Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book.

This is a good solid book about a woman who is a first rank ballet dancer. It covers her life from a child to her final retirement from dancing and at times it read like a real autobiography. I love to read about ballet, the art, the drive, the passion the pain, the rivalry, the partnerships, the choreography, the training, the schools, the ballets themselves so I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

The descriptions of the great ballet cities of the world are vivid, especially the description of St Petersburg.

Natasha is well drawn and entirely believable and the minor characters of Nina, Sasha and Dmitri seem authentic too. A lot of things happen to Natasha both personally and professionally and it is an engrossing read. I did occasionally get a bit mixed up about what period of her life we were in, it might have been helpful to have started the sections with a date.

I am not that keen on the title. One of the characters uses the phrase once I think. I would have called it "how many summers, how many winters".

Excellent, engrossing read, full of interest and happenings.

A beautiful book about artistry, coming-of-age, dance, and ambition describing the making of a dancer with profound intimacy and breathtaking scope.

Prima ballerina Natalia Leonova was once celebrated across the world, but at the top of her career, an accident forces her into sudden retirement.
Jumping back in time to the start of Natasha’s love for ballet, this books vividly shows the ruthless ambition, precious friendships, and desire of someone so enamoured with her art, she becomes trapped by it.

As an ex-competitive dancer myself (obviously not to this level), Kim put into words something that I’ve always felt but never been able to express, except in my own action of dancing.

What stood out to me was Natasha’s sole focus on her passion. Her obsessive nature grated and exhausted her and others without a proper focus. While this can be a strength in such a driven world, it can also cause your downfall - isolation, poor self-confidence and worth, an unhealthy relationship with food, exercise, and your self-care.

<b>“I don't think any dance is just movement. No art is pure abstraction. There is always meaning behind it.”
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I always find myself disappointed by fictional books writing about dance as it never feels realistic. To me, this was authentic and intimately real.

Don’t go into this expecting a sports romance. This is more lit fic.

The second half gets more political, bringing in the war between Russia and Ukraine. I think this might alienate some readers (why the sudden change in tone, pace, tension). However, I do think this is a very relevant element to consider.

Can we separate art and politics? The artist from the political? The artist from the art?
How can we condone enjoying art, spending money, time, resources, when people are dying?

The romance was not the biggest tension for me. Similarly, the present plot line didn’t grab me as much as Natasha’s initial rise.
This was very nearly a five stars except for me not buying into the romance and relationship.

<b>“People think loving someone means letting them be who they are. What a widespread lie that is. Love doesn't set anyone free. Art does."
</b>
Beautiful descriptions of both dance, atmosphere, place, and the intricacies of relationships, this was breathtaking.

Thank you to Oneworld publications for sending me the physical arc in exchange for a review. My cover is very different to this one shown here and I hope that is released to the public.

I love books set in the ballet world and this one was unbelievable! Definitely worthy of a book club or being made into a movie. Kept me gripped throughout every page. I was so invested to know what was happening next,