He’s a smooth talking jock in trouble.
She’s the solution to his problems.
Love is the last thing they expected to find.
Damon Prescott had it all. Star quarterback. Money. Fame. Now? He’s being accused of taking performance enhancing drugs and banned from the sport and team he loves.
Determined to prove he’s innocent, he hires tough as nails private investigator, Evie Wolfe. She’s able to bring a man to his knees with a glare, yet sensual in ways that take him off guard – and she’s everything Damon didn’t know he needed.
Evie’s used to men dismissing her, especially playboys like Damon Prescott so she’s not buying the sexual lines he’s trying to sell. She’s with him to do a job, nothing more. But you know what they say about the best laid plans? Sometimes you end up between the sheets with an arrogant football player anyway.
But when the case is over, can Damon convince Evie she’s the only woman for him or will she leave him tied up in love?
| Title: | Dare to Tempt |
| Author: | Carly Phillips |
| Series: | Dare Nation |
| Pages: | 158 |
| Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Fake Relationship Bodyguard Sports Romance (American Football) |
| Point of View: | Third Person, Past Tense, Dual Viewpoint (H & h) |
| Location: | US |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 4th August, 2020 |
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Carly Phillips at her best
I always enjoy a Carly Phillips novel – you know you’re sure to get great characters, sexy situations and a sigh-worthy love story. And this story definitely ranks highly on my list of favourite stories by her.
This is actually the second book in her new Dare Nation series – after Dare to Resist. I’ve not read that book yet, but the couple from that story have a cameo in this one (Quinn, from the first book is Evie’s best friend and Austin is Damon’s brother) so it definitely makes you want to go back and read their story. There are also some cameos from Phillips’ other Dare novels. But fear not, this is a complete standalone and you will enjoy it whether this is your first Carly Phillips’ novel or your hundredth. As with all Carly Phillips’ novels I have read, this has a guaranteed (and delicious) HEA.
This is the story of Damon, a star American football player who’s going through a spot of bother with a drugs ban hanging over his head – and Evie, the private investigator he hires to get to the bottom of his problems.
Damon is a really swoon-worthy hero. He’s grumpy – my favourite – but he’s also a bit of a sweetheart. I loved the fact that he was a player but only because he’d never met someone that he wanted more with. He fell hard and fast for Evie but because of his lack of experience in relationships (or zero experience!) he tried to ease her into things only to end up in a little bit of a mess. How could anyone resist a 6’4”, burly sportsman who’s grumpy, sweet and adorably clueless? Not me!
Evie was the best kind of no nonsense heroine. She’s tough but not in a way that made me dislike her – and she was still vulnerable, being rightly scared by her stalker and her past experiences. She was reluctant to start something with Damon because she didn’t trust her instincts, but she was honest about her feelings and what she wanted. Him!
“You can’t go wrong with Carly Phillips and this is her at her best. It’s sexy, sweet, captivating and well-written.”
There was also a ‘makeover’ thing going on. Evie is happiest in her jeans, leather jacket and combat boots. But that’s not going to cut it when she agrees to be pro-athlete Damon’s fake girlfriend. So she simply puts on a pretty dress and does her hair and make-up. Sure, she makes Damon swallow his tongue when she dolls herself up – but she doesn’t magically transform into a new, more sexy person. The next day, she’s washed off her make-up, brushed her hair and changed back into her comfy clothes. And she’s still the same person. Happily, Damon likes HER, whether she’s dolled up or dressed down. Finally the realisation that woman have different moods, layers and clothes/footwear for every occasion!
As you would expect from Ms Phillips, the heat level is sizzling. There’s distrust and some animosity at the beginning but even then, you get yourself a giddy feeling anticipating all the sexiness to come. And it certainly does. There’s the heat – but there’s also the connection, and you can really feel the pair bonding and falling in love. Happy sighs as that’s the part that always gets me right in the feels.
As well as the few cameos I mentioned earlier, we get to meet Evie’s brothers. Let me just say that I’m interested. An overprotective cop, a hero firefighter and an EMT. The family could make a sexy calendar and I would buy the shit outta that! I’m hoping they also get their own stories – as part of this series or in the future.
The writing is exemplary, as always. You’re interested and engaged in the characters while the stories of the doping and stalking help to keep the pages turning without overwhelming the reason we’re all here – the love story.
You can’t go wrong with Carly Phillips and this is her at her best. It’s sexy, sweet, captivating and well-written. Just fantastic! Long live the Dares! 5 stars.
Carly Phillips gives her readers Alphalicious heroes to swoon for and romance to set your heart on fire, and she loves everything about writing romance. She married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her three crazy dogs: two wheaten terriers and a mutant Havanese, who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram. She has raised two incredible daughters who put up with having a mom as a romance author. Carly is the author of over fifty romances, and is a NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller. She loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
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Dare Nation Series:
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