Thanks to Booksprout and NetGalley for copies of this book; this is my freely given opinion.

This is the 4th book in the Debutante Dares series, featuring Katherine, a more background character in the previous books; a widow who was at times played the chaperone or companion, especially to Jane, from book 2.

Katherine is a widow, and the story opens a couple of years before the time period of the bulk of the novel. During that time, she has met Edmund, Viscount Escher, the brother of Jane, and son of a widowed earl. They share of love of literature and have become good friends, and Edmund has decided that he wants to marry Katherine. The day he decides to propose, nothing goes right for him... and ultimately it ends in disaster because just before he pops the question, prior mishaps notwithstanding, he finds out that his father has just proposed to Katherine's younger sister. Ultimately this would make them family... but Edmund still decides to propose anyways. However, Katherine had spent a large portion of her life bending to the will of her younger sister, to make life easier for Chrissy, and as such, the younger sister has ended up becoming quite spoiled and a little tyrant, using Katherine for everything. As such, Katherine declines Edmund's proposal, with great regret, because she absolutely cannot stand the idea of continuing to live in a house with Chrissy there to dominate and domineer Katherine's time and energy. Edmund's heart is broken...

Fast forward a couple of years. Edmund is still a bachelor, deciding that if he cannot have Katherine, he will stay unwed. Katherine, despite her excuses to Edmund, is still living with Chrissy and essentially doing all the duties of a Countess, without the benefits, or any benefit, including privacy, respect, gratitude, or appreciation. They live in the same household, and Edmund is confused because she did not leave to live independently as she said she wanted; and when he thought he was getting over her, she muddied the waters further by giving into temptation and sleeping with him.

Katherine hates how she is treated, and hates the reminder of what she gave up. She has a plan to gain independence though, and that involves a secret she has, that she was a successful author of several children's books in the past, under her husband's publishing business, and she wants to approach the ex-partner to republish them. But he will only reissue them if Katherine writes new stories. Katherine initially is a bit stymied as she hasn't been inspired to write for awhile and has many things on her plate, doing what Chrissy and the Earl demand of her, as a poor relation living with them (aka unpaid serf). Edmund has decided to try to see what Katherine really feels about him and see where a relationship can go. He ends up becoming her muse for new stories, and they end up falling into a passionate affair.

Chrissy and the Earl are terrible, interfering life-sucking selfish, navel gazers who resent anyone taking Katherine's time, because that means that Chrissy has to take some responsibility, which upsets her, which in turn upsets the Earl because then he has to deal with it. As such, they interfere in the Katherine and Edmunds lives and plans for the future. I have to admit I rather despised both those characters for what selfish a--holes they were being. But then again, some of the fault lies with Katherine and Edmund too, for letting them get away with it and enabling the behaviour to begin with. I just with Katherine grabbed her own happiness to begin with, rather than let her sister dictate her life... but then again, if that were the case, we would not have this story, would we?

This was a fun addition to the series. I enjoy Charlie Lane's writing because she has such amusing prose, and a joyful way of spinning an amusing story.

3.5 stars out of 5.

Katherine is tired of her sister depending on her for everything. Edmund wants to marry Katherine but she wants some freedom. After rejecting his offer she spends two lonely years trying to avoid him even though they live in the same house. Edmund is patient and Katherine decides she wants him in her bed. Slowly she will let her heart be engaged. She will have to put her foot down with her sister and put words into action in order to marry Edmund.

Don’t you dare ,my dear by Charlie Lane

Edmund Crenshaw’s attempt to propose to widow Mrs Katherine Brighton are thwarted by his widowed father proposed to Katherine’s younger sister. After two long years of her manipulative sister Katherine wants her own life and independence . The real journey for Edmund and Katherine begins - will they be together or will they be forever apart?

Follow the twists ,turns, humour and characters to love and loathe.

Another extremely well written book from Charlie

Edmund, Lord Escher's, heart's desire is to marry Katherine, Mrs. Brighton, a widow. Edmund's proposal goes to the wayside when his father proposes to Katherine's sister before he can propose to Katherine. Katherine does everything for her younger sister, Chrissy, and won't consider Edmund's proposal now that her sister is marrying the earl. WHINE! WHINE! WHINE! For two years, Edmund has put his life on hold waiting for Katherine. He wants their relationship to change, but he isn't sure he can convince Katherine to let go and live her own life. I do not, do not like Chrissy at all. She is one of the most selfish characters I've recently read in a book. The way she manipulates Katherine is heartbreaking. Let's not mention Lady Edith. Edmund is very funny and unlike any other hero. He tends to take things in stride and goes with the flow with a charming smile, but.... he can be one fierce viscount when protecting Katherine. My favorite part of the book has to be the epilogue with an outstanding performance by Edmund.❤️
Heat level 3 🔥🔥🔥
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

This is first book in the series I have read but it wasn't a problem to read on it's own. As well written as usual it is a fun, humorous and entertaining read with great characters. Edmund & Kat are opposite's but perfect for each other & the chemistry between the pair sizzled. The younger sister just seemed spoilt and needed a god slap to sort her out. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Netgalley and Wolf Publishing for providing an ARC to review.

In this sizzling Regency romance by Charlie Lane, a cheerful viscount would rather have the grumpy chaperone than the daring debutante. If only the latter didn't prove to be quite so irresistible.

I wanted to love this book. The character intro was well done, and the twist to keep the OTP (One True Pairing) apart was unique and unexpected. But then everything just fizzled into a mess. Every time I thought of DNFing this novel, the writer created some witty dialogue that kept me invested, but it wasn't enough to make me recommend this novel.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was steamy, fun and held my interest. I wanted to find out what would happen next. This book can be read as a standalone story, though it is book 4 in the Debutante Dares series. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books in this series as well as other books by this author.

Edmund's plans to propose to Katherine go very wrong when his widowed father proposes to her younger sister minutes before he has a chance. Two years later, they are all living in the same home, and their feelings have only grown stronger. But Katherine is set on having her independence. She was forced to marry before to provide for her little sister, and, now a widow, she is forced to help her sister in her new role as a countess. So she is determined to write another novel and live an independent life. But when a very daring and dedicated debutante is chasing after Edmund, she agrees to help him, and Edmund uses the opportunity to convince her to say yes this time when he proposes. I loved this book! It was such a fun plot, and the characters were so engaging! I love the formal rules in regency romances, but it was interesting to read a book where the characters could be less formal around each other. Because Katherine is a widow, she and Edmund have fewer societal pressures and rules around their courtship, and I loved it! Edmund was hilarious, and I loved how much he loves Jane Austen and references them all the time. Also, the combination of the very practical Katherine, and the daydreaming Edmund was wonderful!

Thank you to Wolf Publishing, Netgalley, and Charlie Lane for an ARC in exchange for my honest review! I am so glad I picked up this series! I don't know how I will wait for the next book to come out!

What fun. A romance with a difference. Thwarted love, a hero with a sword stick and books written and those still be published, not to mention a ball like no other.
This is a regency romance for the mature lady and not a debutante for a change, not a governess, not a companion. But a sister who loved too well and kept her sister in childhood too long. And a favourite phrase.

I appreciated the story of Edmund and Katherine’s non-traditional love. Not like so many other Regency books, they had to deal with som obstacles to freely show their love. For those that love the era and want a different style, this book is for you.

Don’t You Dare, My Dear by Charlie Lane is the fourth book in the Debutante Dares series. After Mrs. Katherine Brighton turns down his marriage proposal, Edmund Crenshaw, Viscount Escher, refuses to marry anyone else. He will only marry Katherine. When he discovers a debutante in his coach, Edmund is determined to prevent a scandal that would force him into marriage with the girl. Katherine longs to escape the grasp of her needy younger sister. Katherine is secretly the author of a popular out-of-print book. She convinces a publisher to reprint it if she writes another as well. Edmund, the man she reluctantly refused to marry, becomes her muse. In exchange for his help with her book, she helps him rid himself of the debutante. Sparks fly between Katherine and Edmund, and Katherine might just say yes this time around.

This book is a fun read. I liked the dynamic between Edmund and Katherine. I will definitely check out the rest of the series!

Read it in one sitting. Everything about this volume is wonderful - now eagerly looking forward go through previous books. Characters, world, civilisations, intrigue... More please!.

This book is perfect for Bridgerton fans! I loved the premise of it and thought it was a cute romance.

Edmund, older brother to Jane from Book 2, has his story here. He was rejected two years ago by Katherine because her younger sister got engaged to his father and she hoped to get away from the spoiled and needy girl. Unfortunately, she's still stuck doing her sister's duties and living in the same house as the man she rejected. He is still in love with her after all this time and refuses to marry anyone else. They renew their relationship after a drunken night and when Katherine realizes that Edmund's sunshiney personality helps her write a novel.

What a great story! It's not the same old, same old Regency romance novel. It's a new take on my favorite period. It's well written and just a terrific read. The characters are well developed and it entertains from start to end.

Katherine and Edward have many obstacles to true love, especially family. I enjoyed the banter and funny quips in the story. A bit too much drama for my taste.

I received an ARC of this novel from the author and Bookbuzz.net, in return for an honest review.

This was a charming marshmallow puff of a novel, perfect for an unseemly chilly spring weekend. I actually preferred the narcissistic Christiana to the all-to-perfect Katherine. I'll always choose the bad boy/girl over the saintly over-functioning one!

The story rolls along, as our male hero pines for his lost love who's become, uncomfortably, his aunt. Then they toss aside all strictures to let their love blossom in the bedroom, and overcome some distracting barriers on the way to true bliss. There was never any doubt that we would end up with the requisite happily-ever-after scenario.

This is definitely in the category of "historical romance filled with 21st century sensibilities." I give it 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. I will watch for more from this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free e-arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own

This was such a fun, delightful book!! Edmund and Katherine were wonderful main characters and I was sucked into their story and throughly engaged. I love me a pragmatic heroine and a soft hero

I especially identified not only with Katherine 's desire to make her own way and be her own person, but also her fear and hesitancy to do so and how there was always a reason that she hadn't started yet, without even meaning to put it off. I've been feeling like I'm there myself lately, so it hit home especially hard and was so nice to see

The plot was fun, if a bit over the top, but in a good way. I adored Edmund and his schemes xD

It was a strange premise, the way Edmund and Katherine were connected, and I felt the book kept drawing attention to it which only made it weirder. And their was far more sex than I expected. I skipped at least one full chapter. But also, it's a romance, so expected, just was a lot more than I anticipated

All in all, it was a fun read with characters I throughly enjoyed! Even though I haven't read the previous books I wasn't lost, and had a lot of fun getting lost in Edmund and Katherine's story 💕

Viscount Escher (Edmond) arrives at a cottage to propose to Katherine Brighton. She is a widow with no children and they have been courting. Just before he gets to the question her sister arrives home announcing the news that she is engaged to be married to no less that Edmond’s father. Katherine has spent her life caring for her spoiled and hapless sister and declines Edmond knowing they’d all be in the same household together. Fast forward two years and Katherine is still taking care of all the duties her sister should be. Edmond still would like to marry Katherine and he is being pursued by a young debutant neighbor. Katherine is finally taking matters in hand trying to get out from her under her sister's thumb.

The premise starts well but then the story bogs down. I didn’t love the whole matchmaking for the debutante storyline. And the main reason Edmond couldn’t set up his own household was his sister so I’m not clear why once she was married it didn’t occur to him to do something then. I think part of the issue is that we we never see Edmond and Katherine fall in love or court. It has already occurred. They do get a couple outings as a second chance but its more about them getting intimate. I liked Katherine and wanted her out from her sister’s manipulations but I didn’t care if she got with Edmond, someone else or even on her own. I read as a stand alone. It is part of a series and if their courtship is part of another book it might explain their connection more.

Thank you to NetGalley, Wolf Publishing and the author for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is my third Charlie Lane book, although the other two were from another Series. What I love most about Ms. Lane's books is the humor. Edmund is a charming, wacky and gentle character. Katherine nurtures everyone, but herself, but after two years of longing for Edmund she is starting to realize she deserves happiness too. There is a bit of reverse Cinderella in this story and the HEA is found through a comedy of errors. Charming! 4-1/2 stars

Thank you to Wolf Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.