Scan barcode
ltcreads40's review
4.0
Fake relationships always turn out to be the best relationships in the end and Lucas and Heidi's was no different. The rough and rowdy gang member and the sassy bar owner made for an explosive couple. Heidi had her opinion about everything and mostly went against everything Lucas said but I think that's what made him fall for her more. It was a sweet happily ever after.
caseroo7's review
4.0
Find this review and more at Ramblings From This Chick
I'll be honest and admit that I didn't even read the blurb before starting this book. I loved the cover and love Jen McLaughlin, so this was a no-brainer for me. I was surprised to find out that this book deals heavily with gangs and there should be a warning for those readers that have some trigger issues with violence and sexual assault. But Dare to Run was unlike anything I have read from McLaughlin before, and I enjoyed seeing her take on something new. This book was darker than her normal style, and there was quite a bit of grit here. I liked it and it kept me guessing the whole way through.
Lucas Donahue has just been released from prison. He did his time and kept his mouth shut, but he is ready to leave the gang life behind. He also knows that as much as he wants that, no one gets to just walk away. But when he witnesses the feisty bartender at the bar he frequents being harassed, he ends up starting something he wasn't entirely prepared for. Lucas knows that Heidi needs to get as far away from him as possible, and yet to keep her safe he needs to keep her close. But can he protect her from more than one enemy, especially when he isn't sure of who he can trust?
I liked Lucas. He was sexy and not afraid to be who he was. He fully embraced his lifestyle and didn't make apologies for who he was. Heidi on the other hand was a bit hard to take at times. While I really loved her standing by Lucas, even when she wasn't comfortable with his lifestyle, I did have some problems with her. She was strong and feisty, yet she was also a bit to brash and often had no regard at all for her safety. Not that I support anyone assaulting women in any way, but at times it wasn't hard to see why she was in the situation she was in. She ran her mouth far too much and it was just so blatant that I couldn't get over it. Her and Lucas definitely had chemistry, but I didn't really care for her character.
I liked seeing Jen McLaughlin begin to push herself in a new direction, but I did feel like she could have taken it a bit further. There is a lot of promise here though and I wanted to see her really embrace the darkness and make this one a bit grittier. I think that as this series continues, she will do well if she embraces that a bit more. This one was definitely a promising start though, and I loved how she was able to take a story that started as intense and just keep ratcheting that up as things progressed. Jen McLaughlin hit the ground running with this one, and I can't wait to see where things go from here. If you are looking for something with a bit of darkness, grit, and plenty of steamy action this is one I would recommend giving a shot.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
I'll be honest and admit that I didn't even read the blurb before starting this book. I loved the cover and love Jen McLaughlin, so this was a no-brainer for me. I was surprised to find out that this book deals heavily with gangs and there should be a warning for those readers that have some trigger issues with violence and sexual assault. But Dare to Run was unlike anything I have read from McLaughlin before, and I enjoyed seeing her take on something new. This book was darker than her normal style, and there was quite a bit of grit here. I liked it and it kept me guessing the whole way through.
Lucas Donahue has just been released from prison. He did his time and kept his mouth shut, but he is ready to leave the gang life behind. He also knows that as much as he wants that, no one gets to just walk away. But when he witnesses the feisty bartender at the bar he frequents being harassed, he ends up starting something he wasn't entirely prepared for. Lucas knows that Heidi needs to get as far away from him as possible, and yet to keep her safe he needs to keep her close. But can he protect her from more than one enemy, especially when he isn't sure of who he can trust?
I liked Lucas. He was sexy and not afraid to be who he was. He fully embraced his lifestyle and didn't make apologies for who he was. Heidi on the other hand was a bit hard to take at times. While I really loved her standing by Lucas, even when she wasn't comfortable with his lifestyle, I did have some problems with her. She was strong and feisty, yet she was also a bit to brash and often had no regard at all for her safety. Not that I support anyone assaulting women in any way, but at times it wasn't hard to see why she was in the situation she was in. She ran her mouth far too much and it was just so blatant that I couldn't get over it. Her and Lucas definitely had chemistry, but I didn't really care for her character.
I liked seeing Jen McLaughlin begin to push herself in a new direction, but I did feel like she could have taken it a bit further. There is a lot of promise here though and I wanted to see her really embrace the darkness and make this one a bit grittier. I think that as this series continues, she will do well if she embraces that a bit more. This one was definitely a promising start though, and I loved how she was able to take a story that started as intense and just keep ratcheting that up as things progressed. Jen McLaughlin hit the ground running with this one, and I can't wait to see where things go from here. If you are looking for something with a bit of darkness, grit, and plenty of steamy action this is one I would recommend giving a shot.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
moonmamma0630's review
3.0
I wish I could give half stars, Dare to Run would get 3 and a half. I usually prefer Historical Romance; but every now and then I like a modern, gritty, sexy, rough romance and this one is really good. My only problem with it is I got a little irritated with the male lead Lucas towards the end. He was convinced Heidi was to good for him and his life, blah blah blah and he was trying to push her away. But all and all a very good read.
desiree_mcl's review
3.0
3.25 stars.
This started out great I really sped through the first 100 or so pages, I didn't love the characters but they were still enjoyable. Then at about the mid-way point I started to not like the characters as much as when I started.
Now I went into this book with a certain amount of suspended disbelief. I can take some unbelievable situations like. I get it, they still need to be around each other for the romance to blossom, ok, I can brush that aside. However when more and more stupid decisions/moments keep happening then I have a difficult time enjoying the journey our main characters are on because if the character have to make stupid decisions constantly in order to be together then maybe they shouldn't be together.
Heidi, there were so many times when she would kind of pound her chest and say or think that she didn't need anyone, she was able to take care of herself when it came to the gang that was after her, even though three guys from that gang tried to rape her in the alley one night. Now I consider myself a pretty tough woman, however that doesn't give me the power to take on 3 large men at once trying attack me, let alone an entire gang. So annoying.
Then Lucas was so flip-floppy and giving off mixed signals
And the ending
I am really curious about how though after the ending.
This started out great I really sped through the first 100 or so pages, I didn't love the characters but they were still enjoyable. Then at about the mid-way point I started to not like the characters as much as when I started.
Now I went into this book with a certain amount of suspended disbelief. I can take some unbelievable situations like
Spoiler
when Lucas offered Heidi money to take off and be safe but after knowing him for only a day or two denies his offer and wants him to come with herHeidi, there were so many times when she would kind of pound her chest and say or think that she didn't need anyone, she was able to take care of herself when it came to the gang that was after her, even though three guys from that gang tried to rape her in the alley one night. Now I consider myself a pretty tough woman, however that doesn't give me the power to take on 3 large men at once trying attack me, let alone an entire gang.
Spoiler
She'd leave the safety of the apartment just whenever she felt like it, not taking the threat of the gang seriously. You're being targeted now so it's ok to miss a few days of work, especially when you're the owner. And when she showed up at an "industry" party where gang members are everywhere and now they know or assume that she's important to Lucas.Then Lucas was so flip-floppy and giving off mixed signals
Spoiler
after they had sex he turned completely cold to Heidi. Then the next morning when she's distant and cold to him he's wondering what happened and she must regret sleeping with him. You're cold to her and expect her to welcome you with open arms the next morning, no. And when he forbids her to go to party but doesn't tell her why. Lucas wouldn't have to tell her he loved her, just tell her that by her going to the party it would give the impression, true or not, that she's important to him and that would put both of their lives in danger. But no, he just forbids it and then is shocked when she shows up.And the ending
Spoiler
I know I should care that it was Chris that tried to kill Lucas but I don't. At the end of this I was...almost rooting for Chris. Right on, Lucas is clearly not smart enough to be the end of a department, you take what you can, how you can.I am really curious about how
Spoiler
Chris's book plays outshannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
4.0
This review was originally posted on Cocktails and Books
Dare To Run is the first book in this new series, Sons of Steel Row by Jen McLaughlin. This book sucked me right in. I love Boston and it provides a nice backdrop to this storyline. The book begins with Lucas getting out of prison and returning to his gang: The Sons of Steel Row. He seems closed off from everyone and leads a lonely existence. He has a brother who is in the gang and a best friend Chris but he doesn't seem to be close to anyone else. The story opens with Lucas chatting with Chris about the fact that someone is trying to kill Lucas. You have no idea who or why.
Heidi runs a bar, The Patriot, that she inherited from a nice man who took her off the streets and treated her as his daughter. She is fighter through and through and honestly tough as nails. Life has handed her tough knocks at every turn but she is still positive presence in a dark part of Boston. Lucas comes into her bar because it is blocks from his apartment. He doesn't expect to meet Heidi and he certainly doesn't expect to save her from the Bitter Hill gang. He must claim her as his girl to keep her safe. Lucas doesn't save people and he certainly stays away from complications. Unfortunately, no one believes Lucas has a girl. So they lie and their lies blur together and these two start to feel something for each other. I don't want to give away too much more but the story's ending was unexpected. I'm still pondering what is going to happen in the next Sons of Steel Row.
Heidi and Lucas are characters that you fall in love with. You want more of them on the pages and they are supported by an interesting cast of characters that you hope future books give you more and fill in the missing blanks. So much happened with the all the characters at the end, that you are dying to know more. That is a good series. It pulls you in and will not let you go. Well done, Jen.
Dare To Run is the first book in this new series, Sons of Steel Row by Jen McLaughlin. This book sucked me right in. I love Boston and it provides a nice backdrop to this storyline. The book begins with Lucas getting out of prison and returning to his gang: The Sons of Steel Row. He seems closed off from everyone and leads a lonely existence. He has a brother who is in the gang and a best friend Chris but he doesn't seem to be close to anyone else. The story opens with Lucas chatting with Chris about the fact that someone is trying to kill Lucas. You have no idea who or why.
Heidi runs a bar, The Patriot, that she inherited from a nice man who took her off the streets and treated her as his daughter. She is fighter through and through and honestly tough as nails. Life has handed her tough knocks at every turn but she is still positive presence in a dark part of Boston. Lucas comes into her bar because it is blocks from his apartment. He doesn't expect to meet Heidi and he certainly doesn't expect to save her from the Bitter Hill gang. He must claim her as his girl to keep her safe. Lucas doesn't save people and he certainly stays away from complications. Unfortunately, no one believes Lucas has a girl. So they lie and their lies blur together and these two start to feel something for each other. I don't want to give away too much more but the story's ending was unexpected. I'm still pondering what is going to happen in the next Sons of Steel Row.
Heidi and Lucas are characters that you fall in love with. You want more of them on the pages and they are supported by an interesting cast of characters that you hope future books give you more and fill in the missing blanks. So much happened with the all the characters at the end, that you are dying to know more. That is a good series. It pulls you in and will not let you go. Well done, Jen.
peachypitstop's review
2.0
Well...the sex scenes were written like a man wrote them, so needless to say most of this writing wasn't that great.
Bad boy, he's in a gang, hit out for him, blah blah blah, fake dating turns real dating. A mild plot twist I saw coming, and some weirdly timed sex scenes sprinkled with a pushy dominant man who only cares what he needs. Classic.
Nice to turn your brain off sometimes though.
Bad boy, he's in a gang, hit out for him, blah blah blah, fake dating turns real dating. A mild plot twist I saw coming, and some weirdly timed sex scenes sprinkled with a pushy dominant man who only cares what he needs. Classic.
Nice to turn your brain off sometimes though.
cupcakegirly's review
4.0
What do you get when you take an anti-hero who is as dangerous as he is delicious, toss in a tough-as-nails heroine, some seriously bad dudes, and a major plot twist? A manicure. That's what you get because you've chewed all your nails off wondering how in the CUPCAKE this could possible end well?!
So thanks for that, Jen McLaughlin.
But seriously. You also get a great start to a new series. Dare To Run is how you do a Boston Mafia-esque story! Read it.
So thanks for that, Jen McLaughlin.
But seriously. You also get a great start to a new series. Dare To Run is how you do a Boston Mafia-esque story! Read it.
syndi3's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Dare to Run is not exiciting. I read Dare to Stay and I remembered I enjoyed the teisted plot. Sadly, in Dare to Run is more like standrad, vanilla romance. Yes there is that suspense detective story behind it, but it feels flat.
Miss Mclaughlin ended up putting the main characters running away from their problem. The conclusion is abrupt and ended too quickly.
Miss Mclaughlin ended up putting the main characters running away from their problem. The conclusion is abrupt and ended too quickly.
chroniclesofabookreader's review
3.0
**3.5 stars**
Lucas hasn't been on the right side of the law in a long while; he's had to do what he could to keep him and his brother afloat growing up. He's cold, calculating, and unwilling to open himself up to another person for fear of subjecting them to the dead-end lifestyle he lives. But he's forced to do so when Heidi comes into his life, and he honestly can't help the fact that she splits him wide open. She's ballsy, and stubborn to a fault, and she knows (really does) that someone like Lucas is not safe for her in any sense of the word. Yet the two of them will come crashing together in danger, and passion only burns brighter when things have an expiration date.
I thought this had a lot of promise to it. A guy from a Boston gang mixed up in something dangerous and forced to be with the sexy, brave bar owner, and he's forced to protect her? I mean, yeeeaaahh. I did think the execution of the novel could have had some alterations and cuts as some phrases or thoughts were repeated a few times, and the inner dialogue was a bit long at times. Sometimes a broody alpha should be left up a bit to mystery, and he was almost too fleshed-out for my liking. But I really liked the premise and the way the two danced around each other. Especially being brought together in these circumstances, it was really sexy at times. I'm definitely wanting to know more about the men of the Sons of Steel gang and how they'll find theirs in subsequent books, and hope they're a bit more technically sound.
**Received an early copy in exchange for an honest review**
Lucas hasn't been on the right side of the law in a long while; he's had to do what he could to keep him and his brother afloat growing up. He's cold, calculating, and unwilling to open himself up to another person for fear of subjecting them to the dead-end lifestyle he lives. But he's forced to do so when Heidi comes into his life, and he honestly can't help the fact that she splits him wide open. She's ballsy, and stubborn to a fault, and she knows (really does) that someone like Lucas is not safe for her in any sense of the word. Yet the two of them will come crashing together in danger, and passion only burns brighter when things have an expiration date.
I thought this had a lot of promise to it. A guy from a Boston gang mixed up in something dangerous and forced to be with the sexy, brave bar owner, and he's forced to protect her? I mean, yeeeaaahh. I did think the execution of the novel could have had some alterations and cuts as some phrases or thoughts were repeated a few times, and the inner dialogue was a bit long at times. Sometimes a broody alpha should be left up a bit to mystery, and he was almost too fleshed-out for my liking. But I really liked the premise and the way the two danced around each other. Especially being brought together in these circumstances, it was really sexy at times. I'm definitely wanting to know more about the men of the Sons of Steel gang and how they'll find theirs in subsequent books, and hope they're a bit more technically sound.
**Received an early copy in exchange for an honest review**