I Dare You to Love Me

by Lori G. Matthews

Danielle Clark’s life is going according to plan. She’s in the middle of her surgical residency and she and her fiancé, Will, are the perfect match. At least that’s what everyone says. When Will brings home a rescue dog, it’s hard to tell who’s less enthused, Dani or her cat, Jinx. The dog wreaks havoc on the household and needs training, but who has time for that? Certainly not Dani.

In steps Kara Britton, owner of a successful kennel. When she picks up Dani’s dog for day care, the sparks fly. The wrong kind of sparks. A frazzled Dani forgets her own dog’s name and Kara is appalled.

The two women verbally spar at every opportunity, but beneath the surface is a growing attraction that neither expected. During one of their many heated discussions, they share a why-I-oughtta kiss that rocks both their worlds. Dani’s engagement weighs heavy on them both, and they make a conscious effort to stay apart, but fickle fate and meddling friends seem to delight in throwing them together.

Will Dani choose the safe path and stay with the man she’s expected to marry? Or will she dare to love Kara.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, LGBT, Enemies To Lovers, Femme Femme, Fiction, Lesbian

292 pages, ebook

Published December 15, 2022

About the author

Lori G. Matthews lives outside of Philadelphia with her wife and three cats. Her first brush with literary fame came at the age of thirteen when her composition, an amusing tale told from the perspective of a soccer ball, was the only one read aloud by her teacher. To this day, she still loves to write lighthearted comedies because laughter truly is the best medicine. When she’s not writing, Lori plays ice hockey, hikes, bikes, and bird-watches. But her favorite place to be is on the golf course, where she’s proudly earned the nickname Long and Wrong.

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

**'Always remember that sometimes the most attractive thing about a story is, if you as a reader look closely, is the writer's intention..'

Charming read!
A surprisingly witty, entertaining and endearing storyline; very good secondary and supporting characters, well-fleshed-out protagonists, good chemistry etc. etc. etc.
Highly recommended book!

[pipsqueakreviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choosing love over stability.

This was a mostly fun, light and sexual book. Dani is due to marry her fiance, Will, but when her new dog starts going to daycare, she finds herself developing an unsatiable infatuation towards Kara, the daycare owner. At the same time, Kara is also infuriating so they spend their time together mostly bickering for the sake of bickering. While I don't like everything that unfolds, I have to admit that I enjoyed their banter a lot. There is an undeniable attraction between them that I thought was fun and also really hot. But I think I would have preferred if they had spent more time together more meaningfully rather than being apart or just flirting.

I didn't feel bad about the cheating at all. Will is a relatively nice character but he wasn't very present in the story and it was clear that Dani was settling. And it seems all of Dani's friends don't have any issues with it either seeing how they try to push Dani and Kara together the entire time.

A fun story, one about choosing love over stability and there's also cute dogs and cats. I enjoyed most of it.

I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t have this audiobook on my radar until I listened to Rachel Lacey’s Lost in Paradise, which was my first narration by Ellie Gossage. My friend Elena then recommended this one and it helped lighten a complicated weekend. The premise is a pretty simple enemies to lovers story. Dani, a surgical resident, is engaged to her best friend Will. As a self-described cat person, she’s not exactly enthusiastic about the cute but overly energetic dog Will brings home one day. Her other best friend, Zoe, suggests using a doggy day care service. When the owner, Kara, comes to fetch the dog for the first time, the sparks that fly are undeniable yet not of the pleasant kind.

This book doesn’t take itself too seriously, it’s light, fun, fluffy. Some things don’t completely make sense, but it doesn’t matter. The chemistry between the main characters is real and overrides everything else, and Zoe’s shenanigans, added to adorable cats and dogs, had me laughing out loud. I can’t tell if I would have enjoyed this book as much if I had read it. All I know is that Ellie Gossage’s performance brought me definite joy.

Read all my reviews on my website (and please get your books from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[currentlyreadingbynat · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the funniest books I've read - ever! I don't think I've ever laughed as much when reading a book. There's a few moments where I was laughing so hard I was crying so I had a lot of fun while reading 😂 My wife thought I was completely bonkers though 🙈

Although Dani is engaged to Will, she falls into instant attraction with Kara. The chemistry between them leaps off the page, and although this book features a tad bit of cheating, I couldn't help but want them together.

Highly recommend if you're looking for a sapphic romance that will also make you LOL. 😊

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bella Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[XR · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was fun and hilarious to read. I loved the banter between Kara and Dani, most especially when they disliked one another... but I also loved the spark between them that everyone was privy to. I loved the moments with the dogs, kittens and the cat. I always appreciate stories with the little buggers, so that was a bonus.

Now the reason I gave this four stars instead of five...

I tried to keep Will's character in the back of my mind and not fuss, 'cause I really didn't like Kara and Dani going behind his back the way they did, and then all their friends knowing EXCEPT Will and them all acting like nothing. That stuff bothered me.

Cheating is NO BUENO!

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

Plenty of humour, banters and popcorn to pass around 😊

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the first Half but then felt too long. Going round and round the same roundabout before ending to the inevitable conclusion. Hoped for more, I suppose. Excellent side characters, though Zoey just cartoonish.

[Fran Sappharc · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 and I really debated about rounding up to 4, I decided not to do so because although there were lots of lines and phrasing I loved, I was thinking too hard about it. A true 3.5 tho and a good one at that!
Good start. I enjoyed the mains meeting. However one main is in a relationship and it's with a man.... This relationship is as opposite to bells and whistles romance as you can get.
I'm enjoying the book, there are some great lines and the writer does some great juxtaposition of words and sentences. However the barrier to the mains is still the fiancé (who is definitely in the friend rather than lover zone) but 63% in with over an hour and a quarter reading to go, I'm getting a bit impatient for the situation to be dealt with. I like that the the fiancé is not painted as a baddy and actually as much a victim of parental ideas as our heroine. I enjoyed it and apart from the above mentioned impatience at the fiancé situation feel it was well paced. There is a plot bomb goes off late in the book and tension is well drawn from that.

[Jennabeebs79 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dani is less than thrilled when her fiancé, Will brings a rescue dog home who immediately destroys their house. They’re both busy doctors and don’t have time to properly train and care for a dog. So she’s grateful when a doggie daycare picks him up at home to take him for the day. Kara Britton, the owner of the doggie daycare is unimpressed with Dani when she answers the door and doesn’t know her dog’s name. From the first moment, these two set out to antagonize each other and with each meeting, their animosity towards one another escalates until a frenzied kiss sets the sparks ablaze.

The witty banter between Dani and Kara from the moment they meet is highly entertaining. They go back and forth whenever they are together and don’t care who is around to witness. Their banter is so entertaining that Zoey, Dani’s best friend begins caring popcorn everywhere she goes so she can eat it while she watches “their show”. Their friend group ships them together as “Kardi”!
The dialogue in this book is so perfectly executed and seamless that the reader is continuously drawn into all conversations.
The supporting cast of characters is quirky, engaging, and hilarious!

[Lady Olenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enemies to lovers story. Bi doctor engaged to marry a man falls for lesbian kennel owner.

Safe and easy book to read. There were funny dialogues especially among friends. The dares between main characters were a bit funny. The climax was a pretty good build up and the rallying was sweet. My point of contention would be the situations that felt like I was watching a romcom. Reading a book is supposed to make you feel the set up as close to reality as possible. However, reading the “comical” situations burst my bubble of the world the author was trying to immerse the readers in. It’s just too outlandish, thus feeling like it’s a romcom.

[Dotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Dare You to Love Me is a hilarious, light-hearted rom-com guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

The story begins with some funny lighthearted bickering between the main characters as they develop an instant love/hate relationship.

Offended by Dani's uninterest in her pet, Kara makes a point of letting her know it, because who forgets their own dog's name?

Dani is less than thrilled by her attitude and is easily drawn into frivolous arguments, refusing to give Kara the last word.

As the attraction and sexual tension increase, the women struggle to stay away from each other. Lines are blurred when outside forces continue to push them together and Dani begins to question her lacklustre relationship with her fiancé.

With a fun assortment of witty side characters eagerly munching popcorn on the sidelines, this book kept me entertained for hours. Zoey will forever be my mic-dropping favourite.

🍿 "Popcorn and dildos... Oh... and drinks on Murphy! 🍺 That's what I always say!" 🤣

[Erin Rosalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Bella Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book! I really enjoyed it—it was a quick and easy read. I easily connected with the characters, and I loved how the friendships within the group developed throughout the book. I adored their support for one another and the light-hearted humour they constantly shared.

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy funny bordering on farcical romance this is the book for you. Dani is a busy surgical resident engaged to a life long best friend Will. She is a cat person who is adjusting to the rescue dog Will brings home. Doggie daycare owner Kara pushes Dani’s buttons and vise versa when ever they meet. Their bickering and bantering is all too entertaining to me and their friends. Bring on the popcorn. I’m giggling every time Dani calls her Karen. The various antics of the cats and dogs is amusing too. Of course their attraction sizzles in the undercurrents. Throw in some healthy competition and dares and you know there is going to be kissing and more.

I really don’t like cheating (emotional or physical) in books but Will is so much in the friend zone I’m not marking it down for that. I wish there were more real conversations between the two in addition to the banter. I really enjoyed the authors first book, (CassiNova, Nov 2020), which was funny but had more emotional depth. But this ending got to me and I’m going to believe Kara, Dani and the cats and dogs all have a HEA.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bella Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review. (4.5 Stars)

[DeStijlx · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I liked the main concept of the story. Dani is engaged but the relationship is convenient instead of a passion filled romance and then comes an attractive person who changes things for Dani but she now has the dilemma of whether she wants to pursue something with Kara or stay engaged to Will knowing she's settling and not entirely happy.

Dani and Kara have great chemistry. They have this love-hate relationship, which totally works, and I can see how it all plays out and they can have this HEA.

But then they start to have a full-blown affair behind Will's back, and this I have a problem with. Making things worse, in my opinion, is the fact that Dani's BFF is encouraging this behaviour.

This whole thing could have been done in a much better way. Straight after the first kiss, they should have put a stop to things until Dani broke it off with Will. Kara, in this aspect, should have done better, but instead, she decided to stay in this limbo and took whatever Dani gave her - girll! Do better! Know your worth and stand your ground!

Dani was a whole mess and I get why, she's always done what her parents have wanted and, disrupting it all for something that might not even work out in your favour is a huge risk and scary but getting into an affair was not the best idea. I'd rather see Dani independently go through these challenges and come out stronger with the support of her friends than take the easy way out of having an affair.

I don't know, I just feel strongly about affairs and so Dani rubbed me the wrong way for most parts of this.

So, while this book was easy to read and had quite a few comedic scenes, and in the end, Dani & Kara did end up together, I'm bitter about it all. 😂 JusticeForWill!

[Jessica Rush · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🐱🐶🩺⛳👩🏼‍❤️‍💋‍👩🏻

Rep: Several lesbian characters + a Bisexual FMC

Want Grey's Anatomy mixed with 10 Things I Hate About You (minus transactions) but SUPER GAY? Then I Dare You To Love Me is the book to read.

This super cute enemies-to-lovers romcom by Lori G. Matthews is funny, cute and full of LGBT love. Dani and Kara butt heads from the start, with hilarious bickering. The comebacks between the two are just laugh-out-loud-worthy. They literally fight like cats and dogs, about cats and dogs and everything in between. Everyone around them sees their instant sexual attraction, and even the two of them see it but don't want to admit it. For Dani, it's a little harder because she's in a relationship already, but learns throughout the book that she deserves love and shouldn't have to settle.

I loved the supporting characters who are the two's found family. Zoey and Jen, Val and Jesmyn are the supporting found family (both lesbian couples, respectively) Then there is the Walker Family who invites Dani into the family after witnessing the chemistry when her and Kara.

This book is beautiful. Highly recommend it.

I received an ARC from Bella Books through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is definitely fitting rom com bill. Light and humorous, I Dare You To Love Me tells the story of surgical resident Dani and kennel owner Kara. While Dani is in a relationship she doesn’t really wants to be in, Kara is single and ready to mingle. Not with Dani, because Dani is annoying and aggravating. And the feeling is reciprocated. As their friends make it their business to interfere the annoying and aggravating shifts. I really enjoyed reading this book, so much so that I read it in one sitting. Reading recommended.

Free ARC via NetGalley

[nutmeg · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has often been said that the second book is the hardest to write and for that, I would say Lori G. Matthews made this an absolute winner. The entertainment value alone made I Dare You To Love Me a solid 5 stars in my opinion. The few hours was deservedly well spent and I know where I’m heading when I need a lift in my spirits.

The enemies to lovers trope never gets old and when you also throw a fiancé and a meddling bunch of (matchmaking) friends into the mix; there’s drama, sharp and witty verbal sparring, sex dreams, plenty of crazy and hilarious scenarios and several wacko pets. The book amused me to no end and even as someone who does not ship characters, I’ll say, Kardi forever! On to the next!

I just reviewed I Dare You To Love Me by Lori G. Matthews. Thank you NetGalley and Bella Books for the ARC.

[KateJoanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favourite book!!!
Absolutely perfect, characters you can’t help but love, a fast-paced and flawless rom-com.
This has everything you could ever want, it’s well written, enemies to lovers, there’s angst, there’s fluff, it’s adorable and hilarious and moving throughout. I cannot recommend enough, plus- sapphics, puppies and kittens! (Also.. smut;)
What’s not to love? A must read!!

This was one of my favourite fanfics and I was gutted when it was removed, fast forward a few months and I happened across someone sharing this book online and I have never been so excited or quick to smash that order button on Amazon.
The best book I’ve read this year, maybe ever honestly, I love every part of it and already can’t wait to reread~
thank you Lori!!!

[Patty Bryant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good romantic comedy. This story had me laughing from beginning to the end, at one point I had to stop reading because I laughed so much. But I could not stop reading for long. The relationship between Danielle and Kara was a slow burn enemies to lovers relationship. I loved the addition of the animals to the plot this made the book even more enjoyable. The supporting characters were well written and helped make this an even more interesting read. This was my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family and I look forward to what's coming next from this author.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm rating this 5 stars because, honestly, I hadn't laughed so much, out loud, too, since I first discovered Rita Mae Brown and later Robin Alexander.

This is romcom gold. So so funny. The chapters at the golf game and the paintball battle chapters are simply hysterical.

The extended ensemble of secondary characters is to die for ... while you laugh your derriere off. The continuous popcorn reference, oh jeez... Lesbian romcom gold!

[Carrie Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Laughed out loud many times - made my dogs bark a couple of those LOL Great book!

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kara Britton, owner, operator of ‘Emily’s Tails for Trails Pet Resort’. After inheriting some land from her grandmother, Kara, with a business degree in hand, decides to use the ten acre farm as a ‘dog kennel and day care’. She loves her career choice but running the dog resort isn’t an easy job and leaves not much time for dating.
Dani Clarks is a surgeon, working along with her family of doctors. She knew from an early age she too would become a doctor, family tradition.
Now her mother wants to manage Dani’s wedding to her fiancé Will but Dani’s isn’t in any hurry.
Then Will comes home with a rescue dog, a dog he doesn’t have time for, leaving most of his care to Dana who doesn’t have time for either. Besides, she already has a cat, Jinx. When her friend’s tell her about Kara’s doggie day care she quickly calls to arrange for the dog to be picked up each day.
Needless to say there are some waves with Dani when Kara realizes she hasn’t even given the dog a name. Sparks fly from the start making this a fun, fast paced story with great characters, both main and supporting. A very, very good read.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bella Books

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was terrible and the only reason I even finished it was because it got me to my reading goal for the year. I guess it was supposed to be cute, sexy banter between the characters, but it just felt mean and in no way like these people would want to be together. I also hated that everyone was so obsessed with these characters getting together when it didn't make any sense, especially when Danielle was already engaged to a man. It's like none of them had any lives of their own. And I didn't like the way that Danielle was cheating on her fiance who was barely a character. I'd make a hard pass on this one.

[~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
cheaters you will always be famous and loved by me

[Deborah]

OK, I'm only at 34% of the book, where Kara, the forever dog woman, takes home 2 little kittens and I'm smiling. Already I just love this book and these characters. More to come... I'm back after finishing this novel. Everything I wrote so far I feel but... OK, here's the good stuff. I loved the characters in this book. Not just our main characters Dani and Kara but most of the secondary characters as well. Zoey had me laughing out loud several times. Friends are featured big time in this book. In fact family is almost non existent except for 3 very short conversations between Dani and her mother. We know that Kara's mom died several years ago but there is no mention of a father or siblings or anything and that is fine. I loved all the interplay between the friends in this book. OK, the bad.... it's not a lot but Will. Will is supposed to be her fiance but we only know that because we are told that. There are few scenes with him and it's the outings where he is grouped with the other minor male characters. I think in the entirety of the novel he speaks around 5 sentences. Whenever Dani is in their home he is not. There is only one time in the whole book that we are told they had sex. He is said to be one of her best friends but there is no evidence of that. Most of the lesbian romances that I read have a more serious tone to them. As a comparison I would say they are like a home cooked meal and this book is more of a lesbian romantic comedy, or a desert. Because of that distinction the lack of Will being seen can be overlooked. One is not better than the other, just different. This book had a lighter tone to it and that's perfectly fine. And.... what Kara discovers at the end of the book was like a cherry on top of the dessert. I do recommend this book and give it 4 ½ stars.

[Tina K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely hilarious! With enemies to lovers, dogs and kitties and a great friend group, what's not to love? The first chapter was a bit disjointed, or as another reviewer said - clunky and worried me a bit for the remainder of the book but it just took off from there. I loved the support of the friend groups, humorously dealing with misogyny/inappropriate touching, navigating parental expectations and of course the craziness that is pet ownership. Additionally, I'm not a fan of cheating but felt it was handled well in that it showed the difficulty of ignoring the attraction yet didn't take it too far.
There are so many components of this book that take it beyond a rom com if one takes time to see them. It certainly provides some great laughs though! I was on two different legs of a flight home and was embarrassed several times by how hard i was laughing. The golf and paintball scenes are comedy gold! Overall great book that i strongly recommend!

[whataslacker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book. The characters were super likable. I am usually not a fan of cheater stories but this one wasn’t as cheaty as most (I know that doesn’t make sense but it wasn’t). I get it. Not everyone is single when they meet that someone special. Things happen. You break things off with the first one before moving on to the next one. Which is what we have here mostly.

I do wish there was more made of the final reveal that these two knew each other as kids. It almost felt like the author forgot this minor plot point and hurried to slap it in there at the end.

Definitely a worthwhile read and it brings on all the good feels.

Thanks go out to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

[Jonna · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

When we meet Dani, she is engaged to Will, but their relationship is obviously 5th or 10th on each of their lists of importance. They definitely read as friends instead of lovers. Which makes the set up of Dani falling for Kara, a dog kennel owner, not terribly uncomfortable.

Overall the characters were likeable and well-rounded, the banter was witty, the falling believable. There were parts that were just a little too much and I think the book would have worked just as well without the 80% challenge. I enjoyed it, but I don't think this is one that will stay with me the way many others do in this genre.

[Jasmine Shouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, and I really debated on rounding it up. I love stories that center animals, even more so when it's Sapphic. The beginning was a little clunky, and I didn’t understand why Kara would act the way she did to a perspective client. There were also a couple tropes I really am not a fan of.

That said, I love the fun banter between the two leading ladies and how supportive their friends are. I like the way the story ended for everyone.

Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!