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WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU

Sarah Dass

A Caribbean-themed debut YA novel, a heartwarming, fun, frothy, often sexy story about the power of music and first love. It's an ode to the author's mother country and to the music that it gave birth to.
Seventeen-year-old Reyna has spent most of her life at her family's gorgeous seaside resort in Tobago, the Plumeria. But what once seemed like paradise is starting to feel more like purgatory. It's been two years since Reyna's mother passed away, two years since Aiden - her childhood best friend, first kiss, first love, first everything left the island to pursue his music dreams. Reyna's friends are all planning their futures and heading abroad. Even Daddy seems to want to move on, leaving her to try to keep the Plumeria running. And that's when Aiden comes roaring back into her life - as a VIP guest at the resort. Aiden is now one-third of DJ Bacchanal, the latest, hottest music group on the scene. While Reyna has stayed exactly where he left her, Aiden has returned to Tobago with his Grammy-nominated band and two gorgeous LA socialites. And he may (or may not be) dating one of them... The last thing Reyna wants to do is risk her heart again. WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU is a romantic, mesmerizing novel of first love and second chances, set on a Caribbean island and inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion. Sarah Dass was born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago and is a graduate of the University of the West Indies and University College London. When she's not writing, she's thinking about writing, or taking walks with her dachshund. WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU is inspired by Sarah's childhood, spent in a seaside hotel.
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Published 2021-05-11 by Balzer + Bray

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Where the Rhythm Takes You is a literary breath of fresh air! An Austen remix filled with a vibrant cast of characters against the lush backdrop of the small island of Tobago, readers will root for Reyna as she navigates grief, dreams big, and falls in love all to the tune of sweet soca rhythms.

You can (virtually) "Meet the Author" on our site via Sarah's video introduction to her book, and enjoy the cool background music to set the mood. Read more...

WHERE THE RHYTHM TAKES YOU is mentioned in the following roundups: PublishersWeekly.com- Hot off the Presses Roundup Buzzfeed.com- Spring YA Romance Books Roundup BookRiot.com- New YA Spring Book Roundup Buzzfeed.com- "If You Loved This YA Book try this Middle Grade Book" Roundup BookRiot.com- New & Upcoming Jane Austen Retellings Roundup BookRiot.com- 2021 Must-Read YA Romances Roundup TravelAndLeisure.com- Travel-themed Books by Black Authors Roundup Buzzfeed.com- 2021 Contemporary Books Roundup TrinidadExpress.com- Looking Ahead to 2021 Roundup Buzzfeed.com- 2021 Upcoming YA Books

If you love angsty summer romances and stunning tropical locales I suggest picking this one up. Read more...

Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, Dass interweaves the allure of the source material with the warm tropical winds and scents of Tobago. Readers, even those unfamiliar with Austen's work, will appreciate this cast of characters with believable motivations and fleshed-out ideas as they realize what they want and embrace second chances for love and for new adventures. Read more...

Russia: Exmo

An entertaining debut novel, with a gorgeous setting, many wonderful characters, and some touching ideas about duty and passion. This is both a clever homage to Jane Austen and a celebration of Tobagonian life and culture. I've never read a book set on this particular island, and I loved the glimpse given here. This will be a great summer read if you're looking for a sweet, happy romance! Read more...

Reyna still has feelings for the hometown boy who left to become a global pop phenom - but now he's back staying at her family's hotel and nothing will ever be the same... Jane Austen fans will enjoy this reimagining of Persuasion... A love story with classic beats and a unique rhythm. Read more...

What a delightful debut! It's like the perfect island vacation: breezy, warm, romantic, lots of soul searching, and full to the brim with love.

Authors interviewing authors: Sarah Dass by Maika and Maritza Moulite Read more...

Reyna's voice rings clearly from the very first page, painting a beautiful and heart-wrenching picture full of grief, hope, and love. Readers will root Reyna on through it all, wishing for a future for her that's just as beautiful as Tobago. Where the Rhythm Takes You sparkles brightly like the Caribbean Sea. Get ready to dive in!