Smitten by Books

I loved this book, so I’m giving away a digital copy to 2 lucky commenters!

In a deliciously sexy twist on the classic game, USA Today bestselling author Mira Lyn Kelly proves that when playing truth or dare—always choose dare.
 
After her one attempt at commitment ends in the worst kind of betrayal, Maggie Lawson vows that the only people she’ll love ’til death do they part will be her friends. Unfortunately that means Maggie letting her bestie rope her into a year-long dating dare: score a new date each month or pay a penalty. Seems doable—until Maggie’s date stands her up, leaving only one option: the sexy stud who just moved in upstairs. The problem? He and Maggie can’t stop fighting—and that’s just the beginning.

His name is Tyler Wells and the last thing he needs is his neighbor distracting him with her girl-next-door smile and sharp tongue. Tyler’s in Chicago for one reason: to woo back his selfish ex in order to reclaim the child he once thought was his—and that means keeping Maggie out of his bed. A tall order, since Maggie has become a bigger temptation than he ever expected to face. But before they can even consider leaving the past behind, Maggie and Tyler must accept a brand-new dare: real, forever love.

The first scene in Truth or Dare opens with the heroine, Maggie Lawson, doing the neighbourly thing by bringing a fresh-baked cookies to the new guy in the building. He happens to be our hunky hero, Tyler Wells. Unfortunately, the reception she receives is less than friendly. Okay, it’s downright surly.

Only then the guy raked a hand through the damp mess of his hair and blew out a strained breath. “Look, Apartment Two. Whatever you’re offering, I’m not interested.”

And so sets the tone of the beginning of the book. I loved it! Nothing like a surly hero who is, at some point, going to have to apologize for his behavior. Of course Maggie can’t stand him now. And who can blame her. I didn’t. His subsequent apology falls on deaf ears and her “caustic” response then sets the tone for their interaction over the following months. The only thing I wish here is that readers were witness to that scene instead of Tyler reminiscing about it after the fact.

Over the next five months, they exchange a litany of barbs whenever they come in contact. Something they both secretly enjoy. I laughed at this scene where they poke fun at each other’s lack of a love life.

“…And what is this I hear about you and Rosie Palms?” she asked with a pointed nod at his hand, the saccharine sweetness all but dripping from her fangs. “Picking out rings, already?”

…

“Yeah, well, we’ve been exclusive for a while now,” he said, holding up “Rosie”, his right hand, and giving in to a grin as he started up the stairs. “Time to make an honest girl of her.”

But as you can imagine, beneath the surface of their barbs is a sizzling attraction that neither will acknowledge but just won’t quit. It’s when Tyler becomes friends to her friends in the building that they decide to become “friends”.

Snort. Yeah, right. There’s no way that’s going to happen. I know it and they should have known it too but I love watching as they come to the realization that the just friend thing is so not going to work between them.

Unfortunately, all those plans started circling the drain as soon as her eyes landed on the stubble rough, untucked and comfortably worn packaging of a guy who wasn’t looking at her like a friend at all. Because friends didn’t do that full-body slow, burning sweep with their eyes that ended with them staring at the other’s mouth.

When they finally succumb, the sex between them is hot. Love it. And there’s so much more than just the sex that makes it hot but the emotion in it. Those are the kinds that make for the best love scenes. But Tyler is determined that nothing can really happen between them because he’s not “available” for a relationship with anyone. I won’t tell you what that is, but it wouldn’t give any woman a reason to hope for anything serious. So they vow that’s the first and last time.

The problem is, knowing there’s no future in a relationship between them and accepting that. Both try… to no avail.

“I’m sure,” she gasped, her hands sliding up and down the hard contours of his chest. “This is sex. No expectations. Just two people taking advantage of an opportunity they seldom see.”

Beyond a well-developed, tension-wrought and surprisingly deep love story, Mira Lyn Kelly introduces a wonderful cast of characters in Truth or Dare. Her best friend, Ava and her brother, Ford—who is their collective landlord—and Sam, a general man-whore, are characters whose stories I want now. Kelly gives you just enough about them individually to peak your interest but not so much that their lives take away from Maggie and Tyler’s romance.

Overall, I absolutely loved this book. And I’m champing at the bit for February 17, 2015 to arrive when we’re going to get Ava and Sam’s story in Touch & Go! YAY!!! I just read the blurb. I was hoping they’d get together.

Reviewed by Beverley
Heat Level: Hot