A sweet story of Giles and Suzanna where Giles falls in love with Suzanna on first sight but Suzanna resists him due to her mother’s expectations from her. As Giles builds up his campaign to win Suzanna, he falls even more deeply in love with her. I liked both Giles and Suzanna and really enjoyed this story in the Lords and Ladies in love series. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone even though it is part of a series.

* I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review*

This is a very fun and entertaining historical romance. The well written book introduces us to Giles and Suzanna. Giles is handsome, successful and rich even if he is only a third son and has no title. Suzanna has been raised by her parents with the expectation that her whole reason for being is to marry a man with a title. When these two meet the attraction is instant and the chemistry powerful. This begins the back and forth between Giles doing everything he can to woo the woman he loves and Suzanna resisting what her heart is trying to tell her, while trying to do what her parents want and make them happy. An enjoyable read.

Callie Hutton's Lords and Ladies in Love series (Denying the Duke) continues with Giles Templeton's story, Wagering for Miss Blake. Giles and Suzanna meet at her cousin's wedding to his friend and Giles is instantly captivated. He goes from thinking there's no point to marrying to being ready to propose in an hour flat. Suzanna recognizes an attraction right away, but is far too sensible to assume that will lead to marriage. Not only do they know nothing about each other, but her mother refuses to allow Suzanna to look at anything less than a titled man.
Although Giles' insta-love was pretty hard to believe, they do have a nice, instant chemistry that made you think a relation could work. Suzanna's claims that she will only marry a title ring false and it's impossible to blame Giles for thinking he can change her mind, since Suzanna herself actually doesn't care about titles. He might be annoyingly arrogant in believing he'll win her hand if he just keeps asking, but since he actually courts her, I was able to deal with his arrogance. Suzanna, I had a much harder time with. I spent the first half of the book wondering why it mattered that her mother wanted a suitor with a title since Suzanna herself didn't care- and wondering why she didn't admit to Giles early on that that was the problem. After we finally meet Suzanna's parents, things are a little easier to understand. Her mother is a complete terror and rules over her father so he only makes decisions based on what will get him the least harangued. It became more of a surprise that Suzanna wanted to marry for love at all, since the only reason her father allowed her mother to be so controlling was that he loved her- and was willing to sacrifice both his happiness and his daughter's for his beloved wife's.
The idea of wagering on whether Giles would marrying her- and she'd fall in love with him- seemed to me pretty pointless. Both are competitive, but the real competition should have been whether they could work together to change Mrs. Blake's mind. Then right when Suzanna thinks she's figured out how to work around her mother, Giles misinterprets something and, instead of fighting for this incredible love he claims he feels, he turns and runs. I thought Suzanna let him off the hook far more easily than she should have, but eventually there's a happy ending and a pretty clear set-up for the next book. A lot of Wagering felt more like it was a bridge book to get you to the next in the series- presumably Hawk's book- without emotionally investing me in the characters enough that I'd go out of my way to look for the next one when it comes out.

Wagering for Miss Blake is a quick read, with shallow characters and an equally shallow plot line- entertaining enough to pass the time, but not so interesting a book, writing, or characters that I find myself wanting to read more in the series.

Love at first sight, does it exist? Giles Templeton, the third son of an Earl, always gets what he wants. Or does he? When it comes to ladies they have clamored after him. But when he first sets eyes on Miss Suzanna Blake he is stuck with the arrow. Going right toward her to get an introduction, he turns his charm on and knows she is the one for him. As they dance, Suzanna does feel a spark but knows she has to stay away from the handsome Giles. Her mother has declared she can only marry a man with a title and of course Giles does not have one. But Giles is determined and sets to wear her down so she will not care if he is titled or not. What he does not know is it is not Suzanna, but her mother who is adamant and she has no say in the matter.
A whirlwind of house parties, balls and strong pursuit makes Giles more and more attractive but what is she to do? I wanted to just shake Suzanna and have her tell her mother to get over it, but the trail to true love is sometimes long and one can only hope love prevails!
Part of a series, this can be read as a standalone but I am looking forward to reading stories of two friends of Giles in the future!!

This was an engaging read. I liked the characters of Giles and Suzanna. Giles was a bit of a rascal but very determined to get what he wanted. Suzanna was very much under her mother’s influence and had been from a very early age. She wanted to marry for love but her mother wanted a ‘ title’. Suzanna’s mother was an obnoxious character and I couldn’t wait for someone to stand up to her. Giles has two interesting, best friends in Hawk and Cam, I’m sure they must have their own stories to come. I received a copy and have voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is my first time reading a book by this author. I loved the book-blurb and was looking forward to the read. I have to say that it was basically an average read. I’ve read the trope before and have seen it done better. Definitely not a bad book, just not as good as I was expecting.

I found the book to be repetitive – constantly repeating the same mantra over and over – different places and times, but still the same thing. He’s going to marry her no matter what she says about it and she’s not going to marry him because he doesn’t have a title. I guess it also bugged me that she didn’t actually tell him why. She said she was only going to encourage and marry a man with a title, but she didn’t tell him that it was her mother’s requirement and not hers. She let him and the entire ton think she was a shallow, title-hunting young woman rather than letting them know the truth. Why? The mother certainly didn’t care who knew it. It could have made for a much more interesting story had she told him and everyone else the truth so maybe they could work together to get around her mother or something.

Another thing that bothered me was that we constantly heard how much her father loved her mother. Say what! That woman was one of the biggest shrews I’ve ever seen in a story, yet he loves her so much that he will throw his daughter’s life away to please her mother. I think not.

Mr. Giles Templeton, the third son of the Earl of Wexford, is the first male Pollyanna I have ever read. I actually liked him, but he seemed like a bit of a wuss. He first sees Miss Suzanna Blake at the wedding of her cousin to Giles friend the Duke of Bedford. Giles knows it is love at first sight and decides then and there to pursue her. She tells him, quite frankly, that she will only encourage the suit of a titled gentleman. He doesn’t believe her and contrives to see her at every opportunity. He knows the attraction is mutual, he’s seen her response to him. Now, all he has to do is convince her to fall in love with him. She left out the fact that it was her mother's requirement and not hers, so he was operating on false information. He could see where he could change her mind -- he had no clue that it was her mother's mind he needed to change.

Suzanna has always wanted to marry for love, but she’s had it drilled into her since birth that she must marry a title. She is drawn to Giles and finally, is in love with him. However, she can’t go against her parents. I know those were different times, but Suzanna was twenty-three years old and should surely have a little backbone. She could have at least told her parents she wanted to marry for love. Didn't happen. The scene that really got me was when she, yes SHE, decided to sleep with him so she’d always have the memory. She did it for selfish reasons – never thinking of him. He took her sleeping with him to mean that she had decided to marry him.

The book takes you through misunderstandings, wooing, etc. before we finally get to our HEA. I did like it when he finally had the grand epiphany that he should stop wagering with her and start wooing and winning her.

I will certainly give this author another try.

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"I requested and received this e-book at no cost to me and volunteered to read it; my review is my honest opinion and given without any influence by the author or publisher."

Wagering For Miss Blake by Callie Hutton is the story of Giles Templeton and Suzanna Blake.
Giles may not have a title but the town's mommies still would like him for their daughter but Giles is interested in that...until he meets Suzanna.
Giles is taken with her but Suzanna makes it clear that her mother will only have her marry a title. Giles works to win over her and her mother because he sees no other end for him. Will Suzanna go against her mother...or will Giles when the mother over?
This was a nice romance read...enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed Wagering for Miss Blake by Callie Hutton. She is becoming one of my favorite authors. I received an advance readers copy and am voluntarily reviewing the book.

Mr. Giles Templeton is the third son of on Earl. He has done quite well for himself. He sees Miss Blake across the room and when they meet, sparks fly for both of them. He does all he can to win her over.

Miss Blake is attracted to Giles. Her only issue is that her mother wants her to marry a titled gentleman. What is happiness when you can be a duchess. This is such a lovely story. I enjoyed reading the journey to the HEA. I certainly would recommend this story.

Mr Giles Templeton took one look at the beautiful Miss Suzanna Blake and decided she would be his wife. Unfortunately for him the lady and her mother have a far loftier goal in mind than a mere Mr.
Our hero is going to have to work harder than he ever has before to win his prize.
A witty story with lovely characters. A lighthearted, enjoyable and romantic read.

2.5 rounded up

I had a hard time with this book, the first half was very repetitive and the second half plunged headlong into the absurd.

Giles Templeton, third son of the Earl of Wexford meets Miss Suzanna Blake at the Duke of Bedford's wedding and falls in love at first sight. He will have her, he never fails...

Suzanna is attracted to Giles, but her mother insists that she marry a man with a title and as a third son Giles is not that man. She fights her attraction and tries to push him away - but he is determined to win her. This is the gist of the first half - him chasing her and her pushing him away - but she never tells him why she is looking to marry a title.

They attend a house party and finally, Suzanna gives into temptation and they make love - in fact, she insists - because you know, she can't marry the man she loves and wants the memory (eye roll). Giles thinks this means she has finally accepted the inevitable - but she tells him, it changes nothing, she will only marry a man with a title. He then suggests a wager - she will marry him and fall in love with him and if she doesn't he will donate to her favorite charity. Game on!

When they return to London, Giles steps up his pursuit - but the arrival of her parents brings his courtship to a swift end. When they finally are able to talk alone, she tells him, she wants to marry him, but her mother will forbid it, he tells her he will win and not to worry. But when he misinterprets a meeting between Suzanna and Lord Pemberton (her mother's choice for a son-in-law), he admits defeat and leaves London.

Weeks go by before he pulls his head out of his backside and decides to fight for the woman he loves, but is it too late??

Honestly, I have read this plot before and it has been done better - it seemed completely contrived and implausible - if they were really in love, they would have eloped - period. And since when is the handsome, wealthy, landowning with an income, son of an Earl "unsuitable" - Seriously?? Her parents where over the top and almost cartoonish, her mother was a complete witch and her father a wuss - I kept hoping they would run away together - just so they didn't have to have her parents in their lives! And why her father loved her mother so much is a complete mystery to me - her mother flat out said that she would have been happier if she married someone with a title - I almost felt sorry for her lovelorn father. Giles and Suzanna were both likable, but I was annoyed that Suzanna didn't tell him why she had to marry a title, keeping it from him made no sense and made her look bad - especially after she slept with him. The book has wonderful secondary characters, warmish love scenes and I did enjoy the ending and Giles' shift from "winning" to "earning" - for me that was the best part of the book. So in the end, the book was OK, but not a keeper. It is part of the Lords & Ladies in Love series, but can definitely be read as a stand alone title.

*I am voluntarily leaving a review for an eARC that was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher.*

Wagering for Miss Blake is a bit different from typical historical romances. Giles is the third son of a peer who does not plan to marry any time soon. But, then he sees Suzanna Blake across the room. He recognizes her outward beauty right away, yet there is something about her that draws him to her. Giles spends time getting to know her, pursuing her and falling in love with her. Giles is wealthy in his own right having used the resources left him by his maternal grandparents to build into a healthy fortune. Although the third son, he does not have a title of his own.

Suzanna is, also, instantly drawn to Giles, but following their introduction, knows her mother will never allow Suzanna to marry a man without a title, no matter how wealthy. Suzanna fights her connection to Giles for the longest time, but finally gives up and falls completely in love. She believes she will be in love with one man while married to a titled man of her mother’s choosing.

The determined persistence of Giles to make Suzanna his wife is to be admired. He sees what he wants, goes after it and gets what he wants. And, he states that to Suzanna frequently. It is Suzanna he wants. Suzanna has told several people she will only marry a peer. Suzanna seems a very strong female character except when it comes to her mother. She bows to what ever her mother demands, including the edict of marrying a title. Suzanna does try to stand up against her mother, but it seems even her father tells her it is not worth it.

Once Suzanna’s mother comes to town, she steps between our loving couple to make sure they are never together. Even though Suzanna and Giles had spent time together previously, her mom is ready to rectify that. Giles, with a little help from his friends, is able to connect with Suzanna even after her mother joins her in town.

This is a sweet love story with several bumps in the road, one of which is Suzanna’s need to placate her mother. Their HEA is a bit of a rough road, but worth the journey.

Publisher's Description:

Mr. Giles Templeton, third son of the Earl of Wexford, is a rake of the highest order and a confirmed bachelor. Yet, marriage-minded-mamas continue to drag their daughters to his attention. He's everything a young lady of the ton could want—handsome, wealthy, charming, and kind. For Miss Suzanna Blake, though, Giles is missing the one thing her parents require in a potential son-in-law—a title.

Giles has a golden touch—investments, horses, connections but when he falls…hard for Suzanna, she turns him away, despite the passion sparking between them. At wit’s end, Giles wagers her that not only will she marry him but he’ll make her fall in love with him. If Suzanna wins, she gains a sizable fortune for her favorite charity but she faces a loveless marriage to a titled man. Though her heart yearns for a true love-match with Giles, she has never gone against her parent’s wishes. All bets are off when happiness lies in losing a wager

My Thoughts:
A very determined man without a title and a young woman dictated by her mother that she may only marry a man with a title. These are the elements that make up this very engaging romance.

Mr. Giles Templeton, third son of the Earl of Wexford and a confirmed bachelor, however when he spies Miss Suzanna Blake he is determined that she will become his wife even though Suzanna makes it clear that she can only marry a man with a title.

Suzanna is very attracted to Giles in spite of the dictates of her mother. Can this mutual attraction come to anything other than heartbreak for this star crossed pair?
I gave this well written and engaging book 4.5 of 5.0 stars for storyline and characterization and a sensual rating of 3.5 of 5.0 flames. There is a bit of pre-marital intimacy with our hero and heroine but it doesn't distract from the main storyline.
I received a complimentary digital ARC of this title from the publisher to read and review. This in no way affected my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

4.25 Stars
Mr. Giles Templeton, third son of the Earl of Wexford, is confirmed bachelor. He's everything a young lady of the ton could want handsome, wealthy, charming, and kind. For Miss Suzanna Blake, though, Giles is missing the one thing her parents especially her mother, require in a potential son-in-law—a title.
Giles has a golden touch with regard to investments, horses, connections but when he falls hard for Suzanna, she turns him away, despite the passion sparking between them. At wit’s end, Giles wagers her that not only will she marry him but he’ll make her fall in love with him. If Suzanna wins, she gains a sizable fortune for an orphanage, her favourite charity.
I love a romance & this is a lovely romance, no mystery, no intrigue just two people falling in love but with one barrier in their way, Suzanna’s mother. Giles is a lovely hero who we met in the previous book & Suzanna is strong in everything apart from her dealings with her mother. I thoroughly enjoyed it & the teaser about Hawk has me awaiting his story
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

3.5*
I love a book where it’s the hero pursues the heroine and has to prove that they are meant to be together.
Mr. Giles Templeton is a third son who has made a fortune for himself, some say he has the Midas touch. He never loses and goes after what he wants and gets it.
Miss Susanna Blake is in town foe the season , her mother wants a title for her and nothing else. While at her cousins wedding she meets a very handsome man that peaks her interest but with no title her parents will not allow a match.
Giles never believed in love at first site until he saw Miss. Susanna Blake. Just like everything else he sets out to win Susanna, little did he know just what he was up against. No matter how much Giles makes her feel alive Susanna must stay away from him. If only he wasn’t at every ball, asking for the waltz and kissing her in the garden she could concentrate on that title her mother wants.
I loved the lively banter and the chemistry between Giles and Susanna was truly heartwarming and had me championing them throughout the book. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

A very charming and lighthearted Regency romance. I delighted in watching the pair dance around each other , fall hopelessly in love and eventually finding a way to be together despite all the odds working against their favour.
A lovely story and one I will recommend to all my friends.

I found this to be a light, yet very enjoyable story. Giles is everything Suzanna wants in a husband, only he's lacking a title. They meet and fall in love, but her mother is dead set in keeping them apart.

There aren't any edge-of-your-seat moments, and no daring rescues, but Callie Hutton's writing keeps you turning the pages. One refreshing thing to point out, while there is some sexual tension, sex is not a large part of this story, in fact there's only one scene.

Overall, a good book worth reading.

My thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Wagering for Miss Blake by Callie Hutton.

I voluntarily borrowered and read this book. My opinions are my own. This is a story about Suzanna and Giles. Giles falls in love with Suzanna the minute he sees her. Suzanna is attracted to Giles too but since he is only a 3rd son with no title he is not considered marriage material. Suzanna does not encourage the relationship but is attracted to Giles nonetheless. Giles is considered some what of a Rake but is confident and sure that Suzanna is the one for him. They are able to spend time together until Suazanna's parents come to town. It throws the relationship into uncertainty. I like the characters but feel that Suzanna should have grown a backbone. Her mother was cold and did not care about Suzann's desires. I think the love scenes could have been better because they were hard to picture completely. The end seemed rushed. Thanks for letting me read this book.

I really liked this romance and found it really entertaining and enjoyable. The plot is fun to read, there are a lot of witty lines and the characters are likeable.
RecommendedRC
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing, LLC and Netgalley for this ARC

I have read all Regency romances by Callie Hutton and I normally enjoy her style, the witty banters, the way the romance unfolds, etc. I am sorry to say that this novel did not live up to her standards and fell somewhat short of my expectations.

The issue of the "I can only marry into title" that haunts our heroine drags on too long and is so obsessive that it makes it hard to make out when and how the two main characters become emotionally close beyond the instalust trope. I am curious to see if our hero's friends will ge their book, they both seem potentially interesting characters, but they will need a more robust story to keep the reader's attention.

I liked that Giles set his path and achieved it. He had a few bumps along the way but overall his mind was set and he did not let naysayers dissuade him. Giles was very likeable and I loved his persuasiveness. Suzanna was what I would think women in that time were like – letting their parents determine their lives for them. She does not speak up like I would have liked but nor does she totally let her Mother ruin her whole life. Giles and Suzanna are a very cute couple and so glad they achieved their HEA.

I have a question though, what happened to Hawk? Will he get a story? I hope so.