MM Romance: Feels quiet, yet the emotional undercurrents are strong.
This is a really interesting story that has a unique rhythm to it. It sneaks in under the surface, giving soft, quiet feels.
Elliot, a Gallery Owner, has been burned before, he protects himself by basically being all work and no personal life. Safe, but stuck letting his past dictate his present.
His good friend Lisa pushes him to go to a charity gala with her. Doesn’t take no for an answer. She sees that he has closed himself off, hasn’t dated for years, rarely socializes. Calls him out on being afraid to let anyone in. I like Elliott’s friendship with Lisa. She’s pushy but means well, cares about him, doesn’t want to see him walled off and alone. They tease and give each other a hard time, but it’s done with caring and love. They are fairly honest with each other. Elliott tries to push back, saying everything is fine in his life the way it is. Lisa doesn’t let him get away with that.
Elliott goes to the gala, but feels out of place, is looking for a way to leave unnoticed, when the music changes and in dances Javier. When Elliot first sees Javier performing his dance with grace and sensuality, he is instantly mesmerized. Lisa notices and introduces them.
A Dance of Shadows is a fitting title for this book. Both men have shadows lingering from each of their pasts, holding them back from the possibility of a shared future. This story takes us through them making a connection, feeling alive and seen in each others presence, yet holding back, keeping a certain distance that they both feel.
Elliott is closed off and lonely. He thinks he’s okay, but he’s in protection mode. When he starts seeing Javier, he realizes what he wants, he just has to give himself permission to take the risk of opening himself up.
In Dancers Price, the bonus story that Ryan sends his subscribers, it takes us from Javier at 13, all the way to him meeting Elliot. I was drawn in by Javier’s struggles to become a dancer, and what he gave up to succeed. He’s got this resilience and strength that had me cheering on his wins and hoping he gets to finally be the professional dancer his soul has longed to be his whole life.
This story feels quiet, yet the emotional undercurrents are strong. They feel like two beautiful souls who need to give themselves permission to let go of the past and embrace a future together.
