Dancing Romance!

Alexis Daria’s romances are usually hit-or-miss for me, but this one was, thankfully, a hit! I am a sucker for fake dating as a romance trope, so I had a feeling I would enjoy this one, and I’m glad that after so many mid-tier romances this year, this one finally was enjoyable enough to recommend.

Gina is a famous dancer for the fictional equivalent of Dancing with the Stars but has never won or made it to the finals. She’s determined to make it this time and is partnered with Stone Nielson, the host of a wilderness survival show. He’s a bit more low-key and stoic than she is, but he has a natural athletic ability, so she believes this could be her best chance. However, upon meeting and practicing, the showrunners decide they want her and Stone to have a fake romance to pop ratings as their chemistry is fantastic.

Stone is only doing the show to help his family (by paying his mother’s medical bills) and has no interest in living in a big city and dealing with the lights and crowds of fame. He isn’t interested in fake dating as he doesn’t care to get attached to anything. Stone and Gina have some evident chemistry and are fun characters. I liked that she was determined, strong-willed, friendly, open-minded, and kind. While she had clear goals, she never tried to undermine anyone else to get there. Stone wasn’t as attention-grabbing to me, but he’s also not my type. I don’t find outdoorsy, muscley dudes hot, but there’s enough of that aspect to appeal to those who do.

I love fake dating and adore any type of celebrity/Hollywood-themed romance, so this was made for me. It wasn’t the best romance I’ve read, but compared to most romances I’ve picked up this year, this one had the spice and the chemistry I want in my romances.

Title: Take the Lead
Author: Alexis Daria
Format: Paperback
Pages: 368
ISBN: 9781250817969

Three Descriptors: Fake dating, Fast-Paced, Steamy

Read Alikes:
The Rodeo Queen by Marcella Bell
Kiss Me, Catalina by Priscilla Oliveras
Fake it Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
The Love Con by Seressia Glass