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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ;) )
It's not that I didn't like this book. I did, the story line and the premise we're great. Its the execution that was a bit off. I love the coming of age and the summery vibe of this book. My problem is that it took its time in places it should have speed up in, and speed up in places it should have took its time. It needed more meat to the story. A more in-depth look at the characters once they'd gotten together. We spend all this time waiting for them to get together, waiting for the big moment between Jason and Donovan, and its so mediocre. Its mediocre between the three of them. I don't get to see them be in love, and that is such a disappointment. On the contrary, this book is really short. I read it in three nights , and it's length could be the reason for it being so disappointing when it came to telling the story. I will read book two, but I'm definitely disappointed in the time jump. I hate when the next book takes place years later. Also just an added note, the Amazon cover for this book is so cute and fits the story better than this one. I was so disappointed when I didn't get the edition with the cute cover. An overall average read, definitely not a first choice for RH but if your looking for a summery beachy vibe. I'd give it a go.
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.
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.
I wish I could give it a better rating. I didn't get the in depth of the characters from any of the characters Kenzi, Donovan or Jason. Kenzi being the female lead didn't have me rooting for her like I do when I'm reading. Which I'm surprised about because I usually do like books from Adora Crook. The character I loved the most was Donavan; wish he had a better ending. As well as the changes that Jason Did from the beginning of the story to the end. The ending was also a cliff hanger which did leave a lot to be desired. Just found out there is a second book which is ' Truth or Dare: A Second Chance Single-Mom " Hope its better, its definitely much longer.
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.
Stumbled upon the book because Kindle recommended me it and it was free with my Kindle membership. Didn't even realize it was a MMF "why choose" throuple story before clicking on it and reading it so that was a LOVELY surprise!
I would've loved more digging into each of the dynamics more before they hooked up together, but they're also teenagers and teenagers move fast!
I also thought Kenzi leaving was quite abrupt and if I didn't have The Doctor's Truth to get right into, it wouldn't have been a fun ending.
The good stuff was really good, though, and I am definitely going to read it again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
2.5 stars - I'd like it better if there were condoms involved.
The built up was a bit slow in comparison to the very rushed & hardly shown romance part, which is sad because their chemistry together was way better than the whole bully-tease-whatever situation.. I guess the problem is that Jason was written just too much of a bully, so the author needed time to make him more likable.
Also, a Spoiler for the follow up book: I only learned at the end that this is part 1 of a duology & now I don't want to read the 2nd part because most (written) kids suck & are just annoying. And this book sadly wasn't good enough to convince me to even give it a try.
I tagged this as having a plus sized main character because Kenzi is referred to as curvy and does call herself fat but it actually feels more like she is someone who calls herself fat despite being only very "average" in size??
I did feel a little odd reading a book about teenagers but I knew the next book would come back to them as adults so it was easier to get through. I found myself like the charaters even though the book itself was only so-so for me. Enjoyable enough to come back for more with the follow-up.
Left me wanting more but not in a good way…kind of?
This was….okay. I feel like there was a build up that just fell flat. There was so much tension with Jason and Donovan and then it was just over. The ending felt completely rushed with the development of the relationship and the predictable problem that resulted in the ending. It felt like it built up for nothing and I was kind of left feeling like I wasted my time? I don’t know- maybe that was the Pooh t to make you want to read the next one. Kind of not sure I want to.
Honestly this was pretty mild for a poly/harem/threesome relationship. It’s a 2 star because the main characters are lacking like real attraction/desire for each other.
Also side note i’m not usually put off by a surprise pregnancy plot lines, but here it felt so unnecessary. Like it was there to add some extra drama that it didn’t need it. Honestly could’ve just given me some fire ass sexual scenarios in graphic detail and that would’ve been satisfactory but unfortunately it didn’t deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The first 2/3 of this book really had me hooked. It was fun and playful and sexy. Colorful and bright. I will say some plot points aren’t very clear to me like how deeply connected Kenzi and Donovan were in such a short time. Feels unrealistic.
But the end. That’s what really got me. The pregnancy sucked all the air out of the room. It went a dark, Euphoria way that felt unnecessary and really drab. And the letter to Donovan being the last button is wild. I lean towards 2.5 because I was rooting for Kenzi. We were all rooting for Kenzi.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
- the plot was good but personally too short. The book should be longer because the end was rushed and the characters didn’t have time to develop - the smut scene was really good and the others scenes - I would just read the smut scenes or the scenes were they were intimate but the whole book not - I didn’t like how the bully situation was handled like just he ate that stuff and everything is fine? No
This book was great. In this first of the duet we get THE BULLY'S DARE where we meet Jason, Donovan and Kenzie in a coming of age story where we see the three beginning to realize their place in the world and discovering their individual sexuality.
I recommend the 2nd in the duet as we are treated to THE DOCTOR'S TRUTH where the three are brought back together thirteen years later under unusual circumstances where a precious life hangs in the balance.
Kenzi is visiting a small island with her mom and her step-dad. She doesn't expect that one summer to change everything but boy does it. Kenzi meets Donovan and Jason. Donovan is the poor guy on the island who is picked on all the time by Jason. Jason who used to be friends with Donovan isn't anymore. But he is interested in Donovan's new friend, Kenzi.
One summer. One Night. And lives will change forever.
I flew through this book and can't wait to start the sequel.