I really liked it!

The Still Point follows a story of Ballet girls and their moms. The competition, the tension.
We have multiple narrators: Bea and her mom Ever, Lindsey (Olive’s mom) and Josie ( Savvy’s mom). There are also more characters and I found it very easy to follow them.

The book is not specifically about the Ballet but more about everyone’s life drama and circumstances. How one’s personal life problems and views can reflect on the decisions and mental problems of the surrounded family and friends.

It was raw and provocative. Competing and problematic. Jealousy can lead to drama, when love, acceptance and gratitude can manifested positive outcomes and future success.

I loved the characters development. I really think anyone would enjoy this book. ( )

The Still Point by Tammy Greenwood

A well written story that made me once again wonder if parents help their children fulfill dreams of or if they push their children to live out the dreams they once had for themselves. As a child, I wanted to take ballet classes but was never allowed to do so. I love attending ballet and have enjoyed stories and movies since childhood that had ballet as the theme. As I began to read, I realized that this was not a book I was willing to invest time in reading word for word. I could not relate to the mothers or their daughters, become invested in the plot, or feel moved. In the end, I read the first part, the end, and skimmed the middle.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC – This is my honest review.

2-3 Stars ( )

Fieldnotes:
Costa de la Luna, California, Contemporary (p.2024)

3 Mothers
3 Daughters
1 Enfant Terrible Ballet Master from Paris
3 Male Dancers
1 Documentary Crew
1 Scholarship to Paris

1 Friendship Betrayal
Backstabbing
Grief
Money Troubles
Burnout
Ambition
Arson

The Short Version:
This isn't really my usual genre, but I was intrigued by the premise centered around ballet (and a documentary around ballet). More about the difficulties the mothers face - the sacrifices, the thwarted ambition and the fraught relationship with ambitious (or not) teenaged daughters than it is about ballet.

I enjoyed this well enough and it would make a great mini-series (with beautiful dancing). Still the tone was mostly more melancholy/serious than I would have liked. ( )

3.5 Stars. Available on February 20, 2024.

I’ve been a fan of this author since I first read Keeping Lucy, which I loved. This book reminds me of Dance Moms in a California setting sprinkled with a Big Little Lies vibe. This book shows the competitive side of ballet, but seriously you could insert any competitive team.

Although well written, I found the storyline fairly predictable. The characters were one sided but played their parts well, highlighting the competitive nature was spot on. While this read didn’t have the drama I’ve come to expect from this author, it was an enjoyable lighter read. I definitely will read this author again.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC. This is my honest opinion. ( )

I love novels that deal with competition. Why? Because I love to read about how back-stabbing everyone can get, from the competitors right down to the teachers and parents. Rest assured, if you like novels of this nature, you are going to love this book! It could have been a tad more back-stabby, but this book kept it all in good taste!

This book deals with a lot of other issues besides the ballet competition for a scholarship; it deals with death, loss, going from a child to an adult, love, and, yes, retribution.

It can bog down in spots, but there is something compelling about this novel that just makes you want to keep reading to see how it ends. There are enough red herrings and surprises to keep even mystery lovers happy.

There is a handy glossary of ballet terms at the back of the book.

*ARC supplied by Kensington Books Publishing, the author, and ATTL/Edelweiss. My thanks.

If you like books about ballet and what goes on behind the scenes, like this novel, may I suggest:Ballerina: A Novel. This book is set in the 1970's so please be aware of the differences of that time period. ( )