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The Shadow Girls
Set in the ruthlessly competitive world of elite ballet schools, this psychological thriller is for fans of Black Swan and Megan Abbott’s The Turnout.
Georgina Prescott’s world collapses when her daughter, star dancer at a prestigious ballet academy, is grounded by a metatarsal fracture—the same injury that ended Georgina’s own career two decades prior. And one person knows what happened: Naomi Thompson, Anna’s best friend who takes over the principal role.
Dawn Thompson is proud of her daughter. But suddenly, ugly rumors course through the close-knit ballet community saying that Naomi somehow caused Anna to fall and hurt herself. But Naomi would never do such a thing… Would she?
While Georgina grows obsessed with Naomi, Dawn wonders just how far a mother should go to protect her daughter. Then Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut—and vanishes without a trace…
Georgina Prescott’s world collapses when her daughter, star dancer at a prestigious ballet academy, is grounded by a metatarsal fracture—the same injury that ended Georgina’s own career two decades prior. And one person knows what happened: Naomi Thompson, Anna’s best friend who takes over the principal role.
Dawn Thompson is proud of her daughter. But suddenly, ugly rumors course through the close-knit ballet community saying that Naomi somehow caused Anna to fall and hurt herself. But Naomi would never do such a thing… Would she?
While Georgina grows obsessed with Naomi, Dawn wonders just how far a mother should go to protect her daughter. Then Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut—and vanishes without a trace…
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 22, 2025
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April 19, 2025
Anna and Naomi are the top two students at their prestigious dance academy. Anna, with natural talent plus all the privileges that come with money and a mother who is a former ballerina herself, is expected to have her pick of company jobs when she graduates; Naomi has fire, but without the same advantages (either innate or based in privilege) she has always been second on the casting list, and she knows her pickings will be slimmer. But it's their last year, and neither girl—to say nothing of their mothers, or the teachers at the academy—is quite satisfied with the status quo.
I'm a sucker for a ballet book and no stranger to those fully of jealousy and intrigue, but this is a pretty grim read. The book switches between POVs, with a focus on Georgina (Anna's mother) and Naomi; Anna herself does not take center stage until very late in the book. And it's clear from the beginning that neither Georgina nor Naomi is a particularly pleasant person to spend time with: Georgina is a consummate stage mother, micromanaging her daughter's food (have to maintain that underweight ballet bod) and training (Georgina has ingratiated herself enough with the school to pull some significant strings) and friendships (Anna has very few of them, which is just the way Georgina likes it). She has a laser focus, and if it ever mattered what Anna wanted or what made Anna happy, well, it's been a long time since those things mattered. Naomi, meanwhile, is no better: though she's officially Anna's best friend, Naomi is definitely in it to keep her enemies closer. She's jealous and bitter and calculating from the get-go, convinced that Anna is the thing between herself and success and resenting her mother for having to work to keep Naomi in school fees and pointe shoes.
Other characters float in and out: Naomi's mother, who is briefly the only palatable character in the book but rapidly descends into the same unpleasantness that afflicts everyone else; the women running the academy, who really give no shits; the new artistic director, who in all of his considerable dialogue I don't think says a single thing that is polite, let alone kind; and on it goes. Anna is almost universally painted as a bit of a saint, but because we aren't in her POV until the end (and even then she's, you know, not really a saint), it's really just...bitterness and sex and drugs and lies and sleaziness and sabotage and venom. A lot of it involving fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds. Oh, and some improbable scenes involving the police. (I won't go into details, but the most realistic thing about it is that only a white girl with money and visibility would get an all-available-resources treatment when she's been missing for ten minutes and all signs point to her having left the house voluntarily.)
I didn't love the structure—the chapters flip back and forth through time, but (partly because just about everyone starts out at Bitch Level 10 and then stays there) I had trouble figuring out what was taking place when; it didn't matter all that much to my understanding of the book, but I'd probably have found a more linear plot easier to follow. And there's a lot of a character calling "a number" or finding something shocking or similar and then withholding that information from the reader until it's revealed later down the line. I tend to prefer books where the reader knows what the POV character knows; hiding that info from the reader always registers as a bit contrived.
So...a low three stars. Despite all of the above, this made for a very quick read, but...I was glad not to be in the characters' heads any longer. It'll be a good fit who like their characters messy and unlikable and their ballet drama with a side of broken glass in the pointe shoes, but I needed someone—anyone—to root for, and I never really could.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I'm a sucker for a ballet book and no stranger to those fully of jealousy and intrigue, but this is a pretty grim read. The book switches between POVs, with a focus on Georgina (Anna's mother) and Naomi; Anna herself does not take center stage until very late in the book. And it's clear from the beginning that neither Georgina nor Naomi is a particularly pleasant person to spend time with: Georgina is a consummate stage mother, micromanaging her daughter's food (have to maintain that underweight ballet bod) and training (Georgina has ingratiated herself enough with the school to pull some significant strings) and friendships (Anna has very few of them, which is just the way Georgina likes it). She has a laser focus, and if it ever mattered what Anna wanted or what made Anna happy, well, it's been a long time since those things mattered. Naomi, meanwhile, is no better: though she's officially Anna's best friend, Naomi is definitely in it to keep her enemies closer. She's jealous and bitter and calculating from the get-go, convinced that Anna is the thing between herself and success and resenting her mother for having to work to keep Naomi in school fees and pointe shoes.
Other characters float in and out: Naomi's mother, who is briefly the only palatable character in the book but rapidly descends into the same unpleasantness that afflicts everyone else; the women running the academy, who really give no shits; the new artistic director, who in all of his considerable dialogue I don't think says a single thing that is polite, let alone kind; and on it goes. Anna is almost universally painted as a bit of a saint, but because we aren't in her POV until the end (and even then she's, you know, not really a saint), it's really just...bitterness and sex and drugs and lies and sleaziness and sabotage and venom. A lot of it involving fifteen- and sixteen-year-olds. Oh, and some improbable scenes involving the police. (I won't go into details, but the most realistic thing about it is that only a white girl with money and visibility would get an all-available-resources treatment when she's been missing for ten minutes and all signs point to her having left the house voluntarily.)
I didn't love the structure—the chapters flip back and forth through time, but (partly because just about everyone starts out at Bitch Level 10 and then stays there) I had trouble figuring out what was taking place when; it didn't matter all that much to my understanding of the book, but I'd probably have found a more linear plot easier to follow. And there's a lot of a character calling "a number" or finding something shocking or similar and then withholding that information from the reader until it's revealed later down the line. I tend to prefer books where the reader knows what the POV character knows; hiding that info from the reader always registers as a bit contrived.
So...a low three stars. Despite all of the above, this made for a very quick read, but...I was glad not to be in the characters' heads any longer. It'll be a good fit who like their characters messy and unlikable and their ballet drama with a side of broken glass in the pointe shoes, but I needed someone—anyone—to root for, and I never really could.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
March 19, 2025
Brilliant.
Ballet is all about grace, beauty, and perfection—but beneath the surface, it’s a ruthless world of ambition, obsession, and secrets. Nina Laurin’s The Shadow Girls plunges readers into this cutthroat environment, blending psychological suspense with the intense pressures of elite ballet training. Fans of Black Swan and Megan Abbott’s The Turnout will find themselves captivated by this chilling and atmospheric thriller.
Georgina Prescott’s world shatters when her daughter, Anna—a rising ballet star—suffers a metatarsal fracture, the very injury that ended Georgina’s own career years ago. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Anna was poised to take center stage at her prestigious ballet academy. Instead, her best friend, Naomi Thompson, steps in to claim the coveted role. Rumors quickly swirl through the insular ballet community. Did Naomi sabotage Anna? Is she as innocent as she seems? While Georgina becomes consumed by her suspicions, Naomi’s mother, Dawn, fiercely defends her daughter. But as the tension escalates, Anna receives a cryptic, anonymous note warning her to stay silent—and then, she vanishes. As both mothers struggle to uncover the truth, the lines between loyalty, ambition, and betrayal blur. What really happened to Anna, and how far will a mother go to protect her child?
Likes :-
1 Compelling, Multi-Layered Characters: Georgina and Dawn are flawed, complex, and fiercely protective. Their conflicting perspectives add depth to the story.
2 Atmospheric and Suspenseful: The world of elite ballet is painted with eerie precision—its cutthroat competition, whispered rumors, and suffocating pressure create the perfect setting for a psychological thriller.
3 Unpredictable Twists: Laurin expertly weaves in red herrings and shocking revelations that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Overall :- The Shadow Girls is a gripping, unsettling thriller that masterfully explores the dark side of ambition and motherhood. With its tense atmosphere and unpredictable twists, it keeps readers on edge from start to finish. Whether you love psychological suspense or are fascinated by the high-stakes world of ballet, this book is a must-read.
Ballet is all about grace, beauty, and perfection—but beneath the surface, it’s a ruthless world of ambition, obsession, and secrets. Nina Laurin’s The Shadow Girls plunges readers into this cutthroat environment, blending psychological suspense with the intense pressures of elite ballet training. Fans of Black Swan and Megan Abbott’s The Turnout will find themselves captivated by this chilling and atmospheric thriller.
Georgina Prescott’s world shatters when her daughter, Anna—a rising ballet star—suffers a metatarsal fracture, the very injury that ended Georgina’s own career years ago. The timing couldn’t be worse, as Anna was poised to take center stage at her prestigious ballet academy. Instead, her best friend, Naomi Thompson, steps in to claim the coveted role. Rumors quickly swirl through the insular ballet community. Did Naomi sabotage Anna? Is she as innocent as she seems? While Georgina becomes consumed by her suspicions, Naomi’s mother, Dawn, fiercely defends her daughter. But as the tension escalates, Anna receives a cryptic, anonymous note warning her to stay silent—and then, she vanishes. As both mothers struggle to uncover the truth, the lines between loyalty, ambition, and betrayal blur. What really happened to Anna, and how far will a mother go to protect her child?
Likes :-
1 Compelling, Multi-Layered Characters: Georgina and Dawn are flawed, complex, and fiercely protective. Their conflicting perspectives add depth to the story.
2 Atmospheric and Suspenseful: The world of elite ballet is painted with eerie precision—its cutthroat competition, whispered rumors, and suffocating pressure create the perfect setting for a psychological thriller.
3 Unpredictable Twists: Laurin expertly weaves in red herrings and shocking revelations that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
Overall :- The Shadow Girls is a gripping, unsettling thriller that masterfully explores the dark side of ambition and motherhood. With its tense atmosphere and unpredictable twists, it keeps readers on edge from start to finish. Whether you love psychological suspense or are fascinated by the high-stakes world of ballet, this book is a must-read.
March 7, 2025
I will start this off by saying I know nothing about ballet but OMG, this book was amazing!! It had my attention so fast! The characters, the story, the descriptions, the emotions, it was amazing.
You could imagine yourself inside the story, seeing everything from behind the curtain. The depth of the characters was spectacular.
Nina did an amazing and beautiful job to wrap the reader in, let the reader behind the scenes, show the reader the grittyness behind the seemingly perfect world of ballet school.
The ending, what a cliffhanger but also is the ending this beautiful book needed!
You could imagine yourself inside the story, seeing everything from behind the curtain. The depth of the characters was spectacular.
Nina did an amazing and beautiful job to wrap the reader in, let the reader behind the scenes, show the reader the grittyness behind the seemingly perfect world of ballet school.
The ending, what a cliffhanger but also is the ending this beautiful book needed!
September 6, 2025
While I loved the ballet school setting and the JUICY drama, the thriller aspect of this was…very sloppy to say the least. Like there is no fucking way a 15 y/o had the foresight to drug and blackmail a grown ass man 😭😭😭
Read
March 8, 20252.5/5
Yet again, another example and victim of great premise, not-so-great execution.
Aaaaaaaah, why does this keep happening? It's so sad!
We have spooky and dark drama in the ballet world! That could have been so exciting and fun. You really could do so much with that and this just did not.
This was very short (so I did zoom through it, yay), very slow, with flat characters and barely any action. All of these characters need to chill.
I could see a very young YA audience enjoying this, but as an adult (and not even that old of one) I found this super flat. It was really hard to stay focused on it because not enough was happening to keep my action until the next moment of "action." I can tell that an effort was definitely made to give this drama and action and intrigue, but it all felt too internal. You need to show me more, especially when your book is supposed to be a thriller. Thrill me!
I really do hate how hit or miss thrillers can be. I wish they were all amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Yet again, another example and victim of great premise, not-so-great execution.
Aaaaaaaah, why does this keep happening? It's so sad!
We have spooky and dark drama in the ballet world! That could have been so exciting and fun. You really could do so much with that and this just did not.
This was very short (so I did zoom through it, yay), very slow, with flat characters and barely any action. All of these characters need to chill.
I could see a very young YA audience enjoying this, but as an adult (and not even that old of one) I found this super flat. It was really hard to stay focused on it because not enough was happening to keep my action until the next moment of "action." I can tell that an effort was definitely made to give this drama and action and intrigue, but it all felt too internal. You need to show me more, especially when your book is supposed to be a thriller. Thrill me!
I really do hate how hit or miss thrillers can be. I wish they were all amazing.
Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
July 3, 2025
The Shadow Girls is a psychological thriller that is set in the prestigious ballet world. I was all in. It was definitely a short and fast read that is easy to binge even with its slow pacing. Unfortunately, I didn't end up loving it like I thought I would. The characters were insufferable. They had no depth, no development and no redeeming qualities. I think this would be more suited for YA readers because it had a younger tone to it. It was missing the action and the thrills for me.
Overall, this was a fast and easy read. The reviews I've seen for this one are fairly mixed, so it might not have been for me but you might enjoy it!
✨️Thank you to @grandcentralpub & Nina Laurin for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this was a fast and easy read. The reviews I've seen for this one are fairly mixed, so it might not have been for me but you might enjoy it!
✨️Thank you to @grandcentralpub & Nina Laurin for my gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2025
The ending was maybe a tad rushed but there are moments I gasped out loud with this book.
March 9, 2025
The Shadow Girls is marketed as a thriller/psychological suspense.
We follow Naomi, Anna, and their mothers as they prepare for the biggest ballet performance of their young careers. Anna and Naomi attend a prestigious ballet school but live very different lives. Anna comes from wealth and a mother who holds clout in the ballet space because she was once a famous dancer. Naomi’s mother is an overnight nurse who doesn’t have much interest in Naomi’s ballet pursuits. Secrets and sabotage begin to unfold and we are shown the inner workings and dealings of the ballet academy.
Laurin’s writing style gears more towards a YA audience. The entire mystery seemed fairly trivial and was difficult to feel invested in. The characters were flat and none were likable. Anna was supposed to be this soft and meek girl but came off as boring and passive aggressive. Naomi is just a giant, hateful brat. Both mothers are deplorable and a bit ridiculous. Georgina was the only character that had any kind of depth.
Ultimately, the mystery was not important enough to care about. The drama was shallow and not very dramatic. The big reveal was less than eventful and it seemed like no one in the book was capable of any big feelings or reactions. They were either vengeful or dull. The constant time jumping got a little hard to follow as well as the POVs. The police officer’s POV didn’t feel necessary or add to the plot at all. It all got kind of jumbled from the 50% point to 85% through. The last quarter of the novel was more interesting but the ending scenes were unsatisfying.
The author clearly put forth a lot of research into the ballet world which I can appreciate as someone who knows nothing of ballet. I always like to finish a novel knowing something(s) I did not have knowledge of before beginning it and that was definitely the case here.
II’ll recommend The Shadow Girls to a YA audience or anyone invested in the ballet/dancing sphere.
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Nina Laurin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
We follow Naomi, Anna, and their mothers as they prepare for the biggest ballet performance of their young careers. Anna and Naomi attend a prestigious ballet school but live very different lives. Anna comes from wealth and a mother who holds clout in the ballet space because she was once a famous dancer. Naomi’s mother is an overnight nurse who doesn’t have much interest in Naomi’s ballet pursuits. Secrets and sabotage begin to unfold and we are shown the inner workings and dealings of the ballet academy.
Laurin’s writing style gears more towards a YA audience. The entire mystery seemed fairly trivial and was difficult to feel invested in. The characters were flat and none were likable. Anna was supposed to be this soft and meek girl but came off as boring and passive aggressive. Naomi is just a giant, hateful brat. Both mothers are deplorable and a bit ridiculous. Georgina was the only character that had any kind of depth.
Ultimately, the mystery was not important enough to care about. The drama was shallow and not very dramatic. The big reveal was less than eventful and it seemed like no one in the book was capable of any big feelings or reactions. They were either vengeful or dull. The constant time jumping got a little hard to follow as well as the POVs. The police officer’s POV didn’t feel necessary or add to the plot at all. It all got kind of jumbled from the 50% point to 85% through. The last quarter of the novel was more interesting but the ending scenes were unsatisfying.
The author clearly put forth a lot of research into the ballet world which I can appreciate as someone who knows nothing of ballet. I always like to finish a novel knowing something(s) I did not have knowledge of before beginning it and that was definitely the case here.
II’ll recommend The Shadow Girls to a YA audience or anyone invested in the ballet/dancing sphere.
Thank you NetGalley, Grand Central Publishing, and Nina Laurin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2025
Georgina is the ultimate ballet mom. But when her daughter mysteriously gets injured, she starts to blame everyone as their dance world falls apart.
This was an interesting one. While the story has a lot of twists, the characters themselves are hard to enjoy. They are all out for themselves and don't really talk to each other, which would solve a lot of their problems. The setting of the ballet world was interesting, and if you are a fan of Black Swan or ballet, you will fall in love with it.
All in all, an interesting thriller that leans more towards the drama.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!
This was an interesting one. While the story has a lot of twists, the characters themselves are hard to enjoy. They are all out for themselves and don't really talk to each other, which would solve a lot of their problems. The setting of the ballet world was interesting, and if you are a fan of Black Swan or ballet, you will fall in love with it.
All in all, an interesting thriller that leans more towards the drama.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!
August 1, 2025
I read The Shadow Girls by Nina Laurin a little while ago and I think what I love the most is that this cover gives away absolutely nothing! I love going in blind in these books, and I had no clue that this was a ballet school drama, where the lead dancer is injured and subsequently disappears before the big final season showcase and the suspects include her mother her best friend, her mystery boyfriend the teacher… Who wanted her hurt and out of the way?
I love how in-depth this goes into the culture and lifestyle of ballet dancers. This is just your regular after school, casual dance crew! I think my love of the movie Black Swan also influenced my enjoyment of this book. The dynamics between the dancers, moms and teachers were pretty dark and had a similar vibe.
As for the mystery, I was left guessing until the very end and enjoyed the final wrap up! Just what you want in a good mystery thriller!
I love how in-depth this goes into the culture and lifestyle of ballet dancers. This is just your regular after school, casual dance crew! I think my love of the movie Black Swan also influenced my enjoyment of this book. The dynamics between the dancers, moms and teachers were pretty dark and had a similar vibe.
As for the mystery, I was left guessing until the very end and enjoyed the final wrap up! Just what you want in a good mystery thriller!
April 18, 2025
🩰 F I E R C E F R I D A Y review 🩰 featuring “The Shadow Girls” by Nina Laurin!
MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
Georgina Prescott was a prima ballerina back in her day and her career tragically ended from a metatarsal fracture. Now she firmly manages her 16 year old daughter Anna’s budding career in ballet. Anna has recently scored the leading role in an important performance at her ballet academy. The opportunities for her future will be endless if she can master her performance 🤞!
But dreams can be shattered when you least expect it. Anna has a fall and fractures her metatarsal bones and must wear a cast until she heals.
Georgina sees her daughter’s failing ballet future flash before her eyes, much like her own. She does not believe that Anna’s fall was an incident and is dead set on finding (and ruining) the person who did this. She targets Naomi who is Anna’s best friend and the new principal dancer in Anna’s place. Who knew such a beautiful art could be so ugly??
WOW! What a powerful book! The pressure to be perfect, the cut throat competition and the obsession with being the principal ballerina is INTENSE! It works perfectly when crafting together a thriller about the world of elite ballet. Who would have thought? I read this book every chance I got in a day and a half and I was totally drawn into such a downward spiral of secrets, lies and doing whatever it takes to be #1! If you loved THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo, then you NEED to add this to your TBR immediately 🔥
Thank you kindly to @nina.laurin @grandcentralpub for my #gifted advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases next week on April 22, 2025!
MY RATING: 🖤🖤🖤🖤/5
Georgina Prescott was a prima ballerina back in her day and her career tragically ended from a metatarsal fracture. Now she firmly manages her 16 year old daughter Anna’s budding career in ballet. Anna has recently scored the leading role in an important performance at her ballet academy. The opportunities for her future will be endless if she can master her performance 🤞!
But dreams can be shattered when you least expect it. Anna has a fall and fractures her metatarsal bones and must wear a cast until she heals.
Georgina sees her daughter’s failing ballet future flash before her eyes, much like her own. She does not believe that Anna’s fall was an incident and is dead set on finding (and ruining) the person who did this. She targets Naomi who is Anna’s best friend and the new principal dancer in Anna’s place. Who knew such a beautiful art could be so ugly??
WOW! What a powerful book! The pressure to be perfect, the cut throat competition and the obsession with being the principal ballerina is INTENSE! It works perfectly when crafting together a thriller about the world of elite ballet. Who would have thought? I read this book every chance I got in a day and a half and I was totally drawn into such a downward spiral of secrets, lies and doing whatever it takes to be #1! If you loved THE FAVORITES by Layne Fargo, then you NEED to add this to your TBR immediately 🔥
Thank you kindly to @nina.laurin @grandcentralpub for my #gifted advanced copy in exchange for my honest review! This book releases next week on April 22, 2025!
April 23, 2025
The Shadow Girls by Nina Laurin is a psychological suspense novel that takes a hard look into the cutthroat world of ballet.
Georgina Prescott was once a prima ballerina until a severe metatarsal fracture tragically ended her career. Now she fiercely manages her 16 year old daughter Anna's meteoric rise in the competitive ballet world. Having recently been named as the lead role in an important performance, Anna seems to be making her presence known. But when Anna falls and fractures her foot, Georgina sees her daughter's (and her own) dreams crumbling away. Whispered rumors that Anna's fall was an intentional act by Naomi (Anna's best friend and the girl that steps into Anna's place in the performance) spread and Georgina becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and holding her accountable. Everything changes though when Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut, and then she disappears...
This novel was definitely suspenseful and intriguing!! I do feel like it is more geared towards a YA audience rather than adult but I still really enjoyed it!! The author had to have done some extensive research because the imagery was so detailed that I was fully immersed into the narrative. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves an escapist thriller that is like Dance Moms but with an ominous atmospheric vibe.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nina Laurin, and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!! Publication date is April 22nd 2025.
Georgina Prescott was once a prima ballerina until a severe metatarsal fracture tragically ended her career. Now she fiercely manages her 16 year old daughter Anna's meteoric rise in the competitive ballet world. Having recently been named as the lead role in an important performance, Anna seems to be making her presence known. But when Anna falls and fractures her foot, Georgina sees her daughter's (and her own) dreams crumbling away. Whispered rumors that Anna's fall was an intentional act by Naomi (Anna's best friend and the girl that steps into Anna's place in the performance) spread and Georgina becomes obsessed with finding out the truth and holding her accountable. Everything changes though when Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut, and then she disappears...
This novel was definitely suspenseful and intriguing!! I do feel like it is more geared towards a YA audience rather than adult but I still really enjoyed it!! The author had to have done some extensive research because the imagery was so detailed that I was fully immersed into the narrative. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves an escapist thriller that is like Dance Moms but with an ominous atmospheric vibe.
Thank you to NetGalley, Nina Laurin, and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC!! Publication date is April 22nd 2025.
April 17, 2025
Th Shadow Girls follows Georgina whose daughter Anna is a star dancer at a prestigious ballet academy. Anna gets an injury and the only person that knows what happened is Anna’s best friend Naomi. People are saying that Naomi is the responsible for Anna hurting herself. Everything changes though once Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut. Then she vanishes. What really happened to Anna?
I have a bit fan of Nina Laurin and I was so happy I got the chance to read this early. But unfortunately, I did not like this book as much as her others. I found this book very hard to get into because it had multiple different perspectives. Also this was an adult book but it read like a YA one. ( however she does have some really good Waianae thrillers that I have a suggest reading )I also felt like it was more drama filled and the thriller parts seemed like an afterthought. No thriller vibes really happened until like the last 70 pages. I didn’t hate this one. I just expected to be blown away because most of her books leave me on the edge of my seat. And this book didn’t do that for me. But I did like it. I do highly suggest Nina Laurin’s books though.
Thank you so much Nina Laurin and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book, this comes out April 22.
I have a bit fan of Nina Laurin and I was so happy I got the chance to read this early. But unfortunately, I did not like this book as much as her others. I found this book very hard to get into because it had multiple different perspectives. Also this was an adult book but it read like a YA one. ( however she does have some really good Waianae thrillers that I have a suggest reading )I also felt like it was more drama filled and the thriller parts seemed like an afterthought. No thriller vibes really happened until like the last 70 pages. I didn’t hate this one. I just expected to be blown away because most of her books leave me on the edge of my seat. And this book didn’t do that for me. But I did like it. I do highly suggest Nina Laurin’s books though.
Thank you so much Nina Laurin and Grand Central Publishing for gifting me a copy of this book, this comes out April 22.
March 9, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.
The Shadow Girls appealed to my love for books about the ballet, but I got the added bonus of a mystery which was well balanced as the story alternates between past and present to explain what happened to a promising young dancer leading to her accident - and why the adults and other dancers in her life could be complicit.
Taking place in a classical dance academy trying to add some edginess to attract big recruiters, we have crazy moms, talented (and jealous) dancers, and cringy instructors. That’s already a pretty entertaining recipe but when you throw in Anna, the best dancer in the academy and one whose career may be ended due to an injury she refuses to talk about, consider yourself about to be completely married to Shadow Girls until you’re finished.
Whether you like mysteries or ballet or both, this is a more complex type of story that will be worth the read. The subject matter and writing style make it accessible for new adult readers as well, but equally appealing to those a little less new.
The Shadow Girls appealed to my love for books about the ballet, but I got the added bonus of a mystery which was well balanced as the story alternates between past and present to explain what happened to a promising young dancer leading to her accident - and why the adults and other dancers in her life could be complicit.
Taking place in a classical dance academy trying to add some edginess to attract big recruiters, we have crazy moms, talented (and jealous) dancers, and cringy instructors. That’s already a pretty entertaining recipe but when you throw in Anna, the best dancer in the academy and one whose career may be ended due to an injury she refuses to talk about, consider yourself about to be completely married to Shadow Girls until you’re finished.
Whether you like mysteries or ballet or both, this is a more complex type of story that will be worth the read. The subject matter and writing style make it accessible for new adult readers as well, but equally appealing to those a little less new.
May 19, 2025
I was thrilled to receive this arc of The Shadow Girls from @novelsuspects and @grandcentralpub . Strength, grace and devotion to sport, the world of professional ballet fascinates me. Combine that with a psychological thriller and I knew this was a book I must read.
Georgina Prescott, a former ballerina whose career was ended by and injury, now puts that same dedication into her daughter Anna, a star student at a prestigious ballet academy. When Anna is injured and threatened to reveal what happened, her best friend and ballet rival, Naomi is the only other one who knows the truth of how the injury occurred. And then Anna disappears….
I wanted to love this book, but it ended up being only ok for me. The ballet world aspect was my favorite part and I just wish the story and character development had been as strong. It was all just a little one dimensional for me and was kind of the equivalent of watching a Lifetime movie. It read a bit like a YA novel and I think it would greatly appeal more to that demographic. Still, it held my attention and I did enjoy it but would have liked a bit more depth. I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars.
Georgina Prescott, a former ballerina whose career was ended by and injury, now puts that same dedication into her daughter Anna, a star student at a prestigious ballet academy. When Anna is injured and threatened to reveal what happened, her best friend and ballet rival, Naomi is the only other one who knows the truth of how the injury occurred. And then Anna disappears….
I wanted to love this book, but it ended up being only ok for me. The ballet world aspect was my favorite part and I just wish the story and character development had been as strong. It was all just a little one dimensional for me and was kind of the equivalent of watching a Lifetime movie. It read a bit like a YA novel and I think it would greatly appeal more to that demographic. Still, it held my attention and I did enjoy it but would have liked a bit more depth. I rated it ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars.
July 22, 2025
𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑺𝑯𝑨𝑫𝑶𝑾 𝑮𝑰𝑹𝑳𝑺 𝒃𝒚 𝑵𝒊𝒏𝒂 𝑳𝒂𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏 was my latest @novelsuspects suspense, published in April and #gifted via @netgalley by @grandcentralpub.
Confession: when I was young, I had a friend who was in ballet and just got her Pointe Shoes, of which I was insanely envious. When she was in the bathroom, I locked her bedroom door, put the shoes on and tip-toed around for just a moment. She had told me not to, which warranted the locked door. She came back before I was through and, well, we weren't friends after that.
I can understand the pull of ballet and was fascinated by this slow burn suspense centered around two girls at a dance academy, leading up to the final performance of their senior year. The intense pressure, jealousy, wealth disparity, and natural ability all swirl together in this layered look at what we will do get what we want when no one seems to be listening.
I enjoyed the turns this story made, examining the relationships between friends, mothers, teachers, and self expectations. Plus it was just really entertaining trying to figure out what was happening to the Golden girl who wouldn't speak about her injury!
Confession: when I was young, I had a friend who was in ballet and just got her Pointe Shoes, of which I was insanely envious. When she was in the bathroom, I locked her bedroom door, put the shoes on and tip-toed around for just a moment. She had told me not to, which warranted the locked door. She came back before I was through and, well, we weren't friends after that.
I can understand the pull of ballet and was fascinated by this slow burn suspense centered around two girls at a dance academy, leading up to the final performance of their senior year. The intense pressure, jealousy, wealth disparity, and natural ability all swirl together in this layered look at what we will do get what we want when no one seems to be listening.
I enjoyed the turns this story made, examining the relationships between friends, mothers, teachers, and self expectations. Plus it was just really entertaining trying to figure out what was happening to the Golden girl who wouldn't speak about her injury!
April 6, 2025
Set in the world of an elite ballet school in the Massachusetts area, the story follows two ballerinas in their final year. Anna is the prima, a teen with natural talent and beauty. Her mother, Georgina, is a former lead ballerina and is heavily involved in Anna and the school's lives. Naomi is Anna's best friend and is always second to Anna in terms of roles and talent. The book is told from multiple points of view, and hops between the present day and the past, to discover how Anna injured her foot and can no longer perform the lead in the upcoming production.
This book is marketed as a thriller/suspense novel, which is not entirely inaccurate. I think it would be better as a YA thriller/suspense novel. Adults are involved in the narrative, but the drama is more YA vibes. The writing is good, and the story does keep you guessing. I know nothing about ballet, but my millennial connection to Center Stage interested me.
Thank you, Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this Advanced Reading Copy. All opinions are my own.
This book is marketed as a thriller/suspense novel, which is not entirely inaccurate. I think it would be better as a YA thriller/suspense novel. Adults are involved in the narrative, but the drama is more YA vibes. The writing is good, and the story does keep you guessing. I know nothing about ballet, but my millennial connection to Center Stage interested me.
Thank you, Netgalley and Grand Central Publishing, for this Advanced Reading Copy. All opinions are my own.
April 16, 2025
Georgina Prescott’s world collapses when her daughter Annabelle, star dancer at a prestigious ballet academy, is injured with a metatarsal fracture-the same injury that ended Georgina’s own career two decades prior. Only one person knows what happened: Naomi Thompson, Anna’s best friend, who takes over the principal role. Dawn Thompson is proud of her daughter but rumors are running through the close knit ballet company that Naomi tripped Anna on purpose. As Georgina grows obsessed with Naomi, Dawn wonders how far a mother will go to protect her. Then Anna receives an anonymous letter telling her to keep her mouth shut-and vanishes without a trace. This was a difficult read for me. I absolutely hated Georgina-like lady, your daughter is not an extension of yourself! She is her own person!! I also struggled with liking Naomi who was just so incredibly bitter and unappealing in her jealousy. There were a couple of small twists that I felt like were just adding unnecessary drama, just for the sake of it.
April 24, 2025
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for the free book!
3.5 stars -- On the surface, The Shadow Girls seems straightforward. Prima ballerina (Anna) at an elite ballet school gets hurt so she can't dance the lead in the final show, secondary lead (Naomi) moves into her role, and you think you know what went down. However, as the book goes on, you realize this book had more layers than an onion.
Growing up in dance, I'm aware of what that culture can be like. Plus popular movies and TV shows have shown what the behind-the-scenes drama, betrayal, perfectionism, and jealousy in the dance world can be like. This story expands on those issues, as well as exploring complicated mother-daughter dynamics.
I thought it was interesting that this book was written in dual POV, with one POV being Anna's mother who herself was a prima ballerina, and the secondary lead Naomi, Anna's supposed best friend. So while the book revolved around Anna, her journey was all viewed through a secondary lens which was fascinating.
Overall enjoyed this book and was captivated by the drama.
3.5 stars -- On the surface, The Shadow Girls seems straightforward. Prima ballerina (Anna) at an elite ballet school gets hurt so she can't dance the lead in the final show, secondary lead (Naomi) moves into her role, and you think you know what went down. However, as the book goes on, you realize this book had more layers than an onion.
Growing up in dance, I'm aware of what that culture can be like. Plus popular movies and TV shows have shown what the behind-the-scenes drama, betrayal, perfectionism, and jealousy in the dance world can be like. This story expands on those issues, as well as exploring complicated mother-daughter dynamics.
I thought it was interesting that this book was written in dual POV, with one POV being Anna's mother who herself was a prima ballerina, and the secondary lead Naomi, Anna's supposed best friend. So while the book revolved around Anna, her journey was all viewed through a secondary lens which was fascinating.
Overall enjoyed this book and was captivated by the drama.
May 6, 2025
Nina Laurin is an author that just sneaks up on you. All of a sudden you realize that that all of her books have been really good and she becomes a favorite! This story takes place in the ballet world, and I totally loved reading about that! This world is about as far from mine as it can get. Georgina is a former lead ballerina who now lives vicariously through her daughter Anna. Anna is the star at her prestigious ballet academy. She suffers a fall, and her role is taken over by her best friend, Naomi, who may have had something to do with her injury. Georgina becomes obsessed with finding out what really happened. None of these women are very likeable, but that fits in perfectly with the situations, so I had no problems with that. The story is told back and forth between the accident and afterwards and what happened leading up to the accident. And, as I said, the insider look into the ballet world was super fun!
Thank you to #NetGalley, Nina Laurin and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to #NetGalley, Nina Laurin and Grand Central Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
December 10, 2025
The Shadow Girls is a fast-paced thriller set in a high-stakes ballet academy. Through the eyes of a few girls at the academy and their mothers, readers are introduced to the high pressure and often cutthroat world of competitive ballet. I really appreciated the attention to detail in describing the various dances and performances as well as the equipment used by the dancers. These descriptions given by the author gave me a glimpse into a sport that I have little prior knowledge of.
I found the plot of this novel to be relatively fast-paced and a quick read. I appreciated the wide number of perspectives we were given from different characters involved with the school and in the girl's lives. However, I personally had trouble connecting with the characters because they often behaved in a very self-centered manner and were more than willing to scheme in order to destroy each other's lives.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Nina Laurin for the copy of this book I received through Goodreads Giveaways!
I found the plot of this novel to be relatively fast-paced and a quick read. I appreciated the wide number of perspectives we were given from different characters involved with the school and in the girl's lives. However, I personally had trouble connecting with the characters because they often behaved in a very self-centered manner and were more than willing to scheme in order to destroy each other's lives.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing and Nina Laurin for the copy of this book I received through Goodreads Giveaways!
April 15, 2025
What will they do for a role? That's the question in this tale set in a hotbed ballet school. Anna has always been the star and Naomi the runner up. Anna's mother Georgina was a ballerina before her marriage and she pushes, hard, for Anna. Naomi's mother Dawn works nights as a nurse. Now Anna has broken her metatarsal and all bets are off for the big performance. This moves around in time before and after Anna's accident and that's a problem-the time line is murky and it's not always clear where we are in the sequence of events. Everyone has a secret, even Anna, whose perspective isn't given until the end. There's lots of drama (gotta love the drama) but best of all are the twists, including a real whopper. The women are all believable, the scenario suspenseful. No spoilers but know that I was actually surprised. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. This was a page turner for me.
April 22, 2025
Let me start by saying I won this book through a Goodreads giveaway. That being said, the review of this book & opinions are my own.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I know nothing about ballet or the art of dance so some of the terms and techinal words were very foreign to me but did not take away from the intriguing storyline. I entered the giveaway because the book was categorized as a thriller. It did hold my attention well & was hard for me to put down once I got started. Im usually not a huge fan of teen dramas/thrillers but this one was an exception. Its bascially about a school that teaches ballet, and all the cut throat theatrics that go along with being a teen in a competitive environment, as well as the parents of said teen girls; which can be worse! Theres drama, sabatoge, lies, scandals. What else would you expect. It clicks all the boxes. Im glad I read it & would encourage you to do the same.
I liked this book a lot more than I thought I would. I know nothing about ballet or the art of dance so some of the terms and techinal words were very foreign to me but did not take away from the intriguing storyline. I entered the giveaway because the book was categorized as a thriller. It did hold my attention well & was hard for me to put down once I got started. Im usually not a huge fan of teen dramas/thrillers but this one was an exception. Its bascially about a school that teaches ballet, and all the cut throat theatrics that go along with being a teen in a competitive environment, as well as the parents of said teen girls; which can be worse! Theres drama, sabatoge, lies, scandals. What else would you expect. It clicks all the boxes. Im glad I read it & would encourage you to do the same.
June 10, 2025
The burn in her legs was a fire lighting her soul. Each dip, each twist, each extension was an expression of her inner turmoil. Dance was not just something she did, it was a part of her.
The Shadow Girls follows Anna, a prestigious ballet dancer whose overbearing mother wants for her to succeed at all things ballet. When an injury threatens her chance at a star part, things in the school start to fall apart as secrets start coming to light.
This was an entertaining read for me, but a little too ballet focused. It got very slow moving and was hard to keep myself fully invested. I did enjoy the drama, the backstabbing, the secrets, the “Dance Moms-esque” style of portrayal, but overall not a thriller that will stick with me.
Read if you like:
• Psychological Thrillers
• Slow Burns
• Ballet/Dance
• Parental Obsession
• Rivalries
CW: Body Shaming, Eating Disorder, Drug Use, Blackmail, Adult/Minor Relationship.
The Shadow Girls follows Anna, a prestigious ballet dancer whose overbearing mother wants for her to succeed at all things ballet. When an injury threatens her chance at a star part, things in the school start to fall apart as secrets start coming to light.
This was an entertaining read for me, but a little too ballet focused. It got very slow moving and was hard to keep myself fully invested. I did enjoy the drama, the backstabbing, the secrets, the “Dance Moms-esque” style of portrayal, but overall not a thriller that will stick with me.
Read if you like:
• Psychological Thrillers
• Slow Burns
• Ballet/Dance
• Parental Obsession
• Rivalries
CW: Body Shaming, Eating Disorder, Drug Use, Blackmail, Adult/Minor Relationship.
March 22, 2025
Catty teen ballerinas whose ambition is overshadowed only by that of their ballet moms. Questionable coaches with hidden motives. Backstabbing and drama, and, of course, a principal role that will make one dancer a star. If you like ballet fiction and a joy the sheer madness of Dance Moms, you’ll love this book. As others have mentioned, the author really did her homework when it comes to ballet, and the world of the dance academy comes alive with vivid detail. And the ending will make you ruminate on this little gem of a novel for days!
4.5
Thank you to Nina Laurin and the publisher for the review copy!
4.5
Thank you to Nina Laurin and the publisher for the review copy!
March 22, 2025
If you're in the mood for a juicy ballet drama, this is the book for you! Here we have a cast of deliciously nasty characters you'll love to hate but who become oddly redeemable and even endearing by the end. The ultimate reveal about Georgina moved me to tears . The ballet world is extremely well-realized, (although perhaps the "ugly underbelly of a beautiful art" setup is nothing new--but this is, after all, a thriller). Also, I was pleasantly surprised that I hadn't been able to predict the ending!
Big thanks to the author for my copy provided in exchange for a fair review.
Big thanks to the author for my copy provided in exchange for a fair review.
March 22, 2025
I was already a big fan of Nina Laurin, so I was thrilled to get my hands on this early (thank you Nina!)
The Shadow Girls is a gripping, dramatic thriller that unfolds in two timelines: before Anna’s accident and after, and the two eventually converge to reveal the truth of what happened on the fateful day when Anna was injured, possibly ending her ballet career before it even began. The frenemy relationship between Anna and her main rival Naomi hit viscerally. The over-the-top drama between the parents and the school staff made this book unputdownable and was so much fun! I’m looking forward to Nina’s next book.
The Shadow Girls is a gripping, dramatic thriller that unfolds in two timelines: before Anna’s accident and after, and the two eventually converge to reveal the truth of what happened on the fateful day when Anna was injured, possibly ending her ballet career before it even began. The frenemy relationship between Anna and her main rival Naomi hit viscerally. The over-the-top drama between the parents and the school staff made this book unputdownable and was so much fun! I’m looking forward to Nina’s next book.
April 6, 2025
This was a fantastic read! It’s quick and I breezed through it. There’s stage mom drama and backstabbing and an intriguing mystery at its heart—what’s not to love? Speaking of the mystery, the answer actually surprised me and I didn’t see it coming like I usually do. And it wasn’t formulaic. I don’t want to give any spoilers, but… the characters you expect to fail and those you expect to come out on top, well, it might not happen that way.
My one nitpick is that I don’t think schools like this exist in North America—this was clearly modelled after French ballet boarding schools that operate like this (at least to my knowledge). But if it makes for a compelling story, why the heck not.
My one nitpick is that I don’t think schools like this exist in North America—this was clearly modelled after French ballet boarding schools that operate like this (at least to my knowledge). But if it makes for a compelling story, why the heck not.
May 9, 2025
The Shadow Girls combines two things I love - thrillers and dance.
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
Ballet prodigy Anna sustains a foot injury that threatens to derail her post-secondary dance career before it starts. Her best friend Naomi is given Anna's lead role in the ballet school's final production, but she doesn't have Anna's raw talent or stage presence.
The girls' mothers - Anna's former prima ballerina mother Georgina and Naomi's night-shift nurse mom Dawn - add to the drama when they each fixate on the other's daughter.
The Silent Girls has been compared to Black Swan, to which I would also add glimmers of Center Stage if it was a much darker movie.
It combines a behind-the-scenes look at training and performing at a high level, amidst measured and suspenseful reveals.
Recommended!
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy for review!
Ballet prodigy Anna sustains a foot injury that threatens to derail her post-secondary dance career before it starts. Her best friend Naomi is given Anna's lead role in the ballet school's final production, but she doesn't have Anna's raw talent or stage presence.
The girls' mothers - Anna's former prima ballerina mother Georgina and Naomi's night-shift nurse mom Dawn - add to the drama when they each fixate on the other's daughter.
The Silent Girls has been compared to Black Swan, to which I would also add glimmers of Center Stage if it was a much darker movie.
It combines a behind-the-scenes look at training and performing at a high level, amidst measured and suspenseful reveals.
Recommended!
July 5, 2025
A ballet book about rival best friends and one goes missing with a secret injury? Ugh. Ok i knew when i selected this book I was either going to cringe with all the ballet tropes (and incorrect terminology) or was going to love the high school, reality tv version of ballet. Honestly, it was a quick read that had a few nice surprises but the writing style jumped timelines and used so many incorrect dance terms it made it hard to follow. Overall it’s a fine book, but can we all agree to stop fantasizing (and fictionalizing) ballet with unfair stereotypes that perpetuate the stigma around ballet?
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