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Taming the Tango Champion
One dance is never enough.
London TV presenter, Ava Whittaker, has a baby by twice-former Argentine Tango Champion Matthias de Romero. The problem? He doesn't know. Fast forward two years and Matthias is the judge on a new dance show where Ava is a contestant. But time hasn’t healed the wound of discovering he was engaged during their tryst whilst on holiday in the Andes, and although she’s still in love with Matthias, she carefully guards her secret…and her heart.
Still in search of answers on why Ava walked out on him while staying at his ranch two years ago, Matthias takes a place as a judge on To Dance or Not to Dance. But seeking answers only creates more questions for Matthias.
London TV presenter, Ava Whittaker, has a baby by twice-former Argentine Tango Champion Matthias de Romero. The problem? He doesn't know. Fast forward two years and Matthias is the judge on a new dance show where Ava is a contestant. But time hasn’t healed the wound of discovering he was engaged during their tryst whilst on holiday in the Andes, and although she’s still in love with Matthias, she carefully guards her secret…and her heart.
Still in search of answers on why Ava walked out on him while staying at his ranch two years ago, Matthias takes a place as a judge on To Dance or Not to Dance. But seeking answers only creates more questions for Matthias.
Unknown Binding
First published July 7, 2014
4 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
Cait O'Sullivan
8 books183 followersCait O'Sullivan is a romance author with a love of words and magic, having had the good fortune to grow up in Ireland. The wanderlust in her blood sent her out to travel the world and now, residing in a leafy suburb of London, it is her thoughts and memories that journey far and wide in order to create her stories.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 30, 2014
Woo! This story is hot! The chemistry between these past lovers is undeniably sexy and starts right away. Dancing, ranching, TV competition, babies. What more could a girl ask for? I found myself wanting to skip ahead so I could find out what happened in the relationship. The dancing had me wanting to move my hips (and I am no dancer). I got caught up in the story, the fears and anticipation Ava had while competing on the show with her ex-lover Matthias as a judge. A great story of lovers reunited and second chances made right.
May 22, 2014
Mathias comes off a tad bit strong, "Mathias grasped under her arm and pulled her to face him. "I haven't come all this way for you to turn your back on me." The words were ground out from between tight teeth." I mean the boy comes off as mean as well, "deliberately, he drew the back of his hand over his mouth. "Pliant as ever, Ava." Satisfaction smeared his voice, making a deeper emotion in his eyes. "This....conversation isn't over. But I will make you aware of one thing. No one, and I mean no one makes a fool of me. I want a DNA test done. My lawyers will be in touch." But the boy knows how to love so passionately when he allows himself, "hell. We need to be on stage for the results. Quick, cara mio." He gathered up his discarded clothes, stopped and looked right into her very soul. "You look so...beautiful. You're glowing." I liked this book, I didn't love it I liked it I thought it was missing a few factors but other than that it was a good read.
August 3, 2014
Thanks for ARC Netgalley
2.75 stars
reading the blurb i thought it was going to be really good but once i stared reading it was just ok.
2.75 stars
reading the blurb i thought it was going to be really good but once i stared reading it was just ok.
June 25, 2017
Cait O’Sullivan’s Taming the Tango Champion is tango on paper – it comes in hot and steamy, and full of passion, and just keeps ramping it up from there. The tango champion himself, Argentinian Matthias, horse trainer (mm, those thighs…) and dance master, is a barely-contained maelstrom of passionate emotions. He strides onto the first page and takes control, and hardly lets go of it long enough for our heroine, Ava, to tell her story.
Will she fall in love all over again with the completely unsuitable man who fathered her child two years ago? Will she admit to him that he is Bella’s father - and how will he react when he finds out? Most importantly of all, will they finally dance together in front of an audience? Although one suspects that if they do standards of public decency will be not only flouted, but will go up in flames and possibly bring the house down with them.
I first read Taming the Tango Champion in April and enjoyed it very much, but I wasn’t sure I really believed that two people were capable of feeling quite as much as Matthias and Ava manage to express over the course of their story. But they’ve stuck with me, their problems feel very real and the solutions just as difficult to find, and today as I read the book again I’m feeling the truth of this quote from Scent of a Woman.
“No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life, simple, that’s what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, get all tangled up, you just tango on.”
Will she fall in love all over again with the completely unsuitable man who fathered her child two years ago? Will she admit to him that he is Bella’s father - and how will he react when he finds out? Most importantly of all, will they finally dance together in front of an audience? Although one suspects that if they do standards of public decency will be not only flouted, but will go up in flames and possibly bring the house down with them.
I first read Taming the Tango Champion in April and enjoyed it very much, but I wasn’t sure I really believed that two people were capable of feeling quite as much as Matthias and Ava manage to express over the course of their story. But they’ve stuck with me, their problems feel very real and the solutions just as difficult to find, and today as I read the book again I’m feeling the truth of this quote from Scent of a Woman.
“No mistakes in the tango, darling. Not like life, simple, that’s what makes the tango so great. If you make a mistake, get all tangled up, you just tango on.”
April 7, 2017
Phew. That was a steamy read. Intense characters, story line, dance scenes and a 'will they won't they' story line that'll keep you hooked to the end.
May 28, 2014
Two stars: A dramatic romance full of miscommunication.
Matthias when asked to be a judge on the new celebrity dance show, decides he will do it if they will procure a slot for Ava, the girl who got away and stole his heart two years ago. Ava meanwhile, has settled into her role as a single mother caring for Bella, the daughter she had with Matthias, though he doesn't know it. When Ava is approached to do the dance show, she signs on, not knowing that she will come face to face with the man who still holds her heart, and the one who has the power to break it all over again. Will Ava survive her stint as a professional dancer?
What I Liked:
*I requested this book because I was excited to explore the professional dance scene. There isn't as much dancing as I would like, but what was present was enjoyable.
*The romance is extremely frustrating and trying throughout, but I liked the way it all came together in one beautiful and seductive tango. How romantic is that to fall in love all over again during the tango?
*I liked the way that Ava threw herself into motherhood and the lengths she would go to protect her daughter from danger.
And The Not So Much:
*I did not like the romance. It is one that was built two years ago when Ava visited Argentine, and then met and slept with Matthias and became pregnant. She ran away and never spoke to him again until they meet two years later. Instead of discussing their issues, they two spend the entire book wallowing in miscommunication, fighting and secretly longing for one another. It grew repetitive reading the same thing over and over again, and the whole time the reader knew how it was all going to play out. I hated the drama and ridiculousness of it, especially when they could sleep together and still not discuss their problems. This was definitely not a sweet feel good romance.
*Character development was seriously lacking. I didn't even have a clear picture of what Ava did. There is a mention that she is TV presenter, but not once does she go to work, or does the reader learn about her work. Ava comes across as timid and she lacks self confidence and courage. She was weak and annoying. On the flip side, Matthias is strong, overbearing and an ass. I did not like him at all. He is not a swoon worthy male. I really detested him when toward the end, he started to think about a revenge, he wanted to sleep with Ava and then steal their daughter. I was not attracted to either character and that makes it hard to get into a romance when you can't stand the characters.
*There is very little plot to this one, other than the ridiculous romance. The dance show is nothing more than a distraction, and that was a disappointment.
Taming the Tango Champion was a disappointing read. It features a weak heroine and a overbearing hero who continually spar and refuse to communicate with one another. The romance is nothing more than ridiculous drama that suddenly turns into a happily ever after. It was not an appealing read for me. If you are a reader who enjoys romances that are based on miscommunication, you might like this one, but I would say skip it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Matthias when asked to be a judge on the new celebrity dance show, decides he will do it if they will procure a slot for Ava, the girl who got away and stole his heart two years ago. Ava meanwhile, has settled into her role as a single mother caring for Bella, the daughter she had with Matthias, though he doesn't know it. When Ava is approached to do the dance show, she signs on, not knowing that she will come face to face with the man who still holds her heart, and the one who has the power to break it all over again. Will Ava survive her stint as a professional dancer?
What I Liked:
*I requested this book because I was excited to explore the professional dance scene. There isn't as much dancing as I would like, but what was present was enjoyable.
*The romance is extremely frustrating and trying throughout, but I liked the way it all came together in one beautiful and seductive tango. How romantic is that to fall in love all over again during the tango?
*I liked the way that Ava threw herself into motherhood and the lengths she would go to protect her daughter from danger.
And The Not So Much:
*I did not like the romance. It is one that was built two years ago when Ava visited Argentine, and then met and slept with Matthias and became pregnant. She ran away and never spoke to him again until they meet two years later. Instead of discussing their issues, they two spend the entire book wallowing in miscommunication, fighting and secretly longing for one another. It grew repetitive reading the same thing over and over again, and the whole time the reader knew how it was all going to play out. I hated the drama and ridiculousness of it, especially when they could sleep together and still not discuss their problems. This was definitely not a sweet feel good romance.
*Character development was seriously lacking. I didn't even have a clear picture of what Ava did. There is a mention that she is TV presenter, but not once does she go to work, or does the reader learn about her work. Ava comes across as timid and she lacks self confidence and courage. She was weak and annoying. On the flip side, Matthias is strong, overbearing and an ass. I did not like him at all. He is not a swoon worthy male. I really detested him when toward the end, he started to think about a revenge, he wanted to sleep with Ava and then steal their daughter. I was not attracted to either character and that makes it hard to get into a romance when you can't stand the characters.
*There is very little plot to this one, other than the ridiculous romance. The dance show is nothing more than a distraction, and that was a disappointment.
Taming the Tango Champion was a disappointing read. It features a weak heroine and a overbearing hero who continually spar and refuse to communicate with one another. The romance is nothing more than ridiculous drama that suddenly turns into a happily ever after. It was not an appealing read for me. If you are a reader who enjoys romances that are based on miscommunication, you might like this one, but I would say skip it.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for my review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 1, 2014
Ava Whittaker agrees to being a contestant in a dance show to improve her career after being away for two years because of her baby break. one of the judges is the twice-former Argentine Tango Champion Matthias de Romero - the father of her baby. the only problem is that he doesn't know that he has a daughter and is still not sure why Ava left. During the dance-show both of them try to get answers ...
I loved the small description of this book because I love to dance ... the problem is, that this story is very dark and not really a feel-good romance. the dance show is more a setting than a real background-story, which is a shame because it could have been a great and different environment
Ava is very unsure and seems to be a weak character, which shows in all her decisions. She comes across very young and selfish, although that is not how she is meant to be.
Matthias on the other side is a bit of a jerk, who is not used to being rejected. to be fair, he handles that not quite well.
both characters are not really that well developed and this is not really progressing the story.
this story could have been a great love story but I was missing the spark. the development of their feelings or what they show of their feelings was not enough to get the big romance rolling. for that it was a bit disappointing.
what made it better was the end - which was nearly perfect
Disclaimer: an ARC was provided to me by Netgally in exchange for an honest review
I loved the small description of this book because I love to dance ... the problem is, that this story is very dark and not really a feel-good romance. the dance show is more a setting than a real background-story, which is a shame because it could have been a great and different environment
Ava is very unsure and seems to be a weak character, which shows in all her decisions. She comes across very young and selfish, although that is not how she is meant to be.
Matthias on the other side is a bit of a jerk, who is not used to being rejected. to be fair, he handles that not quite well.
both characters are not really that well developed and this is not really progressing the story.
this story could have been a great love story but I was missing the spark. the development of their feelings or what they show of their feelings was not enough to get the big romance rolling. for that it was a bit disappointing.
what made it better was the end - which was nearly perfect
Disclaimer: an ARC was provided to me by Netgally in exchange for an honest review
August 4, 2014
Taming the Tango Champion was a sweet and gentle read. I found it to be a pleasant afternoon's diversion. It is well written and seems well researched. Cait O'Sullivan offers readers a glimpse into the world of competition reality tv that is fairly extensive and as a setting, very detailed. The pacing was a little uneven for me, but the story is well plotted and the second chance at love premise interesting.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2015
while I liked it and the writing style was very easy to read, I really didn't care for either of the main characters. I felt there was more lust than love between the two....maybe a glimpse of the future would have helped. And even though we the reader knew what happened with Beatriz, Ava didn't.
July 24, 2017
I loved this novel. Kudos to Ms. O'Sullivan for her sizzling creations - Ava and Matthias. Rarely have I experienced such depth of characterization, the highs and lows between the hot-blooded Argentinian rancher/tango champion and English actress portrayed to perfection. After a brief romance in South America, the duo is pulled apart by fate, only to meet once more amid the razzmatazz of a London dancing show. I won't go into the plot points, as the book blurb amply describes them, but suffice it to say I was turning the pages as fast as I could to find out how it would end. As I finished this novel, I realized the story itself was set up like the tango, filled with sexual tension, weaving and twisting toward a memorable conclusion. Well done!
July 5, 2017
Summer is a time for fast, light reads that you can devour as quickly (and with as much gusto) as a chocolate cake, and Taming the Tango Champion fits the bill perfectly. The author has a way with words...her writing style is fluid and engaging. The characters are well-drawn (some may find the male lead a bit too, well, TOO, if you know what I mean, as would I, if this were real life, but it's fiction, so somehow his intensity makes him even sexier). Plus, you get to learn all about the world of competitive dance, which is actually a very interesting thing. I recommend this book for poolside/beachside reading...it's a great way to while away a hot summer day!
May 28, 2017
Do I dance the tango? No, but if I had a partner like Matthias de Romero I’d probably want to practise. The setting of the dance show is a refreshing change in a romance and the story flows nicely to a successful and happy ending for Ava Whittaker and her toddler - as all romances should. This was a fun quick read for me which pleasantly whiled away a long coach trip. However, I might have to read a second time to work out why Matthias was considered expert enough to be on the panel of judges- that is apart from his ability to be hot on both the dance floor and the bedroom!
June 26, 2017
A light enjoyable romance read set against the backdrop of a fictionalised dancing reality show. A little far fetched in places but a fun, quick read.
March 9, 2017
Fantastic read this was a great book i really liked it.Was a hot read and the chemistry between the characters was smoking.This is the first but not the last book i have read by this author can't wait for more.
July 8, 2014
Taming the Tango Champion, Cait O'Sullivan,
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Sometimes I just want a straightforward romance so picked up this one. Sadly, though the premise was good, I found it was for me an ok read, not one to really “get” to me, enjoyable and well written, but just not with that magic spark that makes a five star read. Still, that's only me, and I'm sure there will be thousands of readers for whom this is a perfect read.
Anway, Ava ( I love that name..) had a brief fling at the end of her one year sabbatical travelling the world, which resulted in baby Bella. She's a confident, successful lady and I liked her until she was with Matthias. Then she turned into a simpering “yes” girl, making excuses for all his behaviour. Matthias, he's very Alpha male, but still, he treated her badly IMO, mainly because she left him early next morning without telling him. Ahhh...poor man, I'm sure he'd done that often enough. When he finds out about baby Bella he's worse, hot and cold, and the story goes from bad to good to bad again. I wanted Ava to stand up to him, to argue, to tell him he was behaving like a jerk, and needed to show her some respect. Did she though? No :-( she just rolled over ( literally at times ) and let him do whatever he wanted once again. Where was that confident lady who travelled solo round the world for a year? I didn't see any trace of her
I understood her initial actions, likewise his feeling of rejection, but the romance and the drama set out via the competiton would have worked so much better for me if she'd have shown some teeth, some backbone, something of the Ava that had become sucessful in her career and life. Matthias was Alpha, hot, sensual, wealthy – all the things that make the romatic hero, but at times he seemed unable/unwilling to see anything other than his own viewpoint. That made him so much less in my mind...I needed him to show some respect, and the turnaround at the end just wasn't enough for me.
Stars: three – its well written and a good storyline, but the two main chacters needed more for me to like them and care about what happened to them.
Arc supplied via Netgalley
Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews
Sometimes I just want a straightforward romance so picked up this one. Sadly, though the premise was good, I found it was for me an ok read, not one to really “get” to me, enjoyable and well written, but just not with that magic spark that makes a five star read. Still, that's only me, and I'm sure there will be thousands of readers for whom this is a perfect read.
Anway, Ava ( I love that name..) had a brief fling at the end of her one year sabbatical travelling the world, which resulted in baby Bella. She's a confident, successful lady and I liked her until she was with Matthias. Then she turned into a simpering “yes” girl, making excuses for all his behaviour. Matthias, he's very Alpha male, but still, he treated her badly IMO, mainly because she left him early next morning without telling him. Ahhh...poor man, I'm sure he'd done that often enough. When he finds out about baby Bella he's worse, hot and cold, and the story goes from bad to good to bad again. I wanted Ava to stand up to him, to argue, to tell him he was behaving like a jerk, and needed to show her some respect. Did she though? No :-( she just rolled over ( literally at times ) and let him do whatever he wanted once again. Where was that confident lady who travelled solo round the world for a year? I didn't see any trace of her
I understood her initial actions, likewise his feeling of rejection, but the romance and the drama set out via the competiton would have worked so much better for me if she'd have shown some teeth, some backbone, something of the Ava that had become sucessful in her career and life. Matthias was Alpha, hot, sensual, wealthy – all the things that make the romatic hero, but at times he seemed unable/unwilling to see anything other than his own viewpoint. That made him so much less in my mind...I needed him to show some respect, and the turnaround at the end just wasn't enough for me.
Stars: three – its well written and a good storyline, but the two main chacters needed more for me to like them and care about what happened to them.
Arc supplied via Netgalley
July 9, 2014
I have to admit I had a little trouble getting into this book at first due to my 13 year old leaving to Australia. Mind in to many places at one time I guess.
Once I did get into it though it was very good. It gave you a glimmer of the world of the glamorous TV shows on dance. Explaining all the hard work that goes into it and especially for the heroine in this one Ava Whittaker since she is a single mother. You see the story line is about her and Matthias de Romero the father of her child. There is just one minor detail her doesn’t know he is the father.
Ava met Matthias when she was on a yearlong travel trip basically to find herself. While she was there she was injured falling off her a horse that the stables allowed her to use. Matthias was her instructor at the time. She fell off the horse and he helps nurse her back and one thing leads to another. They have off the charts love making, as she saw it, but in the middle of the night she sneaks off and goes back to London from this man she now lost her heart to there in Argentina. Now almost two years later he wants to know why for it haunts them both.
She returns home and very soon after finds out she’s pregnant. Fast forward two years now they want her to do a dance show. Day one she finds out why…Matthias will be one of the part-time judges and he is not happy to see her. What will happen to her, to her baby and to them as a whole?
You will have to read to find out.
I really enjoyed this short. They so real emotions as characters. You feel what they are feeling, you enjoy the bickering as you would if were you doing it. I give this book 4 stars. Provided by netgalley. Find us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com
Once I did get into it though it was very good. It gave you a glimmer of the world of the glamorous TV shows on dance. Explaining all the hard work that goes into it and especially for the heroine in this one Ava Whittaker since she is a single mother. You see the story line is about her and Matthias de Romero the father of her child. There is just one minor detail her doesn’t know he is the father.
Ava met Matthias when she was on a yearlong travel trip basically to find herself. While she was there she was injured falling off her a horse that the stables allowed her to use. Matthias was her instructor at the time. She fell off the horse and he helps nurse her back and one thing leads to another. They have off the charts love making, as she saw it, but in the middle of the night she sneaks off and goes back to London from this man she now lost her heart to there in Argentina. Now almost two years later he wants to know why for it haunts them both.
She returns home and very soon after finds out she’s pregnant. Fast forward two years now they want her to do a dance show. Day one she finds out why…Matthias will be one of the part-time judges and he is not happy to see her. What will happen to her, to her baby and to them as a whole?
You will have to read to find out.
I really enjoyed this short. They so real emotions as characters. You feel what they are feeling, you enjoy the bickering as you would if were you doing it. I give this book 4 stars. Provided by netgalley. Find us at: www.1rad-readerreviews.com
August 4, 2016
I love reunion romances. When a hero and heroine struggle to reconnect and to find happiness together despite their obstacles. The chemistry and passion between Ava and Matthias sizzles, on the dance floor, in the bedroom, on live television... Their sexual tension kept me turning the pages. Matthias is a hot, Argentinean dancer and rancher, who needs to put his ego and pride aside before he can ever truly love someone. Ava is the perfect heroine to make him do so, whether he wants to or not. Their daughter Bella helps bring out Matthias’s compassionate and unselfish side. Right from the start I was rooting for them to become a family. This is a fast-paced, flirty, and steamy romance!
July 14, 2014
***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***
Meh. Dancing with the stars meets a Spanish telenovela. Ava felt a little to blah for me, could not get a good grasp of her personality except I felt that she was too wishy-washy. Matthias comes off as a stereo-typical, macho, arrogant latino. The source of the conflict (Matthias marriage announcement) seemed too inconsequential in the light of the fact that they created a child together. Could not relate to either so could not enjoy.
Meh. Dancing with the stars meets a Spanish telenovela. Ava felt a little to blah for me, could not get a good grasp of her personality except I felt that she was too wishy-washy. Matthias comes off as a stereo-typical, macho, arrogant latino. The source of the conflict (Matthias marriage announcement) seemed too inconsequential in the light of the fact that they created a child together. Could not relate to either so could not enjoy.
June 20, 2014
I appreciate the opportunity to read and review "Taming the Tango Champion." Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy it all that much as Matthias seemed very domineering, much like an 80s male protagonist. There didn't seem to be much depth to Ava either, but that's not too surprising given that the book is a bit on the short side.
February 21, 2015
3 stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews