In Toe to Toe, Falon Ballard (Change of Heart; Just My Type) whisks readers to both the serious and sexy: New York City ballet and male revue scenes. Allegra is a career ballet dancer hoping to finally score her first leading role and a possible promotion to principal dancer. But the role she wants is a sensual courtesan, and she is decidedly not a sensual dancer. When a bachelorette party introduces her to the "male entertainment extravaganza" Six Pact, Allegra sees Cord perform suggestive dance moves with classically trained talent, and she knows he'll be able to help her land her dream part.
Cord, the owner of a successful nationwide chain of male revue clubs, has a complicated history with ballet, and he certainly doesn't want to get involved in that world. He proposes an exchange he's sure she will refuse: he'll work with Allegra if she agrees to be his partner and help him create choreography for a new male-female dance performance for the club's show. To his surprise, the pair strike a deal and begin lessons, starting with a private lap dance.
Allegra and Cord's chemistry is evident from their first meeting, and it only grows along with Allegra's confidence through Cord's lessons. Readers whirl through salsa dancing, pole-dance lessons, and more--all told through first-person, dual point-of-view narration. A relationship emerges naturally between two people with much in common and very busy schedules that normally wouldn't allow for anything serious. Dance movie aficionados will appreciate references to Center Stage and a Dirty Dancing-inspired lift.
Perfect for fans of Farrah Rochon or Ali Brady, Ballard's show pairs with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky just as well as with some Ginuwine. --Alyssa Parssinen, Freelance reviewer and former bookseller