The Dare by Elle Kennedy

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Title: The Dare
Author: Elle Kennedy
Series: Briar U #4
Published by: Indie
Release Date: June 16, 2020
Format: eARC
Pages: 354
Genres: Sports Romance, Romance, Contemporary
Source: Nina Bocci PR
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2020 New Release Challenge, Lenoreo's COYER Quarantine Edition
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iBooks ✩ IndieBound ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.

The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.

Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance. Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy.

Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes.

But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.

And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my face.

My Review:

I received a free copy through Nina Bocci PR in exchange for an honest and unbiased review/opinion.

4.5 stars — DUDES!!!!  This book was so a Lenore book.  Like, for realz, there was only one thing that was preventing this from being full 5 stars, and that just seriously makes me so happy.

The funny thing is that I was worried!!  I loved Conor in The Play.  I read this blurb and thought “oh dude, that’s so me!”  So I actually avoided the book, b/c I figured it would be my luck that it would let me down you know?  Like, I hate having fucking expectations.  But there you have it.  I lamented how I had to start this book and get it read to my hubby.  And honestly?  2 pages in I was laughing to myself, highlighting, and I looked at the boy and said “ok, so it’s good.”  And it kept it up, start to finish, top to bottom!  I LOVE it when a book exceeds my expectations and leaves me a stupid grinning fool.

OK, let’s get the one lament out of the way: I’m super big into body positivity, and so I was a bit bummed with how Taylor’s issues with her body played out.  It’s not that it’s not realistic, but it’s always a bummer when the only reason they even consider not hating their body is because a love interest loves their body.  I know that’s probably what happens for most people.  But I can’t help but think that’s not sustainable.  I wanted her to turn a corner.  A lot of other things happened at the end there, and I still felt like she had an unhealthy body image when all was said and done.  And honestly?  Her eating habits to maintain the weight felt a wee bit concerning.  But we only saw glimpses, so it was hard to tell.  Basically, if you’re looking for a true body positive book, this ain’t it.  (because in my opinion, a body positive book would have her coming to those conclusions about herself outside of just what her love interest said, and it would have been a more clear and forceful point)  The thing is, while that is a big bummer for me, the things I loved about this book, I fucking LOVED.  And in the end, that’s what I’m left with, so I’m going with that overwhelming feeling.

Taylor and Conor together MADE this book.  They were both hilarious, I loved seeing them banter with one another.  Taylor could be so sassy when she let it out!!  I loved that she was more than her insecurities.  I loved that she stood up to Conor and forced him to take a look at himself.  I loved that she got some backbone with her sisters as well.  She goes through a lot, and I felt for her at every turn.  My instinctual reactions are definitely like hers — hide hide hide, and assume the worst.  So it was super easy for me to connect with her.

And I loved that Conor was so much more than just his pretty face and fuckboy ways.  I did NOT expect his backstory, or the things that he was struggling with.  I loved that through him we got to see that everyone has insecurities…and just because they may not be about appearance, it doesn’t mean they aren’t just as detrimental.  I loved that he wasn’t perfect — it made him seem more real somehow.  He made some terrible mistakes, but you really saw him grow.  I especially loved that at the end he was honest with Taylor about some things, and didn’t make excuses.  That was refreshing.

But seriously, it was the two of them together that just shot this book out of the park.  They had AMAZING chemistry, right from the start.  I loved how natural they immediately felt with one another, and that you could really see them connect on that first night.  I loved how cheeky they were with one another (especially Conor).  I loved that they both had so much growing to do, and they both made bad choices…and they both were able to forgive and help.  And damn, once things got steamy??  SO HOT.

As with all of these books in the series, the secondary cast was beyond fabulous.  I adored Conor’s teammates and the comradery they had.  I loved seeing them take Taylor in under their wings.  I loved their antics.  I appreciated Conor’s friendship with Hunter.  I loved Taylor’s friendship with Sasha, that girl was sassy as fuck!  And I appreciated the family stories that we got from both of them.

So yeah.  One minor gripe, but the rest was like fangirl central.  Sometimes I feel like these gushy reviews are ridiculous, but I can’t help it when a book really connects, you know?  I can see rereading this one over and over…