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Tosha @bigbuttandabook
March 27, 2026
I’m the type of reader who doesn’t mind when you break my heart a little bit (or a lot) as long as you give me a really good story. And the way this story gripped me and wouldn’t let me go it was exactly that. Julian made my heart hurt so much with the weight of hiding who he was. This story is heavy with internal monologue, it builds out brick by brick everything Julian is carrying. Broken up by the growth Malik is fighting his way to. In their own ways each character is fighting to be honest with themselves. And like a suspense novel you are gripped by they where, when, and how. At one point I couldn’t see how Julian (or me) could ever forgive Malik and then out of nowhere it settles into your being that forgiving him is easy because sometimes to people are just made for each other and they can’t be truly happy without the other and they have so much love it just outweighs everything else. This was such an amazing read for anyone who loves the depths of human emotion and being trapped in moment after moment of tension until everything explodes in raw ways that don’t always make sense but make you believe in love.
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Julorie A. Siefert
April 2, 2026
As I started to read Slow Dance, I just figured another MM romance ok, however as I started reading, the author wrote so eloquently about young about love, the mistake that damaged the connection to it, the fear of being judge for loving the wrong person, not fitting in to society or family’s approval. In this case MM, but what of other relationships the rich man with the poor girl, an older person with a young person. As the author wrote about the mistake of youth, the fear of approval. Could a bridge ever help heal and bring Malik and Julian back together after 17 years? Could the music help them build a new connection and could Julian gather the courage to live life on his own teams. I literally read this book in a few hours as the exquisite writing has you feeling the anger, the pain and the fear. At one point I was crying myself at as I felt the pain and fear of these two individual’s stories.
A wonderful and emotional mm romance that explores the difference between a person who is out and one who is afraid to own his truth because of his upbringing. You really see the effect that ones family and their beliefs can have on your ability to live your truth. It's a heartfelt story of past wrongs and a slow journey towards each other again. Malik wronged Julian in a terrible way, and though he didn't realize the repercussions of what he did, it leads to a 17 year separation that he was desperate to end. They find their way back to each other due to a forced proximity. I loved that the story is set in the same world as the author's hockey series and loved all the Easter eggs of characters. I am also super excited about what story might be next after reading the bonus epilogue!
HEA Is Earned, So Satisfying
Malik and Julian's journey is such a messy, but human trip, you can't help but feel for both of them at different points as the story reveals more of they are at present vs the past. The people in their lives also play a critical role and function for how they both cope and live. I loved the backdrop of music, from the work, to the fame, to it being used as a form of expression, even when it's weaponized. There are so many points I had to throw my hands up or cover my mouth in horror reading about these two. The big themes of loss, grief, betrayal, vulnerability and love, chosen family felt satisfying by the end.
I really enjoyed this! 🙌🏾🖤
I received this book through ARK for free and these are my honest thoughts.
Slow Dance explores the effects on a person who is out and one who is afraid to be out due to his upbringing. We see how family and their beliefs can weigh on people discovering who they are. Slow Dance focuses on Malik and Julian's journey of separation and reunion. Malik and Julian are brought face to face 17 years after they split. Can they work through what happened and reunite?
