Book Review: Dare You To Run (Unbroken Heroes) by Dawn Ryder

Dare You To Run is the second book in the Unbroken Heroes series by Dawn Ryder. I did not read the first book in the series, Dangerous to Know, but I felt like each book can be read on its own and enjoyed. There is a underlying story arch, but I caught up to that pretty quickly.

For Vitus Hale, only one mission has ever gone wrong. All he had to do was rescue a beautiful woman from her kidnappers. But falling hard into bed—and into love—with the stunning innocent was not part of the game plan, and when she leaves him in the dust, Vitus has nothing but a blemished record and a hardened heart. Now, after three long years, his beauty has finally come back into his life—and this time, failure is not an option. Damascus Ryland knew from their first steamy embrace that stoic warrior Vitus Hale is the only man for her, but when her power-hungry Congressman father offered her an ultimatum—sever ties with Vitus, or he dies—Damascus knew she had to walk away to save the man she loved. But now, three years later, a new threat is closing in on her—and tossing Vitus right back into her life. Damascus needs to keep her love for him locked in her heart if she is to keep him safe, but the old flame that burned between them is still as vibrant and hot as ever. Now, Damascus and Vitus must risk it all to find their freedom, and embrace their love.

Dare You To Run is a high action romance that start off with our main players already well aquatinted. The back story is covered well, as are the motives and emotions of both Vitus and Damascus. The dangerous side of politics and power is very clear, and none of the characters are easily defined or put into a box. Even the bad guys think they are doing things for a good reason, although they most often do not agree with it. The interplay between Damascus and Vitus is very well done. The tension between them is palpable, even when they do not want to let go and let each other in. I think all the intrigue; hiding, rescuing, fighting, and so on is well done- but there were moments when I felt like there was just too much Ryder wanter to cover in the book. There is not much that could be left out and still have the needed ground work to answer all the hows and whys raised by the book, so maybe it was just me not being in the mood for more intrigue after reading too many romantic suspense novels too close together.

Dare You To Run is a entertaining read, but it did not grab me as much as her Rock Band series. It was still a good read, but I was somehow hoping for even better.