In "The Dating Dare" by Jayci Lee, Tara Park has one rule: no serious relationships. As the owner of Weldon Brewery, she has no time for anything more than occasional flings. But when Seth Kim, her best friend's new brother-in-law, walks into her life, Tara finds herself tempted to break her rule. After a few rounds of beer and a game of truth or dare, she agrees to go on four dates with Seth. The catch? They are only allowed four dates.

Pros:

Witty banter: The characters have a playful and engaging dynamic, making for enjoyable banter and dialogue.

Heartrending romance: The slow-burn romance between Tara and Seth is heartwarming leaving readers rooting for their happily ever after.

Fun premise: The idea of a dating dare adds a playful twist to the story.


In conclusion, "The Dating Dare" is a fun and engaging romance with well-developed characters and playful banter. While the plot may be predictable for some readers and the scope limited, those who enjoy a heartwarming love story with a unique twist will find this book to be an enjoyable read.

It was an enjoyable book. It’s really interesting characters. The premise of the book kept me engaged and the chemistry between the characters was very good. I enjoyed how the relationship progressed throughout the story. All in all it was a fun book.

I wanted to love this book, but found it a bit too cheesy and cliche. I finished it, but barely made it through.

The Dating Darestarts off drunk and kind of raunchy, with a members of a wedding party squaring off. She's determined not to date him, he challenges her to give him a chance. I read it a year ago, gave it three stars, didn't recall a thing about it and started to re-read it so I could produce a review, and I've read so many better books (and have better ones in my queue) that I gave up.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and was unfamiliar with the author. The plot sounded fun, and it was. Tara and Seth were both hurt by their first true college romances. As a result, both have guarded their hearts and refused to be vulnerable with anyone. Tara, in particular, has sworn to never love again and has no plans to ever marry. She runs in the opposite direction whenever the possibility of love presents itself.

Putting aside the extreme decision to never love again, as if the pain they suffered was worse than what anyone else has ever experienced, I thought the story was well-written. There were some wonderful metaphors and beautifully worded descriptions. The characters were relatable and fun, and if I’m being honest, I’d want to be friends with them. They made me laugh.

When Seth says something scandalous to Tara: “She gasped, and her hand fluttered to her chest. She actually freaking did that. Like some Victorian maiden. What the fuck. She cleared her throat loudly, planning to give him her best comeback. What came out was, ‘Um…abba…wha?’”

Tara’s family owns a brewery/pub so she’s used to men hitting on her. “‘Hello, gorgeous.’ An unfamiliar man approached her at the bar with a slimy smirk that begged to be punched off his face. He appeared to be in his early twenties, brimming with the false confidence that came from the misguided belief that he was invincible. Oh, the follies of youth.”

Seth did something out of character that offended Tara and she stormed away from. His texts to her grew increasingly frantic as she refused to answer him. This one made me laugh:
“SETH: I’m a piece of chewed gum stuck on the bottom of a second grader’s desk with black pock marks made by a freshly sharpened pencil.”

After taking the expected photos at a formal event, they decided to have more fun. “Then they got creative. Seth stood behind her and pretended to bite her neck like a vampire. She jumped on his back in an impromptu piggyback ride, swinging her arm high in the air like an overzealous cowgirl. They stood ramrod straight side by side and wore their very best poker faces. Of course, they didn’t forget the silly shot, where Tara pretended to pick Seth’s nose while he wore his duh look.” I seriously, and literally, laughed out loud when I read that section.

It’s a good book and I recommend it.

This book was ok, but I didn't much like the characters acting like teenagers rather than grown people. I guess I judge contemporary romance a lot harsher than historical romance because it's harder for me to suspend disbelief in situations that are familiar. That being said, it can make for a cute read (even though it is overly cheesy).

I think this one was hard for me because it almost seemed too juvenile to enjoy. The premise itself is something that could happen but the dare and whatnot made it less enjoyable for me. I also just didn't find the two compelling enough as they bantered. I think it was the writing that made it indistinguishable from other rom coms similar in this genre.

Mostly passable, and I guess I'd recommend but it didn't stand out for me.

This book was a bit of a love hate for me. Overall I did enjoy it, but the major misunderstandings that could easily hve been resolved by acting like adults got a little annoying.

The dating dare is my first book by Jayci Lee and it definitely won't be my last. This feel good love story is exactly what I needed to read during this rainy day.

Enjoyed reading the witty, sassy banter between Tara and Seth in The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee. The story overall was somewhat predictable but still entertaining to read and had my attention throughout. The writing overall reminded me of a Jasmine Guillory book. I heard this is one book of a series and I can't wait to read the others.

This was a quick and easy romantic read! The characters were believable and likeable, and I definitely found myself laughing along with the story. A solid romance read!

Solidly in the middle for me. I enjoyed the humor, but found the chemistry to be hit or miss. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

DNF - really struggled to get into this romance. The cover is SO cute but the story has a very jarring start. I didn’t buy the start of the relationship between the love interests and unfortunately this one just wasn’t working for me.

I have not read the first in the series- and maybe if I had I'd have connected a little more to the characters- but this one was enjoyable enough and passed the time just fine. It's a pet peeve of mine when communication between two characters is SO horrendous. Like, a little honesty goes a long way. But the natural progression of love was nice and the characters were likable in their own way. I loved Tara's job and Seth was chivalrous despite him being painted as Mr. Playboy.

Do you ever see the average rating for a book and go "I'm built different"?

I tried. I really truly tried. I wanted so badly to love this but I am not built different, and I'm very sorry to say that that average rating at the low end of three stars is very correct. This was a two disappointments and a half.

Romances built solely on lust are clearly not my thing, and this book proves why. Right from the start, Tara and Seth are clearly into each other. They want to rip each other's clothes off and constantly fantasize all sorts of naughty images. But that is all there was. Take it away and you're left with a few pieces of cardboard.

These characters were so poorly developed outside of how much they want to fk. I got so excited when I learned that Tara runs a brewery and would be creating new ales to take to a world championship. That is such a cool detail and I wanted desperately to be a part of that, watching this Korean woman smash through the craft beer industry. But aside from a few scenes of her filling some pint glasses and trying to leave so she can be with Seth, it's basically an afterthought for the story. Seth too, we're constantly reminded that he's leaving in a month to go to Paris and what a great opportunity it is for his career, but I feel as though we barely scratched the surface of why it's not something he wants to do art-wise. There were so few vulnerable and personal moments between them that there was nothing to interest me in these two as individuals.

I also take great issue with how this romance panned out. The Dating Dare itself was really cute, and the idea of them going on these dates for fun would have been so much better if they--again--hadn't been lusting after each other every single minute. I got a little annoyed in the beginning that all of the saucy bits were in Seth's POV, then when we finally get something from Tara's POV, it's fade to black. An annoyance that only grew when every. single. steamy. scene after that was fade to black or incredibly vague, short and distant. And that's what made me dislike this book so much. Not that there is no on-page sex, let me clear, I honestly don't care if a romance is closed door or not. What I do care about is that I was completely misled. I'm subjected to page after page of over the top naughty thoughts and hard d*cks and wet panties, only for the actual pay off to be a whole lot of pg-rated nothing.

A final note: I read this via an audio copy graciously given to me by the publisher. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that this could have been the best romance novel I've ever read and it wouldn't have mattered because I cannot do romance novels by ear. It is can be so uncomfortable if the stars don't align. I usually love Natalie Nadus as a narrator, but it felt so awkward here and not a good fit at all. Her voice is very sultry, but it made these characters feel so off and not for me.

I'll be steering clear of the rest of the books in this series. I always seem to start these at book two, so I already know the first book couple and have little interest in them. And honestly, I just don't think I can be subjected to an experience like this again.

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book! I really enjoyed it!!! Im looking forward to sending what else Jayci comes up with!

Highly entertaining, laugh out loud fun filled, emotional journey filled with witty banter, heart racing twists and so many fun and intriguing charters. An edge of your seat emotional thrill ride from beginning to end.

I received this book from NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for a review.

The Dating Dare follow our two MCs - Tara and Seth. They're longish term friends that after a 2 player session of truth or dare, settle on a dare to go on 4 dates with each other but they promised they won't fall in love with each other, but I think we can all guess where this is going to go.
I really like the romance build-up. I wish it wasn't fade to black on the spicy scenes. What really ruined it for me was the miscommunication trope. We had the standard break up/get back together arc at the end of the book and it is just starting to feel a smidge over done for me.
That being said I will be reading more from this author in the future because I still really enjoyed myself.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

Tara and Seth's love story is a fast and easy read. An amusing take on the will they/won't they motif with a challenge of the heart. There's plenty of momentum in the story and sizzling chemistry between Tara and Seth. Great weekend read!