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Making the Cut
When Lydia Moffatt takes her two-year-old daughter, Annie, to a ballet class, she has no idea of the world she is about to be drawn into.
What begins as a charming Saturday activity soon spirals into an all-consuming world of fierce competition, shifting friendships, and ruthless ambition—both onstage and among the dance mums, who are desperate for their little ones to succeed at any cost. As tensions rise, Lydia starts to question everything.
But when Annie begins to display troubling behaviours, Lydia’s own buried traumas resurface. Driven by an unstoppable urge to protect her daughter, she is forced to confront her past and navigate a world where nothing is off-limits.
In the cutthroat world of competitive dance, how far will Lydia go to protect what matters most?
What begins as a charming Saturday activity soon spirals into an all-consuming world of fierce competition, shifting friendships, and ruthless ambition—both onstage and among the dance mums, who are desperate for their little ones to succeed at any cost. As tensions rise, Lydia starts to question everything.
But when Annie begins to display troubling behaviours, Lydia’s own buried traumas resurface. Driven by an unstoppable urge to protect her daughter, she is forced to confront her past and navigate a world where nothing is off-limits.
In the cutthroat world of competitive dance, how far will Lydia go to protect what matters most?
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2025
1 person is currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 11, 2025
“I always liked the analogy about the piece of paper screwed up into a tiny ball. When flattened out, the damage done could still be seen. No amount of stroking it flat, apologising to it, or trying to bend the creases back in the opposite direction could turn back time and make that piece of paper what it once was”.
I was verging on 3 stars, but the last half pushed it up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Revenge is a dish best served cold! Isn’t that the truth. Lydia Moffat takes her 2 year old daughter Annie to ballet, and what was supposed to be just a bit of fun learning to dance in a non-competitive environment takes a turn when the dance studio takes their pupils to a convention. There starts the descent into competitive Dance, competitive Mums and competitive Kids.
Lydia has a tragic and traumatic past, which we find out about in chapters sprinkled throughout the story, these become more frequent throughout the second half of the book, and almost take on more significance than the present day story with Annie. However, Annie’s story is littered with drama throughout and gives an inside view into the life of competitive dance.
I enjoyed this story way more than I thought I would after reading some of the reviews, I think it’s a book where you probably need to have an interest in the dance world to enjoy it. I love dance, having danced (non-competitively thankfully 😮) throughout my childhood, where we put on shows and pantos, so reading about this was definitely a blast from the past! However the world of competitive dance is a dark one. 😈
The story really does centre on Lydia and Annie, I would have liked a little more of Lydia’s husband Rob, who was portrayed as being thoroughly unsupportive, even when his child was going through her issues. I felt this was slightly unrealistic and was brushed under the carpet somewhat. Also some of the other supporting characters could have had a little more depth and storyline too.
That being said, the book kept me engaged and interested enough that I wanted to find out how it ended. 👍
There are multiple triggers in this book, so if you tend to stay away from books with these, then you might want to avoid this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The Book Guild for a digital ARC of this book. 📖
I was verging on 3 stars, but the last half pushed it up to 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Revenge is a dish best served cold! Isn’t that the truth. Lydia Moffat takes her 2 year old daughter Annie to ballet, and what was supposed to be just a bit of fun learning to dance in a non-competitive environment takes a turn when the dance studio takes their pupils to a convention. There starts the descent into competitive Dance, competitive Mums and competitive Kids.
Lydia has a tragic and traumatic past, which we find out about in chapters sprinkled throughout the story, these become more frequent throughout the second half of the book, and almost take on more significance than the present day story with Annie. However, Annie’s story is littered with drama throughout and gives an inside view into the life of competitive dance.
I enjoyed this story way more than I thought I would after reading some of the reviews, I think it’s a book where you probably need to have an interest in the dance world to enjoy it. I love dance, having danced (non-competitively thankfully 😮) throughout my childhood, where we put on shows and pantos, so reading about this was definitely a blast from the past! However the world of competitive dance is a dark one. 😈
The story really does centre on Lydia and Annie, I would have liked a little more of Lydia’s husband Rob, who was portrayed as being thoroughly unsupportive, even when his child was going through her issues. I felt this was slightly unrealistic and was brushed under the carpet somewhat. Also some of the other supporting characters could have had a little more depth and storyline too.
That being said, the book kept me engaged and interested enough that I wanted to find out how it ended. 👍
There are multiple triggers in this book, so if you tend to stay away from books with these, then you might want to avoid this one.
Many thanks to NetGalley and The Book Guild for a digital ARC of this book. 📖
July 11, 2025
ARC for review. To be published July 28, 2025.
3 stars
Lydia Moffatt takes her two year old daughter Annie to a ballet class and Annie is hooked. Lydia becomes a dance mom, along with all that entails as Annie becomes absorbed in the world of competitive dance.
This book is a bit hard to fully describe because about half to three quarters of the way through two more plots come up, so there’s a fair amount of meandering around. I enjoyed the book overall, though.
3 stars
Lydia Moffatt takes her two year old daughter Annie to a ballet class and Annie is hooked. Lydia becomes a dance mom, along with all that entails as Annie becomes absorbed in the world of competitive dance.
This book is a bit hard to fully describe because about half to three quarters of the way through two more plots come up, so there’s a fair amount of meandering around. I enjoyed the book overall, though.
July 20, 2025
The moment Lydia's daughter Annie sets foot in a ballet class, she's hooked—and Lydia knows she'll do anything in her power to keep Annie happy and dancing.
Content warnings (somewhat spoilery):
What worked well for me:
I love a ballet book, so I was eager to pick this one up. It's interesting to get a small peek into competitive dance, too—Annie eventually wants to dance professionally, but a lot of her classes end up being about other types of dance, like acro, and about preparing for competitions. And...to an extent I appreciate that Lydia is making calculated decisions throughout the book: she's constantly weighing her reservations about the ballet studio against Annie's happiness, and everything she does is in pursuit of that happiness. She's very much a dance mom, and she may have lost touch with what is healthy, but what she does not do is push Annie to do anything she doesn't want to.
What worked less well for me:
First, the stress about money is real in this book, from almost the very beginning. Lydia throws financial caution to the wind in pursuit of Annie's dance education. Aside from wishing the studio's vulture aspect had been more gradually introduced, I just find reading that kind of financial imprudence really stressful to read about. Personal preference, but it honestly stressed me out to read about it.
Second, although Lydia does try not to be that kind of dance mom...in her head, she's every bit as bad as the others. The word "bitch" appeared at least 19 times, and almost every one of those instances is in Lydia's thoughts—mostly referring to either the other dance moms or to their daughters, whether the daughter is 7 or 17. It's not great. The main portion of the book spans about fifteen years, from when Annie is two to when she's a teenager, but Lydia never really grows; she neither has nor wants any kind of life outside Annie's dance. It never occurs to her that there is any kind of middle ground; e.g., that she could look for a different studio for her daughter. And...although she says she does everything for her daughter, she's incredibly passive, to the point that when her daughter faces something that Lydia knows from personal experience can be deadly, she continues to do nothing...and then eventually blames the studio for not telling her their suspicions sooner, even though she'd known about (and done nothing) for months as well. Maybe some of this is supposed to be explained by Lydia's past, but I wanted her to take some kind of normal step to set them on a different path, and she never did.
And third—this is the biggest point—I think the book has been mismarketed. At the time that I picked it up, it was labelled "entertainment & pop culture," "general fiction (adult)," and "women's fiction." And...to an extent that's true. But there are periodically chapters set in Lydia's own teenaged years, and in the middle of the book, things take a very dark, violent, and graphic turn. Once we're in there, the book refuses to back off, going in directions that take this to...well, a genre that is way more violent and graphic than I'd expect from something labelled "entertainment & pop culture" and "women's fiction." Then again, if this had been a thriller, I'd have gone in a bit more prepared...but I'd still have been unpleasantly surprised by some of the violence here.
I imagine this one will find its readers, but it was not for me. I wish I'd had a better idea, going in, of what to expect; this took my expectations and bashed them against the wall until they were bruised and bloody.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
Content warnings (somewhat spoilery):
What worked well for me:
I love a ballet book, so I was eager to pick this one up. It's interesting to get a small peek into competitive dance, too—Annie eventually wants to dance professionally, but a lot of her classes end up being about other types of dance, like acro, and about preparing for competitions. And...to an extent I appreciate that Lydia is making calculated decisions throughout the book: she's constantly weighing her reservations about the ballet studio against Annie's happiness, and everything she does is in pursuit of that happiness. She's very much a dance mom, and she may have lost touch with what is healthy, but what she does not do is push Annie to do anything she doesn't want to.
What worked less well for me:
First, the stress about money is real in this book, from almost the very beginning. Lydia throws financial caution to the wind in pursuit of Annie's dance education. Aside from wishing the studio's vulture aspect had been more gradually introduced, I just find reading that kind of financial imprudence really stressful to read about. Personal preference, but it honestly stressed me out to read about it.
Second, although Lydia does try not to be that kind of dance mom...in her head, she's every bit as bad as the others. The word "bitch" appeared at least 19 times, and almost every one of those instances is in Lydia's thoughts—mostly referring to either the other dance moms or to their daughters, whether the daughter is 7 or 17. It's not great. The main portion of the book spans about fifteen years, from when Annie is two to when she's a teenager, but Lydia never really grows; she neither has nor wants any kind of life outside Annie's dance. It never occurs to her that there is any kind of middle ground; e.g., that she could look for a different studio for her daughter. And...although she says she does everything for her daughter, she's incredibly passive, to the point that when her daughter faces something that Lydia knows from personal experience can be deadly, she continues to do nothing...and then eventually blames the studio for not telling her their suspicions sooner, even though she'd known about (and done nothing) for months as well. Maybe some of this is supposed to be explained by Lydia's past, but I wanted her to take some kind of normal step to set them on a different path, and she never did.
And third—this is the biggest point—I think the book has been mismarketed. At the time that I picked it up, it was labelled "entertainment & pop culture," "general fiction (adult)," and "women's fiction." And...to an extent that's true. But there are periodically chapters set in Lydia's own teenaged years, and in the middle of the book, things take a very dark, violent, and graphic turn. Once we're in there, the book refuses to back off, going in directions that take this to...well, a genre that is way more violent and graphic than I'd expect from something labelled "entertainment & pop culture" and "women's fiction." Then again, if this had been a thriller, I'd have gone in a bit more prepared...but I'd still have been unpleasantly surprised by some of the violence here.
I imagine this one will find its readers, but it was not for me. I wish I'd had a better idea, going in, of what to expect; this took my expectations and bashed them against the wall until they were bruised and bloody.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 23, 2025
Making the Cut tells the story of Lydia, a “dance mum”, and her daughter Annie. Starting when Annie is two years old, the narrative alternates between her growing up within the dance world and the classes, costs, and challenges that increase the older she gets, and Lydia's own past as a bullied nerdy teenager whose best friend was a ballerina.
This book exposes several of the dark sides of competitive dancing, from predatory pricing to a toxic culture of body-shaming. As someone who danced throughout their entire childhood, but not competitively, the part I found the most interesting was the culture around the “dance mums” themselves and all of the challenges they faced, not only with financial and time demands, but also the other learned skills, such as styling their kids’ hair in record time between performances or going the perfect makeup.
Lydia, however, is an extremely infuriating protagonist. She very often talks about how much she regretted not removing Annie from dance lessons when she was young, and she had a valid excuse, but the entire book is written as if she is being held hostage by the studio. While I, as a reader, could understand that she did not want to break her little girl's heart, but I kept being vividly reminded that she was a literal toddler and, as a mom, she should not have enabled to the point of financial ruin. It becomes almost painful to read by the end of the book, when she is aware that Annie is not even enjoying herself by dancing, and yet Lydia will not pull the plug and keeps wanting the pre-teen to make decisions.
I started reading knowing that this book would probably deal with some very real issues face by dancers, such as the elitism, stress, body image problems, and a lot of anxiety. I was aware that there would be some very dark themes. But I was completely unprepared for some very graphic description of things that were not even related to the dancing world! (TW: ) It is a series of very potentially triggering chapters that contribute nothing to the story except for shock value. While the parallels between Annie and Kelly is certainly interesting, and we can see why Lydia sometimes acts the way the does, those chapters were completely unnecessary, especially with that level of detail.
I really wanted to enjoy this book because it explores a topic that I am actually interested in, and if the book had remained what it proposed to be: a book about competitive dancing, it certainly would have received a higher rating. Unfortunately, what we ended up having was the story of a very entitled mother who wants to fit in, has no notion of limits, and projects some of her dreams onto her daughter, to the point that she will “sabotage” actual children. It just so happens that, those dreams ended up putting her daughter in a toxic environment, but by the second-half of the story it no longer feels like a driving force.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Wiggins, and The Book Guild for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
This book exposes several of the dark sides of competitive dancing, from predatory pricing to a toxic culture of body-shaming. As someone who danced throughout their entire childhood, but not competitively, the part I found the most interesting was the culture around the “dance mums” themselves and all of the challenges they faced, not only with financial and time demands, but also the other learned skills, such as styling their kids’ hair in record time between performances or going the perfect makeup.
Lydia, however, is an extremely infuriating protagonist. She very often talks about how much she regretted not removing Annie from dance lessons when she was young, and she had a valid excuse, but the entire book is written as if she is being held hostage by the studio. While I, as a reader, could understand that she did not want to break her little girl's heart, but I kept being vividly reminded that she was a literal toddler and, as a mom, she should not have enabled to the point of financial ruin. It becomes almost painful to read by the end of the book, when she is aware that Annie is not even enjoying herself by dancing, and yet Lydia will not pull the plug and keeps wanting the pre-teen to make decisions.
I started reading knowing that this book would probably deal with some very real issues face by dancers, such as the elitism, stress, body image problems, and a lot of anxiety. I was aware that there would be some very dark themes. But I was completely unprepared for some very graphic description of things that were not even related to the dancing world! (TW: ) It is a series of very potentially triggering chapters that contribute nothing to the story except for shock value. While the parallels between Annie and Kelly is certainly interesting, and we can see why Lydia sometimes acts the way the does, those chapters were completely unnecessary, especially with that level of detail.
I really wanted to enjoy this book because it explores a topic that I am actually interested in, and if the book had remained what it proposed to be: a book about competitive dancing, it certainly would have received a higher rating. Unfortunately, what we ended up having was the story of a very entitled mother who wants to fit in, has no notion of limits, and projects some of her dreams onto her daughter, to the point that she will “sabotage” actual children. It just so happens that, those dreams ended up putting her daughter in a toxic environment, but by the second-half of the story it no longer feels like a driving force.
Thank you to NetGalley, Sophie Wiggins, and The Book Guild for the advanced copy. This review is left voluntarily and honestly.
August 26, 2025
Making the Cut
by Sophie Wiggins
🌟🌟🌟
Published July 28, 2025, by The Book Guild
Thank you @NetGalley for the eARC for my honest review.
The cover and synopses of this book drew me in right away. My daughter just got on point and is going into her final year of competitive dance, so I thought it would be a great relatable experience. The book is about a single mom who struggles after putting her two-year-old into ballet and being sucked into the world of dance: the costs, the joys, the drama, the tears, the competition... the pain. All for small rewards (if you are lucky). As the book progresses, it also highlights the price you pay when you are good: pettiness, parent drama/fights, marital problems, studio hierarchy, etc., and the emotional toll it takes on even the most sane of people.
I am a dance mom and had no idea what that world entailed until I was in it, and I have had many, many arguments with our studio and dance friends' parents about what is 'the norm' in the dance world. For anyone going into this blind, I 100% recommend the first 1/2 of this book as it absolutely highlights the costs, the feelings of guilt to not do something for your child, the sacrifices, and more than anything, the joy when they find happiness. The author did an amazing job at capturing the truth behind the performance, right down to the costs of the 'swag' dancers get from their own studio. In essence, every opportunity has a price tag, no matter how talented the dancer is. Every parent should question it and not allow their child to think they are going to be granted special privileges because of money.
It took a while for me to get into the different POV's from Lydia talking about her daughter to remembering her own crisis, and I'm still unsure how it all ties together. As these scenes unfolded, I would guess the author was trying to show that everyone has trauma and that every trauma can make someone do things they normally wouldn't--or that the character was capable of the extreme actions she took in the end because of the past trauma triggering her during the trauma her daughter went through. To be honest, I think the book was better without the flashbacks from Lydia.
All in all, I rate this as 3* because I really enjoyed the truth in Lydia's perspective as a dance mom, but I do think that the character development and overall plot can be worked on. The storyline turns very dark after the halfway mark, and I would recommend anyone who is triggered to tread carefully; however, it does reflect that no matter what we go through as a dance parent, the dancer is likely enduring their own issues--especially if they are good and dancing on a competitive level. The author was able to show that a parent's job is to safeguard their child and showcased that good can come out of separating yourself from a toxic environment.
I'd still recommend the first half to first-time dance parents--it's all true!!
by Sophie Wiggins
🌟🌟🌟
Published July 28, 2025, by The Book Guild
Thank you @NetGalley for the eARC for my honest review.
The cover and synopses of this book drew me in right away. My daughter just got on point and is going into her final year of competitive dance, so I thought it would be a great relatable experience. The book is about a single mom who struggles after putting her two-year-old into ballet and being sucked into the world of dance: the costs, the joys, the drama, the tears, the competition... the pain. All for small rewards (if you are lucky). As the book progresses, it also highlights the price you pay when you are good: pettiness, parent drama/fights, marital problems, studio hierarchy, etc., and the emotional toll it takes on even the most sane of people.
I am a dance mom and had no idea what that world entailed until I was in it, and I have had many, many arguments with our studio and dance friends' parents about what is 'the norm' in the dance world. For anyone going into this blind, I 100% recommend the first 1/2 of this book as it absolutely highlights the costs, the feelings of guilt to not do something for your child, the sacrifices, and more than anything, the joy when they find happiness. The author did an amazing job at capturing the truth behind the performance, right down to the costs of the 'swag' dancers get from their own studio. In essence, every opportunity has a price tag, no matter how talented the dancer is. Every parent should question it and not allow their child to think they are going to be granted special privileges because of money.
It took a while for me to get into the different POV's from Lydia talking about her daughter to remembering her own crisis, and I'm still unsure how it all ties together. As these scenes unfolded, I would guess the author was trying to show that everyone has trauma and that every trauma can make someone do things they normally wouldn't--or that the character was capable of the extreme actions she took in the end because of the past trauma triggering her during the trauma her daughter went through. To be honest, I think the book was better without the flashbacks from Lydia.
All in all, I rate this as 3* because I really enjoyed the truth in Lydia's perspective as a dance mom, but I do think that the character development and overall plot can be worked on. The storyline turns very dark after the halfway mark, and I would recommend anyone who is triggered to tread carefully; however, it does reflect that no matter what we go through as a dance parent, the dancer is likely enduring their own issues--especially if they are good and dancing on a competitive level. The author was able to show that a parent's job is to safeguard their child and showcased that good can come out of separating yourself from a toxic environment.
I'd still recommend the first half to first-time dance parents--it's all true!!
November 18, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Overview
Making the Cut follows Annie, a dedicated ballet dancer fighting for her place in a highly competitive and often toxic world. The story explores the intense pressure, politics, and underhand behaviour behind the scenes at a ballet school/company, as Annie pushes herself physically and emotionally to “make the cut” and secure her future. The story is told through the perspective of her mother, Lydia. There is also a dual timeline element, touching on traumatic events from Lydia’s past, which are gradually revealed alongside her present-day struggles.
The book is marketed as a thriller, but in practice it reads more like contemporary drama with dark themes, focusing on ambition, trauma, and the toxic side of elite performance culture. It brushes against tropes like cutthroat competition, abusive systems, and the cost of perfection, with a late, sudden turn into crime.
My thoughts
I came away from Making the Cut feeling a bit unsure where it was meant to sit, genre-wise. Although it’s advertised as a thriller, that didn’t really match the reading experience for me. The first part of the book was enjoyable, and I expected the story to delve deeper into the underhand practices of the ballet school or perhaps follow Lydia as she found a way to expose them and reclaim her power. Instead, the shift into murder at the end felt too extreme and out of step with the tone of the rest of the book. The conclusion then wrapped up quite abruptly, without the level of suspense or exploration you’d normally expect from that kind of escalation.
The dual timeline storyline about Lydia being gang raped as a teen also didn’t feel meaningfully integrated into the main plot. For me, it didn’t add much to the narrative or character development in a way that justified its inclusion, especially given the heaviness of the subject matter.
Overall, I’d describe this as an okay, short read that offers some insight into the commitment to dance and the toxic environment that can exist around it, but beyond that, it didn’t deliver much in terms of thriller elements or emotional payoff.
Overview
Making the Cut follows Annie, a dedicated ballet dancer fighting for her place in a highly competitive and often toxic world. The story explores the intense pressure, politics, and underhand behaviour behind the scenes at a ballet school/company, as Annie pushes herself physically and emotionally to “make the cut” and secure her future. The story is told through the perspective of her mother, Lydia. There is also a dual timeline element, touching on traumatic events from Lydia’s past, which are gradually revealed alongside her present-day struggles.
The book is marketed as a thriller, but in practice it reads more like contemporary drama with dark themes, focusing on ambition, trauma, and the toxic side of elite performance culture. It brushes against tropes like cutthroat competition, abusive systems, and the cost of perfection, with a late, sudden turn into crime.
My thoughts
I came away from Making the Cut feeling a bit unsure where it was meant to sit, genre-wise. Although it’s advertised as a thriller, that didn’t really match the reading experience for me. The first part of the book was enjoyable, and I expected the story to delve deeper into the underhand practices of the ballet school or perhaps follow Lydia as she found a way to expose them and reclaim her power. Instead, the shift into murder at the end felt too extreme and out of step with the tone of the rest of the book. The conclusion then wrapped up quite abruptly, without the level of suspense or exploration you’d normally expect from that kind of escalation.
The dual timeline storyline about Lydia being gang raped as a teen also didn’t feel meaningfully integrated into the main plot. For me, it didn’t add much to the narrative or character development in a way that justified its inclusion, especially given the heaviness of the subject matter.
Overall, I’d describe this as an okay, short read that offers some insight into the commitment to dance and the toxic environment that can exist around it, but beyond that, it didn’t deliver much in terms of thriller elements or emotional payoff.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 5, 2025
First, a big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Sophie Wiggins’ novel “Making the Cut" – “In the cutthroat world of competitive dance, how far will Lydia go to protect what matters most?”
The cover and synopses of this book drew me in right away. The world of ballet is so fascinating to me. The book is about a single mom who struggles after putting her two-year-old into ballet and being sucked into the world of dance: the costs, the joys, the drama, the tears, the competition... the pain. All for small rewards (if you are lucky). As the book progresses, it also highlights the price you pay when you are considered good: pettiness, parent drama/fights, financial and marital problems, studio hierarchy, and the emotional toll it takes on people.
The author did an amazing job peering behind the curtain of elite dance studios, capturing the truth behind the performance, right down to the costs accrued from their own studios. In essence, every opportunity has a price tag, no matter how talented the dancer is.
The shifts in POVs were difficult to track at times. It was a little challenging sussing out Lydia’s experience with her daughter from her own experiences, and I'm still unsure how it all ties together. I wanted less of the flashbacks from Lydia and more for the present story. I enjoyed Lydia's perspective as a dance mom, but I do think that the character development and overall plot can be worked on.
The storyline turns very dark after the halfway mark; however, it does reflect that no matter what we go through as a dance parent, the dancer is likely enduring their own issues--especially if they are good and dancing on a competitive level. The author was able to show that a parent's job is to safeguard their child and showcased that good can come out of separating yourself from a toxic environment. I would definitely recommend this for fans of dance moms.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The cover and synopses of this book drew me in right away. The world of ballet is so fascinating to me. The book is about a single mom who struggles after putting her two-year-old into ballet and being sucked into the world of dance: the costs, the joys, the drama, the tears, the competition... the pain. All for small rewards (if you are lucky). As the book progresses, it also highlights the price you pay when you are considered good: pettiness, parent drama/fights, financial and marital problems, studio hierarchy, and the emotional toll it takes on people.
The author did an amazing job peering behind the curtain of elite dance studios, capturing the truth behind the performance, right down to the costs accrued from their own studios. In essence, every opportunity has a price tag, no matter how talented the dancer is.
The shifts in POVs were difficult to track at times. It was a little challenging sussing out Lydia’s experience with her daughter from her own experiences, and I'm still unsure how it all ties together. I wanted less of the flashbacks from Lydia and more for the present story. I enjoyed Lydia's perspective as a dance mom, but I do think that the character development and overall plot can be worked on.
The storyline turns very dark after the halfway mark; however, it does reflect that no matter what we go through as a dance parent, the dancer is likely enduring their own issues--especially if they are good and dancing on a competitive level. The author was able to show that a parent's job is to safeguard their child and showcased that good can come out of separating yourself from a toxic environment. I would definitely recommend this for fans of dance moms.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 21, 2025
Making the Cut by Sophie Wiggins sounded like a book that I would love, set in the world of ballet, or more specifically in a dance school with ambition. The book follows Lydia Moffat and her daughter Annie from the toddler to teenage years as she moves through the ranks in her dance school from beginner to one of the most talented students with the potential to make a career in dance. I can imagine that this book was inspired by reality television shows like Dance Moms, given that the characters are a mix of autocratic dance teachers and competitive mothers pushing their daughters harder and harder, in fact there are really no likeable characters other than some of the children in the dance school. The blurb references the cutthroat world of competitive dance and I think the best thing about this book is how vividly the author brings that to life on the page, from mean moms and even meaner daughters to the exorbitant costs of classes, uniforms, costumes and entry fees to the back stage hustle before a show and the nerves before a competition and the very serious issue of eating disorders and the pressures faced by the young dancers. I think that the latter is a topic that needs to be handled sensitively and I appreciated how well the author did it in this book. Where it all fell apart for me is that the book actually feels like two stories that were smashed together, and I don't think that either plot line benefitted from that, in fact I would argue that the second storyline of Lydia's past trauma was not needed for this book to work. It felt forced and rushed in order to fit with the main plotline and it really did not work for me.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
I read an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.
July 15, 2025
4 ⭐️
This was a great read! My 11 year old self certainly would’ve relished in all the dance drama this book had. I know all dance mom lovers will enjoy this!
Lydia is kind of insane which worked well throughout the story even if I started to hate her. This book certainly shows a lot of the behind the scenes of what it means to live vicariously through your child and the lengths you’ll go for their (your?) happiness and success.
I loved little Annie and most of the girls throughout and felt they were written in such an amazing way it genuinely felt like I was watching a Dance Moms spin-off! All of the moms were depicted well and annoyed me the whole time! (in the right way) I also loved the addition of Nancy as a side character and felt that Jemima’s family plot line was incredibly realistic and a nice touch even as a small addition!
The ending really had me thinking and shocked overall. I could feel Lydia spiraling throughout and it felt full circle to have it end the way it did. Miss Victoria and the whole studio suck like everyone else did and I was growing with frustration and anger as I continued to read and was just glad this was fiction and not real life anymore!
This book does deal with some heavier topics as well and I felt they were handled with care and well written.
Overall a great read and a perfect book for all the Dance Moms fans out there to satisfy that guilty pleasure without the pain of real little girls going through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for this ARC!
This was a great read! My 11 year old self certainly would’ve relished in all the dance drama this book had. I know all dance mom lovers will enjoy this!
Lydia is kind of insane which worked well throughout the story even if I started to hate her. This book certainly shows a lot of the behind the scenes of what it means to live vicariously through your child and the lengths you’ll go for their (your?) happiness and success.
I loved little Annie and most of the girls throughout and felt they were written in such an amazing way it genuinely felt like I was watching a Dance Moms spin-off! All of the moms were depicted well and annoyed me the whole time! (in the right way) I also loved the addition of Nancy as a side character and felt that Jemima’s family plot line was incredibly realistic and a nice touch even as a small addition!
The ending really had me thinking and shocked overall. I could feel Lydia spiraling throughout and it felt full circle to have it end the way it did. Miss Victoria and the whole studio suck like everyone else did and I was growing with frustration and anger as I continued to read and was just glad this was fiction and not real life anymore!
This book does deal with some heavier topics as well and I felt they were handled with care and well written.
Overall a great read and a perfect book for all the Dance Moms fans out there to satisfy that guilty pleasure without the pain of real little girls going through it!
Thank you to NetGalley and The Book Guild for this ARC!
August 9, 2025
Who would've thought an innocent toddler ballet class would forever change the lives of everyone in Lydia Moffatt's family? When her daughter Annie falls in love with dance, Lydia is willing to do anything to support her. As Annie grows, it becomes increasingly clear that the dance studio (VCS) is taking all of their time, money, and Annie's innocence and joy. As Annie's world starts to bring forth memories of her own teenhood, Lydia must confront not only Annie's present, but her own past as well.
I loved this book. It was a 5-star read for over half of the book... but towards the end of the book, there were some themes that I did not sign on for.
Minor thematic spoilers will follow.
I am a dancer. I danced for over 20 years and my mom danced for over 50 years. The world of dance is super entertaining to me... but when I pick up a book about the dance world, I do not expect to read about a brutal sexual assault (in vivid detail). Once I got past the shock of that, I continued to enjoy my read... until the epilogue. I understand that we don't get to pick how a book ends, that is the author's privilege, but if I could go back and read the book again for the first time, I wouldn't read the final chapter. I'd rather a cliffhanger ending than the ending we got. The "plot twist" was entirely unneeded and I feel it destroyed the character of Lydia. This book is a Read It but for heaven's sake, don't read the last chapter!
Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
I loved this book. It was a 5-star read for over half of the book... but towards the end of the book, there were some themes that I did not sign on for.
Minor thematic spoilers will follow.
I am a dancer. I danced for over 20 years and my mom danced for over 50 years. The world of dance is super entertaining to me... but when I pick up a book about the dance world, I do not expect to read about a brutal sexual assault (in vivid detail). Once I got past the shock of that, I continued to enjoy my read... until the epilogue. I understand that we don't get to pick how a book ends, that is the author's privilege, but if I could go back and read the book again for the first time, I wouldn't read the final chapter. I'd rather a cliffhanger ending than the ending we got. The "plot twist" was entirely unneeded and I feel it destroyed the character of Lydia. This book is a Read It but for heaven's sake, don't read the last chapter!
Note: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
August 2, 2025
If you love the drama of a Dance Moms-style reality show—without the stress of actually watching real kids go through it—this book delivers. My inner gossip was hooked from page one.
Lydia is a devoted mother who only wants the best for her daughter, whose greatest passion in life is dance. Naturally, keeping her in an elite academy seems worth the cost, the demanding schedule, and the drama-filled world of competitive dance…right?
The story doesn’t shy away from heavy topics, including eating disorders and sexual assault, so the trigger warnings are important to note. That said, I personally appreciate when a book tackles difficult themes respectfully, and this one does so with purpose. At its core, the novel is about holding close the people you love and finding the strength to push through even the hardest times.
The writing is straightforward and accessible, without unnecessary flowery language or drawn-out symbolism. It feels almost like reading the memoir of a flawed but loving mother who tried her best, only to find herself deep in the whirlwind of competitive child dance culture.
I’d happily recommend Making the Cut to anyone who enjoys drama from the sidelines—catching up on all the tea without being part of it. It’s especially great for a weekend or vacation read, keeping you entertained for a few days with its mix of tension, heart, and behind-the-scenes chaos.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
Lydia is a devoted mother who only wants the best for her daughter, whose greatest passion in life is dance. Naturally, keeping her in an elite academy seems worth the cost, the demanding schedule, and the drama-filled world of competitive dance…right?
The story doesn’t shy away from heavy topics, including eating disorders and sexual assault, so the trigger warnings are important to note. That said, I personally appreciate when a book tackles difficult themes respectfully, and this one does so with purpose. At its core, the novel is about holding close the people you love and finding the strength to push through even the hardest times.
The writing is straightforward and accessible, without unnecessary flowery language or drawn-out symbolism. It feels almost like reading the memoir of a flawed but loving mother who tried her best, only to find herself deep in the whirlwind of competitive child dance culture.
I’d happily recommend Making the Cut to anyone who enjoys drama from the sidelines—catching up on all the tea without being part of it. It’s especially great for a weekend or vacation read, keeping you entertained for a few days with its mix of tension, heart, and behind-the-scenes chaos.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.
July 30, 2025
1/5⭐️
Making the Cut was a frustrating and confusing read. The book lacked a clear plot line, and I felt lost throughout most of it. The back-and-forth between the mother’s current life and her younger years was disjointed and difficult to follow, making it hard to stay engaged.
One of the most jarring parts was how time seemed to jump without any warning or explanation. Annie would go from being three, to five, to seven, and suddenly fourteen with an eating disorder—with no context or natural progression. It made the story feel messy and poorly constructed.
What really didn’t sit right with me was how the eating disorder was handled. As a parent, I found it completely unrealistic that a mother—especially one whose best friend died from an eating disorder—would have no idea her own child was sick until she was literally on the brink of death. That lack of awareness just didn’t feel believable and made it hard to connect emotionally with the characters.
The only reason I stuck with the book at all was because, as a dance mom myself, some of the early parts felt relatable. But once the story took a turn into rage and anger leading to contemplated murder… it completely lost me. The shift felt abrupt and out of place, and the book as a whole just felt disorganized and disappointing.
Making the Cut was a frustrating and confusing read. The book lacked a clear plot line, and I felt lost throughout most of it. The back-and-forth between the mother’s current life and her younger years was disjointed and difficult to follow, making it hard to stay engaged.
One of the most jarring parts was how time seemed to jump without any warning or explanation. Annie would go from being three, to five, to seven, and suddenly fourteen with an eating disorder—with no context or natural progression. It made the story feel messy and poorly constructed.
What really didn’t sit right with me was how the eating disorder was handled. As a parent, I found it completely unrealistic that a mother—especially one whose best friend died from an eating disorder—would have no idea her own child was sick until she was literally on the brink of death. That lack of awareness just didn’t feel believable and made it hard to connect emotionally with the characters.
The only reason I stuck with the book at all was because, as a dance mom myself, some of the early parts felt relatable. But once the story took a turn into rage and anger leading to contemplated murder… it completely lost me. The shift felt abrupt and out of place, and the book as a whole just felt disorganized and disappointing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2025
Making The Cut ended up being much darker than I anticipated so definitely check for trigger warnings. There is detailed descriptions of sexual abuse and eating disorders so go into it with that in mind.
That being said, it was a good read. It was one of those stories that was a quick read but also took a little bit to get through. Reason being, it did get heavy at times and I needed to just put it down and give myself a few minutes. It gives you a bit of an insider point of view when it comes to being a competitive dance mom. I'm sure it's the same in any competitive sport. You get to see the jealousy and rivalry between the children and the parents. You see how something that starts off just for fun can end up completely consuming your life.
The flashbacks give incredible insight into Lydia's psyche and you can see why she became the way she did. Why she struggles to fit in with the other moms or trying to keep up appearances. What she went through was horrific and while I may not agree with the choices she made, it's hard not to cut her some slack because that trauma is real.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
That being said, it was a good read. It was one of those stories that was a quick read but also took a little bit to get through. Reason being, it did get heavy at times and I needed to just put it down and give myself a few minutes. It gives you a bit of an insider point of view when it comes to being a competitive dance mom. I'm sure it's the same in any competitive sport. You get to see the jealousy and rivalry between the children and the parents. You see how something that starts off just for fun can end up completely consuming your life.
The flashbacks give incredible insight into Lydia's psyche and you can see why she became the way she did. Why she struggles to fit in with the other moms or trying to keep up appearances. What she went through was horrific and while I may not agree with the choices she made, it's hard not to cut her some slack because that trauma is real.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 31, 2025
“You should bring Annie,” a casual invitation from a friend introduces Lydia to the captivating, competetive and expensive world of dance. After a few lessons, Annie is an eager student and Lydia is a dance mom. Her afternoons and weekends are spent driving to classes, watching classes and paying exorbitant fees for classes while Annie blooms with natural talent. As the years pass, Lydia sees the darker side of the dance academy and Annie reacts to her fellow dancers’ jealousy and bullying.
Making the Cut is not just a simple behind the scenes look at a ballet school. Underneath the glamorous costumes and competitions are worrying, unsettling secrets. Lydia’s story is told in horrifying flashbacks. The trauma she suffered as a teenager has affected her whole life, seeping into some disturbing actions. As Lydia often wonders, would Annie now be a different child is she had never studied dance? If the ballet school staff been less money oriented and more focused on each student, would Annie have received the help she needed? This issues raised in Making the Cut will stay with you long after you finish the final pages. 5 stars.
Thank you to NatGalley, The Book Guild and Sophie Wiggins for this ARC.
Making the Cut is not just a simple behind the scenes look at a ballet school. Underneath the glamorous costumes and competitions are worrying, unsettling secrets. Lydia’s story is told in horrifying flashbacks. The trauma she suffered as a teenager has affected her whole life, seeping into some disturbing actions. As Lydia often wonders, would Annie now be a different child is she had never studied dance? If the ballet school staff been less money oriented and more focused on each student, would Annie have received the help she needed? This issues raised in Making the Cut will stay with you long after you finish the final pages. 5 stars.
Thank you to NatGalley, The Book Guild and Sophie Wiggins for this ARC.
July 11, 2025
Making the Cut by Sophie Wiggins offers an interesting glimpse into the high-pressure world of competitive dance, told through the eyes of Lydia, who is a devoted dance mom, and her daughter, Annie. The story captures the tense dynamics of the dance circuit, touching on themes of mean girls, cost of participation, bullying, and the way parents sometimes push their children to live out unfulfilled dreams.
What makes this book more layered is its use of flashbacks to Lydia’s own teen years. These glimpses into her past add emotional depth and offer insight into her motivations, making her more than just a stereotypical “dance mom.” As the story progresses, it takes a darker turn, which adds an unexpected edge.
While some elements feel familiar in this genre, the dual timelines and complex mother-daughter relationship make it worth a read. A solid 4 stars for its emotional beats and thought-provoking themes.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the eARC.
What makes this book more layered is its use of flashbacks to Lydia’s own teen years. These glimpses into her past add emotional depth and offer insight into her motivations, making her more than just a stereotypical “dance mom.” As the story progresses, it takes a darker turn, which adds an unexpected edge.
While some elements feel familiar in this genre, the dual timelines and complex mother-daughter relationship make it worth a read. A solid 4 stars for its emotional beats and thought-provoking themes.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing the eARC.
August 17, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
I'm confused at what this book wants to be. For a thriller, too little happens, and for a literary fiction analysis of the abuse in the dance world, the book is too shallow.
This is very readable and a fast read. However, litteraly nothing happens. I wasn't bored because the story moved so fast, but I kept wondering what the author was trying to tell us with the things we witnessed.
Not only did the story itself contain a bunch of nothing, but the ending also is very convenient. It's one of those endings where something bad happens in the last chapter, and then we jump to the epilog in the future, and everything worked out great for everyone. I personally despise those endings. It always feels like the author didn't know how to end the book and escape the bad, so they just skipped to the future.
If you just want some dance mom drama, you might enjoy this.
I'm confused at what this book wants to be. For a thriller, too little happens, and for a literary fiction analysis of the abuse in the dance world, the book is too shallow.
This is very readable and a fast read. However, litteraly nothing happens. I wasn't bored because the story moved so fast, but I kept wondering what the author was trying to tell us with the things we witnessed.
Not only did the story itself contain a bunch of nothing, but the ending also is very convenient. It's one of those endings where something bad happens in the last chapter, and then we jump to the epilog in the future, and everything worked out great for everyone. I personally despise those endings. It always feels like the author didn't know how to end the book and escape the bad, so they just skipped to the future.
If you just want some dance mom drama, you might enjoy this.
July 7, 2025
Wiggins’ storytelling is compelling, blending emotional depth with sharp social commentary. Lydia’s journey—from a well-meaning parent to someone forced to confront her own past traumas—drives the novel’s tension, making it a gripping exploration of maternal protectiveness and personal reckoning. The prose is accessible yet evocative, though some may find the pacing uneven as it shifts between psychological introspection and external drama.
Overall, Making the Cut is a thought-provoking read, particularly for those interested in themes of ambition, motherhood, and the sacrifices made in the name of success. While the narrative occasionally leans into familiar tropes of competitive environments, Wiggins’ fresh perspective and emotional authenticity keep it engaging.
Overall, Making the Cut is a thought-provoking read, particularly for those interested in themes of ambition, motherhood, and the sacrifices made in the name of success. While the narrative occasionally leans into familiar tropes of competitive environments, Wiggins’ fresh perspective and emotional authenticity keep it engaging.
July 10, 2025
Story written from the point of view of the mother of an aspiring ballerina. The child takes to dance as a toddler, and the mother invests all her time, energy, and money into her daughter's ballet school. There are other ballet moms and dramas with them, and as the girls in the ballet school grow up relationships and tensions become very complicated- between the ballet moms, the school personnel, and the kids all vying to be special.
Towards the middle of the book, the mother relates a horrific abuse of her own during her teenage years and parallels that with the neglect she sees at the school when the ballet teachers notice struggling kids. The book takes a very dark turn and quite shocking and violent conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
Towards the middle of the book, the mother relates a horrific abuse of her own during her teenage years and parallels that with the neglect she sees at the school when the ballet teachers notice struggling kids. The book takes a very dark turn and quite shocking and violent conclusion.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
July 15, 2025
As a childhood competitive dancer and now studio manager myself, who is also a huge dance moms fan, I requested this as I thought it would be right up my alley.
Ultimately, I think I didn’t enjoy the way this story was told. It seemed to be a character study on ‘crazy dance moms’ and a critique of the competitive dance world, but I don’t think it hit that mark. And then ending just absolutely threw me for a loop in a way I completely didn’t expect. The book was almost a thriller in a way that didn’t work for me at all. I think there was some potential with the story, but the way it was told was just not for me.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Ultimately, I think I didn’t enjoy the way this story was told. It seemed to be a character study on ‘crazy dance moms’ and a critique of the competitive dance world, but I don’t think it hit that mark. And then ending just absolutely threw me for a loop in a way I completely didn’t expect. The book was almost a thriller in a way that didn’t work for me at all. I think there was some potential with the story, but the way it was told was just not for me.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for a fair review.
July 12, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC! This book was nothing like I’ve really read before. I loved how it started out similar to dance moms then took a darker turn. The book goes back and forth between Lydia as an adult and as a teenager, it was dark at times. I think this book just needed a little something more, I felt that there was a little disconnect between what happened to Lydia then and why she does what she does now. At times her decision making skills were very frustrating. But overall it was an interesting read!
July 22, 2025
Just finished Making the Cut by Sophie Wiggins and whew… I need a minute 😵💫
• The character work? So sharp. Everyone felt uncomfortably real (yes, even the ones I wanted to throttle).
• The mum? Genuinely terrifying. Gave me goosebumps more than once.
• The dad? Iconic in his uselessness.
• And the twists? Unhinged—in the best way. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.
If messy families, dark secrets, and ballet-fueled tension are your thing, this one will absolutely get under your skin!
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review!
Look for this in your bookstores from the 28th July 💫
#netgalley
• The character work? So sharp. Everyone felt uncomfortably real (yes, even the ones I wanted to throttle).
• The mum? Genuinely terrifying. Gave me goosebumps more than once.
• The dad? Iconic in his uselessness.
• And the twists? Unhinged—in the best way. I was flipping pages like my life depended on it.
If messy families, dark secrets, and ballet-fueled tension are your thing, this one will absolutely get under your skin!
Thank you @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for this honest review!
Look for this in your bookstores from the 28th July 💫
#netgalley
August 4, 2025
As a former dance mom this book gave me a little PTSD. The costumes, the other dance moms, the money- oh the money! Annie is nothing but a pawn in an adults game of who can be on top, which was so sad to read. Lydia was likeable at the beginning, but I liked her less and less as the book went on. Hearing her backstory was helpful in understanding her character more, but I still didn't like her. All in all the book was an interesting read that dragged in parts but really picked up at the end.
August 11, 2025
2.5 stars
TW: SA (graphic description), eating disorders, fatphobia, graphic violence
Okay? I’m not really sure what the point was. Some parts were fine, but the protagonist is such a passive character I ended up hating her. Just take her to another studio? Most of it I was just bored, I had expected more of a thriller pace and reveal. If you really like dance moms and want a super edgy version of that, maybe give this a try.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
TW: SA (graphic description), eating disorders, fatphobia, graphic violence
Okay? I’m not really sure what the point was. Some parts were fine, but the protagonist is such a passive character I ended up hating her. Just take her to another studio? Most of it I was just bored, I had expected more of a thriller pace and reveal. If you really like dance moms and want a super edgy version of that, maybe give this a try.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
October 18, 2025
This look into the world of dance and the many themes it touches on is really interesting, especially the dual timeline. However, I don’t think it was executed in the best way. Some parts felt out of place in terms of tone; there’s a shift in the narrative that almost makes it feel like a completely different genre by the end.
I usually enjoy unlikeable characters when their flaws serve a purpose, but the mother here felt entitled in a way that didn’t add much depth or meaning. Overall, an intriguing premise that just didn’t quite find its balance for me.
I usually enjoy unlikeable characters when their flaws serve a purpose, but the mother here felt entitled in a way that didn’t add much depth or meaning. Overall, an intriguing premise that just didn’t quite find its balance for me.
July 15, 2025
2.5 stars.
I thought this book was a darker version of dance moms. From the beginning, that’s what it seemed like. But for majority of the book, I felt like I was waiting for some big tragic event to happen that unlocked the rest. And then we took a huuuuge turn to the mom’s past trauma. The two storylines were oddly opposing each other. Got into some really serious topics without enough closure.
Thank you Book Guild for the arc.
TW: SA, ED.
I thought this book was a darker version of dance moms. From the beginning, that’s what it seemed like. But for majority of the book, I felt like I was waiting for some big tragic event to happen that unlocked the rest. And then we took a huuuuge turn to the mom’s past trauma. The two storylines were oddly opposing each other. Got into some really serious topics without enough closure.
Thank you Book Guild for the arc.
TW: SA, ED.
July 31, 2025
If you like Dance Moms check this out! 😊
I received a ARC of this book. Sadly it just wasn’t for me and I had to DNF. I thought it was going to be a thriller but I realised it was more like an episode of dance moms. If there was a mystery or suspense lingering in there it took too long to get going for me.
I really hate to leave a review of a book I didn’t finish but feel compelled to since it was ARC.
I received a ARC of this book. Sadly it just wasn’t for me and I had to DNF. I thought it was going to be a thriller but I realised it was more like an episode of dance moms. If there was a mystery or suspense lingering in there it took too long to get going for me.
I really hate to leave a review of a book I didn’t finish but feel compelled to since it was ARC.
July 19, 2025
When starting this book I thought it would be a soap opera type of story similar to the reality Dance Moms but I was completely mistaken. This book follows a mother and her beloved daughter over the course of many years as they navigate the world of dance. But, this book is about so much more than that as we begin to learn about the mother’s past and hidden secrets. The mom Lydia is a character which is constantly stirring up conflicting emotions. In one chapter you can go from loving her, to feeling sorry for her, to wanting to grab her and shake her with rage. As a mother it is almost impossible to navigate the winding paths of parenthood. It can be easy from the outside to judge another parent but we don’t dare use our skills of observation to see ourselves. As we come to see past unresolved traumas will hurt those we love the most. Lydia is such a complex character but the story really begins to unfold and reveal itself in the last chapters of this book. Be ready for the unexpected! This is a fantastic book and I will beg everyone I know to do themselves a favor and pick this one up. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
July 27, 2025
I have a great-niece who does competitive dancing, and I worked at a school with a lot of ballet dancers, so I know something about this world. And while I think the author understands the world and does a good job showing it, the bigger problem is Lydia.
As becomes clear during the book, she has A History that may (or may not) have bearing on the present and her supporting Annie's dancing. That history gets shared in flashbacks, and to be honest, some of that does relate directly to the current day. However, there's a whole large formative part that really doesn't. If that had been cut out, the book would have been far tighter and better, and the dance part could have been expanded somewhat.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
As becomes clear during the book, she has A History that may (or may not) have bearing on the present and her supporting Annie's dancing. That history gets shared in flashbacks, and to be honest, some of that does relate directly to the current day. However, there's a whole large formative part that really doesn't. If that had been cut out, the book would have been far tighter and better, and the dance part could have been expanded somewhat.
eARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
October 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. I thank Sophie Wiggins for this book. This book speaks to all competitive sports. This book will give you an insight of what is happening in those circles.
Thank you for this read Sophie Wiggins.
Thank you for this read Sophie Wiggins.
October 2, 2025
Taken aback!! Shocked!!
This book is so underrated.
It started slow, very slow, but the real story started making sense at about somewhere in the middle.
And by the end it takes a totally different path to confront and conclude the story.
Dance mom's can be mean and nasty!
This book is so underrated.
It started slow, very slow, but the real story started making sense at about somewhere in the middle.
And by the end it takes a totally different path to confront and conclude the story.
Dance mom's can be mean and nasty!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews