Cover Image: Dare Me Once

Dare Me Once

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

This is a cute and easy to read single dad story. I’m a sucker for a single dad so that’s why I clicked on this one. I really liked Lily. I loved her problem solver/organization/planning skills for whipping the resort back into shape, she’s my kind of girl. Trace is a pilot and great dad to an 8 year old son who takes care of some ducks for a science project. Trace has 2 other brothers so I’d probably keep reading this series to see what happens next.

Was this review helpful?

This is a charming story of a woman trying to escape her past after her father was arrested for embezzling from FEMA. She takes a new name - Lily - and moves across the country to a Pacific coast island resort to help revitalize it after it’s become rather run down. There she starts falling, inevitably, for the oldest son of the owner, Trace, who is a pilot shuttling guests to and from the island.

He’s a single father to a little boy with Asperger’s. He’s quit a high-paying job so that he could move back home and devote himself to raising his son. He has a selfish ex who has no interest in a difficult child.

Lily is practically a super woman. When the going gets tough, she gets on a bicycle (or an adult tricycle) and starts pedaling. She has a zillion ideas how to improve the resort and amazingly is able to do a lot of that improvement at practically no cost. And she quickly wins over Ben, Trace’s son with the 10 ducklings she brought with her on her first day. If you can buy that any woman would be so amazingly capable as well as kind and loving plus beautiful, then you’ll not be surprised that Trace can’t resist her.

There are a couple of little problems that you can see coming, but the book is still very charming and a good start to a new series. I’m sure we’ll soon be reading about Trace’s brothers and his cousin and their romantic adventures.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Was this review helpful?

I absolutely loved this book!
What a fabulous start to this new series.
It is a heartwarming, sexy, funny,
& emotional story. Lily Barnes is starting a new chapter in her life, in a small town, Angel Fire Falls. The only life she's ever known has been turned completely upside down by a family scandal. Because of it, Lily is leaving everything behind. Avoiding the hate mail & death threats. Keeping her secrets to herself.
Trace Remington is not happy that his father has hired a new Hospitality manager to revamp their family's resort.
His is devoted to his son Ben, who has Asperger's. Trying to also save his family's island resort. Trace is raising
Ben alone, with the help of the father
& two younger brothers.
Lily has one mishap after another
trying the get to the resort. Trace was sent to pick her up. But, he's busy having a nice massage & secretly trying to get a women's number, to win a bet.
When Lily & Trace meet, their connection is undeniable. Any type of relationship is out of the question. Trace is the boss & Lily's the employee.
Will Lily & Trace admit what they feel
& find their way to one another?
Or will life have other plans?
The emotions, the humor & their chemistry pulled me in, & kept me hooked.
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!!

Was this review helpful?

This was an ok book it had a lot of feels that you smile about. We have Lily who starts a new life after her dad is put in jail and her fiance dumps her then fires her, what a keeper. She meets Trace one of the owners in the resort she is working in, and they start falling in love, not easy for Trace who gave up his job as a pilot due to be with his son who needed him more. Eventually Lily's lies are going to catch up with her, how will Trace handle that? Well my friends for answers you need to read! .Enjoy!

Was this review helpful?

I found this very enjoyable to read, with great imperfect characters and a gorgeous setting. The initial scenes with Lily, the heroine, and the ducklings, and the following parts, involving these and Ben, the hero’s son, are superbly written, bringing together warmth and humor.
Trace and Lily are fantastic characters, each with their flaws. Trace is a great dad, a bit distracted, overwhelmed by so many demands. I loved watching his relationship with Ben, his protectiveness. Lily’s energy and talent are very well written and the rapport she establishes with Ben is truly delightful, showing her good-heartedness.
Ben is such a beautiful character, I loved him. The author, Shelly Alexander, brings to life a precious little boy with Asperger.
The beginning of the romance between Trace and Lily is hilarious, sexy and sweet. And I love a hero who is considerate and humble enough to apologize when he feels he was out of line, this sort of details can really make a difference in a character.
I also enjoyed the family and community life.
I think Lily’s revelation was too much delayed and the evil ex is really not one of my favorite things in romance, but fortunately this was limited in the story.

Was this review helpful?

Great kick of to a series I am looking forward to!

When Scarlett Devereaux’s life completely falls apart thanks to dear old dad she assumes a new name and heads to the opposite coast. Lily Barns is ready to reinvent herself on Angel Fire Falls as a hospitality manager at a resort, but she wasn't planning on running into the son she is competing with for the cash scrapped funds the resort needs to expand and grow.

Trace Remington has his hands full with a special needs son, a crazy ex, and a business he is trying to expand to help his father with his struggling resort. Finding out that the money he needs is going to a new hiree doesn't sit well with him and he begins his relationship with Lily Barners already on the wrong note.

Lily and Travis are obviously made for one another with their flirty and fabulous chemistry. She is an amazing woman and wonderful with his son. The problem is they both have so many secrets that exposing them to one another is a risk they aren't willing to take.

This story has so many heartwarming elements that you instantly fall in love with this family and this resort. Ben steals the show with his sweet and loving personality. The crazy islanders make for great entertainment. I loved the writing not just for the romance but for drawing you in to wanting to see how this family and this resort grows in future books. Loved it

Was this review helpful?

Awesome read. Didn't want to put it down. Great intrigue and flowed nicely. Love her books and characters messed perfectly.

Was this review helpful?

I have been a fan of Shelly Alexander for a while now and it seems there’s nothing she can’t do. Every story is so different, but they all have one thing in common - they capture my attention and make me fall in love with the characters.

I adored Lily and her knack for problem solving. I love how independent and determined she is. I love that she isn’t afraid to jump on a bike to get things done. And I love that she has a soft spot for ducks.

And then there’s Trace. Insert dreamy sigh here. Trace is not only a pilot with a sexy voice, he’s also a devoted father to his son, Ben. I challenge you to read this and NOT fall in love with Ben. He’s sweet and caring, and extremely intelligent.

There’s so much I loved about this story. I think Lily and Trace might be my new favourite couple!

Was this review helpful?

Dare Me Once by Shelly Alexander is about a father (Trace) who has a son with Asperger's Syndrome (Ben) and works with a woman running from a scandal-filled past (Lily). I wasn't quite sure what to expect because there were so many possible directions this story could go.

Trace is a man who can cut up like a kid with his brothers, but takes his responsibility to his son seriously. Lily, who is really Scarlett Deveraux, is talented at her job and takes it equally seriously in an attempt to prove herself before anyone could find out that she is living under an assumed name and fleeing a background where her father embezzled millions. They are immediately attracted to each other, but Lily and Trace's romance started awkwardly for me. The mistaken identity was kind of cute, but not the "sexting a stranger" episode. I'm not shaming anyone who has done this, but with all the nut-jobs out there, it seems a bit risky to me. Eventually, Trace and Lily started developing deeper feelings and respect for each other and their chemistry began to really work. Lily and Trace became well-developed characters, complete with complicated family, difficult jobs, and a relationship they enjoyed.

Pure brilliance is the plot line of Lily adopting a dozen ducklings, with one of the ducks having a birth defect. Ben is able to use his experiences through a science project to identify with the duckling and explain his own differences. I'm not sure that I believe a child would be that self-aware at such a young age or be able to do the things that Ben did, but I loved this element. This particular part would make a great children's book (hint hint).

There is a lot to like in Dare Me Once and I look forward to the presumed "Twice" and "Three Times' books with the other brothers. The family completely charmed me. Trace's dad bowing out to retirement will surely leave the door open for the other brothers to shine in their own books for the series.

Was this review helpful?

I was hesitant when I opened this book and saw the first sentence was "I don't need to get laid." What drew me to this title was the premise of a single dad who has a kid with Aspergers. I was eager to see a romance develop where it focused on other aspects of the characters lives than just the physical. Yet by 22% our main characters have barely met and have started sexting with a stranger they met at the airport (unbeknownst the them it is each other)..

Was this review helpful?

Ahhh, the webs we weave because of the sins of our father, because when the truth comes out, it can be heartbreaking…Scarlett has packed her Gucci bags, created a new identity and taken a job far from the nightmares of her past. Maybe she can rebuild her life on the small island of Angel Fire Falls at a family-run resort getaway. Lily Barns is born, determined, talented, and with a heart of gold.

Trace has a full plate, no time for the frivolities of love or romance. A single dad raising a young son with Asperger’s, a hands-on businessman trying to breathe new life into the family resort, there is no time to chase skirts or just have fun.

Shelly Alexander’s DARE ME ONCE is “that” romance that makes you laugh, want to cry and wish to Cupid that, for once, two people will take a chance on trusting another just enough to be honest about who they are, what makes them tick and what dark secrets hide in their pasts! And maybe they could be a little more accepting, too, hmmm, Trace?!

From page one, I adored Lily! The meeting between her, Trace and some little ducklings was priceless! Watching Lily interact with Trace’s young son was so heartwarming. Trace, now here is a man was many moods, many faces and often, a little too much starch in his shorts. He took brooding to a whole new level.

Ms. Alexander spices things up with an attraction that sizzles, turmoil that boils over and ghosts from the past that come back with a vengeance. Fabulous family dynamics abound, but the tsunami of conflict created could sink the Titanic and even Cupid will have his work cut out for him.
A quick and fun read that had me hoping that love COULD conquer all!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Montlake Romance!

Series: Angel Fire Falls - Book 1
Publisher: Montlake Romance (July 17, 2018)
Publication Date: July 17, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Print Length: 284 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

Was this review helpful?

I quite enjoyed this book about Lily (real name Scarlett), whose life has taken a turn for the worst after her father is jailed for fraud and her fiance dumps and fires her. She lies on her application at The Remington, a secluded resort on a secluded island, and gets the job as the new Hospitality Manager.

The Remington is owned by the Remington family and Trace is one of the brothers who have returned home to help their father with the resort. He is a pilot, but after his now 8 year old son was diagnosed with Asperger and his wife left, he came back to the island.
When Lily and Trace meet... a romance is in the works. But Lily must still tell Trace about her past and the lie she told to get the job.

I loved the family dynamics and Trace's son (the ducks... awww). The only reason I did not rate higher is because it had nothing quite new for me. Plus I don't really like ex-wife drama (this was kept to a minimum). The writing is good though and if you love family stories this is for you. It's the first in a series about these hot brothers on the island :-)

Was this review helpful?

3.5 Stars

I enjoyed this book and really liked Lily and lot. I had a bit of a harder time connecting with Trace for some reason that I never could quite put my finger on. I never really felt drawn to him. The plotline involving Ben and the ducks is so wonderfully written. I tend to shy away from books involving a troublemaking ex, and I had no idea this one would have that element, but luckily, it didn't consume the whole book. I think this is a good start to what promises to be a great series. I look forward to giving the next one a try. I've read other books by this author before and enjoyed them, so I think my lack of connection with Trace in this one was just a fluke.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for providing an ARC for review.

Was this review helpful?

Entertaining read.

Lily has taken a job where she thinks no one will find her. She has changed her name so no one links her to her Father, who has just been arrested. But then she meets Trace and his son Ben - she doesn't want to lie to them but what choice does she have.

Really looking forward to reading the rest of the series!

I was provided an ARC by NetGalley for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved a flirty Trace, "he followed her into the bathroom, where she swiped on mascara. He placed a hand on her hip. “Yes, I’ve seen every inch of you, and I gotta say . . . you’ve got some prime real estate under that towel.” Sometimes Lily has to get a little physical, "he nipped at her bottom lip. “Those shorts are very persuasive.” She pinched him. “Ouch.” He flinched. She pinched him again. “Ouch.” He laughed. “I take it back.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Trace.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute story about finding love when you are at your lowest point. Scarlett Devereaux is starting over. New job, new place to live, new everything.

There she meets single dad, Trace Remington. His family owns the hotel she is working for. He is devoted to his son and isn't looking for romance. She has been burned by loved and family, she is looking to start over.

This was a sweet story about love, family and an adorable son who stole my heart! Oh and those ducks!!

Was this review helpful?

Scarlett Lily Devereaux’s life is coming apart. Her father is in prison for bilking investors out of millions, her mother is in a drunken denial, the press is dogging her and her fiancé fires and dumps her since he only wanted to marry her because of her family’s reputation. She decides to to reinvent herself as Lily Barnes (her beloved grandmother’s name), and take a job as hospitality director at the Remington Angel Fire Island resort. Trace Remington and his brothers have all come home to help their family’s ailing resort. Trace is a single father with an eight year old son with Aspergers. This is a great beginning to a new series. The development and pacing of Trace and Lily’s romance is realistic. Lily’s secrets are always bubbling under the surface threatening the relationship. I cannot wait for the rest of the Remington family’s stories. I was provided an ARC by NetGalley for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I loved Lily and Trace's story. It sets the scene perfectly for this series. I can't wait for the next book.

Was this review helpful?