Dirty Dancing indeed! This accomplished novel, rooted in the author's experience of the ballet world, follows the fortunes of two competing principal dancers. Sylvie was once the 'perfect girl' with it all at her feet, all the technique but less heart. Jocelyn didn't have her precision, but was somehow more watchable and with more life experience from having grown up 'a hoodrat in a tutu' with a mother who resembled Jennifer Coolidge, but withour her charisma. As young women, they seemed to have it all to look forward to.

However, something has gone wrong - when we meet the two at the start of the book, Jocelyn is smashing it as ballet mistress Diana's favourite, while Sylvie has lost her confidence, bordering on getting kicked out of the company, and is dependent on drugs, alcohol and anonymous hookups in hotels. It turns out they were both groomed by their ballet master when they were barely out of their teens, and love - with the right men, and even with each other - might be the only thing that can help them escape his shadow.

The ending was too abrupt and fairytale, but the sex scenes - if a bit vanilla - were very well done, with an opulent mix of S&M, girl on girl, threesomes and straight, romantic love. Highly recommended.

Whilst the book was good, it wasn't more than that. I was excited to read something dark with ballet because it's always an interesting topic to dive into. However, this book was anything but thrilling. Yes, there was an attempt for Black Swanishness (that isn't a word but I just made it into one) but it just lacks the edge unless we count sex clubs, drugs and older men as edge.

All in all, the plot made me hope for more than what I got but it was still a decent read.

This is a book that will attract ballet lovers everywhere and although not a ballet lover, the front cover certainly drew my attention. The book follows the lives of two young girls, Sophie and Jocelyn who join the North American Ballet the same time and how Sophie gets involved in a scandal which disrupts her career and spoils her friendship. This book covers all the issues of the ballet world like weight, sex, drugs ,eating disorders, casual relationships and was a very intense read at times.
My thanks to Netgalley for providing me with the proof copy which was unfortunately laid out in a very disjointed way ( first time ever ) which did spoil my enjoyment of reading this book..

Not my usual genre, but all around an enjoyable enough book. Only giving 3 stars as it didn't really stick out to me, and probably wouldn't recommend it for that simple fact.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really didn’t get on with this book at all, and there were many reasons for that. I thought this would be a win for me, I used to dance, I love a romance, I like deep psychologically themed novels but unfortunately, I didn’t feel like the book delivered on any of these pointers for me.
It felt like the ballet was there because the author didn’t know what else to write about rather than it being the beating heart of the novel.
As for the ‘spiral’ that was referenced it just didn’t seem to come to pass. She didn’t really unravel; she just did some things that appeared shocking. But she was sort of figuring herself out? And don’t get me started on the sex clubs and the drugs. It felt so contrived. They served no purpose other than to apparently shock, and maybe it would have if more descriptive language had been used. More world-building, more feeling. I think the time would have been better spent developing the characters.
I was even disappointed with the romance, I needed more substance, more detail, to better understand how the relationships developed. How they had an impact on the individuals, the motives, and thoughts behind the intensity of the supposed feelings. The whole ‘dance’ with Alex was just so unbelievable. Events just happened, feelings were alluded to, but inevitably I didn’t understand what led her to think the way she thought or felt. Unfortunately I won’t be recommending this to my followers.

This is described as a spicy romance, and it is that. Some very spicy parts. The story itself is ok, immersing the reader in the world of professional ballet with its competitiveness. Dancers are almost dehumanised by the process of making it in the company. Sylvie has a past, mixed up with an older principal dancer, he seemed to get off scot free while the scandal attached to her. Is she about to make the same mistake again? Much backstabbing, drug taking and the behind the scenes of what seems like a glamorous world. #netgalley #firstposition

I recieved this arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book was just ok. It took we ages to read as I felt like there were more sex than an actual story line about the world of dancing and being a ballerina. I got to say I'm glad I picked up the audiobook as I think it helped me a lot to actually finish the book.

A real and raw look into professional ballet life...with a hint of spice. As a ballet lover the cover immediately grabbed my attention,so much so that I didn't even cop it was Mills and Boon until I'd requested it. But in saying that it's my first of theirs and wasn't what I expected. It was steamy in places of course but the workings of the ballet world were well done and the characters were great. Several serious subject matters included too. Thoroughly enjoyed this one.

I really struggled with this book and almost gave up on it a few times; however, I didn't as I felt the author deserved my time in reading her work after allowing me an ARC.
For me, I felt the book was overlong and repetitive.
I found it difficult to engage with the main, or any character.
Not really a book I would have put in the Mills & Boone trope.
Sorry, not for me.

This was a simple, fun, easy with a touch of spice quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I 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.

Thank you to NetGalley for advanced copy of this book.
I have to be honest I did not go in with high expectations but I was proved wrong.
I read this book I’m one sitting, I just had to know what had happened 5 years ago and how this would all end.
There were times when I wanted to each in and shake Sylvie but you definitely gain more an understanding as you discover more of that toxic relationship.
I wish we did get to have a bit more of Alex for the romantic in me but I know that the main point of this book is about Sylvie finding her way back to herself.
Very good overall.

I wasn't expecting this from Mills & Boon, apart from it breaking the rigid rules that I had previously read from them, it was modern and vibrant and not at all what I expect from a Mills & Boon. If there's a new editor there asking for new, fresh material, they're doing well!

I chose this, not knowing it was a Mills & Boon—and, had I known, I would probably have passed—because it was about ballet and few novels really do the subject justice. This is from a former ballerina who knows the ins and outs of the ballet world and what it is like to be in a company, so I had high hopes and I wasn't disappointed. The world of the ballet company was well constructed and felt even more real than 'Black Swan' tried to do, It seemed to correlate with what I knew of companies, and that made me relax and sit back and, as they say, enjoy the show.

As I said, it doesn't fit with what I believe to be what M&B want in a book, I clearly remember "no secondary characters" but they are here and they work beautifully. It has the steam you'd expect in a M&B but also far more thought, introspection, with a hefty dose of drug, physical and mental abuse, as well, so it isn't necessarily for the faint hearted. This isn't hearts and flowers romance, it's raw and real. And brilliant.

I really enjoyed this, loved the ballet setting that is integral to the plot and not just a nice place to set a romance—it is part of the romance and it wouldn't work transposed to a different setting. I hope Ms Harrick uses her experience to write more ballet-based stories. I'd read them, gladly.

A revealing look at life in a professional ballet company, the ambition, passion and sacrifice evident in every word. The setting is well-described and gives the story its authenticity. The glamorous ballet world has a dark side which this story explores through its characters, making this an addictive read. The romance is erotic and sensual. I like the setting and the characterisation of this story.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

This was a beautifully written but very honest portrayal of a ballerina who has lost her way in life. Parts of the storyline were raw and cut throat which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately, I found the ending a little wishy-washy compared to the rest of the book and it felt a little forced compared to the rest of the story.

A thrilling story about seduction, forbidden romance and determination, that takes place in the magical world of ballet. This story covered a lot of prevalent issues that the characters have dealt / are dealing with and really helps you understand their backstory and how their character develops over time. (Please check content warnings if you are sensitive to any topics related to addiction, drugs, ED’s etc.)
I really enjoyed the writing style, learning more about the world of ballet (as it was clearly written from a well informed perspective) and also enjoyed the romantic scenes - I though they were really spicy but also authentic at times!

Thank you so much @millsandboon @netgalley for the advance eARC! xxx

I really liked this book it was so good. The writing was so good and the characters were really well developed. I mean they have definitely been through a lot but it was excellent.

I expected so much from this book thanks to the amazing synopsis but it sort of fell a little flat for me, I don’t like duel pov and as much as I love ballet it didn’t make the book any better for me. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for early access to this book in exchange for my honest review.

I received this ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This story starts with Sylvie’s rules she wrote in her pink diary when she aspired to become a world class professional ballet dancer, now it seems she’s broken every single one of her rules and now a scandal is ruining her dreams.

The story is split between Sylvie’s life Now & Then, we get to learn what happened in her past to make her the way she is now. In the Now parts we get to see the aftermath, new beginnings and possible redemption.

Sylvie & Alessandro’s first encounter was SO risqué and steamy my jaw was literally on the floor and guess what? I absolutely loved it and I thought this book is going to be so deliciously spicy.

This was so much more than i expected it to be, it was really dark in places and full of illicit encounters bordering on inappropriate and lots of times it was definitely inappropriate.

With that being said it’s also a redemption story that I was enthralled by.

I got a real insight into the underbelly of the ballet world, it’s really cut throat and dark, they sacrifice so much, I think that real ballet fans will adore this.

Thank you to Mills & Boon for this ARC, which I really enjoyed overall. I will be looking out for more from this author!

First Position is the debut novel from Melanie Hamrick, an ex-professional ballet dancer and her experiences in the ballet world shine through.

The book is a spicy romance, with a dual timeline and dual POV. It’s quite edgy and tense at times and the main character is flawed which means you’re not always rooting for her in the exact moment!

It’s emotional, and the main character, Sylvie, does go on quite a journey of self-discovery throughout the course of the book.

The sex scenes are hot, but believable which isn’t always the case with these type of books!

I’m rating this book 3.5 stars, which could easily have been higher but for the fact that I found the ending to be a little abrupt and neatly wrapped up quite quickly. I would also have liked a bit more character development and ‘fleshing out’ plus further insights into the world of ballet.

I do recommend this book for anyone who likes spicy romances!

It was the ballet setting that drew me to request this book. I thought it would be interesting to delve into the world of ballet. The rivalry, friendship and hatred between Sylvie and Jocelyn was interesting. Plus their relationship when they first join the ballet with Sebastien. Then also moving forwards to see the chemistry between Sylvie and Alessandro. It flits between the two main female characters looking backwards and then forwards, but I found it to be a highly engrossing read.