If You Dare

by Jessica Lemmon

[kimbacaffeinate]

I adore Jessica Lemmon’s Second Chance series, so when I saw If You Dare I had to snag it. If You Dare, is one of her earlier works that was originally a novella. The story has been updated and turned into a full-length novel. This was a fun, heated romance filled with snark and tenderness.

Lily McIntire works in a design office with Marcus Black. The two are top designers who often find themselves competing against each other. To Lily Marcus is a bit of a player and a bitter office affair at a prior job has left her skittish. As a result, the two replace their attraction to each other with teasing, jabs and one upping each other. I loved this banter. It was snarky and you could just feel the sexual tension simmering at the surface. A celebratory night out for landing a huge account ends with the two of them enjoying some tequila. Things get a little competitive and somehow Lily ends up accepting a dare. She has to spend the night in a creepy mansion and if she is successful she gets to claim his Hawaiian trip. The tale that unfolds while predictable was heated, filled with banter and had me smiling.

If You Dare was a fun read, I ended up liking both Lily and Marcus. Lemmon did a good job of fleshing them out, showing their more vulnerable sides beneath her snark and his confidence. The tale is heated and the couple spends much of their time snogging. I loved the back and forth teasing and chemistry between them. I closed the book with a smile and fond feelings for these too. If you are looking for a fun, standalone romance this summer If You Dare is sure to make you smile.

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