasy, contemporary or if it's something different all together.
Thank you to Misty @ Bookaholic Book Club for gifting me this book!
The Last Dance is told in alternative points of view, going between Kellen and Ivy. Kellen is a star football player for the school's team and Ivy is a quiet girl who likes to keep her head down and study. Both characters feel a certain amount of pressure from everyone around them to be the best that they can be, so when Kellen gets injured, these two characters come together like no one could have predicted and they find they have more in common than they realise.
I really enjoyed The Last Dance. It's a quick read, one that I managed to read within about 24 hours and it's one that was completely compelling. Once I started reading I just had to finish it and find out how Kellen and Ivy's story would end because their story was so entertaining. It's full of heart-ache and uncertainly but it's a story also about hope and love, so their story really touches your heart. They were also both enjoyable characters - ones I found easy to connect too
In all, Kiki Hamilton is a wonderful writer and I can't wait for more of her work whether it is fantasy, contemporary or if it's something different all together.
Thank you to Misty @ Bookaholic Book Club for gifting me this book!
Read
May 24, 2016“Funny, serious, sad and joyful, Kiki Hamilton will pull you in by the heart and never let you go." - Amy Fellner Dominy, author of OyMG and Audition & Subtraction
January 1, 2015
The Last Dance is a totally cliché and fluffy book.
Some people may get tired of this type of story but for me, it’s still a big hit. It has your typical high school jock and quite girl and the happy and sad in between. I don't really know but once I started reading I just had to finish it and find out how Ivy and Kellan’s story would end. Good thing, the majority of the story works out well for me.
Their paths rarely cross.
He's the star football player and she's the quite future Ivy League Girl.
Until a tragic injury happens.
Kellen Petersen aka "The Quintessential Quarterback" - is the star football player of the senior class. He has his future set with football until one of their homecoming games ended in a not so good way.
Ivy Ly is set to go to an Ivy League School. She's this quite honor student who has the saying 'Study hard, practice all the time, and aim high.' engraved on her mind. But unlike her parents wish to follow her brother's footsteps in Pre-Med, she wanted to pursue music.
Kellen and Ivy couldn’t be more different to one another and even though an uncertain circumstance brought them together they find solace to one another. Both of them have this big baggage of pressure on their shoulders and that has brought them more together.
Yes, it your typical football jock and quite girl storyline and the dramas and actions have been written for over a few times now, but its just nice seeing characters like them overcome their own things plus they are both entertaining!
The story is full of heart-ache, choices, uncertainties and love. Kellen recovered and learned while Ivy learned to work up to pursue what she really wanted. It was tough but a very sweet journey for the both of them.
The Last Dance is a pretty quick read that definitely left a gaping smile on my face. Yay!
Some people may get tired of this type of story but for me, it’s still a big hit. It has your typical high school jock and quite girl and the happy and sad in between. I don't really know but once I started reading I just had to finish it and find out how Ivy and Kellan’s story would end. Good thing, the majority of the story works out well for me.
Their paths rarely cross.
He's the star football player and she's the quite future Ivy League Girl.
Until a tragic injury happens.
Kellen Petersen aka "The Quintessential Quarterback" - is the star football player of the senior class. He has his future set with football until one of their homecoming games ended in a not so good way.
Ivy Ly is set to go to an Ivy League School. She's this quite honor student who has the saying 'Study hard, practice all the time, and aim high.' engraved on her mind. But unlike her parents wish to follow her brother's footsteps in Pre-Med, she wanted to pursue music.
Kellen and Ivy couldn’t be more different to one another and even though an uncertain circumstance brought them together they find solace to one another. Both of them have this big baggage of pressure on their shoulders and that has brought them more together.
Yes, it your typical football jock and quite girl storyline and the dramas and actions have been written for over a few times now, but its just nice seeing characters like them overcome their own things plus they are both entertaining!
The story is full of heart-ache, choices, uncertainties and love. Kellen recovered and learned while Ivy learned to work up to pursue what she really wanted. It was tough but a very sweet journey for the both of them.
The Last Dance is a pretty quick read that definitely left a gaping smile on my face. Yay!
July 27, 2014
Kellan is the star quarterback at high school. He's got a hot girlfriend, an incredible future ahead of him, and great grades. All of that is changed when he is seriously concussed during the homecoming game. When he gets back to school, Ivy is assigned to tutor him. She's a stereotypical Asian girl: she's very intelligent, pressured at home, and planning to be a doctor. The only hitch is that Ivy would rather be a musician than a doctor. Mira, Ivy's best friend, has a huge crush on Kellan and sees this as an opportunity for Ivy to hook her up with Kellan. Eventually, Ivy and Kellan start to fall in love with each other much to Mira's dismay.
This is the worst, most unoriginal, cliched, trite book I've ever read. I could tell from page 1 exactly what was going to happen to the characters. The writing was awkward and juvenile. The romance was forced and didn't ring true for me. The characters were so stereotypical and flat. There was absolutely no point to this novel. It was pure fluff, through and through. I'd say this is "light reading" but it was a struggle to get through this without wanting to smash my head against a wall repeatedly.
I didn't like the characters. There was no development or depth to them. Mira's originality was a breath of fresh air compared to Kellan and Ivy's cliched personalities but that isn't saying much. When Hamilton attempted to create romance between Kellan and Ivy, she straight out told us. Romance cannot be told; it has to be shown. Unfortunately, the romance between them was like a brick to the face; it wasn't subtle and gradual at all.
Unless you like reading this type of books, I highly recommend you skip this. You won't miss out on anything.
This is the worst, most unoriginal, cliched, trite book I've ever read. I could tell from page 1 exactly what was going to happen to the characters. The writing was awkward and juvenile. The romance was forced and didn't ring true for me. The characters were so stereotypical and flat. There was absolutely no point to this novel. It was pure fluff, through and through. I'd say this is "light reading" but it was a struggle to get through this without wanting to smash my head against a wall repeatedly.
I didn't like the characters. There was no development or depth to them. Mira's originality was a breath of fresh air compared to Kellan and Ivy's cliched personalities but that isn't saying much. When Hamilton attempted to create romance between Kellan and Ivy, she straight out told us. Romance cannot be told; it has to be shown. Unfortunately, the romance between them was like a brick to the face; it wasn't subtle and gradual at all.
Unless you like reading this type of books, I highly recommend you skip this. You won't miss out on anything.
Want to read
November 24, 2012This is an interesting change from Kiki's Faerie Ring series: fantasy to contemporary. But it looks interesting and I'm looking forward to reading it! :)
Want to read
February 7, 2013It's sounds so sweet.. Something different from everything I have ever heard before.
June 6, 2017
A story that will pull at all of your emotions. Read it all in one day. Won it thru a Goodreads giveaway. Looking forward to more by Kiki Hamilton.
July 18, 2013
The Last Dance took me through so many different emotions. I was happy, I was sad, I was shocked, I was laughing. This is one of those books that makes you feel things. It takes you on an emotional journey. Ivy and her friend Mira are a hoot. Where Ivy is serious, Mira is totally zany and unpredictable. And then you have Kellan. And honestly, those three characters are enough to make this book great. But the story is also so compelling. Kellan had a super serious injury from football that kind of mimicked the symptoms of a stroke. I have witnessed first hand what a stroke can do to a person and it is a very scary thing to lose control of your body in the way that Kellan did.
Ivy's parents push her towards what they think greatness is. They make her take all AP classes, and play classical instruments, and go to a great school to become a great doctor. And Ivy likes all of that and she is the perfect daughter, but she likes making and playing music more than the idea of medical school. Her link to Kellan is when she becomes his tutor after his injury. Kellan is bitter at first for obvious reasons, but as soon as he gets to know Ivy, he starts to see what an awesome person she is. And he opens up too.
The book is told in split point of view, alternating between the two of them. This is always a plus for me. I just love getting that inside peek into a guys head. And as usual, the writing is great. I love Kiki Hamilton's writing style. She makes all the of the characters very approachable.
Mira is a hoot. She is always dressing in crazy outfits and always saying exactly what she is thinking. And overall, she is a really solid friend to Ivy. Sure they had a little snag and a few bump in the road, as you can probably expect, but she always came through in the end. The one thing that bugged me a little was that she changed her outfits. I wasn't exactly sure why she changed her super unique style and she never really talked about it. I would have liked to have gotten some more insight into that decision of hers. I also kind of wanted Kellan and Ivy to talk about the Homecoming dance. They never did, even after Kellan found out what happened that night. I thought it was a little strange to just let it hang there. But those are both small points overall.
The Last Dance is a very feel good book. I just felt happy after reading it. And it is a pretty quick read too. I devoured it in one sitting and when I was done I was just satisfied. It could have a follow up if Kiki Hamilton wanted to write one but it also stands great on its own! The Last Dance will put a smile on your face.
Ivy's parents push her towards what they think greatness is. They make her take all AP classes, and play classical instruments, and go to a great school to become a great doctor. And Ivy likes all of that and she is the perfect daughter, but she likes making and playing music more than the idea of medical school. Her link to Kellan is when she becomes his tutor after his injury. Kellan is bitter at first for obvious reasons, but as soon as he gets to know Ivy, he starts to see what an awesome person she is. And he opens up too.
The book is told in split point of view, alternating between the two of them. This is always a plus for me. I just love getting that inside peek into a guys head. And as usual, the writing is great. I love Kiki Hamilton's writing style. She makes all the of the characters very approachable.
Mira is a hoot. She is always dressing in crazy outfits and always saying exactly what she is thinking. And overall, she is a really solid friend to Ivy. Sure they had a little snag and a few bump in the road, as you can probably expect, but she always came through in the end. The one thing that bugged me a little was that she changed her outfits. I wasn't exactly sure why she changed her super unique style and she never really talked about it. I would have liked to have gotten some more insight into that decision of hers. I also kind of wanted Kellan and Ivy to talk about the Homecoming dance. They never did, even after Kellan found out what happened that night. I thought it was a little strange to just let it hang there. But those are both small points overall.
The Last Dance is a very feel good book. I just felt happy after reading it. And it is a pretty quick read too. I devoured it in one sitting and when I was done I was just satisfied. It could have a follow up if Kiki Hamilton wanted to write one but it also stands great on its own! The Last Dance will put a smile on your face.
May 26, 2013
Overall Rating 1.5
My thoughts of the The Last Dance??
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This book would seem to be written by a person like myself. And trust me that is NOT a good thing. Despite my passion for reading, I don't have what it takes to write a short story for school, don't even get me started on writing a novel.
The Last Dance was utterly disorganized and mighty irritating. Each chapter kept rehashing what the previous chapter already said. So much for drama. I found the main character to be such a hypocrite. Who the hell is Ivy for telling Kellen what to do. She doesn't even have a pear to tell her family what she actually wants to do with her life. And at the end, did that ever change? NO FRICKING WAY!! Ivy didn't even mention to her parents how she wishes to have a career in the music industry. She just kept her mouth shut and complied to her parent's wishes. The author didn't even mention what Ivy chose to study in college the following fall. That's one reason the novel called for a sucky ending!
And what about Mira?
Mira was the sort of character that scared the crap out of me.
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She like stalked Kellen 24/7, since middle school or something. It was creepy and inappropriate. The boy had no feelings for Mira, so stop stalking him!! Kellen was even cool with the whole thing and didn't judge her for it, yet she played it off with the I'm pissed off you card. I mean hello! I assume Mira would have preferred to have a relationship based off of a lie?
Ad for Kellen, I'm glad that he realized that football wasn't everything in life. It really crushed me how all his classmates were treating him like a retard after his accident. I found his girlfriend to be a backstabbing whore. She basically stayed with Kellen due to his popularity and his status of a quarterback. I was a bit angered with Kellen for having to be the 'big' person to apologize to Ivy. It was uncalled for since who is Ivy for dishing out medicine when she doesn't even take a dose of her own.
Overall, don't waste your time on this novel. it will just bring you anger and ruin your perfect weekend, like it did to me.
My thoughts of the The Last Dance??
<<
/> This book would seem to be written by a person like myself. And trust me that is NOT a good thing. Despite my passion for reading, I don't have what it takes to write a short story for school, don't even get me started on writing a novel.
The Last Dance was utterly disorganized and mighty irritating. Each chapter kept rehashing what the previous chapter already said. So much for drama. I found the main character to be such a hypocrite. Who the hell is Ivy for telling Kellen what to do. She doesn't even have a pear to tell her family what she actually wants to do with her life. And at the end, did that ever change? NO FRICKING WAY!! Ivy didn't even mention to her parents how she wishes to have a career in the music industry. She just kept her mouth shut and complied to her parent's wishes. The author didn't even mention what Ivy chose to study in college the following fall. That's one reason the novel called for a sucky ending!
And what about Mira?
Mira was the sort of character that scared the crap out of me.
<<<
/>She like stalked Kellen 24/7, since middle school or something. It was creepy and inappropriate. The boy had no feelings for Mira, so stop stalking him!! Kellen was even cool with the whole thing and didn't judge her for it, yet she played it off with the I'm pissed off you card. I mean hello! I assume Mira would have preferred to have a relationship based off of a lie?
Ad for Kellen, I'm glad that he realized that football wasn't everything in life. It really crushed me how all his classmates were treating him like a retard after his accident. I found his girlfriend to be a backstabbing whore. She basically stayed with Kellen due to his popularity and his status of a quarterback. I was a bit angered with Kellen for having to be the 'big' person to apologize to Ivy. It was uncalled for since who is Ivy for dishing out medicine when she doesn't even take a dose of her own.
Overall, don't waste your time on this novel. it will just bring you anger and ruin your perfect weekend, like it did to me.
July 29, 2013
3 1/2 stars - It's a sweet love story with some life lessons woven into it.
I went back and forth between 3 stars and 4, so I finally fell on 3 1/2.
This book was hard for me to read but it probably won't have the same affect on you. I have someone very close to me that has had a brain injury and so this story touched a few sore spots for me. I think that's why when I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know the ending. So I read it in four hours straight through.
I like Kellen, a lot. He's worked hard to get to the place he's at and the fall is hard on him. I saw the stages of grief as he denied, was angry and finally accepted things. He also did some growing because of it. I liked that about him. He figured things out. Not an easy thing for someone so young. It was also nice to see him still be a high school boy. He was trying to stay cool but that was pretty tough. He was torn up about his loses especially where his girlfriend was concerned. (BTW, can I rip Laurel's face off? Did. Not. Like. Her.) But he held it together. I was so proud of him. He worked so hard to recover.
Ivy was so different than Kellen yet so much the same. She's been driven by her parents to succeed, to become a doctor when she's not sure that's what she wants to do. I admire her willingness to work hard, her dedication to her slightly strange friend Mira, and her willingness to help Kellen though it makes things hard for her. She's talented and a little bit quirky. She's not popular but she's beautiful. She's exactly what Kellen needs.
These two come from such different worlds and no one would consider them the same, yet they are. They so are. I loved how they healed each other. I loved how they caused each other to grow. I loved how they were together. Theirs is a sweet story of figuring out life together.
This book is YA. It's a sweet love story with some life lessons woven into it. If that type of story appeals to you, then this one is a good one to read. - See more at: http://www.stuckinbooks.com/2013/07/t...
I went back and forth between 3 stars and 4, so I finally fell on 3 1/2.
This book was hard for me to read but it probably won't have the same affect on you. I have someone very close to me that has had a brain injury and so this story touched a few sore spots for me. I think that's why when I started this book, I couldn't put it down. I needed to know the ending. So I read it in four hours straight through.
I like Kellen, a lot. He's worked hard to get to the place he's at and the fall is hard on him. I saw the stages of grief as he denied, was angry and finally accepted things. He also did some growing because of it. I liked that about him. He figured things out. Not an easy thing for someone so young. It was also nice to see him still be a high school boy. He was trying to stay cool but that was pretty tough. He was torn up about his loses especially where his girlfriend was concerned. (BTW, can I rip Laurel's face off? Did. Not. Like. Her.) But he held it together. I was so proud of him. He worked so hard to recover.
Ivy was so different than Kellen yet so much the same. She's been driven by her parents to succeed, to become a doctor when she's not sure that's what she wants to do. I admire her willingness to work hard, her dedication to her slightly strange friend Mira, and her willingness to help Kellen though it makes things hard for her. She's talented and a little bit quirky. She's not popular but she's beautiful. She's exactly what Kellen needs.
These two come from such different worlds and no one would consider them the same, yet they are. They so are. I loved how they healed each other. I loved how they caused each other to grow. I loved how they were together. Theirs is a sweet story of figuring out life together.
This book is YA. It's a sweet love story with some life lessons woven into it. If that type of story appeals to you, then this one is a good one to read. - See more at: http://www.stuckinbooks.com/2013/07/t...
August 4, 2013
Alright, I will be honest. I didn't go into this book because I thought it was the most fantastic premise for the book and I was incredibly excited for it. I wanted to read this book because Kiki Hamilton and I have a history (and I doubt she even knows it!).
When I first started really getting into YA blogging (I had been book blogging for years prior, but made the transition and really went from a casual blogger to an every day one), I wrote to Kiki- essentially a fan email. Kiki was so awesome- she sent me bookmarks and a handwritten note. This solidified Kiki into the "awesomest person ever" standing with me. Kiki's book " The Faerie Ring" was also the first ARC I had ever reviewed. So I was excited to be able to support her on this book.
Now all that to say, if I hated the book, well you wouldn't be reading a review today. I am excited to say that Kiki's jump from fantasy to contemporary was flawless. I really enjoyed The Last Dance. I loved reading the multiple POV between Ivy and Kellen and found them incredibly easy to follow. Ivy and Kellen are both likable characters and I found myself rooting for them to get together and to work things out.
The Last Dance is a sweet story with an important message. My husband is really into wrestling- it is interesting to see in another sport where the athletes are taking constant hits to the head and getting concussions how very real the problems in the story are. I know this is a bit misleading because what I am talking about isn't really what the book is about (but then again it is). Anyway I thought the correllation between football and wrestling was interesting (along with all the medical stuff that went with the story).
The Last Dance is a simple and lovely story that will stick with the reader long after the book is through.
July 15, 2013
The Last Dance by Kiki Hamilton is a poignant story about two people on opposite sides of the spectrum. Kellen Peterson is the high school football quarterback star whose life is changed after suffering a serious brain injury during a game that leaves him paralyzed. Ivy Ly is the quiet girl that cannot wait to graduate high school and move on to college. Going against her parents’ wishes, she wants to pursue a career in music. Agreeing to tutor Kellen in order for Ivy’s friend, Mira, to get to know him better, Ivy and Kellen discover that they have a lot of things in common and begin a long tenure of courtship.
The dual point of views that switches between Kellen and Ivy was the perfect delivery for a YA romance. Readers are given a full understanding what the two are feeling as their friendship develops. A great love story is told from the ground up and that is exactly what author Kiki was shooting for and it was excellently executed. Being able to get deep into their thoughts, it offered a channel to give them emotional depth that ultimately enhances their story.
Kiki’s writing style is very magnetic right from the start. It leaves the feeling that something magical will happen in spite of the Kellen’s horrible injury. The developmental romance is certainly full of heart-aches and uncertainties, but it reminds us that even when things are going wrong, there is always room for hope and love.
Another aspect of the book that readers will appreciate is the inclusion of Kellen’s sports injury. Although this is a love story, it also educates readers on the seriousness of the injuries sustained from high-impact sports. The Last Dance is a love story that is full of drama and action with memorable characters .
The dual point of views that switches between Kellen and Ivy was the perfect delivery for a YA romance. Readers are given a full understanding what the two are feeling as their friendship develops. A great love story is told from the ground up and that is exactly what author Kiki was shooting for and it was excellently executed. Being able to get deep into their thoughts, it offered a channel to give them emotional depth that ultimately enhances their story.
Kiki’s writing style is very magnetic right from the start. It leaves the feeling that something magical will happen in spite of the Kellen’s horrible injury. The developmental romance is certainly full of heart-aches and uncertainties, but it reminds us that even when things are going wrong, there is always room for hope and love.
Another aspect of the book that readers will appreciate is the inclusion of Kellen’s sports injury. Although this is a love story, it also educates readers on the seriousness of the injuries sustained from high-impact sports. The Last Dance is a love story that is full of drama and action with memorable characters .
August 6, 2013
Other reviews at The Book Babe's Reads.
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
The Last Dance was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was expecting a fun, sweet romance, but it turned out to be more of a cliched fluff book. Sometimes that's good, but in this case it kind of sucked. I have no inspiration about what I want/need to say about it-- it didn't provoke any real emotions for me.
I found Kellan and Ivy's relationship to be...I don't know, boring. They didn't have any true chemistry together, nor did I really think that they "loved" each other after such a short time. Not only that, but Kellan had such a messed up view of Ivy-- he saw her totally different than I did, and seriously, I was in her mind. That just screams no to me.
I liked Kellan's courage, but in my opinion that's really all that he had going for him. I would've hoped that he was unbelievably sweet or something, but it just kind of seemed like courage was all he had going for him. I did like that the author was trying to make a lesser known condition more read about, though.
Ivy...wasn't very good for me. Sometimes she seemed okay, but I can't think of one thing that stood out about her to me. I think that the biggest problem I had with The Last Dance was the lack of character development. That, and well, the lack of originality. Ivy's friend Mira appeared to be a token "quirky" best friend who wears crazy clothes and drives a VW beetle. Then we have Ivy, who's super smart and only has one friend, and then Kellan who's crazy popular and a football player. These are all such stereotypes! Stereotypes that I personally am sick of, but I don't want to go on a crazed rant.
All in all, The Last Dance really wasn't for me.
Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.
The Last Dance was a bit of a disappointment for me. I was expecting a fun, sweet romance, but it turned out to be more of a cliched fluff book. Sometimes that's good, but in this case it kind of sucked. I have no inspiration about what I want/need to say about it-- it didn't provoke any real emotions for me.
I found Kellan and Ivy's relationship to be...I don't know, boring. They didn't have any true chemistry together, nor did I really think that they "loved" each other after such a short time. Not only that, but Kellan had such a messed up view of Ivy-- he saw her totally different than I did, and seriously, I was in her mind. That just screams no to me.
I liked Kellan's courage, but in my opinion that's really all that he had going for him. I would've hoped that he was unbelievably sweet or something, but it just kind of seemed like courage was all he had going for him. I did like that the author was trying to make a lesser known condition more read about, though.
Ivy...wasn't very good for me. Sometimes she seemed okay, but I can't think of one thing that stood out about her to me. I think that the biggest problem I had with The Last Dance was the lack of character development. That, and well, the lack of originality. Ivy's friend Mira appeared to be a token "quirky" best friend who wears crazy clothes and drives a VW beetle. Then we have Ivy, who's super smart and only has one friend, and then Kellan who's crazy popular and a football player. These are all such stereotypes! Stereotypes that I personally am sick of, but I don't want to go on a crazed rant.
All in all, The Last Dance really wasn't for me.
Read
April 29, 2013Kellen's life is football and Ivy's is all about preparing for her future career. The two teens attend the same high school, but their paths rarely cross. That is until Kellen's tragic football injury.
After an unusually hard hit leaves Kellen with a closed brain injury, he finds that maybe there is more to life than football. His cheerleader girlfriend drops him faster than he can sit up in his hospital bed, and he finds himself recovering alone.
When he returns to school, the principal has arranged for Ivy Ly, an honor student, to attend his classes with him and act as his private tutor. He recognizes her as a fellow student in his AP English class, but other than that, he doesn't know a thing about her.
Ivy only knows Kellen as the star quarterback her best friend Mira has had a crush on for years. What Ivy doesn't expect is that she will begin to think of him as much more than just a guy she has to tutor.
Author Kiki Hamilton takes two totally different teens and sets them out on an incredible, emotional journey. THE LAST DANCE will appeal to teens looking for intensity and romance.
After an unusually hard hit leaves Kellen with a closed brain injury, he finds that maybe there is more to life than football. His cheerleader girlfriend drops him faster than he can sit up in his hospital bed, and he finds himself recovering alone.
When he returns to school, the principal has arranged for Ivy Ly, an honor student, to attend his classes with him and act as his private tutor. He recognizes her as a fellow student in his AP English class, but other than that, he doesn't know a thing about her.
Ivy only knows Kellen as the star quarterback her best friend Mira has had a crush on for years. What Ivy doesn't expect is that she will begin to think of him as much more than just a guy she has to tutor.
Author Kiki Hamilton takes two totally different teens and sets them out on an incredible, emotional journey. THE LAST DANCE will appeal to teens looking for intensity and romance.
April 11, 2013
The first time I read a YA romance fiction with an Asian as the main protagonist. Ivy’s character suffers a little from stereotyping - smart, diligent, obedient, reserved, prudish etc - but ultimately, it’s realistically portrayed in terms of her upbringing and incalculated values for a typical migrant Asian family. Reading this book did remind me of the “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother” by Amy Chua!
That aside, I like the book. The story switches back and forth between Kellen and Ivy’s POVs, so we get a both Mars & Venus take on the romantic development which makes it more interesting. The author directs her character well and gives each of them an emotional depth that enriches the story. I also appreciate the useful information given in the book about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) that is found in people engaging in high-impact sports like football and boxing. It’s definitely something that teenage boys should know about if they are seriously thinking of carving out a career in these sports.
An easy and refreshing read. Exact rating : 3.5
That aside, I like the book. The story switches back and forth between Kellen and Ivy’s POVs, so we get a both Mars & Venus take on the romantic development which makes it more interesting. The author directs her character well and gives each of them an emotional depth that enriches the story. I also appreciate the useful information given in the book about Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) that is found in people engaging in high-impact sports like football and boxing. It’s definitely something that teenage boys should know about if they are seriously thinking of carving out a career in these sports.
An easy and refreshing read. Exact rating : 3.5
July 31, 2017
Ivy is super smart and her parents have dreams of her becoming a doctor, so they push her to succeed. Kellan is the star quarterback, super popular with the perfect cheerleader girlfriend. When a hard hit leaves Kellan with a brain injury that causes physical problems, Ivy is selected to help him get caught in his classes. As they work together, sparks fly, but Ivy's best friend has been crushing on Kellan for a year, so Ivy knows they can't be together.
This book is enjoyable and fun, but it's also bogged down by stereotypes (Ivy's the typical Asian prodigy, pressured by her parents to pursue a dream she doesn't really want to pursue) and unnecessary parts (like Kellan's friend getting his girlfriend pregnant, and his ex-girlfriend doing a striptease to ask him to a dance). I'm sure readers will love witnessing Ivy's and Kellan's growing feelings, but there's not enough there to make the book really stand out from others in the genre.
This book is enjoyable and fun, but it's also bogged down by stereotypes (Ivy's the typical Asian prodigy, pressured by her parents to pursue a dream she doesn't really want to pursue) and unnecessary parts (like Kellan's friend getting his girlfriend pregnant, and his ex-girlfriend doing a striptease to ask him to a dance). I'm sure readers will love witnessing Ivy's and Kellan's growing feelings, but there's not enough there to make the book really stand out from others in the genre.
November 22, 2016
3.5 stars.
I like Q. So much! I'm weak for charming guys like that :( I also like Ivy, she's like someone I dreamed to be. A doctor to be an also a musician. The story has a good flow. Regardless of the topic, it is very light. It's something you'd finish in just a couple hours. I kinda feel their debate, about college and all. Whether to follow your passion, your grades, or your parents' wish.
But, I think the ending was a little too happy. I mean really, two people with excellent grades and talents end up loving each other is one thing. But kissing in Paris, near the famous Eiffel Tower when it's rain is another thing. And there's more to it! They both go to Harvard for medicine & engineering school! That doesn't happen a lot in real life.
However, I like it. If that kind of things couldn't happen in real life, who am I to stop it from happening in a book? It's entertaining to see such a happy life like that ;)
I like Q. So much! I'm weak for charming guys like that :( I also like Ivy, she's like someone I dreamed to be. A doctor to be an also a musician. The story has a good flow. Regardless of the topic, it is very light. It's something you'd finish in just a couple hours. I kinda feel their debate, about college and all. Whether to follow your passion, your grades, or your parents' wish.
But, I think the ending was a little too happy. I mean really, two people with excellent grades and talents end up loving each other is one thing. But kissing in Paris, near the famous Eiffel Tower when it's rain is another thing. And there's more to it! They both go to Harvard for medicine & engineering school! That doesn't happen a lot in real life.
However, I like it. If that kind of things couldn't happen in real life, who am I to stop it from happening in a book? It's entertaining to see such a happy life like that ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2013
This was one of the sweetest books I've read this year. Author has done a fantastic job by sending a message so easily and without any effort. This story revolves around Kellen and Ivy both HS senior. Both have their own dreams to follow and this story is about love, loyalty, friendship, life changing choices. This story describes how we've to make certain choices which are very hard to take, deciding what is right for us and about how we always have a choice to make how we can follow our heart and be happy. This book was really enchanting. I started this expecting it to be another book surrounding High School drama. But it proved me wrong. It was a swirl of emotions. Really nice. I recommend it to everyone . Easy read with strong messages and emotions about following our hearts. Goes into my favourite shelf right away.
March 9, 2013
The blurb captivated me from the beginning and I couldn't wait to read this. The beginning was kinda hard to read as it was a bit dragging and some scenes could have been deleted. Kellan, is a typical jock, popular brainy quarterback, has a hot cheerleader girlfriend and has a wonderful family. Ivy, is a stereotype bookworm and shy and focus more on getting on to an Ivy League Uni. They were forced to be in each other's company because of some unfortunate incident that happened to Kellan. It was getting interesting when I got to the middle part hoping something would happen. Unfortunately, it didn't. They spent more time apart that I wonder how the heck did they fall in love if they were not together that much??!! But it's a good feel book, recommend it to all romantics.
June 11, 2013
3.5 Stars for
-Being cute, fluffy, sweet and everything nice
-Asian (Or oriental as I like to say) main character
-A decent mostly realistic teenage hero
-Dual pov
-The cover (idk but I found it to be adorable)
etc etc
-1 stars?
-It dragged on in the beginning
-Ivy's bestie was unlikable
-The romance needed more substance and time to actually develop, than the instant ILYs: the MC's could have been more involved in each others personal lives for the love story to look more real
-Ivy's family needed more exploration
It was a fun, quick and mostly entertaining read albeit losing pace sometimes, but don't expect to fall head over heels in love with it.
-Being cute, fluffy, sweet and everything nice
-Asian (Or oriental as I like to say) main character
-A decent mostly realistic teenage hero
-Dual pov
-The cover (idk but I found it to be adorable)
etc etc
-1 stars?
-It dragged on in the beginning
-Ivy's bestie was unlikable
-The romance needed more substance and time to actually develop, than the instant ILYs: the MC's could have been more involved in each others personal lives for the love story to look more real
-Ivy's family needed more exploration
It was a fun, quick and mostly entertaining read albeit losing pace sometimes, but don't expect to fall head over heels in love with it.
May 9, 2013
If you want a good clean read with some romance in it this is the book for you! I really enjoyed the story and especially liked how at least half of the story centered around the star quarterback of the football team and the brain injury he suffered in the homecoming game. The book delves into contact sports brain injuries and the recovery from them and how some people don't recover. Plus at the same time there is a good line of romance going on with the girl being a concert pianist and musician.
If you want a fun, quick and clean read this is the book for you!
If you want a fun, quick and clean read this is the book for you!
September 2, 2013
Excellent read. This story stars high-school football star Kellen, also known as "Q" and Ivy Ly an absolute genius. After Kellen is seriously hurt in the homecoming game, and faces brain injury, the school principal volunteers Ivy Ly to tutor him. Ivy's best friend Mira has had a huge crush on Kellen for a long-time, but despite this Kellen and Ivy begin to like each other. There are many obstacles in their way (injury, education, parent's dream, their own dreams, etc.). However, the book emphasizes on how friendship and love can overcame any barriers if one follows their heart.
October 13, 2013
4 stars, I must I really did enjoy this book, even though I am not a fan of High School Pre-Teen wet behind the ears, emotionally books. But it was a very nice and heart warming book. Kellen and Ivy made an adorable couple from the get go. Even though there was so many things that were stopping them to get involve. But it was sweet, just like them. Bravo to Kellen's parents, and his friends who had his back and didn't want him to be depressed. Mira, well she was huh, crazy girl who didn't know what she want to wear everyday. Cheers to the author.
April 24, 2014
Book # 57 for 2014
This is a cute short read.
The blurb was very simple and it really didn't harp on the serious side of the story, it was just about two teenagers who were, as fate would have it, destined to be together.
It was a breath of fresh air actually, and there wasn't really a lot of drama going on which I very much appreciated. I needed a breather from the sick/disturbing/soap-opera-drama novels that I've been reading lately. :-)
It's a good read for teens as well, so they'll learn the value of friendship and determination.
This is a cute short read.
The blurb was very simple and it really didn't harp on the serious side of the story, it was just about two teenagers who were, as fate would have it, destined to be together.
It was a breath of fresh air actually, and there wasn't really a lot of drama going on which I very much appreciated. I needed a breather from the sick/disturbing/soap-opera-drama novels that I've been reading lately. :-)
It's a good read for teens as well, so they'll learn the value of friendship and determination.
January 30, 2016
Lily wants to study music when she graduates high school, but her parents want her to be a doctor. Unable to disappoint them she dedicates herself to her studies, burying her dream (and herself) in schoolwork. Her best friend Mira is obsessed with Kellen, the school’s star quarterback, but Ivy doesn’t have time for boys or for love.
Read the rest of my review at: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.c...
Read the rest of my review at: http://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.c...
May 24, 2013
It was light and heartwarming but also a bit sad at times and had the characters dealing with some difficult stuff. I really liked seeing the evolution of the relationship of the two main characters. The story didn't go too.. in depth/ expand on some things I would've liked to know more about but I really enjoyed it overall. It was a quick and cute read.
March 31, 2013
2.5/5 -- I think the story is cute even though it's ordinary and a bit stereotypical. It's a nice thing to read if you want to take a break from a book you're currently reading or if you're in between books. I couldn't bring myself to care about the characters, but the story makes up for it. It doesn't leave that much impression which makes it much easier to delve into your next read.
March 24, 2013
This was a decent story, but it felt like it just skimmed the surface of everything. I feel like I just speed read through the book, only getting the gist of the story, not really getting all the details. I still liked it overall, I just wish there was more to it.
April 15, 2013
This is the first time I read a YA romance fiction with a Vietnamese girl as a main character. Haha, I'm Vietnamese as well. Too bad, we're different and she's lucky to have a gorgeous guy who's falling for her.
This story is realistic, light and easy to read.
This story is realistic, light and easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews