Narration by Verla Bond & Charlie Fog
Dare to Fall Series, Book 1
From the publisher:
He’s the bad boy my family warned me about—and the one man I can’t have.
I just landed the job of my dreams—planning the Miami Thunder football team’s 50th-anniversary celebration—and I can’t afford distractions. Especially not tattooed billionaire and reformed troublemaker Lucas Carras. He exudes alpha-hero intensity, and he’s been off limits for as long as I’ve known him.But the kickoff party is happening at the nightclub he co-owns with my brother…and with my sibling out of town, I’m stuck working with Lucas.
Forced proximity ignites the desire we’ve both been pretending doesn’t exist. From bedrooms to storage rooms, the scorching tension causes us to cross every line we swore we wouldn’t. On paper, we’re complete opposites. In reality, the chemistry is undeniable.
This party is everything I’ve worked for—my moment to prove myself. Until the sabotage starts.
Orders vanish. Vendors back out. Someone is determined to ruin the anniversary…and my reputation along with it.
Suddenly Lucas isn’t just a distraction. He’s my protector, my anchor, and the only man I trust to stand by my side.
But when my brother finds out about us, family drama explodes. And I’m torn between being the good girl who plays by the rules…and falling for trouble.
Perfect for fans of Carly Phillips and high-heat sports romance, Falling for Trouble features a possessive hero, high-stakes suspense, and a guaranteed HEA.
Rainey Dare’s father is presumably a billionaire — he owns a professional football team in Miami — but she’s determined to make it on her own. Sort of. I found this plot point genuinely annoying. She’s a party planner in Miami, competing for the contract to plan her father’s anniversary party for the team. No nepotism here, though. She wins the gig on the merits of her sterling presentation, because surely no one would hand it to her just to curry favor with dear old dad. Did I mention how much this bothered me?
Problems begin almost immediately: missing shipments, changed orders, the works. The culprit is telegraphed early on, making the whodunit drama feel over-the-top; the real mystery was more about how and why it happened than who did it.
Rainey wants to host the party at her brother’s nightclub. Again, no nepotism here. Conveniently, her brother is out of town, leaving her to work with his partner, the gorgeous billionaire Lucas. Their chemistry is off the charts, though Rainey is determined to keep things professional. That resolve lasts about five minutes.
Lucas turns out to be genuinely helpful, and his money is only a small part of it. As they spend more time together, their relationship deepens, and the “bro code” between Lucas and Rainey’s brother quietly goes out the window.
Plot holes aside — and there are enough to drive a train through — I still enjoyed this one. The narrators were new to me, but they did a great job bringing the characters to life and keeping me engaged. I always enjoy Carly Phillips books, and while this isn’t her best, it’s still an entertaining read.
Just wanted to add that I’m really loving that Netgalley is offering early copies of audiobooks in addition to egalleys, and I’m taking full advantage!
3/2026 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
FALLING FOR TROUBLE by Carly Phillips. Narrators: Verla Bond & Charlie Fog. Dreamscape Media (March 17, 2026). ASIN: B0GDS2YL2G. Listening Length: 6 hours and 15 minutes.
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