Out of Step, Into You: A Heartfelt Journey of Yearning and Friendship
As a Black sapphic girly who spent countless sunny days sprinting down the track, I couldn’t resist the pull of Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch. The premise of rekindled friendships and an awakening romance among sophomore cross-country girlies felt like a love letter to my own past, racing alongside friends in search of personal truths and athletic victories. Thanks to the generosity of NetGalley and MacMillan Children’s Publishing Group, I was lucky enough to dive into this heartfelt narrative that beautifully balances the thrill of competition with the tender emotions of young love.
Burch masterfully captures the palpable tension between rivalry and desire from the get-go. The protagonist’s experiences mirror the rush and adrenaline of running, reminiscent of the way we chase after the people we care about. It was as if I was transported back to my youth, where every crush felt like a sprint to the finish line filled with nervous anticipation. The yearning between the characters brought back memories, making my heart race in all the right ways.
What stood out to me were the heartfelt moments of introspection. Burch writes with such an intimate touch; the reflections on past memories and friendships tugged at my heartstrings. I found myself reveling in the cozy familiarity of their hundredth sleepover, where the subtle shift in the atmosphere hinted at something more. One passage that gleamed with emotion was:
“I don’t know why this sleepover feels different… Mari is my friend.”
It’s that tender mix of friendship and slowly blooming romance that gives readers butterflies. And then, there’s that blissful moment when the characters finally lean in, and everything is described as “so, so purple.” As a self-proclaimed biggest purple fan, I couldn’t agree more! Purple encapsulates the softness and lovely complexity of their feelings, making the moment unforgettable.
However, as much as I adored Burch’s exploration of health anxiety and the challenges faced by young Black individuals—like the pressure of taking on parental duties—there were moments when the story felt rushed. The pacing stumbled, particularly in the final chapters. I longed for more depth in certain key emotional moments; it felt as though we were just starting to settle into the characters’ revelations, and then—poof!—it was over. I yearned for a glimpse into their senior year or even into college life. After all the anticipation, we deserved more than ten pages of single paragraphs that left me wanting more.
Additionally, I would have loved to see a deeper exploration of Mari’s relationship with her mother. We got bits and pieces, but the emotional landscape surrounding that dynamic felt unfinished. This was a missed opportunity to explore how familial responsibilities intersect with adolescent identity, something I felt could have added layers to Mari’s character.
All in all, Out of Step, Into You is a charming tale that dances between the lines of friendship and romance, richly woven with relatable themes of identity and growth. I genuinely believe that readers who have ever felt the thrill of competition, the bittersweet pangs of first love, or the complexities of familial relationships will find themselves enchanted by this narrative.
So, if you’re looking for a book that captures the essence of youthful longing and friendship, Ciera Burch’s debut is sure to warm your heart and bring your past crushes back to life. 🏅
