A fun contemporary romance and another win from Alexis Daria. I know this is her debut, getting re-released, so it's not a new story to everyone, but it is to me. I really enjoyed the dance competition - as someone who was obsessed with SYTYCD in middle and high school, it brought back a lot of fond memories. Plus it was a great way to get some sexual tension early between Gina and Stone. The story read really quick, but I still felt like I got to see the relationship develop.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I wasn’t able to finish this book as it was removed from my NetGalley shelf. As such, I cannot provide a review and appropriate rating.

This book is a must read for anyone who loves dancing, reality shows like Dancing With the Stars, and great banter. It was spicy and had sweet moments.

Daria is quickly becoming a must-buy author for me!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Okay, imagine Alaska: The Last Frontier meets Dancing with the Stars and you get this book.

Gina is a dance pro on the hit show The Dance Off, and she’s partnered with wilderness and survival expert Stone, from a cable reality television show, Living Wild. The two end up spending a lot of time together dancing and with production pushing for a showmance, threatening Gina‘s career, and Stone’s family depending on him for income, these two face more than just challenges on the dance floor.

Gina was bubbly, fun, and ambitious, but she also struggled with anxiety and was resistant to her attraction to Stone. Stone was also resistant to pursuing a relationship due to the fact that he’s keeping a lot of secrets for the sake of his family and their show, and he doesn’t actually like the attention being on a reality show provides. I never really felt the chemistry between Gina and Stone, but at the same time, I found myself frustrated when they wouldn’t just give in to their attraction earlier in the book. When they do finally start to give in, the chemistry became more noticeable, but it still fell a bit flat for me.

One of the things I didn’t like was Stone’s family, specifically, his parents. I found myself so frustrated on his behalf anytime they came up. It was obvious the toll they had taken on him, but they seemed oblivious and mostly ungrateful.

As for Gina, I hated the fact that a female producer basically threatened her to sleep with Stone in order to keep her job. I wish that storyline hadn’t come up, but it did add some depth to the story and Gina’s character and showed the ugly side of her job that she’s had to deal with for years. It made it more real why she hesitated when it came to Stone and their relationship.

Considering every week was the same flow, a new dance, rehearsals, and the final taping, repetition is expected. The author did a decent job of making things seem different and adding more elements to the story each week, but it still felt repetitive when it came down to it.

While this wasn’t my favorite book ever, I enjoyed it. It was a cute romance and delved into some deeper content I wasn’t expecting.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy of this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

A book set in a reality dance competition is always going to bring on the drama! Pair up a dance veteran with a newbie and watch the sparks fly even higher. LOL. I enjoyed seeing Gina and Stone’s relationship progress. I really enjoyed the tension between them but I felt it tapered off in the 2nd half.
I like how both characters were written. Gina’s issue about protecting herself as a woman especially a WoC is true and heartfelt. I also liked Stone’s character.
My main quibbles involve the romance and also the third act breakup. I know at this point it is an ‘industry romcom’ requirement, but gosh, making characters acting atypical to how they have been written for most of the book needs to just stop.
Overall, take the lead was a fun romcom.
A huge thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.5 STARS, rounded up.

I actually really enjoyed the whole Reality TV-Dancing with the Stars vibe this book had. It was very fun to visualize all the dances, off my little youtube searches to get a better idea. Stone and Gina were really cute together. Both did get on my nerves at times with the way they handled situations and how they reacted towards each out. They definitely to work on respecting boundaries and communicating just a little better. But I overall enjoyed this read and I'm so happy for Alexis Dara that it is getting re-printed and that new cover fits the book perfectly.

Be on the lookout Feb 14th.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5

Gina is a professional dancer on the hit reality show, The Dance Off (think Dancing with the Stars). She has worked her butt off for four years and hopes that this will be the year she makes it to the finals. When she lays eyes on her new partner Stone, a survivalist from Alaska, the dream seems to become more of a reality. The only catch is that she thinks the two have been partnered for a dreaded on-screen showmance…

I absolutely loved this one! The chemistry between Gina and Stone is electric and I was so proud of him throughout the competition. This story showed dancing as an art that can help bring someone out of their shell. I know from experience as we took ballroom lessons before our wedding and seeing my husband gain confidence through dancing was really something to behold! The same went for Stone.

I loved the drama that flowed throughout this story, but I also hated it for its effect on Gina and her reputation. I appreciated the struggles the two went through to try and keep their romance a secret. It all felt so real and I applaud the author for it. There is so much more to this story that I want to keep to myself and therefore encourage you to give this one a shot!

This is the first book by Alexis Daria that I have read and I would be lying if I said I didn’t go and immediately purchase both books in her Primas of Power series. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I love a good Alexis Daria book, and it seems like she’s been a great author from the start! I’ve only read three of hers before (You Had Me At Hola, A Lot Like Adios, and her novella What the Hex), as each was released, but hadn’t gone further back. Finding out she was updating and re-releasing her debut novel was exciting and I was very keen to read it. She did not disappoint with her gorgeous writing and brilliant storytelling, chemistry and incredible characters. I really loved it! 4.5-stars, for sure.

Gina and Stone’s Dance Off (a show very much like Dancing With the Stars) experience is unlike anything either of them expected… it’s so much more! Gina is in her fifth season and production has told her she needs her team to win in order to continue with the cast… Stone is from a large Alaskan family with a reality show that he hates filming, and doesn’t want to do the dancing but needs the prize money to help with a little family issue and to try to get out of his part of the family contract. Working together, they might be able to help each other get what they need. They just have to avoid the showmance that production is also keen to see happen… or create.

I enjoyed this one so much and can’t wait to read the second in the Dance Off series (hoping to read about an update coming for Dance With Me, Natasha’s book)! I definitely recommend this to everyone, fan of Alexis Daria already or not - she’s amazing and newbie readers of her will become fast fans, like I was a few years ago! Everyone needs more Latinx authors in their lives!

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and this is my honest feedback.

TAKE THE LEAD - ALEXIS DARIA
4⭐
PLOT - Gina. Morales has never made it to the finals of The Dance Off, a reality dance show featuring celebrities. In the latest edition she is partnered with Stone Nielson a sexy Alaskan wilderness survivalist.
Gina wants to win in order to be there the next season and stone needs the money for his mom's operation but he has some secrets which cannot be revealed.
With cameras following them and the growing attraction between them ..will this spotlight affect their chances of winning or will Love take the lead?
MY THOUGHTS -
I enjoyed this book the setting was refreshing, characters esp Ginas was well fleshed out but Stones could have more insight. Also the ending and the epilogue fell a little flat for me otherwise a good entertaining read.
Check this out if you enjoy-
Celebrity Romance
Reality TV
Forced proximity
Steam 🔥🔥
Grumpy vs sunshine.
Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's press for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing the ARC.

This book is a completely serviceable rom-com set in a Dancing with the Stars-esque show. The characters we're pretty one note, but not terrible to read about, and the focus on the show felt a bit heavy handed. However, it still served its purpose.

One thing I did appreciate was the portrayal of women in the media. Gina was right to keep things private, because the industry can be brutal and cruel to women who step outside of whatever space they're supposed to fill. I just wish there was a bit more communication between the characters, and so much of the tension could have been avoided.

Decent story for people who like dancing shows.

Ahhhh I read the original version back when it first came out, and the revised version still has the magic of Daria's debut. So happy that more readers have the opportunity to discover Daria's talent. Her commitment to showcasing Latinx culture and swoony couple moments remain unparalleled.

Gina is a pro dancer going into her fifth season in the show celebrity Dance Off. She's hoping for an Olympic ice skater as her new partner but what she gets is an Alaskan lumberjack giant who, along with his family, stars in a wilderness show. From the start, she's attracted to Stone, but she has her own personal rule not to get involved with her costars. But all the sexy dances make him impossible to resist and she decides to bend her rules... in secret. She wants to win on her dancing experience, not as the latest showmance.
This book caught my eye with its fun bright cover and I fell in love with this hot, strong gentle giant and his fun loving bubbly partner. I loved reading the behind-the-scenes of the rehearsals and relationships with the other competitors. I look forward to the rest of this series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun, spicy romp that I think is right along up there with Daria’s Hola primas series, so it’s amazing this is her debut!

I haven’t seen a reality romance quite like this before, which worked to make this feel new and exciting, but taps into known shows like Dancing with the Stars and Alaskan Bush People, which helps this also feel familiar, in a good way.

Gina was a great MC not only because of the fantastic Latinx rep, but because she’s so strong and self assured. I liked that she felt so fleshed out and well developed. She has her career, her priorities, and frankly she has her shit together. I feel like a lot of the MCs I’ve read about lately have been hot messes so seeing Gina in all her excellent adulting glory was refreshing.

Stone was an interesting romance lead, the sexy, woodsman with a hidden heart of gold and struggling against the pressure to put his family and their reality tv dreams ahead of his own life. I liked seeing him come into his own and out of his brooding shell. However, I wished we got a bit more development from him. He felt a bit too flat against someone like Gina that really leapt off the page. I also thought the tension and drama with his family wasn’t really addressed and with his mom in particular, I felt like Daria couldn’t decide how to use her or which way she would really swing with her character.

That aside, this was just genuinely FUN. The steam was excellent, and the romance was lovely with a great foundation and growth from strangers to friends to more.

Thank you so much St. martins for my ARC!
Rating: 3.5/5, rounding up to 4!

TAKE THE LEAD – Alexis Daria
A Dance Off Novel, Book 1
St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250817969
February 14, 2023
Romantic Comedy

Los Angeles – Present Day

Gina Morales has been with the Dance Off reality show for several seasons, but she has yet to win. She is informed by her producer that she must make the finals this season or she will be fired from the show. With the pressure on, Gina is given another reality TV star, nature survivalist Stone Nielson, as her partner. He has no dance experience but like Gina, he is determined to win. He needs the money to help his family pay off their mother’s medical bills. Their meeting in Alaska is filmed and comes complete with Stone shirtless while chopping wood—and a bear. Once in Los Angeles, the two get down to the task of Gina teaching Stone how to dance.

In TAKE THE LEAD, Gina and Stone soon find that working closely together leads to revelations about each other and intense dialogue. They come from different lives, yet they are both determined to make their dance coupling work for a win. Sexy dances and sizzling chemistry end up with Gina and Stone attracted to each other. It doesn’t help that their producer wants them to fake a showmance. They aren’t pretending at all! But once their time on the show is over, they plan to go their separate ways.

We see the insides of a dancing competition show in TAKE THE LEAD by Alexis Daria. Despite the friendliness seen by viewers on television, there is a sense of it being a cutthroat competition because winning is everything as it helps promote careers. To Gina, Stone is like a big bear with his huge body and long hair. Gina is of Puerto Rican heritage, and she is like a passionate sparkplug when it comes to dancing. With her teaching, Stone will hopefully become a top-notch dancer—and win the top prize. Along the way, there is some drama. Readers will be wondering if there is a happily ever after in store for our couple, or whether there will be heartbreak.

There’s much for Gina and Stone to learn about each other, but it is a fun journey for readers in TAKE THE LEAD. Things don’t always go smoothly, as there is plenty of hard work and tears, but there are also tender moments. While denying they want to do a showmance, they can’t deny their attraction. Readers will enjoy the fun and learn how a show like Dancing with the Stars works. Don’t miss this entertaining tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I really enjoyed reading this book which is about a professional dancer who wants to make it to the finals and a man who needs to go for his family both fall in love but the tabloids might ruin them. I really enjoyed the author's writing when it came to describing the setting and those gorgeous outfits. The storyline was very good as I loved the whole reality show theme though I do have to say that this book was very fast paced. It made the moments and the dance scenes too short so that you would easily forget that the scene even happened. The story was still great as the author did such an amazing job with writing from both the perspectives as they nailed with the characters.

The main characters in this book are Gina and Stone. Gina always wanted her career to go off and is Puerto Rican. Readers will know so much about her and how passionate she is. Stone is a chill, quiet dude and hates having a double life. I really enjoyed how opposite but similar both of these characters were. Their development was very well written in the book but I have to say that their chemistry was off the charts in the book. Like you can feel it through the pages. There are many side characters in this book but I wouldn't say they are heavenly involved with the story. The romance is a bit of between slow burn and instant love which you will see once you start it and the couple are amazing together.

The ending was very well written and I can already see who the second book will be about. The only issue I had with this book was that it was very fast paced. Since there are so many elements to this book, I can see why but it just made the cuter scenes short to and all those learning moments for the characters. I do recommend reading this book especially if you are a huge dancing with the stars fan then I totally recommend this book.

Stone is the mountain man who has been chosen as this seasons celebrity dance partner for Gina. Together they must find a way to win to fulfill both of their separate needs. The dances are hot, but their chemistry is even hotter making the pages sizzle. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this fun story.

This is a re-release of the author's 2017 debut novel. I never would have known that it was a debut. She took the premise of a TV ballroom dance show and really turned it into something unique. The story really was unlike any other romance I have ever read.

Daria's characters were quite different. Gina is a professional dancer of Puerto Rican heritage that is determined not to give the show anything that can damage her reputation...like sleep with her partner. Stone is from a family that is living in Alaska with all the rest of his family and is part of their reality TV show. He's there to make the big money to pay off his mother's medical bills. He's really not comfortable with how close he has to get to Gina for the dances, especially since he is "hugely" attracted to her.

The book does a good job of exploring all the negative and tricky aspects of participating in such a show. This isn't a fluff romance. There's a lot at stake for both main characters. The secondary characters played a vital role in helping to get across the depth of the story. Very well done!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Mountain man meets city sheek Gina. Do they have the chemistry to convince everyone they have the moves on the dance floor to win?
I’ve never watched dance shows but I appreciate the time and dedication the participants put in.
The story also showcases the shenanigans and manipulation by producers who are ruthless and cut throat.
The chemistry between Stone and Gina works melt a glacier.
It’s sure to please readers as they limbo through the prose.

Fun dance show romance!

If you love dance shows you will like Take the Lead because you get to see behind the scenes because professional dancer Gina Morales needs to make the finals of The Dance Off otherwise her contract won’t be renewed. But being paired with Stone Nielson from the reality show Living Wild set in Alaska will make it really difficult especially when she’s being set up for a fake romance to increase ratings especially with the Nielson family secret about their show. But that could change when the romance starts to become a reality.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always love Alexis Daria books, she always has such fierce, career-minded female leads! I especially loved being back in the entertainment industry, I enjoyed that element in You Had Me At Hola and I enjoyed seeing it in here too. I had never read this book upon it's initial release, so I'm very glad I got a chance to read it before the new cover launched into the world.

I'm a sucker for reality TV, and the premise of this one really intrigued me. Gina is understandably reluctant to go along with the fauxmance her producer seems to be pushing on her and her dance partner, despite the palpable chemistry between them. And oh boy, is the chemistry between these two piping. Despite her professional code, Gina can't resist him. Not that I can blame her, since Stone is a big, burly Alaskan man after all. Ugh, I loved them so much! These two were so horny for each other, and I ate up every second! Not to mention the stakes involved with manipulative producers, family secrets and Gina's job on the line if she doesn't make it to the finals with Stone.

I hope we get the second book, Dance With Me, as a rerelease with a new cover and physical format as well, especially since this series was only available in ebook before. I'd love to have physical copies of these for my collection, and I'm sure other Alexis Daria fans would as well! The new illustrated cover is STUNNING! This was a good buffer while we're all waiting for a new Alexis Daria book, and I'm so glad I got to dive into an older title from her. I highly enjoyed this one!