Book Review: Pointe of Pride

Let it be known that I read Pointe of Pride, a story where a woman in her 30s travels internationally to be the maid of honor in her childhood best friends wedding while I, a woman in my 30s, was on an international trip to be a bridesmaid in my childhood best friends wedding. Unfortunately for me, there were no gorgeous, broody, well-dressed strangers for me to yell at and subsequently fall in love with. 

Fictional characters have all the luck. 

And what luck it is. The relationship between Carly and Nick is so very Anne-and-Gilbert-coded in that they would rather snark each other to death than admit that they do like each other very much, and actually have more in common than either of them realizes, especially as they both navigate prospective career shifts that they aren't quite prepared for. And their dynamic is hot. It's steamy. It's *chef's kiss*

I also really appreciated this book for its treatment of Carly's chronic pelvic pain. There's no attempt to sweep it aside or treat it like it's no big deal or that just is what it is. It's something Carly actively has to deal with, something that causes her frustration even as she seeks treatment. It's clear this doesn't define her, but she's allowed to feel all kinds of ways about it, messy and complex as it is. 

There’s something so grounded about Angyal’s style that I find refreshing for romance. I understand the temptation to sweep away the less savory side of things for the sake of a love story, but Pointe of Pride is made no less charming for the way she tackles these things head on, from characters’ health issues, to the realities of being a working artist, to the millennial struggle of trying to find where you fit in an ever-evolving world. If anything, it strengthens Nick and Carly as characters, and provides the assurance that no matter what else might come their way, we can rest easy knowing they have each others backs.

I am such a sucker for ballet, which means I was bound to be a sucker for this series too, and Pointe of Pride does not disappoint! Like Pas de Don't, it combines tackling the bullshit patriarchal standards that come with any older art form with celebrating all the joy and beauty that the art form brings to the world as well. 

Pointe of Pride hits shelves on May 21. 2024. Special thank you to the author for the advance copy for review purposes.