Review: Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt

Flirty Dancing by Jennifer Moffatt is a fun, queer summer romp that blends the heart of Dirty Dancing with the chaotic energy of Wet Hot American Summer. Set at a queer-friendly Catskills resort called Shady Queens, this MM romance follows 27-year-old Archer, an ex-accountant chasing Broadway dreams, and Mateo, his icy former celeb crush now working behind the scenes.

There’s a lot to enjoy here—especially the campy setting, vibrant supporting cast, and the warm, queer community feel. I loved Lynn (Archer’s roommate) and Eileen (resident resort legend). Narrator Mark Sanderlin brought great energy to the audiobook, making it easy to breeze through.

That said, the story leans more into coming-of-age/life reset territory than true romance. The chemistry between Archer and Mateo is promising but underexplored, partly because of a prolonged subplot involving a shallow fling with Caleb. The romance takes a backseat to the larger ensemble drama, and while the ending is sweet, it felt a bit abrupt after such a slow build.

If you’re looking for a cute, theater-loving, queer summer story with big camp energy, this one fits the bill. Just know the romance is more of a subplot than the main focus.

Stats:
Rating 3/5
Tropes: Second Chance (Crush), Summer Camp Setting, Found Family, Love Triangle / Temporary Fling, Opposites Attract, Coming-of-Age (Late 20s Reset)
Audio: Mark Sanderlin