⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Take The Lead by Alexis Daria

“He was leaving her, and the thought of him boarding a plane back to Alaska devastated her heart. She should never have gotten so wrapped up in him that it would hurt this much when he left. She needed to stop thinking about it. Just feel. Let him wash it all way with his touch.”

Thank you, St. Martin’s Griffin, for the ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review 💕

No lie, I was expecting to hate this, LOL. Not that Daria has let me down before or anything. But my expectations were low based on the whole behind-the-scenes reality show angle.

But I have to admit I LOVED THIS. I loved it so much that I breezed through most of the book in hours.

Stone kills as the broody, grumpy MMC with a heart of gold. And I loved Gina - hands down my favorite FMC by Daria. Her reservations about falling in love and her emphasis on keeping her professional life away from her love life were so honest and relatable. Even if you are not in the tv industry, but especially if you are a POC, you get it. Of course, it wouldn’t be an Alexis Daria book without a Hollywood/tv/movie backdrop, with infectious and funny, not to mention diverse characters and interweaving of Latine culture.

…
It’s Gina Morales’ fifth season on The Dance Off, a network TV celebrity dance competition…and she wants to win.

Stone Neilson hates reality television even though he is already on one with his family, but doing The Dance Off is his chance to make some money and pay off some family debt.

After being paired together, once they meet, they can’t help but assess one another. They couldn’t be any more different. She’s from NYC; he’s from Alaska. She’s a dancer; he is a survivalist reality tv star. She wants to transition and become a household name, and he wants to return to Alaska, alone and free from cameras and his familial reality tv obligations.

But when they start dancing, all the differences melt away, and all Gina and Stone are left with is chemistry.

What could get in the way of this new connection? The producers of Dance Off? Paparazzi? Secrets? Priorities? The fear to leap for a love that neither of them has ever experienced?

This book is perfect for fans of Dancing with the Stars. Even me, who has only seen snippets and clips through the years I found the story and the characters to be enticing and interesting. Gina and Stone are the definition of opposites attract and this enemies to lovers was a great ride the whole time!

3.5 stars = pretty good.

I liked the dance completion reality TV setting of Take the Lead, but I had nits with the professional dancer leading lady Rita breaking her own rules about a romance with her celebrity dance partner Stone.

I understand forbidden romance as a trope, but it doesn't always work for me. Here I had a hard time because the stakes of breaking her own rules are so high for Rita. Rita believes that a relationship with her partner will put her future and the career she's worked so hard for in jeopardy. So when she and Stone act on their attraction, despite her determination to avoid a "showmance" that would force her into a sexy Latina stereo type, and then decide to try hiding the relationship both decisions seem like huge mistakes for a reality show professionals.

There is some good steam in the story as the author establishes the attraction between the partners, but there were too many sexy times after they seal the deal for me. My favorite parts of Take the Lead were the dance competition and rehearsal parts of the story, I thought they were well done and gave a good feel for the 'Dancing with the Stars' like setting of the story.

ARC Courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley, release date 14 February 2023. This is an unpaid review.

I love this author! She knows how to write such good chemistry and spice. I read her Prima of Powers series and loved them. This is her first novel and it's getting a new sexy cover to go along with the sexy story. So excited!

I'm actually not super into reality TV and dance shows, but I still thought the plot was fun. This was a big opposites attract and I loved it!

Stone was such a book boyfriend! Based on our first impression you might think he's a jerk and judgement, but he is so into Gina and will literally do anything for her. Who doesn't love a guy falls first trope at its finest?

Gina was lot more difficult. You understood all her hang ups about "showmances" and getting involved with her dance partner. But Stone didn't deserve her back and forth relationship. I liked her character arc but I felt it stretched out a bit too long IMO.

I want to read Dance With Me (book #2 of this series) and hear Natasha's story.

Take the Lead is fantastic. Alexis Daria takes the forced proximity of a celebrity dance competition and uses it as the backdrop for a sizzling grumpy sunshine romance.

Gina is a professional dancer, shepherding celebrities through The Dance Off’s reality tv competition. Stone isn’t a stranger to reality tv, since his family’s Alaska survivalist show is his claim to fame. He’s not comfortable with dancing, but he wants to win the prize money to pay off his mother’s medical bills. Gina wants to finally win the trophy, but based on her choreography skills, not a manufactured showmance with Stone. But can they fight their mutual attraction while trying to win the trophy? Um no.

I adored this book! I’m on the record as loving a reality show romance, since it creates forced proximity that’s tough to beat. Gina and Stone are both likable, engaging characters whose conflicting motivations lead to a story I couldn’t put down. From “we’re going to be professional” to “this is just a hookup” to “oh no…” this couple had me invested. It didn’t hurt that while Stone is grumpy with everyone else, he opens up to Gina and would do anything for her.

Take the Lead was originally Daria’s debut novel, and it’s been slightly updated for this latest release. The issues addressed are just as timely, and the romance shines through. Daria is a master of the entertainment industry romance, and she’s showcased those skills throughout her writing career.

Daria creates a delicious story with oh so steamy chemistry and realistic plot twists. In addition to the romance, she showcases the pitfalls of a Latine woman in the entertainment industry, which is a minefield of possible missteps. If you love a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity romance with a behind the scenes look at reality tv too, read Take the Lead.

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

Loved the premise of this book and I think it would be a hit with romance readers!!
Thank you to Netgalley for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Professional dancer, Gina Morales, is on her fifth season of The Dance Off, where pros get paired with celebrity partners to compete & she is eager to get a win. Three plane rides later, Gina Morales is surprised to land in Alaska & meet her celebrity partner, who turns out to be one member of the family Alaskan wilderness TV show, Living Wild, Stone Nielson. Stone is unbelievably tall, attractive & in-shape, but he is also extremely adverse to reality TV. Can this opposites attract pair find the right steps & twirl their way to the a trophy?! Read Take the Lead to find out!

Dancing reality shows are some of my favorite shows to watch. Once I read this premise on this one, I instantly knew I would be entertained. I really liked getting the behind the scenes aspects of the show. I also enjoyed getting to know the other casts moments of The Dance Off. Also, because it takes place in the entertainment business, there’s plenty of drama, tension, secrets & paparazzi to keep you engrossed. The third quarter of the book got a little slow for me, but I enjoyed how everything came together. & I really appreciated the ending,

I really liked the acknowledgement of the intersectionality of being a woman & being Puerto Rican & how that affects how Gina must conduct herself in the entertainment world in order to not be stereotyped. It is discussed in a realistic manner showcasing the complexities of the standards set on women in society & the steps Gina takes to overcome typecast roles. This is a very important topic that is interwoven into this lovely romance & I loved how it all worked out.

If you are a fan of dancing reality shows, then Take the Lead is a great recommendation for you!!

Massive thanks to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Griffth for the arc, which I voluntarily read & reviewed. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Love the story. A story of a dancing with the stars type show, where the dancer and the celebrity fall in love. but of course, nothing is that simple, since a showmance can affect how seriously people take her, and he has secrets about his family's reality show in Alaska.

This was a really sweet and relatively low-angst book, and overall I enjoyed it! I loved watching these two characters, who come from completely separate worlds, come together and form a special connection. In the most unlikely of places too — a reality tv show!

I think my favorite part of the book was Stone. His character development was *chef’s kiss* Gina was awesome too, but by the end of the story her arguments and reasonings for holding back from Stone were getting a little too repetitive and honestly a bit selfish. But nonetheless, she came around and they lived happily ever after!

Would definitely recommend picking this up if you have a thing for quiet, burly, but super sweet & sexy mountain men! Also, if you've ever wondered what a romance behind the scenes of Dancing with the Stars might look like. Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the uncorrected proof in exchange for an honest review!

In February 2023, Alexis Daria, is re-releasing her debut book "Take the Lead", with a new cover and bonus material. Since I've never read this book the first time, I jumped at the chance to read it now. It's not usually a genre or topic I would read, but I absolutely loved Alexis Daria's book, "You Had Me At Hola", which is when I discovered Alexis Daria. So, I gave it a whirl. As usual, I love the writing style because it is so fluid and down to earth. The reader gets connected with the characters and their story as if they were friends. I unfortunately found it a bit slow and basic. It took me a while to invest in the story, mostly because I'm not into reality shows or dance shows. There was a bit too much description on dance styles or dance positions for my taste. But as always, I enjoyed and appreciate, every day, humanistic development of the characters.
The story tackles the age-old question: Do opposites attract? Gina Morales, a native New Yorker, is a professional dance, who currently stars on a reality dance show in Los Angeles. She has been on the show for quite a few seasons and has never won. This year. she has made it her mission to win this year. Stone Nielson, lives in Alaska and is the epitome of what everyone envisions when the word "Mountain Man" is used. He currently stars in a reality show depicting Alaskan wilderness life with his parents and siblings. He would never have willing agree to appear on a dance show, but he has his reasons. When Gina and Stone meet, they both realize that their goals for competing on show couldn't have been more different and may not accomplish their ultimate goals. However, Gina and Stone, will soon learn that by being placed as dance partners together, life or should I say fate, has a way of producing unknown results for the better. Of course, one can't rule out thrown some love curve in the mix. Enjoy.

Thank you to San Martin Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
This is my first time reading any novel by Alexis Daria. When I saw that this one was about dancing, I knew I had to read it. There were many times in which I had Dancing with the Stars while reading, but the plot became really interesting for me.
Very spicy that even my husband read a few chapters with me.
Fun reading for Valentine's.

A reality tv star and a pro dancer team up for a dance contest - think DWTS - and sparks start flying! I was completely hooked from their first meeting, and the slow build friendship felt authentic, with some definite heat just underneath the surface of all their encounters. Behind the scenes of the dance show was super fun to experience through this couple. And I was surprised at a few serious topics that were handled with care and took time to resolve - which is much more realistic than instantaneous resolutions. I honestly wasn’t sure how they were going to get their HEA, but it’s a romance so….!
Thanks so much to the publisher and author for my early eARC. I loved it and highly recommend!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had a really interesting premise and something completely different from anything I've read so far. I mostly liked the plots involving the reality shows and the behind the scenes stuff. It was also fun to try and see if any of the characters were based off real people (as some seemed to be).

Overall, the book was fine. It wasn't my favorite book but I didn't dislike it. I would still recommend it to other people who are interested in it.

CW: gun violence, ableism, alcohol consumption, sexual harassment, absent parent, physical injury, arson (recounted off-page), substance abuse (mentioned), social anxiety (mentioned)

I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This Valentine’s Day, we have a swoon worthy reality TV dance show romance that you got to keep your eye on.

Gina Morales has been a seasoned dancer on The Dance Off for years. However, this year’s celebrity pairing finds herself matched up with Alaskan wilderness expert Stone Neilsen. Despite the numerous differences between their lifestyles, Gina and Stone find themselves vying for the coveted first place prize while dealing with the meddling hands of production to make them this season’s showmance. At the same time, Gina and Stone find themselves falling more and more for each other with each dance.

Alexis Daria’s Take the Lead has exceeded my expectations for this book. Daria has created such delightful characters that really have chemistry with each other. I enjoyed getting to see Gina and Stone dance together throughout the book and how that really builds their relationship off-stage, which makes the book interesting to read. While I would have been fine with less spice, this book might be perfect for readers who want a spicy read this winter.

Overall, Take the Lead will be a nice addition to your romance reading for Valentine’s Day this year. If you’re a reader who likes an insta-attraction slow burn romance with two leads that are undeniably perfect for each other, this book is for you.

Just think of a splash between Dancing with the Stars and Jungle Jim.
It's Gina's fifth season on the Dance Off and she has never won once but for this season she is determined to win.
She is then paired with a reality TV star of the popular TV show, Living Wild. From there first meeting Gina and Stone would identify the sizzling attraction between them.
Soon the secrets they are both keeping threatens to tear them apart.
I really loved this book and I would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin & NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this digital ARC

This book was fun and engaging. Cute little humor and plenty of steam. I can’t get enough of this author and will keep reading all of her books. I am waiting for the final installment of the cousins books

this book was so unique and immediately caught my attention. I loved the concept and similarity to dwts, it was so glamorous and fun!
Stone and Gina had so much chemistry.

Stone is a giant outdoorsy reality tv guy and Gina is an ambitious city girl who is a professional dancer on the competition show ‘the Dance Off’.

This was a fast, show-stopping read, and I enjoyed it so much! Definitely grab a copy when it comes out on Feb 14, 2023!

Thanks to @netgalley for the arc!

I love everything Alexis Daris writes and this is no exception! She's so talented at weaving believable love stories and the setting of this one with the DWTS vibes was so fun. And I'm obsessed with the new cover for this re-release of her debut. Highly recommend! Thanks to SMP and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I received a copy of Take the Lead via NetGalley to read and review.

I feel like Alexis Daria is a super fan of Dancing with the Stars. I feel like this story could have actually happened to a couple (or multiple couples) over the course of the show. The conflict was great without being over the top or over dramatic. My only minor complaint is the initial attraction between Stone and Gina seemed a little forced at the beginning but became more believable as the story went on. Thankful to have been given an advance copy of Take the Lead!

I'm kinda torn because this originally debuted in 2017--I'm not sure if it underwent edits or just a cover change (which is a better reflection of the book so I approve)--but it reads as a debut with some cheesy lines. I'm sure Alexis has grown as a writer since 2017. I don't want to bash this book, it had good moments, there were just some problem areas with pacing and plotting.

BUT I did enjoy two reality shows in one book, with the main storyline being the dancing one, and I enjoyed both MCs. Being dance partners adds delicious tension and Alexis delivered on that and their chemistry. Their love grew naturally and I enjoyed their story.