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About The Book

Filled with scenes of sizzling passion that'll make you blush, beats of swoon-worthy romance that will leave you breathless, and a cast of Black female characters that you’ll fall in love with, the unputdownable debut novel from Oti Mabuse brims with heat and heart. Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover, Tahlia Hibbert, Ana Huang, Lauren Asher and Tessa Bailey.

For dancer Lira, Latin Ballroom is everything. Whilst her dreams of fame were cut short aged 19, she’s never forgotten the connection she felt dancing with a stranger at the Paris World Championship afterparty 13 years ago.

Now, with her younger sisters pursuing their own successful dancing careers, and the responsibility of running the family dance studio falling to her, Lira’s ambitious flame is about to flicker out. Until a chance encounter sees her secretly auditioning for Slow Burn, a new dance show about to embark on a 6-week European tour, and coming face to face with a blast from her past that sends her reeling.

Gabriele is the quintessential bad boy of the Latin Ballroom scene. Slim of hip, with long, lean muscles that pop, a chiselled jaw, dark eyes, obscenely long lashes, and a mouth that just won’t give, it's no suprise when he lands the principal male lead role on Slow Burn. But, with just a few weeks to go till the tour starts, he still hasn't found his female co-star. All it takes is one audition to set his world on fire...

On the dance floor they’re smouldering, off it, they’re electric.

About The Author

Photography by Michael Wharley

As one of the most instantly recognisable faces in the UK and one of the country’s most beloved broadcasters, presenters and talent show judges, Oti Mabuse is a dancer of international success and renown, winning titles and championships across the world. The only professional on Strictly Come Dancing to win twice concurrently, she left after seven years on the show to become a judge on Dancing on Ice appearing on our screens to over five million viewers per week. Family and connection means everything to her and in December 2023 she welcomed her first child into the world. Oti spends her (hard won) downtime getting used to the rhythm of Mum-life and escaping into romantic fiction, which, second only to her love of dance, is her other passion in life. Her favourite authors include Colleen Hoover, Bernadine Evaristo and Dolly Alderton.

“My name, Otlile, means ‘I am here’ in Setswana, and that’s exactly what I am – here. For too long women like me – empowered, curvy, black women – haven’t been able to see ourselves in swoon-worthy, heart-racing romances... I want to change that.” Oti Mabuse

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (November 11, 2025)
  • Length: 352 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781398540460

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