What’s Yours is Mine by Jennifer Jabaley-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 5, 2025

Determined daughters. Controlling mothers. There’s no such thing as friendly competition in a twisty novel of suspense about ambition, revenge, and unrealized dreams.

Valerie Yarnell is a hardworking single mother who’d do anything for her daughter, Kate. Kate is a dancer with dreams of stardom, just like her talented best friend, Colette. Despite Valerie’s sacrifices, it’s Colette’s mother, former prima ballerina Elise, whom Kate adores. And Colette has become like the practically perfect sister Kate never had. How can Valerie not feel frustrated, ineffectual, and a little jealous of the queen bee of dance moms? Not only has she hijacked her daughter, but Elise is married to the man Valerie pines for.

Rivalries are forming. Tension is mounting. In preparation for an elite dance competition, Kate outshines the more promising Colette onstage, and the pressure is on for Colette to keep her position in the spotlight—and especially to keep her demanding mother happy. Who could have foreseen the violent attack that sabotages everything? Anyone who’s been watching closely.

As ruthless and sinister ambitions are exposed, a media firestorm and an explosive town scandal erupt. Before it’s over, two mothers and two daughters will learn just how fierce and dangerous a rivalry can still get.

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REVIEW: WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE by Jennifer Jabaley is an adult contemporary, suspense thriller focusing on two mother-daughter duos and a dance rivalry that will shake up several friendships and destroy a marriage.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives (Valerie, Kate, Elise, Colette) WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE follows several antagonistic friendships as former prima ballerina Elise Carrington strives to push her daughter to the top. Living vicariously through the success of her fifteen year old daughter Colette, Elise fuels the fires of jealousy and betrayal in an effort to secure her daughter’s top position at the annual gala, all the while , watching from the sidelines as her own marriage implodes. Meanwhile, ob-gyn nurse and single mother Valerie Yarnell’s daughter Kate’s young dance career is on the rise but Elise’s need for her own daughter to succeed threatens Valerie’s friendships, and relationship with her own daughter Kate. Kate’s success poses a threat to Colette’s future as betrayal comes at a cost, vengeance is deadly and dark.

The world building focuses on manipulation and obsession, betrayal and vengeance, jealousy and rage. Two mothers, two daughters, and a fight for the title of star leads to a dangerous combination of resentment and wrath. Akin to the 1991 Texas Cheerleader Murder Plot ™, The Pom-Pom Mom™, Harding-Kerrigan rivalry, and Dance Moms™ television series, the need for publicity, professional branding, stardom, fame and popularity fuels the flames of delusion and mania, a need to win at all costs even in the face of losing it all.

WHAT’S YOURS IS MINE is a complex, detailed and dark story of jealousy and rivalry, competition and lost friendships. The premise is multi-layered and theatrical; the characters are over the top and unlikeable, yet familiar and real.

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Reviewed by Sandy