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First Position
Therese has a problem. Everyone at the ballet academy where she teaches is thrilled to have Luca Durante, the reigning star of the ballet world, as their guest artist for the school’s performance of The Nutcracker. There’s one difficulty: Therese has a history with Luca, and though she hasn’t seen him for seven years, she still remembers every moment from when they danced with each other. Will Therese be able to maintain a professional distance until the season is over? Or will Luca remind her why they moved so well together all those years before?
34 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 21, 2015
27 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Quenby Olson
26 books372 followersQuenby Olson lives in Central Pennsylvania where she spends most of her time writing, glaring at baskets of unfolded laundry, and chasing the cat off the kitchen counters. She lives with her husband and five children, who do nothing to dampen her love of classical ballet, geeky crochet, and staying up late to watch old episodes of Doctor Who.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 23, 2015
Quenby gives a warm story about a ballet instructor named Therese and Luca a professional dancer. The tension between them draws you in as soon as Luca enters the scene. Sweet and perfect for the holidays.
January 11, 2020
It's a super short story so there's not a lot of character development. Plus, the pov is from one main character only; we've no idea of what the guy's thinking. Well, not until she does.
It was a surprising little story. Sweet and romantic. I'm glad I read it.
It was a surprising little story. Sweet and romantic. I'm glad I read it.
February 3, 2017
Cute and easy read. The love story of the two main characters doesn't really make sense, but what can you do in 34 pages?
February 24, 2017
Sweet short story dealing with a ballet theme and romance.
July 19, 2019
oGreat love story
This was my first time reading this authors work. I enjoyed it it was short and sweet. Will read other book by Quenby Olson. Thanks for the good read.
This was my first time reading this authors work. I enjoyed it it was short and sweet. Will read other book by Quenby Olson. Thanks for the good read.
December 21, 2015
First Position is my second time to read Ms. Olsen's work in less than a month, and I have to say I consider myself a budding fan. I loved Knotted (see my review here: https://readyourselftosleep.wordpress...), so it's no surprise I enjoyed this as well.
This fantastic little short story gives us a glimpse into a world most of us have seen only from the outside. Ballet, such a graceful and ephemeral art as observed from the audience, is in reality a tough, often bloody, business. Ms. Olson uses her personal experience to great effect, bringing the setting the life. Her descriptions are beautiful and so well executed that even I, someone with only a four year old's concept of the dance, felt like an insider.
The only reason I give this story four stars, rather than five, is that I wish it had been a little bit longer. Luca, Therese's mysterious love interest, felt a little flat to me. I didn't feel like I really knew much more about him by story's end than I did at the beginning. I would love to see a longer piece fleshing him out. Other than that, this story was great!
If you're looking for a quick, fun, clean read this holiday season, look no further. Definitely worth the download!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This fantastic little short story gives us a glimpse into a world most of us have seen only from the outside. Ballet, such a graceful and ephemeral art as observed from the audience, is in reality a tough, often bloody, business. Ms. Olson uses her personal experience to great effect, bringing the setting the life. Her descriptions are beautiful and so well executed that even I, someone with only a four year old's concept of the dance, felt like an insider.
The only reason I give this story four stars, rather than five, is that I wish it had been a little bit longer. Luca, Therese's mysterious love interest, felt a little flat to me. I didn't feel like I really knew much more about him by story's end than I did at the beginning. I would love to see a longer piece fleshing him out. Other than that, this story was great!
If you're looking for a quick, fun, clean read this holiday season, look no further. Definitely worth the download!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
September 12, 2016
Good short story that tells of Therese, a dance instructor who could have been famous if a health issue hadn't taken from the limelight and Luca Durante, a famous dancer who Therese danced with only once but who has reappeared into her life. I think this could be a five star book if it was a bit longer, but the author has captured the love of dance with the love of romance in a few short pages.
April 29, 2017
First Position is a perfect short romance for the Christmas season. With so few words to work with, developing a relationship that doesn’t feel forced isn’t easy, but Quenby Olson does a good job of it. With a touch of backstory and a strong dose of attraction, it works.
Guessing at Therese and Luca’s history and his somewhat unexplained reappearance in her life creates enough tension to propel you through the story, which can be read in one sitting.
Although anyone can enjoy this sweet romance, those with knowledge of ballet and The Nutcracker in particular will be able to fill in the smells, sounds and sights of the practice studio. The familiarity only enhances the story, which took me back decades to perfecting pirouettes, practicing lifts, and the melodic sounds of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.
(The author is a fellow member of 10 Minute Novelists. I received a complimentary copy for my honest review.)
Guessing at Therese and Luca’s history and his somewhat unexplained reappearance in her life creates enough tension to propel you through the story, which can be read in one sitting.
Although anyone can enjoy this sweet romance, those with knowledge of ballet and The Nutcracker in particular will be able to fill in the smells, sounds and sights of the practice studio. The familiarity only enhances the story, which took me back decades to perfecting pirouettes, practicing lifts, and the melodic sounds of Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic.
(The author is a fellow member of 10 Minute Novelists. I received a complimentary copy for my honest review.)
December 8, 2015
Enjoy a little escape from the chaos of the day with "First Position" by author Quenby Olson. I received this book in exchange for an honest review and I have to say, sometimes a really good novella is just what you need.
It's the perfect length so you can read it from start to finish during your lunch hour or after the kids go to bed while indulging in some quiet time. Quenby Olson packs a delightful story, likable characters, and her awesome wit into just 34 pages.
In "First Position" you'll meet Therese who teaches ballet at school preparing for their annual performance of The Nutcracker. Caffeine-fueled and focused on teaching, Therese's life is uncomplicated. Until Luca steps back into it. The two dancers have a history and with Luca performing as the school's guest artist for The Nutcracker, will Therese's old feelings resurface? No spoilers from me, but I will tell you — "First Position" doesn't disappoint. It's romantic, charming and must-read!
It's the perfect length so you can read it from start to finish during your lunch hour or after the kids go to bed while indulging in some quiet time. Quenby Olson packs a delightful story, likable characters, and her awesome wit into just 34 pages.
In "First Position" you'll meet Therese who teaches ballet at school preparing for their annual performance of The Nutcracker. Caffeine-fueled and focused on teaching, Therese's life is uncomplicated. Until Luca steps back into it. The two dancers have a history and with Luca performing as the school's guest artist for The Nutcracker, will Therese's old feelings resurface? No spoilers from me, but I will tell you — "First Position" doesn't disappoint. It's romantic, charming and must-read!
November 30, 2020
A sweet Christmas short story! Therese is a ballet instructor who's about to cross paths with a former dance partner, Luca Durante. Although, it's been seven years she still carries a torch for him.
"She could play stupid all she wanted, but everyone here knew she had a history with Luca" (kindle loc. 139).
"She could play stupid all she wanted, but everyone here knew she had a history with Luca" (kindle loc. 139).
February 24, 2016
This is a really great short story. As a busy mom I am finding that I need to read bite sized books. This is quick yet entertaining read. I highly recommend it.
May 29, 2016
Nice love story!
This is my first Quenby Olson book and I'm looking forward to reading more. I'd love to find out what happens next!
This is my first Quenby Olson book and I'm looking forward to reading more. I'd love to find out what happens next!
October 16, 2016
Sweet!
This is a sweet, short romance. Well written and entertaining. It took less than an hour to read but I enjoyed it.
This is a sweet, short romance. Well written and entertaining. It took less than an hour to read but I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews