A wonderful book for ballet lovers everywhere. Set in London in the 1930's in the midst of the ballet greats, this story is well written, atmospheric and beautifully descriptive, leaving the reader feeling they were right there in the theatre with the twins. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Wow! Before I began this novel I was wary because of the Black Swan mentioned in the tagline – I adored the dance sequences but struggled with elements of the plot but my fears were unfounded. It is much more than that film and encapsulates more of the obsession and glamour of the much adored The Red Shoes.

The first unnerving scene hooked me in and set up the suspense that would run through the novel building up at the plot was revealed. Without the knowledge of what was to come, the first few chapters could easily have lulled me into the idea this would be a tale of two sisters, identical to look at but different in personality and drive finding their way in a world where the corps de ballet demand everyone to be the same yet they long to find their own individual paths. (This still would have made a strong book) Knowing danger was lurking, made me suspicious of everyone from the off, adding to the thrill of the read.

Told in multiple POVs, the characters of Clara and Olivia, Samuel and Nathan are introduced. Each have depth, their own backstory and voice. The twins’ complex relationship entwined in their loyalty to each other, and love of the dance was a fascinating read as they begin long to be seen in their own right.
With a complicated childhood, it brought home the attitudes of the day, and added to the depth of character.

There is a strong sense of place and time making this story immersive, adding to the tension and connection to the twins. It was the small details that made this book exquisite, thanks to intensive research and insider
knowledge. Who knew there was an actual well, inside the theatre and the consequential superstitions surrounding it. The studios, and dressing rooms and Freed’s shop came alive on the page with the sounds, smells and touch described. I’ve been reading a lot of non-fiction books on the history of ballet, and it was an
added joy to see names and places set in context with an added layer of realism. The rabbit warren of rooms in the theatre and foggy nights in the streets of London, were perfect locations for tension and sinister goings on.

It was Samuel, the ballet shoemaker who captured my imagination. Again, he was complex, and through his eyes I was unable to grasp his true self, so I never knew whether to feel guilty for liking his scenes or not. Like the theatre, the descriptions of the inner workings of the workshop and shop, were immersive. I longed to know more of this world and could easily imagine another book based in the shop with the comings and goings of the customers and gossip between staff.

The tension builds up when obsessions revealed, and danger comes out of the shadows. With highly visual cinematic scenes, complex personalities, and dangerous obsession blended in the immersive world of ballet, this book was a hit for me and left me with a book hangover. A physical copy is needed for my forever shelr.

It’s ideal for those who love The Red Shoes, ballet, suspense and books like Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger.

Combining some of my favourite things - historical novels and ballet - this book sees identical twin ballerinas Clara and Olivia Marionetta, dancing at the Vic-Wells Ballet at Sadlers Wells in the 1930s. We start with a man wheeling a woman in a chair - but who are they? Then back to the beginning of the story, and you see Samuel the pointe shoe maker apprentice who adores Olivia, and Nathan the company pianist who is dating Clara… so which man did we see at the beginning? Which sister in the chair? It builds and builds to a crescendo, and kept me turning the pages quickly. Strongly recommend!

I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

As someone who has always loved anything about the ballet this was an ideal book for me.
Clara & Olivia is the debut novel by Lucy Ashe who trained at the Royal Ballet School. This is the story of twins, Clara and Olivia who are in the corps de ballet of the Sadlers Wells Ballet Company in 1933. There is a mixture of reality and fiction involved with a lot of the real company dancers of that time including Ninette de Valois who set up the Sadlers Wells Ballet School and a very small cameo by a very young Margot Fonteyn, mixed with the fictional twins and the two men intertwined with their lives.
It is a story full of intrigue and suspense and will be enjoyed by anyone who is interested in the goings on behind the scenes of a ballet company outlining the dedication and hard work ethic of the dancers and others involved in the production of a ballet.

A dark, lyrical and riveting tale of obsession as we follow the story of twin ballerinas Clara and Olivia as they prepare to perform Coppélia.

With immersive storytelling, Ashe leads us into the origins of British Ballet companies during the 1930s, capturing the magic and thrill of the stage.

While refusing to shy away from ballet's darker side, the author explores themes of mental health and physical strain which is handled with sensitivity alongside respecting the historical accuracy of the grim days of the early 20th century.

Ashe's prose is confident and compelling, with the sibling dynamic between Clara and Olivia being written to perfection. Identity, love and jealousy are all tackled with in turn along with the possibility that these may strengthen or crush the relationship.

A debut not to be missed, I eagerly look forward to seeing what Lucy Ashe writes next.

Thank you to @oneworldpublications and @netgalley for allowing me to read an early copy of this book.

You know sometimes you just see a book and you instinctively know you’ll love it? Well, Clara and Olivia was that book for me and I was right I did love it! I would go as far as to say I adored everything about it, This book is just captivating. I loved the dark and gothic atmosphere of this historical story set against the mystical and magical backdrop of the ballet, Honestly, the story and character development are some of the best I’ve read giving the story so much depth and as a reader it was a real pleasure to be able to get so immersed in both. I want to say so much more but I really don’t want to spoil anything for other readers so all I’ll add is that this book is a great way to start 2023 and is definitely on my list of best reads.

📚 #NetGalley ARC review 📚

Title: Clara & Olivia
Author: Lucy Ashe
Release date: 02/02/23

Thanks to NetGalley and Oneworld Publications for the chance to read this ARC ahead of its release later this year.

I started reading this book and just tumbled headfirst into the ballet world, the author's own experience of this life providing a real air of authenticity. The descriptions of shoes, costumes, classes and movements just paint a perfect picture, although I suppose this might depend on your personal experience with ballet - I had lessons as a child, and enjoy watching it still, so I already knew about things like pointe shoes, sewing ribbons on and such. If you've no such prior knowledge and are just here to read a thriller then you might find yourself confused (although there is a glossary of ballet terms included at the beginning to help out).

The world of the theatre feels lavish but also a little claustrophobic, full of bodies, always busy and moving, people having to find space around one another. This sense of pressure reflects the pressure on the dancers to be perfect, to compete, to always train harder and aim higher. Throw in an obsessed fan and a controlling boyfriend and it's the perfect recipe for disaster.

Many of the characters aren't actually characters, they were real people from the English ballet scene of the 1930s, and although most of them remain as background scenery, they all play important roles. The four main characters, whose POVs we alternate between, are fictional but are so well-written that I would have believed you if you'd told me otherwise. All of them have flaws of one kind or another, and its the weaving of these into their actions and motivations that make the story so captivating.

I really enjoyed Clara & Olivia - I read it in two sittings because I just couldn't wait to find out what happened, how things got to the stage they were in the dramatic prologue. Although I figured out the reasoning before it was revealed, it was still exciting to see it unfold. Beautifully written, and highly recommended!

4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Identical twins Clara and Olivia are part of the Sadlers Wells ballet troup as we follow their journey through the ups and downs of this world alternating between their different viewpoints. Samuel creates the beautiful pointe shoes for the girls and is great over heels for one of them, but the course of true love never did run smooth!

This has twists and turns, as well as a lot of ballet detail that slightly went over my head as I've never done ballet (although there was a very useful glossary at the beginning) this would be a perfect read for anyone that went to ballet classes as a child I'm sure!

We meet identical twins Clara and Olivia in 1930s London, where they dance in the Sadler's Wells theatre ballet. We follow the sisters as they deal with the high-pressure environment in which they find themselves, and see how they each try to cope with the various relationships in their lives, including those with their mother, other ballerinas, the men in their lives, and each other.

The story is intriguing and the detail (being written by a former ballerina) is exquisite without requiring much pre-existing knowledge of ballet terminology. The characters are all interesting and well-rounded and, while I didn’t find the story as full of twists and turns as I expected, it didn’t hamper my overall enjoyment of the book.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Thanks you NetGalley and the publishers for this advance review copy

A good historically accurate debut about twin Ballerinas at Sadlers-Wells in the 1930s. There are multiple points of view following the run up to the performance of Coppelia. The story was very slow in parts which detracted from the sense of dread at the girls being watched.

I mainly enjoyed the sense of rivalry between the 2 twin sisters Clara and Olivia as it was very true to life. My favourite character was Samuel, I really wanted him to succeed in his ambitions and rooted for him from the start

Clara & Olivia spins its tale as effortlessly as its titular characters en pointe. It is a book that builds tension slowly, surely, allowing it to sink under your skin.

Firstly, I loved how balletic this book is. You can tell it comes from someone with real experience in this world of blood, sweat and tears, but it all translates to a display of seemingly effortless and beautiful talent. Dance is transformative and evocative, bringing you in perfect harmony with the music. It can be an escape, a release from the world around you. It can also be a prison, a regimented and strict discipline that leaves no room for error. Ballet is especially demanding, but the end result is a timeless crystallisation of skill and flawless talent. Ashe grasps this all too well as a former ballerina. As someone from a dance background, it felt so realistic. From the classes and the costumes, to the music and the backstage nerves, she captured every last detail that weaves together that perfect moment for the audience.

For me, a real highlight was our titular protagonists. They’re vastly different, yet there is a strong bond between the sisters and ultimately this is a story showcasing that strength. I loved how lyrical and descriptive the writing is, fully enmeshing you in the rhythms of Clara and Olivia’s lives. There are deep wells of sadness there and an emerging darkness formed from obsession and control. The two worlds collide in a slow burn mystery; the type that raises the hair on the back of your neck. Ashe allows this to bubble away slowly and grow the tension to newly uncomfortable grounds. This is a deftly told tale of obsession and particularly fragile masculinity. The danger comes from the fantasies created by male characters and a bruised ego, emphasising a very real and remaining issue.

Clara & Olivia takes the beauty of the ballet and strips it down to the bare bones of hard work and endless sacrifices needed to create art.

This was such a good book. I love historical fiction, especially when it is about eras/ situations that I previously knew nothing about and this was definitely one of those books. It was so well researched and so compelling in its narrative that not only did I love reading it but I felt that I learned too. A really enjoyable read and perfect for any fans of historical fiction.

The E-Book could be improved and more user-friendly, such as links to the chapters, no significant gaps between words some text written has been typed in red and a cover for the book would be better. It is very document-like instead of a book. A star has been deducted because of this.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I love a dark historical read.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read an advance copy of this book.

Clara and Olivia is set in the world of ballet in the 1930s. I know very little about ballet and I found that aspect interesting, particularly the less glamorous side where there’s pain, struggles and constant insecurity. The twins of the title are rivals in the ballet, each wanting something different. As a tale of obsession and sibling rivalry with an evil twin slant, this works well.

It’s fairly slow and the narrative viewpoint switches, but it’s an absorbing take with carefully drawn central characters who each have appeal in their own way. The writing is measured and draws the reader in to a very different fictional world. I assume as it’s based on Sadlers Wells, it’s also woven around a factual background. This is a great debut and I’d be keen to read more from this author.

My thanks to the publisher for a review copy via Netgalley.

What I loved most about this - and the reason I requested it in the first place - was the ballet world it is set in. I *love* this.

The description was brilliant, and I enjoyed the switch between characters. I liked the nice mislead over the two men, and I alternated between rooting for both Clara and Olivia (although both were great!).
Very enjoyable - a little unbelievable at times, but I would definitely recommend it to ballet lovers.

While beautiful in parts, I found this slow-moving and overly detailed for a story of obsession. Based on the blurb, I had expected something more voice-driven and gripping. Not really for me, but I am giving three stars as I feel the fault really lies with the blurb and not with the book itself - it just wasn't what I had been led to expect. I will say that if I had bought this based on the blurb I would be disappointed with what I got.

I’ve been obsessed with ballet-based stories ever since watching Black Swan and Flesh & Bone. I was therefore really excited to read Lucy Ashe’s debut Clara & Olivia which follows twin ballerinas Clara and Olivia. I loved Ashe’s writing style which swept me into the story like a dance (I refuse to apologise for the cliché!).

However, what I loved most about this story was how fearless the author was when it came to showing the dark side of ballet. Beneath the glamour of this idealised art form is the pain, frustrated ambitions, the pressures of finding work out of season, and for Olivia the doubts as to whether she can exist as a dancer outside her sister’s shadow.

As a twin, I really loved how Ashe portrayed Clara and Olivia’s sibling dynamic in a way that felt real and given evil twin stories I’ve read over the years, refreshingly un-toxic. While Clara longs to ‘try everything and be everywhere,’ Olivia wants ‘a mysterious, aloof kind of fame. She wants to be a prima ballerina.’ However, being both twins and ballerinas means that they both struggle to be seen as individuals and I loved seeing how they grappled with this, particularly when Clara’s changing ambitions threaten to change their world as they know it.

Clara & Olivia isn’t just a story about ballet, it’s also about obsession. Both Clara & Olivia’s lives have been shaped by it: Firstly their mother’s dream and later their own as they work to make a name for themselves as dancers. However, just as an obsession has made them what they are, it also threatens to destroy them. Ashe shows the dangerous side of obsession through Clara & Olivia’s mother and also through Clara’s boyfriend Nathan and Samuel, the pointe shoe maker’s apprentice. In regards to Nathan and Samuel, I loved how the author heightens the tension through the novel until events spiral into a chilling final act, and one of the most killer endings I’ve ever read. Period! Overall, I loved this story and as much as I’d love to read a sequel, I’d be just as happy to read Lucy Ashe’s second book.

Really interesting and well written historical fiction based on the blossoming ballet in the twenties and thirties. It is told from various viewpoints and there is a darkness and creepiness that swirls around. Clara and Olivia are twins and corps de ballet at a Sadler Wells company and the painful, exacting world of ballet is beautifully described along with real characters from the time. The darkness of the story adds to the enjoyment.

Clara & Olivia are identical twins and ballet dancers in 1936 and the object of fascination/obsession. The story is interesting in exploring the dynamic between the girls, the detail given to the technicalities of the ballet world, and the sinister, chilling atmosphere which surrounds them. Will be interested in reading more from this author.

A really clever story with plenty of twists and turns. Clara and Olivia are twin sisters, both ballerinas at Sadlers Wells. The story is told from multiple POV and this dynamic works well. Both are being watched, but they dont know by whom.It is dark and sinister, with a whodunit element that will keep you guessing till the end.

If you're a fan of the ballet, then this will appeal, but you don't need to be for the story to be entertaining.

It's historically accurate with references to dancers of old, and there is a section following on from the story that talks about the real life inspiration behind the story which was fascinating!

A wonderful debut.