I don't even know, this was so good. Its almost 3 am and here I am, ruining my sleep schedule again for a book. I damn near ruined my husband's sleep schedule over this book 😉😉.
A fully realized and diverse cast of characters is the highlight of any reading experience for me and this book delivers. How can you throw so many characters into a book and it not be confusing? I have no idea, ask Alexis Daria because she frikken did it! Flawlessly and effortlessly. That's not even mentioning the main characters!
Holy moly! Stone and Gina are end game, couple goals, everything we all want to have in a relationship. Do they have ups and downs? Yeah, but I'd gladly take those downs to have the ups with them and I did and it was Soo good. With everyone being so fully realized, the setting being so fully realized, it's an extremely immersive story.
There was a little blurb at the beginning of the book about the author not knowing everything about dance but she had me fooled! I don't know anything about dance so maybe that's why I was fooled but quite a few dance scenes were also glossed over. Skipping dance scenes didn't even detract from the story. The relationship between Gina and Stone was so real and intimate and vulnerable. A constant struggle of will they, won't they and how will they ever make it work and your heart aches and flutters. The story drags and twirls you around as if their relationship is a dance and you're the one performing it!
Plus the spice is spicy. Oh god is it spicy. The tension builds up so well that the moment they come together in physical intimacy that it's basically orgasmic for the reader.
This frikken book!!!!!!!!! I'm on my way to get every frikken Alexis Daria book now. I can't believe I've let this author be recommended to me so many times and I only took the plunge once net galley sent me a review copy of this book. Shame on me. I'm on my way to rectify this mistake.
Read this book immediately for yourself. You deserve to have this kind of happiness in your life.

Dance pro Gina needs to win The Dance Off in order to keep her job on the show. Reality TV star Stone needs to win The Dance Off to pay off his mother’s medical bills. They are paired up with each other and there is an instant attraction. Gina doesn’t want a “showmance,” but before she knows it, she and Stone are a secret couple. There are bumps along the way as Gina fights her attraction to Stone and he deals with having to lie on his family’s reality show Living Wild. Having never watched (or been interested) in Dancing with the Stars, I found a lot of the dance parts boring. I also didn’t really like them as a couple. Stone came across as a wimp. His family controlled him and then he turned himself over to Gina. This book was okay, but not anything special for me.

This was my first Alexis Daria book, and boy what a great start! The story was captivating, the characters were intriguing, and the spicy parts were extra spicy.

The story centers on Gina Morales, a professional dancer on the hit show The Dance Off, and her new partner, Stone Nielson. Stone is part of a reality show involving his entire family, but it's not what he wants to be doing with his life. He takes part in The Dance Off to help raise money for his mother's surgery, but through Gina's careful tutelage he ends up getting so much more.

This was a fun book to read, and I look forward to more from Alexis Daria.

This book was honestly just made for me to love. I'm a hobbyist dancer and am an avid Dancing with the Stars fan. And I even enjoy falling for the on air showmances of the show. So the set up of this book was picture perfect for me. I loved following the characters through the show itself and find myself rooting equally for their relationship and their tenure on the show. Building their chemistry through their dance routines initially was genius and worked incredibly well. I liked how Stone was also coming from his own reality show and seeing how even though the two shows are wildly different shows, the behind the scenes are weirdly similar. Even the conflict in this book I thought was really well done. I understood both why one character did what they did, and equally understood why it backfired and the other character was upset and it felt realistic to both of the characters.

I will say, despite my love of this, if you are not into reading celebrity romances or reality shows then this book likely will not work for you as that is, understandably, a huge part of the book. But if you do like celebrity romances this book should absolutely hit your TBR list!

Take the Lead is a fun, sexy story of a reality tv survivalist and a dancer trying to win a DWTS tv competition. Both competing for their own futures and with their own secrets, Daria fills the page with fun and heat and drama. As a former DWTS, fan, it felt a little nostalgic and a whole lot of a good time. I love the friends. I loved the competition. I loved the tension and the romance. Secrets always stress me out a little. But it’s totally a me thing.

Wow! The introductory chapter sucks you in. I just want to keep reading. If you love dancing shows and competitions, you will love this.

This reminds me so much of Strictly Come Dancing and all of the gossip that follows the stars and pros.

I love that a lot of research has gone into this. The author knows her stuff and this has come to play in various aspects of the book.

I enjoyed the way the way the relationship blossomed between Stone and Gina over the course of the competition.

Stone’s vulnerability and Gina’s competitiveness come to fore throughout the book. We are taken on their journey from their pasts to the present and how they navigate life .

As much as the book creates fun and entertainment, there is an underlying important truth that comes to fore- celebrities are people too. Behind all of the glamour and beauty, there lies vulnerable humans too.

I did not like how sometimes Gina is portrayed but I do understand where she is coming from-as a woman and a Latina, she has to work extra hard to prove herself.

The setting was superbly described and all of the locations were accurate and well detailed. All of the supporting characters delivered the assignments given to them.

If you love Hollywood, Broadway and dance shows and romance then you will love this book.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving my review.

This was a super fun and sexy story.

I really loved watching the progression of Gina and Stone. Not just as a romantic couple but also as dance partners. It was fun to see them progress through the competition and tackle the different dances.

I really liked that the thing that kept Stone and Gina from each other wasn’t a completely easy fix. It requires a bit of work, compromise, and other people helping them process certain ideas.

I am glad this book got a rerelease as I might not have picked it up without having known about this author from her more recent titles (You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adios). Would definitely recommend if you want a steamy romance with a strong Latina female lead.

Gina Morales, a professional dancer on a DWTS type show wants to win it big and get her big break. Stone Nielson, is apart of an off the grid / survivalist reality show who comes on The Dance Off to bring publicity to his show and bring in some money to help pay his moms medical bills. Gina thinks Stone is her ticket to win it all—until her producer makes it clear they’re being set up for a showmance. Joining a celebrity dance competition is the last thing Stone wants but he can't deny his growing attraction to his partner and soon he is wanting to win not just for the money but to make her a champ too. Neither wants to fake a romance for the cameras, but the explosive chemistry that flares between them is undeniable and soon their feelings aren't fake anymore. Both have secrets to hide, outside of their secret relationship, but if its one thing reality TV hasn't been known to do, its keep your secrets in the dark. The Dance Off. As Stone and Gina heat up the dance floor, the tabloids catch on to their developing romance. With the spotlight threatening to ruin everything, will they choose fame and fortune, or let love take the lead?

Screw bachelor/bachelorette dating competition romances I want more Dancing Reality TV romance! It had all the fun drama of a dating show but it was unpredictable and more exciting. This story just made me so happy! I could picture everything so well. It was steamy in all the right places but still had ton of substance. Both characters were non-stereotypical considering they're pushed towards them on tv. Gina was just such a wonderful character. I love how Alexis Daria writes these fierce latinx female main characters. Not to mention all the secrets and twists towards the end. Ahh I loved it!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/14

As I have said before, I love romances where there’s a reality tv show plot line! Take the Lead features two of them so even better! Our male main character Stone, stars in a family off the grid/wilderness “reality” tv show, and joins Gina our female main character on Dance Off. I loved this premise when I saw it! Growing up I would sit and watch Dancing With The Stars each week with my mom & Grandma and I remember certain duos I thought would be perfect together outside of the show.

The tension and connection between Gina and Stone was aahhhmazing! I didn’t want to put the book down because I kept wanting to see what would happen next. I loved the growth in Stone, and how confident and comfortable Gina got throughout the book.

Take the Lead was fantastic, and I highly suggest checking it out!

If Dancing With The Stars was a spicy and sweet Rom-Com... Alexis Daria has remastered and is rereleasing her debut novel Take The Lead and it's everything I wanted Gina wants to make it big. In her four seasons on The Dance Off, she’s never even made it to the finals. But her latest partner, the star of an Alaskan wilderness show, could be her chance. Who knew the strong, silent, survivalist-type had moves like that? She thinks Stone is her ticket to win it all—until her producer makes it clear they’re being set up for a showmance.

I was definitely invested in Gina and Stone's relationship - the way that Stone supported Gina in all that she did and the way she brought him out of his shell and let him be unabashedly himself. Not to mention the chemistry was on fire - both on and off the dance floor They do have their slight miscommunications and fears without talking to each other which had its moments. I do wish we had a little more of the “post show” timeline before the reconciliation and epilogue. 
I will definitely be reading more Alexis Daria books now! 
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the arc!

I absolutely love Alexis's series Primas of Power, so I was incredibly excited for this one. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. That said, Take the Lead isn't bad, it just wasn't as good as I'd hoped.

I really loved the setting and the relationship dynamics, I think my concern was more in the MMC's backstory. I didn't love his family/reality TV show background and didn't think it worked well in the overall story. I think it may have been different if he actually enjoyed being on a reality show, but he really didn't which made it hard for me to suspend disbelief and get into the story.

All that said, I will absolutely continue the story. I'm hopeful that I'll enjoy other set ups a little more!

------3.25/5

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Totally get how this was recognized by RITA. Despite the art on its cover (yes, I know the author thanked the artist for their work), I just usually don't pick up books looking like this which have a very fantastical romance style with a Fabio-like dude. But... there was a lot of good content in this story. I thought the background provided for the reality shows was fascinating, which added more complexity to the Stone character. Alexis Daria is new to me and, after this debut, curious to see if she repeats the good work or manages to up it on the other books she writes.

Take the Lead is a rereleased of Alexis Daria’s first book. I really enjoyed this Dancing With the Stars/survival shows/reality tv world romance. Gina is a dancer on the show really wanting to win or at least make the finals, especially after a producer tells her, her job isn’t safe for next season. But she has one rule, No Shomance with her partners. When she realizes her partner Stone .and her are being set up as the shomance she tries to prevent getting close to him (with not much luck). While Stone is on a survival reality show in Alaska with his family he hates it. So for him to be the one casted on The Dance Off hiding his family secrets he thought was going to be hell. But as he learns to dance from Gina and they learn about each other the obvious attraction and connection leads to them connecting out of the ballroom that they want out keep off camera.. But with meddling producers, family secrets, the media and a dance competition to win, not to mention both of their individual insecurities, this road to forever and The Dance Off trophy is a long one.

I very much enjoyed this book. Gina and Stone’s chemistry was definitely the highlight. They sizzled off the page. Loved of Alexis Daria incorporated the dancing into this and how she described it. I will say I probably would of gave a higher rating if it weren’t for that third act break up and the aftermath. Just felt like that wasn’t the Gina and Stone I read throughout the book. More so the way they acted after the third act break up than anything. It felt like two teenagers acting out instead of the adults we seen Stone and Gina be thru the book. Also some parts confused me about what their arguments where. Other than that I love the rest. Enjoyed most of the side characters and loved the setting of the reality shows and cities this book took place in.

Gina and Stone’s romance definitely was the thing I walked away from with this book. They brought the heat off and on the dance floor. Not to mention when they opened up to each other about dreams, secrets, and insecurities. I gave Alexis Daria’s Take the Lead, four stars. Thank you Netgalley and Saint Martinis Press this arc.

CW: parental abandonment issues and blackmail,.

✨What to expect✨
•DWTS vibes
•Secrets
•Dancer
•Reality Star

✨Thoughts ✨
If you are a fan of DWTS, then you must read this one!

I really enjoyed this one, the tension and build up between these two…loved it! I loved the whole DWTS concept, I kept picturing each of their dances in my head while reading. Stone is a quiet, tall, and bearded man, I really liked him. I loved Gina, a fiery Latina woman who was going after her dreams and wasn’t going to put up with any BS. The chemistry between these too was great. I wasn’t expecting this to be so spicy, but I loved it!

I wasn’t crazy about was the drama at the end between these two. I also felt like Stone’s secret was a little far-fetched.

I’m feeling awfully conflicted about this one, but overall I really enjoyed it! Let’s get into it:

As someone who danced until halfway through college, this book brought me back to a side of myself that I missed very much, and helped me reconnect with the insides of an industry I’ve always loved. The premise is a blast— survivalist reality tv show star goes on a competitive dance show where he is matched with a pro dancer. I loved how Alexis Daria was able to connect the emotions and stories of the characters to their experiences dancing with one another, as well as to the stories they told in the choreography. This aspect of the story completely set it apart for me from every rom-com I’ve read before and I adored it so much.

Another part I loved: Gina. Gina is SUCH a wonderful MC. I loved her integrity, her kindness, her heart, her ability to wear her insecurities and her fears on her sleeve without letting it affect the way she treated others. She had moments where she was (understand) tempted to be petty, and she always came back to her roots in how she acted. I love seeing a character like this in any book. I ALSO adored the connection to Gina’s Puerto Rican culture, and how vocally she discussed and stood up for herself when facing harmful stereotypes. All of this gets an A+++ from me.

The problem lies in the most classic place: the third act breakup. I hated this conflict so much, and Stone acted in a way that I nearly found unforgivable. I liked him just fine throughout, I liked his shy humor and how he was able to reconnect to the person he really is outside of the reality show persona he plays. This was awesome for growth and realism. What he does to Gina undid so much of this for me, and I didn’t like the later justification for why he did it. It was an unnecessary betrayal, especially as this couple was dealing with enough *believable* conflict already based on her roots in LA & NYC and his being in Alaska. Not to mention that Stone tries to justify these actions via flipping the script to focus on HIS feelings. This really left a sour taste in my mouth, and I think I found myself much more disconnected from the story come the end than I expected to be after so enjoying more of the book.

Im ultimately giving this a 3.75, as I still so enjoyed so much of it but can’t get past such a big part of the story. I’ve already got other books by this author downloaded on my kindle, though, and I’ll definitely be reading them!

Thank you to St. Martins press & NetGalley for the eArc of this title!

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an E-ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

This was an okay cute romance. We follow Gina who is a professional dancer on a tv show called “The Dance Off” where you compete against other professional dancers to win first place on the show. We also follow Stone who is a wilderness reality tv show actor for “The Living Wild”. Stone gets paired up with Gina to be dance partners and compete on “The Dance Off”. Stone has no idea how to to dance, so Gina teaches him all the dances he has to learn while competing. This book follows Gina and Stone dancing together and learning about each other, which leads to them falling for one another even though they shouldn’t. Gina has always been focused on her dancing career. After her breakup with one of her old dance partners, she vowed to never date or mess around with her dance partners again because she doesn’t want to jeopardize her career with her personal life. Stone lives in a Alaska with his family, and acts on a tv show where everyone thinks him and his family live a healthy, perfect life, but when off camera, his family is dysfunctional. Stone loves Alaska, and vows that he will never leave…until he meets Gina.

I have to say that I enjoyed the last 50% of this book more than the beginning 50% of this book. I felt the beginning to be lacking, and the story was dragging. But, once I got to the 50% mark, the story became interesting. I’m not a huge fan of Gina — the way she was written in this book really annoyed me. She was just very annoying and bossy. I liked Stone, but I just felt like he was being whipped by Gina and bowing down to her like every second. The smut was good, but again, Gina was in control, and I just found it to be annoying especially after they would have sex and she’s like “okay you can go fuck off now”. She basically threw Stone to the side like he was nothing.

I’m not sure if this was suppose to be written as a reverse Grumpy x Sunshine, if it was, then it makes sense. If it wasn’t, then I don’t know LOL. Overall, I enjoyed the last half of this book, but I will not continue to read the rest of the series.

(3.5★)

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria is a opposites attract romance that follows tv survivalist Stone Nielson and professional dancer Gina Morales.

This book begins with the two main characters just meeting and already having such intensity, which I did find a little odd. In essence, it seemed like a "insta-love" encounter even though there was only chemistry involved because neither mc acted upon on their feelings. But, I must say that whenever Stone and Gina were together, they had their cute moments and, my gosh, they were just so right for one another.

Although when everything fell apart and Gina and Stone broke up, Gina did start to annoy me since she was making a big deal out of something that didn't require a lot of attention. For this reason, I also felt bad for Stone.

Overall, despite the fast pacing, I found this to be such a sweet and enjoyable read!

*Thank you to St. Martin's Press, and to the author, Alexis Daria, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.*

Take the Lead is a steamy romance, filled with passion and so many emotions! Gina and Stone light up the page! The couple are true opposites—Gina is a ballroom dancer with her sights set on a big career in New York or Los Angeles; Stone is a burly man who lives in Alaska, whose family stars in a reality tv show about life in the wild. But when they are paired up for a dance competition show, the sparks fly, the affection grows, and they seem to bring out the best in each other. The author does a fantastic job of placing the reader in the cutthroat world of reality tv, with conflicts that threaten any chance of a future between these two stars. It was a bumpy ride at times, but I was happy to be along for the ride!

I started reading this book after getting the Netgalley ARC, and thought, hmm this sounds really familiar! Turns out I read it after reading other books by Alexis Daria and loved it back then, so I was excited to revisit these characters again. This was such a fun read, especially after finishing Jenette McCurdy’s memoir.

Gina is such a strong character, dedicated to being a dancer. Her chemistry with Stone is evident early on, even with Stone trying to hide a secret. It was fun watching their relationship grow under the guise of the dancing with the stars like show. I really like Alexis Daria’s book, and I felt like this one wrapped up really nicely. Can’t wait to read more by her.

A whirlwind romance paired with a Dancing With The Stars back drop?! I’m here for it! Two reality tv stars are not shy in front the cameras, but when Gina (Pro Dancer) and Stone (Alaskan Bush Man) are partnered up, it’s not long before sparks and rumours fly.

It’s obvious Gina and Stone are from two completely different worlds, but for the time being their secret love affair is working for them…. That is until one of the cameras catch a glimpse of them sharing a romantic kiss, after the paparazzi already caught Gina leaving Stone’s hotel room one morning.

Gina generally has a rule that she doesn’t mix business with pleasure, but their attraction has been undeniable. Gina fears that the release of this kissing scene could ruin her chances of winning the trophy, and the image around her career…

Obviously this makes it challenging for Gina and Stone to work together and it all comes down to their final dance.

Will winning or losing determine whether they’ll accept their feelings for what they are? Or will either of those options push them further away?