The Fake Dating Dare

by Kelli Storm

‘I dare you.’ Their ultimate test — to stay out of love!


Nursing heartbreak from the town’s golden boy, Meg Archer’s just plain stuck. But when her best friend gets engaged to a famous Holiday Boy band member, Meg has a to plan a pre-wedding party for the ages! The only her partner in crime is the best man, her longtime nemesis Tyler Evans...who just happens to be a heartthrob boy bander turned lauded songwriter. Tyler’s been around the world, but he’s never forgotten one stolen kiss from the girl next door. And as he and Meg fall back into their sparring ways, it ignites something in him he hasn’t felt in years. Dare he even say...love?



Mills & Boon Special Edition — Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published August 26, 2025

About the author

When the 2008 recession hit, KELLI STORM found herself without a job and with too much time on her hands. To fill the void, she began writing fan fiction. She soon developed a following, and her readers encouraged her to write an original story. Kelli’s debut book, HIS SMALL-TOWN CHALLENGE (Harlequin Special Edition, 2025), is an ode to her love of boy bands.

Kelli earned her bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University. She’s the author of the Challenge Accepted series for Harlequin Special Edition and the young adult fantasy series, The Assembly Hearts, which includes DESOLATE (Tiny Fox Press, 2025). She lives in the Great Lake State with three rescue dogs and a fifteen-year-old fish named Henry O’Malley.

Reviews

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another in the Challenge Accepted series, in which Meg Archer is battling her feelings of self-loathing, an outcome of feelings rejected by every man important in her life. When she is asked to be maid of honor for her best friend's wedding, she is appalled that she will be paired with the boy who was her nemesis years earlier. Now he's an award-winning songwriter and handsome as can be. How is Meg going to manage this when she harbors a crush on Tyler Evans. But he won't see her; after all, the women he dates are stick-thin and... she is... not.

But over the course of planning the wedding for their mutual friends, Meg and Tyler also have to battle their feelings for each other and it isn't exactly hatred or even disgust. But who will win out on this particular dare not to kill each other. They say love and hate are polar opposites of one another. Is that true? And if so, when has their so-called hatred turned into love?

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

so very good small town romance. I fell in love with the two main characters. I suffered with meg, cheered for Tyler... wonderful read!

[JeanneK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fake Dating Dare by Kelli Storm is a delightfully entertaining story of Meg and Tyler. As Meg plans a pre-wedding party for her best friend, she learns Tyler, her longtime nemesis, is the best man and they will be working together much to her chagrin. I thought this was an enchanting story with good character development as the spark between them is undeniable and ignited once again. I enjoyed reading this from beginning to end. I received a copy of this book from the author and these opinions are strictly my own. My only suggestion is I wish the print had been larger. I rated it a five.

[Harlequin Books]

Rock Stars, Contemporary Romance, Small Town & Rural Fiction
Miniseries
Challenge Accepted (Book #2)

[Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was just really cute. I love fake dating tropes and throw in a boy band member? I’m sold.

[LaShana Claude]

Nursing Heartbreak from the town's golden boy, Meg Archer's just plain stuck.


- A challenge accepted romance