I am so grateful to have been able to get an advanced reader copy of this book. It was amazing and I loved it so much. The characters in this book are so well developed I think that everyone should read it.

I didn’t vibe with the characters at all. Though it was a surprise that it wasn’t your typical mills and boon book. I didn’t vibe but the author tells a good tale. I hope she writes more. The protagonist is unraveling but simultaneously winning. This actually is a really good story, having no spatial awareness and the inability to stand on one leg, the protagonist being a ballet dancer is something to be admired.

First position's author is from the ballet work so it was nice to read with the right terminology from someone who knows the industry. It follows 2 main characters who start at a ballet company on the same day. It has chapters from both of their view points and from different times too so it gives the back story to main plot lines. The story covers a lot of issues that the characters have do deal with such as weight and eating disorders, sex, grooming and drugs. It didn't become too far fetched that it became unbelievable but it kept me interested. There were mature themes from the start so not suitable for younger readers.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Sylvie has been dancing with her company for years, but after once being heralded as the next big star, she's still dancing with the soloists rather than as a prima. After a major scandal, she vows never to get involved again, but when a guest dancer joins the company for a season, she finds herself drawn to him in a way she can't ignore. I always seek out books about ballet, it's my favourite weird niche sub genre, and this definitely didn't disappoint! Part romance, part psychological character study, it's difficult to categorise this one. I will admit that from the initial tagline that I heard, I thought this was a straight thriller, so went into it a little confused when things were getting steamy on page 20 but if you push through that, there's so much more to this story. It's a tale of obsession and exploitation, as well as the pressures put on young women going into the ballet industry to be better than their peers. How do you make friends in an industry where you're constantly competing with everyone around you? I also very much appreciated a book about ballet written by a professional dancer. Even from my limited knowledge of dance, I can always spot an author who isn't a part of the world. Melanie Hamrick though, has been a dancer/choreographer for over 15 years and you can tell in her prose, how she describes specific movements, but also the passion behind being a professional dancer. I hope she continues to write novels about dance.

This book has the enticing and brutal world of ballet and it’s dark secrets, with intense characters and a passionate relationship that could make or break the main character. A seductive, unputdownable and dramatic debut that will leave you feeling raw.