THE DATING DARE is a fluffy, steamy contemporary romcom. It's the perfect kind of book to escape into: small town setting, instant chemistry between the leads, and super sweet dates.

I enjoyed this. I did find it quite predictable from the get go, but it was a cute read and would be perfect for a beach vacation.

The Dating Dare feels like a romance novel that started in media res: our couple-to-be is already into each other, although of course they are in denial, lest we be denied the song-and-dance that is the building blocks of romance novels. I thought this was a refreshing way to set up the book but it did leave me questioning the couple's chemistry for the first half of the book. The author's pacing feels vastly different from that of her first book (A Sweet Mess), and reading the author's comments at the end reveals that this was their pandemic baby, and somehow I feel that explains everything. By the second half of the book, things feel more cohesive and, dare I say it, I actually like how this ended much more than A Sweet Mess. (I got a free copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.)

Interesting premise with the Truth or Dare. It's entertaining and fluffy, and if you're in the mood for something like that, then you'll enjoy this book. Personally I was looking for something a bit more, so I was underwhelmed.

Rating: 2/5
Laughing Score: 0/5
Crying Score: 0/5

Plot: Tara Park, Maid of Honor, meet Seth, the “player” best man. In a game of truth or dare gone wrong, Seth dares Tara to go on four dates with him while he is in town and getting ready for a move to Paris. After agreeing on the rules, one of them being they can’t fall in love with each other, the dates begin.

My thoughts: I really wanted to like this book, but I think it was a miss for me. I did not read the first book in this series, and I’m not sure if that impacts the story line, but I felt like the relationship between Seth and Tara was off from the jump. I felt like their relationship was a little immature, which also made the writing feel a bit immature. There wasn’t enough build up in the beginning of the book for me to feel their attraction, and then I felt like a lot of the book was reading about how obsessed they were with each other, but then they’d have their individual struggles where they needed to pull back and just “didnt know how they felt about each other.” It felt too dramatic, and it happened too many times where it just became tiresome and I did not care if they ended up together or not.

Thank you @netgalley for a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Dating Date comes out August 3, 2021.

This story truly brings the game truth or dare to such a new level. I really enjoyed the concept and how the characters worked within it.

ARC generously provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for me honest review.
Thank you so much for this gem.

What a lovely romance adventure.

Seth is not the playboy everyone thinks he is. All gorgeous and romantic. Tara is tough as nails, but somehow is getting under her armor. But they have a dare. Not to fall in love, while enjoying four dates together.
Spoiler alert: they don't make it without getting their feelings all mixed up.

This was such an uplifting escape with two people, who are honest with each other and brave, most of the time. They have baggage and dreams and they carry both with grace.

The way Jayci Lee described how Seth feels his art, how it is parts of his soul exposed, It is exactly how I feel and I immediately needed to create something, to be as brave as he is.

This book is a second in the series, though it is the first one I read. It stands on its own, but having read this one, I absolutely want to go back and read A Sweet Mess.

I hope there is a third in the works! I need to know what happens to the twin brothers.

In the sequel to Jayci Lee’s Sweet Mess we pick at Aubrey and Landon’s wedding where Landons younger brother and known playboy, Seth, can’t keep his eyes off Aubrey’s bestie Tara Park.

Whereas Aubrey and Landons love story was enemies to lovers Seth and Tara follow a different trope.

The chemistry between our two protagonists is off the charts but Seth is scheduled to love to Paris in one month and they both have past hurts. Which leads Seth to the brilliant idea of a Dating Dare. One moth, 4 dates, no falling in love... solid plan, right?

This book is so cute and fun.. you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and crave something sweet to eat.

5 🌟 🥰

#bookstagram #booklover #bookreview #thedatingdare

This book brings the game of truth or dare to a whole new level! Such a great love story featuring two souls meant for each other. A wonderful example of how soulmates can grow as they go.

Highly recommend for your vacations this summer!

Tara’s best friend Aubrey just got married and she is feeling a little down to think of how their relationship will change. Aubrey’s brother-in-law, Seth, has been eyeing Tara all night so when he suggests they grab a drink after the reception she agrees. Seth will be staying at Aubrey’s house for a month until Aubrey returns from her honeymoon. Then Seth is off to Paris with a job as a photographer. While playing truth or dare in Tara’s family’s bar, Seth dares Tara to go on four dates and not fall in love with him. She is used to keeping her love life separate from the rest of her life so how hard can this be? Seth leaves in four weeks so this should be no problem. Neither expected things to go so well. This is a great book with well-developed characters you want to know and dates that are creative and fun.

I really liked the story and the characters, I couldn't put it down, so I had to read it in one sitting.

This book was a miss for me but I'll still try the other books by this author. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters. And both felt immature for their ages. Just a miss for me.

The writing in this book felt very immature and the story followed suit. There wasn't much character development and the MC's seemed to go from A to Z in no time flat. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural.

Tara has sworn off relationships when she meets Seth, her BFF''s new BIL. After Tara learns that Seth is moving to Paris at the end of the month, she feels like he isn't a threat to her "no relationship" philosophy since there is a clear deadline in sight. They agree to participate in a "Dating Dare" of four dates within Seth's time left in the states.

Seth and Tara didn't have much chemistry, although the author tried to convince us otherwise. There was a lot of unnecessary one-line dialogue back and forth between the two of them. But there was a glaring lack of any build up or tension between the characters. They basically went from acquaintances to madly in love in the blink of an eye. They barely knew each other and I felt like I knew nothing about them either! Not a book I would reread.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book, however it was not for me. The storyline just did not pull me in and I felt a lack of something in the writing. Right out of the gate the characters both seemed shallow and full of themselves. It was a DNF.

Definitely a cute feel good book! I really liked seeing Tara and Seth's story unfold and was happy with how the book ended!

Picking up right where “A Sweet Mess” ended we are able to see Aubrey and Landon’s wedding, through Tara’s eyes. Tara, made of honor and best friend to Aubrey, keeps catching Seth staring at her, throughout the festivities. Seth, best man and little brother to Landon, can’t help but be captivated by the stunning Maid of Honor.

Eager to escape the lovey-dovey couple, Tara and Seth agree to have a drink at Tara’s family brewery. During their chat they decide to play a game of Truth or Dare. Seth, knowing he only has a month left before he moves his entire life to Paris, wants to get to know Tara and uses the game to his advantage.

Neither one wants a serious commitment, but neither can deny their attraction to each other, so when Seth dare’s Tara to four dates without falling in love with him…she accepts. Both commitment-phobes, for different reasons, agree to keep their dates between them.

As the story progresses, we find out why both Tara and Seth haven’t had any serious relationships in a long time. Past relationships, have deeply hurt and affected each of them, and left them scared of committing to anything serious.

Both characters have been so deeply affected by their past, unhealthy, relationships that they fail to see that a healthy and happy relationship is possible. In the past, both Tara and Seth gave to people who continuously, and greedily, took and left them with broken spirits and self esteem. Neither Tara or Seth are willing to allow themselves to be that vulnerable again.

As their time together shortens, both are left wondering if their truly okay with their relationship ending. Could a happy ending be possible and is it worth fighting for?

Understandably, both characters are deeply wounded, and affected by their pasts. That being said, I felt that the amount of times they emotionally went back and forth was a bit much. For being so deeply affected by their pasts I feel like they really didn’t delve deep enough when discussing those relationships. Understandably, bringing up the past can be extremely difficult, but for the story I would have felt a little more invested in their HEA if they’d dug deeper.

All that being said, I do hope we see more of Weldon, and get to know more of its residence as they follow their dreams and their hearts.

Tara and Seth click at their brother and best friend's wedding and end up in a game that leads to four dates. The plot didn't feel original but the fluffy romance had a feel good vibe. Both Tara and Seth seem aware of who they are but they lack the ability to fully communicate and it creates some expected bumps in their relationship. It would make a great Hallmark movie!

Tara doesn't need love. She's got a great life filled with brewing, family, and friends. A wedding encounter with Seth will result in a dating dare -- four dates and no falling in love.

These characters will find a way into your heart as you go with them on their dates. You will swoon as they begin to get to know each other better.

I recommend this book for those who love romance with a side of fun.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee was su a cute rom com. Tara and Seth are such likable characters. The sexual tension and build up in this novel is unbelievable. I’m telling all my girlfriends to pick this up August 3rd.
4/5 stars

This was such a cute story. I felt that the beginning was a bit rocky and left me confused. I understand that this is the second companion book, but it felt like a very abrupt start. However, once I read over the first 20 pages the story was wonderful. One small suggestion, I would remove the physical abuse mentioned because it wasn't properly flushed out and it seemed just out of the blue and didn't really fit. All in all though, I would absolutely recommend.