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Slow Dance: A MM Enemies to Lovers Romance

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Seventeen years ago, Malik Carter and Julian Reed were inseparable.
Music bound them together. Friendship turned into something deeper. Then one betrayal shattered everything, turning first love into silence and resentment neither of them ever truly escaped.

Now Malik is a global R&B star, out, unapologetic, and living loudly in the spotlight. Julian is a celebrated jazz pianist, private, controlled, and carefully closeted, having built his career on discipline and restraint. They have not spoken in years. They were never supposed to cross paths again.

Until the industry forces them onto the same tour.

For four months, Malik and Julian are trapped in shared venues, shared stages, and the echo of everything they lost. Two months across the United States. Two months in Europe. Old wounds surface. Tension sparks. Music becomes both weapon and bridge as unfinished truths rise to the surface. Malik demands honesty. Julian is forced to confront the fear that shaped every choice he ever made.

As desire resurfaces and the past refuses to stay buried, both men must decide what they are willing to risk for love, for truth, and for themselves.

Slow Dance is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers MM romance about Black queer love, the cost of secrecy, and finding your way back after heartbreak. Emotional, sensual, and driven by music, this is a story about forgiveness, survival, and the rhythm that never truly leaves you.

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 27, 2026

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About the author

D. Sparks

12 books35 followers
You may know me by Dreia Wells! Writer of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy. I am originally from Houston, Texas but I have live in England for over 13 years now. D. Sparks is my alter ego!! Writer of Contemporary and Dark Romance. Join me in the flames!!

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5 stars
33 (71%)
4 stars
11 (23%)
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1 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
Profile Image for UlandaEReads.
68 reviews3 followers
March 27, 2026
Rollercoaster Ride of Emotional

This is a MM Friends to Enemies to Lovers Story. This storyline took me on an emotional ride. There is family drama and there is friendship drama. If you have ever been in love with someone you done like at all this is the book for you. Just be prepared to shed a few tears. I really enjoyed this book. I recommend 9/10. And yes they get spicy.
Profile Image for LaTosha Webber.
1,301 reviews78 followers
March 27, 2026
I’m the type of reader who doesn’t mind when you break my heart a little bit (or a lot) as long as you give me a really good story. And the way this story gripped me and wouldn’t let me go it was exactly that. Julian made my heart hurt so much with the weight of hiding who he was. This story is heavy with internal monologue, it builds out brick by brick everything Julian is carrying. Broken up by the growth Malik is fighting his way towards. In their own ways each character is fighting to be honest with themselves. And like a suspense novel you are gripped by the where, when, and how. At one point I couldn’t see how Julian (or me) could ever forgive Malik and then out of nowhere it settles into your being that forgiving him is easy because sometimes people are just made for each other and they can’t be truly happy without the other. That they have so much love it simply outweighs everything else. This was such an amazing read for anyone who loves the depth of human emotion and being trapped in moment after moment of tension until everything explodes in raw ways that don’t always make sense but make you believe in love. This story helped me understand sometimes in their heart the hurt person has already forgiven the other person, so they don’t need groveling, they need to know that the person who hurt them understands the depth of the pain they caused and that they won’t do it again. This is one of those stories you just can’t put down!
Profile Image for Angelbelle Reads.
261 reviews32 followers
March 24, 2026
Thank you Dreia for the early copy.

🐌Sloooow burn
✨Black queer romance
💗Second chance
🔥Enemies to lovers

17 years ago a betrayal ended a would be relationship between best friends Malik and Julian. Now the two are forced to share space and navigate feelings as they go on a music tour together

‘Julian simply exists, and excellence follows.’

Ok with the yearning!! Dreia has once again given us an emotional love story. The fear and stress that Julian went through had me wanting to hug him but also tell him eff whoever has something smart to say cause huh 🤔 bird brains lol

The relationship between Malik and Julian was very tastefully done ✨and I feel like so much went into the characters

Now yall this is a slow burn so don’t go in thinking the humping happens right away lol they have to work their way back to each other

And to whoever was responsible for that pic come see me 🥾💥
Profile Image for KT Brock.
203 reviews3 followers
April 6, 2026
Slow Dance is a deeply emotional journey that perfectly captures the tension and heat of the enemies-to-lovers trope. The chemistry between the Malik and Julian is palpable, making their gradual shift from animosity to something much deeper feel incredibly earned and rewarding. While the romance is central, the story doesn't shy away from heavy themes, so readers should be aware of triggers including past physical and emotional abuse, homophobia, and depictions of trauma. The author handles these sensitive topics with a raw honesty that adds significant weight to the characters' growth and their eventual healing. It’s a beautifully written, slow-burn story that balances intense spice with genuine heart. If you're looking for a romance that isn't afraid to get a little gritty before reaching its happy ending, this is definitely worth the read.
1,002 reviews4 followers
April 2, 2026
Ms. D gives us a fantastic standalone book! The story of Malik and Julian begins with them getting together for the music they love with it slowly becoming more, but they have wildly different approaches for dealing with their se#uality, Malik out and proud, Julian hiding it from everyone. Malik betrays Julian leading to a 17 year separation and pain on both sides. Then they are forced to do a 4 month tour together. To find out how they get from there to their hard won HEA, dive into this wonderfully written story with complex characters and plot twists that keep you turning pages throughout. I loved reading this story and highly recommend it! Don't miss out on this book!!
Profile Image for Suzanne McNeill Taviner.
2,319 reviews13 followers
March 27, 2026
Wow, this was an emotional ride of a book! Julian and Malik started out a boyhood friends then became enemies then lovers but those transitions were not easy, at any point.
This was such a compelling story that made you think about what all the characters were going through. I loved the way Malik accepted and loved Julian without pressuring him to be more out or public about his sexuality, he allowed Julian to make his own decisions, and when he did he was steadfast in that.
Profile Image for Ashley Clark.
809 reviews18 followers
April 8, 2026
Great MM romance, friends to lovers and enemies to lovers as well. Haven’t read too many books about musicians. Love how each man has a different music profession. One is R&B and the other is a pianist. They both thought they never see each other again after their break up. Now they are n tour together. They must learn to be around each other again. Jump on this emotional read to find out how they deal with being on tour together.
Profile Image for Kalexreads.
1,486 reviews7 followers
March 26, 2026
This was such a hauntingly emotional story of forgiveness and finally living one’s life as their own. Malik and Julian have a history. Malik orchestrated for Julian to join him on tour, even though they haven’t spoken in almost two decades. Things come to a head during the tour when Julian’s emotions finally boil over. A slow burn, but the spice was worth it. Loved it!!!
Profile Image for Cleocutie.
3,265 reviews25 followers
March 31, 2026
Good book full of emotions. Julian and Malik were childhood friends who became enemies and then, after circumstances force them together again, became closer than ever. None of the changes are easy for them and it takes time, but it was interesting to see them slowly coming to grips with the past and growing close again.
Profile Image for Ann Brown.
3,707 reviews24 followers
April 1, 2026
A beautiful, emotional read of two people drawn back together through the music they create. Malik betrayed Julian seventeen years ago causing so much pain but goes on tour with Julian and that leads to their relationship slowly blooming despite Julian hiding his sexuality from his parents and the world. Loved the characters and their journey.
Profile Image for Amanda Schumacher.
366 reviews13 followers
March 19, 2026
I love D Sparks! Her books are absolutely amazing and really funny. There are some mentions of characters from a previous series and I love it! I giggled and just really enjoyed reading this book.
Profile Image for Oreee💋.
309 reviews
April 20, 2026
This is my first D. Sparks novel and my first 5-star book that I have read this year.

I loved this. I am Black, and I am always on the hunt for romance with Black characters at the center, and this ticked every box I had in mind. It was very cute. This is what real enemies-to-lovers feels like to me (although it seemed a little one-sided because Julian was the one who hated and loved Malik lol).

When I found out the reason why they stopped being friends, I was VERY pissed at Malik and did not know how Julian was going to forgive him, but later in the story, I realized that Malik deeply regretted what he did and wanted to atone for his wrongdoing, and I believe he deserved a second chance. He did not do what he did with any ill intent; he was just a scared teenage boy. However, if Julian did not forgive him, I would have understood as well. For someone to use your work to get as big of an artist as Malik was, while basically being trapped under a record label that is treating you like shit, feels so sad. Especially when that person was your best friend.

From the beginning of the novel, Julian was pretty miserable to me; he seemed like he was not even alive. He was essentially a struggling pianist. But with the tour that was basically an "apology" from Malik, he was able to figure out how to be more independent and eventually stop hiding his true self. I was so proud of him when he went on that stage and told the world that he was a gay Black man and proud of it (as he should be). It was a complete 180 from his character that would have stayed quiet and let people walk all over him (cough* cough* his parents) in the beginning. He had such good character development (10/10 on that). Back to Malik, he felt so ashamed of what he did and was essentially hiding behind the tour. I was glad about the turning point of the story where Julian snapped at him (that was a long time coming and well deserved). It made him realize that he had to come face-to-face and not only apologize for what he did but also do better moving forward. 10/10 as well on the character development.

As for the other characters (Asha, Cyaire, Eli, Renee, and even Portia), they were also well-written. I honestly liked them except Damon and Julian's mom (for obvious reasons). I could tell that Julian and Malik were the main characters, but the secondary characters were not put on the back burner. I am expecting a book for Cyaire and James (cough*cough), and I will gladly read it when it comes out. Anyway, that is all I have to say. This was a job well done.

This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for noa A.
611 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2026
I’m 6 chapters in and I honestly can’t understand why this book has such a high rating.

I’m exhausted reading it. The constant inner monologues are so heavy and depressing.

I get that it’s become trendy to write characters with depression as a way to add “depth” (but to me it doesn’t feel like depth, just relentless sadness), and the fact that the main characters are Black and gay probably makes them automatically more likeable to some readers—but I’m sorry, I just didn’t connect with them at all.

Both Julian and Malik keep repeating over and over that they’re living behind masks, hiding from the people around them, not expressing emotions, etc. But they’re 35 years old—if you’re unhappy with your life, change your circumstances.

As for the plot itself: six chapters of internal reflection about each other, about a betrayal that is barely even described, and about how deeply it affected them and how they never got over it—even though it happened 17 years ago. It doesn’t feel realistic at all. I’m 28 and I barely remember high school, let alone being emotionally stuck in something from that long ago.

Up to chapter 6 they don’t even meet, and meanwhile each of them is sleeping with other people in scenes that come across as pretty uncomfortable, almost like an act of control.

Overall, I didn’t connect with it at all and I don’t think I’ll be continuing.
453 reviews3 followers
April 2, 2026
As I started to read Slow Dance, I just figured another MM romance ok, however as I started reading, the author wrote so eloquently about young about love, the mistake that damaged the connection to it, the fear of being judge for loving the wrong person, not fitting in to society or family’s approval. In this case MM, but what of other relationships the rich man with the poor girl, an older person with a young person. As the author wrote about the mistake of youth, the fear of approval. Could a bridge ever help heal and bring Malik and Julian back together after 17 years? Could the music help them build a new connection and could Julian gather the courage to live life on his own teams. I literally read this book in a few hours as the exquisite writing has you feeling the anger, the pain and the fear. At one point I was crying myself at as I felt the pain and fear of these two individual’s stories.
31 reviews
April 3, 2026
Two men, one betrayal, finally facing each other. Julian and Malik were friends at school, until they weren't. This picks up seventeen years later, as they try to face the betrayal that led to their lives taking vastly different paths.

The story is slow burn, right up until it's not! Lots of delicious angst and pining while they get their heads round everything. The build up until we find out what Malik *actually* did is wonderfully paced, at the outcome is at once idealised and realistic.

Julian and Malik are perfect foils for each other - complete opposites on the surface, but a perfect match under it all. The supporting cast is fantastic, people you love, people you don't and a few I want to see more of.

Loved this overall, and I hope we see more of them, and their friends.
70 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 24, 2026
ARC REVIEW
*
To the world, they are known as Julian Reed and Malik Carter but to each other…they are Miles and Symphony 🎶🎷🎼🎹🎵
*
Black MM romance
Angsty slow burn
Forced proximity
*

Friends to enemies to lovers 💙💙💙 what a journey this book took us on. The title of this book is Slow Dance and let me tell you….it is exactly that! The build up between Julian and Malik was achingly, delicious. On top of this being a sweet, romantic story, I always appreciate books that include real life complexities such as navigating sexuality in a family that isn’t accepting and dealing with the fallout. A few times I said ‘Malik got some nerve’ LOL! BUT...he was not playing about his Miles and he made sure Miles knew in a very special way.
Profile Image for Kerri Vogel.
648 reviews1 follower
March 28, 2026
A wonderful and emotional mm romance that explores the difference between a person who is out and one who is afraid to own his truth because of his upbringing. You really see the effect that ones family and their beliefs can have on your ability to live your truth. It's a heartfelt story of past wrongs and a slow journey towards each other again. Malik wronged Julian in a terrible way, and though he didn't realize the repurcussians of what he did, it leads to a 17 year separation that he was desperate to end. They find their way back to each other due to a forced proximity. I loved that the story is set in the same world as the author's hockey series and loved all the Easter eggs of characters. I am also super excited about what story might be next after reading the bonus epilogue!
Profile Image for Ace.
154 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2026
Malik and Julian's journey is such a messy, but human trip, you can't help but feel for both of them at different points as the story reveals more of they are at present vs the past. The people in their lives also play a critical role and function for how they both cope and live. I loved the backdrop of music, from the work, to the fame, to it being used as a form of expression, even when it's weaponized. There are so many points I had to throw my hands up or cover my mouth in horror reading about these two. The big themes of loss, grief, betrayal, vulnerability and love, chosen family felt satisfying by the end.

I really enjoyed this! 🙌🏾🖤

I received this for free through the ARK program and these are my honest thoughts.
Profile Image for Nicole Henderson.
873 reviews4 followers
April 4, 2026
This is an absolutely beautiful MM love story filled with emotional highs and heartbreaking challenges. One character is openly proud of who he is, while the other remains closeted, held back by family expectations.
When they’re forced into close proximity again, all the unresolved feelings from their past relationship come rushing back. The author does an incredible job capturing the tension, longing, and pain—so much so that the heartache feels almost tangible.
Through every obstacle and emotional setback, you can’t help but wonder: will they find their way back to each other and finally get the love they deserve?
Wonderfully written and deeply moving—I highly recommend it!
Profile Image for Mazmum.
1,760 reviews14 followers
May 15, 2026
4.5 stars

It’s tagged as enemies to lovers but it’s more exs where one betrays the other (not romantically) and then 17 years later they still haven’t gotten past it. It might feel that Malik was easily forgiven but I think it’s more that nobody could punish him more than he had punished himself.

And again it was him that pushed the two of them back into each other’s orbit but in doing so he made it possible for Julian to finally start living his truth.

It’s funny that this book is about musicians as there is a lovely rhythmic cadence to the authors writing of their story. I really enjoyed this one.
Profile Image for Amy Judkins.
297 reviews42 followers
April 2, 2026
So absolutely beautiful! This is a MM love story with a bumpy road that the Author takes on through the story. One is out and proud of that, the other is closeted with family who keeps him from coming out.
They are forced into close proximity and brings all the emotions back from their past relationship. Dealing with all of these stumbling blocks makes so much heartache which is almost tangible.
Will they be able to reconnect and continue their love story with each other?
Wonderfully written, I highly recommend it!
2,071 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 25, 2026
If you don't mind a little MM enemies to lovers romance then you will love this. Malik and Julian were friends and something more a long time ago and when betrayal hits they go their seperate ways. With promising careers they each have and tgen forced to tour together we get an enemies to lovers vibe close proximity and sparks that just fly. These characters captured my heart and the twists kept me reading. Loved it.
Profile Image for Alina.
988 reviews7 followers
April 3, 2026
I found the story of 'Slow Dance' to be a complex ode to the deep layers of not only the tides of a relationship, but with one's true self expression and in what that may look like for them. The inner journey of each of our 2 MC's with not only their sexual identities, but their outer journeys was compelling to read. From friends to enemies due to betrayal and to romantic partners is such a great story arc. Forgiveness and growth. Such beautiful messages. Worth a read.
185 reviews3 followers
April 4, 2026
it had potential to be a good read but the slow pace was just too much for me. i lost interest gradually the longer it dragged on that I didn't even make to them on the road together. so it may be even better further in but i just was stuggling to keep going to possibly get to best bit without skipping to it.

if you dont mind slow pace build up then this book is for you. but if you like me then you may struggle to get into it.
Profile Image for ChristiLovesBooks_smut.
2,153 reviews46 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 15, 2026
Slow Dance, by D Sparks @dreia_wells_author. Dreia is a favorite author of mine.

What an amazing book about Julian & Malik! Just WOW!Tropes: Contemporary, Gay Romance, Professional Musicians, Second Chance, Friends to/Enemies/Friends/Lovers (it's a JOURNEY!), Slow Burn/Fast Pace, Parental Drama, No 3rd Act Break Up & HEA!
17.4k reviews195 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 19, 2026
Life changed for them both 17 years ago when a betrayal broke them apart. They were everything to the other but that ended 17 years ago and each have made their own lives in the music business. Fate has other plans for these men when they have to tour together. Everything will reach a point where they may just become what they had before
79 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 26, 2026
This is such a beautiful raw story showing the complexities of betrayal by the person your soul sings for. She shows how confusing working through those feelings can be especially when the love is still there even decades later. This story shows how those 2 people manage to make their way back to one another and how messy that journey can be.
Profile Image for Kellie Waldron.
899 reviews18 followers
April 9, 2026
Malif and Julien. Friends/Enemies/Lovers in that order. Both wanting things, but for some they can't be out. Family has told them that they are bad if they do. But when forced together, all the secrets, lies and emotions come out. Can they get past everything and be together again? Great read.
770 reviews5 followers
April 20, 2026
Slow Dance explores the effects on a person who is out and one who is afraid to be out due to his upbringing. We see how family and their beliefs can weigh on people discovering who they are. Slow Dance focuses on Malik and Julian's journey of separation and reunion. Malik and Julian are brought face to face 17 years after they split. Can they work through what happened and reunite?
Profile Image for Cristal Juarez.
202 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy
March 15, 2026
Julian and Malik are forced to face their past when they are on tour together. The hurt and betrayal are hard to forget, but they eventually come together and learn forgiveness and create a beautiful song together called Slow Dance. I enjoyed reading this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews