REVIEW: Dare to Love by Carly Phillips

In Dare to Love by Carly Phillips, Ian Dare is a man who lets his head, not his heart, rule his life. He may seem controlling to some–well, everyone–but he loves his family with his entire being and will stop at nothing to protect them. Ian decides to live life his own way, not full of lies like his father did, even if that means he never puts his heart out there for a woman. But then he spots curvy Riley Taylor on the arm of his half-brother Alex and he knows he’s in trouble.

‘Something about this woman called to his deepest protective instincts. For all her bravado and independence, there was an innocence inside her that provided a counterbalance to his more jaded personality.’

Riley Taylor promised herself she would steer clear of pushy, controlling men after what she dealt with growing up. Why, then, when she meets Ian Dare, half-brother of her best friend Alex, does she find herself falling for his dominance? Especially in the bedroom. He breaks nearly every boundary Riley has set for herself yet somehow she finds herself changing for Ian and, more surprisingly, craving the bond growing between them.

‘She’d sworn she’d never be tha* woman, the one who needed a man so desperately she’d accept anything and everything he dished out.’

Dare to Love is the first book in a new hot and steamy contemporary romance series by Carly Phillips, which she self-published. After reading about Ian and Riley, I think her fans will be uber excited with the result!

“I expect you to give yourself over to me completely in bed. To do as I say without hesitation or question.” He raised her hand and pressed a hot, open-mouthed kiss to her palm. “I promise you won’t be disappointed.”

I fell instantly for the plotline and our protagonists as well. To me, this was sexy and intense without being considered smutty or too over the top. It definitely had erotic moments centering on dominance, but still wasn’t quite BDSM. (Although there may be a really hot scene with a silk tie…just sayin’) Instead, there was a lot of emotion behind the passion they shared.

The chemistry between Riley and Ian was absolutely combustible. I thought they had such an interesting dynamic with Ian’s dominant ways and Riley herself being Miss Independent. Obviously there were times where they clashed, but when it worked, it worked oh so well! *fans face*

Alex was a point of contention between the two of them also. Ian didn’t want to have anything to do with him but was willing to try thanks to Riley.

And here’s a heads up: look for Alex’s story next in Dare to Desire due out in Spring 2014. I really enjoyed the secondary characters, especially Ian’s siblings and his mom. The females in his family sure know about his control issues and they make sure to keep him in line. So funny–it felt like a real family dynamic.

I highly recommend Dare to Love if you like your romances HOT but with a lot of personal and emotional growth. Carly Phillips has a fabulous start to her new series here!

Book Info:

 HJ Top Pick

Publication: November 18th 2013 by Carly Phillips | Series: Dare to Love

New York Times Bestselling Author Carly Phillips turns up the heat in her newest sexy contemporary romance series, and introduces you to the Dare family… siblings shaped by a father’s secrets and betrayal.

Since finding out his father had another family on the side, Ian Dare swore to be the upstanding, responsible man his cheating parent had never been. When it comes to his relatives, he gives his all but in relationships he offers the bare minimum. But one glimpse of sensual Riley Taylor arouses his dominant and protective instincts and Ian is entranced. He will do anything to possess her … and does. But any future with Riley must include him extending an olive branch to the half-brother who is a constant reminder of the pain he’d rather forget.

Independent and always in control, Riley Taylor makes no apologies for choosing men carefully. Relationships have never been a priority and she believes herself hardened to domineering men – until she meets charismatic Ian Dare. He manages to turn a simple kiss into an all out assault on her senses and when he takes control in the bedroom, she’s stunned to discover she likes it. As their affair heats up, they soon realize they complete each other in ways neither imagined. But Riley’s past is closer than she cares to remember, and her struggles with Ian’s dominance might just cost her everything.