What do you think?
I Dare You
One brutal night shattered Hallie Holiday’s life.
By morning, the girl everyone knew had vanished.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
Only silence.
Three years later, Hallie lives under a different name in a town where no one knows her past. Staying invisible is the only way to survive.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor because he is the last person she ever expected to see again.
Kit Rivers—her childhood best friend’s older brother.
The town’s favorite bad boy.
The boy every girl wanted.
But the boy she remembers is gone.
When their paths collide again, the pull between them is instant.
And in a town where men have mysteriously turned up dead…that kind of connection could get someone killed.
Hallie knows who’s responsible.
Jupiter Lemmings.
If Hallie tells the truth, she exposes the killer—and the truth about the night that destroyed her life.
But if she stays silent…Kit could be next.
Hallie has spent three years running from the past.
Now she must decide how far she’s willing to go to save the man who saved her.
However, some secrets don’t stay buried forever.
And when they surface…someone always ends up dead.
By morning, the girl everyone knew had vanished.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
Only silence.
Three years later, Hallie lives under a different name in a town where no one knows her past. Staying invisible is the only way to survive.
But fate has a cruel sense of humor because he is the last person she ever expected to see again.
Kit Rivers—her childhood best friend’s older brother.
The town’s favorite bad boy.
The boy every girl wanted.
But the boy she remembers is gone.
When their paths collide again, the pull between them is instant.
And in a town where men have mysteriously turned up dead…that kind of connection could get someone killed.
Hallie knows who’s responsible.
Jupiter Lemmings.
If Hallie tells the truth, she exposes the killer—and the truth about the night that destroyed her life.
But if she stays silent…Kit could be next.
Hallie has spent three years running from the past.
Now she must decide how far she’s willing to go to save the man who saved her.
However, some secrets don’t stay buried forever.
And when they surface…someone always ends up dead.
344 pages, Paperback
Published July 23, 2026
About the author
Monica James
49 books2,809 followersMonica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.
When she is not writing, Monica runs her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing twisted AF stories, hoping to terrify her readers...just a little.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her Unicorn, and her three crazy cats. She is slightly obsessed with red lipstick, heels, and crime documentaries, and is that person who always runs late.
Stalk Me:
Website: authormonicajames.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authormonicajames
Goodreads: goodreads.com/MonicaJames
Instagram: @authormonicajames
TikTok: @authormonicajames
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2E3eCIw
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EWZSyS
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2nUaRyi
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mvjjk6k2
When she is not writing, Monica runs her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing twisted AF stories, hoping to terrify her readers...just a little.
She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.
Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her Unicorn, and her three crazy cats. She is slightly obsessed with red lipstick, heels, and crime documentaries, and is that person who always runs late.
Stalk Me:
Website: authormonicajames.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authormonicajames
Goodreads: goodreads.com/MonicaJames
Instagram: @authormonicajames
TikTok: @authormonicajames
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2E3eCIw
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EWZSyS
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2nUaRyi
Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/mvjjk6k2
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 194 reviews
July 27, 2026
[⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 Star Review] ❥ 𝐈 𝐃A𝐑E Y𝐎U ❥ Is the first full length dark psychological romance book in the ( Ruin Me ) duet by author Monica James. (Main characters) Hallie & Kit (Secondary characters) Jupiter and Kit's younger brother Dandy, who is Hallie’s best friend. This also ends on a cliffy.
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
From the cover, to the blurb and what this author delivers with her unique writing style and characters we end up loving, I couldn't not buy this book..Straight away your thrown into the 'Prologue' which sets the tone for the whole book.
In the sleepy little town of Hollow Banks you wouldn't think it bred such despicable human beings, but it did..
This pulls you in gradually, bullying conducted by a mean girl Rebecca was Hallies worst day as she tried to fit in, but on the other side of the coin it also became one of the best days for her, because it's that same day when she made friends with another outcast named Dandy.
Two friends transcended into best friends effortlessly, they just got each other, their quirks, their humour., their love for the movie dirty dancing. They become inseparable. She also meets Dandy's older brother Kit when hanging out with Dandy over her curfew he takes her home and takes the blame in hopes that she goes without punishment. Needless to say, that's not the case.
You can't help but get thrown into the feels with this flourishing friendship between Hallie and Dandy.
Until
One night changed their lives in the most traumatic event which stripped each of them to the core. One changed tragically the other abandoned with no closure.
New town
New name
Its here in this new town where she meets Jupiter Lemmings and runs into Kit again.
But just when you think Hallie is settling into life in a small town she has a score to settle in the town she ran away from.
This had twists and turns like a twister claiming its victims. Us the readers..
📚'𝙼𝚈 𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙾𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂'📚 can also be found on my blog:
╰┈➤KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
From the cover, to the blurb and what this author delivers with her unique writing style and characters we end up loving, I couldn't not buy this book..Straight away your thrown into the 'Prologue' which sets the tone for the whole book.
In the sleepy little town of Hollow Banks you wouldn't think it bred such despicable human beings, but it did..
This pulls you in gradually, bullying conducted by a mean girl Rebecca was Hallies worst day as she tried to fit in, but on the other side of the coin it also became one of the best days for her, because it's that same day when she made friends with another outcast named Dandy.
Two friends transcended into best friends effortlessly, they just got each other, their quirks, their humour., their love for the movie dirty dancing. They become inseparable. She also meets Dandy's older brother Kit when hanging out with Dandy over her curfew he takes her home and takes the blame in hopes that she goes without punishment. Needless to say, that's not the case.
You can't help but get thrown into the feels with this flourishing friendship between Hallie and Dandy.
Until
One night changed their lives in the most traumatic event which stripped each of them to the core. One changed tragically the other abandoned with no closure.
New town
New name
Its here in this new town where she meets Jupiter Lemmings and runs into Kit again.
But just when you think Hallie is settling into life in a small town she has a score to settle in the town she ran away from.
This had twists and turns like a twister claiming its victims. Us the readers..
Read
July 25, 2026Note: Some of my goodreads shelves can be spoilers
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Overall this was probably more of a 3 star read for me because some things in the plot bothered me quite a bit but what I liked I REALLY liked so I’m rounding up)
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (I think it was lacking a bit because there was so much focus on the plot elements and the romance took back stage for me – but at it’s core I thought it was pretty romantic)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (I really liked her scenes!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: first person from the heroine only
More character focused or plot focused? plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in, ch 1 (about 6%)
Cliffhanger: Yes, this ends incompletely and the mains are kind of apart but still romantically involved? It’s not unhappy – it’s just incomplete...and will pick up in the next book
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from Hambright PR in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I got an email from Hambright PR for this novel and it sounded tempting
Mains: Kit Rivers and Hallie Holiday – This is a M/F relationship that includes from F/F and F/M/F moments with a twist (sorry can’t say more!)
Audiobook available (as of posting)? No
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in James’ Ruin Me duet.
Basic plot:
There is a pull between Hallie and Kit – but one horrific night causes her to disappear. But now Kit is here in the town and life she’s rebuilt for herself...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- Texas setting
- darker themes within the plot – murder, rape, gore...but the relationship itself isn’t really ‘dark’ – he’s aggressive in some scenes but overall the darkness is more in the plot
- bullied girl gets her revenge
- best friend’s older brother
- tattooed hero (and nose piercings 👀)
- medium steam with a slower burn – it takes a bit for these two to fall together but when they do..🔥
Ages:
- he’s 6 years older than her. She’s 19 so he’s 25ish
First line:
“Is she dead?”
My thoughts:
I’m rather conflicted about this one! I definitely struggled with parts but was also pulled in a bit and struggled again.
So my struggles – the jumps around always niggle at me a bit but it smooths out after the beginning. This book is a rough read with a lot of gore and focus on the cruel details and I found myself wanting way more time together on page with the mains and more romance.
I was surprised, but also struggled with the end. I’m not sure if I’m curious enough to finish the duet – while I did enjoy Kit and Hallie’s relationship, it just fell kind of flat for me overall within the story. There were some scenes I liked but I wanted more time spent on the why for them and the emotional pull of it…I was also immensely annoyed with what felt like a totally random reveal that cracked their relationship. It felt out of nowhere and mostly pointless to me.
So I do think maybe if the second book is from his point of view I would maybe try it. Because I didn’t feel like I got a ton of time with him or know his thoughts at all.
I liked when they were together and wanted more of that! I liked the twist the author did here – I was not expecting it at all.
I have read one other by this author and had some similar struggles so I think she might not be for me. But if you like gritty novels that don’t shy from pain and revenge I think you should give this one a go!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
Overall: 3.5 rounded to ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Overall this was probably more of a 3 star read for me because some things in the plot bothered me quite a bit but what I liked I REALLY liked so I’m rounding up)
Readability: 📖📖📖📖
Feels: 🦋🦋🦋
Emotional Depth: 💔💔💔
Sexual Tension: ⚡⚡⚡⚡
Romance: 💞💞💞💞 (I think it was lacking a bit because there was so much focus on the plot elements and the romance took back stage for me – but at it’s core I thought it was pretty romantic)
Sensuality: 💋💋💋💋 (I really liked her scenes!)
Sex Scene Length: 🍑🍑🍑🍑
Steam Scale (Number of Sex Scenes): 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Humor: Yes, a bit
Perspective: first person from the heroine only
More character focused or plot focused? plot
How did the speed of the story feel? medium
When mains are first on page together: pretty soon in, ch 1 (about 6%)
Cliffhanger: Yes, this ends incompletely and the mains are kind of apart but still romantically involved? It’s not unhappy – it’s just incomplete...and will pick up in the next book
Epilogue: No
Format: voluntarily read an advanced reader copy from Hambright PR in e-book form
Why I chose this book: I got an email from Hambright PR for this novel and it sounded tempting
Mains: Kit Rivers and Hallie Holiday – This is a M/F relationship that includes from F/F and F/M/F moments with a twist (sorry can’t say more!)
Audiobook available (as of posting)? No
(Descriptions found at end of my review)
Should I read in order?
This is the first in James’ Ruin Me duet.
Basic plot:
There is a pull between Hallie and Kit – but one horrific night causes her to disappear. But now Kit is here in the town and life she’s rebuilt for herself...
Give this a try if you want:
- contemporary romance
- Texas setting
- darker themes within the plot – murder, rape, gore...but the relationship itself isn’t really ‘dark’ – he’s aggressive in some scenes but overall the darkness is more in the plot
- bullied girl gets her revenge
- best friend’s older brother
- tattooed hero (and nose piercings 👀)
- medium steam with a slower burn – it takes a bit for these two to fall together but when they do..🔥
Ages:
- he’s 6 years older than her. She’s 19 so he’s 25ish
First line:
“Is she dead?”
My thoughts:
I’m rather conflicted about this one! I definitely struggled with parts but was also pulled in a bit and struggled again.
So my struggles – the jumps around always niggle at me a bit but it smooths out after the beginning. This book is a rough read with a lot of gore and focus on the cruel details and I found myself wanting way more time together on page with the mains and more romance.
I was surprised, but also struggled with the end. I’m not sure if I’m curious enough to finish the duet – while I did enjoy Kit and Hallie’s relationship, it just fell kind of flat for me overall within the story. There were some scenes I liked but I wanted more time spent on the why for them and the emotional pull of it…I was also immensely annoyed with what felt like a totally random reveal that cracked their relationship. It felt out of nowhere and mostly pointless to me.
So I do think maybe if the second book is from his point of view I would maybe try it. Because I didn’t feel like I got a ton of time with him or know his thoughts at all.
I liked when they were together and wanted more of that! I liked the twist the author did here – I was not expecting it at all.
I have read one other by this author and had some similar struggles so I think she might not be for me. But if you like gritty novels that don’t shy from pain and revenge I think you should give this one a go!
Few random reading stats for this author
# of books read: 2
Average rating from me: 3 stars
Favorite book: This one
Content warnings: These should be taken as a minimum of what to expect. It’s very possible I have missed some.
Locations of kisses/intimate scenes, safe sex aspects, consent, pregnancy/child in the story:
Extra stuff like what my review breakdown means, where to find me, and book clubs
July 23, 2026
⚠️⚠️⚠️Check all TW ⚠️⚠️⚠️
I went into this book blind and oh my. I was hooked on this book by the third chapter. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to find out what was going to happen.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I went into this book blind and oh my. I was hooked on this book by the third chapter. I couldn’t stop reading, I had to find out what was going to happen.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
July 25, 2026
THIS BOOK WAS SO ADDICTIVE!!
I was hooked from the very damn beginning! It was a dark romance in all the best ways, cause boy was it dark, but the plot was so intense, ai was on the edge of my seat!
If im being honest I felt like this was a Dark Romance Thriller, because the plot twist at the end, caught me wayyyyy off gaurd, and the mini cliff hanger? DAMN
Everyone was plotting against eachother and I wasnt sure what the outcome would be but that was not on my bingo card🤣
I cant wait for book 2 already and this was an ARC... so I got some waiting to do!
Also im obsessed with Kit Rivers, just sayinggg!
I was hooked from the very damn beginning! It was a dark romance in all the best ways, cause boy was it dark, but the plot was so intense, ai was on the edge of my seat!
If im being honest I felt like this was a Dark Romance Thriller, because the plot twist at the end, caught me wayyyyy off gaurd, and the mini cliff hanger? DAMN
Everyone was plotting against eachother and I wasnt sure what the outcome would be but that was not on my bingo card🤣
I cant wait for book 2 already and this was an ARC... so I got some waiting to do!
Also im obsessed with Kit Rivers, just sayinggg!
July 12, 2026
Wow just wow! As soon as I started reading I feel in love! It’s dark af and I wasn’t expecting that because I skipped over the trigger warning… but I I’m so happy I read this book. It’s definitely one of those books that will stick with me forever!
Please READ the trigger warning if dark themes bother you.
The twist got me so hard!! I thought it for a minute and was like never mind because of chapter 17 but it ended up being what I thought!!! Amazing mysterious ending and not leaving it on a cliffhanger but leaving it open! I literally finished this book in 5 hours. I only stopped reading to go to the bathroom.
The spice was killer.. see what I did there.. and I loved the story and plot! Will be reading book two!
Please READ the trigger warning if dark themes bother you.
The twist got me so hard!! I thought it for a minute and was like never mind because of chapter 17 but it ended up being what I thought!!! Amazing mysterious ending and not leaving it on a cliffhanger but leaving it open! I literally finished this book in 5 hours. I only stopped reading to go to the bathroom.
The spice was killer.. see what I did there.. and I loved the story and plot! Will be reading book two!
July 23, 2026
4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
What. A. Wild. Ride. This had me hooked from the very first chapter and I could not put it down. Think Mean Girls meets Pretty Little Liars... but also Mindfuck Series vibes. This has murder, revenge, feminine rage, morally gray characters, and a twist I genuinely never saw coming.
Hallie has spent her whole life being bullied, with only her best friend, Dandy, by her side. After one traumatic night forces her to disappear and start over under a new identity, she spends the next three years trying to outrun her past while serving up her own kind of revenge. But when Dandy's older brother, Kit, unexpectedly shows up in her new town, everything changes. Throw in a string of murders and Hallie's unhinged best friend, Jupiter, and the chaos never stops.
I loved Hallie's character growth. Watching her go from a broken, insecure girl to someone determined to take back her power was so satisfying. And Kit? I loved him from the start. Protective, loyal, and with just enough darkness to keep things interesting. Their chemistry was so good, and the vigilante vibes throughout this book were everything.
And that ending... WHAT?! I was completely blindsided. The final twist had me questioning everything I thought I knew. Dark, emotional, and impossible to put down. Thankfully there's no cliffhanger, but this will continue in book 2.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Dark Psychological Romance
➳❥ Bestfriends Brother
➳❥ Vigilantes Justice
➳❥ Morally Grey Characters
➳❥ Secrets & Lies
➳❥ Serial Killer
➳❥ Feminine Rage & Revenge
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“The universe told me something big was coming. And it's you.”
“So, yes, my best friend is a serial killer.
But that doesn't mean she's a bad person, right? I mean, no one's perfect...”
“Funny, now that my monster has a face, it feels as if I'm the one now in control.”
“So run, beautiful girl. I'll give you a head start because I promise, when I catch you... I'll never let you go.”
“When your demons appear, mine will meet them because your demons can dance with mine.”
“I didn't create a monster. I created a protector.”
What. A. Wild. Ride. This had me hooked from the very first chapter and I could not put it down. Think Mean Girls meets Pretty Little Liars... but also Mindfuck Series vibes. This has murder, revenge, feminine rage, morally gray characters, and a twist I genuinely never saw coming.
Hallie has spent her whole life being bullied, with only her best friend, Dandy, by her side. After one traumatic night forces her to disappear and start over under a new identity, she spends the next three years trying to outrun her past while serving up her own kind of revenge. But when Dandy's older brother, Kit, unexpectedly shows up in her new town, everything changes. Throw in a string of murders and Hallie's unhinged best friend, Jupiter, and the chaos never stops.
I loved Hallie's character growth. Watching her go from a broken, insecure girl to someone determined to take back her power was so satisfying. And Kit? I loved him from the start. Protective, loyal, and with just enough darkness to keep things interesting. Their chemistry was so good, and the vigilante vibes throughout this book were everything.
And that ending... WHAT?! I was completely blindsided. The final twist had me questioning everything I thought I knew. Dark, emotional, and impossible to put down. Thankfully there's no cliffhanger, but this will continue in book 2.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Dark Psychological Romance
➳❥ Bestfriends Brother
➳❥ Vigilantes Justice
➳❥ Morally Grey Characters
➳❥ Secrets & Lies
➳❥ Serial Killer
➳❥ Feminine Rage & Revenge
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“The universe told me something big was coming. And it's you.”
“So, yes, my best friend is a serial killer.
But that doesn't mean she's a bad person, right? I mean, no one's perfect...”
“Funny, now that my monster has a face, it feels as if I'm the one now in control.”
“So run, beautiful girl. I'll give you a head start because I promise, when I catch you... I'll never let you go.”
“When your demons appear, mine will meet them because your demons can dance with mine.”
“I didn't create a monster. I created a protector.”
July 17, 2026
4.5 ⭐️ 2 🌶️
WTF was that?!
I seriously was not expecting THAT. My jaw has fully unhooked itself and taken itself on vacation because what in the hell was that twist?!
My brain simply cannot process the absolute diabolical ending this book delivered. I think I’m going to need approximately 3-6 business years to recover.
I was completely invested from the very first chapter. Think Mean Girls meets Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. There are so many moving parts, so many secrets, and so many pieces to keep track of that you’re constantly trying to figure out who can actually be trusted.
It’s also incredibly dark and deeply disturbing, so please check the trigger warnings before diving in. But holy sh*t… nothing could have prepared me for that ending. I’m sorry, but WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
I know duologies have a reputation for ending in absolute chaos, but this was just cruel. Give me book two immediately because I refuse to sit here with my brain in pieces.
TROPES ✨
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🔪 Serial Killer Whodunit
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
🚪 The Killer Next Door
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
WTF was that?!
I seriously was not expecting THAT. My jaw has fully unhooked itself and taken itself on vacation because what in the hell was that twist?!
My brain simply cannot process the absolute diabolical ending this book delivered. I think I’m going to need approximately 3-6 business years to recover.
I was completely invested from the very first chapter. Think Mean Girls meets Gossip Girl meets Pretty Little Liars. There are so many moving parts, so many secrets, and so many pieces to keep track of that you’re constantly trying to figure out who can actually be trusted.
It’s also incredibly dark and deeply disturbing, so please check the trigger warnings before diving in. But holy sh*t… nothing could have prepared me for that ending. I’m sorry, but WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
I know duologies have a reputation for ending in absolute chaos, but this was just cruel. Give me book two immediately because I refuse to sit here with my brain in pieces.
TROPES ✨
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🔪 Serial Killer Whodunit
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
🚪 The Killer Next Door
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
July 16, 2026
This was wild! That prologue was crazy & the main reason I kept reading. I needed to know!
What a spin too when you find out.
Great read, very mild spice.
What a spin too when you find out.
Great read, very mild spice.
August 11, 2026
“𝙎𝙤, 𝙮𝙚𝙨, 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙨𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙠𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙧. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙨𝙝𝙚'𝙨 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣, 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩? 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣, 𝙣𝙤 𝙤𝙣𝙚'𝙨 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩...”
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
I read the tropes.
I saw the cover.
And immediately my black little heart whispered:
🥹🖤 Home.
Dark psychological romance?
Murder?
Revenge?
Feminine rage?
Morally gray characters?
Serial killer?
Best friend’s older brother?
Obsessive behavior?
Vigilante justice?
Secrets and lies?
OH THANK GOD.
I was getting worried we were becoming emotionally well adjusted around here.
😂
After my brief visit with giant hockey teddy bears and cricket-based courtship, it was time to return to my natural habitat:
MURDER.
🖤🔪
Balance.
It’s important.
And I Dare You by Monica James?
This book was absolutely fucking WILD.
Not:
“Oh, that was a surprising little twist.”
No.
I mean I reached the end and my jaw unhinged itself from my face, packed a carry-on, and left the fucking country.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
MONICA.
COME BACK HERE.
WE NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR BEHAVIOR.
😭😂
But let’s rewind.
Hallie Holiday’s life is destroyed in one horrific night.
And by the next morning?
She’s gone.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
Nothing.
Three years later, Hallie isn’t even Hallie anymore.
New name.
New town.
New life.
Nobody knows who she was.
Nobody knows what happened.
And that’s exactly how she needs it to stay.
Because Hallie isn’t simply trying to start over.
She’s hiding.
She’s spent three years running from a past filled with trauma, violence, secrets and people who absolutely cannot discover where she is.
Then fate decides:
You know what this traumatized woman needs?
A MAN FROM HER PAST.
😂
Enter:
Kit Rivers.
Her childhood best friend’s older brother.
The town’s favorite bad boy.
The guy every girl wanted.
And someone Hallie absolutely NEVER expected to see again.
👀
Now…
BEST FRIEND’S OLDER BROTHER?!
You already had me.
Then you tell me he’s protective, loyal, a little dark, and immediately tangled up in this entire disaster?
Monica.
You didn’t need to keep selling.
THE HOUSE IS ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT.
😂
Except the Kit Hallie remembers isn’t exactly the man standing in front of her now.
Because three years changes people.
Trauma changes people.
Grief changes people.
And whatever happened in their past has left scars on EVERYBODY involved.
But the connection between Hallie and Kit?
Still there.
Immediately.
And unfortunately…
men around town have also developed an inconvenient habit of turning up DEAD.
😐
Well.
NOW WE’RE COOKING.
😂
Because Hallie knows more than she’s saying.
She knows who’s responsible.
Jupiter Lemmings.
And Jupiter?!
Ohhhhhhh.
👀
JUPITER.
This woman entered the book and my morally gray character tracking system immediately started making noises.
🚨🚨🚨
Because Jupiter is…
How should I put this?
Not okay.
😂
And I mean that as the highest compliment I can give a fictional character in this particular genre.
She’s unpredictable.
Dangerous.
Complicated.
Unhinged.
Fascinating.
And every time she appeared, I was basically leaning closer to my Kindle like:
👁️👄👁️ What are you going to do now, you little psychopath?
I LOVE when I can’t fully predict a character.
Especially in a psychological romance.
Give me someone who makes me constantly question:
Can I trust you?
Should I trust you?
Are you protecting Hallie?
Manipulating Hallie?
About to kill somebody?
All of the above?!
Excellent.
No notes.
😂
And Hallie herself?
I really loved watching her evolve.
Because the girl we meet through her past is insecure.
Bullied.
Isolated.
Surrounded by people who have made her feel small.
Then something absolutely horrific happens.
And the woman who emerges from that?
Different fucking creature.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hallie’s story is filled with trauma, and this book gets VERY dark.
Seriously…
CHECK THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU READ THIS ONE.
We’re dealing with graphic violence, murder, sexual assault, religious abuse/punishment, bullying, suicide, psychological manipulation and some incredibly heavy themes.
This isn’t cute-dark.
This isn’t “he’s possessive and has tattoos” dark.
This is DARK dark.
The kind where even MY black little heart occasionally looked up from the Kindle like:
👁️👄👁️
Monica?
And you KNOW we’re pretty difficult to scare around here.
😂
But what I appreciated was watching Hallie’s anger become something other than shame.
Because I LOVE feminine rage in books.
LOVE IT.
Give women permission to be fucking ANGRY.
Let them rage.
Let them stop forgiving everyone who destroyed pieces of them.
Let them want revenge.
Let them be messy and complicated and morally questionable.
Sometimes healing doesn’t look like:
🌸 I forgive you.
Sometimes it’s:
🔪 I remember exactly what you did.
And Hallie’s journey toward reclaiming her power was one of my favorite parts of this story.
Because this girl has spent so much of her life being made to feel powerless.
And now?
She’s done.
👏🏻
Then we have Kit.
And Kit has that exact combination I need when we’re dealing with a book this dark:
Protective.
Loyal.
Connected to Hallie’s past.
But not SO squeaky clean that I’m sitting here wondering whether he accidentally wandered in from another romance.
😂
Because sir…
Look around.
People are DYING.
We don’t have time for a golden retriever.
GET A LITTLE MORALLY QUESTIONABLE OR GET OUT.
And thankfully?
Kit understood the assignment.
😈
His connection with Hallie worked for me because there’s already history underneath everything happening between them.
He isn’t simply some attractive stranger who suddenly becomes involved in her life.
He knew her BEFORE.
He knew the girl she was.
He belongs to a part of her life she’s spent three years trying desperately to bury.
So when he suddenly appears?
It’s not simply romantic tension.
He’s a walking reminder of everything she ran from.
And THAT adds such an interesting layer.
Because Hallie wants him.
But letting Kit into her life means cracking open doors she’s spent years barricading shut.
And behind those doors?
Nothing good.
Meanwhile Kit is basically:
I’m coming in anyway.
😂
Sir.
There are bodies piling up.
Maybe knock first.
But I support the commitment.
And then there’s Dandy, Kit’s younger brother and Hallie’s childhood best friend.
Which makes everything even MORE interconnected.
Nobody exists separately from Hallie’s past.
Everyone is tangled together.
Everyone knows pieces of something.
Everyone has history.
And as the book progresses, you start realizing:
I DON’T TRUST ANY OF YOU FUCKERS.
😂
This is the kind of story where I start mentally creating one of those investigation boards.
Photos.
Red string.
Names circled.
Question marks.
WHO IS LYING?
Answer:
Probably everyone.
Who is dangerous?
Also probably everyone.
Who needs therapy?
THE ENTIRE CAST.
Unfortunately their insurance doesn’t cover it, so murder it is.
😂
And that’s what made this so addictive.
There are SO MANY moving pieces.
Secrets.
Past trauma.
Current murders.
Revenge.
Relationships.
Loyalties.
People who aren’t who you thought they were.
Information constantly shifting the way you understand previous events.
I spent half this book thinking:
Okay. I think I understand what’s happening.
Monica:
🥰 No you don’t.
Me:
Okay, RUDE.
😂
It gave me Pretty Little Liars meets Mean Girls with Mindf*ck-style revenge energy, except everybody needs significantly more supervision.
Which is exactly the kind of chaos my Kindle enjoys.
And then the vigilante element?!
YES.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Because apparently my fictional moral philosophy is becoming:
Was it illegal?
Probably.
Did they deserve it?
…Continue.
👀
Book Isabella’s legal system is VERY different from the actual judicial system.
Please do not consult me for legal advice.
😂
But underneath all of the murder and revenge is a genuinely painful story about what happens when someone’s life is ripped apart.
Hallie doesn’t simply disappear because she wants a fresh start.
She disappears because she has been fundamentally changed by what happened to her.
There’s shame.
Fear.
Grief.
Anger.
Survival.
And that makes watching her start reclaiming pieces of herself incredibly satisfying.
She’s not trying to become the girl she was before.
That girl is gone.
She’s figuring out who she gets to become AFTER.
And I love that kind of FMC journey.
Give me women who survive horrible things and come out with TEETH.
🖤
Now.
Let’s discuss the ROMANCE.
Because yes, there are murders happening.
Yes, we’re investigating secrets.
Yes, everyone is suspicious.
But apparently Hallie still found time to have chemistry with Kit.
Priorities.
😂
And their chemistry?!
🔥🔥🔥
The tension worked because there’s so much they aren’t saying.
So much history.
So many secrets Hallie cannot reveal without potentially destroying everything.
And Kit is getting closer and closer to the truth whether she wants him to or not.
Which creates that delicious:
I want you close but having you close could literally get you killed
dynamic.
😮💨
YES.
Give me romance with consequences.
Give me:
Stay away from me.
followed immediately by:
Why the fuck are you leaving?
😂
THAT’S ROMANCE.
And Kit’s protective streak?
Oh.
There it is.
🖤
TOUCH HER AND DIE.
One of literature’s finest contributions to society.
I don’t need a man who says:
“I’d prefer if you didn’t disrespect my partner.”
No.
This is dark romance.
I want the fictional version of:
“Touch her again and we’re going to have a completely different genre on our hands.”
😂
Healthy in real life?
Different conversation.
On my Kindle?
PRINT IT.
But then we have JUPITER woven into this relationship dynamic too.
And that added a whole other level of:
👀👀👀
What exactly are we doing here, Monica?
Because whatever neat little box I thought this story was going to fit into?
She kicked it over.
And I respect the chaos.
But NOTHING….
and I mean NOTHING…..
prepared me for that final stretch.
I thought I had theories.
I thought I understood the players.
I thought I had picked up the breadcrumbs.
I was feeling very intelligent.
Very detective.
Very:
🕵🏻♀️ I’ve got you figured out, Monica James.
Then Monica reached through my Kindle and slapped the detective badge directly off my chest.
BITCH, WHAT?!
😂😂😂
THAT.
ENDING.
My jaw didn’t drop.
My jaw RESIGNED.
It submitted two weeks’ notice.
Packed its belongings.
Updated its LinkedIn.
Moved to another continent.
Because…
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN?!
I genuinely did NOT see that coming.
And there is nothing better than reading a psychological story where I’m actively TRYING to figure out the twist…
and the author still gets me.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I LOVE BEING WRONG.
Specifically about book twists.
Let’s be very clear.
😂
But MONICA.
That was DIABOLICAL.
And because this is the first full length book in the Ruin Me duet, now I’m just supposed to continue living my life knowing there’s more chaos coming?
No.
Unacceptable.
My brain requires answers.
Immediately.
I don’t care about publishing schedules.
I don’t care about logistics.
I WANT TO SPEAK TO MANAGEMENT.
😂
Why four stars instead of five?
Mostly because there is SO much happening here that certain pieces occasionally felt like they were competing for my attention.
The psychological elements.
The romance.
The past timeline.
The murders.
Jupiter.
Kit.
Dandy.
Hallie’s trauma.
The mystery.
The revenge.
The twists.
I was absolutely entertained, but I wanted a little more breathing room in places so some of the emotional beats could hit even harder.
But that ENDING alone?
Monica knew exactly what the fuck she was doing.
Because now I’m invested.
And slightly irritated.
Which is exactly where an author wants me at the beginning of a duet.
😂
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🖤 Dark psychological romance
🔪 Murder
🩸 Graphic violence
🔥 Best friend’s older brother
🖤 Morally gray characters
🔪 Serial-killer storyline
🖤 Feminine rage
🔥 Revenge
🩸 Vigilante justice
🖤 Found family
🏘️ Small-town setting
🔍 Mystery + suspense
🖤 Secrets and lies
🔥 Touch her and die
🖤 Childhood connections
🔪 Crime
🧠 Psychological manipulation
🖤 Trauma + survival
🔥 Obsessive behavior
👀 Jupiter being Jupiter
🕵🏻♀️ Me incorrectly believing I had solved anything
💀 An ending personally responsible for the disappearance of my jaw
PLEASE CHECK THE AUTHOR’S CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE READING.
Seriously.
This one contains extremely heavy material and graphic themes, including sexual violence.
Know your limits and protect your reading experience.
And if dark psychological romance IS your lane?
Well…
WELCOME HOME, BITCH.
🖤😂
FOUR “MY BLACK LITTLE HEART SAW MURDER, FEMININE RAGE AND MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS AND SAID MOM, COME PICK ME UP—I’M HOME” STARS.
Monica James really looked at a normal romance plot and said:
Hmm.
Needs more murder.
Needs more trauma.
Needs more morally questionable women.
Needs more revenge.
Needs more psychological manipulation.
And you know what?
SHE WAS RIGHT.
😂
Because apparently we’ve established a pattern here.
Give me a normal meet-cute and I’m like:
🥰 Aw.
Give me a woman hiding under another identity while men mysteriously turn up dead and her childhood best friend’s hot older brother suddenly reappears?
🧍🏻♀️
CLEAR MY FUCKING SCHEDULE.
My brain has priorities.
Are they GOOD priorities?
No.
But they’re consistent.
😂
And once again, the morally-gray-man tracking system remains operational…
but apparently we’ve upgraded.
Because now it detects morally gray WOMEN too.
🚨
Character morally questionable?
Interesting.
Character potentially homicidal?
I’m listening.
Character unhinged enough that I genuinely don’t know what they’re going to do next?
🥹🖤 There you are.
Book Isabella remains an HR nightmare.
Real-Life Isabella would like to clarify that murder is illegal.
Thank you.
😂
Four stars.
Dark.
Twisted.
Violent.
Emotional.
Messy.
Unpredictable.
And sufficiently concerning that my black little heart felt completely at home.
🖤🔪
Now give me the next book because Monica left my brain scattered across the floor and I would like to know WHO AUTHORIZED THAT FUCKING ENDING.
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ 4/5
I read the tropes.
I saw the cover.
And immediately my black little heart whispered:
🥹🖤 Home.
Dark psychological romance?
Murder?
Revenge?
Feminine rage?
Morally gray characters?
Serial killer?
Best friend’s older brother?
Obsessive behavior?
Vigilante justice?
Secrets and lies?
OH THANK GOD.
I was getting worried we were becoming emotionally well adjusted around here.
😂
After my brief visit with giant hockey teddy bears and cricket-based courtship, it was time to return to my natural habitat:
MURDER.
🖤🔪
Balance.
It’s important.
And I Dare You by Monica James?
This book was absolutely fucking WILD.
Not:
“Oh, that was a surprising little twist.”
No.
I mean I reached the end and my jaw unhinged itself from my face, packed a carry-on, and left the fucking country.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN?!
MONICA.
COME BACK HERE.
WE NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR BEHAVIOR.
😭😂
But let’s rewind.
Hallie Holiday’s life is destroyed in one horrific night.
And by the next morning?
She’s gone.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
Nothing.
Three years later, Hallie isn’t even Hallie anymore.
New name.
New town.
New life.
Nobody knows who she was.
Nobody knows what happened.
And that’s exactly how she needs it to stay.
Because Hallie isn’t simply trying to start over.
She’s hiding.
She’s spent three years running from a past filled with trauma, violence, secrets and people who absolutely cannot discover where she is.
Then fate decides:
You know what this traumatized woman needs?
A MAN FROM HER PAST.
😂
Enter:
Kit Rivers.
Her childhood best friend’s older brother.
The town’s favorite bad boy.
The guy every girl wanted.
And someone Hallie absolutely NEVER expected to see again.
👀
Now…
BEST FRIEND’S OLDER BROTHER?!
You already had me.
Then you tell me he’s protective, loyal, a little dark, and immediately tangled up in this entire disaster?
Monica.
You didn’t need to keep selling.
THE HOUSE IS ALREADY UNDER CONTRACT.
😂
Except the Kit Hallie remembers isn’t exactly the man standing in front of her now.
Because three years changes people.
Trauma changes people.
Grief changes people.
And whatever happened in their past has left scars on EVERYBODY involved.
But the connection between Hallie and Kit?
Still there.
Immediately.
And unfortunately…
men around town have also developed an inconvenient habit of turning up DEAD.
😐
Well.
NOW WE’RE COOKING.
😂
Because Hallie knows more than she’s saying.
She knows who’s responsible.
Jupiter Lemmings.
And Jupiter?!
Ohhhhhhh.
👀
JUPITER.
This woman entered the book and my morally gray character tracking system immediately started making noises.
🚨🚨🚨
Because Jupiter is…
How should I put this?
Not okay.
😂
And I mean that as the highest compliment I can give a fictional character in this particular genre.
She’s unpredictable.
Dangerous.
Complicated.
Unhinged.
Fascinating.
And every time she appeared, I was basically leaning closer to my Kindle like:
👁️👄👁️ What are you going to do now, you little psychopath?
I LOVE when I can’t fully predict a character.
Especially in a psychological romance.
Give me someone who makes me constantly question:
Can I trust you?
Should I trust you?
Are you protecting Hallie?
Manipulating Hallie?
About to kill somebody?
All of the above?!
Excellent.
No notes.
😂
And Hallie herself?
I really loved watching her evolve.
Because the girl we meet through her past is insecure.
Bullied.
Isolated.
Surrounded by people who have made her feel small.
Then something absolutely horrific happens.
And the woman who emerges from that?
Different fucking creature.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Hallie’s story is filled with trauma, and this book gets VERY dark.
Seriously…
CHECK THE CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE YOU READ THIS ONE.
We’re dealing with graphic violence, murder, sexual assault, religious abuse/punishment, bullying, suicide, psychological manipulation and some incredibly heavy themes.
This isn’t cute-dark.
This isn’t “he’s possessive and has tattoos” dark.
This is DARK dark.
The kind where even MY black little heart occasionally looked up from the Kindle like:
👁️👄👁️
Monica?
And you KNOW we’re pretty difficult to scare around here.
😂
But what I appreciated was watching Hallie’s anger become something other than shame.
Because I LOVE feminine rage in books.
LOVE IT.
Give women permission to be fucking ANGRY.
Let them rage.
Let them stop forgiving everyone who destroyed pieces of them.
Let them want revenge.
Let them be messy and complicated and morally questionable.
Sometimes healing doesn’t look like:
🌸 I forgive you.
Sometimes it’s:
🔪 I remember exactly what you did.
And Hallie’s journey toward reclaiming her power was one of my favorite parts of this story.
Because this girl has spent so much of her life being made to feel powerless.
And now?
She’s done.
👏🏻
Then we have Kit.
And Kit has that exact combination I need when we’re dealing with a book this dark:
Protective.
Loyal.
Connected to Hallie’s past.
But not SO squeaky clean that I’m sitting here wondering whether he accidentally wandered in from another romance.
😂
Because sir…
Look around.
People are DYING.
We don’t have time for a golden retriever.
GET A LITTLE MORALLY QUESTIONABLE OR GET OUT.
And thankfully?
Kit understood the assignment.
😈
His connection with Hallie worked for me because there’s already history underneath everything happening between them.
He isn’t simply some attractive stranger who suddenly becomes involved in her life.
He knew her BEFORE.
He knew the girl she was.
He belongs to a part of her life she’s spent three years trying desperately to bury.
So when he suddenly appears?
It’s not simply romantic tension.
He’s a walking reminder of everything she ran from.
And THAT adds such an interesting layer.
Because Hallie wants him.
But letting Kit into her life means cracking open doors she’s spent years barricading shut.
And behind those doors?
Nothing good.
Meanwhile Kit is basically:
I’m coming in anyway.
😂
Sir.
There are bodies piling up.
Maybe knock first.
But I support the commitment.
And then there’s Dandy, Kit’s younger brother and Hallie’s childhood best friend.
Which makes everything even MORE interconnected.
Nobody exists separately from Hallie’s past.
Everyone is tangled together.
Everyone knows pieces of something.
Everyone has history.
And as the book progresses, you start realizing:
I DON’T TRUST ANY OF YOU FUCKERS.
😂
This is the kind of story where I start mentally creating one of those investigation boards.
Photos.
Red string.
Names circled.
Question marks.
WHO IS LYING?
Answer:
Probably everyone.
Who is dangerous?
Also probably everyone.
Who needs therapy?
THE ENTIRE CAST.
Unfortunately their insurance doesn’t cover it, so murder it is.
😂
And that’s what made this so addictive.
There are SO MANY moving pieces.
Secrets.
Past trauma.
Current murders.
Revenge.
Relationships.
Loyalties.
People who aren’t who you thought they were.
Information constantly shifting the way you understand previous events.
I spent half this book thinking:
Okay. I think I understand what’s happening.
Monica:
🥰 No you don’t.
Me:
Okay, RUDE.
😂
It gave me Pretty Little Liars meets Mean Girls with Mindf*ck-style revenge energy, except everybody needs significantly more supervision.
Which is exactly the kind of chaos my Kindle enjoys.
And then the vigilante element?!
YES.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Because apparently my fictional moral philosophy is becoming:
Was it illegal?
Probably.
Did they deserve it?
…Continue.
👀
Book Isabella’s legal system is VERY different from the actual judicial system.
Please do not consult me for legal advice.
😂
But underneath all of the murder and revenge is a genuinely painful story about what happens when someone’s life is ripped apart.
Hallie doesn’t simply disappear because she wants a fresh start.
She disappears because she has been fundamentally changed by what happened to her.
There’s shame.
Fear.
Grief.
Anger.
Survival.
And that makes watching her start reclaiming pieces of herself incredibly satisfying.
She’s not trying to become the girl she was before.
That girl is gone.
She’s figuring out who she gets to become AFTER.
And I love that kind of FMC journey.
Give me women who survive horrible things and come out with TEETH.
🖤
Now.
Let’s discuss the ROMANCE.
Because yes, there are murders happening.
Yes, we’re investigating secrets.
Yes, everyone is suspicious.
But apparently Hallie still found time to have chemistry with Kit.
Priorities.
😂
And their chemistry?!
🔥🔥🔥
The tension worked because there’s so much they aren’t saying.
So much history.
So many secrets Hallie cannot reveal without potentially destroying everything.
And Kit is getting closer and closer to the truth whether she wants him to or not.
Which creates that delicious:
I want you close but having you close could literally get you killed
dynamic.
😮💨
YES.
Give me romance with consequences.
Give me:
Stay away from me.
followed immediately by:
Why the fuck are you leaving?
😂
THAT’S ROMANCE.
And Kit’s protective streak?
Oh.
There it is.
🖤
TOUCH HER AND DIE.
One of literature’s finest contributions to society.
I don’t need a man who says:
“I’d prefer if you didn’t disrespect my partner.”
No.
This is dark romance.
I want the fictional version of:
“Touch her again and we’re going to have a completely different genre on our hands.”
😂
Healthy in real life?
Different conversation.
On my Kindle?
PRINT IT.
But then we have JUPITER woven into this relationship dynamic too.
And that added a whole other level of:
👀👀👀
What exactly are we doing here, Monica?
Because whatever neat little box I thought this story was going to fit into?
She kicked it over.
And I respect the chaos.
But NOTHING….
and I mean NOTHING…..
prepared me for that final stretch.
I thought I had theories.
I thought I understood the players.
I thought I had picked up the breadcrumbs.
I was feeling very intelligent.
Very detective.
Very:
🕵🏻♀️ I’ve got you figured out, Monica James.
Then Monica reached through my Kindle and slapped the detective badge directly off my chest.
BITCH, WHAT?!
😂😂😂
THAT.
ENDING.
My jaw didn’t drop.
My jaw RESIGNED.
It submitted two weeks’ notice.
Packed its belongings.
Updated its LinkedIn.
Moved to another continent.
Because…
WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU MEAN?!
I genuinely did NOT see that coming.
And there is nothing better than reading a psychological story where I’m actively TRYING to figure out the twist…
and the author still gets me.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
I LOVE BEING WRONG.
Specifically about book twists.
Let’s be very clear.
😂
But MONICA.
That was DIABOLICAL.
And because this is the first full length book in the Ruin Me duet, now I’m just supposed to continue living my life knowing there’s more chaos coming?
No.
Unacceptable.
My brain requires answers.
Immediately.
I don’t care about publishing schedules.
I don’t care about logistics.
I WANT TO SPEAK TO MANAGEMENT.
😂
Why four stars instead of five?
Mostly because there is SO much happening here that certain pieces occasionally felt like they were competing for my attention.
The psychological elements.
The romance.
The past timeline.
The murders.
Jupiter.
Kit.
Dandy.
Hallie’s trauma.
The mystery.
The revenge.
The twists.
I was absolutely entertained, but I wanted a little more breathing room in places so some of the emotional beats could hit even harder.
But that ENDING alone?
Monica knew exactly what the fuck she was doing.
Because now I’m invested.
And slightly irritated.
Which is exactly where an author wants me at the beginning of a duet.
😂
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🖤 Dark psychological romance
🔪 Murder
🩸 Graphic violence
🔥 Best friend’s older brother
🖤 Morally gray characters
🔪 Serial-killer storyline
🖤 Feminine rage
🔥 Revenge
🩸 Vigilante justice
🖤 Found family
🏘️ Small-town setting
🔍 Mystery + suspense
🖤 Secrets and lies
🔥 Touch her and die
🖤 Childhood connections
🔪 Crime
🧠 Psychological manipulation
🖤 Trauma + survival
🔥 Obsessive behavior
👀 Jupiter being Jupiter
🕵🏻♀️ Me incorrectly believing I had solved anything
💀 An ending personally responsible for the disappearance of my jaw
PLEASE CHECK THE AUTHOR’S CONTENT WARNINGS BEFORE READING.
Seriously.
This one contains extremely heavy material and graphic themes, including sexual violence.
Know your limits and protect your reading experience.
And if dark psychological romance IS your lane?
Well…
WELCOME HOME, BITCH.
🖤😂
FOUR “MY BLACK LITTLE HEART SAW MURDER, FEMININE RAGE AND MORALLY GRAY CHARACTERS AND SAID MOM, COME PICK ME UP—I’M HOME” STARS.
Monica James really looked at a normal romance plot and said:
Hmm.
Needs more murder.
Needs more trauma.
Needs more morally questionable women.
Needs more revenge.
Needs more psychological manipulation.
And you know what?
SHE WAS RIGHT.
😂
Because apparently we’ve established a pattern here.
Give me a normal meet-cute and I’m like:
🥰 Aw.
Give me a woman hiding under another identity while men mysteriously turn up dead and her childhood best friend’s hot older brother suddenly reappears?
🧍🏻♀️
CLEAR MY FUCKING SCHEDULE.
My brain has priorities.
Are they GOOD priorities?
No.
But they’re consistent.
😂
And once again, the morally-gray-man tracking system remains operational…
but apparently we’ve upgraded.
Because now it detects morally gray WOMEN too.
🚨
Character morally questionable?
Interesting.
Character potentially homicidal?
I’m listening.
Character unhinged enough that I genuinely don’t know what they’re going to do next?
🥹🖤 There you are.
Book Isabella remains an HR nightmare.
Real-Life Isabella would like to clarify that murder is illegal.
Thank you.
😂
Four stars.
Dark.
Twisted.
Violent.
Emotional.
Messy.
Unpredictable.
And sufficiently concerning that my black little heart felt completely at home.
🖤🔪
Now give me the next book because Monica left my brain scattered across the floor and I would like to know WHO AUTHORIZED THAT FUCKING ENDING.
July 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
🌶️🌶️.75
Mean Girls meets the Mindf*ck series is the best way I can describe I Dare You. It was dark, fun, and fueled by feminine rage. Obviously, I ate that up.
I’m always a sucker for a good revenge plot, and the vigilante justice in this one made it ridiculously easy to keep turning the pages. I had theories almost immediately and managed to predict quite a bit, but I still needed to see exactly how everything would unfold.
Hallie has spent years hiding from the night that destroyed her life. I loved her story, her dynamic with Jupiter, the hidden identity, and the way the story slowly revealed how everything was connected.
And then there is Kit Rivers. Protective, sweet, tattooed, down bad, her childhood best friend’s older brother, and he can fix your car? Scrumptious. Exactly my type.
I liked Hallie and Kit together, but I wanted a little more depth from the romance. Their chemistry was definitely there, and I understood the connection between them, but I think a little more development and time together would have made me feel completely invested in them as a couple.
Even with some predictable moments, I Dare You was such a fun read. Give me murder, mystery, revenge, and feminine rage and I am SAT. I'm fully invested in what comes next.
🔪 Serial-killer whodunit
💄 Mean Girls meets Mindf*ck vibes
🩸 Feminine rage and revenge
⚖️ Vigilante justice
🖤 Best friend’s older brother
🎭 Hidden identity
🏘️ Toxic small-town secrets
🔧 Protective bad-boy MMC
🕵🏼 Murder and mystery
💀 Morally questionable choices
Thank you to Monica James and Hambright PR for the early copy 🖤
🌶️🌶️.75
Mean Girls meets the Mindf*ck series is the best way I can describe I Dare You. It was dark, fun, and fueled by feminine rage. Obviously, I ate that up.
I’m always a sucker for a good revenge plot, and the vigilante justice in this one made it ridiculously easy to keep turning the pages. I had theories almost immediately and managed to predict quite a bit, but I still needed to see exactly how everything would unfold.
Hallie has spent years hiding from the night that destroyed her life. I loved her story, her dynamic with Jupiter, the hidden identity, and the way the story slowly revealed how everything was connected.
And then there is Kit Rivers. Protective, sweet, tattooed, down bad, her childhood best friend’s older brother, and he can fix your car? Scrumptious. Exactly my type.
I liked Hallie and Kit together, but I wanted a little more depth from the romance. Their chemistry was definitely there, and I understood the connection between them, but I think a little more development and time together would have made me feel completely invested in them as a couple.
Even with some predictable moments, I Dare You was such a fun read. Give me murder, mystery, revenge, and feminine rage and I am SAT. I'm fully invested in what comes next.
🔪 Serial-killer whodunit
💄 Mean Girls meets Mindf*ck vibes
🩸 Feminine rage and revenge
⚖️ Vigilante justice
🖤 Best friend’s older brother
🎭 Hidden identity
🏘️ Toxic small-town secrets
🔧 Protective bad-boy MMC
🕵🏼 Murder and mystery
💀 Morally questionable choices
Thank you to Monica James and Hambright PR for the early copy 🖤
Review of advance copy
4.75 ⭐️
3.5 🌶
I can not get this book out of my head! It was absolutely incredible and the final sentence 👏🏻
Full RTC
3.5 🌶
I can not get this book out of my head! It was absolutely incredible and the final sentence 👏🏻
Full RTC
July 12, 2026
Rebecca, the popular former head cheerleader, has been found dead and decapitated! . The town is in an uproar and the only question is: who killed the Prom Queen?
This isn't a Netflix documentary. This is real fucking life. 🤫💀
OMG 5 STARS!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely devoured *I Dare You* and could not put it down—I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! This was my first book by Monica James, but it definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait for book 2! 😭🙌🏼
At 10 years old, after being bullied, Hallie Holiday meets Dandy. They instantly form an unbreakable bond, he even introduces her to *Dirty Dancing*. He becomes her BFF, her other half, and her soulmate. The pure trust and closeness they share is unmatched, they are completely inseparable. 🥹🖤
Then there’s Kit Rivers, Dandy’s gorgeous older brother. He was always so good to Hallie, but Dandy and Kit are hiding some massive, deep family secrets of their own. The dark drama in this town runs so much deeper than anyone realizes! 😱💥
Flash forward 6 years. After a horrific, deeply personal attack on her way home from work, Hallie decides to run and never look back. 🏃🏻♀️💨
3 years later, Hallie goes by Olivia, working at an orphanage hours away. She meets Jupiter, a new BFF who she has so much in common with... maybe too much? Is Jupiter actually a good influence? Suddenly, more bodies of bad men start showing up. There’s a serial killer on the loose… 🩸
While out stalking their prey at a nightclub with Jupiter, she spots two ghosts from her past… one a monster, and the other, Kit Rivers. Oh, how she misses Dandy... so she does what she does best and runs from the nightclub. 🏃🏻♀️💨
But you can't outrun your past. The very next day, Kit shows up to work on a car at the orphanage. She looks familiar to him, but he doesn't recognize who she really is... 👀🔥
They are just so magnetic and completely drawn to each other! The spice was everything, and the trust and love that builds between her and Kit was absolute chef's kiss!! 💋🔥 The safety they find in one another is standard dark romance perfection. 🌶️😮💨
How will Hallie/Olivia move on? Will revenge do the trick? Will Kit find out her true identity Jupiter loves Hallie... is she too jealous of Kit? Will she reunite with Dandy? Who can she trust?! Most importantly… Who killed the Prom Queen?? So many questions. You absolutely MUST read this to find out!
An immediate 5 stars for me! ⭐️🖤🔥🫶🏻
This isn't a Netflix documentary. This is real fucking life. 🤫💀
OMG 5 STARS!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I absolutely devoured *I Dare You* and could not put it down—I just HAD to know what was going to happen next! This was my first book by Monica James, but it definitely won’t be my last! I can’t wait for book 2! 😭🙌🏼
At 10 years old, after being bullied, Hallie Holiday meets Dandy. They instantly form an unbreakable bond, he even introduces her to *Dirty Dancing*. He becomes her BFF, her other half, and her soulmate. The pure trust and closeness they share is unmatched, they are completely inseparable. 🥹🖤
Then there’s Kit Rivers, Dandy’s gorgeous older brother. He was always so good to Hallie, but Dandy and Kit are hiding some massive, deep family secrets of their own. The dark drama in this town runs so much deeper than anyone realizes! 😱💥
Flash forward 6 years. After a horrific, deeply personal attack on her way home from work, Hallie decides to run and never look back. 🏃🏻♀️💨
3 years later, Hallie goes by Olivia, working at an orphanage hours away. She meets Jupiter, a new BFF who she has so much in common with... maybe too much? Is Jupiter actually a good influence? Suddenly, more bodies of bad men start showing up. There’s a serial killer on the loose… 🩸
While out stalking their prey at a nightclub with Jupiter, she spots two ghosts from her past… one a monster, and the other, Kit Rivers. Oh, how she misses Dandy... so she does what she does best and runs from the nightclub. 🏃🏻♀️💨
But you can't outrun your past. The very next day, Kit shows up to work on a car at the orphanage. She looks familiar to him, but he doesn't recognize who she really is... 👀🔥
They are just so magnetic and completely drawn to each other! The spice was everything, and the trust and love that builds between her and Kit was absolute chef's kiss!! 💋🔥 The safety they find in one another is standard dark romance perfection. 🌶️😮💨
How will Hallie/Olivia move on? Will revenge do the trick? Will Kit find out her true identity Jupiter loves Hallie... is she too jealous of Kit? Will she reunite with Dandy? Who can she trust?! Most importantly… Who killed the Prom Queen?? So many questions. You absolutely MUST read this to find out!
An immediate 5 stars for me! ⭐️🖤🔥🫶🏻
July 19, 2026
4/4.25 ⭐️
I Dare You is book one in author Monica James newest Dark Psychological Romance duet series Ruin Me.
Through the singular POV of Hailee Holiday, we follow her story in what is a Touch Him/Her and Die, Secrets and Lies, Serial Killer, Stalker, Dark Romance vibes.
While I was expecting I Dare You to be another dark, psychological thriller.
The extent of what author Monica delivered completely caught me off guard having never for one second thought, guessed or assumed the direction the journey would lead to.
Sure the start of the story minus the prologue seemed straight forward, but that didn’t last long considering the direction the path veered for Hailee.
Then again with a narrative consisting of many elements such as mystery, suspense, drama, some action packed thrills from the crime taking place, it was no wonder it led to a whirlwind wild and chaotic rollercoaster ride, considering the ups and downs, through the highs and lows Hailee found herself venturing through.
But also some major turns given the unexpected loops that will definitely throw you for a loop. Especially from the explosive plot twists dropped along the way.
Of course, can't forget about the emotional side of it all, part of which led to sad, painful and heartbreaking moments considering the waves unleashed courtesy of the suffering Hailee faced with all the hardships and trauma she faced, endured and suffered through. Especially when it came to the situations and events she found herself going through.
Simultaneously there was also happiness, laughter and joy from the moments shared with secondary characters in the form of friends.
Talk about a major plot twist!
Monica majorly threw me for a loop from the unsuspecting, jaw dropping, absolutely shocking twist that I did not expect to see in the very least.
Ultimately leaving me very much surprised by it, while simultaneously chomping at the bits from the intrigue, interest and curiousity of where it would all head to from there.
My only criticism was that it had me wishing I Dare You was told through dual POVs.
But hopefully it will be something we will see in book two.
Book one I Dare You by Monica James was well worth the read, given the dark, psychological, twisted thriller romance she delivered with Hailee’s story.
And from the cliffhanger ending, safe to say book two from Ruin Me duet could not come fast enough.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I Dare You is book one in author Monica James newest Dark Psychological Romance duet series Ruin Me.
Through the singular POV of Hailee Holiday, we follow her story in what is a Touch Him/Her and Die, Secrets and Lies, Serial Killer, Stalker, Dark Romance vibes.
While I was expecting I Dare You to be another dark, psychological thriller.
The extent of what author Monica delivered completely caught me off guard having never for one second thought, guessed or assumed the direction the journey would lead to.
Sure the start of the story minus the prologue seemed straight forward, but that didn’t last long considering the direction the path veered for Hailee.
Then again with a narrative consisting of many elements such as mystery, suspense, drama, some action packed thrills from the crime taking place, it was no wonder it led to a whirlwind wild and chaotic rollercoaster ride, considering the ups and downs, through the highs and lows Hailee found herself venturing through.
But also some major turns given the unexpected loops that will definitely throw you for a loop. Especially from the explosive plot twists dropped along the way.
Of course, can't forget about the emotional side of it all, part of which led to sad, painful and heartbreaking moments considering the waves unleashed courtesy of the suffering Hailee faced with all the hardships and trauma she faced, endured and suffered through. Especially when it came to the situations and events she found herself going through.
Simultaneously there was also happiness, laughter and joy from the moments shared with secondary characters in the form of friends.
Talk about a major plot twist!
Monica majorly threw me for a loop from the unsuspecting, jaw dropping, absolutely shocking twist that I did not expect to see in the very least.
Ultimately leaving me very much surprised by it, while simultaneously chomping at the bits from the intrigue, interest and curiousity of where it would all head to from there.
My only criticism was that it had me wishing I Dare You was told through dual POVs.
But hopefully it will be something we will see in book two.
Book one I Dare You by Monica James was well worth the read, given the dark, psychological, twisted thriller romance she delivered with Hailee’s story.
And from the cliffhanger ending, safe to say book two from Ruin Me duet could not come fast enough.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 4, 2026
5 ⭐️ 3 🌶
Ruin Me Duet
Book 1
📖Pages: 346
📚Released: 07.23.26
🎶Playlist: available on Spotify
MCs: hallie holiday ♡ kit rivers
"You didn't create a monster. You created a protector."
💭 WOW!! ive seen that teaser...but dayummm !! that line hit so hard when i actually read it!! this was an easy 5 ⭐️ hands down!! hallie... was a SURVIVOR 🙌🏽 kit... was a blue collar pretty boy... & he knows it!! but only wants her. it had graphic trauma thats both triggering & healing at the same time, it has swoony romance, butterflies & all, found fam vibes with ride or ☠️ besties, panty-wetting spice (MF/FMF scenes), & that twist in the end damm near gave me lock jaw!! this does end in a tiny cliffy which i can actually consider as a satisfying HFN given my kindle remained unharmed by the end of it🤭 but i def cant wait to get to book 2♥️ ooo i can juz see this as an audiobook it would be epic!!
"I promise, when I catch you... I'll never let you go."
dark rom | bestie's bro | whodunit | stalker | mean girls vibes | serial unaliver | trauma bond | dangerous protector
✨ thankU Monica James & Hambright PR for this eARC & am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️ 🆃🆆/🅲🆆
Ruin Me Duet
Book 1
📖Pages: 346
📚Released: 07.23.26
🎶Playlist: available on Spotify
MCs: hallie holiday ♡ kit rivers
"You didn't create a monster. You created a protector."
💭 WOW!! ive seen that teaser...but dayummm !! that line hit so hard when i actually read it!! this was an easy 5 ⭐️ hands down!! hallie... was a SURVIVOR 🙌🏽 kit... was a blue collar pretty boy... & he knows it!! but only wants her. it had graphic trauma thats both triggering & healing at the same time, it has swoony romance, butterflies & all, found fam vibes with ride or ☠️ besties, panty-wetting spice (MF/FMF scenes), & that twist in the end damm near gave me lock jaw!! this does end in a tiny cliffy which i can actually consider as a satisfying HFN given my kindle remained unharmed by the end of it🤭 but i def cant wait to get to book 2♥️ ooo i can juz see this as an audiobook it would be epic!!
"I promise, when I catch you... I'll never let you go."
dark rom | bestie's bro | whodunit | stalker | mean girls vibes | serial unaliver | trauma bond | dangerous protector
✨ thankU Monica James & Hambright PR for this eARC & am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts
‼️ ur mental health matters. ✔️ 🆃🆆/🅲🆆
July 14, 2026
I Dare You
Monica James
5 Stars
Book 1 of the Ruin me Duet
Format: eBook
Genre: Dark psychology thriller romance
Would read again and would recommend to a friend
One brutal night shattered Hallie Holiday’s life. By morning, the girl everyone knew had vanished. No goodbye. No explanation. Only silence. Three years later, Hallie lives under a different name in a town where no one knows her past. Staying invisible is the only way to survive. But date has a cruel sense of humour because he is the last person she ever expected to see again. Kit Rivers- her childhood best friend’s older brother. The town’s favourite bad boy. The boy every girl wanted. But the boy she remembers is gone. When their paths collide again, the pull, between them is instant. And in a town where men have mysteriously turned up dead… that kind of connection could get someone killed. Hallie knows who’s responsible. Jupiter Lemmings. If Hallie tells the truth, she exposes the killer and the truth about the night that destroyed her life. But if she stays silent… Kit could be next. Hallie has spent three years running from the past. Now she must decide how far she’s willing to go to save the man who saved her. However, some secrets don’t stay buried forever. And when they surface… someone always ends up dead.
Who killed Rebecca Bloom? Read this fantastic book to find out. Monica James did such a great job with this one. There is a plot twist most people didn’t see coming and threw them for a loop but I consume way too much media I think and called it at 80% but I still wanted to know every last detail right down to the very last word on the very last page. I’m so excited for book 2.
July 25, 2026
Tropes:
🖤Toxic Dark Romance
🔪Serial Killer Whodunit
🖤Dangerous Protector
🔪Trauma Bond
🖤The Killer Next Door
🔪Red Flags Everywhere
⛓️PLEASE CHECK TW LIST⛓️
What in the actual hell Monica James! This story was just stunningly written, and I couldn’t put it down. There wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t left questioning myself. Every page was just as gripping as the first. I was locked in from the first chapter and I flipped through those pages at god speed.
The story was told in the FMC’s POV which made me feel absolutely every feeling and action that was going through Hallie at a whole other level. I kinda called some of the plot twists, however I kept psyching myself out. I definitely didn’t anticipate everything because wow, some of these characters were just rotten to the core.
I loved the dirty dancing references, which is my favourite movie. It brought me joy that Hallie and Dandy’s friendship was built on watching, referencing and recreating the dancing scenes. It really brought me back.
This book is not going to be for everyone, please take care of yourself and check the trigger warnings list before diving in. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this duet. What an excellent lead.
🖤Toxic Dark Romance
🔪Serial Killer Whodunit
🖤Dangerous Protector
🔪Trauma Bond
🖤The Killer Next Door
🔪Red Flags Everywhere
⛓️PLEASE CHECK TW LIST⛓️
What in the actual hell Monica James! This story was just stunningly written, and I couldn’t put it down. There wasn’t a moment where I wasn’t left questioning myself. Every page was just as gripping as the first. I was locked in from the first chapter and I flipped through those pages at god speed.
The story was told in the FMC’s POV which made me feel absolutely every feeling and action that was going through Hallie at a whole other level. I kinda called some of the plot twists, however I kept psyching myself out. I definitely didn’t anticipate everything because wow, some of these characters were just rotten to the core.
I loved the dirty dancing references, which is my favourite movie. It brought me joy that Hallie and Dandy’s friendship was built on watching, referencing and recreating the dancing scenes. It really brought me back.
This book is not going to be for everyone, please take care of yourself and check the trigger warnings list before diving in. I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this duet. What an excellent lead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2026
• 4.5 rounded to 5 •
this was a fast paced, easy read that had me hooked from the start. it immediately gave me meaning girl vibes, but darker. i adored the friendship between dandy & hallie! he was her safe space, & seeing them reconnect years later made me so happy. i loved how they were able to basically pick up right where they left off.
i also really liked kit! he had this mysterious vibe going on, that had me wanting to know more about him & his past. i also appreciated how honest & direct he was.
that twist at the end though?! idk how the heck i didn’t figure it out?!! 😅🤦🏻♀️ it definitely got me. i’m still sitting here like…. whaaaaat?! 🤯 i did not connect the dots on that one lol
overall, enjoyable read & i am definitely looking forward to book 2 because i need to know what happens next!
⚠️ highly recommend reading the trigger warnings first before diving into this one!
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ toxic dark romance
♡ serial killer whodunit
♡ best friends brother
♡ secret identity
♡ small town
♡ dangerous protector
♡ trauma bond
♡ the killer next door
thank you hambright pr & monica james for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
this was a fast paced, easy read that had me hooked from the start. it immediately gave me meaning girl vibes, but darker. i adored the friendship between dandy & hallie! he was her safe space, & seeing them reconnect years later made me so happy. i loved how they were able to basically pick up right where they left off.
i also really liked kit! he had this mysterious vibe going on, that had me wanting to know more about him & his past. i also appreciated how honest & direct he was.
that twist at the end though?! idk how the heck i didn’t figure it out?!! 😅🤦🏻♀️ it definitely got me. i’m still sitting here like…. whaaaaat?! 🤯 i did not connect the dots on that one lol
overall, enjoyable read & i am definitely looking forward to book 2 because i need to know what happens next!
⚠️ highly recommend reading the trigger warnings first before diving into this one!
𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞:
♡ toxic dark romance
♡ serial killer whodunit
♡ best friends brother
♡ secret identity
♡ small town
♡ dangerous protector
♡ trauma bond
♡ the killer next door
thank you hambright pr & monica james for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2026
4.25 ⭐ ARC Review ℐ 𝒟𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒴𝒐𝒖
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🔪 Serial Killer Whodunit
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
🚪 The Killer Next Door
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
Hallie our FMC has been living another life. Her past self was taken away one horrific night that completely destroyed her.
Although her past life was far from pleasant, she had a constant, her best friend.
She thought by leaving she was protecting them and herself. Until she sees him...
Kit, MMC the older brother of her childhood best friend. Their connection is instant.
I absolutely loved Monica's writing. I enjoyed the plots of revenge, suspense and the many twists in this story, some I never saw coming.
Loved the connection between Kit and Hallie and hoping that developers further in the next book.
The friendship and banter between Hallie and her best friend had me laughing. Knowing they had each other in the years growing up which gave them a sense of normalcy for all the hardships they endured was nice to see.
The plot twist towards the end had me turning the page. I'm totally invested in this series now that I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to Hambright PR for this ARC opportunity.
#darkromance #suspense #bookreview #bookrecs #hambrightpr
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🔪 Serial Killer Whodunit
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
🚪 The Killer Next Door
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
Hallie our FMC has been living another life. Her past self was taken away one horrific night that completely destroyed her.
Although her past life was far from pleasant, she had a constant, her best friend.
She thought by leaving she was protecting them and herself. Until she sees him...
Kit, MMC the older brother of her childhood best friend. Their connection is instant.
I absolutely loved Monica's writing. I enjoyed the plots of revenge, suspense and the many twists in this story, some I never saw coming.
Loved the connection between Kit and Hallie and hoping that developers further in the next book.
The friendship and banter between Hallie and her best friend had me laughing. Knowing they had each other in the years growing up which gave them a sense of normalcy for all the hardships they endured was nice to see.
The plot twist towards the end had me turning the page. I'm totally invested in this series now that I can't wait to see what happens next!
Thank you to Hambright PR for this ARC opportunity.
#darkromance #suspense #bookreview #bookrecs #hambrightpr
July 15, 2026
Did I read this book in ONE night? Yes, yes I did! Was the absolute sleep deprivation worth it? Yes, yes it was! I am exhausted, but I still have the rush of a great book keeping me awake and wanting the second book so I can return to the characters I loved.
This book started off in a run and never looked back.
Hallie did not have it easy from the get go, but then Dandy (the most awesome best friend ever) stepped in and made Hallie and me love him.
How could you not obsess over the hotness of Kit? I mean, dang from the second we meet him I was swooning. Best friend’s brother trope ~ I am in!!
Then comes “that” night when everything changes and Hallie becomes who she is from here on out.
Oooh but of course, we meet up with Kit once again and damn if he isn’t even more of a drool worthy book boyfriend.
This book has mystery, murder, twists and turns, friends you love to love, friends you love to hate, a love you love to lick and a ending that is open ended, but yes we will get more of our besties in the next book! Are you excited? I know I am!!
#HPRIDareYou
#MonicaJames
#HambrightPR
This book started off in a run and never looked back.
Hallie did not have it easy from the get go, but then Dandy (the most awesome best friend ever) stepped in and made Hallie and me love him.
How could you not obsess over the hotness of Kit? I mean, dang from the second we meet him I was swooning. Best friend’s brother trope ~ I am in!!
Then comes “that” night when everything changes and Hallie becomes who she is from here on out.
Oooh but of course, we meet up with Kit once again and damn if he isn’t even more of a drool worthy book boyfriend.
This book has mystery, murder, twists and turns, friends you love to love, friends you love to hate, a love you love to lick and a ending that is open ended, but yes we will get more of our besties in the next book! Are you excited? I know I am!!
#HPRIDareYou
#MonicaJames
#HambrightPR
Review of advance copy received from Author
₩ⱧØ ₭łⱠⱠɆĐ ₮ⱧɆ ₱ⱤØ₥ QɄɆɆ₦?
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I Dare You ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@authormonicajames
Um, excuse me ma’am, I bloody devoured this book in less than 5 hours.
I was not at all prepared for what this story was going to be about.
And boy oh boy, did it shock me!
Firstly, my girl Hallie, what a helluva baddie you are. The trauma she went through, the shit she faced, this girl deserves retirement asap in a quiet, secluded town, surrounded by puppies, sunshine and rainbows. Her bestie Dandy was the sweetest damn thing, I just wanted to cuddle them all and tell the meanies to piss off.
Kit, you scrumptious man you. God I loved him from the very first moment I met him. Not only was he delightful too look at, but he was also the biggest sweetheart who was protective and loyal as hell. Can he wrap me up in his arms and keep me safe please?
Now, I can’t go into much more without giving everything away. Just know that it’s bloody, full of trauma and pain, it’s unhinged, has revenge, some healing, a prom queen you’ll hate and a bestie you’ll want for yourself, serial killers and a blossoming love you will want to protect at all costs.
I’m officially scared for where book two is going to take us Monica 😭😭
July 23rd baby’s. Get it on your tbr!!!
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I Dare You ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
@authormonicajames
Um, excuse me ma’am, I bloody devoured this book in less than 5 hours.
I was not at all prepared for what this story was going to be about.
And boy oh boy, did it shock me!
Firstly, my girl Hallie, what a helluva baddie you are. The trauma she went through, the shit she faced, this girl deserves retirement asap in a quiet, secluded town, surrounded by puppies, sunshine and rainbows. Her bestie Dandy was the sweetest damn thing, I just wanted to cuddle them all and tell the meanies to piss off.
Kit, you scrumptious man you. God I loved him from the very first moment I met him. Not only was he delightful too look at, but he was also the biggest sweetheart who was protective and loyal as hell. Can he wrap me up in his arms and keep me safe please?
Now, I can’t go into much more without giving everything away. Just know that it’s bloody, full of trauma and pain, it’s unhinged, has revenge, some healing, a prom queen you’ll hate and a bestie you’ll want for yourself, serial killers and a blossoming love you will want to protect at all costs.
I’m officially scared for where book two is going to take us Monica 😭😭
July 23rd baby’s. Get it on your tbr!!!
July 27, 2026
Buckle up!! I straight up devoured this book in less than a day and it was so good. From the twists and secrets to the mystery I could not put this down. I am starting at the end - I sat on my couch for a good 5 minutes just going WTF! I NEVER saw that ending coming!!
⚠️I highly recommend going into this blind…UNLESS you have triggers, then PLEASE check the content warnings first.
I was a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars and I definitely got some of those vibes reading this story. The author creates this great sense of tension that just builds - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time uncovering secrets and twists. We also get some good spicy scenes too!
And that’s all I can tell you!
✨ What To Expect:
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🌾 Small Town
❤️🔥 Best Friend’s Brother
🔍 Serial Killer Whodunit / Mystery
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
💋 Feminine Rage
🔪 Revenge
👀 Secrets & Lies
🚪 The Killer Next Door
⁉️ Thriller / Suspense Vibes
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
⚠️I highly recommend going into this blind…UNLESS you have triggers, then PLEASE check the content warnings first.
I was a huge fan of Pretty Little Liars and I definitely got some of those vibes reading this story. The author creates this great sense of tension that just builds - I was on the edge of my seat the whole time uncovering secrets and twists. We also get some good spicy scenes too!
And that’s all I can tell you!
✨ What To Expect:
🖤 Toxic Dark Romance
🌾 Small Town
❤️🔥 Best Friend’s Brother
🔍 Serial Killer Whodunit / Mystery
💪🏼 Dangerous Protector
🪢 Trauma Bond
💋 Feminine Rage
🔪 Revenge
👀 Secrets & Lies
🚪 The Killer Next Door
⁉️ Thriller / Suspense Vibes
🚩 Red Flags EVERYWHERE
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hallie may have been a social outcast growing up, but she found a kindred spirit in her best friend, Dandy. When one night forced her to leave town without a trace, she spent the next three years trying to reinvent herself, all while worrying about the boy she left behind.
Three years later, she is living hours away under a different name, when she runs into someone she never expected to see again, Kit, Dandy’s older brother. While he doesn’t recognize her at first, their connection is undeniable, and she struggles with the need to tell him the truth. Her being with him puts him at risk, as men are turning up dead in town, and she’s the only one who knows who’s responsible, her new best friend, Jupiter.
I received an early copy of this book from @Hambright_Pr and it rocked me to my core! The story has a bit of a Mindf*ck vibe with a twist, so if you’re like me and consider that one of your favourites, you’re going to want to add this one to your TBR. I loved seeing Hallie’s strength, even surrounded by her fear, and while her relationship with Jupiter was complex, it was definitely understandable. Kit had a darker energy right from the beginning, but something about him always gave off protective vibes, and the way he was with Hallie was no different. The vigilante vibes in this story were next level, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next in the series.
Three years later, she is living hours away under a different name, when she runs into someone she never expected to see again, Kit, Dandy’s older brother. While he doesn’t recognize her at first, their connection is undeniable, and she struggles with the need to tell him the truth. Her being with him puts him at risk, as men are turning up dead in town, and she’s the only one who knows who’s responsible, her new best friend, Jupiter.
I received an early copy of this book from @Hambright_Pr and it rocked me to my core! The story has a bit of a Mindf*ck vibe with a twist, so if you’re like me and consider that one of your favourites, you’re going to want to add this one to your TBR. I loved seeing Hallie’s strength, even surrounded by her fear, and while her relationship with Jupiter was complex, it was definitely understandable. Kit had a darker energy right from the beginning, but something about him always gave off protective vibes, and the way he was with Hallie was no different. The vigilante vibes in this story were next level, and I can’t wait to see what will happen next in the series.
July 13, 2026
This right here is why I love arc reading! Five fucking stars ..(check your triggers she’s a dark one but in the best way!) The plot line in this had me sucked in right off of the bat and I could not put the book down! It’s an amazing thing when you love all of the main characters in a book and I was so invested in all of them! The MMC in this book…. Perfection throw in a badass FMC and it makes for one of my favorite reads this year😩
July 18, 2026
I would like to thank the author and Hambright PR for the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release.
3⭐️
I am slightly conflicted with this book.
It deals with serious topics but I found it a bit juvenile at times - which also makes sense considering the lack of parental figures.
I did get blindsided by the twist at the end, I have to admit. However, the characters were underdeveloped in my opinion. And because of the lack of personality they had, I found it difficult to connect with the love story. The timespan also makes it more appropriate for lust than love, but that’s beside the point.
The story itself is DARK and unrealistic in a good (?) way. A lot happens on page and it’s hard to read at times. The characters all have trauma and they do act accordingly. As this is a duet, it doesn’t end with a conclusion but with an interesting cliffhanger.
My issue is really with the character pool. For example the uncle and aunt just disappear from the story.
I will ruminate a bit more on my feelings though.
3⭐️
I am slightly conflicted with this book.
It deals with serious topics but I found it a bit juvenile at times - which also makes sense considering the lack of parental figures.
I did get blindsided by the twist at the end, I have to admit. However, the characters were underdeveloped in my opinion. And because of the lack of personality they had, I found it difficult to connect with the love story. The timespan also makes it more appropriate for lust than love, but that’s beside the point.
The story itself is DARK and unrealistic in a good (?) way. A lot happens on page and it’s hard to read at times. The characters all have trauma and they do act accordingly. As this is a duet, it doesn’t end with a conclusion but with an interesting cliffhanger.
My issue is really with the character pool. For example the uncle and aunt just disappear from the story.
I will ruminate a bit more on my feelings though.
July 25, 2026
WOW!! This book absolutely blew me away!! There was always some crazy action going on and I literally couldn’t stop turning the pages. I was glued to my Kindle and ALMOST finished this in one sitting (too bad I had to go to work the next day…)
Hallie is such a strong FMC, despite everything she goes through. It was almost painful to read, but I related to her pain and felt vindicated by her retribution. I love Dandy as her boy bff, and Kit is the perfect MMC! I really felt for his sad backstory and the trauma he endured too.
Towards the end, I could see the plot twist coming. But because I’m a psychology nerd, I absolutely loved it! And I loved the insight into Hallie with her therapist too
Needless to say, I’m going to need more of this series!! Thank you so much to Monica James 🥹
Hallie is such a strong FMC, despite everything she goes through. It was almost painful to read, but I related to her pain and felt vindicated by her retribution. I love Dandy as her boy bff, and Kit is the perfect MMC! I really felt for his sad backstory and the trauma he endured too.
Towards the end, I could see the plot twist coming. But because I’m a psychology nerd, I absolutely loved it! And I loved the insight into Hallie with her therapist too
Needless to say, I’m going to need more of this series!! Thank you so much to Monica James 🥹
July 26, 2026
ARC 3.5 ⭐
I enjoyed this. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I wasn’t angry about it.
Dark romance, a lot of triggers. A lot of dark topics covered, but they were covered so well!!
My main issue with this was believing how Kit didn’t recognise Hallie when they met again 🙄 but other than that, the book went in a completely different direction to what I was expecting!! It’s not so much focused on the romance as it’s more plot focused I think.. but it’s been set up really well for the second book as a duet. For a dark vibes read, it wasn’t exactly really bingeable! Spicy!!
I enjoyed this. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I wasn’t angry about it.
Dark romance, a lot of triggers. A lot of dark topics covered, but they were covered so well!!
My main issue with this was believing how Kit didn’t recognise Hallie when they met again 🙄 but other than that, the book went in a completely different direction to what I was expecting!! It’s not so much focused on the romance as it’s more plot focused I think.. but it’s been set up really well for the second book as a duet. For a dark vibes read, it wasn’t exactly really bingeable! Spicy!!
July 12, 2026
Hallie
Hallie experienced an intense trauma event. No spoilers here. Please check the Trigger Warnings. This story is Dark and is a quick read.
I received this ARC from the author, thank you Monica. You have written another excellent book.
Hallie experienced an intense trauma event. No spoilers here. Please check the Trigger Warnings. This story is Dark and is a quick read.
I received this ARC from the author, thank you Monica. You have written another excellent book.
July 23, 2026
This author never fails to dissapoint me and I always go into her stories blind and am never dissapointed. Highly recommended
August 7, 2026
I liked it, it definitely kept me intrigued. I lost connections to the characters a few times but the plot made me want to continue. I’ll definitely be checking out book 2.
July 7, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of I Dare You by Monica James. It was super enjoyable and the twist was crazy. It is Marketed as a Dark Romance but I definitely feel it is more psychological thriller with some romance than anything. However definitely worth a read!!!
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