I love Fiona Riley books, and although I've read the others, they can all be read as standalone novels. I really enjoyed this one, the story of Ellison. Everything you expect in a romance - challenges, steam, sizzle, HEA, and great characters. This is a lovely book, and I definitely recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon/ Instagram reviews to follow.

Beginner’s Bet is the third book in the High Stakes Romances. This is the first book I have read in this series and Fiona Riley made it easy to catch up with the characters from the previous two novels.
Ellison Gamble owns a high end real estate and development company. She is a self made women, divorced and trying desperately to become pregnant. Katie Crawford, a message therapist, dropped her life and dreams three years ago after her mother was in a serious car accident and required her constant care for any chance of recovery. As her mother’s health and independence declined even more so after a stroke, Katie made the tough and costly decision to place her mom in a rehabilitation center. Yet even with working double shifts her money will run out in a few months. She has no idea what she will do at that time for herself or her mother.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is well written with humorous dialogue and a depth of character I constantly look for from writers. As well, it is about mature women dealing with hard knocks that life tends to throw no matter your economic stature. After the first few chapters I thought I knew where the storyline was going and was pleasantly surprised that my assumptions were incorrect. The love story read as genuine with the two women meeting on the worst day of both their lives.
If you are a reader who tends to skip the Acknowledgments I will strongly suggest to take the time to read them in this novel. Having the author share the reality of her life struggles shines an intimate light on the story. It undeniably made this story genuine and a must read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

Loved this story. The romance was very fun loving and sweet between Ellison and Katie. Even though there's a age gap between them you could tell that it was a mature relationship with all the ups and downs of any pairing. There's some drama and angst, but it just seemed to make this story better. Ellison seemed like such a sweet soul you just wanted to root for her to get everything she wanted out of life and Katie was such a contrast to Ellison by being more hesitant in how she felt about where her life was and could go that at times she sabotaged what was growing between the two. The supporting characters were great too couldn't get enough of Trina, Lauren, and Jax. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends and family, and I will definitely be on the lookout for what this author writes next.

Beginner’s Bet is the third novel in the “High Stakes Romances” series by Fiona Riley. I loved the first two books in this series, but I think I love this one the best of all.

The series centers around a luxury real estate firm and the people who work there. Each book covers the romance of one of the employees. This book tells the story of the firm’s owner, Ellison Gamble and Katie Crawford, a young woman who has to sell her childhood home.

This book has everything I expect from a Fiona Riley contemporary romance. We have two vibrant and exceptionally likeable main characters that have a definite chemistry that only grows as they get to know each other. There is an age gap and a financial disparity that fuels the conflict in the plot. The sex scenes are quite steamy, exactly what I look for in a Fiona Riley romance. Since all three novels are set around the realty firm, we also get to reconnect with some of our favorite people in the first two books.

You could read this novel as a standalone if you wanted, but I would suggest that you read all three books in order. They are all fabulous stories with Beginner’s Bet being the best one yet.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

Third and last book of the series and what better way than to round it all up with The Boss.

For readers who have not read the previous books, Ellison Gamble is the cream of the crop. Owner of the real estate firm, she is wealthy and established, powerful and poised, beautiful but alone. In the midst of a life altering decision she meets the younger Kate and they strike an unlikely friendship. A friendship between an overwhelmed and broke Kate who is struggling to provide for her ill mother and Ellison who has all it all but is rejected for her help.

The author made the progression from friends to lovers a sweet and natural affair. Both leads were waiting for someone but neither knew it was the other until it happened. However, since life is never easy, things just have a way to spiral out of control. In this book, Ellison, the seemingly untouchable boss and rock of the company is seen with vulnerabilities. Not giving away too much but if you are a fan of toaster oven romance…. Thank you Fiona for sharing some of your life experiences and events with the readers - you made what the characters’ went through real.

I just reviewed Beginner’s Bet by Fiona Riley. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

Riley has hit another home run with her third novel in her High Stakes series. We finally get to know Ellison Gamble, the sort of matriarch of the series. (And it is now just occurring to me that her last name is Gamble and the titles are all about bets… wow! I guess I never claimed to be clever nor observant.) Ellison is a competent, strong, successful woman. She is such an amazing character who is hard not to admire and we are finally invited to really understand what makes her tick.

Katie is struggling to get her footing in life. When she meets Ellison she is trying to find a balance between her job, her ailing mother and a house that has become “an albatross.” The two connect and easily become good friendship which quickly evolves into much more. They are clearly well matched with a really healthy dose of trust and mutual support and easily help each other navigate life’s challenges.

My only one critique would be with the quick, and seemingly out of nowhere conflict. This book was so easy with a solid relationship progression right up until the climax where Katie becomes overwhelmed and just, kind of, falls apart. It seems to develop almost out of no where and a bit of an overreaction. She is so happy in content in her new world, her problems solved, but doesn’t seem to have a spare thought for the future. When she is questioned about next steps, she just falls off the wagon within less than 24 hours. It doesn’t make sense to me. People, by nature, tend to consider their futures, so how can someone be so surprised and shocked when checked with a dose of reality? But maybe that’s just me.

Also, and this has nothing to do with anything, but the use of the word tissue as a synonym for skin makes me cringe a bit. It’s makes me think of blood and guts, not something soft and touchable.

What I loved most about this book was the ending and how it continues to tell the later years instead of just the typical happy romance ending. Really enjoyed reading

This is the third book by Fiona Riles I have read thanks to netgalley and I have loved every single one of them. They are sweet, funny, and incredibly sexy. Add to that the Boston and New England settings and they are some of my favorite romance novels. I can't recommend them highly enough.

If you've loved meeting Ellison in any of Riley's previous books and wanted more from her, you get it here in this sweet and sexy book.

This has been the best romance of the year for me to date, deserving of the highest rating and I am really glad that the author is who she is because she had already given us great stories. But for me this one surpasses them all.

It has two excellent protagonists. We had already met one in the previous two books in the High Stakes Romances series, as she is Ellison Gamble, the owner of Gamble and Associates, The other is a new character, Katie, who currently works as a chiropractor at a Spa that is next door to Ellison's office. Well, Katie gives massages and does everything she can to get the most money since her mother has just suffered a seizure that has left her disabled and in need of constant care. In fact, Katie has gotten her admitted to a rehab facility, but she doesn't know how long she'll be able to afford it. So the two of them meet casually for professional reasons but quickly realize that there may be much more between them.

All despite the fact that Katie isn't gay to begin with, and the two of them are in such different worlds ptofessional and economical, not to mention their fourteen year age difference. And Ellison wants to be a mother because she has been putting it off for so long, even though she physically is not going to be able to do it. There are so many factors that should prevent them from starting something but at the same time so many align to make things easier for them.

But here the author has managed to chain the facts and do it in such a perfect way that the story surrounds you and the desire to see how they overcome all obstacles and their own fears grows more and more. Both women are wonderful, I have adored them from the beginning and they have not disappointed me, which is unusual. And their demeanor is honest, sincere and generous at all times.

Do not forget that it is a part of a trilogy, so we can reconnect with Trina and Lauren and also with Jax and Thea, from other stories as well. It is always appreciated. But this story is perfectly independent in itself, without having to read previous parts.

But without a doubt I consider this one the best of the three and it is a really safe bet. winner gamble.

"Beginner's Bet" is Fiona Riley's final book in the "A High Stakes Romance" series and it is absolutely the best, even given that the other books in the series were quite good. This book has it all.....wonderful, relatable characters (Ellison Gamble, Katie Crawford, and all the employees from Ellison's real estate agency); emotional life changing events; romance; age-gap (fifteen years); and a massage scene that smolders with chemistry and so much more.

This book is in my top five list of books that I've read this year. 5 stars.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely the best book in the series.

This was a shift from the previous book as it gets very deep and emotional but still has some light and fun moments you would expect from the author.

Loved the journey of both characters as none of them was dealing with an easy situation.

The book has my favourite massage scene ever.

The final in the series of the Bet series does not disappoint. Ellison finds love in the unlikeliest of ways, and it just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by the cover. Despite Ellison’s hard fought and won success, she’s a bleeding romantic at heart. Even though Katie is no where near Ellison’s social status, the romantic in her doesn’t care and just goes for it. A very enjoyable book to soak up an afternoon or two.

If I can give this more than 5 I would. ever since I started the first book in this series. Ellison was my favorite and having her own book made me like her even more. glad the author made her like someone as likable as her. very very enjoyable read I honestly did not want it to end.

𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻.

The High Stakes series revolves around a realtor firm and this is its third and final book. It is also the best, in my opinion and I love this book to bits for one specific reason - Ellison.

Ellison is the perfect character and I fell for her instantly. This realtor boss is classy, mature and so put together. She's dependable and I love how she takes on the protector role in the relationship. Katie is lovable too but in a different way. They are exact opposites. She’s young and bubbly, but her life hasn’t been stable since her mother’s stroke. And although Ellison and Katie are so different, I love that none of that really matters to them and they fit like pieces in a puzzle and they complete each other. They meet at the lowest points in their life and the idea of them being together really grew on me.
 
There is one thing that Ellison wants more than falling in love and that is to have a child of her own. Ellison doesn't compromise on that. There is a whole storyline about this and it sort of runs in parallel with her love life and while I'm not personally thrilled by the timing of it, I think I understand why this is important to Ellison. But the main couple skirts around the issue for a long time and I wish they hadn’t.

This is a strong end to the series and it is my favourite out of the three. But before I end this review, I feel like I need to say that there was something that bothered me – that is Ellison having an ex turned best friends with occasional benefits. I honestly can’t wrap my head around it because I can't deal with a partner who still hangs out with someone this special even if cheating isn’t in the cards. It is weird to me but I get that it is my personal bias. It is not an issue because none of the characters make a big deal out of this and it doesn't take away the enjoyment I had from this book. It's really just me and I’m the only one still perturbed.

I know Riley has written other books apart from this series and I really need to check them out.

Beginner's Bet has a giant hold on my heart and I'm not sad about it one bit! I honestly haven't been this smitten with a book in a really long time and can't wait to read it again. This is the third installment in Fiona Riley's High Stakes Series and while we met and got to know Ellison Gamble in the first two books, Beginner's Bet is where she finally took center stage and boy did she ever! In the previous books, readers knew Ellison as the head of Gamble and Associates. She laid down the bet for Trina and Kendall in Bet Against Me and helped save Thea's family farm in Bet the Farm. Ellison was, to put it simply, an enigma.

In Beginner's Bet, the reader really got to know Ellison and see her for the intelligent, motivated, persistent, compassionate, and selfless person that she was. Yes, she was a "boss bitch" but she was so much more. It's been said that people come into your life for a reason and for Ellison and Katie, this is true. Katie, a 28-year-old massage therapist was struggling to make ends meet, care for her disabled mother, and maintain her family's ancient Victorian house. They met by chance at Katie's place of employment and established a friendship that slowly morphed into more as the chemistry between the two was undeniable. Fortunately, the age difference never caused any unnecessary drama nor did Katie's newfound gayness. We were able to catch up with friends from other Fiona Riley books. This book was really just so wonderfully written, from the descriptive detail to the witty dialogue to the steamy, sexy scenes. I just loved everything about it and highly recommend it. It is definitely my favorite Fiona Riley book so far!

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

Downloaded this book on my work computer because I HAD to finish it. I have only read one other Fiona Riley book, but I will be buying and adding them all to my TBR. This was so good.

Fiona Riley is always a hit for me. The dialogue is always so well done. I think that’s what gets me every time I read a book by Riley, I can’t like actually hear the conversations. The writing in this book is no different. The banter was great. I didn’t realize how much I wanted a book on Ellison so if you’ve been waiting for her story you won’t be disappointed. This book does abide by the usual romance book formula of: meet, fall in love, angst, then make up. Regardless of thee “standard” format, I felt fully invested the whole time. I loved the ending too. I would definitely recommend this.

Five Stars!!! This is already topping my read again list. I intentionally slowed down my reading speed to enjoy the characters and pacing. Fiona Riley is a master of writing dialog that moves the story forward in natural, sexy, honest and endearing ways. Ellison Gamble owns a successful luxury real estate agency in Boston. At 43 she has everything she wants but she is alone. Katie Crawford (28) is working as a message therapist in the same building as Ellison. She is overwhelmed with the course her life has taken after moving home to help her mother recover from a car crash and eventual stroke. She wants her mom to have the best care and is working as much as she can to cover the expenses. She isn't looking for love and is shocked when it walks through her door.

These are two of my new favorite characters. They are honest and deep in their thoughts and feelings. I could have read another few hundred pages of their conversations, sexy times and joy found in each other. This is the third in Riley's High Stakes series but easily can be read alone. I'm not sure if this completes the series or if Jax will get their story. This is for anyone who loves a good f/f romance. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an ARC ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! It was entertaining, easy to read and a lovely romance all at the same time, perfect summer read. The characters are well developed and the story well written. Would recommend!

Ellison learns she can’t carry a baby to term because she has a hostile uterus all she wants is to be a mom. She now has to decides wether to use a surrogate and she cautions because that’s a lot of trust to put into someone but the support of her friend Faith and sometimes friends with benefits decides to give it a go.

Katie is struggling although she got job she likes she still worries on how she be able to keep her mother at care living facility that she been thriving at. Katie and Ellison meets after a misunderstanding and a friendship is form. Ellison helps Katie with the selling of her house as they get to know each other their friendship turns into something more.

I love this read the words flow easily the MCs have great chemistry I like that their romance was slow build it started as a friendship. Love the supporting characters that works with Ellison Jax Lauren Trina that’s seen more then coworkers but family and Katie best friend Shaina who there to lend an ear when Katie needs to talk.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.