Just Dare Me by Stephanie Bond

Predictable but enjoyable romance

4 stars

Marketing executive Gabrielle Flannery is tired of being overlooked and undermined at work so when the opportunity arises to manage the account of the biggest outdoor equipment company – she jumps at the chance.

But she didn’t bet on the office heart-throb and all round marketing whiz, Dell Kingston, wanting to handle the account too.

So to win the account – the pair must head off on a wilderness survival weekend and compete against each other. Since he’s in touch with the great outdoors (and she’s anything but) he reckons he’s on to a sure thing. But he doesn’t count on the distraction of Gabby’s sexy legs and she certainly has a few other tricks up her sleeve.

And nothing stimulates a sexual appetite like a campfire, the great outdoors and a healthy bit of lust!

This was a fun romance as an ‘ugly duckling’ goes up against a gorgeous, confident man that she has worked with, and had a crush on, for a long time.

Any woman who has ever felt that she faded into the background will identify with Gabby and cheer her on as she tries to take control of her life. Dell is a good hero – outdoorsy, gorgeous and just a little bit cocky.

The story is very engrossing and keeps you turning the pages although the plot itself is fairly predictable. There is plenty of anticipation and build up toward the sex scenes yet there maybe aren’t as many as I would have liked!

Overall, I was debating between 3 and 4 stars for this particular book. I settled on 4 as despite its slight predictability, it’s a fun, entertaining and well-written book that I very much enjoyed. A good, light read for fans of Blaze romances.