Archer Read is 27, following his dream of becoming a Broadway dancer despite everyone telling him he's too old and not getting hired after 37 auditions. Five months in, he's about to lose all hope when he finally lands a job in a musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills. Not the dream, but a foot in the door. He gets there ready to dance and show everyone what he's made of, but he's not ready to find his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon. What's a star of his caliber doing in the Castkills? And why is the backstage drama worse than anything at a high school summer camp?

Archer is delightful, from his optimism to his desire to give it his all, even when it's for a resort revue. His dream is to dance, and he's ready to work hard to achieve it. How could you not love him? He does start out a little meek, yet his confidence comes out when it's needed, which I think worked even better for the story, so I get why Moffatt made him like that. Mateo starts out as the typical grumpy, closed-off love interest, but there's a misunderstood sweetie under it and he's perfect. They just make so much sense together.

I loved all the characters. Some are a little over the top, but it feels right for a cast full of Broadway hopefuls and musical enthusiasts. The stereotype exists for a reason, and the fun, cliquey personalities who gather at Shady Queens read more like a love letter to big personalities than anything negative.

Overall, it's fun, romantic, and a little inspiring.

Delighted thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the lovely romance!