“You light me up. You helped me remember who I was before, and see clearly who I am now and who I want to be.”

This was such a perfect February romance. The premise is really fun, and it’s the kind of book that’s easy to lose yourself in. I really was invested in the story and the romance.

Gina Morales is one of the pro dancers on The Dance Off, where she is paired up with Stone Nielsen. Stone and his family star in a reality series documenting their life in the Alaskan bush. Gina and Stone couldn’t seem more different, but there are sparks from the moment they meet. Gina is adamant about not faking a romance for the show, but it’s only a matter of time before their feelings boil over.

I loved the chemistry between Stone and Gina, and how protective they are of each other. They have lovely vulnerable moments and come to really know each other. Despite the outside noise, they stay focused on the competition while serving as each other’s anchor. It seems like they each provide such a grounding presence to the other while they’re under the microscope on television. The story really portrays the difficulties of being in the spotlight really well.

For being a reality tv setting, it felt realistic. They are dealing with producers who want to portray things a certain way, regardless of Gina and Stone’s feelings. Stone has a difficult relationship with his family as he’s given up a lot to do the reality show with them. They are both struggling with the boxes they’ve been placed in. For Gina, she doesn’t want to be seen as the sexy Latina and wants to be taken seriously in the industry. She’s so determined and headstrong, and I really loved her character. As the completion progresses, both Gina and Stone form better pictures of what they want for their futures.

There were a few smaller plot points that I felt didn’t really get completely wrapped up, but that didn’t take away from the cute romance. The story didn’t feel overly deep; the majority of the conflicts felt as if the were more on the surface. I think that there were a few opportunities to give both Gina and Stone more detailed backgrounds, connecting the reader to the story. Overall, though, this was just such an adorable story.

Take the Lead is the first novel in the Dance Off series that follows different couples. While the dancing competition is based on Strictly Come Dancing (UK) and Dancing with the Stars (US), the author does her own take with the in-novel The Dance Off. Professional dancer, Gina Morales is determined to land in the finals after four seasons on the show. She is paired with Stone Nielson, star of a reality show about a family living off-the-grid in Alaska called Living Wild. While Stone does not really want to compete, he is determined to win the prize money to help pay for his mother’s medical bills. This part initially confused me a lot as if he and his family are on a successful show already, I do not get why they are scraping money together.

Due to their amazing chemistry, the producers push a “showmance” storyline between the couple. While neither initially is for the idea, the two eventually give in and the two try to explore a relationship. While they had great tension between them, I wish that some elements were explored in greater depth. There is a major height difference between the two characters as Gina is 5’6” and Stone is 6’7.” While this is addressed early on when they first start to choreograph dances, it seems it was soon forgotten. I feel the author mainly did this just for the initial moments, but then did not bother to think about the logistics. Unfortunately, “accidentally kissing” should not have been plausible as their lips don’t line up. I wish if the author wanted to make this a plot element, then more care should have been given to the actual logistics.

Gina was difficult to like at first as she seemed blinded by her ambition to win. Stone is out of his element and even has some knee issues, yet she seemed to gloss over them. I do not think she did not care as there are very small hints, but I think some additional scenes of Gina coaching Stone would have benefited this side of their relationship. Additionally, she objectified Stone a lot which felt a little hypocritical considering she didn’t want it done to her. It is unfortunate that these traits came across this way as she was an otherwise decent character. Unfortunately, the writing just needed to highlight these in a more positive way for me. In comparison, Stone came across a little better for their connection, but I think he needed a little more work, too, to make him a more well-rounded character. Overall, this was a very fun story, and I loved the concept of not only having a sweet love story, but to highlight the ins and outs of a reality show dancing competition. I look forward to trying the next novel with a new couple in the future!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel. The opinions expressed are completely my own.**

***Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me a copy of Take the Lead by Alexis Daria! All thoughts are my own!***

Gina Morales is a professional dancer for a show called The Dance Off. Approaching her fourth season on the show (and not having been to the finals) she is sent to Alaska to meet her celebrity partner for the upcoming season of the show. Enter reality TV star Stone Nielson, known for his family's wilderness survival show, she thinks this season might be different. Her partner, though not having dance experience, could help her win with her instruction (and the showrunners obviously wanting them to have a showmance.)

Stone, however has his own reasons for joining the show, mainly being his family and the prize money he could win for them. He has to adjust quickly to a relocation to Los Angeles for the show and wants nothing more than to be back in Alaska. Little did Stone know he 'd have trouble keeping dancing professional with Gina with their flaming hot chemistry and intensity on the dance floor, he starts to fall for her. But when the paparazzi start publicizing their up and coming romance, they could both lose everything.

This book is so good! It really gives you an inside look behind dance shows. Gina and Stone are such different characters but similar at the same time. They have different backgrounds in fame, but they are both determined to get to where they want to be. You see their progression throughout the book from their dancing to their romance and the pacing was great. Both characters have something to lose here and you can tell it fuels their dancing week after week. Their romance is a bit of a slow burn but once the tension builds, we definitely see their relationship delve further from the professional to very personal.

If you are a fan of Dancing with the Stars and have always wanted behind the scenes details on it in a book with some steamy romance, you need to check out Take the Lead when it releases on February 14th!

The story follows Gina Morales, a professional dancer that wants to shine and be known through her talent not because of her latina sensuality. A dilemma starts when she meets her new partner for a celebrity dance competition called The Dance Off, the sexy public figure Stone Nielson. He makes her feel every kind of feel, but she's placed in an uncomfortable situation. The chances of winning increase if they agree to have a “showmance”. They both need to win. Would she take a risk for the possibility of fame? Or will she stay true to her feelings surrounding them?

As a disclaimer, I want to be completely honest and say that I was going through a reading slump and this probably affected the final rating. I did like some details of the book, like the representation of latinx puertorican culture, the slang and references. I didn't like how the “conflict” is handled, and honestly the book could've been shorter.

I give it 3/5.

The rerelease of this book is tomorrow February 14, 2023. So if you want to spend your Valentine's Day reading steamy romance, this book is a great option!

Huge thanks to both netgalley and the author for the ARC.

This one is an excellent opposites-attract love story with a skillfully executed Hollywood angle that sets it apart from others in the genre.
I confess I came into Take the Lead expecting a pretty generic read, but Daria takes all the typical tropes and turns them on their head. It's all the things we love about contemporary romance from a fun, fresh angle with characters that are easy to connect with.
Gina Morales is a pro dancer in a televised dance competition. She has spent her life focused on her dancing career and on not letting some man take it all away from her. Stone Nielson is a very reluctant part of his family's survivalist reality show. He's tired of all the lies and just wants to live a quiet life away from cameras. But Stone's family needs money and he's the best choice of sibling to head off to LA and compete. There's attraction from the get-go, with Gina's firm stance that she wants to be a good role model and doesn't want to be reduced to the sexy Latina just one of the obstacles they'll have to face.
It's an interesting story with lots of behind-the-scenes glimpses at just how unreal reality TV is and why some people would put themselves through it. I really liked how it's completely focused on Gina and Stone but leaves room for the rest of the characters to be fully-fleshed people that are there for more than just sounding boards for when the main characters have things they need to figure out.
Not to mention that it's hot and sexy as H--- when they eventually give in.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the early peek at this romantic read!

If you like opposites attract, (whatever opposites your thinking it's not near anything like Alaskan wilderness and city) then this is for you!

The competition is cute and very fluffy so if you like cute moments, dancing, competition, and romance then this book is for you!

Listen, if you like reality tv shows, especially dance shows, this book is for you. I've never watched those, but since I didn't know what this book was about before opening it, I didn't have any expectations.

To me, this was a fun little romance with some reality television sprinkled in, and I learned a few things.

I will definitely read more from this author.

Solid 3 1/2 stars for me.

In this book reality shows take the field. One a wilderness survival family in Alaska and the other a dance competition. It starts off with quite the opening as the professional dancer Gina Morales is transported to Alaska to meet her partner with only a bit of notice.

Stone Nielson has been under the camera's eye for a while now as his family rebuilds in the wilderness of Alaska. His producers and hers think he's the perfect one to cross into the dance competition, they even set up something unusual for their meeting.

They have their first lesson at that first meeting and there was a bit of a spark between them. However, Gina will never compromise her professionalism for the sake of a showmance. That doesn't mean she isn't in favor of seeing where this attraction could go, it means it won't be on display for the world.

There are plenty of secrets in this book and every one of them comes out with some interesting consequences. Plus, there is much more on the line than the trophy.

This is a page turning read with lots of fun, competition, romance and sizzle.

This is a fun, flirty book perfect for fans of Dancing with the Stars. Gina has been a professional dancer working with the tv show, The Dance Off, for years. She wants to win this year so is nervous about her match, reality TV star Stone. Stone lives in the wilds of Alaska and has zero dancing experience. Despite that, these two work together to try to survive being voted off week by week. Gina wants the opportunities winning will bring her. Stone needs the money for his family.

I enjoyed these two together. They are definitely from two very different worlds, and it was easy to understand what's keeping them apart, which is tough to do in a contemporary. While this definitely has the feel of an earlier Daria novel, it still has her signature style that makes this book a major win. The world of dance competition was a lot of fun. I loved the Puerto Rican representation and discussions about working as a female minority. I couldn't always understand Stone's reasons for what he did with his family, but I did like him as a character overall.

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted romance full of chemistry and steam. I am a major fan of this author and will continue to look forward to more from her in the future.

Reality shows collide in this story about a brawny survivalist and a sexy dancer. Gina and Stone have their work cut out for them, both for the dancing competition (he has NO experience...other than breakdancing) and she wants to win, badly. No relationship is in the cards for Gina either. She's been down that road and it didn't end well. Stone has some secrets of his own and keeping them is slowly destroying him and them. When things are scripted and done without your approval, all kinds of things can break down and explode. Enjoyable story!

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria is the story of Gina Morales, a professional dancer, and Stone Neilson, a reality star, and their pairing to participate in Dance Off (which is like Dancing with the Stars in the US). They each hold many secrets, and those secrets quickly build a wall between them, but they need chemistry to win, and for that, they need to let each other in.

Actual Reading Experience:
I thought the dance competition aspect of the story was fascinating, and I felt like I was genuinely backstage learning all the ins and outs of this type of show. I loved how the unreality behind reality tv is brought to the forefront and is a significant factor in the story, especially for Stone's story but also for the dance competition. Let's face it; everything has a spin to maximize the number of viewers.

I loved the character of Stone. He has a pure heart, and his main goal is always to help his family, even if it costs him his dreams. I found him very relatable and authentic. However, I struggled with Gina, and I didn't feel like her reasons justified her actions, so she just came off as mean and unapproachable to me.

There are many steamy open-door moments in this story but very few laughs. I don't know that I would classify it as a romcom but rather a contemporary romance story.

Read if you like:
Contemporary Romance
Dance Competitions
Slow-burn romances

This is my first time reading a re-vamped book, and unfortunately (or I suppose fortunately) I didn’t read the original version so all of my thoughts reflect this newer edition!

Thank you St Martin’s Press for sending me a copy! Perfect little read for Valentines day, which happens to be its re-release date!!

Imagine Dancing with the Stars smashed together Alaskan Bush People, but with a lot more sizzle and a view ‘behind the scenes’ of what reality shows are truly like. Gina, professional dancer, gets paired with Alaskan hottie Stone, and their chemistry just kicks off from there 🔥


We get sexy ballroom dancing, lots of pining, devotion to family and careers, and an eventual secret relationship that threatens to ruin everything. My heart guys. Stone was such a cutie patootie except also like … smokin hot. Which is weird to say about a character, but the way he was written - dream come true. A genuinely caring man?... who puts others first?... and can turn up the spice too? HELLO. I’m in.

Gina was great herself, though her reasonings for not wanting to date someone in the business were sort of sub par - I’m glad she eventually got called out for them. Having a bad relationship at 17 with a nobody shouldn’t affect your life that badly 10 years later … but the whole “trying to be taken seriously and avoiding the type cast as the sexy Puerto rican” made most sense.

Even if you’re not a big Dancing with the Stars fan, everything was so well described that it’s easy to picture the dances and even easier to picture Gina and Stone together.

This was a cute read, I’m sad I put it off for so long. And for this to be a debut novel from Daria? Kudos to her. I wonder how much it was reworked from the original.

4 ⭐

Bonus points for not shoving a marriage/engagement at the end for the sake of the Romance. Not every budding relationship needs to end in a marriage three months later! The ending of this was * Chefs kiss * 🧑‍🍳💋

I expected to enjoy this book. I didn't expect to absolutely love it.

Take the Lead is the Dancing with the Stars - sorry, *The Dance Off* - romance novel that I've wanted for ages. It gets the vibe of the long-running reality show (that I unabashedly love) totally right while adding in a compelling and layered romance between Gina, a pro dancer, and Stone, her celebrity contestant. This book manages to balance steam, tenderness, and hilarity with a conversation about competition reality shows and what their stars owe the public. Not to mention discussions of identity, relationships, and family. There's a lot going on, but it all works perfectly in my opinion.

I had so much fun reading this book. There are so many winks and nods at DWTS - teasing and loving all at once - and the central romance had me hooked as I, along with Gina and Stone, tried to figure out how they were ever going to make things work. Both characters grow over the course of the story, their strengths and flaws explored in equal measure. My only wish is that there was a way to actually see the dances they performed (though the book did as well as it could rendering some of them on the page).

Anyway, go read this if you love TV dance competitions or even if you don't, because it's really just such a great time.

5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy of Take the Lead by Alexis Daria.

I've read other books by Alexis Daria and when I was able to read this one early, I was excited. I realize this is a re-print, but with a new cover and new editing, it was a whole new experience.

Take the Lead follows Gina Morales and Stone Neilson. One is the rising professional on the nationally popular Dance Off and the other is on a survivalist reality show. I'll let you guess who is who. They are paired together for the newest season of Dance Off, and sparks fly. While Gina wants to keep her professional life professional and her personal life secret, their burgeoning showmance cannot be contained to the off-screen moments. When everything explodes on the stage, Gina has to figure out if she can live her life as components of a part or be her whole self for all to see.

This was a very fun read. I always appreciate Alexis Daria's spice level. She's not afraid to throw the doors open multiple times. She had me rooting for Gina and Stone's happy ever after and made the epilogue worth the ride. I recommend this if you're looking for a fun read based in the reality television world.

RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

What a fun book! As a fan of Dancing with the Stars (and I may follow the UK version Strictly Come Dancing as well), I was really excited to dive into this read and it did not disappoint.

Gina Morales is ready to win The Dance-Off. Four seasons of persevering through losing in the early rounds, she is more than ready to get the trophy. Her chance might come sooner than she expected when she gets paired up with a gorgeous Alaskan survivalist. That is until she discovers that they want her in a showmance with her hot partner.

Stone Nielson is not thrilled to be in a dancing competition, but he's doing it for his family and getting exposure for their show. What started out as awkward becomes more intriguing as Stone and Gina get closer and learn more about each other. Soon, their showmance blurs the line between real and fake.

Before I dive into reviewing the story, can I just say how much I love the diversity in this read? The FMC is Puerto Rican, and we get so much great representation among the other characters. I particularly enjoy that the diversity is not lip service, either. Alexis Daria dives into Gina's culture and weaves it seamlessly into the story.

Now - Gina and Stone. Their connection was so much fun to read from beginning to end. Their meet-cute sparks a nice sizzle that eventually ignites into a muy caliente flame. The physical chemistry is well supplemented by the emotional connection. I love that Gina and Stone mutually lift each other, especially when it comes to their own personal problems.

If you are a Dancing with the Stars fan or just love a great romance read, this is a fun, engaging book to pick up. I believe it is a new edition of the book published in 2017 and is the first in the series. I cannot wait to dive into the subsequent books.

** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Alexis Daria, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing an ARC. **

The following review was posted on my blog yesterday, on Sunday, February 12th, two days before publication. It was shared on Instagram yesterday and today, and has already been posted on Goodreads. The blog post includes links to order the books and to its Goodreads page, so readers can add it to their to-be-read books.







“It’s just you and me, dancing together.”
“And millions of people watching on live TV.”
“You’re not dancing with those people. You’re only dancing with me.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Spicy Meter: 3 fire emojis
Content Warnings: Discusses racism, sexism, and emotional abuse. Contains explicit sexual content.

“Take The Lead” follows Gina Morales, a latina New Yorker that’s made it in Hollywood as a professional dancer, and Stone Nielson, a TV survivalist who’s made it to the spotlight essentially against his will. Gina is part of the profesional dancer cast of “The Dance Off”, a Dancing-With-The-Stars-esque TV show, and her partner for the season is Stone. They’re are opposite as opposites get, yet their attraction and connection are undeniable. Too bad Gina has sworn off workplace romances… Right?

This book exceeded my expectations in every way. I loved and connected with the characters more than I expected; and I was entertained and captivated by a topic I’m not particularly interested in (dancing and reality TV). I wouldn’t change a single thing about this novel.

I am a fan of Alexis Daria’s writing but I had not read her debut before. Now, with its re-publishing, I am endeared even more. Alexis was my first auto-buy author, and it seems like it’ll be staying that way.

This book is as steamy as they get, in true Daria fashion. I would highly recommend this book if you enjoy close proximity romances and opposites attract situations. Oh, and aren’t afraid of some sexy dancing and dancing, if you know what I mean.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: February 14, 2023

I loved this authors other books so I was so happy to read this backlist book.
I enjoyed the dancing competition and thought it was fun, interesting and really well developed. I could picture the dances, the costumes, and the intensity. Stone and Gina were great opposites and I enjoyed reading about their journey. I did feel that at times this felt a bit like insta-love. With the constant presence of cameras, I didn't totally believe that these two were opening up to each other. A lot of their private moments occurred off the page so you just had to believe that their emotional journey was progressing. Overall, this was a cute and steamy romance that was fun and engaging.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria is a fun, dance-filled romance! This story is about a partnership in a reality TV dance-off show. Just like you would expect from a reality TV show this book is filled with drama, tension, and chemistry between the two main characters.

Gina is a professional dancer who works for the reality TV show “The Dance Off”. She is paired with reality TV star, Stone, for the newest season of The Dance Off. Stone’s family has their own TV show about living in the wilderness of Alaska. Gina and Stone live very different lives, but they both have something to prove and want to win the competition. As they spend each week together, their chemistry continues to grow.

I love that this is the start of a series and cannot wait to continue! I loved the style of writing and how the story played out. This book was a delight to read from the first chapter and the pace kept the pages turning. If you are in the mood for a fun and sexy read this book is perfect for you!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Alexis Daria for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Alexis Daria for the ARC! I realize this is not a new release, but a re-release with a great new cover! And for this being a debut novel, Alexis really hit it out of the park!

I’m a big fan of Dancing with the Stars so the setting drew me in right away. I loved the chemistry of the 2 MCs and the spice that came along with it!

I feel like the characters were well developed and we got to see a lot of what makes them who they are.

I did get a little annoyed with the “conflict” between Gina and Stone at the end and Gina’s character really bugged me. Just love the hunky man already!!

I have read books From Alexis in the past and I will continue to do so!

You can never go wrong when you pick up an Alexis Daria book. Take the Lead follows Gina and Stone through their hot and steamy relationship on and off the dance floor. You’ll find your self rooting for them to win both the competition and in the love game.

Dancing with the Stars meets Alaskan Bush People with a dose of Puerto Rican sazón is the perfect description for Daría’s debut.