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Darrin Bradford was done waiting for the woman that he’d been in love with his entire life to make a decision and has decided to take matters into his own hands in this romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author R.L. Mathewson.

For twenty years, Darrin Bradford has been waiting for the right moment to make his move and now that Marybeth was finally his, he planned on keeping her. There was only one problem with this plan, the stubborn woman that he loved more than anything in this world was keeping something from him and until he figured out what that something was, she would never really be his.

Marybeth made a mistake, one that they were both paying for, but even knowing that this wasn’t going to end well wasn’t enough to make her do the right thing and walk away. She loved him, always had, always would, but she needed to do the right thing before it was too late.

305 pages, ebook

First published April 24, 2015

618 people are currently reading
8070 people want to read

About the author

R.L. Mathewson

71 books15.5k followers
New York Times Bestselling author, R.L. Mathewson was born in Massachusetts. She’s known for her humor, quick wit and ability to write relatable characters. She currently has several paranormal and contemporary romance series published including the Neighbor from Hell series.

Growing up, R.L. Mathewson was a painfully shy bookworm. After high school she attended college, worked as a bellhop, fast food cook, and a museum worker until she decided to take an EMT course. Working as an EMT helped her get over her shyness as well as left her with some fond memories and some rather disturbing ones that from time to time show up in one of her books.

Today, R.L. Mathewson is the single mother of two children that keep her on her toes. She has a bit of a romance novel addiction as well as a major hot chocolate addiction and on a perfect day, she combines the two.

In 2019/2020, R.L. Mathewson will be publishing Devastated, the first Anger Management novel, Tall, Dark & Furious, the 6th installment to the Pyte/Sentinel series, Irresistible, the long anticipated novel for the Neighbor from Hell Series as well as many more books throughout the year, paranormals, contemporaries, and YAs.

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5 stars
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3 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 908 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Kyle.
2,611 reviews5,403 followers
April 30, 2015
2.5 ~ 2.75 Stars

"Do you love me enough to stop pushing me away?"

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This installment was the least funny of the series and got boring by the fifty percent and draggy by seventy-five percent and onward. The writing was choppy and/or like the author left out their relationship (show me some basis for their love anything) and gifted a book on one obstacle. The heroine even though I was supposed to be sympathetic to her (I personally had this condition and a hysterectomy) I eventually found her annoying and if I was Darrin would have ditched her years ago from pure aggravation.

"...they weren't just fuck buddies. This was going somewhere, he told himself."

This couple has been intimate with one another for six years and Darrin wants to get married or at the least go public with their relationship but Marybeth keeps putting on the brakes. Reason being: Marybeth can’t have children and thinks he deserves more than her. Sounds decent plot but truthfully Marybeth was hard to connect with and pretty selfish. I have to say I'm with Darrin's sister on how I felt about Marybeth.

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Honestly I expected more from a childhood friends to lovers and beyond story. So much can be done with past and present. Overall pretty disappointing read for this Bradford fan. On a positive note, the prologue for the next book seems pretty promising!

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Profile Image for UniquelyMoi ~ BlithelyBookish.
1,097 reviews1,761 followers
May 22, 2015
I cannot believe that I am rating one of the Neighbor from Hell books just 2 stars, but Double Dare was almost painful to read. I hated the constant bickering and the back-and-forth together/not together amount of page time this story was given. Really, this book is a hot mess and I'm happy to say I finished it, and somewhat surprised I was able to do so.

Profile Image for Ivy Deluca.
2,382 reviews330 followers
September 26, 2017
The sixth book in the Neighbor from Hell series features Darrin Bradford and his best friend MaryBeth. They’ve been best friends since they were children and for some reason Mary Beth is struggling against becoming more than friends. As usual, romance happens.

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The usual Bradford humor : Silliness abounds in this installment, and there's no shortage of food humor and a strange competition between Mary Beth and Darren where they're constantly daring each other. Unfortunately, the silliness is the centerpiece instead of the garnish to a romance. The jokes wore thin and I wasn’t laughing the way I used to.

More like the last book than the earlier books in the series : Now, I loved this formula and I don’t have a problem with a formula, but it has to work. I understand and usually applaud the desire to change up the formula in a long-running series. Things can get stale and using the same types of characters in the same types of situations can lead to boredom. However, in this instance I feel that it didn't really come together. To change the tone so drastically was jarring. There needs to be a balance and unfortunately there really isn't much of one. The heart of the story and the main obstacle, man did I struggle with it. Alot.

SPOILER ALERT
This is my big sticking point but it does give away alot, so if you want spoiler free, look away. If it doesn’t bother you, read on.



This is a personal issue of mine, so it may not offend others as much as it did me but it really ruined whatever little enjoyment I had reading this book and angered me in some spots to the point where it was difficult for me to remain objective. I just hated it.

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No es bueno. It pains me because I really loved the earlier books in the series but the last two haven't been the strongest, and this one really didn't work. In trying to end this on a more positive note, however, I did read the blurb for the next book and it gives me hope the things will get back on track.

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Profile Image for Cristina.
341 reviews334 followers
July 16, 2015
This was me while reading this book...

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...still me...

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...yeah...me...

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Then I was like...

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And in the end...

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Profile Image for Ⓐlleskelle - That ranting lady ッ.
1,038 reviews957 followers
May 4, 2015
⭐️⭐️2 STARS⭐️⭐️

I'm going to keep this short, I didn't really enjoy this one. I love the Neighbor From Hell series, however "Double Dare" and the previous book were not as satisfying and entertaining as the first 4 books in the series.

I thought maybe my tastes has evolved and that could be explaining why I didn't like The Game Plan that much either... But see, I re-read "Playing for Keeps" which is book 1— not so long ago and LOVED it still.
In my opinion, maybe it's time to give this series a rest and move to something else.
Sure, I love reading about Bradfords antics and I'm glad to read snippets on the author's blog... But to me it feels like dragging an idea and it isn't working for me anymore.

That's exactly what happened to me with "Double Dare". I bought it as soon as it was release because... R.L. Mathewson, duh! But the main "problem" between the characters, the main plot for this book, could have been resolved with one discussion between them. It was ludicrous to imagine a couple dragging "this secret" for 6 or 7 years of their time together. It screamed manufactured drama to me. Even toward the end, when the secret was out, Marybeth kept ignoring and refusing to trust her best friend and lover... The reason behind this? Not enough of a reason to me.
I couldn't get past it, and it put a veil on the whole book. I did enjoy some of the Bradfords banter, I liked that Darrin knew Marybeth would be HIS therefore I loved his stubborn caveman ways.

From now on, I think I'm done with this series, unless it gets back to the fun and entertaining way it was.
I'm well aware many readers loved this book, it simply didn't do it for me, and this is my honest opinion about it.

Profile Image for Henrietta.
40 reviews5 followers
April 25, 2015
I am very unhappy right now..I have read all the NFH and loved all of them, the characters very wonderful and the stories captivating. This one though..not so much. I had serious problem with Marybeth, she was an inch from my TSTL-list and it was not an enjoyable experience reading about her stupid decisions and she just seemed self-centered and quite mean actually:S The book as a whole did not have the same flow as the previous ones, maybe the author had some difficulties with this one but the state of the writing was not up to her usual standards and the whole book felt out of sync. I am willing to forgive this book based on the sneak peek for the next book which seems to have a better heroine.
Profile Image for Michelle.
944 reviews219 followers
April 26, 2015
3 Disappointed Stars!
I love this series!! This book I didn't love! I didn't like Marybeth!! I felt like this book was different from the others. Maybe it was just me. I don't know:(
The ending was rushed!
However...I loved the sneak peak of the next book! I can not wait for more!
Profile Image for Iselreads(lexie).
229 reviews37 followers
April 27, 2015
It was just ok for me. But this was better than the last one.
Profile Image for Hollie.
1,680 reviews
April 28, 2015
I've really loved this series so far (with the exception of the cocoa obsessed heroine in checkmate) but something seemed to be missing here. I love a story of childhood best friends falling in love but this didn't even feel like that. there was no passion. sex yes, but I never felt a connection to either the hero or heroine. I'd say 75% of this book was dedicated to the heroine avoiding the hero. for over 6 years she held back with him rather than just TALKING to the man. It was beyond frustrating. I also tired of her saying she wasn't good enough for him and he deserved better. yes she was infertile. that's not the end of the world. I went through fertility treatments for 10 years. sure it's hard but it's not like you are on your death bed. there are options. I don't know. I was disappointed in this book all around. the hero didn't even feel like a Bradford to me. there was no humour either which was one of my favorite things about this series. I don't think I even cracked a smile while reading this. I didn't enjoy this book but since I loved previous books in this series I'm sure I will still give upcoming books chance.
Profile Image for Len.
296 reviews73 followers
April 30, 2015
It was really hard for me to rate this. What I really love most in the series is the humor in it. Banter of H/h, and of course the Bradford's food obsession. I don't know if it just me, but I didn't find it amusing the prank/dare that's been going on in the whole story. My issue also is the heroine. I don't like Marybeth's decisions either. I find it lacking in development of Darrin and Marybeth relationship. The friends with benefit set up was working though i get tired of it till they finally come to their senses.


Though this not for me, I was still looking forward to next book,
Profile Image for Kim Bailey.
Author 6 books606 followers
August 14, 2016
A little too over-the-top in practically every way ... but I still enjoyed all the crazy.

Bradford men have this sneaky way of getting me to route for them. Darrin certainly fell into that category. He's sexy, charming, kind of hilarious & did I mention sexy? Hot damn.
Marybeth, on the other hand ... I just wasn't a huge fan. Her angsty mellodrama was just too much for me.

Overall, not a bad read, but not my favorite of the series either.
Profile Image for McGee Magoo.
338 reviews55 followers
May 1, 2015
He sighed heavily. "I can't let you treat me like a whore anymore," he announced with typical Bradford flourish, making her roll her eyes.

"Treat you like a whore? Really?" she asked drily with a sad shake of her head, because really, only a Bradford would turn himself into a martyr over sex.


3.5 STARS FOR DOUBLE DARE. This is going to be part review and part commentary on the NFH series.

Readers should probably know going in that events in Double Dare and The Game Plan overlap, but that both can be read as standalones. Another thing that readers should know is that The Game Plan and Double Dare are both attempting to shift into slightly (emphasis on slightly) heavier subject matter. The conflicts aren't so lighthearted as say, oh, Haley's virginity in Playing For Keeps. In this installment the heroine, Marybeth, is unwilling to make a commitment to the love of her life, Darrin Bradford, because she has endometriosis that is getting progressively worse.

Darrin and Marybeth are like two peas in a pod---two peas that fight like cats and dogs and have hot sex like two rabid jackrabbits. They love each other fiercely and can't imagine life without each other.
bradford
But Marybeth won't marry him or let him believe that they have a future as anything besides "fuck buddies" because she doesn't want to ruin his future dreams of fatherhood. So, as you can imagine, the fighting starts. And continues. And goes on and on.

For way too long.

For the record, I LOVE the idea of these conflicts for The Game Plan and Double Dare. I know that some readers feel like the author isn't staying true to the tone -or whatever- of the series, but I disagree. I think the problem is that they are all too much alike.

There's too much bickering. It wears on you after a while when every chapter or section starts out with "You bastard!" or "Rot in hell!" or "Damn it!" Some of the stuff that they get up to is really cute. But some of it just feels like filler to prolong the story or hide the fact that the conflict isn't enough to justify such a lengthy story. The plot doesn't move along, they don't talk to each other. At about 65% into it, I was tired of Marybeth's fighting him. He loved her 100%, no exceptions, and she knew it.

Having said all that, I still enjoyed it. It's still lovable, Bradford antics. These books aren't bad, but they can't be the perfection that the first two books were. I don't think she should try. I think this author has a lot of talent. I think there's a lot of sexy, funny Bradford men that can have their own original stories without being so over the top.
Profile Image for Kate.
2,281 reviews357 followers
February 9, 2017
How I wanted to love this book. Hey even liking it would have been a step in the right direction. I couldn't finish the book. I refuse to torture myself by reading a book that I find disappointing.

Darrin and Marybeth have known one another since they have been 7 which I loved then there is a scene when they were 10 and another one when they are 15. Fast forward to the present and well they are sort of in a relationship. More than friends with benefits.
I had enough of the "I hate yous" and the double dares.

Up to book 4 I was estatic about these books. Book 5 was ok but this book not so much. The 7th book will be out in 2016 so I have enough time to think about whetever or not I want to continue.

Please note this is my personal opinion and in the general scheme of things that doesn't mean jack shit.
Profile Image for Cyndi.
2,451 reviews122 followers
April 7, 2017
Not my favorite in the series. A lot was recapping from the last book, just told from another perspective. Must have been a heck of a trip to Florida. Even Mickey couldn't save this trip. Also, how do these guys get anything done? They seem to spend all their time eating or fighting over food.
Profile Image for Samantha.
194 reviews
Want to read
January 3, 2015
2015? But when exactly I can read it, huh? OMG,you gave me little piece of it that made me sooooo ready for it but now you're planning to make me wait right? NO! big NO to you!

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Please, say that's not true R.L.! I cant wait too much! Want it, need it like right NOW!

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Profile Image for Mindy Lou's Book Review.
3,010 reviews800 followers
December 19, 2021
The push and pull of this one was not enjoyable to me. I like to see a couple work together against whatever is coming between them, not the constant keeping at arms length. It was nice seeing previous book characters again.
87 reviews1 follower
April 26, 2015
Did I just read a R.L. Mathewson book???

Let me just start off by adding that I have read The Game Plan.


I really had high hopes for this book. I've been waiting on it for forever (or so it feels like.) And I was sorely disappointed. I read it in one afternoon, literally started at 4 o'clock, and finished it by 7.

I almost feel like I'm missing half the story.

The story starts out with the main characters being 7 years old and meeting for the first time. Then by the first chapter, it's twenty so odd years later, and they're already in a relationship of sorts. They're in a friends with benefits sort of relationship. They both love each other. They know the other loves them. Yet Marybeth, the heroine, refuses to commit, even though they both love each other...or so they say. Because I didn't really see why they loved each other, myself.

Personally, I think the reasons Marybeth had a problem committing was rather childish. It was something that could've been resolved had the heroine just spoken with the hero. yet she didn't, and it stretched out into a very drawn out drama. Did it suck what she had? Yes. Does life go on? Yes.

I don't feel like I got a good enough explanation as to why she was sick. It was said that she suffered, yet there wasn't any proof of the fact.

The two definitely had chemistry. Sex was copious, if not a little much for such a short novel.

But I didn't love it. There was no relationship build up. It was almost as if the entire relationship happened in another book, and this one was a sequel that gave an 'update' on their relationship. The couple fought throughout the book. Chapters would start and the two would state 'I hate you' back and forth to each other, yet you never really figured out what had happened to get them so 'upset.' And the ending just sort of...ended. I didn't see that the two in the epilogue had any sort of relationship with the main couple to warrant what they did for the couple. Why not add that friendship in, prove to me why you'd choose that couple to *****SPOILER!!!!**** Have your baby? That's a huge process, and something that needs to be explained instead of just thrown in there all willy nilly.

As always, I'll keep buying R. L. Mathewson books because they're usually better than this. As for Double Dare, well I I'll let you draw your own conclusion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
587 reviews1 follower
May 19, 2015
I feel horrible for rating this book so low. I love R.L. So much. But this book, just wasn't for me. It felt more like a novella than an actual book. It was so short and had an abrupt ending.
The amount of sex was ridiculous, I skimmed them. It honestly became too much.
It was so repetitive!! It was the same back and forth the entire time.
Fight. Sex. Double Dare. Sex. Family time. Sex. Wash and repeat.
Marybeth and Darrin start off being in a friends with benefit relationship and we don't get to see anything progress. We miss them falling in love. We miss the start of their physical relationship. We miss any past boyfriends or girls friends. We miss all of Marybeth's medical problems. We even miss their wedding. This book did a lot of telling. No showing. We are told they love each other, we don't see it. We are told about the surgeries, but we don't see it. We are told about their bond but we don't see it.

There are the funny and unique Bradfords that we know and love. But that was about it.

I will continue this series, hoping for the best!
Profile Image for Eclissi.
21 reviews
August 22, 2015
Oh no. Why 2015?
Oh well. Willing to wait.
Profile Image for Kate.
Author 4 books30 followers
February 6, 2017
I just love these sexy as sin , hilariously delusional, alphatastic Bradford men & Darrin Bradford was no different.

I love that we started their story right back when he & Marybeth first met - which had me laughing within the first page - and time jumped in milestone increments through their friendship to get us to present day.
Not only was it entertaining, but it clearly set the foundation for who these two were, what their relationship was like & highlighted perfectly each of their stubborn & wilful personalities.

Marybeth is my fave type of heroine. She's strong, sassy, mouthy, stubborn, gave as good as she got (that 'home movie that wouldn't stop' scene was hilarious!) & protects her softer side like a mother bear.

As always, the antics and banter were completely entertaining & the moments where all the Bradfords are together are just brilliant - (Darrin's mother at the airport had me LMAO...) even the touching moments, and there are a couple.

The sex is as hotter than a calendar full of naked Bradford men... and the chemistry between Darrin & Marybeth is explosive.

I know from seeing a few other reviews that some readers had some issues with this book - which is perfectly fine, that's how they felt, (if you've read the lower rated reviews, you'll know what I mean) - but I didn't. I totally got where each character was coming from & what their POV was... their situation was not an easy one to "just get over". As I said earlier, we knew who these two were from 7yrs old... there was no way, either of them was giving up their point of view easily.

I loved it.
Profile Image for Katie(babs).
1,868 reviews530 followers
April 28, 2015
Very wacky and over the top actions and dialogue Mathewson fans will most likely enjoy, but very convoluted writing with scenes that seem to be thrown together and don't make any real sense. It feels like some scenes that needed to be here went missing. I had a hard time concentrating and understanding what was going on. The chemistry and connection between Darrin and Marybeth isn't really explained in an adequate way. Also the time line jumps around and doesn't segue well into the next scene. This reads more like someone's rambling thoughts and a first draft. It really shouldn't have been published as is.

Darrin and Marybeth's romance had promise but it didn't seem to serve any real purpose. I feel as if each book now is a rehash of the last, with the same exact type of hero and heroine in terms of personality and deja vu dialogue.

Mathewson really needs to tone down the slapstick comedy and circus type plot, as well as find better content editors because each book continues toward a downward spiral. Just because an author may sell well, is no excuse to publish such shoddy work.

This one gets a 1.5 star, and that is being generous. I count this as my breakup with the author and this series.

More at Booklikes: http://katiebabs.booklikes.com/post/1...
Profile Image for Keri.
2,103 reviews122 followers
May 1, 2015
I hated how Marybeth basically jerked Darren around for 6 years. I get some of the issues she was going through, but honesty is always the best policy and letting Darren think one way for 6 years, but know what the truth was because you don't have the guts to say something...just left a bad taste in my mouth. It was a solid two for most of the book, but the ending bumped it up for me. I didn't understand the antipathy that Kenzie and Lucifer had for Marybeth, that was never explained or if it was I missed it. If it was the fact that they felt like she was playing Darren, then that point never made it across to m. I have mad love for RLM and even though this book didn't quite work for me, I am looking forward to what Reese's book is all about.
Profile Image for Suzanne (Under the Covers Book blog).
1,746 reviews563 followers
August 25, 2022

Darrin decided to marry Marybeth when he was 10 and she was 7, it is now over 15 years later and he is still working on it. He knows she loved him, how could she not? And he has never loved anyone but her, but Marybeth is hiding something, something that is stopping her from giving into him abundant charm and making an honest man out of him. Well, he won't let her keep him as his dirty little secret anymore...

I always look forward to the release of a new Neighbour from Hell book, by the end of the book I am inevitably both hungry, horny and grinning. Double Dare was no different, I enjoyed reading about the antics of another crazy and crazy hot Bradford male. However, that was also the problem, Double Dare really was no different from any of the other books in the series. I still enjoyed reading it, but I could feel boredom encroaching the more I read as the jokes and general story arc has started to become all too familiar.

But, I still enjoyed Double Dare, it made me laugh and I can’t help but be charmed by all of the food obsessed Bradford men, both the ones from previous books, and, hopefully, the ones that still have a book to come. The romance between Marybeth and Darrin was fantastic, I loved how their friendship as well as their sexual chemistry shone through.

A great read if you are after something light and funny, I look forward to reading the next book in the series, especially after the little teaser letter Matthewson stuck at the end of the book!
Profile Image for Chappy.
2,209 reviews112 followers
November 12, 2017
Darrin and Marybeth have been best friends since they were kids living next door to each other. She grew up with the Bradford clans (and works with them as well) so she's well versed in all their shenanigans. The whole double-dare concept got old pretty fast and felt a little immature to me.

Marybeth's reason for keeping Darrin at arm's length was kind of lame. If she truly believed this, she should of just let him go.

The story felt disjointed and skipped around too much. These 2 did, however, have some great chemistry.
Profile Image for Saly.
3,437 reviews580 followers
September 18, 2015
I hate giving this rating but I think I may be over this series, it is too over the top and for the love of GOD I can't take the double speak, why can't the characters just talk in a normal language people understand? I read this book after a long break from reading and couldn't follow what was happening half the time, characters seemed to stop mid-conversation and what not. It may work for you but to me it was too melodramatic.
Profile Image for ✿ℎazℯℓ - thℯ ℛock Cℎick ℱairy✿.
1,262 reviews188 followers
January 7, 2016
AHHHH-MAAAZZIIIIIING!!!!!

OMG...

R.L. MATHEWSON is moving up! She's making me cry more now!! I'm used to her making me laugh.. but to cry like this... Happy tears! Absolutely happy tears!!!

I love that the story of this book is much deeper. I love that a sensitive topic could still find a bright side. I love how the characters handled themselves even though sometimes they were frustrating. I just... I love this book so much!!

Read it!!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!!!
Profile Image for Angarad.
1,503 reviews22 followers
April 26, 2015
This is the first time I am disappointed by one of the Bradeford. Honestly, I was bored most of the book. Even if Darrin was fun and quite persistent, Marybeth and her martyr tendency just annoyed me. I felt like there was no real story, just a long list of double dare sometimes hilarious sometimes a bit stupid.
Too bad.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 908 reviews

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