The Dare, by Lesley Kara, is a very fast, twisty fun read. Kara has become a master of the psychological thriller, conjuring complex characters with whom readers can empathize. Maybe. Until the final page, Kara never gives certainty as to who is the victim and who is the villain. It is that smidgen of doubt that propels you to keep reading. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it. Excellent summer reading! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing – Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC.

A unique take on a thriller. Two young friends have a normal childhood spat. Moments later, one is waking from a seizure and the other is dead. Could a prior dare between them have anything to do with what happened that day?

Lizzie spends her life wondering if she could have done something that day to save her friend…or did she do something that contributed to her death? She simply can’t remember. As she finally fines her true love when a person from the past comes crashing in. The intrigue and buildup to the conclusion and final answer to what happened that day are intriguing. The reader is sure that it is appropriate to second guess Lizzie, but then wonders if they may be wrong. The suspense is great. At times, I became frustrated with Lizzie and wanted to shake her. Then, what she did worked out better than what I thought she should do. The writer puts the writer into the current drama while slowing peeling away the choices kids make.

Highly recommended.


I received an ARC from Random House Publishing – Ballantine through NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book. I am voluntarily submitting this review and am under no obligation to do so.

Lizzie is haunted by what happened the day her best friend, Alice, died. It's made worse by the fact that she basically woke up having had a seizure and can't recall what led up to the train crash. Years later as an adult, it seems like her life is turning out well finally, but then things start to unravel.
Lizzie discovers lots of hidden secrets and that people in her life have not been telling her the truth or working with her best interests in mind.
There were lots of twists in this book, and it was hard to put down. It's told in alternating timelines between current day and the year Alice died, with snippets woven in from memories of different time periods - I kept guessing different characters these italicized pages might have been from until it was revealed.
The book wraps up cleanly, and I wasn't left wondering about any questions. Well written and interesting and suspenseful, but not scary.

The Dare…what dare? Oh, you need to read pretty far ahead to find the dare. Seemed like a good title but not terribly descriptive of the actual story. Lizzie and Alice were best friends. Then one accident and one dead. I liked the way the story unwound-not too fast or too slow. It was a bit predictable from pretty early on, but wanting to find out what happened on that day long ago kept me reading. The plot itself was pretty standard fair. Enjoyable but not overly memorable. I liked it but I won’t spend time telling other people about it. Solid OK book.

I am a big fan of mystery/thriller books. They make up 80% of the books that I read and review. So, when I had gotten the review request for The Dare, it was an immediate acceptance.

The plotline for The Dare was interesting. Alice and Lizzie were best friends, and they did everything together. But, when Alice died, Alice’s family blamed Lizzie for her death. Why? She was found having a seizure by the train tracks and had no memory of the events before Alice’s death. Alice’s family blamed her, but Lizzie never forgave herself. Twelve years later, Lizzie still has no memories of Alice’s death, but she has moved on with her life. Her epilepsy is under control, and she is engaged to a wonderful man. But, as she’s unpacking, she comes across a box that stirs up memories. What happened the day Alice died? Was Lizzie at fault? And who is trying to get at the truth? Will it cost Lizzie everything that she has worked so hard for?

I am not overly familiar with epilepsy or how it affects the brain. So, I thought using it as part of the plotline was fascinating. Lizzie could not remember what happened after she left her house with Alice. All she knows is that she was with her, and then she was on the ground, being tended to by EMTs. A massive chunk of time was missing, and Lizzie could not tell people what happened to Alice because she didn’t know. Like I said earlier in this paragraph, it was fascinating.

Lizzie made for an interesting main character. She had lost her closest friend to a horrible accident, and Alice’s family blamed her for it. Lizzie had to live with a debilitating illness and hope that the medications she’s taking will curb the seizures. But she had done well with her life. She had a fiancee who cherished her and parents who loved her. Her outlook on life was good. But then, life starts to go sideways for her. It was how she dealt with everything that struck me (in a good way).

Parts of the book were written from the angle of an unknown person. It starts when this person was a child and goes to when they are an adult. I was surprised at who that person was (the author does reveal it halfway through the book). I was even more surprised at what that person was going to do.

The mystery angle of the book was well written. There were a couple of mystery angles. One is the obvious one (did Lizzie kill Alice). The other is what is Catherine’s plan (I did figure that out). And the third angle (which was introduced halfway through the book) deals with Lizzie, her mother, and secrets that her mother had been keeping. They were all wrapped up at the end of the book, and the author did it in such a way that you couldn’t help but pity everyone involved.

The suspense angle of the book was also well written. It was closely tied in with the mystery angle and complimented it. I was kept on the edge of my seat, trying to figure out what would happen next.

The end of The Dare was good. There was a twist in the storyline that made me go, “Whoa.” I didn’t see it coming, and it surprised me (in a good way). It was also bittersweet because of what was revealed.

I would recommend The Dare to anyone over the age of 21. There is mild language, violence, and sexual situations.

The Dare by Lesley Kara
This was an engrossing psychological thriller. It had me hooked from the start. There are so many twists and turn that keep you guessing.
Lizzie has few friends due to her epilepsy. Alice is her BFF. A childish quarrel between the two causes Lizzie to have and epileptic attack. When Lizzie awakens, Alice is dead. Did the dare have anything to do with it?
Lizzie’s family moves away in order to protect her and try to give her a chance at a normal life. Grown up doing well, things start to go askew when Alice’s older sister Catherine appears. This upsets Lizzie’s family which leads her to question if there is really more to the story.
Jump right into this story. You won’t be disappointed.
#RandomHousePublishingGroup

A gripping tale of a tragic moment in time told in the past and present. Lizzie & Alice are best friends but one day while they were having a spat and Lizzie an epileptic seizure, Alice is hit and killed by a train. When Lizzie comes out of her seizure Alice is dead and Lizzie can’t remember what happened. Fast forward to the present when Lizzie has tried hard to move on with the past but someone is trying hard to trigger the past and make her life implode.

While definitely a page turner the story is a bit convoluted and the twists, which for sure kept you guessing, were not quite fully resolved so that left me unsatisfied in the end.

I was not disappointed in this psychological thriller. It was very entertaining and kept my attention all the way through. There were many twists, turns and surprises along the way. The story is interesting and easy to read. *I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and this is my honest review*

Lizzie is haunted by the tragic death of her best friend Alice when they were 13. Due to an epileptic seizure she has no memory of what exactly happened. Twelve years later, Lizzie is engaged to a doctor named Ross who just may not be exactly who he seems. The story is well written with multiple points of view as well as alternating timelines from present day to the year of Alice's death. I liked the way the author gradually built up the suspense and found myself quite intrigued throughout the entire book. This will be my third book by this author and I look forward to reading whatever else she comes up with!

4.5 stars

Wow, this book kept me on the edge of my seat until the very end!

When Lizzie and Alice were teenagers, Alice’s life was cut short by a tragic accident. Lizzie was there when it happened but has no memory of the events leading up to it. Years later, memories begin to resurface from that fateful day, and now Lizzie’s seemingly perfect life is turned upside down. But was the trauma of it all finally catching up with Lizzie, or was someone from her past playing mind games with her?

This story was the epitome of “trust no one”! Every turn of the page had me questioning what really happened and what role everyone played, both in Lizzie’s past and present life. Lesley Kara did a fantastic job of weaving a detailed web of secrets and lies left me in awe when the truth was finally revealed. Highly recommend this book!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4130113781

The Dare
July 30, 2021
Book Review

The Dare
Lesley Kara
reviewed by Lou Jacobs



readersremains.com | Goodreads


A “Dare” always seems to lead to another and proves pivotal in this riveting and immersive suspenseful tale full of twists throwing everyone’s motives into question. It seems all the characters are flawed and guilty of something.

Lizzie Molyneux seems finally, at age twenty-five, to have everything falling into place. She’s engaged to handsome and delightful Ross Murray, who happens to be a well-respected GP with a booming practice in London. She finds herself unexpectedly pregnant but overjoyed when she is tasked with preparations for a housewarming party. Ross has invited all his colleagues from the practice. The doorbell rings and her life comes crashing down as she opens the door to her past. Catherine Dawson is front and center… and conjuring up the events that have haunted her since she was a thirteen-year-old. Apparently, Catherine is the “new” nurse and also the older sister of her best friend Alice. She insists she has come to terms with Alice’s death and harbors no ill feelings. (In fact, Lizzie eventually finds herself becoming friends with Catherine.)

Lizzie and Alice were best of friends, the kind that told each other everything—they had no secrets. Their favorite pastime was taking “The Walk” along their favorite route that took two hours and left plenty of time for them to discuss everything going on in their lives. Their route culminated in them coming upon an open railroad crossing. “We always waited until we heard the tracks singing, and counted the seconds till the train hurtled by” Lizzie sensed that Alice was withholding a secret. They both became agitated and started hurling insults. Internally Lizzie imagined that Alice was harboring a secret regarding a boy that she liked. “I hate her because she isn’t telling me something. I hate her because she’s pretty and doesn’t wear glasses and have frizzy red hair and epilepsy. I hate her so much I can hardly breathe.”

Lizzie describes having the aura of a typical seizure. Next she finds herself confused, dazed and sitting in a puddle of pee with the train stopped nearby. She wonders “Where’s Alice?” looks up and notes a sleeve of the denim jacket that Alice was wearing. But then to her horror realizes that it contains part of an arm. Afterwards, she recalls being questioned, and stating: “I don’t know. I can’t remember.” Alice’s school friends and family, especially her older sister Catherine blame Lizzie, certain that she pushed her onto the tracks of the oncoming train.

Even twelve years later, when another tragic train accident occurs involving a young victim hits the daily news. It awakens all the fragmentary and nightmarish memories involving Alice. The nightmare intensifies when her parents visit, lugging a box of “her stuff” from the attic, that will dredge up memories of the past.

Kara accomplishes a writer’s dream by providing a complex twisted narrative that grabs the reader by the throat from the opening pages and doesn’t let go. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen. It doesn’t. All the richly fleshed out characters’ motives are questionable. There are multiple unexpected reveals that tease the reader. Can you really guess where the “breadcrumbs” will lead? The pages fly by in this captivating and addictive read. The story is told in several timelines: Now (2019) and Then (2007), but also Before and After (referring to Alice’s death). And mysteriously intermingled in Italics are passages from unidentifiable protagonists with darker and nefarious motivations.

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books / Random House Publishing Group for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review. Anticipated publishing date is August 3, 2021.

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. The opinions are entirely my own, and any quotes are taken from the ARC and may be different in the final published copy.

As teenagers, Lizzie and Alice were inseparable. Very different from each other, but that is what makes their friendship work. One day, they head off for a walk on one of their favorite routes. Only Lizzie returned. Alice is dead, and Lizzie has no memory of what happened. She had a seizure and, when she came to, found Alice that way. No one believes her. Many people believe she murdered Alice. Twelve years later, Emma thinks of Alice often and wishes she could remember what happened. Slowly, long-buried memories emerge of that day, and Lizzie wonders if she wants to know what happened after all.

The Dare by Lesley Kara is told using alternating timelines and multiple points of view. It is a slow burn with well-developed characters. The story took a surprising twist that I did not see coming.

Having had seizures in my early years, I can say Kara accurately captures the multitude of feelings felt when you come out of a seizure and about having seizures in general.

The one criticism I have with the novel is the title. While I understand why it is named The Dare, I do not think it was the best choice.

This 200-word review was published on Philomathinphila.com.

This was a fast-paced suspense-filled novel about family, friends, and the search for the truth. Lizzie & Alice are best friends until one day Alice dies tragically. Lizzie was with Alice when she died but had a seizure & doesn’t know how she died. So begins the search for the truth. Along the way we learn of much deception from family & friends. Who to trust & who to keep away from? While I had a good sense early on of how Alice died, twisty ride to reveal it was quite enjoyable! Thanks to #NetGalley and #BallantineRandomHouse for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This psychological thriller will stay with you after the last page. The pacing is excellent. This story goes back and forth between the present and past to tell the story of Lizzy's life and what happened to her best friend Alice. Then there are the journal type entries. All blend together to tell a suspense filled tale. The characters are more complex than they seem at first. There are several shocking twists I didn't see coming until the reveals. I will definitely read this author again.

We’ve all done those silly childhood dares. You know the ones where you aren’t sure if you should or shouldn’t be doing it … but by goodness… you won’t be known as a chicken! So you take that dare…

But what if that dare ended with someone dead? You wake up from a seizure into a new world of loss and pain… and judgment… and someone with a huge grudge you know nothing about, but they do … and they are set to not let you ever forget what happened.

This was a great thriller / vengeance / stalker vibe type book that I absolutely do recommend. There are some things that people may be sensitive to - especially the death of a child and the long term following (stalking) and mental terror inducing behavior in some parts of the book.

I found it a 4 out of 5 stars read and recommend to anyone who loves the long game, or a dark and twisty thriller.

Thank you to #NetGalley, the publishers and author for an electronic ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

If you’re looking for a gripping fast-paced psychological thriller, pick up The Dare! I was hooked right from the beginning and could not read fast enough. I really connected with the characters, especially Lizzie, and the suspenseful twists and surprises added more sparks to an already electrifying read! I thought I knew what was going on and had it all figured out, a few times, but I was proven wrong, repeatedly. The title of the book kept gnawing at me and I kept focusing on what the dare was and who dared who. The alternating timelines were great, but we’re also a bit of a tease. Just when things were at a crescendo, the timeline would change, leaving me feeling breathless and a bit deflated, only to be risen right back up again within minutes. This would be a fantastic movie!

For me this was a read in one setting kind of book. It is truly that good. Alice and Lizzie are best friends and spend lots of time together. One day as they were taking a walk they got into an argument and Lizzie had a seizure. When she came around Alice had been hit by a train. Alice's family blamed Lizzie, not believing her when she told them what happened. The characters are very well developed and there are lots of twists and turns throughout and the big reveal at the end is a total surprise you won't see coming. If thrillers are your favorite you won't want to miss this one. I highly recommend.

Again, another book not what I expected, but good all the same. Lizzie is getting married and hasn’t yet told her fiance about the death of her childhood best friend. There has always been some suspicion about it since Lizzie had an epyieptic seizure when her bff was hit by a train.

I like that you can tell it still haunts her. Lizzie is the narrator of the book, but we are still in the dark as to the details of that tragic day. The book switches back to her childhood, both before and after the death and the present.

Very twisty and unpredictable. I flew through this in just a day.

I did not see THAT coming!! What a great book that kept throwing curve balls until the last paragraph. So many twists and turns that left me speechless. Loved the POVs throughout the story. Really strong characters. All round a great book!
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book

Two things have greatly influenced Lizzie's life: her epilepsy and the tragic death of her best friend, Alice, when they were just 13-years old. Twelve years later, Lizzie has finally found contentment. She has successfully moved out of her parent's house and in with her fiance, Ross. Her parents couldn't be more happy. Lizzie is engaged to a doctor, the perfect person for her.

Whilst unpacking boxes that have been stored in her parent's attic, Lizzie comes across one from her teenage years. It contains items that really dig up memories of Alice and her death. Lizzie was with Alice when she died and was clearly traumatized by the event, but she can't remember much. Having suffered a seizure, her brain wiped clean all memory of that fateful time.

Dragging on her the most is the fact that Alice's family, in addition to other kids at school, blamed Lizzie for Alice's death. They believed she wasn't telling the whole story. Alice's older sister, Catherine, harrassed Lizzie ceaselessly after that. Apparently believing she could scare the truth out of her. Lizzie's story has always remained the same: she doesn't remember.

It was so bad, Lizzie's family had to move house after the accident. They needed a fresh start. Now that Lizzie has finally got the true fresh start she has been dreaming of, a life with Ross, her past suddenly seems to be coming back to haunt her.

Told through past and present perspectives, <i>The Dare</i> is an absolutely addictive roller coaster ride of deceptions and suspense.

I really enjoyed Kara's 2019-release, Who Did You Tell, so was very much looking forward to getting to this one. I love how she weaves past and present perspectives together. She has such a knack for showing how much events in our pasts can influence our present, and this story was no exception.

Lizzie is a great character. She was someone I could really get behind. While initially I thought she may be naive, I think in made sense in light of all she had been through. Her innocence didn't diminish her intelligence however, and I thought she was able to handle all that was happening to her with incredible control and thoughtfulness.

The level of deceipt in this novel is off the charts. Once the reveals began to unfold, my jaw spent half the time on the floor. My pulse was racing just anticipating what Lizzie would need to do to escape her prediciment. If you like nail-biting, twisty-turny, who do I trust, Domestic Thrillers, you absolutely need to check this one out!

Thank you so much to the publisher, Ballantine Books, for providing me with a copy to read and review. At this point, I can confidently say, I will pick up anything Kara ever writes!