I find this being a sweet story. While the first installment in the series was better in my opinion, this is nevertheless a nice read.
Police officer Tracy consider herself a tough woman (and she is!) but two encounters will show her more aspects of her own personality - pregnant teenage homeless girl Gwen makes her to (finally) get in touch with the broken parts of her past (and present self and hunky doctor Matt shows her that she is worthy of admiration and tenderness.
Plus is that this authoress never goes for the “cheap” emotions, she can dig deep and touch both the real crisis snd hurts in life and the way to make peace with them.
Lovely as a cup of hot cocoa!

Take The Lead is book second book in a series which I didn't know when I requested it. I wish NetGalley would tell us that because it makes a difference in the story telling. I think this book would be enjoyable, if you had read the first book in the series first.

Sadly, I was not able to actually read this book before it was archived, however, it still sounds like a fascinating read to me.

Thank you @blackstonepublishing and #netgalley for the e-ARC in return for my honest review. Highly recommend!

A wonderful read in the Dance with Me series! I would highly recommend this book! However that being said I would recommend reading the first book in the series before reading this one.

Take The Lead is the second book in this series. I like the setting and the characters. The plot is a little drawn out for me and didn't grab me but I read to the end and I am glad I did. I don't usually give up on an author that I really enjoy, I can say I enjoy the Amish stories more. Thank you netgalley for the arc, this review is my opinion.

Take the Lead by Shelley Shepard Gray
Book #2: Dance With Me Series
Source: NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing
Rating: 3/5 stars

**MINI REVIEW**


The Bottom Line: This series really is a very sweet series with likeable characters you just want good things to happen to. Int his installment, Officer Traci Lucky has the opportunity to face some of the demons of her own past while helping a young lady she knows has the ability and desire to turn her life around. With the help of her sisters and the delectable Dr. Matt Rossi, Traci has a real opportunity to not only heal herself, but another person in desperate need of just one person caring for her. As with the first book, I found Take the Lead to be a rather uplifting and heartwarming story that really hit the spot over the holidays. I genuinely like this series and hope it will continue to produce good stories revolving around worthy characters.

I was able to read about 60% of this book before I could not continue reading. It was well-written with excellent details of the past traumatic events for the characters, but the plot did not hold my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Shelley Shepard Gray for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a sweet, easy to read romance. The lead characters were easy to root for and Dr. Rossi was a swoon-worthy book boyfriend. I really enjoyed the themes of family and strength.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

This was a heartfelt, engaging and romantic story.
Shelley Shepard Gray is a new author to me and it won’t definitely be my last. I will read more about this series about sisters who reunited after being separated at birth.

This is the second book about Tracy Lucky, who in contrast to her last name, had a tough and rough childhood. She was a bit rough around the edge, not afraid to speak her mind even if she seemed a bit cold. Independent, fierce and a little closed off. Even after meeting her sisters and living with them it was still hard to rely on someone. A badass cop who

Until she met Dr Rossi who happened to be the doctor on call when she had to help a young girl.
A gynecologist who had such a kind heart and soul. Coming from a big family who loved to meddle into his life and nosy, so far from what she used to know.

I appreciated watching the main main characters developing their friendship and turning it into something more. It was a sweet and clean contemporary romance with good vibes and realistic situations.

The interactions between the sisters showed how much they cared about each other and wanting to be a family.

I will definitely read more about this series.

My Thoughts:

“Take the Lead” is the second book in Shelley’s Bridgeport collection, once again encountering three sisters who recently found each other! None of them knew that the others existed! That alone, grabs my attention immediately This book centers on one of my favorite sisters, the second sister in this triiogy . A little tough on the exterior but a caring, loving individual who takes a young pregnant girl under her wing , without hesitating.

The characters are all described in such a realisitc detailed way what the reader is caught up in the lives of each of them. I particularly loved Traci. She put on such a tough act as a police officer, however really was such a softy, wanting to solve the problems of the world. A decelopng romance interrupts Traci's well planned out life. Matt is the doctor who everyone dreans of, kind and loving. The two other sisters are also very different from one another. It was very easy to fall into their lives and walk alongside them as they struggle with many cnallenges.

The plot moves quickly with constant action and is filled with unexpected events, successful in grabbing one's attention and NOT letting go. This book was one that I could not put down! It didn't matter that the house needed cleaning and meals needed to be prepared! I was so involved in the lives of my three best friends that the world passed me by.

Shelley has done a superior job at dealing with addiction, new loves, an unexpected, somewhat unwanted child, and new family members dealing with all of this! This super storyteller used her unique style of writing to totally engage readers of any age!! Well done, Shelley!!

This is a five star book! \
Don't miss it.

This book was given to me by the publishers. The opinions and thoughts expressed are honest nd my own.

I read the first title, Shall We Dance, in fall of 2019 and gave it a warm review. Last month, I eagerly read an advanced readers copy of the second title in the series, Take The Lead, and was not disappointed in the least. It continued along familiar lines with charming characters and a heartwarming celebration of family. While part of a series, it could easily be read as a stand alone title.

The characters are flawed but charismatic and, as a girl with absolutely no rhythm, I enjoy the beauty of how dance is portrayed. The chemistry is spot on as is the drama. The novel presents a complex balance of romance, peril, and emotion with an engaging, easy-to-read appeal. I look forward to the final book to see how the sisters continue on their path to happily ever after.

My thanks to the publisher for the complimentary copy via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.

Who will not like Traci toughness exterior and her caring heart. I admire how seriously she takes her job. One of the interesting things about this series is the quotes at the beginning of the chapters. I learned that there is more to dancing than I thought. This series will make people want to take their partners to a dance class. The dynamics of the sisters has shown how love can bridge the gap between differences. Traci and Matt communicated in a way that lets readers know that this relationship will last because they are in it for the long haul.

I highly recommend this series to readers. I received this book for the publisher and the opinions are entirely my own.

I really enjoyed reading Take the Lead. It was a great escape for me during this Covid-19 pandemic.
This is the second book in this series that surrounds a dance studio. Three sisters live above the studio and their lives are full of adventure.
Traci Lucky is a police officer who was born from a drug addicted mother then placed in many foster homes and then a group home. She's opinionated due to her hard life. She also a very caring person for the same reason.
One night she pulled a pregnant teen (Gwen) from a drug bust and when she took her to the hospital she stayed with Gwen. As Dr. Matt, a handsome young obstetrician treated Gwen he was attracted to Traci, whom he found fascinating.
Dr. Matt is Italian and all his family like to get involved with each other. Matt's brother is getting married and the wedding is to be from an olden time when everyone waltzed. Matt knows he needs dance lessons so he invites Traci to be his date for the wedding and the lessons begin! Traci's sister Shannon gives them lessons and the romance starts.
When I was young I took dance lessons and I wanted to be a ballerina so as this story unfolded, I loved how all the dance moves were described.
Gwen provided a lot of danger due to her ex-boyfriend trying to find her where she was hidden and safe until he showed up.
I like the story of the sisters and how they protect Gwen and truly want to help her. I like the happy ending so much!

Take the Lead is the second in the Dance With Me series. I loved the first book so I looked forward to the next. I wasn't disappointed. Three sisters were separated at a young age and grew up under entirely different circumstances. Traci Lucky grew up in the foster care system. Now a police officer, Traci is a little cautious in excepting new people. When she and her partner find an unwed teen mother in trouble, Traci steps in to help. Little does she know this will change her life. This story brings out love, family relations, acceptance, and redemption. I love how the town comes together as does this family in times of need. I look forward to the next installment. A received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

Take The Lead is book two in The Dance With Me Series and focuses on Traci. It is fun getting to know these three sisters who weren’t raised together and in very different ways as they get to know each other. It makes you feel like you are listening in on their conversations. I love the dance quotes as headings for each chapter and living over a dance studio sounds fun especially when you get free dance lessons from your sister. Traci is a strong independent woman who is also smart and hides a heart of compassion. I enjoyed seeing her start to crack open her heart and letting people in. When you add a pregnant teenage girl and a nice looking Dr you have the makings for an entertaining read. I look forward to Kimbers story in book three and getting to know more of this family. I recommend reading book one first as you don’t want to miss any of this series.
I received a complimentary copy from the author. The honest review and opinions are my own and were not required.
Note to fans of Ms. Gray this is a clean read but not Christian.

Take the Lead
The Dance With Me Series - Book 2
By Shelley Shepard Gray

Blackstone Publishing - September 2020

Contemporary Romance


Officer Traci Lucky finally had a family. She'd been raised in foster homes, never adopted. But eventually she had been in a good home, and when she left, she had started her career as a police officer. Then she'd discovered she had two sisters, and the three of them decided to move together to Bridgeport. Things had turned out better than she could hope. Her sisters were wonderful women that she was blessed to have in her life, and their small family was growing. Her partner had even married one of her sisters.

When Dr. Matt Rossi asks her to be his date to his brother's wedding, that soon includes dance lessons, and meeting his large Italian family. This was all a bit overwhelming to a woman who never had experiences with a close family before.

Matt was intrigued by the officer who had helped a pregnant teenager out of a bad situation. She may have a tough attitude, but he couldn't help but notice her caring heart. He might have just asked her to be a date for the wedding, but he soon knew that he wanted her in his future.

Take the Lead was a lovely romance with an engaging hero and heroine who are both heroic in every way possible. I loved Traci's interactions with her sisters and Gwen, the young woman she helps. Seeing Traci struggle at times, and reach out for help was endearing. I really am looking forward to the third sister, Kimber's, story.

Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com

I have three major issues with this book.

(1) The story actually started out well and then got incredibly slow and was overly long. There were entire chapters that could have been cut. The editor could have axed 100 pages and the book would gave been better for it.

(2) These characters are in their 20's and they all speak like 80 year olds. It was so odd to read. Starting sentences with "You see, ..." and saying "She's a young thing and she's eight months pregnant." or "They were dressed up real fine...". All of the dialog feels like it is written by an older woman who has no idea how 20-somethings speak.

(3) The female lead is struggling with wether or not she should share her abusive childhood with her boyfriend. Will it scare him off? Will he consider her "broken"? She turns to a mentor for advise and the mentor basically tells her she shouldn't share that part of her past with those she loves. WTAF? This is an outdated and emotionally harmful stance and should not be in this book. Holding back and keeping secret large chunks of your life experiences from someone you are in a serious and committed relationship with is a horrible idea. It supposes that revealing that about your past makes you less lovable in some way. Or that your partner can't handle knowing the real you, only the easy and positive parts of your life experience. Need I say that not only is this utter bulls*it, but it's also really unhealthy, both for the individual and the relationship.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. You can purchase your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085ZLSZ9C/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

This is my fourth book by this author. I actually had the pleasure of meeting her at Book Con a few years ago and was so honored to have received an autographed copy of her book! This is the second book in the Dance with Me Series. I did not read the first book in this series, but the third book comes out on November 17, 2020, so I am hoping to get my hands on that one! Thankfully, there wasn’t too much of a story arc where I was completely lost, but there was enough of one leaving me wanting more and yearning for this next book!! AUTHOR SUCCESS! We begin this book with a raid on a house in suspicion of a meth lab. Yup- hold on and buckle up. Officer Traci Lucky is trying to save a twentyish woman who is pregnant and barely coherent. Despite calling ahead to the Emergency Room, Traci’s urgent call had been ignored and no one was there to meet her. The usually sleepy emergency room was slamming in downtown Cincinnati. It was nearly two in the morning, what was going on? Chapter Two starts with the definition of waltz; a twenty-eight bar per minute done in 3-4 time and can be fairly romantic. Yup, don’t know what that means either, but if you compare life like dance, we are always tip-toing, dancing salsa, etc around situations like dodging bullets, whether they be real ones or symbolic ones. Isn’t life a dance? Traci divulges the information that she was given up for adoption, she only found out that she had sisters because one of her siblings contacted her after finding her through one of those DNA tests to see what nationality you are. Traci’s sister, Shannon owns a dance studio and insists on her sisters learning some barre dance. Traci’s life is quite connected with her partner on the police force married to her sister Shannon and the older brother of her best friend, Jennifer.
We are taken on a ride with Gwen rehabilitating in the hospital and then her relationship with the baby’s father. This was such a good book, I am hoping that I get approved for the next one!

This is the second in a series of books about three sisters separated at birth each to be raised separately. It's the story of Traci Lucky, raised in foster homes and finally a group home, she ends up becoming a cop in Bridgeport. She and her partner Dylan (who's married to her sister Shannon) come across a pregnant, sick teenager (Gwen) one night when they raid a drug house. They take her to the hospital where she meets Matt Rossi...an OBGYN who is a sweet guy and just what Traci needs. Matt asks Traci to be his date for his brother's wedding...but they need to learn to dance the waltz. Fortunately Shannon has a dance studio so they take lessons. These lessons are a lot of fun and some of the best parts of the book.
I really enjoyed this story. It's the sweet love story of Traci and Matt but also about love of family...Traci and her sisters' love for each other and Matt's big
sprawling Italian family. Traci begins to really care for Gwen and when her ex boyfriend continues to be a problem she takes steps to keep her and her baby safe.
If you like sweet romance and a really enjoyable quick read I recommend this book. I loved it. My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was both sweet and thought provoking. It discussed heavy and important topics such as: foster care, teen pregnancy, abusive home life/relationships, and drug addiction. I enjoyed the varying storlylines and how they all weaved together.

I do wish the terminology pertaining to fostering and adoption were handled with more care. Specifically using more proper terms such as "foster mom", "adoptive mom", "biological mother" instead of "real mom". My fiance is adopted and it's been explained to me by him and his family, as well as other adoptive parents that using "real" isn't fully inclusive. Language is powerful and I believe should be used as thoughtfully and inclusively as possible.

However, the intention and heart of the story was in the right place and overall I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading Kimber's story ❤️