The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee
2nd book in the Sweet Mess series. Contemporary romantic comedy. Can be read as a stand-alone.

Achingly sweet and wonderful. A romance with laughs and potentially a few tears with a heart melting finish.
Her answer to his “where do you live” question when she was drinking was amusing. I also loved the family closeness - working together and listening when needed.
The “emergency” code precious a d heartwarming.

Tara Park isn’t interested in a relationship but the attraction to Seth Kim is too much to ignore. They agree to a limited number of dates but the Sparks soon turn into a flame they can’t ignore.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I have also purchased a copy to share.

🎧 I listened to an audiobook version after reading the ebook. Narrated by Natalie Naudus, the text flowed smoothly as she switched from Tara to Seth with a distinct change in the deepness of the voice. Stress, tentative action and happiness were clearly vocalized. The narrator sounded like a native with the French words and locations.
I listened to this mostly at my standard 1.25. I felt 1.5 was a bit too rushed.

Such a cute story! This was my first book from Jayci Lee and I can’t wait to go back and read A Sweet Mess.

Tara Park works in her family brewery. Her best friend, Audrey, is getting married and naturally she is playing the role of maid of honor. While at the reception, Tara notices Seth, the groom’s brother and also the best man. They playfully flirt and end up leaving to have a few drinks at the brewery. A fun game of truth or dare leads these two down a path full of fun.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc for review.

This was my first book by Jayci Lee and I really enjoyed it. I thought the chemistry between the characters was great and I enjoyed the witty banter between them. Some parts felt a bit flat for me but overall I liked the story and was able to read this quickly without being bored or confused.

Thank you so much @StMartinsPress & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 03 August 2021)

SYNOPSIS | Tara & Seth agree to go on four dates over the course of the next month with the promise of not falling in love with each other. Both Tara & Seth have commitment issues, but luckily for them, Seth is leaving shortly to start his new job in Paris so a no commitment fun time sounds exactly what they both are looking for...

WHAT I LIKED:
- easy summer romance to pick up & put down

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I am all for a steamy romance but I wasn't invested in the main characters level of horniness. It just seemed so unfounded to me.
- this story would have been so much shorter if the characters didn't jump each others bones every few pages & actually had an honest dialogue
- the dialogue that was there felt clunky, corny & overly forced
- the whole concept of casually dating for one month but falling irrevocably in love with each other was just not my cup of tea
- I sadly didn't connect with either of our commitment-phobe main characters

I was looking for a well written rom cam and this book delivered. I am in love with the forbidden love trope and this book had that trope and so much more. I loved the idea they had of going on 4 dates and then how they squeezed in extra dates on other days. The dates they did have we’re absolutely adorable it was so heartfelt and I could feel the emotion and attachment that was put in to each date
5/5 stars

A sweet, dual perspective, closed door romance between two Korean Americans looking for a short-term fling but finding a lot more along the way. I really enjoyed A sweet mess, the first book in this series and a few returning characters show up in this book but it does work as a standalone if you haven't read the other one yet.

Seth is in town for his brother's wedding to Tara's best friend Aubrey (the MCs from A sweet mess). The two strike up an instant connection but since Seth is moving to Paris in four weeks they agree to go on four dates with no strings attached. I loved the chemistry and the witty banter between Seth and Tara and absolutely adored how Seth went out of his way to plan a surprise prom for Tara who never went to hers in high school. I also really enjoyed that Tara works at her family Brewery coming up with creative recipes and names for their beers.

Highly recommended for anyone looking for a feel good summer romance with lots of chemistry and fun banter. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advance review copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's for the chance to read an early copy of this book!

This book was fun and sexy. The characters had sizzling chemistry and the plot hops along in classic romantic comedy style. I was a little surprised that with both characters in their late twenties, their emotional baggage stems from their college years and brings up a lot of angst when the inevitable conflict comes. But besides that, I really enjoyed this book and the steamy goodness.

Note - I have not read the prequel, A Sweet Mess (but plan to!), and thought this book stood alone pretty well, especially since the previous couple is away on honeymoon for most of the plot.

It Was Only Supposed to be a Fling!

Tara and Seth decided to make the most of their time together while her BFF and his brother are away on their honeymoon. Neither expected to find love.

I found A Sweet Mess to be charming and loved the foodie element but The Dating Dare stole my heart! I absolutely loved Tara and Seth’s playful chemistry as well as their willingness to believe the best in each other while repairing their own broken hearts. The exploration of unhealthy relationships juxtaposed with their budding relationship was so well done and I also loved the little sneak peeks of Korean and Korean-American culture and family dynamics.

I really hope Tara’s brothers get their turn at an HEA next!

The audio of this one is as delightful as the story. Great narration and pacing.

I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.

This story follows the younger brother, Seth, and the best friend, Tara, from the main characters of the first book in the series; A Sweet Mess. Which I can’t lie, I enjoyed Aubrey and Landon’s story more.. shame yes shame on me. Tara isn’t the relationship type and is busy making a name for herself with her job. And Seth is leaving soon for a new job in Paris, but when these two meet Tara can’t help her instant connection. A friendly *cough cough* game of Truth or Dare turns into something a lot more. Something neither of them are prepared for since they don’t do the “baggage relationship.”

First off I love Jayci Lees quirkiness and clumsy characters. It’s what has drawn me to her characters. But the thing I hate about this was the insta-love! I’m sorry but for a strong women who isn’t the relationship type, you can’t just instantly fall in love. I mean yes you can insta jump in bed if that’s you’re thing, but insta love.. Nah that’s cringy. And some of the banter was a bit awkward. In the end I ended up skimming.. another shame! I, personally feel, it wasn’t executed as well as the first book. But with that said, I will still continue reading Lee’s books because I love the diversity she writes. That to me is refreshing!!

Sadly I found this story to have zero substance. It’s like the author expected us to remember who these side characters were from the first book- they barely described anyone! I did read the first book and I felt this was completely different. Maybe this should have been a novella as a spin off showing these characters but there wasn’t enough for a full blown novel.

I found there to be no chemistry between the characters. Only that they got drunk together once. Everything was forced! It was overall blah.

The Dating Dare
2nd book in A Sweet Mess series
Rating:3 stars
Thank you to the publisher for the ARC given through NetGalley for review. All opinions are my own.

The Dating Dare follows the story of the younger brother and best friend of the main characters from the first book in the series. Seth and Tara are very attracted to each other from the very beginning. Since both have had an unpleasant experience in the past when it comes to relationships they both have shied away from committing to a new one.
Therefore they decide to explore this attraction between them in four dates. They both agree to not falling in love with each other since Seth will be leaving in a month to Paris to work as a photographer. They agree to have fun and not to take it so serious.
Nothing goes as planned.
They have fun but feelings for each other begin to deepen and it is when what they feel for each other put to the test.
Why the 3 stars?
It was an okay read. I'm not a big fan of the insta-lust/love trope, but I decided to give story a chance since I enjoyed the first one in the series. To be honest I was a little bored in some parts and really didn't get that invested in either of the main characters.

The Dating Dare is written in the third person narrative and alternates between Tara and Seth's perspective. Tara works at her family's brewery and has a negative outlook on love, far preferring easy and short term flings. Seth is a fashion photographer playboy about to leave for his dream job in Paris in a month. After meeting at his brother and her best friend's wedding, a drunken game of truth or dare leads to a secret relationship that benefits both parties. But what happens when sparks fly and someone catches feelings they shouldn't have?

The Dating Date was a quick read with likable characters that had potential. Unfortunately, I absolutely hated the cringe worthy dialogue and it was very hard to overlook. It just felt awkward and forced, especially Seth. No one actually talks like that, right? Tara's twin brothers kind of creeped me out, they gave me serious Grady Twins vibes (The Shining). This book is the second in a series but was readable as a standalone. Someone might enjoy this book but it wasn't for me. 2.5 stars.

This book was so much fun to read. Tara Park, best friend/maid of honor and is going to miss her best friend. Seth Kim is best man/brother and photographer. Tara has believed everything she has read about Seth but you should know better to believe it all. There eyes met across the room and the world tilted on its axis. Both agreed to four dates and then they would go their separate ways. Neither are into love. Even the best laid plains change. The dates were fun and the avoid people you know was crazy. Seth is the one of the good guys. Tara deserves a good guy only she is so messed up, she doesn't feel like she deserves one. It takes her best friend and new bride to make her see. I really want to go to Paris to have ice cream at Berthillon.

Seth and Tara meet at her best friend and his brother's wedding. The sparks are immediate. He will only be in town for 1 month before leaving for Paris. That makes for the perfect friends-with-benefits situation. After a drunken night they agree to a Dating Dare - 4 dates with the express agreement to not fall in love.
Both Seth and Tara have had bad experiences in their past that make them leery of love but the more they date the more they are doing to one thing they hadn't planned - they fell in love. Tara is an amazing brewer who makes special blends for her family's brewery. Seth is a fashion photographer but in his heart he is an artist.
The chemistry between the two is amazing and they help each other heal from the hurts of past relationships. With the days counting down you can only hope they recognize what they have a find their Happily Ever After.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Thank you to SMP Romance for a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Instant attraction trope featuring asian American characters. Overall, I thought it was fast paced and easy to read; however, the writing and dialogue felt very awkward to me. Why does it feel like a totally different author writing compared to the book published under Harlequin? Different editor?

I have to be 100% honest. I didn’t make it very far into The Dating Dare before I was annoyed and quit.

I didn’t get any further than chapter one before I exited, stage left. The dialogue and writing were awkward and didn’t flow well. The whole “manwhore persona because it hides my wounded and broken soul” was over the top (I am paraphrasing but Seth basically states this in these words).

Life is too short to read books that aren’t enjoyable, and thus, The Dating Dare was not for me.

Did not appreciate the plot and writing style, it was an immediate DNF. Tone was extremely sexist and the dialogues were sleazy and often offensive.

I received an ARC of this book to read through NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee is the second book in her delightful A Sweet Mess series. I think you will enjoy this book more if you have read the first book in the series. Tara Park and Seth Kim are both in the wedding party of her best friend and his brother. She catches him watching her at the reception and informs him that there will be no maid of honour and best man hookup. Tara had her heart broken in college, and she prefers to keep things nice and light, making sure her family life and her love life do not connect. Seth is a month away from moving to Paris, and he proposes a dating dare …. four dates just fun, and no falling in love. Tara takes him up on that dare, and as they spend time together, their attraction to each other grows, but Tara doesn’t do relationships, and Seth is leaving, so it can’t possibly work out. This was such a fun book to read. I enjoyed it immensely, it was the perfect mix of steam, angst and humour, and am hoping that there will be books about Tara’s brothers too. Steam Level: Medium. Publishing Date: August 3, 2021 #TheDatingDare #JayciLee #StMartinsPress #StMartinsGriffin #ContemporaryRomance #ContemporaryRomanceSeries #ASweetMessSeries #RomanceReader #ContemporaryRomanceReader #bookstagram #bookstagrammer

Tara and Seth meet at the wedding of her best friend and his brother. At the outset, she declares they will avoid the cliche of the maid of honor and best man sleeping together. However, they do agree to go on four dates in the four weeks Seth will be in town housesitting before he moves to Paris. To Tara's chagrin, she finds herself falling in love with Seth, but they are both traumatized by disastrous previous relationships. Can they move past their scars and soon-to-be geographic separation and make a go of it?

This romance is a light, fun read. As I get older, I have a hard time relating to characters in their twenties, but this is highly recommended for readers to whom twenty-something romances appeal. #TheDatingDare #NetGalley

When I requested this title, I did not realize that it was the follow-up to A Sweet Mess. This title can be read as a standalone, but it heavily references characters and events from the first book.

Playboy Seth dares Tara to go on four dates with him, but not fall for him. Leaving for Paris in a month, Seth doesn't want to set down roots and Tara has a closed off heart. While the premise of the book was super promising, unfortunately, the book fell flat for me.

In the beginning of the book, Tara gets blackout drunk and is falling all over herself, puking. She then proceeds to strip down and Seth makes a point to ogle her during this scene. While he ultimately just dresses her in a t-shirt and puts her in bed, his inner monologue were problematic for me and after this, it was hard for me to get behind him as a hero. I also understand that people do get black out drunk, but it's not something I want to read about in a romance novel (especially someone's puke pile) and it was an unbecoming look for Tara.

As the book progressed, the book did get slightly better, but I had a hard time really investing in the relationship after such a rocky start. At times, their chemistry seemed forced and almost awkward, with stifled interactions. I want my characters to have more of an emotional connection, not just a physical one, so ultimately, Seth and Tara's story missed the mark for me.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.