I had a hard time warming up to this story. Maybe because so much happened off the page? Edmund was already set to propose to Katherine at the start of the book, but on the same day, his father beat him to it by proposing to Katherine's younger sister. Now, Katherine refused him because she didn't want to live in the same house as her sister. They all had to live together for some reason having to do with his sister. She also was tired of being at the beck and call of her sister. (A lot of sister drama here). O.K. so why did it then skip ahead two years and she was doing exactly that? Living in the same house as Edmund and being her sister's drudge? They had a sexual encounter on Christmas that is only mentioned here with no details. I've read the other books and have no memory of any of this. I'm not feeling any love or attraction here. Two years in the same house quickly skipped over, and nothing...?

Thank you to WOLF Publishing, Charlie Lane, and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. This review was left voluntarily and the opinions are my own.

Katherine is a widow who has protected, sheltered, and unwittingly coddled her younger sister Chrissy. Katherine receives a proposal from Edmund, Viscount Escher. The proposal is upstaged by Edmund's father, the Earl, proposing to Chrissy. Katherine rejects Edmund's proposal out of propriety. They end up living under the same roof and share a heated Christmas Eve several years later when Katherine arrives at his bedroom door. Katherine never comes to him again and Edmund has decided he will not marry unless it's her. Katherine has a plan to write a new book and reprint her very poplar out of print novel. This plan would allow her to have financial independence so that she can leave the Earl and Chrissy's household.

Fast forward a little bit and a young lady tried to compromise Edmund to force him to marry her. Katherine and Edmund work together to lay matchmaker to this young lady to save both their reputations. Edmund also helps Katherine by being her muse for her writing.

This book was an excellent example of humorous, well written, Regency romance. There was a moderate amount of spice and the plot was unique and refreshing. The characters get a satisfying HEA. It checked off all my boxes for a novel in this time period.

Sparkling and fun.
Many thanks to Wolf Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Mrs Katherine Brighton has spent most of her life, before and after marriage, caring for her younger sister, Christiana. She's ready to take charge of her own life, and when Edmund, Lord Escher, proposes, she's wants to say yes more than anything. However, Chrissy gets engaged on that very day to Edmund's father, and she can't be a countess without her sister helping, can she? After two years, Katherine needs to escape, and sharing a night with Edmund proved that she won't ever be able to forget him, but she needs to be away from Chrissy. Edmund will do whatever it takes to prove they should be together, but can Katherine be convinced?

I liked Katherine and Edmund when we met them in previous books, and it was clear there was a history there between them. Falling in love, only to be torn apart by relatives marrying was heartbreaking, and Edmund was sick of being so close, but also so far. I liked the fact that Katherine had her own life before Edmund, and she had a plan to save herself - through her writing, though it wasn't going to be easy. The added plot line of Lady Edith being after Edmund was funny, and I hope her story is next, because she deserves happiness - just not with Edmund.

I picked this book because I was under the assumption that it was the first in the series. I realised later that it was the fourth. That did not impact the narrative but did take away a little from understanding the bonds between the women central to the plot or the concept of 'daring'.
The covers are a little too strange for my taste. I would not have picked it up if not for the ratings and my mood at the time when I first came across it. I am glad I do so, however. There was a time when I read a lot of this genre, but it has been a while since I read and liked a book in this regency-romance-type genre, and I had fun with this one.
The fourth book revolves around a widow with a very annoying younger sister. I found the overall balance between the characters interesting since the supporting cast had shades of grey, which had them behaving unexpectedly at certain times. A group of women have come together over time and poor personal decisions to form a sort of club where we can see a trend of who the next book about would be.
The plot of the book is standard, but the writing and the characters made it a satisfying read. There are two annoying women who are asking more than others want to give them, but they end up quite distinct, which is not always a common thing to encounter.
It was a quick read, with intimate scenes not going into too much graphic detail and the little there was, I could easily skip without losing out on the story itself.
I think fans of this genre will like this series.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

I am new to this series, but I found it an easy read that you can jump right into. I enjoyed the subdued persona of Katherine and the exuberant nature of Edmund. The persona shift was a welcome change, but sometimes Edmund's exuberance was so superfluous that it was unbelievable. Additionally, the frequent internal character monologues hampered the flow of the plot as they were meandering and redundant. Perhaps because I did not read other books in this series I did not connect with the secondary characters and found their commentary unnecessary. The concept of steadfast devotion to love and finding one's purpose is interesting, but the execution needed more structure.

I enjoyed this historical romance story with all of the characters. The two main characters were Mrs. Katherine Brighton and Edmund Crenshaw, Viscount Escher.

Mrs. Katherine Brighton wants to escape her younger sister. She wants her independence. She likes to write books but there no time. Because her sister needs her.

Edmund Crenshaw, Viscount Escher proposal marriage to Mrs. Katherine Brighton. But she decides to not take the offer. Years later he still a bachelor but there was a young lady that he try to court but he decided to not marry her because he still loved the first woman that he proposed to.

This was a fun story to read. It has action, secrets and drama throughout. It had a few laughs and giggles throughout to.

I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout and Netgalley. This is my honest unbiased opinions.

Don't You Dare my Dear is the fourth in the series of The Debutante Dares and it will hold your attention as you enjoy the journey with Katherine and Edmund until the very end. After waiting two years for Katherine to admit her love for him, Edmund decides to win Katherine any way he can. Edmund will cause you to laugh out loud with Katherine the practical one that will keep Edmund grounded.

I always enjoy how well the author brings in the other characters from the earlier series, it's like revisiting old friends that you haven't seen for a while. Charlie Lane has filled this passionate romance with characters that come off the pages and pull you into their tale, with characters you will love to hate, friends that will bring hilarity to situations, witty banter and fun plot that will leave you looking forward to Lady Edith's story.

Y’all…phew…look here. THIS book took me through some thangs tuhday!!! Can’t you tell…I’ve totally moved away from spelling my words correctly I’m so rattled. I cannot recall EVER, in all my years of reading, having called a character a c*nt during the prologue…but baeBAY…I did today! And then I cried…like really ugly, heartbreaking tears because I was already invested in a couple I had yet to really meet.

Don’t You Dare, My Dear is a charming, fun and highly entertaining book filled with amazing characters. As you can tell by my commentary above, the characters are so vividly written that they jump off the page, inspiring all sort of emotion. The two MCs are wonderful…and the supporting casts…you’ll absolutely adore most of them.

Edmund Crenshaw, Viscount Escher is by FAR the best character in this book. I love everything about him. His cheerful disposition, his energetic playfulness and his ability to show his affection without reserve and hesitancy. He is the complete opposite of his lady love, Katherine, who on the surface appears serious and practical. But in truth, she’s warm, outspoken and funny. Always willing to do whatever is necessary for the ones she loves, Katherine goes above and beyond for the ones she loves…including her ungrateful a*s sister.

A chance meeting in a bookstore after the death of Edmunds mom brings he and Katherine together. The unscrupulous and selfish acts of their family kept them apart. After turning down his proposal, Katherine works to put her life back together. No longer willing to live his life without the woman he loves, Edmund is determined to win her back.

Look here…this book is awesome. I really enjoyed it. It was just LIVELY… like a breath of fresh air. It’s all because of the characters. Edmund is ALWAYS up to something. His friends are just plain adorable. Some, not all…but some of the secondary characters were AWEFUL people. I mean like the Worst. People. EVER. I truly applaud Charlie Lane, for I’ve never hated secondary characters to the point I wanted to put the book down. Well done Charlie…Well done. wrote them so well that I cursed throughout the book. That said…if you’re looking for a light and fun read…this book is for you!

Don’t You Dare, My Dear
Charlie Lane
Tropes: Forbidden Love, Second Chance Romance, Widow

An older sister who sacrificed her future to help her younger sister. Katherine loves her dilly sister and is prepare to help her at all costs. Seeing her beloved every day makes her decide to do all she can to break away from a helpless situation where nothing will change. To have the life she feels she deserves, she writes a book to try and uplift her situation. Love triumphs over trials and tribulations, resulting in a happy ever after.

OK, what to say about Don’t You Dare, My Dear? I usually try to read all of the preceding novels in a series before I review one but with Covid and life, I didn’t have time to, so I really started reading her books with this one. It was fine. I really liked Edmund and I really liked his friends. Katherine was a good character, though her choices confused me a bit, but, oh man, her sister is something special. I had real issues feeling for Chrissy who was basically a spoiled brat, though Katherine was absolutely the enabler.

It sometimes felt like some of the conflict was drawn out and could have easily been wrapped up more quickly. I started feeling like I needed to skim over some things about 3/4 of the way through because many of the obstacles that were being put in place seemed slightly gratuitous, just to make things a little more difficult to get to that HEA. It felt like it all could’ve been wrapped up a lot more easily, but part of the draw of the novel was the fact that it started out with things not being handled efficiently, which is why they didn’t get married in the beginning. The spicy parts were wonderful, and I loved the epilogue. So I’m very comfortable with giving this one a 4-star rating. I will also go back and read the previous three books in the series. And I definitely will read the one about Edith because I felt like she was an interesting character who needed to be fleshed out a bit more.

Fourth (and last?) In a series, Don't You Dare, My Dear finally gives us Katherine and Edward's story. I've read two of the previous books and wish I had better memory (to be fair, I read several books a week) as I can't remember much about them from George and Jane's book, which takes place between this one's prolog and first chapter,

Anyway, the basic premise is that Katherine and Edward already love each other before the book begins, but any permanent relationship is foiled mostly by Katherine's bizarre need to drop everything to be there for her sister. Or also because she wants to find her independence to live away from her sister. It is never quite clear even after it's explained at some point later in the book. It's a little confusing.

So I'm not entirely sure what changed after two years, but eventually, Katherine begins to thaw, and Edward, ever so careful about giving Katherine anything she needs-be it space or sexy times--starts to hope again.

I adored Edward. He's so loyal and cheerful and also intuitive, and, inexplicably, I really wanted to smack him upside the head for all those great traits. I didn't really think Katherine deserved such devotion, at least not until about halfway through the novel.

In short, another good middle-of-the-road book by Charlie Lane.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. Thanks!

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book for review, all opinions are my own*

3.5 stars

I feel like I enjoyed this book so much more simply because I read this one faster.
This is a very nice book to read, the characters are great, the couple has a fantastic romance, and the plot itself when it gets boring and repetitive is only at the end and the author then solves everything quickly.
I loved that our male character is completely in love with our protagonist and that he does everything for her, I think one of the best things is just seeing him trying to be with her but at the same time respecting what she wants and helping her all the time, now she irritated me sometimes because of her plot with her sister, I think it was dragged and it could have been resolved earlier and even better.
But in the end, I liked the book, I think the couple makes it worth reading!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Don’t You Dare, My Dear

Charlie Lane

Pub Date: 12 May 2022

This was my first Charlie Lane book and what a lovely surprise. Don't You Dare, My Dear is the 4th book in a series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone. This is the story of the widowed Katherine (practical to a fault) and Edmund (head in the clouds-dreamer). While they seem like opposites, they are perfect for each other! On the day Edmund is finally proposing, his father proposes to Katherine's sister moments before. The younger sister, Chrissy, is a spoiled brat who Katherine had to raise since her parents died. Once again, Katherine has to put her life on hold and turns down Edmund's proposal.

The story jumps ahead a couple of years and now it's a matter of will Katherine ever put herself first to finally be with Edmund...I loved this couple and all the side characters (except Chrissie and the evil publisher!) There were many hilarious moments and tons of sweetness. Thankfully, even with all the roadblocks, love conquers all in the end.

4 Stars

Katherine always took care of her sister Chrissy. Edmund asked Katherine to marry him. Chrissy accepts a marriage proposal from Edmund’s father. Katherine turns Edmund down. They end up living in the same house for two years. He’s determined to make her change her mind. They have to make sure that Chrissy does the Countess duties herself. Katherine wants to earn her own money by writing a book. Edmund wants to give Katherine anything she wants. He has watch out for her.

The book was great. There were many romantic moments. Can’t wait for the next one.

In this sweet story by Charlie Lane, the viscount is in love with only one woman, but circumstances in her life are keeping her apart from him. This was a good story with an interesting plotline and characters. The witty banter kept me interested throughout the story. I only wish it had been a bit more exciting towards the end.

This is a really charming second chance romance between a Viscount and a widow acting as a lady’s companion to her sister. Charlie Lane’s writing is quick paced, easily engaging and full of well rounded characters. This is the forth book in a series, and the first one of this series I have read, and I found that it could easily be read as a standalone.

When Edmond’s father gets himself engaged to his lives sister, he finds his plans of marriage thrown out because Katherine wants to escape her younger sisters heavy hand. Years later, Katherine is still stuck under her sisters thumb and Edmond is ready to do anything to fully claim her as his own, especially after a passion night during Christmas that they spent together.

Edmond is such a kind and swoon worthy hero, he is so in love with Katherine that he has been patient with her feelings while he has waited for her. I just love a hero who is gone for his heroine and pines for her from the beginning. Katherine is smart and strong, and is ready for her independence. I love that Katherine must learn to put herself first. I love that once Katherine embraces her love for Edmond she slowly learns to ask for what she needs and will do anything to get it. I love that these two learn to work together and trust each other. They learn to understand the other which makes their relationship strong and equal. Their relationship is full of consent, sensual chemistry and listening and supporting.

Charlie Lane’s novels also have a wonderful and charming relationship at their heart that makes them well worth the read. Definitely check this novel out if you are new or an old fan of Charlie Lane’s!

This one was cute but I am also currently watching Bridgerton so although this seems to be a similar concept, with similar names, it's just not quite the same. The authors writing is strong, the banter is really fun, but I just didn't feel like I loved anyone in this book and I really, really wanted to.

The 4th in the series, but do enjoy reading it as a standalone. Katherine has always put everyone needs and wants before her own. Raising her sister and always doing for her was second nature to her, but when her love proposes to her at the same time his father proposes to her sister, she of course puts her desires aside for her younger sister.. Edmund lives in his father’s home only to be near Katherine, but something doesn’t make sense to him. The reasons Katherine turned him down, doesn’t fit to why she is still living here with her sister two years later.
The story is about learning to put oneself first and learning to let others find there way and grow, and lastly never give up on love.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story. #NetGalley #DontyouDaremyDear #WolfPublising

Well here’s another sweet and charming book from Charlie Lane that will have you wanting to read the book again. The romance was completely obvious between Katherine and Edmund in the prologue of the story. He was obviously smitten with Katherine even though he stepped in poop droppings. Katherine was charmed by Edmunds boyishness. I like that the writer focused on the romance between the two. The story was easy to read. It has some realism to it.