Dare You To

 Publisher's Synopsis:
Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."
"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....
"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....
Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.
But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all....

My Review: No one can acuse Kaie McGarry of being a one-hit-wonder that's for sure. I loved this book! It was incredible. I didn't reallyl love Beth from "Pushing the Limits". I always thought she was kind of beastly to Echo and she didnt really win me over so I thought, a book about Beth, great. However, I believed in the strength of KMG writing so much I said OK! and I am so happy that I did. Beth's story was not what I thought it would be. I really felt for her and her struggle and family situation. I loved her relationship with her uncle, who is not much older than her! I think the way she treats his wife is awful but you know what they say, Hurt people hurt people.

Ryan is totally swoon worthy. I think he is so sexy and I wouldve definitly dared him into a date in high school. I loved the complexity of his relationship with his father, mother and brother. What an interesting a rich story within this story. I would recomend this book to fans of KMG first book and anyone riding the contemporary romance wave. It takes alot to drag me out of my PNR cave and this was worth it. On a funny side note, my friend mis-pronounced the title to me as "Dare to you" which i would keep saying to myself, well that doesnt make sense but hey whatever. It took months for me to realize she was switching the words, now I need to try and remember the correct title.. :)

Bottom line: pick up this book!!! I cant wait for Isaiahs story

The Sweetest Dark

Publishers Synopsis: “With every fiber of my being, I yearned to be normal. To glide through my days at Iverson without incident. But I’d have to face the fact that my life was about to unfold in a very, very different way than I’d ever envisioned. Normal would become forever out of reach.” 

 
Lora Jones has always known that she’s different. On the outside, she appears to be an ordinary sixteen-year-old girl. Yet Lora’s been keeping a heartful of secrets: She hears songs that no one else can hear, dreams vividly of smoke and flight, and lives with a mysterious voice inside her that insists she’s far more than what she seems.  England, 1915. Raised in an orphanage in a rough corner of London, Lora quickly learns to hide her unique abilities and avoid attention. Then, much to her surprise, she is selected as the new charity student at Iverson, an elite boarding school on England’s southern coast. Iverson’s eerie, gothic castle is like nothing Lora has ever seen. And the two boys she meets there will open her eyes and forever change her destiny. Jesse is the school’s groundskeeper—a beautiful boy who recognizes Lora for who and what she truly is. Armand is a darkly handsome and arrogant aristocrat who harbors a few closely guarded secrets of his own. Both hold the answers to her past. One is the key to her future. And both will aim to win her heart. As danger descends upon Iverson, Lora must harness the powers she’s only just begun to understand, or else lose everything she dearly loves.
 
Filled with lush atmosphere, thrilling romance, and ancient magic, The Sweetest Dark brilliantly captures a rich historical era while unfolding an enchanting love story that defies time.

My Review: I absolutely adored this book!!! It started out a little shaky I'm not gonna lie. It took me a little while to get into the writing style and past the first chapter about London and the Orphanage. Once the Lora arrived at Iverson's school for girls though I was sucked in right away! The details made this world really come to life. From the descriptions of the castle, to the gowns of the girls, how class and society was depicted! I really, really loved this book! Lora has an amazing secret in her blood that she discovers when she arrives at the school. I don't want to give away the surprise but it is handled beautifully, I loved everything about her 'turns' and true forms..

I loved Lora's character, she is a survivor. She has been through a lot and instead of whining about it and waiting to be saved she saves herself and not once did I roll my eyes at her decisions. She has a great head on her shoulders and I loved that about her. I really like Jesse and he said all the right things, however I am definitely rooting for Armand!! He is so amazing and complex, Jesse felt a little one note to me. And though as most of you know I loathe love triangles, I really liked this one. It just made sense in this story (once you read you'll understand why)..Also I loved her and Sophia's semi-frienship and am looking forward to seeing that grow!!

The ending had me tearing up and was really over-come with emotion. It's not a super evil cliff-hanger but also not settled in any way. Looking forward to this series, going on Lora's journey, and rooting for Armand!!

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Fantasy and Historical Romance..

This ARC copy of The Sweetest Dark was given to me by NetGalley & Random House - Bantam in exchange for a honest review. 

4 of 5 stars 

Hello!!!

Hey everyone just checking in, I've had to go on a bit of an unexpected leave from my blogging but will be back in the swing of things now!!! However, My Goodreads account had remained active so hope you checked that out!! I will be uploading lots of reviews over the next few days so check back soon :)

jac xoxo