Dancing Around This

Off My Feet #1

by Miley Howard

He’s the irritable CEO. She’s his sassy assistant.


The attraction between Amelia Sinclair and her boss, Alex Delgado, is instant, but each believes it’s one-sided so they fight their feelings.

Until one late night in his office… But when he calls it a mistake, she does what anyone she runs.



Catching the first flight home, Amelia is ready to use her best friend's wedding as the perfect distraction to take her mind off the man who broke her heart. Surrounded by family, friends, and a never-ending list of wedding tasks, it works.

That is, until he shows up to give the bride away.



Filled with regret after chasing off the only woman he's ever loved, Alex has no idea where to find her. The last place he expects to see her again is at his daughter's wedding on the other side of the country.



Somehow, they missed all the threads connecting them outside of their business relationship. Now, they’re pretending to be strangers while constantly being thrown together by the one person they’re both there to support.

Despite the complications of their intertwined lives, Alex is desperate and ready to fight for a second chance. But Amelia is determined to hate him so he can’t hurt her again.

Will Alex be able to prove he loves her and that their connection is worth the risk? Or will Amelia's walls and fear keep them apart for good?



Dancing Around This is the first book in the Off My Feet series, a set of interconnected stories. It features mature content and is intended for readers 18 and up.

314 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 6, 2026

About the author

Miley Howard is a magical unicorn who resides in the mythical land known as the PNW with her daughter, husband, and depending on when you’re reading this, possibly still a hamster... She’s wanted to be a writer for as long as she can remember, but her stories stayed on random bits of paper, in cheap notebooks (never the nice ones collecting dust on the shelf), or in an app, if they were lucky enough to make it out of her head at all. Many were lost to the Great Void of “I’ll remember that later/in the morning/when I get out of the shower,” especially before smart phones were a thing. According to her husband, she drinks too much coffee, eats too much cheese, and owns too much stuff, but no one asked for his opinion, so screw that guy. Miley loves to read and write spicy stories with happy endings. Her list of book boyfriends is long. Her list of story ideas is longer. And her TBR is out of control.
When creating a female main character, Miley often makes her sassy and gives her a best friend who is just as important as the love interest. And that love interest is tits over toes for her. Just as they should be.

Reviews

[Taylor (taylorreadsalatte on IG) Rodrigues]

Thank you to Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the ARC; unfortunately, I did not finish this book.

I was very excited for this book because of the tropes: Billionaire, Grumpy x Sunshine, Age Gap but it ultimately fell short for me. I was hooked on the first 25% and felt that it was a good pace that I would fly through the book, then it halted. It felt like everything was moving through quicksand in the story and the plot was not moving forward. I also could not read anymore between Amelia and Lizzie as their dialouge came off like teenagers, not early 20s adults.

[Theresa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ 3🌶

Instant chemistry and magnesium...I absolutely loved how fun this book was. It has a quick but solid pace and kept my attention throughout the entire story.

Alex and Amelia have a great tension that makes their banter even better. They are both quick whitted and their interactions felt real and natural. They build a strong friendship before they give into to the physical. They may have a 17 year age difference but it never felt like it they are both mature and their relationship felt mature but playful.

I love the family dynamics in this. It is a bit crazy but absolutely fun and strong. I love how this story played out. I cant believe this was a debut for Miley, I absolutely adored this book and.cant wait for more storys from her. I especially need Beans HEA

Thank you to Miley Howard and Ember Literary for this ARC. These are my honest opinions and feelings.

[WinkingReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙒𝙚’𝙫𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙚𝙣 𝙙𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨, 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙨 , 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙮𝙚𝙖𝙧. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙭𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝙒𝙚’𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝘼𝙡𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Mwaah!

I enjoyed reading this book so much, it's absolute perfection! Such a fun , quick read. Being that this book is dedicated to eldest daughters, as an eldest daughter I can happily said it Served and Delivered!

The energy and the vibe were immaculate, thanks to Amelia's sasiness and ray-of-sunshine personality balancing out Alex's grumpiness and giving us that playful side of him...I was obsessed with all their interactions, flirting from their first meet up. And Alex just getting her whatever she wants, treating her like she deserves was just beautiful.

The attraction. The tension. The chemistry Were off the charts. For a year they've been dancing around each other and not acting on the attraction but that "Fuck it" moment was worth the wait🤭 The way that man yearns🫠 and the mutual pining😍

The turn of events was amazing and cute, it felt like piecing together puzzles, making reading this even more entertaining.

I loved everything about this book, from the plot to characters to tropes😚. Workplace romance,grumpy/sunshine, age-gap romance DONE RIGHT!

🎀𝕱𝖆𝖛 𝕼𝖚𝖔𝖙𝖊𝖘:
✨️“𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝓮 𝓪 𝓫𝓮𝓽𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓿𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓲𝓸𝓷 𝓸𝓯 𝓶𝔂𝓼𝓮𝓵𝓯. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓶𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓱𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓳𝓾𝓶𝓹 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓯𝓵𝔂. 𝓨𝓸𝓾 𝓸𝔀𝓷 𝓶𝓮. 𝓜𝔂 𝓼𝓸𝓾𝓵 𝓲𝓼 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓼. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮, 𝓼𝓾𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓯𝓾𝓬𝓴𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓲𝓽 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓶𝓮.”
✨️“𝓘 𝓰𝓸𝓽 𝓼𝓬𝓪𝓻𝓮𝓭. 𝓑𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝔀𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓮 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝔂𝓸𝓾’𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓶𝔂 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰. 𝓕𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻, 𝓘 𝓱𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝔀𝓮𝓮𝓴𝓮𝓷𝓭𝓼 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓫𝓮𝓬𝓪𝓾𝓼𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔂 𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓮 𝓭𝓪𝔂𝓼 𝓘 𝓭𝓲𝓭𝓷’𝓽 𝓰𝓮𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓼𝓮𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾.”
✨️“𝓜𝓲𝓷𝓮. 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮, 𝓐𝓶𝓮𝓵𝓲𝓪.”
✨️“𝓦𝓮’𝓿𝓮 𝓫𝓮𝓮𝓷 𝓭𝓪𝓷𝓬𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓼, 𝓪𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓭 𝓾𝓼 , 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓪 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻. 𝓘 𝔀𝓪𝓷𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓷𝓮𝔁𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓶𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓻𝔂 𝓷𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽. 𝓦𝓮’𝓻𝓮 𝓷𝓸𝓽 𝔀𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓪𝓷𝔂 𝓶𝓸𝓻𝓮 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮. 𝓐𝓵𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭𝔂 𝔀𝓪𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓽𝓸𝓸 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓷 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱,”

✨️𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
• Small Town Romance
• Best Friends' Dad
• Billionaire Romance
• CEO/PA
• Age Gap Romance - 17yrs
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Workplace Romance
• Found Family
• Insta-Love

𝓡𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓰: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝓢𝓹𝓲𝓬𝓮 𝓛𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓵: 🌶🌶🌶.8

[Klarissa Sandoval—Morales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing Around This

**review of advance copy received by author**

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ | Dancing Around This; Miley Howard

This book became an instant read in one sitting while not doing my daily studying! It kept me so entertained and from checking my phone at all!

Okay, so we meet Amelia, and she lands a job as personal assistant and instantly things spark with her boss Alex. Who is a company CEO with a tendency to just fire personal assistants that don’t meet his expectations. When Amelia is told by Katie that she will be in touch for the position, Amelia finds herself in the coffee shop nearby where Alex is waiting on his drink. When Amelia gets hers, the two stand and talk to each other while Alex is adding to his drink.

After returning to work, that is when Alex is in his office and Katie mentions that she found someone for the position, at first Alex being himself is defiant and completely against the idea. With convincing from Kate, she calls Amelia to let her know that she for the position, with Alex meeting her and realizing that two had already met in the coffee shop that’s when he becomes okay with the idea of it being Amelia that is his personal assistant.

They spend sometime beating around the bush of the relationship that is beginning to blossom before them; though they do finally give in with a touch of fear for the consequences of their actions. Things don’t end up working out how Amelia had hoped, after returning to her hometown in time for her friend Lizzie’s wedding. Complication completely blows up in Amelia’s face when it is revealed to her that Alex is Lizzie’s dad.

Loved the growth that we witnessed at the beginning of the story. I loved seeing that not just Amelia went to go check on Katie after her surgery but Alex showed up as well and not empty handed. Though, the turn of events with the arrival into Amelia’s hometown and the tension that ends up arising between the pair after being together and drug around town by Lizzie. The no talking between the two of them was somewhat unexpected but it made the read more interesting as I continued on with the story.

The reveal was a good touch! I enjoyed seeing Lizzie realize that her dad and best friend were seeing each other as well as truth coming out about Alex being the mystery coworker. That touch of drama at the end with the wedding, Lizzie’s mother, fiancé, and family really brought more speed about the story. 🥹there was also something about the friendship between Lizzie and Amelia that was very heartwarming to me, cannot wait to see what ends up happening in the next book!

This is the first book in the Off My Feet series, I’m excited for the rest of the series and cannot wait to recommend these books to my friends!

Thank you Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the free arc! I am so happy I was able to fully dive into the universe and will now be trying to order a peppermint mocha when I go for coffee tomorrow 💕

🏷️:
•small town romance
•Best friends dad
•Billionaire romance
•CEO/PA
•17 years Age Gap Romance
•Grumpy/Sunshine
•Black Cat/Golden Retriever
•Workplace Romance
•Found Family
•Instant Love

[Dominika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you for Ember PR and Miley Howard for the ARC*
Sadly, this book wasn't for me.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book. The themes of the book—the age gap, the forbidden romance, and the affair between the boss and his employee— convince me, but the execution didn't. The more I read the book, the more discouraged I felt. Of course, Alex is a great guy who would do anything for not only his daughter but also for Amelia. But they barely spoke at all, and at one point, I felt like I was reading about the same thing: they were simply apart, lusting after each other, but where were the conversations and the reader's chance to see them fall in love? Unfortunately, we don't see any of that, which is a shame, because the book had potential, and it's clear these two are truly meant to be together, but the way it was written definitely didn't resonate with me. To be honest, I should have DNF'd this book, but I thought it would get better later on, but unfortunately, it didn't. They immediately threw themselves at each other without practically any conversation, and how can I believe there's any real love between them if they act like that? Furthermore, the conversation between the main character and her friend, who was the main character's daughter, was at times truly embarrassing. I'm sorry I had to write this explanation, but I also don't want to leave bad reviews about this book on social media. Once again, I sincerely apologize for the delay, and I feel incredibly embarrassed that I'm only writing about it now.


Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book. The themes of this book—the age gap, the forbidden romance, and the boss-employee affair—are some of my favorite book themes. But the way the story was written was unsatisfactory, but it didn't win me over. The longer I read the book, the more discouraged I felt. Of course, Alex is a great guy who would do anything for not only his daughter but also for Amelia. But they barely spoke to each other, and at one point, I felt like I was reading about the same thing: they were just separate, lusting after each other, but where was the conversation and the reader's opportunity to see them fall in love? Unfortunately, we don't see it, which is a shame because the book had potential and it's clear these two were truly meant to be together, but the way it was written definitely doesn't resonate with me. To be honest, I should have DNF'd this book, but I thought it would get better later on, but unfortunately, it didn't. They immediately threw themselves at each other without practically any conversation, and how can I believe there's any real love between them if they behave like that? Furthermore, the conversation between the main character and her friend, who was the main character's daughter, was at times truly embarrassing and cringe.

[literary_simone · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
Thank you Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the free ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Sweet workplace / dad’s best friend romance with lovable characters and a bit of a pacing stumble in the middle.

⟡ Tropes and Rating ⟡
💼 Billionaire Romance
📋 CEO x Personal Assistant
⏳ Age Gap (17 years)
🫦 Best Friend’s Dad

4/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶️

⟡ Review ⟡
Amelia lands a new job as a personal assistant and instantly clicks with her boss, Alex. For a year, they carefully tiptoe around their attraction, determined not to jeopardize their professional relationship. But then, they finally give in. When things don’t turn out as Amelia hoped, she retreats to her hometown just in time for her best friend Lizzie’s wedding. Things get even more complicated when it turns out Alex is Lizzie’s father

I really loved the main characters including Lizzie. I also enjoyed the beginning in which the relationship between Amelia and Alex grew. The middle part when they all get to Amelia’s hometown was a bit slow though. The main characters barely speak to each other and they are just dragged around town by Lizzie for all kinds of activities. I would have loved more visible longing and emotional tension during that period.
I needed some time to understand who is who, which might be a me problem. With a large cast (Amelia has six siblings), the glossary at the back was definitely helpful.

I truly appreciated how the reveal played out when Lizzie realizes her dad and her best friend are the very same “mystery colleague” they’ve both been confiding in her about for a year. It’s a satisfying deviation from the usual explosive best friend’s dad trope and I really liked that approach.
There is some wedding drama and tension involving Lizzie’s mother, fiancé and other family so things do gain some speed once we move past the middle part.
And what truly stands out is the friendship between Amelia and Lizzie which maybe even outshone the love story between the MMCs.

[𝑨𝒂𝒔𝒉 ۶ৎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 5 Stars

Dancing Around This by Miley Howard

Thank you to Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the free ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This book was absolute CRACK in the best possible way. I picked it up and genuinely could not put it down. I told myself “just one more chapter” about twelve times and suddenly it was 3AM and I had finished the entire thing in one sitting. Five stars, no hesitation.

From the very first meet-cute at the coffee shop, the chemistry between Amelia and Alex is electric. The fact that they miss their chance—only to discover the very next day that Amelia is Alex’s new personal assistant? Elite rom-com chaos. The tension starts immediately and only builds from there.

Alex (40) × Amelia (23) gives us:
• Billionaire CEO × Personal Assistant
• Age Gap (17 years)
• Best Friend’s Dad
• Mutual Pining
• Found Family vibes
• Forced Proximity
• Pretend Strangers

And somehow it balances all of it perfectly.

I loved watching their workplace relationship evolve. For a full year, they tiptoe around their attraction—long lunches, late nights at the office, weekend “work” sessions. Alex becomes completely reliant on Amelia professionally, but it’s so obvious he’s emotionally attached too. And when they finally give in to the tension? It’s everything.

Which is why it hurts so much when Alex panics after their first night together and calls it “a mistake.” The heartbreak is visceral. Amelia’s reaction feels so real—she doesn’t scream, she doesn’t fight. She leaves. She quits, blocks him, and flies home early to help her best friend Lizzie with her wedding.

And then comes the twist.

The man she’s trying to forget walks into the room… because he’s the father of the bride.

Jaw. On. The. Floor.

The emotional rollercoaster from that point on is addictive. Watching Alex realize he’s about to lose the only woman he’s ever truly loved—and seeing him desperately try to prove that his “mistake” comment was the real mistake—is pure gold. He isn’t some cold, arrogant CEO stereotype. He’s soft with Amelia. Sweet. Devoted. And when he grovels? He GROVELS.

Amelia’s walls are sky-high, and watching this billionaire fight to tear them down is so satisfying.

I also deeply appreciated how the reveal played out when Lizzie realizes that the “mystery colleague” her dad has been confiding in and the “mystery boss” Amelia has been venting about are the same person. It could have been explosive, but instead it’s layered, emotional, and surprisingly mature. That deviation from the typical dramatic best-friend’s-dad trope made it feel fresh.

The friendship between Amelia and Lizzie honestly stole the show at times. Their bond is warm, loyal, and authentic. It even outshines parts of the romance, which just made everything feel more grounded and real.

Yes, there’s a slight pacing dip in the middle when they’re in Amelia’s hometown and Lizzie is dragging everyone around wedding activities—I would have loved more visible longing and charged tension during that stretch. But once the wedding drama kicks in (Lizzie’s mom, fiancé, family tension), the story accelerates again and does not slow down.

With Amelia coming from a large family (six siblings!), the cast is big, but the glossary in the back helps a lot. And honestly, the found-family chaos adds to the charm.

What truly makes this book shine is the emotional intensity. I felt Amelia’s heartbreak. I laughed at the banter. I squealed when Alex sees her again in her hometown. The mutual pining? Exquisite. The forced proximity? Delicious. The grovel? Chef’s kiss.

As the first book in the Off My Feet series, this sets the bar incredibly high. If the rest of the series is even half as addictive as Amelia and Alex’s story, we are in for a wild ride.

This was romantic, angsty, swoony, and impossible to put down.

Five stars. 💫

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 out of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book so much—it is absolute perfection! I can happily say that a book dedicated to us finally served and delivered exactly what we needed. I picked it up and genuinely could not put it down; I told myself “just one more chapter” about twelve times until suddenly it was 3 AM and I had finished the entire thing in one sitting.

The energy and the vibes were immaculate from the very first meet-cute at the coffee shop. Amelia’s sassiness and ray-of-sunshine personality are the perfect balance to Alex’s grumpiness. For a full year, they dance around an electric attraction as she works as his personal assistant. We’re talking long lunches, late nights at the office, and the kind of mutual pining that makes your heart ache. The tension builds beautifully until that "fuck it" moment where they finally give in—and let me tell you, it was worth the wait. 🫠🔥

However, the heartbreak is visceral when Alex panics after their night together and calls it a “mistake.” Amelia’s reaction felt so real—she doesn’t stay to fight; she quits, blocks him, and flies home to help her best friend, Lizzie, with her wedding. But then comes the twist that left my jaw on the floor: the man she’s trying to forget walks into the room because he’s the Father of the Bride. 😱 Watching Alex realize he’s about to lose the only woman he’s ever loved—and seeing him desperately grovel to prove he messed up—was pure gold.

What truly makes this book shine is the emotional intensity and the amazing "found family" chaos of Amelia’s six siblings. While there’s a slight pacing dip in the middle with the wedding errands, the story accelerates again once the drama kicks in. The friendship between Amelia and Lizzie is so warm and authentic that it almost steals the show. This was romantic, angsty, swoony, and the perfect start to the Off My Feet series. If the rest of the books are even half as addictive as Amelia and Alex’s story, we are in for a wild ride! 🥂✨

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing Around This by Miley Howard was such a fun surprise for me — and my first book by Miley Howard! 📚✨ Safe to say it absolutely won’t be my last.

If you know me, you know I have a serious weakness for a grumpy single dad… and while that isn’t the main trope here, it definitely scratches that itch in the best way. Alex? Grumpy, protective, soft where it counts. Say less 😮‍💨🫶.

And the chemistry between Alex and Amelia is OFF. THE. CHARTS 🔥. From their banter to the tension to the softer moments, I was kicking my feet and giggling the entire time 🤭💞. They just work so well together and their dynamic is genuinely addictive to read.

This book is just FUN 🪩. Like the kind of fun that makes you grin while reading and accidentally stay up later than planned because you need to see what happens next. The friendships, the found-family vibes, the chaos, the comedy — it all comes together so effortlessly 🥹.

Miley’s writing is honestly so lovely and easy to sink into. It’s warm, witty, and full of heart 💌✨ and I already know I’ll be picking up more of her books in the future.

As the first book in the Off My Feet series, this has me so excited for what’s coming next 📖💫. I would absolutely love a book about Lizzie (aka Bean) and obviously Haven and Dax need their moment too 👀. Honestly? At this point I’d read a book about basically any of the characters in this world because Miley made them all feel so real and lovable.

The friendship, the family, the romance, the humour — this book really does have a bit of everything 💕👨‍👧‍👦✨.

There aren’t any particularly heavy themes in this one, which makes it such an easy, enjoyable read but I’d still recommend checking the trigger warnings before diving in if you do have triggers ⚠️.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s sweet, funny, full of chemistry, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face, this one is definitely worth picking up 🩷💃📚

[Emily Knaus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! I’m all for a workplace, age-gap (23/40), AND besties Dad romance!! This one ticks all the boxes and more. There’s heart and humor with plenty of spice!

Amelia has worked for Alex for an entire year when they finally act on their mutual attraction. The slow burn build up and creates the most delicious tension. However, in a moment of panic Alex says it was a mistake. The only logical response for Amelia is to quit and go home early before her besties wedding.

Alex immediately regrets his actions and plans to track Amelia down but has to fly out for his daughter’s upcoming wedding… (see where this is going). Lo and behold who shows up in Amelia’s kitchen but Alex or “Zander” who is her besties Dad. At home Amelia goes my Minnie and they call Alex’s daughter Elizabeth “Bean”. So for a whole year Amelia has talked to Bean about being in love with her coworker, who happens to be the same secretary Alex has mentioned he has feelings for. This was done so freaking well!! A total oh crap moment.

This book was sooo good. It’s emotional, and grounding in so many ways. I loved that both Amelia and Alex saw different sides to each other outside of the office. I loved how persistent and patient Alex was with Amelia. And once Bean connects the dots, operation get these two back together begins.

“We’ve been dancing around this, around us, for a year. I want you next to me every night.”

Gah! I just loved Daddy Alex. So kind and thoughtful. Taking care of Amelia, the sweet eldest daughter doing all the things for other people and always being there for them. The chemistry between them is incredible and the spice is immaculate. Gotta love a woman who knows what she wants and man determined to make her his.

A huge thank you to Miley Howard and Ember Literary PR for the early copy!

[Anh Duong · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4★

This one surprised me in a really good way.

I went in thinking it would be a straightforward boss/assistant romance, but it ended up giving me a lot more emotional depth than I expected. The tension between Amelia and Alex is there right from the start—very much that “we both feel it but won’t admit it” energy—and it made the first half super engaging.

That late-night turning point? Yeah… that hurt. I really felt for Amelia in that moment, and I completely understood why she ran. For me, that’s where the story really hooked me emotionally, because it stopped being just about attraction and became about trust, timing, and vulnerability.

Amelia was easy to root for. I liked that she didn’t just forgive and forget—she has walls, and honestly, they make sense. She’s hurt, and she’s trying to protect herself, which made her reactions feel realistic instead of overdramatic.

Alex, on the other hand… definitely frustrated me at first. The whole “calls it a mistake” thing made me want to scream. But I did appreciate that he actually regrets it and spends the rest of the story trying to fix what he broke. For me, his redemption arc worked because you could feel that he genuinely didn’t want to lose her.

The wedding setting added such a fun but also emotionally complicated layer. I liked how they had to keep pretending to be strangers while being constantly thrown together—it created so many awkward, tension-filled moments that I ate up.

If I had one small issue, it’s that some of the conflict felt a bit drawn out toward the end. I understood why Amelia hesitated, but I did start wanting things to resolve a little faster.

Overall, though, this hit that sweet spot between angsty and swoony for me. If you like second-chance romance with emotional payoff, stubborn characters, and a bit of workplace drama, this is definitely worth picking up.

[Adele Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5/5
Spice: 3/5
Tropes/themes: age gap, boss/employee, boss/secretary, miscommunication

After running into each other at a coffee shop and experiencing MAJOR attraction but missing their opportunity, neither CEO Alex nor Amelia expect to see each other the very next day for Amelia's onboarding as Alex's new PA.

Amelia (the oldest daughter in a large family) is so efficient that Alex quickly becomes completely reliant on her in the workspace. But he also is majorly attracted to her and wants to be around her all the time - they take lunches together, get together on weekends for 'work', he takes her home when they work late. Amelia is also very attracted to Alex and finds herself falling in love with him. After working together for about a year, they finally crack and get hot and heavy at the office after hours. But right after when Alex starts to panic about losing her, he says 'this was a mistake', which breaks Amelia's heart and she runs.

She takes off, quits, and flies home to help her best friend with her wedding early. Alex can't find her-she blocked him on her phone, and her employee file has no information about her family home.

As Amelia helps pull off a wedding for her very best friend, the father of the bride comes into town... and it's Alex!!! He immediately wants to grovel and get her back amidst hanging out with his daughter and doing wedding things.

This book was CRACK! I read it all in one sitting, couldn't put it down, couldn't sleep until I finished it. I experienced visceral reactions to Amelia's heartache. I laughed along with the banter; I squealed when Alex sees Amelia in her hometown!

Miley Howard, I want to read book 2! And as a fellow PNWr, I appreciated the tourist destinations!

[Smut Goblin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dancing Around This is a fast-paced office romance with open-door spice, second-chance tension, and a wedding reunion at its center.

The boss/assistant dynamic is established right away, and when that tension shows up, it adds a fun spark to their interactions. Amelia and Alex clearly have chemistry, and their first intimate scene definitely brings the heat. Later on, I thought it was sweet when he called her “sunshine”... little moments like that added warmth to their connection.

This story moves very quickly, especially when it comes to the development of their relationship. Readers who enjoy instant-connection romances and fast emotional escalation may really enjoy that aspect. I personally tend to prefer a slower build, so I found myself wishing for a bit more time to see their feelings deepen and unfold on the page.

The wedding setting creates opportunities for second-chance conversations, and Alex’s desire to make things right is clear. I would have loved to see more emotional unpacking between them, but I appreciated that he ultimately steps forward and acknowledges what he wants.

For a debut, this is a confidently written story. The pacing is brisk, the dialogue flows well, and the spice is solid. While it wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal reading preferences, I can see this working well for readers who enjoy quick, passionate romances with strong physical chemistry.

Wishing Miley Howard all the best with her debut release.

[Sheridan Mullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing you should know about me is that I love an age-gap romance. Gimme dad’s best friend, best friend’s dad, ex’s dad, 10+ yr gap… all of it. It’s absolutely my guilty pleasure, and this book hit the spot perfectly.

The friendship and tension between Alex and Amelia felt real from the start. Their banter was fun and natural, and I loved how they genuinely brought out the best in each other. Alex clearly makes Amelia happy, and the longing he’s carried for her for so long is palpable on the page.

What really made this romance work for me is that it never felt flimsy or rushed. Alex and Amelia already had a solid foundation built on friendship. They’d known each other for a year, spending hours together almost every day, so their transition into something more felt earned and believable. It didn’t feel forced the way some age-gap romances can.

Yes, some of Alex’s gestures are a bit over the top (he is rich), but honestly… that’s part of the fun and exactly what romance girlies sign up for.

I’ll admit I was a little surprised by some of the reactions from others when their relationship came to light, but it didn’t ruin the experience for me.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and found it to be a satisfying, well-developed age-gap romance that knew exactly what it was doing.

[Prerna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia Sinclair is organised, efficient and in love with her boss. Alex Delgado is going through the motions of running a billion dollar tech company until Amelia blazes into his life bringing laughter, passion and peppermint mocha coffees (even in August). Their banter and mutual attraction leads to a steamy night at the office where Alex inadvertently breaks her heart, sending Amelia running back home.

As luck would have it, their separation is only temporary when a wedding reunited them. Except the bride is Amelia’s best friend, and also happens to be Alex’s daughter.

Tensions run high and their lust grows stronger as Amelia and Alex are forced to acknowledge their feelings for each other that refuse to go away. I thoroughly enjoyed the snark, sass and spice between Amelia, Alex and Bean as Amelia and Alex are forced to hide their secret from family and friends in the lead up to Bean’s wedding.

The light moments between Amelia and Bean are an endearing portrayal of chosen family love, sisterhood and having each other’s backs. The dramas of wedding planning and the events leading up to it throw Amelia and Alex together more than they would like with hilarious and heartwarming results.

Miley does an exceptional job with dialogue, memorable characters, and setting up the small town scene. I loved Dancing Around This and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[rosesreadsromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪩“We’ve been dancing around this, around us, for a year. I want you next to me every night. We’re not wasting any more time. Already wasted too damn much”💃🏻


I loved this book so much! ❤️📚
Amelia is exactly the kind of main character I adore — sassy, confident, and absolutely unapologetic 🔥 She knows she’s beautiful and talented and never lets anyone push her around. But at the same time she’s emotional, loyal, and would go to hell for the people she loves 💕
And then there’s Alex … a grumpy silver fox 🦊 a tech industry tycoon, incredibly intelligent, handsome, and so sexy 🤤 I’m honestly weak for characters like him 😍
I also loved Minnie’s family 🏡 They were written so warmly that it made me wish I could sit down and have dinner with them 🥰
And Alex’s relationship with his daughter? Beautiful and heartwarming. He’s supportive, caring, and would do anything to make her happy 🥹
Minnie and Bean’s friendship is everything 👯‍♀️ True ride or die energy. They support each other, understand each other without words, and their bond feels so real 🥂

This book gave me everything I love:
✨ age gap 🤍
✨ millionaire romance 💰
✨ grumpy and sunshine 😒☀️
✨ workplace romance 💼
✨ mutual pining 😩
✨ found family 🫶
✨ angst 💔
✨ banter 😏
✨ and some very spicy scenes 🌶️❤️‍🔥

I had such a great time reading this one! 💫


📖 Dancing Around This by Miley Howard (ARC) 🩷💜

[Amanda Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ 4.5 stars | 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I had so much fun with this one. Dancing Around This was one of those reads that just flows—you blink and suddenly you’re halfway through the book because the pacing is that smooth.

We get a grumpy, rich single-dad MMC and a sunshine FMC who ends up tangled in a mess. The setup alone had me hooked, and the tension between them delivered.

I especially loved the way the family dynamics were handled. The reactions felt surprisingly mature, realistic, and kept the conflict from turning into unnecessary drama.

There were a few moments that stretched believability for me (mainly the whole how do none of these people know each other’s names?? situation), but the story was so fun and easy to read that I mostly just rolled with it.

One of my favorite things about this book was that the third-act conflict wasn’t between the main characters. They still had something big to overcome, but it wasn’t the typical “we break up for no reason” trope, which I really appreciated.

Also… the “Dicktionary” at the end listing the smut scenes was hilarious and honestly kind of iconic.

The ending leans into a trope that’s not always my favorite, but overall this was a super entertaining, fast, spicy read that kept me smiling the whole time.

🎧 Song that sounds like this book: Dark Sun — Dayseeker

[Kelsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️

Oh. My. Wow. Not for one second did I want to put this book down… I was highly tempted to put all adult responsibilities aside in order to stay completely immersed in this story because it was just so amazing! Alex and Amelia are characters you will immediately fall in love with and be rooting for them to confess their feelings and live happily ever after! Of course nothing is ever that easy so even while their attraction is mutual one misstep sends their relationship careening into a series of will they, won’t they, can they possibly? That’ll leave you on the edge of your seat wanting to know what’s going to happen next, while laughing at their constant banter, swooning over some very romantic moments that are topped off with plenty of spice, and of course falling in love with the entire Sinclair family! I truly can’t wait to read more from Miley Howard and Dancing Around This is one that you absolutely will want to add to your TBR immediately!

[Lynda Malone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing Around This

This book was so much fun. Full of loveable characters, a wonderful story and so many tropes. Age gap (MMC older by 17years), work place romance and a few more but you'll just have to read to find out what they are.

The spark and ongoing chemistry between our FMC Amelia and our MMC Alex sets the pages alight and it keeps burning right through till the end. Add in lots of fun and engaging side characters and you get a well rounded story that keeps you entertained.

Miley writes with a lightness that makes you smile and laugh but she also expresses hurt and pain so well that you feel it yourself as our characters feel it. This is the first book of Miley's that I have read and I am certainly looking forward to more in this series.

There are so many people in this world and I want to know what their stories are. If you want a fun, engaging story, go ahead and grab this book. This one gets 4 stars from me.

[LaurenAsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 Stars

Amelia and Alex are some of the most lovable idiots, possibly ever. I love them both but I also want to knock their heads together to try and knock some sense into them sooner. The near misses between the two in each other’s lives is only makes this story more intriguing! 

The build up of tension between the two is magnetic. Their story only gets stronger as they work through their troubles. The “f*ck it” moment and then grovel… top tier romance goodness. Also THE T-SHIRT MOMENT(S) lives rent free in my brain. The side characters are incredibly sassy (& I MOST all of them, IYKYK) and have me ITCHING for more content in this world.

I’m also incredibly obsessed with anything Miley writes. I love the neurospicy representation that is always there! This is just another example of her superb storytelling.

Thank you Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the ARC! I loved every minute of reading this book and cannot WAIT for the next in the series!

[☆Laura☆ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia intenta reconstruir su vida tras un accidente que cambió su vida, así que acepta un trabajo como asistente personal aunque no cumpla con todos los requisitos. Su nuevo jefe, Alex, es un CEO brillante pero difícil de complacer, conocido por hacer que nadie dure mucho tiempo trabajando con él.

Lo que ninguno espera es lo fácil que resulta trabajar juntos. La energía de ella rompe la rutina rígida de él, y la convivencia diaria convierte su relación profesional en algo cada vez más cercano. A medida que la confianza crece, también lo hace una atracción que ambos intentan ignorar.



______________



Me gustó como se trato todo.

Me sorprendió la manera de reaccionar de Lizzie al enterarse de la relacion. No puedo esperar por su final feliz.


Gracias Ember Literary PR por el ARC.

[Hali Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dancing Around This by Miley Howard
Releasing March 6th

✨ Bestfriend’s Dad
✨ Age Gap
✨ Found Family
✨ Angst/Banter
✨ Billionaire Boss
✨ Personal Assistant
✨ Mutual Pining


I was hooked after the first chapter. I really love a book that catches my attention on the first page, and this one did just that! I enjoyed reading this so much because it isn’t your typical best friend’s dad romance. Amelia and Alex had no idea who each other were and their relationship was built without anyone else’s interference. Not going into detail because I don’t want to spoil anything, but this one is a great read if you want something with amazing banter, spice and found family. I loved the relationship between Millie and Lizzie (aka) Bean. Also, Millie’s family was hilarious and I loved how accepting they were of Alex. Definitely recommend reading this one!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Courtney Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this for my honest review

Our story begins when our FMC is interviewing for a new job. Did she apply for it after drinking, maybe? But that doesn't mean she can't do it. It's a personal assistant position and after being the eldest daughter in a family of 7 kids - she can manage anything. Our MMC is known as a grump who goes through PAs like tissues - until her. They spend a year working together, both quietly pining for the other - until one night when they can't resist. But when he says he immediately regrets it, she runs. Her best friend is getting married and although she isn't officially the maid of honor - she's taking on all those duties. And when her best friend's dad comes to help she is shocked to see her boss in her parents kitchen. Now he will do whatever he can to prove he didn't mean it and wants to win her back.

[Nicole Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex and Amelia are sassy and absolutely adorable. Bean is my absolute favorite though. The amount of banter has me leaping for joy. There’s so much - and it’s not just between Alex and Amelia. Amelia and Bean have the best friendship ever and I’m completely here for it. The fact that they didn’t even know that her best friend’s dad was Alex - that was so much fun to see them navigate that situation, after the HUGE mistake Alex made. I was so mad at him! But what kind of workplace billionaire romance doesn’t have a ton of groveling? I genuinely can’t recommend this book enough! I loved every single aspect of it - the family, the workplace, the age gap, the idiots to lovers (x 2). The Neurospicy rep was done so well - I applaud Miley! I could go on and on but to put it simply - READ THIS BOOK.

[Betsy Winkler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a sucker for a good age gap and these two fit the bill! Alex and Amelia are so perfect for each other and their banter is so sweet.

Amelia drunkenly applies for a personal assistant job for a big CEO and lo and behold, she gets the job! Little did she know that she had actually met him before but didn’t know at the time that he would be her new boss. They have one of the best meet cutes I’ve read in awhile. When they both realize the other should be off limits, they manage to build this great friendship foundation before they FINALLY give in to the crazy chemistry they have! It is fire and would definitely have been in my list of office fantasies 😉 However, like most guys, he messes things up and causes her to run. Then, the craziest thing happens, they finally realize they have a mutual person of interest in their lives. Turns out, Alex is her best friend’s dad! He tries his hardest to win her back while they’re all together for Lizzie’s (best friend) wedding but will it be enough? Can she forgive him for what he said before and will Lizzie be okay with this or will it ruin their friendship? Check it out to find out!

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down!!!!

Minnie is looking for a job since she is no longer attending college.
Alex is looking for a personal assistance/secretary, and he is very particular.
Minnie is on paper not qualified for the position, but she is more than qualified with life experience with so many siblings at home.
Her getting the assistant position is not the first time they met though.......
She is everything he did not know he needed, and he is not how she was told he would be.
Their story gets more and more complicated, and the drama definitely keeps you on your toes!

You should definitely read if you enjoy:
Billionaire boss x secretary/assistant
Best friend's dad
Mutual pining
Age gap
Banter (oh, it's so good!)
Crazy Exe's

Thank you to Miley Howard and Ember Literary PR for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read this amazing story!

[Aude Laliberté · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Thank you for Ember PR and Miley Howard for the ARC*
Sadly, this wasn't for me. Have I become a grumpy bitch? That's one hypothesis. Listen: I loved the first 25% of the book. The yearning was delicious - I loved that we were getting his perspective also. They both try so hard to avoid this attraction and yet the dude installs umbrellas on all the company outdoor tables because she got a sunburn, once. And then, some plot twist happens, which is nice but it's also where it stalled for me. The dialogues between the FMC and her BFF are just insufferable to my 40 year old ears. And since the MMC is also supposed to be 40 - it begs the question: how can he have survived through it? Couldn't continue on. Surely a me problem. *Exists the door while walking backwards and frantically looking side to side.*

[Extraspicybooklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing Around This by Miley Howard
Off My Feet book 1

Amelia has been working for Alex for almost a year. Amelia is his perfect assistant. They have witty banter and an insane amount of chemistry but they never cross that line of no training back. Until the one night they do cross that line and the spice be spicin 😮‍💨😏
Immediately after Alex does the worst thing he could have, calls the night a mistake. Amelia is devastated and she immediately gets a flight home and runs to her family and best friend.
And then it gets complicated in the best way ever! 😏💕 Alex definitely needs to grovel and that he does. I freaking love these 2 💫
I absolutely fell in love with all the characters in this book! Amelia’s family and best friend make it absolutely hilarious!

[Alli Pomy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Author

Thank you to Ember Literary PR and Miley Howard for the free ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The grumpy CEO and sassy assistant dynamic was so cutsie and the tension had me giggling the whole time. Their chemistry felt really natural and the banter really made the story bloom.

The spice was definitely a 5🌶️😝. The tension builds for a while and when it finally happens it feels earned. Also the bathroom scene ahhhh! Like GIRL.😫
I also loved the small mention of
Powell's Books. As someone who absolutely loves bookstores that detail made me smile. 📚

It is 4⭐ instead of 5⭐ for me because a few moments felt a little rushed. Still a really fun romance that kept me hooked. 💕

[GoodLittleLibraryMouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll talk about the romance in a bit, but what really needs to be praised first and foremost is the friendship between Amelia and Lizzie (Minnie & Bean)! This is true, ride or die, would take a bullet for you, will help bury the bodies, type of best friend.
One of the greatest things in Miley Howard's book is that the drama didn't come from an unsupportive family, the romance at the heart of this story is about two adults pining for each other.
So if you're in it for the yearning, the push and pull of their hearts, Dancing Around This is for you.

Thank you for gifting me an advanced reader copy. Review reflective of my personal opinions