Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Tammy Greenwood for the opportunity to read the ARC of The Still Point.

This book is amazing and I devoured it in a day. I found it to be a cross between Big Little Lies and Dance Moms. It has such complex and interesting characters. I love so many of the characters and the ones I didn't care for l found myself loving to hate.

It is a story consisting mainly of three women who are mothers to three teenage ballerinas in a prestigious ballet school in California.

Ever is the mom to Bea who is the delicate and talented ballerina who studies in New York during the summer. Bea's dad dies at the very beginning of the book which causes money to become extremely tight for her mother, Ever. Bea and Olive are best friends who also dance together at the California school. Olive's mom, Lindsay and Ever are also best of friends.

Unfortunately, while Bea is in New York for the summer studying ballet Olive and Savvy, Bea's nemesis, become close friends and Bea gets pushed aside when she returns in the fall. Lindsay, Olive's mom and Ever's friend, also becomes chummy with Josie, Savvy's mom.

The dynamics between all of the friends begins to change, especially when a French ballet instructor decides to come to their school. He is there to do a documentary on the ballerinas and to choose one girl to go back to Paris with him for an internship.

Friendships are tested, the instructor pits the girls against one another, and serious jealousy develops between the mothers and girls. The trust they all share begins to unravel.

It's a fantastic story with lots of twists and turns. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a bit of a drama between friends and mothers/daughter relationships.

As a ballet lover and adult ballet student, I read pretty much *every* ballet book that comes out. I'm so pleased to say that I can absolutely add The Still Point to my list of favorite ballet novels. (I'll actually post the list below for other ballet book fans.)

To get one question out of the way before I start, I know fellow dancers will be wondering why the title has the word "point" and not "pointe." Let me explain. The title of the novel is taken from a T.S. Eliot poem:
“At the still point of the turning world. Neither flesh nor fleshless; Neither from nor towards; at the still point, there the dance is…”

I thought it was such a clever title choice to imply pointe shoes and reference the poem! And the rest of the novel is just as well done. Tammy Greenwood explains in her author’s note that she’s a dance mom, and her in-depth understanding of the world of pre-professional ballet resonates throughout the whole book. It's a domestic drama with a hint of thriller, and as you’d expect for a ballet novel, there’s a lot of competition. Primarily between three young dancers (and their mothers) for the final prize, a full scholarship to the (fictional) Ballet de Paris Academie. It’s a story of dance moms and dance daughters, but Greenwood does a great job avoiding the usual catty stereotypes and drawing us into a world with rich and realistic characters, and an ending that’s not too wrapped-up and not too open-ended—it’s just right.

The press blurb describes the book as “Dance Moms meets Little Fires Everywhere” and while I’ve never watched Dance Moms, I do think fans of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere and Megan Abbott’s You Will Know Me (competitive gymnastics, but similar themes) will especially like this one.

Thanks so much to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with a review copy!

Release date: February 20, 2023 🗓️

My favorite ballet novels in no particular order:
Dances by Nicole Cuffy
They’re Going to Love You by Meg Howrey
The Crane’s Dance by Meg Howrey
Astonish Me by Maggie Shipstead
The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale
The Turnout by Megan Abbott

This is a story about ballet. It is a story about mothers and daughters. But, it is a story about so much more.

We get to see the ballet version of the soccer mom. We get to see the competitiveness of young girls (and a few young boys) at a private ballet school. And, we also are privy to the soap opera-ish lives of the mothers. The mothers' influence is reflected in the daughters' actions and personalities.

Each chapter is told from a different character's perspective. The author is great at building suspense. This is not a classic psychological thriller by any means, but each chapter seems to leave you hanging. The next chapter is from another character's point of few, so the reader is obliged to wait. And, it made this reader turn the pages faster. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next.

Character-driven and plot-driven. I must admit, in the beginning, it was hard to keep the characters straight and to remember which daughter belonged to which mom. But it didn't take long to immerse myself in the story. It definitely kept my interest.

I knew of many little girls who took ballet lessons but I never realized how disciplined and gruelling and competitive it could be. Very interesting.

Great ending! Great read!

I have been a fan of Ms Greenwood for many years, I have read most of her books. Each book has been unique. I never know what to expect but I've never been a disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

BY: TAMMY GREENWOOD

About 4.25 Stars!

I had been wanting to read this a few months ago, when I decided to think about it before impulsively clicking on the request button--I couldn't remember either the title: "THE STILL POINT," or the author's name. It was just by sheer luck that I found it again mysteriously. I knew that it was about ballet and so much more and it was a very interesting page turner from cover to cover. I never felt an ounce of slow pacing. The pacing is quite fast actually with little short chapters alternating with the different characters. I was very amazed and astounded to discover that the author of this eARC that I had been looking for randomly for the last three or four months are the same person. When I downloaded this eARC I still didn't know who Tammy Greenwood was. Imagine my shock to learn that Tammy Greenwood is the same acclaimed (unknown to me) person as an author I'm familiar with who is T Greenwood. If I knew the writer's name was T Greenwood it would have been easy for me to locate this saving me a lot of frustration. My big tip off that the slight variation in name is the same person was when I recognized the numerous titles that I have enjoyed under the name T. Greenwood. I'm still not sure why this author writes under two different names, and if anyone knows why she does please feel free to let me know why. Tammy Greenwood is also T. Greenwood. When I saw "Rust & Stardust" and her last novel "Such a Pretty Girl," while I was perusing through the list of previous published titles I immediately made the connection that I'm very familiar with this author's work. In case I'm confusing you Tammy Greenwood who I hadn't heard of is the same person as T. Greenwood. Duh Karen! Note to Publisher: I almost missed out on reading this due to the confusion of T. Greenwood writing under the name of Tammy Greenwood. I also think that my reviewer friends are more likely to try a new title by T. Greenwood. I digress, I'm just grateful that I happened to read the prior listed titles, which I don't always do. Once I realized that I was getting T. Greenwood as the author, it made me happy. I knew I was guaranteed a great reading experience because T. Greenwood always delivers a powerful novel..

Also, on the positive side, this author, Tammy Greenwood wrote a very informative Author's Note. It appears in the beginning of this novel centered around ballet. She states that her daughter started out at a very young age learning ballet and was fortunate enough to go into adulthood and earn a living performing ballet. She also writes of the huge amount of a time commitment that it takes either a girl or guy who gets to go on from studying ballet, often spending more time learning and practicing ballet than doing anything else. Basically from reading this novel I learned that there are many factors involved in order to reach the success that a couple of characters in this novel accomplished in order to reach their dreams. It's not impossible but it's no easy task either. Imagine starting out during the early years from childhood up until the age of eighteen years old practicing in the studio in hopes of having the talent, body type, money for tuition in order to attend the classes every month for years. The competition is fierce and sometimes cutthroat to be the one lucky enough to actually go on to gain a position at a prestigious Ballet Corps. The amount of time that one has to devote was a real eye opener to me and is explored in this novel. In most cases one has to have wealthy parents to pay for one to spend most all of his/her time practicing to rise to the top. Hopefully, and this author says that she was the parent who spent a large portion of her time driving and picking up her daughter to and from practice, spent her time viewing practice for endless hours watching her daughter and other young hopeful ballet students from the Green rooms for more waking hours than anywhere else. I would say that it takes a ton of devotion which this author has done with the love and patience to have gained the intimate knowledge to write about ballet so convincingly.

There are three mothers' and three daughters who mostly make up the focus of this story with some side characters who play a minor role. Ever was my favorite mom and her daughter Bea was my favorite daughter. Bea is a gifted ballerina who was childhood best friends with my second favorite mother and daughter pair who are Olivia and Lindsay. Ever and Lindsay are best friends and their daughters who are Bea and Olivia were best friends, but it isn't clear why Olivia is suddenly being mean to Bea. Josie and her daughter Savvy were the antagonists and the mother daughter duo that I felt I related to the least.

Ever and Bea are still reeling in pain from the husband and father's sudden tragic death. Ever is a writer, but is living day to day trying to stay financially afloat struggling to pay for Bea's monthly ballet classes. Bea can't remember what she did to alienate her childhood best friend Olivia and the reader doesn't know either until you get towards the end of the novel. Their mom's Ever and Lindsay notice their daughters' rift, but they can't understand it either. Ever has another younger teen to support and her husband's life insurance which she had depended on for paying Bea's ballet lessons has refused to honor the claim because of how he died. They have a beautiful home on the beach by the ocean that holds dear family memories. Since Bea is talented at ballet and wants to go to Paris to study further, Ever will have no choice but to sell their home. Olivia is constantly getting picked on by the visiting Ballet teacher who is from the famous Paris Ballet company where every member of the class is hoping to win the scholarship. This male ballet teacher visiting from Paris is the one who will pick the best performer over a season and it will help the winner to further study Ballet at a premier ballet company which is the equivalent of an Ivy league University..

The temporary french male teacher who is visiting will decide who gets what part in the annual production of The Nutcracker. He is there filming the students and they're all hoping to win the scholarship which he will choose after they perform The Nutcracker. Josie who has everything she owns given to her by the two husbands who one she is already divorced from and one who is divorcing her. Her daughter Savvy is the only thing that she truly loves but acts like a best friend to her daughter Savvy rather than a mother. Savvy and Bea are the top contenders for most talented ballet dancers for winning the scholarship and the leading role in The Nutcracker. Bea is kind and humble and Savvy is a manipulator. It's a secret that Savvy's mother Josie is letting the French male ballet teacher who is choosing the best performer for his scholarship and is staying in Josie's guest house. It is a huge no-no and it is highly frowned upon that Josie is letting him stay on her property. Is Josie also a manipulator for offering her guest house in hopes of influencing him to choose Savvy for the Scholarship to study in Paris?. Olivia who is now best friends with Savvy has parents who could easily afford sending her to further her education anywhere. Her parents who are on the verge of divorce have different hopes for Olivia. Olivia doesn't have any hopes of going on with her ballet classes to which her father hopes she chooses College instead. On the contrary, her mother is heartbroken that Olivia doesn't want to continue doing anymore ballet after The Nutcracker.

I used to go see The Nutcracker performed every single year around the holidays in Boston. So this book probably had a lot more sentimental meaning of nostalgia to me. My sister took dance lessons of both ballet and tap dancing from a young age just like most of these characters. The book is also about friendship, family, community, trying to move on after losing a cherished and loved family member, divorce, lies, manipulation, etc. It was well written with mostly lovable characters with a few unlikable ones. It's a coming of age story as much as it is facing disappointment in not getting what we hope for. It is going to appeal to those who are interested in ballet or those who are interested in the women's fiction genre. It was enjoyable and I'm grateful that I read it

Publication Date: February 20, 2024

Thank you to Net Galley, Tammy Greenwood and Kensington Books for generously providing me with my wonderful eARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

#TheStillPoint #TammyGreenwood #KensingtonBooks #NetGalley

Read this book and learn about the ugly backstage reality that occurs to ensure a beautiful ballet production. We become intimately familiar with the Level 6 students as they prepare for Nutcracker performance with a new instructor who shakes things up ALOT! Of course not only students are involved. Parents and sibling lives are also dedicated to the dancer in their lives. Support at home is virtually required so the dancer can rise above her classmates. Also, enthusiasm is infectious! A few notes: I was a dance mom for 12 years at the local ballet studio, my dancer never made it that high but she enjoyed dancing so I supported her. Also, I was fortunate to be in the audience for performances at the New York Met and at the Paris Ballet. They are vastly different but so worth going. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I’d recommend this to people who enjoy stories about:
🤍competitive dance
🤍mom politics
🤍messy middle marriage

My thoughts:

This propulsive story and the effortlessly readable writing hijacked my life.

These girls and their production of The Nutcracker, and their mom’s lives in and out of the studio, were all I could think about from the first page.

The multi-POV works so well. Every character is somewhere between black and white, some darker than others, and their motivations have so many layers.

This would be a great book club pick! The characters are not black and white, and you could have very colorful discussions about who the real villain is at this studio.

This is comped as Dance Moms meets Little Fires Everywhere. While that’s not far off, the problems tackled are grittier than Dance Moms and probably closer to Big Little Lies as far as the richly-developed characters. This story is much more raw than those two very commercial (but enjoyable!) comparisons.

Rating: 5 pointe shoes 🩰•🩰•🩰•🩰•🩰

Thank you to @NetGalley and @kensingtonbooks for the arc!

"The Still Point" by Tammy Greenwood is a captivating novel about competitive ballet. It revolves around a group of talented girls who are supported by their ambitious stage Moms, all of whom are fighting for a scholarship that will take them to Paris. The story is told from the perspective of multiple narrators, which creates a sense of intrigue and suspense as each character presents their version of the events.

The Costa de la Luna Conservatory is depicted as more than just a place for graceful and technical ballet dancers. It is full of drama, dysfunctional parents, broken friendships, control, gossip, dreams, and secrets. Even though I was never interested in ballet as a child, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed and became invested in the characters as I read this book.

Based in Southern California, this novel surrounds 3 teenage ballet dancers, and their mothers, as they compete to win a scholarship to a Parisian ballet company. A well written story of family, love, grief, jealousy, drive and resilience all surrounding ballet and a SoCal bush fire. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

When I read this premise, I was pumped. Sad to say that I could not, for the life of me, get into this one.

This writing itself is actually quite nice. There's some good pacing, imagery, plot points, etc. However, the characters hold this story back - and they're too vital to the main plot to ignore. Each one is one dimensional and bland with little to no redeeming qualities. It feels as if I've seen characters like this many, many times before. They just needed a bit more.

This story had such potential! I wish that I could rate it higher, but the few things it does correctly doesn't make up for the glaring issues.

wow! ballet was always like a foreign country for me - something i missed out on during my childhood, remembering the tears i cried cause i didn’t want to dance without my mama watching. this book made me wondering if there’s maybe still a chance for me out there to start taking up ballet :)

i first thought i wouldn’t enjoy this, i would be too much drama and female jealousy, but i was intrigued by Ever - maybe the main mother this book is written around? this book is a good example of showing you can choose as many povs you wanna incorporate into a novel!!

been ovsessed with the ending!! woke up the passenger sitting next to me on a train ride by my gasp and disappointment of decision i first thought the author has done for the ending, but then it got even better than imagined, so it was a clever game ;)

As a dancer, I found the book captivating! This author is new to me, but the intensity of the prose and story will keep me coming back for more!

A fascinating and gripping story about the world of ballet, the rivalry amongst the young dancers and their parents.
It's a twisty and dark novel, there's the beauty of dance and the darkness of the player.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I finished this book in one day! I love books about sports or athletics, and this didn't disappoint. The world of ballet is cutthroat and passionate in The Still Point. Told from
the perspectives of several main characters, ballet sets the scene for drama, romance, friendship and back stabbing. The author does a beautiful job of descriptions and really brings this unfamiliar world to life. Without spoiling the ending, I was so engrossed in the characters I was hoping to see a flash forward. This is my first book by Tammy Greenwood but I will definitely be looking for more! Thank you for the advance copy!

I did dance as a kid but not ballet. I tapped danced (even managed to win a gold medal) and took jazz lessons. We used to perform for care homes and I was a majorette in parades as well. I don’t remember the mothers or the other dance kids behaving the way they did in this book. But we danced for fun, not for scholarships or to become professionals. I remember when I discovered boys (or they discovered me) I quit. My mom was disappointed but quickly got over it when I joined an ice hockey team and became a power forward.

I love Tammy Greenwood’s books and have read everything she has ever written. She is a master storyteller and tells this one from experience as her daughter is a ballet dancer. You don’t have to be a dancer to enjoy this one because it is basically about competition and the lengths we go through for our kids and to win. The dancers in this story physically and mentally break down often. It borders on abuse.

I loved how character-driven this was and what a bunch of characters they are. The reader gets to know them well through chapters from each character’s point of view. What I really took away from this is what dancers and mothers sacrifice for their craft and because of that, I found this such an emotional and powerful read. I learned a lot about ballet and found it intriguing and interesting as well.

The Still Point centers around three pairs of mother / daughter ballerinas during Nutcracker preparation season. As in any competitive sport or art where groups of teens and mothers are in close proximity, there are both friendships and rivalries between our main characters, for the best parts, for friendships, for romantic relationships. The stakes are even higher this year when Etienne Bernay, a famous French dancer, comes to the conservatory as not only the lead choreographer and director of the Nutcracker, but also with a documentary crew to follow his selection of one dancer to win a coveted scholarship to dance at the Ballet de Paris Academie.

I found the publishers description as Dance Moms meets Big Little Lies to be apt. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I laughed, I cringed, I sat in suspense, I empathized. It was ripe with excellent character development and complicated relationships. I enjoyed the story being told through the multiple viewpoints of Ever, Lindsay, Josie, and Bea. I found it particularly interesting that Bea was the only daughter providing narration and the rest was told from the viewpoints of the mothers. Ultimately it’s a story of love, and the things we do for the people and passions we care about.

"The Still Point" by Tammy Greenwood takes readers on an enthralling journey into the fiercely competitive realm of ballet, weaving a tale that seamlessly blends compelling characters with a thrilling psychological narrative. From the very first page, Greenwood's novel grabs hold of your attention and refuses to let go, offering a rich and immersive exploration of the complexities of the ballet world.

One of the standout features of the novel is undoubtedly its well-crafted characters. Greenwood excels in bringing her protagonists to life, making them not only relatable but also deeply human. As we follow the characters through the ups and downs of their competitive ballet careers, we witness their struggles, triumphs, and the intricate relationships that define their world. Whether it's the aspiring dancer determined to rise above adversity or the seasoned performer grappling with personal demons, each character is meticulously developed, adding layers of depth to the overall narrative.

The novel's exploration of the competitive ballet scene is a captivating highlight. Greenwood's portrayal of this cutthroat world is both authentic and revealing, shedding light on the sacrifices and pressures faced by those dedicated to their craft. The meticulous attention to detail in describing the grueling training routines, intense rivalries, and the relentless pursuit of perfection immerses readers in the demanding and often unforgiving world of competitive ballet.

What sets "The Still Point" apart is its ingenious incorporation of psychological thriller elements into the narrative. As the story unfolds, layers of mystery and suspense are skillfully interwoven with the ballet backdrop, creating a narrative tension that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The psychological nuances and unexpected twists add an intriguing dimension to the novel, elevating it beyond a traditional exploration of the ballet world.

Overall, "The Still Point" is a masterfully crafted novel that seamlessly combines the artistry of ballet with the gripping intensity of a psychological thriller. Tammy Greenwood's writing is both evocative and compelling, drawing readers into a world where passion and ambition collide. With well-developed characters, a vivid portrayal of the competitive ballet scene, and a thrilling narrative, this novel is a must-read for anyone seeking a captivating literary experience. "The Still Point" is a testament to Greenwood's storytelling prowess, making it a highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyable read.

The still point, the beginning of everything.

I discovered Tammy Greenwood in 2000 when I read her book Breathing Water. She became my favorite author at that time. Undressing The Moon and Nearer Than The Sky were the next two books I read by her. All three 5+ star reads.

The Still Point, Tammy’s newest novel is about ballet dancers and their mothers. I have three girls who all danced. They took 5 classes each a week and competed. They loved dance, I loved watching them, but thankfully I did not become those “STAGE MOMS”. Unfortunately there were many moms that did.

Everyone who has raised dancing girls or has children in competitive sports like gymnastics, hockey, tennis etc. must read this book. Especially if you want them to be superstars. This is a lesson about the importance of keeping things in perspective and how you don’t have to be cunning, manipulative and sacrifice your friends and your values for your children to succeed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Desperate Housewives meets Dance Moms! Being a ballet mom myself, whose daughter was in the Nutcracker many times, this was a must read. Such a niche market, but boy was it accurate. I loved the mix of ballet specific scenes, as well as the outside lives of the families. A great read, especially for dance moms!

Oh, the drama! This was everything I wanted and more! A combination of Dance Moms and Little Fires Everywhere is the perfect description and what initially sold me. That and the fact that I was in dance throughout high school. It took me back in time and brought up so many memories.

It is centered around 3 dance moms and their daughters who have all dedicated their lives to ballet. When a new dance director comes from France and offers a scholarship for 1 and an opportunity of a lifetime, how far will each of them go to make their dreams come true? The stakes are high, the drama is fierce and the mother's have their claws ready. Each character is so complex and have secrets of their own. Everyone has a touch of good and evil in them. As much as this story is based around dance it is also about friendship, loss, motherhood, greed, and new chances. Basically, it hits all the spots.

I can absolutely see this being turned into a movie or a series, but for now I will have to rewatch Dance Moms to fill the void!

Thank you Kensington Books and NetGalley for my copy!

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A group of teenaged dancers, their mothers, and lots of drama are centers of the storylines running through this novel.