I had not previously read a book by this author before, so I was not sure what to expect. I am not sure if it was the author’s writing style, but the book itself was a bit slow for me, and I struggled to get through it. The concept was interesting, and I am glad I finished it, but I don’t think it was for me in the end.

I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I previously read "The Ballerina"s by the same author, which I very much enjoyed. I was excited to read this newest release, however, it wasn't a light/easy read. It covers a topic/topics that aren't being discussed enough in our society today. I do recommend.

Upon her return to Milwaukee following her mother's sudden passing, former piano prodigy Saskia Kreis anticipates inheriting the family estate—the Elf House. However, an unexpected twist in her mother's will leaves the Elf House to a man with whom Saskia shares a complex history. This revelation prompts Saskia to reevaluate her past, especially the romantic entanglement that altered the trajectory of her life.

The narrative unfolds across two distinct time periods, with each chapter seamlessly transitioning between the current era and pivotal moments in Saskia's history. As the story progresses, lingering questions find answers. Saskia, the sole narrator, infuses the entire novel with a gripping and discomforting perspective that resonates in all the right ways.

"The Ingenue" delves into profound themes, including exceptional talent, familial dynamics, and the sensitive issues of inappropriate conduct and sexual assault. It's a narrative of substantial depth, not to be taken lightly, yet its emotional impact and compelling storytelling ensure it leaves a lasting imprint.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was hard to read and explored some dark topics. I wouldn’t say I liked all of the choices the main characters made, but I felt for their dilemmas. And who knew how well gothic elements could play out during a Milwaukee winter?

If you are interested in coming-of-age and//or #metoo storytelling, Kapelke-Dale has written a good one.

This was described as my Dark Vanessa meets the Queens gambit, and definitely got this vibes from it. I struggled to get into it, but really want to try again at some other point, I think. I was just in a rut.

For most of this book I was hooked, on the edge of my seat. I was horrified by the story and anxiously awaiting vengeance for the awful things that had happened. But then things took QUITE the turn. I wasn’t expecting the ending and while it was twisty and shocking it was also disappointing. I enjoyed a lot of it but things didn’t wrap up the way I hoped. Mixed feelings on this one!

Thank you Netgalley & the publisher for a copy of this book. All thoughts & opinions are my very own.

This book had multiple timelines and manipulation between a teacher and a student.
Former piano prodigy Saskia Kreis had returned to her hometown Milwaukee after the sudden death of her mother. She’s expecting to receive her family estate that is called Elf House. To her shock her mother leaves it to a former colleague, Peter, with whom Saskia shares a complicated history. With each chapter we get little bits of fairy tales that Saskiaa mother wrote. We soon uncover a dark secret and a relationship that changed the course of her life. Some of these parts were a bit difficult to read. As Saskia digs into why her mother would leave the family home to Patrick, we get the story of Saskia as a young girl whose fourteen. We soon uncover something dark and Sinister and how far will Saskia for justice.

This book was in vain to the movie center stage. I thought the character development was very good but the pacing was a bit slow and I thought it could’ve been a bit faster. I loved the setting in the repulsiveness of it.

Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy that I barely finished reading. I overdid it on ARC requests and I am trying to get all caught up.

The cover and title really got my attention. The story had me hooked at times, other times I was confused and had to backtrack to see what POV I was on, and other times I was not interested in the story. I think this just was not a story for me.

Dark and disturbing--sometimes it's fun! And sometimes it's not for everyone. But I loved it anyway and enjoyed every second.

Compared with My Dark Vanessa, The Ingenue is another novel that pairs an inappropriate relationship between Saskia, a young and special woman with an older man. Each chapter begins with "Fairytales for Little Feminists," a book written by Saskia's mother that really adds to the overall #metoo vibe of the book. Overall, the story makes me think about being special as a child - Saskia is a piano prodigy - and how these children grow up in a world of adults, without being fully adult. It's the kind of book that sticks with you after finishing up the last page.

The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale was awesome. It told us the story about Saskia, how the timeline spanning from her childhood . It told us why she didn't inherited to her. Like the similar predecessor book from Kate Elizabeth Russell, My Dark Vanessa, The Ingenue featured an inappropriate and predatory relationship between a minor with much, much older man in position of power, in which in this book is Saskia's teacher. It's creepy. Well, because it's predatory. I adored the writing because it truly made us seeing the light of this situation, how older men with predatory tendencies would do anything to manipulate minor girls that they're close to go. And as someone with a sister of the age when Saskia was groomed back then, it chilled me. This is not an easy topic to write, that's for sure. I appreciated how the author's able.to wrote it well.

When seeing The Ingenue introduced as My Dark Vanessa meets The Queen's Gambit, I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint. It took a little bit for me to become fully invested but once I did, I really enjoyed the story. Looking forward to reading The Fortune Seller when it is released next year.

*** UNPOPULAR OPINION****

Yes, I can see how Saiska's story relates in similarity to My Dark Vanessa but i did not like this. It was a predictable read for me, Other people may like this but it was not for me. Usually I like fiction books similar to this but it was a miss.

Cannot recommend because it was predictable.

Thanks to Rachel Kapelke-Dale, Net Galley and St Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for honest review.

Already available.

This boo was sooooooo slow. I wanted to quit halfway through and felt like it took forever to actually get to the point which wasn't the house, but Saskia's illicit relationship. And also how the two other victims were introduced and then just.. gone? Could have been done better.

Lolita meets the Dutch House. Dark Academia with intense family drama. Every girl has a story that could have gone like this. I loved this book.

I enjoyed this audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job. It's a troubling story and difficult to read, but it's important that people see the devastation that happens in circumstances such as these. Being a sensitive topic I would suggest reading the trigger warnings and be ready for a thought-provoking ride.

Saskia arrives home after her mothers death and is surprised to learn what her mothers will states. In fact she’s shocked. Growing up Saskia was a child prodigy at piano and didn’t fit in with people the same age as her. Most of the kids thought she acted like an adult instead of a teenager. Saskia’s secrets start to unwind while she is there, but Saskia is trying to keep her secrets buried.

I really enjoyed read. At first it was a bit slow, but it picked up the pace.

Thank you #Netgalley for the advance copy

i thought the ballerinas was a surprisingly unpleasant book, but this one was better. a bit too movie-ish to be a book but it was ok

This was a very fun thriller. It kept me entertained. I liked that I didn't really know what was going on. It wasn't predictable.