I’m a big Alexis Daria fan and I really liked this book. Her characters always seem like real people that I would want to hang out with I thought the main love story was great and I didn’t want to stop reading.

When I first read Alexis Daria’s debut novel, Take the Lead, I knew she’d be a romance author I would follow. Now with the updated cover and story, it reminded me why I loved the characters so much.

Gina Morales is a Puerto Rican pro dancer on “The Dance Off” who is vying for a win on the 14th season of the competition show. She’s built her reputation on being a good choreographer and refuses to play into showmances so that viewers will vote for her. But when she’s partnered with Stone Nielson, a super hott reality star who lives in the Alaskan wilderness, she’ll have to decide if risking her reputation for her heart is worth it.

I used to watch DWTS and reading this felt like a behind-the-scenes of that world. Gina’s POV about not wanting to play into the “promiscuous Latina” stereotype made me think about how the Latinx celebrities were sexualized on DWTS, especially the men who would often be shirtless for one or more dances. I appreciated that Gina calls it out, and that she’s career-focused, refusing to repeat past mistakes that could ruin her goals. And Stone is perfect for her! He’s on the show to help pay for his mom’s medical bills, and once he learns Gina’s job is on the line, he wants to win even more.
I especially liked that Gina doesn’t have to choose between Stone and her career. He never liked being on reality TV and the updated part of him working with an Alaskan conservation group and using his engineering degree was a good addition to the story. Whether as a dance partner or boyfriend, Stone is willing to support Gina in achieving her dreams, and it’s so sweet!

I really enjoyed Take the Lead! It was fun, light-hearted, and just what I needed after reading quite a few heavier books in a row.

The characters were enjoyable and while some were ones I disliked, (Donna, the 'showmance'-pushing producer, I'm looking at you.) most of the characters were interesting and gave me some new insight into an aspect of their lives or into the dancing part of the book.

I've never watched Dancing With the Stars or anything similar, but I enjoyed learning what various dances required, the info about how hard dancers train for a show like this, and how tough it must be for people who aren't dancers to suddenly be thrust into this environment.

I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC at my request. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you for the arc appreciate it so much. This book was amazing I loved so much. Love the dancing aspect it made me want to dance. Loved how the romance came about so beautiful written .

This is a highly entertaining peek into a reality dancing show like “Dancing With the Stars “. Gina is an experienced dancer on the show, and she’s hoping her partner will be an Olympic skater, someone who can help her finally win the trophy.
Instead, she gets a reality show star from Alaska named Stone who’s family builds their own house etc. He doesn’t have any dance experience but he is absolutely gorgeous. Tall with lots of muscles.
As they learn the dances together, they get closer and closer, literally during the sexier dances. But, Gina has a rule, never fall for your partner.
The behind the scenes look at the producers and other dancers is fun and interesting, and I liked the ending a lot. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

This is an original and entertaining rom-com set on the stage of a dance off set. Gina is a professional and is totally unprepared to dance with the star of a show about living in the wilds of Alaska. From the first scene when they meet in Alaska, the author had me hooked. I really wanted to know how Stone and Gina could form any kind of bond, on or off the dance floor since they were so different. I loved the vulnerability of Stone and his willingness to make a huge sacrifice for his family. And I really enjoyed getting to know Gina with all of her perfectionism and tendency to lead when she knew that she had to teach Stone to lead in order to win the dance competition. The banter between the two was noteworthy and played like a movie in my mind. The characters were realistically portrayed if slightly quirky, but that was part of their charm. The plot moved along at a moderate pace, with some drama added along the way and some other characters trying to thwart the couple in their determination to win and to follow their hearts. Fun to read and a great book to discuss at book club, too!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guidelines Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

This is the perfect read that I needed! Alexis Daria has rereleased and remastered her first novel that originally came out in 2017 and I am so glad that I read this one! I cannot believe I am saying this but this was my first Alexis Daria book, but it will not be my last!

This story will leave you smiling once you finish but it will also make you giggle throughout with all the extra characters you meet throughout the novel! I loved watching Gina and Stone figure out their relationship and man the tension between them was hot! There was angst too!

Gina has been on Dance off for 4 seasons and has yet to win one, but her fifth season will be the one, until she meets sexy wild reality tv star Stone and she believes she will be once again a loser on the show. But then she sees him dance and thinks maybe she does have a shot to win this season. That is, until she is informed all the duo is good for is for the showmance that viewers want to see.

This is such a cute story and if you are looking for a romance with dancing, spice, and angst then this will be the story for you!

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martins Press for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I received an advanced reader’s copy of Take the Lead by Alexis Daria.

I really enjoyed this novel set around a dance competition. Stone being from Alaska and Gina being from the city created good tension between the two as their relationship developed. I loved the mention of Puerto Rican dishes in the novel; this brought back memories as they are the dishes that were made while I was growing up. There were certain parts where I understood why Gina was reacting the way she was, even if I couldn’t relate to her. I thought the way Gina and Stone compromised to be together was well done and wrapped the story up nicely.

I really enjoyed this book! I love Daria’s writing style and this book was no exception. She is easy to read and packs an emotional punch when needed.

In this book we get Stone, a hulking reality tv star who enters a dancing with the stars type tv show and gets paired with Gina, a dancer and coach. As they go through 3 months of competitions their attraction grows and grows.

I loved Stone and Gina. What lovable characters. Gina’s Latina empowerment storyline was fabulous to read! The reality spin on this story was fun getting all the behind the scenes action, manipulation and plus what was acting v real life tv. Only drawback was that the beginning was a little slow but once it picked up it was smooth sailing.

Gina is determined to win The Dance Off competition her fourth season. She was hoping to be paired with an Olympic figure skating star but instead is paired with Alaskan survivalist reality star, Stone Nielsen. The show runners are pushing for a show romance between the two to spike the ratings. Gina refuses this agenda to fight the typecast of sexy Latina. The sparks, however very expectedly , fly!

I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Alexis Daria is an autobuy author for me. I rated You Had Me At Hola five stars when I read it a year or so ago, so when I heard that she was rereleasing her debut novel, I had to read the book! Apparently this updated version has a few revisions that are different from her original debut, which I never read.

Daria has a certain knack for creating sizzling workplace romance, specifically entertainment industry romance! I think I read somewhere that she used to work in showbiz before becoming a novelist full time. Take the Lead follows Nuyorican Gina, star of the in-universe version of Dancing with the Stars. Gina has been on the show for 4 seasons, has never won, and is at risk of losing her spot on the show. She has to win this season, but she’s paired with Stone, a reality TV star from Alaska who has never danced a day in his life. Stone doesn’t even want to be there; he is being forced to be on the show by his family. But he’s has the chiseled body of an outdoorsman, so of course he is picked to be on the show! Gina’s evil producer is setting her up for a “showmance” with Stone to boost ratings and perhaps help her win, but not at the cost of her integrity and playing into the “sexy Latina” stereotype. It’s a great reluctant coworkers-to-lovers show with a secret relationship!

Things I loved:
The chemistry!! How does she do this? Daria nails the “lust at first sight” for Gina and Stone. And the spicy scenes were literally the prototype for how I want my romantic scenes in all my adult books.
The structure of the dance competition. It gives the relationship a deadline, and Gina and Stone have to navigate the roller coaster ride of their ~sexual tension~ while also acting professional and giving fantastic performances.
The dancing. I never ballroom danced, but I love the performance arts and I love all the descriptions of the intense dances that Stone has to learn quickly

Things I didn’t like:
Nothing. Alexis Daria can’t write a bad book.

I found myself reading this book slowly not because it was dragging (the usual cause that leads me to DNF), but because I didn’t want to leave this universe! I really need the remastered version of the sequel now. I might just read the original online just to satisfy myself.

Alexis Daria’s books always have such heart and charm and this one is no different. The story was cute and oh so charming. I like the dynamic between the two leads and how their relationship played out. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC.

This isn't my first Alexis Daria read (You Had Me at Hola, A Lot Like Adios were two of my fave reads last year) so when I found out her debut was being published with St. Martin's, I was eager to dive into her back catalogue. Thank you to Netgalley for this eARC!

If you're a fan of Dancing With the Stars, Strictly Come Dancing or the Step Up films, Take the Lead is the ideal read! I'm a huge fan of celebrity romances and this book gave Gina and Stone (two reality TV stars) a connection deeper than their careers. The steamy chemistry they share on the dance floor bleeds into their shared behind the scenes dynamic, much to Gina's reluctance. One of Daria's strengths as an author is creating the ambience and setting the tone of the story. It was fun, it was sexy, it was everything you'd wish for a dance competition romance.

Take the Lead was a fun and flirty romance. If you like reality tv and adult romance, this book may be the perfect fit for you! The story started with Gina Morales going to meet her new dance partner in Alaska. She was one of the dancers on a show, similar to Dancing With the Stars, who was paired up each season with someone famous. Gina was a city girl, whereas Stone’s family were reality tv stars that thrived in the wilderness. With a rocky start, it was hard to deny that they were both attracted to each other. And they both had goals they wanted to accomplish. Gina was determined to make it to the finals, since she never had. And Stone was dancing to help pay for his mom’s surgery. Yet the show was setting them up in hopes of a romance, and Gina was determined that’s now how she would make it in this industry!

Gina lost herself in the music, in the movement, in the heat of Stone’s body and the warming of her own muscles from physical exertion.

To me, Gina felt a little lonely. She couldn’t tell her family anything that was truly going on, since there were secrets surrounding the show. Thankfully she had her good friend Natasha there, who was another professional dancer on the show. But I loved that Gina was beyond confident in her dancing abilities. And I loved how she exuded that will trying to teach Stone how to dance. While dancing could be very intimate, Gina refused to let her feeling towards Stone sway her towards a romance. So she would be hot and cold towards him to keep him at arm’s length. Even though their bodies would be wrapped around each other dancing. But by the end of this story, I was so happy the growth that Gina made! I loved seeing how far she went!

The song ended. In the moment of silence, Stone’s eyes met hers. They stared at each other, breathing hard. He was so close, close enough to kiss.
Except Gina didn’t fuck around with her dance partners.
“I have to go home.” The words fell out of her in a rush, her voice low and breathy.

We alternated the story between Gina and Stone, and Stone was my favorite! I loved seeing inside his heart. He was such a kind, thoughtful, sexy soul. And when he could surprise her with say some of his moves, I was so happy for him. Yet Stone was carrying some huge secrets that went back to his family and their reality tv show. So I felt like Stone always had a weight on his shoulder. And as him and Gina got closer together, he realized that they were still worlds apart. She thrived in the city and he loved the wilderness. But regardless, the chemistry between them was scorching and he wanted more.

He was in too deep, but too tired to care. It was easier to like her, easier to enjoy her company and focus on pleasing her.
When she smiled, he forgot why he was fighting so hard.

Gina and Stone had to spend countless hours a day practicing and rehearsing together. So it was fun watching how their friendship formed so easily. And how comfortable they were around each other physically and emotionally. Not that far into the story they already felt as though they had each other’s backs and worked great as a team. Plus it helped that they were both well versed with being on reality tv. They understood that they constantly had to watch what they said or did. Because it could and would be twisted in another way, and then shown to the whole world. So they fought becoming more. Gina wayyyyy more than Stone. But all the while, I loved hearing about their dances and cheering for them each week. The nerves of would they be cut or would they stay? And with work politics to deal with, coworkers that only thought of themselves, and their past not off limits, they lived in a tough world.

Out of habit, she looked up to meet his eyes. What she saw there scared her.
This wasn’t just about attraction anymore. This was mutual respect and trust. She liked him.

With friendships, drunk dancing, steamy moments and even love, Take the Lead was a lot of fun! It was easy to get lost in the pages with this reality tv show! And I loved the epilogue that had a happy look into the future! So if you like adult romance, dancing and reality tv then this may be the book for you!

Gina and Stone at partners on a TV dance show. The producers want to set them up but the chemistry is real. Will these opposites attract?
As a fan of tv dance shows I enjoyed this different look at them.

I liked Stone and Gina's story a lot. Their story is cute, fun, flirty, emotional and slow simmering until things reach the boiling point and then there is plenty of steam. Easy to read and with characters that are easy to care about and root for, this book was a very enjoyable read.

Gina Morales is a professional dancer who competes on a reality dance show. It’s her 5th season, and she really needs to win or she may lose her job. Her partner Stone Nielson is a reality TV star who lives in Alaska. He’s an extremely gorgeous man, and Gina knows the producers are manipulating the situation to create a “showmance” against her wishes.

Take the Lead hooked me from the start. It’s clear that Stone is hiding something, and I wanted to know what it was. I love the easy banter the pair have once they start rehearsals the first day. I also loved learning about dance.

Gina and Stone share an attraction that they both fight. Gina had a past relationship with a dance partner that blew up on her, and she is worried that she’ll damage her professional career if she’s found sleeping with her partner. Stone is hiding secrets and is worried he’ll say too much. Both want different things: she wants fame and loves being in the city, he was to live in the quiet vastness of Alaska. Yet, they can’t fight it. I love how sexy their first kiss is. All that building attraction and sexual tension explodes and they cannot stay away.

The story allows their relationship to slowly develop as they get to know one another on the dance floor and at practices. It’s like a flower unfurling its petals, blossoming into its best shape. The author’s descriptive writing brings the dance numbers to life. The way the relationship development mirrors the dance numbers is a work of beauty.

Overall, I loved Take the Lead; however, I was so disappointed in Stone at one point near the climax of the story. He knows how strongly Gina feels about something, yet he doesn’t share important information with her. He’s lying to himself and he knows it. Luckily the author doesn’t drag it out.

In the end, Take the Lead is a delightful romance that warmed my heart.

My Rating: B+

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Take the Lead by Alexis Daria. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.

The first half of this book was enjoyable, and I loved the initial setup of finding love in the middle of a dancing reality show. As the book, and romance, moved forward, I started getting frustrated with Gina's relationship hangups. And by the end, I was ready to wish Stone all the best with someone else. Gina's extreme self-absorption was hard to get past, and her character growth was a little too late for me. I give this book 3/5 stars.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
Dance Off series book 1. Contemporary romance. Own voice: Latina.
Stone is one of the celebrity dancers on this season’s Dance Off TV show. He’s on loan from his regular cable TV show as a survivalist with his family in Alaska. Dancing in the show will enable thee family to pay some of his mother’s medical bills. He doesn’t see a difference in taking his shirt off to cut wood vs. dancing in a costume. He will be a professional athlete and listen to instructions, practice and do his best.
Gina is a professional dancer on the TV show and while she is attracted to Stone, she is not going to participate in the showromance that the produces are pushing for. She is extremely careful with her reputation and she is not going to be the subject of anyone gossip. Too bad the producers aren’t willing to let the chemistry between Stone and Gina go unnoticed.

Reality show tv is teaming with backstage gossip, scandal and manipulative influences. Stone and Gina have to put up with a lot just to do their jobs.
I understand Gina’s insistence on her professional reputation being impeccable. She advises Stone to ignore clips that show during their introduction that may embarrass or upset him. But totally ignores the advice when it’s about her.
I grew to love Stone. He’s embarrassed in the beginning about shedding his clothes down to underwear for the required sun tanning spray, but grows confident and sure as he learns and masters all the different dance moves. That he is willing to work harder to make Gina’s job secure is powerful.

Entertaining. This made me want to watch one of those couples dance TV shows that I’ve never cared about in the past.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

This is the first book in the Dance Off series and follows pro-dancer Gina and wilderness reality TV show member Stone as they are paired up for the next TV dance competition. Gina is determined to win, but doesn't want to jeopardize her reputation in the industry or her family by giving into the producer's attempts at a showmance with Stone. At the beginning, Stone is more focused with keeping his family's secret safe and winning this competition to help pay off his mom's medical bills. The audience, judges, and producers can all pick up on the chemistry between the two but they are just friends ... until they both can't take the tension and give into their attraction. But when the tabloids pick up on the romance and the show producers take full advantage of it, Gina and Stone need to figure out if they can work this out or if they are just too different. This was impeccable! I've seen a few episodes of these TV dance competitions, but they were never my go-to. However, by the time I was done with this book I absolutely wanted to go binge-watch a whole bunch of them. Daria handles this TV show set up with fantastic attention to detail and manages to seamlessly add in enough explanation that I think even a reader who has never seen this type of TV would be able to easily follow. The chemistry between Gina and Stone is ~sizzling~ off the page and there's a delicious tension built up as they do their best to keep their relationship professional but also have to spend all day touching each other as they practice these dances. Gina and Stone are pretty opposite in their background and future goals and there was a good chunk of the book where I was starting to panic that they wouldn't find a way to be together (despite knowing there would be a HEA because it is a romance book). I do think the resolution was well developed and felt realistic to their individual characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC. Publication date was February 14, 2023.