Adorable sapphic dance romance!

I love a competition+reality tv show romance!

Lillian is the master ballerina of her ballet company which is an all Black dancer company and Blue Lennox (aka Izzy) is the head dancer of her burlesque troupe that prides themselves of including all types of people of all shapes and sizes. They meet after auditions to the show and have a one night stand. Both teams make the competition and even though they decided to have only a one night stand they are extremely attracted to each other but don’t want the distraction.

This was really cute and I loved the chemistry of Izzy and Lillian and thought the things they were dealing with outside of the dance competition were very relatable and made for a well rounded story.

Thanks to netgalley and forever grand pub for an eARC.

I meet these ladies at Steamy Lit Con and they were so in love and were so excited about this book. They showed me the cover back then and I have been waiting impatiently for this book.

This was such a great story about diversity and body positivity. Blue and Lilian had an amazing one night stand and months later meet up again on a reality show to win money. They try to resist each other but their connection is just too strong. I love how supportive they were with each other and their teammates. The supporting cast of characters added great depth to the story.

Thank you @readforeverpub @netgalley for a copy of this book.

Second Night Stand by Karelia Stetz-Waters & Fay Stetz-Waters is a charming romance.

Prima ballet dancer Lillian Jackson is a bit aloof and dedicated to her career. Having devoted her life to ballet, she has no interest in long term relationships. Lillian has a loving family but her relationship with her mother is strained. Worried about the future of her dancers, Lillian very reluctantly agrees for all of them to be part of a dance reality show.

Burlesque dancer Izzy Wells aka Blue Lennox has brought together an inclusive community of performers. Izzy holds her past and emotions close but as Blue Lennox, she is confident, flirty and captivating. While surrounded by close friends, Izzy is a bit estranged from her mom, half-sister and step-dad. With financial ruin facing her, Izzy is delighted when she is selected to compete on the reality show.

Second Night Stand is a wonderful romance with a great cast of diverse, eclectic characters. Lillian and Izzy are a wonderful couple but the are not planning on a long-term relationship. The reality show is interesting and provides a interesting backdrop for Izzy and Lillian’s romance. With the future of the couple’s relationship hanging in the balance, Karelia Stetz-Waters & Fay Stetz-Waters bring this incredible novel to a heart-felt conclusion.

Ok, let me first of all say, I adore Blue Lenox/Izzy and I want her to be my best friend, k?!

Blue is the head of a burlesque group, Velveteen Crush. She bought a very run down theater because she wanted a safe LGBTQ+ space for performers. I really loved that they were a no-audition place and took everyone in that wanted to be a part.

Lillian is a Black ballet dancer that has fought so hard for her place in her company but it's at the risk of failure. As the lead, she feels obligated to keep them afloat.

Both go onto a reality show competition to win money for their own purposes but there is a slight problem - they had a one night stand and thought they would never see one another again.

I love the body positivity and the inclusivity in this book. The leads are passionate about their lives and each other. This was an amazing book by a real life couple. Beautiful

This book was a lot of fun!

Lillian and Blue have a very steamy one-night stand only to find out later that both of their dance troupes will be competing against each other on a reality tv show. Lillian needs to win so she can finally prove that her all black ballet company has what it takes to earn doner support. Izzy (Blue’s real name) needs to win because the million-dollar prize money would renovate the theater she bought for her inclusive burlesque troupe.

I love books that explore what happens off screen on reality tv, and this one didn’t disappoint on that aspect. I actually wish we could have gotten just a bit more. This aspect was so fun and funny, and the side characters really got a chance to sign in these moments.

While I did enjoy both FMC’s back stories and how healing this journey was for both of them. I probably could have gone with a few less “woe is me” scenes. I also wasn’t a fan of this third act breakup. A lot of people hate third act breakups in general, but I honestly love them. I just need the reason for the breakup to make sense, and this one just fell a little flat for me. It didn’t ruin this story, but I wish it would have either been different or left out altogether.

Overall, this was a quick and easy read that put a smile on my face. The spice was wonderful and I loved this couple.

This sexy romance is lovely and charming. I really liked the characters. The novel lacks the humor I expect from Karelia Stetz-Waters. Toward the middle of novel, the story begins to focus more on the physical aspects of the relationship, and I lost interest. But I’m sure readers who like steamy LGBTQIA+ romance will enjoy this.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.

If you are looking for a book high on"vibes" - I highly recommend you pick this one up. It is soft, sexy, swoony. I loved the backdrop of the reality dance competition show. I also was extremely invested in the mother/daughter relationships for both Lillian and Blue/Izzy. This was such an inclusive, body positive, sex positive romance that I really enjoyed.

I really really really (yes really) wanted to love Second Night Stand, but it fell a bit flat for me. While the romance was sweet, I didn't feel like it was entirely believable. I liked that the characters communicated very well during general conversations and intimate scenes. It just wasn't enough.

The dance competition didn't make sense in my brain. Most of the description for the burlesque performances made me question how they made it as far as they did. Also, without spoiling, the way the competition ended for both teams left much to be desired.

I would still recommend it to anyone looking for a sapphic romance, especially if you hate the miscommunication trope.

4.5 - “You can say no just because you don’t want to. Your feelings matter. You get to do whatever you need to do to protect yourself.”

I grabbed this book solely because I had enjoyed Behind the Scenes so much and I went in pretty blind. This is such a beautiful book. Lillian and Izzy are such flawed, complex characters. They’re surround by such diverse characters rounding out their ballet company and dance troupe respectively, and it just makes for such a fun, compelling read.

Lillian’s struggles with ballet and her mother’s approval. She’s given up so much of her life for ballet and you can tell that she is yearning for something else. Izzy struggles similarly with her mother, never feeling like she’s enough. Their connection is new to them both, as they’ve always had one night stands. But the chemistry they have is so palpable that when they find out they’re competing on the same tv show they can’t stay away.

Everything in this book feels so genuine. Izzy and Lillian have such beautiful conversations throughout. They’re as similar as they are different. There are so many layers to both of them, and you can feel just how caring and supportive they are as things progress. And the supporting cast is just outstanding. They add to the story rather than taking things away.

“In our imperfections we are beautiful!”

The takeaways from the book are also so inspirational. I really loved the overall message of body positivity. I think that, especially in the world of dancers, there can be such immense pressure to look a certain way and Izzy's dance troupe shatters all of these expectations. The function on a mantra of letting anyone who wants to dance into their troupe. It's really incredible that in a book with that discusses a lot of familial trauma can also be this beacon of inspiration. It’s also fitting that this will be out just in time for Pride Month. I can’t recommend this enough for your Pride reading.

"Second Night Stand" by Karelia Stetz-Waters and Fay Stetz-Waters is a captivating romance featuring Izzy Wells, aka Blue Lenox, and Lillian Jackson. Izzy is determined to save her theater, while Lillian is focused on winning the Great American Talent show to save her ballet company. Despite their initial agreement for just one more night together, their chemistry and feelings deepen as they navigate challenges and confront their fears. This novel beautifully explores love, identity, and the pursuit of dreams, with authentic LGBTQ+ representation and excellent character development. It's a must-read for fans of heartfelt romance and diverse characters.

Such a fun and sexy one-night-to-forever romance. As a huge fan of Satisfaction Guaranteed and Behind the Scenes, I expected nothing less. I loved the sex positivity, body positivity, and diversity. Lillian and Izzy were likable and perfect for each other. The communication and consent between them was refreshing and the sex scenes were great. Their goals for winning the competition were noble, and I enjoyed both of their personal growth over the course of the story. Though, fair warning, if you’re looking for enemies-to-lovers or rivals-to-lovers, you won’t find that here. They’re friendly competitors with mutual respect for each other.

My only criticism would be that the pacing could have been a little tighter, but it never slowed to the point where I lost interest.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.

If you look at the cover of SECOND NIGHT STAND, you’ll know exactly why I read it. It has one of the most gorgeous covers! If I were in a store, this would be an immediate cover buy, and no book blurb would be necessary. But then I read the book blurb, and I’m sold. Karelia & Fay Stetz-Waters kick off this book full speed ahead with a fun plot, steamy shenanigans, and fabulous characters!

The first line of the book blurb tries to summarize the book as “a burlesque performer and a professional ballerina fall in love while performing on a reality TV talent show.” Yes, that does happen, but there is so much more! Even though their chemistry was off the charts, Izzy and Lillian were only supposed to have a one-night stand. But their troupes end up competing against one another, which throws a wrench in their plan.

The banter between them is so good. I love how sex-positive the book is and how it ensures everyone is consenting and comfortable. The book is also body-positive and promotes loving the skin you’re in. It was a very feel-good, positive-thinking book. I had a fantastic energy while reading it, and it kept me smiling.

Karelia has written other books, but this is Fay’s first. I am happy that the spouses worked together on this incredible story. I can’t wait to read whatever they put out next!

PS - The dedication is “To courageous romantics everywhere.” My heart 🥹🫶🏻

Thanks, Forever and Netgalley, for the arc!

A burlesque performer and a professional ballerina fall in love while competing on a reality TV talent show.
Izzy and Lillian are flawed, real characters, and it's easy to fall for them right away. They even fall for each other immediately, though these two can't admit it without some help from their friends! They are surrounded by a cast of lovable, diverse characters, between Lillian's all-black ballet company and Izzy's troupe. It's such a loving book with an emphasis on found friendship. The two groups compete in a series of increasingly crazy challenges in the reality talent competition while we also watch Izzy and Lillian struggling with their burgeoning attraction.

Overall, I loved this book. Diverse characters! Sexy times and wonderful chemistry! Fun reality show challenges! Definitely worth a read.
So cute, so fun, so silly, so perfect.

This book had me laughing out loud, drawing looks from my family as I read on the couch. The characters are completely lovable and so different than each other. I loved the competition. I loved everything about this booK!

4.75 stars rounded up

A wonderful installment to the queer reality TV novel group!

Lillian is a ballet dancer whose company is losing its funding unless they win a televised talent show. She's lonely after the audition and finds a hookup in the form of Blue Lenox, a.k.a. Izzy. Izzy is a programmer by day and burlesque dancer on the side, but it turns out her troupe has also auditioned for the show in the hopes of saving Izzy's community theater.

It's easy to tell this book is co-written by a couple who know each other so well. The main characters each have messy mother issues, and both are surrounded by fantastic side characters who love and support them. The cast is full of diversity in sexuality, race, and body size. The TV show setting took more of a backseat than I was expecting, but I really like what the authors did with the story. Looking forward to more from this duo!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

Izzy has something to prove and a lot to lose: the theatre she bought as a space for her burlesque group is a money pit, and she needs the prize money from a reality TV show to keep from going under. Meanwhile, Lillian has just been told that her ballet company is at risk of being defunded...unless they bring in the exposure, and the prize money, from the same show. Neither woman is looking for romance, not with so much on the line...but things don't always go to plan.

This was a no-brainer of a book for me—lesbian romance with dancing and reality television? Yes please. Both the ballet and the burlesque performances are disappointingly vague, but the reality TV portion is a lot of fun: we don't see a ton from the other competitors, but what we do see is pretty tongue-in-cheek, with producers manufacturing drama left and right...but drama that everyone knows is for the cameras, and that doesn't spill over into real life. I enjoy reading about (fictional) reality TV far more than I enjoy watching the real thing, and books where the characters are self-aware about what they've signed up for are right in my sweet spot. Sometimes the tongue-in-cheek goes a little too far to be believed (like the friend who makes herself an "influencer" badge that lets her get away with...just about everything?), and sometimes the fast-forward moments are odd (telling me that the characters "tossed a few over-the-top taunts back and forth" (loc. 994) without sharing the taunts just makes me think that there was nothing witty enough to put in), but I can forgive a lot for characters who have honest conversations and are genuinely trying to do the right thing...and for books where the conflict is not about some evil villain or other but more complicated things.

This book is collaboration between two married writers, one of whom is an established romance writer and for one of whom this is—I think—a first book, and I'll be interested to see if they keep cowriting. I love how much more available, and how much more varied, queer romance has become in the past couple of years.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

A great uplifting story about a ballet dancer and a burlesque dancer who fall in love -- while competing on a dance reality show and trying to hold everything together for their troupes.

The characters are colorful and feel like real people with struggles that feel overwhelming. The spice between Lillian and Blue/Izzy is both hot and sweet. I LOVED Kia and Uncle Carl!! They definitely stole the show when they were in the scenes.

It took me a minute to get into this book - but I enjoyed reading this story and the characters heal from their trauma.

Honestly, I love Karelia's book. They are just these happy sapphic books. I liked the couple and the relationship in this book. I had so much fun reading it!

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What a lovely book! Funny, heartfelt, full of sweet and spicy sex, and with a memorable and lovable cast of supporting characters.
I’ve loved everything from Karelia and this book with Faye was equally wonderful! Highly recommend!

Overall: 3
Spice: 2

Both FMC have a one-night stand, not knowing they would spend weeks/months together on the same competition. The story picks up as they find out they are both on the same show and how they will handle it. Both want to be together, but both have reasons not to be together.

This is a slow, slow burn. Little spice and excessively long for no reason. You could tell it was two writers, and it cause them to make certain parts repetitive.

I did like how they tried to be inclusive to all areas of the LGBTQIA, but it was like they were putting everyone in the story as a check off. I loved body positivity.