Book Review and Giveaway for Center of Gravity by KK Allen

CENTER OF GRAVITY
by KK ALLEN

"If I could rewrite the rules, I'd do it for you."

Lex
I came to L.A. with dreams bigger than me.

To learn from the best choreographers in the business and secure a professional dance gig working for Hollywood’s elite.

Everything was going according to plan—until I was literally shoved into the arms of the one man who could make or break my career.

Come to find out, it wasn’t my career I had to worry about.

It was my heart.

Theo
Everything about Alexandra “Lex” Quinn screamed amateur, save for the way she moved across the dance floor.

She was athleticism and grace, precision and passion, and she had a stage presence I couldn’t tear my eyes from.

I wanted her...on my team, in my bed.

There was only one problem...

I couldn’t have both.

ADD TO GOODREADS

REVIEW: 4.5 STARS (in my eyes)
"He was my preacher, and I was his loyal disciple, two seconds away from worship."

OMGosh, I am smiling!! TWO reasons: I finally read my first book by KK Allen AND I fell in love with Theo and Lex. I seriously have the cheesy grins. I am still smiling after finishing it and getting my thoughts together!! There is so much to discuss, but I can only discuss so much....what a conundrum, right??

I want to start out by saying that I loved KK's flow and her pacing in this book. It was never stagnant and I always felt like I was moving forward with the story. For a new to me author and a new voice to 'hear', I loved it! I have a huge love affair with dance shows (SYTYCD and WoD) and I watch them every season. I know that helped me connect with this book because not only was I able to watch from the outside looking in at all that goes on, but I also got to see some behind the scenes action that I'm not sure I ever really think about, but it's a very true reality. It was like watching a mental movie; I could picture it all and it flowed so well.

And then I fell down the rabbit hole. In some of the chapters, to enhance the scene, KK added in links to amazing choreographed dances and I would watch one video, and then another, and then another....see where I'm going with this?? It's not really a problem, but if you're trying to get through the book, the rabbit hole is deeeep. HA!!

This book offered me real life situations that I loved working through. The jealousy of being in a group vying for the same position. The forbidden side of falling in love with the one you're not supposed to fall in love with. The connections you can make with your coworkers that you are around all day, every day. I just loved what this one had to offer! It's so discussable....but it would all be a spoiler here. It was upbeat and lively, and the action kept me turning the pages. That sounds cheesy, doesn't it? HAHA! I feel like this book was a fast paced, sweet read, but it had some grit to it. The fact that this was a forbidden love did not go unnoticed, and that added some necessary tension to the storyline. It's also what drew me in initially....

"The only person holding you back from your dream is you."

KK Allen built a world around this dance group that allowed me to fall in love with each character, individually and together. Theo was rough around the edges, but seeing him work through his feelings and figuring out his weakness named Lex that stirred up every emotion in him - I loved watching him struggle to come to terms with it. Lex was this very innocent and young, almost naive, young lady that had an air of confidence that she needed to harness. Her strength on the dance floor was amazing, and I don't think she really believed in it either, so I definitely liked seeing her character grow. I adored her, so very much! Talk about an exercise in trust and growth....nailed it! These two had to learn to not only trust themselves, but each other. I liked how she told that side of their story. Cautious, but curious. Excited but apprehensive. Soooo good.

I have to tell you this: believe it or not, the minute we met Shane, I thought of Yanis Marshall and loved 'seeing' him in that place. HAHA! I just loved him too! (I would love his story...and Amie's too!!)

I will admit that angry vengeance and added drama is a little off-putting in a book for me, but that is just a personal preference. It's usually a downfall, as well as over the top family that are just rude, as that generally pulls me out of a book - but thankfully it didn't take away from this one for me. While I wouldn't necessarily say some serious issues weren't 'glossed over' - because overall, they were - slightly, I will say that I like that they weren't the focus of the book and we didn't dwell on them, lending me a lighter feeling for the overall storyline. Every nuance, every action, played a part in the end story, but that hindsight was crystal clear by the time we got through it. It was the road to get there that was slightly bumpy and I was most definitely along for that ride. The could we/should we aspect had me giddy. I realize I love the forbidden side of things, but the way it all played into the drama and all the pain, that was really well written. The buildup and the growth in this story lent an air of angst, but I don't think it was true, heart-heavy angst. But, man! It was good. So so good.

Not only did I fall in love with her characters and storyline, I fell in love with her writing and voice. I am so excited to read more by her! I absolutely loved this one.....seriously, still smiling.

"For the record, if I could rewrite the rules, I'd do it for you."
~BEE

PURCHASE:

AMAZON

AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

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~MEET KK ALLEN~

K.K. Allen is an award-winning Contemporary Romance author, University of Washington Alumni, and Seattle Seahawk fan!!

K.K.'s debut romance novel, Up in the Treehouse, was named the Best New Adult Book of the Year by RT Book Reviews, an honor beyond belief! Named the Queen of Angst by her readers, K.K. promises to take your emotions on an epic ride every single time with very real, coming of age romance stories.

At age twelve, K.K. picked up a pen and wrote her first novel, a YA rock star romance that will never see the light of day :) She continued filling notebooks until she was finally ready to share her work with the world.

K.K. currently lives in central Florida with her son, works full time as a Digital Producer by day, and writes every other waking hour.

~CONNECT WITH KK~

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