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aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
maddy_books's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a wild ride. And it was a bit of a mess. But a good mess!
But this book is NOT lighthearted!!! There are many many serious events and themes in this novel that people need to be aware of. Written over a decade ago before trigger warnings were a thing but just keep that in mind!
But this book is NOT lighthearted!!! There are many many serious events and themes in this novel that people need to be aware of. Written over a decade ago before trigger warnings were a thing but just keep that in mind!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, and Car accident
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual assault
ac223's review
5.0
The Gamble is fantastic!! I looked like an idiot last night, sitting on the porch at 2am, crying my eyes out, and chain smoking... <3 it!
Nina's parents split up when she was very young. Her father went back to England, and her mother raised her in the states. At age seven, her father was remarried, having another child, and wanted Nina to be a part of her siblings life. Though she doesn't much care for her dad, her brother Charlie and her were very close. After losing his legs fighting in a war, wheelchair bound, he gave up and committed suicide. Nina's history with bad men, and her brothers death, all led her straight to Niles. Niles is safe, smart, wealthy, he doesn't show feelings or emotion, but he is dependable. While engaged to be married she knows that something is missing, and decides to take a couple of weeks timeout in the Colorado mountains to think things over. After a full days worth of travel, she arrives at her destination, in a snowstorm, and coming down with the flu. She assumes the gorgeous man at the house is there to let her in. Max owns the home she rented, and is usually working out of town. A mix up with the dates, leaves him at home, and her no place to go.
Nina is awesome, you can't help but to love her. She is kind, caring, and a force to be reckoned with if you even think of hurting her or someone she loves. Max, oh gawd.. He is a manly man, gorgeous, and used to giving orders. When Nina throws a fit, and calls him on it he is stunned.
The Gamble takes place over a two week time frame, and includes love, loss, jealousy, disappointment, and happiness. All of the emotions transfer to the reader easily, leaving you feeling like you just got off an emotional roller coaster. I couldn't put it down!! Loved it!
***********************Spoilers/ Recap*********************
Nina and Max fight, a lot. The fire, and passion is something she has never had with Niles, but behind all of the macho mountain man facade, Max is amazing. Nina's first two days in Colorado she is sick with the flu, tough guy Max makes sure that she is taken care of. He remembers how she takes her coffee, after being told only once, something Niles still doesn't know after several years. He remembers things she says, takes care of her, and protects her. He was married young to Anna, and loved her more than anything. When she was killed in a car accident, ten years before he thought he would never love again. While dealing with their meeting, falling in love etc. (which I would normally say is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous after only two weeks) you meet the townspeople of Gnaw Bone. Yes that is actually the name of the town. Like any small town in America, everyone loves fiercely, but gossips like no other. Max's best friend Brody, and his sister Mindy are like his own siblings. When Mindy is raped, and her asshole boyfriend won't let it go he takes it upon himself to move her out. Becca is Mindy's best friend. Shauna, Max's ex is a whore, trying to latch herself to the next man willing an able to support her habit of living the high life. When Max made it clear it wasn't him she went after Curtis Dodd, the local bigwig, married bigwig. Curtis turns up murdered, his wife out of town, and Shauna calling it in to the police. Throughout the book the police are trying to solve the murders, Mindy is dealing with the aftermath of being raped, and Nina is up to her ears in it. She takes on Mindy, only shortly after meeting her, and does her best to get her through it. Curtis was driving the vehicle the night Anna died, his wife Bitsy lost her legs. At the end it comes out that Bitsy, and her secret lover, who happens to be her ex boyfriend have been planning the whole thing for years. The prolouge shows Nina, and Max married, with a son Charlie, and a baby on the way. Definitely a must read!
Nina's parents split up when she was very young. Her father went back to England, and her mother raised her in the states. At age seven, her father was remarried, having another child, and wanted Nina to be a part of her siblings life. Though she doesn't much care for her dad, her brother Charlie and her were very close. After losing his legs fighting in a war, wheelchair bound, he gave up and committed suicide. Nina's history with bad men, and her brothers death, all led her straight to Niles. Niles is safe, smart, wealthy, he doesn't show feelings or emotion, but he is dependable. While engaged to be married she knows that something is missing, and decides to take a couple of weeks timeout in the Colorado mountains to think things over. After a full days worth of travel, she arrives at her destination, in a snowstorm, and coming down with the flu. She assumes the gorgeous man at the house is there to let her in. Max owns the home she rented, and is usually working out of town. A mix up with the dates, leaves him at home, and her no place to go.
Nina is awesome, you can't help but to love her. She is kind, caring, and a force to be reckoned with if you even think of hurting her or someone she loves. Max, oh gawd.. He is a manly man, gorgeous, and used to giving orders. When Nina throws a fit, and calls him on it he is stunned.
The Gamble takes place over a two week time frame, and includes love, loss, jealousy, disappointment, and happiness. All of the emotions transfer to the reader easily, leaving you feeling like you just got off an emotional roller coaster. I couldn't put it down!! Loved it!
***********************Spoilers/ Recap*********************
Nina and Max fight, a lot. The fire, and passion is something she has never had with Niles, but behind all of the macho mountain man facade, Max is amazing. Nina's first two days in Colorado she is sick with the flu, tough guy Max makes sure that she is taken care of. He remembers how she takes her coffee, after being told only once, something Niles still doesn't know after several years. He remembers things she says, takes care of her, and protects her. He was married young to Anna, and loved her more than anything. When she was killed in a car accident, ten years before he thought he would never love again. While dealing with their meeting, falling in love etc. (which I would normally say is ABSOLUTELY ridiculous after only two weeks) you meet the townspeople of Gnaw Bone. Yes that is actually the name of the town. Like any small town in America, everyone loves fiercely, but gossips like no other. Max's best friend Brody, and his sister Mindy are like his own siblings. When Mindy is raped, and her asshole boyfriend won't let it go he takes it upon himself to move her out. Becca is Mindy's best friend. Shauna, Max's ex is a whore, trying to latch herself to the next man willing an able to support her habit of living the high life. When Max made it clear it wasn't him she went after Curtis Dodd, the local bigwig, married bigwig. Curtis turns up murdered, his wife out of town, and Shauna calling it in to the police. Throughout the book the police are trying to solve the murders, Mindy is dealing with the aftermath of being raped, and Nina is up to her ears in it. She takes on Mindy, only shortly after meeting her, and does her best to get her through it. Curtis was driving the vehicle the night Anna died, his wife Bitsy lost her legs. At the end it comes out that Bitsy, and her secret lover, who happens to be her ex boyfriend have been planning the whole thing for years. The prolouge shows Nina, and Max married, with a son Charlie, and a baby on the way. Definitely a must read!
carlam2190's review
Liked it at first, but then it turned into a soap opera, was thinking it had to be mostly over but was only at 42%.
raemae's review against another edition
Made it less than half way through the book. Started it bc it was recommended for the caretaking aspect at the beginning, quit bc I really didn’t like the MMC. Max was constantly ignoring all of Nina’s protests and attempts at setting any boundaries, blatantly trapped her in his house/property and got townsfolk to aide him in that, and constantly told her what she wanted. I honestly couldn’t tell if I was supposed to swoon or be afraid of his behavior. I skimmed later chapters and didn’t find any improvement in his behavior. And the FMC really believed she wasn’t deserving of him smh.
astrodish's review
5.0
I loved this.
It was a perfect time for me to read because I felt like I was starting to get into a reading slump and wanted something easy. The book is long and it absolutely had problems.
Like so many interruptions between the two main characters by the end I was practically rolling my eyes
It was a perfect time for me to read because I felt like I was starting to get into a reading slump and wanted something easy. The book is long and it absolutely had problems.
Like so many interruptions between the two main characters by the end I was practically rolling my eyes
melly2966's review
5.0
Ahhhh soooo perfect. I absolutely love max. Almost wished I named my car after him instead of hector from rock chick. Max is definitely up there with Luke and hector since there my favorite K.A. male characters. Also freaked out when I saw she added zips gun emporium in the book!!!!!!!
bookworm21century's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the writing and was on the edge of my seat. Personally, it was a little too macho man, and Nina was treated childlike at times.