ARC — Bet on It — Jodie Slaughter

“To her, it didn’t seem fair that someone could be in your life for such a short amount of time but still upend it completely.”

Genre: Romance
Actual Rating: 4 stars
Content Warnings: Discusses mental illness, panic attacks, drug abuse, and child endangerment (These were stated at the beginning of the book, 10/10 for that).

This book follows Aja Owens, who just moved to the small town of Greenbelt, and Walker Abbott, who swore he would never come back to his hometown of Greenbelt. Walker is the grandson of Aja’s bingo partner and has moved back to Greenbelt temporarily, as he helps his grandma recover from a fall. As Aja and Walker bond over bingo (and their undeniable chemistry), they unintentionally form a pact: they will have sex if and only if one of them wins in bingo… Because they can’t and won’t fall in love. What would be the point? Walker will be leaving soon and Aja still hasn’t found what she’s looking for in small-town living. “Bet on It” is a story of friendship and understanding, bingo and luck. You will be left hanging from your seats, willing for a bingo as soon as possible.

“Bet on It” has been one of the most entertaining books I’ve read this year. If it hadn’t been for other commitments, I would’ve most certainly read it in one sitting. Both Aja and Walker were such related characters for me. They were really well written and I just loved how Jodie Slaughter went out of her way to show how anxiety and panic attacks could look different for different people and how different coping mechanisms are still valid.

I fell in love with the potential Aja and Walker had. They truly complimented each other. It wasn’t just the raw sexual tension between them that tied them together, no. They bonded over their most personal experiences and they tried to be there for each other and be open with each other. Their friendship and relationship was truly amazing to witness.

I would recommend this book to people who like romance books like The Hating Game and who aren’t afraid of some seeeerious sexual tension and restraint. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 12, 2022

ARC — Long Story Short — Serena Kaylor

“What must it be like to feel so confident in your own skin that wearing another person’s seemed like nothing at all?”

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction
Actual Rating: 5 stars
Content Warnings: None that I can think of.

“Long Story Short” follows Beatrice as she embarks on a Shakespearian summer camp adventure in order to show her parents she’s mature enough to move to another continent in order to attend the university of her dreams. Branching out from a to-do list, she makes friends, breaks rules, and, surprisingly, has some fun in the process.

I found Bea’s inner voice to be very engaging and I absolutely loved the friendships she built as she broke out of her shell. Mia and Nolan were the perfect summer camp friends, and they kind of made me reminisce all the friends I made in summer camps when I was younger. Slow-burn crushes usually aren’t my favorite, but I must say I enjoyed this one very much.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes nerdy YA novels, because oh- does this book get down and nerdy about Shakespeare. But really, you don’t have to know much about Shakespeare to enjoy this book (take it from me, I’ve only really read Twelfth Night and I still thoroughly enjoyed this book). Do not hesitate to pre-order this book, so you’ll get it as soon as it’s published. You will not regret it.

If you click here, you’ll be redirected to Goodreads, so you can add the book to your TBR list.

Or you could click here, and be redirected to Amazon, so you can pre-order the book.

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date: July 26, 2022

p.s. Nik is essentially Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice, and I was there for it.