The Date Dare is a friends-to-lovers story of Darcy and Elliot, who have been friends since childhood. As is the set up for lots of these books - one of them has feelings for the other they're aware of, and the other is less aware, though the realization comes as the book goes on.

I'm a BIG fan of the friends to lovers trope, so I had a lot of hopes about this book. I liked the general idea of the story - Darcy and Elliot each set each other up on dates - ones goes spectacularly and turns into a relationship, and the other goes really poorly. There's a lot of angst on Elliot's side and there's definitely some sexual tension, both of which I enjoy in my friends-to-lovers romances. At the beginning of each chapter there is also a quote about love, friendship, and/or romance, and I thought those were cute!

However, for me the biggest struggle was the writing. I don't consider myself a particularly picky reader, but it feels like this book could have used another edit in order to clean up awkward phrasing, make sure tenses are consistent, and fix a couple of typos. There were enough of these small issues that they really distracted from the story for me.

With another edit I wouldn't hesitate to give this 4 stars, but as it stands I don't feel like it really earned higher than 2.

I really enjoyed this book. I had read the author's previous BDSM books so this was a BIG change, but a great read. Darcy and Elliott have been best friends since they were 6 years old. Through every up and down they've stuck together as only best friends can. Until one day everything changes. Then a bet is made & friendships are tested. I enjoyed their banter and their genuine affection for each other. It was a really fun read.

Elliot and Darcy were perfect for each other...and Elliot almost let her slip right on through. Tons of laugh out moments. Sweetness and just pure lust was abound in this book and I had a ton of fun reading it. Great story of friends to lovers.

This was a cute best friends to more story.
Elliot and Darcy have been friends since they were 6 years old and one of them falls in love with the other, but they dare each other to find the perfect dates for the other.
And so it begins...
I liked Elliot and Darcy, both were good characters in this book.

I received this ebook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

It's a sweet novella about two longtime friends that discovers they're made for each other. The problem is that they don't find it at the same time... I've loved Elliott, so charming and sweet. To me, he's the heart of the book. Such a pity this is only a novella and not a book, I need more of him!
I recommend you this novella for times when you need something short, sweet and a little spicy. It's very easy to read

Tara Sue Me....I want more...I want to read about the rest of the characters....This book was so so great. Who doesn't love a book where the best friends since childhood end up being the perfect match for each other.

Well written friends to lovers romance

Tara Sue Me's The Date Dare was a compelling read but readers need to be aware a much different steam level them her two previous series.
What isn't different is a story with a compelling romance and wonderful characters. I loved Darcy and Elliot and watching them figure out that their frirndship was shifting to something more was very satisfying. I do think I would have liked it a little earlier only because I loved it when they finally made the crossover to lovers. Secondary character Tate was an interesting addition and I look forward to his story on The Date Deal.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

So the blurb of the book sounded pretty great and also similar to a different book I read earlier this year. Therefore I was quite curious how Tara Sue Me took the story line and made it her own.
And my expectation were quite wrong. I assumed, we would get to see, how Elliot and Darcy grew up together and fall in love in the past as well as some dating episodes for more or less horrible dates in the present.
Well I got surprised as nothing was like this.
We saw the couple fall in love or pursue their love in the story and decide whether they want to stay friends or become more.
Through alternating told chapters the reader can see into the heads and hearts of either one and get to feel with them.
It was a pretty quick read, but still quite emotional.
Fortunately you don't need to part with the characters yet, as they might have some cameo-appereances in the following book "The Date Deal":

All in all, I enjoyed the ride, it would have been a bit longer.

Thanks to NetGallery and After Six Publishing for providing a review copy.

This wasn't the book for me. I love romance but not when there is nothing else to the story. Could have used a lot more backstory about the characters and their friendship, not just that they talk about sex together. Also hoping there is another edit on this as I noticed many typos.

Darcy and Elliott's story is a refreshing twist on the usual friends to lovers stories. It is a quick, fast read that is well worth the time. I look forward to the next book in this series.

Elliott and Darcy Had been best friends since Kindergarten so Darcy felt no one knew Elliott as well as she did. But she can’t figure out why he dates the women he does. Darcy will admit Elliott is a hot guy and she has fantasized about him but she would never exchange that for their friendship. Her parents had divorced when Darcy was eleven , Darcy’s dad had died five years ago. Only Elliott had been her steady support through it all. Elliott works with athletes and Darcy worked in the hotel industry. Usually Darcy wasn’t in her home city two weeks out of the month but right now she was staying in Atlanta for an extended time and Elliott would be also as the Storm’s season had just ended. They didn’t have to hide anything from each other but Elliott was. He realized last year at the Charity ball he was in love with Darcy and had not revealed his feelings toward her in any way. Darcy did not let Elliott know how attracted she was to him and fantasized about him. Elliott is meeting Darcy at a restaurant and Darcy realizes this the first time in almost a year Elliott comes without a date. Then Darcy thinks she had the answer Elliott had been dating all the wrong type of women. Elliott already knew this as the woman he wanted to be with was Darcy but he didn’t have the nerve to tell her. Then Darcy decides she wants to set Elliott with a date and he agrees as long as he can do the same for her. Elliott figures he shouldn’t set Darcy up with an egotistical athlete - he couldn’t do that to hard. Then he comes up with Tate Maddox had five great years in baseball then he left professional sports behind him completely. Tate claimed he didn’t like what fame was making him into and he said he didn’t need more money. Tate now runs a sports camp up in the mountains for underprivileged kids. It was probably the most painful thing Elliott had ever done but he calls and talks to Tate and tells him to call Darcy. A week later Darcy calls with the name and number of the woman for Elliott’s date -Kara Devine. Kara was a local actress who was doing some marketing for the hotel chain. Kara’s and Elliott’s date was a disaster but Darcy really enjoyed her date with Tate. Tate is a great person. As Tate and Darcy see each other Darcy senses something isn’t quite right with her being with Tate. Elliott is kicking himself in the butt as he loves Darcy and he has [probably lost her to Tate.
I loved this romance and it really was so sweet. I loved Darcy and Elliott together and how they interacted with each other. I was a little surprised Darcy hadn’t figured out her feelings for Elliott sooner but she didn’t want to lose him either so… This was a predictable romance and yet it didn’t take away from the romance as far as I am concerned. I loved how everyone but Darcy sees how Elliott really feels about her. This was a quick easy romantic read that I read in one setting. I happily found nothing to criticize in this book. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it.

The Date Dare is very much a friends to lovers romance… one that almost slipped past Elliot when he made one fatal dare, and picked the perfect guy for the woman he’s been friends with since childhood, and wants her for his own. Too bad that years of friendship is giving him second and third thoughts. Too bad that this guy is absolutely perfect for Darcy. Too bad for the love he feels for his best friend… unless he steps up and does something drastic about it.

Darcy and Elliot’s story is a quick read. There are no bad guys here, no drama aside from Elliot’s constant dares that backfire on him. I enjoyed their romance, but the actual romance between Darcy and Elliot takes a while to be realized. First we have to get past the perfect guy who really isn’t perfect for Darcy, and get Elliot to dive in and go after the woman he loves. To be frank, I had some issues with Elliot, but I’ll let you make up your own mind about our hero. In all it’s a good story, and I’m certainly looking forward to a sequel with another happy ending… for that not so perfect for Darcy guy.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

I was given this book to give an honest review and I can say that I enjoyed reading this book. The chemistry between the two main characters could easily be felt, although the story was very predictable. Often I wondered about the reason why Darcy stayed with Tate since throughout the book she commented on the lack of chemistry between them when compared to that with her best friend. That did not leave much surprise for the ending of the book. Also, the book had some grammar and spelling mistakes. However, all in all it was a sweet story, to which so many people can relate (at least I can!).

A sweet friends to lovers story with some melt your kindle hot scenes!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author. All opinions are my own.

As a note, a copy of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Can I get something out of the way first? I LOVE Tara Sue Me. In fact, I've been a fan of hers for the better part of a decade, tracing right back to the Twilight fan-fiction days. I just adore how she mixes steamy romance with wit and a little sweetness, which is why I was so excited to read The Date Dare. It promised to be so different from her previous works that I am familiar with--namely The Submissive series--and I think my problem was that my hopes were too high and that, ultimately, I hyped The Date Dare up so far in my head that it wasn't ever truly going to measure up.

Which, obviously, isn't on Tara Sue Me or The Date Dare by any means. Still, although there were a lot of cute little moments sprinkled into the novel, and a bit of humor and bad luck (see: Elliot's date with Kara) that make the story worth a second glance.

There's nothing inherently wrong with The Date Dare. It is sweet and sexy and witty. It is the very definition of cute, quick reads, and a total must-read for fans of friends-to-lover stories. However, I often felt like I had already read the book and that was something I couldn't get passed.

The Date Dare's biggest problem is, perhaps, the lack of development between the characters. I felt like I knew none of them particularly well; not their present, their relationships, their jobs, their backstories, not anything. It felt like the characters were all developed off-page and never quite mentioned, which was frustrating. With everything move along so quickly and smoothly, there needed to be something more to the characters.

That being said, The Date Dare had its fun moments but it is by far my least favourite release by Tara Sue Me in recent memory and simply not my cup of tea. Knowing what we know about Tara Sue Me, readers will instantly acknowledge the good of the book but at the same time feel conflicted by the fact that we know the story could have been more fleshed out.

I didn't hate The Date Dare, but I doubt I'd reread it in the future. I will say that I look forward to the sequel, that ties together two minor characters, because it has promise to it. I find that this book will likely leave people of two minds: they will adore it or feel underwhelmed by it. And that's okay.

My review, my thoughts, are of my own, and as always I encourage you to not take it as the gospel and give The Date Dare a try.

Favourite Quote: “There is no need for me to look for my soulmate. I know who she is." 

Darcy Patrick and Elliott Taber have been best friends since they were 6 years old, now 20+ years later their friendship is stronger than ever. That is, until Elliott realised that he started to feel something more. Ignoring his ever growing feelings, her found it easier to simply bring dates along to avoid ever being really alone together. Something Darcy noticed.

Darcy is determined to see her best friend happy, his track record with dating the wrong woman so shameful, Darcy doesn't even know their names anymore, so she comes up with a plan. A dare. Something she knew Elliott couldn't resist, dares being his personal kryptonite. A dare for her to set him up with a woman of her choice, ensuring a perfect match. Elliott stupidly agrees on the condition that he can do the same for her. He never imagined he could actually pull it off and find her the perfect guy.

''The more and more I went out, I realised I already had a great guy as my best friend and whoever I ended up with not only had to measure up to you, but to surpass you." 
I'm not sure how to respond. She's not saying she wants me. She wants someone better than me. And now she has him because I gave him to her on a fucking silver platter'

My Thoughts

A lovely easy read romance to curl up with for an evening.
The story is told from both points of view from the main characters, Darcy and Elliott, which brings alot more depth into their cute love story. We know Elliott's feelings for Darcy straight away, something I think he's even still surprised over a year after first realising. His feelings are so strong that he can't allow himself to be in the same room with her alone without the safety of another, just incase he slips up. Darcy has already filled us in at this point that Elliott is a real handsome heart-throb with a great body so I'm already dying for him to make a move. Obviously it isn't as easy as that. Their friendship is worth everything. Any action that would risk what they have isn't worth considering. So he hides his emotions from her, accepting his fate that he will never be with his soulmate. 

'My first thought is that surely she can't be right, but her words echo in my head and I don't need a calendar to know she's correct. I haven't put myself in a position to be alone with her since the charity ball last December.'

Darcy is a strong and independent who knows what she wants in life, even if she doesn't always push for it. Elliott means the world to her, but she's always seen him as her best friend. Her really hot best friend. Nothing to deny there. She spends so much time trying to make him happy thinking she can find him the perfect woman but is completely blind to his true feelings. For someone who knows so much about her best friend, she fails to see how he really feels and why he's acting differently towards her. 

'We shouldn't be here like this. Shouldn't be sitting this close to each other on the couch we've both sat on probably a million times. Because nothing about those times is anyway similar to what we're doing right now.' 

I really enjoyed the story, the characters were well written, and the overall pace was good. The additional characters were a nice input to the story. You knew that Tate didn't stand much of a chance in a romance like this but the author did well for us to fall for him all the same, hoping for a bit of tension between the love triangle quickly created. A selfless man who gave up thousands along with a successful athletic future to set up a camp in the woods for underprivileged children? A man who's first date is to feed the homeless? I mean, come on. Give us a bit of a flaw at least. A bit of toothpaste splatter on the mirror isn't going to cut it.
I really liked Elliott's sister, Carsen. She's an eccentric down to earth character that lights up the room, she's passionate and driven and determined to live her dream. She's the quirky key to snapping Elliott out of his misery to make him fight for the girl he loves. We didn't get to spend much time with her character sadly, but even so, she was a great feature. 
Overall it was a lovely romance that was perfect for a night in.

I really enjoyed this book, Elliot and Darcy both have feeling for each other but neither wants to destroy being best friends . So they dare each other to let the other set them up , but poor Elliot sets Darcy up with Tate. Now Elliot has to try to fight for Darcy .

It was a shorter read but I really enjoyed it, this is my first book by Tara Sue and I really looking forward to reading another

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC

An enjoyable friends to lovers novel. This is one of my favorite tropes, so have read many books with this theme. This is one of the good ones, with likable characters and a well moving plot that while a little predictable, was still very enjoyable. This book only has one little flashback, which was well written into the story. The only complaint I have of this book is that I would have liked a little more depth to the H&h and a little bit more evidence of their relationship- both friendship and romance. Overall, an enjoyable story. *I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

As a self-proclaimed sucker for friends-to-lovers romances, I couldn't resist my curiosity with this title. The Date Dare was a light, quick, and fun romance to get lost in for a few hours. It's about two best friends who start to develop feelings for each other. Rather than own up to those feelings, a dare is proposed in which they set each other up with an ideal date. His date ends up in a series of calamities. Her date, perfection. He now is kicking himself for opening the door to his own heartbreak.

At first I thought this may end up being a super angsty love triangle. I was happy to read that it was more of an internal struggle of each character coming to terms with their true feelings for one another. I liked that it was told in dual POV as that added to the anticipation. The dialogue between them was endearing and sweet.

However I felt that the characters could have been given more dimension - either through secondary characters, additional scenes to further establish their relationship, or more description in the existing scenes (they felt too short for me). . For me, their characters seem too simple; flat.

This is the first time reading a book from this author. The story was left open-ended into a good segue into the anticipated second book of the series involving a character introduced in this book. I was left curious enough that I will put that book on my radar.

3.5 STARS

Thank you Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Okay. My latest obsession is best-friends-turn-lovers..
And though this book was CHEESY AS HELL, I LOVED IT!!!!!!!
The fact that I hate the most is that its too fckn short or maybe it was just a quick read..
Anyways, the book was interesting, funny, awesome and definitely worth a read.