DARE TO LIE BY JEN MCLAUGHLIN-REVIEW

As an undercover DEA agent in the most powerful gang in Boston, Scott Donahue accepts the risks of living a double life. But when Tate Donovan, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, assigns Scotty to take his place in a bachelor’s auction sponsored by his sister’s sorority, he’s exposed to a whole new level of danger. Even though Tate makes it very clear—Skylar is off limits—the second Scotty sees her, he’s a goner. But how does he tell Sky she’s falling for a man who doesn’t exist?

Sky can’t resist Scotty’s cool confidence or the raw, edgy power oozing from his perfect body. She’s always been the good girl, but he brings out the bad in her. And even though she knows so little about who he really is, Sky’s willing to take the biggest risk of all. But putting her heart on the line is no guarantee that Scotty won’t slip through her fingers...

I am picky. I know this. People who deal with me on a daily basis have definitely figured this out. So, giving a 5 star review to a book is something I have to think about. Usually.
In this case, it was easy. The chemistry between Scott and Skylar was immediate, it was intense and it was scorching. It jumped off the page and captured the reader almost immediately with that angle of the story.

This was not a simple story. Scott is an active member of The Sons of Steel Row, and also a DEA agent. The conflict with this gives some of the most interesting parts of the story, as he works his way through those conflicting loyalties and the goal he has to make the area safe again.

Skylar is the pampered sister of the head of The Sons of Steel Row...although she is not fully aware of the details of what her brother, or Scott for that matter, are actually involved in. This also makes for an interesting tension with the 2 of them, and occasionally with Tate thrown into the mix. This is done in a way that the situation is compelling without dragging down the story or the pacing.

The writing is strong, as is the pacing. I believed and related to the characters, I thought their decisions and moral dilemmas made sense and were the kinds of things people in this situation would deal with. I liked that Scott, and the others, really accepted the reality of their lives, that this was a part of who they were and not a plot point to focus on to move the story.

I enjoyed this book a lot, and it was the first I have read in the series. I am definitely interested in the others and REALLY look forward to Tate's story, which I am hoping was set up in the end of this one.

Buy This Book!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble