Release Date: July 1, 2014
The Wager
by Rachel Van Dyken
Book 2 of The Bet Series
4 stars
To those who are not familiar with Rachel Van Dyken's the Bet series, be warned: you'll be in stitches when you read these books. :D
"Fine. Tell him I'll take that wager."
I spent most of THE WAGER giggling so hard, I needed to cover my mouth so I won't disturb my officemates. Yep, I read at work. During my breaks, of course. And several more stolen minutes. Oh come on, I know some of you also do it! :p Anyway, Rachel Van Dyken is really deserves to be people's go-to authors if they are looking for a light, sweet, and funny romance. This series is an example of the kind of books that ladies can keep in their bags, read on the way to work or at a beach on the weekend. THE WAGER in particular is a feel-good, laugh-out-loud type that had me smiling from start to finish.
Jake Titus is now the hero in this story. He was the one who convinced Kacey, his first love, to pose as his fiance to appease his supposedly-ill grandmother. Those who have read THE BET knows how that one turned out: Kacey ended up with Jake's brother, Travis. Turns out that Travis has long been in love with Kacey, and his attraction began even when they were still kids.
I didn't think much of Jake in the first book because he came across as a bit of an ass. An adorable ass, but an ass nonetheless. In this book he is so much better as a man. This book showed that although he was Kacey's first/puppy love, they really were not meant to be together. He is much better paired with Char.
When men fall, they fall hard, they fall ass backward into the water without a life preserver—you're one of those men, Jake.
Char was a lot like Travis, actually. She liked Jake when they're still in high school, but when she finally had that one night with Jake a couple of years ago? He behaved like an ass and just left the morning after. She never forgot about the humiliation and hurt he caused her all those years.
Her whole life she had wanted to be his security, his rock. She'd wanted the best of both worlds, friends turned into lovers, and now she felt she could actually have it.
Now that they are forced to be together again as Kacey and Travis' maid of honor and best man, Char has to contend with Jake's company—among other things. Let's just say it's not just the awkwardness that stands between these two people. Char has to make an important decision and choose between two things that are very important to her: her profession or her friends' trust.
If there's a fairy god mother in this book (heck, in this series) that would be Grandma Nadine Titus. This woman is such a handful! She would have been totally irritating if she's not obviously plotting to for Char and Jake to get together. She's also incredibly funny! She's one of those old people who feel that they can now say anything and everything they want to, no matter how funny or outrageous it is. If there's a scene-stealer of the year award, Grandma should definitely be in the running!
Did Grandma just say 'sex' again? At the dinner table?
With Grandma's meddling and the attraction still strong from both sides, it seems that Jake and Char's fate is literally signed and sealed for them.
"I have this need to prove to you that it won't be just one kiss." His lips grazed hers. "Because it's going to be the first of a hundred thousand kisses."
"It's going to be the first of the last kisses you ever receive."
So, what was the wager in this book? It actually has nothing yet everything to do with Jake and Char. ;)
As for who's being set up for the next installment, you'll know it even before the book ends. Grandma is still the mastermind, of that you can be sure!
All in all, THE WAGER is a pleasant read that's wonderful especially if you're already inundated with angsty, emotional and gut-wrenching books. If you want to giggle and have fun reading, this can satisfy you.
Synopsis:
Lose a bet, lose your heart...
What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.
If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .
Here are the other books in this series:
Book 1: The Bet
Book 3: The Dare
Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandyken.com
**My thanks to Grand Central Publishing (through NetGalley) for the chance to read and review THE WAGER!
0 comments:
Post a Comment
I'd love to hear your thoughts! Shoot me a comment below.