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Pas de Deux
Not yet published
Expected 21 Mar 26Aleksandr Drakov was never meant to be my Prince Charming.
He’s dark, ruthless, and powerful—and when he decides he wants something, he takes it. Including me.
I’ve survived my mental illness through rituals and rules, but he breaks every one. He buys my ballet theatre like it’s nothing to remind me that every part of me belongs to him. I should be scared. Instead, I crave him. And that terrifies me more.
Because men like Aleksandr don’t fall in love. They consume.
Evangeline Vale is forbidden in every way that matters.
She’s too soft for my world. Too innocent. A ballerina on the edge of stardom, and the sister of the man I hate most.
I know I should leave her untouched. But I can’t. I want her breathless. Ruined. Mine. And I’ll destroy anything that stands between us.
Even her world.
Pas de Deux is a dark mafia/ballet romance featuring:
- Ballet FMC
- Mafia MMC
- OCD rep
- Brother’s enemy
- Forbidden love
- Touch her and die
- Spice with light kink
- Obsessed at first sight
He’s dark, ruthless, and powerful—and when he decides he wants something, he takes it. Including me.
I’ve survived my mental illness through rituals and rules, but he breaks every one. He buys my ballet theatre like it’s nothing to remind me that every part of me belongs to him. I should be scared. Instead, I crave him. And that terrifies me more.
Because men like Aleksandr don’t fall in love. They consume.
Evangeline Vale is forbidden in every way that matters.
She’s too soft for my world. Too innocent. A ballerina on the edge of stardom, and the sister of the man I hate most.
I know I should leave her untouched. But I can’t. I want her breathless. Ruined. Mine. And I’ll destroy anything that stands between us.
Even her world.
Pas de Deux is a dark mafia/ballet romance featuring:
- Ballet FMC
- Mafia MMC
- OCD rep
- Brother’s enemy
- Forbidden love
- Touch her and die
- Spice with light kink
- Obsessed at first sight
367 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 21, 2026
82 people want to read
About the author
Lina Harper
1 book10 followersLina Harper is a dark romance author who occasionally writes things completely unserious. She began writing long ago under her true name, but got frustrated with publishing and decided to write privately for fun. Her stories are filled with obsession, sarcasm, and spice that’ll have you taking a cold shower contemplating whether to read the next one or not (spoiler alert: you should).
She’s spent her whole life learning to manage her mental illness and neurodiversity, and enjoys writing characters who struggle with some of the same things. When she’s not writing, she leads a private life in the United States with her husband and dog.
She’s spent her whole life learning to manage her mental illness and neurodiversity, and enjoys writing characters who struggle with some of the same things. When she’s not writing, she leads a private life in the United States with her husband and dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
For any girl who secretly wants the villain… take notes.
“Exactly. The villain is the one who will do anything for you, who will give you the world if you ask for it. He’ll take everything from you and leave you desperate for more, which is scary and a little hot. But I guess it fits because the villain is going to be the one to fuck you into oblivion. Not your Prince Charming.”
“The pas de deux was so much more than a simple loving dance. It was an innate conversation between hearts and souls, the comfort of knowing and being known, the feeling of pleasure as two slowly began to move as one.”
Honestly… this felt like Romeo and Juliet 2.0. “I will fucking find you, Eva,” I vowed darkly. “That’s not a promise. That’s a threat.” Because, as they dragged me away from her—away from the blood, away from her broken little sobs, away from the life I had almost believed I could keep—I knew one thing with clarity: This was no longer a generational war between families. This was a war over Evangeline. And I would burn this world before I let it take her from me. “
Alek… the man that you are. The obsession, the possession, the reaper energy. Lina Harper really knows how to write men that make you swoon and fear them at the same time. This was a forbidden romance done to perfection. “Never. You will never get rid of me, Evangeline. I’m the fucking poison spreading through your veins. I’m the sickness you will never find a cure for. I’m the monster who has decided he likes the taste of you. And if you ever fucking think I will leave you again—”
"I had always thought Jules might murder the first guy I brought home, but that was a joke. I never dreamed it would be real, that my big brother was the type of person to attack people so viciously without a second thought."
I am absolutely obsessed with this series. At this point, I’ll read anything Lina Harper writes. Not only did I fall in love with the story, but I completely fell in love with the found family. I want more of all of them. Nikolai was my favorite he’s hilarious and his loyalty is unmatched. “But Nikolai let himself in anyway, because of course he did. He was like a stubborn dog following a grumpy master.” also have a feeling something is brewing between him and Mia, and I am here for it. And let’s not forget big brother Julian. I cannot wait for his story coming this summer. One thing I absolutely loved were the text messages throughout the book. They had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.
But wow… this might be the best forbidden romance I’ve ever read. The passion, the tension, the secrecy, the sneaking around it felt like love at first sight but with stakes that made it intense and real.I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, and now I’m sitting here with the worst book hangover, desperately needing the next one.
~Pre read~ Received an ARC copy, excited to jump right into this mafia romance.... :)
“Exactly. The villain is the one who will do anything for you, who will give you the world if you ask for it. He’ll take everything from you and leave you desperate for more, which is scary and a little hot. But I guess it fits because the villain is going to be the one to fuck you into oblivion. Not your Prince Charming.”
“The pas de deux was so much more than a simple loving dance. It was an innate conversation between hearts and souls, the comfort of knowing and being known, the feeling of pleasure as two slowly began to move as one.”
Honestly… this felt like Romeo and Juliet 2.0. “I will fucking find you, Eva,” I vowed darkly. “That’s not a promise. That’s a threat.” Because, as they dragged me away from her—away from the blood, away from her broken little sobs, away from the life I had almost believed I could keep—I knew one thing with clarity: This was no longer a generational war between families. This was a war over Evangeline. And I would burn this world before I let it take her from me. “
Alek… the man that you are. The obsession, the possession, the reaper energy. Lina Harper really knows how to write men that make you swoon and fear them at the same time. This was a forbidden romance done to perfection. “Never. You will never get rid of me, Evangeline. I’m the fucking poison spreading through your veins. I’m the sickness you will never find a cure for. I’m the monster who has decided he likes the taste of you. And if you ever fucking think I will leave you again—”
"I had always thought Jules might murder the first guy I brought home, but that was a joke. I never dreamed it would be real, that my big brother was the type of person to attack people so viciously without a second thought."
I am absolutely obsessed with this series. At this point, I’ll read anything Lina Harper writes. Not only did I fall in love with the story, but I completely fell in love with the found family. I want more of all of them. Nikolai was my favorite he’s hilarious and his loyalty is unmatched. “But Nikolai let himself in anyway, because of course he did. He was like a stubborn dog following a grumpy master.” also have a feeling something is brewing between him and Mia, and I am here for it. And let’s not forget big brother Julian. I cannot wait for his story coming this summer. One thing I absolutely loved were the text messages throughout the book. They had me giggling and kicking my feet the entire time.
But wow… this might be the best forbidden romance I’ve ever read. The passion, the tension, the secrecy, the sneaking around it felt like love at first sight but with stakes that made it intense and real.I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, and now I’m sitting here with the worst book hangover, desperately needing the next one.
~Pre read~ Received an ARC copy, excited to jump right into this mafia romance.... :)
March 11, 2026
DNF at 38%
I don’t DNF books often… but Pas de Deux unfortunately became one of those rare cases where I simply could not continue.
To put it bluntly, reading this felt like I had accidentally stumbled into a very cringey teenage fanfiction rather than a new adult romance.
Both main characters are supposed to be in their twenties, but nothing about the way they talk, think, or behave feels remotely adult. The FMC reads like she’s about 13 years old, and the MMC is written as such an aggressively over-the-top “alpha male” that it feels almost like a caricature.
But the real breaking point for me was the instalove.
These two characters meet once. For maybe two minutes. They barely exchange a few words.
And somehow that’s enough for the MMC to immediately become ready to threaten anyone who so much as looks at her, while the FMC is internally acting like she’s met the love of her life.
Mind you… this girl has never even had a boyfriend before, yet within weeks she’s actively missing this man she barely spoke to and knows absolutely nothing about.
Girl.
Be serious.
Then the second time they see each other, they’re already getting wildly handsy in her ballet studio like they’ve been in a committed relationship for months. The pacing of the romance was so unrealistic that it completely pulled me out of the story.
That said, there were a couple of things I appreciated.
The ballet setting was interesting, and I enjoyed the glimpses into that world. I would absolutely love to read more romances that incorporate ballet or dance as part of the storyline.
I also thought the OCD representation in the FMC had some strong moments. Several of her inner monologues about intrusive thoughts and compulsions felt thoughtful and authentic, and those sections were some of the better-written parts of the book.
Unfortunately, those elements weren’t enough to make up for the juvenile character voices and the completely unbelievable romance, and I ultimately decided to stop reading at 38%.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I don’t DNF books often… but Pas de Deux unfortunately became one of those rare cases where I simply could not continue.
To put it bluntly, reading this felt like I had accidentally stumbled into a very cringey teenage fanfiction rather than a new adult romance.
Both main characters are supposed to be in their twenties, but nothing about the way they talk, think, or behave feels remotely adult. The FMC reads like she’s about 13 years old, and the MMC is written as such an aggressively over-the-top “alpha male” that it feels almost like a caricature.
But the real breaking point for me was the instalove.
These two characters meet once. For maybe two minutes. They barely exchange a few words.
And somehow that’s enough for the MMC to immediately become ready to threaten anyone who so much as looks at her, while the FMC is internally acting like she’s met the love of her life.
Mind you… this girl has never even had a boyfriend before, yet within weeks she’s actively missing this man she barely spoke to and knows absolutely nothing about.
Girl.
Be serious.
Then the second time they see each other, they’re already getting wildly handsy in her ballet studio like they’ve been in a committed relationship for months. The pacing of the romance was so unrealistic that it completely pulled me out of the story.
That said, there were a couple of things I appreciated.
The ballet setting was interesting, and I enjoyed the glimpses into that world. I would absolutely love to read more romances that incorporate ballet or dance as part of the storyline.
I also thought the OCD representation in the FMC had some strong moments. Several of her inner monologues about intrusive thoughts and compulsions felt thoughtful and authentic, and those sections were some of the better-written parts of the book.
Unfortunately, those elements weren’t enough to make up for the juvenile character voices and the completely unbelievable romance, and I ultimately decided to stop reading at 38%.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 14, 2026
Thank you to the author for the eARC of Pas de Deux (which I devoured in just over 24 hours). I’ve been wanting to dip my toes in the dark romance genre and man was this the place to start!
Eva is our innocent FMC, a ballerina and extremely sheltered young 20s who struggles with OCD and intrusive thoughts. Right from the beginning we see her mental struggles, and they stayed consistent throughout. It’s so important to show how mental health can affect people, even those who seem otherwise flawless on the outside. Eva is an incredible dancer, but on the inside she doesn’t see that, and the author did a great job showing us that. In general the prose were incredibly smooth, with great showing not telling and the perfect amount of interiority to action to keep the plot moving. Every scene felt important and lush.
And Alek?? Holy mafia god! He’s everything I wanted in a dark romance MMC and so much more. Rough around the edges, no nonsense, precise, except when it comes to his girl. His dialogue with her and interiority surrounding her felt very realistic and I loved seeing him soften for her. He’s violent/aggressive toward everyone else but not Eva- her eternal protector. Their chemistry is palpable and banter believable.
I really really enjoyed this and am so thrilled to see that this will be a series! The prologue for the second installment was included in the ARC and I am already hooked!
Highly recommend this debut!
Eva is our innocent FMC, a ballerina and extremely sheltered young 20s who struggles with OCD and intrusive thoughts. Right from the beginning we see her mental struggles, and they stayed consistent throughout. It’s so important to show how mental health can affect people, even those who seem otherwise flawless on the outside. Eva is an incredible dancer, but on the inside she doesn’t see that, and the author did a great job showing us that. In general the prose were incredibly smooth, with great showing not telling and the perfect amount of interiority to action to keep the plot moving. Every scene felt important and lush.
And Alek?? Holy mafia god! He’s everything I wanted in a dark romance MMC and so much more. Rough around the edges, no nonsense, precise, except when it comes to his girl. His dialogue with her and interiority surrounding her felt very realistic and I loved seeing him soften for her. He’s violent/aggressive toward everyone else but not Eva- her eternal protector. Their chemistry is palpable and banter believable.
I really really enjoyed this and am so thrilled to see that this will be a series! The prologue for the second installment was included in the ARC and I am already hooked!
Highly recommend this debut!
March 9, 2026
the moment i see a ballerina romance, i get so excited but frankly, i have yet to find one that delivers a balance between a compelling plot, romance and a fair amount of substance that acknowledges the world of ballet.
sadly, this one is another miss although i was really looking forward to it! the premise of a Romeo & Juliet retelling was so very intriguing but the way this was being fleshed out was not at all appealing to my reading preference as the fmc was extremely infantilized. this is already something that turns me away from any story but particularly when it comes to dark romance, i find it alarming and impossible to ignore so it’s difficult to enjoy other aspects of the story.
the romance develops very abruptly so this would definitely fall under the insta-lust category which is not something i prefer personally. i can overlook this when it’s just appreciating the aesthetic appeal after first impressions but the mmc’s pov was baselessly & jarringly possessive upon MY first impression so i did not form an attachment to either main character to feel compelled to follow.
as far as the representation, i know the author mentions the fmc’s struggle with OCD is inspired by her own experience and i’ll commend her for writing these moments in the story with careful intention.
i hope pas de deux finds its audience in the right hands but alas, it was not my own.
thank you to the author for the chance to read an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
sadly, this one is another miss although i was really looking forward to it! the premise of a Romeo & Juliet retelling was so very intriguing but the way this was being fleshed out was not at all appealing to my reading preference as the fmc was extremely infantilized. this is already something that turns me away from any story but particularly when it comes to dark romance, i find it alarming and impossible to ignore so it’s difficult to enjoy other aspects of the story.
the romance develops very abruptly so this would definitely fall under the insta-lust category which is not something i prefer personally. i can overlook this when it’s just appreciating the aesthetic appeal after first impressions but the mmc’s pov was baselessly & jarringly possessive upon MY first impression so i did not form an attachment to either main character to feel compelled to follow.
as far as the representation, i know the author mentions the fmc’s struggle with OCD is inspired by her own experience and i’ll commend her for writing these moments in the story with careful intention.
i hope pas de deux finds its audience in the right hands but alas, it was not my own.
thank you to the author for the chance to read an advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
March 11, 2026
4/5 ✨
Review of Advance Copy Received from NetGalley
Some men buy flowers. Aleksandr buys flowers…and the entire ballet company.
He’s obsessed. That’s it. That’s the review, go read it.
In all seriousness, I found this book very enjoyable. Our FMC, Evangeline, is a ballerina who is absolutely sheltered by her older brother. She struggles with OCD, and is also a people pleaser that has to learn to fight for what she wants.
Our MMC, Aleksandr….oh yes. “Touch her and you die” embodied in a mafia boss and I was very much SAT for it all (hence this book being read in 24 hours). He’s cold but instantly softens for her no matter what. I mean, he literally calls her his little sunshine.
I did knock a star off my review, as I felt that the pacing of this book was slightly too fast for my preference. We very much boarded on insta-love/lust which I struggle to read at times. I also found the conflicts of this story to be slightly too predictable.
Nevertheless, I still loved this read. I definitely was still kicking my feet and giggling over most of these scenes.
Tropes
~ Mafia Boss x Ballerina
~ Sheltered FMC
~ Possessive MMC
A special thank you to Lina Harper, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for this ARC 🫶🏻
Review of Advance Copy Received from NetGalley
Some men buy flowers. Aleksandr buys flowers…and the entire ballet company.
He’s obsessed. That’s it. That’s the review, go read it.
In all seriousness, I found this book very enjoyable. Our FMC, Evangeline, is a ballerina who is absolutely sheltered by her older brother. She struggles with OCD, and is also a people pleaser that has to learn to fight for what she wants.
Our MMC, Aleksandr….oh yes. “Touch her and you die” embodied in a mafia boss and I was very much SAT for it all (hence this book being read in 24 hours). He’s cold but instantly softens for her no matter what. I mean, he literally calls her his little sunshine.
I did knock a star off my review, as I felt that the pacing of this book was slightly too fast for my preference. We very much boarded on insta-love/lust which I struggle to read at times. I also found the conflicts of this story to be slightly too predictable.
Nevertheless, I still loved this read. I definitely was still kicking my feet and giggling over most of these scenes.
Tropes
~ Mafia Boss x Ballerina
~ Sheltered FMC
~ Possessive MMC
A special thank you to Lina Harper, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for this ARC 🫶🏻
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I could tell that Pas De Deux was written with a lot of heart. The pacing is good; I didn’t come across any parts that moved too quickly or slowly.
This book reminds me of the golden age of soap opera, in the best way! Haha.
The Romance romances, the Spice spices, and the Lovers love! What more can one ask for? Solid plot and character developments. Yes, it’s a sexy novel, but the romance itself is front and center.
To me, this is Dark Romance done right: yes, there are dark elements, but the MMC never once demeans, abuses, or demoralizes the FMC. A lot of times, people think that “Dark Romance” is the Get Out of Jail Free card, a carte blanche for them to write whatever they want and still claim that it’s “romance.” When I read Pas De Deux, I got to experience the thrill of darkness, but actually left feeling good after, which is what Romance is supposed to inspire at the end of the day, regardless of subgenre.
Another thing the author does well is giving the characters a lot of interiority.
Alek is a totally unhinged love interest, and a lot of fun to read. He’s crazy, but…sweet. 😅 His craziness is believable, considering the line of work that he’s in. He doesn’t strike me as cruel, but more like someone who has the stomach to do what he does, know what I mean? But, regardless of all that and any personal vendettas he may have, he always chooses Evangeline first. That contradiction is difficult to write—someone who has the stomach for cruelty, but isn’t a cruel person, you know? But here, the author succeeds.
Speaking of Evangeline, I love how her character is written, too. She’s 21 but has led a sheltered, overprotected life, and here’s how Lina Harper (author) makes her so believable: she is mature in many respects, but also naive in others. A lot of times when a sheltered or overprotected character is written, authors make the mistake of infantilizing them; that isn’t the case here. Harper understands how to write contradictions in ways that feel intentional and believable.
But, you know who captured my heart, though? Jules—Evangeline’s older brother, and I’m so excited that he’s getting his own book!
I received the ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Character Archetypes: Grumpy (but secretly a sweetheart) - Sunshine (but is more than meets the eye).
Romance Subgenre: an excellent balance of Erotica and Romance. Has dark elements, but not disturbing. Honestly, I found this story to be so heartwarming, as far as Dark Romance goes. Check the triggers, though everything is written with taste, tbh.
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Passion: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Violence: ⚔️
Other-Man / Other-Woman Drama: No.
This book reminds me of the golden age of soap opera, in the best way! Haha.
The Romance romances, the Spice spices, and the Lovers love! What more can one ask for? Solid plot and character developments. Yes, it’s a sexy novel, but the romance itself is front and center.
To me, this is Dark Romance done right: yes, there are dark elements, but the MMC never once demeans, abuses, or demoralizes the FMC. A lot of times, people think that “Dark Romance” is the Get Out of Jail Free card, a carte blanche for them to write whatever they want and still claim that it’s “romance.” When I read Pas De Deux, I got to experience the thrill of darkness, but actually left feeling good after, which is what Romance is supposed to inspire at the end of the day, regardless of subgenre.
Another thing the author does well is giving the characters a lot of interiority.
Alek is a totally unhinged love interest, and a lot of fun to read. He’s crazy, but…sweet. 😅 His craziness is believable, considering the line of work that he’s in. He doesn’t strike me as cruel, but more like someone who has the stomach to do what he does, know what I mean? But, regardless of all that and any personal vendettas he may have, he always chooses Evangeline first. That contradiction is difficult to write—someone who has the stomach for cruelty, but isn’t a cruel person, you know? But here, the author succeeds.
Speaking of Evangeline, I love how her character is written, too. She’s 21 but has led a sheltered, overprotected life, and here’s how Lina Harper (author) makes her so believable: she is mature in many respects, but also naive in others. A lot of times when a sheltered or overprotected character is written, authors make the mistake of infantilizing them; that isn’t the case here. Harper understands how to write contradictions in ways that feel intentional and believable.
But, you know who captured my heart, though? Jules—Evangeline’s older brother, and I’m so excited that he’s getting his own book!
I received the ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Character Archetypes: Grumpy (but secretly a sweetheart) - Sunshine (but is more than meets the eye).
Romance Subgenre: an excellent balance of Erotica and Romance. Has dark elements, but not disturbing. Honestly, I found this story to be so heartwarming, as far as Dark Romance goes. Check the triggers, though everything is written with taste, tbh.
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Passion: ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Violence: ⚔️
Other-Man / Other-Woman Drama: No.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hi, my loves! I'm Lina, the author of PAS DE DEUX, and I wanted to take a moment to give you a little insight into this book and also to thank you for giving my debut a chance.
PAS DE DEUX TROPES:
🖤 Ballet FMC
🖤 Mafia MMC
🖤 Touch her and ☠️
🖤 Romeo and Juliet forbidden love
🖤 Brother’s enemy
🖤 Spice with praise and a little bit of choking kink
I've always loved reading dark romance, especially mafia/crime family romance where the MMC is dark, brooding, and dangerous. But despite having this idea for a long time, I've never pursued writing one of my own because I actually write under my real name for traditional publishing with books that are a lot different. When that started to slow, I knew I needed an outlet, so I decided to see how indie publishing would go for me! It's been really difficult, but I've enjoyed it so far. It's been healing for me, in a way, and I know I'll be able to say the same about future books as well.
As much as I would love to say I am like delicate and coquettish Evangeline, I'm really not. I'm more like another Dangerous Dance FMC we will have the pleasure of seeing later. But there are parts of me inside her, from her struggles with OCD to her experience dancing. The only difference is that Evangeline is actually good at ballet, and despite doing ballet for 15 years, I really wasn't. That world has always felt so magical and so at odds with the mafia books I love that I knew I wanted to write something that at least I have never seen!
Writing PAS DE DEUX was extremely difficult, but I enjoyed almost every moment (okay, I hated editing, but that's at least over). I'm so glad I get to stay in this world for Book 2, Adagio, which you can see a sneak peek of at the end of Book 1. Trust me, if you like groveling, you'll like this one. And as a little hint, Book 3 will have a juicy marriage of convenience and Book 4 will be a lot darker than the others with a stalker romance. But that's all you're getting from me!! You'll just have to stick around to see more.
Speaking of seeing more... if you want updates on future books (there are some fun ideas in my head I'm excited to write when I'm done with the Dangerous Dance series), bonus scenes, and more, subscribe to my Substack, authorlinaharper.substack.com! Or follow along on social media.
Thank you again for looking at my baby, which I hope brings you as much happiness as it brought me to write it.
With love and death,
Lina🖤🩰
PAS DE DEUX TROPES:
🖤 Ballet FMC
🖤 Mafia MMC
🖤 Touch her and ☠️
🖤 Romeo and Juliet forbidden love
🖤 Brother’s enemy
🖤 Spice with praise and a little bit of choking kink
I've always loved reading dark romance, especially mafia/crime family romance where the MMC is dark, brooding, and dangerous. But despite having this idea for a long time, I've never pursued writing one of my own because I actually write under my real name for traditional publishing with books that are a lot different. When that started to slow, I knew I needed an outlet, so I decided to see how indie publishing would go for me! It's been really difficult, but I've enjoyed it so far. It's been healing for me, in a way, and I know I'll be able to say the same about future books as well.
As much as I would love to say I am like delicate and coquettish Evangeline, I'm really not. I'm more like another Dangerous Dance FMC we will have the pleasure of seeing later. But there are parts of me inside her, from her struggles with OCD to her experience dancing. The only difference is that Evangeline is actually good at ballet, and despite doing ballet for 15 years, I really wasn't. That world has always felt so magical and so at odds with the mafia books I love that I knew I wanted to write something that at least I have never seen!
Writing PAS DE DEUX was extremely difficult, but I enjoyed almost every moment (okay, I hated editing, but that's at least over). I'm so glad I get to stay in this world for Book 2, Adagio, which you can see a sneak peek of at the end of Book 1. Trust me, if you like groveling, you'll like this one. And as a little hint, Book 3 will have a juicy marriage of convenience and Book 4 will be a lot darker than the others with a stalker romance. But that's all you're getting from me!! You'll just have to stick around to see more.
Speaking of seeing more... if you want updates on future books (there are some fun ideas in my head I'm excited to write when I'm done with the Dangerous Dance series), bonus scenes, and more, subscribe to my Substack, authorlinaharper.substack.com! Or follow along on social media.
Thank you again for looking at my baby, which I hope brings you as much happiness as it brought me to write it.
With love and death,
Lina🖤🩰
March 13, 2026
I truly adored everything about this book, but especially Eva. Eva is a sheltered young woman whose life revolves around ballet, her brother, and her best friend. Alek is a mafia boss who doesn’t do relationships, until he meets Eva. The two of them enter a romance that is all-consuming and intoxicating. Alek is a possessive and protective MMC. If you enjoy a man who knows what he wants and would burn the world for getting in the way, this book is perfect for you. He only has eyes for Eva, which I personally can’t get enough of. The way he fights for Eva is swoon-worthy.
Eva truly is a beautifully written and relatable character. From the relationship she has with her brother to her struggles with OCD, she feels incredibly real. Mental illness can give you a distorted view of yourself and others. While Eva has OCD, I found myself able to relate to her through my own experiences with mental illness. I found comfort in her, truly.
At first, we see Eva as a people-pleasing young woman, constantly putting the satisfaction and happiness of others above her own. As the story progresses, Eva learns that it’s okay to take up space, be seen, and be happy. It’s hard to learn how to stand up for yourself, so when I saw the relationship she had with her brother, I understood it came from a place of constantly putting the needs of others above your own. The growth she shows throughout the story is beautiful, and Alek’s help with that is the cherry on top.
Something else I loved about the book was the side characters. Mia, Elsie, Julian, Nicolai, and even Charlotte, although we don’t see much of her! I found myself completely invested in all of these characters. Seriously, I can’t wait to see them again. The balance Nicolai adds to Alek’s character is really nice. While I love a brooding and serious MMC, Nicolai adds a funny dynamic that works well with Alek’s personality. The author gives each character a unique personality, which, in my opinion, not many writers manage to do.
Overall, this book is a five-star read for me. It has everything: mental health representation, interesting side characters, character growth, and a man who is willing to literally do anything for the woman he loves
A huge thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review! I genuinely enjoyed both the experience and the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I genuinely don’t even know where to start with this one because I finished it and just sat there staring at the wall trying to process everything.
Pas de Deux is a dark, obsessive romance set in the world of ballet, and the contrast between those two worlds was honestly one of my favorite things about this book. On one side you have discipline, beauty, and perfection in ballet… and on the other side you have danger, power, and morally grey choices. It created such an intense atmosphere throughout the story.
Evangeline is a ballerina who has spent her life dedicated to dance, and watching her world collide with Aleksandr’s was so gripping. Aleksandr is the definition of a morally grey MMC — powerful, protective, and very much used to getting what he wants. Their relationship is complicated, messy, and full of tension in the best way. I was hooked watching everything unfold between them.
One thing I really loved was the way the story included text conversations between characters throughout the chapters. They added so much personality and gave extra insight into the relationships without interrupting the pacing.
And speaking of pacing — this book moves. Once things start happening, it’s very hard to put down. I kept wanting to read just one more chapter to see what would happen next.
The Romeo and Juliet parallels with the ballet production were such a clever touch too. When the story started revealing more about Evangeline’s family and the connection to Aleksandr’s world, the tension just kept building.
The romance itself leans into obsession, intensity, and forbidden love, and if you like dark romance with strong chemistry and a possessive MMC, this will absolutely deliver.
This was such a unique mix of mafia romance and the ballet world, which I honestly hadn’t seen done like this before.
Tropes:
🩰 Ballet setting
🖤 Mafia / dark romance
🔥 Morally grey MMC
💔 Forbidden love
🛡️ Protective, dominant hero
❤️ He falls first
🧠 Mental health representation
Definitely check the content warnings because this book explores some heavy themes, but if dark romance is your genre, this one is a really compelling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Pas de Deux is a dark, obsessive romance set in the world of ballet, and the contrast between those two worlds was honestly one of my favorite things about this book. On one side you have discipline, beauty, and perfection in ballet… and on the other side you have danger, power, and morally grey choices. It created such an intense atmosphere throughout the story.
Evangeline is a ballerina who has spent her life dedicated to dance, and watching her world collide with Aleksandr’s was so gripping. Aleksandr is the definition of a morally grey MMC — powerful, protective, and very much used to getting what he wants. Their relationship is complicated, messy, and full of tension in the best way. I was hooked watching everything unfold between them.
One thing I really loved was the way the story included text conversations between characters throughout the chapters. They added so much personality and gave extra insight into the relationships without interrupting the pacing.
And speaking of pacing — this book moves. Once things start happening, it’s very hard to put down. I kept wanting to read just one more chapter to see what would happen next.
The Romeo and Juliet parallels with the ballet production were such a clever touch too. When the story started revealing more about Evangeline’s family and the connection to Aleksandr’s world, the tension just kept building.
The romance itself leans into obsession, intensity, and forbidden love, and if you like dark romance with strong chemistry and a possessive MMC, this will absolutely deliver.
This was such a unique mix of mafia romance and the ballet world, which I honestly hadn’t seen done like this before.
Tropes:
🩰 Ballet setting
🖤 Mafia / dark romance
🔥 Morally grey MMC
💔 Forbidden love
🛡️ Protective, dominant hero
❤️ He falls first
🧠 Mental health representation
Definitely check the content warnings because this book explores some heavy themes, but if dark romance is your genre, this one is a really compelling read.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
March 8, 2026
I really wanted to like this story but unfortunately I almost DNF it so many times because the FMC was getting on my nerves too much with her people pleasing tendencies and letting her brother control her every moves so much. It just wasn't for me and made me really annoyed and angry.
The book probably triggered me since I used to struggle a lot with people pleasing and intrusive negative thoughts and I just did not like how I saw the FMC struggle with that and her brother was being too much of a controlling a$$hole.
The number of times I wanted to shake the FMC for her thoughts and for letting everyone walk all over her especially her brother were too many to count and it just made it really hard for me to fully enjoy the story and get into it.
I liked the character of Alek but I feel like it did not make sense how fast the insta lust happened for Eva since she was a virgin and so insecure and overthinking everything so it was hard to believe what she allowed to happen on their 2nd meet especially since she kind of made the first move on that stage. It felt a lot rushed and it did not make sense with how she was portrayed.
I did like that Alek helped build her confidence and stand up for herself although it took the whole book for that to actually happen. He did help also replace her negative intrusive thoughts.
I appreciate the mental health rep and I did enjoy the ballet and mafia setting but I just really struggled with the FMC unfortunately.
Tropes:
- Dark romance
- Ballet/ mafia setting
- He falls first
- Possessive MMC
- Virgin, inexperienced and sheltered FMC
- Mental health rep (OCD)
- Grumpy MMC
- Age gap (8 years)
- Forbidden love (Brother's rival)
- Romeo & Juliet vibes
- Morally grey MMC
Thank you Netgalley and Lina Harper for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book probably triggered me since I used to struggle a lot with people pleasing and intrusive negative thoughts and I just did not like how I saw the FMC struggle with that and her brother was being too much of a controlling a$$hole.
The number of times I wanted to shake the FMC for her thoughts and for letting everyone walk all over her especially her brother were too many to count and it just made it really hard for me to fully enjoy the story and get into it.
I liked the character of Alek but I feel like it did not make sense how fast the insta lust happened for Eva since she was a virgin and so insecure and overthinking everything so it was hard to believe what she allowed to happen on their 2nd meet especially since she kind of made the first move on that stage. It felt a lot rushed and it did not make sense with how she was portrayed.
I did like that Alek helped build her confidence and stand up for herself although it took the whole book for that to actually happen. He did help also replace her negative intrusive thoughts.
I appreciate the mental health rep and I did enjoy the ballet and mafia setting but I just really struggled with the FMC unfortunately.
Tropes:
- Dark romance
- Ballet/ mafia setting
- He falls first
- Possessive MMC
- Virgin, inexperienced and sheltered FMC
- Mental health rep (OCD)
- Grumpy MMC
- Age gap (8 years)
- Forbidden love (Brother's rival)
- Romeo & Juliet vibes
- Morally grey MMC
Thank you Netgalley and Lina Harper for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First off, thank you to the author and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review….
Pas de Deux by Lina Harper completely swept me into a world where discipline, obsession, and forbidden desire collide like dancers meeting center stage. From the first chapter, the tension wrapped around the story like velvet ribbons pulled just a little too tight.
Eva is a fiercely determined FMC who has sacrificed everything for ballet. Her life is structure, perfection, and relentless training. Then Alek walks in… and suddenly the careful choreography of her world starts unraveling in the most deliciously dangerous way.
Alek is the kind of MMC that commands every scene he enters. Intense, possessive, and absolutely relentless once he sets his sights on Eva. The push and pull between them feels like a dance itself: control versus surrender, rules versus temptation. Their chemistry burns from the very first interaction, and the tension only grows stronger with every page.
What I loved most was how the author balanced the beauty of the ballet world with the darker, more obsessive edge of their relationship. The elegance of dance contrasts perfectly with the emotional intensity between Alek and Eva. Every moment felt charged, like the quiet pause before a leap.
This story is full of:
• Forbidden attraction
• Intense chemistry
• A powerful, determined heroine
• A dangerously irresistible hero
If you love romances where the MMC is completely captivated by the FMC and refuses to walk away, Pas de Deux delivers that energy in every chapter.
By the final page I was equal parts breathless and desperate for more. This book doesn’t just tell a romance… it performs it.
✨ Five stars for a story that dances right into your heart and refuses to let go.
Pas de Deux by Lina Harper completely swept me into a world where discipline, obsession, and forbidden desire collide like dancers meeting center stage. From the first chapter, the tension wrapped around the story like velvet ribbons pulled just a little too tight.
Eva is a fiercely determined FMC who has sacrificed everything for ballet. Her life is structure, perfection, and relentless training. Then Alek walks in… and suddenly the careful choreography of her world starts unraveling in the most deliciously dangerous way.
Alek is the kind of MMC that commands every scene he enters. Intense, possessive, and absolutely relentless once he sets his sights on Eva. The push and pull between them feels like a dance itself: control versus surrender, rules versus temptation. Their chemistry burns from the very first interaction, and the tension only grows stronger with every page.
What I loved most was how the author balanced the beauty of the ballet world with the darker, more obsessive edge of their relationship. The elegance of dance contrasts perfectly with the emotional intensity between Alek and Eva. Every moment felt charged, like the quiet pause before a leap.
This story is full of:
• Forbidden attraction
• Intense chemistry
• A powerful, determined heroine
• A dangerously irresistible hero
If you love romances where the MMC is completely captivated by the FMC and refuses to walk away, Pas de Deux delivers that energy in every chapter.
By the final page I was equal parts breathless and desperate for more. This book doesn’t just tell a romance… it performs it.
✨ Five stars for a story that dances right into your heart and refuses to let go.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’m literally staring at my wall trying to process what I just read. 🫠 Aleksandr is the definition of "he’s a 10, but he might ruin your entire life".
Pas de Deux is dark, obsessive, and low-key unhinged, and I was completely hooked. Aleksandr is not a nice man. At all. But he’s nice to HER, and that’s all I need. Watching him bulldoze into her carefully controlled world was addictive.
I went into this expecting a typical mafia story, but the tension between the grit of his world and the elegance of the ballet world was just... chef’s kiss. Aleksandr is absolutely unhinged—the sheer audacity of this man to just stomp into Evie's life and decide she’s his property?? It’s toxic, it’s possessive, and I devoured every single second of it. 💀
My heart actually hurt for Evie, though. Seeing her struggle to keep her rituals in place while her world was literally being dismantled by this man was so intense. I loved that she wasn't just a "weak" heroine; she’s a fighter in her own way, even when she’s terrified of how much she wants him. I loved seeing a ballerina FMC whose strength comes from discipline and routine, especially with the OCD rep. Her need for control felt real, not romanticized, and that made every interaction with Aleksandr hit harder because he is chaos, which was kind of what she needed.
The "touch her and die" energy was off the charts. Like, sir, please calm down (but also don't). The ballet vs. mafia contrast was such a cool touch. If you like your MMCs obsessed and your romances high-stress and high-heat, you need this. I finished it in one sitting, and now I have a massive book hangover. 5 stars, no notes, just vibes. 🩰🔥🖤
Pas de Deux is dark, obsessive, and low-key unhinged, and I was completely hooked. Aleksandr is not a nice man. At all. But he’s nice to HER, and that’s all I need. Watching him bulldoze into her carefully controlled world was addictive.
I went into this expecting a typical mafia story, but the tension between the grit of his world and the elegance of the ballet world was just... chef’s kiss. Aleksandr is absolutely unhinged—the sheer audacity of this man to just stomp into Evie's life and decide she’s his property?? It’s toxic, it’s possessive, and I devoured every single second of it. 💀
My heart actually hurt for Evie, though. Seeing her struggle to keep her rituals in place while her world was literally being dismantled by this man was so intense. I loved that she wasn't just a "weak" heroine; she’s a fighter in her own way, even when she’s terrified of how much she wants him. I loved seeing a ballerina FMC whose strength comes from discipline and routine, especially with the OCD rep. Her need for control felt real, not romanticized, and that made every interaction with Aleksandr hit harder because he is chaos, which was kind of what she needed.
The "touch her and die" energy was off the charts. Like, sir, please calm down (but also don't). The ballet vs. mafia contrast was such a cool touch. If you like your MMCs obsessed and your romances high-stress and high-heat, you need this. I finished it in one sitting, and now I have a massive book hangover. 5 stars, no notes, just vibes. 🩰🔥🖤
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This review will contain spoilers.
Mafia x Ballerina
Romeo & Juliette retelling
3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
I want to start off by saying that there are so many things that I enjoyed about Pas de Deux. Mafia romance books are some of my favorite to read and I think that the forbidden aspect of Eva & Alek’s relationship works well with both themes of mafia and Romeo & Juliette. The writing had a clear voice and their story felt complete. It was easy to follow and the overall story arc was well paced. The author also did a nice job of setting up future books in this series.
Alek is a classic, possessive and protective, mafia male lead. He sees her. He wants her. He gets her. But along the way, he also helps Eva gain confidence in herself. He supports her without being controlling which is something that she has never experienced before. And when he discovers who she is, he does not question her intentions towards him, which is something that happens far too often in mafia romances.
The struggle that I had with this book is with Eva. There is a difference between inexperience and immaturity and unfortunately, Eva crossed that line several times throughout the book. Because of that, her sexual relationship with Alek often made me uncomfortable as a reader. A character that cannot talk about sex probably shouldn’t be having it.
I am still looking forward to continuing this series. I think that this author has the potential to do wonderful things in this world that she has created.
Mafia x Ballerina
Romeo & Juliette retelling
3.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
I want to start off by saying that there are so many things that I enjoyed about Pas de Deux. Mafia romance books are some of my favorite to read and I think that the forbidden aspect of Eva & Alek’s relationship works well with both themes of mafia and Romeo & Juliette. The writing had a clear voice and their story felt complete. It was easy to follow and the overall story arc was well paced. The author also did a nice job of setting up future books in this series.
Alek is a classic, possessive and protective, mafia male lead. He sees her. He wants her. He gets her. But along the way, he also helps Eva gain confidence in herself. He supports her without being controlling which is something that she has never experienced before. And when he discovers who she is, he does not question her intentions towards him, which is something that happens far too often in mafia romances.
The struggle that I had with this book is with Eva. There is a difference between inexperience and immaturity and unfortunately, Eva crossed that line several times throughout the book. Because of that, her sexual relationship with Alek often made me uncomfortable as a reader. A character that cannot talk about sex probably shouldn’t be having it.
I am still looking forward to continuing this series. I think that this author has the potential to do wonderful things in this world that she has created.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
Some books are meant to be realistic… and some books are meant to be absolutely unhinged in the best possible way. Pas de Deux definitely falls into the second category and I mean that as a compliment.
This dark mafia ballet romance gives you a dangerous, obsessed MMC, a beautiful ballerina FMC, and the kind of instant, consuming love that makes you suspend reality and just go with it. Aleksandr Drakov is ruthless, powerful, and completely feral when it comes to Evangeline. The obsession is immediate, intense, and very much in that “touch her and die” territory that dark romance readers love.
I actually enjoy throwing books like this into my reading rotation because they’re just deliciously deranged escapism. You fully buy into the fantasy that a tall, dark, dangerous stranger becomes obsessed with you while you’re a stunning ballerina on the edge of stardom. Logic? Not invited. Vibes? Immaculate.
One thing I really appreciated was how the book handled mental illness and Evangeline’s OCD. Her routines and coping mechanisms were treated with empathy rather than used as a gimmick, which added depth to her character and made her feel more real amid the chaos of the story.
If you love:
• Mafia MMCs
• Ballerina aesthetics
• Instant obsession
• Brother’s enemy / forbidden romance
• Protective “she’s mine” energy
…this one will absolutely work for you.
Dark, dramatic, obsessive, and a little bit wild—exactly what you want from a mafia romance when you’re in the mood for something intense and over-the-top.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This dark mafia ballet romance gives you a dangerous, obsessed MMC, a beautiful ballerina FMC, and the kind of instant, consuming love that makes you suspend reality and just go with it. Aleksandr Drakov is ruthless, powerful, and completely feral when it comes to Evangeline. The obsession is immediate, intense, and very much in that “touch her and die” territory that dark romance readers love.
I actually enjoy throwing books like this into my reading rotation because they’re just deliciously deranged escapism. You fully buy into the fantasy that a tall, dark, dangerous stranger becomes obsessed with you while you’re a stunning ballerina on the edge of stardom. Logic? Not invited. Vibes? Immaculate.
One thing I really appreciated was how the book handled mental illness and Evangeline’s OCD. Her routines and coping mechanisms were treated with empathy rather than used as a gimmick, which added depth to her character and made her feel more real amid the chaos of the story.
If you love:
• Mafia MMCs
• Ballerina aesthetics
• Instant obsession
• Brother’s enemy / forbidden romance
• Protective “she’s mine” energy
…this one will absolutely work for you.
Dark, dramatic, obsessive, and a little bit wild—exactly what you want from a mafia romance when you’re in the mood for something intense and over-the-top.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
March 8, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and Lina Harper for this ARC.
I loved this book. And I loved the main character Evangeline. She’s written with anxious tendencies and there’s an accurate representation of OCD rumination. Evangeline has her own childhood trauma and has learned to be a people pleaser which has gone hand-in-hand with the development of her disorders. I found her experience to be refreshing, insightful, and relatable and not at all distressing. She’s a skilled ballerina, a bit of a loner, and has grown up quite sheltered with her older brother being her guardian.
Main male character Aleksandr is a dream. He has Russian and Italian heritage and I loved reading him with an accent. If an audiobook is released I will sell my soul for it. He’s cocky, possessive, but soft in all the right moments. His cousin, Nikolai is hilarious, and has Carrion Fisher energy. The dynamic between the cousins kept some of the heavier scenes a little lighter.
I thought the book was steady paced with equal parts romance, action, and tension. The character developments were enormous yet felt realistic. Minor characters were also likeable and stood out.
This whole story was very much a modern day nod to Romeo and Juliet and I think any fans of Keri Lake, Brynne Weaver, Callie Hart, or Karina Halle would really enjoy it.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
I loved this book. And I loved the main character Evangeline. She’s written with anxious tendencies and there’s an accurate representation of OCD rumination. Evangeline has her own childhood trauma and has learned to be a people pleaser which has gone hand-in-hand with the development of her disorders. I found her experience to be refreshing, insightful, and relatable and not at all distressing. She’s a skilled ballerina, a bit of a loner, and has grown up quite sheltered with her older brother being her guardian.
Main male character Aleksandr is a dream. He has Russian and Italian heritage and I loved reading him with an accent. If an audiobook is released I will sell my soul for it. He’s cocky, possessive, but soft in all the right moments. His cousin, Nikolai is hilarious, and has Carrion Fisher energy. The dynamic between the cousins kept some of the heavier scenes a little lighter.
I thought the book was steady paced with equal parts romance, action, and tension. The character developments were enormous yet felt realistic. Minor characters were also likeable and stood out.
This whole story was very much a modern day nod to Romeo and Juliet and I think any fans of Keri Lake, Brynne Weaver, Callie Hart, or Karina Halle would really enjoy it.
I can’t wait to read the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
From beginning to end, Pas de Deux took me on an emotional roller coaster. This dark romance story includes mafias, Romeo and Juliet vibes, a completely obsessed MMC, and a FMC who finds her voice.
The characters in this universe are absolutely memorable and fully-fledged. Right from the first chapter, you are introduced to the characters in a manner that is comical. Then, as you read further, you develop empathy for each character and are rooting for their dreams and triumphs by the end. This story literally pulls you into its expansive world.
Focusing on the romance because this is a dark romance, it is there 100%. There are some heated moments and readers should definitely not skip the trigger warnings. It also dives into mental health (OCD) and I think that the author writes about it respectfully and transparently. Moreover, the darkness and spice intensity of this book are perfectly balanced with humour in between the chapters themselves. I found myself laughing along with the witty dialogue.
Finally, if you enjoy Romeo and Juliet, then this story is for you. Throughout there are sprinkles of symbolism but Lina makes it refreshing to read.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to have read this ARC and will be adding this author's future books to my TBR as they come.
The characters in this universe are absolutely memorable and fully-fledged. Right from the first chapter, you are introduced to the characters in a manner that is comical. Then, as you read further, you develop empathy for each character and are rooting for their dreams and triumphs by the end. This story literally pulls you into its expansive world.
Focusing on the romance because this is a dark romance, it is there 100%. There are some heated moments and readers should definitely not skip the trigger warnings. It also dives into mental health (OCD) and I think that the author writes about it respectfully and transparently. Moreover, the darkness and spice intensity of this book are perfectly balanced with humour in between the chapters themselves. I found myself laughing along with the witty dialogue.
Finally, if you enjoy Romeo and Juliet, then this story is for you. Throughout there are sprinkles of symbolism but Lina makes it refreshing to read.
I'm thankful for the opportunity to have read this ARC and will be adding this author's future books to my TBR as they come.
February 16, 2026
Pas de Deux by Lina Harper had such an intense, moody atmosphere that really fit the ballet world setting. The drama, ambition, and high-stakes emotion kept me invested, and I appreciated how immersive the environment felt. The tension throughout the story definitely kept the pages turning.
However, I really struggled with Julian’s character. As Eve’s brother, his controlling and overbearing behavior felt suffocating at times. I understand he was meant to be protective, but the way he tried to dictate so much of Eve’s life crossed a line for me and made parts of the story frustrating to read.
As for the romance with Alek, I enjoyed the chemistry and the push-pull dynamic, but I sometimes wished their relationship had a bit more emotional balance and development. There were moments that were powerful and passionate, but I didn’t always feel fully convinced by the depth of their connection.
Overall, it’s a dramatic, dark ballet romance with strong atmosphere and tension, but some character dynamics made it hard for me to completely love it. If you enjoy intense family conflict and broody romance, this might work really well for you.
However, I really struggled with Julian’s character. As Eve’s brother, his controlling and overbearing behavior felt suffocating at times. I understand he was meant to be protective, but the way he tried to dictate so much of Eve’s life crossed a line for me and made parts of the story frustrating to read.
As for the romance with Alek, I enjoyed the chemistry and the push-pull dynamic, but I sometimes wished their relationship had a bit more emotional balance and development. There were moments that were powerful and passionate, but I didn’t always feel fully convinced by the depth of their connection.
Overall, it’s a dramatic, dark ballet romance with strong atmosphere and tension, but some character dynamics made it hard for me to completely love it. If you enjoy intense family conflict and broody romance, this might work really well for you.
March 13, 2026
‘Fall apart for me. I’ll keep you safe.’
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in just over 24 hours. It was a quick read; I appreciated that we jumped right into the storyline. I adored the meet cute between Eva and Alek, it was adorable. I know Alek is meant to be the villain, and sure in his work life he was, but he was always so sweet to Eva. Her brother was more of a villain to her! Compared to other dark romances where there is non-con, mental and physical abuse, disrespect etc by the MMC (until the end), this was a breath of fresh dark romance air that Alek was obsessed and sweet right from the start. The dynamic between them felt quite equal.
The parallel with Romeo and Juliet was well done. I loved the ballet and mafia worlds. As a former ballerina I really enjoyed reading a ballet focused book. Eva's anxiety and intrusive thoughts were very well written.
The spice was perfect, they fell fast into their obsession with each other, and I loved it!
Very well written overall, easy to read and hard to put down! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
I couldn't put this book down and finished it in just over 24 hours. It was a quick read; I appreciated that we jumped right into the storyline. I adored the meet cute between Eva and Alek, it was adorable. I know Alek is meant to be the villain, and sure in his work life he was, but he was always so sweet to Eva. Her brother was more of a villain to her! Compared to other dark romances where there is non-con, mental and physical abuse, disrespect etc by the MMC (until the end), this was a breath of fresh dark romance air that Alek was obsessed and sweet right from the start. The dynamic between them felt quite equal.
The parallel with Romeo and Juliet was well done. I loved the ballet and mafia worlds. As a former ballerina I really enjoyed reading a ballet focused book. Eva's anxiety and intrusive thoughts were very well written.
The spice was perfect, they fell fast into their obsession with each other, and I loved it!
Very well written overall, easy to read and hard to put down! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I read this book like it was my full time job, literally. I started at 2pm and ended at 9pm with a break in between for food, water, etc. That's a day's shift if you ask me.
This was my guilty pleasure rom com, my scripted reality show. A modern Romeo and Juliet retelling that, despite hating the original story, I absolutely LOVED AND DEVOURED. My blinders are on, and my bias firmly in place. No one can tell me this was any less than five stars. I am a Lina Harper defender til the end!
Yes Eva's a virgin who gave 'but I love him' energy. That's exactly Juliet as well and people revere Shakespeare. I adored how she learned to take up space in the world, for herself, with or without Alek.
As for Alek, I will skirt past all of his toxicity and red flags. He's obsessive. He's possessive. He loves her. He will burn the world down for her. Get with the program. I did and I had the best time!
This was my guilty pleasure rom com, my scripted reality show. A modern Romeo and Juliet retelling that, despite hating the original story, I absolutely LOVED AND DEVOURED. My blinders are on, and my bias firmly in place. No one can tell me this was any less than five stars. I am a Lina Harper defender til the end!
Yes Eva's a virgin who gave 'but I love him' energy. That's exactly Juliet as well and people revere Shakespeare. I adored how she learned to take up space in the world, for herself, with or without Alek.
As for Alek, I will skirt past all of his toxicity and red flags. He's obsessive. He's possessive. He loves her. He will burn the world down for her. Get with the program. I did and I had the best time!
Review of advance copy received from Author
OMGGGGGG THIS WAS SO GOOOOODDDDD. It was delicious with lots of tension, and for a dark romance, it surprisingly had a lot of depth with Eva's mental illness, Aleksandr's past loss, and her feelings toward her brother. Definitely recommend.
Things I loved:
🩰Mental illness rep, especially the bathroom scene
🩰HE FALLS FIRST and he fell hardddddd. This man was down bad for her
🩰Ballet/mafia was something I didn't even know I needed, and now I need more of them. Thank god this is a series
🩰The texts added a little bit of fun in between chapters
🩰The spice was spicing and it was soooo good but it wasn't too much that it took away from the plot
🩰The pacing was perfect and the prose was surprisingly really good at times for a dark romance. Usually it's a lot more basic but it wasn't
A perfect love story for Valentine's Day. Can't wait for the rest of the series!!
Things I loved:
🩰Mental illness rep, especially the bathroom scene
🩰HE FALLS FIRST and he fell hardddddd. This man was down bad for her
🩰Ballet/mafia was something I didn't even know I needed, and now I need more of them. Thank god this is a series
🩰The texts added a little bit of fun in between chapters
🩰The spice was spicing and it was soooo good but it wasn't too much that it took away from the plot
🩰The pacing was perfect and the prose was surprisingly really good at times for a dark romance. Usually it's a lot more basic but it wasn't
A perfect love story for Valentine's Day. Can't wait for the rest of the series!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Pas de Deux
4.5 ⭐️ ARC REVIEW
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc!🩵✨ Book release date: March 21st 2026
This book is a dark romance which includes heavy themes. I am literally staring at my wall in silence trying to process what I've just read. Pas de Deux is a dark, obsessive and lowkey unhinged romance. I was completely hooked from the very beginning.
The book mixes the disciplined world of ballet with a dark romance which makes the overall atmosphere feel beautiful but unsettling at the same time.
The book follows our FMC Evangeline who is a dedicated ballerina whose life becomes entangled with our MMC Aleksandr. Aleksandr is a powerful and morally grey man. I enjoyed the contrast between Evangeline's life as a ballerina and Aleksandr's dark and dangerous world. Their relationship is complicated but full of tension which kept me hooked and interested.
4.5 ⭐️ ARC REVIEW
Huge thanks to NetGalley and the author for the arc!🩵✨ Book release date: March 21st 2026
This book is a dark romance which includes heavy themes. I am literally staring at my wall in silence trying to process what I've just read. Pas de Deux is a dark, obsessive and lowkey unhinged romance. I was completely hooked from the very beginning.
The book mixes the disciplined world of ballet with a dark romance which makes the overall atmosphere feel beautiful but unsettling at the same time.
The book follows our FMC Evangeline who is a dedicated ballerina whose life becomes entangled with our MMC Aleksandr. Aleksandr is a powerful and morally grey man. I enjoyed the contrast between Evangeline's life as a ballerina and Aleksandr's dark and dangerous world. Their relationship is complicated but full of tension which kept me hooked and interested.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.6/5🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pub date: March 21🎉
➕
- This was a fun time and I feel myself slowly crawling out of my slump.
- Tropes: mafia boss x ballet dancer, grumpy x sunshine, morally black MMC, sheltered FMC, touch her and die, mental health rep (OCD, anxiety).
- I love the juxtaposition of elegant ballet vs. dark mafia. It's perfectly mirrored by Eva and her sweetness vs. Alek and his ruthlessness.
- Alek is all that's enticing about mafia MMCs. He's absolutely feral for Eva. His obsession is off the charts. It made me swoon that he quieted and replaced the cruel voices inside Eva's mind.
- I adore the text message excepts! They show so much personality and the banter made me chuckle.
➖
- I found the writing to be soapy/dramatic, a bit too much at times.
- Instalust and instalove.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for sending me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
Pub date: March 21🎉
➕
- This was a fun time and I feel myself slowly crawling out of my slump.
- Tropes: mafia boss x ballet dancer, grumpy x sunshine, morally black MMC, sheltered FMC, touch her and die, mental health rep (OCD, anxiety).
- I love the juxtaposition of elegant ballet vs. dark mafia. It's perfectly mirrored by Eva and her sweetness vs. Alek and his ruthlessness.
- Alek is all that's enticing about mafia MMCs. He's absolutely feral for Eva. His obsession is off the charts. It made me swoon that he quieted and replaced the cruel voices inside Eva's mind.
- I adore the text message excepts! They show so much personality and the banter made me chuckle.
➖
- I found the writing to be soapy/dramatic, a bit too much at times.
- Instalust and instalove.
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for sending me an eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Russian Mafia, Virginia FMC, Praise, OCD, Touch her and die, Brothers enemy
GREAT BANTER 😍
Eva & Alek
Eva the sweet ballerina chasing perfection with that nagging negativity in her mind. Alek is heir to the Russian mafia, instantly obsessed with her. There’s only one problem, the guided cage her brother has placed her in. Ultimately feeding that negative voice in her head.
Alek purchasing the ballet was just the beginning of the obsession and I absolutely devoured it!
Side note:
Mia - Eva’s best friend their banter is hilarious. She’s one of my favorite characters. Also the texting had me cackling. Nikolai (Alex’s cousin and bestie in the book) absolutely rooting for him to get his own book!!
Thank you so much Lina for the ARC 💚💚
GREAT BANTER 😍
Eva & Alek
Eva the sweet ballerina chasing perfection with that nagging negativity in her mind. Alek is heir to the Russian mafia, instantly obsessed with her. There’s only one problem, the guided cage her brother has placed her in. Ultimately feeding that negative voice in her head.
Alek purchasing the ballet was just the beginning of the obsession and I absolutely devoured it!
Side note:
Mia - Eva’s best friend their banter is hilarious. She’s one of my favorite characters. Also the texting had me cackling. Nikolai (Alex’s cousin and bestie in the book) absolutely rooting for him to get his own book!!
Thank you so much Lina for the ARC 💚💚
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I could not put this down! Everything was enticing from the storyline, the chemistry the spice. I loved the two main characters especially Eva. On first impression I thought she would be very reserved and quiet but soon came to realise she was a secret spicy one! Aleksandr on the other hand.. morally grey.. taking what he wants with no concern for repercussions or anyone else. They make a steamy pair.
I audibly gasped throughout the book knowing what bombs were about to be dropped! The spice didn’t disappoint either and there was plenty of it throughout the book but not too much where it consumed the whole story. A brilliant combination.
Already can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I audibly gasped throughout the book knowing what bombs were about to be dropped! The spice didn’t disappoint either and there was plenty of it throughout the book but not too much where it consumed the whole story. A brilliant combination.
Already can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Umm, what did I just read? I am NOT okay.
Let me be honest for a second, I never get my hopes up with ARCs anymore. I've been let down too many times. This one? I started it and could NOT put it down. Lina absolutely nailed the tiny details, and I love that. I don't want to just read a book, I want to feel like I'm there... and she delivered.
Now let's talk about Aleksandr and Eva.. She's the sheltered, shy ballerina. He's the dark, moody mafia man who doesn't care about anyone... until Eva. When their worlds collide, she becomes his obsession and he becomes completely unhinged about her.
🖤Warning🖤
Expect tension, obsession, possession and pure chaos.
Definitely 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Let me be honest for a second, I never get my hopes up with ARCs anymore. I've been let down too many times. This one? I started it and could NOT put it down. Lina absolutely nailed the tiny details, and I love that. I don't want to just read a book, I want to feel like I'm there... and she delivered.
Now let's talk about Aleksandr and Eva.. She's the sheltered, shy ballerina. He's the dark, moody mafia man who doesn't care about anyone... until Eva. When their worlds collide, she becomes his obsession and he becomes completely unhinged about her.
🖤Warning🖤
Expect tension, obsession, possession and pure chaos.
Definitely 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 7, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
3 🩶
This book was DELICIOUS! We have our innocent, picture perfect FMC, Eva, who happens to be a dainty ballerina 🩰. Then we have our super POSSESSIVE, touch her and die, moody MMC, Alek, a Mafia boss 🥵 She is a princess and he is her villain.
The yearning for each other throughout the entire book is 🤌 I absolutely LOVEDDDD how he could not get enough of her, his possessiveness (very toxic) and his determination to make her see how perfect she was, despite all of her internal struggles and OCD. When he tells her “you’re mine” he means MINE and it holds weight!
I will say I fell in love with Alek as a character, almost instantly, but Eva did take some time to grow on me. She is so innocent, there were times she felt almost child like in the beginning (sugarplum). However, she did grow on me and I do love who she has become. The names took time to grow on me as well, but the characters were all beautifully written and there was so much thought put into each and every one of them. I’m excited to read Jules’ story, as well as seeing how Lina progresses as an author. Great first book!
There’s spice, banter, plot, more spice which we love. If you’re new to dark romance, this would be a great starter, and if you’ve been dark and twisty for a while like myself, it’s good pallet cleanser.
4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶️
3 🩶
This book was DELICIOUS! We have our innocent, picture perfect FMC, Eva, who happens to be a dainty ballerina 🩰. Then we have our super POSSESSIVE, touch her and die, moody MMC, Alek, a Mafia boss 🥵 She is a princess and he is her villain.
The yearning for each other throughout the entire book is 🤌 I absolutely LOVEDDDD how he could not get enough of her, his possessiveness (very toxic) and his determination to make her see how perfect she was, despite all of her internal struggles and OCD. When he tells her “you’re mine” he means MINE and it holds weight!
I will say I fell in love with Alek as a character, almost instantly, but Eva did take some time to grow on me. She is so innocent, there were times she felt almost child like in the beginning (sugarplum). However, she did grow on me and I do love who she has become. The names took time to grow on me as well, but the characters were all beautifully written and there was so much thought put into each and every one of them. I’m excited to read Jules’ story, as well as seeing how Lina progresses as an author. Great first book!
There’s spice, banter, plot, more spice which we love. If you’re new to dark romance, this would be a great starter, and if you’ve been dark and twisty for a while like myself, it’s good pallet cleanser.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Romeo + Juliet retelling
I will always pick up a book with a ballerina FMC.
This one was fast paced and definitely spicy at times, but it never felt like it went overboard.
I enjoyed it overall, but I would probably recommend it more to readers looking specifically for a Romeo and Juliet retelling rather than a true mafia romance. We do not get much of the mafia world, which I personally would have liked to see more of, especially if you go into it expecting that element.
Overall, it was a decent debut and I am intrigued by the next book in the series and will most likely pick it up once it releases.
I will always pick up a book with a ballerina FMC.
This one was fast paced and definitely spicy at times, but it never felt like it went overboard.
I enjoyed it overall, but I would probably recommend it more to readers looking specifically for a Romeo and Juliet retelling rather than a true mafia romance. We do not get much of the mafia world, which I personally would have liked to see more of, especially if you go into it expecting that element.
Overall, it was a decent debut and I am intrigued by the next book in the series and will most likely pick it up once it releases.
Review of advance copy received from Author
5 stars!!!!!!!!
Im a tiny bit obsessed with this and very thankful I was lucky enough to be given an ARC opportunity.
The chemistry between these two were electric. I loved that this dark "repear" was so soft for her, that she literally saw him as her Knight. I mean, swoon.
She was sweet, innocent and sweet, with a little of them dark urges creeping in that match so perfectly with the darkness inside of him.
Throw in some shootings, family issues, fire and hot smut and this was an easy 5 star read.
You'll love Eva and Alek just as much as I did!
Im a tiny bit obsessed with this and very thankful I was lucky enough to be given an ARC opportunity.
The chemistry between these two were electric. I loved that this dark "repear" was so soft for her, that she literally saw him as her Knight. I mean, swoon.
She was sweet, innocent and sweet, with a little of them dark urges creeping in that match so perfectly with the darkness inside of him.
Throw in some shootings, family issues, fire and hot smut and this was an easy 5 star read.
You'll love Eva and Alek just as much as I did!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely loved this book! This is the first book I have ever read by Lina Harper and I can confidently say I will be back for her future books. Everything about this book was wonderfully planned out. Eva and Alek are polar opposites, and yet they fit perfectly together. She is soft and sweet and kind hearted while he has rough edges from running the mafia, but she is clearly what he needs as the sunshine in his life. This is the best Romeo and Juliet story I have ever read and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
March 7, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley
This book has me hooked from page 1.
I feel the “darkness” and the “romance” were perfectly balanced.
We got obsession and spice, but also the perfect pet name and actual feelings!
I truly enjoyed the Romeo and Juliet parallel, and even as I started foreseeing where the story was going, it was still delivered in a way that didn’t make it feel predictable at all.
Thank you for the team for sharing this book with me, and I will definitely be waiting for the next in the series!
This book has me hooked from page 1.
I feel the “darkness” and the “romance” were perfectly balanced.
We got obsession and spice, but also the perfect pet name and actual feelings!
I truly enjoyed the Romeo and Juliet parallel, and even as I started foreseeing where the story was going, it was still delivered in a way that didn’t make it feel predictable at all.
Thank you for the team for sharing this book with me, and I will definitely be waiting for the next in the series!
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