Kelly Washington

When I was searching for my next read, Dare You to Love Me by Kelly Washington caught my eye with its intriguing mix of tropes: stepbrother, enemies-to-lovers, and billionaire romance. The title itself felt like a dare I couldn't resist, and I'm glad I took the challenge because Kelly Washington delivered a story that was absolutely worth it.

The book introduces us to Matthias, the "Prince of Malibu," and Ciaran, a boy from Las Vegas with dreams of becoming a writer. Their worlds collide when show more their parents marry, and they are suddenly thrown together. While the "stepbrother" angle is technically accurate, it never felt icky; instead, it added a layer of forced proximity that made their dynamic all the more interesting. The chemistry between Matthias and Ciaran is undeniable—what starts as irritation quickly evolves into something deeper, though neither wants to admit it at first.

One of the standout aspects of this book is how both characters, despite their different backgrounds, are portrayed as equals. Ciaran, though new to the billionaire lifestyle, handles himself with confidence and dignity, showing that he belongs in this world just as much as Matthias does. His determination to support his mother and his cinnamon-roll personality make him an easy character to root for.

The billionaire trope is also handled with a mix of entitlement, snobbishness, and vulnerability—especially as Matthias grapples with being blackmailed by his swimming coach. This subplot adds a layer of suspense and highlights the book’s theme of healing from abuse (To account: Ciaran also was abused).

I also appreciated the inclusion of Matthias' best friends, who played significant roles in the story. Their presence added a wholesome element of love and support, which is often missing in romance novels.

The pacing was perfect, the world-building immersive, and the writing style was engaging. I found myself completely invested in the characters and their journey. This book is a great example of how billionaire romance can be done right—by showing not just the glamour, but also the complexities and vulnerabilities of the characters involved. I’m eager to read more from Kelly Washington, as this story was wholesome, emotionally satisfying, and entirely worth the read. show less

Oh, okay.. wow :'D Umm.. I LIKED IT! It was very different from the romancy stuff I've been reading, which is just what I needed.
The blurb is reeeaaally convincing, which is great.

I bought the first part on amazon for FREE (I don't know if it still is), and then cam the rest of it.

The first part is more about the lust/love, the second is about the conspiracy, and the third is a mix of the two. But all three part is a whole story, it's just been divided into three parts.

There's the show more military, government conspiracy, lust/love... and then there's NEBRASKA. LoL :D

So all in all it's a funny, silly story (totally fiction) with all the above, the writing is good, and I enjoyed it, I wouldn't have minded a little bit more intimacy though. show less

A very different story. All of the characters are likable and well thought out. I like how we see both main character's view points. The switch made it a very interesting story. However, at times, it was also a bit confusing trying to keep track. Great supporting characters. I would like to know more about Alec and Stacey's stories.

**ARC received in exchange for an honest review.**

Too short, too many potential scenarios of the human condition. A beginning to a story, maybe a middle but definitely no ending.