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Dancing Barefoot
Winner of the 2021 Text Prize for Young Adult and Children’s Writing
Evie Vanhoutte is a teachers� pet, a basketball star and the most beautiful girl in the year level. Evie Vanhoutte is tall, has long dark hair, a great smile, and for the past four years, Evie Vanhoutte has been the object of my most ardent, heartfelt, and passionate affection. Unrequited affection, of course.
Patch is out of place at Mountford College: she wears the wrong clothes, she’s not sporty or popular, she lives in a small flat above her dad’s record shop a world away from the leafy suburb where she goes to school. And she has a secret long-term crush on basketball star Evie Vanhoutte. Evie barely knows Patch exists until an accident involving a bottle of ink and Patch’s school uniform sparks a friendship that’s equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, and very, very confusing.
As if that weren’t enough, Patch is also trying to deal with a jealous school bully, forgetting to be supportive of her transitioning best friend, Edwin, and worrying about how a potential new stepmother could throw everything off course.
Dancing Barefoot is a feel-good romance about growing up queer, figuring out your place in the world, staying true to yourself and your friends, finding love, and learning to embrace the obstacles life throws in your path.
Evie Vanhoutte is a teachers� pet, a basketball star and the most beautiful girl in the year level. Evie Vanhoutte is tall, has long dark hair, a great smile, and for the past four years, Evie Vanhoutte has been the object of my most ardent, heartfelt, and passionate affection. Unrequited affection, of course.
Patch is out of place at Mountford College: she wears the wrong clothes, she’s not sporty or popular, she lives in a small flat above her dad’s record shop a world away from the leafy suburb where she goes to school. And she has a secret long-term crush on basketball star Evie Vanhoutte. Evie barely knows Patch exists until an accident involving a bottle of ink and Patch’s school uniform sparks a friendship that’s equal parts exhilarating and terrifying, and very, very confusing.
As if that weren’t enough, Patch is also trying to deal with a jealous school bully, forgetting to be supportive of her transitioning best friend, Edwin, and worrying about how a potential new stepmother could throw everything off course.
Dancing Barefoot is a feel-good romance about growing up queer, figuring out your place in the world, staying true to yourself and your friends, finding love, and learning to embrace the obstacles life throws in your path.
320 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2022
7 people are currently reading
709 people want to read
About the author
Alice Boyle
2books15followersAlice Boyle is a teacher and author living in Naarm/Melbourne. She has written for SBS Voices and the Wheeler Centre, and her short story ‘The Exchange� was published in the Black Inc. anthology Growing Up Queer in Australia. In 2019 she was highly commended for the Wheeler Centre’s Next Chapter program, and in 2021 she won the Text Prize for her debut novel Dancing Barefoot.
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January 5, 2023The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing � publisher of Dancing Barefoot
‘I loved everything about Dancing Barefoot—its strong characters, its laugh-out-loud moments and its irresistible narrative voice that engaged me from the first page.�
Erin Gough
‘Sweet, funny, charming and romantic. I adored it.�
Nina Kenwood
�Dancing Barefoot brings a warm and uplifting queer contemporary romance to the #LoveOzYA, #AusQueerYA and #OwnVoices scenes...a queer hipster’s dream.�
Books+Publishing
‘If you’re ever in the need for a feel-good, heartfelt romance, or simply a book to cosy up to like a warm, fuzzy blanket by the fireside, I recommend Dancing Barefoot. Beautifully written with a natural laugh-out-loud humour, [it] encapsulates the angst and seemingly apocalyptic emotions teenagers feel towards love.�
Readings
‘Phenomenal…I want to spread my love of this novel as far as possible!�
Cosy Dragon
‘An uplifting, romantic comedy.…While debut author Alice Boyle shines a light on the serious issues of sexuality, gender identity and bullying the joyful characters and plot twists ensure this is a highly engaging read.�
CBCA
‘Heartwarming…Delightful…[A] story about fitting in, believing in yourself, being a good friend and navigating first love, whatever that may look like.�
Glam Adelaide
‘[A] breath of fresh air…[and] a sweet novel about young love.�
NZ Booklovers
‘Both heartfelt and hilarious…This is an empowering and queer-positive coming of age story that romantics will adore.�
Readings
‘Gorgeous contemporary realism that reads like a warm hug.�
Michael Earp, SMH/ Age
‘I loved everything about Dancing Barefoot—its strong characters, its laugh-out-loud moments and its irresistible narrative voice that engaged me from the first page.�
Erin Gough
‘Sweet, funny, charming and romantic. I adored it.�
Nina Kenwood
�Dancing Barefoot brings a warm and uplifting queer contemporary romance to the #LoveOzYA, #AusQueerYA and #OwnVoices scenes...a queer hipster’s dream.�
Books+Publishing
‘If you’re ever in the need for a feel-good, heartfelt romance, or simply a book to cosy up to like a warm, fuzzy blanket by the fireside, I recommend Dancing Barefoot. Beautifully written with a natural laugh-out-loud humour, [it] encapsulates the angst and seemingly apocalyptic emotions teenagers feel towards love.�
Readings
‘Phenomenal…I want to spread my love of this novel as far as possible!�
Cosy Dragon
‘An uplifting, romantic comedy.…While debut author Alice Boyle shines a light on the serious issues of sexuality, gender identity and bullying the joyful characters and plot twists ensure this is a highly engaging read.�
CBCA
‘Heartwarming…Delightful…[A] story about fitting in, believing in yourself, being a good friend and navigating first love, whatever that may look like.�
Glam Adelaide
‘[A] breath of fresh air…[and] a sweet novel about young love.�
NZ Booklovers
‘Both heartfelt and hilarious…This is an empowering and queer-positive coming of age story that romantics will adore.�
Readings
‘Gorgeous contemporary realism that reads like a warm hug.�
Michael Earp, SMH/ Age
November 22, 2022
I might be 35 years old but I adore a good YA novel 🤭🙈 Typically, I read YA when I'm in need of something wholesome but compelling, and Dancing Barefoot absolutely delivered that. I especially loved that the book was set in Melbourne, Australia. It feels like such an anomaly for me to read Australian literature but I love it when I do!
Dancing Barefoot follows Patch, our completely loveable protagonist. She's finding her identify as a young lesbian who is on scholarship at an elite private school in Melbourne. In typical YA fashion, there are a few important themes interweaved within this novel, and I loved the depth that Alice Boyle managed to cover in the story and characters.
I highly recommend a read if you are looking for a sapphic YA romance that's wholesome and heartwarming.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Dancing Barefoot follows Patch, our completely loveable protagonist. She's finding her identify as a young lesbian who is on scholarship at an elite private school in Melbourne. In typical YA fashion, there are a few important themes interweaved within this novel, and I loved the depth that Alice Boyle managed to cover in the story and characters.
I highly recommend a read if you are looking for a sapphic YA romance that's wholesome and heartwarming.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Text Publishing for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2022
5 stars <3
THIS BOOK OMG
I read a review that said this was kinda like Heartstopper but if it was set in an Australian private highschool and I can say yes, definitely.
This book was so spectacularly familiar, and I finished it with a massive smile on my face.
I want Evie to be my girlfriend.
Rep: Sapphic main character and love interest, Trans best friend.
TWs: low level sexual content, swearing, deadbeat mum. Minor mentions of past intense homophobia and getting kicked out (not main character).
I'd definitely recommend this book if you want to see what Australian school is like, if you want a cute, lighthearted sapphic romance, or if you just are intensely gay.
PLUS THE MAIN CHARACTER LIVES ON TOP OF A RECORD SHOP 😍 please read it I beg of you
THIS BOOK OMG
I read a review that said this was kinda like Heartstopper but if it was set in an Australian private highschool and I can say yes, definitely.
This book was so spectacularly familiar, and I finished it with a massive smile on my face.
I want Evie to be my girlfriend.
Rep: Sapphic main character and love interest, Trans best friend.
TWs: low level sexual content, swearing, deadbeat mum. Minor mentions of past intense homophobia and getting kicked out (not main character).
I'd definitely recommend this book if you want to see what Australian school is like, if you want a cute, lighthearted sapphic romance, or if you just are intensely gay.
PLUS THE MAIN CHARACTER LIVES ON TOP OF A RECORD SHOP 😍 please read it I beg of you
December 24, 2022
melbourne wlw private school romance. i warmed up to this book so much. i was so ready to write an angry review about how it made me feel so uncomfy bc of how relatable it was and now after finishing it i rly liked it. it was super engaging, funny, gay and just down right accurate! it started off very cliche and followed a lot of tropes but then the plot and characters were developed more�. the melb references! the wlw camping! the record shop! the girl in red/queer icon mentions! LOVE. i defs would’ve liked it a lot when i was a little younger but still v good. just can’t get over the fact that half the book i was thinking please please stop writing about me and my friends lives from another perspective whrhdhdhshdjhd I LITERALLY COULD NAME CHARACTERS IN THIS BOOK AS PEOPLE IN MY REAL FCKING LIFE.
April 10, 2023
I wish I read this in high school but even now my heart is so full!
July 24, 2022
Content warnings: lesbophobia (d slur used, specifically as an insult), coming out themes, parental abandonment (recounted, referenced to past), bullying, homophobia, underage drinking, slut shaming, misogyny.
Rep: Patch is lesbian, Edwin is trans and Asian, Evie is sapphic and Mexican-Australian. Other POC side characters.
I received an e-advanced readers copy from Text Publishing via Net Galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is always a complete joy to read a #LoveOzYA book, and an even bigger joy for me to read one with a lesbian protagonist.
Patch, our main character, is a socially awkward but lovable lesbian. She’s talented in art, she’s a good friend, and she’s been in love with her classmate Evie Vanhoutte for 4 and half years.
In this fun, lovable coming of age story, Patch branches out of her comfort zone and befriends Evie. The pair find they have a lot in common, and it also helps that when Evie is away from her horrible best friend, Abigail, she also flourishes.
Patch and her best friend, Edwin, have been a duo for so long that it’s is odd for her at first to make other friends, let alone someone she’s had a crush on for her entire high school life.
But friends they become.
What I loved about this book is (a lot of things, let’s be real) how it shows teenagers with flaws. I love this. Teenagers are messy. They’re sometimes really selfish, but feel all the feelings, and it’s something I think a lot of today teens will relate to.
Edwin’s transness isn’t just a plot point, either. It’s incredibly well executed � from his own body euphoria, to saying how he’s excited (and nervous) to get his first T shot. It also doesn’t shy away from the fact that he’s a trans boy who still gets a period. That whole scene was so well done.
While Patch is a bit neglectful of her friendship with Edwin as she starts to see more of Evie, it’s handled really well in the later part of the book.
The Wilderness part was such a good addition to the book, and I do not miss those school camps where there were no flushing toilets or running water!
Another thing that I adored was Patch’s relationship with her dad and her brother � they were so well done. Leo is such a cutie and it’s nice, and different, to read about single dads raising their two kids.
I will be recommending this to everyone, and I will probably be obnoxious about it. It isn’t often that we get lesbian Love Oz YA books, and this one was all kinds of fun.
(I am vexed - I had highlighted so many passages on my digital copy that have seem to have disappeared as I've excited the book (read on my PC) and now I'm sad because I had so many good bits and quotes that I had highlighted. This adds nothing to my review, I just need to be sad.)
4.5 stars
Bookish links: / / /
Rep: Patch is lesbian, Edwin is trans and Asian, Evie is sapphic and Mexican-Australian. Other POC side characters.
I received an e-advanced readers copy from Text Publishing via Net Galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It is always a complete joy to read a #LoveOzYA book, and an even bigger joy for me to read one with a lesbian protagonist.
Patch, our main character, is a socially awkward but lovable lesbian. She’s talented in art, she’s a good friend, and she’s been in love with her classmate Evie Vanhoutte for 4 and half years.
In this fun, lovable coming of age story, Patch branches out of her comfort zone and befriends Evie. The pair find they have a lot in common, and it also helps that when Evie is away from her horrible best friend, Abigail, she also flourishes.
Patch and her best friend, Edwin, have been a duo for so long that it’s is odd for her at first to make other friends, let alone someone she’s had a crush on for her entire high school life.
But friends they become.
What I loved about this book is (a lot of things, let’s be real) how it shows teenagers with flaws. I love this. Teenagers are messy. They’re sometimes really selfish, but feel all the feelings, and it’s something I think a lot of today teens will relate to.
Edwin’s transness isn’t just a plot point, either. It’s incredibly well executed � from his own body euphoria, to saying how he’s excited (and nervous) to get his first T shot. It also doesn’t shy away from the fact that he’s a trans boy who still gets a period. That whole scene was so well done.
While Patch is a bit neglectful of her friendship with Edwin as she starts to see more of Evie, it’s handled really well in the later part of the book.
The Wilderness part was such a good addition to the book, and I do not miss those school camps where there were no flushing toilets or running water!
Another thing that I adored was Patch’s relationship with her dad and her brother � they were so well done. Leo is such a cutie and it’s nice, and different, to read about single dads raising their two kids.
I will be recommending this to everyone, and I will probably be obnoxious about it. It isn’t often that we get lesbian Love Oz YA books, and this one was all kinds of fun.
(I am vexed - I had highlighted so many passages on my digital copy that have seem to have disappeared as I've excited the book (read on my PC) and now I'm sad because I had so many good bits and quotes that I had highlighted. This adds nothing to my review, I just need to be sad.)
4.5 stars
Bookish links: / / /
September 14, 2022
This was the most wholesome book I think I've ever read
Would recommend to literally anyone who just wants a quick and enjoyable light-hearted read
The story line was honestly great and I loved how real the MC was
Would recommend to literally anyone who just wants a quick and enjoyable light-hearted read
The story line was honestly great and I loved how real the MC was
September 14, 2022
Dancing Barefoot (DB) is an Aussie queer YA contemporary that comes out in just a few days from @text_publishing! It follows sixteen year old Patch, a lesbian, as she navigates being the unpopular scholarship kid at an elite private school, juggling friend time and crush time, not being out to anyone but kind of wanting to be, and the dreaded school Wilderness Camp.
The writing style in DB was incredibly immersive, and from the moment I started it I was sucked in and just wanted to keep reading. It only took me three days to finish it!
As always, I loved the Australian setting and references. Being able to recognise things has its own special power in books and even though I don’t live in Melbourne I’ve been there a few times, and some Aussie things are just universal so 😌
I thought the romance between Evie and Patch was incredibly cute, even though they both had their fair share of mistakes throughout. But they’re both young and learning, and realised they could have done things better and I love that growth 🙌🏻
Another thing I really enjoyed in DB was how close Patch was to her dad and her brother. Teens can enjoy spending time with their family, and having this represented and included was so special.
The writing style in DB was incredibly immersive, and from the moment I started it I was sucked in and just wanted to keep reading. It only took me three days to finish it!
As always, I loved the Australian setting and references. Being able to recognise things has its own special power in books and even though I don’t live in Melbourne I’ve been there a few times, and some Aussie things are just universal so 😌
I thought the romance between Evie and Patch was incredibly cute, even though they both had their fair share of mistakes throughout. But they’re both young and learning, and realised they could have done things better and I love that growth 🙌🏻
Another thing I really enjoyed in DB was how close Patch was to her dad and her brother. Teens can enjoy spending time with their family, and having this represented and included was so special.
August 29, 2022
I was in the mood to read a quick YA contemporary story, so I figured I'd pick up this one, and it was definitely a good choice to read in one sitting. This is a cute sapphic story, and I really liked seeing them become friends first. It did bother me a little that the love interest's best friend bullies the MC but it takes quite a while for that to be resolved, and it's hard not to feel like the LI is complicit for not standing up to her friend more. This took me out of the story quite a bit, and I'm not convinced by how it was handled. This is a shame to me, because I otherwise really liked the book.
June 19, 2022
Yes to all the banter, the friendship vibes and family goodness.
July 27, 2022
Thanks to Text Publishing and Netgalley for the e-arc!
I picked this from the cover, then the description and I am so glad I got the chance to read this early.
Dancing Barefoot is a funny and heartwarming store and I absolutely adored it. I didn't want the book to end.
The story was easy to follow. About the weird kid who doesn't quite fit in and has a crush on the most popular and beautiful girl. There was so much representation in this book, Lesbian, Transexual, POC.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable #LoveOzYA book. If you get a chance to read this, I highly recommend it, and congratulations Alice!
I picked this from the cover, then the description and I am so glad I got the chance to read this early.
Dancing Barefoot is a funny and heartwarming store and I absolutely adored it. I didn't want the book to end.
The story was easy to follow. About the weird kid who doesn't quite fit in and has a crush on the most popular and beautiful girl. There was so much representation in this book, Lesbian, Transexual, POC.
Overall, this was such an enjoyable #LoveOzYA book. If you get a chance to read this, I highly recommend it, and congratulations Alice!
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June 19, 2023Delightful LGBTQ+ YA novel, set in Australia.
August 1, 2022
Think "Heartstopper" but set in Australia and sapphic. This book was such a light-hearted, fun, feel good read. There is just something so nostalgic about reading a book set in an Australian high school, this book was filled with banter and Aussie slang. I caught myself smiling at times like an idiot because this book is just so wholesome.
January 17, 2023
If at some points this book was too sugarcoated to be believable, I forgave it because it was just such a beautiful novel of the unpopular girl with a crush on a cheerleader finding out that that crush is totally requited.
Our main character, Patch, lives in Brunswick but goes to school as a scholarship student at a rather prestigious school in Kew. One of the things I love about reading #loveozya is that I actually recognise many of the places mentioned if they are set in Melbourne.
So when Patch and Evie end up going for coffee after Evie finds herself at the records store where Patch works, I was imagining which specific place they might be going to based on the vibe described.
The problem in this book is that Patch's big nemesis, and rather a bully, happens to be one of Evie's best friends. Abigail makes Patch's life difficult, and has done since Patch started at the school. She dumps ink down Patch's uniform which ends up leading to the first time that Patch actually has a conversation with Evie.
The romance that forms between Evie and Patch at first is just this beautiful friendship where both of them are too nervous to say anything about feelings they may or may not be having. This felt so so true to teenaged experience and the little moments while movie watching, attempting to hold hands and such, were just so sweet.
My favourite part of this novel was actually that Patch's best friend is about to start T at the beginning. He has transitioned at school and the teachers and other students are supportive of it. The biggest deal that seems to happen is that now when kids are split into boys and girls, Patch no longer gets to hang out with her best friend.
So it's great that this is the year when Evie comes into Patch's life! This book is an all round good time and I am so so glad I randomly picked it up.
Our main character, Patch, lives in Brunswick but goes to school as a scholarship student at a rather prestigious school in Kew. One of the things I love about reading #loveozya is that I actually recognise many of the places mentioned if they are set in Melbourne.
So when Patch and Evie end up going for coffee after Evie finds herself at the records store where Patch works, I was imagining which specific place they might be going to based on the vibe described.
The problem in this book is that Patch's big nemesis, and rather a bully, happens to be one of Evie's best friends. Abigail makes Patch's life difficult, and has done since Patch started at the school. She dumps ink down Patch's uniform which ends up leading to the first time that Patch actually has a conversation with Evie.
The romance that forms between Evie and Patch at first is just this beautiful friendship where both of them are too nervous to say anything about feelings they may or may not be having. This felt so so true to teenaged experience and the little moments while movie watching, attempting to hold hands and such, were just so sweet.
My favourite part of this novel was actually that Patch's best friend is about to start T at the beginning. He has transitioned at school and the teachers and other students are supportive of it. The biggest deal that seems to happen is that now when kids are split into boys and girls, Patch no longer gets to hang out with her best friend.
So it's great that this is the year when Evie comes into Patch's life! This book is an all round good time and I am so so glad I randomly picked it up.
December 2, 2024
Firstly, I want to thank Text Publishing for my review copy of this. I’m very, very sorry that it’s taken me so long to read this, but I’ve finished it and I really, really loved it!
Dancing Barefoot follows Patch, who lives in a flat on top of her dad’s record store far away from the wealthy suburb that her high school is in. At school, Patch feels out of place—she’s not sporty, she’s not popular, and she only has one friend: Edwin. Patch also has a long-term crush on Evie Vanhoutte, a basketballer, teachers� pet, and the prettiest girl in her year level. But after an accident involving a bottle of ink, Patch and Evie become friends, which only leads to more confusion for Patch. Whilst dealing with this newfound friendship, Patch also has to deal with a potential new stepmother, a jealous school bully, and remembering to support Edwin through his transition.
This book is like if Heartstopper was written in prose and was set in Melbourne instead of the UK. I truly loved Edwin and Patch’s friendship, Patch and her father’s relationship, the different and varied representation, the relatability, and the adorable sapphic relationship in this novel. Every page of this book held my interest and I was always excited (and sometimes nervous) to read what happened next! I became so attached to Patch’s character and was really happy to see how the ending all played out.
Overall, this is an incredible debut novel that is so important for young, queer people, particularly young, queer Australians.
Dancing Barefoot follows Patch, who lives in a flat on top of her dad’s record store far away from the wealthy suburb that her high school is in. At school, Patch feels out of place—she’s not sporty, she’s not popular, and she only has one friend: Edwin. Patch also has a long-term crush on Evie Vanhoutte, a basketballer, teachers� pet, and the prettiest girl in her year level. But after an accident involving a bottle of ink, Patch and Evie become friends, which only leads to more confusion for Patch. Whilst dealing with this newfound friendship, Patch also has to deal with a potential new stepmother, a jealous school bully, and remembering to support Edwin through his transition.
This book is like if Heartstopper was written in prose and was set in Melbourne instead of the UK. I truly loved Edwin and Patch’s friendship, Patch and her father’s relationship, the different and varied representation, the relatability, and the adorable sapphic relationship in this novel. Every page of this book held my interest and I was always excited (and sometimes nervous) to read what happened next! I became so attached to Patch’s character and was really happy to see how the ending all played out.
Overall, this is an incredible debut novel that is so important for young, queer people, particularly young, queer Australians.
April 7, 2023
This is such a wholesome book!! It was nicely paced and being Melbourne based made it more relatable as well. I missed out on living as a gay girl during my teenage years since I came out as a trans girl later in life so reading this book made me often wonder what my life could have been. Also it was really nice to see a trans character in the book with a supportive school. I definitely loved reading it and I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could!
January 20, 2024
OMG THIS WAS AMAZING. I finished it in 3 hours.
Its for sure one of those feel good books, that there is a little bit of friendship drama, but its mostly just good vibes and good music. For sure a read if you love the LGBTQ+ Romance genre. Someone else please read this, I just need to talk about it.
Its for sure one of those feel good books, that there is a little bit of friendship drama, but its mostly just good vibes and good music. For sure a read if you love the LGBTQ+ Romance genre. Someone else please read this, I just need to talk about it.
November 27, 2022
this book feels like a biography on my life that i did not give the author permission to write. five stars
January 11, 2023
so cute :))
February 11, 2023
Really cute w/w book on the popular kid falls for the unpopular kid trope :) set in Melbourne Australia too!
August 14, 2022
i love how this book is funny and upbeat while also discussing serious stuff (homophobia, being trans, neglected parents etc). all the characters are 100% people i would want to be friends with in real life (except for tristan ofc). i was so happy to read patch's story of being queer i love the queer representation!!!!! plus patch and evie are so cute together!!
October 4, 2022
I usually love Text Publishing's YA books, and because this won the 2021 Text Prize, I had incredibly high expectations. I thought it was going to be mind-blowing YA. Unfortunately though, Dancing Barefoot just didn't grab me. It was a decent book, an easy three stars. Very sweet and fun and adorable. It's a cute teen romance with LGBTQ+ representation, and that's all it set out to be. Sadly I just didn't find it overly compelling; my attention wavered as I read it and I didn't feel as drawn into the story as I wanted to. I didn't really love the characters, and often felt confused about their motivations.
I hope others enjoy it more - I'm sure they will.
Content warnings for bullying and homophobia.
(Thanks to Text for my ARC!)
I hope others enjoy it more - I'm sure they will.
Content warnings for bullying and homophobia.
(Thanks to Text for my ARC!)
August 24, 2022
"Dancing Barefoot is a feel-good romance about growing up queer, figuring out your place in the world, staying true to yourself and your friends, finding love, and learning to embrace the obstacles life throws in your path."
I really wanted to love this book.
Don't get me wrong, it was a delightful read...but, It kinda left me lacking?
I liked the plot, the character development and the storyline, but all those like led to a book that I just well.. liked. The story didn't leap out of the page at me, and I struggled to immerse myself in the tale.
Despite this, I really loved the concept and premise of the story.
3/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc
I really wanted to love this book.
Don't get me wrong, it was a delightful read...but, It kinda left me lacking?
I liked the plot, the character development and the storyline, but all those like led to a book that I just well.. liked. The story didn't leap out of the page at me, and I struggled to immerse myself in the tale.
Despite this, I really loved the concept and premise of the story.
3/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with an arc
June 11, 2022
Cute. Very cute. Moments of genuine out loud laughing coupled with some excellent scenes of yearning and capturing the heart pounding excitement of surreptitious yet longed for hand holding and other sweetly innocent physical touch.
Genuinely more stomach churning tension to be found in the scene where they watch Muriel’s Wedding than in any 5 generic crime novels combined. Left me making the Edvard Munch emoji on repeat as i sent screenshots of the passage to people demanding they also read this book.
Genuinely more stomach churning tension to be found in the scene where they watch Muriel’s Wedding than in any 5 generic crime novels combined. Left me making the Edvard Munch emoji on repeat as i sent screenshots of the passage to people demanding they also read this book.
March 20, 2024
I'm very new to the YA romance genre, but when I saw that this book was recommended by a staff member at Kinokuniya in Sydney I thought I would give it a try. I never expected to love it as much as I did. I sunk into Patch's world so easily, and whilst I don't exactly share her music taste, I loved that she was more alternative and I really related to her alot as a character. Edwin is so beautifully written, I have honestly never seen such a well written trans character and I felt so seen by him. I felt like this book had been written for me, reading it felt so personal and I connected with the characters more than in any other book I have read. I think I might be the exact target audience, I'm a transmasc, a lesbian, a hopeless romantic, and Australian. I actually gasped when Patch mentioned having read Roxane Gay as Opinions was the book I had read just before this one. This is less a review and more just me rambling but I wanted to say that this book meant alot to me to read and it was hugely comforting. I feel like I missed out on so many high school experiences by being Queer, and I felt simultaneously very seen by Patch's experiences, but also like I could live vicariously through her, I'm sure that this mixture would be super valuable to other Queer people who feel this way, I know alot do. The part where everything seemingly falls apart for Patch and she's in a slump was so relatable, I cried when she came out to her Dad, it was such a beautiful moment and it was so incredibly well written.
The only small critique I had, and I'm not sure whether this is a spoiler or not, but the stuff with Abigail's sister didn't make much sense to me. If she's 'not homophobic' and supports her sister, why did she call Patch a Dyke only moments before? Why did Patch coming out make any difference? I loved the redemption arc, but it just felt like an unnatural shift and seemed a little forced. Maybe it was meant to illustrate the paradoxical thinking of alot of homophobes, but I just felt a bit strange and almost forced to me. Maybe it was just Abigail's sudden realisation that she was acting like her parents but I did feel like it broke the immersion for me a bit.
Other than that small thing, I loved Abigail's redemption arc and I would love to see more of her development in the second book (Alice Boyle, if you happen to be reading this, please, please make a second book!). I would love to see Edwin navigate his relationship with Tamika as a transmasc and I am dying to see Patch and Evie just being in love for another 300 pages (or more). Will be passing this book on to all of my friends
The only small critique I had, and I'm not sure whether this is a spoiler or not, but the stuff with Abigail's sister didn't make much sense to me. If she's 'not homophobic' and supports her sister, why did she call Patch a Dyke only moments before? Why did Patch coming out make any difference? I loved the redemption arc, but it just felt like an unnatural shift and seemed a little forced. Maybe it was meant to illustrate the paradoxical thinking of alot of homophobes, but I just felt a bit strange and almost forced to me. Maybe it was just Abigail's sudden realisation that she was acting like her parents but I did feel like it broke the immersion for me a bit.
Other than that small thing, I loved Abigail's redemption arc and I would love to see more of her development in the second book (Alice Boyle, if you happen to be reading this, please, please make a second book!). I would love to see Edwin navigate his relationship with Tamika as a transmasc and I am dying to see Patch and Evie just being in love for another 300 pages (or more). Will be passing this book on to all of my friends
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2022
Dancing Barefoot is an utterly delightful YA novel about friendship, love, self discovery and fitting in. Authentic, richly detailed and genuinely just good fun, I loved every page of this novel and can’t wait to add it to my school library shelf.
Patch just needs to survive high school. And maybe survive the crush she has on popular girl Evie. Since Patch isn’t out to even her best friend Edwin or her family, she’s unlikely to turn her crush into something� more. But life throws all sorts of challenges at Patch. Like having the chance to get to know Evie a little better, having to deal with mean-girl (and Evie’s best friend) Abigail, camp, and changing dynamics at home. It might not all be smooth, but it might just work out exactly as it needs to.
Dancing Barefoot is such an uplifting and yet realistic book. Life is hard for Patch. She is bullied, outed and is trying to be a supportive best friend while also dealing with a lot of changes in her life. She makes mistakes, owns up to them, and faces the challenges with some reluctance. I can relate.
I adored so much about this book. Patch’s family - brother and father - are wonderful. From their music, record shop and Sound of Music obsessions to their love and support of Patch, they made me smile. Edwin is a great best friend and needs lots of Patch’s support as he transitions and deals with all the emotions and feelings that go along with that. He’s not afraid to tell Patch when she needs to be a better friend. I really enjoyed the camp scenes. They reminded me so much of my own high school camp experiences (except for the tent scene. That did not happen on our camp!!).
Dancing Barefoot is such a delightful novel. I can’t wait to share it with my readers.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog
Patch just needs to survive high school. And maybe survive the crush she has on popular girl Evie. Since Patch isn’t out to even her best friend Edwin or her family, she’s unlikely to turn her crush into something� more. But life throws all sorts of challenges at Patch. Like having the chance to get to know Evie a little better, having to deal with mean-girl (and Evie’s best friend) Abigail, camp, and changing dynamics at home. It might not all be smooth, but it might just work out exactly as it needs to.
Dancing Barefoot is such an uplifting and yet realistic book. Life is hard for Patch. She is bullied, outed and is trying to be a supportive best friend while also dealing with a lot of changes in her life. She makes mistakes, owns up to them, and faces the challenges with some reluctance. I can relate.
I adored so much about this book. Patch’s family - brother and father - are wonderful. From their music, record shop and Sound of Music obsessions to their love and support of Patch, they made me smile. Edwin is a great best friend and needs lots of Patch’s support as he transitions and deals with all the emotions and feelings that go along with that. He’s not afraid to tell Patch when she needs to be a better friend. I really enjoyed the camp scenes. They reminded me so much of my own high school camp experiences (except for the tent scene. That did not happen on our camp!!).
Dancing Barefoot is such a delightful novel. I can’t wait to share it with my readers.
The publishers provided an advanced readers copy of this book for reviewing purposes. All opinions are my own.
Find more reviews, reading age guides, content advisory, and recommendations on my blog
January 4, 2025
This was such a great, refreshing YA read. The school experiences felt grounded, the friendship drama was terrifyingly real, and Patch’s troubles were� also terrifyingly real. I liked how this story was hopeful without being saccharine—there have been times where I’ve read queer YA books in school settings that have been� too wish-fulfilment-y that it took me right out of the story. This one wasn’t! And I appreciated it!
The camp segment made me raise my eyebrows, because NO WAY IN HELL would any school let its students hike for 4 days in the wilderness, mostly-unsupervised. Also, the school being incredibly cool about Edwin’s transition was incredibly unrealistic but I can look past that lolololol. BUT I DRAW THE LINE AT UNSUPERVISED CAMPING
I feel like Abigail needed some more time to bake in the character exploration oven, because her pivot from ‘bully� to ‘tentative friend� was a bit quick. I mean, it felt believable to me, but still, up until that point she had like 0.5 good qualities.
Overall I liked this book a lot. I need more Australian voices in the YA market right NEEOOWEWW
The camp segment made me raise my eyebrows, because NO WAY IN HELL would any school let its students hike for 4 days in the wilderness, mostly-unsupervised. Also, the school being incredibly cool about Edwin’s transition was incredibly unrealistic but I can look past that lolololol. BUT I DRAW THE LINE AT UNSUPERVISED CAMPING
I feel like Abigail needed some more time to bake in the character exploration oven, because her pivot from ‘bully� to ‘tentative friend� was a bit quick. I mean, it felt believable to me, but still, up until that point she had like 0.5 good qualities.
Overall I liked this book a lot. I need more Australian voices in the YA market right NEEOOWEWW
September 12, 2022
Well that was as sweet as promised on the cover and blurb (and it kept me up waaaayyyy later than I’d planned tonight because I wanted to know how Patch’s story ended before I went to bed🤣).
Dancing Barefoot is a queer #LoveOzYA novel about first love and finding out who you are. I loved that this was a book where the main characters liked their parents and the parents cared for their teens (and their friends). I liked that the talk between the kids in the story seemed realistic (sometimes a small peev of mine is the way some teens get the Dawson’s Creek vocab makeover in YA fiction).
Patch and Edwin and Evie are loveable and you very quickly become invested in their stories.
Being set in Melbourne, partly right around where I lived in my early uni days, helped me to engage with the story so much too. And when the action moves to camp in The Grampians I could once again picture so vividly all the locations where the characters were hanging out!
This was such a lovely read.
Ps. Is there a playlist for this book? I feel like there needs to be?!
Dancing Barefoot is a queer #LoveOzYA novel about first love and finding out who you are. I loved that this was a book where the main characters liked their parents and the parents cared for their teens (and their friends). I liked that the talk between the kids in the story seemed realistic (sometimes a small peev of mine is the way some teens get the Dawson’s Creek vocab makeover in YA fiction).
Patch and Edwin and Evie are loveable and you very quickly become invested in their stories.
Being set in Melbourne, partly right around where I lived in my early uni days, helped me to engage with the story so much too. And when the action moves to camp in The Grampians I could once again picture so vividly all the locations where the characters were hanging out!
This was such a lovely read.
Ps. Is there a playlist for this book? I feel like there needs to be?!
February 7, 2024
This was just the cutest hecking book??
If you’re looking for a quick, lovely read, I definitely recommend picking this up. I sat down and read it in one sitting (a little over 3 hrs). I couldn’t stop, I didn’t want to stop.
This is a sweet sapphic Aussie YA romcom. Patch is a lesbian, her best friend is trans, her family is utterly lovely if a little unconventional, and she’s on a scholarship in a posh school. Oh and she lived on top of a record store??? What’s not to love.
The romance was tooth-rottingly sweet, honestly. Patch and Evie were absolutely adorable. I loved the way they looked out for each other. I loved their soft moments, thighs touching, fingers brushing, mutual pining nonsense. I loved their little friendship group, too, and the way that even the bully was given depth and understanding and growth.
I LOVE READING BOOKS SET IN MELBOURNE but also they make me feel just a little sad now I no longer live there.
Just. Do yourself a favour and read this book.
If you’re looking for a quick, lovely read, I definitely recommend picking this up. I sat down and read it in one sitting (a little over 3 hrs). I couldn’t stop, I didn’t want to stop.
This is a sweet sapphic Aussie YA romcom. Patch is a lesbian, her best friend is trans, her family is utterly lovely if a little unconventional, and she’s on a scholarship in a posh school. Oh and she lived on top of a record store??? What’s not to love.
The romance was tooth-rottingly sweet, honestly. Patch and Evie were absolutely adorable. I loved the way they looked out for each other. I loved their soft moments, thighs touching, fingers brushing, mutual pining nonsense. I loved their little friendship group, too, and the way that even the bully was given depth and understanding and growth.
I LOVE READING BOOKS SET IN MELBOURNE but also they make me feel just a little sad now I no longer live there.
Just. Do yourself a favour and read this book.
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