Amazon.com: Customer reviews: If You Dare (A Deanna Madden Novel Book 3)

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TWO PART REVIEW WITH SPOILERS

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2021

This part of the review is for the book itself. Great characters, throughout this series. The storyline was good, it made me very sad at the end. A lot of angst, this girl truly thinks she is a bad person and is undeserving of love. I felt that she was very damaged by her past and any bad she did was always deserved.
Onto series review:
I was very disappointed with the fact that the last chapter of the first book was left in. It was deceitful to the readers in making them believe things were going to turn out one way when they did not. I realize the author was not planning on this being a series, but it would have been simple to remove it, or have it in the last book as a fantasy daydream.This makes my rating for the series a 3.5.
If you are writing another book in the series which will make sense of the last chapter, I apologize and will amend this review.

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J. Poole

Continuity Issues Abound

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021

Overall, I quite enjoyed the series as light summer reading, but there are some major continuity issues!

Book 1 has an ending that simply doesn't continue or even relate at all to Book 2.

Jeremy's eye colour changes several times. In Book 1 his eyes start out green, then somehow they are blue. In Book 2, his eyes are now brown only to become green again later.

Deanna states to Marcus that she does not like the c-word, then she uses it herself more than once in a pleasurable manner.

Deanna drives Jeremy's truck because she "hasn't driven in so long" but she actually drove two weeks prior to that.

Deanna refers to her lack of ass-kicking skills and to not having any muscle tone, and yet she thinks she can somehow strangle somebody to death -- which, in reality not only takes physical strength but it also takes several minutes.

She refers to Dr Derek alternately as being her psychologist or psychiatrist. They aren’t the same. Each of these professionals has a different educational background, training, and role in treatment.

"I would have patted myself on the back if it didn't interrupt my view." Seriously? you can, in fact, pat yourself on the back from several positions of either arm without interrupting your view.

I'm hoping for Book 4 and much better continuity!

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J. Poole

Continuity Issues Abound

Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2021

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Sandy Barg

TWO PART REVIEW WITH SPOILERS

Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2021

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Alana

Third book overly detailed and blabbering nonsense

Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2021

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So I really do love these books, after reading the 1st one I had to get the second, which was probably my favorite and ended up getting the 3rd within a day of finishing the 2nd. I was excited for this one but there was just a whole lot of talk about nothing important, as if some sentences needed to fill up the book more with useless information. It’s very different from the first 2 as they kept the readers attention the whole time and something was always happening. This one, not so much. A few times I fell asleep reading it but I told myself I needed to finish it because of how much I loved the story. The sequel overall is 5/5 but this book itself id give a 4/5

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TJCrouch

A MUST READ!

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2015

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Deanna Madden...A name you will NEVER forget. If You Dare is the third book in the Deanna Madden Series, the first being The Girl in 6E and the 2nd being Do Not Disturb. When I read Do Not Disturb it quickly became my favorite out of the series, however, If You Dare has now taken that spot. There is so much emotion in If You Dare. Throughout the book we get a look at the "true" Deanna....her strengths, her fears, her heartbreak.

"It is how I was made; it is how I will be until the day I that I die."

Deanna struggles with so much, yet as always Deanna prevails. She is a fighter who never gives up. Deanna knows what she must do to survive and she puts her plan into action. She is one of the toughest book heroines I have ever had the pleasure of reading about.

Alessandra Torre NEVER disappoints! Each book has its own different twist....#TORRESTYLE. As usual I was on the edge of my seat reading. I didn't want to put it down until I was completely finished, but then I didn't want it to end. I read the ending several times- each time begging for more.

I don't want to give anything away about this book- so you MUST read it! While it can be read as a standalone it is recommended to read them in order:
Book 1: The Girl in 6E
Book 2: Do Not Disturb
Book 3: If You Dare

Read it...you will not be disappointed!

8 people found this helpful

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JAC

Deanna is an angel in a devil disguise!

Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2017

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I was screaming "YESSSSS" before I even read this book! Deanna's story continuing....you have to read this if you have read the first two!
Again it keeps going soon after Book 2. You could read it as a standalone, but I would think you would miss out on too much of the characters buildups for this book to be as enjoyable.
After book 2 taking such a different turn than book 1 you think where can this story go now?
Ya, its best not to even question Torre at this point, she is going to deliver! She wouldn't know how to give us a subpar story at this point.
That said, I was guessing at every turn in this book. I wanted it to go one way, but this being a Deanna story line, we have learned anything could happen.
So many unexpected things do happen in his book. Good and bad.
Once again I hope to see the story continue after this one.
One thing Torre does at the end of all 3 of these books, she leaves it without a cliffhanger, so your not sitting and waiting for the next book. Well you are waiting and hoping there is a next book, but it's not in the angsty way where you are left unsatisfied.
No she builds up the story, then has an amazing "Holly Fricken Amazing" ending! That can either be the last of these characters, or she can continue with the next chapter in the characters lives.
And here is hoping Deanna isn't done with us yet!

3 people found this helpful

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DonnaC

Un-Put-Down-Able from AR Torre

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2015

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If You Dare (Deanna Madden #3) by AR Torre
5 stars!!!

“I am the girl I never wanted to be but have been for a long time. I am the madness, the demon, the insanity.”

This was the series that brought AR Torre to my attention many years ago. Deanna Madden was one of those characters that always was a bit of a mystery, yet despite all her faults and her eccentricities she was one character that had totally endeared herself to me. Yes, I felt sorry for her, yes, I empathised and sympathised but most of all I was intrigued, who or what had made Deanna, Deanna?

“I can only keep the crazy confined for so long.”

In this book we delve deeper into Deanna’s psyche but this is definitely a story of personal growth for Deanna. The self-imposed reclusive is slowly beginning to realise that there is a life outside of 6E. Just as she begins to make those baby steps to a little freedom something happens that leads Deanna to question everything and puts her right back to square one. Deanna is facing her biggest challenge in this book, who is friend, who is foe? Who can she trust? Can she trust herself?

“I’ve become much more comfortable with lying than I’ve ever been with telling the truth.”

Jeremy, our favourite UPS man really tries to get through to Deanna, he starts to push her boundaries little by little and tries to bring her out into the open. He becomes a bit more forceful in this book, but for the good and he is gentle with it. He knows he has to tread carefully for Deanna’s sake as well as his own. He loves Deanna, he can’t help it, but he needs a little “normal,” however, as we all know, there is nothing “normal” about Deanna.

“And therein lay the problem. There was a strong possibility he was in love with a psychopath.”

I loved Mike in this book, he is Deanna’s one constant and someone that she can rely on, always. He is the only person that knows all there is to know about Deanna and he is the one person that is always there, no matter the time or circumstances. He really steps up to the plate in this book and is one awesome friend. Everyone needs a Mike.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end, my heart was in my mouth for most of it. AR Torre has always packed a punch with this series and If You Dare is no different. With multiple POV’s and flips from past to present, AR Torre slowly drip feeds you the pertinent information that you need to understand what is actually going on. The first half of this book I was as confused as hell, but in a good way. It is this confusion that leads you to question everything you are reading, looking for clues and that one piece of information that could potentially put the lid on the can of worms that is If You Dare.

“He was the one clean thing in my life, so I held him close. Seduced him further, let him love. I was too selfish not to.”

AR Torre masterfully weaves that tangled web and you are the poor fly caught on the outskirts waiting for that big bad spider to come and gobble you up. The anticipation of being spider dinner is forever present as you struggle against what you are reading, yet still manage to absorb. But it is your impatience and fervour to understand that keeps those pages turning wildly and made this a truly un-put-downable read for me.

“It was a fun game. And now it is over.”

Once again, I applaud AR Torre for another astounding read. Those that follow me know that Hollywood Dirt is my favourite read of the year so far and now we have another contender for that spot, If You Dare. It seems AR Torre is getting a little greedy and wanting those top spots all to herself. But this just goes to show her diversity and her talent, from one extreme to the other the words speak for themselves, whether it be romantic comedy or mystery suspense, this woman knows how to write.

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Jenny Vee

Another fascinating installment

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2015

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If You Dare is the third installment of the Deanna Madden series and it does not disappoint. One thing I like about this series, other than the characters and concept, is the fact that each book is unique in the way the story approaches Deanna’s life and the challenges she is facing. It isn’t the same story modified slightly over and over. Each book allows us to see a new facet of Deanna and some of the situations that arise when one is a presumed sociopath.

If there is one thing people should know about Deanna it is do not, under any circumstance, mess with the people she cares about. It is easy to watch over your loved ones when you can count them on one hand. This woman will, quite literally, hunt you down and mutilate you. And enjoy it. Immensely.

If You Dare takes the reader between the past and present, approximately three weeks part; between relationship highs and lows for Deanna and Jeremy, and then to an ongoing police investigation with Deanna as the primary suspect. Deanna sinks to new emotional lows and new dark highs and watching it all unfold is quite intense. Deanna in jail is fascinating, to say the least, and it is behind bars that the reader gets a more intimate look at her psyche.

Why didn’t I give this five stars? The primary reason is because I was able to guess early on where the story was going. This normally wouldn’t be such a big deal but Alessandra Torre has trained me to expect the unexpected and that, when it comes to her books, my gut is not as reliable as I think. I chalk it up to holding writers of high quality to high standards.

This is a solid addition to a fascinating, riveting, and unique series. I truly hope we see more from Deanna in the (cross my fingers) near future. One thing of note, if you enjoyed reading about Mike in the previous books you will enjoy seeing him here, vulnerable in a new way. Yay, Mike! If you have not read this series yet, you are missing out on something great. I’m a huge fan of anything Alessandra Torre writes. I think she is a brilliant and witty writer who is full of versatility and class. This series is a prime example of all of that.

3 people found this helpful

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Anaïs Neumann

5 out of 5 Stars

Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2016

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First and foremost, you have to know that If You Dare is not a standalone, but book #3 in the Deanna Madden series, which you definitely need to read in order to understand the circumstances under the main character Deanna Madden. If you haven't, please do not read on, otherwise you might be exposed tu huge spoilers.

Deanna Madden is a self-proclaimed psycho- and sociopath and has locked herself away from the world in order to prevent herself from causing anyone harm. She spends her days in her Tulsa apartment, waiting for supply deliveries and earning big bucks the only possible way: by entertaining her adult webcam alter-ego Jessica Riley.

In the previous books, we've witnessed Deanna get closer to her UPS delivery guy Jeremy Pacer. He's the only individual that she ever let into her apartment, and the only person apparently able to appease her killer instincts. It felt like he was the key for her to lead a normal life. However, in If You Dare , Deanna is being accused of murder - was she the murderer, and if so, why would she have done it?
"And therein lay the problem. There was a strong possibility that Jeremy was in love with a psychopath."

Well, let me start by saying that If You Dare is by far the most suspenseful and thrilling novel I've read. It definitely deserves a place within my All-Time Faves and 2015 Best Reads. It's so good I can't even write a proper review because I would spoil it all for you. Just let me tell you that this book is a roller-coaster of emotions and of second guessing your judgement. I couldn't put the book down because I refused to believe Deanna's fate would be sealed and end her in a prison cell.
"Yeah, I'd like to be normal too. I'd like to walk outside and not try to kill someone. I'd like to pick a boyfriend out of choices, not because he's the only person in three years who hadn't run screaming or died beneath my hands."

The writing was, as always, just perfect. Alessandra Torre's writing style never disappoints and is executed in a way that will make it impossible for you to lose interest, and in a way that makes the book more mysterious than ever. In If You Dare , the reader gets to experience not only Deanna's POV, but also Jeremy's, the PD officer's and Deanna's "partner in crime" Mike. Every page and chapter are filled with additional tidbits that will keep you second guessing your assumptions. Did Deanna really do it? Why? Maybe it was someone else, but what would be their motives? In other words, it was the perfect thriller. Especially since Deanna, who used to be such a though cookie, is now faced with a completely different scenario - one that isn't planned - and clearly has to face her limits.

Throughout the book, I was rooting for a happy-ending for Deanna - for her to have a shot at normal life. I wasn't exactly rewarded with a HEA at the end of the book, but I have hope that the Deanna Madden series will continue, and that there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Well, in any case, the next Deanna Madden novel will be on auto-buy for me.

2 people found this helpful

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A Book A Day

Hungover!

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2015

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Book Hangover... (n)
1. The inability to start a new book because you are still living in the old book's world;
2. The inability to function at work/school because you were up all night binge-reading

Alessandra Torre's, If You Dare, fulfills every definition listed above. As I write this review I am still attempting to catch my breath, to clear my head. To wonder where can she go from here? To comprehend her talent. Words, I'm looking for words to describe, review, and share what this book did to me. How do you put into words that a book ripped you to shreds, and put you back together again? That left you with heart palpitations, and the inability to read anything else. How do you describe the amazing talent, the anomaly that is Alessandra Torre?

If You Dare is so versatile that expectations are a waste of time. So intense that balancing on the edge seems safe. So mind boggling that confusion is imminent. Alessandra took a chance on a character that is not your typical heroine and over the course of three books created a psychological thriller like none other I have ever read. This series made her someone I respect, I understand, I admire.

I am a ferocious reader and an author has to have the amazing ability to capture and to hold my attention, to cause me to lose myself to the point I am speechless, to have me so engrossed with a book that a world outside of the novel cease to exist. Alessandra Torre has that amazing skill.

Twisted, convoluted, passionate, terrified, are all words I would use to describe Deanna Madden. Yet there is something deeper than what we superficially see. She is embodied by something so dark that searching for the light is her only option. She is searching for good in the midst of turmoil. She is exploring love while not understanding it. She is seeking her soul while lost in the anguish of hell. She is chasing redemption.

Deanna’s search is lined with demoralization, intimidation, panic, angst and characters that trigger her depravity. There is no one better than Alessandra Torre to direct us through her discovery of self-preservation. There is no author more equipped with the ability to indulge us in psychological warfare than Alessandra.

This book caused me to dig deep into my inner psyche and think about being pushed to a point, sometimes a point of no return. This book showed me a love so out of the ordinary anything else will fail in comparison. This book pushed me on the edge of the cliff only to pull me back in just as I was about to topple over. This book made me look at myself differently

As I sit back and think over the last few days and the impact this book had on me I know Deanna Madden will forever be in my heart, Alessandra Torre will always be in my top five of authors and If You Dare will forever be etched in my mind.

If You Dare to pass on this book, to not enter Deanna’s world and to ignore the talent of Alessandra Torre, you will have done yourself a terrible injustice.

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3341

Loved this book! Also, where can I get me a Mike

Reviewed in the United States on November 10, 2017

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As imperfect as she was, I really liked Deanna. Her stuggle to stay sane every day felt so real in the writing. Her love for Jeremy equally as real. This book like the others before it was riviting and a complete page turner. I’m thrilled that there will be a continuation of Deanna’s story, as I still have so many questions. Not the least of which is what happened to the good doctor... he just sort of just dropped off the map. I want to know how Jeremy is doing and I do wish there was more descriptive wrap up with Chelsea. I didn’t care for that character. I’d have liked to know what happened with her. Will Mike and Deanna ever meet in person? So many questions!

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If You Dare (A Deanna Madden Novel Book 3)

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