Title: Dance With Me
Author: Heidi Cullinan
First published July 26, 2011
240 pages, ebook
ISBN: 9781611184204
Rating: 3.97
Overview
In life, we all need someone to lean on. Ed Maurer has left behind his career as a footballer after a neck injury and is now working a desk job he loathes.
He finds solace in volunteering at the community center, except for one thing – the dance instructor, Laurie Parker, who seems to always be in his way. Laurie, a former ballet dancer, volunteers at the center to avoid his overbearing mother’s meddling.
However, his escape is disrupted by the football player who keeps glaring at him. When a ballroom dancing emergency arises, Ed steps in as Laurie’s partner, and their perceptions of each other shift.
As they dance, they become friends, then lovers, and they find that their partnership is the key to healing their pasts. Through every spin and step, Ed and Laurie realize that they can only escape their personal demons by dancing together.
About the Author
Heidi Cullinan, a talented author from the Midwest, has written more than thirty novels. Her stories center around LGBT characters who face seemingly impossible challenges, but always find a positive outcome in the end.
Heidi is a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much happy ever after. Her books have received high praise from respected sources such as Library Journal, USA Today, RT Magazine, and Publishers Weekly.
When Heidi isn’t writing, they enjoy indulging in their hobbies, which include gaming, reading manga, manhua, and danmei, playing with their cats, and watching anime. In person or online, Heidi prefers to go by Jun and uses they/them pronouns.
Editoral Review
“Dance With Me” by Heidi Cullinan, first published on July 26, 2011, is a captivating, heartwarming romance novel that explores themes of identity, love, and acceptance. Cullinan is a prolific author known for her LGBTQ+ romance novels, and “Dance With Me” is no exception.
The book is a masterful representation of the LGBTQ+ community with its beautifully crafted characters, diverse themes, and scintillating love scenes. Set in the picturesque town of Benson, Minnesota, the book tells a story of two men, Ed Maurer and Laurie Parker, both passionate about ballroom dancing but facing different challenges.
Ed Maurer, a former Army veteran, lost a leg in combat and struggles with the idea that he might never be able to dance again, while Laurie Parker is a young dancer who must fight for his right to love and dance. Together, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, trust, and acceptance.
Cullinan’s writing style is fluid and engaging, effortlessly drawing the reader into the lives of her main characters. Her descriptions are vivid, and her dialogues are witty and authentic, adding depth to the characters and the overall story.
The book’s setting and cultural references are also highly realistic, making the story more relatable to readers who are familiar with the ballroom dance world. The characters are well-rounded and relatable, and their development over the course of the story is impressive.
Ed, in particular, is a complex character who struggles with his self-worth and the idea of being dependent on someone else. Laurie, on the other hand, is a beacon of hope for Ed, showing him that it is possible to love again and embrace life’s challenges.
The pacing of the book is excellent, and the plot structure is well-balanced, with the perfect mix of drama, romance, and humor. The chemistry between Ed and Laurie is palpable, and their love scenes are steamy and sensuous, but not overly graphic.
Cullinan’s “Dance With Me” is a well-crafted and touching love story that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. The book’s themes of identity, acceptance, and love are essential, especially in today’s world, where diversity and inclusivity are more important than ever before.
One of the book’s few flaws is that it is predictable in some parts and lacks some surprises that would have added more twists and turns to the plot. Additionally, some of the secondary characters could have been more developed, giving more depth to the overall story.
Nevertheless, despite these minor hiccups, the book is a must-read for fans of the romance genre and those who crave diverse, uplifting stories with excellent writing. Overall, “Dance With Me” by Heidi Cullinan receives a 4.5/5 rating.
This book is a masterpiece of LGBTQ+ romance that delivers an engaging and heartwarming story with excellent writing, well-crafted characters, and compelling themes. Highly recommended!
