Gina Morales wants to make it big. In her four seasons on The Dance Off, she’s never even made it to the finals. But her latest partner, the sexy star of an Alaskan wilderness show, could be her chance. Who knew the strong, silent, survivalist-type had moves like that? She thinks Stone Nielson is her ticket to win it all—until her producer makes it clear they’re being set up for a showmance.
Joining a celebrity dance competition is the last thing Stone wants. However, he’ll endure anything to help his family, even as he fears revealing their secrets. While the fast pace of Los Angeles makes him long for the peace and privacy of home, he can’t hide his growing attraction for his dance partner. Neither wants to fake a romance for the cameras, but the explosive chemistry that flares between them is undeniable.
As Stone and Gina heat up the dance floor, the tabloids catch on to their developing romance. With the spotlight threatening to ruin everything, will they choose fame and fortune, or let love take the lead?
Release Date: Feb 14, 2023
Series: Dance Off
Book: 1
Heat Level: Sensual/Hot
Publisher: Macmillan
Imprint: St. Martin’s Press
Price: $12.99
“This. This is what she adored about dance. To dance like this with a man as handsome and compelling as stone, to be this close and intimate without words, to let their bodies do the talking… It was the most perfect thing in the world. Time lost its meaning. The beat changed, and she used her own body to communicate the shift to him. After a week of dancing in hold together, he figured it out without her having to say it. God, she loved that.”
Gina Morales has what it takes to win The Dance Off, but she has never gotten the partner that would boost her to the top. When she is flown to Alaska to meet her new partner, she is hoping and praying that it’s an Olympic figure skater, but instead she gets Stone Nielsen. He is a sexy star of an Alaskan wilderness show, but underneath his strong and silent demeaner, he just might be what Gina needs to secure her position on The Dance Off for good.
Alexis Daria’s debut novel is getting a shiny new cover, updated text, and bonus material before being re-released into the world a second time. I have been a fan of Alexis Daria’s for a few years now. She writes tough, feisty, and intelligent heroines, which I appreciate. Gina was all these things, and she was also determined to make her way in the industry without sleeping her way to the top. Stone was the strong silent type, but he also had a sweet and caring side. He protected Gina a lot throughout the book, even when she didn’t want him to. They had great chemistry, and I was rooting for them the entire book. I think my issue is that this feels like a debut novel because the flow and ease I have come to expect from Alexis Daria’s writing was missing, and I think that’s because she hadn’t found it when she wrote this book. There was a heavy focus on the dancing side of the story, and less of a focus on the romantic connection between Gina and Stone. Of course, it got there in the end, but I wish it had started focusing on their emotional connection earlier instead of just their insane physical chemistry.
If you’re a fan of authors such as Lucy Parker or Mia Sosa then I think you wouldn’t regret picking this one up.
~ Michelle
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