First things first, I really loved this book. That being said, I think it might be a difficult romance for some readers since the final couple does not come together until 80% into the book. If that’s not something you want be aware going in.

Moving on, the book was an absolute delight, and if you’re any fan of the movie, dirty dancing- you are going to love this book!

Archer Reid is a 27-year-old former accountant who was decided to flip gears and follow his dream of being a professional dancer making it big on Broadway. That has not happened, but he did get the opportunity to perform in a musical review for the summer in the Catskills.

Taking place over a summer of practising dancing and relationship drama, this book features archer dating a fellow dancer, Caleb for most of the book… even though his teenage celebrity crush and former Broadway star, Mateo Dixon is part of the cast, and they have a are they flirting, are they not flirting situationship going on.

I loved the summer camp vibes, the queer friendly resort, the dancing - the only thing that was a little difficult is the waiting for archer to take his head out of his bum, and realize that Mateo is waiting for him!

I listen to the audiobook narrated by Mark Sanderlin, and he did an excellent job giving voice to the various characters in the story. He has a way of really bringing you into the book that makes it hard to want to hit positive and step away from it! I’ve listened to other books read by Mark and always find his reading cadence and voice work to be top notch.

Overall, I really loved the summer resort/ summer fling romance, created in flirty dancing- do I wish Archer and Mateo got together sooner? Of course, did it make it all the sweeter when they did? You bet!

Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffett
Contemporary M-M romance.
Archer Read takes the summer to try for a career onstage as a dancer. It’s always been his dream. He’s quit his accountant job and moved from Ohio to New York and has gone on interview after audition over and over. So far Archer hasn’t gotten a second look, let alone a call back. As a last ditch effort, he takes a job at the Shady Queens in the Catskills, a queer friendly resort. Archer meets teenage crush, Mateo Dixon there but while they smolder on the dance floor, Mateo isn’t friendly offstage at all. Archer starts a casual sexual relationship with roommate Caleb as most of the dancers seemed to have teamed up. Lots of show performances, lots of drinking and board games and as the summer progresses, the show gets sloppy as relationships break down and change. Something has to change or Archer may end up back in Ohio at a job he doesn’t want, and the loss of his dreams.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook which is narrated by Mark Sanderlin. The performance is wonderful and helps to bring the characters to life. I heard the indecision, the angst, the career and inadequacy concerns.
I did listen to this at slightly above 1.5 to more closely match my reading speed. I prefer reading the two formats together and in this case the audiobook held my attention a bit more during the angst and uncertainty of new relationships.

Career transition and uncertainty and temporary relationship conflicts made this book angsty and feel almost young or new adult even tho the characters are a bit older.
Mostly closed door, or at least nothing exceedingly graphic.
Loved the way it all came together in the end.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

Such a cute book! Absolutely loved the characters, even the annoying one. was still okay There is character development, even in some of the minor characters. There is so much messy gay chaos, and I loved every minute of it. Loads of character interactions and including some dramatic minor plot points with them. Just a good, fun, cute LGBTQIA+ book with great representation. Steamy, not spicy. Closed-door/fade to black sex scenes. But the dancing scenes are practically clothed sex scenes! Super steamy and hot.

This has a love triangle, grumpy x sunshine, a teenage crush with a "celebrity".

I liked the narrator, and he did a great job with unique voices for all the characters. My only complaint is what was supposed to be a French Canadian accent for the 2 characters from Montreal. I was so confused by the accent until it was said where they were from. I'm Canadian and that is not what a French Canadian accent sounds like. It was also a really inconsistent accent throughout the book. Thankfully those characters don't speak much, so I didn't have to listen to it too much.

I ended up finishing this in one day. The characters were messy, it was full of drama and I loved every moment of it!

Thank you to Net galley, St. Martin's press and MacMillan Audio for the ARC of Flirty Dancing!
When I saw that this was inspired by Dirty Dancing, I was immediately intrigued. They did an excellent job incorporating the movie, while also creating their own story. I appreciated all the references, especially "I carried a watermelon". Matteo felt so Johnny like to me multiple times!
The story was very cute. The story was an extremely slow burn, with a nice will they won't they fell. At moments, it felt almost too slow for me. The ensemble of side characters were all great, with many side characters sticking out.
This plot was basically every theatre kids dream- having your Broadway crush fall in love with you. It made my theatre heart very full. The phantom of the opera touch near the end? Perfect
This book is perfect for both theatre kids and Dirty Dancing lovers alike!

I wanted to love this book so badly! But then the 'triangle' went on for way too long for my liking. Full disclosure: I loathe love triangles.
There was also so many immature/bad decision-making, Archer doesn't act like a 27 year old (more like a 19 year old). Matteo deserved better than this (even though I also had issues with how he was written but that might be because of the Archer POV). I guess if you love mess, well this love story is messy! I read this as an audiobook which probably helped my enjoyment of the book. I might have DNF otherwise.

Also, the title refers to Dirty Dancing of course, but as someone who's loved the movies, this did not feel like them at all (probably because of the dragged-on triangle aspect). I guess the setting is similar to Dirty Dancing and the dancing shows obviously, but I wouldn't call this a retelling of those stories at all.

This was a cute lighthearted read. Focused on an “older” man trying to get into dance (older only because of the career choice). He ends up working in a summer camp where a more famous dancer who has had some bad publicity. As you read, you are taken through the crazy shenanigans this bunch partakes in during summer camp. The break ups, the fights, the hook ups. All a hilarious tale to a beautifully happy ending.

When you mash up Centerstage and Dirty Dancing, what you get is the perfect summer read. Archer is giving his dream of being a professional dancer in New York all he's got when he finally gets a job working at a queer resort. When he finds himself dancing opposite his idol, Mateo, and being seduced by his roommate, Caleb, Archer's first professional dance gig goes from dream to nightmare.

The setting for this story is basically adult summer camp, and the mess that ensues gives more high school than adult. Even with that, I enjoyed the absolute foolishness. The cheating, the fighting, the sniping. It's all incredibly petty, and yes, they need to grow the hell up and talk, but it also felt weirdly realistic. I was hooked from beginning to end, and the absolute inferno between Mateo and Archer leapt right of the page even with no on page sex. If you're looking for a good book to read on vacation, look no further.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio for this ALC.

I loved Flirty Dancing! As you can tell from the title it's basically a queer take on the movie Dirty Dancing. I loved it!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of this novel.

What a sweet, light, fun retelling of Dirty Dancing with two male main characters (even with a watermelon reference) This is a perfect book to read over the summer when you are looking for low stakes and some fun dance convo.

Flirty Dancing is a joyful queer rom-com set at a Catskills resort, where former accountant Archer gets one last shot at his Broadway dreams—and a second chance at love with his teen celebrity crush, Mateo.

With sparkling chemistry, campy charm, and plenty of dance-floor tension, Jennifer Moffatt delivers a fast-paced, feel-good story full of heart, heat, and humor. Perfect for fans of LGBTQ+ romance, theater kids, and summer flings with serious swoon.

Dirty Dancing, but make it queer? Say less! I picked up Flirty Dancing because I just had to know what and how much Jennifer Moffatt would borrow from the movie!

With a queer dance resort in the Catskills as its setting, I was delighted to find that besides the age-old "carried a watermelon" line, (and obviously that pose on the cover), this book didn't rely on Dirty Dancing as a crutch - but all the sweaty dance vibes were there! (Think the staff party, with rehearsals and stage dancing to round it all out!)

There was also love triangle drama, dance lingo, 90210 references, and ways to cheat at Clue (don't tell my cousins, but this has always been my strategy)!

My only gripe was that the characters came across as acting slightly too immature at times. But then, in the same breath, there were some really emotionally mature moments to balance everything out!

I'm beginning to become a huge fan of Mark Sanderlin's narration, and I think that alone sums up my love for this audiobook perfectly!

I can't exactly pinpoint what worked so well for me... but this was just a fun read! It was pure escapism, and it was exactly what I needed!

Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

3.5⭐️

A cute queer romance loosely based on the movie Dirty Dancing, sign me up! I think my favorite parts where the dancing, how instense and emotional it felt.

Something that was hard for me was the amount of drama. The love interests were all a little older and I know the rest of the dancers were slightly younger but some of them acted like teenagers.

I also felt frustrated with the slow burn. Archer spent SO MUCH time with another person for like 80% of the book. I don’t think I’m a fan of the “other man drama” trope.

I think if I was reading it, I might have DNFed, but the audiobook really pulled through for me. It was really well produced and I think they picked the perfect narrator for Archer!

Thank you to NetGalley and Mcmillian Audio for this ALC!

A cute, light-hearted read! The premise was fun, and I enjoyed the characters and setting. The backdrop of the resort gave it grown-up summer camp vibes. Archer was an enjoyable main character and narrator. Mateo gets top billing for me, though. I loved his growth and portrayal throughout the story. I’m generally iffy about romance where one of the characters is involved with someone else, and I’m undecided whether I think this book pulled it off. But the overall cast of characters was great and very much added depth to the story.
Audio narration was great. I enjoy Mark Sanderlin, and this was no exception. His narration was engaging, with distinct characters across a wide cast.
(Overall rating, 3.5, rounded to 4)

This was my first book by Jennifer Moffatt and definitely a change of pace from what I’ve currently been reading. It was light and fun and a bit of a slow burn between our two leads. But seeing them go from friends to more, it was cute and precious. I loved the whole vibe of the book. It did take a second to adjust to the POV and the new narrator I’ve never listened to before but it was still a great book. I loved the story and the characters. It was a fun time.

Such a cute romance for the Theater/Dance lovers!

[3.75][Audiobook][ARC] This romance book is perfect for those who love a good cheesy romance, and if you are a theater geek you’ll love it any more! There are many unique characters and friendships! The two main characters chemistry is so well done, it goes through the entire story making you want to continue to keep reading! The writing style is fluid and easy to follow, making the book accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of readers. I listened to the audiobook version, and the narrator truly elevated the experience. Their emotional delivery brought the characters to life and captured the tone of the story perfectly. We follow Archer, the protagonist, as he navigates the ups and downs of love and life in the midst of theatrical chaos. Yes, it’s a little over-the-top at times, but that’s exactly what makes it so entertaining. I’m so grateful to of had the opportunity to listen to this before it’s publishing!

If you’re in the mood for a heartfelt,cheesy drama-filled romance, this book is definitely worth picking up!!

That was a super cute pallet cleanser of a book. Great book to read during pride month. Thanks for the arc copy.

So, I devoured this in one sitting. The narration was wonderful and so natural for these characters. The story was messy and made me angry but I really enjoyed many areas of this book.

My issues… Archer was 27 and acted like a child half of the book, like this is your big break and you aren’t taking this serious??? Like hello??? but maybe he acted this way since he has never done a serious show before? But It still annoyed me. Archer just annoyed me throughout, but i really did like him and was rooting for him to achieve this dream. You are never too told for a career change, and I appreciate that message.

Mateo was really where this book shined, i loved him and my heart ached for what he went through and his road to recovery. I wish we got more from him as he was my favorite character.

To wrap up, this book shined in the detailed dance depictions, I could really imagine the movements and passion in some dance scenes. All characters were well developed and held very distinct personalities, which this messy story come to life. The romance was passionate and you could feel the chemistry between them.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

As a general rule, I’ve started to shy away from M/M romances written by women—especially straight women. It’s not that I don’t appreciate LGBTQIA2S+ visibility, because I do. I just strongly believe that stories centering around queer lives should, ideally, be told by those with lived experience. We need authenticity. We're more than just a fetish or entertainment. With the current administration and the way they are trying to erase us and our history, now, more than ever, we should be telling our own stories. That said, I received a copy of this book and an ALC from the publisher, and the Dirty Dancing-inspired title got me curious enough to give it a shot.

And I’ll say this: the book is cute. It’s light. It delivers on everything you'd expect from a rom-com. The tone is fun, the setting is summery and theater-kid adjacent, and the characters are largely likable. If you’re looking for a comfort read with a Broadway flair and just enough romantic drama to keep things moving, this fits the bill.

The story follows Archer Read, a 27-year-old who recently ditched his accounting job in Ohio to chase a dream of making it on Broadway. After a string of rejections, he finds himself auditioning for a musical revue at Shady Queens (insert eyeroll), a queer-friendly Catskills resort that feels like a cross between summer camp and gay drama boot camp. The big twist? He’ll be working with none other than Mateo Dixon, his former celebrity crush and Broadway legend turned grumpy dance captain.

From there, the book takes you through rehearsal chaos, flirtations, misunderstandings, hookups, heartbreak, and all the tension you’d expect from a story where characters share bunks and spotlight dreams. There’s also Caleb, Archer’s hot and hot-headed bunkmate, who brings his own fire to the storyline. Is it all a little predictable? Sure. But it’s delivered with enough charm that I still had fun along the way.

Now, here's where I had a bit of a hangup—and it’s one I’ve run into with other M/M romances written by straight women: the reliance on tired gay clichés. One of the side characters is an aging theater director who’s dramatic, over the top, and obsessed with Judy Garland. I’ve seen this archetype so many times. Yes, some of us love Judy. And Liza. And Barbara. But reducing us to these one-note personalities feels lazy. We’re more than pop culture references and feather boas.

Still, the heart of the story: Archer’s earnestness, his journey to find himself, and his big, gooey romantic hopes, is relatable. And I will say that the audiobook narrator, Mark Sanderlin, did an excellent job bringing the characters to life. His voice work added a layer of personality that helped soften some of the more trope-heavy moments.

Would I recommend it? Yes. If you’re craving a light, queer rom-com with dance montages and Broadway banter, you’ll probably enjoy this. Just go in knowing it leans into the familiar—both the comforting kind and the cliché eye-roll-inducing kind. For me, it was a fun, low-stakes read. Not perfect, but certainly not without charm.

*** I received this ARC audiobook through NetGalley from the publisher and author***

Story - 3.5 / 5 ⭐️
Audiobook - 4 / 5 ⭐️
0.5 / 5 🌶️

This is a MM slow burn romance. I loved the chemistry between Mateo and Archer. I so prefer my contemporary romance with more spice typically, but if you’d prefer more of a light spice slow burn this is perfect for you.

Pros:
- sweet slow burn love story
- being obsessed with dirty dancing helped visualize the setting even more
- character growth for both mmcs
- comeback story for one mmc
- funny moments throughout the whole story with side characters


Cons:
- I felt like the side romance with Archer and Caleb got more attention than it should have
- I wish there was more actual relationship between Mateo and Archer on page
- the narrator for the audiobook sounded way younger than the 27 years the mmc is supposed to be

Overall I’d recommend this book if you like MM slow burn romances with not so much spice!