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monalyisha's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I devoured this so quickly and now I want nothing more than to devour some peach cobbler just as quickly. That’s a lie. I also want to go to bingo…but I cant find anyone to accompany me to the Drag Bingo & Easter Bonnet Competition later this month. So, I guess I also want cooler friends…😅
Steamy and full of empathetic understanding for neurotypical folks (anxiety, PTSD rep). Loved the platonic friendships developed throughout the story. Could’ve used more sassy elders and fewer pairs of so-soaked-as-to-be-see-through-panties. I mean, good for them — but that particular detail was too oft-repeated (although sometimes, to be fair, they were soaked shorts worn without panties).
Jodie Slaughter’s writing is fun! I’ll definitely continue the series.
Steamy and full of empathetic understanding for neurotypical folks (anxiety, PTSD rep). Loved the platonic friendships developed throughout the story. Could’ve used more sassy elders and fewer pairs of so-soaked-as-to-be-see-through-panties. I mean, good for them — but that particular detail was too oft-repeated (although sometimes, to be fair, they were soaked shorts worn without panties).
Jodie Slaughter’s writing is fun! I’ll definitely continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Alcoholism
yreluctant's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, and Child abuse
sfschroe's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse
Minor: Abandonment
3readingcircus's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Addiction, Sexual content, and Abandonment
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
In Bet on It, Jodie Slaughter captures small-town life from two distinct points of view - people who run TO small towns and the people who run FROM them. Aja, the FMC, has moved from DC to Greenbelt, SC to escape the hustle and noise of city life while Walker, the MMC, left Greenbelt for the city as soon as he could get out. Walker mainly to escape the oppressive history of living near people who think they know him, and who have seen him at his absolute worst.
Both Aja and Walker are dealing with intense mental health issues throughout this book. Their first encounter is when Aja is having a panic attack at the Piggly Wiggly, and Walker later experiences multiple symptoms related to his CPTSD diagnosis. I liked how Slaughter wove these aspects through the story in a way that made sense. I also LOVED the opening line of this book (on the second slide).
I loved the arc of this story, with Walker and Aja remeeting through Walker’s grandmother, and the fact that Aja was a regular at the bingo hall. The spice is spicing in this book, and the ending was really satisfying. The third act breakup was MESSY and PAINFUL but it made absolute sense. All in all, if you like stories about millennial angst but want a widely diverse cast of characters? This is a great book!
🎧 I listened to a good chunk of this on audio and Angel Pean knocked this narration out of the park. She brought an extra layer of detail to these characters that was a true joy.
👍🏻Recommended! A well done contemporary romance that deals with some heavy topics and gives a good dose of spice along with a nuanced and diverse look at small town life and mental health. If you like Talia Hibbert’s Ravenswood series or Denise Williams Fastest Way to Fall or Emily Henry’s Book Lovers, you will like this.
Romance Details & Tropes
Romance Details & Tropes
M/F romance
she’s Black, he’s white
She is plus-size
Contemporary
Emphasis on mental health and anxiety/PTSD
Small town
Sex pact/bargain
Banging “just to get this out of our systems”
Semi-public sex
Open door, explicit
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Abandonment
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use
readlexread's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Sooo good. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment
josie1999's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I picked up this book on a whim and had seen it described as disability representation which was present throughout the story as both Aja and Walker deal with mental illnesses. I appreciated how forthcoming both characters were about their respective struggles. It was also wonderful to see that the women Aja became friends with were receptive to her anxiety and still welcomed her to the group and would make adjustments to their activities to accommodate her.
The concept of the bingo sex-pact was an interesting element of the story and I was looking forward to seeing that played out. However, I feel like it would have been more effective if it had been based on something that was more likely to occur. When we're made aware of Aja's experience with bingo, we're told she has not won in the eight months that she has been playing. That seems to set up a condition for the pact that seems very unlikely to occur. I felt like either the conditions could have been less restrictive or Aja and Walker could have been more willing to make exceptions to the rules.
I enjoyed the side characters and their additions to the story. From Ms. May playing matchmaker to Aja's supportive new friends. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Walker and Corey. I would have liked more of the background characters. I was waiting for a scene with Aja gossiping with her new friends after she hooked up with Walker.
A few additional highlights were the conversations about protection and getting tested and Aja's weight never being an issue or insecurity. Aja is described as curvy and a plus-size woman but it is never brought up as a bad thing. There are several scenes where food is involved and she is never shamed for what she chooses to eat. It was wonderful to see that she was just able to exist and not have her size acknowledged in a harmful way. The narrator also was the perfect voice for Aja. I really felt like I was listening to the character.
The biggest turn-offs for me were Walker's dialogue (particularly during the steamy scenes) and the use of the nickname "Peaches." Peaches were referenced so often either in reference to the peach cobbler or Aja that I was sure the last word was going to be "peaches." Every time Walker called Aja peaches I cringed. For me, Walker's dialogue a lot of the time felt like a guy trying to be suave or trying to be smooth rather than a man that actually was smooth or had the swagger that Walker seemed to be trying to emulate. I can understand in the context that he was nervous or trying to overcompensate for how he was feeling, the overly confident language would make sense but it also happened in scenes where he was comfortable we Aja. In the final sex scene, I found myself yelling at my phone for Walker to stop talking and for the book to just describe what was happening because the dialogue made me so uneasy.
Overall, it was a fun read and for people that don't have the same dialogue and nickname issues as me, it may be a fun lighthearted read. Yes, the story touches on several heavy topics, but it is done in a constructive way.
The concept of the bingo sex-pact was an interesting element of the story and I was looking forward to seeing that played out. However, I feel like it would have been more effective if it had been based on something that was more likely to occur. When we're made aware of Aja's experience with bingo, we're told she has not won in the eight months that she has been playing. That seems to set up a condition for the pact that seems very unlikely to occur. I felt like either the conditions could have been less restrictive or Aja and Walker could have been more willing to make exceptions to the rules.
I enjoyed the side characters and their additions to the story. From Ms. May playing matchmaker to Aja's supportive new friends. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Walker and Corey. I would have liked more of the background characters. I was waiting for a scene with Aja gossiping with her new friends after she hooked up with Walker.
A few additional highlights were the conversations about protection and getting tested and Aja's weight never being an issue or insecurity. Aja is described as curvy and a plus-size woman but it is never brought up as a bad thing. There are several scenes where food is involved and she is never shamed for what she chooses to eat. It was wonderful to see that she was just able to exist and not have her size acknowledged in a harmful way. The narrator also was the perfect voice for Aja. I really felt like I was listening to the character.
The biggest turn-offs for me were Walker's dialogue (particularly during the steamy scenes) and the use of the nickname "Peaches." Peaches were referenced so often either in reference to the peach cobbler or Aja that I was sure the last word was going to be "peaches." Every time Walker called Aja peaches I cringed. For me, Walker's dialogue a lot of the time felt like a guy trying to be suave or trying to be smooth rather than a man that actually was smooth or had the swagger that Walker seemed to be trying to emulate. I can understand in the context that he was nervous or trying to overcompensate for how he was feeling, the overly confident language would make sense but it also happened in scenes where he was comfortable we Aja. In the final sex scene, I found myself yelling at my phone for Walker to stop talking and for the book to just describe what was happening because the dialogue made me so uneasy.
Overall, it was a fun read and for people that don't have the same dialogue and nickname issues as me, it may be a fun lighthearted read. Yes, the story touches on several heavy topics, but it is done in a constructive way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Drug abuse, and Drug use
ashbreadin's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Sexual content
headinthepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I really enjoyed this romance! I loved the small town setting, the themes of complex family, mental illness, new adult friendships, boundaries & moving on from the past.
The romance itself was great. I loved the tension and the “betting” trope done in a non problematic way! The bingo scenes were cute and made me want to go play!
The sex scenes were open door and steamy.
I can’t wait to read what the the author does next! :-)
The romance itself was great. I loved the tension and the “betting” trope done in a non problematic way! The bingo scenes were cute and made me want to go play!
The sex scenes were open door and steamy.
I can’t wait to read what the the author does next! :-)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Grief, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Addiction, and Cursing