Review: One, Two, Three (One, Two, Three #1) by Elodie Nowodazkij

Title: One, Two, Three
Author: Elodie Nowadazkij
Series: One, Two, Three
Genre: YA, Contemporary
Publisher: Createspace
Publication date: June 26th 2014
Pages: 296 (paperback) 






When seventeen-year-old Natalya's dreams of being a ballerina are killed in a car accident along with her father, she must choose: shut down - like her mother - or open up to love.

Last year, seventeen-year-old Natalya Pushkaya was attending the School of Performing Arts in New York City. Last year, she was well on her way to becoming a professional ballerina. Last year, her father was still alive.

But a car crash changed all that - and Natalya can't stop blaming herself. Now, she goes to a regular high school in New Jersey; lives with her onetime prima ballerina, now alcoholic mother; and has no hope of a dance career.

At her new school, however, sexy soccer player Antonio sees a brighter future for Natalya, or at least a more pleasant present. Keeping him an arabesque away proves to be a challenge for Natalya and his patient charms her eventually draw her out of her shell.

When upsetting secrets come to light and Tonio's own problems draw her in, Natalya shuts down again, this time turning to alcohol herself.

Can Natalya learn to trust Antonio before she loses him - and destroys herself?

- Goodreads -

I love ballet so when I saw the cover of this book I immediately read the short description. It convinced me immediately to read the book. And I am glad I did read it.

One moment crushed Natalya’s dreams forever. One moment turned her life upside down forever. How can she manage to build a new life for herself with all the crumbles that are left from her old life? Natalya tries hard to balance everything in her life: her mother, her friends, a new school, dancing and a guy. She’s doing well until a huge secret is revealed. Natalya’s life turns upside down once again.

I really liked Natalya, for starters she wasn’t a quitter. The doctors told her that it would be almost impossible for her to dance ever again. But instead of pining over it she worked harder than anyone else so she could dance again. She had a problem at first with letting people close but it was understandable. If I went through the same as her I would probably react the same way. And in the end she let her walls down.
Tonio was a lovely guy, sure he had some major flaws. But that was what I loved the most about him, his flaws made him more real and realistic. And he really helped Natalya, in the end he has his heart in the right place and that’s what’s most important.

The writing felt a bit rough around the edges but it is the author’s debut novel so I am not complaining. The author can only grow from now on. The pace of the book was good. Enough happened to keep you interested and without it being rushed or to overwhelming.

The ending was half-open so I don’t know if the author intends to write a sequel or if she just wants us to guess how the story continues. If the author decides to write a sequel I am definitely going to read it.

One, Two, Three was a great book that dealt with loss and how to face the world again afterwards. 

El