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Dancing #2
Enjoy the Dance
Dance with your heart, and love will follow.
Kindergarten teacher Spenser Harris has carved a quiet, stable future out of his tumultuous past, but his world turns upside down the night a homeless teen appears on his doorstep—a boy whose story mirrors the one Spenser has worked so hard to overcome. The decision to shelter Duon is easy. What’s tricky is juggling the network of caregivers in Duon’s life, especially Tomás Jimenez.
Tomás wouldn’t have hesitated to take Duon in, but his plate is already full working three jobs to support his family. Though Spenser’s carefully constructed walls are clearly designed to keep the world at bay, Tomás pushes past Spenser’s defenses, determined to ensure the man is worthy of his charge. As the two of them grow closer, Tomás dares to dream of a life beyond his responsibilities, and Spenser begins to believe he might finally find a home of his own after all.
But Spenser and Tomás’s world is poised to crash around their ears. Duon’s grandmother isn’t sure she wants him to be raised by a gay man and challenges Spenser’s custody. Tomás’s undocumented parents could be deported at any time, and all the while the state of Minnesota votes on a constitutional amendment against marriage equality and the US Supreme Court debates whether or not Spenser and Tomás get a happily ever after. All they can do is hold tight to their love, hope for a better future…and remind each other to enjoy the dance.
Kindergarten teacher Spenser Harris has carved a quiet, stable future out of his tumultuous past, but his world turns upside down the night a homeless teen appears on his doorstep—a boy whose story mirrors the one Spenser has worked so hard to overcome. The decision to shelter Duon is easy. What’s tricky is juggling the network of caregivers in Duon’s life, especially Tomás Jimenez.
Tomás wouldn’t have hesitated to take Duon in, but his plate is already full working three jobs to support his family. Though Spenser’s carefully constructed walls are clearly designed to keep the world at bay, Tomás pushes past Spenser’s defenses, determined to ensure the man is worthy of his charge. As the two of them grow closer, Tomás dares to dream of a life beyond his responsibilities, and Spenser begins to believe he might finally find a home of his own after all.
But Spenser and Tomás’s world is poised to crash around their ears. Duon’s grandmother isn’t sure she wants him to be raised by a gay man and challenges Spenser’s custody. Tomás’s undocumented parents could be deported at any time, and all the while the state of Minnesota votes on a constitutional amendment against marriage equality and the US Supreme Court debates whether or not Spenser and Tomás get a happily ever after. All they can do is hold tight to their love, hope for a better future…and remind each other to enjoy the dance.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 11, 2016
28 people are currently reading
675 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Cullinan
50 books2,879 followersAuthor of over thirty novels, Midwest-native Heidi Cullinan writes positive-outcome romances for LGBT characters struggling against insurmountable odds because they believe there’s no such thing as too much happy ever after. Heidi’s books have been recommended by Library Journal, USA Today, RT Magazine, and Publishers Weekly. When Heidi isn’t writing, they enjoy gaming, reading manga, manhua, and danmei, playing with cats, and watching too much anime.
Heidi goes by Jun when being spoken to in person or online, and Jun’s pronouns are they/them.
Heidi goes by Jun when being spoken to in person or online, and Jun’s pronouns are they/them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
September 6, 2016
As the blurb suggests, this book is political.
The bulk of the story takes place between late-2012 and mid-2013 during the fight to overturn DOMA and legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Ed and Laurie (from Dance With Me) are involved in the fight against Minnesota Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment proposed to ban marriage between same-sex couples that appeared on the ballot in November 2012.
Tomás's parents are undocumented immigrants from Mexico, and the entire family lives in fear of Renata and José being deported. Tomás's sister has addiction issues and has basically abandoned her three young children with her parents, who are the kids' primary caregivers. Tomás works three jobs to support the entire family.
Spenser is a kindergarten teacher who entered the foster care system at age 8. He teaches at a private Catholic elementary school, and his principal is on him to do his part in making sure Minnesota Amendment 1 passes. Spenser isn't out at work and worried he'll lose his job if he doesn't get involved in anti-same-sex marriage zeal.
During the course of the story, Spenser also becomes a sort of ad hoc guardian for Duan, a 15-year-old Black teenager who was beaten up by his cousins for being gay and whose grandma wants nothing to do with him any longer. Duan dances with Tomás at Laurie's studio and shows up bruised and bloody on Spenser's doorstep looking for Tomás, but it's Spenser who takes him in.
What I'm getting at is that the focus in Enjoy the Dance is on politics first and romance second. Spenser and Tomás tip-toe around each other. Because Spenser is a mandated reporter, Tomás resents Spenser initially and sees him as a clueless do-gooder. Spenser has built up all kinds of walls and has a hard time attaching himself to people. Tomás works so much, he barely has time to sleep, much less date.
There is almost no steam in this story, which is unusual for this author. The relationship develops slowly and is subdued.
There are glimpses of passion when Tomás attempts to teach Spenser how to dance. Spenser has serious anxiety over putting himself out there; dancing is something he's always avoided. But as Tomás, and then Laurie, teach Spenser to move, dancing becomes symbolic of loving yourself enough to let go and be free.
For all the political angst, there is a sense of family and community. Because of Laurie's godfather Oliver, Tomás and his family have more help and support than most undocumented immigrants.
The epilogue is set in 2015 and is truly sweet and feel-good. I was rooting for Spenser and Tomás. They are both good men who deserved to be happy. I adored Tomás's parents, and I liked seeing Ed and Laurie again. (Marcus from the Minnesota Christmas series also makes an appearance.)
Tomás's young nieces and nephew are strangely absent. They're mentioned, but they're not ever on-page interacting with anyone. Not that I'm one for stories where kids take over the plot, but I found that odd.
Bottom line: I'm a big fan of Heidi Cullinan's writing style, and I liked, but didn't love, this book. I'm going with 4 stars as my rating because I think this is an important story about real issues. I'm hoping there is a third book in this series and that Duon (Spenser and Tomás's adopted son) is the MC. Duon is 18 when this book ends, so he's definitely a candidate.
The bulk of the story takes place between late-2012 and mid-2013 during the fight to overturn DOMA and legalize same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Ed and Laurie (from Dance With Me) are involved in the fight against Minnesota Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment proposed to ban marriage between same-sex couples that appeared on the ballot in November 2012.
Tomás's parents are undocumented immigrants from Mexico, and the entire family lives in fear of Renata and José being deported. Tomás's sister has addiction issues and has basically abandoned her three young children with her parents, who are the kids' primary caregivers. Tomás works three jobs to support the entire family.
Spenser is a kindergarten teacher who entered the foster care system at age 8. He teaches at a private Catholic elementary school, and his principal is on him to do his part in making sure Minnesota Amendment 1 passes. Spenser isn't out at work and worried he'll lose his job if he doesn't get involved in anti-same-sex marriage zeal.
During the course of the story, Spenser also becomes a sort of ad hoc guardian for Duan, a 15-year-old Black teenager who was beaten up by his cousins for being gay and whose grandma wants nothing to do with him any longer. Duan dances with Tomás at Laurie's studio and shows up bruised and bloody on Spenser's doorstep looking for Tomás, but it's Spenser who takes him in.
What I'm getting at is that the focus in Enjoy the Dance is on politics first and romance second. Spenser and Tomás tip-toe around each other. Because Spenser is a mandated reporter, Tomás resents Spenser initially and sees him as a clueless do-gooder. Spenser has built up all kinds of walls and has a hard time attaching himself to people. Tomás works so much, he barely has time to sleep, much less date.
There is almost no steam in this story, which is unusual for this author. The relationship develops slowly and is subdued.
There are glimpses of passion when Tomás attempts to teach Spenser how to dance. Spenser has serious anxiety over putting himself out there; dancing is something he's always avoided. But as Tomás, and then Laurie, teach Spenser to move, dancing becomes symbolic of loving yourself enough to let go and be free.
For all the political angst, there is a sense of family and community. Because of Laurie's godfather Oliver, Tomás and his family have more help and support than most undocumented immigrants.
The epilogue is set in 2015 and is truly sweet and feel-good. I was rooting for Spenser and Tomás. They are both good men who deserved to be happy. I adored Tomás's parents, and I liked seeing Ed and Laurie again. (Marcus from the Minnesota Christmas series also makes an appearance.)
Tomás's young nieces and nephew are strangely absent. They're mentioned, but they're not ever on-page interacting with anyone. Not that I'm one for stories where kids take over the plot, but I found that odd.
Bottom line: I'm a big fan of Heidi Cullinan's writing style, and I liked, but didn't love, this book. I'm going with 4 stars as my rating because I think this is an important story about real issues. I'm hoping there is a third book in this series and that Duon (Spenser and Tomás's adopted son) is the MC. Duon is 18 when this book ends, so he's definitely a candidate.
September 18, 2016
Enjoy the Dance is the long-awaited second book in the Dancing series. Dance with Me was released in 2011 and instantly became a staple in M/M romance fan's libraries. We all fell in love with dancer Laurie and ex-football player Ed who steamed up the pages with their intense passion and sexual chemistry.
Enjoy the Dance centers around dance instructor Tomás (who we met in book 1) and kindergarten teacher Spenser. They live across the hall from one another and start a friendship centered around a homeless 15 year old dancer named Duon. Their friendship eventually turns passionate and the burn is slow, but when these boys finally let loose on one another, the result is hot-as-hell. Tomás likes to whisper dirty talk in Spanish in Spenser's ear and then translate to Spencer's delight during their love-making.
This book is very political and focuses on the legality of same-sex marriage, child custody, deportation of illegal immigrants and the failure of the Department of Social Series to adequately care for homeless youth (with their limited resources). These are important issues that affect millions of people in the United States. It should be noted that this book is set in 2012, four years before the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling granting same-sex couples to enter into a marriage contract and all benefits that union entails. The injustice against the minority population, which Tomás, Spenser and Duon, is the main focus of the book. Everything else is secondary. The romance and dancing have very small roles here.
This is a book with characters fighting for rights that are denied the minority population, including gay and lesbians, people of color and homeless youth. It's an important book, but it is not a romance. This is nothing like Ed and Laurie's story where they danced and romanced and found passion and love.
One of my favorite things about Enjoy the Dance (and most of Ms. Cullinan's books) is that it is set in Minnesota, my home state. The boys go on a date to the Bryant-Lake Bowl, a theater/bowling alley/restaurant in the Uptown area, Minneapolis known for it's hipster clientele. I have been there many times back in my college days and loved revisiting via Ms. Cullian's description. She also throws in some cameos from her other books and it was fun to see those characters again.
Know going in that this is not your typical Heidi Cullian romance and you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is short on romance, but an important book for csi-white people to read and understand what people in the minority go through on a daily basis. And the HEA here was especially sweet after everything that Tomás and Spenser had to fight for.
Enjoy the dance!
Galley copy of Enjoy the Dance provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
Enjoy the Dance centers around dance instructor Tomás (who we met in book 1) and kindergarten teacher Spenser. They live across the hall from one another and start a friendship centered around a homeless 15 year old dancer named Duon. Their friendship eventually turns passionate and the burn is slow, but when these boys finally let loose on one another, the result is hot-as-hell. Tomás likes to whisper dirty talk in Spanish in Spenser's ear and then translate to Spencer's delight during their love-making.
"I told you to hold still while I make love to you."
Tomás ground his hips, sliding a hand between their bodies to stroke Spenser’s cock.
"I’m going to make you sticky with me, lover. Fill you up and fuck you out. You won’t be able to walk, I’ll fuck you so hard."
This book is very political and focuses on the legality of same-sex marriage, child custody, deportation of illegal immigrants and the failure of the Department of Social Series to adequately care for homeless youth (with their limited resources). These are important issues that affect millions of people in the United States. It should be noted that this book is set in 2012, four years before the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling granting same-sex couples to enter into a marriage contract and all benefits that union entails. The injustice against the minority population, which Tomás, Spenser and Duon, is the main focus of the book. Everything else is secondary. The romance and dancing have very small roles here.
This is a book with characters fighting for rights that are denied the minority population, including gay and lesbians, people of color and homeless youth. It's an important book, but it is not a romance. This is nothing like Ed and Laurie's story where they danced and romanced and found passion and love.
One of my favorite things about Enjoy the Dance (and most of Ms. Cullinan's books) is that it is set in Minnesota, my home state. The boys go on a date to the Bryant-Lake Bowl, a theater/bowling alley/restaurant in the Uptown area, Minneapolis known for it's hipster clientele. I have been there many times back in my college days and loved revisiting via Ms. Cullian's description. She also throws in some cameos from her other books and it was fun to see those characters again.
Know going in that this is not your typical Heidi Cullian romance and you will thoroughly enjoy this book. It is short on romance, but an important book for csi-white people to read and understand what people in the minority go through on a daily basis. And the HEA here was especially sweet after everything that Tomás and Spenser had to fight for.
Enjoy the dance!
Galley copy of Enjoy the Dance provided by the author in exchange of an honest review.
This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews
October 14, 2016
It pains me to do this but... this didn't work for me for multiple reasons. I've gushed repeatedly over HC's writes mostly because I become immersed in her stories but more often than not I found myself disconnected from this one; just reading words on a page.
However, I want to make it clear that my major gripe is specific to me and should be taken with a grain of salt.
I work with the indigent population. I hear their horrifying stories every day. I know all about how poor, black, Latino, queer, mentally ill and other marginalized people of our society are scuttled to the back burner by the system and how much this negatively affects them on a daily basis. So the very last thing I need is to be schooled on how faulty the system is.
Sometimes the stories I hear hollow me out which is why I read mostly romance. I need the escape. Sure, I read and enjoy the dark stuff sometimes, but I know I with 99% certainty that I can look forward to karma happening to the "bad guy" and probably some form of redemption. I've even been known to read the heavier stuff from time to time but they usually come with a rewarding payoff. But here I felt like I got pummeled with how life is a bag of dicks for 95% of the book and then a tacked on artificial HEA for everyone. A lot hard to believe given my day job not to mention disingenous, but I guess it fulfilled the "romance" quota.
My second problem is there is so much sociopolitical commentary - class differences, immigration, gay rights, the religious right, marriage equality, health care coverage, the foster care system, mental illness, navigating workplace politics when you're queer, racism and white privilege which left very little room for romance. I don't mind sociopolitical subtext but this was way too busy. The romance was relegated to a secondary or maybe even a tertiary storyline and that's not what I signed up for. I stay informed enough through news and other media. I don't need or want to be preached to in my pleasure reading.
I'm not saying that parts of this story aren't moving. I'm not made of stone, but a lot of it felt forced. The emotionality came off as overdramatic and almost manipulative with the sole purpose of squeezing tears out of me rather than letting that happen naturally. I'm going to conservatively estimate that for 30% of this book someone is crying or sobbing over something. That makes for a heavy read in my opinion and turned something I had eagerly anticipated into a chore.
The relationship between Tomás and Spenser is rushed and is mostly telling rather than showing. They are simply not given adequate page time together for me to believe in their love which is a shame because they both seem like solid guys who deserve to find their "one". What I LOVED most about Dance with Me was the dancing and how that built the tension between Laurie and Ed. I watched them fall in love on the page through ballroom dancing. There's hardly any dancing here and what there is isn't between the protagonists.
The message of this book is commendable and I'm glad it's resonating with people. I wholeheartedly agree that several things need to change in our society. Like I said, my opinion is my own, so I would encourage people interested in reading this novel to read other reviews.
The only reason I'm not 1 hearting this is (a) I love the cover, (b) the sex was still pretty hot and (c) Laurie. I love him maybe even more than I did in his book. It's clear how much he's thriving and I have to believe Ed is a huge part of that.
Enjoy the Dance can be read as a standalone, though I would not recommend skipping Dance with Me. Ever.
I would recommend this to people outside of the MM romance genre.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
However, I want to make it clear that my major gripe is specific to me and should be taken with a grain of salt.
I work with the indigent population. I hear their horrifying stories every day. I know all about how poor, black, Latino, queer, mentally ill and other marginalized people of our society are scuttled to the back burner by the system and how much this negatively affects them on a daily basis. So the very last thing I need is to be schooled on how faulty the system is.
Sometimes the stories I hear hollow me out which is why I read mostly romance. I need the escape. Sure, I read and enjoy the dark stuff sometimes, but I know I with 99% certainty that I can look forward to karma happening to the "bad guy" and probably some form of redemption. I've even been known to read the heavier stuff from time to time but they usually come with a rewarding payoff. But here I felt like I got pummeled with how life is a bag of dicks for 95% of the book and then a tacked on artificial HEA for everyone. A lot hard to believe given my day job not to mention disingenous, but I guess it fulfilled the "romance" quota.
My second problem is there is so much sociopolitical commentary - class differences, immigration, gay rights, the religious right, marriage equality, health care coverage, the foster care system, mental illness, navigating workplace politics when you're queer, racism and white privilege which left very little room for romance. I don't mind sociopolitical subtext but this was way too busy. The romance was relegated to a secondary or maybe even a tertiary storyline and that's not what I signed up for. I stay informed enough through news and other media. I don't need or want to be preached to in my pleasure reading.
I'm not saying that parts of this story aren't moving. I'm not made of stone, but a lot of it felt forced. The emotionality came off as overdramatic and almost manipulative with the sole purpose of squeezing tears out of me rather than letting that happen naturally. I'm going to conservatively estimate that for 30% of this book someone is crying or sobbing over something. That makes for a heavy read in my opinion and turned something I had eagerly anticipated into a chore.
The relationship between Tomás and Spenser is rushed and is mostly telling rather than showing. They are simply not given adequate page time together for me to believe in their love which is a shame because they both seem like solid guys who deserve to find their "one". What I LOVED most about Dance with Me was the dancing and how that built the tension between Laurie and Ed. I watched them fall in love on the page through ballroom dancing. There's hardly any dancing here and what there is isn't between the protagonists.
The message of this book is commendable and I'm glad it's resonating with people. I wholeheartedly agree that several things need to change in our society. Like I said, my opinion is my own, so I would encourage people interested in reading this novel to read other reviews.
The only reason I'm not 1 hearting this is (a) I love the cover, (b) the sex was still pretty hot and (c) Laurie. I love him maybe even more than I did in his book. It's clear how much he's thriving and I have to believe Ed is a huge part of that.
Enjoy the Dance can be read as a standalone, though I would not recommend skipping Dance with Me. Ever.
I would recommend this to people outside of the MM romance genre.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
September 9, 2016
Yeah, I know. I'm giving a Heidi Cullinan novel only 3 stars. It's not a bad book at all. It's actually pretty good. But, while there was some romance, it really did play second fiddle to the political and social justice issues in the story. The subject matter is important and it is something I care a lot about, but I really wanted the romance and, like Laurie, I'm pretty burned out on politics at the moment. So, while Enjoy the Dance is a good story, and I liked the characters and am happy that they all found their happy, I'm also not likely to read it again.
That said, Heidi Cullinan does know how to draw you into the story and I did enjoy reading it. I loved getting to visit with Ed & Laurie again (because I love love love them) and I'm happy that Duon found a home with Spenser. I think both Duon and Spenser needed a family and I'm glad they both found that.
Enjoy the Dance starts out in 2012, so the timeline is before the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality and also before the author's Minnesota Christmas series (Marcus shows up in this story before he moves back to Logan).
Spenser was a cautious guy. He teaches kindergarten at a conservative private school where the principal pressures everyone to not just oppose any kind of marriage equality, but also to get involved to put a stop to it. Because of the workplace climate, Spenser is not out at work because it could cost him his job. This is a position no one should ever be put in.
Tomás lives in an apartment across from Spenser. He works way harder than he should have to, to support his parents, who are undocumented, and his sister's kids. One of his jobs is teaching dance at Laurie's St. Paul studio. And that is how Duon knows him.
Enjoy the Dance centers around Tomás, Spenser and Duon creating a family during a time when some folks in Minnesota were trying to invalidate all but the most 'traditional' family unit. And if that wasn't enough to deal with, INS wants to deport Tomás's parents because they are undocumented. Plus there are uncertainties about Spenser's job and his and Tomás' status as foster parents, once they embark on a serious relationship and adoption. In the conservatives quest to 'think of the children', it is the children who suffer the most because they are but pawns in that political game. There are so many potential homes out there and people who would happily foster or adopt, if only they could.
So, that is what Enjoy the Dance is all about. The bigger picture. And figuring out your place in it. And it's about family. Both the kind you're born into and the kind you make yourself. It's about facing your past, so you can look to the future. And all that is important stuff. But I really missed the romance. And the steam. But mostly the romance.
---------------------
ARC of Enjoy the Dance was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
That said, Heidi Cullinan does know how to draw you into the story and I did enjoy reading it. I loved getting to visit with Ed & Laurie again (because I love love love them) and I'm happy that Duon found a home with Spenser. I think both Duon and Spenser needed a family and I'm glad they both found that.
Enjoy the Dance starts out in 2012, so the timeline is before the Supreme Court ruling on marriage equality and also before the author's Minnesota Christmas series (Marcus shows up in this story before he moves back to Logan).
Spenser was a cautious guy. He teaches kindergarten at a conservative private school where the principal pressures everyone to not just oppose any kind of marriage equality, but also to get involved to put a stop to it. Because of the workplace climate, Spenser is not out at work because it could cost him his job. This is a position no one should ever be put in.
Tomás lives in an apartment across from Spenser. He works way harder than he should have to, to support his parents, who are undocumented, and his sister's kids. One of his jobs is teaching dance at Laurie's St. Paul studio. And that is how Duon knows him.
Enjoy the Dance centers around Tomás, Spenser and Duon creating a family during a time when some folks in Minnesota were trying to invalidate all but the most 'traditional' family unit. And if that wasn't enough to deal with, INS wants to deport Tomás's parents because they are undocumented. Plus there are uncertainties about Spenser's job and his and Tomás' status as foster parents, once they embark on a serious relationship and adoption. In the conservatives quest to 'think of the children', it is the children who suffer the most because they are but pawns in that political game. There are so many potential homes out there and people who would happily foster or adopt, if only they could.
So, that is what Enjoy the Dance is all about. The bigger picture. And figuring out your place in it. And it's about family. Both the kind you're born into and the kind you make yourself. It's about facing your past, so you can look to the future. And all that is important stuff. But I really missed the romance. And the steam. But mostly the romance.
---------------------
ARC of Enjoy the Dance was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this second novel of the Dancing series. This book is about Spenser and Tomas two very different men who meet via Duon who is first mentioned in book one. When everything goes wrong both men must keep on dancing to get everything they want to be a family.
October 6, 2020
Wow, I see why all the mixed reviews. Listening to this audiobook actually gave me an anxiety attack. I finished it, but it was truly too intense for me. A slice of Minnesota history: immigration, foster care, racism and all varieties of bigotry. Of course it's beautifully written by Heidi Cullinan, and perfectly performed by Iggy Toma.
October 17, 2016
Heidi Cullinan is an auto-buy author for me. Her characters resonate with me, and her writing flows so well. I loved Dance With Me, and I'm happy to get this related story.
This book follows Tomás, a young dance instructor (among his three or four jobs) whom we met in book 1. He lives with his immigrant parents, across the hall from kindergarten teacher Spenser. When a 15 year old dance student of Tomás's shows up, after being kicked out of his home for being gay, Spenser's immediate opening of his home to the boy brings him to Tomás's attention.
Tomás is the epitome of the good guy trying to take care of everyone - his parents, his sister's two kids, the dance students. He's the main wage earner for multiple people, and he's working so many jobs that he has really no time to live his own life. But it's not like he can just quit and let them fend for themselves. These are people he loves, so he's trapped. His growing interest in Spenser has to be fit in around a few free minutes here and there.
Spenser is a quiet guy who's been keeping his head down at the Catholic school where he teaches, and spending his free time in solitary pursuits. He never contemplated taking in a foster child, let alone a battered teen. But from the moment Duon shows up bruised and lost, Spenser can do nothing less than his best. The fact that taking care of Duon also means time with Tomás is a confusing bonus, as Spenser's habit of keeping to himself and Tomás's schedule have them dancing around their attraction in a nice, slow burn.
This book has a lot of serious topics in it - the foster care system, LGBTQ teen homelessness, immigration and deportation, child welfare, the MN vote for a constitutional marriage amendment. These are things the author clearly feels very strongly about, and she writes eloquently about the pain and fear and risks of being on the wrong side of a poorly run and underfunded bureaucracy. The Avenues for Homeless Youth that she describes is a great Minnesota organization that I also support. I had a "Vote No" bumper sticker and cheered the results. And the issues of undocumented immigrants, whose lives and families can turn to disaster on a dime, are also important and topical. But it's a lot of intense topics.
The story perhaps suffers a little from the need to get good info about all of these issues into one tale of fiction. There were times when I wanted to get back to the characters in a more mundane way. I also kind of wanted
We only catch glimpses of Ed and Laurie, although it's fun to see them again. Ed's injury and lack of healing do have a moment or two on the page, but the guys are seen from the outside, so we miss the vulnerability and complexity we know they have. The new main characters are great, though. Duon almost steals the show here and there, and Tomás's family are fun to be around. All in all, I enjoyed the read. And if it inspired me to send Avenues another donation, that's not a bad thing either.
This book follows Tomás, a young dance instructor (among his three or four jobs) whom we met in book 1. He lives with his immigrant parents, across the hall from kindergarten teacher Spenser. When a 15 year old dance student of Tomás's shows up, after being kicked out of his home for being gay, Spenser's immediate opening of his home to the boy brings him to Tomás's attention.
Tomás is the epitome of the good guy trying to take care of everyone - his parents, his sister's two kids, the dance students. He's the main wage earner for multiple people, and he's working so many jobs that he has really no time to live his own life. But it's not like he can just quit and let them fend for themselves. These are people he loves, so he's trapped. His growing interest in Spenser has to be fit in around a few free minutes here and there.
Spenser is a quiet guy who's been keeping his head down at the Catholic school where he teaches, and spending his free time in solitary pursuits. He never contemplated taking in a foster child, let alone a battered teen. But from the moment Duon shows up bruised and lost, Spenser can do nothing less than his best. The fact that taking care of Duon also means time with Tomás is a confusing bonus, as Spenser's habit of keeping to himself and Tomás's schedule have them dancing around their attraction in a nice, slow burn.
This book has a lot of serious topics in it - the foster care system, LGBTQ teen homelessness, immigration and deportation, child welfare, the MN vote for a constitutional marriage amendment. These are things the author clearly feels very strongly about, and she writes eloquently about the pain and fear and risks of being on the wrong side of a poorly run and underfunded bureaucracy. The Avenues for Homeless Youth that she describes is a great Minnesota organization that I also support. I had a "Vote No" bumper sticker and cheered the results. And the issues of undocumented immigrants, whose lives and families can turn to disaster on a dime, are also important and topical. But it's a lot of intense topics.
The story perhaps suffers a little from the need to get good info about all of these issues into one tale of fiction. There were times when I wanted to get back to the characters in a more mundane way. I also kind of wanted
We only catch glimpses of Ed and Laurie, although it's fun to see them again. Ed's injury and lack of healing do have a moment or two on the page, but the guys are seen from the outside, so we miss the vulnerability and complexity we know they have. The new main characters are great, though. Duon almost steals the show here and there, and Tomás's family are fun to be around. All in all, I enjoyed the read. And if it inspired me to send Avenues another donation, that's not a bad thing either.
October 10, 2016
I was torn with this book as far as what to rate it.
There were things to consider- the quality of the writing, plot, and my overall satisfaction level.
What worked for me:
-The characters: Tomas, Spenser, and Doun.
-The plot. It's so relevelant. It touched on immigration, DOMA, same-sex marriage, foster care. These are all important matters that should- need to be addressed.
-I enjoyed the slow burn between Tomas and Spenser.
-The epilogue was well done, I thought.
All this being said- as much as the plot was one of my highlights- it was also it's Achilles heel. It was too much- everything felt crammed in. I also wasn't so thrilled with romance not being front and center. I'm sorry, but I missed it.
Overall, I "liked" didn't "love." I feel guilty that I didn't enjoy it more. The events that took place in the pages of this book have affected the life of so many, but in the end, I have to go with how I felt once I finished and that feeling was just ok. 3.5 Stars.
There were things to consider- the quality of the writing, plot, and my overall satisfaction level.
What worked for me:
-The characters: Tomas, Spenser, and Doun.
-The plot. It's so relevelant. It touched on immigration, DOMA, same-sex marriage, foster care. These are all important matters that should- need to be addressed.
-I enjoyed the slow burn between Tomas and Spenser.
-The epilogue was well done, I thought.
All this being said- as much as the plot was one of my highlights- it was also it's Achilles heel. It was too much- everything felt crammed in. I also wasn't so thrilled with romance not being front and center. I'm sorry, but I missed it.
Overall, I "liked" didn't "love." I feel guilty that I didn't enjoy it more. The events that took place in the pages of this book have affected the life of so many, but in the end, I have to go with how I felt once I finished and that feeling was just ok. 3.5 Stars.
October 15, 2016
♥ ♥ ♥ 3.5 STARS ♥ ♥ ♥
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“Whatever, man. I’m sick of this shit. We gotta worry about nonsense every time we turn around. My social worker. Your sister. Spenser’s job. The stupid government and their rules about who can get married. It’s horseshit. You love Spenser. He loves you. (...) It’s fucked up there’s all this shit in the way.”
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If you read my review of Dance With Me, then you are very aware how much I loved the characters, Ed and Laurie. So, when I heard that there was a second book in this series, I couldn't wait to read it.
Enjoy the Dance starts off with Spenser coming home to find a young man who looked to have been beaten sitting on his door steps. Spencer is a kindergarten teacher at a religious private school, so he is quick to help the young man named Duon inside and to try to help him. Duon was waiting for Tomás who lives across the hall from Spenser. Tomás is Duon's dance instructor at Laurie's dance studio. When Tomás is unable to take in Duon because his parents are illegal immigrants, Spenser takes him in and becomes his guardian.
Spenser didn't have the greatest of upbringings. He was in and out of foster care since he was eight years old. When Duon tells him that his own cousins beat him and his grandmother kicked him out for being gay, Spencer could relate. Spenser longs to belong, to fit in, be loved, and to be a part of a family, just as much as Duon. Tomás still becomes a part of Duon's life and helps him in any way that he can. It pains him that the fear of his parents' deportation doesn't allow him to do more. Especially, when his sister is already doing enough herself by leaving her children with Tomás and his parents. He has to work multiple jobs to support them all and he definitely doesn't want attention drawn to them.
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'I'm going to keep trying to light candles, Tomás vowed. Until the day I die, I'm going to do all I can to bring light and love into the world. He didn't know how, just yet. But with so many wonderful examples around him, surely he could find a way.
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The story takes place around the end of 2012-2013 and was very political. DOMA is in place at this time and there is a vote soon to ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota. Spenser becomes pressured by the principal in his school to attend meetings and vote to make sure the ban passes. I felt like the story was filled with this issue as well as immigration and foster care issues. While I think these are all such an important topics, and I loved the way Heidi Cullinan integrated it into the story, I also felt like the romance aspect was kind of missing. Heidi is an exceptional writer and it shows in all her books, I am not saying that she isn't. I just felt like it needed more focus on the romance between Spenser and Tomás.
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'This was the man, he realized, he had oh, so many hopes for. The man he wanted to be his future. His family.'
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As the book progresses, Tomás and Spenser become closer in their mutual desire to help Duon. The romance between them was very slowly built, which I didn't mind but I needed more. I felt like so much focus were on the other topics that near the end, their relationship just kind of speeded up too fast. However, despite my issues with the romance and steam in this book, I did truly enjoy the characters Spenser, Tomás and Duon. I also loved that Ed and Laurie were still much a part of this story as well. They were all each other's support system, even Tomás' parents--who were amazing and loving characters--were a part of that system. It was really beautiful to watch Spenser's wall slowly fall down and let all these people in.
Overall, I very much liked this book and loved the topics brought up in this story, however, I unfortunately, did not love it. I needed some more romance in this book, and it took second place to everything else going on. Because of that, my rating is 3.5. I still very much loved the characters and the epilogue. Despite not loving it, I still enjoyed it, so make sure to give this book a read.
October 11, 2016
4.5 stars rounded down to 4 because still no 1/2 stars here on GR.
Dear Author...did you know that when you make me cry...
it's harder for me to read. I was ok for most of this book but it was probably somewhere around the last 25 to 30% that I found myself crying...a lot. Some of my tears were happy tears but there were quite a few sad tears too.
So now that you know how the last part of the book went for me...let's go back to the beginning and see if I can explain to you where and how those tears came to be...
I was a tiny bit hesitant with this one because I saw a couple of reviews that mentioned that this one was 'very political' and the romance played second fiddle to the political and social justice issues (that's right Dani and Jewel, I'ma lookin' at you) and honestly this is all very true and I have to admit sometimes I don't always want things like this in what I'm reading because lately it seems that the evening news has been more than willing to show us the sad and oftentimes tragic results of man's inhumanity to man.
That not everyone shares the same basic rights and freedoms because of sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or any one of the myriad of reasons that we hear pranced out to justify the bigotry of others is something that I, like so many others, am well aware of but knowing in advance that this was the case I decided I was going to plunge in anyways because it's Heidi Cullinan and it's the next book in her series 'Dancing' and I really, really loved the first book.
What I found was a story that wrapped itself around my heart. A story that reminded me of what is true and important...
Spenser is a teacher and he arrives home to find a very battered young man named Duon at his door. A young man who is actually waiting for Spenser's neighbor, Tomas. Spenser takes him in without hesitations and looks after him until Tomas arrives home. He sees himself in Duon and without giving it a second thought, he offers to give Duon a home. Tomas wouldn't hesitate to do the same for Duon, if it wasn't for the fact that he's already got his hands full with his own family who depend on him for so much. Tomas can't afford to have his family fall under scrutiny at least not until he can figure out a way to keep his parents in Minnesota with him where they belong. So Duon ends up staying with Spenser but Tomas is determined to help with him as much as possible and it's that determination that helps Tomas find his way past Spenser's carefully constructed barriers.
The list of what I liked about this book is pretty much endless. Of course I liked...no scrap that I loved both Spenser and Tomas. I liked Duon. Sure he tried to play it cool and make like it was no big deal but having someone like Spenser step up when he needed them and put their faith and trust in him was definitely a big deal and Duon knew this no matter how cool he tried to play things. Tomas's parents especially his mother were wonderful as were so many of the other secondary characters in this story.
While the first part of this book focused very much on the political and social issues that affected Spenser, Tomas and the people they cared about. I felt that not only was this relevant information but it connected and impacted so much of what happened and what was done as the story progressed.
As I continued to read I realized just how much these issues were connected to the story...to everyone's story. From Spenser and Tomas to Ed and Laurie and this is where I began to cry...I admit I am a WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) I'm heterosexual and I'm Canadian. So I will never know what it's like to fear that someone I love will be taken from me because they weren't born here, I will never have someone tell me that being married to the person I love isn't legal in the eyes of the law or god, I will never be beaten or abused for being who I am. I am lucky...privileged and yes, I do appreciate the fact that while I did nothing to earn or deserve this, it is the life I was given. It is also the reason that this book broke my heart and made me cry because it was a reminder that the life I was given is the life that everyone deserves.
'Enjoy the Dance' is a book with a very important message about life, about love, about the human spirit and it's ability to rise above whatever the world will throw at it and still dance...
*********************
An ARC of 'Enjoy the Dance' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Dear Author...did you know that when you make me cry...
it's harder for me to read. I was ok for most of this book but it was probably somewhere around the last 25 to 30% that I found myself crying...a lot. Some of my tears were happy tears but there were quite a few sad tears too.
So now that you know how the last part of the book went for me...let's go back to the beginning and see if I can explain to you where and how those tears came to be...
I was a tiny bit hesitant with this one because I saw a couple of reviews that mentioned that this one was 'very political' and the romance played second fiddle to the political and social justice issues (that's right Dani and Jewel, I'ma lookin' at you) and honestly this is all very true and I have to admit sometimes I don't always want things like this in what I'm reading because lately it seems that the evening news has been more than willing to show us the sad and oftentimes tragic results of man's inhumanity to man.
That not everyone shares the same basic rights and freedoms because of sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion or any one of the myriad of reasons that we hear pranced out to justify the bigotry of others is something that I, like so many others, am well aware of but knowing in advance that this was the case I decided I was going to plunge in anyways because it's Heidi Cullinan and it's the next book in her series 'Dancing' and I really, really loved the first book.
What I found was a story that wrapped itself around my heart. A story that reminded me of what is true and important...
"...The family we make is as valid as the family we're born to. Sometimes it's a thousand times better."
Spenser is a teacher and he arrives home to find a very battered young man named Duon at his door. A young man who is actually waiting for Spenser's neighbor, Tomas. Spenser takes him in without hesitations and looks after him until Tomas arrives home. He sees himself in Duon and without giving it a second thought, he offers to give Duon a home. Tomas wouldn't hesitate to do the same for Duon, if it wasn't for the fact that he's already got his hands full with his own family who depend on him for so much. Tomas can't afford to have his family fall under scrutiny at least not until he can figure out a way to keep his parents in Minnesota with him where they belong. So Duon ends up staying with Spenser but Tomas is determined to help with him as much as possible and it's that determination that helps Tomas find his way past Spenser's carefully constructed barriers.
The list of what I liked about this book is pretty much endless. Of course I liked...no scrap that I loved both Spenser and Tomas. I liked Duon. Sure he tried to play it cool and make like it was no big deal but having someone like Spenser step up when he needed them and put their faith and trust in him was definitely a big deal and Duon knew this no matter how cool he tried to play things. Tomas's parents especially his mother were wonderful as were so many of the other secondary characters in this story.
While the first part of this book focused very much on the political and social issues that affected Spenser, Tomas and the people they cared about. I felt that not only was this relevant information but it connected and impacted so much of what happened and what was done as the story progressed.
As I continued to read I realized just how much these issues were connected to the story...to everyone's story. From Spenser and Tomas to Ed and Laurie and this is where I began to cry...I admit I am a WASP (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) I'm heterosexual and I'm Canadian. So I will never know what it's like to fear that someone I love will be taken from me because they weren't born here, I will never have someone tell me that being married to the person I love isn't legal in the eyes of the law or god, I will never be beaten or abused for being who I am. I am lucky...privileged and yes, I do appreciate the fact that while I did nothing to earn or deserve this, it is the life I was given. It is also the reason that this book broke my heart and made me cry because it was a reminder that the life I was given is the life that everyone deserves.
'Enjoy the Dance' is a book with a very important message about life, about love, about the human spirit and it's ability to rise above whatever the world will throw at it and still dance...
"There's no guarantee in life of anything. Every second is precious. Every breath is a miracle. Every connection is a gift, each drop of joy a treasure..."
*********************
An ARC of 'Enjoy the Dance' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2016
Back in 2011, Dance With Me was my first ever Heidi Cullinan. I loved it so much. Of course afterwards Cullinan was a hit/miss for me; not particularly on top of my favorite author list and I was picky with her works. But when this book was released, I remembered how much I loved the first one, so I bought it without second thoughts.
Well, it was beautiful, sweet, tender, touching, at times unabashedly sappy, and totally made me all choked up and teary eyed.
While indeed there were quite a number of 'political' issues: immigration, marriage equality ... since this was written with the backdrop of the year 2012, with Minnesota votes for constitutional amendment against marriage equality, the US Supreme Court debates, as well as the US Presidential Election ... but on the core of it was still a lovely story about finding your beloved and making a family. I loved Spenser, Tomás, and Duon immensely, and was drawn to each of their story.
At the same time, it was also painful to read because within a month after this book was released, we all knew the result of the U.S. Presidential Election 2016 turned out to be. I'm not an American (and heck, my country has its own turmoil, LGBTQ+ equality is still a long way to go) but even I can sense that the next four years will be tough for the U.S. LGBTQ+ community as well as the minorities.
Reading this book right now put myself in a different state of mind... All I can think about was what would happen to people like Spenser, Tomás, and Duon after the year 2016. It felt bittersweet when I got to that epilogue chapter.
Well, it was beautiful, sweet, tender, touching, at times unabashedly sappy, and totally made me all choked up and teary eyed.
While indeed there were quite a number of 'political' issues: immigration, marriage equality ... since this was written with the backdrop of the year 2012, with Minnesota votes for constitutional amendment against marriage equality, the US Supreme Court debates, as well as the US Presidential Election ... but on the core of it was still a lovely story about finding your beloved and making a family. I loved Spenser, Tomás, and Duon immensely, and was drawn to each of their story.
At the same time, it was also painful to read because within a month after this book was released, we all knew the result of the U.S. Presidential Election 2016 turned out to be. I'm not an American (and heck, my country has its own turmoil, LGBTQ+ equality is still a long way to go) but even I can sense that the next four years will be tough for the U.S. LGBTQ+ community as well as the minorities.
Reading this book right now put myself in a different state of mind... All I can think about was what would happen to people like Spenser, Tomás, and Duon after the year 2016. It felt bittersweet when I got to that epilogue chapter.
September 29, 2020
Story: 3 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Turns out, waiting around for election results is just as boring in a book as in real life. The timeline for this book covers some important and groundbreaking moments for gay rights and equality, and while those are moments worth celebrating, I felt like the author got so caught up in chronicling every single one that she kind of forgot to tell a story, and that story was Duon.
Duon is the catalyst for this story, since Spencer finds the boy outside his apartment while Duon is waiting for Tomas, Spencer's across-the-hall neighbor, to come back from one of his three jobs. It's seeing Duon's predicament - beat up by his own cousins, kicked out by his grandmother, and homeless - that compels Spencer, a former foster care kid himself, to take Duon in and give him a home and family. Tomas, who is suspicious of the system for several reasons, is at first wary of Spencer, but comes to see his good qualities and eventually the two fall in love. And in between Spencer finding a family, Tomas trying to keep his family together, there's this kid that gets shuffled to the background for the majority of the story even though it's because of him that all of this is happening. It felt like the book was disconnected from itself, and while there was just enough to see that Spencer and Duon do care for each other, that relationship is really only ever given lip service. The same is true of Tomas's nieces and nephew. We're told they exist, as they're part of the reason Tomas has so many jobs, but we don't see them much at all.
I did like how the relationship developed between Spencer and Tomas though. Tomas's mom was a hoot (but oy, vey, that accent) and his father was pretty great too. There's a lot of Laurie and Ed in this one, and it was cool to see how they took care of everyone around them. I especially like how Laurie was able to calm down a nervous Spencer to convince him to learn tap dance. Seeing Spencer and Tomas let their guards down with each other was a treat, and they were able to understand each others' struggles and support each other despite their different backgrounds.
The narration was as good here as in the first one. Iggy Toma has a new fan. :D
Narration: 4 stars
Turns out, waiting around for election results is just as boring in a book as in real life. The timeline for this book covers some important and groundbreaking moments for gay rights and equality, and while those are moments worth celebrating, I felt like the author got so caught up in chronicling every single one that she kind of forgot to tell a story, and that story was Duon.
Duon is the catalyst for this story, since Spencer finds the boy outside his apartment while Duon is waiting for Tomas, Spencer's across-the-hall neighbor, to come back from one of his three jobs. It's seeing Duon's predicament - beat up by his own cousins, kicked out by his grandmother, and homeless - that compels Spencer, a former foster care kid himself, to take Duon in and give him a home and family. Tomas, who is suspicious of the system for several reasons, is at first wary of Spencer, but comes to see his good qualities and eventually the two fall in love. And in between Spencer finding a family, Tomas trying to keep his family together, there's this kid that gets shuffled to the background for the majority of the story even though it's because of him that all of this is happening. It felt like the book was disconnected from itself, and while there was just enough to see that Spencer and Duon do care for each other, that relationship is really only ever given lip service. The same is true of Tomas's nieces and nephew. We're told they exist, as they're part of the reason Tomas has so many jobs, but we don't see them much at all.
I did like how the relationship developed between Spencer and Tomas though. Tomas's mom was a hoot (but oy, vey, that accent) and his father was pretty great too. There's a lot of Laurie and Ed in this one, and it was cool to see how they took care of everyone around them. I especially like how Laurie was able to calm down a nervous Spencer to convince him to learn tap dance. Seeing Spencer and Tomas let their guards down with each other was a treat, and they were able to understand each others' struggles and support each other despite their different backgrounds.
The narration was as good here as in the first one. Iggy Toma has a new fan. :D
October 11, 2016
Review originally posted at Sinfully.
Enjoy the Dance is set in Minnesota in 2012, an election year and also the year DOMA was being fought and Minnesota was in the midst of a battle over the legalization of same sex marriage. These are not the only social issues that Heidi Cullinan dives into in the story; she also places an emphasis on immigration issues and the foster care system, especially as it relates to LGBTQ children and persons of color.
This story has a very different feel to it than Dance with Me. While that focused solely on the romance between Ed and Laurie, this story has more of a romantic fiction feel to it. The romance is subdued as bigger issues surround it. Kindergarten teacher Spenser and dance teacher/barista/custodian Tomás fall in love as they care for Duon, a teenage dance student who is kicked out of his grandmother’s house. For reasons of his own, Spenser agrees to take in Duon since, for his own completely different reasons, Tomás isn’t able to offer him that help. As the men get to know each other and fall in love, they face one hurdle after another in their personal and professional lives. The romance itself comes rather easily, it’s the outside issues that threaten to bring everything crashing down.
There were a couple of occasions where a conversation turned on a dime to take the tone of a lecture on the struggle for marriage equality and immigration and foster system reform, and it did take me out of the story. But other than those few times I thought the issues were integrated well into the story. Each character had a different angle they were approaching from so while they all were striving for the same outcome, they had a different take on things. Spenser as a child of the foster system who is still afraid to hope for a home and a family, Ed and Laurie as husbands whose marriage and rights are at stake and Tomás, an American citizen whose parents are undocumented, is trying to keep his family together while fearing deportation and losing his nieces and nephews to the foster care system. Even with all of this going on, the book doesn’t get too heavy and there is the author’s trademark happy for everyone ending.
There is a romance and Spenser and Tomás, when they actually find time to be with each other, are a sweet and sexy pair. Whether it’s Tomás trying to get Spenser to lighten up and dance or Spenser cooking for Tomás, it’s clear they both are looking for the same thing; someone to have a future with. Tomás gets dating advice from his mother who thinks he needs to court Spenser and is not above cockblocking her son with a plate of empanadas and homemade ice cream. When Tomás and Spenser do finally get together, it’s passionate with plenty of chemistry, a bit of the dirty talk Heidi Cullinan does so well and also some very tender loving.
While this is a follow-up to Dance With Me, and Duon, Ed, Laurie and some other secondary characters were introduced there, this can easily be read as a standalone (but I would urge you to read Dance With Me anyway as it’s a wonderful story). Other than those few bumps I mentioned, I was invested in all the characters and was really rooting for everything to work out.
Yes, there is a clear political bent to this story and some readers may not like that at all. I think if you go into this knowing that it is not a full on romance like the first, but rather a story that weaves the romance in to the bigger tale of finding family, fighting for what you believe in and a nod to the difficulties many people face in trying to get to that happy ending, you will find plenty to enjoy in it.
Enjoy the Dance is set in Minnesota in 2012, an election year and also the year DOMA was being fought and Minnesota was in the midst of a battle over the legalization of same sex marriage. These are not the only social issues that Heidi Cullinan dives into in the story; she also places an emphasis on immigration issues and the foster care system, especially as it relates to LGBTQ children and persons of color.
This story has a very different feel to it than Dance with Me. While that focused solely on the romance between Ed and Laurie, this story has more of a romantic fiction feel to it. The romance is subdued as bigger issues surround it. Kindergarten teacher Spenser and dance teacher/barista/custodian Tomás fall in love as they care for Duon, a teenage dance student who is kicked out of his grandmother’s house. For reasons of his own, Spenser agrees to take in Duon since, for his own completely different reasons, Tomás isn’t able to offer him that help. As the men get to know each other and fall in love, they face one hurdle after another in their personal and professional lives. The romance itself comes rather easily, it’s the outside issues that threaten to bring everything crashing down.
There were a couple of occasions where a conversation turned on a dime to take the tone of a lecture on the struggle for marriage equality and immigration and foster system reform, and it did take me out of the story. But other than those few times I thought the issues were integrated well into the story. Each character had a different angle they were approaching from so while they all were striving for the same outcome, they had a different take on things. Spenser as a child of the foster system who is still afraid to hope for a home and a family, Ed and Laurie as husbands whose marriage and rights are at stake and Tomás, an American citizen whose parents are undocumented, is trying to keep his family together while fearing deportation and losing his nieces and nephews to the foster care system. Even with all of this going on, the book doesn’t get too heavy and there is the author’s trademark happy for everyone ending.
There is a romance and Spenser and Tomás, when they actually find time to be with each other, are a sweet and sexy pair. Whether it’s Tomás trying to get Spenser to lighten up and dance or Spenser cooking for Tomás, it’s clear they both are looking for the same thing; someone to have a future with. Tomás gets dating advice from his mother who thinks he needs to court Spenser and is not above cockblocking her son with a plate of empanadas and homemade ice cream. When Tomás and Spenser do finally get together, it’s passionate with plenty of chemistry, a bit of the dirty talk Heidi Cullinan does so well and also some very tender loving.
While this is a follow-up to Dance With Me, and Duon, Ed, Laurie and some other secondary characters were introduced there, this can easily be read as a standalone (but I would urge you to read Dance With Me anyway as it’s a wonderful story). Other than those few bumps I mentioned, I was invested in all the characters and was really rooting for everything to work out.
Yes, there is a clear political bent to this story and some readers may not like that at all. I think if you go into this knowing that it is not a full on romance like the first, but rather a story that weaves the romance in to the bigger tale of finding family, fighting for what you believe in and a nod to the difficulties many people face in trying to get to that happy ending, you will find plenty to enjoy in it.
April 5, 2019
3.5 Stars
Didn't have the same magic as the first one. It also was really heavy on practically every socio-political issue. To quote Cupcake:
But I did enjoy the dancing sections (men dancing en pointe are stupidly beautiful, graceful and dynamic in a much different way than ballerinas are) and it was nice re-living some of the highs of pre-2016 elections. With hard work & an electable progressive candidate, I believe those wins are on the horizon once again.
Didn't have the same magic as the first one. It also was really heavy on practically every socio-political issue. To quote Cupcake:
...class differences, immigration, gay rights, the religious right, marriage equality, health care coverage, the foster care system, mental illness, navigating workplace politics when you're queer, racism and white privilege which left very little room for romance.(emphasis mine)
But I did enjoy the dancing sections (men dancing en pointe are stupidly beautiful, graceful and dynamic in a much different way than ballerinas are) and it was nice re-living some of the highs of pre-2016 elections. With hard work & an electable progressive candidate, I believe those wins are on the horizon once again.
maybe
September 7, 2016Hmmm....
This blurb worries me. So many potentially problematic tropes and stereotypes seem like they have been applied here. I'm very much hoping the author saw fit to have at least a few sensitivity readers of the relevant races.
This blurb worries me. So many potentially problematic tropes and stereotypes seem like they have been applied here. I'm very much hoping the author saw fit to have at least a few sensitivity readers of the relevant races.
October 11, 2016
4.5 Stars ~ This was a darn near perfect read for me. With her latest book, Enjoy the Dance, Heidi Cullinan has given us an emotional tour de force. With characters you will immediately fall in love with—as well as many others who you already know—and a setting that is primed to evoke all of your feels, Tomás and Spenser’s story is an absolute win.
The climate is fall of 2012. Minnesota is trying to pass an amendment banning same-sex marriage; it’s a stressful election year; and, the country is waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court on a case that would decide if DOMA will be overturned. As if that’s not enough to be dealing with, Spenser and Tomás are also dealing with immigration laws and the ins and outs of the foster care system. There is a lot going on in this book, but it never feels cumbersome, or like the author was trying to tackle too much. It definitely showed that Cullinan felt like this was a very important book to write, an important story to tell. And in my opinion, she nailed it.
When Spenser comes home one evening to a beat-up teenage boy on his doorstep, it stirs up some unpleasant memories about his past. And, when the neighbor across the hall—who the boy was looking for in the first place—gets involved, things get even more complicated. It’s definitely not all sunshine and rainbows in the beginning for Tomás (said neighbor) and Spenser. They get off to a rocky start when Spenser, who is a kindergarten teacher, explains that he is a mandatory reporter and will have to call DHS. It’s not just any boy, though. It’s Duon, who Tomás knows from the dance studio where he teaches, and Tomás is NOT happy about child services being called in—for a number of reasons.
I adored both Spenser and Tomás. Spenser stole my heart with his mellow sweetness, his love for teaching and kids, and his obvious caretaker nature. It killed me when he finally shared his past and everything he went through in his childhood, but it made complete sense that he wanted to take in Duon, and do whatever it took to keep him out of shelters or other foster homes.
Tomás was my favorite, though. His incredible love for his family, and his selflessness in all the sacrifices he made for them, were both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. It was this love and his stubborn loyalty to his sister that had him working three jobs so that he could take care of his parents as well as his nieces and nephew. The stress of being overworked as well as his constant fear of his parents being deported are huge weights on his shoulders. Tomás really doesn’t have time for anything outside of his jobs, aside from eating and sleeping, but he still manages to make Duon one of his priorities.
Let me just say really quickly how AMAZING Tomás’s mom is. This woman stole every scene she was in with moments like this:
“Let me care in her place, my sweet boy. Let me feed you and wash your clothes and push the anger out of your heart, so you have room for love to come in. Love of the nice man across the hall who blushes when he sees you.”
So, yeah, we basically have Mrs. Jiminez to thank for Tomás and Spenser getting together, which is completely befitting of her awesomeness. His parents were worthy of every bit of effort everyone in the story put into keeping them in the country. I loved them so much.
Since we’re talking about the Jiminez family, I’ll also quickly mention the only thing in the book that maybe didn’t sit quite right, or feel as realistic as everything else did for the most part, and that was redeeming the sister. Tomás’s sister, Alisa, was horrible throughout the entire book. This is a selfish mother who totally took advantage of her parents’ generosity and all of her brother’s sacrifices, and as far as I could tell never said thank you, and who also said some pretty unforgiveable things to Tomás—at least things I wouldn’t forgive so easily—but then, all of a sudden at the end, she’s all, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry’, and going to rehab. Maybe I’m just feeling protective of Tomás and Spenser, and don’t feel like she should have been that easily redeemed…but, it did seem like it was a little too tidily wrapped up.
Ok—that’s out of the way. Now I can get back to all of the other fantastic things about the book!
Laurie and Ed—our beloved couple from Cullinan’s Dance With Me—have fairly sizable roles here. They are as amazing as ever, and I loved seeing so much of them. One of my favorite scenes was Laurie’s dance presentation in Spenser’s kindergarten class. So memorable and fantastic.
Duon, who we also first met in Dance With Me, is a wonderful character. He shares a passionate love of dance with both Tomás and Laurie, and it’s endearing how quickly he falls for Spenser, and how supportive he is of his relationship with Tomás. He so badly needs a stable family and home life, and recognizes that they can be that for him. Also, this is one fifteen-year-old who tells it like it is…
“Whatever, man. I’m sick of this shit. We gotta worry about nonsense every time we turn around. My social worker. Your sister. Spenser’s job. The stupid government and their rules about who can get married. It’s horseshit. You love Spenser. He loves you. We make a good team…It’s fucked up there’s all this shit in the way.”
I’m suuuch a believer in chosen family, as I’ve said before in reviews, and that theme was huge in this book. I loved this quote—“The family we make is as valid as the family we’re born to. Sometimes it’s a thousand times better.” Spenser’s foster mother, Clara, says this to him, and it’s a lesson that he’s trying to learn and trust in throughout the book.
There are so many other things I loved that I could share about this one, but I’m going to stop here. I want you all to go and read it and experience all of the emotion for yourselves. The last chapter and a half had me with tears in my eyes almost constantly, and the ending is, of course, gorgeous. I have so much love and respect for this story. Kudos to Heidi Cullinan for another amazing book.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach Reviews
The climate is fall of 2012. Minnesota is trying to pass an amendment banning same-sex marriage; it’s a stressful election year; and, the country is waiting for a decision from the Supreme Court on a case that would decide if DOMA will be overturned. As if that’s not enough to be dealing with, Spenser and Tomás are also dealing with immigration laws and the ins and outs of the foster care system. There is a lot going on in this book, but it never feels cumbersome, or like the author was trying to tackle too much. It definitely showed that Cullinan felt like this was a very important book to write, an important story to tell. And in my opinion, she nailed it.
When Spenser comes home one evening to a beat-up teenage boy on his doorstep, it stirs up some unpleasant memories about his past. And, when the neighbor across the hall—who the boy was looking for in the first place—gets involved, things get even more complicated. It’s definitely not all sunshine and rainbows in the beginning for Tomás (said neighbor) and Spenser. They get off to a rocky start when Spenser, who is a kindergarten teacher, explains that he is a mandatory reporter and will have to call DHS. It’s not just any boy, though. It’s Duon, who Tomás knows from the dance studio where he teaches, and Tomás is NOT happy about child services being called in—for a number of reasons.
I adored both Spenser and Tomás. Spenser stole my heart with his mellow sweetness, his love for teaching and kids, and his obvious caretaker nature. It killed me when he finally shared his past and everything he went through in his childhood, but it made complete sense that he wanted to take in Duon, and do whatever it took to keep him out of shelters or other foster homes.
Tomás was my favorite, though. His incredible love for his family, and his selflessness in all the sacrifices he made for them, were both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. It was this love and his stubborn loyalty to his sister that had him working three jobs so that he could take care of his parents as well as his nieces and nephew. The stress of being overworked as well as his constant fear of his parents being deported are huge weights on his shoulders. Tomás really doesn’t have time for anything outside of his jobs, aside from eating and sleeping, but he still manages to make Duon one of his priorities.
Let me just say really quickly how AMAZING Tomás’s mom is. This woman stole every scene she was in with moments like this:
“Let me care in her place, my sweet boy. Let me feed you and wash your clothes and push the anger out of your heart, so you have room for love to come in. Love of the nice man across the hall who blushes when he sees you.”
So, yeah, we basically have Mrs. Jiminez to thank for Tomás and Spenser getting together, which is completely befitting of her awesomeness. His parents were worthy of every bit of effort everyone in the story put into keeping them in the country. I loved them so much.
Since we’re talking about the Jiminez family, I’ll also quickly mention the only thing in the book that maybe didn’t sit quite right, or feel as realistic as everything else did for the most part, and that was redeeming the sister. Tomás’s sister, Alisa, was horrible throughout the entire book. This is a selfish mother who totally took advantage of her parents’ generosity and all of her brother’s sacrifices, and as far as I could tell never said thank you, and who also said some pretty unforgiveable things to Tomás—at least things I wouldn’t forgive so easily—but then, all of a sudden at the end, she’s all, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry’, and going to rehab. Maybe I’m just feeling protective of Tomás and Spenser, and don’t feel like she should have been that easily redeemed…but, it did seem like it was a little too tidily wrapped up.
Ok—that’s out of the way. Now I can get back to all of the other fantastic things about the book!
Laurie and Ed—our beloved couple from Cullinan’s Dance With Me—have fairly sizable roles here. They are as amazing as ever, and I loved seeing so much of them. One of my favorite scenes was Laurie’s dance presentation in Spenser’s kindergarten class. So memorable and fantastic.
Duon, who we also first met in Dance With Me, is a wonderful character. He shares a passionate love of dance with both Tomás and Laurie, and it’s endearing how quickly he falls for Spenser, and how supportive he is of his relationship with Tomás. He so badly needs a stable family and home life, and recognizes that they can be that for him. Also, this is one fifteen-year-old who tells it like it is…
“Whatever, man. I’m sick of this shit. We gotta worry about nonsense every time we turn around. My social worker. Your sister. Spenser’s job. The stupid government and their rules about who can get married. It’s horseshit. You love Spenser. He loves you. We make a good team…It’s fucked up there’s all this shit in the way.”
I’m suuuch a believer in chosen family, as I’ve said before in reviews, and that theme was huge in this book. I loved this quote—“The family we make is as valid as the family we’re born to. Sometimes it’s a thousand times better.” Spenser’s foster mother, Clara, says this to him, and it’s a lesson that he’s trying to learn and trust in throughout the book.
There are so many other things I loved that I could share about this one, but I’m going to stop here. I want you all to go and read it and experience all of the emotion for yourselves. The last chapter and a half had me with tears in my eyes almost constantly, and the ending is, of course, gorgeous. I have so much love and respect for this story. Kudos to Heidi Cullinan for another amazing book.
Reviewed by Jules for The Novel Approach Reviews
November 6, 2016
Ok, so to make this absolutely clear - I don't have an issue with an author feeling the need to convey a strong message or to educate. Furthermore, I don't have any issues with any of the causes the author presents. Quite the contrary - I applaud. I'm 100% on board with everything she says.
So, why three stars?
Because it doesn't make for particularly great fiction.
And now, that is a loaded statement and I can hear the rustling in the peanut gallery.
Let me explain.
There are a lot of topics in this book and every one of them is worth to be chronicled. I really couldn't care less if the author has an agenda because with regard to me, she is preaching to the choir anyway.
The problem I have with this book as a work of literature is that she is preaching. Full stop. There is a lot of telling instead of showing, there are a lot of speeches, and quite frankly - that is a bit tiring, even if I agree with the causes that are put forward.
Reading this book feels a lot like watching a mockumentary. If I read this as a documentation of recent history in the US, it's good. But the characters remain largely cardboard figures to me, placed there as witnesses to important events in history. IMHO there is easily enough material in there for three books, so this one here feels like a rush job.
In times to come it will hopefully be read as a kind of cautionary tale - "Here, this is what happened to people before marriage equality" - but, again, as a work of fiction - especially with the "agenda" of getting more readers of m/m to be real allies (and this is just me projecting) - njah, no, idk.
There are probably three excellent books in this - one about marriage equality, one about the child care system, and one about immigration laws, padded out with real characters (e.g. I take exception to Tomás mom - she's lovely but seriously stereotyped). I'm not even talking about the romance because I can do without. But.
All I'm trying to say is probably that if the author wants to get people to become real allies, a little more exploration of the characters and their interactions would have probably been a better course. Also (and because), it would have been more fun to read. And that's what I would have liked.
So, why three stars?
Because it doesn't make for particularly great fiction.
And now, that is a loaded statement and I can hear the rustling in the peanut gallery.
Let me explain.
There are a lot of topics in this book and every one of them is worth to be chronicled. I really couldn't care less if the author has an agenda because with regard to me, she is preaching to the choir anyway.
The problem I have with this book as a work of literature is that she is preaching. Full stop. There is a lot of telling instead of showing, there are a lot of speeches, and quite frankly - that is a bit tiring, even if I agree with the causes that are put forward.
Reading this book feels a lot like watching a mockumentary. If I read this as a documentation of recent history in the US, it's good. But the characters remain largely cardboard figures to me, placed there as witnesses to important events in history. IMHO there is easily enough material in there for three books, so this one here feels like a rush job.
In times to come it will hopefully be read as a kind of cautionary tale - "Here, this is what happened to people before marriage equality" - but, again, as a work of fiction - especially with the "agenda" of getting more readers of m/m to be real allies (and this is just me projecting) - njah, no, idk.
There are probably three excellent books in this - one about marriage equality, one about the child care system, and one about immigration laws, padded out with real characters (e.g. I take exception to Tomás mom - she's lovely but seriously stereotyped). I'm not even talking about the romance because I can do without. But.
All I'm trying to say is probably that if the author wants to get people to become real allies, a little more exploration of the characters and their interactions would have probably been a better course. Also (and because), it would have been more fun to read. And that's what I would have liked.
October 14, 2016
2.5 stars
This novel was totally not what I was expecting, and not in a good way.
The romance between Spencer and Tomás was overly sweet, vanilla to the point of being boring and kind of cheesy. I was also surprised by the fairly low steam level, since it's unusual for this author.
For the most part, I enjoyed the romance, but it got buried under politics, immigration problems, gay rights, marriage equality and foster care system issues. I do realize that all this stuff is important, but romance books are my chance to escape reality for a bit and in this one I was dragged back to it again and again.
This novel was totally not what I was expecting, and not in a good way.
The romance between Spencer and Tomás was overly sweet, vanilla to the point of being boring and kind of cheesy. I was also surprised by the fairly low steam level, since it's unusual for this author.
For the most part, I enjoyed the romance, but it got buried under politics, immigration problems, gay rights, marriage equality and foster care system issues. I do realize that all this stuff is important, but romance books are my chance to escape reality for a bit and in this one I was dragged back to it again and again.
July 1, 2018
4.5 Stars
September 19, 2016
An unexpected visitor in need brings Spenser Harris in contact with his neighbor Tomás.
Duon Graves, the troubled teen we met in Dance With Me is waiting on Spenser’s doorstep one night in need of help and a place to stay. He was waiting for his dance instructor, Tomás, but his neighbor, Spenser, finds him first.
Tomás Jimenez holds down three to four jobs at a time to help his family. He is overwhelmed, overworked, and his plate is already full dealing with his own family’s needs and issues. He would gladly take Duon in if he could, but really does not have room and it could have other repercussions on his family.
Thankfully, Spenser has empathy and agrees to take in the teen. It is a big change for Spenser, but not an unwelcome one. Spenser has his own past issues and feels good about giving back. He’s smart, controlled, quiet, and a good guy. But he has issues with attachment, trust, and being social. He is shy, has up walls, and feels self conscious. And his job as a kindergarten teacher in a private religious school brings its own set of stressors. Taking in Duon also means expanding his social circle to include those important in Duon’s life.
Tomás is hardworking, loyal, dependable, and caring. Dancing is his passion and love, but taking care of his family wears him down and leaves him little time for himself. He lives in a constant state of worry and stress. He is bolder than Spenser, but still scared of being hurt or taking on more than he can handle.
But there is a simmering attraction between the two of them, and both have thoughts of “what could be under different circumstances.” They have so much extraneous noise to deal with and a lot at stake. But they both have big hearts and so much love to give. They are tentative, sweet, tender, and naturally seductive together. It is a slow build towards going after what they both want and need, and it is affected strongly by the chaos surrounding their lives.
This is about finding bliss in the midst of out-of-control circumstances. It is about acceptance, love, and family. They have to let go of guilt and ghosts in order to look for hope. It is a thin line being hope and terror, but finding people that care can make a huge difference. It’s about opening your heart, living the best you can, and just enjoying the dance of life as it comes.
Although at the center of this book is the love story of Spenser and Tomás, it also very much focused around the political ramifications and changes with gay rights and marriage, immigration, and the social work system. It brings into focus how much has changed in recent years since this occurs mostly in 2012 and 2013 prior to the legalization of same sex marriage. This story has the characters still fighting for their rights and against discrimination for their sexual orientation or skin color. Because of this, sometimes the outside influences overshadow the actual romance so it is not a typical, steamy and passionate romance novel. It is more about the bigger picture. But I think the author handled all of the issues with empathy and sensitivity and illustrated what an impact they have had.
In addition to Duon, Laurie and Ed from Dance With Me have recurring roles in this story and a few other side characters also return. I really enjoyed getting more with Ed and Laurie and seeing their progression. Tomás’ family are also heavily featured in the storyline. I admired the extended tight knit family they created from care, support, and love, and how each person found some kind of healing or had a void filled because of the others. It makes you come away with an appreciation of love, family, equality, and embracing diversity. And it shows how one person and one act can make an impact and inspire change.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
Duon Graves, the troubled teen we met in Dance With Me is waiting on Spenser’s doorstep one night in need of help and a place to stay. He was waiting for his dance instructor, Tomás, but his neighbor, Spenser, finds him first.
Tomás Jimenez holds down three to four jobs at a time to help his family. He is overwhelmed, overworked, and his plate is already full dealing with his own family’s needs and issues. He would gladly take Duon in if he could, but really does not have room and it could have other repercussions on his family.
Thankfully, Spenser has empathy and agrees to take in the teen. It is a big change for Spenser, but not an unwelcome one. Spenser has his own past issues and feels good about giving back. He’s smart, controlled, quiet, and a good guy. But he has issues with attachment, trust, and being social. He is shy, has up walls, and feels self conscious. And his job as a kindergarten teacher in a private religious school brings its own set of stressors. Taking in Duon also means expanding his social circle to include those important in Duon’s life.
Tomás is hardworking, loyal, dependable, and caring. Dancing is his passion and love, but taking care of his family wears him down and leaves him little time for himself. He lives in a constant state of worry and stress. He is bolder than Spenser, but still scared of being hurt or taking on more than he can handle.
But there is a simmering attraction between the two of them, and both have thoughts of “what could be under different circumstances.” They have so much extraneous noise to deal with and a lot at stake. But they both have big hearts and so much love to give. They are tentative, sweet, tender, and naturally seductive together. It is a slow build towards going after what they both want and need, and it is affected strongly by the chaos surrounding their lives.
This is about finding bliss in the midst of out-of-control circumstances. It is about acceptance, love, and family. They have to let go of guilt and ghosts in order to look for hope. It is a thin line being hope and terror, but finding people that care can make a huge difference. It’s about opening your heart, living the best you can, and just enjoying the dance of life as it comes.
Although at the center of this book is the love story of Spenser and Tomás, it also very much focused around the political ramifications and changes with gay rights and marriage, immigration, and the social work system. It brings into focus how much has changed in recent years since this occurs mostly in 2012 and 2013 prior to the legalization of same sex marriage. This story has the characters still fighting for their rights and against discrimination for their sexual orientation or skin color. Because of this, sometimes the outside influences overshadow the actual romance so it is not a typical, steamy and passionate romance novel. It is more about the bigger picture. But I think the author handled all of the issues with empathy and sensitivity and illustrated what an impact they have had.
In addition to Duon, Laurie and Ed from Dance With Me have recurring roles in this story and a few other side characters also return. I really enjoyed getting more with Ed and Laurie and seeing their progression. Tomás’ family are also heavily featured in the storyline. I admired the extended tight knit family they created from care, support, and love, and how each person found some kind of healing or had a void filled because of the others. It makes you come away with an appreciation of love, family, equality, and embracing diversity. And it shows how one person and one act can make an impact and inspire change.
I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
October 2, 2016
This story is the 2nd book in the Dancing series, and picks up after Dance With Me concludes, which means it takes place toward the end of 2012 and the beginning/middle of 2013.
During this time, Minnesota, where Spenser and Tomas (and Ed and Laurie) live, had a Marriage Amendment on the ballot, which would, as a state constitutional amendment, banned same-sex marriage in the state. DOMA is also still in place when this book begins.
We first meet Spenser when he comes home to his apartment to find a young man slumped in the hallway, clearly showing signs of having been in some kind of fight. He's bleeding and hurt, and looking for Tomas, who lives with his parents in the apartment across from Spenser and is a dance instructor at Laurie's studio, among other jobs.
Spenser is an elementary school teacher, and he wastes no time in coaxing the young man into his apartment to take care of the wounds and offer him a shower, while they wait for Tomas to come home.
The young man is Duon, whom you might remember as one of Laurie's students from the first book.
While the romance that develops between Spenser and Tomas doesn't exactly take a backseat to the rest of the plot in this book, it is quiet and subdued, but provides the backbone to everything else that happens within.
Tomas' parents are illegal immigrants, and while Tomas and his sister were born in the US, his parents could theoretically be deported. Tomas' sister also tends to dump her children at her parents place while she runs off living her life, which has Tomas working multiple jobs to make ends meet. There's not a lot of time for him to date, but after he sees Spenser take care of Duon, and then apply to be the young man's guardian/foster parent, a spark begins a slow-burning, smoldering fire.
Spenser knows what it's like to be in the foster system, having grown up in it, and he has built a bunch of walls around himself, to avoid being hurt. He had two foster mothers, with whom he lived after aging out of the system, and while one has passed on, the other is still somewhat prominent in his life, an anchor of sorts, someone he knows he can rely on if he needs it. He immediately jumps in when it's clear that Duon cannot return to his grandmother's house, not wanting the boy to be sent to a group home.
The book has a very political overtone, considering that DOMA is still in place, a state amendment banning same-sex marriage is on the ballot, and they're still four years away from the SCOTUS decision in the Obergefell case. Even though Laurie and Ed are married, their marriage might not be valid in Minnesota if the amendment passes. (Spoiler alert: It doesn't) The author also makes a point of showing the lack of funding and resources that plague many Social Services departments, as well as the difficulty in securing citizenship for illegal immigrants.
The romance is by design slow-burn, and not front and center in this book, but it is there, smoldering and providing warmth. There are some hot as hell scenes too, when Spenser and Tomas finally get it on, and boy, oh boy, Tomas talking dirty is super sexy.
Both Spenser and Tomas are givers. They care so much about the people in their lives, and find joy in helping others, in being there for each other, in doing little things to make the other's life easier. I enjoyed that part of their romance so much, because it showed me how much they truly care about each other. Tomas draws Spenser out of his shell, and Spenser is a safe harbor for Tomas to cast his anchor. They meshed so well, despite their differences, and it was a joy to read their story.
While this surely isn't your typical Heidi Cullinan romance, I would still recommend you read this book. And keep dancing.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
During this time, Minnesota, where Spenser and Tomas (and Ed and Laurie) live, had a Marriage Amendment on the ballot, which would, as a state constitutional amendment, banned same-sex marriage in the state. DOMA is also still in place when this book begins.
We first meet Spenser when he comes home to his apartment to find a young man slumped in the hallway, clearly showing signs of having been in some kind of fight. He's bleeding and hurt, and looking for Tomas, who lives with his parents in the apartment across from Spenser and is a dance instructor at Laurie's studio, among other jobs.
Spenser is an elementary school teacher, and he wastes no time in coaxing the young man into his apartment to take care of the wounds and offer him a shower, while they wait for Tomas to come home.
The young man is Duon, whom you might remember as one of Laurie's students from the first book.
While the romance that develops between Spenser and Tomas doesn't exactly take a backseat to the rest of the plot in this book, it is quiet and subdued, but provides the backbone to everything else that happens within.
Tomas' parents are illegal immigrants, and while Tomas and his sister were born in the US, his parents could theoretically be deported. Tomas' sister also tends to dump her children at her parents place while she runs off living her life, which has Tomas working multiple jobs to make ends meet. There's not a lot of time for him to date, but after he sees Spenser take care of Duon, and then apply to be the young man's guardian/foster parent, a spark begins a slow-burning, smoldering fire.
Spenser knows what it's like to be in the foster system, having grown up in it, and he has built a bunch of walls around himself, to avoid being hurt. He had two foster mothers, with whom he lived after aging out of the system, and while one has passed on, the other is still somewhat prominent in his life, an anchor of sorts, someone he knows he can rely on if he needs it. He immediately jumps in when it's clear that Duon cannot return to his grandmother's house, not wanting the boy to be sent to a group home.
The book has a very political overtone, considering that DOMA is still in place, a state amendment banning same-sex marriage is on the ballot, and they're still four years away from the SCOTUS decision in the Obergefell case. Even though Laurie and Ed are married, their marriage might not be valid in Minnesota if the amendment passes. (Spoiler alert: It doesn't) The author also makes a point of showing the lack of funding and resources that plague many Social Services departments, as well as the difficulty in securing citizenship for illegal immigrants.
The romance is by design slow-burn, and not front and center in this book, but it is there, smoldering and providing warmth. There are some hot as hell scenes too, when Spenser and Tomas finally get it on, and boy, oh boy, Tomas talking dirty is super sexy.
Both Spenser and Tomas are givers. They care so much about the people in their lives, and find joy in helping others, in being there for each other, in doing little things to make the other's life easier. I enjoyed that part of their romance so much, because it showed me how much they truly care about each other. Tomas draws Spenser out of his shell, and Spenser is a safe harbor for Tomas to cast his anchor. They meshed so well, despite their differences, and it was a joy to read their story.
While this surely isn't your typical Heidi Cullinan romance, I would still recommend you read this book. And keep dancing.
** I received a free copy of this book from its author. A positive review was not promised in return. **
Read
October 15, 2016This is a very difficult book for me to rate and review, so while I am going to comment, I am not going to give a rating.
The story is essentially in two parts firstly a political essay on the issues of immigration, child protection/foster care, attitudes towards gay men as parents/educators and the evolution of same sex marriage in the last few years, secondly, the love story between Spenser and Tomas.
Now here's the thing, while the political side was interesting to a point, it doesn't translate for me across the Atlantic. Things being very different in the UK on those issues mean there is little that is recognisable or that I am able to connect with. The way the story unfolds falls at the first hurdle as I am left thinking, that wouldn't happen here, to almost all the political points. And this is something I do find with some politically lead stories or those with what is a very American-centric theme - I just can't truly relate and become detached from the story and the issues it covers.
The relationship story here was nice, fairly light, but very dependent on the outside political factors to drive it along.
The writing as ever from this author is very good.
The story is essentially in two parts firstly a political essay on the issues of immigration, child protection/foster care, attitudes towards gay men as parents/educators and the evolution of same sex marriage in the last few years, secondly, the love story between Spenser and Tomas.
Now here's the thing, while the political side was interesting to a point, it doesn't translate for me across the Atlantic. Things being very different in the UK on those issues mean there is little that is recognisable or that I am able to connect with. The way the story unfolds falls at the first hurdle as I am left thinking, that wouldn't happen here, to almost all the political points. And this is something I do find with some politically lead stories or those with what is a very American-centric theme - I just can't truly relate and become detached from the story and the issues it covers.
The relationship story here was nice, fairly light, but very dependent on the outside political factors to drive it along.
The writing as ever from this author is very good.
October 14, 2016
This story is wonderful. It's about family.
I love these types of books. :)
Spenser.... *sighs* My heart just tugged for him at times. He is such a caregiver, a good soul, and a safe space. <3
Duon was precious.
And Tomas is freaking amaaaazing. His character is strong, loyal, respected, and damn! Such a hard worker. I freaking loved him! Of course we cannot forget Laurie and Ed. Eeeep! <3 <3 <3
I love these types of books. :)
Spenser.... *sighs* My heart just tugged for him at times. He is such a caregiver, a good soul, and a safe space. <3
Duon was precious.
And Tomas is freaking amaaaazing. His character is strong, loyal, respected, and damn! Such a hard worker. I freaking loved him! Of course we cannot forget Laurie and Ed. Eeeep! <3 <3 <3
February 5, 2019
What a great sequel. Had me on the edge of my seat waiting for the axe to fall on Tomas and his family or for Spenser's headmaster to get nasty.
5 stars
5 stars
October 15, 2016
“You don’t have to dance perfectly. You don’t have to be perfect, or outlandish. You don’t have to ride in on a horse to be a hero. You don’t have to stand in the spotlight to be a star. If you save one person, if you shine light for one soul— why is it less than saving two, or three, or four? You know you have done this for Duon . For the children in your classroom. For Tomás, who still works too hard but has a spring in his step now, yearning for the moment when he can spend more time with you. That is who I want to see dance. That is what you bring to the floor. To everyone in your life. To life. Show me that dancer, Spenser.”
Tomás has lived almost his whole life trying to protect and care for his family. With the constant threat of INS deporting his parents, he has had to be the support for not only them, but for his sister and her kids as well. It’s exhausting, as you can well imagine. He barely has time to sleep and eat, let alone romance the shy teacher across the hall from his home. That doesn’t mean he can’t dream about it, though.
Spenser has always wanted a family. Taken from his mother when he was a child and sent into foster home, after foster home, he hasn’t had very many chances to have people in his life who cared for him. Which is probably why he takes Duon into his home when he finds him outside his door, beaten and bloody. The kid reminds Spenser a lot of himself at that age, and despite the fact he never got a chance at family growing up, he’d like to make sure Duon never has to say the same.
Between dealing with his sudden leap into parenthood, and his growing crush on Duon’s friend and dance coach, Tomás, Spenser is finding out that dreams are a lot of hard work. But well worth the price. Even if that price is facing those dreaded dance lessons…
So, I can’t be the only person who has eagerly been awaiting this sequel to Dance With Me. That book has always been one of my favorites by Heidi Cullinan, and I’ve wanted to know more since I got to the last page and realized that the story had ended. Luckily Heidi has decided to go back and give us more dancers to swoon over.
One of my absolute favorite things about Heidi’s varied works is how she humanizes topics and situations in a way that leads to identifying with people who you may not give a second glance at in your normal run of life. Things like depression and chronic pain, or in this book, the struggles of undocumented immigrants and their families, are presented in such a way that even if you yourself have never dealt with them you come to understand it better. To view it in the terms of how they impact people in real life situations, and not just as statistics or fearsome and racist propaganda.
There is so much about this book that I ended up loving. Tomás, Spenser, and Duon are all fabulously written. At time I could not bare to tear myself away from their story. I fell in love with Duon in Dance With Me, and was thrilled to find out that he plays a key role in this second book. Finally having him find a place that was safe and supportive was great. And the way he was when he was dancing…heartbreaking is probably the best of ways. I can only hope that if Heidi decides to continue this series that Duon will get his own book.
Spenser was the one that really had me in near tears, though. Dear lords of mercy, but I wanted to give this guy a hug. The constant pressure of finally getting everything he has ever wanted, but not daring to trust that it will last past morning, really makes for some sad reading.
The balance between hope and reality plays a big part in all aspects of this story. From Tomás and his parents dealing with the threat of deportation, to Spenser yearning for an open life but having to hide in order to keep his job…and thereby Duon. Even Duon struggles to believe that he has found a home all the while knowing that the government could look at Spenser and see someone unfit because of hate and prejudice. There is no truly safe place in this book, everything is always on the brink of collapse, but Heidi does a masterful job of keeping the reality of life while still granting us the happy relief in the end.
Set against the backdrop of societal and political turmoil, these three guys struggle to create a family out of hope and determination…and not a little bit of dancing. It was, in the end, more than enough to keep me enthralled
4.5 stars
This book was provided free in exchange for a fair and honest review for Love Bytes. Go there to check out other reviews, author interviews, and all those awesome giveaways. Click below.
July 12, 2021
Terrific narration from Iggy Toma bumps this one up, but while the story was interesting I wasn't really feeling the romance.
September 17, 2017
3.5 Stars
Spenser and Tomas are lovely. The romance between them unrolls slowly like it has to when we have family and work and life.
This book ends up being about so many things in terms of social justice: the immigration system, equality, LGTBQA rights, adoption, fostering, the arts, job protection, poverty...
It is ground in a wonderful circle of friends and also deals with the addiction of a loved one.
The romance balance could be richer in places but overall it is a very good read and a must for lovers of Cullinan's world.
Spenser and Tomas are lovely. The romance between them unrolls slowly like it has to when we have family and work and life.
This book ends up being about so many things in terms of social justice: the immigration system, equality, LGTBQA rights, adoption, fostering, the arts, job protection, poverty...
It is ground in a wonderful circle of friends and also deals with the addiction of a loved one.
The romance balance could be richer in places but overall it is a very good read and a must for lovers of Cullinan's world.
October 6, 2016
4.5 stars – Foster care, undocumented immigrants, and civil rights for LGBTQ citizens…yep, there is definitely a lot of politics in Heidi Cullinan’s Enjoy the Dance. While these social and political issues form the backbone of the story, it’s also about two men who fall in love amid the turmoil, anguish, and triumph, and it’s a beautiful example of the strength found in the family we forge in our adult lives, no matter what it looks like.
The night a homeless teenage boy named Duon appeared on his doorstep, Spenser Harris’s mostly quiet life suddenly makes some big changes. Duon’s story reminds Spenser so much of his own past that it’s an easy decision to take him in, a decision which puts him in contact with several other people who have been involved in Duon’s life, including the attractive man across the hall, Tomás Jiminez. Tomás would have taken in Duon, but between juggling three jobs and the constant fear of deportation hanging over his parents’ heads, he just can’t do it. But he can still do whatever it takes to verify Spenser is a good enough man to be Duon’s foster parent. In the process, they both discover they want to know the other better, but with so many outside influences threatening to tear them and their fledgling family apart, all they can cling to is their love and the hope that everything will work out.
The plot of Enjoy the Dance takes place in Minneapolis during 2012 and 2013, a period when several important LGBTQ rights milestones took place both within Minnesota—the defeat of a referendum defining marriage as only between one man and one woman followed by the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state—and nationally—the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. As a gay man, even though I no longer lived in Minnesota by that time, I still paid close attention to these issues coming from the state I was born and raised in. As such, much of this story felt like a reminder of a time both scary and exciting.
Yet, this is only one category of the political and social issues raised in the book. While the author skillfully weaves these into a poignant and riveting tale, one that quite easily could be from real people’s lives, these issues definitely make up the bulk of the storyline, leaving the romantic aspect as playing second fiddle. Even so, Tomás and Spenser make a wonderful pairing. They both have ample reasons that make them tentative to try for something more than just neighbors who care about a homeless young man. So this, together with the primary storyline, turns the relationship into a delicious slow build that is still satisfying even if it comes short of the heat level found in most romances.
Probably the biggest reason this book is so satisfying is its focus on the importance of family, not just the people we’re related to but the extended group that provide the nurturing and loving support we need to survive the stress and turmoil of life. Tomás’s has always included his biological family, but through Duon and the dance studio that serves as Tomás’s favorite job, several of the characters that first appeared in this book’s predecessor, Dance With Me, form the remainder of Tomás’s extended family. Spenser grew up in the foster system, so for much of his life, he had no one he could depend on. So when Duon enters his life, and brings with him the entirety of Tomás’s family, he quickly finds himself with the hope that he might finally have a family to call his own.
I’ve now read a total of five books by Heidi Cullinan, and though the romantic storyline in Enjoy the Dance is the least pronounced of the five, the captivating plot surrounding the romance certainly kept me interested. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Dance with Me first, simply because its two main characters appear so much in this book—plus, it’s a good book as well. The strength of the storytelling and the emotional power of the issues the author brings attention to within this book make it a great read that I highly recommend, and it is another example of why this author is one of my favorites.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Enjoy the Dance in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
The night a homeless teenage boy named Duon appeared on his doorstep, Spenser Harris’s mostly quiet life suddenly makes some big changes. Duon’s story reminds Spenser so much of his own past that it’s an easy decision to take him in, a decision which puts him in contact with several other people who have been involved in Duon’s life, including the attractive man across the hall, Tomás Jiminez. Tomás would have taken in Duon, but between juggling three jobs and the constant fear of deportation hanging over his parents’ heads, he just can’t do it. But he can still do whatever it takes to verify Spenser is a good enough man to be Duon’s foster parent. In the process, they both discover they want to know the other better, but with so many outside influences threatening to tear them and their fledgling family apart, all they can cling to is their love and the hope that everything will work out.
The plot of Enjoy the Dance takes place in Minneapolis during 2012 and 2013, a period when several important LGBTQ rights milestones took place both within Minnesota—the defeat of a referendum defining marriage as only between one man and one woman followed by the legalization of same-sex marriage in the state—and nationally—the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. As a gay man, even though I no longer lived in Minnesota by that time, I still paid close attention to these issues coming from the state I was born and raised in. As such, much of this story felt like a reminder of a time both scary and exciting.
Yet, this is only one category of the political and social issues raised in the book. While the author skillfully weaves these into a poignant and riveting tale, one that quite easily could be from real people’s lives, these issues definitely make up the bulk of the storyline, leaving the romantic aspect as playing second fiddle. Even so, Tomás and Spenser make a wonderful pairing. They both have ample reasons that make them tentative to try for something more than just neighbors who care about a homeless young man. So this, together with the primary storyline, turns the relationship into a delicious slow build that is still satisfying even if it comes short of the heat level found in most romances.
Probably the biggest reason this book is so satisfying is its focus on the importance of family, not just the people we’re related to but the extended group that provide the nurturing and loving support we need to survive the stress and turmoil of life. Tomás’s has always included his biological family, but through Duon and the dance studio that serves as Tomás’s favorite job, several of the characters that first appeared in this book’s predecessor, Dance With Me, form the remainder of Tomás’s extended family. Spenser grew up in the foster system, so for much of his life, he had no one he could depend on. So when Duon enters his life, and brings with him the entirety of Tomás’s family, he quickly finds himself with the hope that he might finally have a family to call his own.
I’ve now read a total of five books by Heidi Cullinan, and though the romantic storyline in Enjoy the Dance is the least pronounced of the five, the captivating plot surrounding the romance certainly kept me interested. While this book can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Dance with Me first, simply because its two main characters appear so much in this book—plus, it’s a good book as well. The strength of the storytelling and the emotional power of the issues the author brings attention to within this book make it a great read that I highly recommend, and it is another example of why this author is one of my favorites.
The author generously provided me a complimentary copy of Enjoy the Dance in exchange for this fair and honest review.
Follow Me: Reviews by Tammy & Kim | Facebook | Twitter
December 10, 2020
5+
"You don't just make a safe space, you are one".
The first MC, Spenser is a kindergarten teacher at a private school where he's surrounded by anti gay messages. The second MC, Tomàs, is the son of immigrants who works multiple jobs to keep everyone afloat. One of those jobs is at a dance studio where he meats Duon. Duon is a gay black teenager who ends up at the doorstep of Spenser when he meant to be at the doorstop of his neighbor, Tomàs. Spenser and Tomàs do everything they can to help Duon even while they're only strangers. Enjoy the Dance tackles a lot of heavy topics including homeless youth, foster care, queer teens in those situations, the influence of religion in both shelter and foster care situations, immigrants, the defense of marriage act, abuse, and body image. It's a whirlwind of events but so so good.
I resonated a lot with Spenser and the feeling of never doing enough. Of wanting to change the world but feeling like you're not making a difference. The feeling of needing to help others but feeling limited in resources or experience. In that regard, I'll leave you with this quote:
"You don't have to dance perfectly. You don't have to be perfect, or outlandish. You don't have to ride in on a horse to be a hero. You don't have to stand in the spotlight to be a star. If you save one person, if you shine light for one soul, why is it less than saving two, or three, or four?"
"You don't just make a safe space, you are one".
The first MC, Spenser is a kindergarten teacher at a private school where he's surrounded by anti gay messages. The second MC, Tomàs, is the son of immigrants who works multiple jobs to keep everyone afloat. One of those jobs is at a dance studio where he meats Duon. Duon is a gay black teenager who ends up at the doorstep of Spenser when he meant to be at the doorstop of his neighbor, Tomàs. Spenser and Tomàs do everything they can to help Duon even while they're only strangers. Enjoy the Dance tackles a lot of heavy topics including homeless youth, foster care, queer teens in those situations, the influence of religion in both shelter and foster care situations, immigrants, the defense of marriage act, abuse, and body image. It's a whirlwind of events but so so good.
I resonated a lot with Spenser and the feeling of never doing enough. Of wanting to change the world but feeling like you're not making a difference. The feeling of needing to help others but feeling limited in resources or experience. In that regard, I'll leave you with this quote:
"You don't have to dance perfectly. You don't have to be perfect, or outlandish. You don't have to ride in on a horse to be a hero. You don't have to stand in the spotlight to be a star. If you save one person, if you shine light for one soul, why is it less than saving two, or three, or four?"
September 6, 2016
Am I the first the review this book? So much pressure!
I'm a Patreon supporter of Heidi Cullinan, so I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this book over the holiday weekend.
I'll write a more detailed review later tonight. For now, at least, I'll simply say that I enjoyed this book. Romance isn’t the backbone of this story--it's just one thread among many. It’s beautiful that Spenser and Tomas found each other, but the story is also about Duon finding a safe harbor, Tomas' family finding a way to stay together, and of Ed and Laurie from book 1 (and so many other gay couples) waiting anxiously while the Supreme Court decides whether their marriage will be seen as legal.
This is a story will make you want to take action against the injustices that many LGBT people face. It will make you want to donate your time or money to centers that support homeless LGBT youth. And because this is a Cullinan story, this story will also make your heart sing, make you feel grateful for the blessings in your life, and remind you that being happy often requires one to step forward, take risks, and move past one's fears and doubts.
Recommended!
I'm a Patreon supporter of Heidi Cullinan, so I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of this book over the holiday weekend.
I'll write a more detailed review later tonight. For now, at least, I'll simply say that I enjoyed this book. Romance isn’t the backbone of this story--it's just one thread among many. It’s beautiful that Spenser and Tomas found each other, but the story is also about Duon finding a safe harbor, Tomas' family finding a way to stay together, and of Ed and Laurie from book 1 (and so many other gay couples) waiting anxiously while the Supreme Court decides whether their marriage will be seen as legal.
This is a story will make you want to take action against the injustices that many LGBT people face. It will make you want to donate your time or money to centers that support homeless LGBT youth. And because this is a Cullinan story, this story will also make your heart sing, make you feel grateful for the blessings in your life, and remind you that being happy often requires one to step forward, take risks, and move past one's fears and doubts.
Recommended!
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