Until We Break

By: Matthew Dawkins

Narrated by: Ariel Blake

Length: 8 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Dance like everyone's watching. Because they are.

As the only Black student at her ballet academy, Naomi Morgan knows her feelings of isolation and artistic sacrifice are the price she has to pay in order to win the Youth American Grand Prix, the country’s most prestigious dance competition. Winning means access to a spot in a top ballet school and, ultimately, a place with the New York City Ballet. Nothing else matters.

But when Naomi’s dance instructor assigns her Odette’s variation from Swan Lake, Naomi’s world begins to fall apart. She doesn’t think she can dance the part—and her doubts become the loudest voice in her head. Her best friend, Jessica, used to be her sounding board, her support, her costar—and even though Jessica died in a freak car accident, Naomi still sees and hears her everywhere.

She’s been burying her grief by focusing on her dancing. But when an injury steals that refuge, Naomi’s mental health deteriorates, and she starts to seek answers outside of her carefully constructed reality. Then one night, she meets Saint, a street artist, and he opens up an entirely new world for her. A world that’s not connected to dance.

Saint spends his nights creating brilliant and beautiful messages of social change that the world needs to hear. In their sleepy California town, he wants to mix it up—to force the world to see him as he is—he’s got a voice and isn’t afraid to use it. Even if his family life is tough. Even if the same avenues that are open to Naomi are not open to him.

Together they both learn that there’s no one right way to be in the world. For Naomi, this means that maybe dance isn’t the only choice for her. Maybe her voice can be louder off stage and she can shine in a different kind of spotlight. Maybe she and Saint will shine together and everything will be different in the best possible way.

©2022 Matthew Dawkins (P)2022 Audible, Inc.

Well done.

From a dancers perspective you can feel the pain of of tending to your injuries, dancing through the pain, escaping from life into the world of dance and the fight for perfection professionally and personally. From someone who has experienced deep grief the author captures the agony, the anger, the journey, the healing to live again. The story captures life on several levels ending with the reconstruction and renewal of life as we rise again.

What a performance!

Act 1 was rough as Naomi struggles with the devastating grief of losing her best friend Jessica. As a teenager I lost my dad, so it was fascinating at how accurately the feelings were described. The appearance of Jessica in chapter two was weird, then I realized it was a projection since Naomi wasn’t ready to say goodbye.
Act 2: Injured but a ton of fun adventures with Saint. Poor Saint is struggling with his own problems too.
Act 3: felt like redemption, finding new friendships and balance. Freedom through truth.
Such a bohemian journey - well done!