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A review by mollysbooklist
Double or Nothing by Cindy Steel
emotional
funny
lighthearted
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received this audiobook as an arc from Netgalley and Dreamscape Media.
The story follows Tessa and Logan who enter into a bet with their friend Jake at the beginning of the summer. The bet is that Tessa and Logan will date over the summer and if they don’t fall in love then they will win Jake’s brand new truck. This is book 4 in a series which I didn’t know until I had already started. I think it could easily be read as a standalone if you’d like.
What I loved:
The book was funny and lighthearted. Yet it normalized a character going to therapy to overcome an embarrassing breakup. The storyline acknowledged the flaws of the characters and how past relationships can influence the present.
I really enjoyed this book! The narrators (Stacey Glemboski and David Bendena) were fantastic. They were enjoyable to listen to and their voices matched the characters. The audiobook production was perfect.
I absolutely loved that it didn’t have a traditional 3rd act breakup. There is trouble but done in a refreshing way that didn’t make me roll my eyes.
Areas that could’ve been improved:
There were two moments that stuck out to me that could’ve easily been changed. The first was the use of Cotton Eyed Joe in a moment that was supposed to be slightly embarrassing. There are a lot of negatively associations with that song and could’ve easily been swapped for something else.
The second was when characters were going on a hike. One character is sore from walking so far and says that they are sore from going on a death march. This is another that could’ve easily been switch out for a different reference. Death marches aren’t something to make jokes about and took my attention away from the story.
These caused me to lower my rating to 4 stars from an otherwise 5 star read.
****
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will go back and read the others now.
Tropes:
-small town
-sibling’s best friend
-childhood crush
-forced proximity
-fake dating (sort of)
**This is a “kissing book.” It’s romantic but not spicy**
The story follows Tessa and Logan who enter into a bet with their friend Jake at the beginning of the summer. The bet is that Tessa and Logan will date over the summer and if they don’t fall in love then they will win Jake’s brand new truck. This is book 4 in a series which I didn’t know until I had already started. I think it could easily be read as a standalone if you’d like.
What I loved:
The book was funny and lighthearted. Yet it normalized a character going to therapy to overcome an embarrassing breakup. The storyline acknowledged the flaws of the characters and how past relationships can influence the present.
I really enjoyed this book! The narrators (Stacey Glemboski and David Bendena) were fantastic. They were enjoyable to listen to and their voices matched the characters. The audiobook production was perfect.
I absolutely loved that it didn’t have a traditional 3rd act breakup. There is trouble but done in a refreshing way that didn’t make me roll my eyes.
Areas that could’ve been improved:
There were two moments that stuck out to me that could’ve easily been changed. The first was the use of Cotton Eyed Joe in a moment that was supposed to be slightly embarrassing. There are a lot of negatively associations with that song and could’ve easily been swapped for something else.
The second was when characters were going on a hike. One character is sore from walking so far and says that they are sore from going on a death march. This is another that could’ve easily been switch out for a different reference. Death marches aren’t something to make jokes about and took my attention away from the story.
These caused me to lower my rating to 4 stars from an otherwise 5 star read.
****
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will go back and read the others now.
Tropes:
-small town
-sibling’s best friend
-childhood crush
-forced proximity
-fake dating (sort of)
**This is a “kissing book.” It’s romantic but not spicy**
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity