DNF-- Dare You to Run (Unbroken Heroes #2) by Dawn Ryder

Things did not go well with me and Dare You to Run. I DNF-d at 33%. I usually try to make it to at least 50% but nothing had me engaged or even remotely enjoying it--characters, plot, sex scenes, etc. Basic gist is Vitus rescued Damascus and they got hit with a case of insta-lust/love but then are separated for years before coming back into each others lives... just as she's about to escape her father's clutches.

Alright so what didn't work.

• Their names drove me crazy and felt awkward. Damascus (heroine) and Vitas (hero) are their actual first names and they were used...frequently and pulled me out of the story every dang time. 

• The writing never flowed right for me and felt like when you see someone running around waving their arms in a frenzy... just on paper. It was rush rush rush jump from one thought to the next. 

• Chapters were also endless. There are only 9 chapters in a 300+ page book. I know that may sound like a stupid thing to hang me up but I guess I need more breaks in my reading.

• There were also parts that just left me going...yeah right. She's trapped in a cement tube for a week with no sanitation. Freezing cold, clothes ripped, stench like you wouldn't believe and when he rescues her he's like hubba hubba and how under the horrid stench she smells so good. Um. No, sorry. Also, at 23 she's also never touched herself. If a historical or religious thing I could see but not in a regular contemporary.

• There were some political jabs that felt unnecessary 

• I finally called it quits because at 33% in the heroine still refused to tell him why he had to stay away even though she was in love with him. Just vague... you have to. He's a trained SEAL who could actually help and she opted to be stubborn and refuse to explain which just made him determined to find out because he knew something was wrong. Ah! I hate when people are like that and just won't explain themselves. 

There's apparently some big twist with this one in the end but I just didn't care even a little to find out what. It had some great potential at the very start with the daring rescue and action- it had me excited for a bit-- but I was really disappointed with this one. Others are loving it but in no way was it for me.

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…

 

Challenges: New to You (author) | Goodreads