The premise of The Still Point sounded perfectly up my alley–who doesn’t love drama set in a competitive field that intermingles the resentments between teenagers and their moms?–but unfortunately this book ended up not being my cup of tea.

We follow a few different perspectives here of one of the teenage dancers, Bea, and of the dance moms, seeing the different relationships that happen in the dance studio and then outside of it. I don’t really understand why we had so many perspectives from the moms and found everyone except Ever and Josie pretty bland. I feel like getting another perspective from one of the teens like Olive or Savvy would’ve given us a better sense of tension.

As it is, the book is a lot about moms navigating their familial lives and it’s very grounded but not that interesting. That’s why I think Josie, who is that very ambitious mom that thinks her daughter deserves everything, was the most interesting. Seeing into her perspective and how she rationalizes the things her daughters does was great! Out of everyone, we see what she’s willing to sacrifice most for her daughter and for ballet and why.

I really wish The Still Point delivered more in its promise of backstabbing too! Everything is pretty tame, even the revelations at the end, and none of the secrets being revealed are that big or feel like, “Yes, this would absolutely mess up a dynamic and cause these characters to take extreme actions.” And because most of the moms and even the teens are pretty civil to each other even when they dislike one another, it feels like they’re all pretty reasonable. Which, I think, kind of makes a lot of characters and the overall story bland since there’s no tension.

Overall, The Still Point is a book I can see people that want very grounded characters enjoying. It’s not going to give you the drama and the high-stakes of ballet in the way that Black Swan or Dances will, and it’s more about the moms and how they live their lives than what the dancers are actually sacrificing.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This review has been scheduled to be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, and my blog on February 6, 2024.

This was such a readable book! I finished it in two sittings because I was that obsessed with it, and I honestly would've finished it in one sitting if I didn't have to work. The dichotomy between the beauty and grace of dance compared to the actions taken by characters in this book is so interesting to read about. Would highly recommend if you like psychological-type books and, yes, also if you enjoyed Dance Moms.

I blew through this. Like wow. I have no interest in ballet, but the storyline kept me rapt and turning the pages. Claws come out and relationships are left in shambles--a passion for dance that dangerously flirts with obsession. The dance/pageant mom stereotype has been well documented, thanks to TLC shows and the like (although I have watched very little in that area); fuck, they can be insane. I got a kick out of the drama 🤭

Of course, my thoughts and rating are all my own with, but I want to give a big thank you to Matt Johnson over at Kensington for once again giving me the opportunity to read a manuscript and allowing me the chance to read books I likely never would have gravitated towards.

This is a book highlighting the cutthroat world of competitive ballet. Moms and students who were friends turn on one another as they compete for the coveted Paris scholarship. The world of ballet is detailed as to what it takes to be the best. The writing compels you to keep reading to see the next moves by the moms and their daughters as they claw their way to be the best. Well written. #TheStillPoint #TammyGreenwood #NetGalley

This book is an intense look into the world of being a dancer. You watch young girls, and their mothers vie to be placed as the winner of a scholarship to the Ballet De Paris when their new instructor comes to town. The story has good pacing and keeps you wanting more. As someone who competitively danced in the past, I highly recommend reading. The only reason it didn't get five stars from me was it did have several descriptions of bad body image and diet culture, which is a given, but it didn't add much to the book and fed into stereotypes. Like the description says it is perfect for fans of Little Fires Everywhere and Dance Moms (I am a fan of both).

5 stars! Every time I read. Tammy Greenwood book I remember just how much I love her as an author. This is definitely my favorite of hers so far. She is a dance mom and you can feel that in the dialogue and the emotions of all of the moms and the dancers. I felt like I could see this as a series, how the story unfolded and where each episode could end. I especially loved Ever and Ethan’s love story, and the the ending…chef’s kiss, perfect! (Nope, no spoilers, as much as I want to spill the beans.) Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc! It was a pleasure to read and review!

The paradox of ballet is laid bare in this compelling novel. The beauty and elegance of the art form masks the potential for ugly behaviors fueled by ego, ambition, and jealousy associated with performance.

The novel focuses on three families – primarily the mothers and their daughters – who have bonded over the seven years the girls have taken lessons under the tutelage of Madame Vivienne. The storyline chronicles the commitment and sacrifices each family has made to foster the talent of these now young women on the cusp of their professional careers. In many ways this book challenges the reader to look beyond the sometimes-abhorrent behavior to understand and empathize with the woundedness that sources it. There are some characters that are easy to relate to and embrace, while others invoke anger and disgust.

What destabilizes the fragile friendships between the main characters is the arrival of a young Frenchman who is offering a scholarship to a renown academy in Paris as he undertakes filming a documentary of the selection process. Etienne Bernay assumes the role of teacher, director, and choreographer of the annual production of the Nutcracker. His presence and the promise of the prestigious scholarship both inspires the dancers to new heights and highlights the bitter rivalry between the prospective recipients and their mothers.

In the author’s note, Greenwood describes her own experience as a “ballet mom” and adds a disclaimer that she has not encountered the darker nature described in the book. This is one of those novels that is hard to set aside once begun. It kept me engaged and fascinated to see how this would all play out, begging the question, “When does passion for the dance turn into obsession that destroys relationships?”

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

Wow. This one pulled me in quickly and I inhaled this book, finishing it in one day, barely taking time away from reading to eat, it was so compulsively readable. Book hangover happened when I finished reading.

These characters felt sooo real, even if much of the drama was unrecognizable to my own life. I didn’t know what to expect going into this one, but it was quite the ride and one well worth taking.

The Still Point is an absolute recommendation!



Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the DRC!

The story of ballet rivalries between ballet dancers and their ballet mothers. A scout comes from France to produce his own version of Nutcracker, and will select one dancer to receive a scholarship to train and dance with his renowned company.

This pits dancers who have been friends since childhood against each other, and their mothers against each other.

A lot of women wishing ill on each other. Not enough portrayal of the love of dance.

The dramas that unfold are riveting but nastiness and spite run through the narrative.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you Kensington. books and Netgalley for this ARC

This is a new look at the world of cutthroat moms and their daughters in the ballet world. The moms went to great lengths to put their daughter first by putting the rest of the family and relationships last. The girls are very competitive and mean to each other when a scholarship to a ballet sschool in Paris is on the line. A very unhealthy life style but it made for a very good fiction story

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the opportunity to read The Still Point by Tammy Greenwood.

Wow. There are mean girls and then there are MEAN girls. And OMG, the Moms! Who knew ballet could be so dangerous?