Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: Poles Apart
SERIES: Nava Dance Studios #2
AUTHOR: Alex J. Adams
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 321 pages
RELEASE DATE: October 17, 2021
BLURB:
Passion, that’s what Dom had, passion for pole dancing, and nothing would stop him following his dream
But a call in the middle of the night, had him running home, leaving the life he loved. His brother needed him and to Dom, family was always important.
So here he was, back where it all began and where it had all ended.
A chance meeting, a reconnection with the one he thought he’d lost forever.
He’d been sent to tempt him that was for sure and he didn’t think this was ever going to be enough for Jacob, he needed and wanted it all from him again. Tears pricked his eyes as he remembered how he’d almost lost him, had almost had to live his life without him.
Yes, he wanted everything, his mind, his soul and most importantly his heart. He just hoped he was willing to give it
Poles Apart is the second in the Nava Dance Studios series and whilst it can be read as a standalone, it would be advantageous to read book one, Dance With Me, first.
This is a story of second chances, lost loves and reconnection. A story that will warm your heart and is guaranteed to leave you smiling. Trigger warnings: homophobia and attempted sexual assault
REVIEW:
Poles Apart, the second installment in the Nava Dance Studios series, improves upon its predecessor by sticking to the romance and forgoing the mystery/suspense element. We met Dom as Sebastian’s best friend in Dance With Me. The time frames of both books run simultaneously.
Eight years ago, Dom and school mate, Jacob, were secret lovers because Jacob was closeted from his conservative parents. At the time, they were both starting to fall in love. But one night, something terrible happened that tore them apart; they never saw each other again. It isn’t until they’re twenty-seven that chance brings them together again.
Dom has traveled the world as a pole dancer extraordinaire, competing and making a name for himself. Now, he’s back in Chester, England, where Jacob is a school teacher of young children. Jacob hires a dance tutor – not knowing it’s Dom – for his teenage sister, Abby. Now out and proud, Jacob wants a second chance but Dom won’t allow himself to become vulnerable again. He once thought Jacob might be “the one” but that was destroyed, as was Dom’s trust.
Dom and Jacob are both well-developed, likable guys. Seb and Joe are barely in this story, although the events in Dance With Me are referenced. Coffee shop owner, Hayden, appears periodically. The most important side characters are Dom’s brother, Jordan, and Jacob’s sister, Abby, who shape much of their siblings’ lives. Side plots involving homophobia and both men’s jobs enrich the story.
Author Alex J. Adams employs third person narration with alternating viewpoints which I found distracting in this book. In my opinion, dual POV is better suited to first person narration. It doesn’t flow smoothly, partly because when chapters alternate, some of the dialogue or text conversations are repeated in the other character’s POV. It’s clunky. I also feel I was being told, not shown, that Dom and Jacob were falling in love. As a result, I didn’t become as invested in these characters reigniting their love, unfortunately.
Still, this is a solid. romance that I recommend, particularly if you’re a fan of dancer MCs or enjoyed Ms. Adam’s first book.
RATING: 
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