Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  Truth or Darren

SERIES:  Games We Play, Book 2

AUTHOR:  D.J. Jamison

PUBLISHER:  Self-published

LENGTH: 331 pages

RELEASE DATE:  August 11, 2022

BLURB:

Truth or…whoa, that’s not how this dare works!

What happens when my big mouth writes a check it can’t cash while taunting my ex’s brother in a game of Truth or Dare? I end up with his tongue in my mouth. In my very straight, totally uninterested mouth.

While I don’t feel anything.

Nothing at all.

In fact, I barely noticed.

So, why can’t I stop thinking about it?

Truth or Darren features a troublemaker with good intentions, a guy who’s none too impressed with his sister’s ex, and an animosity that flares hotter than either of them could ever imagine–but which the townspeople of Granville, Nebraska, are all too happy to speculate about.

REVIEW:

I’m enjoying the playful, low angst feel of DJ Jamison’s Games We Play series. Jamison always does an excellent job developing her characters. She is thoughtful and takes care to ensure they are multi-dimensional, well-rounded individuals. Truth or Darren, the second book in this series, proves that point as it follows in the same vein as the super sweet first book, Never Have I Evan. Jamison seems to have a penchant for romances between opposites, like the jock/nerd pairing of Dawson and Evan in book one and here, between Darren and Linc.  However, while the characters loosely fit a “type”, Jamison refrains from stereotyping them.  Additionally, the cohesiveness of their differences makes sense and feels authentic in context.

Truth or Darren starts with an enemies-to-lovers trope, but the conflict between Darren and Linc resolves fairly quickly.  The dare that initially threw Darren for a loop actually drove him to go all in rather than fall back on avoidance – what we’d typically expect to happen in this type of story.  I liked the refreshing turn of events that has Darren fully embracing his sexuality without hesitation and shedding his skin to allow himself to be completely vulnerable and honest with Linc.  There’s a character “rebirth’ of sorts for both Darren and Linc in this story. What you see of them at the beginning is not what you get as the story progresses.

For Darren and Linc, presumptions and prejudices have driven their fates to some extent.  But what comes through loud and clear here is that the small town of Granville, Nebraska takes care of its own.  This is a town full of quirky people with colorful, contradictory sides – just like Darren and Linc. They are accepting and welcoming. Once you are in, you’re there for life.  This small town is like extended family, and it welcomes Darren and Linc, to Linc’s surprise, with open arms.

Time is spent setting up the next book, with a lot of teasing between Darren’s dad and one of Darren’s closest friends, the flamboyant Kevin.  I’m not sure I’m feeling that relationship yet, but I’m curious to see how Jamison develops their story in the next book.  

Overall, Truth or Darren is an enjoyable read with a heartwarming HEA that will leave you smiling.

RATING: 

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon