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The Ballerina Academy #4
The Kicker and the New Girl
He's just trying to survive. He never thought she would be the one who would understand.
Cora
We're starting over. Mom and Dad think the best way for me to move on from the death of Ben is to move to Oakwood. There, we can spend time with Mom's late best friend's family and open a new bakery.
And I'm okay with that. After all, I get to dance and in Oakwood where no one knows me, which means there are no pity stares and silent whispers.
Austin
The world feels as if it's stopped turning ever since Mom died. Dad's colder than usual and all I want to do is forget the pain that is coursing through my body. Kendall was the only one who was there for me when Mom died and she's the one person I can't seem to let go. Even if Dad thinks she's bad for me, she's the only one who helps me feel grounded in my memories.
Then I meet Cora.
Our mom's were best friends. They always wanted us to eventually date. Now that she's here and Dad trusts her, she might be the key to my happiness. So we agree to fake date. Dad will get off my back and her parents will stop pity hugging her.
It's a win/win situation.
Until it's not. Until I can't get her out of my mind.
Until all I want is this fake relationship to be real.
A sweet story of broken hearts and broken spirits who finally find peace and happiness with another.
Cora
We're starting over. Mom and Dad think the best way for me to move on from the death of Ben is to move to Oakwood. There, we can spend time with Mom's late best friend's family and open a new bakery.
And I'm okay with that. After all, I get to dance and in Oakwood where no one knows me, which means there are no pity stares and silent whispers.
Austin
The world feels as if it's stopped turning ever since Mom died. Dad's colder than usual and all I want to do is forget the pain that is coursing through my body. Kendall was the only one who was there for me when Mom died and she's the one person I can't seem to let go. Even if Dad thinks she's bad for me, she's the only one who helps me feel grounded in my memories.
Then I meet Cora.
Our mom's were best friends. They always wanted us to eventually date. Now that she's here and Dad trusts her, she might be the key to my happiness. So we agree to fake date. Dad will get off my back and her parents will stop pity hugging her.
It's a win/win situation.
Until it's not. Until I can't get her out of my mind.
Until all I want is this fake relationship to be real.
A sweet story of broken hearts and broken spirits who finally find peace and happiness with another.
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2021
156 people are currently reading
1859 people want to read
About the author
Anne-Marie Meyer
102 books3,557 followersAnne-Marie Meyer is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives south of the Twin Cities in MN. She spends her days with her knight in shining armor, four princes, and a baby princess.
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
When she's not running after her kids, she's dreaming up romantic stories. She loves to take her favorite moments in the books and movies she loves and tries to figure out a way to make them new and fresh.
Join her newsletter at anne-mariemeyer.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 1, 2025
3⭐️ this book was okay wasn’t special to me, but the special edition cover was absolutely gorgeous and i actually started crying at one point lol. i felt like the book was so short, tbh to short
~favorite quotes~
“She was my sunshine. My bright light at the end of the tunnel.” {page 222}
~favorite quotes~
“She was my sunshine. My bright light at the end of the tunnel.” {page 222}
March 17, 2021
Forced to be friends by their parents Cora and Austin seem to have very little in common but they are both going through their own pain. Austin is lashing out struggling to stop his world from spinning out of control and now his mother's best friend's daughter has come crashing into his life but when they see a possibility to get their parents off their backs they fake date but will the fake dating lead to more or will Austin see it to late and ruin his chance. This is a sweet read about two broken hearts working to mend themselves back together and finding something more on their journey. Absolutely loved it!!
Voluntarily read and reviewed an arc of this book.
Voluntarily read and reviewed an arc of this book.
January 9, 2026
My favourite so far. I just want to give Austin a hug 🥺
June 5, 2022
I SOBBED
I cried through half the book. I loved how sweet it was that they took eachother out of their misery. BUT how could Austin not see that he was hurting Cora by agreeing to everything Kendall said throughout the whole book? Like he knew he was attracted to Cora but he still went on that double date and then hurt her afterwards. I guess that he was hurt too in many ways so that's why he did it but it was still not the right decision, to break up with her I mean. His dad didn't do a good job either. But Cora's parents were so sweet and loving and her mom helped Austin get Cora back. I bonded with the characters through the
book and I related to Olivia SM. Even though she's, too, gonna find a boyfriend in the next book. Ive actually grown attached to this series. I started it for fun and I didnt think I would finish it but I actually loved the books and I can't wait for the last one
I cried through half the book. I loved how sweet it was that they took eachother out of their misery. BUT how could Austin not see that he was hurting Cora by agreeing to everything Kendall said throughout the whole book? Like he knew he was attracted to Cora but he still went on that double date and then hurt her afterwards. I guess that he was hurt too in many ways so that's why he did it but it was still not the right decision, to break up with her I mean. His dad didn't do a good job either. But Cora's parents were so sweet and loving and her mom helped Austin get Cora back. I bonded with the characters through the
book and I related to Olivia SM. Even though she's, too, gonna find a boyfriend in the next book. Ive actually grown attached to this series. I started it for fun and I didnt think I would finish it but I actually loved the books and I can't wait for the last one
September 24, 2024
This one was very emotional in the best way! I loved how Cora and Austin came together because of their family ties. Almost as if it was destined to happen. This was a very cute story. I can't wait to read the next book!
April 8, 2025
3.25 Stars!
August 7, 2025
Out of the entire series, this one was my fave. It talked about grief in losing loved ones. ❤️🩹
August 28, 2025
Ahhhhh!!!! They're so cute and Cora was literally the greenest flag ever like oh my gosh I loved her so much. Austin was a little too emotional for me in the beginning but the growth was well written.
There were some aspects that I feel could've been elaborated more or gone into more depth.
But anyways ssh this was my fav in the series so far.
3.5 stars
There were some aspects that I feel could've been elaborated more or gone into more depth.
But anyways ssh this was my fav in the series so far.
3.5 stars
April 26, 2021
Great YA book!
This was a fun, sweet YA book. It seemed a little shorter than the others in the series but maybe I’m mistaken. Cora is the female protagonist in this story, Austin is the male protagonist. Cora lost her boyfriend, a drunk driver hit him. Austin lost his mother to cancer. Their mothers were best friends growing up. Austin always found a way out of spending time with Cora and her mother when they came to visit. They each heard lots of stories about each other from their mothers and the mothers always hoped their children would grow up, fall in love, and get married. Austin has eyes for someone else though. They hatch a fake boyfriend/girlfriend plan and it all tumbles from there.
I really enjoyed the story. Some of it was a bit predictable (such as a flour fight while baking) but it was still very enjoyable and once I really got going, I had a hard time putting the book down. 5 stars for it being really enjoyable.
This was a fun, sweet YA book. It seemed a little shorter than the others in the series but maybe I’m mistaken. Cora is the female protagonist in this story, Austin is the male protagonist. Cora lost her boyfriend, a drunk driver hit him. Austin lost his mother to cancer. Their mothers were best friends growing up. Austin always found a way out of spending time with Cora and her mother when they came to visit. They each heard lots of stories about each other from their mothers and the mothers always hoped their children would grow up, fall in love, and get married. Austin has eyes for someone else though. They hatch a fake boyfriend/girlfriend plan and it all tumbles from there.
I really enjoyed the story. Some of it was a bit predictable (such as a flour fight while baking) but it was still very enjoyable and once I really got going, I had a hard time putting the book down. 5 stars for it being really enjoyable.
March 20, 2021
This one really tugged at my heartstrings.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is always hard, and everyone deals with grief in their own way. While Goody Two-shoes Cora mostly hides her broken heart and pastes on a smile to make those around her feel better, Austin cultivates a bad-boy image by breaking rules and pretending not to care.
Although it was easy for me to fall in like with Cora, it took a bit longer for me to warm up to Austin and his rebellious behaviour. But I enjoyed their not-so-cunning fake-dating plan, and it was fun to see these two opposites become reluctant friends and finally more.
Despite once again tackling serious issues, this story features the trademark humor and swoon-worthy kisses that I love about this series.
Unlike in the other books of the series I've read so far, the ballerinas - and dance in general - played a rather minor part in this story, and I would have liked to spend more time at the academy.
Dealing with the loss of a loved one is always hard, and everyone deals with grief in their own way. While Goody Two-shoes Cora mostly hides her broken heart and pastes on a smile to make those around her feel better, Austin cultivates a bad-boy image by breaking rules and pretending not to care.
Although it was easy for me to fall in like with Cora, it took a bit longer for me to warm up to Austin and his rebellious behaviour. But I enjoyed their not-so-cunning fake-dating plan, and it was fun to see these two opposites become reluctant friends and finally more.
Despite once again tackling serious issues, this story features the trademark humor and swoon-worthy kisses that I love about this series.
Unlike in the other books of the series I've read so far, the ballerinas - and dance in general - played a rather minor part in this story, and I would have liked to spend more time at the academy.
March 17, 2021
Anne-Marie Meyer was a new author to me when I started the Ballerina Academy series but Maggie Dallen has been one of my favorite authors of YA stories and this book is another example. The tale of two seniors in the depths of grief: Austin has lost his mother to cancer and is acting out challenging his father who is the football coach while Cora, a nerdy goody-two-shoes, has lost Ben, her only friend since the 'sandbox' and has frozen a smile on her face as her reaction to his death. When Cora's family moves to town and enroll her in the ballet school her mother attended, Austin needs to rebel against the fact that their moms were best friends and always felt their two only children would one day marry! This is a great setup for the tear-jerk situations that Dallen sprinkles with grin-inducing puns! You'll love reading this book to the perfect ending.
March 22, 2021
Even tho their moms had been best friends, Cora and Austin never met and only knew of each other when their respective moms would talk about them. Then when tragedy struck both of them, Cora's family moved back to her mom's hometown where Austin lived. While they didn't hit it off right away, they did realize that they could help each other out by "fake dating", only things got worse when feelings got involved! Great read on how teens handle the loss of a loved one and their feelings! Highly recommend!
January 6, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐
💜 The Ballerina Academy
🖤 High school romance
💜 Clean/no spice
🖤 Loss Trauma
Cora and Austin are both healing from loss. Austin had a girl that he felt was the one for him after she was there for him after his mom passed away, until Cora comes into his life and makes him feel things different. Cora’s family moved to give her a fresh start while she is dealing with her loss. Great book loved it!!!
💜 The Ballerina Academy
🖤 High school romance
💜 Clean/no spice
🖤 Loss Trauma
Cora and Austin are both healing from loss. Austin had a girl that he felt was the one for him after she was there for him after his mom passed away, until Cora comes into his life and makes him feel things different. Cora’s family moved to give her a fresh start while she is dealing with her loss. Great book loved it!!!
June 21, 2025
Oof… these two are perfect for each other once they got out of their own way. This book had more emotional backstory than the others, but it was still well done and age-appropriate for our characters.
🩰YA Romance
🩰Football Players and Ballerinas
🩰High School Setting
🤬No Explicit Language
🌶️No Spice (Kissing is as far as it gets)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The book was cute, fun, sweet, enjoyable. A solid read. Would read again at some point.
🩰YA Romance
🩰Football Players and Ballerinas
🩰High School Setting
🤬No Explicit Language
🌶️No Spice (Kissing is as far as it gets)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The book was cute, fun, sweet, enjoyable. A solid read. Would read again at some point.
March 28, 2021
A sweet and emotional read
Cora and Austin pulled at my heart more than any other couple in this series. There was all the emotion from dealing with loss and the angst of will they or won’t they. It was well written and conveyed a lot for a book it’s length. I loved their story and I can’t wait for the next one! Can’t believe it will be the last for this series.
Cora and Austin pulled at my heart more than any other couple in this series. There was all the emotion from dealing with loss and the angst of will they or won’t they. It was well written and conveyed a lot for a book it’s length. I loved their story and I can’t wait for the next one! Can’t believe it will be the last for this series.
June 16, 2021
**Spoilers splash 💦 through out***
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
I’m not sure what I want to say when it comes to this book.
All I can say is that... it was good. I felt that, the Kendall girl wasn’t worth Austin time. She shown him her true colors when he heard what she said when he mentioned his mom. Plus you can see that she was using him for the pain and she knew that he was hurting so she use him for her own pleasure. But once she saw he left the party with someone else she tried to pretend she wanted him and tried to claim him and talked down on Cora...
But Austin wasn’t having it. Also; his father also made it bad for him too. Because he steady put his son down every chance that he got. Regardless of what his son did he had something to say.
Not only that I was glad when they fixed their problems by going to therapy. & Austin and Cora fixing their relationship.
I also can’t wait to read Olivia and Derek book too.
https://ladiikeiii.wordpress.com/2021...
I’m not sure what I want to say when it comes to this book.
All I can say is that... it was good. I felt that, the Kendall girl wasn’t worth Austin time. She shown him her true colors when he heard what she said when he mentioned his mom. Plus you can see that she was using him for the pain and she knew that he was hurting so she use him for her own pleasure. But once she saw he left the party with someone else she tried to pretend she wanted him and tried to claim him and talked down on Cora...
But Austin wasn’t having it. Also; his father also made it bad for him too. Because he steady put his son down every chance that he got. Regardless of what his son did he had something to say.
Not only that I was glad when they fixed their problems by going to therapy. & Austin and Cora fixing their relationship.
I also can’t wait to read Olivia and Derek book too.
August 31, 2021
A very unique story
Oh, okay…I really liked this one. I feel like a broken record with this series, but I honestly like each book better than the last. This was definitely a new story. I’ve never read one like it. Is it bad that I’m already getting sad that I’m getting closer to the end of this cute series?
Oh, okay…I really liked this one. I feel like a broken record with this series, but I honestly like each book better than the last. This was definitely a new story. I’ve never read one like it. Is it bad that I’m already getting sad that I’m getting closer to the end of this cute series?
November 18, 2022
Sweet High School Romance
Second chances rock! Can you broken people find a way to heal the broken pieces of their hearts and find love again? Cora is a dancer who lost a dear friend. Austin lost his mom. Throw in moms as best friends, and the matchmaking all growing up, even if long distance, and see if the sparks fly. Happy Reading!
Second chances rock! Can you broken people find a way to heal the broken pieces of their hearts and find love again? Cora is a dancer who lost a dear friend. Austin lost his mom. Throw in moms as best friends, and the matchmaking all growing up, even if long distance, and see if the sparks fly. Happy Reading!
April 28, 2023
If you like book tropes that has
- YA Contemporary
- sports romance
- fake dating
- strangers to friends to lovers
- grief process
- dysfunctional families
Then this is a book for you! Be warned I rated it 3 stars purely down to the writing style it should have been written better Cora and Austin derved this. My opinions are my own Thanks.
- YA Contemporary
- sports romance
- fake dating
- strangers to friends to lovers
- grief process
- dysfunctional families
Then this is a book for you! Be warned I rated it 3 stars purely down to the writing style it should have been written better Cora and Austin derved this. My opinions are my own Thanks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2021
Awesome book
This book was heartbreakingly and emotionally charged. Poor Austin and Cora going through so much at such a young age is hard and horrible. I’m glad they found each other.
This book was heartbreakingly and emotionally charged. Poor Austin and Cora going through so much at such a young age is hard and horrible. I’m glad they found each other.
March 26, 2021
Austin and Cora have both lost someone but express their grief in different ways. Loved the matchmaking parents and the funny way Austin and Cora handled it. They are both hurting and have more than one connection that brings them together. Encouraged that a book would bring parents and their children together rather than portray the parents as dumb or clueless. Liked catching up with the previous ballerinas and their football boyfriends. Olivia's book looks interesting. Sweet romance.
August 1, 2021
Recommend!
I love Cora and Austin’s story! Grief can take us places we never though we would go. I love that they were both grieving and helped each other heal as they fell in love. Sweet story!
I love Cora and Austin’s story! Grief can take us places we never though we would go. I love that they were both grieving and helped each other heal as they fell in love. Sweet story!
September 19, 2025
3.5 - good continuation of the series (although each story is it's own standalone if you don't care about hearing about other couples that 'made it' from other books). This one did have a little more character depth because of the losses they experienced prior to the book.
March 24, 2021
A good clean YA romance dealing with young love and grief. I highly recommend it.
April 6, 2023
I wasn't a fan of Austin about 75% of the book. It made it hard to enjoy the story in general.
October 5, 2024
Cute YA
February 10, 2025
2.5 ⭐
July 18, 2025
cute and pure series
September 26, 2025
It made me 😢!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews