I am in a dancing mood. Lately I've been watching clips of dancing shows and so Take the Lead was the perfect read. If you love those dancing reality TV shows and are looking for a romance book, Take the Lead is for you. Told through Stone and Gina's eyes, we are able to not only see their instant attraction, but also their secrets and vulnerabilities. How they're both torn between their relationship, but also their careers, their family.

Alexis Daria writes some of the best contemporary romance and Take the Lead is no exception. A funny, steamy, emotional exploration of passion and love, Take the Lead offers a beautiful look at the meshing of personalities and the risks we're willing to take for love.

This was a cute read! A little slow in the beginning & felt a little insta lovey. But their chemistry was so sweet! Overall a good debut! I would definitely check out more from this author!

Take the Lead was Alexis Daria’s debut novel back in 2017 and has now been updated and republished!

What I loved:
- The setting! Hello, romance meets dancing with the stars!
- Diverse characters
- Guy falls first; opposites attract
- Perfect amount of spice & romance, but SLOW burn

What I didn’t love:
- The ending felt rushed
- Miscommunication

I do not watch a ton of reality TV. My one guilty pleasure is to watch OPLive on Reelz on Friday and Saturday nights, and that’s it. I stopped watching after seeing how rude the stars were (Real World Boston’s cast and crew would come into where I worked every week). I also stopped watching because, to be honest, it became mind-numbing. So, I surprised myself when I decided to accept the invite for Take the Lead. I figured reading about a fictional reality TV dance competition would be slightly better than watching it. And I was right.

Take the Lead is the first book in the Dance Off series. Since it is the first book, you don’t have to read previous books to figure out past characters and storylines. You can go in cold and enjoy it.

Take the Lead is a fast-paced book that mostly takes place in New York City. There are brief scenes in Alaska and Los Angeles, but most of the action takes place in NYC.

The plotline for Take the Lead was over the top. Stone, one of the stars of an Alaskan wilderness show, is chosen to dance on the celebrity dance show, The Dance Off. Gina is the dance pro who is paired with Stone for the show. Gina is desperate to win The Dance Off. In the four seasons she has been on, she hasn’t even come close, and the producer is threatening to cut her, even though she is popular. Gina believes that Stone, with his mountain man persona and ripped body, is the key to her winning. Stone also wants to win but for different reasons. From day one, the sparks are immediate between Gina and Stone, but Gina refuses to act on them. As they progress through the show, the pressure and chemistry between Gina and Stone grow. But Stone has a big secret that could ruin everything. What is Stone’s secret? Will Gina and Stone give in to their attraction? Or will everything explode and become reality TV fodder?

When I started reading Take the Lead, I didn’t know what to expect from the characters. I did expect them to be over the top and maybe dramatic. So, it was refreshing when the main characters didn’t act like that. The secondary characters gave the drama (mainly the figure skater and Stone’s family).

Gina— I loved her from the first paragraph. She was sassy, and my mental image of her was akin to J-Lo. I loved how professional she was with Stone, and I loved seeing her stand up for herself (and her image) when meeting with her slimy producer. I also loved that she went all in when she decided to throw caution to the wind (her relationship with Stone). I also liked that while she thought she was being sly with seeing him, she wasn’t.
Stone—Where do I start with him? I thought he was terrific to go to the lengths he did for his family. But I also felt awful. He was uncomfortable being on The Dance Off and his family’s show. I thought what his family and the producers (for their show) asked him to do was pretty awful. I also didn’t like how scripted his family was. His attraction to Gina was refreshing too. He didn’t care that they were on a reality show or that their romance would feed gossip mills; he wanted to be with her.
Take the Lead fit perfectly into the romance genre. It was a mix of forced proximity and opposites attract tropes, and they worked perfectly. While I didn’t like that the background was a reality TV show and everything was filmed, I thought the author did a great job of allowing the romance to mature. This wasn’t an Instalove situation but more of an Instalust that turned to love.

Gina and Stone had fantastic chemistry from day one. I liked that the author didn’t temper it and allowed it to be expressed differently (mainly through dancing). Plus, Gina and Stone genuinely liked each other, and that helped to make it more realistic. The sex, when they did have it, was hot and steamy. Every sex scene after that was comparable to the first one, which I rarely see in romance novels. Usually, the main characters have sex, it’s wonderful, and then it falls flat every other sex scene after that.

The storyline with Stone, his reasons for being on The Dance Off, his family, and everything else that goes with that had me low-key raging at points in the book. I was so angry on his and his siblings’ behalf. Stone went into each sibling’s different issues, and I wanted to cry. I also wanted to smack his parents for putting the kids through that. I wasn’t surprised (actually expected it) when the nasty figure skater let the secret spill. What I wasn’t expecting was how his family reacted—no wonder he didn’t talk much.

The storyline with Gina, Stone, the show, and their eventual relationship was well written. I loved seeing Gina and Stone progress from two people who wanted each other to being in a secret relationship to being in an actual one (sorry for the spoilers). Their relationship made reading about the show and the different types of dances easier to read. I was expecting more catty competition between the dance pros and was a little surprised (a happy surprise) when they all seemed to get along. Even the contestants were friendly (which we know never happens in real life) except for the blonde figure skater girl. She was nasty.

The end of Take the Lead was your typical HEA. I liked that it was Gina who realized what she was missing and it was Gina who went to Stone. And the epilogue!!! I loved that!!!

I would recommend Take the Lead to anyone over 21. There is language, mild violence, and semi-graphic sexual situations.

Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Alexis Daria for allowing me to read and review Take the Lead. All opinions stated in the review are mine.

I absolutely loved Take the Lead by Alexis Daria! Gina was such a confident and passionate character, and it was great to watch her career blossom. Stone was a gentle giant, and it was so beautiful to see him come out of his shell through the dance competition. The book also captures some of the crazy production antics that happen behind the scenes - I was definitely here for all of it! The chemistry between the MCs was palpable from the moment they met, and the dance just added to the tension. If you're looking for forced proximity, backstage romance, secrets, producers being shady, and are ok with having multiple open door 🌶️  scenes, then this book is definitely for you - and it's out now! Many NetGalley for the eARC.

My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this re-release from Alexis Daria. I loved the Primas from You Had Me a Hola and A Lot Like Adios and have wanted to check out Daria's backlist.

This was a good debut -- the funny, sweet characters doing their best and strong family connections that appear in her books. I liked the setting and side characters, who could all use their own HEA.

My only hesitancy in recommending this book is that it felt too long. Maybe I wasn't in the right frame of mind, but for a hetero couple with no real problems outside of the paparazzi, I don't know why it took 362 pages to resolve. There was not saving-the-world subplot. It maybe that it was a first in a series set up, so there were a lot of people to get some backstory on?

Again, this could complete be a ME thing, so if you love reality shows, opposites attract or giant outdoorsmen, this may be the book for you.

After four years on celebrity competition The Dance Off, Gina needs to make it into the finals this season if she wants to remain on the show. She's paired up with Alaskan wilderness reality star Stone, who has no dancing experience. Fortunately, his physical prowess makes him a natural. Unfortunately, the powers that be are trying to force Stone and Gina into showmance for the cameras. Can they keep their relationship professional?

This is my favorite Alexis Daria book so far. It's a re-release of her RITA-winning book from 2018. Gina and Stone have a ton of chemistry. Yet their lifestyles are so different, it's hard to see how they can maintain a successful relationship. I loved the strong characters and the creativity of this story.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Alexis Daria strikes again! Fans of her previous work will not be disappointed with this latest swoon-worthy story. I really enjoy this era we're in of romance books doing fun takes on reality shows (i.e. One to Watch, If the Shoe Fits, etc.) but most of those have been Bachelor-esque focused. I enjoyed that this one was more DWTS-esque. Gina was everything to me and I loved watching her grow. The chemistry was hot and as I mentioned before, the setting was so fun. Pick up this book, you won't regret it!

I adore Alexis Daria, and was so excited to get Take the Lead. I loved the whole premise with the dance show. I used to love watching So You Think You Can Dance when I was younger, so I thoroughly enjoyed that piece of the book. As always, the romance was top notch - Alexis knows how to write romance.

All in all, I really enjoyed this one (not quite as much as You Had Me at Hola, but close)

Gina Morales is a very talented dancer and choreographer and has been a professional dancer on the show, The Dance Off for a few seasons now. Despite always giving it everything she has; she’s never made it to the finals. Could her sexy new partner from Alaska be her winning ticket? Stone Nielson and his family are the stars of an Alaskan wilderness reality tv show, he never wanted to sign up for a celebrity dance competition show. Being the reliable sibling, he will do anything and everything for his family. The biggest issue is, he’s scared he might slip up and reveal the families' secrets. The more time Gina and Stone spend together, the chemistry is undeniable. Given how close the two have gotten, the tabloids can’t help but speculate on the nature of the relationship they have. Will they let that get in the way of winning the grand prize? 
 
First off, holy steam and sexual tension. I mean how could there not be when you put two attractive people together to dance. Gina and Stone are great characters and their chemistry and passion is off the charts. Both characters were so different but opened up to each other which made the connection much deeper and feel more genuine. I found it really interesting to read the ins and outs of the business from both the contestant and pro dancers perspectives. I do feel that the story sometimes skipped ahead, like I might have missed something. I found myself rereading sections to see if I missed something but I didn’t. Overall, it was a fun romance story filled with tension, drama, passion but also, so much more.  
 
Thank you Netgalley and @stmartinspress for my copy!

First I want to thank St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Take the Lead is a story about Gina, Professional Dancer, and Stone, Reality TV Outdoorsman, who are paired together for a celebrity dance show. As they spend more time together rules are broken and secrets are revealed.

What I Loved:
- Natasha, Gina's roommate and bestfriend is the type of person I would want in my life. She is also a dancer on the show and is able to provide Gina great advice for the show and love.
- The Dance Off, I was a big Dancing with the Starts fan and I loved reading a book set in the same world as that show.
- Reality TV, I don't watch a lot of reality TV and this book did a great job with calling out why. All of the fake relationships, fake set ups, etc. that feel forced are brought to light how producers force these situations to try and make better tv.
- Competition, I loved how competitive Gina and Stone are individually and as a team, they are the underdogs on the show but won't let that stop them
- Stone, he is a sexy mountain main who would do anything for his family including dance on national television what is there not to love.

I really enjoyed this book and it took me a few days to really digest everything before writing my review cause there was too much good to talk about. Anyone who is a fan of celebrity stories, forbidden/secret romances, strong female characters, and a good amount of spice this is absolutely the book for you.

In the Dancing with the Stars inspired romance you have Gina the dancer who is trying to win the trophy in her fifth season. She doesn’t want to play into the latina stereotypes and refuses the producers showmance pushes.

When she gets paired with Stone the wilderness reality star she isn’t sure they can win but he is easily the nicest to look at.

Stone just wants to get far enough in the competition to help pay for his mothers medical expenses. When he learns how much Gina wants to win, he is determined to help her. Even with a secret he is trying to hide he can’t help but open his heart to Gina.

Loved their connection and the behind the scenes of the dance competition and such a diverse cast of characters.

If you’re a fan of Dancing with the Stars, or just reality shows in general, pick up Take the Lead. Gina, a professional dancer in her 5th season on The Dance Off, takes her career seriously and does not get involved with her dance partners, or anyone at all for that matter. Gina has never won a season of the show and her producer Donna (ick) wants to give her the Showmance angle to increase her chances. (Obvi she’s having none of that) Enter Stone, a “wilderness survivalist” from a family reality show (Think TLC) WITH A MAN BUN and no dance experience as her partner. We all know where this is going. Anyway, as a reality show enthusiast I love the behind the scenes of the shows, what is natural, what is forced. Producer Donna is a real piece of blackmailing work. And I’m just going to say it, Stone’s parents also suck. Natasha, Gina’s roommate is hysterical and I can’t wait to read her book next. But we love forced proximity romance and an HEA and this has both. I loved that the romance was not insta-love, you could really see the connection playing out over time between them. I do think Gina was a little bit ridiculous sometimes and invalidated Stone’s feelings when they were both going through something.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of the re-release.

3.5/5 stars

Gina Morales has danced on the hit Reality show “The Dance Off” for four seasons and has yet to make it the final three. This season she senses is her big break as she is partnered with Alaskan wilderness reality TV star Stone Nielson. Gina was not prepared for the potential she sees in Stone’s dancing or more importantly, her growing feelings for him. When her producer makes it clear the two are being set up for a showmance, Gina does everything she can to push her feelings down and stay professional as possible so she will be taken seriously as the amazingly talented dancer she is. But through each dance it proves to be harder especially as she gets to know Stone behind the cameras. Stone has his own reasons for not wanting to get close, secrets to protect and his eye on the prize to help his family pay their expenses. As they continue to advance, the public slowly becomes aware of the romance brewing between them thrusting them into the spotlight and threatening to break the bond between them.

•

This was a slow-burn romance perfect for fans of “Dancing With the Stars” and “Step Up”. The pacing on this one was a little too slow for my liking but I did enjoy the tension between these two which the dancing does a fantastic shop of turning up the heat between these two and really feeling their chemistry. I would have liked to see more of them connecting beyond the dance floor, diving into a bit more detail about their pasts. I grew really frustrated with both our MC’s but a little more so with Gina, they were both incredibly stubborn but their reasoning became repetitive and could have been resolved with more communication and honesty. I really enjoyed the support characters in this one specifically Gina’s best friend and roommate Natasha. I enjoyed reading of all the different styles of dancing the behind the scenes look of reality TV and loved to hate our story villain Donna 😡 I enjoyed how the author acknowledges the sexism that women face specifically in show business as Gina fights very hard to be taken seriously as a Puerto Rican woman working against all the stereotypes the industry tries to label her with. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review. This title is now available for purchase!

Alexis Daria does not disappoint! Take the Lead is a slow burn sizzling reality TV show romance that packs the heat. I couldn’t put it down! Highly recommend.

Backwoods behemoth gets marched with tiny dancer for a reality show ballroom dancing competition despite his shyness and utter inability to dance. She needs to win to keep her job; he needs to stay in competition long enough to earn money to pay his mother’s medical bills. He plans to return to the backwoods of Alaska the only place he feels at peace; she has big dreams of city life and success in New York and LA. Yet the moment they get together sparks fly on and off the dance floor. Can this mismatched couple find a way to commit to each other in the end? You’ll need to read to see.

Gina Morales is a passionate, beautiful dancer–she’s also Latina, which means she’s always wanting to be portrayed as the “sexy” one. It’s why she’s not happy when the producers of the show she’s on (Dance Off) try to get her involved in a #showmance with her reality show partner Stone–even when it’s real. Stone has big secrets about his family and show back home in Alaska and Gina wants to keep their budding romance a secret. But secrets rarely stay secret for long when television is involved.

This book is spicy. It’s so well done that I really just wanna curl up and sigh over it. It also addresses real issues too though–like stereotyping for Latina women being only the “sexy one”. Stone is forced to realize that Gina is held up to a different standard than he is. As a woman, a showmance (show romance usually fake) could make or break her. Gina doesn’t want to win because they have the best romance/story but because of her talent. She especially doesn’t want anyone to think that she faked it for the cameras even though she’s not faking it with Stone. She can’trisk getting labeled as the promiscuous latina even though it means trying to push away all her feelings about Stone. And let’s face it, if she was a man, it wouldn’t matter anyways. The world quite easily condemns women for the same thing they glorify for men.

In every dance and scene they sizzle in a constant push-pull of emotions. The banter is lively. She’s not a delicate flower to be handled with kid gloves. The emotion keeps pulling you in over and over. I found myself constantly both understanding Gina and wishing that she would get out of her own head. Stone was always completely, perfectly in character even when he was being a pushover. The evolution that both characters take during the book is transformative in both their professional and personal lives. I would read this book again and again (and I will).

Take the Lead was originally published in 2017 as Alexis’s debut and has now been updated and republished. Gina is a dance pro on The Dance Off, a reality celebrity dance show (Dancing with the Stars) who is assigned to dance with Stone whose family has a reality show following their life in Alaska. The two keep things professional for the first half of the competition but dancing in such close proximity means that sparks are constantly flying and they find they cannot keep their hands off of each other. Gina does not want the reputation of having a show-mance so they must keep their relationship a secret. Stone has his own secrets and the two find themselves in a precarious house of cards.

I love Alexis Daria. Her books are steamy and deeply romantic. I really liked this book but didn’t love it. I liked both Stone and Gina and their attraction for one another was palpable. I struggled with the half truths from Stone. He wasn’t honest with Gina until 75% of the way through the book. I thought that the ending, while satisfying, was rushed and resolved very quickly. I enjoyed the side characters and will have to track down the other two books in the series to see where they lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had so much fun with "Take the Lead" by Alexis Daria and whipped through this book in a weekend.

Gina is a professional dancer trying to make it big in LA. She's in her 5th season on a dance competition show when she gets paired with Stone Nielson. Stone and his family have their own reality TV show in Alaska (think Alaskan Bush People), but they are also hiding a secret from America. Gina has a rule about not dating or sleeping with anyone on the show (especially her partner!), but Stone is hard to resist. Plus, how could they possibly make it work in the long run?

I thought this was a fun, steamy read with lots of banter. It really pulled me in and I loved Gina - I related to her tenacity, strong work ethic, and love of family. Gina and Stone together felt very believable.

My only gripe with this book was that the conclusion seemed rushed. It really was only one chapter, which felt a little abrupt.

Shareability: Obviously, fans of "Dancing with the Stars" or "Strictly Come Dancing" will love this one. I also think readers who enjoyed "The Simple Wild" or "On the Hustle" should give this one a try.