Title:  Dare You to Run (A Dare Bros Trilogy #1)

Author:  Ryan Marie

Published:  December 17, 2024

Source:  ARC received from Torch Lit Ink

Type:  e-copy

Blurb:

 Dagen

Finding out the memories I once cherished were nothing more than a web of lies was like slamming into a brick wall without a helmet. Everyone around me fed me the same rehearsed lines and when the truth finally came out, I didn’t know who I was anymore.

Maybe taking off without warning wasn’t the best idea, but crashing my car was an even worse one because it threw Hendrix Dare into my path.

He was everything your mom warns you about and your dad hates. And I wanted all of him.

Dad called it rebellion, I called it love, but he didn’t care what we defined it as long as it ended.

I knew it was all too good to be true, and after another obstacle that ended in tragedy, I’m left with the tattered pieces of my heart in my hands.

Tainted memories and broken dreams. All I wanted was a happy ending. Instead, I only got an ending.

Hendrix

When the universe dropped Dagen McCallan in my town, I thought she was nothing more than another spoiled rich girl living on mommy and daddy’s dime. Imagine my surprise when she became everything I never knew I wanted, but everything I needed.

She was the light to my dark, the warm to my cold, and she made the bad memories fade away with each smile.

I whispered words I never thought I’d say to anyone, and for the first time in my life I saw a future that I wanted to run towards.

I was determined to let nothing keep us apart and prove to everyone she was meant for me. I promised to fight off the world for her but sometimes in order to do the right thing, promises must be broken.

Holding Dagen in my arms was like catching a lightning bolt with your hands, it only happens once in a lifetime. And I’m the idiot who let her go.

*Note to This book contains sensitive subject matters including loss of a parent and loss of pregnancy. It also contains sexually explicit scenes and is intended for audiences 18 yrs +. Please review all trigger warnings before reading.

Check it on Amazon & Goodreads 

“Dare You to Run” by Ryan Marie is an excellent start to a series, with spicy romance, family and friendship. A potential cross into dark romance territory, this is a perfect choice for readers who want to dip their toes into a new subgenre.

Dagen Mcallan runs away from home to confront her grandparents, after finding out that her biological mother was not the amazing woman she was led to believe. On her return trip, she has a car crash and ends up meeting Hendrix Dare. What follows is a tumultuous journey of love and its healing powers.

Dagen has been through a lot. Between losing her biological mother and dealing with a new love, we see her maturing and dealing with grown up problems. She has lived a sheltered life, both financially and emotionally. The author has shown us how a young adult deals with big problems and she did so amazingly. Family is important and present throughout the story. She always has a support system back home, with understanding and loving parents. Her family is ideal.

Another major element in the book is how foster care shapes one’s future. Hendrix and his two best friends are the lucky cases. They found each other and crated a bond stronger than blood. The difficulties they faced in the system pushed them to want more for themselves.

The last plot twist is also a sensitive subject that can ruin or make our couple stronger. Can’t tell you more, but when you think it’s finished, nope. It’s not.

I run my tattooed knuckles across her pink cheeks. “What are you doing to me Dagen McCallan?” “Showing you what love feels like, Hendrix Dare.”

The FMC is the protected little lady. In her very early twenties, she starts dealing with life’s important steps. While I appreciated she was never alone when facing challenges, I would have liked seeing her deal with some things on her own. Someone is always there, be that her family, Hendrix or her new best friend Kinsley. Somehow, she never left the cocoon, even after being through so much.

Hendrix, at 29, he’s independent. Not having a loving family, he created one with his best friends, as soon as the law gave them permission. All he has now was earned. He has worked for everything in his life. He is strong, rough on the edges and dedicated to the important people in his life.

Malik and Dante are also great characters. With personalities that set them apart quickly, they complement the story in a beautiful way. While one brother is understanding, the other sees a threat in Dagen. Both reactions are natural, which makes the characters feel real.

“The black rose has many meanings, all that I think really apply. Mourning. Strength and resilience. New Beginnings. And the most important of all, eternal love. We’re going to have it all and more. I promise.”

This was a lengthy book. Did we really need this much? Yes and no. Some scenes felt unnecessary and others were moved along too fast. I would have wanted a stronger starting point, or I may not have related to it that well, in all honesty. It was not as important of an event from my perspective and I appreciated that the author didn’t make a big case out of it.

Hendrix is too often very cold and immediately becomes sweet and caring; I would have wanted the author to insist more on how he met the brothers or even on some of his thoughts. The constant mention of her other relatives may have burdened the narrative. While it’s great to see links with the other series, it was a bit too much.

Probably my favorite thing from wiring perspective is the author’s ability to change voices. Little Dagen felt real and that scene from the beginning was authentic and pure. Every character (main or otherwise) was distinct and with their unique personality.

The KU version has some small typos in the beginning, but nothing that we cannot move past.

I dare you to love me forever, little mouse.

This is a complete book, with a lot of elements, a lot of trials for the couple. From unexpected love, long distance, facing the family and the twist in the end, the story takes our main characters through so much. I do question if the dark romance elements were needed. To me, it makes some scenes weird. But if you’re a reader that wants to try out dark romance, there are sections in the story that will give you a taste.

Cover Review: I like the cover and no, it’s not (only) because of the nice gentleman. He does resemble Hendrix’s description, with tattooed fingers and women on his neck. The leather jacket is very suitable also.  The purple is fitting for the word “Dare” and the white brings that delicate touch. I love stamp detail. I like it.

All in all, “Dare You to Run” captured the raw essence of love, loss and redemption. Ryan Marie masterfully creates a story that resonates with readers, highlighting the bittersweet realities of life’s unexpected turns.

Let me know in the comments if you have read any of Ryan Marie’s books. If you did, which one was your favorite? If you did not, give this one a shot.

Until next time, read a lot!