Scotty, a Fed for the DEA, is deep undercover and a member of the ruthless Sons of Steel Row gang. Scotty is pulled aside by head of gang, Tate, and told a huge secret... Tate has a sister who knows NOTHING about his gang life. He wants Scotty to attend a charity bachelor auction his sister Skylar is hosting, but if he touches her, his life is forfeit.

Skylar, a hard-working, independent 23-year old medical school student, is holding a charity bachelor auction. When she meets Scotty, she knows it’s a destined-to-be arrangement and bids on Scotty for herself. Even though he tells her he’s no good, Sky cannot stay away. 

Dare to Lie was a mixed bag for me. Honestly, the first quarter of the book irritated me. There were too many issues and eyerolling moments. Yet, I stuck with it, and after the halfway mark, I couldn’t put down the book. Scotty and Sky do make a good couple, despite their dishonest start. The couple keeps secrets within secrets, neither being 100 percent upfront, so of course, there are major issues once the truth slowly works its way into the light. I didn’t mind the secret-keeping parts because it was all part of the bigger story, but I did have issues with other aspects of the book.

First of all, Sky is portrayed as a woman who has an amazing gift of seeing people for exactly who they are on the inside. Yet, she supposedly has no clue her brother is the head of a ruthless gang. While this is eventually addressed, it comes of as an inconsistency in the character development and bothered me more than once. Also, this… 

"because even though I hadn't looked at him yet... Something about him brought me to life."

Sky literally bumps into Scotty for the first time, and without even looking at him or hearing his voice, they have a connection? Just no. This did not work for me at all.

One other thing that bothered me up front was the humanizing of Tate, the head of SoSR. This is a Southie (Boston) gang known for utter violence. Yet here is Tate, suddenly a softy in many ways. It didn’t sit well with me. One cannot be the leader of a gang like this without being cutthroat and amoral. I need my bad guys to be bad.

Even with these upfront issues, I kept reading the book, and suddenly found myself glued to my Kindle. The layers of subterfuge unraveled, keeping me on the edge of my seat. The back and forth between Scotty and Sky worked, and even broke my heart a bit. And although everything tied up a bit too neatly for me, I liked the ending and was glad I read the story.

In the end, Dare to Lie was a fairly engaging story. There were definitely some eyeroll-moments, and it was a bit too shiny for a gang book. However, I liked Scotty and Sky together, despite the hokey "we are destined to be" opening. It was tough watching them seesaw through their issues, but it gave me an emotional connection to the pair. It was a rough start for me, but about 50% on, I couldn't put down the book.

My Rating:  B- Liked It, but I had a few small issues

Originally posted on That's What I'm Talking About

Review copy provided by publisher

As an undercover DEA agent in the most powerful gang in Boston, Scott Donahue accepts the risks of living a double life.

But when Tate Donovan, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, assigns Scotty to take his place in a bachelor’s auction sponsored by his sister’s sorority, he’s exposed to a whole new level of danger.

Even though Tate makes it very clear—Skylar is off limits—the second Scotty sees her, he’s a goner. But how does he tell Sky she’s falling for a man who doesn’t exist?

Sky can’t resist Scotty’s cool confidence or the raw, edgy power oozing from his perfect body. She’s always been the good girl, but he brings out the bad in her.

And even though she knows so little about who he really is, Sky’s willing to take the biggest risk of all. But putting her heart on the line is no guarantee that Scotty won’t slip through her fingers.

I think the three star rating was my fault. Dare to Lie felt like an adult erotic romance trying to be a YA romance trying to be an NA but was still an Adult Novel. It was a little confusing for me which put me into a funk that was hard to pull out of.

Dare to Lie was entertaining and I liked Scott but his relationship and intimate involvement with Sky felt a little disjointed and not really a great fit for him with my struggle to feel for where this book fit in as far as genres go because I couldn't seem to figure out which way this book was leaning. I couldn't tell if I actually liked it or if it actually bothered me.

In the end I think Sky could have used a little more maturity (even though she is an adult) and that Scott could have used someone a little more in his league but it was still worth the read.

Jen McLaughlin

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

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Having betrayed his best friend in order to take his position in the Sons of Steel Road gang, Chris was the "bad guy" from the first Sons of Steel Road title, Dare to Run. Dare to Stay opens moments after the dramatic conclusion of the previous book, with Chris experiencing a true epiphany; remorse over his actions and the loss of his only true friend. Beat up and near death, Chris breaks into a pharmacy to help himself recover. However, he wasn’t expecting genuine kindness from his longtime crush, Molly.

Molly’s father was killed in a gang-related hold up five years ago, so it’s no wonder she seldom goes out after dark and never takes risks with her heart. However, finding her neighbors’ son, Chris, badly injured in the alley on the anniversary of her father’s death feels like a sign to Molly, and she insists on bringing him home and helping him. Now the pair dances around their unspoken attraction, trying to fight their feelings.

After having mixed feelings about the first book in the series, I found myself surprisingly entertained with Dare to Stay. I was concerned with the plot - one involving the redemption of a man who has committed an awful sin; however, Ms. McLaughlin handles the entire plot with a healthy dash of realism together with a strong emotional thread. I felt Chris’s absolution was tempered with the perfect amount of guilt and desire to change. The author created a strong backstory for Chris, one filled with abusive parents and attempts to do the right thing, so when he realizes the errors of his ways, it comes off sincere.

Chris and Molly work as a couple because they have a history. I love the little bits of romance an unworthy Chris gave to Molly because she was a light in his dark world. Likewise, Molly recalls her previous interactions with Chris with fondness and a bit of lust. When the pair finally gives into their mutual desires, it is smokin’ hot! The scenes worked as an extension of their strong feelings, both lust and love, because the author developed a solid history between the pair.

The issues I had with Dare to Stay were minor - the “I’m no good for you,” and “I’ll have to leave her” sentiments dragged for the first third to half of the book. It continued even after they got together, but I loved that they actually fought to be together. I didn’t mind the back and forth, on-again-off-again, because both characters had conflicting emotions. They felt love for one another, but didn’t see how being together would work. And while some may not like how neatly everything tied up in the end, I did… I love me some happy endings. I liked how Chris dealt with his betrayal, and his decisions worked for me.

In the end, Dare to Stay was an enjoyable, entertaining read. I liked that Chris was a redeemable character, especially after his betrayal of his best friend in the first book. Molly and Chris were both sweet and completely sexy. Will they work in the long run? I think so… the author put a lot of passion into her characters, and their actions gave me hope for their longterm story.

My Rating:  B, Liked It

Review copy provided by publisher

Bruised and bloodied on Boston's mean streets, Chris O'Brien is reeling from the loss of his childhood best friend. But after barely escaping a hit placed on his head, Chris is desperate to live. A safe haven comes to mind - the home of the perfect girl from his childhood, Molly Lachlan. Before he has fully considered what it would mean to involve her in his mess, he finds himself on her doorstep.

When Molly agrees to let Chris inside her home, she realizes she's also letting him into her life. Danger and desperation are coming off him like steam, and yet she can't bring herself to turn him away. His bad boy charm always had a hold on her, but now there's a soulfulness and sorrow in him that she's never seen before. And despite the heart-stopping risk of helping him, she hopes against all reason that he'll stay...

Okay wow so I have to say that I didn't even care what plot was going on, I didn't care about the story at all I just wanted more time with Molly and Chris.

These two were characters I especially loved and wanted all the page time with.

I really felt that Jen did a really fantastic job creating characters that stole the scene and captured you from the get go.

As a reader you want to hug Molly but you want to fall in love with Chris. You anticipate reading the next page hoping for more candied words from him to make you melt.

Dare to Stay is fun, its sexy, its fabulous. I really loved it. I highly recommend it.

I very rarely give out 5 star ratings but Molly and Chris earned it. If you haven't read the Sons of Steel Row series check it out!

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews received a print copy in exchange for an honest review from Berkley Publishing.

If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like or let me know what you think! I love hearing from followers! Thank you!