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Double Dare
First impressions are lasting impressions...
Pastry baker Emmaline Sharp is one business connection away from turning her bakery into something more than the dessert shop on the corner. She believes she’s found Mr. Right in café owner Tobias Merchant. His Caff-aholic brand of freshly brewed coffee makes him the perfect partner. When she accepts a dare that thrusts her naked self into Tobias’ waiting arms, she jeopardizes her entire future. Emma will have to convince him to give her another chance, and somehow she'll just have to ignore the unexpected passion he ignites within her.
Tobias needs the connection with Emma’s bakery, Sweet Tooth, in order to liberate himself from the financial and emotional obligations of his past. Unfortunately, Emma's reckless behavior leaves him doubting she can be level-headed and business savvy. Every one of his instincts tells him to walk away, but she’s a temptation he can't seem to deny. He's inexplicably drawn to the lightness in her, especially when he knows just how dark the world can be. Against his better judgment, Tobias ignores his instincts and proceeds to form a partnership with Emma.
When their relationship shifts from business to personal, will Emma and Tobias be able to conquer their demons and find their sweet reward before the deal turns sour?
Pastry baker Emmaline Sharp is one business connection away from turning her bakery into something more than the dessert shop on the corner. She believes she’s found Mr. Right in café owner Tobias Merchant. His Caff-aholic brand of freshly brewed coffee makes him the perfect partner. When she accepts a dare that thrusts her naked self into Tobias’ waiting arms, she jeopardizes her entire future. Emma will have to convince him to give her another chance, and somehow she'll just have to ignore the unexpected passion he ignites within her.
Tobias needs the connection with Emma’s bakery, Sweet Tooth, in order to liberate himself from the financial and emotional obligations of his past. Unfortunately, Emma's reckless behavior leaves him doubting she can be level-headed and business savvy. Every one of his instincts tells him to walk away, but she’s a temptation he can't seem to deny. He's inexplicably drawn to the lightness in her, especially when he knows just how dark the world can be. Against his better judgment, Tobias ignores his instincts and proceeds to form a partnership with Emma.
When their relationship shifts from business to personal, will Emma and Tobias be able to conquer their demons and find their sweet reward before the deal turns sour?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2013
37 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Blue
56 books442 followersMelissa Blue's writing career started on a typewriter one month after her son was born. This would have been an idyllic situation for a writer if it had been 1985, not 2004. Eventually she upgraded to a computer. She's still typing away on the same computer, making imaginary people fall in love.
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Other places you can find me:
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorOfSMR
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/MelissaBlue
Pinterest: pinterest.com/melblu
*You can sign up for my newsletter to get updates on new releases and deals here: http://eepurl.com/n0RR1
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 21, 2018
I picked this one since it was a Thrifty Thursday which is classified as a Modern Fairy Tale. Well, I didn't get much of a fairy tale vibe except for a mention here and there of a guy being or not being a Prince Charming.
The relationships and conversations felt a bit rigid and unrealistic. I think the character development wasn't enough for me. But I'm not sure that is my issue; maybe I just didn't connect with the main characters. Emma is a baker, runs a bakery. Tobias is an ex-cop running a coffee shop. Emma seemed all over the place emotionally, sort of like she didn't make decisions on some things, she just winged it. She was maybe too spontaneous for me? Tobias made more sense to me; I liked him. His brother, Josh, was my absolute favorite character, and I loved his sense of humor and intelligence. There was every reason for me to like it but it was just ok
The relationships and conversations felt a bit rigid and unrealistic. I think the character development wasn't enough for me. But I'm not sure that is my issue; maybe I just didn't connect with the main characters. Emma is a baker, runs a bakery. Tobias is an ex-cop running a coffee shop. Emma seemed all over the place emotionally, sort of like she didn't make decisions on some things, she just winged it. She was maybe too spontaneous for me? Tobias made more sense to me; I liked him. His brother, Josh, was my absolute favorite character, and I loved his sense of humor and intelligence. There was every reason for me to like it but it was just ok
April 4, 2013
This story kicks off with Emma partaking in a crazy dare to help cheer up her best friend after a breakup. This is the first time Emma meets Tobias, naked as the day she was born, with a cop car doing patrols of the neighbourhood. He saves her from possibly being lifted, even though he doesn’t know she’s his future business partner.
Tobias is utterly gorgeous, and the poor guy is getting over the murder of his fiancé. He’s quiet, reserved, and the ex-cop in him can’t help try to figure Emma out. He moved to town with his younger brother Josh—by the way, he totally needs his own story when he grows up—who Tobias has also been keeping secrets from. His first instinct is to protect those in his life. Though a bit stuffy in the beginning (the dare/stunt was frowned upon) Tobias quickly won me over with the way he cared for Emma and Josh.
Emma is the quiet one in her trio of friends. She’s wary, a little bit of a pushover, and a queen desert maker. But she is in no way shallow. Emma has a horrid past, losing her parents at a young age and trying to make her way in the world. She hurts, she feels, she cares and when she does I was right there with her. Tobias managed to coax her out of her shell to the point where she even stood up to the strongest personality in her group, and I think I fell for him a little more around then.
All in all, Double Dare was a fantastic story and I can’t wait for the second in the series, Twice Smitten. The humour one expects from a Melissa Blue story is inherent from the first page, right to the end. Both characters are a little broken, even though they may at times not think it, but they heal each other up nicely and I’m not ashamed to say I cried at the end. The scenes with Emma and her two best friends Sasha and Abigail are brilliant and I could picture being there, rolling my eyes at something Abigail said, or giggling at one of Sasha’s one liners.
I highly recommend this story, and can’t wait for the second! Get to work Ms Blue.
Tobias is utterly gorgeous, and the poor guy is getting over the murder of his fiancé. He’s quiet, reserved, and the ex-cop in him can’t help try to figure Emma out. He moved to town with his younger brother Josh—by the way, he totally needs his own story when he grows up—who Tobias has also been keeping secrets from. His first instinct is to protect those in his life. Though a bit stuffy in the beginning (the dare/stunt was frowned upon) Tobias quickly won me over with the way he cared for Emma and Josh.
Emma is the quiet one in her trio of friends. She’s wary, a little bit of a pushover, and a queen desert maker. But she is in no way shallow. Emma has a horrid past, losing her parents at a young age and trying to make her way in the world. She hurts, she feels, she cares and when she does I was right there with her. Tobias managed to coax her out of her shell to the point where she even stood up to the strongest personality in her group, and I think I fell for him a little more around then.
All in all, Double Dare was a fantastic story and I can’t wait for the second in the series, Twice Smitten. The humour one expects from a Melissa Blue story is inherent from the first page, right to the end. Both characters are a little broken, even though they may at times not think it, but they heal each other up nicely and I’m not ashamed to say I cried at the end. The scenes with Emma and her two best friends Sasha and Abigail are brilliant and I could picture being there, rolling my eyes at something Abigail said, or giggling at one of Sasha’s one liners.
I highly recommend this story, and can’t wait for the second! Get to work Ms Blue.
May 15, 2013
When I picked up Double Dare by Melissa Blue, I wasn’t sure what I would get initially. It took me a minute to get into the story, but once I did, it kept my attention. Emmaline was an intriguing character to get to know, although she drove me nuts at different points of the book.
The banter between Emma and Tobias caused things to develop slowly, but that’s what happens when your ideal doesn’t always come in the package you pictured in your head. I identify a lot with Alpha males, and the subtlety of what Tobias represented was something I could get with, although it took Emma some time to come around. Don’t you love women that way?
Emma had to figure out how to let love in after dealing with pain, while Tobias had to get over his own past and the guilt that seemed to weigh him down with each passing page. I would use the word serendipitous as to the type of relationship they developed; neither was what the other was looking for, but they found out each was what the other needed.
The book was sexy, and while most might want a little more spice, I think there was enough heat to enthrall readers of erotic romance, too. Some of the back and forth was hilarious to read through, and when the relationship finally gained some traction it became an engaging read.
While most might feel the dialog and some of the phrases might be a bit off-putting, I was able to keep up with the words and phrases pretty well. I would recommend this book for those who like a slow burn before the pace quickly picks up.
-Reviewed by: Shakir
The banter between Emma and Tobias caused things to develop slowly, but that’s what happens when your ideal doesn’t always come in the package you pictured in your head. I identify a lot with Alpha males, and the subtlety of what Tobias represented was something I could get with, although it took Emma some time to come around. Don’t you love women that way?
Emma had to figure out how to let love in after dealing with pain, while Tobias had to get over his own past and the guilt that seemed to weigh him down with each passing page. I would use the word serendipitous as to the type of relationship they developed; neither was what the other was looking for, but they found out each was what the other needed.
The book was sexy, and while most might want a little more spice, I think there was enough heat to enthrall readers of erotic romance, too. Some of the back and forth was hilarious to read through, and when the relationship finally gained some traction it became an engaging read.
While most might feel the dialog and some of the phrases might be a bit off-putting, I was able to keep up with the words and phrases pretty well. I would recommend this book for those who like a slow burn before the pace quickly picks up.
-Reviewed by: Shakir
April 21, 2013
This is the first in a trilogy about three best friends. Emma or Emmaline is the quiet one which makes it ironic that she is streaking naked down the street at night when she runs into Tobias. Tobias is there because he's opening up a coffee place across the road from Emma's bakery. What they don't realise at the time is that they have a meeting the next day to talk business.
After that rocky start to the business relationship, it's not surprising that they are cautious about a personal relationship. Especially when we find out the baggage both are carrying. They each have different ways of dealing with the tragedies of the part and in some ways this could both make or break the relationship.
I enjoyed the way the relationship grew. It wasn't just about the physical attraction despite the first meeting. The growth of the friendship and romance was believable and the supporting cast well drawn. You do see a lot of the two female friends who will feature in their own stories down the track. A nice easy read and satisfying ending.
After that rocky start to the business relationship, it's not surprising that they are cautious about a personal relationship. Especially when we find out the baggage both are carrying. They each have different ways of dealing with the tragedies of the part and in some ways this could both make or break the relationship.
I enjoyed the way the relationship grew. It wasn't just about the physical attraction despite the first meeting. The growth of the friendship and romance was believable and the supporting cast well drawn. You do see a lot of the two female friends who will feature in their own stories down the track. A nice easy read and satisfying ending.
June 15, 2013
I really wanted to like this book but something about the conversations was hard for me to grasp. I liked the idea of Emma and Merchant but their respective family tragedies and baggage was over the top. He was friendless and her two best friends were too pushy and too needy. I know there are no perfect people but this for all the reasons I mentioned just did not gel for me.
May 7, 2013
Little difficult to read, the proof reader did a lack luster job. Groups of pages repeated themselves, the table of contents was at the very end of the book. But when you were able to read the story line did hold your attention about two people that had experienced some rough things in life and finally found love and compassion in each other.
April 19, 2013
Really good book!!!!
October 11, 2017
What?
I had a hard time following the dialogue between all the characters. I couldn't understand half of the conversations and I definitely did not feel connected to the characters. I got to a point where I couldn't wait for the book to be over.
I had a hard time following the dialogue between all the characters. I couldn't understand half of the conversations and I definitely did not feel connected to the characters. I got to a point where I couldn't wait for the book to be over.
August 31, 2024
Double Dare
Three friends since college are all harboring secrets. Emmaline is the go to friend, the peacemaker. Abigail is the outspoken one & Sasha is the edgy one. Then comes Tobias, the mystery man that wants to do business with Emmaline.
Three friends since college are all harboring secrets. Emmaline is the go to friend, the peacemaker. Abigail is the outspoken one & Sasha is the edgy one. Then comes Tobias, the mystery man that wants to do business with Emmaline.
October 21, 2017
Great read
This book was funny and had just enough romance. I would purchase another of her books. Great story line thanks
This book was funny and had just enough romance. I would purchase another of her books. Great story line thanks
July 4, 2021
It's a light summer read
I really liked the story it just enough sex to make it interesting but not to overwhelm the story line.
I really liked the story it just enough sex to make it interesting but not to overwhelm the story line.
June 23, 2013
Double Dare is the story of Emma and Tobias. Both run their own businesses—Emma a dessert place and Tobias a coffee place. Thus, it is only natural that they team up to sell more of their products. Emma meets Tobias under unusual circumstances. On a dare, she is running naked down a street. Seeing a police car arrive, she rushes to Tobias to have him shield her and provide cover so the police will not arrest her. This initial meeting is never forgotten by the two of them and is “the elephant in the room” throughout the story. Can they also overcome the skeletons in their past and make a success of their partnership and relationship? The author has written a great story about two people facing obstacles they need to overcome to succeed. Past grief in both the life of Emma and Tobias impact on their current lives and relationship, while, at the same time, helping them to heal. It is also the story of three loving friends, willing to go to bat for their friends at all times and the story of one man who takes familial responsibility seriously. Development of the two main characters and supporting characters (the younger brother of Tobias and Emma’s two college friends) is well done. My only criticism is that there is a weak plot, which makes the story drag a lot. It is also a simple straightforward story, rather than a deeper story. It is a good chick lit read for the beach or other summer vacation/trip. I received this from Library Thing to read and review.
April 26, 2013
Emmeline Sharp a dare devil who would do anything to help her friends out, takes a double dare and streaks down the street to cheer up her friend who has just been dumped by a text message. As she runs down the street she believes she's in the clear, but low and behold her comes the cops. She looks for shelter and runs into a dark handsome stranger,Tobias Merchant, he her covers her quickly with his coffee scented leather coat and kisses her into delirium. Tobias only wants to run his business no relationships,he's still recovering from losing his fiance, but that woman he kissed that night will not leave his head. His brother Joshua just got a job across the street and his description of his new boss golden eyes is the one distinctive thing he remembers about the girl he kissed the night in the street and she's the owner of the business he is supposed to partner with. He hurries across to street to see if it's her and when he finds that it is his mind starts picturing all the things he's liked to do her with the cherry filling she's pouring over that crossiant. It's so intense he retreats from the store and runs back to Caff-aholic for safety.
Hold on to your seats boys and girls this one is a keeper, I loved they storyline and the way Melissa Blue developed all of her characters. If you like a good romance this one is one to read!
Hold on to your seats boys and girls this one is a keeper, I loved they storyline and the way Melissa Blue developed all of her characters. If you like a good romance this one is one to read!
May 13, 2016
In general this book has a predictable but entertaining plot line. Girl meets guy in a strange way, Girl and Guy each have troubled past, share past while falling in love. I felt like the author was very thorough in developing the undertones of the characters. This keep me intrigued and reading. However, I agree with another reviewer - the book was VERY DIFFICULT to read in terms of editing, grammar, and word choice. I often found it frustrating to get through the book. I was reading on kindle so it may be attributed to that. Looking past the reading difficulties, this book is an entertaining story. Great job Ms. Blue!
April 21, 2013
Love. Love. Love. This story starts well and ends well. Tobias and Emma are supposed to meet but not like this.! While on a dare, Emma is this close to be arrested when she runs into Tobias, who becomes her savior. He's more intrigued than he wants to be and she is not sure of anything. They have a courtship that is confusing, passionate, exasperating and funny as hell. Great book. You should read.
June 20, 2013
OMG!!! This is the most romantic, sexual, funny book I've read todate. I got misty eyed at the end it's amazing Emmaline & Tobias. WOW!!!
I'm on to Melissa's next book. This author is a keeper.
WOW READ THIS BOOK!!!
I'm on to Melissa's next book. This author is a keeper.
WOW READ THIS BOOK!!!
June 21, 2013
Took a minute to get into, but actually turned out to be pretty good.
May 14, 2013
I like very much the point that every one has the capability to overcome pain and guilt.
July 31, 2013
Has potential, but sometimes the storyline felt clumsy and confusing. Maybe it was the wording, sentence structure, or maybe simply it's the writer's style.
October 2, 2025
This book was good. It kept my interest. This love story was great.
August 3, 2013
I loved this book and how the complicated personalities of the main characters were able to come together.
February 22, 2014
i really liked this book. it was funny and witty. The characters blended well together. It was a romantic comedy in a book. Well worth a read check it out
July 28, 2016
Double Dare
Love this book it was very enjoyable could not put it down ,sitting on the edge of my seat.can not wait to read more from this author.
Love this book it was very enjoyable could not put it down ,sitting on the edge of my seat.can not wait to read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews