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Last Chance Dance

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An utterly charming YA romance perfect for fans of Elise Bryant and Leah Johnson. Leila is devastated when her high school boyfriend breaks up with her right before graduation, but when she gets paired with four unrequited crushes in the lead-up to her school's annual Last Chance Dance, she might just fall in love with someone new.

Leila is crushed when Dev, her boyfriend of four years, breaks up with her right before graduation. Just when she's thinking she wasted her entire high school experience on a dead-end relationship, her best friend Bree reminds her that Last Chance Dance is just around the corner.

A high school tradition, Last Chance Dance gives all the students one last opportunity to find love before they graduate. All Leila has to do is submit three unrequited crushes to the dance committee and if any of her crushes list her too, they'll get matched. Presto: new relationship, just like that. To her utter amazement, Leila is matched with all three of her choices--and with someone she never, ever expected, Tre Hillman, her chemistry partner and low-key nemesis.

Though at times skeptical, Leila embarks on her Last Chance Dance mission--trying out her matches and going on dates. If Dev wasn't her true love--then maybe someone else is. She knows it's definitely not Tre, even though he seems more and more determined to convince her he's right for her.

But thoughts of Dev keep sneaking back into her mind, and as graduation and the dance approaches, Leila must figure out what--and who--she really wants. It's her last chance, right?

336 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2023

13 people are currently reading
6327 people want to read

About the author

Lakita Wilson

18 books122 followers
Lakita Wilson is the author of several novels and nonfiction projects for children and young adults, including What is Black Lives Matter? and Who is Colin Kaepernick? part of the New York Times bestselling Who HQ Now series, the middle grade novel Be Real, Macy Weaver, and the young adult novel Last Chance Dance.

A 2017 recipient of SCBWI's Emerging Voices Award, Lakita received her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Lakita lives in Prince George's County, Maryland.. She can be found online at lakitawilson.com

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5 stars
89 (19%)
4 stars
201 (43%)
3 stars
150 (32%)
2 stars
17 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for Shawnaci Schroeder.
519 reviews4,379 followers
July 12, 2024
3.5/5 ⭐️
- This was such a cute YA love story with love triangle vibes. I loved how this story was based so much on how Leila didn’t know what she wanted to do or who she wanted to be with because it felt so true to high school. It was such a beautiful coming of age romance!
- If you love Elise Bryant’s books, you’ll really love this one! The characters really spoke like teenagers and the author really captured teen emotions. I love how this book has such a unique concept!
- Reading about the dates was so fun! This would make such a great movie. A quick and light fluffy story!
Profile Image for Paige (pagebypaigebooks).
468 reviews13 followers
February 25, 2023
*4.5 stars

This was SO cute! I enjoyed every minute reading this. I loved Leila and thought she was a great main character. Seeing her grow as a person throughout this adorable romance was so much fun. There is a love triangle (sometimes a square?) in this book but I think it was done really well. I’ll definitely be recommending this to everyone looking for a feel good read. I can’t wait to read more of Lakita’s work in the future.
Profile Image for kennedibutwordy.
124 reviews
November 10, 2022
4.5 stars

big thank you to penguin teen and penguin teen random house for sending me this arc!! (also huge thank you to lakita wilson for writing this work of art.)
reading this book, it was one of those times that the characters, setting, plot, the whole thing reminds you of why exactly you love to read in the first place! this book nailed the 'speed dating' aspect, and allowed you to relate and identify with what's happening to leila and her friends so easily. i definitely understood her confusion as she was choosing between her ex, dev, or the newfound love interest, tre'. i enjoyed that leila was able to come into her own as she discovered what she truly wanted for one of the first times in her life. i would recommend this book to any and everyone, and can't wait to read more from this author. last chance dance is 100% being added to my never-ending list of favorite books.
Profile Image for michelle (magical reads).
1,077 reviews250 followers
February 10, 2023
3.5 stars

read on my blog


rep: bisexual Black protagonist, Black love interest and side characters, lesbian Black side character, sapphic Black side character, Indian-American side character; (Black author)

**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley (thanks, Penguin Teen!). These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**


I picked this book up because of the premise. The concept of a Last Chance Dance is interesting, if not entirely realistic for a high school to sponsor, but this book was fun! Last Chance Dance explores new beginnings at the end of high school.

Leila has been dating her boyfriend Dev for the entirety of their high school career. She thinks they’re the happiest couple ever—that is, until he breaks up with her out of the blue. After wallowing for a few days, she’s determined to show him he made a big mistake by going out with her matches for the Last Chance Dance, an annual dance her school throws where people try to mutually match with old and new crushes before everyone graduates. Unfortunately, her wild card match turns out to be the boy she dislikes the most, Tre.

Like I said before, the concept of the Last Chance Dance was pretty fun. You pick three people you either once had or currently have a crush on; if they mutually pick you, you have a week or so to go on a date with any of them before deciding on a date to the dance. There’s also a wild card match for each person, picked by an algorithm, which is how Leila matches with Tre.

I liked the support Leila has, with her best friend Bree always by her side and her close relationship with her mom and her younger sister. Despite the sudden heartbreak she’s experienced, she’s able to at least try to move on from Dev with their help. Even Tre, whom she finds annoying at best, turns out to be a good shoulder to lean on.

It was also fun to follow Leila as she goes on dates with three people she’s interested in: Kai, an influencer; Mason, a teen activist; and Eva, a bookstagrammer. Even if she’s still not fully over Dev, I liked seeing her grow out of her shell, especially because she’s never really been able to pursue a relationship outside of him.

The romance was cute. Even though Leila doesn’t really like Tre, it’s clear that they have a good rapport. As she gets to know him more, she learns that he has another side to him than the class clown who’d do anything to get a laugh.

Last Chance Dance was a cute book about new doors opening after one has closed. I liked the characters and found the plot to be fun. If you’re looking for a cute rom-com, you should look into Last Chance Dance!

original review:


this was cute! the last 10% was all over the place though like surely the pacing could’ve been better thought out
Profile Image for ReadnliftwithShar.
1,854 reviews
March 30, 2023
The Last Chance Dance is a tradition for students before graduation. The main character Leila is dumped weeks before graduation by her boyfriend Dev of four years. If you've ever gone through a heartbreak, Leila's story will resonate with you. She went through the motions, questioning herself and feeling judged by her peers. Because of the tradition, Leila has three weeks to go on four dates before the Last Chance Dance happens. I thought the premise of the story was good and different. Leila has an interesting home dynamic with her parents and younger sister. She has a great friend in Bree and a good personality. I loved when Tre and Leila started to spend time together; it really was the highlight for me because I could tell Tre really liked her. Dev, her ex-boyfriend really tried to play in her face and I didn't like that. I loved how they met and became a couple but it seemed like Dev wanted his cake and eat it too. He waited too late, imo, to try and get back with Leila. The strong theme of friendships, finding your own path, and turning a new chapter was much appreciated. The story really tugged at my heartstrings because I could vividly picture things as they happened. There's a good flow to the story and it captured my attention. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a phenomenal job. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Kylah Q.
75 reviews
April 28, 2023
I like her ex better than her try hard boyfriend sorry
Profile Image for Elyse (ElyseReadsandSpeaks).
1,062 reviews50 followers
May 19, 2023
This was cute! I love the idea of high school seniors get matched together for "last chance dates" before they graduate. I would have eaten that up in high school and I honestly think it's a fun idea that schools should try. Sure, there'd be drama over people not getting matched or something, but what high school doesn't have drama?

I thought all of the characters in here were pretty likable - Leila, Bree, Dev, Eva, Tre - and I think that's why I had a good time reading it. They were believable as high schoolers and I think a lot of kids would find someone to relate to in here.

This was a nice refreshing surprise. I need more fun and cute YA stuff like this.
Profile Image for Becca Clayton.
11 reviews1 follower
February 13, 2024
got this book as a bday gift & although it definitely isn’t something i would’ve picked for myself now, middle school/early high school me would’ve liked it. it was a nice easy read.
Profile Image for Violet ♡.
325 reviews17 followers
February 28, 2023
I loved this one so much! It was so fun and cute. Our FMC was definitely a little flawed but it all worked out in the end. I really enjoyed this one and it was just so adorable watching the relationships form. It’s also so accurate to how I felt in high school. Highly recommend.
Profile Image for Shanna Miles.
Author 4 books167 followers
December 15, 2022
Just the cutest heartbreak to breakthrough story that will surely spur a rash of “last chance dances” in high schools across the nation.
2,334 reviews85 followers
June 15, 2023
GENERAL INFO


Year Pub: 2/21/23

Date read: 6/14/23

Format: kindle

Source: purchased

Page Count: 336

Setting: Maryland

Genre: AA interests, YA

Tropes: enemies to lovers, dating contest

Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone

HEA/HFN ending: HFN

Epilogue Included: yes

Character(s)POV Spoken: h Leila

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Leila is dumped by her bf. Bff Bree tells her to sign up for Last Chance Dance. You choose 3 unrequited crushes and have 1 wild card picked for you. You go on dates and attempt to find love.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F, F/F

Representation: LGBTQ+

Contains Cheating: no

Contains Children: yes 10 year old Riley, the podcaster

Flashbacks: Leila still remembers 8th grade graduation parents divorce and dad moving to TX. Tre remembers his parents split, dad moved out and lost job.

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : yes

Amount of Sex In The Book: none

Overall Smex Rating: 0

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Hero: Trevor/Tre Hillman

Hero Description: senior, Leila low key nemesis. Into tech, going to Brown. Jokes with everyone. Visits animal shelter, has soft spot for rescue dog named Lou.

Hero Likability Rating: 5

Heroine: Leila Bean

Heroine Description: 17, wanted to go to Brown-rejected. Dev, bf of 4 years, breaks up right before graduation so he can date around. To make him jealous Leila joins the dance.

Heroine Likability Rating: 4

Secondary characters:
Bree- Leila bff, gay, self declared player
Eva-the sweetest girl in school, one of Leila's crushes.
Kai-cutest boy in school. A model very concerned with his social media and looking perfect.
Mason-a social justice warrior, one of Leila crushes
Halimah- one of Dev's crushes
Darby- always had crush on Dev, one of his crushes
Natasha-Leila's mom
Benjamin-Leila's mom's new boyfriend. Been dating for 3 mos
Rashad- Leila's surgeon dad


H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

Endearments: Tre calls Leila Five

OW/OM/Exes: Dev

Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: no

CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS 
Divorce

AUTHOR OVERVIEW 

New or read before & any favorites: new author

PERSONAL OVERVIEW 

Overall Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: There was a lot of nostalgia when Leila and crew were planning for college. I remember the essay writing and rejection letters. Leila had a plan to go to Brown and maintain a long distance relationship with Dev. I also understand 1st love and when it's over. It feels like life is over, but its just getting started. I also went through a lot when my parents divorced and my dad moved to another state. I loved the Lou story, it showed how sweet and caring Tre was. He joked a lot, but had real feelings. I enjoyed this walk down memory lane of senior year and starting college.
Profile Image for Olivia.
3,741 reviews99 followers
March 17, 2023
See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/last-c...

LAST CHANCE DANCE is a heartfelt YA contemporary. Leila has been one half of the best couple since before she started ninth grade when a chance meeting with a boy at the store led to the best first date (and only) of her life. She and Dev have been the perfect couple for four years, and they are still very in love and planning how they will make long distance work in college.

However, out of the blue, Dev breaks things off a few weeks before graduation. Leila is completely heartbroken, but her BFF Bree reminds her that the Last Chance Dance is coming up and might be a great way for her to stretch her single wings. The Last Chance Dance is when seniors submit a list of their crushes and also fill out a small survey. They have the potential to be matched with three of their crushes as well as a wildcard from the survey algorithm. They then date around and get to decide who (if anyone) they want to attend the dance with.

Leila finds she gets four matches, and her wildcard is her enemy, so she decides she has three chances to find a date to the dance. Dev has wasted no time in moving on, so she is going to do her best too. As she experiences the dates, Leila begins to learn more about herself and what she wants, as well as others she may have overlooked in the past.

What I loved: This was an enthralling story about finding yourself and determining what you want. Leila's life has been defined in a lot of ways by her long-term relationship with Dev. She loves Dev and is happy with him - but when she starts going on other dates, she learns that what she wants and going for it is important as well. Leila away from Dev is not the same person as in the relationship. While these changes may be subtle, they end up being important as well.

Themes around kindness, second chances, family, falling in love, healing, and dealing with breakups are all really well done in the story. Leila's family is a bit complicated, as her view on love was formed by her parents' divorce. She also has a 10yo sister, who is into documenting everything, and while this can be annoying, she still loves her deeply. Her friendship with Bree is also really strong, and while they have some missteps, it's always great to see such a strong friendship.

While the beginning of the book was heart-wrenching, bringing the pain of the breakup to life for the reader, the rest of the book was much more uplifting about healing and second chances. It was quite an unputdownable read, and I ended up reading it in only a couple sittings. I found the story to be very compelling and perfectly paced.

Final verdict: LAST CHANCE DANCE is a delightful YA contemporary that makes for a fantastic read about love, healing, and finding your own way. Highly recommend picking this one up!

Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Shannon.
8,306 reviews423 followers
February 17, 2023
A Black bisexual teen girl gets dumped by her high school boyfriend right before graduation. Faced with being newly single she takes advantage of the school's 'last chance dance' where students get matched with four people, go on some dates and see if they might connect before everyone graduates.

I thought this was a really cute premise. I liked seeing Leila discover new interests and give ex-friends second chances. There ends up being a couple of love triangles and a really fun connection with an aspiring Bookstagrammer student.

Overall a cute read that was great on audio narrated by Yinka Ladeinde. Highly recommended for fans of Elise Bryant, Leah Johnson or the new release, Friday I'm in love by Camryn Garrett. Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!
Profile Image for Amory.
1,077 reviews37 followers
July 16, 2023
This was an absolutely delightful YA romance! I picked it up without knowing anything about the plot and was pleasantly surprised that this book was told from the perspective of a bi girl with a lesbian best friend. Leila was such a wonderful protagonist, largely because the mistakes she made throughout felt realistic and any time she did fight with the people who cared about her, she was able to apologize and not go too far with how harsh she was. Even her fights with her sister felt like a sibling dynamic where things could be strained, but both sisters obviously care about each other.
I ended up reading this in one sitting because I cared about so many of the characters, and it feels like this finally took me out of a recent reading slump! I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Bonus points for a character reading Felix Ever After, another wonderful queer romance!
Profile Image for Zariah.
277 reviews5 followers
August 22, 2023
I just could not understand why Leila was so caught up in these high school relationships. Dev was so right to break up with her knowing they were going to different schools.

Tre’ is clearly the superior love interest; Kai would’ve caught hands touching my food and telling me to change my diet; Mason was clearly a good match and she was a little harsh with him; Eva wasn’t going to fit with Leila, no offense but Leila seems a little too petty to be with someone clearly the opposite.

Also, Bree was a little too quick to forgive Leila but, we move.

And Dev at the end has me side eyeing him, because he was wrong for what he did.
Profile Image for K TEA.
304 reviews23 followers
January 16, 2023
After the Prologue I almost threw this book down! I was done. I felt like I was dumped but the journey to healing was one I didn’t know I needed. This was a great book for teen readers and up. I loved the storyline of Lei getting her entire life as she battles the end of her senior year feeling lost after a dumping that made for an earth shattering wake-up call. While reading the story I felt myself pulling more of the characters into my friend circle in my head. The ending and the twist had me SHOUTING! I wanted an epilogue further into the future. I need to see what happened!!!
Profile Image for Eden.
911 reviews260 followers
dnf
March 14, 2023
DNF @42%

Honestly, there's nothing bad or offensive about this book. In fact, I found the writing style easy to get lost in and read quickly. Butttttt I didn't care about the plot or the main character. I also found the book extremely predictable and don't think I need to finish it to know what happens.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Hilary.
386 reviews3 followers
February 11, 2023
Such a beautiful, sweet ya romance. The author broke my heart and then put it back together through humor, incredible side characters, and the BEST character development in the main character. It felt so true to that period of life and had the perfect amount of ya romance charm and heartwarming coming of age.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Nic Ojo (bujos_n_books).
409 reviews12 followers
February 13, 2023
Adorable adorable adorable. Hands down a strong 4.5⭐️

A perfect read for the Valentine's season. What do you do after your first love breaks your heart? You take some time to brood and then you take control of the love narrative.

If you are a fan of Elise Bryant you will love this book. I'm so looking forward to reading whatever comes next from this author.

Thank you Penguin Teen for the e-galley and physical copy! #PenguinTeenPartner

IG: @bujos_n_books
Profile Image for Sasha.
977 reviews36 followers
July 24, 2023
So fun, so sweet (but not too sweet), so huggable.

Me, reading the premise: psh, this would never fly at any high school.

Me, after reading: it would still never work, but how cute would it be if it was real!

The characters actually spoke like real teenagers, the awkwardness and confidence mix was just right, and her outfit in the book/on the cover is fire. Would recommend for those who love a fluffy romance appropriate for young readers, and those who need the most delicious palate cleanser between books.
Profile Image for ava'a bookshelf ʚĭɞ.
72 reviews3 followers
December 28, 2022
this book is an adorable page-turner! i literally woke up and read it in one sitting this morning!
despite having so many characters, you really get to know all of them which really made me enjoy reading this book! last chance dance should definitely become a thing irl <3 <3 <3

Profile Image for Wandee’s Thoughts.
163 reviews
July 30, 2023
4.5⭐️

I enjoyed this book so much. High school sweetheart breaking is very common, however I didn’t expect the plot of the last chance dance that made shipping Leila and Tre easy. Their banter was everything to me im gonna miss them
Profile Image for Latoya.
248 reviews
July 25, 2023
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ I finished this book in a day. It’s super cute and I enjoyed the story of her trying to find a date and navigating through her first heartbreak.
Profile Image for Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn).
858 reviews22 followers
Read
February 24, 2023
I really adored Last Chance Dance, this was such a sweet and cute romance! Full of humor, compelling characters and a rich story line this is definitely one you want to pick up. A very heartwarming and charming coming of age book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews

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