Save Me by Anna Savas Review

 Title: Hold Me

Author: Anna Savas, translated by Anna Northup

Age Group: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Fiction/Romance

Series: The New England School of Ballet, book one

Star Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

I received an advanced reader copy ebook of this book through the publisher and Netgalley–thank you so much!

My goal in 2026 is to read a hundred books, and I’m trying to branch out into genres I don’t usually read. I requested this book on Netgalley, and new adult is a genre that I read very little of. But I was open, and I was so excited to read it when I got approved. I expected a romance, but this one went deep and strong, I really loved it. Was it angsty? Absolutely. But was it worth the pain? Totally. This book doesn’t shy away from hard topics, such as abuse, toxic familes, death, and abandonment. I adored this book, even as it made my cry and my heart shatter more than once. I love reading books about ballet, and a big part of this book’s appeal was that it took place mostly at a ballet school. The brutal physical work, the fierce competition, and the beauty of the art have captivated my imagination from the time I was a little girl. This book is one of my favorites of 2026, and I can’t wait for everyone else to read it!

Zoe and Jase. Jase and Zoe. Once best friends and a little more, they are ripped apart by more than one circumstance. A year passes, and the two are still thinking about one another. Their paths finally cross at The New England School of Ballet in Boston, and old feelings are stirred up, bittersweet and confusing. They are forced together as dance partners for the semester, and the old chemistry between them sparks again. Will Jase and Zoe find their way back to one another? Or will circumstances outside their control force them apart for good?

I really loved this book! I love dual points of view, especially in romance novels. The differing perspectives really deepened the book. I was immediately drawn in by Zoe and Jase’s voices, distinct and expressive. The pacing was really smooth, despite it being such a long book. This book is one of my favorites of the new year, and I really enjoyed it. I also loved the way the book didn’t shy away from difficult topics: family abuse, toxicity, abandonment and death. This book was gritty and lovely all at once, and I will never forget it! I hope someday, I can continue the series, because I just can’t forget Jase and Zoe’s story! The bottom line: Sexy, romantic, and full of grit, I loved Saved Me! Now I can’t wait to read more books about ballet!