Review This was a page turner and a fantastic domestic thriller. From the blurb we know that Lizzie’s best friend Alice died when they were 13 years old. Lizzie suffers from epilepsy and doesn’t remember anything that happened because of her epileptic attack. When she comes out of it, she finds Alice dead.Now 12 years have passed and she is engaged to a GP Ross and then becomes pregnant. But the past and the present collide with such twists and turns. Slowly towards the middle of the book there are small reveals till we see the full picture. What’s surprises are in store for the reader. This was a well written book that I recommend to readers who like this genre of books. I enjoyed it immensely. I want to thank net galley and the publisher for the ARC I received for an honest review. Again, I highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Best friends go for a walk and only one comes home. Twelve years later and still unable to remember what happened strange things start happening that tie to that day. A page turning thriller.

Alice and Lizzie are childhood friends. Until one day during one of their walks, Alice tells Lizzie that she has a secret. Lizzie never learns the secret, or can recall the day that her best friend was taken. Everyone blames Lizzie for the death of Alice — especially Alice’s older sister Catherine. Alice can’t remember that fateful day and can only catch glimpses in her nightmare.

Alice is trying to put the past behind her. She has a new fiancé, and they are moving into his new place together. Until someone from her past who is connected to the accident re-emerges. And it seems that everywhere that Lizzie looks she surrounded by her past—a past that she’d rather forget.

I recently enjoyed Lesley Kara’s “Who Did you Tell?” And enjoyed The Dare as well. The Dare was a twisty psychological tale that built its suspense on multiple layers and kept me guessing until the end. This was definitely a book worth reading—and I plan to add her earlier books to my reading list. Definitely recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK, Bantam Press for providing an advance read in exchange for an honest review.

I received an ARC of The Dare in exchange for an honest review. The Dare is a psychological thriller about Lizzie and Alice. Lizzie has epilepsy and had a seizure just as Alice was killed by a train Because of the seizure, Lizzie has no memory of the accident that happened when she was a child. Years later, Lizzie is engaged and some memories of that time are starting to surface. In addition, Lizzie is discovering some things that instead of helping her are only confusing her. This was a very easy and quick read. Perfect weekend read.

Wow, really enjoyed this gripping psychological thriller from Lesley Kara. The fast-paced mystery was intriguing from the first page to the last with lots of clever twists and turns along the way. Alternating between the past and the present, the engrossing story unfolds around Lizzie who witnessed her BFF being struck and killed by a train 12 years ago when she was 13. Unfortunately, Lizzie suffered an epileptic seizure at the time and has no memory of what happened.
While some of the characters are completely psychotic, they are nonetheless compelling ad kept me turning the page. I can't wait to read more from Kara.
Thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, Random House, and Lesley Kara for providing a digital ARC of The Dare in exchange for an honest review. #The Dare #NetGalley

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

I really enjoyed the last Lesley Kara book I read, and this is no different.

A taut thriller, the main question - what happened on the train tracks - is not answered easily or quickly.

A satisfying journey through the tragedy of Alice’s death, and Lizzie’s present situation, I recommend this to patrons who enjoy psychological thrillers.

Wow. I did not see that twist coming abut 60% thru. And then there were several more after that. It was a little slow placed in the beginning but I was interested enough to stay with it. What was Catherine up to? What really happened with Alice? Glad I read it.

The Dare Lesley Kara is an amazing thriller that follows Lizzie who is haunted by the tragic death of her friend many years ago. When she woke up years ago she didn’t remember a thing about how Alice died. Now as an adult she is trying to move on but something or someone is making that impossible.

The twists, turns and jaw dropping moments in The Dare kept me glued to my kindle.

A solid psychological thriller with surprising twists and turns. Told in parts from the past and present we get to know all the characters and their backstories. There is a fantastic turn of events that changes the whole landscape and leaves you clamoring for more!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bantam Press for this ARC!

Lizzie and Alice, both thirteen and on their first day of summer vacation, head out for their favorite walk, which takes them out by the train tracks. On the way there, they get into a huge argument, which leads to getting Lizziie so stressed that once they get to the tracks, she has a seizure. When she wakes up, the train has stopped beside her, and Alice is dead.... having been hit by the train. Everyone blames Lizzie, says that Lizzie faked the seizure and pushed Alice onto the tracks. Now, years later, she is engaged to a wonderful GP named Ross Murray and life is pretty good. She still has flashbacks from that horrible day, and she is still controlled by her seizures, but overall life is good. Then, someone from her past decides to start taunting her again, trying to get her to admit that she pushed Alice. They seem to be intent on destroying Lizzie's newfound happiness, and will stop at nothing to get the answers they want.
This book was SO good. I love this author's books, and this one may be her best yet. I could not put it down. It is told in alternating parts between past and present, so you see the girl's friendship up until the accident, and then there are also random pages throughout that are "someone's" thoughts, but at the time you have no idea who....all you know is that they are integral to the story. It has a couple of great twists in there also, so it definitely will keep you turning the pages to ind out more. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers then you will devour this one.

THE DARE By Lesley Kara
Thriller fiction
320 pages

Alice and Lizzy are childhood friends. They do everything together and are always there for each other. Until one horrific day when they go for a walk and Lizzie experiences a seizure and when she comes out of it Alice is dead. What happened during her blackout?? Lizzie doesn't know but 12 yrs later it becomes clear that someone knows and they are out for revenge.

This book is a really intriguing, twisted story. In her signature style Lesley Dare keeps you guessing until the very end. This is one physiological thriller you don't want to miss out on. I highly recommend this book.

The Dare is the latest book by Lesley Kara. Ms Kara tells the reader the story by going back and forth in time, "Then" and "Now". As usual Ms Kara gives us a few surprises along the way. I want to thank NetGalley and Ballantine Books for an early copy to review.

This is a psychological thriller with so many twists in the plot that I almost got whiplash as I was reading it! Lizzie and Alice are young teens who innocently take a walk one day. Lizzie ends up having a seizure while Alice is hit by a train. Whoa! I did not see that coming! Lizzie has no memory of the accident until twelve years later when she starts having memory flashbacks. The plot of this book was extremely complicated and well-written, in the dual timelines of Lizzie’s teen years and later when she is beginning to remember. The first part, when she is not able to remember anything, was somewhat slow-paced, but the pace picked up quickly once she starts to remember the accident. There are really two narrators, one being Lizzie and the other some unknown person who apparently is bent on revenge. The book was absorbing and engaging from beginning to end. Even in the slow parts, I still wanted to know exactly what happened the day of the accident. Although I did guess some of the plot twists, getting better at it as I got more engrossed in the story, I did not have a clue about the ending and was really surprised, almost shocked by it. Lizzie was a sympathetic character who touched my heartstrings so much that I wanted to call her and warn her about the danger she was facing. I really enjoy a good book that pulls you into the story and this one definitely did that for me!
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255, “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest thriller by Lesley Kara - 4.5 stars!

Lizzie and Alice were best friends. Lizzie has epilepsy and her classmates ostracized her; Alice watched out for her and made her feel normal. Until they went on a walk one day and Alice was hit by a train. Lizzie woke up after having a seizure with no memory of the accident. But everyone else blamed her for Alice's death. In the present time, Lizzie has finally gotten her epilepsy under control with close monitoring of her health and the right medications. She's engaged to be married to Russ, a doctor. But suddenly someone from her past has come back into Lizzie's life along with long-buried memories.

The story is told in different timeframes from the past to the present, mostly from Lizzie's point of view. This draws the reader into her state of mind both as a teenager and a young woman. This was one of those books that had a twist that made me gasp out loud - love when a book can do that! Go into it with as little info as possible and enjoy all the twists and turns! Another great book by Lesley Kara!

Get ready for a fast-paced and heart pounding new thriller from Lesley Kara!

Lizzy is an epileptic, trying to move on with her life after her best friend is hit by a train in a horrible accident. She tries not to let her Epilepsy define her, but she can’t seem to forgive herself for being unable to remember what happened before Alice was killed. Memory loss is a side effect of seizures and she had one at that horrible moment. They were arguing, but did she push her? Is it her fault Alice died?

Now at 25, Lizzy falls in love with Ross, a doctor, who is able to take care of her. They soon move in together and begin planning for their future.

When Alice’s spiteful sister Catherine shows up unexpectedly, Lizzy must decide whether to trust her. She has always blamed Lizzy for her sister’s death. Has Catherine changed or is she up to no good?

I am a huge Lesley Kara fan and The Dare did not disappoint! This story intrigued me from the first page and gripped me until the end. It alternates chapters between the past and the present, and also includes excerpts from a mystery writer. While Lizzy is a bit naive, I found myself quickly rooting for her. There are several very clever twists that I didn’t see coming. I have to admit that I have read many books like this before, so it is not a completely original topic. However, the writing in this one is superb. It is a fast read that will have you turning the pages as quickly as you can. I enjoyed every last word!

4/5 stars

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Random House publishing for the ARC of The Dare in exchange for an honest review.

The Dare by Lesley Kara is a psychological thriller. The story in this one is told from two timelines, one in the past from when the main character was a child and one from the current time when she is an adult. There are also multiples points of view with the main character’s view being the most prominent but a couple of others occasionally to show a deeper side to the story.

As a child Lizzie was always awkward and an outsider having only the one best friend in Alice. You see, Lizzie suffered from epilepsy and her seizures were not pretty but Alice never minded helping Lizzie recover and did her best to protect Lizzie. But one fateful day Alice and Lizzie were walking along the train tracks when they had a disagreement and Lizzie suffered a seizure only to awaken to Alice’s death.

Lizzie has spent the last twelve years coping with the death of her best friend as a young teen and dealing with that trauma. Now at a good place in her life Lizzie is preparing to marry her best friend as they have moved in together in a new place. As Lizzie is unpacking boxes she comes across old memories and that time with Alice comes rushing back to her in her present bringing about the paranoia she thought she had left behind.

The Dare was one of those thrillers that was just completing engaging and time flew by while reading. The story is easy to follow with the timeline and point of view changes being well written and flowing along rather well while reading. The suspense build up nicely as the author started layering in the twists and turns during the journey. With this being my first attempt reading this author I’ll definitely be on the look out for more in the future after enjoying this one.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

If you thought The Rumor was an interesting read, you’re going to love Kara’s latest installment of The Dare! Oh my, I recall so many times as a kid being challenged to do something brave, but in actuality, it wasn’t so much bravery, but a whole lot of stupidity. Yep, that’s what kids do, right?!

Lizzie wasn’t any different than the rest of us. She and her bestie, Alice, were thick as thieves and did everything together. In fact, they shared their intimate most sacred secrets with one another, so imagine when the two of them go to a dance only to discover the boy Lizzie liked, Alice had her eye on too. To make matters worse, Lizzie never dreamed in a million years that Alice would actually dance with the boy she liked. Alice was her best friend and she knew not to cross the girl code, but Alice being the ever wonderful and oh so beautiful, did the unthinkable! When the boy walked toward them at the dance with arm extended, Alice happily grabbed his hand and off to the dance floor they went.

Well, what the hell? What kind of friend would do that, especially knowing that she liked him first? Alice, that’s who. It enraged Lizzie so badly that she wished Alice dead. You know, it’s a funny thing that occurs when anger steps in the way. We, as humans, will say things that we truly don’t mean, but isn’t it strange how life can throw you a horrible curve ball you never saw coming.

Death certainly became Alice’s fate. As they argued crossing over the train tracks and Lizzie, having Epilepsy, unfortunately had one of her seizures at the most inopportune time, and when she came to, Alice was merely obliterated struck by a train. Oh my! Lizzie was traumatized by the whole incident. Speaking of which, try as she might, she could not remember much of that fatal day with Alice. Alice’s family was grief-stricken, as you can imagine, and they wanted answers. How did this horrific accident happen, or, was this an accident at all? Was there something more sinister at play here than meets the ever-watchful eye? Hmmm?

Fast forward to the here and now. Lizzie’s all grown up with a fiancé and living on her own. Ross, the fiancé, is a doctor and who better to monitor Lizzie’s health than her man. Lizzie’s parents adored Ross because they knew he’d take proper care of their daughter. But, as hard as Lizzie tried to forget about her past and Alice, the past has a way of showing up to your doorstep, which was the case when a certain guest appears at their house warming party, and that readers, is where this story spreads its wings in flight!

Oh! My! God! When I tell you, I couldn’t put this book down, you had better believe it! Every second I had a moment to myself, regardless if I was at work or home, I found my way to my Kindle to continue reading this. Kara is one of those writers that throws you crumbs and at first glance, you’re thinking what the heck does all these clues actually mean? Oooh, but wait for it—Wait! For! It! She slaps you so hard in the face and knocks the reader’s head to attention. Oh yes, just like The Rumor, she has done it again with this masterpiece. I loved this story! Yes, indeed! It had all the mystery that I could muster and I’m happy to say that I figured some of the story out, but boy oh boy did she have some twists and turns in here.

When you, the reader, discovers what is really going on and you connect the pieces of the puzzle, you’ll be in amazement too, just as I was. Kara is an amazing author. I love her work!

Lizzie is about to marry Ross and they've moved in together so she's busying unpacking boxes. And, as it turns out, unpacking unpleasant memories of 12 years before when her best friend Alice was killed by a train while they were out on a walk. Lizzie, an epileptic, had a seizure at the same time and was unable to tell anyone what happened- but that didn't stop Alice's sister Catherine from blaming her. Lizzie's family wrapped her up and kept her safe even as her epilepsy got worse but things have evened out. And then another young girl is hit by a train, weird things start to happen, and Ross starts talking about a new nurse at his medical practice. It's not an entirely original premise but the characters are unique and it's very well paced. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read that will keep you guessing.

I received an ARC of this mesmerizing story. A young woman is haunted by a tragedy in her childhood. The loss haunts her and she just can't remember what exactly happened. She's now an adult, trying to get on with living but strange things keep the past in front of her. Many twists in this chilling story. Couldn't put it down!

The Dare is a terrific story about two young girls who are best friends. But we all know young girls’ emotions run high and their relationships can be tumultuous. Fast forward to adulthood where things aren’t as they seem and someone will stop at nothing to learn the truth of one fateful day when two 13 year old girls had an argument. A terrific thriller from start to finish!