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Don't You Dare
When Hannah and Scarlett meet Thomas in college—the chemistry is instantaneous. They grow closer while playing the Daring Game, where each dare is riskier than the last. As the trio grows closer and jealousy develops, Scarlett dares Thomas one final time—a dare that ends in tragedy. When Thomas gets expelled from school and leaves without a trace, it seems like the Daring Game has finally ended.
Sixteen years later, Hannah is unhappy in marriage and in life. That is, of course, until she gets a mysterious email about the Daring Game from none other than Thomas himself. With Scarlett out of the picture, the sparks begin fly between them once more. When Hannah and Thomas are called back to the place where they first played the game, they are welcomed by a single dare—“to tell the truth.”
Someone else is playing the game and knows about their affair, going as far as leaving a cryptic message in Hannah’s house: Don’t You Dare. Hannah’s list of suspects is long: Could it be her noisy neighbor, Libby, who has a few secrets of her own? Or did her husband plan this as revenge for the torrid affair? Is Scarlett back and ready to play again?
The truth may set Hannah free—but only if she dares to risk everything she knows and loves.
Sixteen years later, Hannah is unhappy in marriage and in life. That is, of course, until she gets a mysterious email about the Daring Game from none other than Thomas himself. With Scarlett out of the picture, the sparks begin fly between them once more. When Hannah and Thomas are called back to the place where they first played the game, they are welcomed by a single dare—“to tell the truth.”
Someone else is playing the game and knows about their affair, going as far as leaving a cryptic message in Hannah’s house: Don’t You Dare. Hannah’s list of suspects is long: Could it be her noisy neighbor, Libby, who has a few secrets of her own? Or did her husband plan this as revenge for the torrid affair? Is Scarlett back and ready to play again?
The truth may set Hannah free—but only if she dares to risk everything she knows and loves.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published May 16, 2023
About the author
Jessica Hamilton
2 books182 followersJessica Hamilton was born in Australia but grew up in Canada. She has lived and worked in the Czech Republic, Taiwan, India and Japan. She studied writing at the Humber School for Writers as well as George Brown College. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, son, and daughter. Her debut novel is titled What You Never Knew, her second novel titled, Don’t You Dare, are both thrillers and published by Crooked Lane Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 350 reviews
July 7, 2023
Sometimes daring game can get out of control and ruin the lives of innocent people forever by making them pay more than they can ever imagine!
Well, I loved this book! This is unputdownable, addictive, extremely hot, heart throbbing psychological thriller meets erotic romance! There are lots of saucy love making scenes (including threesomes) The angsty love story hooks you up ! Betrayal, obsession, web of lies, tragedies blended into the mystery adroitly.
Especially unfinished love story between Thomas and Hannah a.k.a Henry ( named from nervous chicken character from a book) was heart wrenching! It truly affected me more than last Colho novel I’ve recently read!
The mystery kept me on my toes and twists were well developed. My only hesitation was the ending. In my opinion, one of the characters didn’t get what he/ she deserved! It wasn’t fair! And that pissed me off! ( when you read, you’ll understand what I mean)
But overall: this was tempting, moving, surprising page turner I highly enjoyed.
Here’s a quick recap of the plot;
Hannah: at the age of 36, with two daughters, a whining husband who is watching her every move like a hawk, trapped in a unhappy marriage as stay at home mom after a tragedy took her last piece of hope she kept!
She locked herself in her home, hiding behind the fictional worlds of the books, drinking a lot, stalking her influencer college friend Scarlett who is traveling around the world and sharing her polished posts.
One day she finds a letter at the post box. Thankfully it is not from Netflix’s Watcher character, it’s from Thomas: her first love, her college sweetheart, her life source! He dares to meet her at the same place they played games when they were college. She has no idea that meeting with him will open up the can of worms from her secret past and she finds herself in a relationship with her ex lover.
As both of them start getting threatening messages, they realize somebody is watching them and the same person knows their secret past and their new relationship! But who and why? How far that person can go?
Hannah has no idea who she can trust. After 16 years, Thomas’ sudden comeback shook to the core and the consequences of tragic daring game they’ve played in the past force them confront the real truth: what had really happened 16 years ago? There’s so much at the stake. She can lose her little girls, her peaceful life! She has to face with her past to save her future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions .
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Well, I loved this book! This is unputdownable, addictive, extremely hot, heart throbbing psychological thriller meets erotic romance! There are lots of saucy love making scenes (including threesomes) The angsty love story hooks you up ! Betrayal, obsession, web of lies, tragedies blended into the mystery adroitly.
Especially unfinished love story between Thomas and Hannah a.k.a Henry ( named from nervous chicken character from a book) was heart wrenching! It truly affected me more than last Colho novel I’ve recently read!
The mystery kept me on my toes and twists were well developed. My only hesitation was the ending. In my opinion, one of the characters didn’t get what he/ she deserved! It wasn’t fair! And that pissed me off! ( when you read, you’ll understand what I mean)
But overall: this was tempting, moving, surprising page turner I highly enjoyed.
Here’s a quick recap of the plot;
Hannah: at the age of 36, with two daughters, a whining husband who is watching her every move like a hawk, trapped in a unhappy marriage as stay at home mom after a tragedy took her last piece of hope she kept!
She locked herself in her home, hiding behind the fictional worlds of the books, drinking a lot, stalking her influencer college friend Scarlett who is traveling around the world and sharing her polished posts.
One day she finds a letter at the post box. Thankfully it is not from Netflix’s Watcher character, it’s from Thomas: her first love, her college sweetheart, her life source! He dares to meet her at the same place they played games when they were college. She has no idea that meeting with him will open up the can of worms from her secret past and she finds herself in a relationship with her ex lover.
As both of them start getting threatening messages, they realize somebody is watching them and the same person knows their secret past and their new relationship! But who and why? How far that person can go?
Hannah has no idea who she can trust. After 16 years, Thomas’ sudden comeback shook to the core and the consequences of tragic daring game they’ve played in the past force them confront the real truth: what had really happened 16 years ago? There’s so much at the stake. She can lose her little girls, her peaceful life! She has to face with her past to save her future!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions .
medium.com
May 16, 2023
Good pacing and is entertaining!
I never felt bored listening to this audiobook, narrated by the wonderful Hillary Huber.
Don't You Dare follows three college friends through flashbacks and in the present 16 years later. Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas.
Hannah is in a rocky marriage when she receives the Daring Game mail from an old friend. Looks like her stale family life just got a little more interesting!
I can't say I like Hannah. That's probably my biggest problem. No wait, I can't root for any of the three at all! Friends who are flawed with very few redeeming qualities.
Although I sympathized with Hannah's life issues, she did not handle it well considering she has children. The plot surrounding these three friends playing the game at their age is a bit unrealistic but I have to look over that part since it's fiction and obviously the theme of the book.
If you're in the mood for a STEAMY psychological thriller that's easy to listen to then you might enjoy Don't You Dare.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my ALC.
Out TODAY! May 16, 2023.
I never felt bored listening to this audiobook, narrated by the wonderful Hillary Huber.
Don't You Dare follows three college friends through flashbacks and in the present 16 years later. Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas.
Hannah is in a rocky marriage when she receives the Daring Game mail from an old friend. Looks like her stale family life just got a little more interesting!
I can't say I like Hannah. That's probably my biggest problem. No wait, I can't root for any of the three at all! Friends who are flawed with very few redeeming qualities.
Although I sympathized with Hannah's life issues, she did not handle it well considering she has children. The plot surrounding these three friends playing the game at their age is a bit unrealistic but I have to look over that part since it's fiction and obviously the theme of the book.
If you're in the mood for a STEAMY psychological thriller that's easy to listen to then you might enjoy Don't You Dare.
Thank you Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for my ALC.
Out TODAY! May 16, 2023.
April 27, 2023
3.5🌟
Sure, it’s all fun and games….until it turns deadly!
Hannah and Scarlett were best of friends when Thomas attached himself to the duo. Quickly the three became inseparable. Their favorite pastime was playing their daring game. After one dare too many, Thomas is expelled from school, breaking up the trio.
Now years later Hannah and Scarlett have moved on in their lives. When out of nowhere, Hannah receives a message from none other than Thomas….it’s game time! But this time someone is playing them!
This was just an ok read for me. I found the game itself to be a bit juvenile, giving the book a rather YA feel. Not my cuppa!
I was hoping for something a bit darker and more sinister rather than childish games and 🤷🏻♀️
There are many positive reviews for this book so perhaps it’s just a case of “it’s just me”.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.
Sure, it’s all fun and games….until it turns deadly!
Hannah and Scarlett were best of friends when Thomas attached himself to the duo. Quickly the three became inseparable. Their favorite pastime was playing their daring game. After one dare too many, Thomas is expelled from school, breaking up the trio.
Now years later Hannah and Scarlett have moved on in their lives. When out of nowhere, Hannah receives a message from none other than Thomas….it’s game time! But this time someone is playing them!
This was just an ok read for me. I found the game itself to be a bit juvenile, giving the book a rather YA feel. Not my cuppa!
I was hoping for something a bit darker and more sinister rather than childish games and 🤷🏻♀️
There are many positive reviews for this book so perhaps it’s just a case of “it’s just me”.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books.
June 3, 2023
Hannah is unhappily married with two daughters, doing her best just to make it through every day. So when her friend Thomas from college unexpectedly reaches out with the suggestion to restart their Daring Game, she feels like things may be looking up. But their game always involved their third friend Scarlett in the past. Now that it’s just Thomas and Hannah, things begin to get heated. Walking a fine line, Hannah begins to realize that it’s not as easy as she thought to leave the past behind, and that the past may bring dangerous consequences for her future.
This was a solid mystery that was told with dual timelines – the first followed Hannah’s college years when the Daring Game first existed, the second followed her current life (2018). I enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was relatively straightforward but also included great descriptions that added much to the setting and feel of the read. I did want a bit more from the game, though – it was pretty tame and I’d been hoping for some more suspense or tension from it, especially in the modern timeline. It gave the book a more YA feel than I’d been expecting.
I did also enjoy the characters overall. Hannah was definitely flawed but still easy to understand and was written well. I enjoyed that the author [mostly] stayed away from plot-induced stupidity as well. Not to say that the characters didn’t do stupid things, but when they did, it was reasonable based on their personalities/circumstances rather than simply used to make the plot work.
That ending just didn’t quite do it for me though. I was hoping for a bit more punch or emotion or…something from it. I’m not entirely sure what it was lacking, but it was a bit mediocre. However, this was a somewhat spicy mystery/suspense that I did enjoy overall. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was a solid mystery that was told with dual timelines – the first followed Hannah’s college years when the Daring Game first existed, the second followed her current life (2018). I enjoyed the author’s writing style. It was relatively straightforward but also included great descriptions that added much to the setting and feel of the read. I did want a bit more from the game, though – it was pretty tame and I’d been hoping for some more suspense or tension from it, especially in the modern timeline. It gave the book a more YA feel than I’d been expecting.
I did also enjoy the characters overall. Hannah was definitely flawed but still easy to understand and was written well. I enjoyed that the author [mostly] stayed away from plot-induced stupidity as well. Not to say that the characters didn’t do stupid things, but when they did, it was reasonable based on their personalities/circumstances rather than simply used to make the plot work.
That ending just didn’t quite do it for me though. I was hoping for a bit more punch or emotion or…something from it. I’m not entirely sure what it was lacking, but it was a bit mediocre. However, this was a somewhat spicy mystery/suspense that I did enjoy overall. My thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.
January 7, 2023
Holy cow. I just finished this, and I can’t believe all the feelings this book has! The started as a sexy psychological thriller, and ended almost as a darkly romantic horror story. There was mystery, suspense, twists, thrills - what a ride of a book!
Hannah, Scarlett and Thomas were best friends back in school, and this is the “past” part of this past/present book. They had what we would now call a throuple, but eventually that turned into a couple as Hannah and Thomas ended up spending more time alone. After a fateful night, the three friends split, and eventually Scarlett moved to Australia while Hannah got married and had two kids.
This group’s friendship is not only different because of the sexual experimentation, but because they were in a long-standing game involving dares. Not “truth or dare” dares - these are actually pretty crazy/scary dares, and if they weren’t done, the punishment would be severe. Nobody had heard from Thomas in years, but one day, Hannah anonymously receives a dare. She knows only two people who would know this game exists, and she used to be in love with one of them. Does she get involved? (Of course she does, or we wouldn’t have this great story!)
This book was totally twisted, very dark, and utterly delightful. Hannah was the main character, and despite of (or because of) her faults, she’s very compelling. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what was both a sinfully trashy and very thoughtful book. 4.5, rounded up because I couldn’t easily put it down!
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Jessica Hamilton, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published May 16, 2023.)
Hannah, Scarlett and Thomas were best friends back in school, and this is the “past” part of this past/present book. They had what we would now call a throuple, but eventually that turned into a couple as Hannah and Thomas ended up spending more time alone. After a fateful night, the three friends split, and eventually Scarlett moved to Australia while Hannah got married and had two kids.
This group’s friendship is not only different because of the sexual experimentation, but because they were in a long-standing game involving dares. Not “truth or dare” dares - these are actually pretty crazy/scary dares, and if they weren’t done, the punishment would be severe. Nobody had heard from Thomas in years, but one day, Hannah anonymously receives a dare. She knows only two people who would know this game exists, and she used to be in love with one of them. Does she get involved? (Of course she does, or we wouldn’t have this great story!)
This book was totally twisted, very dark, and utterly delightful. Hannah was the main character, and despite of (or because of) her faults, she’s very compelling. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book, but I was pleasantly surprised by what was both a sinfully trashy and very thoughtful book. 4.5, rounded up because I couldn’t easily put it down!
(Thank you to Crooked Lane Books, Jessica Hamilton, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published May 16, 2023.)
May 17, 2023
Thank you to the author Jessica Hamilton, publishers Dreamscape Media, and as always NetGalley, for an advance audio copy of DON'T YOU DARE.
Hannah is married and has two daughters, lives a calm but boring life that doesn't get more exciting than a second bottle of wine after dinner or a stern reprimand from her controlling husband. But life wasn't always this exciting for Hannah. In college, she had the wild Violet, her life-long friend, and the painfully sexy Thomas, and the three of them had a little game they played. The Daring Game. Everyone played, and no one ever backed down -- until two of them caused jealousy in the third and threatened the integrity of the whole group, the attraction of the game, and the safety of people's lives. Now... Thomas is back. And he still wants to play with Hannah. What integrity will they threaten together this time? Or whose?
I'm not typically a fan of dual timelines, but for this story, it works very well. I don't know if it could have been done any differently. Part of the tension comes from seeing this friend group's dynamic in two different times -- who was the powerful one and why? As the characters change and the story progresses, everything fits together perfectly.
I never knew what was coming, and it was fast-paced, and the sex was so sexy, dirty, forbidden, complicated. This book is so messed up! I love that it moves in a hundred different directions at once.
Happy PUB DAY🥳 May 16 2023!
Rating 💋💋💋💋.5 / 5 dares in the book
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: May 2 2023
Format: Audiobook, advanced audio, NetGalley
Read this if you like:
🏘 Domestic thrillers
🔭 Spying neighbors
🥷 Strangers lurking in the dark
🩶 Morally gray characters
Hannah is married and has two daughters, lives a calm but boring life that doesn't get more exciting than a second bottle of wine after dinner or a stern reprimand from her controlling husband. But life wasn't always this exciting for Hannah. In college, she had the wild Violet, her life-long friend, and the painfully sexy Thomas, and the three of them had a little game they played. The Daring Game. Everyone played, and no one ever backed down -- until two of them caused jealousy in the third and threatened the integrity of the whole group, the attraction of the game, and the safety of people's lives. Now... Thomas is back. And he still wants to play with Hannah. What integrity will they threaten together this time? Or whose?
I'm not typically a fan of dual timelines, but for this story, it works very well. I don't know if it could have been done any differently. Part of the tension comes from seeing this friend group's dynamic in two different times -- who was the powerful one and why? As the characters change and the story progresses, everything fits together perfectly.
I never knew what was coming, and it was fast-paced, and the sex was so sexy, dirty, forbidden, complicated. This book is so messed up! I love that it moves in a hundred different directions at once.
Happy PUB DAY🥳 May 16 2023!
Rating 💋💋💋💋.5 / 5 dares in the book
Recommend? Yes!
Finished: May 2 2023
Format: Audiobook, advanced audio, NetGalley
Read this if you like:
🏘 Domestic thrillers
🔭 Spying neighbors
🥷 Strangers lurking in the dark
🩶 Morally gray characters
May 22, 2023
Blurb.
Don't You Dare follows Hannah, a stay-at-home unhappy mother with an unconventional past. Her friends Scarlett and Thomas used to play the Daring Game, a game where each dare is riskier than the last.
A game that ended up in a tragedy and the trio moved on in their lives. But sixteen years later, Thomas is back with the Daring Game. With Scarlett out of the picture, the sparks begin to fly between them once more. But someone else knows about their affair.
Using their game against them, they are taking away Hannah's newfound happiness. Who could it be? The list of suspects is long. Will Hannah dare to find out the truth and risk everything she loves?
My Thoughts.
This book started on a very intense and mysterious note. The first half had me hooked on the chemistry between Hannah and Thomas, and the mysterious plot😍
I loved the way there was confusion as to who else knows about the game.. the mystery of it all. Moreover, I was very interested in where the plot would go and the chaos all around was captivating.
The hot romance, the uninterested husband, the jealous best friend, the nosy neighbours and the creepiness of someone lurking around, who knows all your secrets. This book was everything a mystery calls for and I was enjoying it more than I anticipated.
But as the second half came, the plot lost that mysterious vibes and it became very predictable. The twists didn't seem that shocking as I knew what was happening long before they came.
Plus, everybody needed help in this book because there was not a single sane character in my opinion. And the ending was a letdown, it could've been different..🧐
Conclusion.
Overall, I would say that enjoyed this book. If the second half was not that predictable, this would have been an incredible read coz the first half had me hooked and I just couldn't put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
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Don't You Dare follows Hannah, a stay-at-home unhappy mother with an unconventional past. Her friends Scarlett and Thomas used to play the Daring Game, a game where each dare is riskier than the last.
A game that ended up in a tragedy and the trio moved on in their lives. But sixteen years later, Thomas is back with the Daring Game. With Scarlett out of the picture, the sparks begin to fly between them once more. But someone else knows about their affair.
Using their game against them, they are taking away Hannah's newfound happiness. Who could it be? The list of suspects is long. Will Hannah dare to find out the truth and risk everything she loves?
My Thoughts.
This book started on a very intense and mysterious note. The first half had me hooked on the chemistry between Hannah and Thomas, and the mysterious plot😍
I loved the way there was confusion as to who else knows about the game.. the mystery of it all. Moreover, I was very interested in where the plot would go and the chaos all around was captivating.
The hot romance, the uninterested husband, the jealous best friend, the nosy neighbours and the creepiness of someone lurking around, who knows all your secrets. This book was everything a mystery calls for and I was enjoying it more than I anticipated.
But as the second half came, the plot lost that mysterious vibes and it became very predictable. The twists didn't seem that shocking as I knew what was happening long before they came.
Plus, everybody needed help in this book because there was not a single sane character in my opinion. And the ending was a letdown, it could've been different..🧐
Conclusion.
Overall, I would say that enjoyed this book. If the second half was not that predictable, this would have been an incredible read coz the first half had me hooked and I just couldn't put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the e-copy in exchange for my honest review.
Follow For More: Blog • Bookstagram • Goodreads
April 14, 2023
Sorry this book is not for me. Way too much sex for a thriller. The characters are so unlikeable and I am kinda over the woman being the pass out drunk character. Just not something that I am enjoying but I see plenty of others who have.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
October 16, 2022Deadly games?
Dual timeline?
College friends?
Messy relationships?
Suspicious hot guy?
OH MY GOD I NEED THIS BOOK
Dual timeline?
College friends?
Messy relationships?
Suspicious hot guy?
OH MY GOD I NEED THIS BOOK
December 6, 2022
Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas all went to college together. They played the game "Truth or Dare" and had certain rules they had to abide to in order to play. Hannah was always in love with Thomas, but Scarlett was always in the way. When a terrible prank happens at the college that involves Thomas, he is suspended. Hannah moves on and marries Evan and they have two daughters together. It's now, sixteen year later and Thomas sends a note to Hannah to play "Truth or Dare" again. She jumps at the chance since she is unhappy in her current marriage and Scarlett is no longer in the picture. When Hannah gets a mysterious text message and someone breaks into her home, she thinks someone knows about her affair with Thomas. Who is it? Is someone else playing the game with them?
DON'T YOU DARE was a fast-paced thriller! This book really blew me away!! I loved the past and present timelines, even though I enjoyed the present timeline more. The story kept my attention for the day and I could not put it down. Be prepared for some steamy love scenes! All the stars for DON"T YOU DARE! I can't wait for Jessica Hamilton's next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
DON'T YOU DARE was a fast-paced thriller! This book really blew me away!! I loved the past and present timelines, even though I enjoyed the present timeline more. The story kept my attention for the day and I could not put it down. Be prepared for some steamy love scenes! All the stars for DON"T YOU DARE! I can't wait for Jessica Hamilton's next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
April 29, 2023
Jessica Hamilton’s steamy thriller DON’T YOU DARE has been on my TBR forever and I’m so excited to be reading it on the last stop of my vacation—Venice! This book is unique in a sense that it intertwines sex more prominently than the typical mystery/thriller, so I knew it would be a fun vacation read! 😝
The story involves three friends—Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas—a trio in college that basically acted as a throuple, with Thomas and Hannah being more romantically interested in each other. The group created a game called the Daring Game that led to tragedy and the demise of this group. Fast forward years later, Hannah is married with two children and “Facebook friends” with Scarlett, but lost touch with Thomas. That is, until he returns to see her again and pick up where he and Hannah left off. This time however, the stakes are much higher.
This book was steamy and a lot of fun, but at times, I did roll my eyes with the level of coincidences and “matter-of-fact” plot changes this story took. It’s definitely a popcorn thriller and a fun beach read, but you need to suspense reality. Too many “convenient” changes in the story happened and it became more unbelievable for me as the story went on. However, I was totally immersed and escaped in such a way that it was the perfect ending read for my vacation. I’ll be curious to see what the author delivers to readers next.
The story involves three friends—Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas—a trio in college that basically acted as a throuple, with Thomas and Hannah being more romantically interested in each other. The group created a game called the Daring Game that led to tragedy and the demise of this group. Fast forward years later, Hannah is married with two children and “Facebook friends” with Scarlett, but lost touch with Thomas. That is, until he returns to see her again and pick up where he and Hannah left off. This time however, the stakes are much higher.
This book was steamy and a lot of fun, but at times, I did roll my eyes with the level of coincidences and “matter-of-fact” plot changes this story took. It’s definitely a popcorn thriller and a fun beach read, but you need to suspense reality. Too many “convenient” changes in the story happened and it became more unbelievable for me as the story went on. However, I was totally immersed and escaped in such a way that it was the perfect ending read for my vacation. I’ll be curious to see what the author delivers to readers next.
December 5, 2022
I literally read this book through the night until it started getting light outside because I just kept wanting one more chapter- what a fun ride! The story centers on Hannah, who reconnects with her college boyfriend Thomas 15ish years later while she is in an unhappy marriage. Turns out that she, her bff, and Thomas had an interesting history that was tied to a “dare” game where the stakes kept getting higher. The story is told from Hannah’s POV but does go back and forth between current time and her college years.
I felt for Hannah throughout the book even though she made some terrible decisions. I thought Thomas was a selfish baby but we have all done dumb things for the sake of love. When it becomes clear that someone knows their secrets, I went back and forth many times as to who the culprit was. I thought I had it all figured out but then was wrong, and I appreciated the twists. I do wish there had been a few more bread crumbs laid when the truth was finally revealed, though. It all get wrapped up pretty quickly, which I usually don’t love, but I felt like it worked with the ideal pacing of the book. There was a good deal of sex in this book as an FYI if that bothers you- I thought the sex scenes were well done and added to the overall intensity of the storyline.
I literally could not put this book down and would definitely recommend for those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I felt for Hannah throughout the book even though she made some terrible decisions. I thought Thomas was a selfish baby but we have all done dumb things for the sake of love. When it becomes clear that someone knows their secrets, I went back and forth many times as to who the culprit was. I thought I had it all figured out but then was wrong, and I appreciated the twists. I do wish there had been a few more bread crumbs laid when the truth was finally revealed, though. It all get wrapped up pretty quickly, which I usually don’t love, but I felt like it worked with the ideal pacing of the book. There was a good deal of sex in this book as an FYI if that bothers you- I thought the sex scenes were well done and added to the overall intensity of the storyline.
I literally could not put this book down and would definitely recommend for those who enjoy psychological thrillers. Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 18, 2023
Hannah and Scarlett are inseparable best friends and no one can infiltrate their ranks, that is until they arrive at college and meet Thomas. The duo expanded to form a trio, and partying and a series of risky dares filled their days and nights. Now they have disbanded and their reckless days are a thing of the past for Hannah, who now has a husband to love and children to raise. Or are they..? When Thomas arrives back into her life he makes her realise that not all her emotions from the past are as buried as she thought and her mundane existence begins to grate against her, forcing her to reinstate their twisted game of dares, despite what the past has taught her about it.
The book was full of twists and turns, shifting timelines, dares and spice. It made for a truly thrilling read and I was never sure where events would next take us or who could be trusted along the way. Hannah was our central character and her insights to those around us were sometimes rose-tinted, making her unreliable in delivering the truth and keeping it withheld until the author chose to deliver each shocking reveal.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Jessica Hamilton, and the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for this opportunity.
The book was full of twists and turns, shifting timelines, dares and spice. It made for a truly thrilling read and I was never sure where events would next take us or who could be trusted along the way. Hannah was our central character and her insights to those around us were sometimes rose-tinted, making her unreliable in delivering the truth and keeping it withheld until the author chose to deliver each shocking reveal.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, Jessica Hamilton, and the publisher, Dreamscape Media, for this opportunity.
November 22, 2022
Back in college Hannah, Thomas and Scarlett all played The Daring Game, a game that ended in tragedy. Now 16 years later Hannah is unhappily married with two kids. She hears from Thomas and he wants to restart the game. Why, after 16 years Hannah wonders. Trouble quickly arises and secrets and lies are revealed. This was a great book and full of suspense. Hope to read more by this author. Thanks NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC!
February 25, 2023
To say that I was ADDICTED and OBSESSED with this book would be an understatement! I was immediately drawn into the book and could not turn the pages fast enough. This fast-paced thriller was so unique and steamy that I could not put it down. The mystery had me on the edge of my set and my mind was blown on the final plot twist. You will not see it coming!
*****Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Jessica Hamilton, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy as it was provided to me in turn for an honest opinion.
*****Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books, Jessica Hamilton, and NetGalley for the #gifted copy as it was provided to me in turn for an honest opinion.
May 15, 2023
Don't You Dare
by Jessica Hamilton
Pub Date 16 May 2023
Crooked Lane Books
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Rating 4/5
In "Don't You Dare," you're constantly asking yourself questions and trying to figure out who is at fault? There are plenty of plot twists and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes.
It's been 16 years since Hannah has heard from or seen her ex-boyfriend Thomas, until she receives a mysterious letter from him. In the letter, Hannah recalls a dangerous daring game she played with Thomas and her friend Scarlett during their college days. When Thomas returns to town, a spark immediately ignites between him and Hannah, and they decide to renew their daring game. However, an unknown player has joined the game and is ready to reveal secrets. Is there a limit to how much people will sacrifice for friendship?
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this suspenseful novel with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#DontYouDare #JessicaHamilton
#Netgalleyapprovals #Netgalleyapproval @advancedreaderscopy #tbrbooks #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #audiobooks #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
by Jessica Hamilton
Pub Date 16 May 2023
Crooked Lane Books
General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers
Rating 4/5
In "Don't You Dare," you're constantly asking yourself questions and trying to figure out who is at fault? There are plenty of plot twists and red herrings to keep the reader on their toes.
It's been 16 years since Hannah has heard from or seen her ex-boyfriend Thomas, until she receives a mysterious letter from him. In the letter, Hannah recalls a dangerous daring game she played with Thomas and her friend Scarlett during their college days. When Thomas returns to town, a spark immediately ignites between him and Hannah, and they decide to renew their daring game. However, an unknown player has joined the game and is ready to reveal secrets. Is there a limit to how much people will sacrifice for friendship?
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for sharing this suspenseful novel with me. Your kindness is appreciated.
#DontYouDare #JessicaHamilton
#Netgalleyapprovals #Netgalleyapproval @advancedreaderscopy #tbrbooks #tbrpile #bookaddict #bookreviewer #bookishcommunity #audiobooks #bookstagramcommunity #readingcommunity #Books #bookfriends #booksbooksbooks #booksta #bookstagram #newtobookstagram #bookreview #bookreviews #instabookstagram #bookish #bookishielife #newtobookstagram #newtoinsta #newtoinstagra
November 13, 2023
3.5 Stars, rounded up!!
This was my first Hamilton read, but it definitely won't be my last!
This was a juicy as f*%k domestic suspense that was WAY out there! Was it exactly original? Not really....but did it keep me incredibly intrigued throughout and absolutely needing to know who was behind everything?? Why yes, it absolutely did! Although I accurately predicted a good portion of the revelations that came, and even rolled my eyes a few times about how over-the-top and incredibly less than smart some of the protagonist's actions and decisions were, I can't deny I was incredibly entertained from beginning to end!
Despite this having a cast of pretty much exclusively unlikeable characters, that didn't seem to bother me near as much as it normally would, and I greedily turned the pages, eager to discover what the incredibly self-destructive protagonist (Hannah) would do next, and not once did she disappoint!
If you're the type of reader who enjoys a novel with a detestable protagonist who absolutely deserves everything headed her way, then this one's that type of read! If you're also in the mood for a sexy, guilty-pleasure drama, depicting adults behaving like immature children, and daring each other to complete increasingly dangerous deeds with life-changing repercussions, then this may very well be the book for you!
This was my first Hamilton read, but it definitely won't be my last!
This was a juicy as f*%k domestic suspense that was WAY out there! Was it exactly original? Not really....but did it keep me incredibly intrigued throughout and absolutely needing to know who was behind everything?? Why yes, it absolutely did! Although I accurately predicted a good portion of the revelations that came, and even rolled my eyes a few times about how over-the-top and incredibly less than smart some of the protagonist's actions and decisions were, I can't deny I was incredibly entertained from beginning to end!
Despite this having a cast of pretty much exclusively unlikeable characters, that didn't seem to bother me near as much as it normally would, and I greedily turned the pages, eager to discover what the incredibly self-destructive protagonist (Hannah) would do next, and not once did she disappoint!
If you're the type of reader who enjoys a novel with a detestable protagonist who absolutely deserves everything headed her way, then this one's that type of read! If you're also in the mood for a sexy, guilty-pleasure drama, depicting adults behaving like immature children, and daring each other to complete increasingly dangerous deeds with life-changing repercussions, then this may very well be the book for you!
April 26, 2023
Don't You Dare is a fast-paced psychological thriller set around a game of dare between three university friends with challenges that are taken to extremes and eventually the game goes horribly wrong. Sixteen years later, two of the trio reunite but the reverberations from the fateful night that broke them apart continue to impact the friends.
This is an intense and unputdownable read that felt like I was rubbernecking at a horrific accident. You know the feeling. You don't want to look. You know it's going to be disturbing, but you just can't help but be curious. This story, told in two timelines - the university years when Thomas, Scarlett and Hannah first meet and sixteen years later when forces bring them back together, with dire consequences.
The story is filled with unreliable and unlikeable characters and is a compelling and intense page-turner. Unhealthy and questionable relationships abound within an intense story that includes a surprising amount of spicy sex scenes. Filled with nosy neighbours, a creepy lurker and many secrets, readers will question the motives and intentions of this cast of morally questionable characters. And while I guessed the identity of the culprit midway, Hamilton keeps the tension high and kept me madly turning the pages.
This thriller has a Desperate Housewives vibe with its setting, secrets and dysfunctional relationships that will cause readers to question who is telling the truth and have them reading well past their bedtimes.
Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Crooked Lane Books for my advanced copy which was provided in exchange for my honest review.
November 7, 2022
I just spent the past 10 minutes stalking Jessica Hamilton.
Don’t You Dare, is everything I never knew I needed.
I have always been a huge fan of college thrillers. I’m not sure it’s the nostalgia or the unrelenting mean girls that seem to appear within every college experience . Either way, I’m here for it.
This is not your run of the mill thriller. Narrated between past and present we follow along side Hannah (Henny).
Struggling within the walls of her home in a loveless marriage we see Hannah run straight into the arms of her old college flame, Thomas.
Now, here is where I tell you this book gets STEAMY and ohhh so hot . Ugh ok I just sounded like a menopausing cougar.
Anyway, back to the book.
This was a fast paced novel that came together for an explosive plot twist at the very end . I loved the “Then” chapters, that told the story leading up to a tragic event that led an indestructible friendship straight into chaos.
I’m on a roll but I’m not complaining … this is without a doubt a 5 star read and I am so excited to see what Jessica Hamilton comes out with next.
Don’t You Dare, is everything I never knew I needed.
I have always been a huge fan of college thrillers. I’m not sure it’s the nostalgia or the unrelenting mean girls that seem to appear within every college experience . Either way, I’m here for it.
This is not your run of the mill thriller. Narrated between past and present we follow along side Hannah (Henny).
Struggling within the walls of her home in a loveless marriage we see Hannah run straight into the arms of her old college flame, Thomas.
Now, here is where I tell you this book gets STEAMY and ohhh so hot . Ugh ok I just sounded like a menopausing cougar.
Anyway, back to the book.
This was a fast paced novel that came together for an explosive plot twist at the very end . I loved the “Then” chapters, that told the story leading up to a tragic event that led an indestructible friendship straight into chaos.
I’m on a roll but I’m not complaining … this is without a doubt a 5 star read and I am so excited to see what Jessica Hamilton comes out with next.
April 28, 2023
Review to come, but this is a new favorite. LOVE!!!!
May 27, 2023
Hannah and Scarlet were BFFs for years and didn’t make room with other friends, until everything changed in college after meeting Thomas. To make college more interesting they began playing a daring game, with each dare growing increasingly and there relationship evolving more into a triad situation.
Everything was great, until one dare went too far and Thomas wasn’t heard from again. That is until married Hannah finds a Do You Dare in her mailbox, years later from Thomas. However, Thomas might not be the only person who is in on their daring game this time.
A thrilling read with intriguing character dynamics. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced stories with unexpected twists and turns.
Thank you thrillerbooklovers for my gifted copy.
Everything was great, until one dare went too far and Thomas wasn’t heard from again. That is until married Hannah finds a Do You Dare in her mailbox, years later from Thomas. However, Thomas might not be the only person who is in on their daring game this time.
A thrilling read with intriguing character dynamics. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fast-paced stories with unexpected twists and turns.
Thank you thrillerbooklovers for my gifted copy.
January 30, 2023
Gripping, racy, and bone chilling, DON'T YOU DARE is a beautifully written domestic suspense with a brilliant balance of emotion and fear. Jessica Hamilton has created a raw, heart shattering, tense story of lust and revenge in a game that spins out of control. The build-up kept me on tenterhooks and the climax left me reeling. This is a stupendous, sinister book you won't want to miss!
May 8, 2023
ARC audiobook provided in exchange for an honest review.
The narration of this book was thoroughly enjoyable and her voice was so easy to listen to and just get lost in for hours! The story revolves around Hannah, a mid-thirties wife and mother who’s past unexpectedly comes to the present to upend her world. The story was good and the writing was done well, but unfortunately I saw the ending coming well before the twists and revealed. I’m sure many others may not, but I read a lot of books and it was fairly obvious to me. If you’re into mysteries and thrillers, this book may be right up your alley!
The narration of this book was thoroughly enjoyable and her voice was so easy to listen to and just get lost in for hours! The story revolves around Hannah, a mid-thirties wife and mother who’s past unexpectedly comes to the present to upend her world. The story was good and the writing was done well, but unfortunately I saw the ending coming well before the twists and revealed. I’m sure many others may not, but I read a lot of books and it was fairly obvious to me. If you’re into mysteries and thrillers, this book may be right up your alley!
November 25, 2023
4.5/5 🌟 *rounded down
2/5 🌶️
This book was a tiny bit predictable. I figured out who the bad guy a little over half way through the book. However, it was still very good. The ending was a little bit of shock however. Definitely not what I expected. It’s definitely worth the read and still a great story. Every other chapter was the past timeline which shed a lot of light on our main characters backstory and they are where they are now and what they’re doing in the present timeline.
I rounded down for my rating due to the predictable aspect and how the book ended. I just wanted a HEA and only got about a half HEA. In some ways, I guess some would say it is a HEA but I feel it could’ve been better. Yes, I know not all books can have that. There has to be some tragedy too to make the book more realistic.
Libby, is the nosy neighbor and I hate her…with good reason. Read this book to find out why!!
2/5 🌶️
This book was a tiny bit predictable. I figured out who the bad guy a little over half way through the book. However, it was still very good. The ending was a little bit of shock however. Definitely not what I expected. It’s definitely worth the read and still a great story. Every other chapter was the past timeline which shed a lot of light on our main characters backstory and they are where they are now and what they’re doing in the present timeline.
I rounded down for my rating due to the predictable aspect and how the book ended. I just wanted a HEA and only got about a half HEA. In some ways, I guess some would say it is a HEA but I feel it could’ve been better. Yes, I know not all books can have that. There has to be some tragedy too to make the book more realistic.
Libby, is the nosy neighbor and I hate her…with good reason. Read this book to find out why!!
May 15, 2023
It felt as though the three of us had found each other for a reason. We had matching wounds from family dysfunction, tragedy, and being lonely older children. That meant Thomas was able to accomplish something nobody else had before, sliding between me and Scarlett without disrupting the fold, and we let him, naïve to the dangers of a boy nestling in between two girls.
In college, Hannah, Scarlett, and Thomas were inseparable, bonded by "The Daring Game." But after one of their dares went too far and Thomas was expelled, they went their separate ways. Fifteen years later, Hannah is a mother of two, unhappy in her marriage and her life, and drowning her sorrows with wine as she cyber stalks Scarlett's globetrotting adventures on social media. But then Thomas reappears suddenly, drawing her back into The Daring Game and into his orbit, which she never could resist. As Hannah and Thomas grows closer, they don't know that someone is watching them, just waiting to unleash a dare of their own.
Don't You Dare is a book that suffers from a bit of an identity crisis; it's part domestic drama, part psychological-thriller-with-damaged-alcoholic-heroine, and part erotica, and I'm not sure how well all those pieces fit together. The pacing is a bit off, with a "now" and "then" structure that takes a long time to get where it's going, and the ending feels incredibly rushed and leaves some things unresolved.
The characters lack nuance, with some of them (specifically Hannah's husband, Evan) coming across as almost cartoonish in their portrayals. The sex scenes are well written and appropriately steamy -- but there are too many of them for a thriller, and they mostly just end up detracting from the plot. I wish Jessica Hamilton had delved more deeply into Hannah and Scarlett's relationship, rather than spending so much time writing about Thomas delving deeply into...well, you know. Scarlett was by far the most interesting character to me, and I wanted to understand her motivations more. Hannah herself is a frustrating protagonist because she is self-destructive and indecisive, and being in her head was kind of exhausting.
All that said, though, I did find it difficult to put this book down; I was eager to know how everything played out, as improbable as it all was. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the early reading opportunity.
May 17, 2023
I love a book with a dual timeline, even better if said timelines only reveal bits and pieces with each changeover.
Hamilton did this so well! I really enjoyed the slow burn reveal on all the bits and pieces of the past, as well as, how things line up in the present.
The characters are all well developed and they feel real which is so hard to do.
The plot is both realistic and completely fantastical in the sense that this could 100% happen in real life, but it's so weird at the same time.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing more from Jessica Hamilton.
Much love to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
Hamilton did this so well! I really enjoyed the slow burn reveal on all the bits and pieces of the past, as well as, how things line up in the present.
The characters are all well developed and they feel real which is so hard to do.
The plot is both realistic and completely fantastical in the sense that this could 100% happen in real life, but it's so weird at the same time.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to seeing more from Jessica Hamilton.
Much love to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for my DRC.
June 4, 2023
This was a devilishly wicked sexy thriller or steamy thriller as you will! This seems to be emerging more and more as a new popular thriller sub genre and I don’t mind it! I think even sexy suspense works too? Im always a fan of a good domestic suspense story and a side romance and steam can definitely add a new entertaining element to it!
This one alternated between past and present timelines and I relished in the academic bits and also really enjoyed how delightfully dark it was at times! There were a few twists and several red herrings which left you continually guessing where this one was going!
This was also a multilayered plot as Hamilton explored some polarizing topics as Hannah questioned her marriage, being a housewife, motherhood in general and the notion of potentially feeling complacent and unfulfilled in these roles.
I’m certainly curious to see what Hamilton does next!
This one alternated between past and present timelines and I relished in the academic bits and also really enjoyed how delightfully dark it was at times! There were a few twists and several red herrings which left you continually guessing where this one was going!
This was also a multilayered plot as Hamilton explored some polarizing topics as Hannah questioned her marriage, being a housewife, motherhood in general and the notion of potentially feeling complacent and unfulfilled in these roles.
I’m certainly curious to see what Hamilton does next!
November 28, 2023
I'd like to believe that we live in a world where every genre of book is given due respect and appreciated for what it is. Then WHY, in the name of everything beautiful in the library, is a dark-romantic fiction advertised as a thriller?
There was practically NOTHING thrilling about this.
Now, if I am to presume that I read a dark, romantic novel, this is my review:
1. The protagonist is the most despicable character to have ever graced a page, I'd like to date Umbridge in comparison to her.
2. All the characters are single dimensional and pure obnoxious
3. The only good thing about this book was the pace. It didn't lag anywhere and gave the appropriate amount of information.
There was practically NOTHING thrilling about this.
Now, if I am to presume that I read a dark, romantic novel, this is my review:
1. The protagonist is the most despicable character to have ever graced a page, I'd like to date Umbridge in comparison to her.
2. All the characters are single dimensional and pure obnoxious
3. The only good thing about this book was the pace. It didn't lag anywhere and gave the appropriate amount of information.
May 15, 2023
Hannah and Scarlett were best friends when Thomas came into their lives in college. They started The Daring Game, but the dares went a little too far leaving Thomas expelled.
Hannah and Scarlett went their separate ways after college. It's been 16 years since she last saw Thomas. Hannah is married (unhappily) to Evan with two daughters. She's a stay-at-home mother who drinks too much.
Now, Thomas is back. And The Daring Game begins again. Soon, Hannah is caught up with Thomas and in too deep. But who is playing them?
Don't You Dare is a steamy, somewhat suspenseful popcorn thriller. I enjoyed both the past and present timelines. I was distrusting of characters in both the past and present timelines and was wondering who was behind everything. I thought I knew but guessed wrong. That's my kind of story!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Hannah and Scarlett went their separate ways after college. It's been 16 years since she last saw Thomas. Hannah is married (unhappily) to Evan with two daughters. She's a stay-at-home mother who drinks too much.
Now, Thomas is back. And The Daring Game begins again. Soon, Hannah is caught up with Thomas and in too deep. But who is playing them?
Don't You Dare is a steamy, somewhat suspenseful popcorn thriller. I enjoyed both the past and present timelines. I was distrusting of characters in both the past and present timelines and was wondering who was behind everything. I thought I knew but guessed wrong. That's my kind of story!
Thank you to Thriller Book Lovers Promotions and the author for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 17, 2023
4.35 stars There are almost no likeable characters in this story, but I found this to be a fast paced page turner for the most part. This book reminds me of Colleen Hoover’s style (not a fan) with a lot of sex. Endings are hard for most authors, and I have a few issues with this one too. Good story overall. This is the second book I have read by this author. I am looking forward to the third.
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