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Junie Abreheart has a tight group of four friends: two boys and two girls. One of the boys has been her best friend since they were tiny. The other is who her heart skips a beat for. Last summer, they had a secret fling. But something she did ended that — and nearly ruined their friendship. This summer, she wants their friend group to be totally back to normal. But she can’t help but wish she could go back to kissing Graham.
Raised by a single mom in a close, relaxed community in Florida, Junie is doing well overall. But a couple of problems arise this summer: one, her mom tells her they’re going to move in with her boyfriend. That includes moving out of their cute house on the “hippie” side of town and into the doctor boyfriend’s upscale neighborhood. Plus, she’ll have to live with his daughter, Tallulah, who’s pretty much impossible to like.
The second issue is the community theater production. Junie loves theater and is looking forward to the play planned for summer. But when few people show up to put it on, she has to draw on all her resources (namely, her bestie, Milo) to drum up any and all possible bodies to participate. That big ask requires her to owe a big favor to Milo. Their group trades in various levels of favors, and this one is the biggest possible.
By the end of the summer, it would be ideal for her to be able to get along with Tallulah, accept living in a different house, have a great play production under her belt (and be elected drama club president), and have a completely comfortable relationship with Graham. That’s a lot to ask. But could she even ask for more, like a return to romance with him? Readers get to go along for the summer with Junie, having some delightful and sweet experiences along the way.
You Wouldn’t Dare is just what you would want in a good young adult summer romance: light moments with friends, chemistry and banter with a love interest, and fun times.
Rated: High. Profanity includes 25 uses of strong language, around 30 instances of moderate profanity, about 15 uses of mild language, and 45 instances of the name of Deity in vain. There are a few vulgar sexual references; a plot line surrounds a man’s infidelity. Sexual content includes kissing scenes and making out, including hands going under clothing, and mentions of teen characters having sex, but no details. Teens drink alcohol and get drunk.
*I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
