Sadly, this book did not work for me The first 30% of this book had SO much potential, but not much happened after to keep my interest. I just could not connect with any of the characters because there were not any redeeming qualities that made me root for anyone. The book did not feel very thrilling due to it being very slow. The plot was also confusing and I could not decide what exactly the point of the book was. The writing was fine, but I felt as though the time jumps did not have a complete purpose and instead made it very hard to follow.

I could not finish because I kept seeking more than the author willing herself to give. Sorry. The premise sounded good, but the execution left more to desire.

I didn't finish this book. I wanted to love it so much because it's about the Paris Opera but the setup is too long. We know there is a crime but more than 30% into the book I still don't have any clue what is happening or where the story is going. I might read the book again and will update this review. I might actually love it... I'm hoping I do! 3 stars because I imagine it's a good one... provided I finish it. Again, I'll update my review when / if I finish.

The Ballerinas, a debut novel from Rachel Kapelke-Dale, offers an inside look at the all-consuming life of a ballerina. The story centers around three girls who became fast friends at a prestigious ballet school in Paris and eventually earned their places in the ballet company. Despite their friendship, there is also an underlying competition to earn the best roles. To what lengths will each go? Each one also struggles to "be seen" as a person outside their stage presence. It was interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at the world of ballet and the many hours of grueling training and sacrifices made. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy to read and review.

The Ballerinas is a story told by three women who have their dreams, passions, friendships, angsts, and love all tied up in an excruciating life of dancing. When the ballerinas are on the stage they are gorgeous, what has to be done for them to seem so beautiful is the difficult and hard part which is told in detail in this story. The book is interesting but not really what I was expecting, however, it does provide the reader with good entertainment.
I downloaded a free copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

This was my first book by this author, It was pretty enjoyable. I would give this book a 3.5 star rating! It was a pretty Quick and easy read!

Character-driven, slow burning, and realistic, The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale is a novel--part drama, part women's fiction--that delves into the competitive, disciplined, and often excruciating lifestyle of the professional dancer. Fans of the ballet will enjoy this one.

A powerful story of friendship, love, life and second chances. About pursuing your dreams, no matter what the cost or the consequences might be. About living, loving, forgiving and growing up.

I was excited to read The Ballerinas as you don’t find many stories about ballet or ballerinas. The story centers on a former ballerina, now choreographer, of the Paris Opera Ballet and her two closest friends. Reading about their lives as young girls coming of age in a highly competitive environment was enjoyable, but I couldn’t get invested in the characters. The story is told on a dual-timeline and alternates between Paris and Russia. At times, it was difficult to follow. I liked the way the author slowly unfolded the background stories of all the characters, but the end of the book took a sharp turn to a conclusion that didn’t really fit with the foundation story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.
#theballerinas
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I really loved the inside peek into the world of ballet, which I really don't know anything about! It was so real and I loved the women's stories and how they were woven together. The characters were interesting and complicated and the plot was interesting too. I'm really glad I read this one!

I enjoyed The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale. I was initially drawn in by the cover and hopes it would give Black Swan vibes. While this story is not as dark as Black Swan I was not disappointed as we follow Delphine through a look at both her life and career as a Ballerina and the secrets that continue to follow her. I always love a storyline where characters are driven by their passion and the desire to achieve more exploits their darker sides.

Overall, I would recommend this book as a contemporary fiction selection. Made a great winter read in front of a fire and a glass of your favorite red wine.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read the ARC.

I wanted to read this book as I enjoy books about the ballet. This book is that and sooooooo much more. It is the story of a former ballet dancer becoming a choreographer and taking back her life and self-respect. It is the story of a ballet company--the ins and outs of how to get ahead (becoming a "star"). It is the story of what girls sacrifice for perfection and what they have to give up for their art. But maybe most of all it is the story of women taking over their own bodies and their own lives. The author writes in such descriptive language that the reader can almost hear the music and smell the sweat, she puts you right in the middle of the ballet.

I tried so so hard to get into this one and just couldn't. It took me forever to get through, because I just kept getting bored. I wish it had been a little bit faster paced! I also struggled to like any of the characters, which sometimes doesn't bother me, but didn't help me in this case.

Thank you, NetGalley, for a free copy of this book in exchange for my fair and unbiased opinion.

The Ballerinas had a lot of hope and potential based on premise and main cast of characters. But that was the only part of the book that held any promise. As a reader, I quickly lost interest in consistent ballerinas terms and dancing scenes. I wished for a more dramatic tale based on the synopsis.

The Ballerinas stars choreographer Delphine as she returns to the Paris Opera Ballet, where she used to be a soloist dancer before abruptly giving up her position more than a decade earlier and following her heart to St. Petersburg. Everywhere she turns, there are reminders of her former life—the company director, her former colleagues, and most of all, her two closest friends from her years as a student and young company member. The fraught friend/competitor relationships of these young women are at the core of the story, giving it shades of a Megan Abbott novel. If you love ballet, it’s hard to resist a novel with this much focus on the ballet world and detail about the Paris Opera Ballet system in particular. For someone looking for a pure mystery/suspense book, there is probably a little too much interpersonal intrigue at the expense of pace. It’s probably best to set expectations by thinking of this as a character-driven novel with mystery elements.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for a digital advance review copy.

This look behind the scenes at ballerina and dance culture was fascinating, and not something I knew much about before reading this book. I was expecting it to be more of a thriller, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Delphine left the Paris Opera Ballet for a new life in St. Petersburg, jettisoning a promising career due to difficult circumstances. Now in her mid 30's and choreographer, Delphine decides to return to set things right, both personally and professionally. As she had left behind her best friends, fellow dancers Lindsay and Margaux, will Delphine be able to ask forgiveness and move past the secret that threatens to destroy them all?

The biggest issue that I had with the book was the format, as the timeline shifts and different perspectives ruined the flow of the novel. The grittiness of life as a ballet dancer was there, but the personal drama overshadowed the overall picture. With too many side plots competing for space, there was just not enough room for a good, overarching story.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of The Ballerinas by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

I never read a book by this author before but am so glad I found this one! This was such a great story. I loved the characters and the book definitely kept my attention. The writing was excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC.

The premise of this sounded so good, and bring in the subject of secretive ballerinas, I’m sold! Unfortunately, I found that the most exciting thing about this book was the cover.

The back cover promises an exciting twist, and instead I was just left wondering what the twist even was, because nothing left me excited nor was jaw dropping. There was more about their lives in the Paris Ballet then anything else and while it was interesting at first, it started getting stale.

If you’re looking for a tame thriller, or one that is very slow paced, character driven and doesn’t have a lot going on, this one might be for you. But if you’re going into this one expecting a lot of action , or viciously competitive and mean ballerinas, you might want to skip this one.

The Ballerinas was the first book i have read by Rachel Kapeke-Dale and i loved it! it was was great read and i was not disappointed in the least.