Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. My opinions are my own.

Charlie Lane is a pre-order author for me. Her books are witty with complex characters. Don't You Dare, My Dear is no exception. Edmund and widow Katherine are made for each other and they both know it. The problem is they are tangled in duty, he to his father and she to her self-absorbed, manipulative sister. It takes time and a realization that the situation they are in is much more painful than confronting their loved ones and breaking free.

Along the way, Edmund has to deal with a wealthy debutante determined to do whatever it takes to force him into marriage, while Katherine tries to help him avoid the young lady's schemes in a laugh out loud comedy of errors.

A delightful romp with some steam and a grand HEA.

I've read a few of Charlie Lane's books so was pleased to see the next book of this series arrive.

Edmund, Lord Escher (Escher... is not an English lord name. Yes half the Royal family are German but... no) is a lovely fellow and it never really became clear to me why he fell for Katherine in the first place. I found her pretty tedious.

I didn't love this book - it was full of two dimensional characters and never really felt like it hit its stride.

This is a witty book filled with fun and slapstick.
After the woman he loves rejects his marriage proposal, Edmund Crenshaw, Viscount Escher, has sworn off women. If he can’t marry Mrs. Katherine Brighton, he’ll marry no one. When he discovers a daring debutante in his coach, intent on seduction, he’ll do anything to protect his bachelorhood. He must remain uncompromised or doom himself and the lady to a loveless marriage. Because his heart always has, and always will, belong to only one woman—his Kat.
Katherine must escape her younger sister’s insidious grasp. This Season, she has a heart of steel and a plan for independence. As the secret author of a popular out-of-print book, she will convince the publisher to reprint it and fill her coffers with funds enough to live on her own. The publisher agrees—if she writes a new book as well. But with every moment of her day spent helping her sister, she desperately needs a muse.
And Lord Escher, the man whose marriage proposal she reluctantly rejected two years ago, sparks her imagination like no one else. To write her book, she must stay near Edmund. In exchange, he requires her help ridding himself of a persistent miss. They’ll solve both problems in no time. If they can keep their hands off each other.
This book by Charlie Lane is one of the best that she has written.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Finally, it's time for Kat and Edmund!

What a difficult opening situation! Edmund is in the process of proposing to Kat, who fully intends to accept, when they're interrupted by the news that her sister has just become engaged to his father! Katherine, a young widow, feels obligated to help her younger sister, but she's also determined to break free and live an independent life. She turns Edmund down because marrying him would only make her feel more obligated to cater to her sister's every whim.

Two years later, she's still trying to break free and Edmund has all but given up on ever marrying since he can't see himself with anyone but Kat. This delightful story takes us on their journey as Kat figures out how to win her independence without giving up her heart's desires.

This works as a second chance romance, though I would've liked to see more of the early stages of their romance. So much is told in hindsight so we only get the "after they're in love" part as they figure out how to make the relationship work. Still, what we get is beautifully written, highly emotional, and filled with plenty of steam.

I especially loved the path that Kat chose to finance her independence, and I adored her use of Edmund for inspiration. The scenes where he stood up for her were priceless! Their HEA is absolutely wonderful, with a many years in the future epilogue that was a load of fun by itself. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

Katherine was ready to escape. Edmund Crenshaw was ready to propose. What could go wrong????
Only that Katherine's sister becomes Edmund's stepmother!!! By doing that she ruined everything.
This heartbreaking beginning only starts the tale and sets the mood for the rest of the book. I really enjoyed reading this book in my downtime, as time well spent. Wolf publishing has fantabulous authors and Charlie Lane is no exception. I didnt catch on that this was in a series that I had read previously until 2/3 of the way through. So you don't need to read the rest of the series to know whats going on. But if this is the first one you've read you will enjoy it so much that you will WANT to buy the others.
 I recieved a free copy so that I might tell you what I honestly think. Hope you enjoyed my review. Now go enjoy the book

“Love could shatter in a moment”
“Some people … need to be loved more than others”
“We are all lovers unrequited”
Wow this book is so good !!!!
I read another book in the series that magically was about Jane and George but this one, I don’t know if it’s possible, but it was even better!!!!
I loved every moment of it and the problems, the issues that they needed to overcome in order to be together, the trust and faith that they put each other was so good!!!
I love the relationship between the main characters and I love the banter the fact they were forced to live together in the same house because her sister had married his father!!!!
And the tension between them !!!!OMG the tension !!!!
Once again we have a book when a woman is forced to leave her own personality behind, in order to sacrifice herself to sacrifice her entire being for someone she loves which is not good, it is not fine but at the same time it’s what she’s been doing all her life!!!
And I am a nerd for the Trump when he falls first!!!!!
I loved this book and I honestly cannot wait for another one this series !!!!
“Confusion, the name is Katherine”
“Take him. I dare you”
“I adore it when you make demands”
“I will tackle that dragon for you, my queen”