Recommended Dare Nation Reading Order
While every book in Carly Phillips' Dare Nation series can be read as a standalone—each delivering a complete, satisfying romance with a guaranteed happily-ever-after—the best way to experience the series is in publication order. Reading the books in this sequence allows you to watch the Prescott siblings' tight-knit family dynamics unfold, see the progress of their Miami sports agency, and fully enjoy the cameos of characters from previous stories.
Dare Nation Books in Publication Order:
- Dare to Resist (2020) – Austin Prescott & Quinnlyn Stone
- Dare to Tempt (2020) – Damon Prescott & Evie Wolfe
- Dare to Play (2020) – Jaxon Prescott & Macy Walker
- Dare to Stay (2021) – Dr. Braden Prescott & Willow James
- Dare to Tease (2021) – Brianne Prescott & Dr. Hudson Northfield (Novella, Book 4.5)
The Premise: What is Dare Nation?
The Dare Nation series is set against the glamorous, sun-drenched backdrop of Miami, Florida. The stories revolve around the Prescott siblings, who are connected to the famous Dare family dynasty. The siblings discover that they are all related through a sperm donor database, with their biological father being Paul Dare. This discovery brings them together to form a family by choice, centered around their careers in professional sports and the Dare Nation Sports Agency.
Carly Phillips masterfully blends high-heat contemporary romance with beloved sports tropes, featuring alpha male athletes—ranging from football stars and bad-boy baseball players to sports medicine doctors—and independent, strong-willed heroines who aren't afraid to challenge them.
Book-by-Book Breakdown and Romances
To help you choose your next read or understand what tropes each story brings to the table, here is a detailed breakdown of the Dare Nation lineup:
1. Dare to Resist
The series kicks off with Austin Prescott, a former football player turned co-owner of the Dare Nation sports agency. Austin's life is turned upside down when he finds a baby left on his doorstep. Desperate and out of his depth, he turns to his beautiful and highly efficient assistant, Quinnlyn Stone. To help Austin secure custody, the two enter a fake relationship. This book is a delightful mix of the single dad, secret baby, and boss-assistant tropes, filled with forced proximity and sizzling tension.
2. Dare to Tempt
Damon Prescott is a superstar quarterback whose career is threatened by a sudden doping scandal. Determined to clear his name, he hires Evie Wolfe, a tough-as-nails private investigator who has her own reasons for keeping her guard up. As they work close together to uncover who framed Damon, the professional boundaries start to blur. This installment brings an intense romantic suspense vibe, complete with a protective hero and a fierce, independent heroine.
3. Dare to Play
Jaxon Prescott is a bad-boy baseball pitcher who needs to clean up his public image to save his career. Macy Walker is a woman struggling to secure custody of her younger sister, needing a stable marriage to satisfy the court. They strike a deal for a marriage of convenience. However, their fake relationship quickly grows into real passion. This book appeals directly to fans of fake marriages, sports rehabilitation, and deep emotional healing.
4. Dare to Stay
Dr. Braden Prescott (sometimes listed as Brendan in early retail databases) returns to Miami after spending two years working abroad with Doctors Without Borders. He takes a job as the team physician for the Miami Thunder football team, only to find himself working alongside Willow James, the team's athletic trainer—and the woman he left behind. This is a classic second-chance romance dealing with trust, emotional vulnerability, and overcoming past abandonment.
5. Dare to Tease (Book 4.5)
This novella shifts focus to the only sister of the Prescott clan, Brianne "Bri" Prescott. Bri is a sports publicist who is highly cynical about love, believing that men only date her to get close to her famous brothers. Dr. Hudson Northfield, a close friend of Braden's, sees her for who she truly is. When they attend a family wedding in New York together, a fake date arrangement sparks a genuine romance. However, Hudson has his own secret: a marriage clause in his trust fund that he must fulfill. It's a quick, high-heat read that rounds out the sibling dynamics beautifully.
Connecting the Dots: The Dare Universe
If you love the Prescott siblings, you'll be thrilled to know they are part of a much larger literary universe created by Carly Phillips. Here is how the different subseries connect:
- Dare to Love Series: The original 6-book series focusing on the Miami-based Dare siblings (Ian, Alex, Olivia, Dylan, Scott, Avery, and Tyler). This is where the Dare family legacy begins.
- NY Dares: A subseries that follows the New York branch of Dare cousins (Gabe, Decklan, and Lucy Dare) as they navigate high society and hot romances.
- Dare to Fall Series: A companion series featuring a different set of Dare siblings, beginning with Falling for Trouble.
- Dare Crossover Series: Co-authored with Erika Wilde, these books (including Just a Little Hookup and Just a Little Secret) bridge the Dare family with the Kingston family world.
What to Know Before You Start
Before jumping into Dare Nation, keep these practical reading tips in mind:
- Do you need to read the Dare to Love series first? No, you can start directly with Dare to Resist without feeling lost. The Prescott siblings have their own distinct arc. However, reading the original series first provides fun context for the frequent Dare family cameos.
- Name Discrepancies: Be aware that in some older book listings and reviews, Dr. Braden Prescott (from Dare to Stay) is occasionally referred to as Brendan. Rest assured, they are the same character!
- The Steamy Factor: True to Carly Phillips' style, the series features explicit, high-heat scenes, alpha heroes who are fiercely protective, and emotional family conflicts that ground the stories in reality.