Felix
Dancing is everything to me. It's the mother I lost, the father who never sees me. It's the fiery love of my life, and I'll defend it to my last breath—that's what it means to be the lead principal at one of the best ballet companies in the world. Just when I thought I was on top, my greatest rival—my eternal nemesis—waltzes back into my life: Nicoló Savini. The ache in my bones and the bane of my existence.
If he thinks I'll sit back and let him steal my spotlight, he's sorely mistaken. No one's taking this from me—not my father, not my ridiculously hot rival, and certainly not the confusing feelings that twist inside me every time I see Nico dance up close. He'll regret coming here, to my city, my company. I'll make damn sure of it.
Nico
Felix Taylor-Brooke has been my fiercest competition for years. I should loathe everything about him: his entitlement, his arrogance, that painfully captivating beauty. Felix was born for ballet; I was forged by it. People call us rivals, but that's just the surface matter. Anyone who bothers to look any closer would see there's something else simmering beneath, something we've both been fighting against for years.
When I walked away from ballet two years ago, I thought I was free. But then I was offered the one thing I'd always wanted, and I knew I'd regret not seeing this through. I know he'll hate it, and I know he'll likely make my life a waking nightmare, but honestly, I don't sleep that well anyway. We might kill each other, but if we don't, then we might be about to take on the greatest roles of our lives.
Limerence
I looked up the meaning of limerence, and it is intense infatuation with another person, with the desire to have the feeling reciprocated. I know little (very very little) about ballet. That didn't matter, reading this book. Everything you need to know to make the story work is right there on the page. Ballet is almost another character.
Scarlett Drake is a writer's and reader's dream with her flawless writing. As an author, my inner editor comes out to play whether I want it to or not. For this book, that editor was blessedly quiet except to say an occasional, "Oh my god, that's beautiful!"
A low angst story with characters who live and breathe their talent—and love. Passion in dance is art. Passion in books is heart. This book lives up to the passion it promises.