This book took me by surprise. After seeing it on my recommendations list for a long time, I finally decided to read it, and I am glad that I did.

Ed is a retired semi-pro football player, who was severely injured in a game. He is struggling to accept his injury and incorporate it into his life. He volunteers at a community center where he butts heads with Laurie, a retired dancer, who is a aerobic dance instructor there. Laurie has also given up something important in his life and is trying to build his life around that empty space. One of them finally decides to curb their frustrations and try a different approach with the other, and suddenly, both of their worlds are changed.

The thing that really stood out for me was how Ed’s disability was handled, and I know what I am talking about because I had a similar injury. His frustrations, fears and pains were very realistically portrayed, showing his anger and sorrow at not being able to do the everyday things that he wanted to do. The process of mourning for what-could-have-been was handled so very well I couldn’t help but hurt for him at the same time I was cheering for him.

Laurie was a delightful character to read. His caring and compassion for Ed really stood out, even when he had to struggle with his own losses and a mother who kept pushing for something Laurie was afraid to do.

I loved how dance was able to help heal the parts in both characters than longed for something else. Both of them were both mourning in their own ways what they had lost in their lives, and I loved how both of them tried to help the other discover what was still in their lives and to push the other to grab for it with both hands.