After reading Abiola Bello’s Christmas themed stories, I was excited to see she was releasing a book set in summer. The Love Dare is a YA romance that is full of humour, friendship and adorable moments.

Eva is used to men falling for her without trying. So, when her best friend dares her to take to a guy at Notting Hill Carnival, she meets Saint. Saint connects with Eva and agree to attend her upcoming birthday party, but it is clear he isn’t interested in her in that way.

When Eva’s friends set her the ultimate dare to get Saint to fall in love with her, Eva makes it her mission to find out all about Saint and his interests. But, as Saint warms to Eva, she warms to him. But, could the dare ruin it all.

I adored Eva and Saint. Both bring something different to the story and I wanted nothing but the best for both of them. Eva is hilarious, caring and trying to work out what to do next in life. Saint always looks out for those around him, is so sure of himself and would do anything for people he cares about. The pair together were adorable. I loved watching their feelings for each other develop and the banter between them both.

We get to meet a few side characters in the book all of which are excellent and stand out from one another. In particular, I enjoyed the little easter eggs to characters and settings from the author’s previous books.

This book brings up some important discussions including not knowing what to do in regards to going to university or not. I’m glad it discussed both sides of this and how you should do what is best for you in the long run.

Abiola Bello is one of my favourite YA authors out there at the moment. Her writing is funny, honest and full of joy. This book in particular is about embracing what you want, not letting others pressure you and being true to yourself. I think that is an important message for anyone to read.

Overall, The Love Dare is an excellent YA romance novel that will bring you so much joy when reading it. It is fast-paced and a book I’m sure you could read in one sitting. I’d highly recommend it!

[Unfortunately I received this book shortly before the publication date, so my review is a tad late!]

This book was an easy 3.5 star read... and I'll definitely be reading more from Abiola Bello! It was so refreshing to read a romance focused on UK teenagers, two year thirteens on the brink of adulthood... and I had such a fun time reading it.

TLD is a fun, quick romance, set in London during the holidays. It follows Eva, a pretty average teenage girl with a group of smart, cliquey, girly friends... she's on the brink of a relationship with cool boy Jayden, and planning on heading off to university to study law in Nottingham, away from her life and friends.

But as the book progresses, we see Eva open up to new relationships, ideas, hobbies... she makes mistakes - sometimes rather drastic mistakes - and tries her hardest to make those around her happy, not always choosing the right thing to do. I did like Eva as a character, but I just couldn't connect to her as an eighteen-year-old... it was very clear that she had a lot of growing up to do, and I couldn't personally relate to her on a lot of levels.

The writing style is another reason I rated the book slightly lower - I got absolutely hooked and can tell Bello has a real talent for telling stories, but I personally found some of the prose clunky and a little simplistic, which works for a lot of readers, just not for me!

There were so many important messages throughout the books... messages I'm sure a lot of teenagers will benefit from hearing. I hardly read anything at that age about being in your late teenage years - picking a degree, choosing a uni, thinking about what you want from life - and I really do think it would have helped me to decide what I wanted. I loved hearing Abiola Bello's own experience in the note at the back - it was clearly written from the heart.

I'm really excited to read more of Bello's work!

Love in Winter Wonderland is one of my favorite books ever so I had to read this one. I love Abiola her writing style, it's so easy to read and it's so entertaining. I loved all the cultural references and OMG there are soooo many references of Love in Winter Wonderland!! I felt so bad for Saint but I'm glad that everything turned out well! I highly recommend this book, I had such a fun time reading it and I want to share that with all of you guys so please go read this book, it will not disappoint you.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK Children's for this arc.

Very cute, very British YA romance following Eva and Saint who meet at Notting Hill Carnival and through a series of draws, fall in love. This is what I want when I read YA romance - something original and heartwarming and full of colour and life. The characters are wonderfully well rounded, with secondary characters that give new dimension to Eva and Saint without overpowering their love story.

I loved all the uniquely British references, the rich cultural vibes and most of all the developing relationships between Eva and Saint and also their families and friends. It's a well written, well rounded romance that doesn't skimp on the build up of relationships and provides a colourful, cultural backdrop.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Love Dare' by Abiola Bello.

Now this isn't my first rodeo with a novel by Abiola Bello and you can tell that she has a gift for a nice cosy romance with strong leads. A perfect summer read, 'The Love Dare' has something for everyone.

Firstly the front cover is absolutely stunning, I love the artwork.

This is my second book by Abiola Bello and again I have loved it. I love the story of a dare between friends and its based on the reality of young black woman heading for university.

I felt Abiola really researched the different subjects ie carnival, comics and anime. I really like her writing style makes me feel like I relate to the characters especially when I was their age.

I enjoyed the Saint character, his character was cool in his own way. I enjoyed the ending of the book also.

I would definitely recommend

This was another cute YA romance read from Abiola Bello and I enjoyed following Eva and Saint's story, especially getting more of a feel for Saint's character as the story progressed. Alongside the romance side of things, Eva has a close group of friends and this story also explores the messier side of friendships, when you don't always get the support you need and emotions run high. This added a frustrating element (in the sense that I wanted to shake one of Eva's friends) that helped add layers to the story.

Eva is, overall, a good soul and struggles with the initial deception she entered in seeking out Saint, looking for ways to fix her mistakes and protect him from her less pure decisions when feelings begin to grow. It was a sweet slow burn and gives me all those fuzzy feelings as these two opposites attract, and Eva rediscovers things she loves through Saint.

The writing isn't totally well developed, and I did feel really old with a lot of the pop culture references which went straight over my head, but all in all it's a good story and even comes with cameos from characters in Bello's other books.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my early access in exchange for a review.
This is the second book I’ve read from this author .
I’ve read a lot of thrillers recently so needed a lighter form of escapism .
This was a fun read and really cute .
Lots of great characters and kept teenagers authentic .
Perfect for any fans of comic books , geek culture and set in London .
Full of humour and a budding romance but what will happen when the dare is revealed

This was such an adorable book. The ending was a little abrupt, but nevertheless very cute. Also I love the cover art.

Get ready for an incredible journey through the pages of this book! Join three amazing friends as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime during their final summer before pursuing their dreams. Eva, on the brink of starting university, and her dynamic group of girlfriends are determined to check off their bucket list. I'm thrilled to introduce you to this irresistible story. Along the way, Eva crosses paths with Saint, a captivating and charming young man with a deep love for anime and the spoken word. The references to Attack on Titan and its compelling characters add an enchanting layer to the narrative. When Eva, a popular girl accustomed to effortless admiration, meets the introverted comic book enthusiast Saint Rowe-Falade, sparks fly in the most unexpected and delightful ways. Their blossoming relationship, intertwined with a dare to repair Eva's father's damaged car, is a rollercoaster ride of emotions and genuine warmth. Despite a few moments of predictability, the story keeps you hooked with its engaging plot twists and thoroughly developed characters. This heartwarming and gradual romance is a must-read for anyone who craves stories about authentic connections and the rollercoaster of young love. Brace yourself for an unforgettable adventure filled with endless possibilities!


#TheLoveDare #AbiolaBello #SimonandSchuster #YoungLove #Friendship #ComingOfAge #AnimeLove #Bookworms #SummerAdventure #EmotionalJourney.

The prefect YA Summer read!

We follow Eva and her group friends of 3. They are preparing to go to university but before they go, they want to enjoy their summer together. So, they get the opportunity to be in the famous Noting hill Carnival where they start of a series of Dare’s.
Eva has always had a crush on Jayden but when she meets his cousin Saint, she is intrigued.
Her friends notice this and turn up the heat on the dare’s. the dare given to Eva will not only affect her chances with Jayden but equally destroy the relationship between cousins. Their love triangle took me back to my school days. The story is so realistic but fun at the same time. A must read.

Abiola Bello has done it again! The Love Dare is a YA romance that is full of fierce friendships, super cute pairings, and modern humour. If you haven't read one of her books yet, what are you waiting for??

Eva is in her final summer before entering uni, and her band of girlfriends have decided to try to do all the things they wanted to do but never got around to, starting with a communal dare to dance in the Notting Hill Carnival parade. Then she meets Saint, the slightly geeky boy with a love for anime and spoken word...

What starts as a lighthearted summer of fun quickly takes a turn, and I'm not exaggerating when I say I was tense for the majority of this book while I waited for the date dare to slip out. Eva's feelings for Saint are so sweet, and I was so anxious waiting to see what would happen. After the perfection that was the Street Fighter II arcade scene I needed them to work out!

When I got to the ending, I'll admit I was a little disappointed as it was so abrupt. That's the one weakness with these books I've noticed - the build up is incredible, but there is no time for closure or to enjoy the relationship.

Despite this, I still love Bello's writing. Her style is so fresh, honest, and funny. I also love how she turns things that many people find superfluous or dull (like books or retro games) into something really fun and to be proud of. The Love Dare is about embracing what you want, being true to yourself, and not letting others pressure you into something that's not right for you, and I think that's such an important message.

I've had this book on pre-order since finishing her other two novels, and I'm so happy to have been able to read the ARC early. If you enjoy opposites attract or betting tropes, this is one to check out!

4.5 stars

An adorable ode to retro gaming, comic books, and friendship.

According to her friends, Eva could get any guy she wants. Then her friend dares her to score a date with introverted and nerdy Saint. What Eva didn't expect was to fall for him.

As a gamer, I appreciated the way Saint treated Eva playing. I loved the references to games, comics, and Game of Thrones. Eva was a bit shallow, but I appreciated her character growth. I wish this would have been dual POV to get Saint's perspective. I also really liked all the references Bello's previous book as I adored that one.

If you want a lighthearted read with plenty of retro references, look no further!

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

The Love Dare is a charming and cozy romance novel that captures the essence of summer love and teenage dilemmas. When Eva Òjó, a popular girl used to effortless admiration, meets the introverted comic book enthusiast Saint Rowe-Falade, sparks fly in unexpected ways. Their budding relationship, complicated by a dare to repair Eva’s father’s damaged car, is both heartwarming and filled with drama. Despite some predictable moments, the engaging plot twists and well-developed characters keep the story interesting. This sweet, slow-burn romance is perfect for readers who enjoy stories about genuine connections and the ups and downs of young love.

The Love Dare is a cute and cosy romance novel by Abiola Bello.
This was such a cute story, romance readers will love it. The story was cute and I kept rooting for the main characters to get together. Overall, a good novel that I highly recommend.
💖 Thank you to netgalley, the author and publisher for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Eva Òjó, a popular and charismatic girl, is accustomed to boys falling for her effortlessly. When her friend challenges her to dance with a random guy at Notting Hill Carnival, she encounters Saint.

Saint Rowe-Falade, a comic book enthusiast, finds Eva attractive but isn't interested in pursuing a romantic relationship. He prefers immersing himself in stories rather than seeking romance.

The situation takes a turn when Eva's birthday party spirals out of control, resulting in damage to her father's cherished car. To help cover the repair costs, her friends propose a daring plan: get Saint to take her on one date. If successful, they’ll contribute to fixing the car. Thus, "Operation Fall-in-Love-with-Eva" begins.

As Saint begins to warm up to Eva and her feelings towards him deepen, he discovers the truth about the dare. Now, Eva must convince Saint of her genuine affection or risk losing him forever.

Read this if you like:

💋 Ride or Die friends
☀️ Frenemies
💋Overprotective brother
☀️ Summer loving

Cute story with a few twists and turns. The main characters have depth but at times it was a little predictable. Great front cover.

Second book of Abiola Bello's and I loved this one just as much. Interesting from the get go with a mix of interesting characters. Love that there is more than one villainous characters who causes drama. Lots of great drama and plot twists keeping it interesting throughout and kept me glued. I loved the sweet romantic moments and the fact it wasn't just an instant love connection. The ending wasn't what I expected but that's a good thing as it stopped it from being too predictable, it was a sweet ending. Only downside is not knowing what happened with Jayden after all the drama unfolded. All in all a really great, cheesy romance that you can't help but love. Can't wait for when this is published so I can buy my own physical copy!

I discovered Abiola's work late last year and I am so glad. I was desperate to find books by Black British authors just so I could relate more to their experiences, even though she is British African and I am British Caribbean there are still some similarities and overlaps in terms of culture. I loved her first two books and was so excited when she announced her third. The Love Dare was entertaining, romantic and had such likeable and relatable characters. I enjoyed it from start to finish and I love the references to characters from other books - she's created her own little verse and I am here for it! So grateful I got to read this early - loved all the tropes. Will definitely reread!

Okay you totally have me at How to Lose A Guy In 10 Days! My fav movie of all time. I absolutely cannot wait to share my thoughts on this book and see how the chemistry unfolds. I am beyond excited! For me this is going to be the book of the summer! Much more to come very very soon.