I LOVE IT!! Everything I wanted from a dance competition/lumberjack type romance! Alexis Daria does it again and I’ve been swooned. There’s something about her writing that I live for and I can’t wait to read more of her backlist!

Gina is starting her fifth season on the Dance Off and is hoping for an amazing dance partner. She is thrilled when she realizes that he is super hot, fit, and stars on reality tv, but she is hoping that it will translate to good dancing. Stone is on a tv show with his family called Living Wild and they have a few secrets they are trying to protect. He hates tv and LA so at the start, he is not. the most willing dance partner. He really is there to get the money to help pay for his moms medical bills. Gina and Stone have incredible chemistry on and off the dance floor, but Gina refuses to be involved with a co-star after a previous incident. The pressure is on and her producer goes behind Gina's back to make some things happen. Gina is worried that it will backfire and she is mad at Stone for not telling her when he knew about it.

I loved this cute, flirty story. Their chemistry was almost palpable and how they have to learn to fully trust each other and their gut really built their relationship. I loved the Dancing with the Stars feel that it had even down to the two co-hosts like we had this past season. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

This has to be one of my favorite books of the year. It’s well-written with great characters and an interesting setting. The plot is based on a take-off of “Dancing for the Stars,” with reality-tv twists and turns. Stone’s large family has a survivalist cable-tv show set in the wilds of Alaska. His parents push him into doing the “Dance Off” show. He reluctantly agrees to go on the show with the hope of staying in the competition long enough to pay some family medical bills. Stone’s assigned dance teacher and partner is Gina. Gina is a talented Hispanic dancer and choreographer from the Bronx. Gina has been on the “Dance Off” show for a few seasons but hasn’t won yet. Her goal is to win and then go on to have a hugely successful career in show business. While Gina is trying to be professional and keep her life private despite intrusive cameras, their producer tries to set up a showmance for ratings. Despite Stone’s and Gina’s different goals and backgrounds, they find themselves falling for each other as the competition progresses. This book has lots of adult heat, realistic character growth, interesting details about the show’s production and engaging dual points of view. Stone and Gina’s HEA is uncertain, so this book is very hard to put down. Great story! I received an advance copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was such a fun read. I loved the chemistry from Stone and Gina right off the bat. They had a strong connection and I loved how sensitive and open Stone was. There were a few times where Gina made me angry and acted like a child. If it weren't for Stone's strong character, I probably would've rated this lower, he made the story. Gina was very immature at times but overall I did enjoy the book. I would recommend if you're looking for a light and fun read.

I was already a fan of Daria, but now I absolutely adore her! I am a big fan of DWTS and when I saw a chance to review this book, I couldn’t wait to see the romantic spin of dance competitions. The story was so well written and the MC’s were so well developed! I hope this becomes a series; Daria is so good at writing reality/TV show romances!

4.75/5 stars

I've never been a fan of any of these Celebrity ballroom dancing shows before, but I'm VERY much second-guessing my stance on that after reading "Take the Lead"!

I don't know why, but I went in with pretty low expectations for this book - not a reflection by any means on the book or Alexis Daria - I've just been in a bit of a reading slump/haven't found a book that really grabs my attention, but this was exactly what I needed. I was honestly hooked from the third chapter and I could NOT put it down!!

Alexis Daria has now solidified her spot in my "instant-buy authors" category...we've got a burly Viking-esque-mountain-man meets trailblazing-powerful-latina-pro ballroom dancer and BAM! if that doesn't set the stage for a spicy-steamy-tension-misunderstanding filled romance then I don't know what does??

All tropes aside, this story was beautifully written. The pace was excellent and I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering what was going to happen next. I loved Alexis' representation of a Latina woman in this book, and her stance at breaking the stereotypes of Latina women in the entertainment industry. It was truly refreshing to see a female main character in a Romance novel stick to her guns instead of compromising for a man with a kind heart. When it comes to the actual dance off/competition part of this book, I was SHOCKED!! Literally could not believe how into this competition I got!! I genuinely felt like I was fully WATCHING this show unfold in front of my eyes, the writing is INCREDIBLE!!

All in all, this book is a definite all-time fave of mine now, and I cannot recommend it enough. The ups and downs were truly ups and downs, and the chemistry between Stone and Gina will forever be a benchmark for future characters in my mind. Can't wait for the next book!!

The behind the scenes of a TV dance competition reality show take the lead for dancer Gina and her partner Stone. He is also a reality show star and knows the ropes however this is different. Fina is adamant about not being used for a showmance. The producer is cooking up one for her and Stone.
The beauty of the story is the developing relationship of Stone and Gina as the story progresses. A delightful novel.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Take the Lead is a fantasticly written novel from Alexis Daria. The character interactions and banter was funny and engaging and the heat was spicy. The family dynamics were intense and I loved seeing Stone stand up to his family after years of not. I enjoyed seeing the dance competition plot was great.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Alexis Daria for giving me the boricua rep I needed!

Last night I finished reading the arc of "Take the Lead" by Alexis Daria. This book came and dominated the dance floor of my brain with the outstanding writing, great characters, the tension, and that slow burn that once it started to burn, it set the whole thing on fire.

Gina Morales, is part of a reality TV show called The Dance Off and her mission for her 5th season on the show is to win. But then she gets paired up with Stone, a celeb from a survivalist TV show set in Alaska. Stone has never danced in his life, and his conunication skills could also use some work. But what the two of them do have when combined is an undeniable chemistry that follows them around and not just at the dance floor.

If that doesn't convince you to read it, then let me tell you something else I highly enjoyed. The dances that appear in this book are described so well that I could see Stone and Gina dancing in my mind. It was a lot of fun being able to picture everything so vividly.

Also, the puerto rican representation? Yes, pleas and thank you! I loved to see my culture represented and how realistic it was. The way Gina greets everyone in this book is what we all do over here. We may not know you well, but we will shower you in lots of love.

As a dancing with the stars fan, I loved the premise of this book. At first it was a little confusing with the writing style because sometimes mid chapter it switches perspectives of the characters while being in third person but after a bit I got used to it. I wish it had been a little more clear either written in first person or separate shorter chapters- I think it could have strengthened the storytelling. Also, the love story felt more lust/physically focused than I’m a fan of and it definitely is a more steamy kind of romance even just in the way people are described outside of romantic scenes- which is not as much my kind of romance, I’m more of a closed door romance girl. Other than that, I enjoyed the storyline. It was a fun book to read during this season of DWTS but I did have to stop reading it at about 55% because it was too open door for me and focuses on the physical for me.

So what’s interesting about book set on reality tv shows is that I never expect to like them and then I always absolutely adore them!! This rom com is no exception!

The chemistry between these two is good and realistic and while FMC is borderline judgmental and rude to the wholesome MMC at times, I still found a way to move past it since they are cute on page together. The book also does a great job of describing and involving the “dancing with the stars”esque tv show story line without over powering the love story. Overall, another great Alexis Daria book!

Take the Lead is a fun romance that centers around reality television, primarily a dancing competition, but also delves a little bit into a series the one of the protagonist's family does. While the romance is fun between Gina and Stone, feeling like I had a behind-the-scenes look at what the people participating could go through was the more compelling part for me. Having spent several years watching Dancing with the Stars, it was easy to imagine the staged romance with a strategic pairing, genuine friendships that form between dancers and judges over seasons, and the celebrities participating in a particular season, ultracompetitive athletes that are set up to win, and the intensity of a relationship that forms between a dancer and their partner during the season. It's easy to see how some pairings don't work, some have a friendly, working relationship, and how in Stone and Gina's case it can easily lead to romance. Both have their reasons for competing - Gina is trying to establish a more promising career, and has to fight every stereotype to be taken seriously. This means she doesn't want to be seen in a romance with Stone; she wants to win because of her abilities. Stone participates reluctantly because his family pushes him to do so for the financial benefits it will reap. But a grudging interest turns into enthusiasm as he falls for Gina and increasingly feels at odds with how the show his family creates contrasts with reality. The push and pull between the characters is dynamic, and how a relationship could work after the season ends is a legitimate sticking point for the pair. Daria did a good job of making the relationship feel believable and creating a backstory that's interesting and different from a lot of other contemporary romance novels. A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I requested to read and review this book from St. Martin Publishing Company. This story is about romance, mystery, drama and forgiveness and strength. Stone is a reality TV wilderness star that doesn't know anything about dancing and Gina is a city girl that doesn't have a clue about wildlife wilderness. But when they join forces in a dance off competition they will learn each other strength and weakness. They will each learn that they are stronger then they both know. And will try to work hard to prove the stereotypes wrong and also the ones that want them to fail. The biggest hurdle will be can they trust whenever ? This book can be read anywhere and by a mature audience.

Gina is a pro dancer on The Dance-Off, a fictionalized version of Dancing With the Stars. In an attempt to create a showmance, the producers partner her with Stone, the hot but quiet star of an Alaskan wilderness TV show. Neither one wants a showmance, but… the sparks fly. I loved this behind the scenes look at two types of reality TV shows, and the author went into a lot of fun detail on the dancing / rehearsal process that I thoroughly enjoyed. I have never seen Dancing With the Stars but I still found this book so fun! Really well-written romance that felt contemporary and intelligent rather than ditzy – I highly recommend this, in spite of the cover making it look like a Harlequin romance novel ;)

This was a light and fun read. I liked reading about a Dancing with the Stars type setting. Normally, third-act breakups are not a favorite of mine, but I did think the characters had legit issues they needed to work through. I will say the characters felt flat at times. But I would recommend for anyone looking for a fun romance that takes place in a reality TV setting.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of these updated version!

This was such a fun read! I loved how the characters worked through things. Gina’s scenes with her family ring so very true. Can’t wait to read more!

This re-release of Alexis Daria’s debut novel was so fun, sweet, and steamy.

Gina is the professional dancer on a Dancing with the Stars-esque reality show, and she is paired for her next season with Alaskan reality tv star and outdoorsman Stone. It’s clear from the beginning that the show is trying to make the two of them an item for ratings, which is not going to fly with Gina. However sparks DO fly and as the finale creeps closer questions on if this city girl and the forest man can make it, while keeping the networks focus on their dancing rather than their chemistry.

Great Latina representation, fun premise, hella chemistry, and an all around good time. It drug a bit in place, which keeps it from 5 stars, but I would recommend it all the same! It comes out next February and is perfect for the month of love!!

Fun and spicy romance set in a reality show dance contest. A fun look behind the scenes of reality television.

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria was so amazing; I was swooning from page one. Alexis Daria has such a great voice and her writing is amazing, I truly enjoyed every second I spent reading this book.
This book was so much fun, I literally couldn't stop reading it.
The characters Gina and Stone are freaking phenomenal.
I loved their dynamic was so much fun. They instantly pulled me into a world I was completely enthralled by.
A funny, sexy and beautiful story set against a reality dance tv show. Remarkable!
This rerelease is bound to be a show stopper. If you enjoy Dancing With the Stars you'll fall head over heels for TTL!

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

St. Martin's Press & St. Martin's Griffin,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this eARC!

A fun and uplifting (get it? Like a lift in dance?) romp about a professional dancer trying to win on The Dance Off to secure her job being paired with a big, burly Alaskan man who stars in his own family’s reality show. She’s also fighting the producers (fucking Donna), who want her to have a showmance, at every turn to stop them from over sexualizing her as a Latina. Lots of emotional baggage in this one and a clear message about the meaning and power of family and familial duty at the price of one’s happiness. Thoroughly enjoyable 4/5