The only thing a heartbroken former ballerina can do is start over.
When a career-ending injury and a messy breakup send prima ballerina Daniela Verdi back to Queens, New York, she fills her days with countless distractions: meaningless sex, pinot grigio, and video games.
It takes a chance meeting with her brother’s best friend, Vincent LaBate, for her to remember who she was before the stage lights and distractions of the Upper West Side. She’s convinced that Vincent could never love a girl like her: broken, insecure, and stumbling her way through life. What Daniela didn’t count on is that Vincent is as scarred as she is after divorcing his cheating wife and going through an equally messy child custody fight. Soon enough, old vulnerabilities rear their ugly heads, opening a crack in Daniela’s perfectly imperfect romance.
As Daniela and Vincent’s relationship develops, will Daniela learn to accept that a dream life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?
★★★★★
goodreads review
This delightful and at times bitter-sweet romance was quite the gem! I found the heroine, Daniela, to be relatable, very likable, and the funnest kind of “messy.” This novel was truly a page-turner, and I devoured it in a few days.
★★★★
amazon review
Corsini masterfully portrays Daniela’s journey toward self-acceptance and growth. The author skillfully intertwines their individual struggles, allowing their shared experiences to bring them closer together. The narrative shines a light on the theme of self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of facing one’s fears and embracing vulnerability. As Daniela and Vincent’s relationship develops, the story explores how they support and heal each other, ultimately leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of themselves.
★★★★★
goodreads review
A book about ballet, NYC, and a whole lot of romance already had me hooked, and I absolutely loved reading ‘Sushi and Sea Lions’. It’s an uplifting read with an original premise – the combination of a ballet dancer struggling to cope with the end of her career and the new sense of identity that comes with that, while also trying to find a meaningful relationship, was excellent.
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