ARC Review: Enjoy the Dance by Heidi Cullinan

“ENJOY THE DANCE shines a light on so many real world problems, and while the issues in this book have a happy ending, it also shows us how easily they aren’t for many people.”
~ Under the Covers

I remember reading the first book in this series, DANCE WITH ME, years ago.  It might’ve been my first Heidi Cullinan read (I’m not sure) but I remember how special it was.  There was a deeper connection to that story than just one on the surface.  Now, when this book was announced I was excited to be revisiting the world, but I couldn’t really remember all the players.  So a quick recap if you are like me.  This book is about one of the dance teachers from the studio is one of the MCs in this book, and Duon, a dance student who was also in the first book, plays a big role in this story.

Now that being said, I enjoyed this book for several reasons, but I also feel the need to point them out because this book is very different than what I expected going in.  And I feel like the same reasons why I enjoyed it are also some of the reasons my rating isn’t higher.

You know me and reading blurbs, right?  I don’t.  Even though this is a romance and we see Tomas and Spenser fall in love, the bigger feel is political.  This book tackles not one, not two, but three major political issues in this country.   DOMA and the legalization of same-sex marriage in Minnesota, illegal immigrants, social services and the foster care system.  ENJOY THE DANCE shines a light on so many real world problems, and while the issues in this book have a happy ending, it also shows us how easily they aren’t for many people.  This was both the best about the book, and also its biggest weakness.  The romance never felt like it was the main focus of the book.  Spenser and Tomas relationship slowly builds up in the background, as part of every day life.  Their coming together is also quite subdued.  As a couple, I think they were just ok for me while the story moved me because of its dose of reality.

I think Ms. Cullinan did a wonderful job at weaving in all these complex situations into the story.  All while letting us get to know Spenser, Tomas and Duon more and revisiting with Ed and Laurie.  I was missing some of the usual level of steam we get from her, though.  So if you’re looking for a big romance, this may not be it.  But if you want a book that hits home about real issues, then this one does it very well!

[about-author author=”Heidi Cullinan”]

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