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Dare to Fall #1
Falling for Trouble
Brother’s Best Friend • Forbidden Romance • Billionaire Protector • Miami Heat • A Dare Family Series Story
He’s the bad boy my family warned me about—and the one man I can’t have.
I just landed the job of my dreams—planning the Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebration—and I can’t afford distractions. Especially not tattooed billionaire and reformed troublemaker Lucas Carras. He exudes alpha-hero intensity, but he’s been off limits for as long as I’ve known him.
But the kickoff party is happening at the nightclub he co-owns with my brother… and with my sibling out of town, I’m stuck working with Lucas.
Forced proximity ignites the desire we’ve both been pretending doesn’t exist. From bedrooms to storage rooms, the scorching tension causes us to cross every line we swore we wouldn’t. On paper, we’re complete opposites. In reality, the chemistry is undeniable.
This party is everything I’ve worked for—my moment to prove myself. Until the sabotage starts.
Orders vanish. Vendors back out. Someone is determined to ruin the anniversary… and my reputation along with it.
Suddenly Lucas isn’t just a distraction. He’s my protector, my anchor, and the only man I trust to stand by my side.
But when my brother finds out about us, family drama explodes. And I’m torn between being the good girl who plays by the rules... and falling for trouble.
Perfect for fans of Carly Phillips and high-heat sports romance, Falling for Trouble features a possessive hero, high-stakes suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.
He’s the bad boy my family warned me about—and the one man I can’t have.
I just landed the job of my dreams—planning the Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebration—and I can’t afford distractions. Especially not tattooed billionaire and reformed troublemaker Lucas Carras. He exudes alpha-hero intensity, but he’s been off limits for as long as I’ve known him.
But the kickoff party is happening at the nightclub he co-owns with my brother… and with my sibling out of town, I’m stuck working with Lucas.
Forced proximity ignites the desire we’ve both been pretending doesn’t exist. From bedrooms to storage rooms, the scorching tension causes us to cross every line we swore we wouldn’t. On paper, we’re complete opposites. In reality, the chemistry is undeniable.
This party is everything I’ve worked for—my moment to prove myself. Until the sabotage starts.
Orders vanish. Vendors back out. Someone is determined to ruin the anniversary… and my reputation along with it.
Suddenly Lucas isn’t just a distraction. He’s my protector, my anchor, and the only man I trust to stand by my side.
But when my brother finds out about us, family drama explodes. And I’m torn between being the good girl who plays by the rules... and falling for trouble.
Perfect for fans of Carly Phillips and high-heat sports romance, Falling for Trouble features a possessive hero, high-stakes suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 5, 2026
152 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
About the author
Carly Phillips
415 books9,791 followersNY 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. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
February 7, 2026
This was such a fun, quick and easy romance! I really enjoyed it! The writing was smooth and kept me interested the whole time. I never felt bored and I really, really liked the characters in this book! The romance was definitely the main focus for me, and I loved watching Rainey and Lucas finally give in to feelings they'd been holding back! It was very sweet and satisfying. The pacing worked really well for a shorter book and while I would've loved even more time with some of the side relationships, this was such a good, solid start to the series! If you're looking for a fast, sweet romance with a little spice (especially if you enjoy the brother's best friend trope) this is definitely worth picking up! I'm sooo excited to read the next book!
February 11, 2026
Falling For Trouble was a fantastic start to the new Dare to Fall series from Carly Phillips. Ian and Riley Dare's little girl Rainey is all grown up and of course has her eyes on bad boy Lucas Carras, her brother Jack's best friend and business partner. This story took me to my happy place being back with the next generation from the original Dare series. Rainey was the perfect main character to get her story first in this new series.
Falling for Trouble was an absolute catnip read for me. Revisiting favorite characters, check. Hero falling first, check. Reformed bad boy, check. Kickass, strong, smart heroine, check. I loved every moment of this book. Rainey and Lucas had the kind of chemistry that was apparent anytime they were in the vicinity of one another. I swear when Ian Dare learned Rainey would be working with Lucas for details for the anniversary party, he knew they would end up as a couple.
I loved that both Rainey and Lucas were very strong characters. Yes, Lucas being the alpha male he is wanted to protect Rainey, but she was also strong and capable on her own. The suspense element was at just the right level to add to the story without overpowering the romance between Rainey and Lucas. I've mentioned the very strong chemistry between the characters, but there was also a sweetness to them as a couple that made me love them together even more. I just loved every single moment of this book.
The Dare family series remains one of my favorite series of characters written by Carly Phillips. I'm absolutely over the moon excited to get to read books with the next generation, while getting to see the original characters again. I highly recommend Falling for Trouble for romance fans everywhere.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
Falling for Trouble was an absolute catnip read for me. Revisiting favorite characters, check. Hero falling first, check. Reformed bad boy, check. Kickass, strong, smart heroine, check. I loved every moment of this book. Rainey and Lucas had the kind of chemistry that was apparent anytime they were in the vicinity of one another. I swear when Ian Dare learned Rainey would be working with Lucas for details for the anniversary party, he knew they would end up as a couple.
I loved that both Rainey and Lucas were very strong characters. Yes, Lucas being the alpha male he is wanted to protect Rainey, but she was also strong and capable on her own. The suspense element was at just the right level to add to the story without overpowering the romance between Rainey and Lucas. I've mentioned the very strong chemistry between the characters, but there was also a sweetness to them as a couple that made me love them together even more. I just loved every single moment of this book.
The Dare family series remains one of my favorite series of characters written by Carly Phillips. I'm absolutely over the moon excited to get to read books with the next generation, while getting to see the original characters again. I highly recommend Falling for Trouble for romance fans everywhere.
Rating: 5 Stars (A)
Review copy provided by publisher
February 5, 2026
This is the first book in a new series and it starts it off on a real high. The chemistry between Lucas and Rainey is sizzling hot and one that radiates off the pages. Lucas has a past that he is not proud of and one that holds him back from Rainey. However, with the connection these two have and the fact that Rainey sees the growth he has made from a troubled teen to an amazing and successful man, these two were never going to be able to stay away. The story draws you in with not only the energy of the characters but with the suspension and mystery that surrounds them, that keeps you on the edge of your seat guessing who might be causing mayhem and sabotage. The relationship between Rainey and Lucas is not an easy one with complications, however it is worth all the family drama as these two must get past overprotective brothers and a father that is cautious. There is plenty and heat and steam and drama to go hand in hand with a beautifully written love story.
February 5, 2026
Falling for Trouble was a fun and addictive read. I really loved the writing style, it was smooth and easy to get into, and the plot flowed nicely without feeling heavy.
Rainey was a solid FMC. I liked how driven and career focused she was, and how much this event meant to her. Lucas is full on billionaire protector energy and very clearly all in for her. Their chemistry was strong and the forbidden plus forced proximity trope worked well.
The sabotage plot added tension and kept things interesting, even if parts were a bit predictable. I do wish the family drama had been explored a little more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable with great writing, good pacing, and strong chemistry. I’ll definitely continue the series.
Thank you to The Author Agency, Wildfire Marketing Solutions & Carly Phillips for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rainey was a solid FMC. I liked how driven and career focused she was, and how much this event meant to her. Lucas is full on billionaire protector energy and very clearly all in for her. Their chemistry was strong and the forbidden plus forced proximity trope worked well.
The sabotage plot added tension and kept things interesting, even if parts were a bit predictable. I do wish the family drama had been explored a little more.
Overall, this was an enjoyable with great writing, good pacing, and strong chemistry. I’ll definitely continue the series.
Thank you to The Author Agency, Wildfire Marketing Solutions & Carly Phillips for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 9, 2026
4 star
This is Rainey and Lucas’s story. She is planning an event at a bar her brother owns with Lucas. But her brother is away, which forces her to work with Lucas. Lucas knows that Rainey is off limits. But when danger comes calling for her, he is going to protect her at all costs. With them spending more and more time together they grow closer and fall for each other, but will the family approve? Or will she have to lose one or the other?
I recommend this book.
This is Rainey and Lucas’s story. She is planning an event at a bar her brother owns with Lucas. But her brother is away, which forces her to work with Lucas. Lucas knows that Rainey is off limits. But when danger comes calling for her, he is going to protect her at all costs. With them spending more and more time together they grow closer and fall for each other, but will the family approve? Or will she have to lose one or the other?
I recommend this book.
February 7, 2026
Universal
Rainey's so happy that her firm has won their bid to plan the Thunder's 50th anniversary celebration. She and her business partner did it on their own without having to be the nepo baby and ask her father (the Thunder's owner) to help. But it's when her brother's best friend and business partner is paired with her firm to help, that things take a turn. Being in such close proximity with the guy she's crushed on and is ridiculously attracted to, is begging her to step over that forbidden line. Can she and Lucas resist the pull?
Lucas has spent nearly his whole life believing he's not good enough - not for his friend Jack, and definitely not for Jack's sister. His childhood was horrible, and he made some not so great choices that led him into some not so great company. But he was adopted by amazing parents, and has now become a successful businessman, is a ride or die best friend, is protective of the people he cares about. He's always known he can't even think twice about Rainey, but he's unable to keep hold of his restraint any longer. He'll keep it a secret like she asks, hoping it won't get ugly if it comes to light, but knowing inside it's gonna be a disaster...
Rainey and Lucas are so sweet, and their chemistry melted my Kindle the first page they see each other again. I felt so hard for Lucas, his past had done a number on him, so it makes it perfect that he and Rainey fell in love, because she saw through his bad boy image and into his tender, if bruised, heart. I've been reading the Dares for a long time, and each one has so much love to give. This time around, it was Rainey's turn to fall, and fall she did, for the man perfect for her. I adored them together and loved being in the big world of the Dares again. Brother Jack's story is coming up soon, as well as Lucas and Jack's business partner Tristan - and I can't wait!
ARC provided by The Author Agency for an honest review.
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Review of advance copy
Falling For Trouble is book 1 in the new Dare to Fall series and we are now getting the next generation of Dares. In this book we follow Ian's oldest child, and only daughter, Rainey as she falls for former bad boy, and brother's best friend, Lucas.
Rainey is the oldest child of Ian and Riley Dare. She is daddy's princess. As the only girl, she has him wrapped around her little finger. But she learned from him. She did not want to make her way by working for his company, the Miami Thunder. Instead, she and best freind, Kaylee, started their own corporate events company. She has a work ethic that her parents would be proud of.
Lucas had a rough childhood. His biological parents were in to bad things. They did not care about their child, only about themselves. He found himself getting mixed up with the wrong crowd due to lack of supervision. When he was placed into foster care, he got lucky with the family he was placed with. They took him in, gave him unconditional love and proved there was nothing he could do that would make them give him back.
When Rainey's company wins the bid to for the Miami Thunder 50th Anniversary, she is beyond excited. It was tough won and she did it without her father stepping in. She made him promise not to. She has big plans that will last all season long, beginning with a kick off party and ending with a end of season party. Both major parties she wants to have at Midnight, a nightclub owned by her brother, Jack, and his two partners, Tristan and Lucas.
Because Jack is scouting new locations to open up another Midnight nightclub, Rainey will have to work with Lucas on the two parties. She has had a crush on him since he and her brother became friends, but she knows it will cause a problem between them if she should act on her feelings. So instead, she keeps it professional.
She also needs to keep it professional with Lucas since she and Kaylee have been working hard to rebuild their company after an unfortunate event occurred in the past.
But neither Rainey nor Lucas can keep it professional when they are together. They have feelings for each other. But he is afraid to start something with her because he thinks her father will not approve of him. And she is afraid to start something with him because she does not want to ruin his and Jack's friendship and/or their business partnership.
But when weird things start to happen to Rainey, Lucas is the one person she calls. Shipments are supposedly delivered, but they have not shown up. Orders get cancelled that she did not cancel. Lucas is either there when she finds out about the issue, or she calls him and he comes running.
But when there is a physical threat, it is Lucas who takes control. Without Rainey's approval. But being the smart man he is, he listens to her concerns and agrees to compromise. Unfortunately for Rainey, her father is not as compromising. Or as calm as Lucas. Remember, she is daddy's princess.
When the final straw hits Rainey, she starts questioning the vendor to gain more information. What she learns really upsets her. She acts quickly to contain the fallout, but in the process gains the information she needs to put an end to the problem.
A blast from Rainey's past has caused her nothing but grief and for reasons unknown to her. Will she get the answers she needs?
Rainey is an example of strength and never giving up. Even though things are going wrong, she comes up with alternatives and changes her theme to match the changes.
Lucas was a bad boy years ago, but he has come a long way from those days. Yes, he and Jack have a confrontation coming, because Rainey is Jack's sister. You do not mess with your best friend's sister. Bro code dude. But his fear that he will not measure up when he talks to Ian surprises me. If anyone can see how much Lucas has changed, it is Ian. He has respect for what he has managed to do with his life. And as we all know, Ian has already done a complete background check on Lucas.
These two are meant to be. Period. Everyone sees it. Now I can't wait for Jack's book. I hope Rainey turns the tables on him when he finds his person.
Rainey is the oldest child of Ian and Riley Dare. She is daddy's princess. As the only girl, she has him wrapped around her little finger. But she learned from him. She did not want to make her way by working for his company, the Miami Thunder. Instead, she and best freind, Kaylee, started their own corporate events company. She has a work ethic that her parents would be proud of.
Lucas had a rough childhood. His biological parents were in to bad things. They did not care about their child, only about themselves. He found himself getting mixed up with the wrong crowd due to lack of supervision. When he was placed into foster care, he got lucky with the family he was placed with. They took him in, gave him unconditional love and proved there was nothing he could do that would make them give him back.
When Rainey's company wins the bid to for the Miami Thunder 50th Anniversary, she is beyond excited. It was tough won and she did it without her father stepping in. She made him promise not to. She has big plans that will last all season long, beginning with a kick off party and ending with a end of season party. Both major parties she wants to have at Midnight, a nightclub owned by her brother, Jack, and his two partners, Tristan and Lucas.
Because Jack is scouting new locations to open up another Midnight nightclub, Rainey will have to work with Lucas on the two parties. She has had a crush on him since he and her brother became friends, but she knows it will cause a problem between them if she should act on her feelings. So instead, she keeps it professional.
She also needs to keep it professional with Lucas since she and Kaylee have been working hard to rebuild their company after an unfortunate event occurred in the past.
But neither Rainey nor Lucas can keep it professional when they are together. They have feelings for each other. But he is afraid to start something with her because he thinks her father will not approve of him. And she is afraid to start something with him because she does not want to ruin his and Jack's friendship and/or their business partnership.
But when weird things start to happen to Rainey, Lucas is the one person she calls. Shipments are supposedly delivered, but they have not shown up. Orders get cancelled that she did not cancel. Lucas is either there when she finds out about the issue, or she calls him and he comes running.
But when there is a physical threat, it is Lucas who takes control. Without Rainey's approval. But being the smart man he is, he listens to her concerns and agrees to compromise. Unfortunately for Rainey, her father is not as compromising. Or as calm as Lucas. Remember, she is daddy's princess.
When the final straw hits Rainey, she starts questioning the vendor to gain more information. What she learns really upsets her. She acts quickly to contain the fallout, but in the process gains the information she needs to put an end to the problem.
A blast from Rainey's past has caused her nothing but grief and for reasons unknown to her. Will she get the answers she needs?
Rainey is an example of strength and never giving up. Even though things are going wrong, she comes up with alternatives and changes her theme to match the changes.
Lucas was a bad boy years ago, but he has come a long way from those days. Yes, he and Jack have a confrontation coming, because Rainey is Jack's sister. You do not mess with your best friend's sister. Bro code dude. But his fear that he will not measure up when he talks to Ian surprises me. If anyone can see how much Lucas has changed, it is Ian. He has respect for what he has managed to do with his life. And as we all know, Ian has already done a complete background check on Lucas.
These two are meant to be. Period. Everyone sees it. Now I can't wait for Jack's book. I hope Rainey turns the tables on him when he finds his person.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What started as a short term secret fling turned into something that Lucas and Rainey couldn’t have denied if they tried! Despite the typical romance novel fear of her dad and brother finding out she’s dating someone, it’s clear that Lucas is good for Rainey and will always take care of her. Can’t wait to read next in the series! 5 stars-By Megan
The Dares are back and couldn't be happier! I am a huge Carly Phillips fan and could not wait to get my hands on this book. I love how Rainey really wants to make a name for herself and not depend on her Dad and the Dare name to make her dreams come true. When she lands a huge event she believes things are finally turning around for her. However, someone is still out to sabotage everything she is working so hard for.
Lucas is Rainey's brother's best friend and the co-owner of the club where she wants to hold her event. The chemistry between the two is off the charts and they finally give in to the temptation. It isn't long before they realize that what they have is something they actually want to pursue even though they know that it's not going to be easily accepted by the family. Of course what happens when you try to hide a relationship? It gets exposed in the most dramatic way, leading to some interesting moments.
This book really pulled me in right away. The writing was phenomenal and the characters were amazing. There was a lot of drama and suspense that had me in the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to work out. I loved how Lucas was so protective over Rainey and wanted to be there to help in any way that he could. I can't wait for the next book in this series! 4 stars- By Alisa
Rainey Dare co-owns Golden Palm Events with her best friend, Kaylee Martin, and they are trying to make a name for themselves on their own despite Rainey's connections to the Miami Thunder football team owned by her father. After recently having some bad press she is determined to prove that they are a great events company.
Lucas Carras had a rough childhood but has turned his life around and owns a nightclub with Rainey's brother, Jack. When he begins working with Rainey on her latest plans will he be able to keep his attraction to her at bay when it's clear someone is after her?
I enjoyed this book but I think what prevented me from rating it higher was that I had everything figured out almost from the beginning and yes there was tension but everything went pretty smoothly in regards to Lucas and Rainey.
There was definitely attraction and feelings between Lucas and Rainey right from the beginning but because of Lucas's past and his relationship with Jack nothing had ever happened between the two of them. Rainey also wanted to prove that she could handle the event for the Miami Thunder on her own and be able to prove to everyone that she was more than capable of having success.
When things began to go wrong right away I guessed who it was but Rainey was able to pick up the pieces with help from other people and get everything back on track. In a way it was frustrating that it took a few times before she got it right and figured it all out.
I liked the relationship between Lucas and Rainey and you know when things are kept a secret they are going to blow up to a certain degree but I felt like this one was resolved between everyone pretty fast.
I look forward to more from this author! 3.5 Stars- Rebecca
The Dares are back and couldn't be happier! I am a huge Carly Phillips fan and could not wait to get my hands on this book. I love how Rainey really wants to make a name for herself and not depend on her Dad and the Dare name to make her dreams come true. When she lands a huge event she believes things are finally turning around for her. However, someone is still out to sabotage everything she is working so hard for.
Lucas is Rainey's brother's best friend and the co-owner of the club where she wants to hold her event. The chemistry between the two is off the charts and they finally give in to the temptation. It isn't long before they realize that what they have is something they actually want to pursue even though they know that it's not going to be easily accepted by the family. Of course what happens when you try to hide a relationship? It gets exposed in the most dramatic way, leading to some interesting moments.
This book really pulled me in right away. The writing was phenomenal and the characters were amazing. There was a lot of drama and suspense that had me in the edge of my seat wondering how everything was going to work out. I loved how Lucas was so protective over Rainey and wanted to be there to help in any way that he could. I can't wait for the next book in this series! 4 stars- By Alisa
Rainey Dare co-owns Golden Palm Events with her best friend, Kaylee Martin, and they are trying to make a name for themselves on their own despite Rainey's connections to the Miami Thunder football team owned by her father. After recently having some bad press she is determined to prove that they are a great events company.
Lucas Carras had a rough childhood but has turned his life around and owns a nightclub with Rainey's brother, Jack. When he begins working with Rainey on her latest plans will he be able to keep his attraction to her at bay when it's clear someone is after her?
I enjoyed this book but I think what prevented me from rating it higher was that I had everything figured out almost from the beginning and yes there was tension but everything went pretty smoothly in regards to Lucas and Rainey.
There was definitely attraction and feelings between Lucas and Rainey right from the beginning but because of Lucas's past and his relationship with Jack nothing had ever happened between the two of them. Rainey also wanted to prove that she could handle the event for the Miami Thunder on her own and be able to prove to everyone that she was more than capable of having success.
When things began to go wrong right away I guessed who it was but Rainey was able to pick up the pieces with help from other people and get everything back on track. In a way it was frustrating that it took a few times before she got it right and figured it all out.
I liked the relationship between Lucas and Rainey and you know when things are kept a secret they are going to blow up to a certain degree but I felt like this one was resolved between everyone pretty fast.
I look forward to more from this author! 3.5 Stars- Rebecca
Review of advance copy received from Author
When Carly Phillips started mentioning a secret project to me and other members of her reader group we were all intrigued but most of us don’t much care what is coming at us, if its from Carly we’re going to read it (full honesty). So, when I started reading this is hadn’t even read the blurb, so when I started recognizing names and realized we were getting the second generation of Ian and Riley Dare I was beyond thrilled. I love a good second generation continuation of a series but realizing the Dare’s were continuing this way made my heart almost beat out of chest because I have followed this series religiously from the very beginning (heck I created the first published Dare family tree!). I can only say I enjoyed every moment of not only Rainey and Lucas’s love story, but seeing all the “old” couples that first grabbed my heart when they found love through adversity and getting to see that their HEA really did last through all the crap life throws at people as they age together. Carly truly gave us a gift as she continued the Dares into Gen2 and I hope she does this for all the Dare groups up and down the eastern seaboard (wink, wink; nudge, nudge Carly).
Rainey Dare has finally gotten her chance to prove to not only her family but also others in the business community that she can be successful not because of her connections to the famous Dare fortune, but despite them. She and her partner have won a huge contract that could make of break their business, but she needs the help of the one man that makes her heart beat and her body melt, and the one man that “friend-zoned” her ages ago. Lucas Carras has always known that Rainey Dare was a temptation to sin that he would have to resist not just because her brother is his best friend and business partner, but because her parents will never accept a relationship between them. But the more they spent time together planning the big party, working through mysterious catastrophes that seem to sabotage Rainey, the closer they get and soon the thought of resisting their need is no longer something either of them is willing to entertain. Sadly, a secret affair can only remain secret for so long and once their feelings are involved an affair, one that is explosively public is not something either of them wants, because they both want so much more. Can they figure out who is after Rainey and also find a way to be together without tearing apart their other relationships, or will they forever have to choose between those they need and what they want?
I truly loved this story, not just because I was instantly obsessed with getting to know Rainey as adult, but because watching her and Lucas both coming to terms with their fears and desires was a true story of growth and discovery. True chemistry is undeniable and sometimes comes in the most unexpected of places, but when you also have a base of friendship, trust, and years of knowing a man understanding that chemistry adds up to so much more once you allow it free rein in your heart. Rainey spent so many years fighting for her place in her family, never allowing anyone to write her off as simply another vapid little rich girl and has built a thriving and enriched life and business. The one thing she has never found is a love like the one she witnessed between her parents and the others of their generation, filled with deep respect, love and understanding, and she will settle for nothing else for herself. Watching her try to settle for less in order to explore the passion with Lucas was hilarious, because we all knew that simply saying they were going to have an affair was going to blow up in their faces. Lucas has fought tooth and nail to be a better man than he was and then he could have turned out to be. His business with his two best friends is successful and his pride and joy, but he doesn’t do relationships so he won’t allow himself to reach for the one woman he has always wanted. Rainey has always pulled him in and having her in his arms finally releases so much emotion that he has to work through before he can be the man she truly deserves and needs. It was fabulous to watch the explosive chemistry they shared as it slowly settled into a simmer that was very familiar and I can’t wait to see them in future stories as their love is another one that looks to last for the rest of their lives.
Carly gave us the best second generation beginning and I am dying for more so I hope others enjoy it as much as tell her all about it so that she keeps the stories coming. Rainey and Lucas are fabulous characters as are their friends and cousins so I am dying to get to see them all falling in love and their own brand of trouble. The passion and chemistry, wit and conflict, and beautiful writing is classic Carly, so I am thrilled I was given the (surprise) chance to venture into the lives of these all grown-up kids as this continuation of a love that we witnessed so long ago. If you are new to the series, and haven’t read Ian and Riley’s story (Dare to Love), I highly recommend you start way back and the beginning after you read Falling for Trouble, so you can see where it all began and then you will be just as hooked as the rest of us on the Dare World of love.
Rainey Dare has finally gotten her chance to prove to not only her family but also others in the business community that she can be successful not because of her connections to the famous Dare fortune, but despite them. She and her partner have won a huge contract that could make of break their business, but she needs the help of the one man that makes her heart beat and her body melt, and the one man that “friend-zoned” her ages ago. Lucas Carras has always known that Rainey Dare was a temptation to sin that he would have to resist not just because her brother is his best friend and business partner, but because her parents will never accept a relationship between them. But the more they spent time together planning the big party, working through mysterious catastrophes that seem to sabotage Rainey, the closer they get and soon the thought of resisting their need is no longer something either of them is willing to entertain. Sadly, a secret affair can only remain secret for so long and once their feelings are involved an affair, one that is explosively public is not something either of them wants, because they both want so much more. Can they figure out who is after Rainey and also find a way to be together without tearing apart their other relationships, or will they forever have to choose between those they need and what they want?
I truly loved this story, not just because I was instantly obsessed with getting to know Rainey as adult, but because watching her and Lucas both coming to terms with their fears and desires was a true story of growth and discovery. True chemistry is undeniable and sometimes comes in the most unexpected of places, but when you also have a base of friendship, trust, and years of knowing a man understanding that chemistry adds up to so much more once you allow it free rein in your heart. Rainey spent so many years fighting for her place in her family, never allowing anyone to write her off as simply another vapid little rich girl and has built a thriving and enriched life and business. The one thing she has never found is a love like the one she witnessed between her parents and the others of their generation, filled with deep respect, love and understanding, and she will settle for nothing else for herself. Watching her try to settle for less in order to explore the passion with Lucas was hilarious, because we all knew that simply saying they were going to have an affair was going to blow up in their faces. Lucas has fought tooth and nail to be a better man than he was and then he could have turned out to be. His business with his two best friends is successful and his pride and joy, but he doesn’t do relationships so he won’t allow himself to reach for the one woman he has always wanted. Rainey has always pulled him in and having her in his arms finally releases so much emotion that he has to work through before he can be the man she truly deserves and needs. It was fabulous to watch the explosive chemistry they shared as it slowly settled into a simmer that was very familiar and I can’t wait to see them in future stories as their love is another one that looks to last for the rest of their lives.
Carly gave us the best second generation beginning and I am dying for more so I hope others enjoy it as much as tell her all about it so that she keeps the stories coming. Rainey and Lucas are fabulous characters as are their friends and cousins so I am dying to get to see them all falling in love and their own brand of trouble. The passion and chemistry, wit and conflict, and beautiful writing is classic Carly, so I am thrilled I was given the (surprise) chance to venture into the lives of these all grown-up kids as this continuation of a love that we witnessed so long ago. If you are new to the series, and haven’t read Ian and Riley’s story (Dare to Love), I highly recommend you start way back and the beginning after you read Falling for Trouble, so you can see where it all began and then you will be just as hooked as the rest of us on the Dare World of love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
*An advance reader copy was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.*
Rainey Dare’s event planning company was awarded the job of planning the Miami Thunder football team’s big anniversary celebration. She wants to do a good job for her dad and her family, and to show the naysayers that she won this job not because of her last name, but on her own merit. Especially after having to rebuild their company’s reputation after a client posted a negative review of them and badmouthed them all over town. With that in mind, she decides to use her brother Jack’s club, Midnight, for her kickoff event.
But with Rainey’s brother scouting new locations in other cities, she will have to work with his best friend and co-owner, Lucas Carras. Lucas has been friends with Jack since they were younger. Lucas is no happier than Rainey is that they have to work together. Years ago, Jack warned Lucas to stay away from his sister. That didn’t have so much to do with Lucas’ past, but more to do with Jack being a protective brother. Lucas is not the same guy as he was all those years ago. If he was, Jack would probably never have gone into business with him.
As Rainey and Lucas start making plans for the kickoff event at Midnight, things start happening. Not just a threatening postcard in the mail, but the attraction between Rainey and Lucas grows. With Lucas’s protective instinct kicking in, it goes into overdrive when a brick gets thrown through Rainey’s office window. As other details fall apart, Lucas is there to help Rainey pick up the pieces and make the Miami Thunder’s celebration one that everyone is talking about for years to come. Along the way, Rainey and Lucas fall for one another, but know that her family won’t be huge fans of their match, so they decide it will only be until the big party at Midnight and that they won’t tell anyone. Best laid plans with good intentions are always found out…
Is it her ex that is so full of himself that he’s sabotaging her, so she comes running back to him? Is it her old client, still out for revenge? Or is it someone closer to home? I’m going to let you find out for yourself…
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back in the world of the original Dares. I loved Ian and Riley Dare when we were first introduced to them in Dare to Love and now it’s their daughter, Rainey’s turn to find her happily ever after. Wherever Carly Phillips is taking us next with the next generation of the Dare family, I am definitely along for the ride.
Rainey Dare’s event planning company was awarded the job of planning the Miami Thunder football team’s big anniversary celebration. She wants to do a good job for her dad and her family, and to show the naysayers that she won this job not because of her last name, but on her own merit. Especially after having to rebuild their company’s reputation after a client posted a negative review of them and badmouthed them all over town. With that in mind, she decides to use her brother Jack’s club, Midnight, for her kickoff event.
But with Rainey’s brother scouting new locations in other cities, she will have to work with his best friend and co-owner, Lucas Carras. Lucas has been friends with Jack since they were younger. Lucas is no happier than Rainey is that they have to work together. Years ago, Jack warned Lucas to stay away from his sister. That didn’t have so much to do with Lucas’ past, but more to do with Jack being a protective brother. Lucas is not the same guy as he was all those years ago. If he was, Jack would probably never have gone into business with him.
As Rainey and Lucas start making plans for the kickoff event at Midnight, things start happening. Not just a threatening postcard in the mail, but the attraction between Rainey and Lucas grows. With Lucas’s protective instinct kicking in, it goes into overdrive when a brick gets thrown through Rainey’s office window. As other details fall apart, Lucas is there to help Rainey pick up the pieces and make the Miami Thunder’s celebration one that everyone is talking about for years to come. Along the way, Rainey and Lucas fall for one another, but know that her family won’t be huge fans of their match, so they decide it will only be until the big party at Midnight and that they won’t tell anyone. Best laid plans with good intentions are always found out…
Is it her ex that is so full of himself that he’s sabotaging her, so she comes running back to him? Is it her old client, still out for revenge? Or is it someone closer to home? I’m going to let you find out for yourself…
I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back in the world of the original Dares. I loved Ian and Riley Dare when we were first introduced to them in Dare to Love and now it’s their daughter, Rainey’s turn to find her happily ever after. Wherever Carly Phillips is taking us next with the next generation of the Dare family, I am definitely along for the ride.
February 5, 2026
FALLING FOR TROUBLE is the first instalment in Carly Phillips’ contemporary, adult DARE TO FALL erotic, romance series, a next generation set in the author’s interconnected DARE FAMILY series. This is bar owner Lucas Carras, and event planner Rainey Dare’s, daughter of Ian and Riiey Dare (Dare to Love 1) story line.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Rainey and Lucas) FALLING FOR TROUBLE follows the forbidden relationship between bar owner Lucas Carras, and event planner Rainey Dare. Rainey and her team won the bid to plan the Dare family owned Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebration but from the outset our heroine finds herself the target of threats that threaten the future of her fledgling company. Holding the event at her brother’s nightclub, the perfect venue to help promote both the club and the team, Rainey finds herself falling for co-owner, and her brother’s best friend, reformed bad boy turned billionaire, Lucas Carras. Lucas has been in lust with his best friend Jack Dare’s sister for as long as he can remember but Lainey is off limits until someone begins to target our story line heroine.
The world building focuses on the preparation for the anniversary celebration, as well as the threats against our story line heroine. From ex lovers, jealous rivalries, and betrayal by someone close, Rainey struggles to make sense of a world determined to take her down.
The relationship between Rainey and Lucas is one of the forbidden. A best friend’s sister affair that Rainey is determined to keep secret, in an effort to prevent the breakdown of a lifelong friendship but our couple find themselves falling in love, and Lucas is hoping for something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of familiar, colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Rainey’s siblings: Jack, Hudson, Miles, and their parents Ian and Riley Dare; uncle Alex Dare (Dare to Desire 2); bar co-owner Tristan; Rainey’s business partner Kaylee; PA Ashlynn; and Rainey’s ex Adam Roberts. The requisite evil has many faces.
DARE TO FALL is a fast paced, quick read. A story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are determined and dynamic.
copy supplied for review
Told from dual first person perspectives (Rainey and Lucas) FALLING FOR TROUBLE follows the forbidden relationship between bar owner Lucas Carras, and event planner Rainey Dare. Rainey and her team won the bid to plan the Dare family owned Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebration but from the outset our heroine finds herself the target of threats that threaten the future of her fledgling company. Holding the event at her brother’s nightclub, the perfect venue to help promote both the club and the team, Rainey finds herself falling for co-owner, and her brother’s best friend, reformed bad boy turned billionaire, Lucas Carras. Lucas has been in lust with his best friend Jack Dare’s sister for as long as he can remember but Lainey is off limits until someone begins to target our story line heroine.
The world building focuses on the preparation for the anniversary celebration, as well as the threats against our story line heroine. From ex lovers, jealous rivalries, and betrayal by someone close, Rainey struggles to make sense of a world determined to take her down.
The relationship between Rainey and Lucas is one of the forbidden. A best friend’s sister affair that Rainey is determined to keep secret, in an effort to prevent the breakdown of a lifelong friendship but our couple find themselves falling in love, and Lucas is hoping for something more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.
There is a large ensemble cast of familiar, colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters including Rainey’s siblings: Jack, Hudson, Miles, and their parents Ian and Riley Dare; uncle Alex Dare (Dare to Desire 2); bar co-owner Tristan; Rainey’s business partner Kaylee; PA Ashlynn; and Rainey’s ex Adam Roberts. The requisite evil has many faces.
DARE TO FALL is a fast paced, quick read. A story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, family, friendships and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is captivating and engaging; the romance is seductive and provocative; the characters are determined and dynamic.
copy supplied for review
Review of advance copy received from Author
Twenty-nine year old Rainey Dare, and daughter of Ian Dare....yes THAT Ian Dare, is co-owner of Golden Palm Events with her best friend Kaylee Martin. After being sabotaged by a client, the women are trying to get their party planning company back on track and what better way than to land the celebration for the Miami Thunder football team's 50th anniversary. Rainey wants to earn the job, not get it because of her father.
When Golden Palm Events wins the Miami Thunder anniversary celebration, Rainey and Kaylee can't wait to implement their ideas. The first idea is starting the celebration off at the nightclub Midnight that Rainey's brother Jack co-owns with his best friend, Lucas Carras and silent partner Tristan Hayes. Rainey has always had a crush on Lucas and can't wait to work with him.
Lucas Carras is thirty years old but he had some rough times in his teenage years until he was adopted by the Carras'. Because of this past Lucas has never thought he'd be good enough for Jack's little sister, even if he does have a huge crush on her.
Once the planning starts, Jack has to go out of town for business so Rainey has to spend all of her time with Lucas. The more Rainey and Lucas spend time together, the more their chemistry starts to combust until they finally cross that line. These two realize that their attraction isn't just physical and they come to an understanding that they want to have a real relationship instead of just a secret affair even though Lucas still doesn't believe that he is worthy of her love.
Everything is going wonderful until parts of their planning keep getting sabotaged. Lucas steps in to help save the day, even having to deal with Rainey's ex-Adam. At the same time part of Lucas' past comes back causing a stir. With all the craziness going on, Rainey and Lucas' relationship is found out and all heck breaks out. After the dust settles, and a few punches are thrown, Rainey and Lucas can finally have their happy ever after.
I just loved this steamy brother's best friend romance. Lucas never felt worthy but Rainey helped him see what a great man is really is. I loved watching Rainey try to be her own person instead of banking on the Dare name. I also loved seeing Ian back.....he's always been my favorite Dare! ;)
When Golden Palm Events wins the Miami Thunder anniversary celebration, Rainey and Kaylee can't wait to implement their ideas. The first idea is starting the celebration off at the nightclub Midnight that Rainey's brother Jack co-owns with his best friend, Lucas Carras and silent partner Tristan Hayes. Rainey has always had a crush on Lucas and can't wait to work with him.
Lucas Carras is thirty years old but he had some rough times in his teenage years until he was adopted by the Carras'. Because of this past Lucas has never thought he'd be good enough for Jack's little sister, even if he does have a huge crush on her.
Once the planning starts, Jack has to go out of town for business so Rainey has to spend all of her time with Lucas. The more Rainey and Lucas spend time together, the more their chemistry starts to combust until they finally cross that line. These two realize that their attraction isn't just physical and they come to an understanding that they want to have a real relationship instead of just a secret affair even though Lucas still doesn't believe that he is worthy of her love.
Everything is going wonderful until parts of their planning keep getting sabotaged. Lucas steps in to help save the day, even having to deal with Rainey's ex-Adam. At the same time part of Lucas' past comes back causing a stir. With all the craziness going on, Rainey and Lucas' relationship is found out and all heck breaks out. After the dust settles, and a few punches are thrown, Rainey and Lucas can finally have their happy ever after.
I just loved this steamy brother's best friend romance. Lucas never felt worthy but Rainey helped him see what a great man is really is. I loved watching Rainey try to be her own person instead of banking on the Dare name. I also loved seeing Ian back.....he's always been my favorite Dare! ;)
Review of advance copy
***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***
In Phillips’ latest release, she delivers a sizzling forbidden romance. Falling for Trouble is a great start to the Dare to Fall Series!
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Rainey Dare, a corporate event planner who happens to co-own, Golden Palm Events with her best friend. Having grown up among her well-known footfall family, Rainey has made it very clear from the very start that she wants to earn the coveted spot of planning the Miami Thunder football team’s 50th anniversary— and not because of who she is related to. Getting the job will not only be good publicity, but it will give them the chance to brake free from the bad rep that they got from a disappointed client.
When they hear back that they got the job, Rainey is over-the-moon excited and ready to start working. But first, she has to convince her brother and his associates that throwing the party at their nightclub, Midnight, will be beneficial for everyone. With her brother out of town, Rainey has to work with Lucas Carras. As a reformed and handsome troublemaker, it’s hard to not be attracted to her brother’s best friend. Especially when he is clearly protective of her, making him off-limits to her. Yet, the longer they work together, the harder it becomes for her to not develop feelings for him.
Lucas Carras has worked really hard to get to where he is, as a wealthy entrepreneur his focus has been on making, Midnight, a success. When it comes to love, he does’t do relationships. Lucas has always been respectful of his best friend’s sister, Rainey Dare, but he can’t deny the chemistry that they have. He can tell that there is an attraction between them that makes it difficult to ignore when they have to work together. There are things about his past that he is not happy with, so learning to trust Rainey with his past is what ultimately brings them closer. This makes him realize that Rainey might just be it for him and facing her family could not end up working out.
I throughly enjoyed reading Falling for Trouble, the chemistry between the characters is off-the charts! It’s evident from the start that Lucas has been through a lot and that has shaped his view on love. He doesn’t want to repeat his parents’ past and we see him remain loyal to his best friend. Lucas doesn’t want to hurt those that have embraced him by following his feelings. Needless to say, falling in love with Rainey is what gives him a courage to follow his heart no matter what. He just hopes that she feels the same. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this story as well as any others from Carly Phillips. :)
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
In Phillips’ latest release, she delivers a sizzling forbidden romance. Falling for Trouble is a great start to the Dare to Fall Series!
At the beginning of the story we are introduced to Rainey Dare, a corporate event planner who happens to co-own, Golden Palm Events with her best friend. Having grown up among her well-known footfall family, Rainey has made it very clear from the very start that she wants to earn the coveted spot of planning the Miami Thunder football team’s 50th anniversary— and not because of who she is related to. Getting the job will not only be good publicity, but it will give them the chance to brake free from the bad rep that they got from a disappointed client.
When they hear back that they got the job, Rainey is over-the-moon excited and ready to start working. But first, she has to convince her brother and his associates that throwing the party at their nightclub, Midnight, will be beneficial for everyone. With her brother out of town, Rainey has to work with Lucas Carras. As a reformed and handsome troublemaker, it’s hard to not be attracted to her brother’s best friend. Especially when he is clearly protective of her, making him off-limits to her. Yet, the longer they work together, the harder it becomes for her to not develop feelings for him.
Lucas Carras has worked really hard to get to where he is, as a wealthy entrepreneur his focus has been on making, Midnight, a success. When it comes to love, he does’t do relationships. Lucas has always been respectful of his best friend’s sister, Rainey Dare, but he can’t deny the chemistry that they have. He can tell that there is an attraction between them that makes it difficult to ignore when they have to work together. There are things about his past that he is not happy with, so learning to trust Rainey with his past is what ultimately brings them closer. This makes him realize that Rainey might just be it for him and facing her family could not end up working out.
I throughly enjoyed reading Falling for Trouble, the chemistry between the characters is off-the charts! It’s evident from the start that Lucas has been through a lot and that has shaped his view on love. He doesn’t want to repeat his parents’ past and we see him remain loyal to his best friend. Lucas doesn’t want to hurt those that have embraced him by following his feelings. Needless to say, falling in love with Rainey is what gives him a courage to follow his heart no matter what. He just hopes that she feels the same. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this story as well as any others from Carly Phillips. :)
***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Advanced Reader Copy provided.
Carly Phillips kicks off a new Dare series by introducing us to Rainey Dare, daughter of Ian Dare. If you have read the originals from Carly, you will be excited to meet this new generation and their adventures. But if you haven’t already read any of the Dare books, you will enjoy meeting them now.
Rainey Dare is determined to be independent. She is partners in an event planning business and has been chosen to lead the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Miami Thunder. Her presentation was solid and she was proud that they got the bid based on talent and their projected plan. But things start happening that seem to be sabotaging the success of this celebration. Who could be doing this? Is it her ex that holds a grudge but also wants her back?
Rainey’s first stop in planning this event is to her brother, Jack’s club Midnight. Jack has two partners and friends in his business, Tristan and Lucas. Their club will be the venue to their kickoff celebration and Rainey finds herself working closely with Lucas. Yep, forced proximity, forbidden love, and friends to lovers are all part of this great read.
Lucas is Rainey’s brother’s best friend and partner and is about to break “bro-code”. Will it be worth it? He always keeps women at a distance, but Rainey is different. Lucas has a past filled with mistakes and trouble. Can Rainey see that he has changed? Can Jack see that he is good for her? And what about Ian, Rainey’s father, who knows about his past? Will he feel that Lucas isn’t good enough for his daughter?
Rainey had Lucas have chemistry. Their connection is evident. Lucas is a protector. He sees the danger she is in. He sees where he is needed and he is there each time she needs him. He is so much more than what he is afraid others see. Until this moment, “Son, it’s time you start thinking about yourself as the man you are and not the troubled kid you once were.” P. 113. Lucas’ adopted dad gives him the advice that changes the trajectory of our story!
Falling for Trouble is a page turner! Carly Phillips gives us a new generation with a great story filled with friendship, family, love, and a hint of mystery. If you loved Dare to Love when you met Ian, you are sure to love Rainey and Lucas and their love story.
Falling for Trouble is available on KU in Amazon.
Carly Phillips kicks off a new Dare series by introducing us to Rainey Dare, daughter of Ian Dare. If you have read the originals from Carly, you will be excited to meet this new generation and their adventures. But if you haven’t already read any of the Dare books, you will enjoy meeting them now.
Rainey Dare is determined to be independent. She is partners in an event planning business and has been chosen to lead the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Miami Thunder. Her presentation was solid and she was proud that they got the bid based on talent and their projected plan. But things start happening that seem to be sabotaging the success of this celebration. Who could be doing this? Is it her ex that holds a grudge but also wants her back?
Rainey’s first stop in planning this event is to her brother, Jack’s club Midnight. Jack has two partners and friends in his business, Tristan and Lucas. Their club will be the venue to their kickoff celebration and Rainey finds herself working closely with Lucas. Yep, forced proximity, forbidden love, and friends to lovers are all part of this great read.
Lucas is Rainey’s brother’s best friend and partner and is about to break “bro-code”. Will it be worth it? He always keeps women at a distance, but Rainey is different. Lucas has a past filled with mistakes and trouble. Can Rainey see that he has changed? Can Jack see that he is good for her? And what about Ian, Rainey’s father, who knows about his past? Will he feel that Lucas isn’t good enough for his daughter?
Rainey had Lucas have chemistry. Their connection is evident. Lucas is a protector. He sees the danger she is in. He sees where he is needed and he is there each time she needs him. He is so much more than what he is afraid others see. Until this moment, “Son, it’s time you start thinking about yourself as the man you are and not the troubled kid you once were.” P. 113. Lucas’ adopted dad gives him the advice that changes the trajectory of our story!
Falling for Trouble is a page turner! Carly Phillips gives us a new generation with a great story filled with friendship, family, love, and a hint of mystery. If you loved Dare to Love when you met Ian, you are sure to love Rainey and Lucas and their love story.
Falling for Trouble is available on KU in Amazon.
Review of advance copy
Trouble is definitely worth it
Carly Phillips brings us back to the Dare family and I couldn't be happier. FALLING FOR TROUBLE, Dare to Fall #1, was a fantastic read. It was sweet, flirty, fun, with a touch of suspense and drama added. This is a next generation, brother's best friend, opposites attract, protective alpha romance which I easily devoured in hours.
Rainey Dare, the eldest of Ian Dare's children, is busy establishing herself as an events organiser with her best friend Kaylee. She's a strong, fiesty woman who wants to prove she's independent and doesn't need to rely on her family. Lucas Carras was a troubled teenager until he was adopted by the Carras'. Since then he has turned his life around and is co-owner of a nightclub with his two best friends, Jack Dare and Tristan Hayes.
Rainey and Lucas have always been atrracted to each other but haven't made any moves because of Jack, who happens to be Rainey's brother. Rainey is given the opportunity to organise Miami Thunder's 50th Anniversary celebration, and suggests the nightclub as the venue. With Jack away Rainey finds herself working closely with Lucas and the sparks are certainly flying. When threats are made against Rainey Lucas steps into protective alpha mode and the two become even closer. Lucas doesn't believe he's good enough or deserve Rainey, what will she do to convince him otherwise?
I loved FALLING FOR TROUBLE from the moment I started reading it. I enjoyed watching Rainey and Lucas's relationship evolve. Then there is the added sabotage to Rainey's planning and the suspense of who was behind it, just making it even more captivating. Carly delivers romance so well, and she definitely didn't skip it in this one. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Falling For Real .
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS
Carly Phillips brings us back to the Dare family and I couldn't be happier. FALLING FOR TROUBLE, Dare to Fall #1, was a fantastic read. It was sweet, flirty, fun, with a touch of suspense and drama added. This is a next generation, brother's best friend, opposites attract, protective alpha romance which I easily devoured in hours.
Rainey Dare, the eldest of Ian Dare's children, is busy establishing herself as an events organiser with her best friend Kaylee. She's a strong, fiesty woman who wants to prove she's independent and doesn't need to rely on her family. Lucas Carras was a troubled teenager until he was adopted by the Carras'. Since then he has turned his life around and is co-owner of a nightclub with his two best friends, Jack Dare and Tristan Hayes.
Rainey and Lucas have always been atrracted to each other but haven't made any moves because of Jack, who happens to be Rainey's brother. Rainey is given the opportunity to organise Miami Thunder's 50th Anniversary celebration, and suggests the nightclub as the venue. With Jack away Rainey finds herself working closely with Lucas and the sparks are certainly flying. When threats are made against Rainey Lucas steps into protective alpha mode and the two become even closer. Lucas doesn't believe he's good enough or deserve Rainey, what will she do to convince him otherwise?
I loved FALLING FOR TROUBLE from the moment I started reading it. I enjoyed watching Rainey and Lucas's relationship evolve. Then there is the added sabotage to Rainey's planning and the suspense of who was behind it, just making it even more captivating. Carly delivers romance so well, and she definitely didn't skip it in this one. I can't wait for the next book in the series, Falling For Real .
Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction
✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS
February 10, 2026
Falling for Trouble by Carly Phillips is a fast-paced, emotional romance filled with strong family bonds, second chances, and undeniable chemistry.
Lucas’s life begins in heartbreaking circumstances, a drunk father, a drug-addicted mother, and a childhood that leads him into trouble. After entering the foster care system, he’s placed with the Carras family, who eventually adopt him. They give him love, stability, values, and teach him how to make better choices and treat women with respect.
Rainey grows up surrounded by love, with devoted parents and protective brothers. She runs a successful events company, Golden Palm's Events, with her friend Kaylee, and they land a major contract for the Miami Thunder’s 50th anniversary celebration, a team her family is deeply connected to.
The event is scheduled to take place at Midnight, the club co-owned by Lucas, Jack (Rainey’s brother), and their friend Tristan. Before Lucas and Rainey even begin working together, Jack warns Lucas to stay away from his sister, a warning that plants deep insecurities in Lucas and makes him question whether he’s truly good enough for her. Jack is largely absent from the story, traveling in search of new club venues, but his words continue to weigh heavily on Lucas.
As Lucas and Rainey work closely together, the feelings they’ve always shared begin to surface and grow stronger. When incidents start occurring that threaten to sabotage the event, the pressure intensifies, both professionally and emotionally. Rainey is also carrying emotional baggage from a past relationship with a man who treated her poorly, adding another layer of doubt and vulnerability.
What truly stood out was Lucas’s unwavering support of Rainey, the chemistry and playful banter between them, and the strong theme of overcoming past trauma and self-doubt.
A great, quick read with heart, strong family bonds, and a love story that proves your past doesn’t define your future.
Lucas’s life begins in heartbreaking circumstances, a drunk father, a drug-addicted mother, and a childhood that leads him into trouble. After entering the foster care system, he’s placed with the Carras family, who eventually adopt him. They give him love, stability, values, and teach him how to make better choices and treat women with respect.
Rainey grows up surrounded by love, with devoted parents and protective brothers. She runs a successful events company, Golden Palm's Events, with her friend Kaylee, and they land a major contract for the Miami Thunder’s 50th anniversary celebration, a team her family is deeply connected to.
The event is scheduled to take place at Midnight, the club co-owned by Lucas, Jack (Rainey’s brother), and their friend Tristan. Before Lucas and Rainey even begin working together, Jack warns Lucas to stay away from his sister, a warning that plants deep insecurities in Lucas and makes him question whether he’s truly good enough for her. Jack is largely absent from the story, traveling in search of new club venues, but his words continue to weigh heavily on Lucas.
As Lucas and Rainey work closely together, the feelings they’ve always shared begin to surface and grow stronger. When incidents start occurring that threaten to sabotage the event, the pressure intensifies, both professionally and emotionally. Rainey is also carrying emotional baggage from a past relationship with a man who treated her poorly, adding another layer of doubt and vulnerability.
What truly stood out was Lucas’s unwavering support of Rainey, the chemistry and playful banter between them, and the strong theme of overcoming past trauma and self-doubt.
A great, quick read with heart, strong family bonds, and a love story that proves your past doesn’t define your future.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Falling for Trouble is the first book in the Dare to Fall series by Carly Phillips. We are getting the story of the daughter of Ian Dare who was one of Phillips previous heroes.
Rainey Dare is 29 and co-owns an event planning business with her best friend Kaylee Martin. Golden Palms Events was doing great and then a bad review from a client caused a lot of issues that the women are still trying to recover from. They have recently bid on the Miami Thunder's 50th anniversary celebration and while they hope to get it, they know the fact that Rainey's family is involved with the Thunder could cause problems.
Lucas Carras is one of Rainey's brother, Jack's, best friends and he co-owns a bar/nightclub Midnight with Jack and their silent partner Tristan. He had a rough childhood and ended up in the foster system. He was one of the lucky ones who ended up with a placement where the couple wanted to adopt a teenager. The support and love he has received from his parents have changed the course of his life.
Once Rainey and Kaylee win the job, they want to start working on ideas immediately. One of the things they want to do is use Midnight for one of the events. With Jack out of town scouting locations for expansion, that leaves Lucas to meet with Rainey to plan. While that might sound easy, both Rainey and Lucas are fighting their attraction to the other. Will spending so much time in close proximity change things between them? Will they finally give in?
This was a great story and I enjoyed both Rainey and Lucas and how their relationship evolved. Add in the sabotage that is happening with the party and the adds another layer to things. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series. It should be a good one!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
Rainey Dare is 29 and co-owns an event planning business with her best friend Kaylee Martin. Golden Palms Events was doing great and then a bad review from a client caused a lot of issues that the women are still trying to recover from. They have recently bid on the Miami Thunder's 50th anniversary celebration and while they hope to get it, they know the fact that Rainey's family is involved with the Thunder could cause problems.
Lucas Carras is one of Rainey's brother, Jack's, best friends and he co-owns a bar/nightclub Midnight with Jack and their silent partner Tristan. He had a rough childhood and ended up in the foster system. He was one of the lucky ones who ended up with a placement where the couple wanted to adopt a teenager. The support and love he has received from his parents have changed the course of his life.
Once Rainey and Kaylee win the job, they want to start working on ideas immediately. One of the things they want to do is use Midnight for one of the events. With Jack out of town scouting locations for expansion, that leaves Lucas to meet with Rainey to plan. While that might sound easy, both Rainey and Lucas are fighting their attraction to the other. Will spending so much time in close proximity change things between them? Will they finally give in?
This was a great story and I enjoyed both Rainey and Lucas and how their relationship evolved. Add in the sabotage that is happening with the party and the adds another layer to things. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series. It should be a good one!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**
January 30, 2026
Rainey’s father may own the Miami Thunder, but she has always been determined to forge her own path in life. When her events planning company wins the bid to plan the team’s 50th anniversary celebrations, she dives right in, recruiting her brother to help her organize a kick off event at his club. Since he will be out of town for the next several weeks, he tells her to work with his best friend and business partner, who happens to be the one man she has always been attracted to. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to deny their mutual attraction, and when her event starts getting sabotaged, he is there to help her every step of the way.
Lucas is a reformed bad-boy turned billionaire business owner, but no matter how far he’s come in life, he still believes he’ll never be good enough for the one woman he would consider spending more than one night with, Rainey. Even though he promised his best friend when they were kids that he wouldn’t lay a hand on her, he can’t help his need to protect her, and possess her. As they swear that they will end things once her brother gets back into town and the events wind down, he knows he won’t be able to let her go, even if it costs him his best friend, and their business.
I received an early copy of this book from The Author Agency and really loved it! Having read the rest of the Dare books, it was fun to see the younger generation get the spotlight. I loved how Rainey is determined to stand on her own, not wanting to depend on her family’s reputation to get ahead in life, but also isn’t afraid to ask for help from her support system when she needs it. Lucas is the strong silent type, but inside he shows such vulnerability, finding it hard to move away from the image he has of himself at 16. Rainey gives him the confidence to accept that he is a much better man, and one worthy of her love.
Lucas is a reformed bad-boy turned billionaire business owner, but no matter how far he’s come in life, he still believes he’ll never be good enough for the one woman he would consider spending more than one night with, Rainey. Even though he promised his best friend when they were kids that he wouldn’t lay a hand on her, he can’t help his need to protect her, and possess her. As they swear that they will end things once her brother gets back into town and the events wind down, he knows he won’t be able to let her go, even if it costs him his best friend, and their business.
I received an early copy of this book from The Author Agency and really loved it! Having read the rest of the Dare books, it was fun to see the younger generation get the spotlight. I loved how Rainey is determined to stand on her own, not wanting to depend on her family’s reputation to get ahead in life, but also isn’t afraid to ask for help from her support system when she needs it. Lucas is the strong silent type, but inside he shows such vulnerability, finding it hard to move away from the image he has of himself at 16. Rainey gives him the confidence to accept that he is a much better man, and one worthy of her love.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book is the beginning of a new generation of Dare's with the same exciting concepts and writing of the originals. In this introduction of Rainey Dare, daughter of Ian and Riley, Carly has carried on the tradition of family, excitement, steamy couples and great story telling.
Rainey is trying to make it on her own without using her name as a way of climbing the ladder. She and her friend have started an event company and are building their reputation on their work rather than status. They compete for the Miami Thunder 50th year celebration event and win over other companies for the job. However there are some out there who believe she got it based on her name and being the owners daughter. She has enlisted her brother and his partners, the owners of a club for the setting of the event. Since her brother will be out of town for several weeks he enlists his best friend and partner Lucas to help Rainey with all the plans. Little does he know this is the person whom Rainey has felt an attraction to for years but knows she can't have because of the relationship with her brother. Lucas feels the same and being thrown together tests that desire they feel. They fight it until both finally admit they can have this fling until her brother returns then it's back to normal. Things don't go according to that plan, Rainey starts missing orders or having them cancelled altogether. Then the threats start coming and Lucas insists or helping her figure it out. Their attraction is beyond anything either could have imagined and turns out that plan to halt things when her brother returns doesn' work.
This is a wonderful start to a new generation with looks back briefly on the original Dare family that started it but it doesn't overshadow that this is about Rainey and Lucas. I am looking forward to the new books in this series with the Dare's.
Rainey is trying to make it on her own without using her name as a way of climbing the ladder. She and her friend have started an event company and are building their reputation on their work rather than status. They compete for the Miami Thunder 50th year celebration event and win over other companies for the job. However there are some out there who believe she got it based on her name and being the owners daughter. She has enlisted her brother and his partners, the owners of a club for the setting of the event. Since her brother will be out of town for several weeks he enlists his best friend and partner Lucas to help Rainey with all the plans. Little does he know this is the person whom Rainey has felt an attraction to for years but knows she can't have because of the relationship with her brother. Lucas feels the same and being thrown together tests that desire they feel. They fight it until both finally admit they can have this fling until her brother returns then it's back to normal. Things don't go according to that plan, Rainey starts missing orders or having them cancelled altogether. Then the threats start coming and Lucas insists or helping her figure it out. Their attraction is beyond anything either could have imagined and turns out that plan to halt things when her brother returns doesn' work.
This is a wonderful start to a new generation with looks back briefly on the original Dare family that started it but it doesn't overshadow that this is about Rainey and Lucas. I am looking forward to the new books in this series with the Dare's.
February 8, 2026
Falling for Trouble is the kind of series opener that grabs you by the heart, gives you goosebumps, and reminds you exactly why Carly Phillips is a romance powerhouse.
Carly Phillips had me falling hard from page one with the first book in her brand-new Dare to Fall series, and honestly? This one hit all my romance sweet spots. Falling for Trouble delivers everything you want in an irresistible opener — a billionaire hero, sizzling chemistry, and that addictive just-one-more-chapter pull.
Lucas Carras is a reformed troublemaker with a dangerous past, a billionaire present, and tattoos that absolutely did things to me 🥵. From the moment he steps onto the page, the tension crackles. He’s also Rainey Dare’s brother’s best friend — yes, that trope — and she’s been warned to stay far away. Naturally, that warning is ignored in the most delicious way possible.
When Rainey’s company lands the contract to produce the Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebrations, Lucas is suddenly impossible to avoid. The sparks fly fast, the fire ignites hotter, and the chemistry between these two is undeniable. Carly Phillips writes attraction so effortlessly — it’s flirty, intense, and layered with emotional depth that makes you root hard for their HEA.
And because this is Carly Phillips, it’s not just romance. There’s a strong suspense thread woven through the story that keeps the pace sharp and the stakes high. She packs so much into this book — romance, heat, tension, and intrigue — without it ever feeling rushed.
Falling for Trouble is a confident, compelling start to a new series, and if this book is anything to go by, the Dare siblings are going to own my heart.
Book 1 of 3 — and I am more than ready for what comes next. 💙📚
Carly Phillips had me falling hard from page one with the first book in her brand-new Dare to Fall series, and honestly? This one hit all my romance sweet spots. Falling for Trouble delivers everything you want in an irresistible opener — a billionaire hero, sizzling chemistry, and that addictive just-one-more-chapter pull.
Lucas Carras is a reformed troublemaker with a dangerous past, a billionaire present, and tattoos that absolutely did things to me 🥵. From the moment he steps onto the page, the tension crackles. He’s also Rainey Dare’s brother’s best friend — yes, that trope — and she’s been warned to stay far away. Naturally, that warning is ignored in the most delicious way possible.
When Rainey’s company lands the contract to produce the Miami Thunder football team’s anniversary celebrations, Lucas is suddenly impossible to avoid. The sparks fly fast, the fire ignites hotter, and the chemistry between these two is undeniable. Carly Phillips writes attraction so effortlessly — it’s flirty, intense, and layered with emotional depth that makes you root hard for their HEA.
And because this is Carly Phillips, it’s not just romance. There’s a strong suspense thread woven through the story that keeps the pace sharp and the stakes high. She packs so much into this book — romance, heat, tension, and intrigue — without it ever feeling rushed.
Falling for Trouble is a confident, compelling start to a new series, and if this book is anything to go by, the Dare siblings are going to own my heart.
Book 1 of 3 — and I am more than ready for what comes next. 💙📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
Falling for Trouble (The Dare to Fall Series Book 1) by Carly Phillips is an enjoyable romance between Rainey Dare, the daughter of the NFL Thunder Football team owner, and Lucas Carras, the self-made co-owner of Midnight Night Club. Rainey Dare built her party planning business without her family’s help because she wanted to be recognized for her skills rather than nepotism. Working hard, Rainey secured the bid for the 50th Anniversary celebration, which involved partnering with The Midnight Night Club to kick off the festivities. As Lucas and Rainey work together, they discover a mutual attraction that turns into a passionate affair. Each thinks they can have a quick fling while planning the celebration and still walk away with their hearts intact. Since Lucas is a business partner and close friend of Rainey’s brother, she was afraid to go public with their relationship and wanted to be more professional since Lucas was her client. To top it off, Rainey has been warned that someone could ruin her by sabotaging her planning business. An insider was trying to disrupt Rainey and her partner’s Golden Palm Events by altering orders and creating chaos. As their romance draws them closer, neither is willing to end their time together, which will uncover their connection to Rainey’s protective brothers and overly cautious dad. Their HEA journey from planning sessions to falling for each other weaves a love story with plenty of family drama, spicy heat, and suspense from an unknown hater, all wrapped in a beautiful romance.
February 7, 2026
Rainey Dare is planning a huge series of events of the Thunder's 50th anniversary and wants to use her brother's club, Midnight, to host some of them. Since Jack will be out of town during the planning phase, he asks his best friend and business partner Lucas to help out instead. Lucas and Rainey have been attracted to each other for years and never acted on it—can they keep things professional when they are thrown together now?
Lucas and Rainey have great chemistry from the beginning and their relationship takes things to the next level in lovely ways. For someone who believes he doesn't deserve Rainey or is capable of a forever kind of relationship, Lucas was pretty brilliant as boyfriend material from the beginning. When Rainey is threatened, he takes over her safety but not in over-the-top, smothering ways. He listens to her concerns and needs for independence both in work and her personal life. Rainey may be Ian Dare's daughter, but she makes sure she earns everything and is a genuine person in all aspects of her life. When she's brave enough to go after a relationship with Lucas, she starts off thinking it compromises her professional look, because they are working together. Both have good journeys as they realise who they were and how others see them alone don't have to be true, and sometimes having a partner is the best way to be your strongest self.
Strong characters and romantic, great chemistry, this is a great start to a new Dare series! Can't wait for the next one!
Lucas and Rainey have great chemistry from the beginning and their relationship takes things to the next level in lovely ways. For someone who believes he doesn't deserve Rainey or is capable of a forever kind of relationship, Lucas was pretty brilliant as boyfriend material from the beginning. When Rainey is threatened, he takes over her safety but not in over-the-top, smothering ways. He listens to her concerns and needs for independence both in work and her personal life. Rainey may be Ian Dare's daughter, but she makes sure she earns everything and is a genuine person in all aspects of her life. When she's brave enough to go after a relationship with Lucas, she starts off thinking it compromises her professional look, because they are working together. Both have good journeys as they realise who they were and how others see them alone don't have to be true, and sometimes having a partner is the best way to be your strongest self.
Strong characters and romantic, great chemistry, this is a great start to a new Dare series! Can't wait for the next one!
February 10, 2026
4.5⭐ I can always depend on Carly Phillips to write a story that hooks me in! This is a brother’s best friend romance that had me cheering by the end. I loved the slow burn that blossomed into more. For each of them, their childhood crush was something they never forgot. Obsession is putting it lightly. Despite being total opposites on paper, this relationship really works. And once they get together, they realize that it’s not going to be just a one-time thing.
Lucas, once a troubled kid turned good, turned billionaire, fell in love with his best friend’s younger sister when they were younger. Now Rainey is a grown woman who’s running a successful corporate party planning business. Winning the contract to plan the Miami Thunder football anniversary celebration will be a feather in her cap if she can pull it off. Someone is out to sabotage her business and Lucas is just the one to help get to the bottom of it.
I love how protective he gets about Rainey. He’s worked hard to get where is is now. He’s worked hard to turn his life around and become something he is proud of. He’s fallen hard for Rainey and he pulls out all the stops to help Rainey deal with her ex as well as her saboteur. Rainey comes up with clever ideas to save her reputation and her business with every turn and every ruined contract.
This is Book 1 of her new series, Dare to Fall. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!
Thank you Carly Phillips and The Author Agency for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.
Lucas, once a troubled kid turned good, turned billionaire, fell in love with his best friend’s younger sister when they were younger. Now Rainey is a grown woman who’s running a successful corporate party planning business. Winning the contract to plan the Miami Thunder football anniversary celebration will be a feather in her cap if she can pull it off. Someone is out to sabotage her business and Lucas is just the one to help get to the bottom of it.
I love how protective he gets about Rainey. He’s worked hard to get where is is now. He’s worked hard to turn his life around and become something he is proud of. He’s fallen hard for Rainey and he pulls out all the stops to help Rainey deal with her ex as well as her saboteur. Rainey comes up with clever ideas to save her reputation and her business with every turn and every ruined contract.
This is Book 1 of her new series, Dare to Fall. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!
Thank you Carly Phillips and The Author Agency for this ARC. The above is my own and personal opinion.
February 11, 2026
We finally have the second generation story of the Dare family! This book introduces Rainey, Ian and Riley's daughter, as a twenty nine year old who co-founded an elite event planning company with her best friend, Kaylee. Rainey and Kaylee worked hard to start their company from scratch without borrowing on her family name or contacts. They successfully won the bid to celebrate the Miami Thunder professional football team's golden anniversary year and want to kick it off with a party at Midnight, the club owned by Rainey's brother, Jack, and his best friends Lucas and Tristan. Lucas Carras had a rough childhood with absentee parents who died because of a substance abuse problem. The foster parents who took him in as a troubled teen, adopted him and provided stability in a home with loving parents. Rainey's dad were leery of young Lucas when he and Jack became friends, and the jury is still out on his feelings for the adult Lucas.
When business takes Jack out of town, Lucas steps up to help Rainey with the planning for the kick-off party, igniting the sparks that have simmered for a few years. When incidents start to happen, threatenting Rainey and her business, author, Carly Phillips, provides a plethora of suspects from both Lucas' and her past.
I loved the chemistry between Lucas and Rainey. I loved how strong her character was, but also wasn't afraid to listen to her gut and let others help out. I loved Lucas and how he used his past to rechannel his energy into being an equal partner to Rainey.
When business takes Jack out of town, Lucas steps up to help Rainey with the planning for the kick-off party, igniting the sparks that have simmered for a few years. When incidents start to happen, threatenting Rainey and her business, author, Carly Phillips, provides a plethora of suspects from both Lucas' and her past.
I loved the chemistry between Lucas and Rainey. I loved how strong her character was, but also wasn't afraid to listen to her gut and let others help out. I loved Lucas and how he used his past to rechannel his energy into being an equal partner to Rainey.
Review of advance copy
Carly Phillips delivered a swoon-worthy, high-heat, protective alpha romance that had me hooked from the very first chapter.
Lucas Carras is everything I love in a hero—tattooed, billionaire, reformed bad boy energy with a deep, steady core. He’s intense, loyal, and when he switches into protector mode? Game over. 😮🔥 The tension between him and the heroine crackles from the start, and once they’re forced into close quarters, that chemistry explodes in the best possible way.
I loved the Miami setting, the football anniversary backdrop, and the behind-the-scenes chaos of event planning—it added just the right amount of pressure and stakes. The sabotage plot kept things moving and gave the story real depth beyond the romance, while also giving Lucas plenty of chances to show exactly why he’s the man you want in your corner.
And let’s talk about the forbidden element—family warnings, off-limits attraction, and that push-and-pull between being the “good girl” and wanting more. The emotional conflict felt real, the family drama added tension, and the payoff was incredibly satisfying.
This book had: ✨ Forced proximity
✨ Billionaire protector energy
✨ Scorching chemistry
✨ Suspense + romance balance
✨ A hero who shows up
If you love alpha heroes, forbidden attraction, and romances where the man is both a distraction and an anchor, Falling for Trouble is a must-read. I devoured it and didn’t want it to end!
Highly recommend 💕📚🔥
Lucas Carras is everything I love in a hero—tattooed, billionaire, reformed bad boy energy with a deep, steady core. He’s intense, loyal, and when he switches into protector mode? Game over. 😮🔥 The tension between him and the heroine crackles from the start, and once they’re forced into close quarters, that chemistry explodes in the best possible way.
I loved the Miami setting, the football anniversary backdrop, and the behind-the-scenes chaos of event planning—it added just the right amount of pressure and stakes. The sabotage plot kept things moving and gave the story real depth beyond the romance, while also giving Lucas plenty of chances to show exactly why he’s the man you want in your corner.
And let’s talk about the forbidden element—family warnings, off-limits attraction, and that push-and-pull between being the “good girl” and wanting more. The emotional conflict felt real, the family drama added tension, and the payoff was incredibly satisfying.
This book had: ✨ Forced proximity
✨ Billionaire protector energy
✨ Scorching chemistry
✨ Suspense + romance balance
✨ A hero who shows up
If you love alpha heroes, forbidden attraction, and romances where the man is both a distraction and an anchor, Falling for Trouble is a must-read. I devoured it and didn’t want it to end!
Highly recommend 💕📚🔥
February 8, 2026
This is a brand new series by Carly Phillips. This is the story of Rainey an event planner and Lucas nightclub/bar owner and best friend to her brother. They have known each other for years and they are pushed together to work on a big event for the local NFL team. While working together they finally put out their feelings and have some amazing chemistry. They both don’t want to come out and say that they are dating because being the only girl in her family and this being her brother’s best friend doesn’t help it either.
While they are planning this event, things start happening and there is a little mystery of who is sabotaging her event and why. This isn’t the only issue she is dealing with, she has to deal with an ex who is making her life miserable. Thankfully Lucas is there and stands up for her making sure she is safe.
As time goes on, it becomes harder and harder for the to hide and one of her brothers catches them making out in a closet and tells her family. Her family is supportive and when her brother comes home there is some tension but Rainey puts him in his place. This comes to light in who is sabotaging her event and things turn out for the best in her event and her relationship.
I really enjoy this author and she is one of my favorites to read, I just had a hard time with this story and I’m not sure why. It was good, a quick read a the characters were perfect. I do recommend this book and all her other books as well.
While they are planning this event, things start happening and there is a little mystery of who is sabotaging her event and why. This isn’t the only issue she is dealing with, she has to deal with an ex who is making her life miserable. Thankfully Lucas is there and stands up for her making sure she is safe.
As time goes on, it becomes harder and harder for the to hide and one of her brothers catches them making out in a closet and tells her family. Her family is supportive and when her brother comes home there is some tension but Rainey puts him in his place. This comes to light in who is sabotaging her event and things turn out for the best in her event and her relationship.
I really enjoy this author and she is one of my favorites to read, I just had a hard time with this story and I’m not sure why. It was good, a quick read a the characters were perfect. I do recommend this book and all her other books as well.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Dare Family is back in a great new series!
This series is starting off with a bang with Ian and Riley’s daughter, Rainey. I have to admit that Ian and Riley are one of my favorite couples and now we get to read about their daughter while also catching up with them. Rainey owns a party event planning business and wins a big contract for the Thunder football team’s anniversary party. She is a strongly independent woman who is trying to build her business without the help of her family. Then we have Lucas Carras, who is her brother Jack’s best friend and business partner. These two have been aware of each other for a while, but neither is ready to pursue anything. Then after Rainey wins the contract, she starts working more closely with Lucas and their passion takes off from there. Watching these two open up to each other was great to see. Lucas feels like his past doesn’t make him a good man for Rainey and she is afraid getting involved with Lucas will make her look unprofessional. These two are perfect for each other. I love it when Lucas gets all alpha with Rainey and he is the perfect strong protective man that won’t let anything hurt Rainey. Who doesn’t love that in a man. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next ones to come out.
This series is starting off with a bang with Ian and Riley’s daughter, Rainey. I have to admit that Ian and Riley are one of my favorite couples and now we get to read about their daughter while also catching up with them. Rainey owns a party event planning business and wins a big contract for the Thunder football team’s anniversary party. She is a strongly independent woman who is trying to build her business without the help of her family. Then we have Lucas Carras, who is her brother Jack’s best friend and business partner. These two have been aware of each other for a while, but neither is ready to pursue anything. Then after Rainey wins the contract, she starts working more closely with Lucas and their passion takes off from there. Watching these two open up to each other was great to see. Lucas feels like his past doesn’t make him a good man for Rainey and she is afraid getting involved with Lucas will make her look unprofessional. These two are perfect for each other. I love it when Lucas gets all alpha with Rainey and he is the perfect strong protective man that won’t let anything hurt Rainey. Who doesn’t love that in a man. The chemistry between these two is off the charts. I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait for the next ones to come out.
February 5, 2026
Book Title: Falling For Trouble
Series: Dare to Fall Book 1
Author: Carly Phillips
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rainey has finally recovered her reputation after someone sabotaged her business in the past. With this big contract her and her best friend got for their event planning business they should be set. Rainey wants to use her brothers club for the event she is planning but since he is out of town she will work with his best friend's brother Lucas.
Lucas is in the club business with his best friend and doesn't' have time for relationships but if he did he would want Rainey. After a terrible childhood he doesn't think that he is good enough for her. Now they are working closely together and the more they are around each other the harder it is to resist.
Now things are heating up but someone is still out to make Rainey's business fail and now she may be in danger. With her wanting to be independent only her, her best friend, and Lucas knows what going on. Can they figure out who is behind this before the big even?
I can't wait for the next book in the series!!! I always love a forbidden brother's best friend trope that's for sure.
#CarlyPhillips #FallingForTrouble #DareToFallSeries
Series: Dare to Fall Book 1
Author: Carly Phillips
Star Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rainey has finally recovered her reputation after someone sabotaged her business in the past. With this big contract her and her best friend got for their event planning business they should be set. Rainey wants to use her brothers club for the event she is planning but since he is out of town she will work with his best friend's brother Lucas.
Lucas is in the club business with his best friend and doesn't' have time for relationships but if he did he would want Rainey. After a terrible childhood he doesn't think that he is good enough for her. Now they are working closely together and the more they are around each other the harder it is to resist.
Now things are heating up but someone is still out to make Rainey's business fail and now she may be in danger. With her wanting to be independent only her, her best friend, and Lucas knows what going on. Can they figure out who is behind this before the big even?
I can't wait for the next book in the series!!! I always love a forbidden brother's best friend trope that's for sure.
#CarlyPhillips #FallingForTrouble #DareToFallSeries
February 9, 2026
***4 Stars***
This was a fun and quick read with just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting.
I really liked Lucas and Rainey. They are opposites when it comes to how they were raised, but they both are ~ more or less ~ self made. Rainey, being a Dare, isn’t blind to the fact that somethings may come easier for her but she works hard to prove that she so much more than her last name. Lucas had a rough start early in life, but he turned his life around, with a little help, and has become a force in his own right.
Their journey was filled with a mutual attraction on every level, stolen moments and attempting to keep things professional between them, but soon they find that they want more despite the possibility of the Dare’s not being on board.
This was a fun read. It has all the tropes and elements I love in a good romance and one of them is a strong family dynamic and though I came into the Dare world somewhat in the middle and never found the time to go back and read about Rainey’s parents, I still enjoyed getting to know them. The drama was well done and I did like how everything played out with it.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
This was a fun and quick read with just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting.
I really liked Lucas and Rainey. They are opposites when it comes to how they were raised, but they both are ~ more or less ~ self made. Rainey, being a Dare, isn’t blind to the fact that somethings may come easier for her but she works hard to prove that she so much more than her last name. Lucas had a rough start early in life, but he turned his life around, with a little help, and has become a force in his own right.
Their journey was filled with a mutual attraction on every level, stolen moments and attempting to keep things professional between them, but soon they find that they want more despite the possibility of the Dare’s not being on board.
This was a fun read. It has all the tropes and elements I love in a good romance and one of them is a strong family dynamic and though I came into the Dare world somewhat in the middle and never found the time to go back and read about Rainey’s parents, I still enjoyed getting to know them. The drama was well done and I did like how everything played out with it.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just love reading next gen romance novels, mainly because it gives me a chance to catch up with the original characters. That Rainey the FMC in this book just so happens to be Ian Dare’s daughter made reading this story that little bit more special because to this day Ian remains my favorite character that Carly has ever written.
Rainey & Lucas’s story was written so well. In true Carly fashion, it had a little bit of everything mixed in to keep a wide variety of readers more than happy. Their relationship begins secretly as they can’t deny the attraction between them any longer. That Lucas is Rainey’s brother Jack’s best friend tips them into the forbidden/taboo side. So they set a time limit.
Whilst they’re navigating all this Carly throws in her more often than not suspense and drama. Not going to lie, I was fairly certain who was behind it all quite early in the book, in which I was correct. But it definitely didn’t detract from my enjoyment reading this part play out.
By the end of the story I knew that I couldn’t wait to read more, and with everything crossed I hope Carly releases the next book basically tomorrow!!
Rainey & Lucas’s story was written so well. In true Carly fashion, it had a little bit of everything mixed in to keep a wide variety of readers more than happy. Their relationship begins secretly as they can’t deny the attraction between them any longer. That Lucas is Rainey’s brother Jack’s best friend tips them into the forbidden/taboo side. So they set a time limit.
Whilst they’re navigating all this Carly throws in her more often than not suspense and drama. Not going to lie, I was fairly certain who was behind it all quite early in the book, in which I was correct. But it definitely didn’t detract from my enjoyment reading this part play out.
By the end of the story I knew that I couldn’t wait to read more, and with everything crossed I hope Carly releases the next book basically tomorrow!!
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