You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to like this book, but by golly, this woman needs an EDITOR.
NOBODY says another person’s name that many times while talking TO THAT PERSON. And, in 676 pages, I’m pretty sure there must be 5,000 “Max-“ cut off responses.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with first person narration, but, it was just too much.
Max called her “cute” about a billion times when she was most definitely not being cute.
She described, in painful detail, what she (and everyone else) was wearing... down to, “I put on panties.” And that specific sentence was repeated a handful of times. We get it. Nina wears underwear. That’s usually kind of a given in daily life.
Aside from that, in a two week period there was rape, attempted suicide, multiple murders, attempted murder, stalking, kidnapping, vandalism, and she got beat up once, backhanded twice, and threatened with bodily harm. That’s A LOT for one vacation. Hell, that’s a lot for one YEAR! Given all of these events, I don’t know how eager I’d actually be to move to Gnaw Bone, Colorado!!
.
I finished the book because I’m a completist, and because I did want to find out who killed Curt. The whole plot took a bit of a left turn at the end, but it wrapped up with a Happily Ever After.
I fail to understand all of these 5 star reviews, but I suppose different readers have different expectations and needs. I fell in love with Colorado when I visited for the first time last fall, so I was excited for the locale. The heroine is 36, so I was anticipating liking her as a lead. Hopefully, I can find some better romances with older heroines in them.
NOBODY says another person’s name that many times while talking TO THAT PERSON. And, in 676 pages, I’m pretty sure there must be 5,000 “Max-“ cut off responses.
I don’t necessarily have a problem with first person narration, but, it was just too much.
Max called her “cute” about a billion times when she was most definitely not being cute.
She described, in painful detail, what she (and everyone else) was wearing... down to, “I put on panties.” And that specific sentence was repeated a handful of times. We get it. Nina wears underwear. That’s usually kind of a given in daily life.
Aside from that, in a two week period there was rape, attempted suicide, multiple murders, attempted murder, stalking, kidnapping, vandalism, and she got beat up once, backhanded twice, and threatened with bodily harm. That’s A LOT for one vacation. Hell, that’s a lot for one YEAR! Given all of these events, I don’t know how eager I’d actually be to move to Gnaw Bone, Colorado!!
.
I finished the book because I’m a completist, and because I did want to find out who killed Curt. The whole plot took a bit of a left turn at the end, but it wrapped up with a Happily Ever After.
I fail to understand all of these 5 star reviews, but I suppose different readers have different expectations and needs. I fell in love with Colorado when I visited for the first time last fall, so I was excited for the locale. The heroine is 36, so I was anticipating liking her as a lead. Hopefully, I can find some better romances with older heroines in them.
Meh. I struggled to get past the first few days of the storyline. Girl shows up at her vacation rental to find the homeowner is in town. She leaves. Gets stuck in snow. He (strange homeowner) rescues her by bringing her back to the house. She gets sick with the flu. This Strange man takes care of her for two days, showers her, changes her clothes. Snuggles in bed with her to “help break her fever.” Woman is feeling better. Goes to leave. Handsome homeowner calls the taxi company and says do not pick her up. Police show up asking handsome homeowner where he was when a nemesis was murdered. Woman is used to corroborate his alibi. That’s maybe the first 5% of the story. (It’s a long book. Long. And it feels like it.) I finished it because I didn’t have anything better in the queue but I had a heck of a time getting past the beginning introductions.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A good story mired down by unnecessary repetitive dialogue. Not her best.
6th Read 9-2-16
I have no idea why, but the line "Told you he was close" gets me every single time.
5th Read 4-18-14
Still as great as the first time I read it. Oh I love you Holden Maxwell!
I don't know why there's no comments for the 2-4th time I've read this.
First Read: 12-17-12
Holy Alpha, Batman. YUM!
LOVE Max! Love Max and Duchess together. I even loved Charlie :) Oh so wise. I didn't expect to cry in this, but I did.
Can I also say that I loved Nina's feisty attitude when she's mad. I laughed so much when she came up with words for "mad". Hilarious.
Can't wait to read more of this series.
I have no idea why, but the line "Told you he was close" gets me every single time.
5th Read 4-18-14
Still as great as the first time I read it. Oh I love you Holden Maxwell!
I don't know why there's no comments for the 2-4th time I've read this.
First Read: 12-17-12
Holy Alpha, Batman. YUM!
LOVE Max! Love Max and Duchess together. I even loved Charlie :) Oh so wise. I didn't expect to cry in this, but I did.
Can I also say that I loved Nina's feisty attitude when she's mad. I laughed so much when she came up with words for "mad". Hilarious.
Can't wait to read more of this series.
Absolutely love this book!
I have read just about all of KA's books and I have to say that The Gamble is by far my favorite. It is my go to book when I can't find another book to read. I think I've read it at least five times...I just can't get enough of Max!
I have read just about all of KA's books and I have to say that The Gamble is by far my favorite. It is my go to book when I can't find another book to read. I think I've read it at least five times...I just can't get enough of Max!
This is more like 3.5 stars but goodreads doesn't provide that as an option.
As always when dealing with Kristen Ashely the problem with this book is the men in it. If traditional gender roles, and the people that perpetuate them, annoy you then you're never going to be completely on board with Ms. Ashley's books. They're well written. They have good characters. The plot doesn't revolve around romantic waffling. I appreciate all of those qualities. But the relationships are one step above instalove. The men are domineering. They treat women in a very old fashioned way that I'm not a fan of. Much like romantic comedies romanticize stalking KA romanticizes being controlled. This book had that quality toned way down from the other series of Ms. Ashely's I've read (Fantasyland and Rock Chicks) so to me this was a better read from her.
As always when dealing with Kristen Ashely the problem with this book is the men in it. If traditional gender roles, and the people that perpetuate them, annoy you then you're never going to be completely on board with Ms. Ashley's books. They're well written. They have good characters. The plot doesn't revolve around romantic waffling. I appreciate all of those qualities. But the relationships are one step above instalove. The men are domineering. They treat women in a very old fashioned way that I'm not a fan of. Much like romantic comedies romanticize stalking KA romanticizes being controlled. This book had that quality toned way down from the other series of Ms. Ashely's I've read (Fantasyland and Rock Chicks) so to me this was a better read from her.
Not for me. I struggled to make it through. I can't stand how Max talks to Nina, too domineering.
UPDATE (Nov 4/19): Reread this for the second time and loved it just as much as the first time I read it!