Name: Take the Lead
ISBN: 9781250175588

Alexis Daria

Named one of the Best Romances of 2017 by Entertainment Weekly and The Washington Post! A 2018 RITA® winner for Best First Book! “A sparkling debut.” —Entertainment Weekly “Vibrantly written.” —The Washington Post The first in a sizzling new series about finding love on and off the dance floor from #OwnVoices author Alexis Daria. Gina Morales wants to win. It’s her fifth season on The Dance Off, a top-rated network TV celebrity dance competition, and she’s never even made it to the finals. When she meets her latest partner, she sees her chance. He's handsome, rippling with muscles, and he stars on the popular Alaskan wilderness reality show Living Wild. With his sexy physique and name recognition, she thinks he’s her ticket to the finals—until she realizes they’re being set up. Stone Nielson hates Los Angeles, he hates reality TV, and he hates that fact that he had to join the cast of the The Dance Off because of family obligations. He can’t wait to get back to Alaska, but he also can’t deny his growing attraction to his bubbly Puerto Rican dance partner. Neither of them are looking for romantic entanglements, and Stone can’t risk revealing his secrets, but as they heat up the dance floor, it’s only a matter of time until he feels an overwhelming urge to take the lead. When the tabloids catch on to their developing romance, the spotlight threatens to ruin not just their relationship, but their careers and their shot at the trophy. Gina and Stone will have to decide if their priorities lie with fame, fortune, or the chance at a future together. The second Dance Off novel, Dance With Me, is available now!

A Dance Off Novel

Take the Lead

A Dance-Off Novel

big ab

as an avid dancing w the stars fan, this book was so fucking funny.

Sara Uribe

Petaco

Did you know that Gina was Puerto Rican? I couldn't tell at all after reading this. /s

I think think book would appeal to people who like dramas and reality tv. It was way too much drama for me. Ending was neat and tidy, which was nice. All could have been avoided just by not being so extra in the first place.

Gina Morales isn't too sure about the Alaskan mountain man who is scheduled to be her partner on the next season of Dance Off (Dancing with the Stars clone). Stone Nielson has starred with his family in a reality show of his own called Living Wild.  Stone's decision to participate in a season of Dance Off has more to do with paying the bills for his mother's hip replacement surgery than it does with the desire to dance on television.  When Stone meets Gina, he discovers that it will be difficult to resist her allure, but he knows from the outset that the city girl would never fit into the lifestyle that he lives in Alaska, but their chemistry is undeniable, even to the producers and other contestants on the show.

Take the Lead takes a different approach to competitive reality shows than many other romance novels.  For the most part, both main characters are honest with each other about their lives and desires, but it is the shows producer who fills the role of "bad guy." As a result, the third act conflict is a little weak, leaving the ending somewhat soft.  However, the descriptions of the dances for each week's episodes are compelling and fun.  The characters are not as deeply developed as they could have been and the plot is a bit light, but overall Take the Lead is an entertaining romance and enjoyable story. 

Lynn Braden

Gina Morales isn't too sure about the Alaskan mountain man who is scheduled to be her partner on the next season of Dance Off (Dancing with the Stars clone). Stone Nielson has starred with his family in a reality show of his own called Living Wild.  Stone's decision to participate in a season of Dance Off has more to do with paying the bills for his mother's hip replacement surgery than it does with the desire to dance on television.  When Stone meets Gina, he discovers that it will be difficult to resist her allure, but he knows from the outset that the city girl would never fit into the lifestyle that he lives in Alaska, but their chemistry is undeniable, even to the producers and other contestants on the show.

Take the Lead takes a different approach to competitive reality shows than many other romance novels.  For the most part, both main characters are honest with each other about their lives and desires, but it is the shows producer who fills the role of "bad guy." As a result, the third act conflict is a little weak, leaving the ending somewhat soft.  However, the descriptions of the dances for each week's episodes are compelling and fun.  The characters are not as deeply developed as they could have been and the plot is a bit light, but overall Take the Lead is an entertaining romance and enjoyable story. 

“If you’re the pro,” Stone said, doing his best to hold the position she’d put him in, “how am I supposed to lead you?” Gina ducked her head under his arm and peered up at him with an impish smile. “I’ll teach you.”

I think this is perfect if you are in the market for a diverse romance with a Dancing With The Stars style setting! You've got two characters that you want to root for, lots of pining, spice and a look at behind the scenes of reality tv. Plus Stone is MASSIVE, I totally would have watched that.

Thank you so much St. Martin's Griffin for an arc in exchange for an honest review! 

Kathryn

“If you’re the pro,” Stone said, doing his best to hold the position she’d put him in, “how am I supposed to lead you?” Gina ducked her head under his arm and peered up at him with an impish smile. “I’ll teach you.”

I think this is perfect if you are in the market for a diverse romance with a Dancing With The Stars style setting! You've got two characters that you want to root for, lots of pining, spice and a look at behind the scenes of reality tv. Plus Stone is MASSIVE, I totally would have watched that.

I think this was a cute debut! 

Thank you so much St. Martin's Griffin for an arc in exchange for an honest review! 

3/5 ⭐

An Alaskan wildness dude and a pro dance are partners on basically dancing with the stars. Producers want them to fake a showmance but do they even need to fake it?????

Brianna Foley

I had the opportunity to read an ARC(thanks NetGalley!) of this re-release of the author’s debut novel and it was great fun. I’ve read 3 others by Daria and really enjoy her storytelling style. 

I’ve never watched any reality style dance show before and now I kind of want to, but it wouldn’t be the same without Gina and Stone. What an adorable pair, navigating life and show business and how to pursue what they want out of life. 

The “final-act drama” wasn’t my favorite but I understand the use of such a trope. I felt things for the characters throughout the book and very much rooted for their happy ending.

Megan BV

I had the opportunity to read an ARC(thanks NetGalley!) of this re-release of the author’s debut novel and it was great fun. I’ve read 3 others by Daria and really enjoy her storytelling style. 

I’ve never watched any reality style dance show before and now I kind of want to, but it wouldn’t be the same without Gina and Stone. What an adorable pair, navigating life and show business and how to pursue what they want out of life. 

The “final-act drama” wasn’t my favorite but I understand the use of such a trope. I felt things for the characters throughout the book and very much rooted for their happy ending.

Originally published as an ebook in 2017, I was able to grab this new version through Netgally. Our author is republishing as a paperback and I’m so glad that I was able to find this story! Dancing with the Stars like show has our main character Stone and Gina thrown into a partnership. He’s from rural rugged Alaska and she’s a fiesty city girl. They quickly form and friendship and despite their differences and obstacles, dancing together for the show brings them closer together. Love is in the air. Secrets are being shared. Paparazzi threaten their relationship. It’s quite a roller coaster ride but I very much enjoyed their relationship. Cute banter, emotional plots, and a great cast of characters. If you love reality tv, dancing competitions, and a sizzling love story I would recommend this book. 

Lydia Power

Lauren Sullivan

Look, I have like zero interest in Dancing with the Stars or Strictly Come Dancing or, honestly, pretty much any reality show besides The Great British Bake-Off.  So, I'm not sure how Ms. Daria did it, but I was still absolutely swept away by the descriptions of the different dances and choreography.

Stone is the "strong, quiet, and serious" out of his seven siblings (it says so right on the show website!).  He hates his role on Living Wild, but goes along with it to help his family.  Gina is vivacious and affectionate and driven!  She loves being on The Dance Off and knows exactly what she wants out of life.  When the two dance partners come together, there's an instant attraction, and the slow build of their friendship and their relationship that follows is both sweet and hot!  Somehow the book made me simultaneously believe in their relationship and be on the edge of my seat because there's no way they can end up together.  Gina treats Stone like her dirty little secret, and she can't get over the optics of how it looks for her, especially as a Latina, to be sleeping with her partner.

I loved the growth of the characters, both individually and as a couple.  Ms. Daria did a wonderful job of showing us readers how they complement each other, and how each helps the other grow.  By the end of the book, they're truly better people than they started - they understand themselves better, and are more balanced on reaching their goals.

This is a lovely exploration of how expectations, both our own and others', can either tie us down or set us free.  Definitely recommended!

b.andherbooks

Ballroom dancer Gina has a "no love interest" clause in her contract with a "Dancing with the Stars" inspired reality show, but even she isn't prepared for the instant chemistry she has with her latest partner, reality star Stone. Stone only joins the show to help pay his mother's medical bills but is also immediately drawn to Gina. 

Their dancing lights up the TV and eventually the leads to sexy times. Gina wants to keep it secret, Stone just wants her. Is their love simply made for TV or for real?

A nice debut featuring a Puerto-Rican heroine, a man-bun sporting woodsman, and great steamy chemistry. 

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.

Jo H

4.5⭐️ Bring on ALL the men dancers please, there is not much that is sexier to me than a man who can strut his stuff.

WOW WOW WOW. Other than a few very minor niggles, this book was perfect for me. And nary a word against male dancers and how they are all sissy and gay (which BTW is not an insult!) being said. Especially for such a large wilderness type of guy that Stone is, it was so fucking amazing to see him open up and enjoy leaning on his creative and performance side without being harassed about how 'unmanly' it was. Apart from anything, people who express those views honestly make me laugh because they have NO FUCKING IDEA how disciplined a dancer in training needs to be, how hard the world of professional and/or competitive dance is and how strong a body needs to be, male or female.

Also, with all the fuckery & shenanigans that goes into creating a 'reality' TV show, this is the second book I've read this year that just reinforces my disinterest (which is putting it mildly lol) in that particular genre of TV, unless it is about creative competition which showcases actual skills and talent, in some form or another. 

Thank you to Alexis Daria for creating this swoony romance (with a lot of external and internal tension) within the confines of such a positive and exciting depiction of dance life and how diverse it can be. Gina is a pro ballroom dancer who also knows a lot of the history of most (all?) of the different styles she creates for the show, but she also choreographs, sings, acts and is aiming for a career in musical theatre and film... she wants to become a household name like her idol who seems to be a Jennifer Lopez type persona, and another thanks for a strong, capable and very sexy Beta Male character too.

Take the Lead A Dance Off Novel