Not a bad read. I enjoyed it and the characters were fun but it didn't stick with me long once I was done.

Ripley’s career is finally going in the direction he’s always wanted. His dancing is improving and he has the lead male role in the ballet he is touring with. Outside of his dancing, though, his life is a bit of a mess. His best friend is going a bit crazy, his Dad is becoming more affected by his Huntington’s, and Ripley has had to live every day for the last several years knowing it was a 50/50 shot at him developing it as well. He loves his job, and he loves touring, but being back home in Perth is getting a bit stressful. Which is why when he sees a man–Pierce–checking him out across a club he goes for it. Three weeks of dancing, fucking, and getting to know the cute but standoffish sailor is just what he needs as a distraction. Until the distraction becomes a lot more distracting than he intended.
I think this book felt like I should have enjoyed it a lot more than I did. It wasn’t bad, but it just seemed to lack some critical element that would keep my interest. Dancers, sailors, Australia…all things I love to read about. And at points I liked them in this book. The rigors of dancing on Ripley’s body were well worked into the story, and served a nice counterpoint to all the lurking–but still unknown–implications of possibly inheriting Huntington’s from his father. Plus as Huntington’s isn’t a regular plot device I found it rather interesting and thought it made the book a bit more interesting.
There was just something about the way this was written though. The sentences felt a bit too choppy. They didn’t really flow well together as a continuous whole. And while I hope it was just a result of the book file sent to me not being the final product, the formatting was a bit of a hindrance since I could never sink fully into the story. I try not to be overly critical of things like that since I rarely get the polished-up final versions, but it did start to get annoying by the end and I must admit that it played a role in how I felt at the end of this book.
I’m not too clear on what is the policy in the Australian Armed Services in regards to how it deals with openly gay sailors, but on the whole I found myself sympathizing with Pierce about his issues regarding coming out to his fellow submariners. I think before I did the same (in some ways) I was more critical of people who choose not to reveal their gender or sexual identities, but after the fact I can see how bloody hard it can really be. Ripley who has been out for ages and works in a field that does not systematically condemn him for it, came off a bit too pushy when it came to Pierce’s reluctance. Had they been together longer I might have understood it more, but after only a few weeks I’m not sure Ripley had the right to start harping on about the subject. Especially since he continually insists that this relationship is going to end when the ballet–and him with it–leaves Perth in three weeks time. His constant pushing at Pierce about this kinda ticked me off.
Mostly this story just dragged a bit too much for me. While there were certainly parts I enjoyed, it seemed happy to settle for well enough, and that is how it came off in the end. A few high points, a few low points, and the rest was well enough.

Great book! This was a new author for me.. And I. Glad I got a chance to read an author that I didn’t know or read before.

I really didn't enjoy this very much at all. The writing was really not my favorite... a lot of short sentences that lead nowhere. The HFN ending was not appreciated. The characters felt like they were inconsistant at times, and their connection wasn't felt in the writing. Not in the least bit did I feel their connection. A story filled with a lot of telling me things and not showing me. Case in point, the exit from any sexual contact. This has zero heat. Zero.

The premise of the story has potential, it just needs a lot of work.

This was a really nice romance between 2 unlikely characters, one a ballet dancer and out and proud and one a submariner still far from being out. A chance meeting brings them together and changes them both. I enjoyed the way they both grew and changed and came to unlikely (for them) realisations about what they wanted. The ending is left open and I'd like to see more about Ripley and Pierce.

Thanks to NetGalley and Escape Publishing for a copy in return for an honest review.

this was an interesting story.. good plot and writing.. characters were likable and i enjoyed it. it was funny in spots. i did wish there was a bit more romance to be honest but overall it was an enjoyable read and i enjoyed reading it

A sweet story about a ballet dancer named Ripley and a closeted sailor named Pierce. I really enjoyed the relationship between them, although I will say it did seem to develop a bit quickly for the timeframe. Ignoring the timeframe, though, the plot seemed to develop quite nicely. The subplot regarding Ripley’s family and its potential effects on Ripley himself (no spoilers!) was an interesting addition and fit well into the story, especially considering Ripley’s profession as a dancer. I liked Ripley’s tattoos and the reasoning behind them, as that helped flesh out his character some more. I liked that there wasn’t a major conflict in the story - no betrayals/cheating, no real enemy - and so we were able to focus more on the development of the relationship between Ripley and Pierce. I will say that perhaps there could have been more on Pierce’s background, but overall I was quite satisfied, and was happily surprised at the way Pierce’s coworkers responded to his eventual coming out with Ripley at his side. Perhaps it could have been a bit steamier ;) but overall no major complaints, really enjoyed this. Good job!

Ripley is a 26-year-old contemporary ballet dancer who is going through his moment of success, his work is everything to him, although he appreciates being able to spend time with his family while the show goes through his hometown. Pierce is a 23-year-old sailor who is still 'in the closet', afraid of how this would change the treatment of his companions in the submarine. Their personalities and careers could not be more opposite, but a fortuitous encounter makes them rethink their relationships and maybe take advantage to make other changes in their lives.
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quote: He glanced at the bag on the passenger seat. Did he bring it in this time or leave it? The sensible part of him screamed to leave it, end this and go back to how things were. His life had been safe before Ripley. The rest of him wanted to grab on to this chance and not let go. He stared at the bag, the song on the radio changed twice before he got out of the car, leaving the bag on the seat and walking to the hotel.
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An okay read. Lacks real deep, despite all the talks about what's going on with Ripley concerns . There is not special secundary character, and it feel like all the decitions are rushed , /SPOILER-->especially with the talk of kids! they both are in their 20s! And is Pierce first relashionship and they about to get separated a long time.<--SPOILER/All seems too... easy.

And Dear Author: even I now that there are more in writing that 'periods'. Like 'semicolons' and 'dashes'. Imagine that. Maybe it was an experiment, I don't know. I miss the other punctuation marks.

The premise is good - a M/M Romance between a dancer and a sailor- I just wish the execution was better. It's not that the writing is bad-- it's pretty good actually but something was missing. I never got the idea that the author (Husk) really liked, let alone loved her characters. Throughout there seems to be an uncomfortable distance between the author's words and her own connection with story. This truly is more a romance than an erotic story-- though the writing lacks any passion. It more feels like Riley and Pierce are trying to build a friendship rather than a romantic partnership. The fact that both characters seem unable to embrace themselves (let alone their situations) definitely contribute to this rather sterile 'romance'.

Husk has included a lot of good secondary lot points that are probably the only reason I was able to hold on to the end. I wish Husk would reexamine her men and embrace them and look deeper into the expression of passion.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was sent this book without requesting it so I am reviewing it.

I was very excited about the book, as it's about a danseur, and set in Australia, two things I love reading about. I did like Ripley a bit, he seemed like he could become an interesting character. Pierce seemed like he might be pretty layered which is always more fun to read. I admit I only read the first five chapters because I honestly was so miserable forcing even that that I could not keep reading. Maybe the writing improves, I doubt it, anything is possible, but I have no desire to find out. Unfortunately the writing makes it nearly impossible to read. I'm not sure if there was any editing done at all, but nearly every sentence is the exact same length so even with extensive editing it would need a lot of work to make it an enjoyable read. It reads like you're running down hill and quickly losing your footing except you never do, the hill just continues on and on. I wish I could have continued but after two days of refusing to read anything to avoid it I decided it was best to step away. It is definitely an interesting subject and the blurb sounds interesting, I hope the author finds betas and editors that can help her improve her writing.

In The Spotlight is a fantastic read by Shona Husk! This is my first time reading anything by Shona and I loved it!

Ripley is so much fun, just full of life and attitude. When he meets Pierce, a closeted Navy sailor, the attraction is instant. Both men are going through some issues in their lives though.

Ripley dreams of playing the Prince in Swan Lake onstage someday, but he's also struggling with his future, as he's afraid he's going to develop Huntington's Disease like his father. And when he becomes injured, he is at even more of a crossroads.

Pierce is living a lie, continuing to lie to his friends about his sexuality. It has never been easy for him, but when he meets Ripley it proves to be even more difficult.

Two weeks. They will be in the same place for two weeks and decide to spend that time together. Knowing the time will be short will prevent either from heartache, but they know it still wouldn't be easy to say goodbye.

When the feelings become more real, they have some decisions to make. They live in different countries, Pierce travels with his Navy job, and can they make a closeted relationship work between them.

I found myself sucked into this book immediately, completely intrigued and falling for these men. The writing style is quick, emotional and so much fun.

Definitely check out In The Spotlight, as Shona Husk has a winner with this story!

I received this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is a quick read about a relationship between a Sailor in the Navy and a principal ballet dancer. I liked the two characters very much and applaud the author for creating the ballet dancer as the openly gay character. Many books that I have read recently have the military character, as the stronger, surer of himself character. While I enjoyed this as a quick read, I would have liked some more character development for both characters.