THIS WAS SO SO MUCH MORE THAN I DARED HOPE FOR

Saige is still carrying the heartbreak and memories of a tragedy that happened to her when she was a naive and tender 13 yr old celebrating her birthday (nothing sexual but very emotional) and the drama of that day has now built an impenetrable wall around her heart. Fast-forward 10 years - she still has constant nightmares about that day which forces her to re-live everything but now she's a successful Interior Designer for a prestigious Company that custom designs mega-rich client's every whims and desires for their tailor made jets. Saige is good at her job and loves it - along with the friendship, support and banter that she gets from her small tight group of co-workers. However, celebrating with them in a Bar one night, leads to a game of Truth or Dare that will bring her happiness, joy, passion, sexual bliss and a relationship that, brick-by-brick, slowly reveals her heart once more. This was all accomplished by the handsome, sexy, kind and thoughtful Holt Hamilton... her dare, her self-imposed compulsory 'no labels' fling... and her Boss - who happens to own the Company too.

Holt knew all about Saige from reports but his heart just wasn't prepared for the instant impact she had on his senses the moment they met... and the more he got to know her the deeper he fell - until there was simply no turning back. But sharing his life, his home and his heart didn't mean he had to share his part in a terrible past that connected them both. So he kept his secrets and guarded them closely.... until the past walked back into their lives and left devastation, gut-wrenching turmoil, heartbreak, shattered trust and empty tomorrows.

The first thing I noticed about this awesome listen was the many detailed colorful descriptions which gave clarity to each of the scenes and brought them to life. Saige is a strong yet vulnerable heroine and likeable too, Holt is perfection.... he's not a womanizer or an arrogant ass - instead he's EVERYTHING you hope for in a drool-worthy hero and the array of secondary characters adds humor, light and fun to the listen. Their chemistry was instant and the sex wasn't far behind but I've got no complaints with the 'insta' relationship here because it left a lot of room for the relationship to blossom and character development and for them to reach the boundaries to Saige's heart which no man has ever crossed. It also left room for tender, sweet and touching times that you know, along with Holt, that there will be a reckoning when the big secret is out and things will inevitably come crashing down around them. There is a HEA at the end of their roller-coaster journey - but it could have been longer because I really wasn't ready to say goodbye to this couple and their hard won happiness. Dual POV's and the narration was great... but I did like Kas Vadim's sexy voice a little more.

Worth a credit? Yes, yet again Rebecca Shea has delivered yet another beautiful and breathtaking story where love conquers and triumphs - this time it's over painful pasts, haunting memories, a terrible legacy, heartbreak, betrayal and broken hearts. This listen absolutely ticked ALL my boxes.... and I hope it ticks all yours too.

16 people found this helpful

Great Overall listen!!! Narration not so much!!

Savannah is just a little too dramatic for me every word is overly emotional if that's even a word. Lol The story was great it’s one of those you do get lost in with all the feels. Glad it was a part of the romance package. 😉

2 people found this helpful

Very hard to get through this book

Hard to listen. Savannah Peachwood reads as though the audience is in Kindergarten. Awful

2 people found this helpful

Always take the Dare!

Amazing listen! A great book by Rebecca Shea. There are some deliciously steamy scenes (#HowHotIsHolt), but the love story is so much deeper than I expected. I loved both of the narrators, but I liked listening to Saige the most. She put so much emotion and feeling into the story. I will definitely be listening to more books narrated by Kas Vadim and Savannah Peachwood!

4 people found this helpful

We need more Kas!!

We need more Kas!! He was absolutely amazing and hot AF as our Holt, he did a great job as our female heroine as well which is not easy. Kas was a new narrator to me and I'm seriously looking forward to more from him. Savannah was excellent as the heroine Saige and I always appreciate her work. This story was emotional and sexy, these two were simply incredible at delivering and setting all the moods and making me feel all of the feels! Definitely recommend!

1 person found this helpful

4 stars

Would you consider the audio edition of Dare Me to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version but I would consider the audio better. Savannah Peachwood and Kas Vidam did a great job at voicing the characters and bringing the story to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

When she takes the dare of course!

Any additional comments?

There were times I wanted to knock some sense into the heroine but I also understood the hurt she'd been through. The hero was just perfect, Iove that he didn't give up so easily.

1 person found this helpful

Narrator Killed it

The narration was extremely bad! The male was okay but the female was a drain. I was switching back and fourth with speed on her because she was reading so slow. I'm not sure who told her this was a good idea or how it got pass production.

3 people found this helpful

I liked it well enough

Dare Me was good. I really liked the beginning of the story and how Saige and Holt actually ended up together. They were so cute and I really liked how their relationship was progressing. The bomb that's dropped totally threw me, but I didn't care for the way Saige acted about it. Savannah Peachwood always has a really nice and soft tone that portrays so much emotion in a heroine. I always lover. Kas Vadim was fine, but I honestly already forgot what his voice sounded like.

Spoilers in this review

Sage was hurt when her father killed herself moments after giving her a puppy for her birthday. a decade later and she still has the nightmares of finding him.
Moving to Chicago from North Dakota was her father dream and when he was scammed out of all his hard earned money, he ended things at the dismay of his family.

Sage is offered a job in Chicago by Holt.  Co-CEO of a billion dollar business.
When the two begin dating we learn that Sage has some hang up that make her come across as young and petty. She stingly won't let him be nice to her. I've read stories with strong women declining to be pampered...Sage comes across as huffy an spoiled.
Holt pushes through and is kind until she lets him in. BUT Holt has some secrets of his own.
His heartless dad is the their that took Sage's dad for a ride that changesmd her life forever. While Holt hasn't talked to his dad since the stop hit the news ten years ago and everyone dragged Holt and his unknowing mom through the mud. He changed his name and tried to right some wrongs by hiring Sage but when Sage finds out...

You'd think Holt stole her dad's money and pulled the trigger. I get being upset. I get not being able to date him without the reminder BUT to take Holt to task for his dad's wrongs that he had NOTHING to do with. Wrong.

Whiney Sage comes back out. She's huffy and fussing at Holt like he did it all. Holt is kind and emotional once again.

She got huffy with her BFF who tried to be there for her and her nightmares. I think the author wanted her to be a strong female character but I wasn't feeling it.

I feel like Holt needed and deserved better!

Someone had a "get yourself together" chat with Sage and there's a HEA but it was painful to listen to.

Gripping love story!!!

A gripping love story that captivated me from the very beginning and never let go. A devastatingly beautiful romance that is powerfully inspiring, emotionally raw, and breathtakingly romantic. An unforgettable masterpiece with so much heart and soul that that I fell deeper in love with the characters and their epic love story with each turn of the page. Two broken souls who find the missing piece that makes them feel whole again. A beautiful, strong, and resilient heroine and a complex, fiercely protective and determined hero. Their chemistry is magnetic and undeniable. Their exchanges are witty and they spar so well with one another. The storyline is incredibly well-written and flowed seamlessly with twists and turns that are a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Their journey together was so beautifully written and I felt every emotion– they radiated from the pages. I laughed, cried so many tears (happy and sad), felt the butterflies, the heart palpitations, the pure joy and every ounce of pain. The heartfelt moments stole my breath and the heartbreaking ones shattered my heart. Their relationship is tested and how they fight for one another was breathtaking. The wisdom interlaced throughout was inspiring. A powerful story of love, faith and forgiveness that left a mark on my heart and soul. I highly recommend reading this incredible love story!