Enjoy the Dance

By: Heidi Cullinan

Narrated by: Iggy Toma

Length: 8 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Dance with your heart, and love will follow.

Kindergarten teacher Spenser Harris has carved a quiet, stable future out of his tumultuous past, but his world turns upside down the night a homeless teen appears on his doorstep - a boy whose story mirrors the one Spenser has worked so hard to overcome. The decision to shelter Duon is easy. What's tricky is juggling the network of caregivers in Duon's life, especially TomAs Jimenez.

TomAs wouldn't have hesitated to take Duon in, but his plate is already full working three jobs to support his family. Though Spenser's carefully constructed walls are clearly designed to keep the world at bay, TomAs pushes past Spenser's defenses, determined to ensure the man is worthy of his charge. As the two of them grow closer, TomAs dares to dream of a life beyond his responsibilities, and Spenser begins to believe he might finally find a home of his own after all.

But Spenser and TomAs's world is forever poised to crash down around their ears. Duon's grandmother isn't sure she wants him to be raised by a gay man and challenges Spenser's custody. TomAs's undocumented parents could be deported at any time, and all the while the state of Minnesota votes on a constitutional amendment against marriage equality and the US Supreme Court debates whether or not Spenser and TomAs get a happily ever after. All they can do is hold tight to their love, hope for a better future...and remind each other to enjoy the dance.

©2016 Heidi Cullinan (P)2016 Heidi Cullinan

Good story but....

I was very excited for this audio....I love the combination of Iggy Toma and Heidi Cullinan. This story started of great. I loved the interactions between Spenser and Tomas. I just felt that their story was over shadowed by the politics that were happening during this time. Narration was great. I am a huge fan of Iggy!

Equale rights

Where does Enjoy the Dance rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

The book is well written however it's not until Thomas and spencer finally take a chance on each other that the story truly gets wings

What was one of the most memorable moments of Enjoy the Dance?

Thomas parents being issued there green cards and knowing he would not loose them

What does Iggy Toma bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Heart

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Thomas realizing that he was freeer than he thought when it turned out Oliver took care of the lawyer

Any additional comments?

This highlights the importants of the foster care system as well as the true need for imagination reform

it was ok. novel wise it was not spectacular. but

the fact that it represented a real part of life in the US and some struggles meants some. gay romance is def not my thing but i didnt mind..

Wonderful!

This is the second book I’ve read by Heidi Cullinan and I’ve truly enjoyed them both. I especially love the message and deep meaning they brought out - especially this book. Yes, we do still live in a time of hatred and bigotry which is sad. I live in the Bay Area CA and you would think everyone is open minded. No, but I do believe in hope and change. Yes, love and dance too. Thank you for a very wonderful story.

Heidi does it again!

I loved all the characters in this book. Even Alisa redeemed herself somewhat by the end. Spencer and Tomas were so perfect for each other.
Though this title isn't whisper synced, I had no trouble going from audio to kindle and back again.
This is a totally feel good book for me because even though there were sad issues in the book, there was never any doubt about the love Spencer and Tomas had for each other.
I will say it would be a good idea to have some hankies ready. There were several very emotional scenes.

Please Heidi write book three

4.5-5 stars

I loved the first book 'Dance with Me' and all the care that Heidi took to create it. She also took great care to write this second book as well and also wove historical events effortlessly into the story. This is a sequel but also a continuation of the first book as well as a focus on a new couple with additional family added. As I listened to Iggy Toma narrate the first book, I was caught up in his precise pronunciation which perfectly characterized Laurie Parker. In this book, his voice was focused more on the softer sounds of Spencer, Duon and Tomás. I highly praise Ms. Cullinan and Mr. Toma for the seamless way the story continued from the first to second book.

When I was middle school age, for 5 years my parents cared for 4 foster boys who lived in our home. I have both good and bad memories of that time. The good ones are for the boys my parents selflessly helped become adults. So most stories that have a foster child tug at my heartstrings. Wonderful what Spencer and Tomás did for Duon.

My heart was almost constantly in my throat over Tomás's family situation with his parents being undocumented is heartbreaking. Laurie's godfather was a godsend in helping get them legal. But also sad in that it takes knowing the right people to allow that to happen. This complicated situation is still with us and made worse every year.

The story was set during the nail biting time of Minnesota voting on an amendment to outlaw gay marriage. Spencer could loose his job and Tomás could loose his parents. Talk about angst. After each major event in the voting I would stop the narration and check Wikipedia for the facts, mostly to clearly understand the timeline. Wonderful that gay marriage is the law of the land now, but there are forces that are out to try and change that. So even in victory there is fear.

Heidi wrung lots of tears from me on this one. I look forward to re listening to both books.

Spencer and Tomás

Nothing short of Freakin' Amazing! Heidi has topped herself with this one. Tomás, Spencer, and Duon create a beautiful life; full of family and love. I enjoyed seeing Ed and Laurie, Oliver and Charles, and Vicki all from Dance with Me and Marcus from Let it Snow. All the supporting characters added so much to the story, they became parts of the family that Tomás and Spencer create. My favorite moment in the midst of so many wonderful moments was when Oliver thanks Tomás for allowing him to create a light against the darkness. It left me speechless.
Standing ovation Ms. Cullinan!
Highly recommended author and series

Audiobook: Iggy Toma is perfection

Sublime... Love and Social Justice

The story of Tomas, Spencer, and Duon is more than a HEA is a story that sublimely wove real life events and characters facing the challenges. I recommend reading all of Heidi Cullinan's books, but this one I've read several times and I'm moved each time. Iggy Toma is magical in bringing these characters and their stories to life.
Thank you both for making the story more and for bringing LGBT people of colour to life.

Just Dance

This book wrought so many emotions in my heart that I was crying and sometimes shouting at the same time. Good writing can do that but so can characters relatable to those we see daily and love singularly.

Enjoy the dance brings to light a host of issues in a way that is poignant and thoughtful. It also serves as a light to show how far we have come.

It is not only a truly beautiful love story it is an empowering life story.

Enjoy your dance my friends but love your life in its darkness and in its light. That's what this book says, in darkness there is strength in daring to hope and love and of course..to dance.

An excellent record of the time

This is a very well written chronicle of a very important era in the US. It also deals with some important LGBTQ issues. Most of all it presents an interesting concept on the best way to live life.