From the gutter to the stars… Dance is in my blood. It’s what keeps me sane, out of trouble. It used to keep them out of trouble too.A group of boys I grew up with. Xeno, York, Zayn and Dax. We were a crew once and we ruled the clubs. Separate we were insanely good, together we were unbeatable. F&ing on fire. I was their girl and they were my Breakers.Until they did something they promised … Breakers.
Until they did something they promised they never would; break my heart.
We were seventeen when they left me.
You see, for kids like us, dance was all we had.
Growing up in a rundown housing estate in London with no prospects can make you view the world differently.
It can make you choose the wrong path.
I chose dance, and they chose crime.
Three years later I’ve won a scholarship to Stardom Academy. I try to forget my past.
But how can I do that when the four boys who hurt me are back?
And this time they’re following in my footsteps and joining the academy too.
Freestyle is book one of this new gritty, contemporary reverse harem academy romance for 17+ readers and deals with adult themes and some subjects you may find upsetting. If you love dance, your men on the criminal side, alpha hot holes and the friends-to-enemies-to-lovers trope, this is for you. Contains foul language and sexual scenes and ends on a cliffhanger.*
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I want to start my review by giving you my favorite quote from the book. It’s something I believe everyone should hear, especially if you don’t feel as confident about yourself as you should!
“You should never close the door on a gift just because you don’t think you fit the mold. Don’t ever define yourself by what you believe people see. Open yourself up to possibilities because you are talented enough to do anything.”
When I read the synopsis of the book, I didn’t hesitate in requesting it. It’s no secret that I enjoy reverse harem books. This one has an added bonus since it features a dance academy. I’m a fan of Step-Up and every other movie featuring dance groups. I might have watched every one of them multiple times!! Reading this book gave me that movie’s vibes!!
Pen grown up in a really messed up environment. Her mother is a drunk and her older brother is a psychopathic gang member. The only person that she absolutely loves and loves her is her little sister, Leah. Dance was the only thing keeping her sane until she met a boy, Zayn. He approached her, complimented her, and asked her to join his dance crew, the Breakers. A particularly bad night, she decides to give them a chance. That’s how Xeno, York, Zayn and Dax became the best part of her life. Until the night of her 17th birthday when everything changed.
The story is told in both past and present tense. We get to see flashbacks to their teenager years as well as what is happening in the present. Pen has the chance to succeed after being accepted in Stardom Academy, but her peace is quickly interrupted when the Breakers come back into her life. These four really know how to mess with her mind and make her life even more difficult.
There are so many things happening in the book. Past deals, gang-related matters and secrets are all part of the plot. I was constantly itching for more information on what is really happening, but the author kept teasing without really giving us everything! Be warned that this is a trilogy and this book ends in a cliffhanger. If you can’t wait, then you should wait until the series is complete. I myself hoping that we get book 2 soon; that ending killed me!!!!
TOP BOOK OF 2020
If you love the film Step up, you will love this!
If you love RH books, where all of the guys have completely different personalities but compliment one another then you will love this book.
If you love Gangs and guys who blur the lines then pick up this book!
I stumbled upon Freestyle by accident but as soon as I read the blurb, I knew I had to read it. I love RH books, I love gang books and I love reading about dancing.
Bea Paige slayed with book 1 and I am dying to get my hands on the other books, especially after that cliffhanger!
The guys, sigh. I love them. Normally in a reverse harem book I’ll have a favourite guy but I can’t pick out of these 4! They are loyal to a fault, possessive, protective, funny, loving, mysterious, sexy dancing bad boys.
I also loved Penelope. That girl has been dealt a rough hand but everything in her life changes when she meets the Breakers as a kid.
I honestly didn’t think that I could go from swooning, to my heart beating out of my chest, to heartbroken and crying and then to horny as hell. But Bea Paige did that! She killed this book and I’m now going to go and check out her backlist.
Do yourselves a favour and go and pick up this book you won’t regret it! I’ve already ordered my paperback!
I’m still speechless….Like, what can I even say after that cliffhanger?! First off, I love these characters, but really it’s Bea Paige’s writing. She gave these characters so much personality, and depth of emotion that they feel real and are easy to connect with. The pain and heartache is so raw you can’t help but feel it, I cried my eyes out. I definitely wasn’t expecting the way things unraveled with the backstory, the explanation for how they found themselves in the situation they are in. It blew my mind and Jeb’s cruelty is beyond the level I thought it would go. Overall this was a fantastic read and I’m seriously excited about the next book.
The relationships in this book are amazing. Filled with so much drama and intrigue I could not put this book down….and my have slammed my kindle down when I reached the last page and realized it ended on a crazy cliff hanger. It was a seriously wild ride and I can’t wait to see where this story goes.
He found her, and gave her a freedom no one else could offer.
He also gave her a true family, who all shared her passion of dance.
Five worked as one, moved as one and flowed so beautifully, but then the day came when they were no more.
They were four, and she was once again one…
Now they see her and she can’t escape them. They are everywhere!
Oh wow wow wowsers!!
Bea Paige had me hooked from the cover, the theme and the trope. I can honestly say I fell in love before I’d even read a single word!
I met four beautiful souls as I read. They gave me hope, and showed me their true hearts. Then the ice formed and as their truth disappeared my heart rate increased and oh boy this book kicked up a gear!
Pen the girl in the thick of it couldn’t help but see what every other girl saw. They became more to her than a crew, and her heart raced for each and every one of them.
Their relationship could of been freedom personified if only others didnt watch from the wings, with baited breath and evil thoughts.
Such beauty in heartbreak and sorrow, and this book is a prime example of that.
My heart broke for them all. I wanted to fix them and watch them dance off into the sunset so to speak, but that wouldn’t make their story as amazing as it has been so far and deep down I know that.
They need pain, I need angst and together their journey becomes as close to perfection as humanly possible.
Do I really need to say it.. oh go on then.. I’m giving this a hip swivelling, leg kicking knee popping five stars!
Gritty, dark, tense, perfect playlist to go with this read, I mean I could go on!! Step up meets gangs, underground’s fights and so much more!
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Holy shit!!! I was at the edge of my seat through the whole book. I experienced it all! The heartache, the pain, I cried, I was coiled with anticipation, I was speechless.
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This is a enemies to lovers, reverse harem book following Pen as she follows her dreams of becoming a professional dancer. Her life hasn’t been easy and one I can empathise with as I have gone through the same in some areas. This book was so dark and felt so real. The world building was incredible. The author has truly captured the world in which we are transported to in this book. So vivid and with a life all on its own, it’s truly captivating.
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The characters, all unique and have their own energy, they definitely leave their impression on you and you will find yourself having a hard time escaping both the characters and the world they are in. It’s been a few hours since I finished the book and I’m still immersed in this story. Such a well thought out plot with interesting layers and so much depth that this truly is a masterful read.
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This book is definitely a top 3 for me for this year, hands down! I love this books so much. I haven’t been this effected by a story in awhile at least to this degree and I cannot stress enough for people to read this book. If RH isn’t for you then I truly believe you are missing out!
Amazing read by Bea Paige, I cant wait for the next book!!!
Okay so I am not a huge fan of dance movies. I have seen a couple and cannot deny some are pretty good. That being said, I came into Freestyle not knowing what to expect but knowing Bea, I knew I would end up liking it. Guess what, I so did.
So there is alot going on in Freestyle. We have lots of tension between all the characters. Of course with that comes the connection they all still have under all that. Which of course make for some good reading. Pen and her Breakers will have you so hooked on their story that before you know it, you are done, and needing more.
Bea has done a great job of balancing everything, as she always does in her books. Dance in this book is an extension of what you are feeling. Which to me while reading, I felt like I was watching a movie. That is how descriptive Freestyle is.
Be warned, there is a good cliffhanger at the end, but to me it sets it up for book two Lyrical coming in October.
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This is the 1st on a new series and this story is all told in Pen’s POV. Pen has had a traumatic life which have turned her into a tough survivor. Pen and her breakers Xeno, York, Zayn, and Dax, have an unbreakable bond until something happens which breaks them. Now years later Pen has made the best of her life and tried to move on, but the boys are back, and they are angry. No spoilers: this is a definite must read. This is a well written dark story which is raw and gritty and filled with angst, drama, emotion, trauma, and heartbreak. I cannot wait for the 2nd book.
I’ve read a lot of books by Bea Paige.
A lot.
But this?
THIS BOOK?
This is the best one to date. It is absolutely EVERYTHING.
I wasn’t able to stop reading the moment I started. I was desperate for every single word of it and when the sun starting shining in my room and I read that final page? It was agony–the best kind of agony–the kind that had me laying there staring up at the ceiling replaying every single word of Pen and the Breakers story. I fell asleep thinking about them. I woke up after having spent what felt like HOURS dreaming about them! Seriously. I can’t stress enough how much this book pulled me in and … has still not let me go. I am STILL within the pages of their story; I am still apart of their world.
So clearly, I loved this book … but let me explain why I believe YOU will love this book and why I think you should read it.
1) The characters are GENUINE! When you’re reading about them? It’s not just words on a page … it’s slipping inside the story itself and watching it happen right in front of your minds eye. You are them. You feel their pain, their frustration, their love. You feel it all.
2) The DANCING. I have NEVER—EVER—read a book where while reading about dancing, I felt like I was a part of it. I was breathing in each and every move along with these characters. Do you know how incredible that is? To read WORDS and FEEL the movement within your own body?
3) The story … right off the bat you know something is going on, you just don’t know what yet and you don’t know how everything is connected. I felt like there was the perfect amount of suspense woven throughout the story too, the pace is perfect and the way we get to look back years earlier to experience their friendship before things broke apart really took things to a whole new level for me.
When I first saw that Bea was going to write a dance themed book, I was so so excited because dancing used to be a huge part of my life and also I love dance movies! She did NOT disappoint!
First off, I love Pen! She’s strong, smart, amazingly talented, and she loves people with all her heart. I adore everything about her!
I love and hate the guys! Love them because those hotties are everything she needs in her life, and hate because they are too stubborn to see what’s going on in front of their eyes! Haha.
This book captures my entire attention from beginning to end and I would do some crazy things to get my hands on book 2 ASAP!
10/10 would recommend
This is my first time reading anything from this author, and I will definitely look into reading more. This is the first book in the Academy of Stardom series, and the story of Pen, and the Breakers, Xeno, York, Zayn and Dax. Pen has endured some heartache in her life, but when she is accepted to Stardom Academy, she plans to put her past behind her, that is until she crosses paths with the Breakers. This was a great read, the characters are well written, have great chemistry, and I really enjoyed reading their story. This was a roller coaster of emotions, twist, and turns, this was intense, raw, gritty, and dramatic.
Every single time I read a book by Bea I’m done for. I get sucked in into a world of characters and a story that is unbelievably beautiful. I honestly don’t know how she does it but I’m so extremely happy she does. This story is absolutely amazing in every way. Pen and the Breakers story is one you don’t want to miss. Throughout this book my heart was in my throat wondering how much more Pen can deal with but she just keeps going. This author is a true genius when it comes to writing and the detail she puts into this story make you feel you are right there with each character. She really knows how to make you feel every emotion each character is feeling and it’s just amazing. If you haven’t started this book yet you definitely need to you won’t regret it.
This book was so so so good! If you are are a fan of the step up movies or a lover of dance in general you are going to love this book so hard! If you are looking for an angsty book with twists and turns and a love of dance this is such an amazing book and you’ll have to read it!!!
5 Brillant Stars!!!
I knew this book/series would be really good, but this is absolute PERFECTION!!! I am blown away! It’s beautiful how Bea crafted this whole story, the dancing in particular, into words, the care she took at describing every move, and it just leaps off the page into beautiful, vivid imagery in my mind. The story of Pen and her Breakers itself is so well written and fascinating. I could NOT put it down. Just stunning! BRILLANT! I cannot wait for the next book!
Freestyle is my very first entrance into the world of Author Bea Paige,
and I have to say, it was such an amazing introduction!
Freestyle is a fresh and unique addition to the reverse harem trope,
and Bea had my attention from page one! Reverse Harem is one of my favorite tropes to read. I love it, and I love how often the harem surrounding the heroine, are made up of men with differing personalities, all bringing something important to the group. Bea definitely did this perfectly, and I was excited to learn all about this group of hero’s, and their woman.
Freestyle’s heroine, Pen, is SO great. She is the perfect representation of strength, resilience, and hard work. She has overcome so much to make it where she is, and she isn’t one to give up.
This friends to enemies, and then to lover’s story, has SO much in it to hold your interest. Between, getting to know Pen, and Xeno, Dax, York, and Zayn, their love for dance, and the other things these characters are caught up in….you aren’t going to want to put the story down once you pick it up.
I don’t want to give much away, because there is a lot in this story that you need to experience on your own, but, just know that once you are finished, you are going to NEED the next. I am generally pretty patient when it comes to receiving the next in the series, but, idk if I can be with this one.
Bea provided us with some strong character development, a solid plot and an easy to follow, addicting, and intriguing storyline. It is making me wish that I had picked up one of her books sooner, but, instead of focusing on missing out for so long, I am going to be spending my free time catching up with the collection of her prior works, while I wait for the next in the Academy of Stardom series to be ready!
*Spoiler Alert*
Coming from a dysfunctional family with a mentally abusive mother, a psychopathic, violent brother- David and a younger sister Pen (FMC) has no one she can rely/depend on until a chance meeting with Zahn gets her recruited to his dance group the Breakers. Consisting on of the other members – leader Xeno, Dax and York. Giving her friends as well as a family shes never had before. Except complications in their lives interfere with the balance of their group fracturing their trust and dependency on one another. Breaking them apart. Until circumstances put them all back together doing what they love dancing but their all changed by their lives and not for the better either.
Oh boy the sexual tension with Pen and the Breakers is just pure fire. It steamed up my kindle big time!!! Yes i genuinely wanted to knock out Jeb, David and Pens mother but im hoping they all get whats coming to them in future books.
Omg what the hell was that ending?? Tut, Tut how could you leave it hanging there?? Sigh damn ive gotta wait now. Still this was so flaming good. I cant praise it up enough. Dying to get my hands on book 2 now
If you dare to open this one, be prepared to get swept away. On the verge of having her dreams of dance within her grasp finally, the four boys Pen loved are once again right in her personal space. With this scholarship, there’s even more on the line than before. She’s been keeping secrets that are revealed over the course of the story, but giving up what she’s worked so hard for would mean giving up on her dreams and make her sacrifices all for nothing.
Bea Paige makes each MC as unique as his style of dance. She manages to balance the character portrayals, Pen’s interactions, and the individual and group dynamics. This is perhaps the best use of split narrative between past and present that I’ve recently read. She could write a class because it’s masterfully done here delivering just the information needed to keep you on the hook. You can feel the connections forged in the past and the flare of embers where the present is waiting to ignite and catch fire. I can’t wait for more Breakers and am eagerly awaiting Lyrical!
Hot damn!!! I’m a sucker for dancers! And the author did such an amazing job you will fall in love with Pen and The Breakers. But be warned you will also feel heartbreak. I’m still reeling from finishing Freestyle. I’m a big jumble of emotions! And I’m scared for Pen! I want to know more now but sadly I must wait.
I received a copy of this book for an honest review.
Bea Paige is a new to me author. When I read the Synopsis, I was intrigued. This is a reverse harem; the guys are HOT and Pen is amazing.
Pen has had a hard life between dealing with her mother and brother things have not been pretty for her. Pen only wants a family to love her. Her only outlet for the hurt in her life if Dance. She meets up with the Breakers, who are Xeno, York, Zayn & Dax. She gets to know them and falls for all of them but when Xeno makes her choose stay with dance crew as friends or pick one and never dance with the crew again. There are twist, turns, deceit, ultimatums and deals that are made that make her walk away from her Breakers.
Things are looking up for Pen when she gets into Stardom Academy. She is on her way to her dream. Until the Breakers make an appearance in her life again. She is in turmoil the deals she made is now off the table and things can get UGLY.
I enjoyed getting to know Pen, Xeno, York, Zayn, and Dax. I have to say they all have qualities I loved but they also have huge flaws. Dax is the one that walked away with my heart. These guys would do anything to protect Pen and Pen would do anything to protect her family. Pen’s Brother, David, and Zayn’s uncle, Jeb, are an evil pair and manipulate things to what they want no matter the cost. This is a cliff hanger and I cannot wait to find our what happens next.