Thank you so much for accepting my request for this title. I may return back to it one day but I am currently struggling to get into the story. I wish this book all the best.

Sorry. I didn't get the notification that I'd received this title and it's now been archived so I can't read it.

While fans of A Sweet Mess will likely enjoy this follow up, due to its very similar structure and writing, The Dating Dare, by Jayci Lee, just did not work for me. The characters fall flat, the instant attraction feels forced, and the banter left me bored. A quick read that nonetheless felt too long.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A love a good rom-com where you know they'll end up together in the end but they have to overcome so many miscommunications along the way. Despite that, I couldn't get into this book. I had a hard time connected with the characters or believing their character development. I did walk away more interested in the brother and best friend characters so I'll likely be reading the prequel to get to know them more.

"Do your worst. I can take you."
"I want you to go out on four dates with me..."
"What?"
"I wasn't finished. I want you to go out on four dates with me, and not fall for me."

Um, ok. No problem, Tara thought. Yes, Seth was unbelievably attractive. But Tara doesn't do serious. So four dates, no strings attached, with a man who is leaving town in a month? No problem.

Until...it becomes a problem.

Seth has the reputation of being a playboy. In reality, he isn't as much of a player as people think. He has an undeniable attraction to Tara. So why not dare her with a few dates? Things can't get too serious. He's leaving in a month.

Of course, the best laid plans and all that. They definitely fall for each other. Beyond anything they could have imagined. What happens when it's time for Seth to leave? Tara couldn't have him give up his dreams to stay in some small town just to be with her, right?

I loved this book. It was my first by this author, but it won't be my last!

This was a great romance read. Very cute and funny. I loved Jayci’s writing style and her ability to create fun, believable characters.

Tara Park wants no serious relationships. She’s been burned to many times and she’s busy with her work at a brewery. Then she meets Seth Kim, the best man at her bestie’s wedding. He’s seriously hot and she might have to bend her rules. Seth is leaving for Paris in a month so the timing is perfect. He agrees to 4 secret dates before he leaves. A fun fling turns into something more when Seth finds out he’s not willing to let Tara go. A fun read with a great HEA.

⭐️⭐️💫

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee is based upon the gorgeous Tara getting some hot vibes at the wedding of her BFF, where she is the proverbial maid of honor from the best man and brother of the groom. The two have instant chemistry, but Tara guards her heart like Fort Knox from this rumored hard-core playboy. However, after the party ends, our couple starts a drinking game post-wedding that requires them to go out on four dates and not fall in love. The odds are long on this relationship. Added to this is that Tara is a life-long bachelorette, and Seth is moving to Paris in one month. The story is short on communication, quick on falling in love, lots of kisses, and not enough (any) boinking. I haven’t seen a couple talk this much without really saying anything in a long time. This story has potential but just fell short for me. #lust #romance #no action #lackofcommunication #thedatingdare @netgalley @stmartinspress
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.Thank you, Netgalley, for the opportunity to read this book

Thank you netgalley and publisher for opportunity to read and review this book with my honest feedback.

I didn’t realize this book was a “sequel” to another but I didn’t feel lost at all in it or like I was missing out. The main character could be slightly annoying but it wasn’t enough to stop reading. The overall story was believable and a common theme but I still enjoyed it. Look forward to seeing what comes next.

All of Jayci Lee’s books make me feel all warm and fuzzy because her characters are the most adorable things on this planet earth. I just love them so much, and this book was no exception. I can’t say too much without giving anything away but just put this at the top of your tbr! You won’t regret it I promise!

SETH KIM, I WANT TO MARRY YOU RIGHT NOW. I LOVE YOU. Tara Park has the most amazing personality: the most caring person you'll ever meet yet is someone who is not afraid to speak what is on her mind. I love how two people who struggled from emotionally-draining, heartbreaking relationships connect and learn to trust again. I really want to go read A Sweet Mess after this. THIS BOOK IS ALSO ABSOLUTELY HILARIOUS. My favourite part was when Seth said "Tara, say something, anything," and Tara responded saying "something" HAHAHAA. LOVED THIS BOOK. I also love how the characters are Korean, that gave a good touch to the book :)

I wish I could say I loved this, but ultimately I don’t think the book met its full potential. It started off on a good foot, but everything just seemed too easy for the characters. Anytime there was the hint of conflict, it was quickly resolved, without really going beyond the superficial aspects of the conflict (eg. one character gets jealous and acts like an ass and is instantly forgiven after apologizing over text, it just felt too simple).

The romance itself felt like it wasn’t quite sure what it wanted to be. The story overall is cute and fun, the characters are interesting and I enjoyed the banter between them. However, it threw me off that the sexier scenes in this were almost fade to black, as there’s certainly some dirtier talk between the characters when their clothes are still on. Needless to say, that’s the steamiest the story gets, so don’t expect much from the intimate parts, if that’s something you look for in romance.

Overall, a fine book and definitely in the 3.5 star range, it just felt off in some areas.

This was an okay read for me (2 starts). I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either. Jayci Lee was a new-to-me author but I was intrigued by the premise and jumped at the chance to read it.

From the beginning, I felt a little lost. I didn't know this was book 2 in a series and with the first chapter taking place at the wedding for the previous couple, it took me a while to get the feel of the story. Add to that the fact that Tara wasn't an easy character to get to know and I knew I would have a hard time with this story. I found Tara's inner monologues long and hard for me to follow because she didn't hold my interest. I did enjoy Seth. He was charming and funny and I liked that some of his personality made it to the page.

I appreciated the fact that this was a low-angst romance and that the author made an effort of establishing a connection between Tara and Seth. Their romance was cute, if a little predictable. However, I never became invested in them as a couple which ultimately affected my enjoyment of the story.

All in all, a cute romance but not the story for me.

This was a nice romance read! The epilogue was delightful. I would definitely recommend trying it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

A cute,low angst and low drama romcom. Tara and Seth are sweet together,Tara's hiding it from her family is ridiculous at points,and the chemistry is there.


This is fun RomCom with the expected tropes and heart.I probably won't reread this one but will check out the rest of the series.

This was the first book by Jayci Lee for me and while I liked the writing, the pacing felt too slow and the characters, while adorable, were a bit one-dimensional. Unfortunately, I never felt myself connecting with the characters or their backstories. I am sure this is a case of 'it's not you, it's me', so I will definitely seek out other titles to read.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

Although it’s not necessary to read the first in this series, I do recommend it. I had not, and I think I would have connected with some of the characters better if I did.

That being said, I don’t have any intentions to go back and start the series as I didn’t love this book. It was a quick read and a cute but predictable romance, but it just didn’t work for me. The writing was a little lacking and some of the conflict was really hammered over the head (phrases repeated over and over to explain a character’s motives.)

I’m such a huge fan of this genre, love a good feel-good story, love exploring the different tropes this genre has to offer. I’ve read the gamut of them so far this year!

It was a fun and quick read and the idea of the story was really a great idea, in theory. However, the plot of this one fell a bit too flat for me and the characters didn’t provide enough depth to have me feel that I was invested into their story.

Would love to try another novel by this author as I know this one was part of a series and maybe it just wasn’t the story for me!

It was such a joy reading a light romance book. There was no unnecessary drama to deal with except for the two main characters professing their love to each other. But before we get to that point, we get to enjoy two opposite characters falling for each other. It was not an easy task.

Tara does not fool around when it comes about dating. She has her own career she is more concerned about. She won't fall for Seth charms even though he is pretty attractive to look at. Seth does not have time to commit since he is moving to another country. He can't help himself when he has intense attraction for Tara. He knows she is different from the rest.

Jayci Lee is definitely one of my new favourite romance authors .
I loved her first novel ( A sweet mess ) so much , I actually reread it multiple time .
Her charming writing style wasn't any different in the ( Dating dare ) , I finished the whole novel in one sitting and enjoyed the whole story in general .
For me, the characters and plot of ( Sweet mess ) were more interesting but all in all , I really recommend this book for all romance readers, especially those who like the " casual relationship turning to love " trope