Thanks to Bree from @inloveandwords for recommending this book.

When Thora James fails the audition for Aerial Ethereal (like Cirque du Soleil), she wonders if her trip to Las Vegas was all for nothing, but when the star of Amour Amour, Nicolai Kotova, offers to train her, she decides to stay until January when she can audition again, but that means leaving everything she has ever known behind and lying to her family and friends about what she is doing. As she and Nik spend more time together training, they begin a more physical relationship and Thora gets closer to the entire Kotova family. As challenges mount, Thora begins to wonder if she has made the right choices.

The Failed Audition is the first book that I've read by Krista and Becca Ritchie, and I now understand why their books get so much praise. This story is engrossing and the characters are well defined, but in this particular plot line, I'm not sure I like the character arc of Thora or the character of Nicolai. However, the background of the Cirque du Soleil - like show is fascinating and Nicolai's family is fun and engaging. There is plenty of drama and angst throughout the book with some very tension filled steamy scenes that add to the story. Overall, The Failed Audition (Also known as Amour, Amour) is an extremely well written romance with unique characters and a fun plot. ( )

Fan-flipping-tastic!!!!

Holy Russian God, I devoured this book in one sitting... In so many was it was similar to other romance novels, but at the same time it was so completely different. I loved how in most stories boy resists a relationship for the sake of the girl, and they usually dance around what they really want for a super annoying amount of time, but with this story Nik was so amazingly hot and just told her straight up. Thora on the other hand was a little more resilient which is often unheard of in romance novels. I loved all the characters, they were so funny, sweet and just good. I was slightly concerned on them not using protection, I kept thinking she was gonna end up knocked and eff up her entire career....

The plot was also unlike anything I have read, I am a huge fan of the circus/gymnastics and add Russian hotties whoa (fanning self). The story was amazing, I would totally recommend ( )

First of all, I have to start with the obligatory disclaimer that I've loved everything I've ever read by Krista & Becca Ritchie. So it should come as no surprise that I adored Amour Amour as well. I also should mention that I'm a little shallow when it comes to the books I pick out of the to-be-read pile, and I only picked this one because of the beautiful cover.

Now that that's out of the way, on to the review.

Thora James has one goal: to perform for Aerial Ethereal, a Las Vegas-based circus. When she learns that their new production, Amour, needs a new performer on the aerial silks, she hops on the first plane out of Ohio, leaving behind the comfort and safety of her school, friends, and family. Thora takes a lot of criticism from her friends and family, all of whom think that she's making a huge mistake. She's told time and time again that she should stick to what she knows, she should finish her schooling first, she shouldn't waste her time and money auditioning for a role she's never going to get.

Thora auditions. She does great. But she doesn't get the part. She's then stuck with a huge decision -- does she stay in Vegas to train with Amour's lead acrobat in hopes of making it in next year's auditions, or does she suck it up, say she tried, and go back home?

There wouldn't be much of a story if she went back home, would there?

I really enjoyed this story. All around. The plot, the characters, the character development. Everything. And sure, Thora's great. She's believable, relatable, and easy to root for. But the Kotovas really stole the show for me.

Nikolai is an awesome hero. He's such a good guy, and so, so focused on doing what's best for everybody else. He loves Thora, but he would rather have her succeed away from him than miss out on her dreams with him. He also acts as the patriarch of his enormous extended family, keeping the younger kids out of trouble and keeping everybody else on track.

One of the best things about the books by Krista & Becca Ritchie is that all the characters are really well thought out. Not just the hero and heroine, but all the side characters as well. Everybody has their own story, and everybody contributes to the plot. I cared about everybody, from Camila, the bartender who let Thora sleep on her couch until she got on her feet, to Timo, Nikolai's wild and carefree younger brother.

This book is just really, really great and I would highly recommend it for any fans of the new adult genre. It's a perfect example of what new adult should be -- discovering your true self, following your dreams, and falling in love. ( )

This book was really good. The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because it kind of dragged on. I wish it were a little more fast paced, but it was still really well written story! ( )

4 AMOUR STARS

"Love is a circus"

Ok now i have to confess that i have a huge crush on Ritchie Sister's writing. It was the first book i read by them and i loved it. There are some authors, when you read their first book you crave to read their other books. They are one of those authors.
This story was unique (at least for me) because it was the first book i read on Circus theme so it intrigued me more.

Thora James leaves her college, her family, her best friend and goes to Vegas to follow her dreams, hoping to get a role in Amour, a famous Russian Acrobatic Show. On her first night in Vegas, she encounters the lead star of Amour, God-of-Russia, Nikolai Kotova. There starts their story of love & passion for acrobatic art and each other :)

“Every day,” he says lowly, “I hold a person’s life in my hands. The circus is based one-hundred percent off trust. I give it all to someone, and they give it all to me. I’m asking you, right now, to trust me.”

I loved the character of Nik Kotova, he is so caring, mature, responsible, passionate and just the perfect guy.

“I’m in love with you,” I whisper.
He tries to smile but his eyes flood instead. “Don’t love me more than your dreams, myshka. Because I love you too much to let you give them up for me.”

One of the best parts of the book were the characters of John and Kotova Siblings, their affection, their care and the way they tease each other. I loved Thora's audition part as well. I was unable to control my smile :) :)




This book was very enthusiastic and strong. Very remarkable, romance & sex never being the main focus. The way Thora struggles to follow her dreams, suffering all good and bad, never feeling weak or let down, never backing off, is commendable. It gives the strong message of self-motivation and consistency in achieving your dreams.

I loved it ( )