I wish I could give it more than 5 stars .

This was hands down one of the most heart shattering love stories I have read this year .

Hudson is a Hottie hot coast guard rescue swimmer, and Allie is an elite ballerina, and they have been through it all together and apart .

Rebecca Yarros, you create magic within your books . I'm still sobbing. Wow . It is filled with second chance romance, tragedy , family ties, fake dating, you name it it's in there and your heart will be shattered but also feel so full it might burst.


I'm blown away

I was given an ARC copy in advance to give an honest review.. Variation release date is November 19th, and I can't wait to add this beautiful book to my shelf .

Rebecca Yarros gives readers “Every emotion, every time” and “Variation” gives nothing less than swoon worthy perfection! This book had me gasping, tearing up, guffawing, and I may or may not have thrown my book in surprise. It is a heartbreaking, yet heartwarming, tale of two soulmates who have to fight with everything they have to be together – for a second chance at love.

As a teenager, Hudson Ellis saved Allie Rosseau and her sister Eva from certain death when their boat capsized at sea. It was in that movement that started it all for Hudson and Allie, as they quickly became secret best friends with the potential for so much more. Yet it wasn’t their time, and tragic events tear them apart and it takes their worlds nearly ending, again, to bring them back together. Fast forward a decade and all love has been lost… or so we are to believe because Hudson and Allie never got over their first loves. Watching them come together was a nail-biting experience! I was constantly on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the moment the two could finally make it work because the will they/won’t they was driving me crazy in the best way possible.

The romance between Allie & Hudson is a beautiful amalgamation of love, hate, forgiveness, and trust. This duo has to overcome obstacles being thrown at them from every angle, but somehow, they power through. At its core, “Variation” is a story about love, regrets, recovery, courage, and strength (both physical and emotional). Hudson has to overcome the consequences of his unforgivable past actions and find the courage to fight for love. To fight for the woman that he has always loved. Allie has to find the courage to believe in second chances and to trust again. She also has to find the course to disregard familial and societal pressures to know what will serve her best. Both Hudson and Allie struggle to navigate how to prioritize themselves along with their wants and needs. Only when they do are they able to be enough for each other. Not only does Hudson and Allie stories immediately draw you in but it also makes them incredibly relatable characters despite their bigger than life careers. As I watched them navigate their hardships, it became obvious that all readers could learn a thing or two from them outside of their romantic woes. They showed me that love isn’t just about the lovey-dovey feelings but that it also takes hard work, intention, and showing up for your partner (and yourself!) to make love work. And boy did Allie and Hudson show up for each other.

When reading the flashbacks of their childhood, you can tell what Allie & Hudson have is real. Their friendship is the foundation for the (eventually) perfect love story. Rebecca Yarros possesses the amazing ability to consume her readers and really get under our skin with her characters. I’ve never been disappointed by any of her romances because they are so genuine. Not only does she write amazing love stories, she writes such enriching life stories that often cause me to reflect about how I would respond to the character’s situations and I often discover things about myself that I wasn’t expecting while reading.

I am a big fan of Rebecca Yarros’ contemporary romances and in my opinion, “Variation” is the most trope heavy of her books. I love that every one of her books is a surprise! She completely captivated me with 1) second chance love, 2) fake dating, 3) found family (iykyk & SCREAMED), and 4) one bed, to name a few. Additionally, it has to be her smuttiest book yet, which I’m totally here for! To quote Eva Rousseau, “Five stars. No notes.”

Rebecca Yarros is my favorite author. Long before she became a household name with Fourth Wing, her contemporary romances sucked me in.

Now that my bias has been disclosed, I promise this book deserves all the love it's going to get! Her ability to suck you into the world... you forget your reading a book. The character development is amazing,.

This is Hudson and Allie's story. Allie is a famous ballerina and Hudson is a coast guard swimmer (I love how she continues to weave the military into her stories). Allie is fighting every day to continue to be the best ballerina she can be, but something is missing. When an injury sidelines her, she heads back home for rehab. When you go back home to a small town, you're bound to run into the past - and the past just happens to be handsome Hudson Ellis. To say they have a past is an understatement. Hudson remains in their small town, even though he was determined to get out, to help with family obligations.

Being thrown back together brings up all sorts of emotions, and I love how we get flashbacks to see their past as well. I will say, you can expect the patented Rebecca twist, but we'll see if you can guess what it is going to be! The only complaint I ever have, is the books aren't long enough. I want more - especially of the happily ever after!

I love that even though her fame has grown, she's going to continue to write contemporary romance. Her stories bring escapism and are needed in this crazy world.

As always, YMMV.

I loved this book because I love Rebecca’s voice as an author. I discovered Variation thanks to having read Fourth Wing, and was not disappointed despite the completely different world. Hudson and Allie are lovable, and there’s enough mystery under it all to push you to fly through it. I will definitely read this again.

This captivating story is yet another must-read for fans of Yarros' work. This book made me laugh, cry, and scream with frustration as she takes us through a story woven with love, loss, and redemption. The chemistry between Hudson and Allie is nothing short of electric, and the plot twists keep you on your toes throughout. I refuse to spoil this emotional journey for potential readers, so I won't say more, but just be prepared: grab some tissues, and settle in for a wild ride. Love this and highly recommend it.

Rebecca Yarros is a 1-Click author for me. I’ve been hooked on her stories ever since I read Full Measures many years ago. I have read every single one of her book since! I don’t even read the synopsis. She releases a novel, I read it! So when this book came out, I was beyond excited to get my hands on it. It didn’t disappoint. I absolutely LOVED it!

A story about a Coast Guard rescue swimmer and an elite ballerina? I’m in! I simply adored Hudson and Allie. Rebecca writes the BEST heroes! Her heroines are pretty awesome too. I loved how their story began and how it ended. It gave me all the feels I want from a romance and left me with a cheesy smile on my face. I adored all the secondary characters as well. They added so much to the story. Even Sadie!

Nobody does military romance like Rebecca Yarros. Variation is another fantastic read from this phenomenal author. It was so much fun to meet Hudson, Allie and their families. I can’t wait to read what's next!

Review by Lys

I will forever scream at the top of my lungs that Rebecca Yarros' romance novels are GOD TIER!

As much as I love The Empyrean series, her romance novels are just amazing through and through. Variation is just more proof that people are sleeping on RY's other novels because they don't have dragons.

This book doesn't quite follow the same formula of her other romance novels, but it was very refreshing! Although the MMC is in the military as well, it is a different tier than her active duty abroad novels which was a nice change. The female main character, Allie resonated with me so much as a child prodigy of performance sport, and having family pressures of maintaining perfection. The rawness of those emotions and addressing them as an adult really hit home to me.

Overall, I cannot wait for this one to launch and thank you so much for the opportunity to read it early

Rebecca Yarros know how to write a story that reaches into your chest, pulls our your heart, tears it to shreds then puts it back together again and places it back in your chest, never to be the same. The story of Hudson and Allie has all the qualities I look for in a love story. We meet them when Hudson is just sixteen and saves Allie and one of her sisters in a boat accident. The two become the best of friends only to have their friendship end two years later after life gets messy. We catch up with them ten years later and sparks can’t help but fly when they are thrown back into each other’s lives. This book is about family and so many different family relationships. I love when Rebecca Yarros writes a love story and hated to have this one end.

I had never read anything by the author and I found it very pleasant writing. I really liked the issue of ballet, because it is something that is very familiar to me. It was a pleasant read and without a doubt I will read more of the author.

Allie! Hudson!
I absolutely loved this book. RY does some amazing work in the contemporary space, and I am loving it!
The longing, the banter, the grief... it's just all amazing. I love how she makes me fall for her characters and enjoy watching their journey.
Variation has 2 things I know nothing about: ballet and being a coast guard swimmer. But I loved it and I enjoyed the introduction to those 2 worlds.
Read this book, you will not be disappointed.

Oh. My. Gosh. Rebecca Yarros did what Rebecca Yarros does with her newest novel. This was a very beautiful love story. I loved the twists and turns, I loved the characters, and I love the beautiful details of ballet that were intricately woven into the storyline. It will be hard not to fall in love with nearly all of the main characters. The way Allie walks through her trauma is so incredibly relatable as someone who also struggles with perfectionism. Allie and Hudson have a stunning love story and you will have a hard time NOT rooting for them. I highly recommend this to everyone! I read the last 2/3 of this book in one sitting because it completely captivated my heart and attention and simply couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This has been one of my most anticipated releases of 2024 and it was a joy to read it early!

Rebecca Yarros has been an auto buy author for me since I read The Last Letter 2 years ago. Her contemporary romances always have a way of drawing me in and unsure of how they will end!

Variation is a beautiful story of second chance between famous ballerina, Allie, and rescue coast guard swimmer, Hudson. Their story is filled with heartache, discovery of secrets, family bonds, healing, and quite a bit of tension/banter along the way.

What to expect:
- Second chance
- Ballerina X Coast Guard
- Fake Dating
- He falls first
- Dual POV


This is one of those books that I could see vividly like a movie playing out in my minds. I loved watching Allie come into her own and experience so much personal development. Hudson is 🔥 loved his role, personality, witty remarks, and honestly would have loved to see even more of his job!

PSA there is definitely some spice but it’s the right amount. Perfect spice to plot ratio!

It wasn’t quite as emotional for me as some of her other contemporary romance novels, but still had plot twists throughout. I wish there had been a bit less mentioning of social media/ use of modern day slang, just a personal preference of something I don’t love to have a large presence in books.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and I think it will be SO loved by romance readers!

Variation reminded me of why I fell for Rebecca Yarros' writing in the first place. With the huge blow up of the romantasy genre as of late, it's easy to forget that she is soooo good at the contemporary/NA. There's a balanced blend of family, drama, heartbreak, love and romance and I just simply enjoy Rebecca's writing style. Allie and Hudson's story is definitely more than meets the eye and as the different layers unfurl, I found myself more captivated.

Trust. Loss. Guilt. Sacrifice. Truth. Forgiveness. Love.

An endearing, yet heartbreaking, friends to lovers second chance romance about letting go of the past and finding your own path. Choose what makes you happy and follow your dreams because a lot can change in five minutes or in one summer.

I'm never disappointed with a Rebecca Yarros book. They are always packed with heart and emotion, and this book is no exception. At times, I was laughing. At times, I was crying. At times, I was on the edge of my seat. But in the end, I was twirled into the intricacies of this storyline.

"Follow your heart, and take care of what I'm leaving behind."
"Messy is where the best parts of life happen."

What a great rom-com - the stakes were high, it had wonderful tension and a fab slow burn. Definitely more emotional themes, I really enjoyed this one. Great steam but not TOO much. Loved the plot. Highly recommend to romance fans!

Ballet, buried secrets, and a love that refuses to fade.

Allie Rousseau, an elite ballerina, is used to performing under pressure, especially with her mom always expecting perfection. But after an injury throws her future into question, Allie heads back to her summer home to heal—only to find that the memories she tried to bury come rushing back.

Hudson Ellis, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer who’s been living with the regret of leaving Allie behind when he went off to basic. Their past is messy, and the secrets Hudson carries make things even more complicated.

I loved every second of this story and was so excited to get to read it early. I am a huge fan of Rebecca Yarros!

The chemistry between Allie and Hudson is so raw and emotional—you feel every bit of that unresolved tension and heartache between them.

When Hudson’s niece shows up at Allie’s doorstep, looking for her birth mother, things get even more tangled, and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how it all played out.

This book had everything—love, regret, healing, and second chances—and Rebecca Yarros absolutely nailed it.

It’ll break your heart one moment and have joy the next.
If you want a story that makes you feel everything, this one’s a must-read.

Thank you Amazon Publishing, Netgalley, and Rebecca Yarros for this ARC!

I can't tell you how excited I was to receive an ARC of this book through NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review, which i gladly accepted. Rebecca Yarros is one of my favorite authors. I adore her even more for being an ally to the Jewish community. I've read every contemporary romance book that Rebecca Yarros has written. The only books I haven't read are the romantasy series.

Variation is a former best friend / turned lovers trope. Hudson Ellis and Alessandra Rousseau are 17 years old when they first meet. Hudson rescues her and her younger sister Eva from a boat. They become best friends, although Alessandra/ Allie and her 3 sisters are ballerinas and have a strict training schedule. Hudson aspires to be a Coast Guard / search and rescue swimmer. He lives in Cape Cod w his parents, brother Gavin, and sister Caroline. Something happens, and Allie's sister Lina dies in a car accident. Allie can't remember most of the accident. In any case, they stop talking/seeing each other for 10 years.

Fast forward, and Allie is a principal ballerina in her mother's Metropolitan Ballet Company, Hudson is a SAR swimmer for the Coaat Guard in Cape Cod. There's a long lost relative and a fake dating scheme. The scenes were hot when they finally gave into their desires. There are many obstacles for Hudson and Allie. I absolutely loved their journey. I had guessed something major going on with Allie's mom, mostly because of the field I work in. 5🔥 out 11/19/24. Highly recommend.

Listen, I haven’t read Fourth Wing yet because the series isn’t over, so Rebecca’s contemporary romances will have to tide me over until then. And I am NOT complaining!! Variation hit me right in the gut but put me back together again. Her writing is so engaging, there was never a moment I was bored. Highly highly recommend!!!

As someone who loves all the other non-dragon writing from Yarros, I was very hopeful Variation would have the same vibes as some of my favorites, like In the Likely Event or The Last Letter (both of which I loved) but I just didn't feel like this was written as well as her other contemporary romances. The storyline didn't really do it for me, especially at the beginning. I liked this book but didn't love it.

This book strikes the perfect balance of spice, and the plot is engaging from the very start. I took my time finishing it because I wanted to savor each chapter and extend the experience. Rebecca, the author, brilliantly made me reflect on the events of the first few chapters while introducing new twists to the plot!
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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Full review with spoiler will be posted on my Goodreads week of Nov 19th.