Shut Up and Dance

The Dance Diaries #1

by Tanzania Glover

After this dance, nothing will be the same.

Singer Theo Smith is no stranger to dancing so one look at choreographer Tempest Randall’s flawless moves has him instantly wanting to 1, 2 step into her world. And since she’s already his biggest fan he expects it to be as effortless as his falsetto only neither could have anticipated the many obstacles attempting to prevent them from dancing the night away.

The Dance Diaries follows strangers to lovers Theo Smith and Tempest Randall as they stumble in and around love then try to navigate successfully dirty dancing with the stars.

Genres: Romance, African American Romance, Novella

213 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 23, 2022

About the author

Tanzania Glover lives in Chicago, Illinois. She is a blogger, pop culture critic, amateur chef, and tiny house enthusiast. Find her on all social media platforms as TanSaidWhat.

"I am a writer that creates stories and characters for black girls and women who never got to see themselves as the protagonist. Whether you were told that your skin was too dark, your hair was too nappy, your body was too big or too tall or all of the above, I’m here to tell you it was all a lie and I have something written just for you. For us."

Reviews

[Annette Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempest is that chic! She had Theo's nose wide open without even trying. The chemistry and sexual tension between them were perfection. Girlfriend came in and snatch Theo out of that toxic haze he was stuck in with his ex with zero problems. Nat who?!!! Theo has been smitten with Tempest since he started watching her dance videos. She was attracted too but, she found it hard to believe the popular R&B singer would want her. But, when Theo looked at Tempest, he didn't see a plus size woman. He saw a talented dancer who was on her grind and that made her even more attractive to him. I loved that Tempest was unapologetically her authentic self and she refused to change for anyone. Her confidence was admirable. Tempest knew she was the shyt and you couldn't tell her different. Theo never hesitated to defend her when his sister and manager's rude azzes had some slick shyt to say about Tempest. He nipped that shyt in the bud and let it be known, if you want to keep your job, fat phobia would NOT be tolerated. I absolutely loved Shut Up and Dance. It was romantic, sexy, and funny as hell. This author always comes through with storylines that represent plus size heroines in such a positive manner. My only complaint is, this book wasn't longer. Tempest and Theo deserved a full length novel. I could've easily read another 200 pages of their love journey. I'm so happy to see this author back to doing what she loves. Kudos to you Ms. Glover. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[Rashawnda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Give me more!!!! This was sooo good and way too short! Theo and Tempest had undeniable chemistry in “Shut Up and Dance”. He was an R&B singer in a loveless “relationship” that was way past its expiration date! He was attached to Nat out of familiarity more than anything but secretly lusted after the temptress Tempest a local dancer that recognized her body was a work of art! After using his newest single in an online dance that caused it to not only go viral but top the charts as well he no longer felt the need to fight his undeniable attraction to her. These two had a magnetic chemistry that could be felt oozing from the pages! I loved the confidence that Tempest exudes. As a plus sized beauty she owned her femininity and sexuality in such a way that no one could deny, haters included. I’d love an update on these two because this book only scratched the surface of their potential! There were so many layers to be peeled back and I could’ve easily seen this as a full blown novel documenting their road to HEA!

[Lette Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this novella. I loved the chemistry so much, I wanted more of their story.

[Katie ratherbereadinggg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars I enjoyed this one; I just wanted more!

[Misse Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theo & Tempest 😍...

Shut Up And Dance is a page-turning novella about a singer (Theo) and a dancer (Tempest) who meet at a concert and have immediate chemistry. Theo is looking for something new and fresh in his life, while Tempest is chasing her dreams to dance with a major artist and make a name for herself in the industry. Their worlds collide when Theo finally SEES Tempest for all of her beauty and realizes she's all he needs.

I really enjoyed the two main characters and learning about them as the story developed. They balanced one another very well and I of course love a great unexpected love story.

Tanzania Glover writes as if she's telling a juicy story about somebody's business that you must know from beginning to end.

[Ayanna First of BourbonStreetBookers · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Move He Won't Ever Miss

OMG readers.... this novella gave it all!! Tempest is dat chic!! I absolutely love an author penning beauty of full figured Black Women! The fact that sis wasn't even bothered & snatchin moves & souls! I have missed this author’s pen & this was the perfect welcome back we needed! Congratulations! 🎉🎊

[Toya Davis-Stokley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I see you Tempest, with yo bad ass! 😂 This woman was everything! I loved the confidence she had in her dancing abilities, and did not care what anyone had to say about it! So what she was a "big" girl! She could get down with the best of them, and embarrasss them right off the dance floor! Theo, was stuck in a rut with that leech Nat! She just rubbed me the wrong way, and was not deserving of Theo, at all! When Theo sees Tempest dancing, he is mesmerized by her moves and can start to picture a future with this woman; that he has never met! When the do encounter each other for the first time at the concert, that scene was sexy as hell! Tempest turned poor Theo out with one dance, and he was coming for her with purpose! However, Tempest was no fool, and could not believe that Theo the hit making singer, really wanted her! But, he was about to make her a believer! Their chemistry and hot, and the fun, blunt conversations they had, made their relationship all the more relatable! I hated to see this end like this, as I was ready for more! Hope to see them again. Really enjoyed this read! 👍👍👍

[Torri (BlackRomanceConnoisseur) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick & Cute

I genuinely enjoyed this novella! The chemistry was coming off the pages and I was smiling like they were talking to me. It was refreshing and different to read a romance novella from just the male perspective. I love the positive plus size heroine representation and a man that did not play about the fat phobia—he didn’t play about her AT ALL.

[Dahyana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempest x Theo

This was all sort of cute and I ate it all up. I love that Tempest was all woman. Everyone else was bothered by her weight and size, but she seem unbothered and unapologetically herself, dancing her life away. Theo all right with me. All good in my book. He stood up up for Temp like a real man should. You're not gonna body shame Temp around him. I love them together. Like everyone knows, the big girls do it better and Theo can attest to that. Cause Tempest. Put. It. On. Him.

[BetweentheCoversLiterary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awemazing!!!

I definitely need more of Tempest and Theo, this duo is all chemistry and spice and I need to see their love evolve. Continuation me please! I need more of them. Definitely can’t wait for what’s next from this author she always deliver superb romance

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

over to soon

I need more. I need some on tour bonus scenes or something. If you’re going to give me single person pov please give it to me from the guy’s perspective. This was exactly what I need. THIS is what I have been in the mood for. Tan is so good at building your connection to her characters without a lot of fluff and I love that. I need to quit playing and finish her backlist. And 5 stars for the way this gives your fat girl rep without making everything about her weight. Fat girls deserve to just be a MC full stop.

[Lisette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

This was such a perfect short l*st/love story.
I was drawn in from the very first lines and the story just didn't let up the entire read. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story. Both MC were likeable, dare I say even lovable! They were funny, down to earth and real. I'm so glad they both went for what they wanted. I hope they dance for many more days to come!

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride

The story was a good ride. The musical aspect was refreshing. The big girl shaming was sickening, but the author did her thing by addressing the issue precisely. The story was enjoyable and held my interest throughout. The dancing and choreography part enhanced the story for an easy-to-visualize storyline—a good read from start to finish.

[KarynReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice quick listen. I loved the chemistry right away between Theo and Tempest. She had him shook from her first shake! Lol this is one book I wanted more from. I could have kept listening to their story.

[tanessia ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

wait

Wait a minute! It was like I blinked and it was over. I need more. I loved there chemistry. I need to know what happened on the tour.

[Jahda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Tempest she was confident and that girl. The chemistry was just there has me wanting more of the two.

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it!!

[DeNae Sheree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story

This was so freaking good. I loved everything about this story. The instant connection between Theo and Tempest. The whole premise of the singer and dancer was so swoon worthy!!

[ariana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/🌶🌶🌶

Tropes: strangers to lovers and dancer/music artist

TW/CW:  Fatphobia, Child death, Car accident, and Miscarriage

Representation: black romance, plus size romance

Thoughts: chileeee ms glover came back with a BANG HUNNY!! I didn’t know I needed a dancer/ music artist romance but clearly I did!! I ate this shit up!! Theo had it bad for my girl temp and I’m here for it!! I love that she really wasn’t foolin with him and made him work for it!! I will say the fatphobia made me annoyed but other than that I loved this shit!! And Chile the spice 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[Shahtia Gay-hairston · Rating 5 out of 5]

💃 Dance

Shut Up and Dance was a fast and enjoyable read. I’m wouldn’t mind seeing exactly how far these two go in a relationship and how Nat will take it. I am definitely intrigued!

[Jrobin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick & Cute

This was a fun read, a good plalet cleanser. Tanzania never fails to promote body positivity at every turn. Temptest was the shit in the dance world and she knew it others tried to minimize her shine because she didn't fit in their made standards but my girl stood on her shit. Theo is a rising star with need for a real woman and once he meets Tempest its over with. I like she made him chase her a bit, like yeah you a superstar but you gotta work for it! Such cute read highly recommend!

[October Readsss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a short & feisty read !

I am in loveeeeee with Tempest the Temptress 🥰🥰 Theo is INFATUATED with Tempest. She the beauty that made his song go viral with her amazing dance moves. Theo is straight smitten with my good sis, I'm talking about constantly watching her videos & feigninggggg to get near her, even for a hug.

Tempest is a plus size beauty who dgaf about her size or trying to make others comfortable. She refuses to dim her light for anyone or shrink herself to make other feel good. Their is instant chemistry between these two.

I love how Theo checked everybody from his manager to his sis about Tempest. He refused to put her in a box to appease others.

I would love another read about these two, maybe a book that starts in the middle of his tour & really show them building a more emotional connection.

[Whit · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome page turner!

Famous singer, Theo, admired Tempest's dancing talent and confidence in herself. So when the haters came at her with their "big girl shaming" comments, he quickly shut them down.

Then he encouraged her to stand up against the haters as well:
"If somebody is doing something you didn't agree to, then you better make some noise until they get it right." (Page 149,Tanzania Glover)

Preach Theo! Stop the disrespect right then and there!!!!!

[martha fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sexy...welcome back

Great for this author to return in giving us this sexy short story. I loved how the author gave love to this BBW who lived unapologetically. While others tried to make fun of her and shut her out Tempest wasn't having it! Theo was there supporting her along the way. Great comeback!

[Goodgirlkeepreading · Rating 5 out of 5]

so much yes

I loved this book . It was a quick read that kept me engaged with the characters story. I love how once Theo determined he wasted enough time with Nat he moved on and didn’t look back. I love that she wrote Tempest as a beautiful, alluring , sexy ,and confident plus sized queen. There was not an ounce of self hate . That’s what I love to see.

[Takeah Latimore · Rating 5 out of 5]

shut up and dance

Theo & Temp gave me ALL the feels! This was such a sweet book! I loved the banter between the main characters & how even in just a few pages, the author was able to paint us a full picture. The characters weren’t one dimensional & nothing in the plot felt unfinished. I truly enjoyed Glover’s writing style & the way she’s able to convey a lot with a little. This is my first read by her, but I’m converting myself into an instant fan. I want to read everything in her catalog now. Shut Up And Dance is a five star read with a five star romance. Get into it!

[Msgonzo10 · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it!

Loved Theo, loved Temp. Loved it all! I could’ve read 200 more pages of their chemistry and blossoming love story along with the sexy times but this gave me so much to enjoy!

[Dee LoLo · Rating 5 out of 5]

shall we dance?

I loved every single bit of this. It was funny but different for me because it was in his POV the whole time. Would have loved to see how Temp was feeling but not having it didn’t cause this to be anything less than good! I’m so happy about this one. Write more!

[Synthia Littleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

I could have read about these two for 200 more pages. Sexy and fun! That's it! Sexy and fun. I enjoyed this quick read.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful

This was a beautiful love story. Amazed that so much depth was contained in so few pages. My first time reading this author and I can’t wait to read more. Great job!