Gina is a pro dancer going into her fifth season in the show celebrity Dance Off. She's hoping for an Olympic ice skater as her new partner but what she gets is an Alaskan lumberjack giant who, along with his family, stars in a wilderness show. From the start, she's attracted to Stone, but she has her own personal rule not to get involved with her costars. But all the sexy dances make him impossible to resist and she decides to bend her rules... in secret. She wants to win on her dancing experience, not as the latest showmance.
This book caught my eye with its fun bright cover and I fell in love with this hot, strong gentle giant and his fun loving bubbly partner. I loved reading the behind-the-scenes of the rehearsals and relationships with the other competitors. I look forward to the rest of this series
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a fun, spicy romp that I think is right along up there with Daria’s Hola primas series, so it’s amazing this is her debut!

I haven’t seen a reality romance quite like this before, which worked to make this feel new and exciting, but taps into known shows like Dancing with the Stars and Alaskan Bush People, which helps this also feel familiar, in a good way.

Gina was a great MC not only because of the fantastic Latinx rep, but because she’s so strong and self assured. I liked that she felt so fleshed out and well developed. She has her career, her priorities, and frankly she has her shit together. I feel like a lot of the MCs I’ve read about lately have been hot messes so seeing Gina in all her excellent adulting glory was refreshing.

Stone was an interesting romance lead, the sexy, woodsman with a hidden heart of gold and struggling against the pressure to put his family and their reality tv dreams ahead of his own life. I liked seeing him come into his own and out of his brooding shell. However, I wished we got a bit more development from him. He felt a bit too flat against someone like Gina that really leapt off the page. I also thought the tension and drama with his family wasn’t really addressed and with his mom in particular, I felt like Daria couldn’t decide how to use her or which way she would really swing with her character.

That aside, this was just genuinely FUN. The steam was excellent, and the romance was lovely with a great foundation and growth from strangers to friends to more.

Thank you so much St. martins for my ARC!
Rating: 3.5/5, rounding up to 4!

TAKE THE LEAD – Alexis Daria
A Dance Off Novel, Book 1
St. Martin's Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250817969
February 14, 2023
Romantic Comedy

Los Angeles – Present Day

Gina Morales has been with the Dance Off reality show for several seasons, but she has yet to win. She is informed by her producer that she must make the finals this season or she will be fired from the show. With the pressure on, Gina is given another reality TV star, nature survivalist Stone Nielson, as her partner. He has no dance experience but like Gina, he is determined to win. He needs the money to help his family pay off their mother’s medical bills. Their meeting in Alaska is filmed and comes complete with Stone shirtless while chopping wood—and a bear. Once in Los Angeles, the two get down to the task of Gina teaching Stone how to dance.

In TAKE THE LEAD, Gina and Stone soon find that working closely together leads to revelations about each other and intense dialogue. They come from different lives, yet they are both determined to make their dance coupling work for a win. Sexy dances and sizzling chemistry end up with Gina and Stone attracted to each other. It doesn’t help that their producer wants them to fake a showmance. They aren’t pretending at all! But once their time on the show is over, they plan to go their separate ways.

We see the insides of a dancing competition show in TAKE THE LEAD by Alexis Daria. Despite the friendliness seen by viewers on television, there is a sense of it being a cutthroat competition because winning is everything as it helps promote careers. To Gina, Stone is like a big bear with his huge body and long hair. Gina is of Puerto Rican heritage, and she is like a passionate sparkplug when it comes to dancing. With her teaching, Stone will hopefully become a top-notch dancer—and win the top prize. Along the way, there is some drama. Readers will be wondering if there is a happily ever after in store for our couple, or whether there will be heartbreak.

There’s much for Gina and Stone to learn about each other, but it is a fun journey for readers in TAKE THE LEAD. Things don’t always go smoothly, as there is plenty of hard work and tears, but there are also tender moments. While denying they want to do a showmance, they can’t deny their attraction. Readers will enjoy the fun and learn how a show like Dancing with the Stars works. Don’t miss this entertaining tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

I really enjoyed reading this book which is about a professional dancer who wants to make it to the finals and a man who needs to go for his family both fall in love but the tabloids might ruin them. I really enjoyed the author's writing when it came to describing the setting and those gorgeous outfits. The storyline was very good as I loved the whole reality show theme though I do have to say that this book was very fast paced. It made the moments and the dance scenes too short so that you would easily forget that the scene even happened. The story was still great as the author did such an amazing job with writing from both the perspectives as they nailed with the characters.

The main characters in this book are Gina and Stone. Gina always wanted her career to go off and is Puerto Rican. Readers will know so much about her and how passionate she is. Stone is a chill, quiet dude and hates having a double life. I really enjoyed how opposite but similar both of these characters were. Their development was very well written in the book but I have to say that their chemistry was off the charts in the book. Like you can feel it through the pages. There are many side characters in this book but I wouldn't say they are heavenly involved with the story. The romance is a bit of between slow burn and instant love which you will see once you start it and the couple are amazing together.

The ending was very well written and I can already see who the second book will be about. The only issue I had with this book was that it was very fast paced. Since there are so many elements to this book, I can see why but it just made the cuter scenes short to and all those learning moments for the characters. I do recommend reading this book especially if you are a huge dancing with the stars fan then I totally recommend this book.

Stone is the mountain man who has been chosen as this seasons celebrity dance partner for Gina. Together they must find a way to win to fulfill both of their separate needs. The dances are hot, but their chemistry is even hotter making the pages sizzle. Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this fun story.

This is a re-release of the author's 2017 debut novel. I never would have known that it was a debut. She took the premise of a TV ballroom dance show and really turned it into something unique. The story really was unlike any other romance I have ever read.

Daria's characters were quite different. Gina is a professional dancer of Puerto Rican heritage that is determined not to give the show anything that can damage her reputation...like sleep with her partner. Stone is from a family that is living in Alaska with all the rest of his family and is part of their reality TV show. He's there to make the big money to pay off his mother's medical bills. He's really not comfortable with how close he has to get to Gina for the dances, especially since he is "hugely" attracted to her.

The book does a good job of exploring all the negative and tricky aspects of participating in such a show. This isn't a fluff romance. There's a lot at stake for both main characters. The secondary characters played a vital role in helping to get across the depth of the story. Very well done!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the gifted copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Mountain man meets city sheek Gina. Do they have the chemistry to convince everyone they have the moves on the dance floor to win?
I’ve never watched dance shows but I appreciate the time and dedication the participants put in.
The story also showcases the shenanigans and manipulation by producers who are ruthless and cut throat.
The chemistry between Stone and Gina works melt a glacier.
It’s sure to please readers as they limbo through the prose.

Fun dance show romance!

If you love dance shows you will like Take the Lead because you get to see behind the scenes because professional dancer Gina Morales needs to make the finals of The Dance Off otherwise her contract won’t be renewed. But being paired with Stone Nielson from the reality show Living Wild set in Alaska will make it really difficult especially when she’s being set up for a fake romance to increase ratings especially with the Nielson family secret about their show. But that could change when the romance starts to become a reality.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I always love Alexis Daria books, she always has such fierce, career-minded female leads! I especially loved being back in the entertainment industry, I enjoyed that element in You Had Me At Hola and I enjoyed seeing it in here too. I had never read this book upon it's initial release, so I'm very glad I got a chance to read it before the new cover launched into the world.

I'm a sucker for reality TV, and the premise of this one really intrigued me. Gina is understandably reluctant to go along with the fauxmance her producer seems to be pushing on her and her dance partner, despite the palpable chemistry between them. And oh boy, is the chemistry between these two piping. Despite her professional code, Gina can't resist him. Not that I can blame her, since Stone is a big, burly Alaskan man after all. Ugh, I loved them so much! These two were so horny for each other, and I ate up every second! Not to mention the stakes involved with manipulative producers, family secrets and Gina's job on the line if she doesn't make it to the finals with Stone.

I hope we get the second book, Dance With Me, as a rerelease with a new cover and physical format as well, especially since this series was only available in ebook before. I'd love to have physical copies of these for my collection, and I'm sure other Alexis Daria fans would as well! The new illustrated cover is STUNNING! This was a good buffer while we're all waiting for a new Alexis Daria book, and I'm so glad I got to dive into an older title from her. I highly enjoyed this one!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

I was very excited to read this book after reading the description. I am a big dancing with the stars fan and was instantly excited to read a book with similarities. I instantly liked both Gina and Stone. I think the author did a good job talking about other characters without sharing too much that made it just fluff writing, which I feel happens often and I really don’t like. I enjoyed the dance competition part, but most of all liked reading the relationship ship from between Stone and Gina. One of my favorite romances I’ve read recently.

Set on a reality dance show, Take The Lead by @alexisdaria was such a fun book to read!

I've never really watched Dancing with the Stars but I love books about reality show competitions. Gina is a professional dancer and in her 4 seasons on The Dance Off she's never made it to the finals, but when Alaska survivalist tv star Stone is set as her partner she's excited for the possibilities until the producers want to see a showmance between the two. They refuse but when sparks start to fly between the two will they be able to keep their romance a secret?

This book was fun and exactly what I needed to read. I love the reality show behind the scenes, the Alaska vs NYC/LA and the chemistry!!

While this is Daria's debut novel from 2017, it is appearing in print for the first time with a new cover. I read and enjoyed You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adiós so I was looking forward to reading this! Definitely recommend picking this one up!

Thanks to @smpromance for my @netgalley copy of Take The Lead! It comes out February 14th!

First off, I've never watched DWTS or any dance reality show which caused me to have mixed feelings about the book. I was conflicted by the main characters constant what would my nieces think comments but she still goes after her dance partner. UH then stop saying that please.

I enjoyed the second half of the book more the first half, especially once they spiced up the pages. Know denying the chemistry was off the charts between the love interests. It was a fun read but just meh for me overall.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the complimentary copy.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
Rating: 4.5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub Date: 2/14


Gina Morales is on her fifth season of The Dance Off (think Dancing With the Stars), and this year she is determined to win. When her producers load the city girl onto a plane to meet her new celebrity dance partner, she is not expecting Stone, a shirtless giant cutting wood in the Alaskan wilderness. Stone is famous for being on his own reality show, Living Wild, which is about living off the grid with his family in Alaska. He agrees to do The Dance Off to help pay some bills and increase exposure for his own show. Can these two opposites find a rhythm and pull out a win?

This book is a lot of fun, and I honestly wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. I loved these characters, especially Stone! He’s quiet and stoic when he first arrives, but he slowly comes out of his shell as the show progresses. Gina is feisty and fun, and I loved her big personality and how she and Stone complimented each other perfectly. She is consistently fighting a quiet battle behind to scenes not to allow their storyline to become a “showmance” to boost ratings. Still, the tension and attraction between Stone and Gina are undeniable. This is a slow burn, but the buildup is totally worth it when they finally give in to their feelings. And things get VERY steamy! Wooooo! I was not expecting that but what a pleasant surprise. These toned, in-shape, bendy people get into creative situations if you know what I mean.

Take the Lead is a fun, sexy, fast-paced story that I could not put down! I love dance competition shows, so this book was perfect for me! It had all the excitement and petty, behind-the-scenes drama that I would expect from a bunch of competing celebs. But it was also sweet and heartwarming at times, and I was rooting for Gina and Stone the whole time!

Read if you like: guy falls first, opposites attract, diverse romance, mutual pining, short chapters, and dual POV. This was my first book by Alexis Daria, but it certainly won’t be my last! Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for my advanced copy! Take the Lead is out in time for Valentine’s Day, so pre-order your copy today!

Talk about clash of the reality TV shows!

I really like the reality TV setting of this book. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at how the show works on the back end (the practices, the friendships, the working with producers).

Stone was a giant cinnamon roll of a man and Gina was ambitious, but still kind. I really liked their dynamic. I did have some gripes with their character arcs, but overall I had a good time with this story!

This book was so fun! It took me right into the world of dancing and I adored learning more about something I watched on TV. I know behind the scenes is always different from what we are shown, and how the personalities are exploited, but I felt like this was such a real portrayal of what happens.
Gina is a city girl who loves to dance, this is her 5th season on Dance Off and she wants to win. Stone is a guy who lives off the grid in Alaska. His family has a reality show, Living WIld, where they show the family living in the middle of no where surviving off of themselves and the land. He is going to be on Dance Off so that he can make some extra money for his mother's medical bills, but he also has a huge famiy secret that he has to keep.
When Stone and Gina meet, the tension is off the charts and you know it will only be a matter of time and close space until they are together. Gina doesn't want to jeopardize her career and won't date a partner, but she can't help but be drawn to Stone and as they get closer, they both open up way more than they expected.
With producers breathing down their backs, other contestants out for blood and Gina and Stone's futures up in the air, you can't help but wonder how these two will ever make it.
I loved their story.and how even with their differences, you can see how they came together and made everything work with communication and openness.
Thank you do Netgalley, St. Martin's and Alexis Daria for an early copy.

This book reminded me of Step Up. It’s a cute romance with a dancing theme. I enjoyed it overall but not my type of romance book

I had no idea this was a re-release of Alexis Daria’s debut novel - I’m so glad I got a chance to read it now! It was such a fun book to read and more layered than I expected. While I love a light hearted and fun read, I appreciated the depth his book had and enjoyed it beginning to end.

Adorable and steamy! This was such a fun book to read. As a massive fan of Dancing With The Stars, this was such an intriguing inside look into the world of reality tv. I really enjoyed Stone and Gina as characters and loved their romantic story arc. It was natural, gradual, and incredibly enticing. Loved it!!

First, thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Alexis Daria for my eGalley copy in exchange of my honest review. Take the Lead was Alexis Daria debut novel. Originally released as an ebook in 2017, it’s been given new life in paperback with a beautiful illustrated cover, updated text, and bonus material. Is my first time reading Alexis Daria amazing job, and as a Puerto Rican I felt connected with the Latino characters. I give this book 4 stars, it was so good and I have a great time reading. The most that I enjoyed reading was the MC’s choreographies and their chemistry was amazing. Amé reading phrases in Spanish throughout the story, and phrases that I felt connected too. The spicy scenes were so well written. Gina was so passionate about her career and I loved that about her. Stone, sir you are everything. He was so cute, so supportive, and tried very hard through the whole competition for them to win. They have some miscommunication but everything get settled really quick and obviously a HEA. Love it, and of course I will read more from her in the near future. Thanks again for my copy.

3 Stars Take the Lead by Alexis Daria is a great reality show and opposites attract romance. Gina Morales is a professional dancer on the show The Dance Off, and though she’s been on for five years, she’s never made it to the finals, let alone won the entire competition. For the current season, Gina is paired with Stone Nielson, a survivalist who stars on the reality show Living Wild, which features him, his parents, and siblings living off the grid in the Alaskan wilderness. The Dance Off’s producer Donna is pushing for Gina and Stone to have a “showmance” to boost ratings, which Gina is vehemently against, wanting to win on her own merits. But even Gina cannot deny the sizzling chemistry and attraction growing between her and Stone. How long can she keep their relationship a secret as they advance through the dance rounds and grow closer when the cameras aren’t watching (and even when they are)?

Take the Lead was pretty on par with other reality show competition romances I’ve read. It’s not my favorite trope, but this one did a good job with it. I loved that Gina stuck to her integrity, even though she wanted fame and success. I’m glad that Stone was finally able to live the life he wanted to live, free of his family’s lies and the ever-present cameras. Recommend this one!