How to Dance

Debut author Dutton, who has cerebral palsy, draws inspiration from his own life in this thoughtful portrait of how disability can affect dating. Nick Freeman, whose cerebral palsy makes it hard to walk without assistive devices, may not be the most sure-footed person on the dance floor, but he’s one heck of a karaoke singer in the Columbus, Ohio, bar where he holds court every Friday. After a recent breakup, he’s taken a blow to his self-confidence and all but given up on love, but that doesn’t stop him from seeking out one-night stands. Hayley Burke is a transplant from Indiana, having recently relocated with her boyfriend, Kevin; both have dreams of dancing professionally. When they meet at the bar, Nick is immediately attracted to Hayley’s warm energy and utter lack of guile (and recognizes Kevin as a jerk), but he’s convinced that she would never seriously consider a romance with him and throws obstacles into his own path. Dutton empathetically chronicles the ways in which well-meaning able-bodied people can unwittingly make life harder for those who are disabled. Readers will root for Hayley and Nick through thick and thin, and a robust supporting cast (especially Nick’s best friends’ daughter, three-year-old Rosie, who steals every scene she’s in) add even more charm to the well-crafted plot. The result is a refreshing and romantic treat. Agent: Leslie Zampetti, Odom Media. (Feb.)