Dare to Lie by Jen McLaughlin Pages: 336
Series: Sons of Steel Row #3
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Goodreads
As an undercover DEA agent in the most powerful gang in Boston, Scott Donahue accepts the risks of living a double life. But when Tate Donovan, leader of the Sons of Steel Row, assigns Scotty to take his place in a bachelor’s auction sponsored by his sister’s sorority, he’s exposed to a whole new level of danger. Even though Tate makes it very clear—Skylar is off limits—the second Scotty sees her, he’s a goner. But how does he tell Sky she’s falling for a man who doesn’t exist?
Sky can’t resist Scotty’s cool confidence or the raw, edgy power oozing from his perfect body. She’s always been the good girl, but he brings out the bad in her. And even though she knows so little about who he really is, Sky’s willing to take the biggest risk of all. But putting her heart on the line is no guarantee that Scotty won’t slip through her fingers...
Dare to Lie is my first Sons of Steel Row book but I have been wanting to check them out since book 1! Scotty is an undercover DEA agent and member of the Sons of Steel row gang. He grew up in Steel Row as a poor kid and never left. His brother Lucas, was the hero of book 1 and I am certainly curious to go back to his story and check it out!
Scotty gets roped into being man candy for a charity auction that Skylar Daniels (the sister of the gang leader, Nate) is having for underprivileged children in South Boston. Scott and Skylar have an instant attraction, and Skylar is not going to let Scott ignore it. But Scott knows being with Skylar cannot happen. He has secrets and Nate would kill him for messing with his sister. Scott gives in to temptation and makes a surprising discovery about Skylar and while he knows this should change nothing, it changes everything.
I liked Skylar. A sweet girl who grew up in Steel Row after her father abandoned her and her mom, Nate took care of her when she was in high school and he was making bank. So, people assume she is a sheltered princess, but she knows what its like to go without. She is in medical school and uses Nate’s money for good 🙂 Skylar just sort of puts all her feelings out there and I thought that was brave. She wasn’t manipulative or anything like that so I found it refreshing! Scott was a bit more of a struggle for me to warm to. He is a dichotomy of a man: gang member and DEA agent; manwhore and good guy. I like a character with layers and complexities, but Scott was difficult for me to get a feel for. Perhaps because I hadn’t read the previous books I was at a disadvantage in understanding him. I did warm up to him eventually though! I admired his reasons even when I thought his actions were that of a dumbass!
Dare to Lie was everything I was hoping for. I enjoyed the gritty gang aspect and the insta-love romance. I loved that Skylar identified and vocalized the insta-love factor. I think addressing it made it more believable for me. The action and danger was great as well. You can bet I will be grabbing the other books in the series and I am looking forward to more Sons of Steel Row.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: secret identity
- Triggers: none
- Series/Standalone: standalone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
Trigger by LP Dover, Taking Care of the Target by Cindi Madsen, Dirty Money by Lisa Renee Jones…then you will probably like Dare to Lie!
Dare to Lie
I do love a romance that has danger and suspense like this one sounds like to be. I do want to read this series pretty badly.
Oh I am going back and starting from the beginning! I really enjoyed this book! Glad I finally took a chance on this series!