A review by mushmysteriesandmore
Take the Lead by Alexis Daria

adventurous emotional lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I read this book in 24 hours.  It was the kind of book that had me staying up way past bedtime because I was just so invested in Stone and Gina, their romance, and also their progress in the Dance Off competition.  As a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing, many aspects of the dancing competition were so familiar to me.  

I loved how the author blended the right amount of competition detail with scenes of them outside of the reality show.  Their budding romance, hidden from the cameras and the public, was sweet and burning in equal measure as well.  I’ve always been a sucker for the big guy paired with the petite female.  I know it’s not very feminist of me (hey shoot me) but I love the protective big dude, taking care of the delicate female.

Stone was a big outdoor mountain man type guy but he was also very sensitive, sweet and caring and had some great dance moves.  Gina was a great advocate for the sensual and fiery Latina, yet the author instilled some integrity and values, refusing to make her the stereotypical ‘red-blooded’ Latina and she valued her family and self-esteem over being forced into a role just for the TV cameras.