Release Reviews: The Dare: Elle Kennedy
The Dare
(Briar U #4)
Elle Kennedy
Elle Kennedy
Release Date June 16, 2020
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.
Taylor Marsh does not exactly fit in with her sorority sisters and some of them actually love to harass her. One night, she is dared to go up to hot jock and take him back to a room. But she is an honest girl and told him the truth.
Conor Edwards is newer to Briar U and on the hockey team. He is extremely popular and has no issue with one night stands...but they are all starting to run together. He does not think he is a relationship type and gets easily bored. So when a plucky, pretty girl marches up to him and begs for help, he is all in. He helps show up those taunting her. And then he does it again.
Next thing Taylor knows, Conor wants to continue the ruse. He likes playing games and likes spending time with her and torturing her enemies. Taylor has struggles and insecurities, and Conor wants her to see herself like he sees her. She is curvy, nerdy, funny, non-judgmental, and honest. With her, he does not need to hide behind a facade and can just be himself. He is sweet, funny, bold, direct, and supportive. I just adored him.
I really liked how these two played off each other. Conor is hilarious as he plays the needy, besotted boyfriend in front of the naysayers. But they also just have this natural, vulnerable, honesty in their interactions. Taylor has a hard time believing he could ever be interested in her. And the thought of him being serious scares her. And poor Conor is in all-new territory having to actually chase after a girl since they usually fall at his feet.
But as things change and become more real, they will face challenges. He has secrets that make him feel undeserving and sometimes the past does not stay buried. And her insecurities are a big part of who she is. They both have trust and abandonment issues and do not always feel worthy. Triggers can set them off and make them resort to coping mechanisms.
They will be tested to fight not only for each other, but also for their own worth. But can they tackle these issues together or will they push the other away in the process?
They will be tested to fight not only for each other, but also for their own worth. But can they tackle these issues together or will they push the other away in the process?
This is an angsty, sexy, sweet, and engaging, fake-romance-turned-real story. It starts out fun and flirty, but gradually builds up to include some more serious and emotional topics. It is about trust, acceptance, purpose, and self-worth. Both of the characters have plenty of opportunities for growth. Conor is both a tortured hero and a swoony one. He seems easy-going and charming, but there is so much more to him. He is self-deprecating at times due to his own past, but only sees the good in her and wants to be her champion if he can. And Taylor is just real and kind. They are so wonderful together, but there are still plenty of mistakes, miscommunication, and external interference. It brings back old friends that are fun to visit. I love the camaraderie and antics of this group. This is definitely my favorite of the series.
Taylor Marsh had hoped joining a sorority would help her fit in, but instead she finds herself on the outskirts once again. She has never been overly confident, and struggles with her body image. She is often the target of the mean girls of the house, whose favorite party game is Dare or Dare, no Truth involved. On a dare, Taylor is told to seduce the hot new hockey player, Connor.
Connor is known around campus as a player, only hooking up or hanging out with the same girl for a few weeks before moving on. He’s also a big fan of having fun, so when Taylor asks him to play along with her dare, he’s game. He’s especially game if she’ll keep playing along, even after the initial dare is over.
I loved the way these two played off each other. Connor is always up for a good time, and though he isn’t used to finding that good time with the same woman, Taylor has caught his attention. He wants her to see what he sees when he looks at her, no matter what she might think herself.
As things turn from game to reality, these two each have some things to figure out. Connor might seem confident, but he has his own insecurities hiding in his past. Feeling like he doesn't deserve the goodness that Taylor brings might mean the end for them if he can’t face his past.
This took a turn for the serious faster than I was anticipating. The first half is so light and fun, from the dare, to continuing the charade to stick it to the mean girls. But there are some pretty serious issues that pop up in the second half of the book, issues that challenge comfort zones and make both Taylor and Connor face their fears and decide what is most important in life. I found myself forgiving characters I thought I couldn’t stand, and cheering for relationships that didn’t seem important before. This was one of my favorites from the series, and arrived on my Kindle at a time when it was the perfect escape. I loved returning to the Briar U world, old friends, and new possibilities.
Connor is known around campus as a player, only hooking up or hanging out with the same girl for a few weeks before moving on. He’s also a big fan of having fun, so when Taylor asks him to play along with her dare, he’s game. He’s especially game if she’ll keep playing along, even after the initial dare is over.
I loved the way these two played off each other. Connor is always up for a good time, and though he isn’t used to finding that good time with the same woman, Taylor has caught his attention. He wants her to see what he sees when he looks at her, no matter what she might think herself.
As things turn from game to reality, these two each have some things to figure out. Connor might seem confident, but he has his own insecurities hiding in his past. Feeling like he doesn't deserve the goodness that Taylor brings might mean the end for them if he can’t face his past.
This took a turn for the serious faster than I was anticipating. The first half is so light and fun, from the dare, to continuing the charade to stick it to the mean girls. But there are some pretty serious issues that pop up in the second half of the book, issues that challenge comfort zones and make both Taylor and Connor face their fears and decide what is most important in life. I found myself forgiving characters I thought I couldn’t stand, and cheering for relationships that didn’t seem important before. This was one of my favorites from the series, and arrived on my Kindle at a time when it was the perfect escape. I loved returning to the Briar U world, old friends, and new possibilities.
“Tell me something…why aren’t you already here with someone?”
“What do you mean?”
“There isn’t a guy in the picture somewhere?”
It’s my turn to shrink away from the topic. I’d probably have more to say with regards to thirteenth-century textiles than dating. And since I’ve embarrassed myself enough for one evening, I’d rather not compound my humiliation by sharing the details of my non-existent love life.
“So there is a story there,” Conor says, misreading my hesitation for coyness. “Let’s hear it.”
“What about you?” I volley back. “Haven’t settled on that one special groupie yet?”
He shrugs, unbothered by my teasing jab. “Don’t really do girlfriends.”
“Ugh, that sounds slimy.”
“No, I just mean I’ve never dated anyone for more than a few weeks. If it’s not there, it’s not there, you know?”
Oh, I know the type. Bores easy. Constantly looking over his shoulder at the next thing passing by. A walking meme in the flesh.
Figures. The pretty ones are always aching for their freedom.
“Don’t think you’ve distracted me,” he says, giving me a knowing smile. “Answer the question.”
“Sorry to disappoint. No guys. No story.” One unremarkable entanglement sophomore year that hardly fulfilled the definition of a relationship is too pathetic to warrant mention.
“Come on. I’m not as dumb as I look. What, did you break his heart? He spend six months sleeping on the sidewalk outside the sorority house?”
“Why do you assume I’m the kind of girl a guy would pine over in the rain and sleet?”
“You kidding?” His silvery eyes sweep over me, lingering on various parts of my body before returning to meet my gaze. Everywhere he looked is now tingling like crazy. “Babe, you’ve got the kind of body that boys build in their heads under the sheets after dark.”
“Don’t do that,” I tell him, all humor draining from my voice as I start to turn away. “Don’t mock me. That’s not nice.”
“Taylor.”
I jerk when he takes my hand, keeping me in place so that we’re still facing each other. As my pulse kicks into overdrive, he presses my shaky hand against his chest. His body is warm, solid. His heart beats a quick, steady rhythm beneath my palm.
I’m touching Conor Edwards’ chest.
What the hell is happening right now? Never in my wildest dreams did I envision the Kappa Chi Spring Break Hangover party ending this way.
“I mean it.” His voice thickens. “I’ve been sitting here having filthy thoughts about you all night. Don’t mistake my manners for indifference.”
The Chase
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A USA Today bestselling author, Elle Kennedy grew up in the suburbs of Toronto, Ontario, and holds a B.A. in English from York University. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a writer, and actively began pursuing that dream when she was a teenager.
Elle writes romantic suspense and erotic contemporary romance for various publishers. She loves strong heroines and sexy alpha heroes, and just enough heat and danger to keep things interesting!
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