I used to love watching dancing with the stars, so I had high hopes for this book…was just ok for me. Not enough spice, too long, too much unnecessary drama for me.

DNF @ Chapter 4 and I kind of have the ick. These two characters right out the gate start kissing and fondling but no chemistry has been shown or explained. It’s very…random. Like my face this entire chapter has been stuck in the yuck face as I’m reading and I didn’t even notice lol! There is no building or explanation or idea who even these people are. I felt too thrown in and it wasn’t fun with all this confusion and guessing I have to do to make this story somehow make sense.

Enjoyed the writing from this author. Liked the characters and storytelling. Four stars will read from this author again!

I'm so sad i didn't enjoy this one. I'm always down for a reality TV show in books but unfortunately, this one just didn't work for me. I wasn't a fan of either of our main characters. Kate just didn't seem to think things through very well and seemed very one-dimensional. Merle was too self-absorbed and a little creepy. Overall I just could not get into this romance.

this wasn't for me. I was not invested in any of the characters and that could be because they aren't my type of people or because the author couldn't characterize or write them fully. Not quite sure.

If you enjoy watching dance competitions, are a dancer, or dream of becoming one someday, this book is for you! "The Dance Deception" is a contemporary romance novel that combines the excitement of a dance competition reality TV show with steamy romance and dramatic twists.
Love the characters!

had to force myself through it when I looked on goodreads and saw that it only had 2 stars, yikes. Trying not to let that influence how I feel about the book, I still felt like something was lacking in this one.
These two strangers are going at it right away and i was so surprised because the female character is talking about how they're strangers. I normally dont mind spicy books but this one seemed a bit unexpected and out of nowhere. Especially the fact that he flimed her naked without her permission... gross. I guess I just didn't expect this to be a spicy book.
I guess this is like a sexy while also corny version of Dancing With The Stars, if you will.
Something about the writing in this just seemed to be lacking. I just wasnt a fan. Seemed like wasted potential.
Theres not even much for chatacter development, to make up for it.
Then to find out Mel has a wife, double gross.
THEN to find out that the FMC is more concerned with Mel dancing with someone else than him being married is so bizarre to me.

A sexy contemporary romance. Kate is definitely not a professional dancer, but she's nervously excited to show off her abilities as a contestant on a new dance competition show. And her chemistry with her new dance partner is off the charts. Do they have a shot at winning? And can a showmance evolve into something real?

The competition aspect was fun, and I did enjoy the fake to real romance between Kate and Aleksis. The romance is very steamy. More explicit sex scenes than I prefer. I hated Merle from the start and just wished Kate could have put up better boundaries. She honestly didn't have much of a character though. It was a fun little read, but I'm not sure I'd pick it up again.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Kate Wareing's life takes an unexpected turn when she secures a spot in a televised dance competition, paired first with the charming Merle, then with the brooding Aleksis. As she navigates a web of romance, competition, and scandal, Kate must decide between her feelings for her fake boyfriend and her real partner, knowing her choices could alter her future.

Get ready to tango with laughter and swoon with passion in Becky Ward's "The Dance Deception"! This rom-com is hotter than a salsa on a summer night and more entertaining than a reality TV dance competition.

From the get-go, you're thrown into the whirlwind world of reality TV, where Kate Wareing finds herself thrust into the spotlight as a contestant on a televised dance competition. Paired with the dreamy French dancer, Merle, Kate's journey takes unexpected twists and turns as scandals and sparks fly faster than a cha-cha.

But fear not, dear reader, for this isn't just any run-of-the-mill romance. Oh no, this book has more drama than a soap opera and more twists than a pirouette. With enemies-to-lovers and fake dating tropes at play, you'll be on the edge of your seat, rooting for Kate and her new partner, Aleksis, to sizzle both on and off the dance floor.

And speaking of sizzle, let's talk about the spice! From page five onwards, prepare for steamy scenes that'll make you blush brighter than a tango dress. The chemistry between Kate and her dance partners is off the charts, and you'll be fanning yourself as you turn the pages.

But it's not all heat and passion. Becky Ward weaves in moments of jaw-dropping drama and unexpected twists that'll leave you gasping for breath. Just when you think you know where the story is headed, Ward throws in a curveball that'll keep you guessing until the very end.

And let's not forget about the characters! Kate may start off as a self-absorbed mess, but her journey of growth and self-discovery is both relatable and heartwarming. And her dance partners, Merle and Aleksis, add layers of complexity and intrigue to the story, making you question who she'll end up with until the final page.

In short, "The Dance Deception" is a must-read for anyone looking for a hilarious, steamy, and utterly entertaining romp through the world of reality TV romance. So grab your dancing shoes, crank up the music, and get ready to waltz into a world of love, laughter, and plenty of drama!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the advance copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper 360 | Avon for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"The Dance Deception" had the potential to be an entertaining and romantic dance-themed novel, but it ultimately falls flat due to a contrived plot, one-dimensional characters, and a lack of genuine emotional depth.

The premise of a woman participating in a televised dance competition and becoming entangled in a love triangle with her professional partners is intriguing. However, the execution fails to deliver a compelling story. The characters lack depth and development, making it difficult to invest in their relationships or motivations.

Kate, the protagonist, comes across as naive and indecisive, constantly torn between the two love interests, Merle and Aleksis, who are little more than caricatures of the charming Frenchman and the brooding bad boy. Their interactions feel forced and lack the natural chemistry and banter that could have made their romantic entanglements more engaging.

The plot itself is riddled with clichés and predictable twists, offering little in the way of surprises or fresh storytelling. The dance competition aspect, which could have been a highlight, feels underutilized and serves more as a backdrop for the contrived romantic drama.

Ward's writing style is serviceable but fails to elevate the material, often relying on tired tropes and superficial descriptions. The dialogue, in particular, feels stilted and unconvincing, further undermining the already weak character development.

While "The Dance Deception" might appeal to readers seeking a light and undemanding romance novel, it falls short of delivering a truly engaging or memorable reading experience. With its lack of depth, predictable plot, and underdeveloped characters, this book struggles to rise above a mediocre 2-star rating.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I had the pleasure of diving into the intricate world crafted by Becky Ward in her novel, "The Dance Deception," and I'm immensely grateful to NetGalley for granting me access to an advance reader copy (ARC) of this captivating book. Ward's narrative skill shines brightly in this gripping tale of intrigue, betrayal, and the power of redemption.

"The Dance Deception" unfolds with a perfect blend of suspense and mystery, keeping readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Ward's characters are expertly developed, each with their own secrets and motivations that add layers of complexity to the story. As the plot twists and turns, we're drawn deeper into a web of deception and danger, unable to tear ourselves away until the truth is revealed.

Ward's writing is both immersive and evocative, painting vivid scenes that leap off the page and into the imagination. With its compelling storyline and well-crafted suspense, "The Dance Deception" is a must-read for fans of thrillers and mystery novels. I highly recommend this book to anyone in search of a captivating read that will keep them guessing until the very end. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with the opportunity to experience this gripping tale before its official release.

I loved how delightfully spicy this was. Out of the gate it was hot hot hot, then WHOA! Back to start we go with the slow build. Delicious!

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

I don’t know what it was about this but I really tried to read it and enjoy it but I never really cared about the characters at all… they just didn’t have much for personality. I didn’t finish. I’m sorry. I like the idea but just couldn’t get into it

DNF at like 4 chapters

Thank you to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for a review

I couldn't get into this book, it was slow, it was boring, and the sex scene in like the fourth chapter was bland.

Kate's Dance Dilemma had the potential to be a compelling read, it seems that inconsistencies and problematic elements detracted from the overall enjoyment. There were parts I like, but I sadly would not recommend this book to my friends.

Don’t let this cute little cover fool you, this book is full of 🌶️🌶️!

The Dance Deception follows Kate a contestant on a celebrity reality show dancing competition. She is paired with Merle, a professional dancer, and very quickly discovers the chemistry. Eventually Kate is forced to take on a new partner, Aleksis, and so begins a fake dating showmance. The chemistry starts out as fake but could it be more??

I am a sucker for a dancing competition and this book was filled with all the drama of a reality show. I was there for it and couldn’t get enough. Also the spice was insane! I definitely wasn’t expecting it.

I definitely look forward to more from this author.

Another 2023 read that I loved, that started off super hot (sorry but I won't sugar coat this one). Loved the dedication of the main character, the chemistry from both of her dance partners, the way the story made me think of behind the scenes of Dancing with the Stars, and I'm pretty sure I screamed out loud in multiple parts when reading. And let's not forget the ex-wife! Without spoiling it, I LOVED her involvement in the entire scheme. It was a perfect twist I wouldn't have expected when I first started reading and she was "Karma" personified. Without her, I don't think it would have done it for me. Enemies to lovers? Fake dating? Having to deal with paparazzi and reporters and all that jazz? I was eating it all up.

A big thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read this and to the author for this story.