Thank you for granting me access to this arc. I enjoyed this book. I am glad I gave jayci a second chance. I wasn’t a huge fan of the first book. I enjoyed this hate to love you trope. One big complaint I have is that I felt like the scene changes didn’t flow that well but other than that I seriously enjoyed this story. Such a. Cute concept.

During this pandemic, I’ve made a conscious decision to reach more for lighthearted, fun books – books that would make me smile and laugh, but still had enough depth to pack a punch. I’m happy to report that The Dating Dare is just that!

At its core, The Dating Dare is about two people desperate not to fall in love… actually falling head over heels in love (though of course they don’t know that just yet 😉). During the month that Seth is in town and right before his move to Paris, Tara and Seth agree to see each other exclusively, but casually. They even make a fun little dare – absolutely no falling in love, which they both scoff at, since they’re both allergic to relationships. No problem whatsoever! Tara and Seth have the most amazing chemistry, and they basically spend the entire book bantering back and forth (making me snigger and giggle nonstop). Like they wanted, their month-long hook up starts off casual, but as they spend more time together, it starts to be apparent that it’s actually anything but.

Tara and Seth both went through terrible relationships during college, and these relationships still affect how they perceive love to this day. As a matter of fact, both have never had a serious relationship since then. Also, these past relationships even affected Tara and Seth’s current career choices, which only goes to show how emotional abuse takes a toll on a person. Simply put, they have a lot of baggage. While initially uncomfortable talking about their past experiences, it was rewarding to see Tara and Seth lean on each other, and help each other come out on the other side.

Other than spending time with Tara and Seth, I also enjoyed catching up with Landon and Aubrey, the hero and heroine of the first book. I also couldn’t help but smile at how familiar Tara’s family is – the overprotective older siblings, the mom not so subtly hinting at Tara settling down, and adult Tara having to sneak out to avoid her family’s nosiness. Basically every Asian family ever, right? I also couldn’t get enough of all the descriptions of all the desserts that Tara and Seth eat – someone get me cupcakes, please!

All in all, I really enjoyed The Dating Dare. It’s a sweet read with an intentionally lighthearted story, complete with occasional cheesy dialogue and outlandish situations (Tara and Seth played an evil dragon and prince in need of rescuing at one point!). It’s the perfect comfort read after a long, tiring day. I can’t wait for Jayci Lee’s next book!

Tara Park doesn't do serious relationships. So when a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to four commitment-free dates with Seth Kim, her BFF's new (and charming) brother-in-law, there's only one rule, do not fall in love. Seth is leaving for a job in Paris in a month so a no-strings attached fling seemed like the perfect distraction, but they both realize that it's not so simple...

This is a perfect summer read. Light, easy and feel-good. The chemistry between Seth and Tara is palpable. I imagined Seth to look like Kevin Kreider from Bling Empire *swoon*. I liked learning about the characters and their friendships and families, and they both have unique careers - one is a fashion photographer, and the other is a brewer. I only just realized it's the second book in a series, so I'm guessing if I'd read the first one, I would have understood some of the characters even more; it can definitely be read as a standalone though.

I recommend this to anyone looking for a simple and sweet read that leaves you believing in love :)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for the eGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I couldn't finish the book. DNF @41%

I didn't enjoy the pace. The dynamic was weird to me. I liked the premise of the book. Tara and Seth are two people who have been hurt before and don't want the complication of a relationship but they can't shake the attraction between them. A night of drinking lead to a dating date between them. Unfortunately, the dating dare was Too insta lust, instalove, can't keep their hands off each other. Even though I could relate to both Tara's and Seth's struggles, I couldn't keep reading.I wanted to feel the struggle of fighting off their emotions in a non cheesy way.. I didn't enjoy the writing and the dialogue.

3.5 Stars

Tara Park sticks with friends with benefits relationships and avoids anything too serious. But her best friend’s new brother-in-law, Seth Kim, is super tempting. Plus, he’s leaving for a new job in Paris in a month. During a game of Truth or Dare, drinking edition, Tara agrees to a four-date arrangement with Seth. Although their dates don’t go quite to plan, their non-dates and chance meetings start to be pretty sexy. But past relationship baggage for them both might get in the way of their chance at forever.

This story is fun right off the bat. Sparks are flying and Tara and Seth’s dating dare creates a ridiculous, but enjoyable, situation to read about. Their dates go well, but also somehow a bit disastrous, every time. Seeing the bizarre and awkward things that come between them is quite funny. The moments in between when they’re actually getting to know each other (both mentally/emotionally and physically) do give us a sense of who they are. Unlike with a lot of romances, we see them sharing at least bits of their past and seeing how that impacts how they approach relationships now. Their family and friends are also really present, giving us a more complete picture, especially of Tara. I hope we get to read her brothers’ stories too!

I do wish that Tara was a bit more open with her family so we could have seen how supportive they are a bit earlier and she could have gotten the advice she really needed, but I understand that it was important to the story to have Tara work through her past on her own. The opening interactions between Tara and Seth was also a bit odd and set up a confrontation that made them each seem a bit crazy in a way that didn’t align with how they acted for the remainder of the book. I think there are ways to get to know them better. However, I didn’t read the first book in this series, so some of their behaviors may have been necessary to connect to the versions of these characters found in the previous book. It also felt weird how much Seth seemed to think he should be praised for being a wonderful person because he didn’t rape Tara while she was passed out drunk.

I definitely suggest checking out this book! Tara and Seth are super cute together and it’s a fun small town romance. The peek into the brewery, owned by Tara’s family, and all the desserts from Comfort Zone might make you hungry though, so grab a snack and curl up with this story.

Trigger Warning: Past emotional abuse

Was I hooked by that book? It's a sweet romantic love story, with some idiot decisions thrown in, and I enjoyed it.

Tara Park has a smallish dilemma. She isn't interested in a relationship, but the attraction to her friend's new brother-in-law is starting to get out of hand. And Seth isn't helping. He can't stay away. During a game of Truth or Dare, Seth convinces Tara to go on four dates with him before he leaves for Paris in one month. They end up spending more time together than just those four dates.

Seth is a complicated soul with his dreams of being a mixed-media artist crushed by a girl when he was a student. It was a bit disappointing that he let that one incident dictate the rest of his life. Especially as he comes across as so confident and almost arrogant. He is a good example of how you shouldn't make any major decisions while you're feeling upset.

Tara was just very determined to keep Seth at arm's length. She also gave up her dreams because of her ex's influence. But she seems much happier in her alternate choice of career than Seth.

I liked their dates and interactions a lot. The chemistry was real. I was continuously wondering how Seth is going to manage his work commitment in Paris and how the two of them can stay together. Tara was aggravating. She didn't want to give Seth up, but she kept pushing him away at the same time. And then she decided for him. Very annoying when people do that. In the end, she gets hurt anyway, despite all her attempts to protect herself.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Dating Dare was a delightful summer read filled with romance, a female boss babe and lots of witty banter.

Fueled by a mutual physical attraction, Tara and Seth make an agreement (or dare!) to go on four dates together without falling for eachother. Tara has sworn off relationships and is focused on growing her Brewery. Seth doesn’t do serious relationships and is about to leave for Paris. Neither Tara or Seth are looking for commitment, but their chemistry is undeniable. As one date leads to another, Tara and Seth find that they enjoy each other’s company more than anticipated and the sparks that fly are something neither have ever felt.

This rom-com had me more hooked than most, as I was anxious to see how both characters could maintain their own dreams and career goals without having to sacrifice romance. This was my first book by author Jayci Lee and it won’t be my last! The Dating Dare was super fun and I’m thrilled it was a part of my summer reading list.

A sincere thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a good read. From their meeting to the last page, I was hooked. The storyline was intriguing and the characters were on point. Definitely a great book to curl up to!

A very cute summer romance. Nothing groundbreaking, but definitely something that I enjoyed reading. I very much enjoy dual perspectives, and so at that and so I had a feeling that I would like this one.

I also very much enjoyed the Korean American representation. And the fact that both characters had their ethnicity as a clear part of their identity, but that it didn't feel as though the author was trying to check a diversity box.

This book follows Seth Kim and Tara Park, who get to know each other via a wedding. Tara's best friend is marrying sets brother. Of course, as with most of these novels, there's an instant attraction. Via as is implied through the title, a game of Truth or Dare. Seth proposes four dates and four dates only, with the caveat that no one is to fall in love. He is leaving in a month to go to Paris for work.

Of course, this book gets into the cheesy territory and is predictable, but aren't all of these books that way? Don't we really know what we're getting into when we sit down to read them?? With that in mind, I enjoyed how this one was written. I felt the characters were fun and smartly put together. Could parts have been a little more creative? Sure. But overall I'd say this is a perfectly solid addition to any summer reading list.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Great romantic comedy. If you liked the first in the series then you will really like this one. Sweet and funny.

Rating: 4
Recommended for: fans of Sally Thorne, Jasmine Guillory, and Emily Henry

~*~*~

Then a brilliant idea lit up his mind. Dude, you're a fucking genius. If it worked, he might get his spring fling with Tara after all. Reining in his excitement, he said casually, "Why don't I suggest a game? Do you think you can handle some truth or dare?"

"Bring. It. On."

~*~*~

The Dating Dare follows Tara Park as she encounters her best friend's brother-in-law--Seth-- at her wedding. He's sweet, a famed fashion photographer who's setting sail for Paris in a few weeks, but also a player. On a game of truth or dare, Seth dares Tara to go out on four dates without falling in love with him. She's tempted to decline, but what harm could a month of fun really do? She accepts, and together, they go on adventures, learn more about each other, and fall dangerously close to crossing the line they've set.

This book is a fun, entertaining rom-com that does not fail to put a smile on your face. The characters are innocently hilarious, and the plot follows the typical chick-lit formula for success. My only caveat with the book was how quick the attraction developed between Seth and Tara and their relative lack of development relationship-wise. I wouldn't exactly call the characters immature, but they were very innocent in their presentation. Nevertheless, it fit the fun frivolity the book introduced at large, and I'd recommend the book to all fans of rom-coms and the chick-lit genre.

I don’t remember these characters from the previous book, but my review mentioned loving Tara, so I eagerly requested this one.

I liked Tara and Seth. They’re both good people who have been badly burned from past relationships and that took up a lot of space the in the story. They do have instant chemistry and a lot of potential for a great relationship.

Plot wise, it was good. I enjoyed the dating dare premise and it seemed like a fun way for them to get to know each other. They did have a few Real Conversations, yet it all seemed superficial. Hands down, the best part was all of the food descriptions.

Overall, it was a quick and cute read; however, likely not something that will stick with me.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

personally, i found it to be fairly mild in what it was doing. i suppose i need romances with stronger premises and set ups, but really there's nothing wrong with it. true diversity is the allowance of mediocrity

Quick(ish) Review - The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee

This was a sweet heat kind of read, featuring a couple of characters who have been burned by love.

Tara and Seth are the best friend and brother of the leads from the first book in the series and the story begins at the wedding of Aubrey and Logan. Tara and Seth are extremely gun shy but also extremely attracted to each other, so they agree to a four date relationship before Seth goes to Paris to live. Y’all can see what’s going to happen, right? yup, romance happens.

If I have to describe my feelings for this story (and I do because review), is it was probably sweeter than I was in the mood for when I read it. I mean, I love the Parks and their family relationships and it’s the thing that anchors this story for me and elevates it from just ok to qualified recommendation.

There’s a lot of time spent in their own heads and not as much dealing with each other directly. Their dates are so sweet they that verge on the corny side (which is deliberate) and the love scenes are fade to black. When the inevitable dark moment arrives, even after all that time spent in their heads didn’t help me sympathize as much as I probably should have.

In the end, It’s a style thing - it’s not a style that was working for me but I always say your mileage may vary.

A cute story about two people who have bad relationships in their past and it has tainted every relationship, or lack thereof- they have had since. But in one dare everything changes.
I loved Tara and Seth. A little slow moving in some places but I loved all the non-dates and the real dates sweet. With a satisfying ending.

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee is a funny story of unexpected romance, featuring the familiar friends to lovers trope. Perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Jen DeLuca, The Dating Dare follows Tara as she resists her connection with a man she was dared to date. This book is smart, sweet, laugh-out loud funny, and cute, and I highly recommend it for the perfect end-of-summer read.

A huge thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and Jayci Lee got providing me with an eARC of this book. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

I liked this book, but I felt like it lacked a little in a way that fell just short of being a great read for me. It was all there, the ingredients just didn't mix to my liking.

This wasn't a bad book by any means, but I hate seeing the lack of communication between characters in books like this. So much could be solved if people actually spoke their minds a little more.

This was a lighter rom-com book, but I just found that I really couldn't connect to the characters and that left me less invested in how things played out. It was enjoyable, but not my favorite.

Maybe I’m contemporary romance-ed out, but I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. First, insta-attraction is not really my thing. The characters felt a bit flat and under-developed. Maybe this isn’t meant to be a standalone?

Secondly, the characters also hit the “just talk to each other, already!” trope too many times to count. I had great hope for an Asian-centric romance, but, again, the characters were under-developed. I don’t feel like I really know or understand anyone in this book. Also, there’s some casual diet talk in the book that’s just unnecessary and seems a bit out of place.

If fade to black/the door closes sex scenes are your thing, you may like this book. I just felt like the author wasn’t comfortable with the sexier scenarios and avoided them. There’s plenty of profanity in here, so it’s not exactly a “clean” romance, but it isn’t explicit.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St Martins Press in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee is a fresh and spicy contemporary romance. The second in the series ‘A Sweet Mess’ I had not read the first book and had no problem reading this as a stand alone.
Tara, a local brewmaster, keeps her heart fiercely protected but feels she’s being left behind as her bestie has a baby and gets married. Seth, a photographer, is the brother of the groom and is moving to Paris after the wedding. As maid of honor and best man the attraction is instant and electric but Tara isn’t impressed by Seth’s first move. After the wedding an ill fated game of truth or dare leads Tara to feel maybe Seth isn’t so bad after all, and ends in Seth laying down a dare of several dates before he leaves town. Tara accepts. What could go wrong?
Watching as they navigate, then break, their self imposed rules for dates is really satisfying. I appreciated Tara’s struggle of ‘dimensional imbalance’, trying to keep her dating life and family life from colliding. With Seth that’s impossible from the start, she’s already taking a risk. I also liked watching Seth’s evolution determining what was really important in how he pursued his artistry, what was going make him most happy.
This is open door, so there’s some steamy, sexy scenes. That’s doesn’t bother me. I thought some of the internal dialogue was a bit much. I enjoyed this as a fun romance and recommended for a great beach or poolside read, and those that like fun love stories.
Many thanks to Netgalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the Advanced Reader Copy and the opportunity to review The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee. All opinions are my own.

This is such a fun romance and has a unique story line. Tara and Seth are in a wedding for her best friend and his brother, Aubrey and London, so they have no choice but to be in each other's space. This leads to one of the funniest games of drunk truth or dare. Tara doesn't want to tell to many truths about herself so this leads her to a dare that Seth choices, 4 Dates with him and she can't fall in love. He will be leaving soon for Paris but is sticking around for a while to house sit for his brother while he is on his honeymoon. Tara is not someone who likes commitment so this is perfect for a quick fling with someone she thinks is hot and not get attached in any way. Unfortunately, things don't go as planned and they begin to catch some feelings for each other. Even though they both try to hide it they begin to hurt each other and now it's time to move on before it gets worse. They both don't know what to do once they are seperated by millions of miles and their hearts ache. Can they really live without each other or will the truth come out about the dare that went to far.