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Flirty Dancing: A Novel
Sparks fly in this summer romp for fans of Casey McQuiston when dancers at a Catskills resort try to pull off the perfect show, and find happiness and a place where they belong on the way.
Archer Read is 27 and desperate to find his place in life. Five months ago, he quit his soul-destroying accounting job in Ohio and moved to Manhattan with dreams of making it on Broadway. And now he has nothing to show for it but a string of rejections. Even for a ray-of-sunshine like Archer, hope can only go so far. A musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills, is his last chance to break into show biz—otherwise, it’s back to Ohio, broke and hopeless. He arrives ready to dance his heart out, only to find he’ll be working with his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon.
What is Mateo doing working at Shady Queens? Besides barking orders and glaring at everyone…when he’s not absolutely smoldering at Archer on the dancefloor. As Archer tries to forget his teen crush and get to know the real Mateo, he’s caught up in a romance with his hot, temperamental bunkmate, Caleb. Between Mateo’s baggage and the dance crew’s drama—partying, flirting, breaking up, getting back together, then breaking up again—it’s no surprise when the show starts to fall apart. Archer quickly discovers that when it comes to dance, sometimes you can’t leave all your problems backstage.
Filled with colorful side characters, about a million Broadway references, and enough drama for a high school summer camp, Flirty Dancing is a delightful romantic comedy that shows love, like art, is worth a little sacrifice.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Archer Read is 27 and desperate to find his place in life. Five months ago, he quit his soul-destroying accounting job in Ohio and moved to Manhattan with dreams of making it on Broadway. And now he has nothing to show for it but a string of rejections. Even for a ray-of-sunshine like Archer, hope can only go so far. A musical revue at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort in the Catskills, is his last chance to break into show biz—otherwise, it’s back to Ohio, broke and hopeless. He arrives ready to dance his heart out, only to find he’ll be working with his teenage celebrity crush, the Broadway star Mateo Dixon.
What is Mateo doing working at Shady Queens? Besides barking orders and glaring at everyone…when he’s not absolutely smoldering at Archer on the dancefloor. As Archer tries to forget his teen crush and get to know the real Mateo, he’s caught up in a romance with his hot, temperamental bunkmate, Caleb. Between Mateo’s baggage and the dance crew’s drama—partying, flirting, breaking up, getting back together, then breaking up again—it’s no surprise when the show starts to fall apart. Archer quickly discovers that when it comes to dance, sometimes you can’t leave all your problems backstage.
Filled with colorful side characters, about a million Broadway references, and enough drama for a high school summer camp, Flirty Dancing is a delightful romantic comedy that shows love, like art, is worth a little sacrifice.
A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.
Audible Audio
First published May 27, 2025
34 people are currently reading
14988 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Moffatt
9 books93 followersJennifer writes warm and fuzzy stories about LGBTQ+ people falling in love and wishes there were more of those stories on bookshelves. Her short fiction appears in several anthologies and literary magazines. Her debut novel A HARD SELL, book #1 in the Falling Hard trilogy, came out March 26, 2024 from Entwined Publishing and book #2, A HARD FIT, followed November 19, 2024. In March 2024, she announced a three book deal with St. Martin's Griffin. The first book, FLIRTY DANCING, a gay romcom inspired by Dirty Dancing, released May 27, 2025. Book #3 in the Falling Hard trilogy, A HARD NOTE, arrived July 29, 2025. Her next book with St. Martin's is a sapphic rivals-to-lovers romcom called BUMP, SET, SPARKS and is expected June 16, 2026. She is represented by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Literary Agency and lives in BC, Canada with her family. Her favourite things, besides reading and writing, are movies, summer, and potato chips.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
July 4, 2025
oh this was so iconic i can’t!!! the characters are so full of personality and so messy and dramatic but in a completely hilarious and entertaining way. there is TEAAAA 🐸 (i haven’t used that term since 2018 help) and there is DANCINGGGG and there is SUMMER VIBES and honestly i couldn’t have asked for a better time. go read this rn 🙂↕️
pre-read:
trying to diversify my reading yay!!!!
pre-read:
trying to diversify my reading yay!!!!
April 21, 2025
Given my literary tastes range widely, I'm always on the hunt for a variety of books. Flirty Dancing filled the need for a romantic m/m story set in a place I've been. My family vacationed in the Catskills for a week each summer during my early teens, plus I read a charming vintage mystery series that took place in the same local by a cozy author I adore. And who can forget Dirty Dancing, which is what this book attempts to be, tho on a much lighter scale, for a mostly gay venue not too far from NYC. Mateo is a former Broadway star who let the fame get to his head and lost his fans when he made a mistake. Archer is coming to Broadway with the hopes and dreams of a newly graduated high school student but he's actually 27 and being told despite how hot he is and how amazing of a dancer he is, he's also too old. They both end up at an upstate NY venue where sparks fly. But so do bedhopping shenanigans, way too much partying, and frequent misunderstandings. By all truths, this show should've failed. Missed rehearsals, drama between the dancers, and a flighty producer/director who isn't always present. But all turns out well and readers get several romantic scenes that make it feel possible.
Mostly, I enjoyed the book. So much of it is manufactured drama and the terrible things we all did in our 20s... Perhaps a few decades later I'm turned off by the silliness of youth and the ease of swapping lovers. Archer is supposed to be a clean-cut, good boy, but he goes way overboard and becomes a little too naive. Mateo is the star of the book. He's rebuilding his life. He has an attitude with everyone but knows it's a show and when in the privacy of one-on-one moments, he's charming and sexy. Caleb is useless and should have exited sooner... he was too rude for Archer to tolerate. But that's what's good about this book - readers can get angry at what is happening because perhaps they have invested in the characters?
Not many sexual scenes, so if you're looking for something risqué, this probably isn't it. But there are some hot moments, and also a few tender ones... and the flash-forward makes for a great ending.
Mostly, I enjoyed the book. So much of it is manufactured drama and the terrible things we all did in our 20s... Perhaps a few decades later I'm turned off by the silliness of youth and the ease of swapping lovers. Archer is supposed to be a clean-cut, good boy, but he goes way overboard and becomes a little too naive. Mateo is the star of the book. He's rebuilding his life. He has an attitude with everyone but knows it's a show and when in the privacy of one-on-one moments, he's charming and sexy. Caleb is useless and should have exited sooner... he was too rude for Archer to tolerate. But that's what's good about this book - readers can get angry at what is happening because perhaps they have invested in the characters?
Not many sexual scenes, so if you're looking for something risqué, this probably isn't it. But there are some hot moments, and also a few tender ones... and the flash-forward makes for a great ending.
dnf
May 13, 2025I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
DNF@60%
I'm so sad this didn't work out for me! This had everything I could ever want in a fun, summer-soft romance: drag and cabaret, hot broody childhood crush/ex-star who fell from grace and now both MCs are tangled together in a sexy tango (literally), and most importantly the Dirty Dancing vibes!!! Come on! I've watched (read: committed Kellerman-Houseman dancey summer-love into the depths of my soul) Dirty Dancing about 753853863 times and can mouth all the lines.
Unfortunately the narrative style and tone was just not for me. At 60% the MC read significantly younger than 27, the characters were a bit stiff and there was a head scratching "hide the clothes while he's in the shower" prank that was probably what did it for me.
Maybe if the characters were 19 and finding rollercoaster love at Shady Queens (WHAT A KILLER NAME I LOVE!!!!!), this would hit more. But as much as I want the tea on Mateo, there's a disconnect between what this narrative CAN do and HOW it's been unfolding. And with no real story in sight (still) i'm just gracefully bowing out and taking the L. Happy so many people vibed with this but unfortunately this was a miss for me.
DNF@60%
I'm so sad this didn't work out for me! This had everything I could ever want in a fun, summer-soft romance: drag and cabaret, hot broody childhood crush/ex-star who fell from grace and now both MCs are tangled together in a sexy tango (literally), and most importantly the Dirty Dancing vibes!!! Come on! I've watched (read: committed Kellerman-Houseman dancey summer-love into the depths of my soul) Dirty Dancing about 753853863 times and can mouth all the lines.
Unfortunately the narrative style and tone was just not for me. At 60% the MC read significantly younger than 27, the characters were a bit stiff and there was a head scratching "hide the clothes while he's in the shower" prank that was probably what did it for me.
Maybe if the characters were 19 and finding rollercoaster love at Shady Queens (WHAT A KILLER NAME I LOVE!!!!!), this would hit more. But as much as I want the tea on Mateo, there's a disconnect between what this narrative CAN do and HOW it's been unfolding. And with no real story in sight (still) i'm just gracefully bowing out and taking the L. Happy so many people vibed with this but unfortunately this was a miss for me.
September 23, 2025
3 Stars
An M/M romance inspired by Dirty Dancing?! Featuring one of my favourite book covers of 2025!? To say I was excited for this one would be an understatement.
The story follows Archer, a 27-year-old wannabe professional dancer, who has left his small-town job and life behind in Ohio, to give his Broadway dream one last desperate shot. Unfortunately for kind-hearted, dreamy-eyed Archer, things aren’t going so well on the audition circuit. Almost at breaking point, ready to give up and move back home, he lucks out with an alternative job offer, to join a dance troupe for the summer, at a queer friendly resort in the Catskills, called Shady Queens.
At Shady Queens, Archer meets an array of personalities, including his teen-idol crush, Mateo Dixon, who was once a rising star on Broadway until a controversy with a co-star derailed his career and sent him into apparent career seclusion. Now, Mateo is also a member of the dance troupe, just like Archer, only a little broodier and moodier in temperament than the rest of the seemingly care-free dancers Archer meets on arrival.
The story proceeds to traverse Archer’s summer experiences, as he grows as a person and as a dancer, finding new confidence, love, and lasting friendships along the way.
If it was as simple as all of that then I would have been in book heaven with this one, but what the original synopsis failed to inform me was that—despite it being clear that grumpy but lovable Mateo was the endgame love interest—there was this whole arc of Archer starting a relationship/fling with another dancer named Caleb, which was a crucial point of the storyline, until around the 65% mark. It was such a mood killer, I can’t begin to express how much this storyline drained the joy out of the whole story for me.
To be clear, I’m not a reader who strictly avoids OTPs (other person pairings) on-page in my romance reads—though, I certainly don’t enjoy them/seek them out—but my problems here were twofold...
The first issue was that the original synopsis left this MAJOR story point out of its telling, which would have had me running for the hills, or at the very least forewarned, allowing me to adjust my expectations going in. Granted, there have since been clear feedback edits to the online synopsis (at least here and on Amazon) that have taken place since the book was released, now including the rubbish about Caleb, that makes me feel slightly less hoodwinked.
However, my second issue is probably my strongest point of contention, in that Caleb was a grossly unlikable character, from the very first words he spoke to the very final page of the story (redemption arc be damned). I found myself not only disliking his character (quite intensely, might I add) but subsequently I took issues with Archer himself, for being stupid enough to get involved with a person as mean-spirited and disagreeable as Caleb to begin with. And, honestly, that’s a hard hurdle for an MC to then overcome in my heart of high standards.
Trying to set aside all the Caleb drama—which, regrettably, was a huge story element for OVER HALF THE BOOK—I liked the Catskills resort setting, the summer vibes, and even some of the friendships formed throughout the story. I mostly enjoyed all the dancing and the on-and-off stage chemistry Archer had with Mateo; the sweet, slow-burn moments they shared throughout the book left a feeling of rightness that I couldn’t deny at the end, even when I wanted to remain grumpy over how long it took for them to get there unencumbered.
So, for a while there, as some of my GR friends well-know, I was contemplating DNFing this book, as I ranted and raved to anyone who would listen about my unadulterated loathing for Caleb’s entire presence. But I’m retroactively grateful I didn’t give up and give in, because the last part of the book was really lovely, taking my potential 2-star feelings to 4-star territory, landing me with an ultimate middling rating of 3-stars.
For many, this story will work just as is, but I know my personal experience would have been a hell of a lot more hopeful and positive had there been no OTPs in this story at all. Honestly, that’s a story I regret not being able to read.
An M/M romance inspired by Dirty Dancing?! Featuring one of my favourite book covers of 2025!? To say I was excited for this one would be an understatement.
The story follows Archer, a 27-year-old wannabe professional dancer, who has left his small-town job and life behind in Ohio, to give his Broadway dream one last desperate shot. Unfortunately for kind-hearted, dreamy-eyed Archer, things aren’t going so well on the audition circuit. Almost at breaking point, ready to give up and move back home, he lucks out with an alternative job offer, to join a dance troupe for the summer, at a queer friendly resort in the Catskills, called Shady Queens.
At Shady Queens, Archer meets an array of personalities, including his teen-idol crush, Mateo Dixon, who was once a rising star on Broadway until a controversy with a co-star derailed his career and sent him into apparent career seclusion. Now, Mateo is also a member of the dance troupe, just like Archer, only a little broodier and moodier in temperament than the rest of the seemingly care-free dancers Archer meets on arrival.
The story proceeds to traverse Archer’s summer experiences, as he grows as a person and as a dancer, finding new confidence, love, and lasting friendships along the way.
If it was as simple as all of that then I would have been in book heaven with this one, but what the original synopsis failed to inform me was that—despite it being clear that grumpy but lovable Mateo was the endgame love interest—there was this whole arc of Archer starting a relationship/fling with another dancer named Caleb, which was a crucial point of the storyline, until around the 65% mark. It was such a mood killer, I can’t begin to express how much this storyline drained the joy out of the whole story for me.
To be clear, I’m not a reader who strictly avoids OTPs (other person pairings) on-page in my romance reads—though, I certainly don’t enjoy them/seek them out—but my problems here were twofold...
The first issue was that the original synopsis left this MAJOR story point out of its telling, which would have had me running for the hills, or at the very least forewarned, allowing me to adjust my expectations going in. Granted, there have since been clear feedback edits to the online synopsis (at least here and on Amazon) that have taken place since the book was released, now including the rubbish about Caleb, that makes me feel slightly less hoodwinked.
However, my second issue is probably my strongest point of contention, in that Caleb was a grossly unlikable character, from the very first words he spoke to the very final page of the story (redemption arc be damned). I found myself not only disliking his character (quite intensely, might I add) but subsequently I took issues with Archer himself, for being stupid enough to get involved with a person as mean-spirited and disagreeable as Caleb to begin with. And, honestly, that’s a hard hurdle for an MC to then overcome in my heart of high standards.
Trying to set aside all the Caleb drama—which, regrettably, was a huge story element for OVER HALF THE BOOK—I liked the Catskills resort setting, the summer vibes, and even some of the friendships formed throughout the story. I mostly enjoyed all the dancing and the on-and-off stage chemistry Archer had with Mateo; the sweet, slow-burn moments they shared throughout the book left a feeling of rightness that I couldn’t deny at the end, even when I wanted to remain grumpy over how long it took for them to get there unencumbered.
So, for a while there, as some of my GR friends well-know, I was contemplating DNFing this book, as I ranted and raved to anyone who would listen about my unadulterated loathing for Caleb’s entire presence. But I’m retroactively grateful I didn’t give up and give in, because the last part of the book was really lovely, taking my potential 2-star feelings to 4-star territory, landing me with an ultimate middling rating of 3-stars.
For many, this story will work just as is, but I know my personal experience would have been a hell of a lot more hopeful and positive had there been no OTPs in this story at all. Honestly, that’s a story I regret not being able to read.
September 5, 2025
✰ 1.75 stars ✰
Sorry, I can be a bit crab-castic sometimes. 😊
As contrary as it is that I would use a quote from the offending malicious a-hole that made this such a disastrous read, clearly goes to show how much of the epitome of the story centered around this very factor. 😮💨
When the dancing troupe received a bad review, citing their performance as sloppy, stale—, the performers felt awful upon reading it, considering they have put in their all to deliver the best quality content, much like an author does when publishing their novel. 😔
In that retrospect, I feel awful that I have to be one of those readers with a bad review; sadly, it can't be helped. 🙂↔️🙂↔️ I don't know how much of the drama that unfolded behind the stage was deliberate - as in to portray that this much dram-edy exists behind the curtain, but I found it almost comically unpleasantly, absurdly annoying. 😒
So I wouldn't use those exact same critical words, but I will say that for all that the title captures the intimacy of Flirty Dancing between Archer and Mateo, I failed to see it, when SO FRICKIN MUCH time was spent to Caleb's atrocious attempts of backstabbing flirtatious nonsensical behavior to that of the completely inconsequential jealousy between a couple, whose names I've already forgotten, save for the fact that it made no sense whatsoever to have so much focus on their drama!! 🤦🏻♀️
“The connection he had with Mateo was undeniable—almost palpable and only getting stronger.”
How and When can I find time to believe that Archer can enact upon his crush on his lifelong dream with the man of his dreams, if it's being spent so callously on other more pressing matters... Their spark of attraction did no transcend from the words, despite how Archer was convinced that the heat between the two was more flammable than whatever was up Caleb's butt for the majority of the story. I'm sorry, it was --- not good. 🙅🏻♀️
Too much tell, not enough show. The dances lacked passion, vigor, charm, seduction. 🕺🏼⬇️ Heck, barely enough time was spent on them perfecting their moves, or honing the dance, because so much of the time was wasted on the scandalous affairs of the dancers! I get that Archer was the only one really taking it seriously as a dancer for how much was on the line for him, much to the dismay of Mateo's attempts to bring control to this fun, summer job, but no one even bothered behaving professionally. 🙄🙍🏻♀️
“They discoed, they hustled, they spun and boogied and dolphined their way through the numbers, sequins flashing and smiles shining.”
Could it have hurt to go into just a little detail?? 🤏🏻🤏🏻 Bring the stage alive!? I feel the author intended for this to be a lighthearted, feel-good, fuzzy feeling kind of read, not per se dirty dancing, but just enough to flirt its way into those who believe in love, but a little effort would have gone a long way of my overall 'tude towards the story.
At one point, a giddy laugh bubbled up Archer’s throat.' Funnily enough, that's what I felt like doing! 😩 I started laughing because I could not take --- take this nonsense seriously. The writing, the drama, it all felt so over the top insane---- *le sigh* 🙃🙃
Re-reading the Goodreads blurb, I suppose, it had warned readers in advance of *waves hands* of all this, so maybe this is entirely on me... or maybe not.... 😐
“I keep trying to tell you, Archer. There’s more to life than work. Sometimes … sometimes hearts get in the way, don’t they?”
Sorry, I can be a bit crab-castic sometimes. 😊
As contrary as it is that I would use a quote from the offending malicious a-hole that made this such a disastrous read, clearly goes to show how much of the epitome of the story centered around this very factor. 😮💨
When the dancing troupe received a bad review, citing their performance as sloppy, stale—, the performers felt awful upon reading it, considering they have put in their all to deliver the best quality content, much like an author does when publishing their novel. 😔
In that retrospect, I feel awful that I have to be one of those readers with a bad review; sadly, it can't be helped. 🙂↔️🙂↔️ I don't know how much of the drama that unfolded behind the stage was deliberate - as in to portray that this much dram-edy exists behind the curtain, but I found it almost comically unpleasantly, absurdly annoying. 😒
So I wouldn't use those exact same critical words, but I will say that for all that the title captures the intimacy of Flirty Dancing between Archer and Mateo, I failed to see it, when SO FRICKIN MUCH time was spent to Caleb's atrocious attempts of backstabbing flirtatious nonsensical behavior to that of the completely inconsequential jealousy between a couple, whose names I've already forgotten, save for the fact that it made no sense whatsoever to have so much focus on their drama!! 🤦🏻♀️
“The connection he had with Mateo was undeniable—almost palpable and only getting stronger.”
How and When can I find time to believe that Archer can enact upon his crush on his lifelong dream with the man of his dreams, if it's being spent so callously on other more pressing matters... Their spark of attraction did no transcend from the words, despite how Archer was convinced that the heat between the two was more flammable than whatever was up Caleb's butt for the majority of the story. I'm sorry, it was --- not good. 🙅🏻♀️
Too much tell, not enough show. The dances lacked passion, vigor, charm, seduction. 🕺🏼⬇️ Heck, barely enough time was spent on them perfecting their moves, or honing the dance, because so much of the time was wasted on the scandalous affairs of the dancers! I get that Archer was the only one really taking it seriously as a dancer for how much was on the line for him, much to the dismay of Mateo's attempts to bring control to this fun, summer job, but no one even bothered behaving professionally. 🙄🙍🏻♀️
“They discoed, they hustled, they spun and boogied and dolphined their way through the numbers, sequins flashing and smiles shining.”
Could it have hurt to go into just a little detail?? 🤏🏻🤏🏻 Bring the stage alive!? I feel the author intended for this to be a lighthearted, feel-good, fuzzy feeling kind of read, not per se dirty dancing, but just enough to flirt its way into those who believe in love, but a little effort would have gone a long way of my overall 'tude towards the story.
At one point, a giddy laugh bubbled up Archer’s throat.' Funnily enough, that's what I felt like doing! 😩 I started laughing because I could not take --- take this nonsense seriously. The writing, the drama, it all felt so over the top insane---- *le sigh* 🙃🙃
Re-reading the Goodreads blurb, I suppose, it had warned readers in advance of *waves hands* of all this, so maybe this is entirely on me... or maybe not.... 😐
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June 10, 2025MM Romance
Gay Dirty Dancing
DNF @ 40%
I am sooooo disappointed 😭😭😭😭 The minute I saw this book was gay Dirty Dancing, I needed the arc and I was so excited to be approved. Dirty Dancing is one of my all time favorite movies and the ultra gay version sounded like heaven but I’m bored to tears and this is just not what I had in mind. I didn’t expect this to be exactly like DD but I’m not vibing with the choices this author made. I also feel like this is reading very YA while also reading too adult for it to be YA and it’s not working for me.
The characters are in their late 20s but feel like they should be in their early 20s for this concept to make any kind of sense. Instead of having dancers who are at this camp for the summer before going off to school, we have dancers who are almost washed up and this is their last chance to do something with their career. It makes this camp feel very high stakes and takes away some of the whimsy I wanted to feel while reading this. But my biggest issue has to do with the main couple. When Archer & Mateo are on page dancing together, this book sings but unfortunately Archer is involved with another dancer for at least the first 40% of this book and I’m not down with this at all. It takes away from the couple I care about and it’s ruined the tension filled enemies to lovers vibe that I love. This other dancer is a total asshole too so I feel like it was just such a shit decision to incorporate him into so much of this book therefore I am struggling trying to pick this back up and am choosing to DNF.
I’m choosing not to rate this because I didn’t make it to 50% and it’s an arc so thanks netgalley but I’m super disappointed. 🤷🏻♀️
Gay Dirty Dancing
DNF @ 40%
I am sooooo disappointed 😭😭😭😭 The minute I saw this book was gay Dirty Dancing, I needed the arc and I was so excited to be approved. Dirty Dancing is one of my all time favorite movies and the ultra gay version sounded like heaven but I’m bored to tears and this is just not what I had in mind. I didn’t expect this to be exactly like DD but I’m not vibing with the choices this author made. I also feel like this is reading very YA while also reading too adult for it to be YA and it’s not working for me.
The characters are in their late 20s but feel like they should be in their early 20s for this concept to make any kind of sense. Instead of having dancers who are at this camp for the summer before going off to school, we have dancers who are almost washed up and this is their last chance to do something with their career. It makes this camp feel very high stakes and takes away some of the whimsy I wanted to feel while reading this. But my biggest issue has to do with the main couple. When Archer & Mateo are on page dancing together, this book sings but unfortunately Archer is involved with another dancer for at least the first 40% of this book and I’m not down with this at all. It takes away from the couple I care about and it’s ruined the tension filled enemies to lovers vibe that I love. This other dancer is a total asshole too so I feel like it was just such a shit decision to incorporate him into so much of this book therefore I am struggling trying to pick this back up and am choosing to DNF.
I’m choosing not to rate this because I didn’t make it to 50% and it’s an arc so thanks netgalley but I’m super disappointed. 🤷🏻♀️
January 12, 2025
Flirty Dancing is the gay contemporary romance twist on Dirty Dancing that you didn't know you needed. I personally wish there were many more Dirty Dancing retellings (or Dirty Dancing-inspired stories), so if you're the same, you're going to have to add this to your summer TBR.
I think this book struck a great balance in drawing its inspiration from Dirty Dancing, but then really making it into its own thing, with a contemporary setting. I had a lot of fun reading this, and thought the writing was really engaging, making me fly through it.
This is quite a messy story, though, so I know it won't be for everyone because of that. I have to admit I enjoyed the drama, but I did feel a little disappointed that we waste so much time in this book on the antagonist of the story, even seeing our main character date him for a good chunk of the book. I personally felt fed up with him very early on, so this did annoy me a little.
I think this book struck a great balance in drawing its inspiration from Dirty Dancing, but then really making it into its own thing, with a contemporary setting. I had a lot of fun reading this, and thought the writing was really engaging, making me fly through it.
This is quite a messy story, though, so I know it won't be for everyone because of that. I have to admit I enjoyed the drama, but I did feel a little disappointed that we waste so much time in this book on the antagonist of the story, even seeing our main character date him for a good chunk of the book. I personally felt fed up with him very early on, so this did annoy me a little.
won-t-read-bc-nopes
September 5, 2025Love the title and cover, so, putting it on my STAY AWAY list to remind myself...no.
Bascially this book is, oh, I get to go to a summer dance camp and learn dance from the talented man who was my idol and I have a crush on...can't believe it...meanwhile, even though I have this crush, I'll just...fuck this other guy...
WOT.
This is a romance...how?
Bascially this book is, oh, I get to go to a summer dance camp and learn dance from the talented man who was my idol and I have a crush on...can't believe it...meanwhile, even though I have this crush, I'll just...fuck this other guy...
WOT.
This is a romance...how?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2025
This was messy and not in a fun enjoyable way. The main character spends 70% of the book in a relationship with another person and the only way the author saw to dissolve this relationship, and make us hate the guy so that the mc could get together with the love interest was with cheating...like oh! I found it to be lazy and a copout. What's worse is that even after he's no longer with the other guy, there's still no relationship development between the mc and the love interest.
The book is constantly harping on how much chemistry and heat Archer and Mateo have especially when they're dancing, multiple side characters commenting on their 'eye-fucking' and it just doesn't translate when reading about their interactions. These two kept having emotional milestones that were unbelievable to me, and then we get the epilogue and 'I love yous' and I'm left bereft of emotion or even a scrounge of fucking connection to these characters.
I liked the message of never being too old to chase your dreams and accomplish something but as much as I know it's capitalist of me, I can't just get behind doing stuff like that with no financial security. It's good for escapism though!
The book is constantly harping on how much chemistry and heat Archer and Mateo have especially when they're dancing, multiple side characters commenting on their 'eye-fucking' and it just doesn't translate when reading about their interactions. These two kept having emotional milestones that were unbelievable to me, and then we get the epilogue and 'I love yous' and I'm left bereft of emotion or even a scrounge of fucking connection to these characters.
I liked the message of never being too old to chase your dreams and accomplish something but as much as I know it's capitalist of me, I can't just get behind doing stuff like that with no financial security. It's good for escapism though!
January 26, 2025
Archer Read, a 27-year-old accountant from Ohio, moves to Manhattan with dreams of Broadway stardom but ends up with nothing but rejection. Desperate for a shot, he takes a job dancing at Shady Queens, a queer-friendly resort, where he’s shocked to find himself working with his former celebrity crush, fallen Broadway star Mateo Dixon. As Archer navigates Mateo’s icy demeanor, a fling with his bunkmate Caleb, and the chaotic drama of the dance crew, he discovers that chasing your dreams means confronting heartbreak—both on and off the stage.
I am more and more getting into MM romance and this one is a very cute romance and queer family story. I loved Shady Queens and their staff and would love to go to a resort like this in real life. There were a lot of slow moving parts, but there’s a lot of vulnerability and accountability with their characters (specifically one main character) which I loved. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I did enjoy this book. It’s definitely more cutesy than sexy, and the romance plays a much much much lower end on the plot point than you’d expect. I would definitely read more from this author.
I am more and more getting into MM romance and this one is a very cute romance and queer family story. I loved Shady Queens and their staff and would love to go to a resort like this in real life. There were a lot of slow moving parts, but there’s a lot of vulnerability and accountability with their characters (specifically one main character) which I loved. The ending was a bit abrupt, but I did enjoy this book. It’s definitely more cutesy than sexy, and the romance plays a much much much lower end on the plot point than you’d expect. I would definitely read more from this author.
March 11, 2025
let me tell you this has been one of the more fun books i feel like i’ve read in a while. i didn’t really feel like their were any dull moments, the characters were messy and hilarious and iconic and it had everything i love in an lgbtq book. like genuinely slay the house down boots.
thank you st. martin’s press and netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!!
thank you st. martin’s press and netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review!!
May 26, 2025
Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffett
Contemporary M-M romance.
Archer Read takes the summer to try for a career onstage as a dancer. It’s always been his dream. He’s quit his accountant job and moved from Ohio to New York and has gone on interview after audition over and over. So far Archer hasn’t gotten a second look, let alone a call back. As a last ditch effort, he takes a job at the Shady Queens in the Catskills, a queer friendly resort. Archer meets teenage crush, Mateo Dixon there but while they smolder on the dance floor, Mateo isn’t friendly offstage at all. Archer starts a casual sexual relationship with roommate Caleb as most of the dancers seemed to have teamed up. Lots of show performances, lots of drinking and board games and as the summer progresses, the show gets sloppy as relationships break down and change. Something has to change or Archer may end up back in Ohio at a job he doesn’t want, and the loss of his dreams.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook which is narrated by Mark Sanderlin. The performance is wonderful and helps to bring the characters to life. I heard the indecision, the angst, the career and inadequacy concerns.
I did listen to this at slightly above 1.5 to more closely match my reading speed. I prefer reading the two formats together and in this case the audiobook held my attention a bit more during the angst and uncertainty of new relationships.
Career transition and uncertainty and temporary relationship conflicts made this book angsty and feel almost young or new adult even tho the characters are a bit older.
Mostly closed door, or at least nothing exceedingly graphic.
Loved the way it all came together in the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
Contemporary M-M romance.
Archer Read takes the summer to try for a career onstage as a dancer. It’s always been his dream. He’s quit his accountant job and moved from Ohio to New York and has gone on interview after audition over and over. So far Archer hasn’t gotten a second look, let alone a call back. As a last ditch effort, he takes a job at the Shady Queens in the Catskills, a queer friendly resort. Archer meets teenage crush, Mateo Dixon there but while they smolder on the dance floor, Mateo isn’t friendly offstage at all. Archer starts a casual sexual relationship with roommate Caleb as most of the dancers seemed to have teamed up. Lots of show performances, lots of drinking and board games and as the summer progresses, the show gets sloppy as relationships break down and change. Something has to change or Archer may end up back in Ohio at a job he doesn’t want, and the loss of his dreams.
🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook which is narrated by Mark Sanderlin. The performance is wonderful and helps to bring the characters to life. I heard the indecision, the angst, the career and inadequacy concerns.
I did listen to this at slightly above 1.5 to more closely match my reading speed. I prefer reading the two formats together and in this case the audiobook held my attention a bit more during the angst and uncertainty of new relationships.
Career transition and uncertainty and temporary relationship conflicts made this book angsty and feel almost young or new adult even tho the characters are a bit older.
Mostly closed door, or at least nothing exceedingly graphic.
Loved the way it all came together in the end.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.
June 24, 2025
ew ohio
May 15, 2025
Listen, I read this book in 24 hours. And if I wasn't sick and FORCED to go to bed for the sake of health, this would have been a single-sitting read because I was HOOKED. Nothing was prying this from my hands.
So first...AGE-GAP, GRUMPY X SUNSHINE ROMANCE WITH THE MAN YOU HAD ON A POSTER HANGING ON YOUR WALL BECAUSE HE WAS YOUR IDOL GROWING UP! Me likeyyyyyy :) And now given the chance while in your 20s to act on that childhood crush. HAWT. And it was CUTE! Thoughtful gifts, deep talks, extra dance practices, absolute HEATED dancing moments. Slow-burn at it's finest and then MAGIC. And yes, there is still some spice amidst this cuteness overload :)
I love that this is a romance book WITH PLOT! Sometimes I want a book that's just romance. But MOST of the time I want a romance book with an actual plot behind it and this DELIVERED that! I was kicking my feet at the romance, but also kicking my feet at our boy Archer pursuing his dreams, getting his start in the dancing world, and the evolution he sees throughout his first gig :) Archer, get that bread bb!
This book just felt like the total package and I'm still not over it a month later! If the above suits your fancy, then I absolutely recommend this book! So, so appreciative to the publisher for a gifted ARC of this cutie :)
So first...AGE-GAP, GRUMPY X SUNSHINE ROMANCE WITH THE MAN YOU HAD ON A POSTER HANGING ON YOUR WALL BECAUSE HE WAS YOUR IDOL GROWING UP! Me likeyyyyyy :) And now given the chance while in your 20s to act on that childhood crush. HAWT. And it was CUTE! Thoughtful gifts, deep talks, extra dance practices, absolute HEATED dancing moments. Slow-burn at it's finest and then MAGIC. And yes, there is still some spice amidst this cuteness overload :)
I love that this is a romance book WITH PLOT! Sometimes I want a book that's just romance. But MOST of the time I want a romance book with an actual plot behind it and this DELIVERED that! I was kicking my feet at the romance, but also kicking my feet at our boy Archer pursuing his dreams, getting his start in the dancing world, and the evolution he sees throughout his first gig :) Archer, get that bread bb!
This book just felt like the total package and I'm still not over it a month later! If the above suits your fancy, then I absolutely recommend this book! So, so appreciative to the publisher for a gifted ARC of this cutie :)
Read
February 25, 2025Archer is passionate about dance. He comes to dance camp, expecting a dream experience--just to find Matteo, sultry, too perfect, and a transphobe. (Or so he assumes because of an awful remark Matteo made once.). Matteo is also very, very attractive as well as gay...and we see what's coming!
The dance setting was terrific. The author absolutely nailed the crazy, inspiring, tiring, drama-injected fizz of summer theater for teens, in this case a summer dance camp. In fact, the setting was so very well done that it kind of detracted from the character development that such a complicated plot needed (Archer is dating someone else while totally eyeing Matteo).
But that's a small creeb. It's fast-paced, with some great scenes when Archer and Matteo do start coming together. Add in the filmic wish-fulfillment ending, and you get a gay-friendly feel-good romance for teens, with an emphasis on dance!
The dance setting was terrific. The author absolutely nailed the crazy, inspiring, tiring, drama-injected fizz of summer theater for teens, in this case a summer dance camp. In fact, the setting was so very well done that it kind of detracted from the character development that such a complicated plot needed (Archer is dating someone else while totally eyeing Matteo).
But that's a small creeb. It's fast-paced, with some great scenes when Archer and Matteo do start coming together. Add in the filmic wish-fulfillment ending, and you get a gay-friendly feel-good romance for teens, with an emphasis on dance!
June 9, 2025
Such a cute book! Absolutely loved the characters, even the annoying one. was still okay There is character development, even in some of the minor characters. There is so much messy gay chaos, and I loved every minute of it. Loads of character interactions and including some dramatic minor plot points with them. Just a good, fun, cute LGBTQIA+ book with great representation. Steamy, not spicy. Closed-door/fade to black sex scenes. But the dancing scenes are practically clothed sex scenes! Super steamy and hot.
This has a love triangle, grumpy x sunshine, a teenage crush with a "celebrity".
I liked the narrator, and he did a great job with unique voices for all the characters. My only complaint is what was supposed to be a French Canadian accent for the 2 characters from Montreal. I was so confused by the accent until it was said where they were from. I'm Canadian and that is not what a French Canadian accent sounds like. It was also a really inconsistent accent throughout the book. Thankfully those characters don't speak much, so I didn't have to listen to it too much.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copy audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
This has a love triangle, grumpy x sunshine, a teenage crush with a "celebrity".
I liked the narrator, and he did a great job with unique voices for all the characters. My only complaint is what was supposed to be a French Canadian accent for the 2 characters from Montreal. I was so confused by the accent until it was said where they were from. I'm Canadian and that is not what a French Canadian accent sounds like. It was also a really inconsistent accent throughout the book. Thankfully those characters don't speak much, so I didn't have to listen to it too much.
Thank you NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copy audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
February 9, 2025
4 stars
Dirty Dancing, but make it queer? I was sold immediately. I really appreciated the subplot of "Is it ever too late to pursue your dreams?" Archer is 27 and trying to make it as a dancer in New York, but finally lands a position at the resort Shady Queens. This story has sweetness, but it is also drama filled with a lot happening amongst the whole cast of characters we have in this story. The main romance really doesn't get to sit in the front seat until the last 15% of the story. Did I have fun reading this? Yes! It's definitely a fun read. Were there a few things I had issues with? Also, yes. I would have liked to see more focus on Archer and his final romantic relationship than we got. It made the story feel a little unbalanced from the way it is advertised. All that to say, the writing is good, and the story was interesting. Archer is definitely an intriguing and relatable MC through which we get to experience this story. This was definitely an entertaining read, I just wanted a *little* more from it than I got.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dirty Dancing, but make it queer? I was sold immediately. I really appreciated the subplot of "Is it ever too late to pursue your dreams?" Archer is 27 and trying to make it as a dancer in New York, but finally lands a position at the resort Shady Queens. This story has sweetness, but it is also drama filled with a lot happening amongst the whole cast of characters we have in this story. The main romance really doesn't get to sit in the front seat until the last 15% of the story. Did I have fun reading this? Yes! It's definitely a fun read. Were there a few things I had issues with? Also, yes. I would have liked to see more focus on Archer and his final romantic relationship than we got. It made the story feel a little unbalanced from the way it is advertised. All that to say, the writing is good, and the story was interesting. Archer is definitely an intriguing and relatable MC through which we get to experience this story. This was definitely an entertaining read, I just wanted a *little* more from it than I got.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
June 28, 2025
read this exclusively to complete my goodreads pride month challenge but boy oh boy did this take me back to my gay fanfiction reading days
July 16, 2025
It’s giving, camp rock for adults & I am SAT
June 21, 2025
On further reflection, this was just barely 3.5 stars for me so adjusting my star rating here.
>>>>
Rounding up to four stars. This was exactly what I needed right now. This was fun and light. I enjoyed the author's voice and I ended up listening to the audio, which made it easier for me to glide over things I might not love. Mark Sanderlin was a good fit for the audio narration.
What I loved about the book was the connection and tension between the two main characters, the setting and the little nods to Dirty Dancing. I even was fine with it being a very slow burn and very low steam. While I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters, it felt like some of them were more devices than characters and many of them acted very young for their ages. Also the pacing was not great, sometimes in a distracting way. And that contributed to the need for a huge suspension of disbelief around the Archer/Caleb storyline (I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.) Also I never love a love triangle and (again, trying to avoid spoilers) it's certainly a choice the role the author assigned to a racialized character - although it does resolve itself I guess.
I recommend this for a light, brain-off kind of read.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
>>>>
Rounding up to four stars. This was exactly what I needed right now. This was fun and light. I enjoyed the author's voice and I ended up listening to the audio, which made it easier for me to glide over things I might not love. Mark Sanderlin was a good fit for the audio narration.
What I loved about the book was the connection and tension between the two main characters, the setting and the little nods to Dirty Dancing. I even was fine with it being a very slow burn and very low steam. While I enjoyed the cast of supporting characters, it felt like some of them were more devices than characters and many of them acted very young for their ages. Also the pacing was not great, sometimes in a distracting way. And that contributed to the need for a huge suspension of disbelief around the Archer/Caleb storyline (I'll leave it at that to avoid spoilers.) Also I never love a love triangle and (again, trying to avoid spoilers) it's certainly a choice the role the author assigned to a racialized character - although it does resolve itself I guess.
I recommend this for a light, brain-off kind of read.
I received a digital Advance Reader Copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2025
I love most books that have dancing involved and if you throw in a romance, I’m almost guaranteed to read it. Archer is a mid-20s accountant who moved to NYC to try and fulfill his dream of being a dancer. He gets the chance at an outdoor summer resort in the Catskills where he meets fellow dancers and lives a summer filled with loads of drama.
Sometimes the drama from all the cast got to be a little too much for me, but I enjoyed the camaraderie they also shared. Archer’s love interest, Mateo, is present for most of the books, but unfortunately, Archer is with another dancer for most of the book and I felt that it caused the romance between Archer and Mateo to feel rushed when it finally happened. I’d had like to see less of the first one and more time spent developing the relationship between Mateo and Archer. However, it was still a fun contemporary romance perfect for a beach read.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Sometimes the drama from all the cast got to be a little too much for me, but I enjoyed the camaraderie they also shared. Archer’s love interest, Mateo, is present for most of the books, but unfortunately, Archer is with another dancer for most of the book and I felt that it caused the romance between Archer and Mateo to feel rushed when it finally happened. I’d had like to see less of the first one and more time spent developing the relationship between Mateo and Archer. However, it was still a fun contemporary romance perfect for a beach read.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
May 14, 2025
Perfect book for if you're looking for a fun, low-spice queer rom-com. However, characters could be hella immature at times. Overall, a cute and entertaining fast-paced read.
Got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Got this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
May 22, 2025
I love this surge of books that have popped up that are loosely based on the movies I loved growing up. Flirty Dancing gives you all the vibes of Dirty Dancing (also the word play in the name is absolutely on point) and I live for that. It has been a hot minute since I watched the movie, so beyond the dancing and location, I don’t know how close it is (or is supposed to be) to the original, but that’s totally fine with me. Even if I had never seen it or knew anything about it, I would have fallen in love with these characters.
Not only is this set at a LGBTQ+ resort called Shady Queens (ICONIC!!! Gagged and Gooped), but it’s all based around a theater-esque show where the characters dance and perform for vacationers in the Catskills. The MC, Archer, has been in love with one of the other dancers (a disgraced ex-Broadway star) named Matteo. Did I mention there is an Age Gap there? 🤤 Did I also mention how much I loooooooooooove an Age Gap? 🥵 Did I also also mention the older guy is also grumpy? 🫠 This is when my knees get weak.
I really enjoyed that we had a mostly queer cast of characters and they were doing exactly what the gays (at least the ones I used to hang out with pre-married life) love to do: have fun, drink, party, hook-up, and just be fruity. 💅🏻 I approve! It is a summer job, so you need to have that excitement involved, especially when it’s at a resort. Plus, bring on the boyzzz!!!
I could easily imagine everything acting out like a movie in my head. Maybe it’s me, but when that happens, I want nothing more than to see it actually turn into a feature film. So this is my plea to a movie producer to make this happen. I’ll happily be an extra! 🙏🏼 Not a dancer, obvi. I’m like a meme of someone with two left feet… it’s atrocious to watch.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for sending me an ALC. I loved the audio actor so much! Their voice is perfect for Archer and they seemlessly changed voices for all of the characters. I appreciate someone who can keep me in the story with their performance to the point that I will just sit there until the book is completed, which is EXACTLY what I did. 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋
Not only is this set at a LGBTQ+ resort called Shady Queens (ICONIC!!! Gagged and Gooped), but it’s all based around a theater-esque show where the characters dance and perform for vacationers in the Catskills. The MC, Archer, has been in love with one of the other dancers (a disgraced ex-Broadway star) named Matteo. Did I mention there is an Age Gap there? 🤤 Did I also mention how much I loooooooooooove an Age Gap? 🥵 Did I also also mention the older guy is also grumpy? 🫠 This is when my knees get weak.
I really enjoyed that we had a mostly queer cast of characters and they were doing exactly what the gays (at least the ones I used to hang out with pre-married life) love to do: have fun, drink, party, hook-up, and just be fruity. 💅🏻 I approve! It is a summer job, so you need to have that excitement involved, especially when it’s at a resort. Plus, bring on the boyzzz!!!
I could easily imagine everything acting out like a movie in my head. Maybe it’s me, but when that happens, I want nothing more than to see it actually turn into a feature film. So this is my plea to a movie producer to make this happen. I’ll happily be an extra! 🙏🏼 Not a dancer, obvi. I’m like a meme of someone with two left feet… it’s atrocious to watch.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for sending me an ALC. I loved the audio actor so much! Their voice is perfect for Archer and they seemlessly changed voices for all of the characters. I appreciate someone who can keep me in the story with their performance to the point that I will just sit there until the book is completed, which is EXACTLY what I did. 👨🏻🍳🤌🏼💋
March 28, 2025
Thank you to the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for an electronic ARC of this novel.
3/5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️ — basically a closed door romance with kissing and a few peeks.
Well, Dirty Dancing is one of my all-time favorite movies. So an LGBTQ+ contemporary twist on this classic? SIGN. ME. UP.
I really enjoyed the author’s way with words. I think her writing was quite eloquent and beautiful. You could really feel the emotions of the characters - good, bad, and in-between. The characters were well developed and well thought out.
For me, it felt like something was missing. Some of the book dragged for me in parts. I didn’t devour it, like I was hoping I would. However, I still encourage you to give this book a chance!
3/5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️ — basically a closed door romance with kissing and a few peeks.
Well, Dirty Dancing is one of my all-time favorite movies. So an LGBTQ+ contemporary twist on this classic? SIGN. ME. UP.
I really enjoyed the author’s way with words. I think her writing was quite eloquent and beautiful. You could really feel the emotions of the characters - good, bad, and in-between. The characters were well developed and well thought out.
For me, it felt like something was missing. Some of the book dragged for me in parts. I didn’t devour it, like I was hoping I would. However, I still encourage you to give this book a chance!
April 19, 2025
Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt
ARC from Macmillan audio
Release date: May 27th 2025
-omg Archer is me we just in our twenties trying to figure out our lives taking the leap of faith is scary bro lol
-love him trying for broadway in New York I feel like I’m there with him trying to make it as a drama kid I’m giddy
-love a fan girl moment imagine having to work with your childhood celebrity crush I’d crash out
-some moments I felt bored
-the mess, the drama ouff
-was not a fan of Caleb so feels like that was a waste of time 😅
-This was a cute read but not what I thought it would be
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
ARC from Macmillan audio
Release date: May 27th 2025
-omg Archer is me we just in our twenties trying to figure out our lives taking the leap of faith is scary bro lol
-love him trying for broadway in New York I feel like I’m there with him trying to make it as a drama kid I’m giddy
-love a fan girl moment imagine having to work with your childhood celebrity crush I’d crash out
-some moments I felt bored
-the mess, the drama ouff
-was not a fan of Caleb so feels like that was a waste of time 😅
-This was a cute read but not what I thought it would be
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 3, 2025
Thank you to St Martin's Press for this eARC! As a very big lover of Dirty Dancing this was an absolute delight of a read. I want to see Archer and Mateo in their Latin night dance, because I can absolutely feel the heat from their eyes coming through the page. And Eileen my love I want to drink her tea and listen to her stories all day long. This was a nice balance of characters making mistakes and getting smacked by them and then doing the work to earn their way back from it. A really fun read for sure.
December 14, 2024
This is a really cute book about dancing and relationships. Archer and Lynn are roommates when Archer is accepted into a dancing troupe at Shady Queens Cabaret for the summer. He's delighted as he's never gotten a part he really wanted and this is an opportunity to learn from the best! And when he arrives he sees the famous Mateo who he's had a crush on since childhood so now he's really nervous. But soon he settles in and he flirts with Caleb and talks to Lynn who has dreams of her own. But as we know, things can change in a heartbeat...so be prepared!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
August 17, 2025
3.4 ⭐
Loved the ambience in this book with his reference to one of my all time favourite movies: Dirty Dancing 🩷
I had predicted this to be a bit more "dirty" amidst the dancing and this is not.
It didn't bother me much the not spiciness of it... I did find underwhelming the fact that it was more explicit the description of the pairing in the first half of the book then our main couple but... yeah what can you do?!
Their tango tho... that felt so hot on multiple occasions 💃🏼 They had amazing chemistry!!
I also loved the entire cast so much + The fun, the drama, it was sooo entertaining! 😆
What feels a bit amiss for me is the writing style, it could have been more swoony and gripping, less technical in some dancing or even playing scenes (why are you explaining to me so in depth how to play Monopoly, Jenga and even volleyball?!)
I enjoyed this so much, but yeah it could have been better. It would also make for an awesome rom-com movie adaptation ✨
Loved the ambience in this book with his reference to one of my all time favourite movies: Dirty Dancing 🩷
I had predicted this to be a bit more "dirty" amidst the dancing and this is not.
It didn't bother me much the not spiciness of it... I did find underwhelming the fact that it was more explicit the description of the pairing in the first half of the book then our main couple but... yeah what can you do?!
Their tango tho... that felt so hot on multiple occasions 💃🏼 They had amazing chemistry!!
I also loved the entire cast so much + The fun, the drama, it was sooo entertaining! 😆
What feels a bit amiss for me is the writing style, it could have been more swoony and gripping, less technical in some dancing or even playing scenes (why are you explaining to me so in depth how to play Monopoly, Jenga and even volleyball?!)
I enjoyed this so much, but yeah it could have been better. It would also make for an awesome rom-com movie adaptation ✨
February 4, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC.
Right from the start I knew I'd have problems with this one and I was proven right. I have NO idea who this is written for or when it is set. The MC makes an Archie (like, the 1950s comic book??) joke and says his favorite musical is Grease (????). The entire book has a very Fellow Kids approach, like a boomer writing Gen Z characters without ever speaking to them ("You bet!" -- the main character).
The characters are flat and boring and unrealistic, there is zero romance except between the MC and some douchecanoe who is the main antagonist, the MMC couldn't have less chemistry, 27 is WAY too old to be getting started as a professional dancer, and the entire plot consists of a bunch of people complaining at each other and they're not even funny about it. Boo.
Right from the start I knew I'd have problems with this one and I was proven right. I have NO idea who this is written for or when it is set. The MC makes an Archie (like, the 1950s comic book??) joke and says his favorite musical is Grease (????). The entire book has a very Fellow Kids approach, like a boomer writing Gen Z characters without ever speaking to them ("You bet!" -- the main character).
The characters are flat and boring and unrealistic, there is zero romance except between the MC and some douchecanoe who is the main antagonist, the MMC couldn't have less chemistry, 27 is WAY too old to be getting started as a professional dancer, and the entire plot consists of a bunch of people complaining at each other and they're not even funny about it. Boo.
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