What?” Then I remember that I had laughed out loud. Like a crazy person. “Oh, that. No. Nothing is funny.” I push through the outer stage doors and begin my walk of shame up the grand, red velvet aisle of the empty theater. There’s not a lot here that you can’t find in other ballet books of this sort and a lot of them are better written, but this one gets points for pacing and likable characters. Sylvie and Jocelyn have their own chapters where they tell their story to the reader on their own terms. Both describe their perceptions of their past and present – starting with when they first entered the NAB. It is never confusing and instead highlights the tragedy of what Sylvie went through. The pacing is consistently a medium pace that only slowed down on a few brief occasions, making this book a pleasant read in terms of pace.

First Position – HarperCollins Publishers UK

After finishing this novel, I can report that it's pretty good. It's fine, but it does not leave up to the potential of this subgenre. So, so edgy, so different, with a constant undercurrent of tension whether on the stage or in the bedroom... Raw and addictive. I loved it.' And this book DID leave me wanting to jeté, alright.... but rather than a grand and graceful leap, I just wanted to jeté on OUT of there. 🩰I don’t know about my fellow readers, but I rarely read a book featuring a ballerina or dance as a sport. Honestly, I can only think of a handful yet this latest release from Berkley is hoping to change the conversation. L’Wren took her own life less than a month later, reportedly because of debts and business difficulties. This is probably one of the best representations of ballet and the ballet world I have read in a fiction book.'

First Position: A brand-new spicy summer romance of forbidden First Position: A brand-new spicy summer romance of forbidden

What I didn't expect, however, was the aforementioned overabundance of spicy sexual scenes that took up SO much of the book that I often had a hard time remembering what else in the plot was supposed to be relevant. Between this and Sylvie's constant drug abuse (often for no reason at all) I got pretty frustrated trying to stay invested in her journey. The dialogue also at times felt very clunky and fake... one such scene had the 'alluring' older man watching Sylvie and best frenemy Jocelyn and urging them: "Have fun, girls-do not forget to have fun! For god's sake, you're on drugs!" There was a lot of sex and also drug abuse and also how an artist abuse their body and soul. A lot of competitiveness. Some of the sex was steamy, some was on the cringeworthy side. Specifically - I wanted more detail from the ending regarding the relationship going forward of Sylvie and Jocelyn, as ultimately that relationship and what happens to and between these two girls, who become women in this story, is what we’re really reading about. Also there was a character I really wanted to dig deeper into who was very important to the story, and I felt this could have been teased out more. When I dance I feel like a vessel. I don’t experience hunger or thirst. Pain and exhaustion take on a different sort of tolerable life. Carnal desire is set aside from the dance itself. The hands on you don’t feel the same as they would off the stage. But tonight, it is something different. I am deeply aware of the heat from his body as it touches my skin … I am unable to feel nothing.”

Jocelyn joins the North American Ballet Company at the same time as Sylvie. She is a much different dancer, though – not blond or classically trained from when she could walk. Jocelyn's talent shows through her ability to emote rather than her unfailing technique. Sometimes rivals with Sylvie, and sometimes friends; she is always present in Sylvie's life. I adore books involving dance and female athletes. So many of my favourite books fall within this niche subgenre. So I was incredibly eager to read this new release.

Marriage not on the cards for Mick Jagger as partner reveals

Well, I don’t know—how am I supposed to read that? In my head? Whose head should I be in?” He doesn’t answer before I rail on. “Maybe it’s just that she hates me, and it’s really that simple.” At first his eyes stay on the stage, even as he turns his head toward me, and then with a slow blink, he looks me in the eye. What an interesting romance, making us witness the life of a few ballerinas through the years. Brutality and rigorous regime required to bring such a beautiful performance on stage. So edgy, so different, with a constant undercurrent of tension whether on the stage or in the bedroom... Raw and addictive. I loved it.'I also loved the theme of friendship and how redemption can be found in your love for others. I could see that in her relationship with Jocelyn and Alessandro. By building them up, she inevitably finds the courage to be the dancer she was always supposed to be. There are often more rivalries than friendships in art as competitive as ballet, so when you find these true friends – it's essential to hold on to them and treat them like the unique jewel they are. She did not tell you that you don’t have passion. Not at all. And neither did I, by the way.” He remains expressionless. “She said you’re in your head. This is not a damning insult.” I’m surviving instead of breathing. I’m waiting for something, but what would it take for me to live again?’ So edgy, so different, with a constant undercurrent of tension whether on the stage or in the bedroom… Raw and addictive. I loved it.’

First Position by Melanie Hamrick | Goodreads First Position by Melanie Hamrick | Goodreads

The pacing was slow and dragging, but the conclusion was well crafted. Nevertheless, I still had a hard time getting into the main story and connecting with any of the characters, which is why I decided to give a flat, uneventful, solid three stars. I wish I had enjoyed the book more than its alluring cover!Coupled with that pretty cover, this would be a great beach read for this summer. Whether you’re headed on vacation or just headed outside on a walk, First Position is worth adding to your summer TBR. All I can say is that I really enjoyed it. I listened to it in one day. The narration was done really well. I loved both narrators. One was vulnerable, one was bitchy and ambitious. I loved it. Jocelyn’s POV was mainly in the past. Sylvie, we get past and present. While the characters were fascinating, they author could have gone even deeper, especially when it comes to how to resolve the ending.