Take the Lead

February 1, 2023
This updated and expanded version of Daria's award winning 2017 romance explores the behind-the-scenes world of a reality TV show, The Dance Off. Gina Morales is starting her fifth season on the show when she heads to Alaska to work with the star of a survival reality show, Stone Nielsen. A possible bear sighting emphasizes how different the native New Yorker is from her new student. Stone is doing the show to pay for his mother's medical bills and never imagined how difficult it is to learn to dance. It is even harder to fight his attraction to his smart, sexy partner. Gina's producer insists on an onscreen romance and threatens her job if she doesn't make the finals. Even though Gina and Stone do fall into a real-life romance, the demands of the show and their aspirations seem to make a genuine relationship impossible. As the chemistry sizzles between them against the fun background of the dance show, Daria brings humor and colorful detail to each scene. A second Dance Off tale is in the wings.

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Starred review from October 17, 2022
Bestseller Daria (A Lot Like Adiós) brings heat to the dance floor in this delightful rom-com about reality TV stars who find love during a celebrity dance competition. Idealistic professional dancer Gina Morales, 27, dreams of being a star. Despite four seasons of the Dancing with the Stars–esque TV show The Dance Off under her belt, she’s never made it to the finals. But Gina has high hopes for her new partner: handsome and impossibly ripped Stone Nielson, the reluctant star of an Alaskan wilderness show. Stone hates reality TV and is only doing The Dance Off to help his parents through a rough patch, but working with Gina makes him realize his love of dance. Neither is interested in a showmance, but as Stone’s gruff exterior melts in the face of Gina’s bubbly personality, the pair can’t deny their explosive chemistry both on and off stage. When the paparazzi catch on to their burgeoning relationship, Gina and Stone must decide what to prioritize: their careers and a shot at the trophy or a chance at true love. The structure of the competition keeps the pages flying, and Daria does a fantastic job making the thrilling dance routines jump and twirl off the page. Add in the protagonists’ opposite personalities and fiery attraction, and this whirlwind romance scores a 10 out of 10.