Rounding up from 3.5 stars. I loved Archer and Mateo, but I didn’t like the amount of time spent on Archer and Caleb when the relationship didn’t make sense. Why would someone as nice as Archer stay with someone as mean and bratty as Caleb?

Back to the good stuff: the chemistry between Archer and Mateo was insane, and their dance scenes were beautifully written. I also appreciated Archer’s strong friendships with Lynn, Betty, and Eileen. If you love Broadway or dance, you’ll probably enjoy this book.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for proving an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a adorable Dirty Dancing-esque book! There was great depth to all characters and you could feel the drama in you as you read this book! I loved it and there was great connections between characters and just the right amount of romance and comedy interwoven through the dramatic events and characters. Great story!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book however I disliked the infidelity trope. The banter and developing romance between Archer and Mateo was fantastic; their chemistry was palpable! At times, the characters came across as younger than they were; perhaps due to the antics and drama included within this novel. Regardless, I binged this book.

I had the time of my life..... Okay, you can tell by this title where it's drawing its inspiration, I feel (dirty dancing belongs to gen Xers) this was a really good story about Archer, who is a 27-year-old guy trying to fulfill his Broadway dreams a little bit later than most in New York City. He's had a rough time few callbacks, but nothing as far as a paying job. He gets an addition and lands a job in the Catskills. At a LGBTQ+ resort called shady queens ( if you know that reference, you know that reference) - when Archer arrives, we're introduced to a band of his cohorts in dancing, and he is shocked to find Mateo. Dixon, who formally ruled broadway and was one of his idols when he was a teen, fighting off their growing attraction, archer finds other distractions There's a really strong group of sub characters in this book. Archer's friendsSome coworkers, a really special guest while they work through the season, amid attention and drama they are working to the final show with twists and turns and dramas and romance This was a good book. I would very much.I'd like to see a sequel.You can find out what happens with this group of characters...... It was light, it was funny, it was serious. It was romantic, it was such a good book.It described a place that I would very much like to go to if it really existed

Thank you, nat galley for the arc.In exchange for an honest review

Flirty Dancing is a vibrant blend of Broadway dreams, sizzling chemistry, and campy drama. Archer’s last shot at stardom lands him at a Catskills resort, tangled in romance, dancefloor sparks, and a messy but endearing crew. With humor, heart, and a dash of chaos, this is a dazzling ode to love, art, and finding where you belong.

New to me author and will be reading again. 
If you grew up watching Dirty Dancing you'll love this MM romance. Grumpy sunshine filled with puns, slow burn, and a summer of fun that could lead to a lifetime of dreams. 
My favourite quote "Maybe we should measure width now?”, had me snickering.

Grumpy 😠 Sunshine ☀ romance
Retelling with a twist
MM 👱🧑🏻
Dreamer
Dancing 🕺🏻🕺🏼
Childhood crush
Unrequited love

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2.75 ⭐️

i’m so so sorry to say i did not enjoy this as much as i was expecting to 🫣 from the cover and description, i was totally sold on a queer dirty dancing inspired book (one of my favorite movies!!) but this went in a direction i did not expect.

instead of predominantly developing the romance, we instead spend a lot of focus on the issues of the story, that of which were convoluted and drama to the max.

i dnf’d this title over halfway through, and will not be providing a public review- thank you for the opportunity!

A fun MM contemporary spin on dirty dancing. About dancing and relationships. Great character growth within the story line. Archer is a dancer who is excited to land a part in a show and when he gets to the rehearsal he sees Mateo. A guy he’s been crushing on for years. Fun and flirty vibes with twists and turns. You never know what to expect! Very enjoyable read!

This contemporary romance is about Archer, a dancer that has moved to NY to start over as a dancer, and Mateo, a broadway star that has had been hiding from the stage. They both go to work at a resort called Shady Queens as dancers.

This is such a fun romp of a book. It has lots of humor and fun (The characters are at a Resort after all) whilst still having serious moments with great pacing.

The characters are well written with a supporting cast of individuals. You get to watch Archer and Mateo grow as dancers and as people.

This was truly such a fun read. It was fun and engaging. I did not want to put it down!

If you’re someone who loves nonstop drama, this book is for you! Archer is in his late twenties and trying to make it on Broadway. When he books a show at an LGBTQ+ resort for the summer, he is thrilled to have his first paying gig.

But as dramatic as any theater kid group you know (or at least the ones I grew up in) things quickly escalate to tears, drama, and all the feelings. Much like those groups, it also took Archer a LONG time to finally settle down with the right person.

If you like a closed door, slow burn, MM romance full of teen antics and drama, this book is the one for you!

I just finished a great romcom.Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt was such an enjoyable read. I loved it.

As a theatre kid and a lover of Dirty Dancing, I was so excited when I discovered this book was being published. After reading it, I'm absolutely in love with it. There were plenty of times where I wanted to yell at the characters, but hey, that's apart of the story. I really loved the two MCs Archer and Mateo, and enjoyed many of the side characters as well. A fun read with an HEA ending.

Get ready to pirouette straight into the drama, romance, and heartwarming charm of Flirty Dancing! 🌈 This delightful summer romp is packed with Broadway vibes, irresistible characters, and enough spark to light up the Catskills.

🎭 The Plot:
Archer Read is chasing his Broadway dreams, but after countless rejections, he’s running out of hope—and money. Enter Shady Queens, a queer-friendly Catskills resort where Archer’s last chance at stardom collides with his teenage crush, Mateo Dixon, a once-famous Broadway star turned brooding boss. Add a spicy romance with his hot bunkmate, Caleb, and a wildly chaotic dance crew, and you’ve got a summer Archer will never forget.

🔥 Why You’ll Love It:
• Archer’s Journey: From wide-eyed dreamer to finding his place, Archer’s story is one of resilience, humor, and heart.
• Broadway Meets Catskills: With endless showbiz references, a colorful cast, and over-the-top drama, this book is a musical theater lover’s dream.
• Messy, Swoon-Worthy Romances: Mateo and Archer’s slow-burn chemistry and Caleb’s irresistible charm will have you rooting for love in all its forms.
• Themes That Hit the Right Note: A celebration of queerness, creativity, and finding your tribe, this story is as empowering as it is entertaining.

💃 Final Thoughts:
Flirty Dancing isn’t just a rom-com; it’s a love letter to anyone who’s ever dreamed big and danced their heart out. Between the laughs, tears, and steamy moments, it reminds us that love—and life—is all about taking center stage, even when the spotlight feels too bright.

🎭 Perfect for fans of: Casey McQuiston, found family vibes, and stories where art imitates life in the best way.

📚 #FlirtyDancing #JenniferMoffatt #RomanticComedy #QueerRomance #BroadwayDreams #DanceRomance #CatskillsChaos #BookishLove #LGBTQRomance 🌈✨

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This book was an absolute delight! The bended between the humor and the romance was perfect. The chemistry between the characters was beautiful. The vivid descriptions makes the story very engaging. Overall this is a pleasant uplifting read!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Jennifer Moffatt's Flirty Dancing feels both nostalgic and fresh. As someone who imprinted on the film Dirty Dancing at an impressionable age, I loved this trip down memory lane, where I could practically smell the lake water, feel splinters on the dock, and imagine the chaos of the dancers' cramped dorm quarters at Shady Queens, the fictional Catskills' resort that serves as the setting for the story. There's a strong sense of place, and though the main leads in the story - Mateo and Archer - carry a lot of the emotional load, even secondary characters like Betty, Caleb, Ben & Beau, and the delightful Eileen Lamb hold their own. Broadway references abound, along with board games, beer pong, skinny dipping, a little drama, and a touch of past trauma. It's a slow-burn romance, and not without its love story detours, but the pace worked well, and I stayed engaged through the whole novel. While not especially explicit in its love scenes, the yearning Archer feels for Mateo comes through loud and clear, and he makes a very appealing lead. I believed the progression of the romance, as Mateo and Archer bond first only over their dancing chemistry, then lower their defenses enough to allow their relationship to bloom off-stage.

Flirty Dancing is the gay contemporary romance twist on Dirty Dancing that you didn't know you needed. I personally wish there were many more Dirty Dancing retellings (or Dirty Dancing-inspired stories), so if you're the same, you're going to have to add this to your summer TBR.

I think this book struck a great balance in drawing its inspiration from Dirty Dancing, but then really making it into its own thing, with a contemporary setting. I had a lot of fun reading this, and thought the writing was really engaging, making me fly through it.

This is quite a messy story, though, so I know it won't be for everyone because of that. I have to admit I enjoyed the drama, but I did feel a little disappointed that we waste so much time in this book on the antagonist of the story, even seeing our main character date him for a good chunk of the book. I personally felt fed up with him very early on, so this did annoy me a little.

I received an eARC of this book by netgalley

This book was great, and had all the drama of good old high school(The description definitely was right)!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this amazing book.

You know how sometimes you want to just curl up and watch one of those classic romance movies you grew up with even if you’ve seen it a dozen times? Make it Dirty Dancing, an inclusive summer camp and put it in book form and that is this novel.

I smiled often at the characters- they were dazzling and I hope very much that this could turn into a series because I would love nothing more than some extra time with them. They’re steamy, dramatic in the way that happens with love and lust, but the slow burn of Matteo and Asher is epic. I could feel the chemistry through the book and binged through this book because I had to know if they’d get together.

And the dancing! I so wanted to see the show but it was described wonderfully. The only flaw I could find in the book was the characters felt younger than they were. Did I mention that I loved this book?

With this one being open for a short time, I knew I needed to read it. Glad that I did. Thank you for the opportunity to do so.

This book had me by the throat with that cover. Then I actually read and I was done for. The variety of different LGBTQIAP+ characters enhanced the overall comedic and romantic possibilities of the story. Greatly enjoyed!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.