If You Dare by Aliyah Burke is the second novel in the Taken Series. I love Ms. Burke’s works and If You Dare is another wonderful and memorable novel. The stories feature the incidents that change the lives of three friends. Kathryn Maynard, who seems the most jaded of all three, experiences something that changes her view of love and commitment. Kathryn’s job as a divorce attorney makes her leery of love and marriage. On an Alaskan cruise, she meets Justin and while she’s not opposed to having a brief affair, she’s under no delusions that there could be anything more. Justin’s career makes it difficult to establish a relationship but Kathryn makes him want to try. Unfortunately, Kathryn doesn’t share his view. I found it interesting that Kathryn is not pushing for a relationship. Even after deciding to be with Justin, Kathryn is fine with not getting married right away. Justin is the kind of guy all women dream of. He’s tall, dark and handsome. His presence discourages confrontation but with his woman, he’s softer and more approachable.

Divorce attorney, Kathryn Maynard has seen enough happily-ever-afters turn into unhappily divorced that she has no interest in marriage. She’s not opposed to having some fun with Justin Kapp, the handsome border patrol agent on board her cruise. Justin is captivated by Kathryn the minute he sees her. He planned on having an uneventful cruise but things are definitely looking up. Under Kat’s business-like attire and calm exterior is a hot and passionate woman. Kat enjoys Justin’s quiet, brooding strength, and his intensity in the bedroom is exactly what she needs. Back from vacation, Kat can’t help missing Justin and wishing they could have had more. As fate would have it, Kat and Justin meet again, but Kat is still skeptical about a long term, long-distance relationship with Justin. Kathryn needs to make a decision to trust her feelings and go after the man she loves or stay away and protect her heart from what it is already experiencing without him – heartbreak.

~ Susan for AReCafe ( )