kfriend's review against another edition
5.0
WHAT THE WHAT! I didn’t think Shantel could top our first two books- and while I knew I’d love Deke, I had NO idea he’d rival Cole in my heart. But, Shantel always is taking things to the next level of darkness and twistedness, sexiness, mind-bendingness (yeh, I made up that word), and this story wrecked me in the best possible way. This is dark intrigue, love-hate magic - powered by the brutal and ruthless sharks in the bloody waters- the monsters we love to hate and hate to love.
While this story centers on Deke, this story really ties into the first two in the series (focused on Cole and Austin)- and you really need to read them in order to understand the bigger plot at hand, who these characters are, and the stakes. This story finds our two beloved sharks and newly minted fiance Austin leaving behind the trauma and secrets in Collins, starting a new life in college in Texas. But we quickly learn that the sharks business is never done- revenge, darkness, danger, and mind games. Deke thinks he’s the master of the game- until we meet a whole new player.
I just love this world and the characters that Shantel has living in it- they are twisted, dark, radically imperfect, and depraved. The sharks are the kind of men that terrifying you as much as they turn you on- dark masterpieces you can’t escape. I had a soft spot for Deke, and he ends up being so much more messed up and morally ambiguous than I ever expected. And I need my head examined because it makes me love him even more. He’s bad, he’s crazy, he’s a big naughty antihero- but he also loves hard, he’s protective and loyal- and when those two traits combine, he will burn the world to the ground to protect.
Our love interest was just so unexpected- but she is perfect for him. She’s survived astounding pain- imbuing in her a craving for Deke’s cruelty, and giving her the strength to match him. So many sick and twisted mindgames, delicious erotic diversions, secrets and twists galore, and all the drama.
This series is Shantel’s best writing- my all time favorite of hers and of all series ever. Shantel wrote the playbook on enemies to lovers/dark bully drama with this series. The toxic and explosive chemistry, the redemption, the gritty emotion, the flawed characters- it is addictive. Pain, secrets, twists at every turn- the plot mirrors the characters’ chemistry- tumultuous, violent, and totally consuming. These characters will break you- and they’ll like doing it- but then they’ll heal you with their unique brand of crazy, manic love. I could not love this series more- and Deke has now rivaled Cole for my all time favorite man.
While this story centers on Deke, this story really ties into the first two in the series (focused on Cole and Austin)- and you really need to read them in order to understand the bigger plot at hand, who these characters are, and the stakes. This story finds our two beloved sharks and newly minted fiance Austin leaving behind the trauma and secrets in Collins, starting a new life in college in Texas. But we quickly learn that the sharks business is never done- revenge, darkness, danger, and mind games. Deke thinks he’s the master of the game- until we meet a whole new player.
I just love this world and the characters that Shantel has living in it- they are twisted, dark, radically imperfect, and depraved. The sharks are the kind of men that terrifying you as much as they turn you on- dark masterpieces you can’t escape. I had a soft spot for Deke, and he ends up being so much more messed up and morally ambiguous than I ever expected. And I need my head examined because it makes me love him even more. He’s bad, he’s crazy, he’s a big naughty antihero- but he also loves hard, he’s protective and loyal- and when those two traits combine, he will burn the world to the ground to protect.
Our love interest was just so unexpected- but she is perfect for him. She’s survived astounding pain- imbuing in her a craving for Deke’s cruelty, and giving her the strength to match him. So many sick and twisted mindgames, delicious erotic diversions, secrets and twists galore, and all the drama.
This series is Shantel’s best writing- my all time favorite of hers and of all series ever. Shantel wrote the playbook on enemies to lovers/dark bully drama with this series. The toxic and explosive chemistry, the redemption, the gritty emotion, the flawed characters- it is addictive. Pain, secrets, twists at every turn- the plot mirrors the characters’ chemistry- tumultuous, violent, and totally consuming. These characters will break you- and they’ll like doing it- but then they’ll heal you with their unique brand of crazy, manic love. I could not love this series more- and Deke has now rivaled Cole for my all time favorite man.
booked_becki's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
countrygirlard's review against another edition
3.0
The secrets kept me wanting more, but there was so much going on it took too long to get to the point. Over half the book felt like unnecessary flashbacks…
nyx_is_reading's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
mleger's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
erikawastaken's review against another edition
2.0
Easily 1/3 of this book is simply cut & pasted from the previous two books, and it’s not like it was a value add.
While it was great getting to learn more about some of the other characters like Eli, the whole “twist” is really obvious, and feels jarring because the author goes out of her way to clear outline that the bad guy is really bad (and slutty!) because it’s such a 180 degree change from the first book.
While it was great getting to learn more about some of the other characters like Eli, the whole “twist” is really obvious, and feels jarring because the author goes out of her way to clear outline that the bad guy is really bad (and slutty!) because it’s such a 180 degree change from the first book.
paige_marlo's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this series! I am so sad that it is over. I love how it continued to tell you about Cole and Austin’s relationship while also telling you more about Dekes struggle with his. I love the friendship between Cole and Deke, and how Deke becomes protective of Austin as well. The twists and turns in this book make you unable to put it down.
luetta's review against another edition
5.0
Holy shit what a ride.
I honestly had no clue where Shantel was going to take us with Deke's book, but I'm so damn glad she went there.
This is the story that needed to be told. The story that wraps up all the mess that the previous two books brought us into a pretty, blood stained bow.
Drugs, rape, murder... there are endless potential triggers in this book, but they come together to hit you with mindfuck after mindfuck.
Serious win.
I honestly had no clue where Shantel was going to take us with Deke's book, but I'm so damn glad she went there.
This is the story that needed to be told. The story that wraps up all the mess that the previous two books brought us into a pretty, blood stained bow.
Drugs, rape, murder... there are endless potential triggers in this book, but they come together to hit you with mindfuck after mindfuck.
Serious win.
cleogold1990's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
booksiflove's review
5.0
Phew…. If You Dare is the third book in the Dare Series. And you need to read these books in order to get the whole twisted story.
And how twisted this one is. This book reveals all secrets, or should I say we think ALL of them? Because I'm not sure, with the great mind of Shantel's being behind it! And that last sentence made me giddy all over: The Ende - FOR NOW! Lets see if she is going to give us another masterpiece of her genius writing. Which keeps you on edge, and turning page after page, not paying attention to the outside world, lol.
This story is more about Deke, but involves all other Sharks as well, specially Cole & Austin, as Deke also lives with them together in Texas. Where they thought they left everything behind in Collins. But no, their past catches up with them.
Absolutely fantastic book, well series! I devoured all of them, they are so twisted and fucked up, I enjoyed them immensely!
I would give these books a LOT more than 5 stars if I could!
I kindly received an arc
And how twisted this one is. This book reveals all secrets, or should I say we think ALL of them? Because I'm not sure, with the great mind of Shantel's being behind it! And that last sentence made me giddy all over: The Ende - FOR NOW! Lets see if she is going to give us another masterpiece of her genius writing. Which keeps you on edge, and turning page after page, not paying attention to the outside world, lol.
This story is more about Deke, but involves all other Sharks as well, specially Cole & Austin, as Deke also lives with them together in Texas. Where they thought they left everything behind in Collins. But no, their past catches up with them.
Absolutely fantastic book, well series! I devoured all of them, they are so twisted and fucked up, I enjoyed them immensely!
I would give these books a LOT more than 5 stars if I could!
I kindly received an arc