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MacLaine Girls #1
On Pointe
She’s in the mood for a little distraction . . . but will she take a chance?
Bina MacLaine is having a rough time. Still haunted by an ugly breakup that meant walking away from her fiancé and her high-rise apartment, now the dance teacher faces the possibility of losing her job, too, if her performance academy closes. When Maurice Hewett, one of her old ballet students, arrives in town, Bina sees he’s not the goofy boy she once knew—but a very handsome, very sexy grown man. She wonders if he can weave a spell that can help her forget all her woes. But can Bina let her desire take the lead without feeling like she’s robbing the cradle—and making a huge mistake?
Bina MacLaine is having a rough time. Still haunted by an ugly breakup that meant walking away from her fiancé and her high-rise apartment, now the dance teacher faces the possibility of losing her job, too, if her performance academy closes. When Maurice Hewett, one of her old ballet students, arrives in town, Bina sees he’s not the goofy boy she once knew—but a very handsome, very sexy grown man. She wonders if he can weave a spell that can help her forget all her woes. But can Bina let her desire take the lead without feeling like she’s robbing the cradle—and making a huge mistake?
147 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 16, 2018
90 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Shelly Ellis
16 books378 followersShelly Ellis is a NAACP Image Award-nominated women's fiction/romance author and creator of the Gibbons Gold Digger and Chesterton Scandal series. Her fiction writing career began when she became one of four finalists in a First-Time Writers Contest when she was 19 years old. The prize was a publishing contract and having her first short-story romance appear in an anthology. She has since published ten novels and was a finalist for 2015 NAACP Image Award in the Literary Fiction Category, a three-time finalist for the African American Literary Award in the romance category (2012, 2016, and 2017), and a finalist for the 2015 RT Reviewers' Choice Award in Multicultural Romance category.
She is married and lives in Prince George's County, Maryland with her husband and their daughter. Visit her at her web site www.shellyellisbooks.com.
She is married and lives in Prince George's County, Maryland with her husband and their daughter. Visit her at her web site www.shellyellisbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
November 30, 2019
Y'all already know that I've got my #BirdmanHandRub ready. This novella series about three young women sounds so awesome at the outset and if book one is any indication, it's going to be just as entertaining as Ellis' previous series.
In this new series, we meet the MacLaine girls, the first of which is Bina. Like many of us, Bina is trying to keep everyone else's lives together, sometimes at the expense of her own. The dance school she runs, that her mother owns, is on its last leg, despite her mother's refusal to accept this fact. In the hopes that new blood will bring new students, she hires a former student, which is just one more problem piled on top of the others. Maclaine Academy can't afford to pay a new instructor to run a new class.
Maurice is more than a former student turned talented dancer, famous in his own right. He's also... a man. A fully grown, adult, attractive man who's attracted to Bina-and the feeling is very mutual. But she's still trying to get over her former fiance's infidelity, witnessed first hand, and stop him from trying to sell the Academy out from under her. Maurice wants to be more than friends and coworkers, but Bina has a hard time jumping into a relationship with both feet.
Adding to the drama, the MacLaine Academy is mere months from failing and Yvonne, Bina's mother, is acting strangely. After revealing that she's enduring a health scare, Bina's whole world seems to be a whirlwind around her-- she's got to find a way to keep the Academy open, classes going and jobs intact, and take care of her mother.
In walks another former student, a blast from Bina's past and someone who Bina's mother hopes will save the Academy.
These books are novellas, so they will be short shots of realistic drama, tangible personal relationships and, of course red hot love scenes that will steam up your kindle screen! This first book was a quick but satisfying read (I snuck it at work because I couldn't put it down), whetting the appetite for the next installment, due April 2018. I will definitely have that on my TBR.
Shelly Ellis has become one of my favorite writers. Romance, drama, women's fiction, literary fiction, whatever she is writing, I am reading. Y'all know what I always say... buy this, put it in your face and be on the lookout for book two!
In this new series, we meet the MacLaine girls, the first of which is Bina. Like many of us, Bina is trying to keep everyone else's lives together, sometimes at the expense of her own. The dance school she runs, that her mother owns, is on its last leg, despite her mother's refusal to accept this fact. In the hopes that new blood will bring new students, she hires a former student, which is just one more problem piled on top of the others. Maclaine Academy can't afford to pay a new instructor to run a new class.
Maurice is more than a former student turned talented dancer, famous in his own right. He's also... a man. A fully grown, adult, attractive man who's attracted to Bina-and the feeling is very mutual. But she's still trying to get over her former fiance's infidelity, witnessed first hand, and stop him from trying to sell the Academy out from under her. Maurice wants to be more than friends and coworkers, but Bina has a hard time jumping into a relationship with both feet.
Adding to the drama, the MacLaine Academy is mere months from failing and Yvonne, Bina's mother, is acting strangely. After revealing that she's enduring a health scare, Bina's whole world seems to be a whirlwind around her-- she's got to find a way to keep the Academy open, classes going and jobs intact, and take care of her mother.
In walks another former student, a blast from Bina's past and someone who Bina's mother hopes will save the Academy.
These books are novellas, so they will be short shots of realistic drama, tangible personal relationships and, of course red hot love scenes that will steam up your kindle screen! This first book was a quick but satisfying read (I snuck it at work because I couldn't put it down), whetting the appetite for the next installment, due April 2018. I will definitely have that on my TBR.
Shelly Ellis has become one of my favorite writers. Romance, drama, women's fiction, literary fiction, whatever she is writing, I am reading. Y'all know what I always say... buy this, put it in your face and be on the lookout for book two!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2022
I read this quick novella and it was my intro to Shelly Ellis. I definitely want to read more of her work because I thought her characters had great chemistry. I don't usually go for age gap and I wasn't sure how to feel about this setup at first. Bina is a dance teacher who taught Maurice dance when he was 15 and she was 24. He's now a 22 yr old who has had moderate success as a dancer and choreographer in Atlanta.
Maurice is teaching a hip hop dance class at Bina's mother's academy. Unbeknownst to Bina her mother has cancer and is plotting to save the academy from going under. Maurice is just one of the former students she's reached out to hoping his classes with revitalize the school. Bina is feeling Maurice but she doesn't want to get involved because she was his teacher and she's older. But she's also looking for a new man to get under after her engagement breaks down.
Shelly Ellis certainly puts a lot of drama into this novella and while it started out well there just wasn't enough page time to finish out Bina's story and the ending felt rushed. Which makes me wonder how the story will continue since it ends on a cliffhanger which will carry over into the next novella but the next novella centers a different woman connected to the studio.
Maurice is teaching a hip hop dance class at Bina's mother's academy. Unbeknownst to Bina her mother has cancer and is plotting to save the academy from going under. Maurice is just one of the former students she's reached out to hoping his classes with revitalize the school. Bina is feeling Maurice but she doesn't want to get involved because she was his teacher and she's older. But she's also looking for a new man to get under after her engagement breaks down.
Shelly Ellis certainly puts a lot of drama into this novella and while it started out well there just wasn't enough page time to finish out Bina's story and the ending felt rushed. Which makes me wonder how the story will continue since it ends on a cliffhanger which will carry over into the next novella but the next novella centers a different woman connected to the studio.
January 25, 2018
Short and sweet. It ended up being sexier than I thought it would be which was a good surprise.
June 5, 2020
This felt a little incomplete, but that is probably a sign I have been reading too many books with proposal epilogues and they have infected my brain. (I don't even like them!) But I liked this! It felt very centered in place, which is something I always appreciate. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series.
August 18, 2018
3.5 stars, rounding up
This is my first book by Shelly Ellis, but it certainly won’t be my last! There is so much I enjoyed about this:
—the opening scene where Bina dumps an iced coffee on her ex-fiancé was AMAZING
—the setting in DC was nice because it felt authentic (I believe the author is from the area!) and I’m super nitpicky about books set here, so that was really great. it references actual neighborhoods and the effects of gentrification on the dance school that’s at the center of the book
—I really liked both protagonists. this is an older woman/younger man age gap, which many will go for (it’s so rare so I always like this!). The fact that Bina was Maurice’s dance teacher when he was younger didn’t weird me out because he’s been gone a long time and their relationship in the past was totally appropriate (down to his childish crush on the hot dance teacher)
—the dynamics of their relationship really worked for me in many ways. on Twitter, I referenced a scene near the beginning that I REALLY APPRECIATED, in which Maurice flirts with Bina, gets gently rejected, and totally backs off. he gives her physical space and is super conscious of not making her uncomfortable. and yet there is still great chemistry and potential for them to get together after the rejection. just great proof to me that you can keep sexual tension going without making men really pushy or creepy in their advances after getting a “no.” he understands she’s not “playing hard to get” and respects this.
I thought based on the first part of the book that this would be a solid 4-4.5 star read for me, but a few issues ultimately brought it down:
—I really wanted more interaction and development of Bina’s relationship with her mother, whom she doesn’t know has cancer. as the founder and partial owner of the dance academy, I kept wondering how it was possible Yvonne was so sick and no one noticed? her excuse was fatigue ahead of a big showcase, but Bina doesn’t even notice at first how much work her mother is missing and that was odd because they work SO closely together
—the ending overall felt rushed and kind of unresolved. Bina and Maurice get the HEA but other plot points are left hanging, and I think it’s because this book sets up the rest of the series. I realise it’s a novella, but it could’ve benefited from being a full-length book. the whole core of the story is the academy possibly having to close and this completely disappears from the book for a good chunk of the story only to reappear in the epilogue to set up the next book
Overall, there is a lot to like about this, and I’ll definitely read the next one, just wish the ending had been stronger and that more things were wrapped up in this story.
This is my first book by Shelly Ellis, but it certainly won’t be my last! There is so much I enjoyed about this:
—the opening scene where Bina dumps an iced coffee on her ex-fiancé was AMAZING
—the setting in DC was nice because it felt authentic (I believe the author is from the area!) and I’m super nitpicky about books set here, so that was really great. it references actual neighborhoods and the effects of gentrification on the dance school that’s at the center of the book
—I really liked both protagonists. this is an older woman/younger man age gap, which many will go for (it’s so rare so I always like this!). The fact that Bina was Maurice’s dance teacher when he was younger didn’t weird me out because he’s been gone a long time and their relationship in the past was totally appropriate (down to his childish crush on the hot dance teacher)
—the dynamics of their relationship really worked for me in many ways. on Twitter, I referenced a scene near the beginning that I REALLY APPRECIATED, in which Maurice flirts with Bina, gets gently rejected, and totally backs off. he gives her physical space and is super conscious of not making her uncomfortable. and yet there is still great chemistry and potential for them to get together after the rejection. just great proof to me that you can keep sexual tension going without making men really pushy or creepy in their advances after getting a “no.” he understands she’s not “playing hard to get” and respects this.
I thought based on the first part of the book that this would be a solid 4-4.5 star read for me, but a few issues ultimately brought it down:
—I really wanted more interaction and development of Bina’s relationship with her mother, whom she doesn’t know has cancer. as the founder and partial owner of the dance academy, I kept wondering how it was possible Yvonne was so sick and no one noticed? her excuse was fatigue ahead of a big showcase, but Bina doesn’t even notice at first how much work her mother is missing and that was odd because they work SO closely together
—the ending overall felt rushed and kind of unresolved. Bina and Maurice get the HEA but other plot points are left hanging, and I think it’s because this book sets up the rest of the series. I realise it’s a novella, but it could’ve benefited from being a full-length book. the whole core of the story is the academy possibly having to close and this completely disappears from the book for a good chunk of the story only to reappear in the epilogue to set up the next book
Overall, there is a lot to like about this, and I’ll definitely read the next one, just wish the ending had been stronger and that more things were wrapped up in this story.
February 3, 2019
I. Loved. This. Book. LOVED IT!
February 10, 2019
I wasn't expecting to love this book as a much as I did. The characters, plot, descriptions were all very well written! Bina got me right in the feels. I can't wait to read book #2!!
February 20, 2018
On Pointe
I enjoyed this first book of this new series by this author. It held my attention from the beginning to the end. I love this older woman younger man storyline and can't wait to see how their relationship pans out. I love this author's writing and her books never disappoint. I highly recommend this book to read. You won't be disappointed.
Cassandra H.
I enjoyed this first book of this new series by this author. It held my attention from the beginning to the end. I love this older woman younger man storyline and can't wait to see how their relationship pans out. I love this author's writing and her books never disappoint. I highly recommend this book to read. You won't be disappointed.
Cassandra H.
March 28, 2019
Well, that ended quite abruptly! The setup and build up of this excellent age-gap romance between a dance instructor and her all grown up ex-pupil was so good, and then after they weather their first conflict, exchange their first "I love you's," and agree to go public, the story ends with a shocking health revelation for Bina's mom and the arrival of a brand new character. What!
I am assuming we'll get to see a bit more of Bina and Mo in the next novella which is why this is four stars instead of three. There's so much good here, the consent between Bina and Mo, his taking Bina's initial rejection and backing off when he first flirts with her, the way Ellis deftly handles what could be sort of squicky (age-gap is a hard trope to do right and she does it with aplomb). I also wish there were scenes showing Bina and Mo dancing! There's talk about dancing, but we never see them dance on page, together or apart.
A content warning is behind the spoiler:
I am assuming we'll get to see a bit more of Bina and Mo in the next novella which is why this is four stars instead of three. There's so much good here, the consent between Bina and Mo, his taking Bina's initial rejection and backing off when he first flirts with her, the way Ellis deftly handles what could be sort of squicky (age-gap is a hard trope to do right and she does it with aplomb). I also wish there were scenes showing Bina and Mo dancing! There's talk about dancing, but we never see them dance on page, together or apart.
A content warning is behind the spoiler:
February 13, 2018
Eu peguei essa novela pra ler porque ela é curta e tem uma bailarina negra na capa (YESSS!), mas que bom que eu fiz isso!!! Apesar de bem curtinho, o livro conta muito bem a história da Bina e do Mo, fazendo a gente ficar investida nesse casal ao passo que tudo vai se desenrolando (e isso porque eu tava, junto com a Bina, meio desgraçada da cabeça com ela ter conhecido ele bem mais novo). Tem alguns detalhezinhos que me incomodaram, mas nada que estragasse minha experiência com a leitura. Estou ansiosa pra ler a próximas e conhecer as outras personagens (principalmente a Yvonne, que eu acho que não terá uma novela só dela, mas aceito qualquer coisa sobre mulher incrível).
January 16, 2018
On Pointe by Shelly Ellis is the first book in The MacLaine Girls Novella Series.
We are introduced to Bina MacLaine and the MacLaine Academy of Performing Arts. This is different from her other series and I love it. She did not disappoint at all, this storyline is more spicy and I love it. I enjoyed Bina’s take charge attitude, most women characters try to be so political correct by waiting on the man and by these actions women tend to miss out on a good thing.I would have liked to see more with Yvonne and hoping that will come in the other books. If you are looking for a fast paced spicy read then this is the book for you.
We are introduced to Bina MacLaine and the MacLaine Academy of Performing Arts. This is different from her other series and I love it. She did not disappoint at all, this storyline is more spicy and I love it. I enjoyed Bina’s take charge attitude, most women characters try to be so political correct by waiting on the man and by these actions women tend to miss out on a good thing.I would have liked to see more with Yvonne and hoping that will come in the other books. If you are looking for a fast paced spicy read then this is the book for you.
Read
April 19, 2019I enjoyed this a lot. In such a short space, Ellis gave both Bina and Maurice multidimensional lives as well as a) an interesting dynamic and b) well-developed chemistry. Both Bina and Maurice are nursing wounds from their previous relationships, but I really liked how they were both portrayed as being patient with the relationship they're currently making. There's a serious subplot involving Bina's mother (who we learn near the start of the book is hiding her cancer diagnosis & treatment from her daughter) and the livelihood of the performance arts academy she founded, but the romance itself is upbeat and lovely.
January 16, 2018
Shelly Ellis introduced a new series, The MacLaine Girls! Well, grab your popcorn and put your feet up because this book will have you thoroughly entertained. I read this book in a few hours. Just the right length and didn't take to long to get to the height of the story.
Bina MacLaine is a women who relates to the everyday struggles of many women trying to stay afloat and keep her family (mom) together. Bina is a character that I feel many women can relate to and not to far fetched from daily life struggles. Maurice, a nice young male who was once a student of Bina's, was a nice spice to the novel. Even in his young age he had been through somethings that I feel seem to make him wise.
Towards the end of the novel I was ready to throw my bowl because the drama was getting good !
I can't wait to see more of this series development and learn more about all the MacLaine girls! This sure had the right amount of drama, spice and romance!
Grab your popcorn and read this novel. I promise you will NOT be disappointed!
Bina MacLaine is a women who relates to the everyday struggles of many women trying to stay afloat and keep her family (mom) together. Bina is a character that I feel many women can relate to and not to far fetched from daily life struggles. Maurice, a nice young male who was once a student of Bina's, was a nice spice to the novel. Even in his young age he had been through somethings that I feel seem to make him wise.
Towards the end of the novel I was ready to throw my bowl because the drama was getting good !
I can't wait to see more of this series development and learn more about all the MacLaine girls! This sure had the right amount of drama, spice and romance!
Grab your popcorn and read this novel. I promise you will NOT be disappointed!
April 5, 2018
DNF at 67%.
Firstly, helpless mother whose longtime business is going under & she can’t figure out how to save it without asking young people to come help. This is infuriating because she’s about 50, which is when you’re at your peak businesswise. Also, she learns at the start of the book that she’s got cancer. (Because it’s the rule, if a romance genre Mom isn’t dead yet, she’s gotta be on her way there.) #agism
Secondly, the mother tells her daughter directly that as a woman without kids or a husband, she will have *nothing* if the business fails & her Mom dies. Forget friends, skills, health, talent, valuable real estate...nope, without a man and baby and your current job, you are nothing. #sexism
Thirdly, without provocation, the hero hits on the heroine, shortly after she becomes his boss, in such a hamhanded manner that it might be construed as sexual harassment. It’s the opposite of sexy. #yuck
Fourthly, although she’s 31, the heroine is vastly less knowledgeable about sex than the 22 year old hero is. So, ugh, he’s teaching her. And, wait for it, she’s shocked he wants to leave the lights on during sex. If there’s a 31 year old woman in the DC area who would be shocked by that IRL, I’d be dumbfounded. This semi-virginalizing of the heroine is also #sexism
Lastly, although we’re at the 67% mark, the couple have barely spoken or shared any time with each other outside of dancing for an hour once and having a zing when they touch. There’s no ‘there’ to the relationship. They barely know anything about each other. What with the other drama - sick mother, business in trouble, ex-lover-dramas etc - I doubt there’s enough pages left for them to do much together besides hook up and fuss.
I’m #done.
Firstly, helpless mother whose longtime business is going under & she can’t figure out how to save it without asking young people to come help. This is infuriating because she’s about 50, which is when you’re at your peak businesswise. Also, she learns at the start of the book that she’s got cancer. (Because it’s the rule, if a romance genre Mom isn’t dead yet, she’s gotta be on her way there.) #agism
Secondly, the mother tells her daughter directly that as a woman without kids or a husband, she will have *nothing* if the business fails & her Mom dies. Forget friends, skills, health, talent, valuable real estate...nope, without a man and baby and your current job, you are nothing. #sexism
Thirdly, without provocation, the hero hits on the heroine, shortly after she becomes his boss, in such a hamhanded manner that it might be construed as sexual harassment. It’s the opposite of sexy. #yuck
Fourthly, although she’s 31, the heroine is vastly less knowledgeable about sex than the 22 year old hero is. So, ugh, he’s teaching her. And, wait for it, she’s shocked he wants to leave the lights on during sex. If there’s a 31 year old woman in the DC area who would be shocked by that IRL, I’d be dumbfounded. This semi-virginalizing of the heroine is also #sexism
Lastly, although we’re at the 67% mark, the couple have barely spoken or shared any time with each other outside of dancing for an hour once and having a zing when they touch. There’s no ‘there’ to the relationship. They barely know anything about each other. What with the other drama - sick mother, business in trouble, ex-lover-dramas etc - I doubt there’s enough pages left for them to do much together besides hook up and fuss.
I’m #done.
May 25, 2021
I love a good older woman and younger man romance. As long as everyone is legal, sign me up!! The opening chapter of the book had me hooked. I love a feisty black woman and that is Bina “Bee” MacLaine.
Bee is a 31 year old who is the manager for the dance studio that her mom, Yolanda, owns. Bee is realistic about things and leery of getting involved with any man after being burned. Then we are introduced to Maurice Hewett who is the new dance instructor that her mom hired that happens to be 22 years. But Bee is not blind and can see that Mo is fine.
🚨Trigger Warning🚨 The discussion of illness of parent is focused on during this read.
This read was ok. It was low angst so it hit the spot in that matter. I think that I would have really enjoyed this more if I knew a bit more about our heroine and hero backstory. The ending came quickly but I believe that this story was wrapped up. Never really got the answer of who the MacLaine Girls are because Bee is an only child. 🤷🏾♀️ 3 stars ✨ because the spice 🌶 was pretty good.
Bee is a 31 year old who is the manager for the dance studio that her mom, Yolanda, owns. Bee is realistic about things and leery of getting involved with any man after being burned. Then we are introduced to Maurice Hewett who is the new dance instructor that her mom hired that happens to be 22 years. But Bee is not blind and can see that Mo is fine.
🚨Trigger Warning🚨 The discussion of illness of parent is focused on during this read.
This read was ok. It was low angst so it hit the spot in that matter. I think that I would have really enjoyed this more if I knew a bit more about our heroine and hero backstory. The ending came quickly but I believe that this story was wrapped up. Never really got the answer of who the MacLaine Girls are because Bee is an only child. 🤷🏾♀️ 3 stars ✨ because the spice 🌶 was pretty good.
February 17, 2018
3.5 stars
I love novellas but in this case I definitely could have read a full length novel with these two.
It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger but the next book will be a different couple and I really wanted to stay with these two and see them at work as a couple and deal with the school and her mom.
Even so...this was a sweet, swoony read that packed a lot into such a short story.
Also - it was on KU as of 2/16/18
I love novellas but in this case I definitely could have read a full length novel with these two.
It ended on a bit of a cliffhanger but the next book will be a different couple and I really wanted to stay with these two and see them at work as a couple and deal with the school and her mom.
Even so...this was a sweet, swoony read that packed a lot into such a short story.
Also - it was on KU as of 2/16/18
April 15, 2019
Point Not Made???
Typical African-American romance novella about an older woman and younger man. Bina MacLaine is 31 and Maurice Hewett is 22. The twist to this story is that Bina was Maurice's dance instructor when he was 14. Bina's mother, Yolanda, owns the MacLaine's Dance Academy which is in "dire straits". Maurice and several of the academy's past students have achieved success as entertainers as a result of their training at the MacLaine Dance Academy. Yolanda has reached out to them, hoping they will return and help the academy.
Yolanda has hired Maurice to teach a hip hop dance class for the summer, hoping he can help turn the dance academy around. Bina has always taught ballet at the academy and is its' business manager. She furious with her mother for hiring him because they can't afford it and could possibly have to lay off teachers who have been with the academy for years.
Bina and Maurice have both just faced bitter breakups which affected their self esteem. Still their attraction to each other is off the charts. Is Bina too sensitive about her age and a cheating fiance to give Maurice a chance? Will bitterness over their last relationship keep them apart?
Who else has Yolanda contacted to help the academy? Are there other secrets that Yolanda is keeping from Bina? Will the academy fall victim to gentrification or can former students save it?
Better character development and backstory for Bina and Maurice was needed. Abrupt ending but not a cliffhanger. Who are the MacLaine girls - little to no relationship established.
Typical African-American romance novella about an older woman and younger man. Bina MacLaine is 31 and Maurice Hewett is 22. The twist to this story is that Bina was Maurice's dance instructor when he was 14. Bina's mother, Yolanda, owns the MacLaine's Dance Academy which is in "dire straits". Maurice and several of the academy's past students have achieved success as entertainers as a result of their training at the MacLaine Dance Academy. Yolanda has reached out to them, hoping they will return and help the academy.
Yolanda has hired Maurice to teach a hip hop dance class for the summer, hoping he can help turn the dance academy around. Bina has always taught ballet at the academy and is its' business manager. She furious with her mother for hiring him because they can't afford it and could possibly have to lay off teachers who have been with the academy for years.
Bina and Maurice have both just faced bitter breakups which affected their self esteem. Still their attraction to each other is off the charts. Is Bina too sensitive about her age and a cheating fiance to give Maurice a chance? Will bitterness over their last relationship keep them apart?
Who else has Yolanda contacted to help the academy? Are there other secrets that Yolanda is keeping from Bina? Will the academy fall victim to gentrification or can former students save it?
Better character development and backstory for Bina and Maurice was needed. Abrupt ending but not a cliffhanger. Who are the MacLaine girls - little to no relationship established.
March 19, 2019
Friends to lovers
3.5 star
We meet Bee in the most hilarious of ways at the very start of the book. From there, I knew I was going to love her.
Bee is a dancer and loves it. She also manages her moms dance studio which has seen better times. But, she will make it work someway somehow. Her mom thinks that one way to help is to bring back a dancer that Bee used to teach. Except 15 year old Maurice is now 22 year old Mo and not little anymore!
Mo loves being back in DC even if it’s not for the most honest of reasons but he needs a break from the drama of dancing/choreography of Atlanta. He’s happy to be back at the dance studio and especially loves seeing Ms Bee again. Now that he’s legal, maybe she’ll give him a try?
The relationship with Mo and Bee is real in that it’s frustrating and confusing and wonderful all at once. They’re good together but they both come with baggage.
I truly enjoyed this book (my first by this author) and I especially like the cover picture. It’s stunning!
3.5 star
We meet Bee in the most hilarious of ways at the very start of the book. From there, I knew I was going to love her.
Bee is a dancer and loves it. She also manages her moms dance studio which has seen better times. But, she will make it work someway somehow. Her mom thinks that one way to help is to bring back a dancer that Bee used to teach. Except 15 year old Maurice is now 22 year old Mo and not little anymore!
Mo loves being back in DC even if it’s not for the most honest of reasons but he needs a break from the drama of dancing/choreography of Atlanta. He’s happy to be back at the dance studio and especially loves seeing Ms Bee again. Now that he’s legal, maybe she’ll give him a try?
The relationship with Mo and Bee is real in that it’s frustrating and confusing and wonderful all at once. They’re good together but they both come with baggage.
I truly enjoyed this book (my first by this author) and I especially like the cover picture. It’s stunning!
November 13, 2019
The book danced its way into my heart
Such a lovely tale. Bina and Maurice knew each other a few years back, as dance teacher and student. They meet again, with an instant attraction. The background story of the struggling dance school and secondary characters waltzes in effortlessly, making for a charming - yet still hot - read.
The side story about Bina's Mom felt odd and not developed as much as it should be - perhaps more as the series continues.
An example of the writing:
"Bina MacLaine was a woman who begged to be stared at, from her arresting brown eyes to the slope of her long neck to the shadow of cleavage peaking over the top of her black leotard as she leaned forward, flipped a page, and scribbled something on the paper in front of her. But frankly, she had always been a baddy."
Such a lovely tale. Bina and Maurice knew each other a few years back, as dance teacher and student. They meet again, with an instant attraction. The background story of the struggling dance school and secondary characters waltzes in effortlessly, making for a charming - yet still hot - read.
The side story about Bina's Mom felt odd and not developed as much as it should be - perhaps more as the series continues.
An example of the writing:
"Bina MacLaine was a woman who begged to be stared at, from her arresting brown eyes to the slope of her long neck to the shadow of cleavage peaking over the top of her black leotard as she leaned forward, flipped a page, and scribbled something on the paper in front of her. But frankly, she had always been a baddy."
February 12, 2019
Book 1 centers around Ms, Yvonne the founder of the Maclane Academy of the Performing Arts and her daughter, Bina. Bina ends up reluctantly hiring former student Maurice AKA Mo, now a 22 year old dance choreographer who ends up coming to help. Maurice has his own reasons for coming back to help, and not necessarily because of the financial situation of the school. Not only did I loved the relationship between Maurice and Bina, I loved that it also touched on gentrification, and the language of the characters fit.
February 12, 2018
Very good quick read!
I enjoyed Brina and Mo's story. I was shocked to know her mom was dealing with such a situation and keeping it from her daughter. Lisette was scandalous! I am looking forward to seeing how Monique will he!p during this time of crisis. Carl and Katie were foul and I was glad Brina got her groove back! Looking forward to the next story. A few grammatical errors but overall a great quick read!
I enjoyed Brina and Mo's story. I was shocked to know her mom was dealing with such a situation and keeping it from her daughter. Lisette was scandalous! I am looking forward to seeing how Monique will he!p during this time of crisis. Carl and Katie were foul and I was glad Brina got her groove back! Looking forward to the next story. A few grammatical errors but overall a great quick read!
April 6, 2019
Era una novella e si sentiva fin troppo.
Poco soddisfacente nel complesso, avrebbe guadagnato di approfondimento, con più spazio a disposizione. Sembra essersi risolto tutto troppo in fretta, e i problemi non sembravano nemmeno reali (solo quello di Mo con Lisette l’ho sentito davvero).
La protagonista della successiva sembra divertentissima, ma non ho particolarmente voglia di recuperarmela per timore che si riveli underwhelming come questa.
Poco soddisfacente nel complesso, avrebbe guadagnato di approfondimento, con più spazio a disposizione. Sembra essersi risolto tutto troppo in fretta, e i problemi non sembravano nemmeno reali (solo quello di Mo con Lisette l’ho sentito davvero).
La protagonista della successiva sembra divertentissima, ma non ho particolarmente voglia di recuperarmela per timore che si riveli underwhelming come questa.
February 4, 2023
“On Pointe”was ok. Bina’s attraction to Maurice was disturbing for me. Contrary to popular belief “age is just a number”.. possibly⁉️ Unfortunately, nine years is a relevant mitigating factor in thus scenario. Yes Maurice is an adult but Bina interest feels disingenuous. Maurice is the rebound, Maintenance-man, Bina’s ego boost after the embarrassing breakup with her ex fiancée. I’m not convinced. This novella needed more character & plot development.
March 8, 2018
Needed some editing help (what is wangyu beef, pray tell?) but an otherwise enjoyable story. Not a lot of tension despite a couple of setups, but I gather these dangling threads will be pulled over the course of the planned series.
The leads are likable with decent chemistry. I particularly enjoyed that in the beginning when Mo makes his first overture and Bina does not respond positively, that he respects that and moves on. He doesn't make his crush her problem.
The leads are likable with decent chemistry. I particularly enjoyed that in the beginning when Mo makes his first overture and Bina does not respond positively, that he respects that and moves on. He doesn't make his crush her problem.
June 11, 2018
Characters: dance teacher, choreographer/teacher
World Building: inner city arts program, gentrification
Plot: trust after past betrayals, family drama
Sex: medium
Read another: Yes. I want to know what happens to the arts center
The heroine seemed pretty oblivious, not noticing her mother's health issues.
World Building: inner city arts program, gentrification
Plot: trust after past betrayals, family drama
Sex: medium
Read another: Yes. I want to know what happens to the arts center
The heroine seemed pretty oblivious, not noticing her mother's health issues.
April 29, 2019
Age ain't nothing but a number
Bina and Maurice. I'm glad she was able to find love again even if it was with someone younger. Guess you can't knock it unless you've tried it. That would be hard though getting past that age Gap but they did I hope that next books keep the happiness flowing and also sees Binas mom in remission.
Bina and Maurice. I'm glad she was able to find love again even if it was with someone younger. Guess you can't knock it unless you've tried it. That would be hard though getting past that age Gap but they did I hope that next books keep the happiness flowing and also sees Binas mom in remission.
April 12, 2020
This is the first book by Shelly I've read. I enjoyed her voice and loved the characters. The setting in D.C. was nice to see for a change and that of the dance studio. I definitely look forward to reading more of her working in the future and am glad that I had the opportunity to add a new author to my reading list.
September 14, 2022
I enjoyed the characters and the story, it just seemed too short. I was upset when I found that Bina was in the next book, Love Grind with her own issues with Mo that could have been fleshed out in this book.
February 1, 2018
Ok
It was a few grammatical errors. It was still a good read. It just ended so quick. If I knew I had to wait for the next book, I probably would have waited to read this one. I like to wait till all books are out in a series. I like Mo and Bina together.
It was a few grammatical errors. It was still a good read. It just ended so quick. If I knew I had to wait for the next book, I probably would have waited to read this one. I like to wait till all books are out in a series. I like Mo and Bina together.
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