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The Ballerina
In an instant, his hands were wrapped around my waist as I cried into his chest. His shirt smelled like clean cotton and faint cologne.
Like home after rain.
Like hush before dawn.
Like warmth through a chill.
Like a song memorized.
Like calm after chaos...
That’s what this was. Pure and utter chaos. My fingers fisted the fabric. Knuckles pressed into the warmth of him. The dam finally broke. His heartbeat thudded steady against my ear. It was a slow, grounding drum in a room that felt like it was spinning. The reality of my situation was fucked up, but this man was a shelter. This man would always be my rock.
This man was home.
Phenix and Pierre grapple with an unexpected reality post opening night. This book pick up where The Pianist leaves off. You'll need to read The Pianist first prior to this book.
Like home after rain.
Like hush before dawn.
Like warmth through a chill.
Like a song memorized.
Like calm after chaos...
That’s what this was. Pure and utter chaos. My fingers fisted the fabric. Knuckles pressed into the warmth of him. The dam finally broke. His heartbeat thudded steady against my ear. It was a slow, grounding drum in a room that felt like it was spinning. The reality of my situation was fucked up, but this man was a shelter. This man would always be my rock.
This man was home.
Phenix and Pierre grapple with an unexpected reality post opening night. This book pick up where The Pianist leaves off. You'll need to read The Pianist first prior to this book.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 28, 2026
Resilient Love
Uugh I didn't want it to end 😩😩
This story gave me so much. It expands on the friends to lovers relationship from the last book. Now Pierre and Phenix are established partners, deeply in love. Their work relationship is also thriving, Phenix is the ballerina that makes Pierre's keys sing. While they should be on a high, life strikes and they are humbled, scared, helpless because what they are facing can not be easily fixed. They are forced to weather a storm. Pierre, despite his health issues was unwaveringly supportive. This man tried to carry as much as he could for Phenix, especially by making sure he was taking care of himself. Phenix was such a beautiful spirit. I loved that she pursued her dreams relentlessly, despite who her man and father were.
I wanted a better understanding of what was going on with Phenix's father. I didn't like how her mother treated his absence as an after thought. While I'm assuming it will be covered in the next book, it gave a big shrug 🤷🏾♀️ to me. Saphyre, to me, didn't need that big let's be friends moment because she really wasn't that much of a factor after that. I called that situation with the doctor in the last book, but I'm on edge wondering how that will all unfold.
Overall, I absolutely loved the storytelling. I am a fan of BIG love and while we got that, we also got excellent character development, descriptors that had you picturing scenes vividly, and the pain and emotions were felt. Loved the sibling moments, would have loved for Piper to have 1:1 time with Pierre, but also appreciated how she showed love throughout. Pierre did his big one at the studio and I was overwhelmed. The way I was bursting with happiness for them, let's you know how real it all felt. Sigh, I'm going to be thinking about them days from now it was so good 😩😩
Uugh I didn't want it to end 😩😩
This story gave me so much. It expands on the friends to lovers relationship from the last book. Now Pierre and Phenix are established partners, deeply in love. Their work relationship is also thriving, Phenix is the ballerina that makes Pierre's keys sing. While they should be on a high, life strikes and they are humbled, scared, helpless because what they are facing can not be easily fixed. They are forced to weather a storm. Pierre, despite his health issues was unwaveringly supportive. This man tried to carry as much as he could for Phenix, especially by making sure he was taking care of himself. Phenix was such a beautiful spirit. I loved that she pursued her dreams relentlessly, despite who her man and father were.
I wanted a better understanding of what was going on with Phenix's father. I didn't like how her mother treated his absence as an after thought. While I'm assuming it will be covered in the next book, it gave a big shrug 🤷🏾♀️ to me. Saphyre, to me, didn't need that big let's be friends moment because she really wasn't that much of a factor after that. I called that situation with the doctor in the last book, but I'm on edge wondering how that will all unfold.
Overall, I absolutely loved the storytelling. I am a fan of BIG love and while we got that, we also got excellent character development, descriptors that had you picturing scenes vividly, and the pain and emotions were felt. Loved the sibling moments, would have loved for Piper to have 1:1 time with Pierre, but also appreciated how she showed love throughout. Pierre did his big one at the studio and I was overwhelmed. The way I was bursting with happiness for them, let's you know how real it all felt. Sigh, I'm going to be thinking about them days from now it was so good 😩😩
July 4, 2026
Yaass Miss Rae! You did your big one with this read ma'am! 🥰 At the end of Pierre's read, I was on edge. What is wrong with Phenix? What is causing her headaches to be so severe? Will Pierre be able to manage it all with his mental health intact? 🥹
I was happy to learn that Pierre and Phenix transitioned from friends to lovers. Their connection is so beautiful, deep, and intentional. The love they have for each other is intense, and they do not play about each other. When we find out the cause of Phe's headaches, I was stunned and heartbroken for the couple. 💔 Then they learn of another surprise to compound their current situation makes this scary, but bittersweet. 🥹
Pierre walked right into Dr. G's office to get his medication regiment tight. He did not have time to be playing around with cycling when he needed to give his all to Phenix. 🤩 He would be her rock every step of the way! Phenix was having a hard time reconciling all that was happening to her at once. How will this diagnosis affect my dance career? Will I be the same person on the other side? Although she was terrified, she knew that Pierre would be right there holding her hand. ❤️
Afterwards when Phenix was having recall issues in regard to Pierre, it broke me! 🥹 All that chemistry, love, and friendship just gone! It hurt Pierre deep, but he knew the risks and would be there to support Phe through it all. It was beautiful how patient, tender, and caring Pierre was while Phenix recovered and regained her memories. They literally fell in love all over again. 🤩
Then the story heats up. What the hell is up with Samuel? His daughter needs him and he is nowhere to be found! 😤 Then to learn what he has been up to! 🤬 Can't wait to see how that plays out for him. 👀 Really Dr. G? Something had been off with her for a minute, just couldn't put my finger on it. But THAT!! 🤯 I know that Pierre is going to make her suffer for it too. Mr. Prodigy! What is going on in that calculating, and manipulative mind of yours? I was beginning to think that you had softened a bit, taking care of Wilde and being more present for your family. However, I should have known better. What strings are you pulling behind the scenes? I know you doing something! 👀
This was an emotional, but beautiful read. Can't wait for the next one especially since we get to learn about the senior Hermes, Prodigy! Bravo! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
I was happy to learn that Pierre and Phenix transitioned from friends to lovers. Their connection is so beautiful, deep, and intentional. The love they have for each other is intense, and they do not play about each other. When we find out the cause of Phe's headaches, I was stunned and heartbroken for the couple. 💔 Then they learn of another surprise to compound their current situation makes this scary, but bittersweet. 🥹
Pierre walked right into Dr. G's office to get his medication regiment tight. He did not have time to be playing around with cycling when he needed to give his all to Phenix. 🤩 He would be her rock every step of the way! Phenix was having a hard time reconciling all that was happening to her at once. How will this diagnosis affect my dance career? Will I be the same person on the other side? Although she was terrified, she knew that Pierre would be right there holding her hand. ❤️
Afterwards when Phenix was having recall issues in regard to Pierre, it broke me! 🥹 All that chemistry, love, and friendship just gone! It hurt Pierre deep, but he knew the risks and would be there to support Phe through it all. It was beautiful how patient, tender, and caring Pierre was while Phenix recovered and regained her memories. They literally fell in love all over again. 🤩
Then the story heats up. What the hell is up with Samuel? His daughter needs him and he is nowhere to be found! 😤 Then to learn what he has been up to! 🤬 Can't wait to see how that plays out for him. 👀 Really Dr. G? Something had been off with her for a minute, just couldn't put my finger on it. But THAT!! 🤯 I know that Pierre is going to make her suffer for it too. Mr. Prodigy! What is going on in that calculating, and manipulative mind of yours? I was beginning to think that you had softened a bit, taking care of Wilde and being more present for your family. However, I should have known better. What strings are you pulling behind the scenes? I know you doing something! 👀
This was an emotional, but beautiful read. Can't wait for the next one especially since we get to learn about the senior Hermes, Prodigy! Bravo! 👍🏿👍🏿👍🏿
July 11, 2026
Pierre and Pheni
The Ballerina picked up exactly where The Pianist left off. Pierre and Pheni deserve every ounce of happiness coming their way. This story was such a beautiful reminder that even when the mind forgets, the heart never does. Both Pierre and Pheni were fighting battles of their own, yet they never stopped showing up for each other. The amount of love, patience, and devotion Pierre had for Pheni is why he’s my favorite. The secrets finally started coming to light, but something tells me there’s still so much more to uncover. I just love the Hermes family.
The Ballerina picked up exactly where The Pianist left off. Pierre and Pheni deserve every ounce of happiness coming their way. This story was such a beautiful reminder that even when the mind forgets, the heart never does. Both Pierre and Pheni were fighting battles of their own, yet they never stopped showing up for each other. The amount of love, patience, and devotion Pierre had for Pheni is why he’s my favorite. The secrets finally started coming to light, but something tells me there’s still so much more to uncover. I just love the Hermes family.
April 28, 2026
Pierre and Phenix
From Bestfriends to lovers.. such a beautiful story.. being someone’s safe space, their go to person, their everything.. that is exactly what they were to eachother and I loved every bit of their story. The Hermès Family series was definitely well written and intentional in so many way. Highly recommend
From Bestfriends to lovers.. such a beautiful story.. being someone’s safe space, their go to person, their everything.. that is exactly what they were to eachother and I loved every bit of their story. The Hermès Family series was definitely well written and intentional in so many way. Highly recommend
Did Not Finish
April 28, 2026I set this one aside. It’s a wee bit too heavy (emotionally) for me to carry right now.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews