I loved the attention to detail when it came to ballet. It was difficult to read when loss of a parent was involved. I found the ending lacklustre. I had high hopes but the book didn’t 100% match it.

This was an enjoyable read about a woman trying to find herself in the cutthroat world of ballet. A ballerina, Jocelyn, moves from the states and gives up her career to follow her boyfriend to the UK - she feels lost until she meets a ballerina from the London Ballet who sets her up again, but at what cost? There’s deceit, corruption and lust all rolled into the book, I didn’t know where it was going.

I found myself utterly enthralled by *The Unraveling* – I couldn’t put it down!

The story follows Jocelyn, our female protagonist, who leaves ballet for love. Her world is turned upside down when she finds out about her mother’s passing, and we learn of their complicated history that has left Jocelyn with unresolved trauma. She finds herself back in the ballet world, without the love she left it for, and thrown into a whirlwind of emotions and new people.

The character development of Jocelyn is compelling, as she navigates the intersections of her past and present. Her return to ballet and the process of confronting her trauma adds depth to her character. However, I felt the ending was a little rushed. I would have loved to see Jocelyn deal with her trauma more thoroughly, as this would have added more layers to her journey. Additionally, I would have liked to see Jocelyn work harder to win Jordan back. Though there is a narrative of Jordan being good and pure, making him reluctant to make her grovel, a bit more conflict could have heightened the emotional stakes.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and thought it was a fun and thrilling read that had me questioning several times who was actually trustworthy and who wasn’t!

Melanie Hamrick takes us on a journey into the darker side of ballet in this new book perfect for fans of black Swan.

At first I found myself intrigued in this book, as someone who knows near on nothing about ballet whatsoever I was intrigued to enter a world of the unknown.
However, for me this book fell flat. The dark side of ballet was interesting however it never seemed (for me anyway) to really reach a crescendo. The reasons behind the events in the book seem to be more of a background issue that is never really properly addressed or touched upon and I'd have liked to see more conflict between the characters in the 'third act'.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

1 star as I finished it.

It was giving Black Swan vibes.

I didn't enjoy The Unravelling at all, so I will quickly get to the reason. We are informed that the love interest will be the charismatic Alistair Cavendish. As if! He certainly was manipulative and dubious from the start, going on about obtaining a divorce and yet never staying true to his words. Pathetic excuse of a man. He also just ends up being a 'sugar daddy' to the FMC, Jocelyn, like girl wake up!!

Don't get me started on the ending!!! Seriously! Seriously! After I managed to get to the end and for that to be it. Such a letdown, not one, not one redeeming aspect.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

Neither love nor hate. Our FMC is introduced as an established ballerina, returning to the company scene in London after a break-up. She then enters into a love affair with her married sponsor.

Maybe my expectations of a "dark romance" were off, but whilst there were definitely some points around body image and disordered eating, there was nothing about the romance aspect of the plot which made me think it was anything more than a little dysfunctional. Also, did this 'affair ever really get going'?

The ending was a full circle moment which felt like we were back at square 1, with all the consequences of the past however many months done away with. It was wild to me that our FMC could just pick up her old relationship where it left off.

A solid 3* ⭐⭐⭐

*Arc received from Netgalley; all opinions are my own.*

TLDR: Very black swanesque if that's what you're looking for; if not, then I don't recommend it. It's marketed as a "dark romance," but I don't really feel it leans that way. Be warned that there are strong and repetitive themes of disordered eating and negative food and body talk!

I didn't enjoy The Unravelling at all, so I will keep it to the point. It's marketed as a "dark romance," with the summary telling us our love interest will be the charismatic Alistair Cavendish. First off, I don't find Alistair attractive in the slightest. He comes off as manipulative and suspicious from the get-go, talking about getting divorced yet never seemingly wanting to leave his wife. He gives me such an ick to read about. He also just ends up being more of a creepy "sugar daddy" to our MC, Jocelyn, and I was internally screaming every time she thought about or saw Alistar.

As I said previously, the plot and many of the supporting characters are very reminiscent of Black Swan and that sort of "seedy" and "manipulative" side that is portrayed in ballet. The plot is pretty straight forward, and the "high stakes" of needing a donor and then why Jocelyn needs the money are made very redundant. She needs a donor, but it doesn't seem to be as important as it's made out to be, and Jocelyn starts to stress as she needs money from a family matter, but that only really comes up once or twice, and is then just forgotten about? Even at the ending?

Finally, the ending? It was so weak, and I don't think that <spoiler> Jordan should never have taken her back with the way she treated him; never mind marry her!!!</spoiler>

The Unraveling by Melanie Hammock
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 26 September 2024

In “The Unraveling,” Melanie Hamrick delivers a captivating exploration of the ballet world's hidden facets, weaving a tale of ambition, desire, and the struggle between duty and passion. The novel follows Jocelyn Banks, a talented ballerina from rural Louisiana, as she navigates the competitive and often ruthless world of professional ballet in London.

Hamrick's intimate knowledge of the ballet world shines through in her meticulous attention to detail. The author skilfully builds Jocelyn's character, allowing readers to understand her motivations and inner conflicts. Initially raised in a humble background, Jocelyn's determination and talent have propelled her to success in the North American Ballet. However, her world is upended when she's forced to return to London and care for her grandmother following her mother's death. This sudden shift in circumstances sets the stage for Jocelyn's complex journey of self-discovery and moral dilemmas.

Hamrick's portrayal of the London ballet scene is particularly intriguing, highlighting the stark differences between American and British ballet cultures. The focus on sponsorship and patronage in the Royal National Ballet adds an extra layer of complexity to Jocelyn's struggles, forcing her to confront the realities of power, privilege, and compromise in pursuit of her passion.

The introduction of Alastair Cavendish, Jocelyn's charismatic sponsor, serves as a catalyst for the novel's exploration of desire and temptation. Their relationship is charged with sexual tension, and Hamrick doesn't shy away from depicting their encounters in vivid detail. These spicy scenes are well-integrated into the narrative, serving to illustrate Jocelyn's internal conflict between her growing feelings for Alastair and her dedication to her craft and family obligations.

While the pacing in the early chapters may feel slow to some readers, this deliberate build-up is crucial in establishing Jocelyn's character and the world she inhabits. The detailed descriptions of Jocelyn's emotional state and decision-making process provide valuable insight into her character, making her choices throughout the novel more understandable and relatable.

Hamrick tackles several sensitive topics throughout the novel, including the pressure to maintain a certain body image in the ballet world. The book touches on disordered eating habits, which may be triggering for some readers. It's commendable that the author addresses these issues, as they are often overlooked in romanticised portrayals of ballet.

“The Unraveling” is not just a romance novel set in the world of ballet; it's a nuanced exploration of ambition, sacrifice, and the price of success. Hamrick deftly balances the glamour and allure of the ballet world with its darker, more challenging aspects, creating a narrative that feels both authentic and compelling.

In conclusion, “The Unraveling” is a well-crafted, engaging read that will appeal to fans of erotic romance, as well as those interested in the behind-the-scenes reality of professional ballet. Hamrick's writing is evocative and immersive, bringing the world of ballet to life in all its beauty and complexity. While readers should be aware of potential triggers related to disordered eating, the novel offers a rich, multifaceted story that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, HQ, O, and the author, Melanie Hamrick, for a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The Unraveling by Melanie Hamrick

The Unraveling is a ballerina romance centred around the life of Jocelyn Banks, a once principal ballet dancer, and her move back into the dance world. The dance world in London is different from New York, and Jocelyn must quickly secure a donor, whilst navigating love, lust and drama.

This isn’t my usual style of book, but I enjoyed reading something different. The story was well through out, and details the life of a professional ballerina to a level that only someone who has previously danced within it would otherwise know. As someone who is a fan of the ballet, I loved how this book explored its darker side, which isn’t typically exposed publicly and it made for some eye opening scenes and created a sexy backdrop for the story to unfold.

Whilst at first I felt it took a while for the story to get going and for the main characters to start their story together I later understood that this, alongside the detailed description of how Jocelyn felt throughout, was essential in revealing why she made the decisions she did. This book is laced with a number of spicy scenes, which don’t always come at the points you expect.

All in the book was well written, and I I enjoyed the story. I would recommend reading through trigger warnings before you start as the book does mention disordered eating habits at points.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

Rating: 3/5
Spice: 2/5

Jocelyn is a ballerina, taking a break from her career to be with a man she loves. When an unexpected tragedy hits, she isn't able to cope and walks away from her life and back into her true love - ballet.
Along the way she makes some questionable friends and even more questionableble choices that leave her trapped in a web of secrets.

Great storyline that kept me hooked with loads of very racy scenes along the way. I loved this even more than First Position.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this advance copy.