It’s said the artist is born of a damaged soul…
Wilhelmina Allende is a prima ballerina. When tragedy turns her beloved Paris into a gilded cage, she jumps at the chance to work with one of the most prolific choreographers she’s ever seen. But Zack’s style is way out of her comfort zone. So is his teaching method. And his humor. And his everything. He’s a charming little connard. It’s hard not … everything. He’s a charming little connard. It’s hard not to like him. Merde. What has she gotten herself into?
Zachary Coen’s first musical is opening on Broadway. Much like his life, it’s anything but conventional, so hiring Mina is simply out of the question. She’s too…classical. Too perfect. She’s all wrong for the role. Then he meets her in person and sees her cracks. Her broken pieces. How unique and beautiful each one is. And he can’t help but notice how her edges seem to fit his…perfectly.
Just when teaming up seems to be working, the monsters they’ve kept hidden threaten to rip it all apart.
**Content warning: The hero is a child molestation survivor and hyper focuses on what he eats as a coping mechanism. He is triggered in a scene toward the end. (While it does not get explicit, it may be triggering to some readers.)**
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This was just an OK read for me. It took me way too long to finish. I enjoyed the two main characters Zack and Mina, their romance and the sex scenes. The writing was good and did a very good job with the dance scenes. The subplots however felt like afterthoughts. The mystery did not add anything to the story. The book could have been improved by being shorter and with better editing.
I fell in love with the world Lynn Turner created in Pas De Deux. The heroine Mina, a plucky Black ballerina, is one for whom you will cheer. She is such a strong character and her romance with Zack is swoon-worthy. This story is a terrific glimpse into the world of classical ballet and musical theater, and will be a treasured read on many book shelves.
PAS DE DEUX: A DANCE FOR TWO by Lynn Turner is a beautifully written contemporary romance. This new to me author took me on a journey behind a classic ballet company, the building of a new Broadway musical and two imperfect people finding each other.
Wilhelmina “Mina” Allende is a prima ballerina in a Paris ballet company. Dance is her life and soul, but when a tragedy occurs in her life, she feels the need to take the leap into a new challenge offered to her in New York City. Zach knows Mina has the talent and “that something special” to transfix an audience, but he does not know if he can risk the whole show on Mina being able to learn his style of dance.
Zachary Coen is a famous contemporary dancer and choreographer looking for the lead for his first Broadway show. Mina is his dream lead come to life. She has a temper and is emotional, but she is also a professional and knows she is new to this style of dance and has a lot to learn. As the two work together, their pas de deux becomes personal as well as professional, but each has secrets. If each learns to trust the other it will make them whole, if not it will tear them apart.
Zach and Mina pulled me into their worlds of dance and theatre from the first chapter. The description of the dance scenes were as beautiful and intricate as the scorching hot sex scenes. This author definitely knows how to paint pictures with her words. They are both at the top of their careers against all odds, but they both have control and trust issues to overcome and this author handled all the emotions and issues in a realistic and believable way. I cannot say enough about this author’s lyrical writing style and the beautiful romance that is this book.
I highly recommend this romance and I will be looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.
(I just want to mention two points that in no way change my recommendation: 1.This is an inter-racial romance. Mina describes the challenges of being a black ballerina, but the story does not focus on racial issues. And 2. Is a trigger issue— Zach does describe graphic sexual abuse from an adult while in foster care.)