What do you think?
Rate this book
Make It Nice: New York Ballet Theater Pas de Deux: Book 2
Bailey Ferg is a liar.
Grad school drop-out Bailey Ferg has a she can’t stop lying. She’s lying to her parents, her sister, and her best friend, Shawn. But when Shawn gets injured, she can’t lie to herself she has feelings for him. Again.
Shawn Hoeft is a coward.
After a fall leaves him with a torn ACL and an empty summer, ballet dancer Shawn Hoeft has to confront the fact that he's spent his life chasing two ballet and Bailey Ferg, and now he has neither—and no idea how to get them back.
When an old argument boils over and Bailey pulls Shawn into her bed—and her lies—the couple isn’t sure if they’re learning from their mistakes, or repeating them. For their relationship to survive the summer, Shawn knows he has to stand up for himself, Bailey knows she has to tell the truth, or they’ll never do anything but fight. And they both know it’s easier to start a fight than to end one.
Make It Nice is an open door, dual-timeline coming-of-age romance between twenty-two-year-olds figuring out the world, themselves, and each other.
Grad school drop-out Bailey Ferg has a she can’t stop lying. She’s lying to her parents, her sister, and her best friend, Shawn. But when Shawn gets injured, she can’t lie to herself she has feelings for him. Again.
Shawn Hoeft is a coward.
After a fall leaves him with a torn ACL and an empty summer, ballet dancer Shawn Hoeft has to confront the fact that he's spent his life chasing two ballet and Bailey Ferg, and now he has neither—and no idea how to get them back.
When an old argument boils over and Bailey pulls Shawn into her bed—and her lies—the couple isn’t sure if they’re learning from their mistakes, or repeating them. For their relationship to survive the summer, Shawn knows he has to stand up for himself, Bailey knows she has to tell the truth, or they’ll never do anything but fight. And they both know it’s easier to start a fight than to end one.
Make It Nice is an open door, dual-timeline coming-of-age romance between twenty-two-year-olds figuring out the world, themselves, and each other.
397 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 19, 2025
5 people want to read
About the author
Ellie Mack
7 books18 followersEllie Mack is a contemporary and new adult romance author, coffee addict, and raccoon enthusiast. After growing up in the Intermountain West, she settled in New York with her husband and a deeply elderly cat. A mood reader through and through, she is reading at least three books at any given time--and usually writing even more.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
October 19, 2025
Kiss Me Thrice was one of my favorite books of 2024, and I was so excited to spend more time with these characters in book two of the duet! 🥰
From Bailey’s first appearance in Thrice, it was clear that the fun, flawed ballerina twin deserved her own story. There was also so much to love in sweet, loyal bff, Shawn, who’s coping with a career-threatening injury that left him (understandably) struggling with tough emotions on top of the physical pain. I’m a sucker for the hurt/comfort and found family tropes, and Ellie Mack did a phenomenal job with them here.
Since the books run on parallel timelines, there were a lot of “teasers” in Thrice that get revisited here with satisfying (and often hilarious) resolutions. In particular, I was dying to know what was up with these two in the Thrice dumpling scene and was giddy as hell when I got there in Make It Nice. No spoilers, but the scene did not disappoint. 😊
We also get a lot more backstory on both MCs that made me want to hug Shawn and occasionally smack Bailey before hugging her too. You’ll see. 😆
This book was everything I hoped it would be - angsty, spicy, funny, and with plenty of scenes with these two crazy kids dancing and running around NYC. And speaking of spice, we go from the “kissing rehearsals” of Thrice to a… different type of lesson. 🥵 I need more books with this NOW!
If you appreciate beautifully written love stories with vivid characters and plenty of sweetness, longing, humor, and spice, you’ll adore this one. Happy reading!
From Bailey’s first appearance in Thrice, it was clear that the fun, flawed ballerina twin deserved her own story. There was also so much to love in sweet, loyal bff, Shawn, who’s coping with a career-threatening injury that left him (understandably) struggling with tough emotions on top of the physical pain. I’m a sucker for the hurt/comfort and found family tropes, and Ellie Mack did a phenomenal job with them here.
Since the books run on parallel timelines, there were a lot of “teasers” in Thrice that get revisited here with satisfying (and often hilarious) resolutions. In particular, I was dying to know what was up with these two in the Thrice dumpling scene and was giddy as hell when I got there in Make It Nice. No spoilers, but the scene did not disappoint. 😊
We also get a lot more backstory on both MCs that made me want to hug Shawn and occasionally smack Bailey before hugging her too. You’ll see. 😆
This book was everything I hoped it would be - angsty, spicy, funny, and with plenty of scenes with these two crazy kids dancing and running around NYC. And speaking of spice, we go from the “kissing rehearsals” of Thrice to a… different type of lesson. 🥵 I need more books with this NOW!
If you appreciate beautifully written love stories with vivid characters and plenty of sweetness, longing, humor, and spice, you’ll adore this one. Happy reading!
September 20, 2025
Shawn has been pining after Bailey for a long time. But the timing was never right. With Shawn injured and not being able to dance the entire summer, will the two of them use the gifted time and finally figure out how to be together....for good?
I have been WAITING for Shawn's and Bailey's story since reading "Kiss me Thrice" last year and boy, did those two not disappoint. The dual timeline, the banter, the TEXT MESSAGES? An inexperienced MMC? Glimpses of Lindsay and David all throughout the book? I love it so much!!
If you like childhood friends to lovers with laugh out loud, as well as tender moments, an ending that almost had me in tears, found family, a sassy Oma and spice, put "Make it Nice" on your TBR asap!!
I have been WAITING for Shawn's and Bailey's story since reading "Kiss me Thrice" last year and boy, did those two not disappoint. The dual timeline, the banter, the TEXT MESSAGES? An inexperienced MMC? Glimpses of Lindsay and David all throughout the book? I love it so much!!
If you like childhood friends to lovers with laugh out loud, as well as tender moments, an ending that almost had me in tears, found family, a sassy Oma and spice, put "Make it Nice" on your TBR asap!!
October 15, 2025
It's hard to express how much I loved this book - there should be an extra star or five on Goodreads for books this good. If you enjoy immersive, thought-provoking romance that pulls you into a fascinating world and lets you spend time with fabulous characters, then don't miss this! It's funny, witty, emotional, moving. Ellie Mack is an amazing author!
October 14, 2025
"New author I love" alert. First book my Ellie Mack and I'm head over heels for this series - I cannot wait to devour the other book.
Bailey and Shawn. They are caught in this complicated (but endearing) triangle with her twin sister, Lindsay. But not like THAT triangle. They've grown up together in the world of dance/ballet - and there are these intricate dynamics of Bailey & Lindsay being twins, Shawn being the adopted family member who comes to live with them when he's talent spotted for their academy, Lindsay and Shawn becoming principle dancers while Bailey's interests & talent don't quite go that way. All 3 of them being super close but Bailey & Shawn being closer in THAT way but too confused/afraid to act on it. Their second chance comes when Bailey drops out of school (but is too chicken to tell anyone) and Shawn is injured - and they're both thrown together & forced to face the reality of their feelings.
Smart, sharp, witty writing is my kryptonite - and this book is Krypton Central. It was engaging, entertaining and I loved every page. It's also an in depth study into interdependent relationships & friendships. The triangle is really unique & interesting, the ways in which the individual relationships impact the overall - and the broader context of their family.
At the heart, it's a book about courage and how you believe the people you trust will still love you when show them your authentic self. It's hard not to love a story like that, especially when couched with some pretty phenomenal writing. Highly HIGHLY recommend.
Bailey and Shawn. They are caught in this complicated (but endearing) triangle with her twin sister, Lindsay. But not like THAT triangle. They've grown up together in the world of dance/ballet - and there are these intricate dynamics of Bailey & Lindsay being twins, Shawn being the adopted family member who comes to live with them when he's talent spotted for their academy, Lindsay and Shawn becoming principle dancers while Bailey's interests & talent don't quite go that way. All 3 of them being super close but Bailey & Shawn being closer in THAT way but too confused/afraid to act on it. Their second chance comes when Bailey drops out of school (but is too chicken to tell anyone) and Shawn is injured - and they're both thrown together & forced to face the reality of their feelings.
Smart, sharp, witty writing is my kryptonite - and this book is Krypton Central. It was engaging, entertaining and I loved every page. It's also an in depth study into interdependent relationships & friendships. The triangle is really unique & interesting, the ways in which the individual relationships impact the overall - and the broader context of their family.
At the heart, it's a book about courage and how you believe the people you trust will still love you when show them your authentic self. It's hard not to love a story like that, especially when couched with some pretty phenomenal writing. Highly HIGHLY recommend.
November 1, 2025
📕BOOK REVIEW📕
This is book 2 in the series, and it can be read as standalone.
I really loved Kiss Me Thrice, so I was super excited enter started on this book.
We meet Shawn and Bailey in Book 1, as best friend and sister to MFC, Lindsey. In this book, Bailey quits her college course, and Shawn is recovering from his ballet injury.
What I really loved about this book, is getting to see their history. We know that Shawn lived with Bailey and Lindsey as a teenager, and you get the feeling there is some quashed feelings, so when they finally act on it, my goodness me what a treat. I adore Shawn. He’s just so blooming sweet and he clearly cares for Bailey. I equally adore Bailey as much. She doesn’t take no for an answer and helps Shawn through his rehabilitation. I really felt for Bailey as she’s been through so much, with Lindsey and her mental health, the secrets she has been harbouring and the fact she loves her best friend.
I really loved the story: it was just beautiful.
I have really enjoyed Ellie’s books, and I cannot wait for more.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
This is book 2 in the series, and it can be read as standalone.
I really loved Kiss Me Thrice, so I was super excited enter started on this book.
We meet Shawn and Bailey in Book 1, as best friend and sister to MFC, Lindsey. In this book, Bailey quits her college course, and Shawn is recovering from his ballet injury.
What I really loved about this book, is getting to see their history. We know that Shawn lived with Bailey and Lindsey as a teenager, and you get the feeling there is some quashed feelings, so when they finally act on it, my goodness me what a treat. I adore Shawn. He’s just so blooming sweet and he clearly cares for Bailey. I equally adore Bailey as much. She doesn’t take no for an answer and helps Shawn through his rehabilitation. I really felt for Bailey as she’s been through so much, with Lindsey and her mental health, the secrets she has been harbouring and the fact she loves her best friend.
I really loved the story: it was just beautiful.
I have really enjoyed Ellie’s books, and I cannot wait for more.
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
September 29, 2025
Bailey and Shawn might have driven me a little crazy but I love these two! Make It Nice is book 2 in the NYBT Pas de Deux series and it was great getting to see glimpses of Lindsay and David again because those two were wonderful as well. This is a friends to lovers and I thought the dual timeline was amazing.
Bailey and Shawn have both been in love with each other forever but timing has never quite been right for these guys. Shawn gets injured which sucks but the silver lining is he gets to spend more time with Bailey. They bicker and fight which leads to an argument where they finally tell each other their feelings! I mean I would have been going nuts by now if I were either of them. Their relationship starts off wonderful but then they encounter some bumps in the road which seems par for the course. Can they finally figure things out and find their happily ever after? Or are they doomed to be “just friends” forever? Check out Make It Nice to find out!
Bailey and Shawn have both been in love with each other forever but timing has never quite been right for these guys. Shawn gets injured which sucks but the silver lining is he gets to spend more time with Bailey. They bicker and fight which leads to an argument where they finally tell each other their feelings! I mean I would have been going nuts by now if I were either of them. Their relationship starts off wonderful but then they encounter some bumps in the road which seems par for the course. Can they finally figure things out and find their happily ever after? Or are they doomed to be “just friends” forever? Check out Make It Nice to find out!
November 3, 2025
Such a fun book! It can completely be read as a standalone but goes so well with its sister book Kiss Me Thrice. These characters and messy and chaotic in the best way. I cannot get enough of them! And of course… big fan of the glasses.
October 15, 2025
Thank you for the arc !
Have been waiting for this one and it didn’t not disappoint!
Have been waiting for this one and it didn’t not disappoint!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews