Linebacker Colt "45" Butler is completely at ease on the gridiron but doesn't handle public appearances all that well, but a rising star is threatening his presence in the starting line-up, so when he's selected by his team to go on a cruise to the Bahamas with fans, he has no choice but to comply. His handler during the cruise will be Angie Diaz, who cannot afford any mishap because she has a promotion riding on the success of that cruise.

Unfortunately things get complicated right from the onset: Angie and Colt had a one-night-stand the year before in Las Vegas, no one knows about their sexcapade; their mutual attraction hasn't faded one bit, but they try as much as they can to stay out of each other's way so as not to compromise their respective goals. Angie has seen too many friends who had their hearts broken by football stars, so she keeps athletes at a distance, but the fire that was ignited still smoulders and threatens to engulf Angie and Colt.

HOT DARE is set in Carly Phillips' Dare to Love world, and one needs not be familiar with the series to thoroughly enjoy Ms. Flynn's contribution. HOT DARE features a large cast of characters, all very well- fleshed out, all of them serving a purpose, and some to hilarious results. Angie and Colt are tremendously appealing characters, and there is some epic sizzle between the two.

HOT DARE is a well-crafted, fast-paced story that flows seamlessly, and it's no surprise that witty verbal banter features prominently, given that it's one of Ms. Flynn's forte. There is a most unexpected plot twist which I enjoyed a lot, and gave even more depth to the story.

HOT DARE's ending is one of the most entertaining and fun I've read in a long time, if not ever: I closed the book with a smile on my face that stayed there a long time! Talk about finishing on a high note!