Sign in with Facebook
Loading...
32nd out of 285 books
—
824 voters
If You Dare (MacCarrick Brothers #1)
by
Kresley Cole (Goodreads Author)
Kresley Cole introduces a thrilling new romance trilogy featuring fierce Scottish brothers with dangerous lives, dark desires, and a deadly curse.
Can he exact revenge?
High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the evil general, Pascal orders him killed, but Court narrowly escapes and ex...more
Can he exact revenge?
High in the Pyrenees, a band of mercenaries led by Courtland MacCarrick wages war for General Reynaldo Pascal. When Court turns on the evil general, Pascal orders him killed, but Court narrowly escapes and ex...more
Mass Market Paperback, 349 pages
Published
April 26th 2005
by Pocket Books
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Community Reviews
(showing
1-30
of
3,000)
2.5
Wow, where to begin. Okay, obviously, at the beginning. If this book weren't written by Kresley Cole, one of my absolute favorite authors of all time, I would not have finished it. About page 65 or so, I hated the heroine's idiocy and thought our Alpha male hero was just a jackass rather than an Alpha.
I am glad I finished it because around page 250 or so I began to like the book. Why such the gap? I can't be sure, but I feel like our idiotic heroine and our jerk of a hero became two separate...more
Wow, where to begin. Okay, obviously, at the beginning. If this book weren't written by Kresley Cole, one of my absolute favorite authors of all time, I would not have finished it. About page 65 or so, I hated the heroine's idiocy and thought our Alpha male hero was just a jackass rather than an Alpha.
I am glad I finished it because around page 250 or so I began to like the book. Why such the gap? I can't be sure, but I feel like our idiotic heroine and our jerk of a hero became two separate...more
view all 21 comments
I'd heard some "bad" things about the heroine of this book before I started reading it, so I was "prepared" to sigh and roll my eyesballs a lot while going through it. As it turned out, I only did it once! :) Yes, Annalía was obnoxious towards Court and did some stupid things, but I understood her reasons and, quite frankly, he was partly responsible for her acting like that.
Court wasn't one of the best heroes I've ever met either. I didn't really connect with him, and I thought he was quite dis...more
Court wasn't one of the best heroes I've ever met either. I didn't really connect with him, and I thought he was quite dis...more
Dec 19, 2010
Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust*
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
historical romance fans and all Kresley Cole fans!
Recommended to Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* by:
Lady Leah *Silk Desire* Westcliff and Sam *Black Velvet*
WHAT EVERY GOOD HISTORICAL ROMANCE NEEDS:
- A virile and masculine hero who is incredibly dangerous, stubborn and a tease. Must be at least six feet plus (obviously). Add in battle scars and he becomes the sexiest man alive! CHECK!
- A strong and relatable heroine who is smart and can turn on the charm CHECK!
- Beautiful settings CHECK!
- Two bonus brothers who are equally, if not more , sexy than the hero. The reasoning here is that three is better than one! Duh. CHEECCK!
And most importantly,
- The...more
- A virile and masculine hero who is incredibly dangerous, stubborn and a tease. Must be at least six feet plus (obviously). Add in battle scars and he becomes the sexiest man alive! CHECK!
- A strong and relatable heroine who is smart and can turn on the charm CHECK!
- Beautiful settings CHECK!
- Two bonus brothers who are equally, if not more , sexy than the hero. The reasoning here is that three is better than one! Duh. CHEECCK!
And most importantly,
- The...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Good start to a series!
Deeply sensual, Cole writes a steamy romantic story! I wasn't sure at first what I thought about the hero of IYD, Courtland MacCarrick, as he came off stubborn, hard nosed and a bit of jerk. And too, Annalia Tristan Llorente, the heroine, seemed too proud and bound by societal stricture- I just wasn't sure how these two would ever get together.
But I soon found out they were more than they seemed, and that, as well as writing heated romantic scenes, the author knows how to...more
Deeply sensual, Cole writes a steamy romantic story! I wasn't sure at first what I thought about the hero of IYD, Courtland MacCarrick, as he came off stubborn, hard nosed and a bit of jerk. And too, Annalia Tristan Llorente, the heroine, seemed too proud and bound by societal stricture- I just wasn't sure how these two would ever get together.
But I soon found out they were more than they seemed, and that, as well as writing heated romantic scenes, the author knows how to...more
Apr 29, 2011
Juliana
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone!! especially lovers of rough-around-the-edges heroes
Shelves:
2011-reads,
2011-apr-reads,
historical-romance,
victorian-historical-romance,
4-half-stars,
hr-class-difference,
hr-hero-arrogant-autocratic,
hr-hero-black-sheep-rebel-outcast,
hr-hero-early-to-mid-30s,
hr-hero-foreigner,
hr-hero-military-spy-assassin,
hr-hero-rough-haunted-tortured,
hr-heroine-early-to-mid-20s,
hr-heroine-family-estranged,
hr-heroine-foreigner,
hr-heroine-good-girl,
hr-heroine-nobility-aristocrat-lady,
hr-heroine-royalty,
hr-kidnapping,
hr-on-the-run-together,
hr-mystery-action,
hr-opposites-enemies-attract,
hr-sizzling-chemistry,
hr-war,
best-romance-heroes-ever,
scottish-historical-romance,
0-reviewed,
0-own-in-dead-tree-form,
4-to-5-stars,
2011-reads-my-favorites-of-the-year,
hr-role-reversal-of-standard-hr
Reminded me why I love romance - and romance heroes especially - oh so very much! (4.5 stars)
Wow. This book was an amazing read and came at just the time when I really needed an HR winner. I bought this book awhile ago, but just couldn't commit to reading it. I was convinced from some of the summaries that the heroine was a TSTL spoiled brat who would annoy me to no end and having never read Kresley Cole but knowing that she writes pretty sizzling stories, I was afraid it would be choc a bloc fu...more
Wow. This book was an amazing read and came at just the time when I really needed an HR winner. I bought this book awhile ago, but just couldn't commit to reading it. I was convinced from some of the summaries that the heroine was a TSTL spoiled brat who would annoy me to no end and having never read Kresley Cole but knowing that she writes pretty sizzling stories, I was afraid it would be choc a bloc fu...more
4 stars
I don't normally read any kind of romance unless there is a pretty strong paranormal element to the story. The only reason why I gave If You Dare a try is because it was penned by Kresley Cole. I was hoping this story would have the usual snark I've come to appreciate in Ms. Cole's characters. And I got it!
Courtland MacCarrick is a highland mercenary (who likes high lands)who just so happened to pick the wrong side of a fight. He's your typical arrogant, hot, head-strong, hot, tough-as-n...more
I don't normally read any kind of romance unless there is a pretty strong paranormal element to the story. The only reason why I gave If You Dare a try is because it was penned by Kresley Cole. I was hoping this story would have the usual snark I've come to appreciate in Ms. Cole's characters. And I got it!
Courtland MacCarrick is a highland mercenary (who likes high lands)who just so happened to pick the wrong side of a fight. He's your typical arrogant, hot, head-strong, hot, tough-as-n...more
It took me a while to get into this one. It turned out to be really cute story. I was really confused about the curse and what it projected, but I think the MacCarricks didn't really understand it either. I plan to read the others in the series.
I hated the heroine in this one. Hated her! She was the worst heroine I've read about so far. Prejudiced, haughty, opinionated...The only saving grace was the obvious love she held for her brother, willing to do anything to save him, although that one safely landed her in the TSTL pile.
The entire book was a bit silly, if you ask me. The heroine kept ending up in one mess after another, and for a person so "educated" and of "so elevated rank", she didn't appear to have any brain cells at all.
The...more
The entire book was a bit silly, if you ask me. The heroine kept ending up in one mess after another, and for a person so "educated" and of "so elevated rank", she didn't appear to have any brain cells at all.
The...more
Danette had warned me this book was frustrating for the first half and boy was it. I wanted to strangle Anna! How many ways could Courtland try to be nice to her and her keep tricking him over and over. Then she FINALLY changes her mind. It was almost too little too late but the ending was very romantic and sweet which made up slightly for the first half, but only slightly. I like a little trepidation, but this was over the top.
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Liam called out in a bored tone, "Court, there's a pitchfork rebellion here to see you."
"What?"
"A collection of doddering old men, torches, and farm tools. I fear for our safety and advise fleeing posthaste."
Despite some very funny lines, this isn't a very good story. The character developement is poor and they are hard to relate to. This curse nonsense isn't properly explained and is all in all just odd. This story lacks flow or key scenes to keep the readers interest. The above quote did have...more
"What?"
"A collection of doddering old men, torches, and farm tools. I fear for our safety and advise fleeing posthaste."
Despite some very funny lines, this isn't a very good story. The character developement is poor and they are hard to relate to. This curse nonsense isn't properly explained and is all in all just odd. This story lacks flow or key scenes to keep the readers interest. The above quote did have...more
Sep 24, 2009
Gaijinmama
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Gaijinmama by:
Gigi's Company group read
Shelves:
fiction
Allright, I confess I haven't read a bona fide Smut Novel for quite some time. The genre seems to have come a long way since I swore off them! This was a good one. Yes, breasts heave and bodices are ripped, but the author also did a bit of homework in both history and languages. She does love scenes pretty realistically too, and makes sure Our Heroine is ...ahem...pleased, in a believable and pretty darn hot way.
Wouldn't have minded a few more of those scenes, in fact.
Altogether, a fun read. The...more
Wouldn't have minded a few more of those scenes, in fact.
Altogether, a fun read. The...more
Courtland MacCarrick is nothing but a highlander who is dangerous.. well at least that's what Lady Annalía Tristán Llorente eventually tells herself. But when she first finds Courtland lying next to the riverbank bloodied and injured she can't help but get him back to her house so that she could take care of him. However, once he wakes up she instantly regrets that decision.
Courtland is cold to her and takes over her house. Annalia is prejudiced of all highlanders, because she has been told that...more
Courtland is cold to her and takes over her house. Annalia is prejudiced of all highlanders, because she has been told that...more
Mar 19, 2009
Lady Claire, Marchioness of Fancy Pants
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
romance-historical
I have been pleasantly surprised with Kresley Cole. I finished the second book in the Immortal series at the beginning of the week, and I really enjoyed it. While waiting for the third book to arrive at the 'brary, I decided to read If You Dare.
Many reviewers fount that characters hated each other too much, which is the reason I though I might enjoy this book more than most. I personally like when the characters don't like each other. It makes it all the more exciting when they finally get toget...more
Many reviewers fount that characters hated each other too much, which is the reason I though I might enjoy this book more than most. I personally like when the characters don't like each other. It makes it all the more exciting when they finally get toget...more
Good book. At times very slow and but when it picks up it is really good. I thought a little less explanation and more "doing" would have made it better. But i enjoyed it!
This is an enjoyable story, especially if you like historical romances. Kresley Cole is a talented writer who creates heroines that come across as real women you can relate to . . . and heroes who are just larger-than-life enough that it puts a twinkle in your eye. It's not a perfectly written book, mind, as there are some negative points. Overall, though, it's a good beginning to a good romance series.
I first considered this book because it's set in the little-known country of Andorra. I was so...more
I first considered this book because it's set in the little-known country of Andorra. I was so...more
Not even going to bother adding it to any of my bookshelves it was THAT bad. I mean wow! I have just started to get into the "Highlander" novels, but still this didn't seem like much of one.
Anna is without a doubt the most annoying heroine I've ever encountered and that is saying a lot since I've read a lot of Kresley Cole's other stories and some of her heroines belong in a psych ward. Anna is essentially a self entitled bitch who looks down her nose at almost everyone (save her brother) and th...more
Anna is without a doubt the most annoying heroine I've ever encountered and that is saying a lot since I've read a lot of Kresley Cole's other stories and some of her heroines belong in a psych ward. Anna is essentially a self entitled bitch who looks down her nose at almost everyone (save her brother) and th...more
In all honesty, I thought I was picking up another oh so sexy Scottish werewolves story by Kresley Cole. It had the feisty princess Annalia and the oh so rugged manly alpha mercenary Courtland, but I thought when was the werewolf thing gonna kick in? Then I flipped the book over and read the back to find out it was a historical romance. I avoid them like the plague, but I loved this one and will buy the others in the series.
SYNOPSIS:
Courtland is marked for torture and death by General Pascal. He...more
SYNOPSIS:
Courtland is marked for torture and death by General Pascal. He...more
Picked this one up at random. It has its flaws, and if you're allergic to written brogues, be aware that there's a wee bit of that in this book. But it's not overblown, and I felt it contributed more than detracted.
A few well-worn tropes in this one, including the hate-love relationship, barren-surprise-baby, and virgin-heroine, to name a few. But they're all treated well and given a great deal of development within the characterizations.
Ultimately, I really did kind of fall in love with If Yo...more
A few well-worn tropes in this one, including the hate-love relationship, barren-surprise-baby, and virgin-heroine, to name a few. But they're all treated well and given a great deal of development within the characterizations.
Ultimately, I really did kind of fall in love with If Yo...more
I read this book because i so love Immortal After Dark Series by Kresley Cole.
Well, this book is not nearly that good but good enough so that I'm willing to continue reading and continue to the next story in the series.
The stories in the series are about 3 MacCarick brothers who are cursed to walk with death or walk alone. If You Dare is the story of Courtland the youngest brother, a mercenary and Annalia a sheltered aristocrat from an ancient lineage.
Courtland who almost beaten to death by P...more
Well, this book is not nearly that good but good enough so that I'm willing to continue reading and continue to the next story in the series.
The stories in the series are about 3 MacCarick brothers who are cursed to walk with death or walk alone. If You Dare is the story of Courtland the youngest brother, a mercenary and Annalia a sheltered aristocrat from an ancient lineage.
Courtland who almost beaten to death by P...more
Feb 22, 2011
Jen (Red Hot Books)
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
maccarrick-brothers,
historical-romance
Kresley Cole’s “If You Dare” is a historical romance centered around a rogue Highlander with a family curse that prevents him from having a baby or falling in love. Obviously, the curse is the big foil for our hero, but his other obstacle is the dainty “lady” who fights off his advances. OK, she only fights them for the first half of the book. But I digress.
*PLOT SPOILERS*
Our heroine, Anna, finds our hero, Courtland MacCarrick, beaten and nearly unconscious on the bank of a river. She saves him...more
*PLOT SPOILERS*
Our heroine, Anna, finds our hero, Courtland MacCarrick, beaten and nearly unconscious on the bank of a river. She saves him...more
4,5 stars
The answer to all of the above questions is a full-hearted YES.
The first in the MacCarrick Trilogy rocked my world...hard!
Court(land) MacCarrick is the youngest brother, a true Higlander: strong, brutal and savage. A mercenary employed by general Reynaldo Pascal, a horrible general who is leading a rebellion to take over Andorra and then Spain in his quest for ultimate power
Annalía Llorente is an amazing heroin: feisty, courageous, smart, defiant and a fighter despite her fragile and de...more
The answer to all of the above questions is a full-hearted YES.
The first in the MacCarrick Trilogy rocked my world...hard!
Court(land) MacCarrick is the youngest brother, a true Higlander: strong, brutal and savage. A mercenary employed by general Reynaldo Pascal, a horrible general who is leading a rebellion to take over Andorra and then Spain in his quest for ultimate power
Annalía Llorente is an amazing heroin: feisty, courageous, smart, defiant and a fighter despite her fragile and de...more
I have read all Kresley Coles paranormal romance books (which I loved) so decided to read her historical books, and I was not dissappointed.
I really liked the main characters in the book, Courtland and Annalia. I know that alot of people don't seem to like her, but I thought she was funny and interesting. Although she was aloof and snobby and had a prejudice against Highlanders, I think that it was understandable giving her circumstances. I thought some of teh best scenes in teh book was when sh...more
I really liked the main characters in the book, Courtland and Annalia. I know that alot of people don't seem to like her, but I thought she was funny and interesting. Although she was aloof and snobby and had a prejudice against Highlanders, I think that it was understandable giving her circumstances. I thought some of teh best scenes in teh book was when sh...more
I bought this book because I really enjoy Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series. Someone recommended that I try the MacCarrick Brothers trilogy because it is supposedly some of her best historical work. If this is an example of her best historical work I'm definitely better off not reading anymore of them.
What was up with Anna in this story? Her personality was so grating and she did such stupid things. Through out most of the book she loathed Court. Now I can understand this as I found him...more
What was up with Anna in this story? Her personality was so grating and she did such stupid things. Through out most of the book she loathed Court. Now I can understand this as I found him...more
Aug 13, 2012
Katharyn Taylor
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
historical-romance
The MacCarrick Brothers consist of (from youngest to oldest) Courtland, Hugh and Ethan. Their family has been cursed by bad fortune that seems to come from an old superstition or prophesy about the three brothers. Suffice to say, each are believed to never marry and to never have children. The line will die with them and should they choose to force it otherwise, bad, bad things will happen to all involved. It’s a take on the “don’t love me, I’m too toxic” type of bad-boy persona. But in this cas...more
Sep 25, 2012
Maia
added it
so yes this is frustrating because the first half was like a two. i dont understand everyone saying they hated Annalia though...it was MacCarrick that annoyed me! i know i should get use to pushy alpha males if thats the type of historical book i've picked up but i still cant get over how he completley disregarded her feelings and (not really a spoiler-) took over her house! it made me as mad as her and just ARGH MEN!!!
ok, but the sexy times were HOT.
sigh. what am i to rate it then?
3.5 i think...more
ok, but the sexy times were HOT.
sigh. what am i to rate it then?
3.5 i think...more
This is the first historical romance I read from Kresley Cole, and it wasn't that bad. I still love her for her paranormal romance works namely the Immortals After Dark (IAD) series.
I'm really fascinated by Scots and I never get tired of reading them. Those rough and sexy Highlanders just make me tick. I have to admit it was a little slow, and I hated it that the damned curse (was that redundant?!) got in the way of things. I felt pity for the MacCarrick brothers, and in this case, Court, becaus...more
I'm really fascinated by Scots and I never get tired of reading them. Those rough and sexy Highlanders just make me tick. I have to admit it was a little slow, and I hated it that the damned curse (was that redundant?!) got in the way of things. I felt pity for the MacCarrick brothers, and in this case, Court, becaus...more
What a wonderful kick of to a awesome trilogy! Courtland MacCarrick is a cursed man. So maybe he has taken a few more chances than most men. But when he is rescued from a river by a beautiful golden haired maiden with a sexy spanish accent, his luck may be changing.
Annalia for her part wished she would have thrown the huge, shaggy headed Scot right back in the water. He proceeds to take over her life giving her all these demands, making her feel and want things that she knows is no good for her...more
Annalia for her part wished she would have thrown the huge, shaggy headed Scot right back in the water. He proceeds to take over her life giving her all these demands, making her feel and want things that she knows is no good for her...more
Dec 26, 2011
Erin
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Fans Of Kresley Cole books, Sexy Scottish Highlanders.
Shelves:
virgin-heroine,
highlander-scottish-hero-heroine,
possessive-jealous-hero,
favorite-or-autobuy-author,
author-goddess-kresley-cole,
pregnancy-children-kids-fertility,
my-perfect-man,
never-been-kissed-before,
highlander-scottish-hero,
ebook-s-ive-read,
romance,
historical-romance,
heros-that-make-me-drool,
read-in-2011
4.5 STARS!!!
I've heard bad things about the Heroine,Annalía Llorente, and i can see why--AT THE BEGINNING.
Most complain she was 'self absorbed' and 'high and mighty' and i can say yes, she was, at the beginning-yet she (at the beginning, showed compassion toward her higlander guest, when she finds him injured beside a river, she carry's him with the help of her trusty sted aka a small pony Ilamba(Correct me if the spellings wrong).
She GROWS as a human being and some of the reviewers seemed to h...more
I've heard bad things about the Heroine,Annalía Llorente, and i can see why--AT THE BEGINNING.
Most complain she was 'self absorbed' and 'high and mighty' and i can say yes, she was, at the beginning-yet she (at the beginning, showed compassion toward her higlander guest, when she finds him injured beside a river, she carry's him with the help of her trusty sted aka a small pony Ilamba(Correct me if the spellings wrong).
She GROWS as a human being and some of the reviewers seemed to h...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Immortals After Dark: MacCarrick series | 9 | 39 | Mar 07, 2013 01:25am |
Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series and the young adult Arcana Chronicles. She has also written five award-winning historical romances.
Since her first novel was released in 2003, Kresley has published nineteen books with Simon & Schuster and has seen her releases translated into more than eighteen foreign language...more
More about Kresley Cole...
Since her first novel was released in 2003, Kresley has published nineteen books with Simon & Schuster and has seen her releases translated into more than eighteen foreign language...more
Share This Book
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »
“Now you're just being silly. He's a mercenary- he's not going to go about penning love letters, and really, what would he write? 'Anna...love you...grrr?'" Olivia to Annalia”
—
69 people liked it
“She weighed no more than a feather as he lifted her, but he teased her, saying, "You weigh more than you look."
"You are weaker than you look," she immediately whispered.”
—
14 people liked it
More quotes…
"You are weaker than you look," she immediately whispered.”
