Double Dared

by Raquel Riley

First love. First betrayal. One dare away from unraveling everything.

Truen "Tru"
I was twelve when I realized I loved him.
Thirteen when I kissed him.
And the next day, he made me hate myself for it.

Darien turned our friendship into a weapon.
Now he calls me his stepbrother and looks right through me like I’m nothing.
He pretends he doesn’t remember that night in the closet.

But I do.
I still taste him like blood in my mouth.
I remember how he kissed me back—and how he made sure I paid for it.

If Darien taught me anything, it’s that love isn’t a game.
The first dare broke us. The second dare might set us free.

Darien "Dare"
I kissed him back.
Because I wanted to.
Because it felt like falling, and I wanted to crash.

But wanting him meant admitting too much, so I crushed it.
I burned the bridge and left him on the other side, holding the match I lit.

He thinks I forgot. I didn’t.
I remember everything—his mouth, his breath, the sound he made when our lips touched.

I’ve hated him ever since for making it matter.
But I hate myself more for wanting it again.
And God help me, I do.

This isn’t a love story.
It’s a reckoning.

Double Dared is a standalone M/M romance packed with longing, banter, emotional gut punches, and heat that burns.

Genres: M M Romance, Friends To Lovers, Slow Burn, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 23, 2026

Reviews

[patrícia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review: Double Dared by Raquel Riley
MC:Truen "Tru"&Darien "Dare" 5⭐

“I dare you to live your truth”

Tropes & tags
Childhood best friends to enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Pining and regret
Forced proximity
Step brothers
Second chance
Angst
First Times

Angsty. Slow burn. Infuriating. The kind of book that makes you want to shake both characters violently and then wrap them in a blanket and protect them forever.

This book made me feel everything.

I couldn’t put it down — I read over 300 pages in a single day, which lately is a big deal for me. I’ve been feeling pretty meh about most of my recent reads, and then this came along and completely hooked me. That’s Raquel Riley for you. She can write anything: funny and light, heavy military stories, taboo, full-on angst — and she nails it every single time. Her versatility and talent genuinely amaze me.

Tru and Dare are everything. Every time I thought something was missing, or that the story wasn’t going where I hoped… bam — she delivered. I wanted more grovelling, more crawling, bigger gestures. Raquel basically said hold my beer and gave me exactly what I didn’t even know I needed. The payoff is immaculate. The regret is deliciously painful. The yearning is off the charts.

One thing I do want to highlight, because it matters: Dare makes Tru suffer for six years. Six years of cruelty, bullying, and emotional punishment rooted in his fear and internalised homophobia — all of it projected onto Tru, as if Dare’s shame was somehow Tru’s fault. Because of that, I can absolutely see some readers feeling that Tru’s forgiveness comes too easily. At moments, I felt that too. But the book knows this. Dare doesn’t get off lightly. He suffers for what he’s done, and the emotional payoff when everything finally cracks open is earned. When Dare finally stops hiding, stops punishing Tru for his own truth, and lets honesty and love rule instead, it’s devastatingly beautiful.

And Tru? Tru is an angel. Pure heart, deep scars, endless strength. Loving him felt effortless, and wanting the world to be kinder to him was unavoidable.

The pacing was perfect. We follow them from age ten, when they first meet, through years of hurt, growth, and emotional devastation. They hurt and celebrate. They cry and laugh. They burn and doubt and want and ache — but they never give up on each other. The being was so deserving, with ramps and forever ♾️!
I also loved the messages at the beginning of each chapter — those little wise, ominous thoughts that set the tone for what’s coming were perfection.

It’s a slow burn, but…. But, their chemistry is off the charts and that shows in everything, while talking shit, fighting, kissing, fucking of making love, nothing beats the “say your mine”, or “were my clothes” or “fucking with the team Jersey on “❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 old but gold 🔥🔥😮‍💨😮‍💨🥵🥵

This isn’t just a romance. It’s messy, raw, painful, and incredibly cathartic.

Highly, highly recommended if you like your slow burns drenched in regret, longing, and emotional gut punches. And that epilogue? Deliciously lame just the way I like it ❤️‍🔥

PS: I’m sorry, Raquel… but this cover is terrible 🫣 I will buy this book, but I desperately need an alternative cover like yesterday.

“We’re really doing this,” he whispered.
“Yeah,” I said, brushing my thumb over the black tungsten band on his finger. “We already are.”

I received a copy of this book from author, and this is my honest review.

⚠️Author Content Warnings
Bullying
Homophobia (internalized + external social pressure)
Underage kiss (no adult/minor content)
Parental conflict and emotional manipulation
Anxiety, panic, and shame-based spirals
Alcohol consumption
High emotional intensity, arguments, and messy relationship dynamics


❣️Book Safety & Content
Cheating: No
Other Person Drama: yes, both have some kind of relationship before they are together. It’s only kisses,nothing else.
Sharing: No
Third-Act Breakup: Yes
Role Dynamics: Strict roles
POV: 1st person (dual)
Format: Standalone
Ending: HEA
Angst Level: High
Spice Level: Medium / High heat
Communication: Heavy miscommunication
Pining: Mutual

[Sharon Elias · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book...😭
My heart was being ripped out for about 70% of the entire story. But damn, it was worth it! 🖤

Two childhood best friends: Truen & Darien -
Tru & Dare.

One dare. One kiss, that changed everything.
Two boys who feel the same.
But only one of them can admit his feelings...
Tru.❤️
And the other one?
Dare. Too scared to admit he also likes boys.
Scared of what his dad will think, a man who doesn’t accept “weak boys.”
Scared of what everyone else will say.

One kiss... and Tru is left with a broken heart.
His best friend kissed him back... then disappeared.
Acting like he doesn’t even know Tru.

But why?

The reason behind Dare’s behavior completely broke my heart.
Such a beautiful soul, trapped by fear and expectations, needing to be the golden child. Struggling with himself. 💔

Raquel wrote a breathtaking, heartbreaking love story.
A story about acceptance, showing up for each other, and learning how to love without fear.
Because even when so much is broken... soulmates always find their way back to each other.

Oh and these bonus chapters…. Just when my tears had dried up… 😭

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

•
•

[peoniesandmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

tru & dare! these two were so cute.

i caught myself skimming the last half.. so that’s why i only gave it 4 stars but overall a super cute and angsty book!

[dj&books · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW:

So I’m actually giving this 6 stars cause BROOO this book did a number on my ass, like gutted me tf up through most of this it. Dare & Tru completely have my heart and soul. These two start off as childhood best friends that turns into enemies/step brothers to eventually coming lovers and getting everything they deserve! But those years in between were rough and had me absolutely sobbing at times but it all end up becoming worth it. This book is incredible and I can’t wait for all of you to read it when it comes out on the 23rd. It does tackle some heavy theme so check your trigger warnings but I am jealous of everyone who gets to read this for the first time on the 23rd!

[xxBooksILovexx · Rating 5 out of 5]

I purposely read this book slowly as I just couldn’t get enough of Tru & Dare! I loved every second of their story. Adored watching them grow & learn how to love each in other. They will always have a special place in my heart!

[Kelsey’s Kindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

FEELINGS. I wasn’t ready for them and there were a lot of them 😭I was ready for the bullying, the stepbros, the pining, the friends to the enemies to the lovers but man those feelings got me. I fell for Tru right away, I wanted to take that sweet precious boy home and protect him from the world. Starting off strong on the book boyfriend list already! He grew and changed and just came into his own, he gained confidence, self assurance, he’s brave and he doesn’t give up, I admire his resilience and how hard he loves even to his detriment. I absolutely loved seeing their childhood and seeing them grow through all the stages, watching the friends turn to enemies and then to lovers. Dare put me through a whole set of other emotions- loved him, then was mad at him, then frustrated at him then there a lot of awws and back to loving him again. He had it so set in his mind of who he was supposed to be, how his future was supposed to go, he just didn’t know how to go against that, so he masked and he hid the side of him that was just clawing to come out. When he finally broke free of that expectation is when I fell back in love with him. His redemption arc was perfect and so worth the aggravation he put me through lol.It was worth it all to see them get their HEA. The ending was just precious and so perfect for them 🥹Shout out to Tru’s mom Charlotte - what a supportive, kind and caring women, everyone deserves a parent like her 🩵Thanks to Raquel for letting me read and review this book .

[Shannon Winning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely blown away. Honestly when I signed up for this I thought heck yeah I love a good steamy step bro romance. This was truly something so much more. Tru and Dare put me through it! The anger, the smiles and the tears and everything in between.

This was one of the hardest HEA I’ve read in a long time, and the way the story is told really just build up the hurt and the way you don’t know if you want to root for them or have them completely heal away from each other. In the end this book was about much more than finding each other but finding out about themselves too.

Tru being completely broken over what happens between him and his absolute best friend, and still holding out hope for the boy he fell for at such a young age ughhh it was masterful and just heartbreaking. Dare I swear I wanted to throw the whole man away at time but I had to step back and really put myself in his shoes, and at times I think I cried more for him then I did for Tru, to spend so many years thinking all the things he thought and felling all the negativity he internalized just broke my heart.

Like I said this was a HARD fought HEA but of so worth it, and the epilogue really messed me up, I was a mess and I’m so glad it had it!! I think it really completed the whole book.

This book was totally different from what I read as I do not like to be thrown in a river of tears and feelings but I’m glad this surprised me, one I’ll actually remember for such a long time.

[Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a fan of books that make you FEEL, if you like getting ANGRY at a character and then fall in LOVE with them later when they finally SEE that they're worth something, if you want a book that will SUCK you in. See what I did there? 😆 If you like an MC that is so SWEET and WHOLESOME but just can't get over the BAD BOY that he so totally should (no he shouldn't!), you HAVE to READ this book. It will leave you a MESS in the BEST WAY.

And this is me. Finn "low-angst-is-my-jam" Dixon saying this sh*t.

Releases January 23

[Wicked River Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read and boy was their happy ending well fought for! Tru and Dare were meant for each other but it definitely took some time to get them on the same page. Once there however it was nice to see. I enjoyed getting their backstory and seeing how they became friends and ultimately grew apart and came back together. It was a journey that was both sweet and heartbreaking at times. Tru has always loved Dare and no matter what they went through it never stopped. He continued to see the man Dare could be as well as what they could be together and Dare just needed to get out of his own way and be willing to take a risk. I liked seeing their friendship develop and their dynamic positively change. The comic collecting, journal writing, hoodie sharing and drawings were sweet. I’m glad I picked this up!


💛ARC REVIEW🖤

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best friends to enemies to stepbrothers to lovers anyone? Wrap everything I love in one neat package and drop it on my kindle! This was fun, cute, heartbreaking, heavy and about eighty other things all at once. The way the relationship between Truen and Darien changes throughout their childhood, into their teens and to the point of embracing the love that was always there, made for such a wonderful read. It had me on the edge of my seat, impatiently shooting at the boys to get their heads (especially Dare) out of their behinds and open those eyes to what was right there all along. I loved how not only they changed but the people around them as well, Dare’s dad mainly. An overall great read!!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily read an ARC for the book. Firstly I love that the story is based around the idea of truth (Tru) or dare (Dare), while this may have been intentional Ms Riley makes this fit so well into the story without feeling forced. Tru and Dare take you on a whirlwind ride that has you laughing, crying and screaming along with them as they grow up and learn that home is really where the heart is.

[Debra (Dragon Nanny) Phiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an emotional rollercoaster of a story! Raquel just k owes how to make her characters go through some stuff!

I teared up a few times because Dare and Tru’s story is just that heart-wrenching! Their relationship is just so real and truly made the book perfect!


Loved it !



I received and advanced reader copy however it doesn’t change my honest review of the book!

[Katkejt ☾.]

…rtc. “You’re the best dare I ever took.”

….

*I reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

….

[Caroline Forrester]

I am excited to read this and the cover won’t deter me. I’m not judging the book BY its cover, but I am definitely judging THE cover. For a 500+ page book that seems quite angsty, this cover is pretty silly. 😂

Edit: the cover is different now but equally silly.

[tobifun.pp · Rating 5 out of 5]

rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
feelings: 😭🥰😱🥵😍🫠😡🥹😄

This book destroyed me!

Raquel Riley creates such a beautiful friendship between two boys that you find yourself wishing you had experienced something similar yourself.

And then she rips your heart out! I accompanied Tru and Dare sobbing through several years (chapters). I was extremely emotionally involved and felt their mental anguish as if it were my own.
Dare turns into an absolute nightmare for Tru. Brutal bullying replaces what was once deep trust. Tru is so sweet, and even though he's suffering, he never closes the door in case Dare comes back. Dare is so strangled by his ingrained homophobia that he punishes Tru for awakening feelings that his father considers despicable. Although he is the ‘villain’ of the story, he is the one who suffers the most. His behaviour has not only has cost him his best friend, but also the only place where he felt fully accepted and safe.

The HEA in the story is hard-earned and beautiful. Raquel gives us a detailed glimpse into Tru and Dare's future. After all the stormy emotions I went through while reading, this was balm for my soul.

⚽Childhood best friends to enemies to lovers
⚽Slow burn
⚽Pining and regret
⚽Forced proximity

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐
2🌶️

Darien and Truen definitely put me through all the emotions. Their story was told in multiple parts and I enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve and deconstruct.

My heart broke time and time again for Tru in the high school years. The pining and longing he felt for not only his best friend but his first unrequited love. It definitely hurt to be in his POVs.

Dare frustrated me at times but I could understand what he was going through. I could see why he did the things he did. I just didn’t always like him for it in the early years.

When they got to college and things started turning around I was really happy and then more angst happened and I wasn’t quite ready for it. I think some of the storyline in their college years felt a little drawn out. Sometimes I felt like Truen would change his mind and it didn’t make sense to where he was at chapters earlier.

By the end I was ready to let these two go and I was happy they got the ending they deserved. Dare’s growth throughout really shined through and by the end I was hopelessly in love with him.

Slow Burn
Childhood Friend to Enemies to Lovers
Stepbrothers
Pining
First Times
Bullying
Forced Proximity
High Angst
First Person Dual POV

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doble Dared is a best friend to enemies to lovers slow burn romance.

The book broke my heart and soul, only to put it back together again. When I say I like slow burns, this is what I mean: that it hurts, that it makes me feel hope even though it's lost, that it fills my heart with joy.

The story covers many years of Tru and Dare's lives, beginning when they are around 11 years old, the moment when we see that something is emerging, we don't know what, but it is something that could be more than friendship. But there are always external elements, such as Dare's father, whom I sometimes feel like smacking, just like Dare. Although I also feel like giving him a big hug, because, well, no one should have to go through that.

It starts in a closet, at age 13, when they kiss, but they have different reactions to that kiss. It gets complicated over the years, especially when they become stepbrothers.

I really like how the author accurately portrays the personalities of both characters and their internal conflicts, especially Dare's.

Looking forward to reading the next one

[anna_79_reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg what a ride! I started reading this when I went to bed one night and it was not long before I cried and sobbed 😭 I had to get some sleep or I would have read it all in one sitting!

And last night I stayed up until 5:30 in the morning just because I couldn’t put it down a second time!

This book is a journey. It will make you feel all the feelings! We follow Tru and Dare from childhood to young adults and get to feel the heartbreak from Tru and the anger from Dare. It was so hard to read at times. I just wanted to reach in there and shake them and make them see and realize everything they needed to heal and to find their way back to each other.

It hurts to grow and to heal but in the end it’s worth all the pain and heartache!

Thank you for the arc! This review is honest and voluntary!

[Nicki - The Overflowing Bookcase · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tru and Dare - a combination of best friends that are caught between owning up for the feelings that are coming to the surface or walking away from the only friendship they knew. This story will make you mad, will make you want to slap them both upside the head and tell them to get their heads out of their a$$es, but in the end through loads of turmoil love prevails. Raquel Riley once again gives the readers a heartbreaking story that in the end could not make a better HEA - and the parents could not have been portrayed and more perfectly than as exactly how parents should treat their children.

[Jonah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book.

It's a sloooow burn novel primarily between the 2 main characters. I'm not usually a fan of slow burn novels but I've got to say that I was impressed. The book kept up my interest without being repetitive. I was engaged to find out if/when/how the characters would get together. I was kept guessing for quite some time. As I was reading, I thought to myself: how does the author keep up the slow burn so well, but she does and does an excellent job of it.

Extremely well written with lots of depth of characters with what they are thinking and feeling. The book was unlike anything I'd read before.

An enthusiastic 5 stars from me.

[Cynthia M Brow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Dared is the story of Tru (Truen) and Dare(Darien).
I couldn't put this book down once I started it. It was a rollercoaster ride of feelings. Tru and Dare made me want to scream at them, then hug them and tell them everything was going to be ok. At first I wanted to hate Dare for all the pain and hurt he made Tru suffer for six years but as I learned more about why he was acting like that I wanted to cry for him. This was just an amazing story that felt so real. I would definitely recommend this book as a 5 star read.
received a free review copy

[Kim B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! 🎊 What a fantastic read! Honestly though Riley never disappoints. This was a very emotional read with complex characters. So well written! Tru and Dare go from childhood best friends to high school enemies (Dare’s doing, not Tru’s), to then boyfriends and lovers and happily ever after. But boy is it a journey to get to that HE 😳.

I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review

[camms.bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gamut of emotions! This book had it all. From the cute childhood best friends, to turning against the other, fighting societal heteronormative stereotypes, to acceptance of the love that was there from the beginning. Soulmates? As close as it comes.

Buy the box of tissues because there will be all kinds of tears. Even the happy “hell yes” tears. The most beautiful HEA. This was an unforgettable journey. An absolute must read!

[K-Me · Rating 5 out of 5]

Young men trying to find themselves and each other. What a mess! but that was the beauty and truth of the story. These two, mostly Dare just cannot let go, communicate and make things real. Legit page turner as you cannot help but be immersed in the need for these two to work things out and admit their feelings outright!

[Wren Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait for the rest of this one

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Tru and Dare's story! While it did take some time to find their footing, the whole build-up of their friendship and how much they really cared for each other was what did it for me.

[Gina Burkart · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this amazing read that had me in the edge of my seat.