Man does the concept of reality TV make for excellent romance scenarios! I don't watch reality TV, after the first few seasons of The Real World I moved on from the genre, and honestly I don't always understand the draw. Competition reality television stresses me tf out lol. BUT, people like what they like so enjoy it if that's your thing! On the flip side, I have read a few reality-TV-related books that I really enjoyed (The Love Con, and The Wedding Game) however I can't speak to the accuracy of these books.

I loved Take the Lead AND I loved both of the MCs. Gina was funny, compassionate, driven and so talented. And I was fascinated by Stone's whole reality TV background - his family has their own show but it's really just an exaggeration of their lives. In my opinion, these two come together with more in common than not even though Gina is a city girl and Stone is a boy from the woods. And I think the author does a great job of getting these two to realize they have a shot together.

This is my first Alexis Daria book and I am so looking forward to reading more from her and reading the rest of this series! ( )

A book set in a reality dance competition is always going to bring on the drama! Pair up a dance veteran with a newbie and watch the sparks fly even higher. LOL. I enjoyed seeing Gina and Stone’s relationship progress. I really enjoyed the tension between them but I felt it tapered off in the 2nd half.

I like how both characters were written. Gina’s issue about protecting herself as a woman especially a WoC is true and heartfelt. I also liked Stone’s character.

My main quibbles involve the romance and also the third act breakup. I know at this point it is an ‘industry romcom’ requirement, but gosh, making characters acting atypical to how they have been written for most of the book needs to just stop.

Overall, take the lead was a fun romcom.
A huge thanks to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.
( )

I enjoyed this story of a Dancing With The Stars/Strictly Come Dancing type-show (complete with a Derek Huff-like dancer!). I completely got where Gina was coming from - not wanting to play into stereotypes, wanting to be recognized for her talent, not wanting to be seen as using sex to win. Stone is delightful and it's a treat to watch him come into himself in a way he never imagined.

So why only three stars? Because it didn't really grip me. I enjoyed it but it didn't feel special However, this is a first novel and I'm utterly in love with her book You Had Me at Hola, so I'm looking forward to reading the other installments. ( )

Gina Morales isn't too sure about the Alaskan mountain man who is scheduled to be her partner on the next season of Dance Off (Dancing with the Stars clone). Stone Nielson has starred with his family in a reality show of his own called Living Wild. Stone's decision to participate in a season of Dance Off has more to do with paying the bills for his mother's hip replacement surgery than it does with the desire to dance on television. When Stone meets Gina, he discovers that it will be difficult to resist her allure, but he knows from the outset that the city girl would never fit into the lifestyle that he lives in Alaska, but their chemistry is undeniable, even to the producers and other contestants on the show.

Take the Lead takes a different approach to competitive reality shows than many other romance novels. For the most part, both main characters are honest with each other about their lives and desires, but it is the shows producer who fills the role of "bad guy." As a result, the third act conflict is a little weak, leaving the ending somewhat soft. However, the descriptions of the dances for each week's episodes are compelling and fun. The characters are not as deeply developed as they could have been and the plot is a bit light, but overall Take the Lead is an entertaining romance and enjoyable story. ( )

Take the Lead by Alexis Daria
Dance Off series book 1. Contemporary romance. Own voice: Latina.
Stone is one of the celebrity dancers on this season’s Dance Off TV show. He’s on loan from his regular cable TV show as a survivalist with his family in Alaska. Dancing in the show will enable thee family to pay some of his mother’s medical bills. He doesn’t see a difference in taking his shirt off to cut wood vs. dancing in a costume. He will be a professional athlete and listen to instructions, practice and do his best.
Gina is a professional dancer on the TV show and while she is attracted to Stone, she is not going to participate in the showromance that the produces are pushing for. She is extremely careful with her reputation and she is not going to be the subject of anyone gossip. Too bad the producers aren’t willing to let the chemistry between Stone and Gina go unnoticed.

Reality show tv is teaming with backstage gossip, scandal and manipulative influences. Stone and Gina have to put up with a lot just to do their jobs.
I understand Gina’s insistence on her professional reputation being impeccable. She advises Stone to ignore clips that show during their introduction that may embarrass or upset him. But totally ignores the advice when it’s about her.
I grew to love Stone. He’s embarrassed in the beginning about shedding his clothes down to underwear for the required sun tanning spray, but grows confident and sure as he learns and masters all the different dance moves. That he is willing to work harder to make Gina’s job secure is powerful.

Entertaining. This made me want to watch one of those couples dance TV shows that I’ve never cared about in the past.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley. ( )