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emiliew's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
bookishmya's review
5.0
A Dare too Far
By Charlie Lane.
Marry your best friend, or your brother’s! He was always there, her brother’s best friend, her friend. She was his best friend’s little sister, they had always been close and comfortable. But once he dares to truly see her, his heart bursts open and realizes that he has always cared.
After being ruined trying to help a friend, Jane must marry to save her future. Through a house party with 4 suitors she must choose a husband. George, is responsible for everyone in his life and feels he must help her make the right choice. Until he realizes He is the only choice! But his life is not safe, so he feels he must protect her still. They both must be daring enough to face their fears and embrace their hearts and love.
A beautiful love story with the best foundation, friendship!
By Charlie Lane.
Marry your best friend, or your brother’s! He was always there, her brother’s best friend, her friend. She was his best friend’s little sister, they had always been close and comfortable. But once he dares to truly see her, his heart bursts open and realizes that he has always cared.
After being ruined trying to help a friend, Jane must marry to save her future. Through a house party with 4 suitors she must choose a husband. George, is responsible for everyone in his life and feels he must help her make the right choice. Until he realizes He is the only choice! But his life is not safe, so he feels he must protect her still. They both must be daring enough to face their fears and embrace their hearts and love.
A beautiful love story with the best foundation, friendship!
glo68's review
5.0
Lady Jane must marry. She made a foolish dare last season when she went away with Lord Devon to bring her friend Tabitha back and now she’s ruined. So no more dares for her… She must become a respectable lady and choose among the suitors his brother’s friend Lord Abbington procured for her. How difficult can it be? There’s a logical way to proceed, of course. Comfort, shared interest and kisses are the most important things in a marriage, after all, and she must test every suitor for that. Love? Love can only bring pain, so it’s out of the equation.
Lord Abbington failed in his task to protect Jane last season. Her brother asked him to, but he wasn’t comfortable around her… It is entirely possible he was harboring budding feelings for the daring debutante. But love for him is out of question. He has responsibilities, he can’t afford to bring a wife in his chaotic life… So now he must help her choose a suitable husband. But why is it so difficult to see her losing her daring ways and settling down with another man?
This compelling book is basically the story of two scared people who must dare themselves to love. As always, Charlie Lane did a wonderful job at creating very realistic characters, so much so that they were so infuriating at times that I would have liked to be able to knock some sense into them! This book has a lot of humor, but a good dose of angst as well. I’d say that’s the right balance between the two that makes it very enjoyable indeed. I also loved the bits of poetry the author inserted into the story. I knew John Donne only by name, but never read anything of him. I was captivated by his poetry and by the way it fitted in the book as a glove. And if there’s a thing I enjoy more than reading it is learning new things from the books I read! Now I’m looking forward to the next book of the series, because I’m sure the last of the daring debutantes won’t disappoint me…
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lord Abbington failed in his task to protect Jane last season. Her brother asked him to, but he wasn’t comfortable around her… It is entirely possible he was harboring budding feelings for the daring debutante. But love for him is out of question. He has responsibilities, he can’t afford to bring a wife in his chaotic life… So now he must help her choose a suitable husband. But why is it so difficult to see her losing her daring ways and settling down with another man?
This compelling book is basically the story of two scared people who must dare themselves to love. As always, Charlie Lane did a wonderful job at creating very realistic characters, so much so that they were so infuriating at times that I would have liked to be able to knock some sense into them! This book has a lot of humor, but a good dose of angst as well. I’d say that’s the right balance between the two that makes it very enjoyable indeed. I also loved the bits of poetry the author inserted into the story. I knew John Donne only by name, but never read anything of him. I was captivated by his poetry and by the way it fitted in the book as a glove. And if there’s a thing I enjoy more than reading it is learning new things from the books I read! Now I’m looking forward to the next book of the series, because I’m sure the last of the daring debutantes won’t disappoint me…
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
mailovesbooksblog's review
3.0
A delightful regency novel. Jane and George's friends to lovers gives you hope1
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
In this friends-to-lovers Regency romance by Charlie Lane, an independent lady and a cautious earl must do the most daring thing of all—fall in love.
A daring lady.
A caring earl.
And a Christmas house party that turns love into a dangerous game.
The Earl of Abbington is not a daring man.
Responsible for the care of an opium-addicted uncle, George’s life poses dangers to a bride that he’ll never risk. It’s why he avoided the independent and kind Lady Jane last year, despite her brother’s request he protect her during her season. His neglect no doubt led to Jane’s tattered reputation. In reparation, he’s sent pre-approved suitors to the house party to ensure she marries well, not to a man whose life is a nightmare.
Lady Jane is done being daring.
Her daring spirit ruined her reputation, her family’s social standing, and her brother’s marital prospects. But a Christmas house party attended by a coterie of willing suitors can put everything right. Plain of face and ordinary of intellect, Jane knows she’ll never find love. And she doesn’t want it anyway. Love is the most daring thing a woman can do, after all. Instead, she’ll develop a system to test her suitors and discover the best husband for a practical sort of marriage.
Jane needs George’s help choosing a husband, but George soon realizes he can’t give it without betraying his own heart. Together, they must find the courage to face the dangers of love or lose the love of a lifetime.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!
Rating: 3/5
Synopsis:
In this friends-to-lovers Regency romance by Charlie Lane, an independent lady and a cautious earl must do the most daring thing of all—fall in love.
A daring lady.
A caring earl.
And a Christmas house party that turns love into a dangerous game.
The Earl of Abbington is not a daring man.
Responsible for the care of an opium-addicted uncle, George’s life poses dangers to a bride that he’ll never risk. It’s why he avoided the independent and kind Lady Jane last year, despite her brother’s request he protect her during her season. His neglect no doubt led to Jane’s tattered reputation. In reparation, he’s sent pre-approved suitors to the house party to ensure she marries well, not to a man whose life is a nightmare.
Lady Jane is done being daring.
Her daring spirit ruined her reputation, her family’s social standing, and her brother’s marital prospects. But a Christmas house party attended by a coterie of willing suitors can put everything right. Plain of face and ordinary of intellect, Jane knows she’ll never find love. And she doesn’t want it anyway. Love is the most daring thing a woman can do, after all. Instead, she’ll develop a system to test her suitors and discover the best husband for a practical sort of marriage.
Jane needs George’s help choosing a husband, but George soon realizes he can’t give it without betraying his own heart. Together, they must find the courage to face the dangers of love or lose the love of a lifetime.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an ARC!
half2happy's review
4.0
Read an ARC.
Spectacular. Needed this as a palate cleanser and ended up being richly rewarded with a fantastic story! While it is book #2 you could read this as a standalone and be quite satisfied.
A couple modernisms but otherwise felt very authentic. The main characters have distinct personalities and chemistry without immediately falling into bed with one another. The supporting characters have just enough substance to remain plausible without constantly referencing what else is going on in the series.
Would definitely read more of these!
Spectacular. Needed this as a palate cleanser and ended up being richly rewarded with a fantastic story! While it is book #2 you could read this as a standalone and be quite satisfied.
A couple modernisms but otherwise felt very authentic. The main characters have distinct personalities and chemistry without immediately falling into bed with one another. The supporting characters have just enough substance to remain plausible without constantly referencing what else is going on in the series.
Would definitely read more of these!
annamariahz's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I know I am addicted to a series when I finish the first two books in 24 hours. And I am very addicted to the Debutante Dares series! In the second book, Lady Jane is done with dares after the events of the first book left her reputation in tatters. She needs George's help to pick a husband before Christmas to save her family's reputation. But can George help her find someone to marry when he is quickly falling for her himself? This is a fantastic friends-to-lovers story, with Jane's brother rooting for their relationship just as much as I was reading about it! I had so much fun reading this story, and I am sure I will pick up the next book very soon!
onebookmore's review
4.0
A Dare Too Far is a lovely historical romance that follows Lady Jane and her brother’s best friend George, The Earl of Abbington as Jane seeks, with George’s assistance, a husband. I so enjoyed reading Jane’s story, especially after she put herself in a precarious situation in the last book in pursuit of her friend. Now the focus of a scandal and facing ruination, Jane has a brief time to find a husband, and several men stay at her family’s home to court her and win her hand and large dowry. Jane knows she has to marry to avoid being completely ruined, but she isn’t happy about it.
George is Jane’s brother’s best friend and has known Jane for years. He offers to help Jane find a match, but never expected his feelings for her to deepen. Jane is off-limits, but will George be able to resist, especially when he learns Jane might return his feelings?
Jane and George have a great friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romance. Though the men courting her are, for the most part, honorable men, it’s clear that Jane’s connection with George is much stronger than anything she feels for the other men. I love how their friendship slowly progresses and how both characters finally realize they have more than friends feelings for each other. They have so many humorous and flirty scenes that I adored!
I also love all the references to poetry throughout the book and how George uses poems to express his feelings. He is not a demonstrative man, but when he finally admits his feelings for Jane, he finds the best ways to express his feelings. This aspect of the story is positively swoon-tastic, and it shows just how deeply George and Jane care for each other.
The characters in the story, especially Jane and George, are well-developed and layered. George has a lot of responsibility, especially in regards to his opium-addicted uncle. He doesn’t want to marry because of his uncle’s unpredictability, and yet he deeply wants Jane. He is responsible and honorable, and he is often conflicted between duty and desire. Jane is stubborn, strong-willed, and on a deadline. She knows she must marry to avoid complete ruination, but her heart is not in it. Both characters have dynamic families, and their relationships with their relatives are put to the test. Infidelity, addiction, caretaking responsibilities, loss, and more are addressed and really show how loyal, dedicated, and loving Jane and George are in all aspects of their life.
I enjoyed this addition to The Debutante Dares series. It has layered characters that you root for, a few nefarious antagonists that are fun to hate, and a romance that will make you swoon! I would definitely recommend the book to readers of historical romance.
George is Jane’s brother’s best friend and has known Jane for years. He offers to help Jane find a match, but never expected his feelings for her to deepen. Jane is off-limits, but will George be able to resist, especially when he learns Jane might return his feelings?
Jane and George have a great friends-to-lovers, brother’s best friend romance. Though the men courting her are, for the most part, honorable men, it’s clear that Jane’s connection with George is much stronger than anything she feels for the other men. I love how their friendship slowly progresses and how both characters finally realize they have more than friends feelings for each other. They have so many humorous and flirty scenes that I adored!
I also love all the references to poetry throughout the book and how George uses poems to express his feelings. He is not a demonstrative man, but when he finally admits his feelings for Jane, he finds the best ways to express his feelings. This aspect of the story is positively swoon-tastic, and it shows just how deeply George and Jane care for each other.
The characters in the story, especially Jane and George, are well-developed and layered. George has a lot of responsibility, especially in regards to his opium-addicted uncle. He doesn’t want to marry because of his uncle’s unpredictability, and yet he deeply wants Jane. He is responsible and honorable, and he is often conflicted between duty and desire. Jane is stubborn, strong-willed, and on a deadline. She knows she must marry to avoid complete ruination, but her heart is not in it. Both characters have dynamic families, and their relationships with their relatives are put to the test. Infidelity, addiction, caretaking responsibilities, loss, and more are addressed and really show how loyal, dedicated, and loving Jane and George are in all aspects of their life.
I enjoyed this addition to The Debutante Dares series. It has layered characters that you root for, a few nefarious antagonists that are fun to hate, and a romance that will make you swoon! I would definitely recommend the book to readers of historical romance.
jlee76's review
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a friends-to-lovers story, A Dare Too Far delivers a romance full of second guesses and passion. Both George and Jane are tentative and unsure. However, their electric chemistry is undeniable. George is his opium-addicted uncle’s caregiver. George has put his responsibilities over his happiness. Jane is fearless until she makes a poor choice and compromises herself, and destroys her family’s reputation. Due to her family’s history, Jane decides to marry out of convenience rather than love.
Both George and Jane are frightened of loving and losing control for varying reasons. The couple is in a push-and-pull situation over their feelings throughout the novel. Their emotions run hot to cold, sometimes to the point of distraction for the reader; sometimes, George and Jane are too indecisive. However, the premise of the plot and vivid characters create a world of wonder and promise.
The plot moved well, and the characters were excellently written. Both George and Jane had realistic insecurities and flaws. The couple’s journey is a struggle but well worth it. This was a strong showing for the second book in a series. A Dare Too Far is the second book in The Debutante Dares series. Charlie Lane delivers a heart-felt romance that delights the reader.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
As a friends-to-lovers story, A Dare Too Far delivers a romance full of second guesses and passion. Both George and Jane are tentative and unsure. However, their electric chemistry is undeniable. George is his opium-addicted uncle’s caregiver. George has put his responsibilities over his happiness. Jane is fearless until she makes a poor choice and compromises herself, and destroys her family’s reputation. Due to her family’s history, Jane decides to marry out of convenience rather than love.
Both George and Jane are frightened of loving and losing control for varying reasons. The couple is in a push-and-pull situation over their feelings throughout the novel. Their emotions run hot to cold, sometimes to the point of distraction for the reader; sometimes, George and Jane are too indecisive. However, the premise of the plot and vivid characters create a world of wonder and promise.
The plot moved well, and the characters were excellently written. Both George and Jane had realistic insecurities and flaws. The couple’s journey is a struggle but well worth it. This was a strong showing for the second book in a series. A Dare Too Far is the second book in The Debutante Dares series. Charlie Lane delivers a heart-felt romance that delights the reader.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book through the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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