Note: This review is part of the 2016 Summer Reading Diversity Spotlight.

Finding Center by Katherine Locke
Release Date: August 17, 2015
Publisher: Carina Press
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Bought
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Zed and ballet are my two greatest loves

It took all of Aly’s strength to get them back after a tragic accident ripped them from her six years ago. A long road to recovery led to her return, dancing full-time for the District Ballet Company and carrying Zed’s child. But Aly is slipping. Each day becomes a fight to keep her career from crumbling under the weight of younger talent, the scrutiny of the public eye and the limitations of her ever-changing body. A fight she fears she’s losing.

I’m scared Aly is broken to her core

Zed recognizes the signs, but he doesn’t know how to fix her. The accident left him with his own demons, and while he wants nothing more than to take care of the woman he loves, it’s getting harder the farther downward she spirals. When Aly’s life is threatened and Zed’s injuries prevent him from saving her, he’s never felt so useless, so afraid he’s not capable of being the man Aly and their child needs.

With new life comes new hope. And with their fractured lives already hanging by a thread, Aly and Zed must discover if they have what it takes—both together and apart—to rebuild and carry on.

***

Last year, I had the pleasure of reading the prequel novella, Turning Pointe and the first book in the District Ballet Company duology, First Position. Recently, I read the sequel, Finding Center.

Told from both Aly and Zed’s POVs, Finding Center is the perfect conclusion to the story. Like in First Position, I absolutely loved following this relationship, in which Aly and Zed exude unconditional love. It’s love like it should be. Hard work and worth every second of it. These two have been through so much together and apart and together again.

From anxiety and an eating disorder to sobriety and going through the everyday physically differently than before after a life changing car accident and grief to now… pregnancy. I had a great time following Aly and Zed as they hold onto dance and each other and find their center and thrive in it. It’s not easy but boy, is it worth it.

There’s a bit of ballet drama in here as well but really, this is a story about Aly and Zed, the sexy and not so sexy parts. It’s about the everyday ins and outs of a relationship and what two people do to constantly strengthen it and themselves. If you read the first book, you know that this is a second chance romance – and these characters know the good thing that they have and they are not letting go.

This is a beautiful story about love and passion and balance and hardships and discovering happiness in the surprises that come our way. And what a beautiful ending! Dare I say I enjoyed this even more than the first book! What a wonderful conclusion. There’s more that I could say but really, if you think this series is something you’d find yourself enjoying, you will.

Favorite Line:

They forget that the coldest people were once water, strong and supple, vulnerable and omnipotent, before they froze.

Finding Center by Katherine Locke is available today.