Dare to Run (Sons of Steel Row, #1)

by Jen McLaughlin

The New York times bestselling author of the Out of Line Novels takes readers to Boston where one gang of criminals knows how being bad can be so good...
 
She knows what he’s like on Boston’s mean streets. Now she’s going to find out if he’s got some heart.
 
Lucas Donahue is not ashamed of his criminal past, but after a brief stint in prison, he’s ready to go legit and live a normal life. The problem is, no one leaves the gang without permission—even if he is one of the boss’s top men. Plus someone’s placed a hit on him. And then there’s that feisty little bartender who’s going to cause him even more trouble.
 
Heidi Greene knows to keep her distance from a ladies’ man like Lucas—even if she can’t keep her eyes off him. When he rescues her from an attack in the alley outside her bar, she’s forced to stay by his side for safety. But the longer she spends time with him, the greater her chances are for getting hurt in more ways than one.

• ISBN10: 0451477596
• ISBN13: 9780451477590
• Publish Date: 2 February 2016
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 336
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780451477590

Reviews

[FranJessca @ A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog]

My goal for the next few years is to tackle my TBR. It’s gotten out of hand in the last several years, and it’s time for me to tackle it somehow, finally.  Dare to Run by Jen McLaughlin is one of those books I meant to read back in 2016. The cover alone intrigued me to pick up this book, but then I read the synopsis and knew I had to make time for it finally. 

Storyline/My Thoughts: Dare to Run is not an MC Romance. It’s a Bad Boy/Organized Crime Romance. It introduces Lucas Donahue and Heidi Greene. Lucas Donahue just got out of prison, and he wants to live a normal life. Unfortunately, he will never have a normal life due to being a part of the Sons of Steel Row. He can never leave the life, and now he has someone out there that wants him dead. He also has a cute bartender, Heidi Greene, who he saves one night from another gang. Now, he’s in a fake relationship with her to protect her. He’s going to realize he’s met his match when it comes to Heidi Greene.  

Heidi has had a rough life, but now she’s making something of herself. She loves her life as a bartender. She went through a lot as a kid in foster care and then being homeless. All it took was someone taking her in and taking care of her. She never expects she would be almost assaulted one night for sticking up for herself in her bar. Now, she’s forced to be with Lucas, who is hot and cold with his feelings towards saving her.

My thoughts on the first book in the Sons of Steel Row are that I enjoyed the storyline. It had great pacing to it, and it kept me turning the pages. I also enjoyed the constant banter with Lucas and Heidi. They were supposed to be in a fake relationship, but the angst between these two was inevitable. The romance between these two when they do get together is very steamy.

I also enjoyed how both characters had similarities to each other. Heidi grew up in challenging situations and survived everything thrown at her. She was a fighter and survivor. I also loved how Lucas had his own life outside of the gang that he enjoyed doing, such as working on cars.
Some things did drive me crazy. Heidi always managed to put herself in danger. Unfortunately, she didn’t listen and ended up putting herself or him in harm’s way. There was also the issue of Lucas staying in this gang that supposedly looked out for each other. It didn’t feel like it, especially after he finds out who wants him dead.

Overall, I enjoyed the book. It receives 3.5 stars from me. The ending is what left me wanting to read the next book. If Jen McLaughlin can write a twist like that one that shocked me, then I can definitely pick up the next book(s). Holy moly! I was not expecting that ending.

Trigger Warning(s): Violence and almost sexual assault attack on the female protagonist; gun violence; criminal gang activity (gun smuggling); and murder/death 

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Sons of Steel Row series, but each can be read as a standalone.

HEA: Yes

Steaminess: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫

Trope/Elements: Fake/Pretend Relationship; Bad Boy Romance; Organized Crime

Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy Contemporary Romance with Bad Boy and Organized Crime elements in it, you’ll enjoy this book/series.

[Rowena]

I got about a third into this book before I gave up on it. I'm all for a strong heroine but I'm not a fan of the strong heroines who think they know best and smart off to the very people who tried to rape and kill her. I'm not buying that shit one bit so I'm throwing the towel in on this one.

DNF.

[kimbacaffeinate]

Five Reasons to grab Dare to Run

• I love the Boston setting and McLaughlin takes us into the underbelly of the city and into the lives of its locals. The criminal gangs run deep in this story and their hands reach into the pockets of local law enforcement and its politicians. Lucas’s membership and ranking within the gang and its mentality added an edge to this romance. I favor romances where we get both perspectives and Dare To Run had alternating chapters between Lucas and Heidi.


• Lucas Donahue is sexy, intelligent and lethal. He entered the gang and moved up the ranks out of necessity. After his release, he struggles with breaking free and finding normal, but circumstances and family and making that difficult. McLaughlin peeled back his layers and made me fall for this bad boy. Being inside of his head was fantastic and his voice rang true. His inner dialogue was hilarious and made me sigh.


• Heidi Greene’s story may be just as tragic as Lucas’s but intervention from a stranger changed things for her, and she has done the same for another. Heidi has spunk and is loyal. She knows Lucas is all wrong for her, but when he steps in to help her, they find themselves together. The more she learns about the man, the more difficult it becomes to resist him. Her inner struggles felt real, and I quickly connected with her.


• The plot of Dare to Run was intense, action-packed and offered some edge of your seat suspense. A few twist will catch some readers by surprise. McLaughlin added subtle clues so I figured out aspects of it but this did not diminish my enjoyment of the story. The storyline was addictive and I kept reading late into the night. Secondary characters from bosses to Lucas’ brother and best friend Chris notched up the suspense and believability of the tale.


• The romance was sweet, heartbreaking and at times sizzling hot. I really connected with the couple emotionally and felt their feelings were genuine. Heidi is independent and Lucas’s inborn nature to protect and often created tension in the form of banter. These two had me laughing aloud.

Copy provided by publisher, This review was originally posted on Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[Cocktails and Books]

This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books

Dare To Run is the first book in this new series, Sons of Steel Row by Jen McLaughlin. This book sucked me right in. I love Boston and it provides a nice backdrop to this storyline. The book begins with Lucas getting out of prison and returning to his gang: The Sons of Steel Row. He seems closed off from everyone and leads a lonely existence. He has a brother who is in the gang and a best friend Chris but he doesn't seem to be close to anyone else. The story opens with Lucas chatting with Chris about the fact that someone is trying to kill Lucas. You have no idea who or why.

Heidi runs a bar, The Patriot, that she inherited from a nice man who took her off the streets and treated her as his daughter. She is fighter through and through and honestly tough as nails. Life has handed her tough knocks at every turn but she is still positive presence in a dark part of Boston. Lucas comes into her bar because it is blocks from his apartment. He doesn't expect to meet Heidi and he certainly doesn't expect to save her from the Bitter Hill gang. He must claim her as his girl to keep her safe. Lucas doesn't save people and he certainly stays away from complications. Unfortunately, no one believes Lucas has a girl. So they lie and their lies blur together and these two start to feel something for each other. I don't want to give away too much more but the story's ending was unexpected. I'm still pondering what is going to happen in the next Sons of Steel Row.

Heidi and Lucas are characters that you fall in love with. You want more of them on the pages and they are supported by an interesting cast of characters that you hope future books give you more and fill in the missing blanks. So much happened with the all the characters at the end, that you are dying to know more. That is a good series. It pulls you in and will not let you go. Well done, Jen.