March 2023 MBR The Romantic Fiction Shelf

The Romantic Fiction Shelf

Take the Lead: A Dance Off
Alexis Daria
St. Martin's Griffin
c/o St. Martin's Press
https://us.macmillan.com/smp
9781250817969, $17.99, PB, 368pp

https://www.amazon.com/Take-Lead-Dance-Off-Novel/dp/125081796X

Synopsis: Gina Morales wants to make it big. In her four seasons on the show '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?

Critique: The kind of deftly written story that Hallmark Romance Movies are made from, "Take The Lead" by Alexis Daria is a delightful and light-hearted romance from cover to cover. While also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $12.99) for personal reading lists, "Take The Lead" will prove to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Multicultural Romantic Comedy collections.

Editorial Note: As a novelist, Alexis Daria (https://alexisdaria.com) writes stories about successful Latinx characters and their (occasionally messy) familias. Her debut novel "Take the Lead" won the 2018 RITA Award for "Best First Book". Her novel, "You Had Me at Hola", is a Target Diverse Book Club Pick, and New York Times Editor's Choice Pick.

The Reunion
Kayla Olson
Atria Books
c/o Simon & Schuster
1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
www.simonandschuster.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781668001943, $17.00, PB, 320pp

https://www.amazon.com/Reunion-Novel-Kayla-Olson/dp/1668001942

Synopsis: Liv Latimer grew up on TV. As the star of the popular teen drama Girl on the Verge, Liv spent her adolescence on the screen trying to be as picture perfect as her character in real life. But after the death of her father and the betrayal of her on-screen love interest and off-screen best friend Ransom Joel, Liv wanted nothing more than to retreat, living a mostly normal life aside from a few indie film roles. But now, twenty years after the show's premiere, the cast is invited back for a reunion special, financed by a major streaming service.

Liv is happy to be back on set, especially once she discovers Ransom has only improved with age. And their chemistry is certainly still intact. They quickly fall into their old rhythms, rediscovering what had drawn them together decades before. But with new rivalries among the cast emerging and the specter of a reboot shadowing their shoot, Liv questions whether returning to the past is what she needs to finally get her own happy ending.

Critique: As an author, novelist Kala Olson is a master of the contemporary 'RomCom'. An original and fun read from cover to cover, "The Reunion" is the stuff of which Hallmark Channel Television Movies are made. While unreservedly recommended as an addition to community library Contemporary Romance collections, it should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated romantic comedy fans that "The Reunion" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99) and as a complete and unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781797150840, $39.99, CD).

Editorial Note: Kayla Olson (www.KaylaOlson.com.) is the author of two books for young adults and The Reunion. Whether writing at her desk or curled up with a good book, she can most often be found with a fresh cup of coffee and at least one cat.

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