Toe to Toe is the kind of romance that builds slowly, keeping the tension barely at bay until it flows over into a well-crafted intensity. The characters are expectedly flawed, both trying to succeed on their current life paths in the face of past traumas, and their unexpected crossing of paths leads to a plot I found both surprising and exciting. She’s a strait-laced ballet dancer, always perfect, never impulsive, while he’s a talented and business-driven exotic dancer whose skills go far beyond the club stage. They play off each other perfectly, making this a romance you can’t put down. 

For me, I was most impressed by the level of tension and how expertly crafted it felt. By the time they finally admit their feelings and dive into the relationship, you’re almost wriggling at how ridiculous their avoidance is. The author does such a great job of descriptors and putting us in the mind of the characters, leaving you desperate for them to finally seal the deal.

I’ve read a lot of romance novels and this is one of my recent favorites. The writing skill, the character development, the stakes and the payoffs are all expertly done, along with a unique hook. I’ll be checking out the rest of Ballard’s books as soon as I’m able. 

Toe to Toe

By Falon Ballard
Publish by G. P. Putnam’s Sons

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Genre: Romance

This book was provided to me by NetGalley as an ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.