A rising pop star who can’t let go of her emotional baggage, and a cocky dance partner who doesn’t know what monogamy is.She’s inhibited.He’s free-spirited.She doesn’t want a relationship.He doesn’t believe in them.She can’t believe that anyone would love her.He can’t seem to stop himself from loving her.When their differences collide and sparks start to fly, he’s sure it’s the start of something … sparks start to fly, he’s sure it’s the start of something amazing.
And she’s sure it’s the end of her career.
Who will be right?
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REVIEW: 4+ AMAZING STARS
“I want this more than I’m afraid of it.”
I have always said I love when a book challenges me. Whether it’s my thought process or my emotions, I want to read a book that makes me think about the consequences or the possibilities of what may be or what could have been. So when I originally saw the words that Stylo Fantôme put out about this book, I knew it was just the challenge I needed from her. She originally wrote:
“ , , , , . ‘ , – .”
So, naturally, I was drawn to it. What would make me question my sexuality? Like, where is she going with this, right? So I signed up and jumped in and let me tell you, I have never been more happy to jump into a book without a full description before. And she didn’t let me down. After reading the excerpt (HERE) that I posted on my blog before the tour started, I knew there was more to this story than we were given, and I *LOVE* that side of reading. The discovery is always my favorite part, and this book seriously made me smile. This one will stay with me a long while. The implications, the discovery, the journey these characters took made me think about a lot.
Woods was so intuitive….he was a watcher. So when he was there for Logan at all the right times, I got to see this protective side that could just about melt anyone, me included. I really, really loved his truth. His real truth. Unapologetic in every right, but sincere in the truest form – and if that didn’t endear me to him, I don’t know what can. LOVED him. Loved. He always saw the joke or the happy side of a comment; never the angry side. I loved his banter in that respect. His comebacks were on point and his mentality was written exactly how I feel I needed to read him because that’s what made the book actually work for me. His strength mixed with his vulnerability was the perfect infusion.
“I hope you’re happy with yourself, Logan Cassidy. You broke my sex drive.”
Logan, poor thing. I felt like she was definitely a puppet in her own world and I felt bad for her. I wanted to see her break out of her shell, and it seemed to work for Logan with Woods. I love that there is sort of a release that Logan gets with the comfort – although different – that Woods gives her. The dynamic between them was strong and his intuition was spot on. Their intimacy was so sexy and so intense in the calm times, I can only imagine it at the peak of passion. Soooo delicious, like – give me more of them!!!! Everything about them worked for me in that aspect.
I know it’s always easier to feel safe and let your guard down when there is no chance of emotions coming to light…..right? It’s easier to hide in person, but let loose behind a sort of “wall.” That energy danced within this story and I could feel Logan feeling freer in the ability to let loose around Woods because of who he was. It added an element of curiosity that there was no way I could explain away. I wanted to know e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g. I read with interest beyond my wildest of understandings, and that discovery (there I go using that word again, but it’s so true!!) was the best part about their world. Navigating their “relationship” was so much fun. The give and take was even compelling. There was just enough tension to give me the anxiety pangs deep within, but just enough ease to calm that nervousness as well. There wasn’t any angst, but it was just a really great story to enjoy.
This book was perfect for exploring a love with different…. boundaries. It showed the fluid side of love and labels. I really enjoyed it. Whether it’s a real depiction of life or just one I thoroughly enjoyed reading about, it still gave a voice to a type of relationship I’ve never encountered, and for that I’m thankful. I loved this story so much.
So why is it a four if I loved it SO HARD? Because I felt like one of the sex scenes (of all things to complain about, I know) felt forced. And with that comes some forced connection issues for me. Were they hot? Holy hell, yes. They were on fire. But, ONE scene in particular pulled me completely out and it made me wonder where it came from – left field with no explanation or understanding. It was just….there. BUT!! I honestly cannot complain about much, because when it comes down to it, the insecurities were real, the drama was real….and the reality behind their situation was the most real. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I absolutely loved it. If I ever meet her, this book will be signed on my shelf and I will recommend it to anyone that will listen to me gush about a true love story.
I love the power of a real and true love; a place your heart can call home. This book was the perfect example of that.
“Everyone pushing me to do more, to be more. I just want to be enough.”
~BEE
“I’ll always like all the crayons, I can’t change that, you’re right. Wouldn’t want to even if I could. But you will always, always be my favorite color.”
3.5
Different but we’ll done. Trying to fit into roles everyone expects or designs for them but finally learning to accept yourself as you are and being happy about it.
This is a slow, sweet, sexy, shimmy of a story. When you find the one, sometimes it’s complicated. It can be full of doubt and confusion but also filled with passion and a sense of calm. I really must say that I loved the story. I liked the slow burn and pace of the story. The author brought the dance world alive with this story. I felt as if I was dancing and touring with Logan Cassidy.
This story is a romance. But it opens up on sexuality of individuals. I appreciate that the author wrote about a man who loves all. His name is Woods and he is cocky and sweet and never conforms to labels. Logan Cassidy is the dancer turned pop star. She has issues and doesn’t trust easily. We are on her tour, with her best friend Jeremy, when Woods comes into her tour. Oh, and the confusion starts when Jeremy and Woods hook up. Just an FYI, I loved Jeremy and his love for his BFF Logan and his whole personality of just wanting to find his true love.
So as for Woods and his sexuality, the author made it seamless. He loves the person regardless of the sex which can be an issue for most people. He was confident, assertive and most of all a big ole flirt. And while he loves both men and women, he and Logan had a special connection that bloomed throughout the story. There were times I didn’t like Logan because she doubted herself so much and at times I didn’t like Woods because he was too pushy. It was a learning curve for these two and the author let their insecurities and vulnerabilities shine through.
While it’s not your typical romance, this author excels at delivering exquisite reads. While some won’t like because of the sexuality, I ask you to have an open mind and experience Slow Dancing, A Beautiful Purple Mess
Stylo Fantome has this magical way of story telling that really draws readers into worlds they may otherwise not have been exposed to yet and that’s most definitely the case for me in Slow Dancing. This tale is as alluring and charming as it is funny and full of friendship and love. It’s unique with low angst and engaging, colorful characters that you’ll root for from beginning to end.
I loved how Fantome took an aspect of a globally dominate industry and turned it into a diverse and interesting story plot full of dynamic romance, good-natured laughter, and mind-opening honesty. These characters are forces in this story thanks to their wit, determination, and growth as human beings. The friendship aspect brought to light the importance of understanding, patience, and forgiveness which really resonates with everyone.
Slow Dancing is a stand alone, contemporary romance that will have you turning pages as fast as you can. You’ll be entertained, charmed, and delighted at this relevant story and the awesome way in which Stylo Fantome unfolds it in her signature story telling ways.
Slow Dancing is here and it’s different than a lot of the other books I’ve read by Stylo. I can’t say that I connected to this one as much as I have with her other books. But Stylo definitely knows how to weave a story that’ll absolutely suck you in.
Woods is here and is a pansexual. He’s here to break all sorts of labels and that’s just who he is. This was my first time reading about someone who is pansexual, I honestly can’t say that I have a lot of knowledge about being pan. But I loved his absolute honesty with people and he wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. He knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to go after it.
I can’t say that I had a lot of strong opinions about Logan, there were definitely times that I was just shaking my head at her because you know dating your friend’s fling? Of sorts, not exactly sure what to call it.
My favorite thing about this book was Woods and Logan dancing together! Steamy for days, you’ll definitely need a fan because my goodness, it was H-O-T!
From a romance perspective, I was hoping for a little bit more, I still enjoyed it. But wasn’t quite my favorite among Stylo’s other reads.
**AN ARC WAS PROVIDED BY THE PR IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW**
Slow Dancing was an alluring, unique, and truly amazing read. Logan and Woods’ complicated relationship drew me in from the start. The steamy slow burn these two began kept me constantly craving the moment these two would be near each other and the sparks were sure to fly. I loved that Woods pushed me to think a bit outside the box with his candor and how openly he owned exactly who he was. Logan tugged at my emotions with her inability to see how truly amazing a person she was. Her doubts were ones that hit a bit close to home and made me relate to her so much more. Watching these two dance around each other as they created a beautiful purple mess was simply mesmerizing. This book was an intense, angsty and passionate love story that took me by surprise and then left me with a huge smile on my face.
Another fantastic read from the wonderfully talented Stylo Fantome. The pop princess and her main back up dancer… he was all kinds of hot and spicy, also off limits, or so she thought! Their chemistry like their dancing was electric, they lit up the stage all the while lighting a fire within both of them that neither saw coming. A great love story full of all the angst you would expect from a Stylo book, if you haven’t already go out and one click this story, you certainly won’t regret it.
When I first saw that Stylo Fantome had a new book coming out, I was excited. I’ll read anything she writes. She is always unique and pushes boundaries in every way. Her characters have a mind of their own and they don’t follow the rules of the norm. THAT’S why I read her. That’s what I’ve come to expect. So when I first began Slow Dancing, much to my surprise it seemed as if I was reading a “normal contemporary romance” based around the world of dance. I don’t consider that a bad thing, just not what I’m accustomed to from Ms Fantome. But I was wrong. So wrong. She pushed the boundaries in a whole different manner and I think she will open people’s eyes to a different lifestyle that we aren’t too educated about.
“I can’t believe you like living in black and white. My world has so much more…color.”
Logan, the up and coming pop star and Woods, her back up dancer are complete opposites. She works hard and listens to what everyone expects and wants of her. She is doing her job. But she doesn’t want a relationship. She doesn’t think she deserves anyone. She is sexy, beautiful and talented; only she doesn’t even realize it. She is so much more than what people give her credit for. Then we have Woods. He is sex on legs. He is funny, a talented dancer, speaks his mind, a deliciously dirty talker and loves sex. No one can resist him. The last thing he needs is to be tied down. Casual is the way he operates. But when they come together to dance, all their differences are set aside. They make beautiful music with their bodies and you can feel it in the descriptive words of Stylo. Their movements and their dancing has a whole language only they can speak and it jumps right off the page.
Slow Dancing was a beautiful, sensual and sexy story that was slow to build and filled with angst. The beginning started off a little slow, but then everything just stormed right through. The friendships, the relationships and the discussions of sexuality in so many forms. I liked seeing the characters grow and share some of their pasts. What made them who they are. I liked seeing them grow and change to fit who they were becoming. The plot moved nicely with the character development, although I could’ve done without a couple situations. But then again, maybe we needed some angst and some miscommunication to feel these characters frustrations too.
Ms Fantome, you surprised me with the content and background of your characters and I really enjoyed it. It may not be for all readers, but I definitely think you will open readers eyes to something new and refreshing, along with some beautiful dance numbers that jumped off the pages. I only wish I could’ve seen these two perform. I could feel the emotions in their dances when you described it. Overall, this book was well written with good pacing, enjoyable, sexy and angst filled. Not exactly what I would expect from a SF book, but still one that hit the marks.
This is my very first read by this author. I went in blind, not knowing this author’s writing style. Its definitely different from what I usually read. I have read a series by another author that explores polyamory so I’m not new to it. I have to say I really loved that this author explored the pansexual lifestyle. Love and attraction that’s purely genderless.
Woods stole his way into my heart with his flirtatious ways, seductive moves, and all his masculine gorgeousness. This man dominates. He makes mistakes but he makes every effort to redeem himself.
You’ll fall for Logan right from the start. She lights up the pages. She’s reserved but she coming into her own. There’s more to her than what she shares on the surface.
Angsty, raw, and scorching steaminess! Must read!
A simmering and alluring story with a good, colorful plot about insecurities, persistence, honesty and ultimately love. It is unconventional in the sense of a hero who owns his sexuality and owes no apology. It was about the entertainment world and what it entails with its demands and expectations.
There are misunderstandings and doubts, realizations and insights.
The dynamic between Logan and Woods was palpable and seductive. The growth that Logan ultimately reached was admirable proving that she was enough. It was an enthralling and moving slow dance of a story.
“Because that’s what we’ve been doing ever since we first met. Just one long slow dance.”
Slow Dancing by Stylo Fantôme is a unique and beautiful romance read. The complex and complicated relationship between Logan Cassidy and Woods Donahue is what makes the story. The chemistry, the feels, the world of dance and music as the backdrop in this contemporary romance is just perfect for this book. Without giving anything away, there is MFM featured. It’s crafted beautifully , the love story has angst and drama along with sizzle and romance. Just a great read. Look forward to more from this author.
My Rating: 4.5 stars ********
4.5-emotional and angst-filled stars!
Slow Dancing by Stylo Fantome was an emotional, angst-filled and so very hot and steamy read. It was also so very unexpected and had me completely captivated by the story and the characters. Woods was magnetic, sexy, and charming. He was a man who lived for his sexual experiences and made no excuses about who he was. People are just drawn to him. Logan was a beautiful, smart a and rising to fame pop-star. She was a bit lost at times, but also determined. They were different and yet their chemistry was off the charts. Their story was messy, slow burning and had me turning the pages quickly to see how it would all end!
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
Her heart belongs to dancing, but her soul to the lyrics of her songs.
He is a free spirit that dances in her world.
Together they create a unique experience that sends the crowds wild, but when the stage is empty and the show is over what are they to each other?
His unique take on love and relationships is both amazing and refreshing at the same time.
Something new and unexplored to tickle and tantalise the tastebuds.
Her inability to see the greatness within herself, saddened me greatly but I loved how the men in her life always put her back together again.
I must admit I’ve read a few of Stylos books now from her darkness to her contemporary romance reads and if I’m one hundred percent honest I prefer her darkness.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with this. It’s a lovely read but it didnt spark a passion in myself, there was just a warm and fuzzy kind of feeling in the pit of my stomach, and sometimes I both need and want more than that.
Will I read more of her books yes, would I revisit this particular book probably not.
4/5 STARS
Stylo Fantôme managed to write a slow romance between two very different characters.
Woods, who enjoys “all the crayons in the box”, doesn’t believe in commitment, especially monogamy…
Logan, sweet, sometimes a little lost between what others expect from her and her real ambitions, yet stronger than what she believes.
I wanted to slap Woods so many times, but also couldn’t help loving him for his honesty, as well as his love and admiration for Logan.
Despite all their differences, what they share on stage, their passion for dancing blossoms into so much more…
It was beautiful to read.
They were perfect as partners, then perfectly imperfect as lovers, making each other better, meeting in the middle, like the best version all themselves.
***ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review***
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The most interesting and brilliant thing about Stylo Fantome’s writing is the uniqueness of each story. Slow Dancing holds some most intense, honest and completely different characters. They will get you hooked into their emotions instantly and the writing will melt you inside out.
Logan Cassidy was a renowned celebrity dancer who became a pop star later. Her whole life has been dictated and moulded by someone else. Her old dance teacher. Her manager. Her self confidence and happiness is buried under guilt, self doubt and desolation. Enter Woods. Her new enigmatic, charismatic, roguish and unapologetically sexual dance partner on tour. And it is freaking complicated. Scandals and heartbreaks will follow soon. And she may as well be her own worst enemy.
The chemistry between Logan and Woods is off the charts hot. It is dirty, filthy, mesmerizing and jaw dropping sexy. But they exchange a piece of their soul after each love making. Woods is the kind of bad boy who doesn’t hold back his words and opinion. He ruthlessly took pleasure from Logan but gave her back the same ecstasy and also pieces of her lost self. She regained her strength as a person and changed her life. There will be mistakes and painful longing as they both are very passionate and dramatic people. God I love Logan. It’s not easy for her to take steps on her own and defy others. Specially for someone like Woods who never wanted commitment before. Before Logan. Before slow dancing under spotlight.
Stylo Fantome’s writing wrapped my heart in sweetest agony and deepest feelings. Slow Dancing was a sensual and sould deep feast of emotions.
Received ARC for honest review
Stylo Fantome has created a truly beautiful love story with Slow Dancing. A book that is very timely with the decisions many have made these days with respect to their very being. Logan Cassidy as the somewhat reluctant pop star and Woods Donahue as her main back-up dancer find an uneven rhythm as they explore more than just new moves on the dance floor. Theirs is a complicated kind of pairing with Logan wanting to remain discrete and Woods wanting to shout his affection for her to the world.
The confusion that overrides Logan’s feelings for most of the book is relevant as Woods is the kind of man who believes in loving everyone. I suppose his anthem so to speak would be ‘love the one you’re with’. A very crucial notion that Logan has a hard time accepting with her own self-confidence issues. How could a sexually free kind of man like Woods ever have enough with a woman like Logan? Yet their chemistry is extremely addictive, their sweeping moves very much like making love for all the world to see. Fantome described their dancing perfectly and it made me feel almost as a voyeur, watching them co-mingle both in and out of the bedroom. Because, yes, those gestures translated to erotic trysts that were both passionate and at times desperate.
Although there were times that I thought Woods pushed Logan a bit too hard, in her decisions wrt her career and in bed where he was clearly the sexy dominant, I found those actions were warranted. Because as the book progressed, I realized that he did what he did because he genuinely cared for her and just wanted her to live her very best life.
There are plenty of ups and downs as Logan navigates her life on the road and her intricate time with Woods. Thankfully, in the form of a bestie in Jeremy, she has some semblance of stability even when she feels on shaky ground. His presence is a key component to how Logan works to finally accept Woods and his penchant for sexual freedom and how that will ultimately define her future.
I loved how Fantome guides us through this maze of confused hearts, using the art of dance as a way to communicate sincere feelings when words and other actions simply aren’t enough. Those scenes turned up the heat but you could still feel the deep emotion felt by both Logan and Woods and my own heart melted time and again.
I really enjoyed this book and how Fantome never writes the same story twice. Slow Dancing features well-written and thought-out characters mixed with a myriad of emotions I constantly yearn for.
5 stars!
I don’t know what it is that gets me all riled up about tall male pop dancers, but watching them move and bend and lift without any effort just does me in! (Fans face)
It’s no secret that Woods Donahue and Logan Cassidy are the perfect dance pairing and their chemistry exudes lust on and off the stage. The problem? Well, Woods is already spoken for by Logan’s best friend Jeremy. (Insert tire screech here) Yeah, yeah, I know. All the good ones are gay! Or, maybe they’re not. Maybe, some people don’t see gender. They see the appeal and act on that alone.
As a fan of Stylo’s work, this book was a bit of a lighter read for me. Nonetheless, it will still grasp you and suck you right in. The build up is excruciating and the attraction Woods and Logan have for each other leads to a complicated-sex -driven frenzy! Woods’ openness with his sexuality is something I would love for authors to write about more often. It’s very attractive and I LOVED his candor. I definitely want to get in on that beautiful purple mess!
We can take it slow and I can show you how to slow daaaancee…
*arc generously provided by the promo team in exchange for an honest review*
“Sometimes, I wake up in the morning
To red, blue, and yellow skies
It’s so crazy, I could drink it like tequila sunrise
Put on that Hotel California
Dance around like I’m insane
I feel free when I see no one
And nobody knows my name.”
God Knows I Tried – Lana Del Rey
What’s this book about? (I’m trying to give as little spoilers as possible)
Logan Cassidy is a popstar on tour. Woods is a talented dancer that dances on her tour. They’re an unusual pairing that at first finds itself at odds with one another. Logan wants to keep her career intact, so she keeps avoiding her feelings. Woods, who usually has no issues finding a new toy to play with (unisex, female or male LOL), is trying to ignore his feelings for Logan, but she keeps lurking in his head.
Stylo Fantome is one of my favorite authors! When I heard that she had a new book coming out, I immediately felt elated! She’d posted about the sexual preferences of the characters and how they might be considered unconventional for the typical romance reader. THAT of course had me TRIPLE enthusiastic. I love when our (we a family y’all) books think outside of the box!!!!! Sexual preferences are usually kept on a straight line in the romances that I read, so I was curious to see how this story would turn out. I read it while waiting in line for a concert HAHA and it kept me entertained, busy and happy! The characters were mesmerizing. Logan (the lead girl) had her occasional WTF girl CHILL moments, but in total, she was relatable, pained and lovable (even if she doesn’t believe that she is). Woods… I loved him. Complex. Adorable. Sexy. I felt for him when everyone was questioning his sexuality and he sat there, seemingly confused as fuck at why these people were picking it apart so hard. It appeared very realistic. I know people question others like it’s their own business as soon as they say they like more than one gender. Next to the sexual preferences, this story had lots of drama which I LOVED. I thoroughly enjoy it when authors tackle the entertainment industry and do it WELL. It was a page-turner! Anyone who enjoys Stylo Fantome books should read this. This story is for open-minded people who enjoy an unconventional romance!
“She says, ‘You don’t want to be like me
Don’t wanna see all the things I’ve seen’
I’m dying, I’m dying
She says, ‘You don’t want to get this way
Famous and dumb at an early age’
Lying, I’m lying.”
Carmen – Lana Del Rey
Funny. Steamy. Alluring. Exhilarating. Gutsy. Moving. Billowing
And still not enough adjectives to correctly describe the sizzling chemistry that sets the stage and the pages on fire!!
Stylo has written an enthralling love story set on soft crooning songs and panty melting erotic moves in the dance floor. I was so turned on reading them I wish I was Logan Cassidy-the tired popstar and oh-so-delicious as michele morrone, Woods Donahue.
He swaggers, smirks and swoons his way into her world, in everybody’s world actually. A world class schmoozer who can charm bees off of their honey, knock the socks off anything fuckable and turn all people’s a dark shade of pink when he turns his flirtatious charm full on! His bedpost are fill of notches of all varieties. If it moves; he fucks!!
“Maybe we could both be notches. I’m very good at fitting into tight places,”
Logan had no choice
Jeremy had no choice
I had no choice
WE face planted at his feet, totally smitten and horny moist!!
And his moves…
his body is fluid and screams sex…hot sheet clenching, hair pulling sex
“I like both colors. Shit, I love every color in the box,” Woods said.
“So while you all think I’m strange for liking red and blue, I can’t believe you like living in black and white. My world has so much more … color.”
Their bodies are in sync but what about their hearts?
She is full of insecurities to his confident gait
Born with rhythm in her body and song in her heart, she’s one of those rare multi-talented prodigies who shoots to fame with a accidental viral video
“Being a dancer was like being bilingual – dance was the language. Each new step needed to be learned. Translated into movements. Eventually, her body was fluent in it. No translation necessary.”
Her sepia world is paint gunned by vibrant colors and it scares her so much, she withdraws in disbelief but Woods is persistent in his chose, infinite in his patience and total klutz in messing everything up without even trying
It’s a disaster but it’s succulent, sensational disaster and I I can find Woods at the end of the Rollercoaster ride, I’m ready to climb on and ride the King Da Ka monster coaster with a death drop….screaming all the way till cops come knocking!!!
5 glistening, sweaty stars for A Big Purple Mess
4 Stars
Stylo Fantome has once again delivers a riveting story with wonderful characters you can’t help but fall in love with. The love between Woods and Logan is just as the title says, it’s a slow sexy dance that has the perfect amount of angst and slow buildup. Stylo Fantome has such a way with words and can weave a story like no other. Another great read from one of my faves.
Angela – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog