The Dating Dare by Jayci Lee was very fast paced, addictive, and I fell head over heels in love with Seth almost immediately! Don’t get me wrong Tara can definitely hold her own against Seth, but he’s more a sweetheart than a playboy so she had no chance of winning this dating dare. Don’t be fooled by his physique because this man is way too sweet to don the playboy or regency rake title given to him by Tara herself.
“You need to stop staring at my ass,’ she said with her fists planted on her hips.
He smiled and turned to face her squarely, sliding a hand into his pants pocket. ‘On the contrary, I was studying all of you. Not just your stunning backside.’
‘Studying me?’ Did he say stunning? Huh. She was tempted to swivel her head for a peek at her ass.
‘I’m a photographer. It’s hard for me to ignore things of beauty,’ he said smoothly, his dark eyes holding her gaze. An involuntary trill shot down her spine.”
I don’t know how much interaction they had in Lee’s first book, A Sweet Mess, because their attraction spoke of a past history or relationship (like they’ve known each other longer than the book makes it out to be). Tara instantly dislikes him and calls him out for ogling her at the wedding despite his occupation as a wedding photographer, so it speaks that they have had prior scenes together from the previous book, which I am yet to read.
“He appreciated her honesty, intelligence, and loyalty. A conversation with her was an adventure—always interesting and often hilarious. And, God, she was so beautiful that she literally took his breath away. Seth wanted Tara to the point of distraction, but that wasn’t the driving force behind his proposition. It was about the fun and excitement of getting to know her better.”
I loved the idea of the Dating Dare, but it seemed like they liked each other way too quickly. It would have been great to see more animosity between them because of the tone set at Aubrey and Landon’s wedding. Tara seemed to really dislike him, but then after just the first date, she already seemed smitten. I can’t blame her completely because Seth was adorable especially when he played the useless prince for the little girls at the park. Lee started Seth’s dates off so strong that I can’t really blame her for falling for him.
Her cute little quirks on the night of the Dating Dare was adorable, including her want of tater tots, hilarious but then she followed suit with the fact that she hates peas and cooked carrots. These funny little details really brought the characters to life and added great chemistry between drunk Tara and relatively sober Seth.
I swooned when he said that she didn’t need shapewear as so many of us are worried to embrace our curves and do everything we can to try and hide them and here’s Seth saying she’s perfect without it. (DISCLAIMER: I’m not saying that men need to tell us that for women to feel comfortable, I just appreciate the recognition on his part that shapewear isn’t necessary to feel and be seen as beautiful). It was an ADORABLE moment! This is definitely something that I was so glad to see in a rom-com for 2021 because female body image suffers greatly in the romance category because they are stuck in one form of beauty (you know the one, slim and slender) but here The Dating Dare breaks that mould. It’s not the first to do so and I really hope it isn’t the last, but it was great to see. I also loved how Lee used Seth’s perspective to say that shapewear isn’t necessary because that is a huge insecurity for women! He also thinks it rather than saying it which is huge because that makes it genuine. He’s not saying it to impress her or get her in the sheets. He’s simply saying his opinion in his mind as he tries to help her. There was nothing for him to gain by it which only made me fall harder.
“If she gave into her attraction for Seth, would he begin demanding more of her? More of her time? More of her affection? If she fell for him, she would do anything to make him happy. Nausea churned in her stomach. She would be lost. But what if she was so badly broken that she turned into the one to confine him within her expectations—the one to constantly demand more until he believed he wasn’t good enough. For a moment, terror swept through her.”
It did get a little annoying near the end when rejections happened between Tara and Seth because you could tell that they were perfect for one another and being provided both perspectives told you that they really did love one another. I get that it throws a twist into the story and might provide a more realistic thought process for Tara especially, but trying to make her stay true to her principles regarding love actually made her slightly more unlikable.
So there is something that definitely needs to be addressed because it was right at the beginning of the romance in this romance novel and it was also very YIKES! You’ve been warned! The feeding each other thing was cringey to me because to me this isn’t a romantic thing to do so it bothered me, especially when they share their first kiss by tasting a salted caramel brownie… Like she’s mid eating it and then he lunges in for his “one bite” which was a cute concept until I realised that his one bite was basically mid chew for Tara. With all that said, the food references and comedic writing were enjoyable throughout despite this aspect to the romance. Seth is a guy who shares his fries, acts as a personal seatbelt, and remembers that she loves tater tots and hates peas and cooked carrots. This is definitely a guy who has fallen in love ahead of the girl (which I also I really liked because it’s usually the men with the commitment issues).
If you love romantic comedies like I do, definitely check this one out! They kind of reminded me of Jasmine Guillory’s third book, The Wedding Party, as these two seemed similar to Theo and Maddie.
The Dating Dare is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of August 3rd 2021.
Will you be picking up The Dating Dare? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis | Goodreads
Jayci Lee, author of A Sweet Mess, returns with The Dating Dare—her next witty, chemistry-filled romantic comedy.
Tara Park doesn’t do serious relationships. Neither does she hop into bed with virtual strangers. Especially when that particular stranger is her best friend’s new brother-in-law. It isn’t an easy decision, though. Seth Kim is temptation personified. His unreasonably handsome looks and charming personality makes him easy on the eyes and good for her ego.
When a friendly game of Truth or Dare leads to an uncomplicated four-date arrangement with Seth, Tara can’t say she minds. But their dates, while sweet and sexy, have a tendency to hit roadblocks. Thankfully, their non-dates and chance meetings get frequent and heated.
Seth is 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 soon Seth realizes that Tara Park doesn’t come in a “nice & little” package–she’s funny and bold, sweet and sexy, and everything he ever wanted and never expected to find. Neither of them are ready for something serious and both have past relationship baggage they’ve been ignoring, but with a shot at forever on the line will they follow their hearts and take a chance on happily-ever-after?
