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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book surpassed the high expectations I had. The whole setting with ballet dancers, 1980’s and Paris makes the whole story so enticing. For me living in Europe close to the Russian border and remembering the fear we had for the Soviet Union during that time and what we also feel now vs. Russia after they invaded Ukraine it made it all so much more real. The mention of the AIDS pandemic also reminded me of all the great persons we lost to that disease. Clear that the author has this time in history close to her heart.
On top of the fantastic story settings, I can just gush over the language, the romance, the angst and the amazing main and side characters. I will remember and think about this story for a very long time. It is not just a romance but so much more moving me on such a deep level. Thank you, Milena McKay, for giving me this fantastic read.
On top of the fantastic story settings, I can just gush over the language, the romance, the angst and the amazing main and side characters. I will remember and think about this story for a very long time. It is not just a romance but so much more moving me on such a deep level. Thank you, Milena McKay, for giving me this fantastic read.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
This was totally now what i expected, but so much more. Just wow!
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Drama is ballet, and what more dramatic than political turmoil, lesbian love affairs, and a conspiracy. Reverence was a much fuller book than I expected when I stumbled across it on my feed. What seems a straight forward romance spirals into a much larger tale of mystery. As melodramatic as the story became, it never felt unrealistic. It wasn't overly technical in the ballet terminology, but McKay beautifully described the performance in a way that distinguished Katarina and Juliette as dancers.
The characters on a whole felt fully realized. Their chemistry was natural and built off first fascination and then genuine admiration. I only wish that Gabriel was given more attention. At times, he seemed to only serve Juliette's narrative, whether as the GBF or as the foil to drive Katarina back to Juliette. His story, while period accurate, felt sudden and glossed over. I wish more moments were spent between Gabriel and Juliette as friends and roommates. I loved Katarina's characterization - her softness behind her distrust was well earned.
This was a beautiful romance that drew me into a world in vaguely familiar with and created a believable, beautifully dramatic love story. Does it fall into the usual tropes? Sure. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #romancereads
The characters on a whole felt fully realized. Their chemistry was natural and built off first fascination and then genuine admiration. I only wish that Gabriel was given more attention. At times, he seemed to only serve Juliette's narrative, whether as the GBF or as the foil to drive Katarina back to Juliette. His story, while period accurate, felt sudden and glossed over. I wish more moments were spent between Gabriel and Juliette as friends and roommates. I loved Katarina's characterization - her softness behind her distrust was well earned.
This was a beautiful romance that drew me into a world in vaguely familiar with and created a believable, beautifully dramatic love story. Does it fall into the usual tropes? Sure. But I enjoyed it nonetheless.
#bookstagram #bookreview #bookrecommendation #romancereads
WOW, JUST WOW
This book was a wild, beautiful ride. I laughed, I cried, I smiled. I was expecting a cute little sapphic ballerina story and got the most beautiful sapphic love story in all of history.
The homophobes are missing out.
I always love queer stories, but there’s just something about “not trying to please the straights” Clear stories that just ughhh, tug at my heartstrings.
This takes place in the 1980s Paris during the fall of the Soviet union and it deals with some pretty heavy topics. There’s defection, There’s aids, there’s pretty blatant, homophobia and misogyny. It’s really a lot, but it just adds so much to the story and the substance of it. If you are expecting a cute ballerina story with girls kissing you are and for a while ride because this was so much more than that.
I loved my two main girls. Juliet and Katerina were such complex, multifaceted characters. One minute I was in love with them and the next I was shouting “ Bitch, get it together!!!” and I was really horny for them But that’s just me being gay. Their relationship is so unique and special because of their personalities and their struggles. You could really feel the authors love for the characters and because of that you love the characters even more.
Yeah
This book was amazing
A thousand out of five stars
This book was a wild, beautiful ride. I laughed, I cried, I smiled. I was expecting a cute little sapphic ballerina story and got the most beautiful sapphic love story in all of history.
The homophobes are missing out.
I always love queer stories, but there’s just something about “not trying to please the straights” Clear stories that just ughhh, tug at my heartstrings.
This takes place in the 1980s Paris during the fall of the Soviet union and it deals with some pretty heavy topics. There’s defection, There’s aids, there’s pretty blatant, homophobia and misogyny. It’s really a lot, but it just adds so much to the story and the substance of it. If you are expecting a cute ballerina story with girls kissing you are and for a while ride because this was so much more than that.
I loved my two main girls. Juliet and Katerina were such complex, multifaceted characters. One minute I was in love with them and the next I was shouting “ Bitch, get it together!!!” and I was really horny for them But that’s just me being gay. Their relationship is so unique and special because of their personalities and their struggles. You could really feel the authors love for the characters and because of that you love the characters even more.
Yeah
This book was amazing
A thousand out of five stars
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reverence by Milena McKay is a stunningly written sapphic romance that transcends its ballet-themed premise, delivering an emotional and richly layered story that left me absolutely breathless. Set in the glitz and tension of the 1980s ballet world, this novel masterfully intertwines love, rivalry, and historical context into a tapestry that feels both grand and deeply personal.
As a former dancer and a lesbian, I knew this book would resonate with me, but it exceeded all my expectations. Juliette and Katarina, the two ballerinas at the heart of the story, are captivating in their contrasts and complexities. Juliette, the adored "Princess of Paris," and Katarina, the enigmatic defector from behind the Iron Curtain, are as different as can be, yet their chemistry is electric and their dynamic absolutely compelling.
I’ll admit the book started a little slow for me, but once it hit its stride, I couldn’t put it down. I was fully immersed in the world of ballet, Parisian glamour, and Cold War-era tension. The historical context is woven in so seamlessly that it enriches the story without overwhelming the romance, making this much more than just a love story.
The side characters are equally well-crafted, playing vital roles in the narrative and offering deeper insights into the main characters. Every relationship—whether friendly, professional, or romantic—feels authentic and significant, adding layers to the story and grounding it in reality.
By the end of the book, I was in tears, overwhelmed by the beauty and depth of what I had just read. Reverence is a celebration of art, love, and resilience, and Milena McKay’s writing elevates it into something truly extraordinary.
Thank you to Milena McKay and Pride Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
As a former dancer and a lesbian, I knew this book would resonate with me, but it exceeded all my expectations. Juliette and Katarina, the two ballerinas at the heart of the story, are captivating in their contrasts and complexities. Juliette, the adored "Princess of Paris," and Katarina, the enigmatic defector from behind the Iron Curtain, are as different as can be, yet their chemistry is electric and their dynamic absolutely compelling.
I’ll admit the book started a little slow for me, but once it hit its stride, I couldn’t put it down. I was fully immersed in the world of ballet, Parisian glamour, and Cold War-era tension. The historical context is woven in so seamlessly that it enriches the story without overwhelming the romance, making this much more than just a love story.
The side characters are equally well-crafted, playing vital roles in the narrative and offering deeper insights into the main characters. Every relationship—whether friendly, professional, or romantic—feels authentic and significant, adding layers to the story and grounding it in reality.
By the end of the book, I was in tears, overwhelmed by the beauty and depth of what I had just read. Reverence is a celebration of art, love, and resilience, and Milena McKay’s writing elevates it into something truly extraordinary.
Thank you to Milena McKay and Pride Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m stoked to be today’s stop on the blog tour for Reverence by Milena McKay. Thanks to Pride Book Tours for hosting and providing me a review copy of the ebook!
1980s Paris. Juliette Lucian-Sorel is the Princess of Paris. She’s at the top of the Paris Opera Ballet company, and life is good. When Katarina Vyatka, the best ballerina to come out of the Soviet Union stumbles in her path at a party and announces she wants to defect, Juliette’s life is turned upside down. Compelled to help Katarina, she has no idea the consequences it may have on her career or her heart. When rivals become lovers and secrets are uncovered, will their bond survive the fallout?
Let me start off by saying, I was highly anticipating this release. I will read absolutely anything Milena McKay writes, and I’ll love every page. It’s not a fact, but so far, I have scientifically tested that theory, and the results are always the same. If you’re into rivals/enemies to lovers, this book has got you. If you’re into an ice queen situation, this book has got you. If you’re into slow burn/expertly frustrating sexual tension building, this book has got you. If you’re a former ballerina who loves seeing sapphic rep, this book has got you. Oh wait, is that just me? Okay.
I loved the characters and their arcs. The romantic tension kept the plot moving, of course, but the Soviet era political intrigue helped build the secrets and characters well, too. I think I read the first half in one sitting and probably would have continued, but I can’t stay up reading way past my bedtime anymore. The story has a solid ending, but as always with McKay’s books, I’m left wanting more, so hopefully it won’t be too long before her next book.
Lastly, can we talk about that absolutely gorgeous cover by Jenifer Prince? If you’re not familiar with her work, definitely check her out. She does good art.