Publication Date: March 10, 2026
It takes two to tango.
Allegra Hart has been working her whole life to achieve one goal: become a principal ballerina. When her director starts holding auditions for the lead role in the company’s latest production, Allegra sees this as her chance—maybe her last chance.
The catch? The director wants someone with sex appeal, and he doesn’t think she’s up to the task. Determined to prove him wrong, Allegra enlists the help of the lead dancer of an all-male revue, Cord Donovan, a classically trained dancer who is also the sexiest man she’s ever met. In exchange for lessons on how to ramp up her sex appeal, she promises to help Cord choreograph a new partner piece for his show.
As they practice their moves on and off the stage, Allegra and Cord find themselves battling a growing attraction. Except Allegra is determined not to let a man derail her career . . . but what if she could have both love and success? Or will her involvement with Cord jeopardize everything she’s worked for?
Told in alternating chapters by the two romantic leads, Author Fallon Ballard’s Toe to Toe relates a story of a ballerina for a New York company who’s hoping to be made principal.
The author does a great job of spelling out the grueling schedules, detailed rehearsals, and performances required of prima ballerinas. We learn about the good, the bad, and the ugly woven into the art of ballet. Sensitive topics are discussed and portrayed realistically but with care.
Cord and Allegra meet at his club, and she decides to ask for his help with an important audition she has coming up. There’s a definite attraction between them, but neither thinks it has a chance of going anywhere. Things get steamy between them when he sets up some unexpected practice sessions for her and with her. Cord has a background in ballet with his twin sister, but it didn’t turn out well for them. It takes a while for his secret to come out, and it causes problems between Allegra and him until they learn to work out their issues and concerns. With enough support, can their attraction and feelings turn into something real?
This book includes some steamy moments, and the story is steady and moves at a nice pace. There is closure in the epilogue, told from Allegra’s point of view, but I wish it had gone on a little longer. There are hints of several happily-ever-afters.
Toe to Toe has the excitement of the ballet and New York City. It showcases two strong characters who need to learn to be true to themselves.
Falon Ballard is the USA Today bestselling author of several rom-coms and the co-host of the Happy to Meet Cute podcast. When she’s not writing a romance book, reading a romance book, or talking about romance books, you can probably find her at Disneyland. Ballard lives in the Los Angeles area.
