Dream Chaser - Angie Stanton

Willow Thomas has a bad habit of running away from things that scare her. And most recently, she quit her high school cheerleading squad after a terrifying fall.

With time on her hands, she auditions for a musical production directed by a Broadway choreographer. Just as things are looking up, Willow discovers she will be performing opposite Eli McAvoy, the best friend she abandoned three years before. To make matters worse, the kids in the musical hate her, her singing sucks, and her dog is sick.

Eli has grown up during their years apart and now possesses confidence and good looks, as well as a giant chip on his shoulder. He is in no hurry to play nice with Willow, but their entwined roles in the musical lead to entwined bodies in the backseat of his car.

Just when Willow finally has her life under control, another surprise is delivered in the form of her greatest challenge yet. Will she run or finally stand and face her fears? And will Eli be there to help or turn his back on her for good?

This book for me was probably a 3.25 star book. I enjoyed Willow. I felt like we really got to know Willow. I felt her pain as she became an outcast, not belonging with the cheerleaders anymore and no longer part of the dance crowd. I cringed when she had to eat in a bathroom by herself.

I loved Willow's family and the relationships they all shared. They had me laughing out loud, and that earns extra points with me. And the whole thing with Twinkie almost had me in tears.

Where this story lost me a bit was the supporting characters. I felt like we only got a superficial look into Eli and her relationship with him. I would have liked to have seen this play out a little more and have Willow give us a little bit more of a glimpse into who Eli was from all the years they spent together before. I think it would have helped me believe in their chemistry.

I truly enjoyed hottie director Tyson. I loved his dynamic with Willow and Eli and how he walked the line between friend and coach/mentor/boss. He was believable to me because of his youth and ties to the community. He was those kids and I could see why he would come back and run a workshop with high school kids like he did.

All in all, I enjoyed the book. I plan to read Rock and Hard Place soon! I would say the best line was the one that summed it all up for Willow & Eli "You Jump, I jump"