First Position, Melanie Hamrick
First Position, Melanie Hamrick
List: $20.00 | Sale: $14.00
Club: $10.00

First Position

Author: Melanie Hamrick

Narrator: Savannah Peachwood, Summer Morton

Unabridged: 9 hr 4 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Penguin Audio

Published: 06/20/2023


Synopsis

A dancer’s fall from grace ignites a dark ambition in this propulsive novel about the seductive, cutthroat world of professional ballet by debut author Melanie Hamrick.

Five years into her career at the North American Ballet, Sylvie Carter has come a long way from the girl she once was—the young, driven ballerina who dutifully kept a list of rules for how to succeed. But as her star in the company rises, every rule gets broken and she becomes a version of herself she no longer recognizes.  When a tumultuous, troubling relationship erupts into a devastating scandal for which she alone is blamed, she loses everything. Her reputation is destroyed, her best friend is now her fiercest rival, and the dream she’s worked for her entire life—becoming a prima ballerina—will never be realized. She vows not to ever make the same mistake again.

But when renowned dancer Alessandro Russo joins NAB as a guest artist for the season, Sylvie is magnetically drawn to him. Torn between fear and attraction, she finds herself mentally unraveling but also artistically blossoming as she taps into emotions she’d buried long ago. Caught in a bewildering spiral, she can either let the wounds of the past destroy her or find a way to be reborn.

About The Author

Melanie Hamrick is a mother, ballerina, producer, choreographer, and writer. Born and raised in Virginia, Melanie began dancing at a young age. Her career as a ballerina spanned over sixteen years with American Ballet Theatre. From traveling the world with her family and work, Melanie has always carried novels and notebooks with her. Her passion for reading and dance inspired her to write her first novel First Positon.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Nilufer on May 08, 2023

My expectations were higher after reading the interesting plot line that gave off Black Swan vibes and a promising, dark introduction to the world of ballerinas. However, I found that I watched a very detailed, smooth, and technical documentary about ballerinas instead of reading a riveting thriller......more

Goodreads review by Catherine on July 11, 2023

**Many thanks to Shelf Awareness, NetGalley, Berkley, and Melanie Hamrick for an ARC of this book! Now available as of 6.20!** When you see this cover and read the words "First Position," you might think that this is a simply a book about the dark side of ballet...you know, first position, second pos......more

Goodreads review by Rachel (TheShadesofOrange) on June 22, 2023

3.0 Stars I adore books involving dance and female athletes. So many of my favourite books fall within this niche subgenre. So I was incredibly eager to read this new release. After finishing this novel, I can report that it's pretty good. It's fine, but it does not leave up to the potential of this......more

Goodreads review by Shannon on June 18, 2023

I really, really, really enjoyed this debut that takes a look at the dark side of professional ballet. Told from the perspective of two best friends turned rivals, Sylvie and Jocelyn, as they start with the ballet North American Ballet company at the same time but are torn apart by a scandal. Throug......more

Goodreads review by Caity on September 28, 2024

4.5 🌟 There’s just something about ballerinas that I LOVE! This book was twisted, toxic, desirable, confronting and steamy. I may have taken a month to read it (soz busy life) but bloody hell I loved it.......more


Quotes

"Addictive. Hamrick weaves a fascinating portrait of the darkness behind the curtain in professional ballet. Perfect for fans of Black Swan or those who love forbidden romance."—Emma Noyes, author of Guy’s Girl

"Addictively racy"—Daily Mail

"Hamrick makes her debut with this erotic novel that pulses with Black Swan energy...Hamrick offers up a thrilling meditation on the tension between love, desire, and art by combining the artistry of The Red Shoes with the eroticism of Fifty Shades of Grey."—Entertainment Weekly

“Emotional and enthralling.”—Woman’s World