Just a Little Bet is the second book in the Smokejumper series and tells the story of Kayla and Tony. Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

I love second chance & best friends to lovers Romance books so when I read the synopsis of this book, I knew that I was going to like it. I really enjoyed reading the first book in the series, The Two-Date Rule, and the second book was really enjoyable too! I really liked reading about Willa and Grady again and I liked discovering Kayla and Tony’s story.

I really liked Kayla’s passion for photography, and I think she’s funny. As for Tony, I wish he’d opened up about his feelings sooner, but I guess that’s a typical man move. Besides that, I really liked Tony, he’s funny and caring. I think that Kayla and Tony are a great couple and I liked reading about them.

Just a Little Bet was a fun and fast-paced read and I really liked reading it. If I’d had more time, I would’ve finished this book in one sitting. Just a Little Bet is a quick and well written read, and I recommend reading the Smokejumper series. I’m really excited for the next book in the series!

Kayla and Tony are best friends, they used to date once upon a time and even though that didn’t work, their friendship got stronger. Kayla is going on a road trip to photograph old fire sites, and Tony is accompanying her. During the road trip, a bet between them leads to Tony meeting up a few of his ex girlfriends to know why they broke up. And during this self discovery, Tony starts opening up to Kayla, which brings them closer than when they were dating.
Just a little bet is a combination of my favorite storylines, friends to lovers and second chance. Kayla and Tony have a great chemistry which is accentuated by their sense of humor and their banter. A heartwarming read that pulls your heartstrings while getting you hot and bothered.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Tony and Kayla's slow burn, friendship to lovers romance is exactly what the world needs right now. Fenske always writes excellent books, but the heart and soul of this one are just a cut above.

The pair start off with a bet and a road trip. Off to see some of Tony's ex-girlfriends and find out if he is just a bad boyfriend or afraid of commitment. Meanwhile, Kayla is searching for her own truth and trying to find out why she's still single and constantly picking the wrong guys. Add in a bite dog, and plenty of hilarious capers on the road as these friends navigate their more-than-friendly feelings for each other and you've got a funny, fun, and sexy plot to brighten the gloom that is 2020.

Tony's honest self reflection is refreshing in a hero, as is Kayla's strong independence. This book dives into some deep emotions about abandonment, family issues, and what you really want in life.

It's a great escape on a virtual road trip and you'll be rooting for love and friendship the entire way.

This second chance, friends to more story from Tawna Fenske was a really fun read.

I liked getting to follow Kayla and Tony on their road trip to get to the bottom of his relationship issues. They have so much chemistry it's easy to see they belong together, but what will it take for them to realize it too?

This is the second book in the series, but it can be read as a standalone. I have enjoyed the series so far and can't wait for the next book.

Four and a half stars

Just a Little Bet by Tawna Fenske is the second in her Smokejumper series but stands well alone. It's a friends-to-lovers, second-chance, road trip story, full of heart and heat and humor and a charming dog, Fireball, who threatens to steal the show.

Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, agree to a road-trip after a night of overindulging. "It seemed like a great idea at the time" sets the stage for their journey to various burn sites, and Kayla figures it's an excellent way to combine her capturing these areas with Tony's fire expertise with meeting some of Tony's exes to get the low-down on why they'd called it quits. To help Tony get to the root of his relationship issues, of course.

Naturally this is both the best and worst idea ever. Tawna Fenske's characters are definitely a delight--Tony and Kayla are great together, and seeing them sort out their baggage is hilarious and incredibly moving. Ms Fenske does not let them shy away from the hard work of their history, and it is incredibly satisfying to see them willing to address their issues and find some resolution.

This is not to say that Just a Little Bet is all deep, emotional drudgery! Ms Fenske balances the story and character development very well, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough as I followed Kayla and Tony on their literal and emotional journey. I'm eager to catch up with the first in the Smokejumper series, and look forward to more in this series.

Kayla and Tony briefly dated before discovering that they made better friends than lovers, as Tony is very much commitment-shy. Still, they stayed best friends, and when Tony agrees to follow Kayla on her work trip, in exchange she suggests they investigate the reason behind all his failed relationships.
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The road trip becomes a sort of soul searching journey where both Tony and Kayla learn more about the other and themselves. They both grow tremendously throughout the book as layers and layers of past trauma are revealed to us. It made for a pleasant best friends to lovers read but did not hit the mark for me.
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3/5
#fridayinaprilbookreview

What a great book! I enjoyed meeting Kayla and Tony in the previous book but now we get to know them more in-depth. This story truly had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the idea of the road trip which was twofold; for Kayla to take pictures and for Tony to find out what went wrong with his past girlfriends. The road trip itself was great with the kiss-marry-kill game and we ended up finding and adding Fireball into the mix which was fun. The meetups with the ex-girlfriends were interesting; from insightful to cringeworthy to downright odd, I think Tony found out some great information on why he has commitment issues. I must admit I was not prepared for the way the story went at one point, but it definitely needed to be in the book, and I am glad that things are looking better. One of my favorite lines in this story is, ‘Families ebb and flow. Sometimes you’re in each other’s faces all the time, and sometimes you’re only in each other’s thoughts. But no matter where you are or how often you come home, you’re always in my heart’. I have read a lot of books by Tawna Fenske and this, in my personal opinion, is one of her best. Great Story!!!!

Just a Little Bet is a cute read that will pull at your heartstrings. I love that this is a second chance-ish romance. Tony never had a good example of loving relationships. He had let fear run his life when it comes to finding that someone. Kayla is so caring and sweet. She is one of Tony's best friends. I love how close they are and their banter. As Kayla and Tony take a road trip of Tony's exes you will smile and giggle. It is lovely watching them grew even closer and seeing sparks fly again. I love how Kayla handle's everything when it comes to Tony. She is what he needs. I love Tony and Kayla so much. I couldn't put this down. The changes in Tony are amazing. Go pick up this one today.

I love Tawna Fenske, this is the second book in the smokejumper series. I find her books are always so much fun to read, and I couldn't wait for the day to end so I could spend time reading Just a Little Bet. This is a (best) friend to lovers romance. The road trip and side bet may just be what these two need to overcome their underlying issues with relationships. Tawna weaves in real life into her romances and makes you want to keep reading to see how everything turns out.

I received an ARC for my honest review.

One little bet changes everything in this second chance romance in the Smokejumper series by Tawna Fenske.

Although their fling was short, Tony and Kayla have remained close friends, and he plans to join her on her road trip to old fire sites for her newest work project. After a drunken confession from Tony, Kayla decides to help him get to the bottom of his commitment issues - and a new plan is hatched.

Self help book in hand, the two head out on the road for photography...and meeting up with Tony's old flames.

While there are some funny, crazy and downright bizarre encounters with Tony's exes, there is so much more going on here than a few commitment issues. Slowly, pieces of Tony's childhood slip out, and the reader is offered glimpses that there is so much more going on than a fear of commitment.

And, lucky for the reader, that spark that brought the two together rekindles as they take this journey.

Just a Little Bet is funny, sexy and emotional - the reader learns so much of Tony's history, which is downright heartbreaking - but we also get to experience the man he's become. This one is a definite winner, and a perfect addition to the series.

I enjoyed this book. Tony and Kayla have tried the dating thing but ended up friends.. They go on a road trip together and that is when the fun starts. They take you on a roller coaster of emotions. You will feel their laughter, sorrow, and love. One of the ex girlfitends will have you cracking up at her craziness. Buckle up and enjoy the road trip with Tony and Kayla.

I’m a huge fan of Tawna Fenske, and I’ve loved all the books she’s written. “Just A Little Bet” is no exception. This is a friends to lovers romance with plenty of heat and lots of emotion. Tony and Kayla started out as a couple, then decided they were better off just friends. A road trip helps them to figure out that maybe they really do belong together after all. This book had everything you could ask for in a romance. There was depth and complexity to both characters, but it didn’t get weighed down too much and had some funny moments that helped lighten it. Fenske always adds a little quirk to her books, along with the sweet, sexy and serious. It makes for a charming read all around. Highly recommended. (Thanks to the publisher and Ms. Fenske for allowing me to read an advance copy of the book.)

This was an excellent follow up to the first book in the Smokejumpers series, The Two Date Rule. We met Kayla and Tony in the first book as they briefly got together, then split, but became close friends, both agreeing that they were better off as friends rather than lovers. The only problem is that they have tons of chemistry and attraction, and it's only a matter of time before their chemistry once again ignites.

Although not as lighthearted as the first book, this one had plenty of fun moments, interspersed with more serious ones. Kayla bets Tony that the reason he can't stay in a relationship is that he's a commitmentphobe, while he insists that's not the reason, it's that he is just not a good boyfriend. To prove the bet one way or the other, they go on a road trip together, ostensibly in order for Kayla to shoot a series of photographs at old burn sites for a book she's working on, but also to meet up with some of Tony's exes to get their perspective on why the relationship didn't work out. By the end of the book, they've both gotten a fair amount of insight into their previous behavioral patterns, giving the reader hope that they can finally make their own relationship work. Both Kayla and Tony were strong, likable characters whom it was easy to root for. The only thing I didn't like about the book was that Kayla was way too wrapped up in how badly she wanted to be married with children and that got a bit tiresome at times. However, that's a minor niggle that didn't drag the book down. I'm not sure who the next book will be about, but I'll be looking forward to it.

Tony is a firefighter who has grown weary of the single life and wants more in his life than a series of failed relationships. With the help of his best friend Kayla they embark on a venture that is business for her and personal for him as he plans to reconnect with his previous girlfriends to find out not only where it went sideways to try and prevent it in the future.

Although the romantic relationship that Kayla and Tony had in the past wasn’t successful their friendship is stronger than ever. She would do anything to help her best friend and that includes help him face his past and along they way they may just discover that the love they have been looking for has been right in front of them all along.

This is a heartwarming story about overcoming your past with all the feels, the interactions between Tony and Kayla are both humorous and hot and there is no denying that they belong together.

I loved this book, I like the wittiness of the characters, but also the underlying message in the book. There is always a reason why people behave the way they do. I admire the penwomanship of this writer, she finds humor in dire situations. All-in all, I loved the characters and their banter, their encounter with love, life and lust.
Here’s what the book’s about: After a night of too many drinks, completely against his habit, smokejumper Tony Warren and his best friend, photographer Kayla Gladney, come to the realization that they’re both bad at love. They even tried dating each other, but that crashed and burned, too. Now he’s got the hangover from hell and the certain conclusion he’s just a shit boyfriend. But Kayla thinks he’s a straight-up commitment-phobe.

So they make a bet—they’re going to hunt down his exes and decide once and for all why he’s so unlucky in love. Terrible boyfriend or commitment-phobe. Why does either answer feel like he’s still losing?

But between roadside burgers and late night detours, they discover some fires never burn out—like the one slowly smoldering between them. And suddenly losing feels a whole lot like winning again.

Fenske takes on serious subjects with humor and grace and her latest will have you alternately laughing and crying. Kayla and Tony are relationship goals, once they start learning to communicate.

Road trip, lovers-to-friends-to-lovers, second chance romance? Hello, all my catnip in one shiny package! This is the second in a series about smokejumpers, but I read as a stand-alone. I should just note, for anyone looking for firefighter content, while he is a smokejumper, the book happens during the off-season, so there’s very little related content.

“And you’re thinking they’ll just—what? Open up and give me all this insight into why I’m a bad boyfriend? Why would they do that?”
“Are you kidding?” She laughed. “What woman wouldn’t want a chance to tell a guy how he screwed up?”
Tony frowned. “That’s encouraging.”


Kayla and Tony dated for a while but broke up amicably – he wasn’t looking for anything serious while she wants to start a family – and they’re best friends now. But everything changes after his latest breakup – on his parents wedding anniversary – leads to him drunkenly confessing to her that he does want the whole marriage and kids thing. Kayla, spurred on by a self-help book her happily married sister recommended to her, decides on a plan. Tony was already planning to accompany her on a road trip to photograph old fire complex sites, so they’ll also interview Tony’s exes to figure out whether he just sucks as a boyfriend or there’s some other issue.

“I want—” He started there, then stopped himself. There were a million ways he could answer that.
I want to know what a good, solid, healthy relationship feels like.
I want the kind of marriage where no one loses themselves.
I want to be someone’s safety instead of someone’s trap.”


I mean, that’s classic rom-com material right there, isn’t it? I liked Kayla and Tony, and I especially liked them together. They have great chemistry, a great sense of humor, and the sex scenes are steamy. The ex interviews are funny and unique, though they don’t play as much of a big part as you’d think. It’s clear pretty quickly though why Tony has pushed away all his girlfriends, and his childhood trauma is deep and still very much present in the book. Despite his longing for a family – which he seems to barely want to admit to himself – he’s afraid he doesn’t know how marriage works and worries that he’ll only end up hurting Kayla if he tries to have a relationship with her. Kayla has her own issues – namely, being the only unwed one of her sisters – but it’s overshadowed by Tony’s family history.

“I kissed Tony and adopted a dog and almost had two strangers catch me bare-assed in the woods.” She paused, wondering if she should have started with hello. “Not necessarily in that order.”
“Wow.” Willa fell silent. “You’ve been gone three days, girl. What’s your plan for tomorrow, bank robbery?”


And that leads me to my main problem with this book. There’s just too much going on – the self help book, the ex interviews, the random dog (sure, Fireball’s adorable, but what in the world?), the estrangement with his mom. It felt like there were a lot of disparate threads and the tone differences between them all were jarring. Is this a madcap road trip comedy? A heartfelt story about recovering from childhood trauma? I’m not really sure. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy all those parts – I did! – but that I was often left with a bit of whiplash.

Overall, I’d give this 3.5 stars. While I think it had some tone issues, it was overall a funny and enjoyable read.

I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I loved this book, it was full of emotions and some fun moments. Tony and Kayla were great, they used to date but decided they were better off as friends. But when something happens with Tony's latest girlfriend, he confesses he wants more out of life and is looking for love, as is Kayla. This was a very well written book and I loved every word.

This was a great friends to lovers, road trip story. I really enjoyed both Tony and Kayla. Kayla and Tony had previously dated each other but like all of Tony’s relationships it didn’t last very long yet they stayed friends. When Kayla had to go on a road trip to take photos, Tony decided to go along. While on this road trip they would look up some of Tony’s exes and figure out what went wrong. This brought Tony and Kayla closer, it allowed Kayla to see a deeper side to Tony that he didn’t normally let people see.
I really liked the friendship that really grew between Kayla and Tony...and Fireball.

I really didnt enjoy this book, the characters were kinda shallow to me. I couldnt connect to them, or the storyline.