Do you ever see the average rating for a book and go "I'm built different"?

I tried. I really truly tried. I wanted so badly to love this but I am not built different, and I'm very sorry to say that that average rating at the low end of three stars is very correct. This was a two disappointments and a half.

Romances built solely on lust are clearly not my thing, and this book proves why. Right from the start, Tara and Seth are clearly into each other. They want to rip each other's clothes off and constantly fantasize all sorts of naughty images. But that is all there was. Take it away and you're left with a few pieces of cardboard.

These characters were so poorly developed outside of how much they want to fk. I got so excited when I learned that Tara runs a brewery and would be creating new ales to take to a world championship. That is such a cool detail and I wanted desperately to be a part of that, watching this Korean woman smash through the craft beer industry. But aside from a few scenes of her filling some pint glasses and trying to leave so she can be with Seth, it's basically an afterthought for the story. Seth too, we're constantly reminded that he's leaving in a month to go to Paris and what a great opportunity it is for his career, but I feel as though we barely scratched the surface of why it's not something he wants to do art-wise. There were so few vulnerable and personal moments between them that there was nothing to interest me in these two as individuals.

I also take great issue with how this romance panned out. The Dating Dare itself was really cute, and the idea of them going on these dates for fun would have been so much better if they--again--hadn't been lusting after each other every single minute. I got a little annoyed in the beginning that all of the saucy bits were in Seth's POV, then when we finally get something from Tara's POV, it's fade to black. An annoyance that only grew when every. single. steamy. scene after that was fade to black or incredibly vague, short and distant. And that's what made me dislike this book so much. Not that there is no on-page sex, let me clear, I honestly don't care if a romance is closed door or not. What I do care about is that I was completely misled. I'm subjected to page after page of over the top naughty thoughts and hard d*cks and wet panties, only for the actual pay off to be a whole lot of pg-rated nothing.

A final note: I read this via an audio copy graciously given to me by the publisher. And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that this could have been the best romance novel I've ever read and it wouldn't have mattered because I cannot do romance novels by ear. It is can be so uncomfortable if the stars don't align. I usually love Natalie Nadus as a narrator, but it felt so awkward here and not a good fit at all. Her voice is very sultry, but it made these characters feel so off and not for me.

I'll be steering clear of the rest of the books in this series. I always seem to start these at book two, so I already know the first book couple and have little interest in them. And honestly, I just don't think I can be subjected to an experience like this again.

Thank you so much to net galley for sending me a copy of this book! I really enjoyed it!!! Im looking forward to sending what else Jayci comes up with!

Highly entertaining, laugh out loud fun filled, emotional journey filled with witty banter, heart racing twists and so many fun and intriguing charters. An edge of your seat emotional thrill ride from beginning to end.

I received this book from NetGalley as an eARC in exchange for a review.

The Dating Dare follow our two MCs - Tara and Seth. They're longish term friends that after a 2 player session of truth or dare, settle on a dare to go on 4 dates with each other but they promised they won't fall in love with each other, but I think we can all guess where this is going to go.
I really like the romance build-up. I wish it wasn't fade to black on the spicy scenes. What really ruined it for me was the miscommunication trope. We had the standard break up/get back together arc at the end of the book and it is just starting to feel a smidge over done for me.
That being said I will be reading more from this author in the future because I still really enjoyed myself.

When I think of romance, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels and satisfies every romance junkies' heart. This is a perfect book to snuggle up with on any day.

Tara and Seth's love story is a fast and easy read. An amusing take on the will they/won't they motif with a challenge of the heart. There's plenty of momentum in the story and sizzling chemistry between Tara and Seth. Great weekend read!

I love these books so much. I'm so glad I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook for The Dating Dare. Tara was such a fun character in A Sweet Mess so I was excited she got a love story of her own!

I definitely recommend!

This is a charming, full of wit story. A well-written book that made me read it in just one sitting.

I had a hard time getting to The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee. Thank you for the opportunity to read this one but I was not able to finish it. I've heard great things about this book but I just wasn't a fan.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I thought the first book in this series was just okay, but decided to give this one a chance because I really liked Tara. I did enjoy seeing her love story with Seth unfold, especially since both of them needed a fresh start with love. They had great chemistry together, but one of the problems I have with Jayci Lee's books (that I've read thus far) is how much the characters are positively DROWNING in lust for each other from the second they meet. It drives so much of their relationship for the longest time, and the narrative is constantly bombarded with their internal monologuing about how hot the other one is and how much they want to sink their teeth into them, rip their clothes off, etc. Insert dirty joke after thinly-veiled innuendo, rinse, repeat. *Cue my disinterested eye-rolling* I know lots of romance readers eat this up, but for me, that element was annoying as much as it was on the nose and unnecessary. Can't characters be attracted to each other without growling and "mewling like a kitten"?? Blegh. Call me a prude, but the kind of "romance" predominately painted in this story is just not my cup of tea with all its steamy colliding of tongues. Plus...the dialogue. SO CHEESY, it hurts; another issue I have with Lee's books, apparently. Her sense of humor only hits every other mark for me. And can we just not with including the f-bomb like 10x+ per chapter? Is no one besides me totally over that in contemp romance??

I believe other books are coming up in this series for Alex and Jack, Tara's brothers. Time will tell if I pick those up.

This book isn't something that I will remember for a long time, but it was a cute fun read. I had a good time with the characters and story.

This was cute! I've really enjoyed this series so far, but you definitely don't need to have read the first book in the series to enjoy this - it works as a standalone. A nice, quick, lighthearted read!

I decided to give this one a go without reading the first, to see if it could be read as a stand alone. I think it worked well by itself. I may have been missing some back information about side characters, but nothing to ruin the reading experience.

I found the whole premise of the story original and well thought out. I love fake dating tropes, and I believe that's what I would consider this one. The banter was adorable and I didn't find it too spicy, just enough for me. I enjoyed both of the main character's they were funny and cute together.

I will absolutely be getting to the first in the series, because I do want to see if I missed anything. I really liked this author's writing style and story telling. I want to give this author another go for sure,

This wasn't quite a home run for me because I had read several OMG Amazing books recently, but it was perfectly pleasant.

This is a Cheesy Romance, and this is the second book in A Sweet
Mess series. The two main characters (Seth and Tara) in this book
goes on four dates together because of a Truth or Dare game. I found this book to be a enjoyable, cute, and funny read. When I started this book I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book because of some of the reviews, but I am so happy that I really enjoyed this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (St. Martin's Griffin) or author (Jayci Lee) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

I loved this book more than I liked A Sweet Mess. It was cute and their banter was the best. Will definitely be on the lookout for Jayci Lee's next book.

This was so good. Tara and Seth are such a well written couple. Their flirty banter and willingness to try with one another is so fun. I loved the end and the passion they share, such a fun and lovely read.

Talk about meeting the right person at the wrong time. Tara Park doesn't want a serious relationship, but when she meets her best friend's brother in law, she figures she's entitled to have a little fun, especially when a game of Truth or Dare leads to a fun commitment of four dates with the very delectable Seth, Tara is determine to have a good time.

Seth, meanwhile, is leaving to Paris in a month and doesn't mind a little fun fling on his way out. But as these things tend to do, feelings start to appear when Seth realizes Tara might be the one for him.

This book was fun, sweet, and sexy. The chemistry is off the charts and the sexy times are explosive. I enjoyed following these two dummies as they tried to overcome their past relationship failures to find their way to a happily ever after.

I paired this book with a peach moscato on a Friday night and I have no regrets.

Special thanks to St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts .

This was a cute one! I really would have enjoyed more steam. The characters had great chemistry I just wish we would have seen more of it

A lot of talk about this book
It did not disappoint! Loved it!

Description
Buzzfeed's 2021 Romance Novels You Need To Read This Summer

With witty characters and heartrending romance, Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—where two people might just find out how hard it is to resist falling in love with the right person.

No serious relationships. This is the one rule Tara Park made for herself and it has been working swimmingly, thank you very much. The occasional fling is fine, especially since she’s busy with Weldon Brewery. But when Seth Kim, temptation personified and her best friend’s new brother-in-law walks into her life, Tara might be willing to bend her golden rule…but only for four dates—the four dates she agreed to after a few good rounds of beer and a game of truth or dare. It’ll be fun. No biggie.

Seth Kim can’t believe Tara agreed to his dating dare. He’s leaving for a new job in Paris in a month and a no-strings attached fling seemed like a nice little distraction for both… But their secret dates, while sweet and sexy, always hit roadblocks straight out of a romantic comedy. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings are smoother, frequent, and heated. However, the more Seth sees of Tara, the less willing he is to let her go—and what was supposed to be a fun little game turns into something that neither of them are ready for.

But sometimes, the best things in life are the ones we never see coming.