It seemed to be a good representation of a Latina who is smart and determined. There were some things that felt somewhat contrived, but overall the story was enjoyable and fast paced.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

I love Alexis Daria’s other books so I was excited NetGalley gave me the opportunity to read Take the Lead. What I loved most about this was seeing the progress Daria has made since writing this. You Had me at Hola and A Lot Like Adios are face paced steamy romances. This one felt so much more drawn out. It felt like Daria was testing the waters in her writing. Sometimes it worked sometimes it felt artificial. I loved reading this because I’m a sucker for the genre. Definitely read if you’re a fan of Daria!

Well worth the re-read with a breathtaking new cover to match this fun, steamy story. Hot dancers. Off-limits romance. Alexis Daria's trademark strong heroines with spice and all the tension. Gorgeous storytelling that invites you behind the scenes to swoon, laugh, and pine for more! LOVE this one!

Take the Lead was such a pleasant surprise and I didn’t expect to devour it so quickly. I haven’t watched Dancing with the Stars since middle school and this book brought me right back with the covert references. The gaudy trophy, celebrity partnerships, and the art of a “showmance” all screamed Celebrity Dancing Show We Can’t Legally Name! I know this was republished, but this was incredibly impressive as a debut. I loved the various characters, great pacing, and high attention to detail with the catalog of dances. It was very easy to picture our couple on the main stage and I was rooting for them from the moment Gina stepped off the helicopter in Alaska to meet her hunky mountain man dance partner.

Gina and Stone were such a lovely couple and well suited to each other. They acted as perfect foils and helped provide support where the other was lacking. Stone was a gentle giant who was solid as his namesake and Gina was a gregarious professional dancer determined to win the top prize. I loved all their interactions from dance rehearsals, taped performances, and those shared moments in between the show. I thought the author did an excellent job explaining the various dances and the intended emotions assigned to each category. My least favorite trope was unfortunately utilized in the third act: miscommunication. I’m so tired of reading this literary conflict. Let’s give Character Vs. Nature a round in the ring because it’s been gathering dust in the metaphorical wardrobe for far too long. Miscommunication has overshared its welcome! These two had an excellent partnership on the dance floor, but migrate that communication to your offstage relationship!

Take the Lead was a fantastic contemporary romance that I was not expecting to love so much considering I’m not the biggest fan of competitive dancing shows. Stone and Gina were a fascinating couple and I was a huge cheerleader for their blossoming relationship. Shoutout to the author for creating such dynamic and realistic characters that I personally wanted to befriend. I will continue to read this author’s future publications because with anything she writes, I’m more than willing to let her Take the Lead.

She is a dancer in The Dance Off competition, his family have their show in Alaska, now they are paired in next season of The Dance Off. She wants to win, he wants to go back to Alaska, and somewhere everything changes, they want something else.
Cute story I enjoyed

This was a decent romcom read. Pretty much a Dancing with the Stars plot. Gina is the instructor and Stone is a reality TV show star. They are attracted to each other but try not to act on it.

Gina was a relatable FMC and I like the POC rep. Stone was good too, kind of a cinnamon roll hero. Because of the show plot there was a bunch of side characters who I couldn’t keep track of. While I enjoyed this book, it felt repetitive at times which was hard to push through.

This was my first read by Alexis Daria and I’ll definitely try her again.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

As someone who grew up watching Dancing with the Stars with my mom, I was more than intrigued by this book! I thought it was a cute look into what many of the real-life relationships that blossom on the show started off as (or what I assume they looked like).

The book is told in third-person, so there were times that I felt I was being told something rather than feeling something. When that happens, it can be hard to really immerse myself into the story. But I got by with this book.

Stone, a wilderness survival man, whose family lives off the grid in Alaska, took the job to help pay for his mom's hip replacement. The only problem is, their family isn't as 'off the grid' as the show portrays them to be.

And Gina, our New Yorker with Puerto Rican blood, wants to make it in the industry without succumbing to Latina stereotypes. She also found out from her boss that her spot on the show wasn't guaranteed unless she agreed to a showmance (she said no), made it to the finals (tough to do), and eventually to win (even harder still!).

Gina and Stone are both instantly attracted to each other when they meet in the Alaskan wilderness. But Gina refuses to get involved with a co-worker after having been burned in the past. And Stone...well, he wasn't against it, but he also knew he wasn't staying in LA after the show ended.

The book was cute. I loved the backstage view of the show and all its side characters. Even Meli, who I assumed was a nod to J.Lo, was a nice touch. Gina looked up to her so much and I loved that we saw her again at the end.

I was a little surprised there weren't more scenes of Gina coaching Stone to become better - there's a running issue with his knees being wonky in the dances and it never even gets addressed.

The book was spicy and definitely focused more on Stone and Gina's relationship rather than the show. So if you're reading this for the 'behind the scenes' of the show, you may be disappointed. But that being said, I liked the ending and how Stone's confidence grew, allowing him to consider life outside of Alaska.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Take the Lead was a cute romance in a unique setting. I enjoyed reading about Gina and Stone's love story while they fought for a win on the Dancing With the Stars type show called The Dance Off. I wish there had been more tension built before certain things happened, but it was steamy enough to make up for it.

If you're looking for a steamy romance with some good structure and plot, check this book out in February! It will be a great read for the month of love and romance.

This story was so cute! I really enjoyed the Dance Off show setting and the intimacy and connections that were formed through it.

It was really interesting to look at love through the scope of reality TV and Stone was such a sweet book boyfriend. Gina is a strong, independent and hard-working woman and I LOVED the female Puerto Rican representation! I’m only sorta-Rican (half) but I have felt many of the stereotypes that Gina describes and struggled against.

Would recommend to romance lovers that want to spice things up a bit! 💃🏽

I'm not usually into "celebrity" romances or reality TV show plots, but here I am once again diving into one. I was pleasantly surprised with how real the main characters appear. Gina is a professional dancer in her fifth season on the fictional "Dance Off" show and hoping to win it all. Stone is a reality TV star from an Alaskan wilderness show and is cast as Gina's partner in the latest season of Dance Off. Gina and Stone are immediately attracted to each other but maintain professionalism while filming. As the competition heats up, so does their romance (ha, I've always wanted to type that.) Gina and Stone not only practice to be the best dancing duo, but they also attempt to develop a real relationship based on their true selves but disguised behind their television personalities.

This was a fun romance with emotional depth. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the insta-lust didn't mean insta-sex. There is so much chemistry and trust built between the two dance partners, that when they do finally start to explore their physical relationship, it is smoking hot. Gina and Stone both contend with maintaining their true self while also trying to further their careers. As expected, this book would be perfect for fans of Dancing with the Stars who are also looking for a book with emotional (as well as physical) heat.

I loved this book. It was like stepping backstage on Dancing with the Stars. The characters’ chemistry was instant. The book gave you the romance with a side of the inequalities of show business. This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I’m sure I’ll be reading more in the future!

Gina Morales is a professional dancer on a dance competition TV show, and she is determined to win this season. Despite her wishes for an Olympian as a partner, she is paired with reality TV survivalist Stone Nielson. Even worse, her producer is pushing for a showmance, something that Gina refuses to do because of the way it might negatively impact her image. However, there is instant attraction between Gina and Stone, and the more time they spend together the more they trust and care for each other. Both characters have a lot of growing to do and secrets to share before they can be together, though.

A fun read with a wonderful cast of characters. Gina and Stone's individual development as characters and the development of their relationship is well written and well paced. Alexis Daria balances fun and flirty scenes with discussions of real issues. Perfect for fans of reality TV and Dancing With the Stars!

Some days you really just need a frothy, fun, enjoyable romance novel to take your mind off the world around you. This novel provides just that and it was even easier for me to get into it because I share a name with the main character. Gina is the dancing master on the dancing show that should make her a household name, when her new partner turns out to be an Alaskan wilderness man she wonders if she’s going to be able to make that happen. We all know they’re going to fall in love, but the getting there is the fun part.

I don't know how to describe what I'm feeling; other than confusion. Usually, I'm a dual POV hater. Totally hate it. When you add flashbacks to the mix I'd rather set the entire book on fire before I finish it. But somehow, in Some inexplicable way, Alexis Daria wrote a book with a dual POV that I enjoyed!?!?!?!?!
HOW DID SHE DO IT?!?!?
I know she got them dancing some salsa and had my entire time in her writing.
Alexis wrote super fun characters that are REAL and struggle and absolutely wonderful. Did I always agree with what they did?
Nope. Did I want to fight them sometimes? Maybe
but this book rocks and I disagree with anyone who thinks otherwise.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley & St. Martin's Press, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was not for me, and I'm disappointed because the cover was so nice looking. I have read two of Alexis Daria's books before and I enjoyed reading them. I think that the reason this book wasn't it for me was because I thought it was going to be amazing. I didn't relate to the characters or vibe with the story. I guess I shouldn't judge a book by its cover.

I absolutely loved the remastered version of Take the Lead by Alexis Daria. I've had this book in my Want to Read list since I got Dance All Night from the Library, but I couldn't find it from the library. Rerelease to the rescue!

Gina and Stone are wonderful! Gina knows what she wants. She is fighting stereotypes with her amazing dance, choreography, and professionalism. But she is still pulled to her dance partner Stone. Stone comes out of his shell, comes more into himself, through the dances and the whole process. Their chemistry is off the charts!

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Where to begin... This is my third Alexis Daria novel and it will be my last. 1 ⭐️

Even though Alexis Daria is not at the top of my list for romance authors, if you love a smutty, drama-filled romance, her books are definitely for you! If you are a Dancing with the Stars fan, you may want to give Take the Lead a chance 💃🏻.

What I liked:
- Stone was my favourite love interest in all of Alexis' books. I mean, with a name like Stone, what's not to love? 😍 Unlike the love interests of A lot like Adios and You Had me at Hola, Stone was much more humble and selfless. A round of applause for the man who helped me get to the end of this book 👏🏼.

What I didn't like:
- As always, the relationship between the two main characters happened way too fast for me. Maybe it's just me but I am a slow-burn kinda gal 💓. It's all about the physical attraction for these characters. There's little depth to their relationship. I need more than just lust. I need some romance, please.
- If you love spice, this book is for you, my friend 🔥. For me, though, it was too much. At times it even took away from the story.
- Alexis Daria's writing has yet to surprise or impress me. It can feel choppy, spending too much time on some scenes while bigger moments are skimmed over. There are often times when the same issue/event is discussed multiple times between different characters to the point that it's just repetitive.
- I'm not a Dancing with the Stars fan - I've never seen a single episode - but I do love some reality TV. But it takes more than just 2 characters for a drama show like this book is based on. The side characters in this book were truly forgettable.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review! 💖

Gina Morales has been a dancer on the reality tv show The Dance Off for four seasons and never won. This season - her partner is Stone Nielson, a big sexy Alaskan wilderness reality star, and this might be her shot. Stone doesn’t want to be on the show, but is willing to do it to pay for his mom's medical bills, even if he's afraid of accidentally spilling his family secrets. The producers want them to fake a showmance; they're not interested. But the chemistry is real on and off the dance floor. Their romance being exposed might threaten their success or push them even higher into fame.

I loved the tension between them, and dancing so close was a great way to amp up the tension even higher. Keeping their relationship a secret also helped to make everything a little sexier with the prospect of getting caught.

Stone had fantastic depth to him, all hidden behind a quiet exterior. He was well fleshed out and very complimentary to Gina’s personality. Gina is strong, funny and full of life. I loved her morals and ambition. Their relationship forces them to dig deeper and take a look at their current lives.

I have a hard time with shitty workplaces in romance books, but it turned out not to be as bothersome for me. This book is for anyone that loves opposites attract romances and reality tv shows like Dancing with the Stars.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

Just in time for Valentine’s Day (as we await “Primas of Power #3), Alexis Daria has updated the first installment of her award-winning 2017 “Dance Off” ebook series, “Take the Lead”. The author has updated text and bonus stuff, plus the cover now includes more clothes and colorful avatars 😀 and will be in paperback.

After the bestelling “You Had Me at Hola,” I had already added Ms. Daria’s previous books to my TBR pile. Now I have one with a cuter cover (dudes-without-shirts covers never were my thing, going all the way back to Fabio).

In “Take the Lead”, Gina, a professional dancer, is in her 5th season of “Dance Off!”, not having yet won. She’s on a seaplane ride to remote Alaska to meet her new partner, blonde long-haired Stone, half-nakedly chopping wood (Oh! The previous cover of this title! I get it now!) He’s a survivalist TV veteran and Gina quickly realizes why she’s in full makeup and hair in the middle of nowhere — they will be the new season’s “showmance”. Gina’s goal is to win professionally; Stone’s goal is to get the prize money for his mom’s medical expenses (although he’s keeping that quiet). They definitely have the inklings of attraction between them, but a romance (no matter what the producers wants) might not be the best for them. But, then, oh you know….

I love this author’s engaging, delightful, funny writing. Her characters are well-written and even though the plot seems predictable, it’s a wonderful, romantic, easy read that will put you in a great mood. if you are a fan of Ms. Daria’s “Primas of Power” series, you’ll love the reissue of her backlist title. 5 stars!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press/Griffin and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO Stone’s whole outdoorsy-named siblings (Reed, Wolf, Winter, Raven, Violet, and Lark) mostly have mom Pepper’s bright blue eyes, although Reed and Raven have hazel eyes, the closest color to green.
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO Appropriate Sitka Spruce in Alaska and anyway Gina “had healthy distrust of forests. Forests had animals and serial killers hiding behind every tree.” Also, Stone has a way of horticulturally describing Gina as “her golden skin reminiscent of the cones of a Sitka spruce after they had matured. Her full lips were painted the color of winterberries….”

I was so excited for this book! The premise is really fun, and I've never read a dance competition style of book. Gina and Stone had great chemistry, and it was fun seeing the ins and outs of the dancing competition. I wish this book gave more. The pacing of their story was a bit rough. The emotional journey was fun, but it took a while for them to get it together.

Overall, a fun quick read! I always love a book with Latina representation too.

3 stars