Dare You To

a classic tale told in a great new way

What did you love best about Dare You To?

this book is so far outside of what I normally read/listen to but I was in the mood for a sappy love story that had a happy ending. I picked this book because it was in the teen section and was more likely to end well. its an old story a girl/guy from the wrong side of the tracks falls in love with a member of high society, but it was told very well. I think the best part for me was how the author told the story from both of the lovers perspectives' and managed to bring them both to life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Beth, she managed to overcome so much adversity though out the book and even though she only did it because of the help of others she did do it, and looking at her mom in comparison it just proves that you have to want to change before you can.

Have you listened to any of Brittany Pressley and Christopher Gebauer ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

this is a first for me with both of the narrators but I was impressed and thought they sounded good together, the only think that did not jive well was the voice difference they used for Beth's mother it was a small thing but it did stand out to me.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, I normally don't say that in this section but I can say that I did not want to put this book down I even stayed up half the night listening to it knowing I had to work in the morning. I was riveted to the drama of the story.

Any additional comments?

again this is not the type of book I normally listen to or read but I think I just may revisit this author and get the other books in this series...the ones available on audible anyway.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Country boy meets big city girl - worlds collide

This is not your typical YA romance book. For example, there are no "good girl falls for the bad boy" moments in this one. In fact it's just the opposite. Ryan is an all-American good guy and Beth is a chain-smoking, foul-mouthed party girl. They love each other deeply but have many emotional and physical challenges to over come. I loved listening to their journey. This book reminded me alot of "The Sea of Tranquility", however, it wasn't quite as good as that one.
This was an enjoyable listen that was well worth my credit!

13 of 17 people found this review helpful

It was addictive

Didn't want it to end! Sad that it ended really really wish there was a second book.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Unworthy Character

Any additional comments?

The only reasons I read this book were because a) I really enjoyed Noah and Echo's story and hoped to learn more of their outcome and b) I wanted to read Isaiah's story and thought "Dare You To" was needed - it wasn't. This book was beyond just being a letdown. I'm more annoyed with myself for wasting the credit because I knew Beth's faux-edgy character was not worth a story. Ryan was adequate as a character..his most notable drawback being the repeated use of his tag line "I don't lose". The 'dare' angle was poorly executed and only served to undermine the author's efforts of trying to make the characters seem more mature and deep - they weren't. The situation with Beth's mother's extremely physically abusive boyfriend at times dominates the book and not wanting her mother to get into trouble is not reason enough to allow such abuse to go on. Trent's character openly deals drugs and beats women like it's his job, but the cops can't arrest him, yet Beth supposedly breaks the windows of his car and she is immediately sent to jail...really?

There are so many points where Beth's characterization breaks down, e.g. slapping Noah and breaking ties with Isaiah because they literally prevent her from being killed by Trent, but slinking away in uncertainty when rumors started by a mean girl leads to kids laughing at her at school...really? The whole 'Isaiah and Beth as best friends' angle felt contrived and relies too much on the reader to accept it with no foundation in the actual story. Overall, Beth is the worst character, but I knew this when I read "Pushing the Limits", and her hatred of Echo, which continues to this book, is inadequately explained nor resolved. I knew I was in trouble when after only two and a half hours I was checking to see how much time was left. Not sure if I'll get Isaiah's book at this point because he was so poorly portrayed - he prostrated himself for Beth, with no real explanation of why she was worth it, only to have her fall for the attractive jock anyway.

Narrators were good..they sounded age appropriate and did adequately with opposite sex characters. I would listen to them again, but I don't feel compelled to seek them out.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

CAN!

Ok so I loved this book. The story is compelling with just enough depth and the romance is the perfect mix of hot, sticky, and sweet.

Katie McGarry's book Pushing the Limits is not a must read, but would give you a different perspective on the main character before starting this one.

The male reader is eh.. alright, but the female is fantastic!

Overall I recommend Dare You To to any lover of YA fiction.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Ahhh....that's what I needed!

Okay first let me say that TECHNICALLY this is book 2...audible hasn't linked them but it is, Pushing the Limits was book 1...BUT....this is a fine stand alone read, I should know because I didn't read book 1 and other than a few references I wasn't lost.

Secondly...this IS a young adult novel...emphasis on adult. If the "F" bomb is not to your liking AVOID this book! But if you are looking for some graphic steamy romance in a step by step how to manual format...well this is not the book for you either! It is a romance, but it is PG-13, not R, or X!

I don't think the blurb does it justice so let me just say golden boy meets girl from the wrong side of the tracks...he lifts her out of her self made heck hole...and she brings him down from being perfect. Beth has a good heart, but she did not win the parent lottery, she loves her mom, but will that love in turn get her killed? Ryan has known his whole life that he wants to play baseball at the pro level...that is until Beth came along and made him question what it is that HE wants...will these two be able to get on the same page...or will this be just another chapter in their lives.

This story was really nice...one of my biggest pet peeves in books is when the writer makes up drama for the sake of drama...and that didn't happen here. These "kids" have some tough issues they deal with....bad upbringings, police involvement, estranged family members, friends that want to be more than friends, homophobic parents, small town mentalities, and above all is it possible to love someone too much.

Great read, highly recommend it...but while it will interest you, it won't keep you on the edge of your seat. Is it worth $20??? Well...probably not, but for sure credit worthy!

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

Onr of my Faves

I've read the book itself multiple times, along with all the other books in the series, and while it may not be my favorite one of the series it's still a great read. the only issue I had with the audio version, and it really didn't bother me to bad, was the narrator for Ryan: he was just not at all what I imagined Ryan to sound like, and his female voices always reminded me of how a drag queen sounds when she is trying to imitate a woman's voice.

Favorite Book

This is my favorite book ever! I’m absolutely in love with this book. It’s not a typical YA book and it’s so unpredictable and I love it!!!

CAN!!

THE NARRATORS ARE THE BEST!! Omg, Katie McGarry is soooooooo great!!! I love this story about Beth and Ryan. I love how Ryan was able to see the “real”, to see her clearly of who she truly is from the inside out. I love how Beth finally let go the past, how Ryan wanted her to bring out the present for her and vice verse. I don’t want to give too much about the story here. I guess I recommend y’all to please, read it. This made my heart melt for both of them together. I am going to read the next book as well- all about Isaiah! Very excited!

Dare You To not enjoy this book...

If you could sum up Dare You To in three words, what would they be?

1. Non-stop.
2. Emotive.
3. Perfect.

What other book might you compare Dare You To to and why?

Katie McGarry's books are all set in the same universe--characters that are connected, etc. I love them all! Such drama, such incredible character building. Amazing! Read them all, loved them all.

What about Brittany Pressley and Christopher Gebauer ’s performance did you like?

They both do a good job bringing across not only their main characters, but the different personalities of the supportings as well.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Hmm... There are so many parts of this book that seriously had my heart racing and cursing the end of my commute--I just wanted to keep listening! Beth was frustrating because I wanted so much better for her and she was self-destructive. I felt for her!

Any additional comments?

Amazing. Never regret using credits for Katie McGarry's books!