This is a steamy novel revolving around two women exploring their joint exotic sexual desires. It was a quick read with some pretty hot moments, however, at times, the plot seemed forced and all pulled together a little too quickly. I wanted more story line around the two main characters and maybe more time creating their connection. Some of the issues they were forced to overcome were definitely heart breaking, but other times the struggles seemed inconsequential and hard for me to empathize with.

Dissing Santa on the first page! Moving on from that shock, this is a very sweet romance coupled with kink. Some of the kink, for me, was a hot read, but other aspects I really didn’t like. Basically I didn’t enjoy the non consent fantasies, but there was fair warning about this content so it was entirely my choice to read them. And I’ve confirmed it’s not my thing for future reference. Moving on from that aspect of the story, I liked the two characters, especially the shy (not so shy) librarian and the small town machinations and judgement of folks. Mostly it was a good read and I did love the cheeky cover.

As others have mentioned I haven’t read a book by Sandy Lowe previously.

For me the book started off strong but the storyline waned a bit with the fantasy exploration of Lauren and Emma’s evolving relationship. The book was definitely steamy but lacked in the plot. 3 stars

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What can I say about If You Dare, other than.....Phew

Its my first time reading a Sandy Lowe book and boy was it good.

If you're looking for a little something that has a great story, great characters and a bit on the hot and bothered side then this is the book for you.

Would I recommend ....oh boy yes

Sandy Lowe's name was so familiar I thought I'd read a book by her before, but I didn't, she is the editor of a lot of books I've read and she's always mentioned in the acknowledgments. As part of my day job I write marketing texts, if I hit a roadblock I ask my editor to write the text for me. Whenever she has written something it is perfectly fine, but something in the writing style is just a bit off for me, it doesn't read like it is meant to be enjoyed or something, I don't know. I felt the same with this book, it took me a couple of chapters to get into it. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the writing, it's just different.

Lauren is back in her small-minded hometown. She never fit in the small town of Sunrise Falls and now everyone is talking about the mess she made of her life in San Francisco. When Lauren is out with her best friend Roxie she takes a dare that might change her life. Emma walks into the bar and she becomes the object of the dare, but also so much more. Lauren instantly forgets about the dare, but still wants to hook up with Emma. Emma and Lauren both have insecurities/ issues that come from their childhood, but the people they have become seem to fit perfectly. Their fantasy, how weird I might find them, are in line with each other. They fit, but will the small town be too small for them to live their lives?

Honestly, maybe I should have paid more attention to the blurb, the final line: Reader Advisory: If You Dare contains explicit fantasies of non-consent. I missed it. If I had seen it I think I would have skipped this book. In the end, the fantasies didn't really bother me as much as I thought, but it also wasn't very enjoyable for me to read. The book has some character development that is rather important to the fantasy storyline and some development that is important as a character. The bits just about the characters, away from their fantasies, are what I like best. The story itself isn't very interesting, it's very much inst-love/ insta-lust/ inst-everything, small town small-mindedness and nothing more. It's fine if you are into this sorta thing, but for me it is just a bit lacking. Combined with a writing style apparently all editors have it wasn't the most enjoyable book for me, and as I said, part of it might be my own fault for not registering all of the blurb in my mind.

This was my first time reading a book by this author and in this genre. Aside from the sex, the characters and how their backstories contributed to their current relationships formed the main part of the plot. Direct and descriptive, I’m certain this will be popular book.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and review this arc. Opinions are my own.

This story was oh so very steamy but it also had a really great storyline as well. Lauren and Emma’s relationship started off super quick but I loved how the two had to go back and have lots of honest conversations and really get to know each other on a not so physical level. This was my first book by Sandy Lowe but I don’t think it’s going to be my last.

This is my first book by Sandy Lowe and I will definitely be looking for more. The writing was real, the story flowed and it was hot! I typically don’t like it when the MC’s fall in love so fast and then everyone is saying I love you’s but I do acknowledge that when it’s right it just clicks Emma and Lauren were just great together, the type of women that I would hang out with, and I enjoyed their story.

I liked Laura and Emma's relationship. This book was very interesting. I loved getting to dig deeper into their relationship.
This was a fast steady read. I found it intriguing so I didn't want to put it down!
Overall loved it!

Lauren is stuck in her hometown for the holidays she doesn’t want to be there especially when everyone is talking about the mess she made of her life. While drowning her sorrows she plays a game of truth and dare and when she dared to seduce the next person that comes in when Emma comes in she thinks things could be looking up.

Emma is a librarian but she has dirty mind but when she was a teenager something painful happen and she close herself off suppress her sexual desires. When Emma meets Lauren she wonders if she the one can break her free what amazes Emma more is that Lauren may have the same sexual desires that she does.


This was a good read I like both main characters the chemistry and the dialogue was great sexual desires was hot that had me drinking cold water.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.