This was such a sweet book. I loved Tara and Seth and although I never read the first book—which I assume is Aubrey and Landon’s story—I didn’t feel as though I was missing a chunk of the story. This was written in a way that the pace was good and I loved the HEA.

This is a cute rom-com starring Tara and Seth and is the second book in the series. I haven't read the first book, but that didn't matter at all. I'm sure it was Aubrey and Landon's story, but the author made this book easy to read without knowing the first book. Both Tara and Seth are commitment phobics due to having their hearts crushed years earlier, so after a game of truth or dare, they agree to four dates over a month and no falling in love. Tara believes she's safe because Seth is moving to Paris in a month and basically Seth thinks the same thing. This story had three wonderful dates and numerous "non-dates" until they were spending quite a bit of time together. Each of their fears increase as time goes on but they can't stay away from each other. That's when misunderstandings and problems surface before the HEA at the very end. I'll admit I cried a few tears in the last section of the book because even though I knew there was an HEA, the author really ramped up the angst. The two small issues I had with it were the supposed humor (characters telling each other their so funny, laughing hysterically, etc., but the humor wasn't funny at all and it was cheesy in some ways (I loved Seth's corniness so that doesn't count against it) but as long as you know that going in, I think you'll find it was great for a light(ish) read. Thank to NetGalley for providing an ARC for an impartial review.

Tara has one rule for herself: no serious relationships. When she meets Seth (Landon’s younger brother) at her best friend Aubrey’s wedding, Tara ends up agreeing to a dare to go on a four dates with Seth after learning he is moving to Paris in a month. However, their no-strings-attached fling ends up feeling a lot more serious that either expected.

If you’ve read A Sweet Mess, you’ll love getting to visit with Landon and Aubrey, and you’ll love getting to know Tara and Seth! They have a great banter, and their dates were super fun. The audiobook was great - I highly recommend you check this out.

Thanks to @NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my ARC and Macmillan Audio for the early audiobook! The Dating Dare is out on 8/3/21!

Thanks to St. Martins Griffin, Libro.fm, and Macmillan audio for the ARC/ALC.
This was a fun one on audio. I loved the premise - Seth and Tara are going to go on four dates without falling for each other...will it work? I really enjoyed the depth to these characters. While on the surface they seemed one way, there was so much more to them that made the plot complex and interesting. I also was fascinated by both of their jobs - Seth a photographer and Tara a brewer. I liked how their passions made up a big chunk of how the plot clashed and how the characters had to decide whether or not to work through these issues. I just loved the layers of this story. Also the tension between Tara and Seth was 🔥.
The narration was fantastic. The story came more alive through this medium, and I'm glad I listened to it.

The Dating Dare (A Sweet Mess, #2) by Jayci Lee
This is Tara and Seth's story he is best man for his brother's wedding and she is maid of honor for the bride her best friend. They have both been hurt by their first love's and have so much baggage. There is laughter, tears, dates, angst, some heartbreak and steam all getting us to a HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Great world building Wonderful characters Easy-to-read Page-turner Romantic Happily Ever After Entertaining Funny Tear-jerker

A good start and a fun premise, but it reads a little awkward at times. I did like Seth, and his persona he built to keep his heart safe. Seems a common theme in rom coms, but tropes never did bother me.

Tara Park has a closely ordered life: she works at the family brew pub perfecting beer recipes and serving them up with her saucy take no prisoners manner. Her dating life is a series of hookups and friends with benefits because Tara was seriously traumatized by her first serious boyfriend. When she and her best friend, Audrey’s, new brother-in-law find themselves very attracted to each other, Tara decides he is just right for a short-term fling with a quick use by date and no strings attached.

Seth Kim is moving on and up with his life to a new job in Paris continuing as a photographer for supermodels. He has a rep as a player dating no one seriously or for too long so Seth seems the perfect person for Tara to continue her relationship averse behavior. Seth has his own issues when it comes to emotional baggage so they agree to a four-date plan keeping it from their respective Korean families who would be all up in their business.

In small town Weldon California, it is not easy keeping anything on the down low from family and friends, but Tara and Seth manage with some subterfuge and misdirection to spend a lot of time together on and off their dates. As their time together becomes more intense, both Tara and Seth know this is something beyond an uncomplicated arrangement; however, when one of them wants more, the other cannot handle the emotional implications.

I have mixed feelings about this book because some of the situations seem pretty juvenile while actions of the main characters are off putting although the dialog is at times witty and entertaining. Tara and Seth are sometimes likeable and other times not so much characters for the most part, and Tara’s family dynamics in particular where she and twin brothers are all still living at home and working together is an interesting paradigm. This story is second in the Sweet Mess series.

Really cute, really cheesy, funny and FUN! A pretty quick read that’s an excellent escape from reality. And might Seth be my new book boyfriend? Chances are pretty good…

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin Publishing. All opinions are my own.

Love the diverse main characters! I didn't realize this was book two of a series but I have a feeling you can read it on its own. Super cute rom com that was a perfect breezy read.

I love a good rom com but I didn’t enjoy this book nearly as much as I expected. Instead of the fun, playful romcom I expected, it was more immature and awkward. I didn’t read the first book in the series so maybe I was missing out from that but I didn’t like the author’s style of writing. I felt like the book was long and kind of boring. It wasn’t for me but I’m sure others will love it.

As much as I loved the premise of this book, the execution fell short for me. Tara and Seth connect at the wedding of his brother and her best friend. They have chemistry, but neither one is ready to get into a relationship, so they agree to keep things simple and discreet, but of course we know it's not going to work out quite like they expect. This framework of the story was promising, but overall it didn't quite come together for me.. The dialogues felt unnatural and the story felt forced and over the top. I kept thinking "who says that?", "who does that?", "really?" to the point that it was distracting from a plot that would otherwise be a lot of fun. The descriptions and the characters' reaction seemed a touch over the top and needed to be dialed back a bit. Seth growled a lot. Tara kept a constant push and pull that was tiresome, her internal turmoil over being being around town with Seth felt excessive. The back and forth, should we or shouldn't we, plus too-detailed descriptions like a 'delectable morsel' of a brownie that how it was eaten, it all made the story drag and distracted from what could otherwise be a solid plot.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Dating Dare is a phenomenal contemporary romance by Jayci Lee. Ms. Lee has provided a book that is well-written and populated with a spectacular cast of characters. Tara and Seth entered into a dare the night Seth's brother married Tara's best friend. Their story will keep readers glued to this book from start to finish. There's plenty of drama, humor and sizzle to entertain from start to finish. I enjoyed reading The Dating Dare and look forward to my next book by Jayci Lee. The Dating Dare is book 2 of the A Sweet Mess Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved A Sweet Mess so I was ready to jump pack in with these characters. This lives up to my expectations!  Tara and Seth are so adorable and I loved seeing them come together. ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫  this book will make you want beer and cupcakes!

I both read and listened. Both versions are fantastic!

I loved the first book in this series, but THE DATING DARE just didn't work for me.

The pacing was extremely slow, with most of the first third of the book only detailing the characters' individual lives and not their interactions with each other.

The dialog felt quite predictable and tame and I just couldn't connect with these characters. I could sense their physical chemistry, but felt they seriously lacked emotional chemistry.

THE DATING DARE was okay, but there is nothing new or fresh in this story. It's a decent read that has no surprises and sticks pretty closely to well-established romance parameters.

Sadly, this one just wasn't for me.

I received a gifted copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a sweet romance, and although the second in the series, can be easily read as a stand-alone.
The whole premise is that the two main characters are best man and maid of honor, and later, when playing a game of truth or dare, one dares the other to go on four dates with them and not fall in love. I know it’s a little cheesy, but it’s the fun kind of cheesy. The main characters are a good match, and though both have their issues, it turns out well in the end.

If you’re looking for a good summer beach read, or a cozy romance, definitely pick this up.

Ho hum start, recapping the first book in the series. (Which I didn't read)

I had to take a break at 20% because the conversation between main characters about hooking up with someone who is drunk was.... Incredibly effed up. I'm not sure if I want to keep reading to see if it will turn around or to warn others away (this was the worst part). The thing is, one of the reasons Tara (female main character) thinks that Seth (male MC) couldn't have taken advantage of her when she was drunk, is because he is a "good guy". Anyone, well any woman, ok maybe most women? who know other women, are close to other women, or has any kind of experience with heterosexual men, knows that "good guys" are not a thing. Because a man is nice to his family doesn't mean that he wouldn't take advantage of a drunk woman. If the author couldn't handle consent or discussing assault without recycling old stereotypes that hurt, maybe just don't do it! The scene was not critical to the plot.

I took a few days off and then finished the book. It definitely got better, but it wasn't a strong story I felt good about. Basically, both MCs were mistreated by their college sweethearts and are wary of relationships as a result. When they find themselves falling in love they both handle it very differently. He leans into it and makes himself vulnerable, where she is scared and rejects him.

The setup and result don't follow the character development set out... She seems much more over her abusive ex, going back to what she wanted before him (brewing) and boldly asking for a taking what she wants. Seth, however, has set up his life and career in defense of his hurt feelings. So I'm really not getting how he's the one that takes the Big Risk in confessing his feelings first.

Honestly, there are a lot more similarities between this book and Hang the Moon by Alexandria Bellefleur, and that was more enjoyable. (Except every white!) Some of the good parts of this book are the side characters, the scenery and the food. It's definitely a foodie romance.

#NetGalley
#TheDatingDare

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin for an advanced copy of The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee.

While it's book 2 in the Sweet Mess series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Tara has a no serious relationship rule after a bad relationship. When she meets Seth, her best friend's new brother in law at her wedding and they have a fun night. After a game of Truth or Dare, they decide to go on 4 dates. Seth is moving to Paris for a new job, so what's the harm in having a no-strings fling...

This was a fun, quick book. I liked the banter between Tara and Seth. I listened to the audiobook and liked the narrator. The 4 date ideas were fun and while there is some insta-love and at time the main characters seemed a little young, it was a cute and enjoyable book.

3 stars

Started okay. Toward the end, the dialogue became very stilted and cringy.

Seth is a photographer who’ meets Tara at his brother’s wedding. He’s smitten, she’s wary, but they agree to a “dating dare”. He dares her to go on 4 dates with him, without falling in love. He’s leaving for his dream job in Paris in 4 weeks, so this is a short term fling…

There were some allusions to the characters’ Korean American heritage, but I would have liked to see more.

I didn’t care for a phrase that the author used repeatedly. For example, when they’re laid sing in a park “He was beyond tempted to shut his brain down, so he could take her right there. And get them arrested.” Maybe I’m being Uber sensitive, but “take her” sounds way “rape-y”.

Also, spoiler ahead, there was a confusing part at the end. After the big break/up scene required in all rom-coms, the female lead throws up and is nauseous on more than one occasion. Later, when she makes plans to get her man back (he’s in Paris), she books a ticket, not caring if it “would deplete her unborn child’s future college savings.” So, is she pregnant? If so, why is she drinking wine at their reunion? If not, why is there an the about the unborn child. Color me confuzzled!

I appreciate the opportunity to read a digital ARC in return for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Dt. Martin’s Press.

This is the second book in the A Sweet Mess series and follows Tara and Seth. Tara's best friend just married Seth's brother and the two meet at the wedding. Both Tara and Seth don't do serious relationships due to past trauma so a game of truth or dare over some beers turns into the Dating Dare where Seth dares Tara to go on four dates with him with one stipulation - don't fall in love. Tara agrees and with Seth leaving for Paris in a month, any relationship chances are dead in the water. The two end up spending a lot more time together than just the four dates and both realize the other might just be the type of person who could make them believe in love again. I really enjoyed this book and loved how great Tara and Seth worked together. I'm a big fan of any sort of contrived dating / fake dating plot and this was just super cute. It is obvious from the beginning that they both are attracted to the other, but, in typical romcom fashion, their planned dates keep going awry. However, all the times they see each other outside of those dates go exceedingly well and both are forced to examine their personal baggage and how they want to move forward. I really enjoyed the balance between cute romance plot and how the two would get into deeper conversations about their past or their future plans. I did find the dialogue to be a little stiff and almost formal at times, especially during the deeper conversations. I also would have expected there to be a bit more bumps in the road from both Tara and Seth considering they both had some real bad relationship experiences before but most of that struggle stayed internal and they seemed to get over it pretty quickly until the big blow out at the 80% mark which made the big blow up moment feel a little out of nowhere. But overall, a very cute and fun read!

TW/CW: physical abuse, emotional abuse

Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for review. Expected publication date is August 3, 2021.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts are my own.

Jayci Lee is a new to me author and even though this was book #2 in a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. Tara swears the last thing she wants is a relationship. She has her family and her brewery and that's enough. Seth is about to move to Paris for his dream job. So of course when the two interact at Tara's BFF's wedding (aka Seth's sister), the sparks fly and Seth dares Tara to date him before he moves to Paris. I thought their relationship was sweet and they helped each other grow. I loved all the food descriptions (don't read this hungry) and it was a quick, light read. Perfect for the beach/a sunny afternoon outside.