ARC Review – Dare to Hold (Dare to Love #6) by Carly Phillips and Carly’s Guilty Pleasures

Win a big box of Cookies and Cream pop tarts and the Fifty Shades Soundtrack!

A love story between two people adamant about not needing love, but realizing that instead of running… it was time to Dare To Hold on to it and made this my favorite book in Carly Phillip’s Dare series. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures 

Carly’s Top 5 Guilty Pleasures

Ooh this is fun. My top 5 guilty pleasures … (at least they aren’t ALL food related, LOL!)

1. Pop Tarts – cookies and cream – and please don’t tell my trainer!

Don’t hate me. For years I had the ability to eat whatever I wanted and not gain weight (okay I was in my teens and twenties, but still, it spoiled me.) It wasn’t until my thirties that I started to realize women gain weight as we get older so with each decade, my “goal” weight went up … but I never denied myself the foods I loved. I also hated exercise. It wasn’t until a year ago that I started to work out with a trainer and stuck with it. Twice a week. I also did a diet that taught me about getting rid of processed foods … and that lasted until I lost some of the weight and then I realized I hated being deprived. So I’m trying to find balance. I wish my husband didn’t keep the PopTarts in the house but he does. So I do. <g>

2. Pizza – unlimited slices – I love traditional plain pizza. There is nothing like NY pizza. Yes, Chicago pizza is delicious. But there’s just something about NY pizza that does the trick! And again, don’t tell my trainer!

3. Fifty Shades of Grey Soundtrack – there. I said it. It plays in my car whenever I’m driving.

Thanks to the awesome folks here at Guilty Pleasures, I was lucky enough to attend the Fifty Shades of Grey premier in NYC. #FiftyShadesFirst and it was an experience I will never ever forget and forever treasure. The stars were there … Jamie Dornan in his beard and Dakota Johnson (Yes, I have a girl crush!) … so the sound track came next and I am so hooked. I’ve seen the movie a total of three times. Shhh!  Don’t tell anyone! Kidding. I told the world on social media already! Oh and my mom is so awesome she bought me the Christian Grey Bear – and not knowing, so did my Plotmonkeys pals. No I am not giving up one of my Christians. Would you? 😉

4. Louis Vuitton Handbags – I love looking at them and occasionally I’ll even splurge. This is the ultimate guilty pleasure … for obvious reasons!

5. Milk Chocolate – I won’t be fussy – MnM’s, Nestle’s Crunch bars, Hershey’s bars, you find me milk chocolate I won’t turn it down!

And for you I’m excited to give away a prize package that includes – A big box of Cookies and Cream pop tarts and the Fifty Shades Soundtrack!

What are your guilty pleasures?  

Leave your guilty pleasures in comments and one lucky commenter will win a big box of Cookies and Cream pop tarts and the Fifty Shades Soundtrack! Winner will be selected 4/17/15 via random.org

Description:
Some women always get it right. Kindergarten teacher, Meg Thompson, on the other hand, consistently makes the wrong decisions — and she is currently single, pregnant and alone. Meg is determined to make changes in her life, to be a better mother than her own had been. No revolving door of men. No man, period. Just a single-minded focus on her baby. Her resolution would be easier to keep if not for hot cop, Scott Dare. He insinuates himself in her life, making Meg want to believe in happily ever after, even if history has taught her to know better.

When Scott Dare hears Meg’s friends are determined she have a night of hot sex, before her life changes forever, he decides that man must be him. Their one night is mind blowing and life altering. And Scott, a man already burned by his ex-wife, finds himself all in anyway. While protecting Meg from her violent ex and becoming part of her increasingly complicated life, he’s falling hard and he can’t seem to find distance. Not when their bodies respond to each other with such heated intensity and he’s drawn to her unique combination of strength and vulnerability.

But Meg’s future is one Scott has accepted he’ll never have, even if his growing feelings say otherwise …
(love story, contemporary romance, alpha heroes, beach reads, sports heroes, bad boys, billionaire)

Dare to Love Series Reading Order
Book 1: Dare to Love (Ian & Riley)
Book 2: Dare to Desire (Alex & Madison)
Book 3: Dare to Surrender (Gabe & Isabelle)
Book 4: Dare to Submit (Decklan & Amanda)
Book 5: Dare to Touch (Olivia & Dylan)
Book 6: Dare to Hold (Scott & Meg) coming in 2015
Book 7: Dare to Rock (Avery & Grey) coming in 2015
*each book can stand alone for your reading enjoyment
Thank you so much and enjoy!

Review copy provided for an honest review

From the start I’ve really enjoyed author Carly Phillips Dare series but as time has gone on I find myself more wrapped up in these books and enjoying them even more and in my opinion Dare To Hold is the best book in this series to date. I love that these two met under less than stellar circumstances in the last book and that the sparks were flying off of them even though Scott Dare was there to do a job and Meg Thompson was trying to figure out how her life had gotten so out of hand but most of all I loved that from the minute they met there was trust and they formed a bond that neither one could forget. Characters I would love to call friend, an interesting story of falling in love despite trying not to and of course nosy friends and siblings all make this one stellar story in the Dare series.

I flat out loved Scott Dare (sorry friends, I call dibs)! There’s something about a man who is so confident, so dominate, so alpha yet there’s an underlying sweetness about him that softens all of his maleness and makes you want to snuggle up good and tight. Sure he’s a tad overbearing and yes he has a tendency to act on other people’s behalf without their input but no one is perfect including Scott. He’s also not without some baggage that he know is an issue but he’s just not sure how to let it go and deal with the fact that over time he’s changed and what he wants out of life had changed as well.

I admire Meg Thompson for getting rid of her ex-boyfriend and baby daddy and not being weak and going along with what he thinks he has a right to demand. I love that she is a teacher and she puts the kids in her class and at her school first even when she knows it will be burden on her. I like that she realized she needed to stand on her own two feet and made changes in her life to do what was best for her and her unborn child but more than that I respect that she accepted the help that was offered because she knew it was the right thing to do for her safety.

These two have crazy chemistry and when Scott drives Meg home after he comes to her rescue at a club they decide on one night to get their attraction out of their system but instead find it hard to forget. A week later they become crazy involved in more than one way and the more time they spend together the more it is obvious they are headed into what could be dangerous territory for both of their hearts. I liked that both Scott and Meg were vulnerable but for different reasons, that over time they shared their pasts, their relationship woes, their family woes, and that while there was no denying they both enjoyed their sexy times there was more to their relationship than either one of them cared to admit. That’s not to say there weren’t some moments when they both did or said things that hurt the other or that they both didn’t have moments when they ran scared but they communicated really well and most of all they respected each other to understand what the other needed.

Sometimes characters just jump off the page at you and that’s exactly how I feel about Scott Dare but I also loved that he found someone to help him find that fairytales do come true. A love story between two people adamant about not needing love, but realizing that instead of running… it was time to Dare To Hold on to it and made this my favorite book in Carly Phillip’s Dare series.

Excerpt:

Some women always managed to get it right. To make the right choices, to pick the right man, to nail this crazy thing called life. Meg Thompson, on the other hand, managed to end up single and pregnant. But she couldn’t regret the baby growing inside her, and from now on, she was determined to get things right.

She pulled on her favorite pair of jeans, tugged them up over her hips, and unsuccessfully attempted to close the button. She grunted and lay down on the bed, pulling the sides closer together but no luck. She wriggled, sucked in a deep breath, and tried again, only to end up huffing out a stream of air in frustration.

“Didn’t these fit just last weekend?” she asked herself, peeling the denim off her legs and tossing them onto the floor with a groan.

She glanced down at her still-flat stomach, placing her hand over her belly. “How could something I can’t see or feel cause so much upheaval in my life?” And how could she love the baby growing inside her so much already?

A vibrating buzz told her someone was sending her a message. She checked her phone.

Lizzy: Almost ready?

Meg sighed. Her best friend, Elizabeth Cooper, was due to pick her up in ten minutes. Girls’ night out. Or, in Lizzy’s words, hookup night and Meg’s last chance for a hot, no-holds-barred fling before she started to show and her sole focus became being a new mom. Meg was up for girls’ night, but no way would she be picking up a stranger for a one-night stand. Her days of choosing the wrong men were over. Mike was the last in a long line of sucky choices. So not only didn’t she trust her judgment when it came to the opposite sex, it no longer mattered. She was finished relying on men to define her or make her happy.

“Right, baby?” She patted her belly and headed to her closet for a pair of elastic-waist leggings.

*     *     *

Meg and her friends settled into their seats at Mel’s, a popular spot for casual drinks after work and on the weekends. Mel’s was a dimly lit bistro with a wood-fired oven and grill in the back, dark mahogany-looking tables throughout, and a funky bar where people gathered. Meg loved it here.

She waved to the waiter, who stepped over to their table.

“What can I get you ladies?”

The girls ordered alcoholic drinks, and the good-looking waiter turned to Meg.

“I’ll have a club soda. With a lime.”

“Going for the hard stuff, I see.” He winked and scribbled down her order.

Meg smiled. “Designated driver.” Which wasn’t a lie. Lizzy might have picked her up, but Meg would be the one driving home.

She glanced around at the women she’d ignored for a long time in favor of her asshole ex and, unfortunately, her baby daddy. She was grateful these women were here for her now because Meg had a bad habit of dropping friends in favor of men. Men she looked to for the love and acceptance she’d never received from her own father she barely remembered. Meg sighed and rested her chin on her hands. Her childhood memories included a string of Alicia’s boyfriends who came and went from her young life.

Her mother had set a pattern Meg unconsciously followed. First she’d latched on to Dylan Rhodes, the one and only good guy in her life. He’d been her high school boyfriend and her rock until they broke up before going to college, and then Meg began emulating her mother’s taste by choosing men who always took advantage one way or another.

Luckily she and Dylan had reconnected when they’d moved back to Miami years later, but Meg had over-relied on Dylan instead of standing on her own two feet. It took Dylan falling hard for another woman to wake Meg up to her too-needy ways. Dylan was her friend, but he was now Olivia Dare’s husband. And Meg was determined to be independent. Everything the way it should be.

“Earth to Meg.” Lizzy waved a hand in front of her eyes.

Meg blinked, startled. “Sorry. Just got lost there for a minute.”

“Nowhere good, from the look on your face.” Lizzy tilted her head to one side, her long blonde curls falling over her shoulder. “Everything okay?” Her friend studied her, her brown eyes soft and concerned.

Meg smiled. “Couldn’t be better. I was actually thinking about the changes I’ve made—that I’m determined to keep making in my life. And it’s really good to be out with you guys,” Meg said, meaning it.

“It’s great to be out with you too,” Lizzy said.

The waiter stopped by the table and passed out their beverages. Meg took a long sip of her cold soda, appreciating the way it eased her dry throat.

“Well, you must be doing something right because you’re glowing,” Lizzy said.

“It’s the pregnancy hormones,” Meg muttered.

“No, seriously. You look beautiful,” her friend insisted.

Meg smiled at her. “Thank you.”

Allie Mendez, the office secretary and the third woman in their posse, slipped her cell into her purse and leaned closer to join the conversation. “Maybe I should get myself pregnant, because Lizzy’s right. You’re gorgeous.”

Meg blushed. “And you two need glasses.”

“Not if the guys at the next table are any indication. Look. The blond one can’t take his eyes off you!” Lizzy said, her voice rising in excitement.

Oh no. All Lizzy needed was a target and she’d be aiming Meg his way all night. “I’m sure he’s looking at one of you. Not the pregnant woman in the elastic-waist pants.” Lizzy and her blonde beauty or Allie and her olive skin and luscious curves attracted men wherever they went.

“You must not have looked in a mirror before leaving the house,” Allie told her, a frown on her pretty face.

“Oh, look! He’s coming this way. Now remember. There’s nothing wrong with getting yourself some before your life gets serious.” Lizzy nudged her arm.

“I don’t want some,” Meg muttered. “If he’s so hot, you should—”

“Hi, ladies,” the man said, bracing an arm on the back of Meg’s chair.

“Hi!” Lizzy said too brightly.

“My friends and I would like to buy you all a drink.” He spoke to the table, but his eyes were on Meg.

She shook her head. “We were just having a private convers—”

“We’d like that,” Allie chimed in.

“Mind if we join you then?” he asked, making Meg wonder if he was dense, oblivious, or just that ego-driven.

In response, Lizzy slid her chair away from Meg, making room for the other man to sit. Which, after grabbing his chair and pulling it over to the table, he did. His pals joined them too.

Meg shot her friend an annoyed look.

“Give him a chance,” Lizzy mouthed behind the man’s back.

Rob, Mark, and Ken, they said their names were, as conversation began to flow. Ken was the one closest to Meg, and with his light hair and coloring, he definitely resembled his Barbie-doll namesake. Even if she were interested in a hookup, a preppy man who liked to talk about himself wouldn’t be her choice. She disliked his wandering hands even more.

He brushed her back.

She stiffened.

He sat forward so their shoulders touched. She shoved her chair in the opposite direction.

Somehow he ended up close beside her again, his thigh touching hers.

She was all too ready to go home, but her friends seemed to like the guys they were talking to, and she didn’t want to ruin their time by being rude to Ken. She wouldn’t leave with him, but she’d be pleasant while they were here.

“So what do you do for a living?” he asked.

“I’m a kindergarten teacher.”

He blinked, long lashes framing green eyes. “That’s … brave.”

“Don’t like kids?” she asked, none too sweetly.

He fake-shuddered. “Not for a good long while. But you must have a decent pension plan?” he asked, back on the subject he liked best. Ken was a stockbroker and investor, and soon she found herself listening to all the ways she could save more money by investing with the best of the best. Him, of course.

She hid a yawn behind her hand, and when her bladder informed her she needed a trip to the restroom, she nearly groaned out loud in relief.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to go … freshen up. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Meg rose and Ken followed, helping her pull out her chair.

Allie met her gaze. “Gentleman,” she mouthed in approval.

Meg swallowed a groan.

“I’ll be waiting,” Ken said as she walked away.

“Oh, please don’t be,” she said to herself, making her way to the bathroom at the far back of the restaurant.

She spent a long time in the restroom, checking her phone, swiping some gloss on her dry lips, and washing her hands, twice, in her effort to stall returning to the table.

When she did, she paused by Lizzy’s chair and whispered in her friend’s ear. “I’m going to bail. I’m not up to this. I’m really sorry. Will you be okay driving?”

“Of course. I barely had a sip. But I can leave and take you home.”

She shook her head. “No need. You seem to be hitting it off with Mark. I can get Uber,” she said of the car service in most cities, including Miami.

“I’d be happy to drive you,” Ken said.

She hadn’t realized he’d left his seat and had overheard them.

“No, really. Stay and have fun. I’m just not feeling too well.” Which was a lie, but it was nicer than go away, I’m not interested.

Which was ironic, since not too long ago, Meg would have been all too willing to see where things went with a guy who showed her any interest at all. Maybe the baby really was changing her, making her more self-reliant and aware as well as giving her better taste in men.

“Then you really shouldn’t go home alone,” Ken said, grasping her forearm.

Oh no, he didn’t. She pinned him with an annoyed glare. “Let. Go.” And what was it about her that attracted assholes anyway? she asked herself, as she tried to extricate herself without resorting to insults or calling management.

Lizzy jumped up from her seat just as the jerk released her arm, and a familiar voice reverberated in her ear.

“Touch her again and you’ll answer to me.”

 

About the Dare to Love Series:

 

Dare to Love (Dare to Love #1)  FREE AT TIME OF REVIEW

Blurb:

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.

 

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19377619-dare-to-love

 

Buy links:

Amazon Kindle

iTunes/iBooks

Kobo

Google Play

About the Author:


New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips has written over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels that today’s readers identify with and enjoy. After a successful 15 year career with various New York publishing houses, Carly is making the leap to Indie author, with the goal of giving her readers more books at a faster pace at a better price. Her Serendipity books will still finish up in January/February 2014 via Berkley as planned. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She’s a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she’s a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find all information about Carly at her website and other social media sites …

Website: http://www.carlyphillips.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CarlyPhillipsFanPage
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carlyphillips
Tsu: http://www.tsu.co/carlyphillips
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/10000.Carly_Phillips