Laura Moher's Reviews > Take the Lead
Take the Lead (Dance Off, #1)
by
by
"Take the Lead" shored up my belief that being on a reality show would be my personal version of hell. No privacy, lots of subterfuge and back-stabbing and misleading portrayals of situations and relationships... No thank you very much.
But that setting is a perfect pressure cooker for a romance novel. The situation--in which even the participants can't be sure what's real and what's fake, or even who they really are and what they really want--ramps up the tension in what might otherwise be a straightforward insta-love story.
Big stoic Stone, on loan from one reality show to another, agrees to participate in a celebrity dancing competition only because his family needs the money. He would rather be off by himself somewhere fresh and clean where he doesn't have to play any role that seems fake or unnatural. But his professional dance partner Gina is fresh and bubbly and kind and fun, beautiful and talented and an excellent teacher who brings out the best in Stone in more than just his dancing.
Their physical attraction is instantaneous, heightened by the constant close physical contact of dancing, and we see them begin to appreciate and fall for each other, even though their end goals and dreams make a life together seem impossible. Their relationship grows, but Gina has to guard her professional reputation against those who would stereotype and discount her as a promiscuous fiery Latina. She is a warm, lovely, lovable person, but she is determined to not make her mother's mistake of prioritizing a man over her career. Meanwhile Stone is reveling in his new, freer, feelings and ability to be his true self with her. He'd like to shout their relationship to the rooftops.
So even as we like and respect both characters and their affectionate, loving, steamy, protective relationship, the conflict is always there under the surface, growing to an inevitable blowup.
"Take the Lead" gives an interesting backstage view of reality shows and the pressures and difficult choices they bring participants. It's a fun, steamy read with easy-to-care-for main characters. I would have liked more back story so I could really feel Stone and Gina's internal conflicts and better understand the way they are when we meet them, but this was an enjoyable read.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
But that setting is a perfect pressure cooker for a romance novel. The situation--in which even the participants can't be sure what's real and what's fake, or even who they really are and what they really want--ramps up the tension in what might otherwise be a straightforward insta-love story.
Big stoic Stone, on loan from one reality show to another, agrees to participate in a celebrity dancing competition only because his family needs the money. He would rather be off by himself somewhere fresh and clean where he doesn't have to play any role that seems fake or unnatural. But his professional dance partner Gina is fresh and bubbly and kind and fun, beautiful and talented and an excellent teacher who brings out the best in Stone in more than just his dancing.
Their physical attraction is instantaneous, heightened by the constant close physical contact of dancing, and we see them begin to appreciate and fall for each other, even though their end goals and dreams make a life together seem impossible. Their relationship grows, but Gina has to guard her professional reputation against those who would stereotype and discount her as a promiscuous fiery Latina. She is a warm, lovely, lovable person, but she is determined to not make her mother's mistake of prioritizing a man over her career. Meanwhile Stone is reveling in his new, freer, feelings and ability to be his true self with her. He'd like to shout their relationship to the rooftops.
So even as we like and respect both characters and their affectionate, loving, steamy, protective relationship, the conflict is always there under the surface, growing to an inevitable blowup.
"Take the Lead" gives an interesting backstage view of reality shows and the pressures and difficult choices they bring participants. It's a fun, steamy read with easy-to-care-for main characters. I would have liked more back story so I could really feel Stone and Gina's internal conflicts and better understand the way they are when we meet them, but this was an enjoyable read.
4.5 stars, rounded to 5
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Reading Progress
March 20, 2023
–
Started Reading
March 23, 2023
– Shelved
March 23, 2023
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Finished Reading