i DNF’ed this book because i knew pretty early on that it wasn’t for me.
i grew up dancing and thought it was cool to have a dancer FMC!
there was a lot of strong language from the very beginning & there’s explicit sex scenes on page which is not really my vibe!
i’m sure this would be great for others, just not for me !

I really enjoyed this book! It was an engaging read from start to finish, and I found it incredibly accessible. The writing was easy to follow, and I appreciated how the story kept me hooked without feeling overwhelming. Overall, it was a great experience, and I definitely recommend it!

Pointe of Pride by Chloe Angyal is a delightful, witty romance about two ballet dancers navigating their personal and professional struggles. Carly Montgomery, determined to be the best maid of honor and secure a promotion in New York Ballet, finds herself unexpectedly stuck in Sydney, clashing with the uptight, former ballet dancer Nick Jacobs. As their forced collaboration leads to sparks flying, Carly and Nick’s complicated pasts and evolving relationship create both tension and heartwarming moments. Angyal weaves a charming story of self-discovery, love, and the challenges of reconciling career ambitions with personal desires, making this a fun and engaging read for romance and ballet fans alike.

I absolutely loved this book. The FMC, Carly, is fiery and passionate about her dance career but balances that with her personal life. When she is in Australia for a wedding she literally runs into Nick, a dancer who pivoted his career to photography. The two battle and butt heads constantly, but that makes them getting together so satisfying. I loved their banter and relationship.

Thank you Netgalley and of course the author Chloe Angyal for this ARC !

This book is not what I expected at all… I was sure after reading the synopsis that this book was going to be a four-five star read but nope… to be honest I could not even finish it. After 100 pages or so I stopped, I lost interest and could not continue.. the main characters have no maturity whatsoever (especially Carly…) and I felt no chemistry between them … I also didn’t understand the enemies to lovers part, this part of the plot is weak and not believable at all.

Anyway, this book will not stop me from checking future books from the author. Let’s hope they are better than this book.

As a romance this was great, enemies to lovers, forced proximity and in a beautiful location AND there was added details of the female lead's medical issue which impacted intimacy and it was really really well done.

Upon arriving in Sydney for her best friend’s wedding, Carly accidentally knocks over a ridiculously good-looking but insufferable man, takes his bag by mistake, and quickly realizes she’s going to have to do something spectacular if she wants a promotion and doesn’t want to spend the rest of her ballet career stuck playing Maiden #4. Enter Nick: a former ballet star in Paris turned fumbling dance photographer. He sees Carly as everything he wants to avoid—angry, loud, and with a temper that could send most men running for cover.

To Carly's dismay, she and Nick end up being the best man and head bridesmaid at the same wedding, forcing them into each other's company as they tackle wedding tasks. When Carly asks Nick for help, they end up spending more time together, and he starts taking some of the best photographs of his career. However, both Carly and Nick believe their relationship has an expiration date, convinced their friendship is just temporary.

This book was an absolute delight! I devoured it in two sittings, unable to put it down. The author perfectly captured the fiery personality and temper of a ginger girl, making Carly’s “tantrums” so relatable and hilarious that I found myself laughing out loud. The banter between Carly and Nick was spot-on, and the chemistry between them was so palpable that it made their initial hatred for each other all the more entertaining. There were some mild miscommunications along the way, but they were handled well and resolved by the end of the book.

I really appreciated the depth of the themes explored in this story. From the complexities of difficult family dynamics to the frustrations of class divides and the struggles with intimacy and sex, the author tackled it all. Nick had a strained relationship with his parents, and Carly was trying to shed her "ballet brat" reputation. Each character had their own personal challenges, and I loved watching them navigate these issues, both on their own and together. The character development was exceptional, and I found myself rooting for Nick and Carly from start to finish.

This book definitely falls into the 17+ category due to explicit sexual content and strong language, but the way these issues were addressed was done with such sensitivity and thoughtfulness. Despite being a fairly typical romance novel, the author’s attention to detail and thorough research made this book feel incredibly well-crafted and intelligent.

My only minor criticism is that Carly occasionally came across as a bit self-pitying, especially for the first part of the book. While it didn’t ruin the story, it was a trait that could be mildly frustrating at times. However, this didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of the book.

In short, this is a wonderfully written, heartwarming, and smart romance with great character development, witty dialogue, and plenty of emotional depth. Highly recommended!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Pointe of Pride is an enemies to lovers ballerina/photographer romance with disability rep. While I loved the first in the series, this one did not pack the same punch but I would try this author again in the future.

I was so excited about this book after reading Pas De Don't and it did not disappoint! There is a lot of depth and background to Carly and Nick, both of them bringing a unique character to the story. I loved that Carly was "stuck" as a corps member. It was refreshing to see a more realistic expectation of being a professional ballerina. And the banter! Carly has a lot of fire and passion behind her words and Nick does struggle with communication, but they are fantastic. I'm excited to see if the series will continue (and hope it does)!

Professional ballet dancer Carly Montgomery has flown for nearly 24 hours to Sydney, Australia, to support her best friend, Heather, in the lead-up to Heather and Marcus’s wedding. All she wants is to grab her suitcase, hug her best friend, and enjoy a much-deserved cup of coffee. However, her trip gets off to a rocky start when an errant luggage cart leads to an altercation with another traveler. To make matters worse, the grumpy traveler she nearly ran over with the luggage cart turns out to be Nick, Marcus’s best man, with whom Carly must run wedding errands for the next three weeks.
Despite their mutual distaste, Carly and Nick are determined to help their friends' wedding succeed. They decide to fake collegiality, which leads to a real professional collaboration and then... something more?!
POINTE OF PRIDE is a delight! It’s a joy to be back with Angyal’s professional ballet dancers in Australia as they navigate romance, friendship, ambition, insecurities, and health issues.
Carly is fiery (she’s working on her temper) but also sensitive and fiercely loyal. Nick is kind and contained, holding his cards close but truly seeing Carly and, over time, wanting to open up to her and support her however she needs. Oh, and he’s super hot and, as a former ballet dancer, has a knack for picking up choreography 😏
In addition to enjoying the romance and friendships in the book, I empathized with the characters' professional anxieties. Their struggles are relatable for anyone who has had to navigate career transitions and grapple with professional disappointments.
A big thank you to @chicagoreviewpress and @netgalley for sharing a digital ARC with me.

This was a fun reading. Carly is a professional dancer in an important company in the USA, but she has been in the corps of ballet for many years and she's waiting to be promoted, while Nick, is a retired dancer, trying to figure out what to do with his life, after being a principal dancer at an important company in France.
Since the book is more about the relationship between Nick and Carly, It's very accurate to the feelings of both characters in this particular moment of their careers, because these are very important in the life of dancers. Most of them spend too much time trying to belong and be very good as dancers, and time lasts fast when they realize, they have to look to an uncertain future. It's not easy, the most of them feel that they have already done all they want to, and feel lost when have to figure out what to do with their lives before the dance.
There's another topic in this book interesting, which I didn't know, and it is a disorder of the function of the pelvic floor. So, this is a crucial part of the book because defines the personality and the way Carly relates with her couples during her lifetime.
I think it is an easy-reading book, aimed at a young adult audience.
Thank you so much to Netgalley for allowing me to read this copy in advance

Chloe Angyal does NOT miss!! This is the first book I’ve ever read that features a straight couple with no PIV (penis in vagina). Carly has a pelvic floor dysfunction that makes PIV painful and this type of representation is so needed in books! Chloe herself said that non-PIV representation isn’t something new, so many LGBTQ+ books are this way.

I’ll get to the plot, but it’s been so cool to see comments of people with pelvic floor pain see themselves in Chloe and feel empowered to either find the right doctor / the right partner, etc. REPRESENTATION IS SO IMPORTANT!!

The chemistry in this enemies to lovers is so well done. They’re definitely cranky with each other, but not in a way where you’d never believe that they wouldn’t get together.

I can understand the criticism of the 3rd act breakup, but after hearing Chloe’s explanation of it, it truly is so “Carly.” I just couldn’t imagine being her bff in this situation! Heather is better than I am, because as someone who’s had a wedding reception, and Heather being as organized as she is — I could not forgive the chaos.

I loved the social media tie in. As a content creator, I loved that it wasn’t overdone or the main focus, but a fun addition.

The depth of these characters is *chefs kiss*. I knew Carly from Pas de Don’t, but even without it, you get to know both her and Marcus on such a personal level, especially because this is dual-POV.

For all the Davo Stans out there, I don’t get the hype. But, I do get the Chloe Angyal hype so please support this wonderful author so we can get more from her!!! Forever an auto-buy author for me!

Thank you NetGalley and Indepent Publishers Group for this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Angyal's debut, Pas de Don't, and this book is a companion follow up to that. So essentially, the couple from Pas de Don't are getting married so Carly and Nick have come in for the wedding as the Maid of Honor and Best Man respectively. The two of them have an extremely negative first... couple encounters, but wind up being forced to work together for wedding reasons. And then other reasons.

What I loved about this book was the representation of Carly's "broken vagina," as she has a type of vaginismus, which makes penetration extremely painful for her. And the way that Angyal handled the discussion of the issue, the way that Nick was ultimately so great about it? And not in a like, "Cool, so we can't have p in v sex," but in the way that he like, does his own research to figure out what Carly has going on. I just... I really appreciated it.

I also loved the way the two of them both had kind of black cat energy in some ways about letting someone get close to them and so they just sort of take very tentative steps toward coming together. (Also, this is nothing against black cats. Mine has wandered away from me at the present moment, but he's actually incredible affectionate.) It just felt pretty real to have some pretty significant trust issues and also, to be at such a fragile place in your life, almost a crossroads. Overall, a really excellent book and I look forward to reading more from Angyal whenever her next book releases!

Thank you NetGalley and Chloe Angyal for the ARC of “Point of Pride”! It was just a heartwarming read!! I’ve been in my career for 10 years now and have had that burn out feeling and have been confused on what to do next in my life and this story really connected that feeling of hope for change and growth. I loved the characters development and the banter! Everything was perfect!!

A beautiful moving love story that follows Carly and Nick as they figure out their life and careers. Chloe Angyal did a such a good job at making me care about this characters and want nothing but the best for them.

Carly’s issues with pelvic pain were raw, real and it gave this book such a sense of vulnerability. Nick was truly the best example of what a partner should do and that just made him so sexy and dreamy.

This story was deeply entertaining and I was immediately invested in the characters. Carly and her explosive tendencies as well as her fierce loyalty for those she loves made her someone I was rooting for. Nick while he might come off as a bit of an asshole in the beginning clearly is just someone who is struggling with life and insecurities but is so caring and loyal. The tension was thick from the beginning and the explosion once they get together was everything I wanted.

Carly and Nick are an intriguing and complicated couple. I liked that while Carly thought Nick had it all together, Nick really doesn't. I liked that where Carly built Nick up, the story made him more real. Their relationship developing felt natural and I loved their dynamic.

Just read this one, you will not be disappointed! I also love how the author depicts ballet; all the beauty and pain, and not romanticized in a way that undercuts the real issues inherent in the sport.

Carly Montgomery, determined to excel as the world’s best maid of honor and secure a promotion in New York City’s ballet scene, finds herself entangled with Nick Jacobs, an uptight and attractive photographer who is also in town for the same wedding.

The novel unfolds with Carly and Nick navigating their unexpected partnership amidst personal challenges. Carly, grappling with her ambitions in ballet and a looming decision about her career, turns to Nick for help despite their initial clash of personalities. Meanwhile, Nick, concealing a recent personal setback from his Parisian life, discovers a renewed sense of purpose through their collaboration.

Angyal’s writing skillfully weaves together witty banter, genuine emotional depth, and palpable chemistry between Carly and Nick. Their evolving relationship is portrayed with authenticity and tenderness, evolving from initial friction to a heartfelt connection as they learn to appreciate each other’s strengths and vulnerabilities.

The backdrop of Sydney provides a picturesque setting that enhances the narrative’s charm, offering a vivid backdrop for Carly and Nick’s escapades and introspective moments. The story is not merely about romance but also explores themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams amidst unexpected detours.

“Pointe of Pride” is a delightful read that combines sparkling dialogue, emotional resonance, and a satisfying romance that unfolds against the enchanting allure of Sydney and the competitive world of ballet. Fans of contemporary romance will find themselves thoroughly enchanted by Carly and Nick’s journey towards understanding, forgiveness, and love.

In her follow up to Pas de Don’t, her romcom debut, former dancer Chloe Angyal provides an engaging enemies-to-lovers tale set in her native Sydney, Australia. Sparky New York corps de ballet dancer Carly Montgomery puts friendship over prospects for promotion by serving as maid of honor for her bestie, prima ballerina Heather Hays. On her arrival she has an unpleasant encounter with a handsome jerk, whose luggage gets mixed up with hers, and who naturally turns out to be the groom’s best man, Nick Jacobs. His dancing days are long past, his career as professional photographer hasn’t taken off. Carly, committed to her profession, also suffers internal injury that requires extensive physical therapy prohibits penetrative sex

The bickering couple agree to make nice throughout preparation for the nuptials, all the while sparring out of their friends’ presence. Carly taking advantage of Nick’s supposed fame as photographer, enlists him to take dramatic pictures of her in scenic locations in the Sydney environs, with the intention of boosting her Instagram profile. A multitude of followers and enhance popularity, she’s sure, will result in her longed-for rise in the ballet company back home. When carefully concealed secrets are fully revealed, the romance as well as workplace prospects are imperiled.

The pace of the story never flags, Nick and Carly are pleasingly flawed and equally captivating, and the ballet content is well-presented. The result: another winning story from Angyal. (Amberjack Publishing, 378 pp., paperback/ebook, May 2024)