We Only Want What's Best

by Carolyn Swindell

A long-haul flight. Two ambitious dance mums. A child in danger.

Bridget and Simone aren't friends, but their daughters are in the same dance troupe: Expressions. They're flying to Los Angeles together so the girls can perform at Disneyland. Simone's daughter, Zahra, is the leader of the troupe, while Bridget's daughter, Becky, is a talent on the rise.

An unexpected upgrade sees Bridget moved to business class and seated with Simone and her husband, Glen. Despite feeling out of her depth, Bridget is pleased to find that she and Simone share a lot in common, and the flight goes smoothly. That is until Bridget discovers shocking images of Zahra and other Expressions dancers on an old USB.

A fierce examination of their dance world ensues. Tensions rise, and there's no way for anyone to escape. For two very different families, what unfolds over the course of the flight will shock and threaten to destroy them.

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary, Audiobook

316 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 2023

Reviews

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The description of this book had me intrigued! Dancers and their mothers and a long haul flight to Disneyland. Two dance mothers with very talented daughters, but at the opposite end of the eliteness scale combine. Both have ambition for their daughters, Simone is an ex-dancer herself and her daughter Zahra is also talented but it will be the last year in the current troupe as she is getting older. Zahra is on the cusp of womanhood and likes to push things to the limit. Bridget however has struggled and her daughter Becky is only 12 years old and quite talented. Being on a flight for the troupe to perform in Disneyland all sorts of secrets come out including ambition, drinking, explicit photos of young girls, a lovesick boyfriend, the mile high club and the list goes on.
This book kept me page turning until the very end. I thought about the ending for quite some time, not sure that I was happy with it, but so be it. It was refreshing to read a book that was very different from what I usually read.
Thank you to Affirm Press and NetGalley for the complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Teagan Sincock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling spoilt for choice with all these top tier Aussie authors and books lately. I was ready to give this a 4.5 until I turned the last page and realised it was the end. Don't get me wrong, the end wasn't bad... Just a little premature. And after a tense and page turning book it was a bit disappointing to end with a sizzle not a bang.

One of my fav types of books, 100% character driven, written well and tackling some messy and modern topics. Need more from this author (soon, please!!)

[Craig and Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

We Only Want What’s Best is a slow burn, fair and easy book that takes the reader into the world of dance, class and friendships of the parents while on a plane ride to the US.
It also brings the tension, secrets, power, divides and dynamics between the cast with a few twists to add to the balance.
Simone and Bridget are dance mums.
They are not friends but they know each other as their daughters are in the same dance class.
Zahra is the troupes leader and Becky is the rising star.
They all are flying from Sydney to Los Angeles to perform at Disneyland.
What starts as a smooth going flight turns into shock, anger, hurt and frustration as they get closer to their destination.
A debut that will be appealing for some.
While it’s not a bad read, I found it quite gradual without any real standout feature.
An interesting premise that is tempting for the reader.
A pressure cooker of emotions, deceit and assumptions travelling on an aircraft.
The setting is captured quite well and storyline structure is ok paced.
A novel with drama, scandal and influence.

[Carly Findlay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting and engaging, but filled with ableist language.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hated all the characters, but I think that might be the point!?

[Jackie McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will say at the outset, We Only Want What's Best is not my usual style of book. It's an interpersonal drama largely set on a flight between Sydney and Los Angeles. However I enjoyed it way more than I expected to. At its heart, Carolyn Swindell's book is about motherhood and the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her daughter. It's also about class and power: "You know, anywhere else, those curtains would be rude, but up here, we're just supposed to accept it. Just accept that the rich people who have paid more – the rich people of Business Class... don't want to be looked at by the not-rich people."

The two mothers in the book, Bridget and Simone, both struggle to do what is best for their daughters who are vying for lead roles in their dance group. They're not inclined to like each other, and it's easier to side with Bridget, the Aussie battler: "Rich people love to use a first name when they're talking to people who are subservient to them. Makes them seem real and in touch". However when a scandal emerges about sexually suggestive photos, the protective behaviours of each mother become more apparent: "She's fifteen years old and has a fifteen-year-old's warped view of sexy – informed by the porn that the cyber-safety experts tell us is so readily available to kids nowadays." And if the ultimate goal is to protect your daughter from greater harm, it is not quite so clean cut about who is the most effective. In the novel, the dance world emerges as a dangerous place for young women: "And dance is as competitive as an Olympic sport, but without the rules. Choreographers openly promote their 'muses' – a romantic name for a casting couch." Yes, this book is quite compelling, and not at all what I thought it would be at the outset: dance mums being horrible to each other.

With thanks to NetGalley and Affirm Press for sending me a copy to read.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A debut novel by an Australian author with a premise that was very different to anything I read before and it was really good. It is quite a triggering book as it deals with the exploitation of young female dancers, and the repercussions of that. It is a book that is meant to make you feel uncomfortable, and it certainly does that. The writing of the story matched the setting being on a plane so well… you felt like you were there with them slowly waiting for details to emerge and the situation to unfold. The characters were developed well and no character was drawn as perfect, they all had a backstory and they all had some sort of way they were insecure and affected by the lure of the dance world. The raw emotion and self-righteousness of the characters at times could have you rolling your eyes one minute and laughing the next. I’d recommend for sure, but remember— an unsettling read with the themes involved.

[tamati laurence · Rating 2 out of 5]

A somewhat unrefined debut from an Australian author, this book attempts to offer commentary on the world of children dancing, but fails to grapple with the nuance of the implications it sets itself up for. I was able to read the book in one day, not because it was enthralling but moreso because it was a bit immature in style, dialogue and plot development. It delves into forms of sexualisation, but, coupled with lacklustre characters and unrefined storytelling, the novel ultimately feels flat and one dimensional. However, this is Swindell's first publication and it was a long lengthy battle for her to complete the book. Most of the ideas presented were just hinted at, nothing felt fleshed out and even certain plot twists remained inconsistent. In that sense, I think her next book has great potential if she can work on her character building and reach a level of maturity in her writing that seemed to be missing in this book.

3/10

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bridget and Simone's daughters are members of the same dance group and that's where the things they have in common end. Bridget is a very young, single mother who is super excited about the group's trip to Disneyland. Simone and her husband are older, super rich and a little more jaded. While most of the group is traveling together, Bridget and Simone's families are heading to LA a day earlier - Bridget to organise all the costumes, Simone's family to see a solar eclipse from the plane. When they run into each other at the airport, Simone's husband organises for Bridget and her daughter to receive seat upgrades, meaning the two families are trapped together for the flight.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book but it lost its way in the second half. It started to drag on (the flight felt way longer than it should have!), the drama got a little unbelievable and I didn't find the ending very satisfying. Such a shame after the promise of the first half!

[everything golden mims · Rating 3 out of 5]

ᴡᴇ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴡʜᴀᴛ'ꜱ ʙᴇꜱᴛ 
- ᴄᴀʀᴏʟʏɴ ꜱᴡɪɴᴅᴇʟʟ

It's Monday and I am starting the week  off with a review from the buddy read for We Only Want What's Best by Carolyn Swindell!  I would like to thank @all_of_ourbooks for organising the buddy read with @my.readingsanctuary and @literatibabe for joining in

Bridget and Simone's daughters are in the same dance troupe and flying to LA for a performance at Disneyland. Simone's daughter is the leader, while Bridget's daughter is a rising talent. On the flight, both lonely women find something in common until Bridget discovers shocking images of Zahra and other dancers. The book explores the tension and uncomfortable dynamics of the dance world, with unexpected twists and themes around power and wealth. Buckle up for a thrilling read as the countdown to destination keeps you in a state of heightened anxiety.

Happy reading x

[Brendon Fehre · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received an advanced readers copy.

I read this book based on the back cover where it was supposed to be "a pressure-cooker of emotions trapped in a plane" which kind of makes you think it's a thriller - it's not. This booked needs a lot of work, it seriously needed a good editor to cull a lot at the front of the book. Not only were there many errors in wording, spelling, grammar etc. (which takes away the pleasure of reading) but the book dragged on and on at the start, this reader just wanted something to happen, anything.

While I thought it was well written, a quarter, then half, then three quarters though the book and still no major drama. It was like reading a Mills & Boon without the good ending - and by the time I did get to the ending it was predictable. Disappointing.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I hate long-haul flights, I had to read this slow-burn that unfolds over 18 hours on a flight from Sydney to LA. The countdown to destination creates tension in a weird way. At times, it seemed like not much was happening, but I was constantly aware of the time passing and distance increasing. The setting of a plane is captured very well; the weird lighting, the incessant hum of the plane, the disconnection from time and body clock, the discarded plastic wrap and rumpled seats where each person has to live for this suspended period of time. I felt it all. The topic is a bit unsettling and I found the ending a little unsatisfying, particularly for one character. However, the rest was tied up well.

Thanks to the author for sending me a review copy.

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did read the book in its entirety, I actually found it quite depressing and the characters unlikeable, as other people have said. The depressing part is that the unsavoury stuff is probably happening regularly in real life. However, the biggest letdown was the ending - I sat there holding the book and thinking ?????! I haven't read a book in years that's left me feeling that way. I truly don't understand what you were meant to infer from it in terms of what supposedly happened afterwards, or maybe you weren't meant to infer anything and I'm just being thick! :) All in all, a bit disappointing.

[Helen M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this interesting, clever book and it's stayed with me long after I finished it. It has a tightly written setup with well-drawn characters and a gripping storyline. Above all, it's very thought-provoking, examining the complexities of some very tricky issues via different perspectives. The characters are all depicted with sympathy, including the unlikeable ones. I could not put this down, it was the perfect pageturner to read curled up under a blanket on a rainy weekend and I really recommend it.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read - so much so that our bookclubs are picking it up. The book opens at a trot, and takes little time to draw you in to the characters; the core issues were more surreptitous. By the time I put the book down and I was left to ponder the delightfully complex ending, I realised just how the heart of the book had taken me by stealth. The book's been at the heart of conversation in my household since my husband also read it; a fantastic read that quietly covers weighty issues for our contemporary Australian society.

[Kylie ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
Let’s just say both are very unlikable characters!!!! I enjoyed this book. It was entertaining. I didn’t like any of the characters which is the point. But then ending!!!! Why???? I wanted a proper conclusion. But I spose the book is meant to look at the relationship these woman has with their daughters and how there parenting style has affected their children.
But I wanted a fucking conclusion. And I also wanted a conclusion into micheal and Bridget’s marriage more and why Bridget was such a screw loose
Still entertaining tho

[Emily Marshall · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wanted to say something but clearly didn't know what. It was often vague, did not tie up loose ends, and the first half dragged. The debacle with the Toby character reminded me too much of the Bill Henson controversy, Alice Heyward is even a dancer. Sure, we all take bits and pieces from real life/"write what you know" and all that, but riding on the coattails of an existing scandal isn't very innovative to me. This was a big topic to tackle for a debut novel, and in more expert hands, it could have been a great read. I finished it, but the ending was truly underwhelming.

[Farrells Bookshop · Rating 4 out of 5]

An evocative debut novel, set over the span of a long-haul flight from Sydney to Los Angeles. Navigating fragile moral dilemmas and some difficult themes. I loved the different perspectives that this story was told through, it made it all the more gripping and irresistible. Suspenseful and full of drama, this is the perfect read for fans of Sally Hepworth and Liane Moriarty!

Read by Sage and Suzie

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great concept - loved that the first chapter of the book is essentially the end - and the first thing that came to my mind is how do the characters end up where they do. And this question continues. Most of the main protagonists get chapters of their own and the story unfolds from their perspective.
It was very chilling and very realistic in the way in which the events concerning the teenagers unfolded.
I wasn't entirely satisfied with the ending but that is only a small quibble.

[Ashlee Smith · Rating 1 out of 5]

My first bookclub book ever, and it was … well, a mess 🥴

I understand the need to raise awareness on certain topics, but this book did not serve the children any justice.

There were no likeable or redeeming characters. There was no growth or character development. There was barely any plot until about page 200.

If this wasn’t a bookclub book, I would have DNF’d.

Anyway… I’m going to black this book out from my memory because I don’t want any reminders.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that draws you in and keeps you held in suspense the whole way through. Navigating class, sexual abuse, and the fragile bonds of relationships, this book is a real page-turner. Each chapter flicks from one perspective to another, revealing a little more of each character. And the setting of a long plane trip keeps the tension heightened. A very enjoyable read.

[Nora Nora · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick and easy read, premise of this book is interesting enough, but oh man…. the characters are unlikable.
Top of the list is Bridget. I don’t haven’t children, I do no have a single maternal bone in my body so I may not be able to empathise properly, but she is so annoying and anxious I wanted to b*tch slap her.

[Ayla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the premise but I was incredibly bored reading about these characters. The hook that made me buy this book (USB found) took far too long to come up.

I enjoy books that examine the complex relationships between people so I didn’t need ‘something to happen’ to enjoy this…but nothing did and nothing made me feel anything for these characters.

[Amanda Mergler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this brilliant novel. Almost the entire book is set on a plane and the tension is incredible. The storyline unfolds perfectly to reveal so much more going on than we originally thought and the characters are shaped beautifully. A book that explores class, ambition, mothering and abuse. A brilliant read that I devoured over 24 hours.

[Annica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disjointed by vague and unlikeable characters the story strings you on hoping for some kind of a “moral of the story” ending. Instead the end is abrupt without resolution to many of the fuzzy storylines. The only redeeming factor is that it illustrates how assumptions based on our personal prejudices can be so horribly wrong and untrue.

[Kirstie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one. Must admit I put off starting it, I knew it would be a wild ride. Would I change anything? Did the ending satisfy? hmmm hard to say, I think I'd want to know Bridget actually understood. I'd want some resolution between Bex and Bridget. Even though I know that's just for stories and often not real life.

[Sarah Gaul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gripping book - funny, heartbreaking, beautifully written. I couldn't put it down. Explores difficult subject matter with kindness, sensitivity and humour. Can't wait to see more from this author!!

[Samantha Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous page turning debut novel from Carolyn Swindell that keeps you on the edge of your seat. A unique setting that explores heavy topics of sexual abuse and class in a sensitive, human and pragmatic way. Look forward to seeing what other gems are to follow from this new author.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page-turner that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. This book explores a difficult topic in a gripping way with a good dollop of humour. Intense drama intermixed with intriguing backstories and other fascinating tidbits. I look forward to reading more from this author.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
The writing drew me in, but it felt like it took a long time to get to the main part. I realise it was about the interpersonal reactions but I also kinda wanted to know what happened afterwards.