Cover Image: Poll Dancer: A fun, fabulous romantic comedy...with glitter

Poll Dancer: A fun, fabulous romantic comedy...with glitter

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Poll Dancer has been on my TBR list for several years at this point, and I can't seem to finish it. Sorry! I'm sure people will love it, but it just isn't for me!

Was this review helpful?

Poll Dancer by Laura Heffernan a five-star read that will have you in a spin. I’m not normally one for politics in my reading, so would normally avoid this one, but something made me desperate to read it and I’m glad I did as I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t as in your face as I was imagining it would going to be. Most of all I loved Mel, she was strong and special, she had a great story to tell, one that will drag you into the story and not let you leave until you have mastered the moves. This is a fun and quick read that you will really enjoy

Was this review helpful?

This book has such an original premise! Poll dance teacher Mel becomes a viral sensation when her live lesson on social media takes a horrifyingly embarrassing turn. This is an empowering tale for women about fighting for yourself and your beliefs. There are some twists and turns in this page-turning book that lead to an ending you might not expect. A fantastic and well-written read!

Was this review helpful?

The blurb, title and cover drew me in and i had hoped that it would be an amazing funny romantic comedy like story. But, i felt like the character Mel kind of lost her spunk, it started out good but it deflated like a balloon very quickly and fast. She just felt like an empty shell for far too long. The Chemistry with Daniel was cute, but that`s about it.I was just generally left bored.

Was this review helpful?

DNF

I was intrigued by the premise of the book even though it is a little ridiculous, as someone who took pole classes for about a year or so. I made it about 30% of the way through and that part was enjoyable but once it started to get into the details of the main character running it just seems to get even more unlikely that she will win the position in a small conservative. Also the guy is who is advising/helping her accidentally lets out a secret about the opposing candidate that is something that could be used against them. Not that the main character would use that but it put the possibility of that happening into my head and it was not something that made me comfortable.

Was this review helpful?

I am here for any and all Political Romantic Comedies right now! Thanks to @netgalley and #empressbooks for the opportunity to read and review Poll Dancer by Laura Heffernan!

Mel is a pole fitness instructor who’s instructional video fiasco goes viral on social media. If the embarrassment of the video wasn’t enough, a local politician tries to ban pole fitness classes from the area and run for the open State Senate seat to ensure the values of the community are protected. Mel’s response: run against him!

This book includes My Fair Lady vibes + pole fitness move descriptions + a handsome, red-headed campaign manager.

Was this review helpful?

This book was perfect summer fun. Very funny and I found myself laughing out loud. It was silly in all the right ways.

Was this review helpful?

if you want to read a cute, witty, charming book that look no further than this book. it has glitter, fun, and wit to it. it is about Mel a pole dance fitness instructor that decides that she is going to run for Senator. she is a very likeable character and relatable to the reader. it was a light fun summer read.
i was given this ARC by netgalley and publisher for honest review and opinion

Was this review helpful?

Poll Dancer is a light and flirty take on female rights and double standards that will have you thinking and laughing and hoping for a reality that just isn’t there yet. I enjoyed this delightful romp and look forward to more from this author.

Was this review helpful?

Poll Dancer is a charming, witty, romance! I really enjoyed reading this story about Mel, a pole dance fitness instructor who decides to run for Senator after her business is threatened by her opponent. I liked that Mel is spunky, outspoken, and is always finding herself in a predicament. It made her character likable and relatable to the reader. The other characters in the book were also likable and relatable. The story was full of spunk, mystery, forbidden love, and the will to do the right thing. If you are looking for a fun, light, romantic read, this is the book for you!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I received a digital copy of this via Netgalley for an honest review.

3/5 stars

"Morals aren't about what you do for a living. It's not about what you wear. It's about how you like your life and how you treat people"

"Poll Dancer" is a fun and light story about Mel, whose fitness video about pole dancing goes viral and grabs the attention of a candidate, Curtis Baker, running for state senate (after his father resigns in disgrace). Curtis has her classes shut down and Mel is out of a job and ends up running as his competitor for the same seat.

I enjoyed "Poll Dancer" but the characters could use some fleshing out especially since it appears this is supposed to be the first in a series on Mel. It is not a bad for a quick summer read.

Was this review helpful?

Novel: Awesome. Commentary: Meh. As a novel, this book was solid. Maybe a bit too weighed down in social commentary, particularly in the back third, and nowhere near as refreshing as the author's Gamer Girls series (whose third book this one takes some elements of), but a mostly solid tale with some genuinely hilarious moments nonetheless. Meets pretty much all RWA standards I am aware of.

But as someone who has ran (unsuccessfully) for rural small town public office (City Council of a town literally 4 sq miles in area) twice, the politics... your feelings about AOC will likely tell you whether you should consider this book from that angle. She is the lead character's idol, and somewhat blatant character model. From my own experience working within the highest echelons of a State Assembly as a blogger and political activist, the action tends to break down on these levels, but I know more than most about these things and the action does indeed fall along how most think of them. So perhaps no real foul there.

Still, overall truly a solid book, particularly if you can set aside your own political inclinations and experiences and simply enjoy the tale being presented. Very much recommended.

Was this review helpful?

This was an amazing concept, but I feel it just fell flat. I had no connection to the main couple, and there was no romantic build up. They felt like the ended up together because that is what is supposed to happen in a rom com, not because there was any plot or character development that really made them a couple. I liked some subplot aspects, but I just felt like there was a lot going on with no actual conclusion

Was this review helpful?

I really wanted to love this story. The cover and the blurb really lured me in. It seemed like the perfect kind of romantic comedy to be uplifting, sweet and spicy with a little bit of political satire to boot but I feel like it fell short.

It was neither comical nor overly romantic. It got too bogged down in the politics of our everyday life which I just wanted an escape from. I wanted something flirty and fun. Full of banter and wit and wisdom, especially from the Heroine. I wanted her to be more assertive, confident and sassy. Instead of willingly being led to have to alter her appearance and who she inherently was on the inside.

The same with the romance aspect. It was sweet and a little placid. There was no great passion or heat evident between our heroine and hero. It was a little bland.

The whole story was just average. Nothing like what I expected. It required more intensity within the love story. There where some good elements, such as the rivalry between candidates. The sabotage. The pole dancing techniques and the flow of the story. It was fairly fast paced and smooth.

Overall it was a decent romance. Light hearted if not a bit too judgemental in some aspects.

Was this review helpful?

Absolutely loved this book! I loved the humor, love story, and the friendship throughout the book. It was definitely a book you don't want to put down..

Was this review helpful?

Cute book and a fun read. Pole dance teacher meets politician wanna-be who hates what she does for a living and is determined to shut her business down.

Was this review helpful?

When I saw a book with the title "A fun, fabulous romantic comedy", I thought, this is gonna be good. Well, turns out, not so much. I don not recall laughing or even staying entertained. I was bored to be honest. Not what I was hoping for.

Was this review helpful?

I was looking for a light read and found this, thank you NetGalley for the ARC. The premise looked interesting and I love that this book touches not just on women in politics but also the stigma associated with women who pursue unconventional liberal professions. I couldn’t always understand why Mel, the protagonist reacted to situations the way she did, and also how her situation was that big a motivator that she decided to get into politics. I’d recommend picking it up for a light read, but not looking for logic at every step. I’d actually rate this 2.5 stars - A little whimsical, but fun and quick read.

Was this review helpful?

Pole Dancer by Laura Heffernan a five-star read that will have you in a spin. I’m not normally one for politics in my reading, so would normally avoid this one, but something made me desperate to read it and I’m glad I did as I really enjoyed it, it wasn’t as in your face as I was imagining it would going to be. Most of all I loved Mel, she was strong and special, she had a great story to tell, one that will drag you into the story and not let you leave until you have mastered the moves. This is a fun and quick read that you will really enjoy.

Was this review helpful?

This book totally caught me off guard! It grabbed my attention from the beginning, and I read the whole thing in less than a day! I love the combination of romance and politics, and this one was a perfect mix.

Mel's pole dancing classes are shut down after a local conservative politician sees her viral video. Mel decides to run against him for a spot in the state Senate, despite having no political experience. It reminded me in some ways of Legally Blonde, as our main character, Mel, decides to do something that no one thinks she can do or is qualified to do. I loved the strong female characters, and the twists that this story had along the way.

My only issue was that the relationship between Mel and Daniel seemed to happen too quickly. I would have liked to have more build up between them.

Overall, this book was a total surprise, and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series when it comes out.

Thanks to Netgalley for this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?