3.5 Stars

While many are raving about this book, I’m going to be an outlier and say I didn’t love it. It was cleverly written around the scenes of Swan Lake, but with a slow start and storylines overlapping, I found it to be repetitive and abrupt as it shifted from view points. The peek into a ballet company was intriguing. Nothing is quite what it seems and it has a nice twist, but it just took too long to come together.

Thank you to Netgalley and Mobius Books for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟 3/5 stars

Watch Her Fall is a book I desperately wanted to love, but a slow pace kept me from really enjoying it. The story centers around the ballet production of Swan Lake, where Ava Kirilova has won the coveted role of Odette and Odile. However, this is a role that others would kill for…

The setting of this story is perfection and it started strong. However, the pacing began to slow and I needed a twist to make me go from indifferent to loving it. Unfortunately, when the twist hit, it wasn’t enough to save this one for me. I wasn’t invested in the story and, while it went in unexpected directions, I didn’t love how the story unfolded.

Although this one didn’t work for me, I am still interested in Kelly’s He Said/She Said, which I have seen many rave reviews for.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Erin Kelly is a hidden secret in the psychological thriller world. She writes with such vivid description and excellent character development, and there were many twists and turns to this book that I didn't see coming (and I'm usually pretty good at figuring them out but this book had me saying "Wait, what?!"). I read a lot and most books are enjoyable in the moment and then forgotten as soon as I've closed the last page. But with this one, it's stayed with me and I find myself continually thinking over the characters and the plot. To me, that's a sign of an incredible story. Highly recommend!

I did receive an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review, but I hate when reviews are overly flowery or complimentary when the book doesn't deserve it. I read 2-3 books a week, and I'm very open about what I like and don't. This book deserves high praise.

I am a sucker for books about ballet and for thrillers, so this as definitely a good combination for me. It's compulsively readable, even if there's definitely some drag in the middle where scenes are rehashed from a new character's perspective and probably could have been glossed over more quickly to feel less repetitive. There's some good plot twists to keep you guessing, even if the parallels to Swan Lake get heavy-handed at times. The biggest problem is that I didn't really care for any of the characters. Not that main characters have to always be likeable, but there has to be something to care about, and there's very little here with them.

I enjoyed Erin Kelly's book He Said/She Said a lot, so I was eager to read her take on Swan Lake. I thought it was a pretty clever idea, although I didn't really get what was happening until the end as I'm unfamiliar with the ballet. The entire middle part just felt like filler to me, but by the end it made more sense. I thought this captured the competitive world of ballet pretty well and had a twisty end. It is slow reading and at times I was kind of bored, but overall I enjoyed this and I think others will too. I look forward to more from this author. Thank you to Mobius Books for the DRC in exchange for an honest review. 3 stars.

I'm not a ballet fan by any stretch of the imagination, but I am a fan if Erin Kelly. This did not disappoint.

You'll enjoy. Highly recommend.

Erin Kelly is one of my favorite authors, and this novel just further cements my already sky-high opinion of her work. As someone who danced competitively, Kelly successfully taps into the single minded drive and ambition that courses through the veins of dancers of all levels. Vividly rendered with deliberate pacing, this is another fabulous psychological thriller from an extraordinary author.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly. This was a fast read and my introduction to Kelly. Ava is a ballerina who has finally achieved success, but away from the ballet world she is lonely and unhappy. All the while someone is watching her every move, someone who envies Ava's success. This story will keep you guessing, I do recommend it to you if you enjoy novels about suspense.

Erin Kelly has written a clever thriller centered in the ballet world of Swan Lake. Ava Kirilova has practiced and worked hard her whole life and has finally reached the coveted position of dancing the lead role of Swan Lake. As in all competitions, there are other ballet dancers who are just waiting for her to fall off this pedestal so they can slip into this role. Different narrators tell the story and there is lots of drama, intrigue and dark secrets which help to create twists and turns that lead to the surprise end that I didn't see coming. The book is a slow burn but keeps you hooked as you can feel the plot building. The writing is excellent and made me want to read more of the author's books. If you love thrillers, you need to add this to your list. I would like to thank NetGalley and Hodden and Stroughton Publishers for a free copy for an honest review.

If you love a good plot twist, Watch Her Fall is a can't miss. Told across multiple perspectives, the events surrounding the ill-fated London Russian Ballet Company's crown performance of Swan Lake unfold, complete with characters who are very slow to reveal who they truly are.

My favorite chapters were those told from Ava's perspective, and were a great opener to the book. Unfortunately, I felt that Max's storyline was a bit clunkier and drug down the flow, and I found myself skimming those parts to get back to the other characters' narratives.

The reveal was worthwhile, and the book made me interested to read and watch more fiction on the topic of ballet, as well as learn more about Swan Lake.

Note: I received a free ebook copy of Watch Her Fall from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just when you think you have it all figured out, wham! You don't.

Complete plot twist ! The writing style is engaging and keeps you hooked from page 1. Erin Kelly does not disappoint when it comes to narrating a perfect novel . I have become an instant fan and I promise you Watch Her Fall, will not disappoint. I could not put this book down and stayed up until 4am this morning because I just HAD to know how it ended.

Hands down, awesome read , highly recommend !

A complex and intriguing novel that will have you turning the page wondering what is really going on? It is way better than I anticipated in reading the synopsis.

Erin Kelly takes us deep into the world of a Russian ballet company detailing sacrifices and deception in this twisty narrative. The setting is London and the performance is Swan Lake.

Nikolai Kirilov is the director and founder choreographer of the London Russian Ballet. He was once a great dancer and now it’s his daughter Ava who is the star of the company.
One day Ava will take over the company as Nicky is getting old and is ill. Ava will be dancing the lead role of Odette and Odile, both the white and black swans, and it's an emotionally charged role. The story of Swan Lake is a tragedy and the ancers immerse themselves in the roles.

I'm not sure what my fascination with ballet is but if there is a ballet setting or plot I usually want to read the book. Having said that, it is extremely detailed about the dancers' training and sacrifice, jealousy and pain. Even though I like the ballet aspect I was beginning to tire of that much focus and then....a change of perspective.

As with Kelly's book He Said/She Said, there is a psychological twist introduced which stuns.Many of the characters are not what they seem and identies are are surprising when revealed. To reveal more would spoil the ending.

Publication date September 14, 2021 by Mobius Books. Genre: Mystery, Thrillers. Erin Kelly takes into the world of professional ballet company. The setting is London and the company is a Russian
Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader's copy of this book. I was not compensated for the review, all opinions are mine.

ack in the 1980s, there was a tv show called Fame. Every week, I'd watch and imagine that I too went to a visual and performing arts high school. There was a famous poster back then, of a dancer with torn up Pointe shoes and leggings and I wanted that for so long. I got the leggings eventually but not the shoes.

Since then, any time a book or movie about ballet hits the scene, I want to read it or watch it! I just saw Watch Her Fall by Erin Kelly and of course, I want to read it immediately:

" Swan Lake is divided into the black acts and the white acts. The Prince is on stage for most of the ballet, but it's the swans audiences flock to see. In early productions, Odette and Odile were performed by two different dancers. These days, it is usual for the same dancer to play both roles. Because of the faultless ballet technique required to master the steps, and the emotional range needed to perform both the virginal Odette and the dark, seductive Odile, this challenging dual role is one of the most coveted in all ballet. Dancers would kill for the part.

Ava Kirilova has reached the very top of her profession. After years and years of hard graft, pain and sacrifice as part of the London Russian Ballet Company, allowing nothing else to distract her, she is finally the poster girl for Swan Lake. Even Mr K - her father, and the intense, terrifying director of the company - can find no fault. Ava has pushed herself ahead of countless other talented, hardworking girls, and they are all watching her now.

But there is someone who really wants to see Ava fall ..."

Doesnt it sound so good?
Did you ever go through a phase where you wanted to be a dancer? Or anything else that didnt pan out in your adult life?

"Watch Her Fall" was on my can't-wait-to-read-it list. Erin Kelly grabbed my attention from the first and didn't let go.

I learned a lot more about ballet than I ever thought I would! This was really good. Good writing, great story and characters I didn't particularly like, but that's not a bad thing at all! Some good twists and turns and a solid conclusion

This is a hard book to review. I was just getting into the story and invested in Ava when there was an abrupt POV change. I was annoyed and had no interest in the story shift. Then it happened again with yet another abrupt shift but this one went back further to show us past events we knew about from their perspective. This really annoyed me since it wasn’t new ground so did nothing to move the plot forward. Then it was revealed as to why and that was interesting but was it worth it? I do not like this modern trend with novels where there’s some reveal that’s supposed to make it worthwhile. I want to enjoy actually reading the book! This book also has an ending that is very similar to another book I just read so it’s not going to be unique.

If you want to red this I would recommend avoiding spoilers or it will take away the big interesting part of this book. I’m an avid reader so I’m always impressed the rare times I’m surprised, which I was here, but overall I’m still annoyed at how different this book is from the description which I always hate. I don’t like being reeled in under false book descriptions. While this story is very much about ballet at its heart, it’s more about the large role it plays in the life of those in it, perhaps in a too consuming way. It’s not a story that stays in the ballet itself as the description implies. I think this book felt too much like a draft that needed polishing. If it had been edited to keep me interested the whole way it would have been an impressive book once all was revealed but unfortunately it did not. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy and Erin Kelly

I really loved He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly so I was looking forward to this book. I was not disappointed.

I’m a big Erin Kelly fan. This book is no exception. Highly enjoyable plot and an unpredictable ending. I couldn’t wait to get to the last page and found it very enjoyable

Consider my chain yanked, the carpet slipped from beneath my shoes, the banana peel having claimed my unsuspecting foot.

An *accurate* synopsis: Ava has lived her whole life preparing for the coveted role of Odette/Odile in her father’s production of Swan Lake. Juliette, a ballerina injured on stage, recovers in Ava’s unoccupied house while the production carries on without her. Maxim, a security guard who works in Ava’s neighborhood, starts up a friendship with injured Juliette. But none of the characters are what they seem.

Aaaand that’s literally all I can say without massive spoilers.

Watch Her Fall has a slow beginning… and then a plot twist casually thrown in out of the freaking nowhere. And then another, and another, in a thrilling rollercoaster of shocking twists. The characterization is striking—each POV reads as fully-fleshed, with excellent motivations and in-character upbringings and layers and complex relationships. And the way those POVs tie together? BRAVISSIMO.

If anything, the blurb was misleading. Here I thought we were going to get some jealousy-fueled Phantom of the Opera deliciousness, but most of the story doesn’t even happen near the stage. Our “phantom” does not continually sabotage Ava. One thing happens, and then said phantom takes the backseat in favor for another (delightfully twisty) plot line. The story more than delivered with the twists, so I can let the synopsis-misleading slide.

All in all, 2021 is killing it with its thriller game this year. If twists are your jam, pick up Watch Her Fall.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book!

-Ande