You Wouldn’t Dare is the incredible latest book from Samantha Markum. I loved Markum’s debut, This May End Badly, and You Wouldn’t Dare did not disappoint. Juniper Nash is overflowing with ideas and creative ways to spend her summer with friends. What she wants most is enough cast and crew to do an innovative community theater production. With the help of her friends, Milo, Graham, and Lucy, she just might pull it off. But then her mom drops a bombshell on her, that this is her last summer living on the North Shore and they're moving in with her boyfriend. Juniper is determined to make the most of it- acing her performance, spending time with friends, and possibly reigniting a romance?  

I love stories about messy girls who try too hard, who never hide their true selves, and love with heart-wrenching abandon. Juniper Nash is all the things and I thought she was fantastic. Juniper is unable to pick only one thing and instead tries to make her community theater show a success, spend time with friends, and try to mend her friendship with Graham. Graham and Juniper had incredible chemistry, but I also appreciated that there was a lot of prior history for them to untangle before being able to move forward. Markum’s writing feels realistic, lighthearted, and hilarious. I laughed out loud at some of the banter! 

Juniper is lucky to be surrounded by such an engaging cast of secondary characters- from Graham to Milo, to her supportive mom, and even Tallulah. You Wouldn’t Dare weaves together story threads from many different characters and seamlessly turns it all into a beautiful coming-of-age, young adult summer romance. There is a second-chance aspect to it, as Graham and Juniper have dated before. Juniper struggles with the idea of whether dating again is worth it if it could mess up their friend group, which felt very realistic. The sense of community is so strong, from the shop where Juniper works to the way they pull together for a community member in need. I loved it!! 

You Wouldn’t Dare would be perfect for fans of Gilmore Girls, lovable (and messy) heroines, and summer romance. I would recommend it for fans of Emma Lord, Sarah Dessen, and Sophie Gonzales. 

Thank you to Samantha Markum, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.