Review: ‘Dare to Desire’ by Carly Phillips
Dare to Desire
by Carly PhillipsSeries: Dare to Love #2
Published by CP Publishing on March 28, 2014
SubGenres: Contemporary Romance
Format: eBook
Pages: 294
Source: Kobo Plus
Audience: 18+/Adult
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Quarterback Alex Dare, had it all -- an all-star football career with the Tampa Breakers and his choice of willing women -- until a severe injury forces him into early retirement. When he is offered a ground-breaking position with a rival team, he’s intrigued, but there’s a catch. He’ll be working alongside the same woman he hasn’t been able to get out of his head for too long.
Social worker Madison Evans grew up in foster homes and knows first hand what it means to have-not. She isn't impressed by Alex Dare’s wealth or charm. Not since she fell hard for him once before, only to discover she was just one of his too-easy conquests. This time around Madison refuses to succumb to Alex so easily.
But Alex wants Madison. And if there is one thing Alex does well, it’s to get what he wants. The playboy athlete must prove he’s got game in more places than on the field. He means to prove that he’s a changed man but no sooner does he begin to break through Madison’s defenses when a new opportunity comes knocking and threatens her new-found trust. Can he make Madison take a risk and dare to love?
Dare to Desire is the second book in Carly Phillips’s Dare to Love series, and it did not disappoint, especially after my second reading. I was first introduced to Alex Dare in Ian Dare’s book Dare to Love. I enjoyed revisiting his second-chance love story with Madison, who certainly didn’t make it easy for Alex to win her over, particularly because he was a well-known player.
Alex was the quarterback for the Tampa Breakers, enjoying every moment of his fame until an incident on the field during one of his games abruptly ended his career. Now, he must navigate life without football, but he receives an opportunity to work at his half-brother’s job in Miami, where he can help other football players like himself. However, he will also be working alongside Madison, the woman he hurt in the past. Alex is determined to win her back, but Madison is not easily convinced. She has trust issues and is unwilling to risk her heart again, especially as she prioritizes her job and legal matters with her foster brother, who wants control over the only person who ever cared for and loved her.
I had initially read this book, even on my second reading, with a bias against Alex’s character because he is known to be a notorious womanizer. However, I was pleasantly surprised by his character development. He ultimately won me over with his determination to prove his love for Madison. Even with opportunities thrown at him that put him in a negative light, he chose to fight for his relationship with Madison. He wouldn’t let anyone get between them this time around, especially after Alex found out what kind of childhood Madison had growing up. He was actually there to help her fight over legal matters between her and her foster brother because he knew how much she loved her foster mother.
Madison, on the other hand, drove me a bit crazy with her trust issues. At times, I wished she could see that Alex was different now and that she could trust him. Other times, I understood her frustrations, especially regarding the situation with her foster brother. I could really feel Madison’s pain whenever she visited her foster mother, Franny, who didn’t recognize her. I had a family member similar to Franny who suffered from the same disease, and it was heartbreaking to watch someone lose their memory of everything and who they once were. This part of the book brought back a flood of memories, both good and bad, but I truly empathized with Madison’s frustrations. She loved her foster mother deeply and only wanted what was best for her.
Both Alex and Madison were struggling in their own ways, and they were learning a lot about each other and how they could support one another. The sexual tension between them was palpable, and the drama that arose ultimately brought them closer together. I was invested in their second chance at love, and I appreciated how Alex and Ian, who are half-brothers, have navigated their relationship. I also enjoyed reconnecting with the other Dares.
Carly Phillips did a fantastic job once again, keeping me engaged as I read Alex and Madison’s story on my Kobo. I can’t wait to reread the third book next! Every single one of the Dares deserves a happy ending. I give this book four stars, and if you haven’t read this book or the series yet, you really should!
Single/Dual POV: Dual POV.
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s an interconnected standalone in the Dare to Love Series. However, if you prefer reading in order, start with Dare to Love (Ian Dare and Riley’s story), the first book in the Dare to Love series.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading Billionaire and Second Chance Romance stories, then read Dare to Desire.
What to Expect:
🏈Billionaire Romance
🏈Sports/Football Romance
🏈Second Chance Romance
🏈Workplace Romance
🏈Damaged/Broken Hero & Heroine
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About Carly Phillips
NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers.
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