The Bully's Dare

Truth or Dare #1

by Adora Crooks

Jason King is the worst.


Cocky. Frat boy. And the biggest bully around.

His family is richer than God and he thinks that makes him the king of Hannsett Island.

But he's not the only player on the board...

We've got our Knight-in-shining-leather, Donovan. My best friend and a loner with a heart of gold.

And then there's me...the Queen, obviously. Checkmate.

Except the chemistry between the three of us changes the rules in a BIG way.

Your move, Jason...

Truth or dare?

Author's note: This is a steamy bisexual romance with the following ingredients: (1) virgin curvy heroine, (1) queer brooding punk, (1) rich bully with a big...heart. And a healthy heaping of sexual tension between all three of them. This is part one of a two-part duet and ends with a cliffhanger.

Genres: Romance, M M F, Why Choose, Enemies To Lovers, Novella, Menage, Friends To Lovers

162 pages, ebook

First published December 11, 2020

Reviews

[RavenOfTheSea]

DNF 38%

First of all, the cover in Amazon is cute! The one in GR is horrendous.
Anyway, I am all for the bully trope! It's my favourite trope, but I didn't find it interesting in this story. It lacked intensity for sure.

Maybe it was the writing that felt too slow for me or the characters that didn't intrigue me. The problem is that I found the story slow, blunt and boring. I couldn't like the characters. Believe me, I tried. They either annoyed me or I found them completely indifferent. I also didn't feel the attraction between the mcs. There was supposed to be chemistry along with that coming-of-age sentiment but it felt too lukewarm for me.

I tried forcing myself to finish it, so that's a pass for me. Maybe I will give it another chance in the future. Who knows?

Did I like it? No
Would I reread it? DNF

[tane'a]

i am floored

[Sydney Gould]

Seemed like it was pulled straight from wattpad

[Amy Bergesen]

Cliffhanger
First in series
Accidental pregnancy
Virgin FMC
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Kenzi is spending the summer of her 18th birthday off the coast of Long Island. She meets Donovan, a nerdy, gay, sweet boy who becomes her closest friend. She also meets Jason King, the wealthy, privileged golden boy. After bullying, flirting, and learning a bit more about each other, they become an unlikely trio. This cliffhanger ends when Kenzi leaves Hannsett Island without saying goodbye. Really sweet character development that rings true.

[Morgan]

First half of this book was cute! I loved Donavon and Kenzi, and was warming up to Jason and then blam the sex scene if you can even call it that happened and it all just went downhill from there.

It felt so rushed, it was written in a way as if there was so much unsaid between he characters but there barley even had any interaction with eachother past this point. I considered dnfing but I didn't haven't many pages left. The latter half of this book felt like all it was doing was setting up for book two.

Also this book was promoted as a 'curvy heroine' but this was only mentioned maybe once when Kenzie called herself fat and no one said anything? This book was a while lot of build up to nothing.

[Kortney Allen]

Shut up! I loved this book so much 🥺🥺🥺

[Sarah]

Wattpad is high literature compared to this

[QuinnReads]

The Three Muskrats

I love the fast friendship between Kenzi Stratton and Adam "Donovan" Donovan. It isn't completely innocent, but it is sweet and wonderful. In addition to their friendship, I love their mixed tapes.

Then there's resident pretty boy and lead bully Jason King. I love it when Kenzi gets one over on him. It is well deserved and funny.

Of course, I really like how Jason slowly lets go of his alphahole tendencies. The transition to a friend to the awkward, poor gay kid, and the innocent girl who can tell him no is interesting and comes with some fabulous discoveries.

Jason King will grow up attractive, which bodes well for my fantasies of growing old with him, 2.5 kids that look just like us running around our feet…
-- Kenzi Stratton

I've already read the rest of the series. When I saw the audiobook at my library, I just knew it was time to visit where the series started. I'm so glad I did. While the other books in the series can be read as standalones, this ends in a cliffhanger.

I read along with the audio book. The narrators are Penelope Ann Rose and Chris Chambers. I like them, I do, but I wish there's a third narrator and that they are in duet. In lieu of that, this definitely works. 🎧💙🎧

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4 stars
Listening Speed: 2.0x

H1-2 = 18 & 19; h = 18

TROPES & TRIGGERS:
🩷 Small beach town
🩷 Cliffhanger
💜 Summer of discovery
💙 Sweet & steamy
💙 Accidental Pregnancy
🩷 Truth or Dare
🩷 Bisexual romance / MMF
💜 Teenaged bullies
💙 Childhood trauma
💙 Mixed tapes

[Virginie]

I discovered Adora Crooks when I downloaded her book All I Want for Christmas Is Them during SYKD. As I like to start with the first book in a series, even if it’s a standalone series, I decided to download The Bully’s Dare from Kindle Unlimited.

I absolutely loved this book. Reading it brought out a maelstrom of emotions in me. The humour of the characters is fantastic, but the serious moments bring out just as much emotion as the laugh-out-loud moments. I became very attached to Kenzi, Donovan and later Jason.

The cliffhanger at the end of the book made me want to quickly read The Doctor's Truth .

[Audrey Shellhammer]

If it weren’t so short, it would’ve been a DNF. And then if it didn’t end on a cliff hanger the second would have been a DNF.

First, the Amazon cover was so much cuter than this. You ever read a book and then have to decide if you actually want to have read it because of the cover, that was me.

Second, this book was kind of weird and all over the place. Same with the second. The third is also odd. It wasn’t the relationship, just the story line. Also one of the character just becomes a completely new and different person at one point and everyone forgives everything he’s done.

I don’t recommend reading this book, unless you’re bored and there is literally nothing else to read, then I guess you can read this one. It’s just… different.

[lori W]

Don't waste your time


This book shouldn't be called an adult romance book as it's written about teenagers who just graduated high school & college plans/acceptance & scholarships are still being worked out. Additionally, aside from 1 MMF intimate scene toward the very end of the book I wouldn't even call this a romance but more of a-typical high school bullying & some high jinks.

[K]

1.5 ⭐

Started off with the author being more descriptive and creating the story. And then it kinda started to fall flat after the part where King asks the FMC out, it felt lackluster and almost like it was point form but with paragraphs or like the writer got lazy. I also found the FMC got less confident and sassy after the ice cream date. It's like she was reversing into a stumbling, anxious, and naive girl, it was disappointing.

Not bothering with the second book

[Bea Sanz]

Me da un poquito de vergüenza admitir que me he leído este libro (y peor, que me he leído los dos siguientes también), pero oh well, a girl needs what a girl needs cuando te pasas 12 horas al día estudiando, 6 días a la semana. Además me ha servido para satisfacer una curiosidad tremenda en torno al poliamor, que la autora trata de la forma más natural posible, aunque sin meterse en detalles muy profundos. En fin, dentro de unos años seguramente me ría de mí misma por haberme leído esto

[Ashley]

Discovered through Booktok from a post by the author and decided on doing a buddy read for this series.

Was the story exactly what I was expecting? No, but regardless it was still an enjoyable read (my book thoughts note on my phone had to of been a mile long- I swear.)

Wish it had been longer, but nonetheless..

The early 2000’s references were *chef kiss* & I was brought w/an overwhelming sense of nostalgia w/the mention of LW haha.

Couldn’t stand Jason’s Dad.. I’ll leave it at that as far as he goes.

The dynamic between K, D & J left me w/laughs, frustration, sadness, happiness… Just all of the feels. Definitely one of my new favorite book trio’s.

Anyways, onto the next one :)

[Holly Zegalia]

Pretty good teenage love story. Ends on a giant cliffhanger though so have book 2 ready in the wings.

[rowan 🧸🎧]

super short but i liked it !

[Erin]

This was a really cute book to read.

Kenzi - the nerd, but comfortable in her own skin
Donovan - the outcast, best friend of Kenzi's
Jason - mister popular, jock, but a softie when he's not around his snobby friends.

Jason and Donovan live in a small town, everyone knows everyone and Kenzi comes to town and spends the summer there. A friendship blossoms with Donovan and Kenzi and she meets Jason, she sees him, but doesn't want to like him, but she does. There is something different about him when he is around her.

Something blossoms between the three of them, but something happens at the end of summer and Kenzi just ups and leaves. No detail explanation to Donovan and Jason.

Can't wait to read the next book and see where she is and what's been going on with Jason and Donovan.

[Mel]

Having read two chapters in a novella from stuff your kindle day, I really liked Adora’s writing style. Pair it up with an MMF and I was downloading this book like tomorrow wasn’t for certain.

Having sat and read this book in an afternoon, I really enjoyed reading all about Kenzi, Donovan and Jason.

The Muskerats, the three such a strange combination. Donovan, wannabe doctor, gay or bi, not sure really as I don’t think he’s figured it out. Jason is a ladies man, also wanting to be a Doctor but I think he just hasn’t advertised what his preferences are, and Kenzi. Music mad and a curvaceous 18 years old. Innocent yet distractingly drooling over the boys in her life and still a virgin.

A coming of age, summer break story and I’ve already downloaded The Doctor’s Truth.

[Silvia]

completely got sucked into this book! It’s on the shorter side, but the story had me captivated and I was a bit miffed when I got to the end of the book realizing I now have to wait to find out what happens next!
Kenzi was incredible! I loved the friendship between her and Donovan. Donovan tugged at my heart. I always love the underdogs and that’s sort of what Donovan was, especially compared to Jason. Jason, however, was so much more complicated. He certainly wasn’t my favorite character in the beginning but he definitely made leaps and bounds in my estimation. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the next book!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[lara]

Ok, I’m actually so shocked how much I liked this. I’ve been putting it off for the longest time thinking it was an insta-love trope but it was the opposite. This book was unexpectedly slowburn which I loved and it was done so well. There was so much depth to each of the characters and you can really see their growth as the story progressed. The connections were strong and founded on friendship first and they all share a special bond.

The major let down for me was how rushed the ending was. I really wish we got to see more but I’m about to start the second book so I’m not overly fussed. 3.75 stars.

[Petra]

The Bully’s Dare ( MMF ménage).
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book, but it definitely was GOOD!

I loved all of it! Three characters so different from each other, yet Donovan, Jason & Kenzi are great together. The pranks they pulled made me smile several times throughout the book.

Being first of a duet, it ends on a cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read the second book.
A really recommended read!

[Amii]

This was a great short read, it is a little slow at first but then finally gets really good but then ends too quickly on the cliffhanger which was sad but I’m looking forward to the next part of this book. It has some great characters (King is my favourite) and the storyline is getting good. This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I really liked it. I read this book as an ARC.

[Catherine]

I went into this book thinking it would be pretty lighthearted, which it is, but it turns much more intense in the last 15%. I was truly impressed with this book. It was very enjoyable, and each character pulled you into the story for various reasons. I ate this bad boy up in one sitting, not expecting to get so invested in the story, so definitely worth the read.

[RowenaPotter]

2 spice level, lgbtq rep. I liked this book. I chose this book because I like why choose romance, and the second book has the word truth in it, and I need it for my buzzword challenge. I can't wait to read the next book because I like that it takes place in the future. I'm excited to see what has happened and how everything will work out.

[Stacia | stacialovestoread]

This book is a bit of a slow burn (okay….a lot of a slow burn), but it’s got a good plot and likable characters.
I instantly felt kinship with Kenzi, but also a bit of pity for the hand she’s been dealt in life. Same with Donovan.
Jason is a bit harder to like, at first, but he grows on you like a barnacle on a boat.

[Sarah]

I’m not sure why this book is labeled as a spicy why choose…

It’s got one MMF scene that’s like a page long and that’s it. Then she ends up with neither guy at the end.

Plus pregnancy tropes make me depressed.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/22/2021)! 🎁

[Mimie Be]

Écriture bof, personnages insipides, aucune connexion entre eux et vraiment aucun intérêt à cette histoire.

[Alex]

What’s the… I don’t want to ask what the kinkiest book you’ve read because that seems disingenuous and sensationalist. I guess what I’m asking is what is the most non-traditional romance novel you’ve read?

The two books that make up the Truth or Dare Duet, The Bully’s Dare and The Doctor’s Truth, by Adora Crooks are my first menage or “throuple” stories. I have to say I found them enlightening.

In #TheBullysDare, Kenzi is 18 spending her summer on Hansett Island, sunning herself on step dad number four’s boat. At the marina is where she meets 19 year old Donovan, the dock boy and they quickly become BFFs. Donovan is gay but has feelings for Kenzi that he’s never had for another girl. Then there’s Jason, also 19 and another Hansett Island local. He’s the quintessential as*hole jock running around with a bunch of other teenage as*holes.

Jason finds himself intrigued by Kenzi when they are thrown together, his father being friends with her stepfather. When Kenzi starts to spend time with Jason, she finds he’s maybe not quite the douche he portrays himself to be.

Ok, here comes some spoilers, but the three of them end up together on a boat and things get intimate. And then things get intense when Kenzi misses her period.

The first book ends with Kenzi leaving the island and the second book, #TheDoctorsTruth picks up 13 years later when she’s returning to the island for the first time. But this time, she’s not returning alone. She has her sick son, Otto, with her. Hansett Island has one of the best medical centers in the world and guess who turned out to be a doctor?

Actually, BOTH Jason and Donovan are top notch doctors, a transplant surgeon and an internist respectively. Can Kenzi keep her secret while relying on the men she knew as boys to figure out what’s making her kid sick? And how will picking up with them where they left off more than a decade before play into it?

Oh, can’t forget the threats from Jason’s father who knew back when what was happening and tried to pay Kenzi off to end her pregnancy. He’s added the twist that if she shares the secret of Otto’s parentage, then he’ll make it so Otto can’t be treated at Hansett.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for sticking with me. This is a two-for-one so 2200 characters just didn’t cut it.

If you haven’t ventured into atraditional relationships in your reading yet, this duet (plus the interim novella and spin-off) make for good introductions. Crooks explores how the relationship evolves between all three collectively but also individually with each other.

For someone like me who has come across these kinds of relationships IRL or in fiction before, Crooks helps to show how these relationships can evolve naturally and work for people without fetishizing or othering them.

The second book, given the added element of Otto and his illness, is extra poignant and goes to show how families can be complete with an extra member or two. And sometimes, relying on a single romantic partner just doesn’t work for everyone; sometimes one can fill the needs another doesn’t. Sometimes, love is really all you need.


(Yep, I did just get that corny. I just can’t help myself sometimes ;) )

More reviews on IG: @alexreadsthebooks

[Sarinha M]

Hmmmm... I've only just started it, but honestly it's been kinda dumb at the moment!

The FMC has some mild curves from what I'm figuring out & she then says "what's up.. first time seeing a fat girl in a bikini?!" Say what the ACTUAL FUCK now & the only time that we're "informed" that the FMC is supposedly "curvy" is by her calling herself fat, at least TWICE..

Way to go there author 👏 👏 FML 🙄🙄🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

She's not a twiglet so therefore she's fat?!? WTAF?!

& the amount of eye-rolling at the "she's not like other girls because she's one of the guys" 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄 Strewth 🤦‍♀️

LORDY... this is such a juvenile listen! It's basically boiling down to... "he's a dick, but he's so pretty"

He literally threatens to throw her "friend" into a pool when her friend, Donovan is WORKING & OMG (think Valley girl accent)... he just "forced" me into a date, which I can't just say no to because he threatened my friend & I'm protecting him by going on a date with him... give me strength 🙄🙄 Tell him to do one... you threw him into the pool, see it through, tell him to F off 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

He's a MASSIVE dick to your friend. You became friends exactly BECAUSE of that fact, but "OMG... look at him, he's so pretty & he has abs & OMG, did I forget to mention that he's SO pretty 😍 Oh yeah
.. he asked me what I want to do when I grow up, so he GETS me like nobody else does because didn't I mention that I'm NOT a US size 0, maybe a size 4 (which is size 8 in the UK... which is petite)?!?... so, I'm SO fat & he wants me... so fuck the friend, imma get me some, even though he literally blackmailed me into a date by THREATENING my friend (how very Notebook-y of the author) 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Honestly.... I think I lost brain cells while reading this! Damn, I remember being dumb when I was the FMC's age, but never THAT dumb 😬

& the bully has bullied Donovan for years because he's poor, so he eats a jar of jalapeños to show his remorse NOT by changing his behaviour... oh no, that would be far too logical... so now he's a hero because he ate some chillies, even though he's been a bigoted asshole for years 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Lordy


Honestly... this is gonna be a DNF! I tried, but this is more for teens to enjoy as I don't think that I was ever THIS young & stupid!

In my world, you mess with my friends.. you'll feel the wrath NOT the love or the I'll drool over you 🤦‍♀️