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The Chase #1

The Dance

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From USA Today bestselling author Kimberly Knight, comes a story that will leave you speechless. You may think you know where it will go, but be prepared for it to sneak up and capture your heart.

A bartender with a plan …
Playboy Blake Montgomery is determined to veer far from his brother's shadow and live his life carefree and full of fun. If there's a party, he's there. Hellbent on opening a nightclub that rocks, Blake has no intention of falling in love and derailing his plans.

A dancer with a goal …
Stacey McCoy isn’t going to let the past stop her from achieving her goals. Like a phoenix, she'll rise from the ashes and make something of herself come hell or high water. With plans of being a backup dancer for a pop star, Stacey's on her way to success with nothing stopping her.

A billionaire tech mogul with a challenge …
Eddie Bryant is living the dream with a fat wallet and a lucrative enterprise that has him set for life. But when the truth surfaces about his business partner, Eddie's life turns into a nightmare. Knowing the woman he's been in love with since high school has suffered, he feels responsible and will do anything to make up for it.

As the bartender, the dancer and the tech mogul navigate the rocky waters of their lives, one secret complicates all of their futures. If it takes two to tango, who's going to sit this dance out?


Tropes included in this book: Fling to love, Guy who eventually gets a book, love triangle, billionaire, afraid to commit, all grown up, first love, reunion romance

260 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 12, 2022

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About the author

Kimberly Knight

83 books2,963 followers
Kimberly Knight is a USA Today Bestselling author who lives in the Central Valley of California with her loving husband, who is a great research assistant, and young daughter, who keeps Kimberly on her toes. Kimberly writes in a variety of genres, including romantic suspense, contemporary romance, erotic romance, and paranormal romance. Her books will make you laugh, cry, swoon, and fall in love before she throws you curve balls you never see coming.

When Kimberly isn’t writing, you can find her watching her favorite reality TV shows, including cooking competitions, binge-watching true crime documentaries, and going to San Francisco Giants games. She’s also a two-time desmoid tumor/cancer fighter, which has made her stronger and an inspiration to her fans.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
Profile Image for Allyson.
485 reviews49 followers
December 13, 2022
Wowziers what a twist and turn tangled love stories. Yes stories because there is more than two people in love. There are some triggers in this story so be ready for that. This also ends in a cliffhanger but as always Kimberly's story telling kept me glued to the pages.
Profile Image for Kari Hansen.
11.3k reviews93 followers
December 19, 2022
Stacy dreams of becoming a professional dancer however she is finding it more difficult to break into the field than she expected. When she meets Blake a friendship and a casual physical relationship ensues however finances also become an issue which leads her to an unlikely job and a devastating event. Blake is there when she needs someone the most however the reappearance of a man from her past complicates everything.

Blake has dreams of his own for his future and is trying to work towards them. When it comes to his family, he has always felt like he wasn’t enough but with Stacy it feels different however love or life is full of surprises and twists you don’t see coming.

I enjoyed the first part of Stacy’s story as she is torn between the man in her past and the man in her present and am looking forward to seeing what happens next for all three of them.
Profile Image for Katy.
229 reviews3 followers
December 11, 2022
Stacy is a free spirit. A dancer at heart, but her practical side had sent her to college for a degree in business with a miner in dance. She still had little more than a year left at college. She’d gone to a couple of auditions but hadn’t placed in either. The plan had been to finish school and then find a job. Hopefully as a backup dancer for a group, but if not, she’d have her degree in business.

Blake was a bartender at the Wild Pony Bar. He had a dream too. He wanted to own his own bar or possibly a club, but raising the money needed for his venture was slow going. He’d been walking in the shadow of his older, very successful, brother for some time now making it hard for him to seriously focus on anything, but his dream.

Stacy and Blake had been spending some recreational time together when they needed to let off steam. And he was good at listening when she needed to talk.

Stacy’s Mom was paying her part of the rent on the apartment, she shared with her friend Molly. When out of the blue her mom called with the bad news that her business had fallen off to the point where she would have to close it soon. Both she and her mom would be in trouble if that happened. It was time for Stacy to step up, try to help give her mom’s business a boost with some new marketing ideas. Soon going to school during the week and helping her mom on weekends started to take its toll on her energy.

In the end it was Molly who suggested a solution for Stacy’s shortage of funds, that might keep her in school and pay the rent. She introduced her to Sweethearts, a high-end escort service, that paid very well if you were willing to play the game. And she was in…

Blake had asked Stacy to go with him when he visited with his family a couple times to keep his parents from harping on his lack of ambition, higher education and single state. She’d done it, even If, she didn’t agree with his strategy. It was one of the reason’s she had told him about her work with Sweethearts. Until the night she came to the bar to find him after one of the men she dated turned out to be a rapist… leaving her battered, beaten and terrified. He was the one to comfort her, try to get her to report the man and finally took her home and helped her forget.

Then Stacy ran into Eddie, an old friend, the son of a man her mother had lived with when she and Eddie had been teens and their lives took another sharp turn. Eddie had loved Stacy as a teen and wanted to try again to reach her.

The tale takes place over several years, with long stretches between seeing each other, picking up months later. Their lives change and each tend to go their own way at times only to come back together again. There are triggers such as rape, high-end escort services, spicy scenes with open doors and abuse. But the story has heart, characters gradually change trying to learn from past mistakes. There is heartbreak and at times each of them lets the other down. Their lives mesh off and on, but each of the characters have a way to go before they can find themselves on a path to a better life. But will they ever end up on the same path wanting the same thing, at the same time? The last page isn’t the end of the story, for me the cliffhanger was heartbreaking. The story will continue with the next book.

This is a book I probably wouldn’t have picked up on my own if I hadn’t been given an advanced copy to read and review. I can’t pinpoint any particular part of the tale when I realized that I really cared about the characters and wanted a happy ending for all of them. I recognized their pain and understood some of the poor decision making while struggling to make their lives work and their dreams come true. I recommend this story if you can get past the triggers, because for me the people felt real; the story snuck up on me, wrapping itself around me, drawing me in.

I gave it four stars only because I found the blank time slots a bit disorienting to the flow of the story for me.
Profile Image for Lita Thomas.
1,513 reviews25 followers
December 10, 2022
The Dance( The Chase #1) by Kimberly Knight. This story is something else. Blake is the black sheep of his family a constant disappointment. Blake has dreams and would love to come from dehind the shadow of his perfect brother. Stacey happens to come across Blake as he is bartending and they strike up an extremely unconventional relationship. What started out as passing Stacey off as his girlfriend changed in friends with the occasional booty call to wanting something more. Neither had a desire for a conventional relationship but things change. While trying to figure out their relationship, someone from Stacey's past put a monkey wrench in their life. So much was going on with this book. The back and forth made for an interesting story. And baby!!!!The ending blew my hair back. Not to sure how I feel about Stacy, but I felt for Blake. Trying to live in a older more put together and perfect sibling is a hard act to follow. Love me some Blake. 4 stars for me. Looking forward to the conclusion to thier story.
2,612 reviews50 followers
December 12, 2022
I have never enjoyed a love triangle as much as I did in The Dance. The author wrote a dramatic story that had me feel like I was watching a tennis match of romance, had my mouth dropping, had me cringing and left me in shock. It is safe to say that The Dance has all the feels.

I have been waiting for Blake's story. And now that I have it, I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Blake lives in the shadow of his successful brother. No matter what he does, he still can't come close to his brother. Blake is working as a bartender trying to save, trying to learn, trying to move forward without committing to his future. Blake has a problem. He makes stupid mistakes.

Blake begins a unique relationship with Stacey, a university student. There is no commitment which is just the way Blake likes it. They could go months and months without seeing each other and then tear up the sheets.

Friends with benefits is not without challenges. Eddie coming back into Stacey's life after so many years is much more than a complication. Now she has two men popping in and out of her life. Get out a score card. You are going to need it. All the drama had me staying up into the night. The horrors had me devouring the pages.

The Dance isn't just a simply a love triangle. It is a tragedy. Stacey experiences firsthand the evils that exist in the world. She is working hard trying to make it, trying to survive. When her world comes tumbling down; Blake is there. When she crashes; Eddie is there to support her. But will either of them be by her side long term? Be prepared to be blown away by what is Stacey's life.
Profile Image for Mariana Lee.
660 reviews18 followers
December 11, 2022
What can I say?!… great story. This book is simply brilliant, great characters, romance, sexiness, friendship, love triangle - I couldn’t but it down!! The only downside is the cliffhanger… I need the next book NOW!!!! If you are looking for a book that has it all, you won’t be disappointed with this one.
1,790 reviews6 followers
November 30, 2022
Great story by an author who never disappoints. Stacey and Blake are annoying and whiny at times but they are made for each other. This story is full of twists and turns and ends in a cliff hanger.
Profile Image for Kristin Wolter.
436 reviews2 followers
December 7, 2022
I have been waiting for Blake's book to come out and I can say I normally don't like cliffhangers but this one is worth reading. You won't be disappointed if you read this book. Can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Cindy Fong.
1,905 reviews
December 9, 2022
Stacey and Blake's push and pull drags you completely into the story. The Eddie component adds more angst. Just when you think you know what will happen, the story turns on a dime. There is so much goodness in this story. Fair warning, the ending may make you want to throw your device.
Profile Image for Alys Baldwin.
207 reviews
March 28, 2023
The story was good. I’m not a fan of one chapter his side the next chapter hers. This also having multi people changing every chapter. The book also leaves you with a cliffhanger.
December 14, 2022
I'm at a loss for words even 24 hours after finishing The Dance. Saying "wow," which is the first thing that comes to mind, doesn't do it justice. I'm not sure how to describe it, but this is a journey. A book that calls you to go in blind and enjoy every word. To be open, because what you think you know probably is not it. Is it really a love triangle?

The book develops over the span of years, starting when Stacey turns 21 and meets Blake, a bartender at the Wild Pony. Both are young and with big dreams. She is in college and wants to become a backup dancer while he is saving with the goal of opening his own nightclub. They strike an unconventional friendship, made up of occasional meet-ups and then not seeing nor talking to each other for months.

They are both carefree, committed to their careers, and are not looking for relationships. But life works in mysterious ways. When Stacey is at her lowest, she runs into Eddie. And he is her knight in shining armor. Completely swoony. It all makes sense and then... then you need to read this book. Because, as I said at the beginning, things are not what you expect.

In the first part of the story, I was team Blake, then team Eddie, to change again, and by the end, yeah, I didn't see that coming. So I'll be here patiently waiting for book 2. What an outstanding ride it has been so far. Probably my favorite Kimberly Knight book to date!
Profile Image for Jenny.
802 reviews17 followers
December 22, 2022
Following your dreams.

I have been waiting for Blake’s story and this extremely talented author did NOT disappoint. My emotions took a hard hit, but this book was well worth it. Blake and Stacy went through some heartbreaking times, but watching them come out of each situation stronger had my heart smiling. After the punch the author threw at the end, I need March to be here NOW. I cannot wait to see how their journey ends. A wonderful and amazing must read!!!!
Profile Image for Jaime Reynolds.
1,885 reviews22 followers
December 3, 2022
What a story!!! It was so not what I expected and I loved every minute. Let me rephrase…I thought the story was going one way and it twists and you can’t put your kindle down. The characters had me twitching at times and then other times the heat was intense. Grab this and read it. I need more asap.
Profile Image for Stacy.
446 reviews9 followers
December 13, 2022
This book is full of all the feels. You laugh, you cry, you want to kick someone's @ss. Blake feels like he is a disappointment to his parents and always in his big brother's shadow of the perfect son. Blake has dreams of opening his own club and making something of himself but he keeps it all to himself until he meets Stacey.
Stacey is a dancer through and through. She lives to dance and be a backup dancer to a big-name artist who she will tour the world with but that will all come after she finishes college. To make her parents happy she goes to school and majors in business and minors in dance.
Stacey and Blake have a great connection and along the way their friendship evolves. They both know what they want in life and neither see a committed relationship in their future, so they have the perfect thing going until Stacey's life is turned upside down and Blake wants to help.
In comes Eddie and now Stacey has to decide between the nerdy hot guy and the sexy bad boy. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I can't wait to see what happens next for Blake.
Profile Image for Jennifer Pierson.
11.7k reviews178 followers
December 12, 2022
I'm a HUGE fan of Kimberly Knight, so I knew I would love The Dance before I opened it, and after finishing it, I was proven right in my love for this story. Poor Blake, he wants a completely different future from what's expected of him as he's living in the shadow of his brother, the golden child who's a football star. He's working as a bartender to save money to own his own club someday, but of course it's not an easy task. Stacey is a dancer who has her own dreams, and she even has a backup plan before graduating college but it's not going well that's for sure. Her roommate talks her into a temporary job which isn't the best, and things happen that I painfully experienced with Stacey. On the side, Blake & Stacey work out their frustrations with each other from time to time, and he ends up becoming a sounding board for her. Their chemistry was crazy intense, so maybe just maybe feelings to follow but I'll never tell. I devoured this emotionally charged book with the kicker of heat in one sitting & CANNOT WAIT for more! HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Profile Image for Jennifer Soppe.
2,251 reviews13 followers
December 15, 2022
Set my insides all a flutter with both butterflies and mosquitos

Blake, a bartender and somewhat black sheep of the family, sees Stacey, a college student, at the bar he works at on her 21st birthday and she sticks out in his mind as someone different. As the story progresses they meet again in an unlikely place, a lie is told to help save face, and some choices made could change their pace. The Dance set my insides all a flutter with both butterflies and mosquitos. There are quite a few surprises in store for the reader. This book does end in a cliffhanger, so if you aren’t a fan of those I recommend reading when the other book comes out. Reader discretion advised due to dark subject matter and/or possible triggers.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
Profile Image for Tasha Talks Books Blog.
1,121 reviews35 followers
December 18, 2022
Wow

F@#$!!! This book just took me for a ride! Like a fast one, can't reach the brakes, WTF is going on here ride! Then the story stomped on it's brakes so hard I banged my head against the seat bc OMG 😱! This story was not like any other that KK has written before and it's like a drug... I need more and I'm scared for more 😳 Poor Blake! I love you Blake!
27 reviews
December 13, 2022
Finally, it's Blake's side of the story! When I read Where I Need to Be (and its sequels), I had a poor opinion of Blake, seeing him as the problem child, and couldn't truly connect with him as a character. Hoo-boy, was I wrong! Yes, Blake still has a curious outlook about life and relationships--and he's definitely got a massive inferiority complex because of his "perfect" brother--but I loved seeing the world through his eyes, and was finally able to empathize with him. Watching him grow as a person, finally maturing, and realizing it was OK to let someone in, was [chef's kiss] amazing. I love a bad/wounded man who finds himself. I loved, loved, loved this book and highly recommend!

My only problem with this book? It ended...and now I'm chomping at the bit for part 2!!
Profile Image for LLS.
855 reviews20 followers
December 12, 2022
This was another solid offering from this author. Blake has plans to own a nightclub no matter what it takes. He has no plans for a love life in order to make this happen. Enter Stacey. Despite his plans, he is drawn to her. Stacey has plans of her own. She is determined to be a backup dancer for a pop star and will make it happen. Their story is made even more difficult when Eddie joins the mix causing more drama. And that cliffhanger? Aargh! Can't wait for the next book!

Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
Profile Image for Jenny.
330 reviews
December 14, 2022
Have you ever been reading a book and want to reach through and strangle the characters because of the choices they’re making? That was me and this book. Don’t get me started on that ending. *bleep bleep bleep* I get that it’s a cliffhanger because it’s part of a duet, but argh!

I definitely got sucked into the story.
Profile Image for Kelly Palmer.
816 reviews2 followers
December 14, 2022
Head spin!

I was lucky enough to receive this book as an arc and it blew me away. This book gives you so many feelings! Laughter, anger, swooning and of course you fall in love with the characters but you'll so get so mad with the cliffhanger ending that you'll sell your first born to get the next book! Book hangover with this story! I loved every page!
Profile Image for Kim.
536 reviews
December 12, 2022
OMG! I’m speechless. Not only did I plow through this book in one day but I was totally not expecting THAT! Brandon and Stacey were always one of those couples that you never knew if they were together at that moment or not when reading the Club 24 series. This book brings the truth of it to the front. It does end on a cliffhanger so I’m going to need Kimberly to go ahead and send that 2nd book on over to me. LOL
December 12, 2022
When Blake meets Stacy it becomes apparent they have spark but neither are looking for a relationship. Blake wants to open his own nightclub and Stacy wants to become an backing dancer and tour the world. They catch up every few months and their sexual encounters are no strings attached. Will things always be this way? Well you'll have to read to find out!

The Dance is a great story, full of twists and turns and just when you think you know whats next it flips and turns you upside down.
Profile Image for Read.Review.Repeat Blog.
5,643 reviews98 followers
December 13, 2022
Stacey and Blake's push and pull drags you completely into the story. The Eddie component adds more angst. Just when you think you know what will happen, the story turns on a dime. There is so much goodness in this story. Fair warning, the ending may make you want to throw your device.
Profile Image for Andrea.
173 reviews1 follower
June 15, 2023
What can I say about The Dance, apart from it was amazing! I have read all of Kimberly Knights books and this one has all the feels and a cliffhanger too, thanks for that 😂 but seriously, if you are in the market for a wonderful storyline that has you hooked from the first word, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend this book and I think it’s worth 10 ⭐️. I’m so excited to read the next book.
Profile Image for Nicole.
513 reviews17 followers
March 15, 2023
The Dance is a spicy tale filled with turmoil, angst, and suspense. The back and forth activity between the main characters Blake and Stacey had my head swiveling from side to side like I was courtside at a U.S. Open tennis match. The action is fast, heated, and intense.

The metaphorical tennis ball of plot activity traveled back and forth across the net at dizzying speeds. I could barely keep up. Then suddenly, the ball hit a rough patch and spun off at a trajectory that was completely unexpected. I was left stunned and disappointed by a rain delay. My expectation of a happy ending was not fulfilled in this installment of the duet.

Blake and Stacy are in their twentys, and neither is looking for a committed relationship. They click with each other, and each has their own life goal they are working toward. The pursuit of these goals does not deter them from experiencing as much pleasure as they can from life and each other along the way. One of the best parts of reading this story was seeing how they supported each other in their life journeys.

The family dynamics for Blake and Stacey were quite interesting and diverse. These different familial backgrounds directly affected how each character approached life, their choices, and the achievement of their goals.

Kimberly Knight did a good job of keeping the action exciting and interesting. The characters and their situations are definitely not mundane. It will be quite exciting to see exactly where Blake and Stacey's journey will end in the second installment of this duet. I am glad the wait will not be long.
Profile Image for Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat.
1,230 reviews11 followers
March 16, 2023
WOW, what a story! You are taken into the lives of Stacey and Blake over a period of about 7 years.

Blake tries to live his life under his brother's shadow, everything Brandon touches turns to gold. Blake himself is more of one who puts life first with all its delights but underneath he really does have wishes. He doesn't want to be a bartender all his life, but one day he wants to open his own nightclub. He comes across as laissez fair but certainly has depth.
Stacey is a young woman who has a clear vision of what she wants; be a dancer for a famous pop artist. Her studies are threatened by a lack of money until her roommate tells her that as a sugar baby she can earn money as an escort.

Stacey and Blake meet when she turns 21 and drinks at the bar where Blake works as a bartender. Every time they meet it is a few months later and their contacts are sexual without entering into a relationship. The story tells what both go through independently and their encounters in between. Tracey achieves her dream, Blake is still struggling to get under his brother's shadow. Stacey enters a serious relationship and Blake realizes what he's let go.

The ending is romantic and seems to be heading for a HEA. Until the cliffhanger with which the story ends with a big bang. It doesn't happen to me often but I had to shed a tear because Blake and Stacey don't end up together...
So curious how their story continues in Shameless

Thanks to Kimberly Knight for providing an ARC and writing this story. My review was given voluntarily
Profile Image for Misty (Reds Romance Reviews).
3,279 reviews6 followers
January 30, 2023
Blake Montgomery is tired of living in the shadow of his very famous and successful brother, he wants his own successes to stand on.. but in order to make that dream happen he needs money. Money that he doesn't have, but that doesn't stop him from working hard and dreaming. But then he meets Stacy and as much as he tries to maintain their relationship is just a simple friends with benefits thing he realizes that it's more than that...a forever kind of thing. And now his future is starting to take on a new shape..

But Stacy is too caught up in her own dreams and busy life to think about forever's... not to mention the other man in her life!

The Dance is the perfect title for this one, in more ways than one, I like to think it is in reference to the dance between these characters, and the indecision that surrounds Stacy and the two guys after her heart. This is one of those stories that becomes an addiction, once you start reading it it is almost impossible to stop... then there was that cliffhanger ending!! I cannot wait to see what the second installment holds for these characters, I am hoping a well deserved happily ever after!!

I loved what I found between the pages of this one, it's well penned words took me on a heart-wrenching journey I won't soon forget... and left me craving a conclusion that can't come soon enough! Highly recommend!!
Profile Image for Erin Figueiredo.
3,425 reviews76 followers
December 12, 2022
The Dance was an interesting, angst and drama filled story that had me fully captivated with it right from the start. It is a fast-paced story and months pass between each time the main characters actually see each other, but I loved that about it, and there was no need to add extra filler during that time frame. The characters get time to grow without each other.

Blake and Stacey have an instant connection and their chemistry was amazing but both of them are in different places in their lives and neither wants a relationship at this moment. So, friends with benefits it is. They have funny and intense back and forth banter that was always filled with sexual innuendos, leaving me melting. Their lives take some different turns, which kept me in suspense of will they or won’t they actually end up together.

Great story with amazing characters, all kinds of drama and angst, and a twist at the end that left me reeling on what the hell is going to happen now.

I can’t wait for the conclusion of their story. I need to know, will they or won’t they get their well deserved happy ever after together or apart.
Profile Image for Michele A..
3,015 reviews15 followers
February 5, 2023
Blake and Stacey meet on her 21st birthday. He is the bartender who pours her first Long Island Iced Tea. She then proceeds to get drunk with her friend and that's the end of their first interaction. They then see each other again and he has his family under the impression that they are seeing each other steadily. His constant complaining about this brother's success is just plain wrong and it gets old really fast. Stacey also has some issues and whines and complains when her mother can no longer pay for her college and rent. They both came off too whiny and spoiled and immature. Stacey's choice in how to get money fast was not my cup of tea, but I was like she did what she thought she had to do. I will say her view of it was distorted and not reality. Blake continued to see her, even after knowing what she was doing. I found both of them to be people I would not want my children hanging around. I am not a fan of cheating and this book had that in spades. I kept waiting for Stacey to grow up and it didn't happen. I just know that the cliffhanger was the final straw for me. I felt like I slogged through a whole bunch of angst for nothing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews

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