😍REVIEW: "Daring the Bad Boy" by Monica Murphy (YA Romance)

Daring the Bad Boy by Monica Murphy
	Publisher: Entangled Publishing (Teen Crush) Genre: YA Romance, Young Adult Publication Date: August 22, 2016 Series: Endless Summer (#2) Keeping Her Secret (#1) by Sarah Nicolas (affil.) (Affiliate links)
Description from Publisher:
Truth or Dare was never this much fun... Annie McFarland is sick of being a shy nobody. A session at summer camp seems like the perfect opportunity to reinvent herself—gain some confidence, kiss a boy, be whoever she wants to be. A few days in, she’s already set her sights on über-hottie Kyle. Too bad her fear of water keeps her away from the lake, where Kyle is always hanging out. Jacob Fazio is at Camp Pine Ridge after one too many screw-ups. Junior counseling seems like punishment enough, but the rigid no-fraternizing-with-campers rules harsh his chill. When a night of Truth or Dare gets him roped into teaching Annie how to swim, she begs him to also teach her how to snag Kyle. Late-night swim sessions turn into late-night kissing sessions...but there’s more on the line than just their hearts. If they get caught, Jake’s headed straight to juvie, but Annie’s more than ready to dare him to reveal the truth. Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains references to drinking, sexual situations, adult language, and an intense bad boy hero who will melt your heart.
My Rating:	Heat Rating:
My Musings:
Cute, sweet YA romance! Great for Summer, especially with the setting of summer camp on a lake. Our heroine, Annie, was likable and a very relatable introvert, though her naivete was a bit frustrating at times. I absolutely adored the hero, Jake. He was the bad boy with a good heart that you can't help but love (and who isn't necessarily even that "bad."). The way they meet, and the way their romance unfolds is sweet, and the comfortable friendship they develop feels very natural. I did find myself thinking that it felt like Jake was much more into Annie, and more selfless, which was disappointing. This may have been a result of Annie's crush on the "hottest guy at camp", Kyle, and the fact that I really didn't understand Kyle's appeal at all. The thing that almost immediately turned me off of Kyle was one of Annie's group commenting on how he had kissed each of them at one point or another, as if that was attractive or something? Though, from an outsider trying to fit in's point of view, I do understand her getting with Kyle as the ultimate "Now you're one of us!" At times, the innocence of this and Annie's naivete made me feel as though she were younger than her 16 years. Having been that 16-year-old girl who hadn't dated or ever been kissed, I could relate to her some, but some of her actions felt much more appropriate for someone younger. The way that she handled the biggest conflict near the end of the story in particular felt beneath her intelligence. The way that everyone around her seemed to support what she did and expect Jake to apologize for what he said to her rubbed me the wrong way. Her reactions were often overly melodramatic. I do also feel that the issues the two had were deep, but 'gotten over' quickly. Annie's, in particular, was pretty huge since it was "her fault." I also can't imagine why she wouldn't have seen a therapist. I would have preferred something less traumatic having happened to her, since it didn't get a lot of time or depth. Overall, this was a fun, lighthearted summer read that I would recommend to someone who is a fan of YA Romance. I love Monica Murphy's style, and she creates some wonderful characters that, even with their flaws (or because of them) you still can't help but like them.
I received a digital ARC from the publisher for an honest, unbiased review. This in no way influenced my review. My opinion is my 100% own.

About Monica Murphy
New York Times, USA Today bestselling author and #1 international bestselling author. A believer in kissing. A believer of love. I also write contemporary romance as USA Today bestselling author Karen Erickson.