Curvy Girls Can't Dance

The Curvy Girls Club #7

by Kelsie Stelting

The strongest bodybuilder in Emerson isn’t a match for my focus.

Emerson Dance is one of the most prestigious dance companies in the country. And I got kicked off the team right before nationals because my curves don’t “fit.” Not their idea of a perfect dancer's body and definitely not their costume.

I’m going to enter the competition on my own and show them that every body is a dancer’s body. It will mean practicing in the gym with the bodybuilders, but I can shove my nerves - and my attraction to Carter McCormac – aside long enough to win.

My reputation, and my future, depend on it.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Plus Size, Audiobook, New Adult, Fiction

476 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2021

About the author

Kelsie Stelting is a body positive romance author who writes love stories with strong characters, deep feelings, and happy endings.

She currently lives in Colorado. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.

Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!

Reviews

[*❆ Kαɾҽɳ ❆* · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving the development and progress this series has come. The writing quality is beautiful and stunning. I have many highlighted quotes that have really spoken to my core and I love how it is written with great and true emotion.

What I love about these tales are that every story features a different problem and the solutions aren't all the same. It deals with real life issues that most girls experience and how these can be resolved with the power of friendship, family and self-love.

I loved how this story focused on dreams, committment and focusing on the end goals but also on creating new focus and dreams in your life and how to balance it all out.

I believe Carton and Adriel's story was a beautiful tale of sacrifices, family love, loyalty and commitment.

Received an e-ARC copy from the author herself for an honest review and this does not affect my review or rating of this book, thank you!

[Ariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've really been loving this series, but I think this is one of my least favorites in it (which is so surprising since #6 was my fav).

Like the other books in this series, this book offers a lot of body positivity, which I love. Stelting has a way of making everyone, especially curvy girls, feel beautiful and wanted and worth it. So no matter the plot of the book, at least that much is consistent in this series. The message is spot on and one that everyone can use every now and then.

The Curvy Girl Club was amazing, as per usual, as well. They were encouraging and supportive and truly just the best group of friends to have around. And we got a little sneak peak of our couple from book 6 which is always a treat.

Now there were a few things that made this book kinda meh for me. The first was the romance. I felt like Carter and Adriel connected really quickly and way too easily and then things were just great between them. I was missing the tension and the longing. I was also missing the connection. Things were just too good to be true between them. I wasn't feeling it.

Also, for some reason, each scene and chapter was really quick. Like, I was missing the depth in them. And sometimes, I felt like we were getting more filler than helpful chapters. There was a plot, thank goodness, it just didn't feel like it was filling out the book well.

Overall, while this wasn't my favorite of the series, I'm happy to continue reading the subsequent books. Stelting has quicky become one of my favorite authors and I can't wait to see what else she creates.

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a gifted and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable story… but the cover is terrible! So glad I read the kindle edition so I didn’t have to see the cover every time I started reading.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how this story came together different from the rest of the series it was based more of Adriel's love of dance rather than about a boy she was interested in x related a lot to Adriel with how she felt about herself personally & constantly feeling invisible x Carter is PERFECT if only they were true men like him in the world xx

[Jules · Rating 2 out of 5]

curvy girls CAN dance. the title was FALSE ADVERTISING. never trusting another human again, dang it

5 stars for the fact that she ripped her pants on live television. 1 star for everything else <3

[Madison Calhoon]

yeah….

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curvy Girls Can’t Dance is the latest book in the “Curvy Girls” series and it is wonderful. Kelsie Stelting writes stories that make me feel like I am watching a play. The characters are so realistic that they could have been taken from any High School. Adriel dances and it has been her whole life. When she dances at the qualifying competition for the Dance Dance National Competition, her dance teacher makes her wear a costume far to small and when it rips during the performance, Adriel’s life changes. I have known teachers who are nasty and discipline through putting a person down. When Galince calls Adriel a fat cow, she throws her out of her dance studio. Sometimes in life, when we think our life is over, life is about to change for our good. Kelsie Stelting weaves an incredible story of triumph over adversity. Adriel ‘s Mother has her lifting weights at her stepfather’s gym. She is lifting by Carter, a weight lifter at her school. Carter and “Addy” began talking and she tells Carter about the dance competition. Carter decides that he can dance with her. While they begin to practice at the gym, Kelsie Stelting takes us through the secondary theme of family. Adriel’s father left her mother and her for his mistress. They have a son and Adriel feels replaced. Her relationship with her stepfather, Ted, change and grow over the story. Carter and Adriel do dance at the qualifier, but, you will have to read the book to know what happens. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Mimia The Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious to start this book (as I'm always for the next one in this series because they really are different from each other) to read the dancing part. I danced ballet for almost 12 years in the most non-competitive way possible and loved it so much and I wanted to go back to those days with this book. That didn't really happen because I liked dancing but never wanted to compete in anything and so attended the most relaxed ballet classes you could ever find and this book includes a nasty dance instructor (my own was the sweetest), national competitions and so on. What I did get was a glimpse of memories from helping my teacher with the young children and that was lovely, then and in the book.

Besides the dancing which, even though different from my experience, was great, I was very skeptical about the dancer falling in love with the bodybuilder but it worked really well. With a side of family problems and resolutions, good friends and very well-written characters and their trains of thought, this book was a solid four-star read.

And now I can't wait to read the next one and get into this world again. Mrs. Stelting, why can't you publish your books as fast as I can read them?

I received an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Amanda Lyons · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kelsie has done it again with another great story in the Curvy Girls series! This book dives into the physical and mental struggles of the dancing world as we get to see things through Adriel's eyes when she is kicked out of her dance studio due to her size. Instead of giving up, she perseveres with the help of a new dance partner, Carter. There are many swoon-worthy moments that just make your heart melt. You'll laugh and you'll probably cry...you don't want to miss out on this great story. I can't wait for the next one!

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book since I've really enjoyed the previous Curvy Girls series. However, Adriel's story did not live up to my expectations. I enjoyed the story, but one thing that bothered me is that I felt that Carter should have had a more prominent role throughout the story. It is a good read, and I will definitely continue to read the other curvy girl stories as they are released.

[Jessi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it perfect? No. Did I love it fully anyway? YES 🥺 Look, there’s something magical about a big bodied dancer on the road to self discovery surrounded by friends and family who support them unconditionally. Such a great feel good book.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying this series and all the characters.

[Arceli · Rating 4 out of 5]

nice book

I really enjoyed this book. Great on body positivity. Loved the dancing and the passion in the book. Awesome heroine and great kissing scenes. Romance was very sweet. Highly recommend despite a bit of a slow start.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was meh for me, carters decision annoyed me a lot like what makes you think you know what she wants more that she knows?

I like Addy but I did not care about dancing 😂

Also I really do not like the cover of this book 😂😂

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story. I know I am reading out of order for once but will get back in line with #2!

[Rachel Merrick · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have been loving the series so I was disappointed on how much I disliked this book. Overall the concept of the story is good but I felt disconnected from the characters. I usually love falling in love with the boys or hating them first if it was needed but I don’t feel like we got to know Carter much. Throughout the story I was ready for a deep heart to heart with him and there was one scene but mostly it felt like scratching the surface. The disconnect continued to the extra chapter that Kelsie includes because I love that it is usually from the perspective of someone else usually the hero but it was even from the main heroines POV.

Also timeline inconsistency irritated me. Cori’s book ends with homecoming. Not much time passed and we were talking winter formal and Adriel’s brother’s birthday on December 1st in chapter 25. All of this would have been fine if not for chapter 50 being the beginning of Thanksgiving break and she already went to the birthday party. Would have also loved to hear about the dance-proposal Ryker had promised Cori in the previous book even if it was just the girls talking about it.

Still plan to continue on in the series as soon as Nadira’s book is available.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was my least favorite installment since Can't Date Billionaires. I think it starts with the cover. I enjoy the peek into the characters and missed the peek at Carter. Overall, I felt like there was a lack of tension. Not that I love third-act break-ups or super angsty relationships, it just felt like Adriel and Carter so easily fell together and that was that. Nothing wrong with that it, just left the book lacking compared to the rest of the stories. Overall, it just felt meh compared to the rest of the stories.

[Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

•real life
•relatable characters
•sweet romance
•athletic
•inspiring

One of my favorite series. It literally just keeps getting better & better. I love Kelsie’s writing because it just draws you in and the next thing you know the book is over & you’re looking for the next one! I love how real & relatable the characters are. Each book leaves me wanting to try something, this time I’m looking forward to trying weight lifting!

[Fallenraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

My old kindle was attached to my moms account. These are my highlights you don’t wanna read these

Chapter 4
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“The body builder? He is so—” Her boyfriend, Ryker, shot her a look, and she finished, “not nearly as attractive as my totally insecure boyfriend.”
Chapter 5
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Carter lifted his chin. “Looks like I’ll be seeing you around, Addy.”
Chapter 6
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“But I can’t,” I said. He raised his eyebrows and looked me over. “What?” I asked, feeling naked under his scrutiny. “I’m looking for some kind of injury that makes you incapable of hearing music or moving your body. I’m not seeing one.”
Chapter 8
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He chewed on his cheek for a moment, and then his lips spread into a smile as he turned and looked at me with dark golden eyes. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”
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I almost asked him what he meant, but he hitched his bag over his shoulder and said, “See you at school, Addy.” The door had already closed when I managed to echo, “See you at school.”
Chapter 11
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“Are you sure you don’t want to go?” I asked. “I don’t see any other guys.” “Nah, I’m kind of a trailblazer.” He winked at me, then laughed. I covered my face in my hands. This was going to be painful.
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We moved back and forth to the music, and he sang the words out loud to me, making me giggle. As the chorus hit, he spun me away from him and back. I almost lost my balance but caught myself by placing
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a hand on his muscled chest. It was firm. Solid.
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“Definitely,” he agreed, and then said, “see you at school, Addy.” After he got a few feet away, Mom leaned over and whispered, “Addy? Is that his pet name for you?”
Chapter 13
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As the cheering died down, Ryker jumped from his seat in the front and ran to her, picking her up and spinning her in an excited circle. I might not have had my own happily ever after yet, but watching hers was almost as good.
Chapter 17
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“You said you needed someone to dance with you, and I had a lot of fun dancing in Zumba class. Besides, I don’t need to start training hard for the next bodybuilding competition for two months. You’ll be done with nationals by then and I’ll be in great shape for when the off season is over.”
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“I saw the look you had in your eyes when you were dancing. It’s the same way I feel when I’m lifting. If I ever had that taken away from me, I have no idea what
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I’d do, but I hope you would do the same thing for me.”
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His eyes met mine for a moment. “Why don’t you leave that to me to worry about?” I folded my arms across my chest. “So I’m just supposed to believe you’re willing to practice for hours every day?” He nodded. “And that you would let me teach you to dance?” Again, he nodded. “And that when it gets hard, you won’t just give up?”
Chapter 28
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“All of it! You spend two hours a day practicing with me after you lift weights. You pick me up for the dance and buy me this beautiful corsage. And not only that, you’re practically the only reason I’m not failing chemistry at this point.” “So?” he asked. “So, why? Tatiana was right. You could do better. Why would you want to dance with me?”
Chapter 29
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His smile melted my resolve almost as much as his words. “I don’t know if you’ve figured this out yet, Addy, but you’ve got
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me wrapped around your finger. I’ve always noticed you, but with weightlifting and school, I didn’t want to get distracted.”
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“What changed?” I asked, needing to know. “I realized my senior year is almost over, and I might not ever have a chance again. I couldn’t waste it.”
Chapter 30
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“You attract the kind of love you give yourself. Why do you think there are people out there who get cheated on over and over and over again? Or people who are always single?”
Chapter 31
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“And Carter? Be sure to dress up. Brandilynn likes to keep things formal.” “You just want me to look like a snack again,” he teased. I covered my face. “On second thought, don’t come. I should never show my face in public again.”
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“Shh,” I said, going to the door. I opened it to see Carter holding flowers, dressed in khakis and a plaid shirt rolled up his muscular forearms. From behind me, Mom called, “Come in, Carter!”
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“They smell even better,” he said, dipping his head slightly. “Grandma told me when I buy flowers for someone, I should make sure they smell good too.”
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“What if Desirae sings it for us?” he asked. “No one else at the competition would have anything like it, and then she could add it to her channel. My friend Griffin could lay down a track for her.”
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My mouth went slack. “That’s... actually a really good idea.”
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Leaning close, he whispered in my ear, “Bodyguard, at your service.”
Chapter 32
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“Are you... falling for me, Addy?”
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Rolling my eyes, I pushed myself up. “And I thought I was the one who was trippin’.”
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Dad looked from Carter to me, seeming to sag. “We all make our own choices, and I have to be with the family who chose me.” That was a cop-out. I looked him straight in the eye and said, “Don’t forget, you chose them first.”
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“Why wasn’t I good enough for him to want me to stay?” He brushed his thumb over my cheek, swiping away the moisture. “You’re asking the wrong question, Addy.” “What do you mean?” “You should be asking why he was stupid enough to let you leave.”
Chapter 33
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I looked away from his lips and into his warm honey eyes. “Goodnight, Superman.” As I got into my car, he breathed, “Goodnight, Addy.”
Chapter 34
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“Well, I’ll let you get back to it,” Ted said, then made the I’m-watching-you gesture to Raf and Carter. “Take care of my girl.”
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Okay, ‘my girl’ might have been going a little far. I rolled my eyes and turned to Raf. “What are we working on today?”
Chapter 35
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Then he did something I never expected he would. He crossed the gap and held me to his chest in a tight hug. As he stepped back, he said, “You’re an amazing young woman, Adriel. Your mother is so proud of you. And so am I.” My lips quivered as I pulled them into a tearful smile. “Thank you, Ted.”
Chapter 38
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“Only every night,” she said. “I can’t tell you how much fun we’ve been having since this started.”
Chapter 39
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“Okay, it’s a little flamboyant, but hey”—I ran my hand over the ridges of his bare shoulder—“ no one will be looking at you with me on the stage.”
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A gasp fell over my lips that had Carter turning around, his molten honey eyes widening. “Addy, it’s perfect,” he breathed. I looked to him and back into the mirror, watching the reflection as he stepped beside me, forming the other half of our partnership.
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He reached and tipped my chin up with his index finger, so I had no choice but to look into his eyes. “You are stunning, Adriel Pruitt.” His voice was soft, but rough, husky.
Chapter 40
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but Carter took my shoulders, making me see him. Only him.
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All of the emotions I’d been suppressing struck me as the notes faded, and I pressed my lips to his, continuing the dance of him and me. I was exactly where I was meant to be.
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The second we were out of sight, he picked me up and spun me in a circle. “That was amazing, Addy!” He set me down gently. “You were amazing.”
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His hand cupped my cheek, and his honey eyes held mine as he asked, “What does this mean?” I smiled as I kissed him again. “It means you’re mine.”
Chapter 41
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I winked at him. “Maybe it was all those kitchen dancing sessions with your grandma?”
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He tucked me close against his chest and walked with me off the stage, saying four words I never thought I’d hear. “We’re going to nationals.”
Chapter 42
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“I am. But not for fun.” I shook my head. “Dancing has never been about fun. I’ve enjoyed it, needed it, but never truly had fun doing it... until I met you.” His eyes shone. “I’m happy to be of service.”
Chapter 47
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“You’re beautiful,” Carter breathed, his voice husky as he moved his hands over my arms. “The way your body moves.”
Chapter 48
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would not be rejoining her dance studio. Not only would moving there hurt Carter and his grandma, but she’d humiliated me in front of all my dance mates. Dismissed years of hard work. If she didn’t want me at my worst, she certainly didn’t deserve me at my best.
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I shook my head. “No.” She seemed to settle a bit, but I added, “I don’t want this either.” Her lips pursed. “Once you leave, Adriel, there will be no second chances.” “I understand.” Seeming disappointed, she turned and walked toward the studio. With a sigh, she said, “You could have been great.” As the door shut behind her, I whispered, “I still will be.”
Chapter 49
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“Carter,” I said again, putting a hand on his arm. He flinched away. I stepped back, surprised at his retreat. “You’re not even going to ask me why I’m here? You’re just going to assume I was doing something wrong?” He pressed his lips together, looking over his shoulder, then met my gaze. His eyes were dark in the glow of the streetlights. “What were you doing here, Addy?”
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His mouth fell open, but he quickly scrubbed his face with his hand, clearing the emotion there. He began walking toward his car, but I touched his arm, feeling
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the strength underneath his sweater. “But I chose you, Carter.” His eyes were hooded, not revealing any emotion, any hint of a thought swirling under the surface. “You didn’t even tell me you were coming here. That she offered to take you back.”
Chapter 50
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He bit his bottom lip, looking out the window, then turned my way. “You gave up the studio for me?” The question seemed to hit me out of nowhere. My voice was shaky as I said, “Of
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course I did. You’re my dance partner now. My boyfriend.” But instead of looking relieved, Carter’s frown only deepened. “But dance is everything to you.”
Chapter 51
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I couldn’t speak, so instead, I stood and went to his side of the booth and fell into his hug. It was exactly what I needed.
Chapter 56
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“Relationships are different for guys. We grow up our whole lives being told
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dating is for a good time and serious relationships are for the future.” “No one brought up marriage!” I said. “No,” he agreed, “but those feelings he’s having for you? They’re real. Realer than what most guys are ever prepared for. And when you feel that way about a girl...” He reached over and squeezed Cori’s hand. “You’d do anything to make her happy, even if it means making yourself miserable. Even if it means embarrassing yourself in front of the entire school at the biggest game of the year.”
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Ryker’s gaze pinballed between us, and he sat back. “You girls are going to rule the world someday.” I couldn’t help but agree.
Chapter 57
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Styled by A was designed by Glenda and inspired by her daughter, Adriel. After being a full-time mom for seventeen years, Glenda was in awe of how her daughter so passionately chased her dreams and picked herself up after setbacks. Her hope is anyone wearing Styled by A clothing will feel confident and powerful exactly as they are.
Chapter 58
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“Of course!” Mom cried. “Of course we’ll be there. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me though. I always thought you would be a natural dance teacher.” I raised my eyebrows as I steered my car down another turn. “What? You never told me that.”
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“Because you’d already lost enough. You didn’t want to lose your best friend too.”
Chapter 59
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I let out a frustrated groan, stepping back from him. “What?” he asked, a sliver of tension easing into his voice. “You know what,” I snapped, the heat of my sweat and exhaustion getting the best of me. “You decided to pull back, and now all our chemistry is gone.”
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He extended his hands at his sides. “Maybe this wouldn’t have happened if you’d gone back to your studio like you’d wanted to all along.” His words hit me straight in the heart. “Don’t you get it? I didn’t want to go back there! She humiliated me in front of the entire studio—dancers, parents, everyone. Because of my size! Why would I want to dance with someone I couldn’t feel safe with?”
Chapter 60
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“Okay. I’ll see you at ten.... and Adriel?” “Yeah?” I said, waiting for the catch. “I’ve missed having you around. But I’m glad you told Galina no. It was about time someone did.” I smiled. “Thank you. That means more than you know.”
Chapter 61
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I thought maybe Galina had been wrong when she said those who couldn’t do taught. Maybe,
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those who loved their students, who loved investing in others and seeing progress, maybe they were the ones who belonged in a teacher’s shoes.
Chapter 66
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Gayle batted her hand at me, and from the kitchen, a guy yelled, “Don’t let her take all the credit! The donuts were my idea!” She rolled her eyes, explaining, “That’s my husband, Chris.” Laughing, I called, “Thanks, Chris!” “Finally, some recognition around here,” he called back jokingly. Gayle smiled, shaking her head. “What can I get you girls?”
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Ginger leaned forward, a twinkle in her eyes. “Do you love him?” “I do.” The words were off my lips before I even knew I was saying them. I repeated, in almost a whisper, “I love Carter McCormac.”
Chapter 69
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“Carter?” I said softly. “Yeah?” I searched his eyes for a moment, looking for a sign everything would be alright. “No matter what happens out there, I’m glad it’s you I’m dancing with.” “Me too,” he said.
Chapter 70
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ran toward Carter, and he lifted me in the air. Over the music, I could hear Ginger’s voice asking what it felt like to dance with Carter, and me saying it felt like home. Carter slowly lowered me down, a confused look in his eyes. Ginger’s voice came again. “Do you love him?” Carter held me close, staring at the screen, the dance forgotten as I looked into the camera. Spread across the giant screen, I said, “I do. I love Carter McCormac.”
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The music swelled again, and Carter caught me on the wave, blending his emotions with the dance until we reached our final pose. As the chords came to a close, Carter’s molten honey eyes stayed on mine. Tears shone in them as he said, “I love you too.” And the entire crowd burst into applause.
Chapter 71
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The second we reached the wings, Carter held me tight to his chest and didn’t let go. “I love you so much,” he said, kissing my cheeks, my temples, the crown of my head. Tears streamed down my cheeks from the release of the dance and relief of Carter feeling the same way I had tried so hard to resist.
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All the emotions of the last several months seemed to hit me at once. My heart beat quickly, and I dropped Carter’s hand to hug Ted. “Thank you,” I cried into his chest. “Thank you, thank you.” I looked up at him, into his kind blue eyes and at his smile.
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“You’re more of a dad to me than mine has ever been. Is it okay if I call you Dad?” His jaw trembled as he nodded and pulled me back into a hug. “You’ll always be a daughter to me.”
Chapter 73
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As we watched the movie, I couldn’t help but think of all I had to be thankful for, and everything I had to look forward to because of a ripped pair of pants. I wouldn’t have traded them for the world.

[Siobhan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one in the series has been a hard one to assess.

Firstly, and most personally, my male MC is called Carter, so every time I read the name I had a very forthright teenager in my head complaining. Which meant that it was hard for me to get a read on this Carter, because mine is too bloody loud.

So I am trying to come to this from an angle where I don't pay attention to Carter. Either of them.

First, what I liked? I liked that dancing was such a strong element of the story, that Adriel seemed to have a passion that was so involved in every aspect of her life. I liked that she was driven not by her hormones, but by dance, and by her family which was complicated. That she also, like Rory, had a health reason for some of her weight, which opened up the conversation for why women's hormones can run our lives.

And if those elements were fully developed concepts, this would have been the strongest book of the lot. A girl with hypothyroidism who still managed to competitive dance? Hells YEAH.

But I've learned from seven of these books now, that Kelsey has a formula and isn't too interested in getting into the nitty gritty of her concepts. Her concept is girl with size and a special interest falls for guy with washboard abs and different special interest. Apply tropes. Force drama. Preach about fatphobia while glorifying junk food. Loved that Adriel ate right, but it didn't help the impact of her hormone imbalance, but she is the first of 7 girls.

And in this story, the formula fell flat. Because Adriel made a decision in one chapter, just to conflict it the next. She kept a distance from Carter but gave no real explanation, except that it wasn't the right part of the story for their relationship. They fell out for extra drama, but with her father being so passive, and the conflicting feelings of her mother adopting, there was no need to do so. The parenting story fluctuated so much I got whiplash. She left her mother's house in one chapter, wanting answers from her father, next chapter she was running from her father's house because she needed answers about him. It dragged the story out, which is a shame because there was so much already built in for the plotline to make it a rich, complex story.

I didn't like the victim blaming she gave her mother. At no point was there recognition of how her father had cheated on then left her mother, but there was conversations about what her mother could have done to make her father stay. What?!

Likewise, there was a chapter where the same poor joke was made twice to the same person. Why? The poor quality of the writing and insistence on talking around issues means stuff like that slips through. A lot of the romance that occurred too, was all about how it made Adriel feel and not about a genuine connection between her and Carter. I wanted to see how the movement of dance could captivate two people and bring them together. This book could have been a dance between them all by itself. Instead it was devoid of the chemistry that they were taking a class in *drum riff*

I will say this for Kelsey, she has a great way of marketing these books. I'd take marketing lessons from her, for sure. But the stories themselves? No. When a book like this with so much potential and so little delivery exists, I don't know if I can finish the rest of the collection, even though I bought the full set a couple of years ago. This was the best concept of the lot, and the hardest to read since Ginger's book. And now I feel like I'm not making sense either.

Edit: Oh yeah, don't even get me started on the pants splitting and the dance instructor nonsense. Galina was the most ridiculous caricature of a villain since voldemort.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Now, look, I was acting UP, waiting for this next installment. Cori’s book literally slayed me, so hearing about a love story with a fine gym boy. Uh, sign me up. Firstly, I will admit this book felt a little flat to me, and I had difficulty finishing it. I finished because this is the curvy girl series, and I love my curvy girls finding love! Also, I HAVE to give Stelting her props; she is well known for mentioning the name of the following love entrance for one of the girls/the next book. This time so many boy names were thrown around. I found myself trying to figure out who Faith, Des, and Nadira would be with; this kept me grinning from ear to ear, excited to hear their stories. Stelting knows how to bring a group of girls and their men together. I can’t wait for more boys to be added to the mix (poor Ryker); this always leads to hilarious content like it did in the first Curvy girl club.

In this book, I felt Adriel went from sad to sadder, borderline falling apart, repeat. She was so joyless at times (understandably) and had a little bit of an attitude problem. I completely empathized and understood what Adriel was going through; I come from a broken home, and being a psych major (and yes, I’m that girl who uses her major to act knowledgeable, lol), I understood her burden syndrome. Therefore, I had to remind myself that this was set in high school and ask myself, “dang girl, were you this sad in High School?” and the answer might wholeheartedly be YES so, I gave Adriel the benefit of the doubt. She had a highly embarrassing situation happen to her; she dealt with an identity crisis and carried a lot of pain. In actuality, she handled a lot of situations with such grace because I would have been PISSED.

In conclusion, I felt this book was missing those humorous interactions we had in Cori’s book and, overall, those funny friend moments. I kept thinking Adriel would invite Carter to her friend functions, but she never did. Carter almost felt like a dirty gym secret. The book was dominated by small romantic moments but mostly Adriel and a lot of her inner thoughts. I almost felt desperate for more moments with Carter outside of dance and surely outside of Chemistry class. I wanted to see them in the real world interacting with their environment and those around them. However, the heartfelt compliments from Carter made him as sweet as honey; I almost thought I was dealing with a southern country cowboy. He was just that sweet, but I still felt like their romance needed more. Adriel and Carter were cute but were they real? That longing, flirtatious, and desired-filled moments seemed to be lacking. I felt that burning tension between Ryker and Cori, and I SO desperately wanted that for Adriel and Carter. Maybe Cori and Ryker are just a hard couple to beat, and my standards are too high.

This book was sweet with a noticeable amount of angst; nevertheless, Stelting always reminds us, curvy girls, we can be who we want, love who we want, and live a full abundant life. Why does our size determine that we deserve less? This series gives me hope that one day I can be confident and brave enough to shape my destiny and have a boy as sweet as honey, that will love me for me. If that isn’t beautiful, I don’t know what is...till next time, friends.

Signed,

A Curvy Girl Alumni xoxo

[Kim - Inside the Wong Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curvy Girls Can't Dance
by Kelsie Stelting
Book 7 in the Curvy Girls Club series
Rating: 4/5

I am such a huge fan of this amazing series. Kelsie Stelting knows how to write entertaining and insightful stories about teenage girls growing up and she does not disappoint with this book. You will just gobble this story up and not want to stop twirling.

Adriel's dancing is everything to her. When she gets kicked off her dance team and out of her studio, she is at a loss for what to do with herself. Having struggled with her weight despite eating a clean diet, Addy turns to a doctor for help who suggests strength training. Luckily, Addy's stepfather, Ted, owns a gym. When Addy starts working out with a trainer every day, she finds that local bodybuilder talent, Carter, also works out there. Carter is the distraction that Addy doesn't need but can't help but feel drawn to. When Carter offers to help Addy enter the next dance contest to qualify for Nationals, she reluctantly agrees. Addy must figure out how to manage her growing feelings for Carter with her dreams of dancing as a career.

Adriel has some real health issues plus her issues with her father and stepfather which the author is able to address in an authentic way. Carter's insecurities also shine some light into his past which affects his blooming relationship with Addy. I loved how the author also brought back a surprise guest near the end. I love this series and how inspiring the author is with all her characters. I love how encouraging and body positive the author is and cannot wait to read the next installment in this series.

Highly recommend if you enjoy YA sweet romance with a good message and lots of laughs.
PG-13 content.

My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

nother Great Read by Kelsie Stelting! Curvy Girls Can’t Dance is the latest entry in The Curvy Girl’s Club Series and focuses on the “Next Gen” of Curvy Girls. Dance features Adriel, an aspiring dancer who doesn’t fit into the expected figure model that we expect from dancers. After a horrifying on stage mishap, Adriel is forced to start from scratch in her dream of joining a dance company after graduation. Due to a health issue, she starts to do weight work at her step-father’s gym and runs into Carter, a classmate who happens to be a competitive weightlifter. Carter agrees to be her partner for her run at dance nationals not only to spend time with the girl he is interested in, but to help her prove that just because she is a curvy girl, she can be just as competitive as any other dancer out there. While training together, they discover that they have more in common than they think. Adriel finds herself working her way through how she views herself and her family and friends around her and how they really play out in her life. There were moments in this book where I had to remind myself that these are HS kids. At times I did want Adriel to be a little less introspective and more aware of the people around her, but you see how she grows during her journey in this book and comes out the better for it on the other side. I know that Nadira’s story is up next in the series,,but personally I’m looking forward to Des’s story and hope that some of the possible foreshadowing that I think I read in Dance comes to pass. If you enjoyed the previous books in the Curvy Girl series, you will love this one just as much as the author writes roles showing strong young women who learn to work for what they want in love and life.

[geneva ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

really lovely! <33

at the beginning, i was really seething at her dance instructor, calling her a fat pig and all. i know that if anyone said that to me, I'd be devastated beyond compare. but, even though the main character Adriel was sad, she seemed to not take too long to get back up and get into weightlifting. even though she was still attached to dance, of course, she began to see that she wasn't fully happy in the studio anyways.

her relationship with Carter was so adorable, I loved them. the scenes where they danced together were so innocently devine and beautifully described. I never before thought that dances could have stories to them. but these descriptions made it so clear. and, of course, I loved the 80s dance scene xD

hearing about Adriel's family was sad, of course, but also interesting. something never before done in this series. I mean, yes, with Jordan (book 2, "Curvy Girls Can't Date Billionaires) her mom was single, but I can't remember ever hearing about a divorce with remarriages on both sides. so it was both interesting, but also pretty realistically written to what the experience of it must be.

I also like the uniqueness of the cover and title on this one? I mean, it could've easily just followed the formula of the other books and been like, "Curvy Girls Can't Date Bodybuilders" or something, but it wasn't. Making it just "dance", to me, is showing Adriel's independence and personality, and rather than making it mostly about what the love interest does (which is totally fine), the book itself, to me, is an even balance between both their interests that just blend and support so well. This is kind of reiterated by the cover, which just has the girl on it, rather than both of them. To me, this all also goes to show strongly how much dance means to her.

perhaps I'm reading too much into it xD

overall, lovely book. there is some light language and occasional innuendos in conversation between the friend group, but absolutely nothing graphic. only kissing <3

[☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ ѕℓιм ☠︎︎༒︎✞︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Spoilers splash here and there**

https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...

I feel like Adriel? Should call Ted dad because he seems like the father figure more than her real dad. Plus she seems like she has insecurities when it comes to other kids that her parents going to have or have...

When I read YA Books, I mainly see Spanish girl or Indian girl. I never read a black girl or guy. & what I’m trying to figure out is if Nadira is black or not because I know she has Vitiligo and when it says Carter has dark skin I’m like is he black or is he white- has a tan I was confused. Because I just didn’t know. For one “most” people that has Vitiligo on their skin like Nadira are black. I just need to feel in these blanks.. because a girl is confused here.

But anyways, I figured that Adriel was going to end up calling Ted her father because he was more of a dad to her than her real father was. It good when you get someone in your life and they become your parent when your biological parent don’t want to be in your life.

She learned a lot throughout her life. From Ted actually caring about her not only her mom. To learning and stop being insecure about her mom and Ted wanting another child. Though they decided not to adopt. To fixing things with Carter. I liked the concept that Ginger made for them to show Carter that Adriel wasn’t giving up on them

I also can’t wait for Nadira book,, I’m so curious about that one. I also hope that Faith and Des gets a book too.

P.S. I wonder if Brentwood Academy will get a book series with curvy or slim girls or a mix of both that are friends. I would love to see mix races (white, black, Spanish , Indian etc) ..

[Brittany Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how you continually do it Kelsie, but each book just gets better and better. I am obsessed with this. Thank you so much for allowing me to read this early!

I have been a the Curvy Girls Club journey since book 1, and here we are after book 7, in the Curvy Girls Club 2.0 and each book still wraps around my heart and hugs it. This is one of the most fantastic YA contemporary romance series I have ever read. Adriel and Carter might’ve just become my favorite couple in the series. Oh my good lord, I absolutely LOVED this. Adriel’s gusto, determination and persistence was inspiring. Her need to prove everyone wrong mads me want to do the same in my life. She reminds me a lot of Ginger, who was never afraid to take on a challenge. Adriel aka Addy, what a main character. I absolutely adore her.

The romance in this book… oh my god. My heart couldn’t take it. Every love interest in the series has been sweet, but there was just something about Carter and the way he was able to just exude adoration for Adriel with a look. Where do I find one? He was such a complex character, with so much hurt in his past, yet so willing to give everyone around him his time and love.

I JUST CANT GET OVER THIS! It was so, so good! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Lindsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Curvy Girls 2.0 book 7! I’m so glad that this series is still continuing. Cori and Ryker are still big parts to this book but this one is about Adriel and Carter.
Adriel is a dancer and has been all her life. Unfortunately this book opens with a costume malfunction that ends up with Adriel being kicked out of the dance studio. Dance teachers scare me honestly. You never really hear anything good about them.
Carter is a bodybuilder that has noticed Adriel before but finally decides to talk to her when she starts weight training at her stepdads gym. He’s a super nice guy and wants to help Adriel by dancing with her.
I really enjoyed the chemistry between these two from the start and how well Carter fit in with her friends. To be honest though this wasn’t my favorite story in this series.
It did have some deep topics though with adoption, stepparents, infidelity, health issues and more. These books are so realistic in that sense that you can always some how relate to them.
I do love that these come with bonus scenes at the end like extended epilogues because I always love knowing about the future of characters!

[Amy Reierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story I wish I had back in high school. Kelsie Stelting's books make every girl feel recognized. Not just because of her body size but because of her abilities and talents.
It's confidence building at its finest even if done inadvertently.
Throw in a hot bodybuilder raised by his Grandmother with old world manners, and a thing for girls on the softer side with some serious drive and wicked cool dance moves and you've got Carter McCormac.
These two couldn't be more perfect for each other. They have such an incredible balance for each other, Carter really calms Addy not her spirit or her fire but her hurt and her anger. And Addy fills a void for Carter I think she brings a connection for him that he really felt he was missing.
I just loved it, and the girls are all back. There's a surprise from Cori and Ryker, and I can't wait for more!

I have voluntarily left this review!

[Laney Estel · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ The Title/Cover Draw:
I am a part of Kelsie’s street team, so I got an advance copy of this book. I have read the first 5 in the series, but skipped the 6th one (because this one looked TOO GOOD) which I will read this month.
💜 What I liked:
The story of Adriel is another that I can relate with as I danced growing up but had to stop due to weight and knee issues. This round of the Curvy Girls Club is new as it contains a younger group of girls. The connecting link is Cora - Ginger’s sister from the first 5 books - as a connection to the original club. The stories of the Curvy Girls with loveable flaws continues!
😱 What I didn’t like:
This is more a me thing, but I skipped book 6, some of the establishing details were lost. There isn’t a lot of explanation for the events in the previous (which is great if you have already read it).
💁‍♀️ The Characters:
Adriel, Faith, Cora, Des, and Nadira are the new curvy girls. Adriel is the focus of this one, where she gets to know Carter better after weight lifting for weight loss.
🚦 My face at the end: 😹

💭 5 Reasons to Read:
The characters are real!
If you love long series, get it here!
Each character has a flaw that they deal with so there is a good chance you will find one to connect with.
Guys to make you believe in love.
Friends that make you hope for happiness.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Dayna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Carter and Adriel

Absolutely fell in love with Adriel and Carter. I didn’t like some parts like when Adriel’s mom didn’t stand up for her like a mother should or how Adriel needed to grow up a little and see that she wasn’t the only one struggling. Those moments were hard to read and I wanted to shake them both out of it. But, in the end, you understood the reasonings behind their insecurities and why they acted this way. It made them so much better in the end. I loved how both mother and daughter were able to grow from being neglected to being loved from each of their own love relationships as well as their own mother/daughter relationship being strengthened in the end. Carter was perfect for Adriel. Adriel’s stepdad, Ted, was The. Best! Loved him so much for Adriel’s mom and Adriel as well!