My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This was a sweet romantic MM love story between dancers at a summer resort in the Catskills. Major Dirty Dancing vibes!

G

As a teenager I once saw a live performance of Dirty Dancing, it was so much fun and I enjoyed it much more than the movie so I was excited to be chosen to review an ARC of Flirty Dancing.

While Flirty Dancing is not Dirty Dancing, there are of course elements that lead to comparisons between the two. I went into this story with an open mind, knowing that comparisons were likely and not allowing it to compromise my thoughts on the book. I was happy to discover that it wasn’t a copy paste idea but with LGBTQ+ characters.

The messiness of the relationships within the story feels like something off of a reality tv show. The summer flings and the drama of long term relationships and cheating, really made the story believable. When that many people gather in small quarters, there is always bound to be drama and problems.

I loathed Caleb’s character from the beginning, and while the relationship between him and Archer was frustratingly in the way of Archer and Matteo, it was the perfect blend of summer fling drama. Caleb’s frustratingly shitty behaviour shows that he needs to grow up, or at least find a way to talk to his partners before investing in a relationship.

My heart broke for Matteo numerous times, poor sweet man who made mistakes. While he said some awful things to his co-star before our story takes place, it’s not unreasonable to understand why he did it. His hateful words and actions are not excusable and clearly haunt him but it defines his character and the growing that he has had to do. I love that he was able to reconcile with the person he hurt and that she was able to forgive him.

Archer’s parents are also a source if ire for me, they’re dismissive and don’t support him while pretending that they have his best interests in mind. The fact that they are pushing him to take a job that wouldn’t make him happy is sad, but allows Archer’s perseverance to really shine. He’s trying to do what makes him happy, even though he could take the easy route.

Overall I loved this book. While the Matteo/ Archer relationship didn’t come until near the end, the pace of their relationship worked. The Calebs of the world are needed so we can find the Matteos.

Final note: the names given to the leaks in the Lynn’s apartment were hilarious! Such a really thing that people would do. It’s me, I’m people.

📖 Bookish Thoughts:
I loved this sweet and chaotic summer read! Flirty Dancing is packed with dancing, drama, found family, and just the right dose of messy. Archer was a total ray of sunshine. A little awkward, definitely lacking confidence, but you could tell how talented and genuine he was. I just wanted everything to work out for him. And Mateo? The perfect grump to balance him out. Once you learn Mateo’s backstory, his walls make a lot more sense.

The banter between Archer and Mateo was everything—and the rest of the cast brought their own kind of messy charm. Except Caleb. Caleb was so immature it physically pained me.

Archer and Mateo were adorable together, and I really enjoyed their dynamic. Overall, I really enjoyed this book. The audiobook was fantastic—I really liked the narrator!

🎭 Read if you love:
• Queer Romance
• Summer resort chaos
• Sunshine x grump
• Celebrity crushes
• Found family

🗓️ Release Date: May 27, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy. All thoughts are my own.

I think this was a cute little romance. I liked how the two main characters' backstories were fleshed out. There were also discussions of real-life things that have come to form the characters' personalities and feelings. I also liked how the characters' flaws were an important part of the story. I do not like romance novels that have characters who are just flawless and happy all the time. I need depth in my characters.

There were parts that I was not a fan of. I did not like the mini love triangle that took place in the book. I could have dealt without Caleb being such an important part of the romantic part for Archer. I also think the amount of miscommunication or lack of communication could have been lessened for this novel because it kind of infuriated me when reading.

The narrator was really good at flowing the story and giving such a life to each of the characters, especially Archer, the main character.

Overall, though, Mateo and Archer stole my heart with this story so 4 stars!

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded up to four

Flirty Dancing was a cute story about Archer, a 27 year old who moved to New York to peruse his dream to become a dancer on Broadway. After many failed auditions he gets a spot in a dance group at a summer camp in the Catskills.

For a lighthearted book, there was a lot of drama and at times it felt like high school; however, this book kept me entertained and I was invested in seeing what happens to Archer in the end. There is a love triangle involved, but it’s pretty clear who Archer will end up with in the end. I really enjoyed the audio for this book.

I definitely flew through this book, and I loved Mateo—so broody and swoon worthy. The author did a great job of weaving his comeback into the story, while building his relationship with Archer. Overall, I really liked them as a couple. The side characters were quite entertaining (although somewhat annoying at times).

The narrator was also great—he did a great job with distinguishing between the characters and keeping the book engaging.

My main complaint about this book was that while it was obvious from the start that Mateo and Archer were the couple to root for, archer was dating or almost dating Caleb for something like 85% of the book.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story starts with Archer struggling to become successful on Broadway where he wants to be a star. He has had countless Auditions but no roles scored his mom begins to tell him essentially maybe it was not meant to be but Archer is set on continuing his next 2 auditions. His friend Lynn tells him he needs to live a little and get drunk or laid and not wallow in the 35 rejections. Archer Gets a job at a Cabaret in the Catskills after an audition. He Finds out that Matteo Dixon one of his heros is going to teach them the Choreography and seems to be gushing about it but Matteo seems to be a jerk at the beginning if you ask me with how he acts yelling at Archer and barking out orders.

This story is Is a MM Romance with a little Dirty Dancing Flavor in it. The Characters especially Archer were relatable being the age group they are in. Archer seems sweet and Mateo has an ice cold demeaner about him and tends to get annoyed easily in this story. The Story is filled with Drama and chasing your dreams on and off the stage and some Heartbreak mixed in. This was a very cute LGBTQ+ Romantic book. I listened to this on Audiobook and felt that the narrators/ Actors that read the parts were into their parts and fit the story well. This did not feel like a monotone reading which was good also. The story though not really having the amount of sexiness I would expect from a MM romance type of story was cute and worth it as a slower burn book. Normally I read or listen to a story in about 5 days to a week this one did take me a little longer which I was fine with. I used it in between reading another book as a change of genre piece.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

this was ok! i think the summer dance camp setting was very fun (i love a book set a summer camp). i liked the writing and the main character, but this had that trope of the MC dating another person, who's kind of a dick, who they're clearly not that interested in, while realizing they're in love with the main love interest, and i find that annoying! that trope usually does not work for me, but especially when the MC is with the other guy for more than 70% of the book like in this one! so the main romance just felt like it was there? and it happened? and i wasn't invested?

Struggling Broadway hopeful Archer lands a gig at a Catskills resort, where he must navigate a chaotic dance troupe, a fling with temperamental bunkmate Caleb, and a rekindled crush on Matteo, a complicated down-on-his-luck celebrity.

What a fun book! On the cusp of gay fiction and romance, this novel is as much the story of Archer’s character growth as his budding romantic relationship. (It’s a love triangle, but it’s clear from the start who Archer will end up with.) The vibe is lighthearted but with a bit of drama. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

This audiobook is very well done! I really enjoyed listening to it. The story was captivating and the characters were great but the narrator brought so much life to the book. It was hard to turn it off!

Dirty Dancing is one of my favorite movies, and this book hit the vibe so perfectly! Archer and Mateo are such great characters that are deep and complex, both working through their personal insecurities. I love the summer camp vibe of Shady Queens, and the side characters were all delightful!

The book was very cute but it focused too much on the MC being a couple with a guy who was not the love interest for more than 70% of the book then when we finally get them together it's the end and it felt really rushed.

I love slow burns, but this was different since the "flirty dancing" was there but not really focused on much. i would've loved seeing them together more.

The MC seems younger than his 27 years but that might be because of the young sounding narrator of the audiobook.

The story, though, was really cute. I loved seeing all the drama and what goes behind the scenes of a summer resort entertainment crew. And there was so much drama and so much going on.

So yeah, I liked the book, I just expected more time with them flirting and dancing.

Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt is an M/M romance between between performers who find themselves at a summer job for a resort. Sixteen dancers not only mix on the dance floor but also in the bedroom. Archer's teenage idol, Mateo, is performing at the same resort. However, Mateo doesn't seem too interested in Archer. Passions fly with Archer and another, as well as several other pairs. Can they remain professional when their hearts are on the line?

I will say there is a lot of drama in this book. I'm not usually a drama fan, but Archer's positive outlook made it more enjoyable! There was one couple's back and forth that became a little repetitive, but overall, I enjoyed this romance. Everyone was happy by the end, and I was genuinely happy for them too! If you love dance/theatre/performances and would like a queer romance, this is a solid choice!

Before I get into the review, thank you @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the audiobook !

Flirty Dancing
By @jmoffattwrites
Narrated by @itsmarksanderlin
Releases May 27th, 2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Blurb:
“Archer Read is 27 and desperate to find his place in life. Five months ago, he quit his soul-destroying accounting job in Ohio and moved to Manhattan with dreams of making it on Broadway. And now he has nothing to show for it but a string of rejections. Even for a ray-of-sunshine like Archer, hope can only go so far. A musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills, is his last chance to break into show biz—otherwise, it’s back to Ohio, broke and hopeless. He arrives ready to dance his heart out, only to find he’ll be working with his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon.

What is Mateo doing working at Shady Queens? Besides barking orders and glaring at everyone…when he’s not absolutely smoldering at Archer on the dancefloor. As Archer tries to forget his teen crush and get to know the real Mateo, he’s caught up in a romance with his hot, temperamental bunkmate, Caleb. Between Mateo’s baggage and the dance crew’s drama—partying, flirting, breaking up, getting back together, then breaking up again—it’s no surprise when the show starts to fall apart. Archer quickly discovers that when it comes to dance, sometimes you can’t leave all your problems backstage.

Filled with colorful side characters, about a million Broadway references, and enough drama for a high school summer camp, Flirty Dancing is a delightful romantic comedy that shows love, like art, is worth a little sacrifice.”

My Opinion:
Narrator is excellent for this book! He really sets the tone and feeling. I could feel each characters attitude through his voice.

This is a great, funny, feel good, happily ever after, adult summer camp vibe book.

This audio book was a fun quick listen for my commute.

I loved all of the references to Broadway throughout. Each character was well thought out. I appreciate that the actual relationships were the main point and not spice. (Although a bit more spice would have been great!)

Definitely recommend this book!

This was a beautiful and romantic take on an absolutely classic movie. I was unsure what to except when I started this book, hoping it wouldn’t just be the plot of the movie, so I was excited to find if kept some key elements but was it’s own amazing story. The characters were all so complex and the story was happy and just what I needed!

I'd heard someone say that Flirty Dancing is inspired by Dirty Dancing, but I don't really think there's any similarities besides both being based in the Catskills? Here we have Archer Read, a twenty-seven year old accountant from Ohio who's been auditioning his butt off in New York City trying to make it as a dancer in a Broadway show. Failing that for the last five months, he pins all his last hopes on one final audition - a cabaret show in a LGBTQIA+ geared camp in the Catskills for the summer.

So there he meets a whole cast of characters - Ben and Beau, lovers from Montreal, Caleb, his Black and hot fourth roommate, Betty, an amazing bff-for-the-summer (he's already got a great BFF back home, and there's a whole subplot about her trying to propose to her girlfriend of four months), and... Mateo Dixon, Archer's teenage crush and Broadway idol, a man who's disappeared off the scene after some rumors and drama several years ago.

You'd think that a book like this would be full of tropes and archetypes and whatnot, but I was pleasantly surprised that a lot of the characters were a lot more nuanced than I expected. I definitely went in thinking Caleb would be a straight up villain or someone we were supposed to have no sympathy for when he continued acting as he often did from early on, but there was a lot more to him and it was a pleasant surprise! Also, that Mateo was a lot more than the serious and gruff and grumpy "older" man of the troupe (not by much, but maturity-wise for sure), that he was mostly just protecting himself after some trauma related to his family and work life, and also, the hints that he was pretty down bad for Archer even if Archer was too silly to see it were lovely. Can't help but love a love interest who is just So Into the main character/their love interest. I liked too that even though there was a Bunch of characters in the troupe, that we didn't really need to know much about the ones that Archer didn't really interact with, as it's not a long-running manga or anything where said characters could have their own side stories over the three months-ish of the book, but it wasn't really necessary with all that was going on with the Archer/Caleb/Mateo sort of interest-triangle and Betty just being great, and reading this reminded me of the long forgotten fandom term UST - Unresolved Sexual Tension, which we have between Caleb and Mateo for like 90%-plus of this book - especially as they're Latin dancing partners and everyone is losing their minds every day about how hot they are! Love it. Love that people talk about things, and any miscommunication or lack of communication is resolved pretty quickly, too.

(also as a note this is more of a closed door romance by far for any of y'all that prefer that!)

The audiobook was performed by Mark Sanderlin (who does an amazing Natasha Lyonne impression?? I laughed aloud in my car) in a way that made me feel platonically enamored with Archer, and he does the gruff Mateo voice and girly voices for Betty and Archer's roommate well too, as well as the sort of old-gay cadence for Stewart. I'd be happy to listen to more of his narration, especially as I tend to veer toward queer books as it is.

last note: I would die for Judy.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for approval on my ALC request! I'm glad I read this one.

I cackled out loud when reading “Flirty Dancing.” Actually cackled. Then went back to the beginning of one particular scene to read it again, enjoying it as much or more the second time. I shall never look at a cast of players who work together for an entire season the same ever again; forever wondering about all the behind the scenes shenanigans and who is pairing up with who.

27 year old Archer has moved to New York City to pursue his dream of becoming a professional dancer despite the doubts and naysayers. After many unsuccessful auditions he finally lands a job dancing for the summer season at Shady Queens resort in the Catskills. Upon arriving he discovers his teen celebrity crush, Mateo Dixon, is also a dancer. Throw in some angsty dance drama, a handsome roommate with a thing for Archer, relationship breakups and makeups, summer camp shenanigans, along with heart stopping smouldering looks and you’ve got the perfect recipe for an event-filled summer that Archer will never forget.

And, while in my own life I strive hard to live a drama free life, I am here for all the drama if it’s written by @jmoffattwrites .

Thank you to @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for the complimentary #drc and the #alc on @netgalley I loved this book, especially the audiobook which kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish giving voice to each of the characters in this ensemble cast. @itsmarksanderlin did a brilliant job voicing each of the characters! I absolutely loved #flirtydancing.

#stmartinspress #stmartinsgriffin #bookgeek #booknerd #fyp #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #flirtydancing #romancebook #contemporaryromance #bookreviewer #jennifermoffatt

This was such a cute book, I absolutely adored it. It was such a fun time following Archer and cheering for him and Mateo to get together. Plus, a lot of the interactions between characters had me laughing quite a bit. Such a good read! Plus, the narrator did such a fantastic job, he really made the book come to life.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillian for letting me listen to this early!

First thing’s first: thank you Netgalley for the ALC of this book!
Flirty Dancing was the story of Archer, a 27 year old (aka ANCIENT) dancer trying to follow his dream and get his big break. After nothing but rejection, he’s offered a summer job dancing in an ensemble for a queer summer resort. There he meets his childhood celebrity crush/disgraced broadway burnout: Mateo. What could he possibly be doing here?

This book was okay. There was a big amount of stress on the fact that Archer and Mateo were “old” (late 20’s), so I suppose it shouldn’t have annoyed me when the rest of the characters were annoying and dramatic. This was a LOT of drama. Like an unnecessary amount of relationship drama. Love triangles, cheating, on again-off again, will they-won’t they, etc. It was actually kind of exhausting listening to these characters constantly fighting with each other or finding new reasons to be shitty to one another. If you’re into that, this book is DEFINITELY for you!! I am not, however. This book felt too long and really drug in several spots. The parts I enjoyed, I really did like! But it was only like half the book that I enjoyed.

Also: my dog’s name is Archer so that aspect did take me out of a little bit. Not the fault of the author, just my own personal note!!

3⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook copy. First I want to say I love the title of this book. I thought this was a super cute romance book. I was looking for something that would expand topics and genres that I typically don’t read. This was my first male/male romance. And I thought it was done very well.