Carly Phillips

Engaging and readable romance
5 stars

We continue into the Dare Crossover series with this fourth book. It does take place in the same world as the other books in the series - and at the same Bachelor auction - but it features a brand new couple and completely stands alone. You don’t have to read any books before or after to understand and enjoy this one although if you have, you might see cameos and mentions from previous characters.

This story is about bubbly yet feisty, Lauren, and her need for a last minute fake boyfriend to take to her sister’s wedding. The sister that happens to be marrying Lauren’s ex! But the regular, average man she set her heart on winning at the bachelor auction is the complete opposite of the gorgeous, grumpy and aloof, Chase. Yet it’s him she’s stuck with. And him that, despite his grumpy personality, she wants something real with.

Lauren is an event-coordinator at a posh hotel but she lives a fairly normal, down to earth lifestyle. And she might be a small-town girl but she’s all New York in attitude. She never comes over as too bolshie but I love how she stood her ground and went after what she wanted. She was always kind - sometimes too kind as I personally would have scratched my sister’s eyes out - but she was exactly what Chase needed.

I always love a grumpy hero but Chase took that one step further by also being a little arrogant and a lot aloof. His bafflement when he can’t just buy off Lauren was a delight - as was watching him try to keep his emotional and physical distance and his walls crumble for her. His gradual enlightenment towards his feelings felt real but he was always just a touch grumpy - so I was happy.

As a couple, Lauren and Chase were made for each other. They got on well, connected and they had some sizzling chemistry. This book is written by two queens of spicy romances so of course we’re going to have some lovely, sizzling sex scenes. I loved them as a couple and was rooting for them from their first meeting.

This is a short book at just 188 but I loved the way it was written and that it easily held my attention from beginning to end. I have absolutely no issue with a third-act break-up but I have to admit that it was quite nice how Lauren and Chase parted, and how everything was resolved. I’m always keen for a Carly Phillips and Erika Wilde collaboration and this book showed me exactly why. Easily 5 stars.… (more)