Alexis Daria is known for her sexy and funny romances, Take the Lead does not disappoint! It’s wild to think that this was her debut novel and I’m so honored to be reading the republished version.

Gina Morales is reality show dancer on a Dancing with the Stars type show. Her newest partner, Stone Neilson, stars on a wilderness show in Alaska and he’s never done a partner dance in his life. The directors are itching for a showmance but Gina is here to be taken seriously so she won’t be caught messing around, or even pretending to. And Stone is only sticking around for the extra money the show will bring in so he can pay off his mothers medical debts. Can they withstand the pressure of their producers and the instant attraction they have for each other?

Plot: 4.5/5
The story is straight forward and laid out for us in the first two chapters. The conflicts that may come up later in the book are quickly established.
Take the Lead follows a weekly dance structure so after the first live performance, the pacing picks up. There’s the expected twists and turns of a romance book but they feel original because Daria is a master.

Characters: 4/5
Gina is the star of this book and the show. You can see so much of her personality through her dance and how she teaches. I would have liked to see more of her family and know more about her motivations, past keeping her job.

Stone is… a man. He has a lot of depth, I feel like we get more of his backstory and drive than Gina’s, but I can’t say I’ve ever found a man bun attractive so I didn’t feel the draw to him as much as Gina did. But their chemistry was palpable and made for great reading.

Writing: 5/5
I love Daria’s writing style. It’s funny, sexy, and concise. She’s big into dialogue and absolutely nails banter and passion. This book is so bingeable. Her books are meant to be read in one day, it’s impossible to put them down!

Overall: 4/5
This book has an energy that everyone needs to experience! And what made it better was seeing one of my best friends names in the acknowledgments!!

A cute rom-com dance reality show novel. Stone is an awesome hero and Gina is a great match for him. This a fast, steamy read that I recommend.

I love how this author takes characters from different backgrounds and creates a world where they can connect. In any other book or written by any other author Gina and Stone wouldn’t work. But this author has a knack for bringing a commonality between two different kinds of people. Gina’s softness is accentuated by Stone's hard ridges and Stone is more relaxed with Gina’s outgoing personality. They push each other out of their comfort zone while also respecting who they are at their core.

I’ve enjoyed so many books by this author and I was excited to have a chance to read her latest book. I enjoyed how detailed she got with the dance aspect of the book and truly made it seem like a behind-the-scenes look at a dance competition. This story was flirty and fun while providing a delightful slow burn, tension filled romance. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for this ARC

Sometimes you just know within the first five pages of a book that it will be one that you’ll adore and give 5 stars. For me, this was one of those times.

I *LOVED* this book. I’ve been in a sort of reading slump for a few months and I haven’t had a book capture my attention like this one did, to the point where I read it in one day, in a very long time. I also hadn’t read the original publication, so I was excited to pick up the rereleased version and I am so glad I did!! The chemistry between the main characters, the drama, the behind-the-scenes of a reality dancing show, the spice, the topics discussed, all 10/10.

I’ve read a few books with reality TV-type plots, but nothing that centered around a dancing competition, which is another reason this was a fun read. Especially as a former fan of Dancing with the Stars. It brought me back to watching the show every week with my mom and grandmother.

Aside from the obvious fun of reading about the competition and Gina and Stone’s opposites-attract romance, I loved how Alexis handled heavier topics in the story as well. For example, the sexualization of women. It was so infuriating and disappointing to read the many attempts at Gina’s talent and dedication be reduced and overshadowed by the producers’ ridiculous forced “showmance,” especially because she’s a woman of color. All I wanted was to scream in Donna, the producer’s, face the entire time. But it puts into perspective what the actual dancers on these types of shows must deal with on set and everything we, as an audience, don’t get to hear about or see; it added another layer of depth to the story.

The romance between Gina and Stone was believable (and steamy) because their chemistry, even from their initial meeting in the wilderness, was so palpable. Ugh, I loved them so much.

Overall, a wonderfully entertaining book to start off 2023 with!!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this eARC! I loved every moment spent reading it <3

<i>“If you’re the pro,” Stone said, doing his best to hold the position she’d put him in, “how am I supposed to lead you?” Gina ducked her head under his arm and peered up at him with an impish smile. “I’ll teach you.”</i>

I think this is perfect if you are in the market for a diverse romance with a Dancing With The Stars style setting! You've got two characters that you want to root for, lots of pining, spice and a look at behind the scenes of reality tv. Plus Stone is MASSIVE, I totally would have watched that.

I think this was a cute debut!

Thank you so much St. Martin's Griffin for an arc in exchange for an honest review!

3/5 ⭐

An easy 2022 favorite!!! As an avid fan of DWTS, this book was everything I could’ve wanted!!! Alexis Daria is such a phenomenal writer and knowing this was her debut book just further enforced that belief, I loved the two main characters so much. This book was so great!!!!

I had not read the previous publication of this book, so I went into it knowing nothing and enjoyed every second of it! I worked in the entertainment business in my previous life, so I’m always a sucker for behind-the-scenes stories. I love how organically Gina and Stone came together. Yes there was lusting first, but it didn’t feel rushed. And the spicy scenes were muy caliente!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Take the Lead had a number of really good things going for it; awesome characters, both MMC and FMC, great side characters, an interesting plot, and great chemistry and spice!

Gina and Stone were really cute together, with immediate chemistry but not insta-love necessarily. The setting, a celebrity dance competition, was unique in I hadn't read something similar in quite a while. The biggest thing I didn't connect to was the back and forth of will they/won't they. It was A LOT of hand-wringing, but it did feel more natural than other contemporary's that I've read.

Romance is my number one go-to genre, but I rarely do traditional contemporary romance. I am not super into contrived conflict, I usually go for the true conflict of someone being kidnapped, stalked, abducted by aliens, etc. I don't like drama in my real life, but I love fake, suspenseful drama in my romance novels! Generally, there was a good amount of drama without it being too over the top angsty.

I would recommend this book to folks who like contemporary romance, those who enjoy reality tv, and anyone who is looking for a light beach or flight read. 4/5 overall!

A fun, romantic, and steamy read. This novel has some of the signature Alexis Daris flair seen in her best selling You Had Me At Hola. Set against the backdrop of a celebrity dance competition. A fast paced read with plenty of chemistry and a solid plot. This romance checks all the boxes for a good time.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Gina is a professional dancer on a celebrity dancing show, and she wants to win, proving to herself and everyone else how skilled she is. Stone is a reality TV star on a survivalist show in Alaska with his family, and he doesn't want to be on a dance show, but his family needs the money. Little do either of them know what this pairing will do for them...

I love Gina and Stone. Their chemistry, their banter, their everything is perfect. All of the conflict was realistic, which I loved because sometimes it feels like fictional conflict is blown way out of proportion. This was Alexis Daria's debut, being re-released into the world, and I think it deserves your attention!

CW: sexual content

For when you're vibing with: celebrity romance, Dancing with the Stars, opposites attract, showmance, and contemporaries with really hot sex.

Gina Morales, pro dancer on the hit reality show The Dance Off, is determined to win this season. Her plans hit a snag when her celebrity partner turns out to be Stone Nielson, the gruff, survivalist star of Living Wild. Not only is Stone quiet and not particularly enthusiastic about dancing--there's an immediate attraction between them. And Gina has a rule about dating her partners for a reason...

This is Alex Daria's debut, rejacketed with a bit of editing for a new release--and I've gotta recommend it. It's fun, emotional, and hot, with an immediate chemistry between the leads. Gina is driven, ambitious, and relatable in her efforts to stay professional. Stone is secretive, a bit awkward, and very, very appealing in his earnest smitten kitten nature.

Quick Takes:
--One of the things that's fun about a celebrity romance (even when the characters are low-level celebs like Gina and Stone) is the "behind the scenes" glimpse of how their worlds work. In this case, you have Stone and Gina pushed towards a showmance by their producers, and the catty bullshit between competitors as a great backdrop for tension.

--Speaking of: I haven't watched Dancing with the Stars in years, but the way I fell right back into the chaotic vibe? This book does really scratch an it on that front. I remember the couples that people wanted to see date so badly, I remember those that definitely did, and I remember the rumors about so and so hooking up with with so and so. There was something really fun about leaning back into that vibe.

--The sex was hot. After reading so many contemporaries where that just sort of falls apart, it was such a relief (and, though this cover is cute! Not something I necessarily think people will expect based off of it). Alexis Daria takes full advantage of writing a hero that's six and a half feet tall and capable of tossing his heroine around in complicated lifts and spins. What I'm saying is... he tosses her around in other arenas too, and thank God he does.

--I do think that the conflict driving the third act could've been a bit stronger. At points, I was a bit frustrated by certain stances characters would take, as they just didn't seem like a big enough deal to justify their decisions. However, this did feel acknowledged in the narrative, which took some of my annoyance away. And this was balanced by Stone and Gina having such an endearing romance that I just wanted to see them together, no matter what.

If you haven't been able to strike gold with a contemporary romance just yet, this could be the one for you. Its appeal feels universal and engaging, and it's just in the middle of high stakes and low stakes. Personally? I had a great time.

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a sucker for a celebrity romance. I’m not sure what it is. Maybe the secrecy that usually comes with it? Through in a competition too and you got me hooked. I liked this book and I thought it was so cool that it being re-released and I am excited to read the next book (which I think will also be re-releases because I cannot find it anywhere).

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. Last year I discovered Daria's other two books and absolutely loved them. When I requested this one, I had no idea that this was not a new novel, but that didn't stop me from loving it! The one con I could see is that it took about the 50% way in to get to the spicy stuff but once you did boy it was good. Definitely worth the read and I'm sure lovers of Daria will love the characters and story as much as I did.

I must admit that I am not a huge Dancing With The Stars Fan, but I am now a huge fan of Take The Lead and Alexis Daria. This rereleased novel follows a couple on a reality show ballroom dance competition as they compete to win the tacky trophy (and each others' hearts). This novel has it all-romance, dancing, and behind-the-scenes drama of reality programming that any tv watcher will appreciate.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This book is a fun read for anyone who has ever enjoyed watching Dancing With the Stars - and wondered what things were like behind the scenes!

This is a reissue (with a new cover) of Alexis Daria's first novel. Since then she's published You Had Me at Hola and A Lot Like Adios, both bestsellers. For me, it was clear that the author has come a long way since her debut. Gina and Stone feel more one-dimensional than Daria's subsequent characters. I haven't read the sequel, featuring Gina's friend Natasha, but I'd be interested to see how it compares to book 1.

In sum: read this book if you like Dancing With the Stars, otherwise start with You Had Me at Hola.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for sending me the e-arc of this book!

This was a delight, most especially because I am nostalgic about watching Dancing with the Stars with my mom in high school. If you have ever watched that show and were ever entertained by it, I think you'll enjoy this book. I really enjoyed both main characters and thought the trajectory of their relationship was natural. It wasn't instant love, there was a true slow progression, but I wouldn't call this a slow burn. The steam is there and it's good. I'd say the perfect amount for my taste. I hear this might be a series? I'm rooting for Gina's roommate Natasha next!

From my Instagram:

🔥 ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎 🔥

Y'ALL! Why is nobody talking about this adorable, spicy little romance by award-winning author Alexis Daria? This book won the 2018 RITA® Award for Best First Book! 🏆 Well earned! 👏🏻

𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱
𝗕𝘆 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮
𝟯𝟲𝟴 𝗽𝗮𝗴𝗲𝘀
𝗣𝘂𝗯: 𝗙𝗲𝗯 𝟭𝟰, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯

You probably know Daria from her Primas of Power series: 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝑯𝒂𝒅 𝑴𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝑯𝒐𝒍𝒂 & 𝑨 𝑳𝒐𝒕 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑨𝒅𝒊𝒐𝒔. Take the Lead is actually her debut novel; the first book in the 𝑫𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝑶𝒇𝒇 series. It is being rereleased on Valentine's Day (fitting) with this hot new cover and updated text! 🔥

Stone Nielson is a burley, Viking-esque mountain man living in Alaska. He stars in a reality survival show with his family. Gina Morales is a polished Puerto Rican bombshell from the Bronx, and a professional dancer and choreographer. She's a regular on a reality TV dance show called Dance Off (think Dancing with the Stars). Gina and Stone are partnered for the current season of the show, and despite the scandalous producers' attempts to stage a "showmance", Stone and Gina plan to keep things strictly platonic -- both on screen and off. But things heat up - and not just on the dance floor. Sparks fly for these two and they can't help but be drawn to one another... until secrets catch up to them and drama on the show makes them question their priorities.

💭 This book has it all! High stakes, opposites attract, Forced Proximity, workplace romance, secret relationship, reality TV trope and more! It has high steam, sizzling chemistry, swoony romance, and is sprinkled with sexy dance routines. 💃🥵 The writing is strong and smart -- it's hard to believe this is a debut! It also has oodles of depth and touches on important topics like stereotypes, and the objectification and sexualization of women, particularly women of color. It's also an interesting look behind the scenes of reality TV. I could go on and on!

Add this one to your TBR friends!

Thank you @stmartinspress & @netgalley for the eARC ❤️
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A mountain man who BLUSHES whenever he’s asked a slightly flirty question? CUTE

Gina, a professional dancer on <i><s>Dancing with the Stars<s> The Dance Off</i>, is paired with Stone, a reality star on his family’s show <i>Living Wild</i>.

It was fun exploring the “realities” of reality TV. I felt completely immersed into <i>The Dance Off</i>. I was rooting for some partners and was sad to see when they were eliminated. Even Stone’s show was compelling. His family dynamics on & off screen were written so well.

The romance was lacking in comparison. Stone and Gina’s tension was done really well, and for half the book, I was <i>ready</i> for them to be together. However, after they hook up for the first time, we kind of time skip and gloss over their beginning as a couple. We go from sexual tension to settled into a (kinda) relationship. They still had incredible chemistry, but they became boring.

Gina’s point about not wanting to be sexualized because she’s Latina is understandable and explained well. Her reluctance to being in a relationship with a costar made sense, but it was frustrating to watch her insist nobody could know they were together while doing very little to conceal it. Oh, I was caught leaving your hotel by the paparazzi? Well, how about we make out at work?

During the third act conflict, both characters acted incredibly out-of-character. Stone, who is normally so understanding and patient, acted against Gina’s wishes. When she found out, she reacted so bitterly despite never lashing out verbally toward others when they messed up.

Overall, <i>Take the Lead</i> was an engaging read. As someone who enjoys competitive reality shows, this book gave me everything I could’ve hoped for: drama.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this copy of <i>Take the Lead</i> by Alexis Daria.

Told in dual perspectives, this romance novel is a fun and cute fish-out-of-water, secret romance book that reads very quickly. It's plenty adorable, light, fun, sweet, spicy and perfect for Dancing With the Stars fans. Like, seriously it's the ultimate DWTS fanfiction you didn't know you needed.

A Dancing with the Stars like setting with a romance between a Latina dancer and an Alaskan survival show star.

Gina is on her fifth season of Dance Off and has never made it to the finals, she feels this is her year until she meets Stone, a man who has lived off grid in Alaska for most of his life and with zero dancing experience. Right from the get go Gina gets a feeling she is being set up to fake a showmance for the sake of the show and is firmly against it. What she doesn't expect is for the intimacy and chemistry she builds with Stone while dancing, may lead to attraction off the dance floor as well.

This was so fun. I have never really kept up with Dancing with the Stars but have tuned into watch every now and then so this was such a good backdrop for a story. I really believed the chemistry between the characters, Stone was very swoon worthy, the behind the scenes look into reality tv production was the perfect levels of dramatic. This was a great read for me.