When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer

Here's an synop from Ms. Ferrer's website:   A dancer driven to succeed.

A musical prodigy attempting to escape his past.

The summer they share.

And the moment it all goes wrong.

Dance is Soledad Reyes’s life. About to graduate from Miami’s Biscayne High School for the Performing Arts, she plans on spending her last summer at home teaching in a dance studio, saving money, and eventually auditioning for dance companies. That is, until fate intervenes in the form of fellow student Jonathan Crandall who has what sounds like an outrageous proposition: Forget teaching. Why not spend the summer performing in the intense environment of the competitive drum and bugle corps? The corps is going to be performing Carmen, and the opportunity to portray the character of the sultry gypsy proves too tempting for Soledad to pass up, as well as the opportunity to spend more time with Jonathan, who intrigues her in a way no boy ever has before.

But in an uncanny echo of the story they perform every evening, an unexpected competitor for Soledad’s affections appears: Taz, a member of an all-star Spanish soccer team. One explosive encounter later Soledad finds not only her relationship with Jonathan threatened, but her entire future as a professional dancer.

My Take

I really loved this book.  I liked Soledad's spice, her independence, and her willingness to make herself vulnerable to love someone.  I also loved the fact that she understood there is great strength in making yourself vulnerable. 

I loved her grandmother "Mamacita" who raised her.  She was such a warm, interesting character.  Her love for Soledad so evident.  But her willingness to let her go for her own growth commendable. 

The 'moment it all went wrong', I never saw coming.  I was completely blown away.  It was easy to get engrossed in the world of dance and corps while reading this book.  You felt as though you were living it with the characters sometimes.  This was a lovely book that I would recommend.  I'm giving it 5 precise kisses!

Note:  Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Goodreads as part of their early book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."