Dare You To by Katie McGarry
4/5 stars
HarlequinTeen, 2013
479 pages
YA Contemporary Issues
Scheduled to release May 28
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In my review of the companion novel Pushing the Limits, I mentioned how much I enjoyed the snippet of Dare You To included with the e-ARC I reviewed-it was one of my favorite parts of the reading experience. Something about Beth's toughness clashing with Ryan's cockiness drew me in and primed me to fall for this novel.
And in fact I did. I would have to say that I preferred this to Pushing the Limits despite its many similarities especially its incredible melodramatic chockful-of-issues plot. I thought Echo and Noah had problems; Beth and Ryan have just as many and all different. But this time I found that Beth and Ryan fit somewhat into my beloved tough girl/sweet guy archetype (although Ryan ain't that sweet ;) and thus their romance worked better for me.
Another bonus for me was that Ryan plays baseball, which brought me back to my real life playing recreational softball, and just gave me happy feelings especially as he wrestled with the opportunity to potentially go to the majors or follow his passion of writing to college and gain more skills there. I loved how important his future was to him even if he didn't always handle the situation to the best of his ability.
Meanwhile Beth exhibits tremendous loyalty even to those who do not seem to deserve it like her junkie mother in some truly heartbreaking scenes-I just wanted to protect her and raise her up in a better environment surrounded by people who would not betray her love and trust.
Like I said, this plot is very melodramatic but if you've already read the first book, you knew that and should be prepared. As last time, the teaser at the end for the next book in the series was one of my favorite parts. I can't wait to spend more time with Isaiah, his new girl, and the world of automobiles.
Other Opinions:
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
Novels on the Run
Realm of Fiction
The Midnight Garden
Cover: This isn't ordinarily the kind of cover I like but it is really working for me in this context. Dang, Ryan looks hot!
Sounds good! I like tough girl/sweet guy romances too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize how much I liked them until reading a review from Jen Ryland/YA Romantic brought that home for me and it's something I really notice now.
DeleteYES! I can't wait for Isaiah's book as well.
ReplyDeleteAnd omg, I agree with pretty much everything you wrote - I also liked Dare You To better than PTL. I loved Ryan and Beth's relationship and all the melodrama and I also wanted to raise Beth out of her circumstances as well.
What a great book.
Yay-book soulmates! I love when I agree wholeheartedly with another blogger-makes up for the times when we disagree :)
DeleteAnother series I have yet to check out. I have Pushing the Limits, but have yet to check it out. And I'm curious to see why you prefer this to it. Makes me want to hurry and read both :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteJanina @ Synchronized Reading
Yes, you'll definitely want to give that a try-these books have been very popular in the blogosphere.
DeleteHah, "melodramatic" was why I didn't read book two--but you're right, people who read the first one should know what to expect! I'm glad you enjoyed this, and thanks for linking to K's not-so-enthusiastic review, hah.
ReplyDeleteWendy @ The Midnight Garden
I really enjoyed K's review-very measured and thoughtful about why it didn't work. I wasn't expecting to like this book quite as much as I did just because of the level of melodrama but then Ryan just made me kind of swoon...
DeleteI'm glad you liked this book! One of my close friends liked this a lot as well. If I read this book, I hope I like it more than PTL too!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do check it out-I know a lot of people like it more although of course there are those who don't (see other comments here).
DeleteI really want to read Pushing the Limits. It's one I need to get to soon. I'm glad you enjoyed this one though- hope the third is just as great!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you haven't tried it yet-it was such a popular book last year. You should definitely at least give it a try.
DeleteI knew I'd be able to read your review and there would be no spoilers in it as I haven't read my copy of this yet! Thank you for elaborating on the novel, giving your thoughts and opinions and sharing that it was going to be as or more melodramatic as PTL without giving anything away!! Yours is the only blog I know I can read that won't reveal something I didn't want to know and yet review the novel! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHeather
Thank you for the compliment-that really made my day!
DeleteGlad that you found this one a bit more enjoyable than PTL! I have a feeling I'll feel similarly.
ReplyDeleteFantastic review!
If you agree with my reasons why, then it should be more enjoyable. Looking forward to your review.
DeleteI'm glad that you liked this one! I liked PTL better, but it was nice to see Beth and Ryan's romance come together-- and Ryan ain't that sweet, but we love him anyway, right? ;P Awesome review! :D
ReplyDeleteI wasn't sure I'd like Ryan as I happen to like nice men but he made me feel the feels!
DeleteI liked Pushing the Limits so I'm keen to see which book I like more. Hope to get to Dare You To next week :)
ReplyDeleteI'm eager to find out as well-hope you'll have a chance to read DYT next week!
DeleteI liked this one better than Pushing the Limits as well. I hated Beth in the first book but really grew to understand and like her. I thought Ryan was a great guy as well. Felt really bad for Isaiah but at least he will get his happy ending soon.
ReplyDeleteI liked Beth in the first book but I didn't like Echo so I was glad to get even more depth and more reasons to feel for Beth this time around.
DeleteI liked PTL more but I did enjoy this and I've very excited for the third book!
ReplyDeleteYou can find me here: Jen @ YA Romantics
I'm surprised you preferred PTL as we tend to agree but at least we both liked both books and are excited for the third.
DeleteI also liked the baseball aspect!! It made me happy and I wish I could have included it in a feature I did a few months ago on RBR.
ReplyDeleteI also liked this more than PTL, even though I really liked that one too. All I kept thinking was how I wanted to reread PTL actually.
Always a good sign when the second book makes you want to reread the first!
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