Pas de Don’t

Angyal’s sweet debut novel (after her 2021 nonfiction title Turning Pointe) delivers ballet, romance, and female empowerment with Australian flair. From the outside, Heather Hays, a principal ballerina with the New York Ballet engaged to her celebrity dance partner, appears to have it all. In reality, her verbally abusive fiancé has convinced her that he’s the cornerstone of her success. When she finds out he’s cheating, a month dancing for the Australian National Ballet seems like the perfect way to escape the drama and prove herself capable without him. One of the ANB’s principal dancers, Marcus Campbell, is having the worst year of his life due to the death of his father and a debilitating injury. Then Heather arrives, and things immediately look up as he agrees to show her around Sydney. Unfortunately, the company’s “Pas de Don’t” policy means that any dancers who get caught dating will be fired. There’s a lot of backstory to get through before the love story begins in earnest, but readers who stick with it will be rewarded by an emotional forbidden romance that doubles as a love letter to ballet and a travelogue through Sydney. This is a treat. Agent: JL Stermer, Next Level Lit. (May)