4.5/5 Stars

Don’t let the cartoon cover fool you, this romance is surprisingly spicy.

It follows Aja, a plus-sized black women with anxiety who has moved to a small southern town to get a handle on her mental health, and Walker a southern white body who grew up in said southern town and vowed to never return… until his grandmother was in an accident and needed some care. The two realize from the start that they are attracted to each other, but since Walker is admitted about leaving as soon as his grandmother has recovers, they make a pact to help stop them from developing feelings for each other- they can only have sex after one of them wins at bingo!

This steamy romance is fun and enjoyable while also managing to have good representation of two characters who are struggling with their mental health, but also working to improve with the help of therapy and support networks.

Overall I would recommend Bet On It!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC!

Unfortunately, this one just wasn't for me. As someone that struggles with anxiety, the mental health rep was a highlight for me with this read! However, it felt like I was waiting through the entire book for some joy and fun to provide balance with the heavier moments. But I never really felt that reprieve. The story lacked the charm and warmth that I look for in romances, particularly ones set in small towns.
I also didn't get the chemistry between our two main characters. It felt like their shared experience with anxiety was the one point of connection, other than pure sexual attraction.
Was really excited about this one, but was disappointed that it didn't work for me. :(

I really wanted to love this book. It had so much - mental health rep, plus size/real body love, small town, POC... Unfortunately, though it was cute, I couldn't get into it. The pacing was slow and it was difficult for me to stay engaged.

Aja is a city girl that recently moved to a small town, looking to manage her anxiety better. Walker is a former small town boy that couldn't get away faster, to escape the damage his family caused him, dealing with PTSD. With the help of Walker's grandma, Miss May, weekly bingo and helping each other, they find a friendship and eventually more.

I loved the varied representation in the book and appreciate the effort that the author took to write but it felt like the actual falling in love part was secondary and never really felt invested.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Bet on It is a cute romance where the two love interests share anxiety issues. This common bond brings them closer as they learn what the other needs to cope to move forward. Their meet cute at Bingo and subsequent encounters lead them down the path from friends to lovers.

This story is easy to cruise through for a quick, summer read. The small town atmosphere added a nice element to an otherwise ok romance novel. The nickname she's given was terrible!!!

Thank you St. Martin's Press for the #gifted copy of this novel.

I don't know why I waited a month after pub day to read this book, but I think my mind was telling me to wait so I could read it when I really needed it. I also suffer from panic attacks like the MCs and seeing the effects of panic attacks on the page was inspiring. They're debilitating and Jodie Slaughter spelled it out in no-uncertain terms on what it's like to live with anxiety and depression. I liked seeing the two MCs find each other and lean on each other and that their mental health didn't hold them back, but made them better. They worked through things together and I liked that, I liked seeing someone like me fall in love on page. It helps me know I'm not damaged and that I can find love too.

This was cute enough and the mental health rep was good, but I wound up liking the side characters more than the mains and I really don’t think that the main couple would actually work/stay together

This wasn't an easy read for me. It took me weeks to get through. But overall, I appreciated it for all the representation. I thought that the author did an especially great job with the mental health related storylines in the book. Read if you're looking for very lust-forward spicy books that also cover heavier topics.

👍
+ The main characters in this book have anxiety and PTSD, causing panic attacks for them both. These I thought were handled quite well, as they come up in various scenarios, both in terms of showing how the characters dealt with it, but also in terms of showing how it can impact one's day.
+ I also appreciated the emphasis on therapy, we even got scenes of the main character talking to her therapist. I liked the emphasis on growth rather than "fixing" someone.
+ I loved that even though Aja had a lot of anxiety, and came off as quite shy in social situations, she was never shy about embracing her sexuality.
+ I really enjoyed a lot of the side characters. Walker's grandmother, Aja's friends. They were all genuinely nice people, which created a good balance from the heavier issues the main characters were dealing with.

👎
- The main issue I had with the book is that I never connected to the characters, especially in terms of their relationship. Nothing made me want to continue turning the pages, and TBH, I didn't really care if they got together or not.
- One of the reasons for this for me was that their relationship felt very lust driven. They read like horny teenagers. How much they sexualized each other in the most mundane situations, before they even really know each other was just not for me. And this coming from a person who loves spicy books!
- Tiny nit-pick: That's not how bingo works!

I am not typically a fan of romance books but I am very glad I gave this one a read. I think it was so sweet and I love that the author included things like anxiety and trauma -things that should definitely be talked about more often and are still so taboo.

Thoroughly Delightfully Delicious Romance!

What a thoroughly delightful story about two flawed anxiety-ridden individuals dealing professionally with life issues who meet and bond over weekly bingo sessions, thanks to Walker's grandmother. Together, Aja and Walker discover that there are people who can understand and love you in despite issues, baggage and preconceived notions. I savored every word of this story.

This was such a dynamic romance with the cutest characters that I adored. There romance was very sweet and a little spicy too, but also they grew as people in the book and the author took on some great topics for discussion. I especxially appreciated her talking about mental health and anxiety, not to mention the plus size rep! This was a really fun quick summer read for me and I would recommend checking out my review on Youtube for more details.

I knew I was going to love this as soon as I heard there was Bingo in it. If you know me, I have a Reading Journal that has a page where I play TBR bingo. I love Bingo anything, so it was a no-brainer that I got my hands on this. And Lordt I was not wrong that I would love it.

Another thing that caught my eye about this book besides the Bingo was the rep in it. There is Mental Health/Illness Rep and the female main character is fat and Black. Literally all I needed to know. I even bought it before I finished it because this sounded so much like me lol I don’t remember feeling so seen in such a long time. I mean from the panic attacks, to the body shape, to her being Black, to the Bingo. It was just all me. And it was done in such a tasteful way. I can’t lie, I was a little scared because I was afraid to see too much of me on the page. Like it just wouldn’t be right. But Slaughter knocked it out the park and I was so grateful.

The romance in this was spicy and sweet at the same time. Because BAY=BAY that freaking car scene?! Sheesh! I had to pause my audio and go take a walk lol It was definitely not the type of scene I was expecting when I started this. And I loved the way they both tried so hard to act like the other didn’t mean much to the other. It was so much fun to watch them realize that they were head over heels for each other. But that means it also crushed me when the third act break up came up.

After listening to this audio, I realized the narrator was Angel Pean, someone I’ve actually listened to before. And recently lol So basically it was easy to listen and enjoy her. Just as with her others, she is great with changing voices and making sure we know the difference between all characters. Especially his grandma. I thought it was pretty cool how she was able to show some age in her voice compared to the others. She is a true talent.

This book was such a surprise. I loved so much about it. If you liked Talia Hibbert, this is one for you. From the romance to the spice, it was definitely a book I wasn’t expecting to love so much. I hadn’t really heard anything about it. I decided on this off pure vibes alone and I don’t think I could have gotten any closer to my reading tastes lol I hope y’all love this as much as I did.

I wanted to love this one but it fell short for me. I didn't feel connected to Aja or Walker. I liked Walker's grandmother and his friends the best. This was an okay read for me.

I love this author and I love her romance books! I adored the characters and I loved seeing their story blossom! I can’t wait to read more from Jodie Slaughter!

I was so excited to read this book after reading the synopsis, a book that was going to talk about mental health and how people deal with, sign me up!

We meet Aja Owens mid panic attack in the Piggly Wiggly minutes before the store is set to close. She was spiraling because she thought she was going to be kicked out by an employee because she couldn’t move due to the panic attack. But lucky for her a man comes to her rescue by simply saying hello and letting her know he is there if she needs help.

Turns out that man is the grandson of her BINGO friend and thins start to spark after they are truly introduced.

There is a bit of smut in this book, but very enjoyable.

I really like the way the author was able to build a solid relationship between Aja and Walker while still discussing their mental health and how they both needed different things to make it work for them each.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book. This is my honest voluntary review.

This a cute small town romance. Aja moved to Greenbelt, SC to get away to a slower paced lifestyle. She’s got anxiety, and has attacks in the most inconvenient places. She hasn’t made a lot of friends, but plays bingo with an older woman.
Walker doesn’t like Greenbelt at all, but his grandma needs help after an accident so he temporarily leaves Charleston. He goes to her bingo night, and meets Aja, who is also helping his grandma.
Their attraction to one another is instant, and they make a pact that they can only have sex after one of them wins at bingo. As their emotional attachment grows, they want to figure out how to have a longer-term relationship. But he lives in Charleston and she lives in Greenbelt. Can they work it out?
The dialogue is very folksy, and the sex scenes are hot and steamy. If you enjoy a homey love story, complete with delicious peach cobbler, this book is for you. 3.5 stars

Synopsis:

The first time Aja Owens encounters the man of her dreams, she’s having a panic attack in the frozen foods section of the Piggly Wiggly. The second time, he’s being introduced to her as her favorite bingo buddy’s semi-estranged grandson. From there, all it takes is one game for her to realize that he’s definitely going to be a problem. And if there’s anything she already has a surplus of, it’s problems.

In Walker Abbott’s mind, there are only two worthwhile things in Greenbelt, South Carolina. The peach cobbler at his old favorite diner and his ailing grandmother. Dragging himself back after more than a decade away, he’s counting down the days until Gram heals and he can get back to his real life. Far away from the trauma inside of those city limits. Just when he thinks his plan is solid, enter Aja to shake everything up.

A hastily made bingo-based sex pact is supposed to keep this…thing between them from getting out of hand. Especially when submitting to their feelings means disrupting their carefully balanced lives. But emotions are just like bingo callers—they refuse to be ignored.

Jodie Slaughter's Bet on It is a heart-stoppingly fun, emotional romance that will have readers falling in love until long after the last page is turned.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/<id type="integer">4189932955</id>

Come for the bingo-based sex pact and stay for the mental health rep is the best way I can describe Jodie Slaughter's Bet On It. Aja Owens and Walker Abbott meet when Aja is having a panic attack in the grocery store and the way Slaughter crafts that scene with care and lightly woven in humor really sets the tone for the entire book.

Slaughter does a great job of showing characters living with PTSD and anxiety, and I also loved the way she wrote Aja's steps towards finding friends and community and how those situations can be both exciting and nerve-wracking to navigate. Meanwhile, Walker's journey deals with some complex family dynamics (and the ways that those who love us can still hurt us) and I really loved his relationship with his grandmother.

And then there's the delicious sex pact, forged as these two try to control the undeniable attraction between them. If you like reading about characters who grow as friends as well as lovers or friends with benefits situations, this is definitely a book for you.

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Aja is new in Greenbelt, SC. Walker has just reluctantly returned. When Aja meets Walker at Bingo with his grandmother, sparks fly immediately.

What’s starts as innocent flirting turns into a bingo based sex pact that quickly gets out of control. As Aja and Walker develop feelings for each other, what was supposed to be a quick fling turns into something more serious. But are they both ready to commit?

Bet on It is a wonderful little romance that touches on a lot of realistic life topics - anxiety, parental issues and abandonment, as well as forced independence. I liked the glimpses into both Aja and Walker’s life and the reminder that no one is without their own personal baggage.

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ St. Martin’s Griffin for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest opinions.

An incredible romance story from Jodie Slaughter!

The anxiety and C=PTSD rep in this book really stood out to me - I couldn't believe how seen and understood I felt while reading this story. The romance was stunning - it was very realistic and honest, and Aja and Walker's chemistry is undeniable!

Jodie's writing is easy to read and yet really fleshes out both our characters' and their lives, inside and out. I really enjoyed reading this one, and cannot wait to see what is next for Jodie!

I absolutely loved this book first off black plus size FMC?! Hell yeah!! I connected heavily to Aja and I loved watching her relationship with Walker blossom as well as her friendships with the women in the town.

As someone who struggles with anxiety and how it will affect or inconvenience the people in my life I felt so seen by this author and I feel like she was able to put my feelings into words!

Also really quick can we get into Walkers dirty talk for just a quick sec?! 🫠🫠🔥🔥 He was obsessed with that girl and she was right back to him. I read this as my first ARC from NetGalley thank y’all so much!!! I really loved this one!

Sweet story about two characters with similar mental health issues and how they feel about living in a small southern town. Aja has moved from DC to Greenbelt, SC to help her to better deal with her anxiety. Walker is back in Greenbelt to help his struggling grandmother although he'd vowed to never return to the scene of his childhood trauma. Aja and Walker's romance is sweet and slow-moving with some surprisingly hot bingo action lol. I enjoyed the setting and the secondary characters. I wish that there would have been a few more lighthearted moments with them.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review in return for my honest, albeit late review.