Rating: 4.5 stars

Aja plays BINGO every week with all the old ladies in town. Walker came back to his hometown to help his Gram while she heals from a broken arm.

Aja first meets Walker when she has her head in a freezer at the local Piggy Wiggly, in the middle of a panic attack. Aja's anxiety is a major plot point throughout the story. I think the author did a great job of explaining how anxiety can make a person feel. As someone who is also diagnosed with GAD.

Walker being back in his hometown is causing his PTSD to flare up. Everything about the town, including the waitresses at Minnies (the best peach cobbler ever). His dad was a drug addict and rumors spread rampantly when he was younger.

Aja and Walker meet at BINGO because he has to help Gram play her BINGO cards since she has a broken arm. Walker immediately tries to get closer to Aja.

This leads us to the sex pact. If Aja or Walker gets a BINGO they get to have sex. This is supposed to help them not get attached to each other... which obviously doesn't work.

This book did a great job of showing how anxiety can make it hard to build relationships and be comfortable in your own skin. The two spicy scenes were fantastic and I loved the chemistry between Walker and Aja.

Also... peaches- what a wonderful nickname.

3.5 stars

I liked a lot of Bet on It, but I was also meh on a lot of it too. It was an okay book for my reading tastes, but there was some spark or something missing, I loved Aja and how confident she was in her body and who she was. And I loved I loved Walker and their cute Bingo meet ups. But something was missing for it to feel special to me. All in all it was a good book, but not great, IMO.

This book deals with mental health struggles for both characters and I really liked that idea because it's becoming a very real situation for a lot of couples. I liked the premise of the story and the opening held so much promise. I had really high hopes for this book, and the truth is I believe the potential was great. The execution, however, fell short for me. The conflicting characteristics and choices afterward didn't align with what I believe to be consistent. And I think that's something to be considered by anyone reading this review...it's what I BELIEVE. Another reader may read the same story and leave feeling a relatability which I didn't have. For that reason alone, I'm rating the story with three stars. There are certain descriptions which are repeated throughout and a lot of attention on what is noticed about physical attributes, but not much real emotional connection. I felt the characters' desires for one another had more to do with just being with someone and less about the heartfelt draw of togetherness that supersedes lust.

Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review.

I am a huge fan of this book! I love realistic romcoms and Jodie Slaughter delivers just that. I love the fact that we get a very real view of anxiety.

Not only that, a bingo sex pact. HA. Wow! Also this book was delivering some SERIOUS steam with the public hookups. Dang dang dang. Definitely a must-read beach book!

Jodie Slaughter has written a book that eloquently touches on the struggles of anxiety, ptsd, and panic disorders and relationships while making the reader invested in the female main character and the male main character and their journeys (both separately and together).. Though I think it would be nice to have a little more background in what makes Aja tick, at the same time you cheer for her when she has little victories with overcoming her anxiety. Walker’s own story is heartbreaking and triumphant. As you’re reading, you become invested in the couple, and the spicy scenes are 🥵. There were some parts that seemed a little dragged out but it didn’t detract from the overall story. Excited to read more from this author!

ARC from NetGalley.

I enjoyed this story so much! I really felt connected to the characters and the focus on mental health with both of the leads was impressive. It was apart of who they were without it being the only thing about them.

I loved the development of the relationship and the smexy times were excellent!

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and give an honest opinion. This will definitely be an author I read from again!

Fantastic romance! This was a really great novel and the main characters were lovable, relatable, and sweet. A lot of romance plots can feel forced, especially when the characters argue or face the turning point of the story. This was not one of those stories. The entire plot was heart-warming and wholesome. Nothing felt forced or fake.

In Bet on It, our main character,Aja, meets townie Walker at bingo. Despite both of them having loads of social anxiety, they make a pact for the winner of the bingo game. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Publishers for providing me with an electronic ARC.

ARC was provided by St. Martin’s Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Content Warnings: Anxiety, panic attacks, c-PTSD, mention of parental abandonment, child neglect, a parent with substance abuse issues, and bullying.

When I first read the summary for this book I knew that I needed to get my hands on it. Having requested the arc a few months back, I’d all but given up hope that I’d get approved so when I received an email saying that my request had been accepted I was thrilled!

As someone who’s suffered from anxiety, depression, and PTSD since childhood I was happy to see the mental health representation done so well in this book. Growing up if there was mental health representation it was usually poorly done or was used to villainize those with mental health diagnoses. It’s nice to see writers creating fully rounded characters who deal with issues so many of us face in our day-to-day lives. I look forward to a time when mental health awareness is truly normalized and accepted and isn’t used to villainize or shame people.

Aja’s anxiety and panic attacks led her to relocate to the small town of Greenbelt South Carolina after a google search showed it was one of the quietest towns in America. As a way to get out of the house, and be somewhat social, Aja’s taken to attending weekly Bingo night. Though by far the youngest member in attendance, Aja finds comfort in the atmosphere and looks forward to attending every Wednesday.

Though she’s never gotten the courage to exchange numbers, Aja bonds with May, who sits next to Aja every week. Aja regrets that they never exchanged contact info after a few weeks, in a row, May did not make it to Bingo night. Trying to work up the courage to ask around about May, she’s relieved, and concerned, as May walks in with both arms in casts.

Having left town over a decade ago, with no intention of ever returning, the love of his grandma brings Walker back to town. Battling the past trauma that Greenbelt caused him, Walker is determined to ensure his grandma May recovers, before he makes another quick exit from the town that caused him nothing but pain in his youth.

In Walker, Aja sees a kindred spirit, someone who understands her struggles and is comforting, and patient, rather than judgemental. Walker has no intention of speaking to anyone in town, outside of his grandma May, but when he meets Aja he can’t help but want to get to know her better.

With a bet in place, to ensure they limit interactions and prevent feelings from developing, why do Aja and Walker, both, keep finding reasons to spend more time together?

This book was such a sweet read with mental health representation and two similar souls who find comfort, love, and acceptance with each other, and within themselves. I also loved the fat representation we got with Aja and how she’s confident in who she is. Aja is fat but it’s never used as a source of trauma or pain it’s simply just one small part of who she is.

If you enjoy books with great mental health and fat representation I highly recommend picking this book up when it releases in July! Getting to know Aja and Walker was so much fun…I really hope Jodie decides to give us more stories within this world.

Jodie Slaughter knocked it out of the park with Bet on It. A BINGO-BASED SEX PACT?!!! Exactly. The two main characters make a sex pact: every time they win at bingo, they can have sex. But they are so horny for each other and feelings are getting in the way, so obviously they break all their carefully crafted rules to be together. I love that.

Look, I'm such a huge fan of Jodie's books and I've read every single one of them except the mafia book (which I'm definitely reading one day FOR SURE but I want to have a Jodie book in my emergency stack still!). Bet on It is her first trad romance book and it was so good. I hope everyone reads it when it comes out because it's both emotional and romantic AF.

I really love the anxiety rep on this book. I feel like I've been reading a lot of romance books in a row with anxiety rep and I'm loving this so much. Yes to more! I feel like Jodie Slaughter did such a good job with this one and I felt so much of what they (the characters) were feeling. This book has so much care and love in its page, so much care that you feel it when you read it. Thank you Jodie for writing this story, their story, for writing Aja and Walker, for blessing us with such a beautiful novel.

Goodreads review
TW: former substance abuse from a parental figure, panic attacks
Thank you netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review :)

This book was a quick read…..or I was speed reading it so fast because it was that good. Okay, well, “Bet On It” focuses on our two main characters Aja and Walker. This is the first time I’m reading a romance book where BOTH characters share a similar disorder. Also, may I add kudos to the author for normalizing anxiety and the use of therapy in a healthy setting.

Aja and Walker both experience anxiety to a certain extent and we get to see them grow together and express understanding and comfortability with one another.

I loved how Jodie Slaughter didn’t make their conversations about mental health such a heavy topic, our characters understand the need to take a breath, how to go through a panic attack and triggers, the need to process their emotions on their own time etc. and this level of understanding only solidifies their bond.

“Bet On It” is told through first person subjective, this way the reader can view situations through the narrator’s point of view, with the narrator shifting from Aja’s to Walter’s alternating from chapter to chapter.

As someone who is black I appreciated the depiction of black culture throughout the book. I also enjoyed the highlighting of effective communication. We get to see Aja really blossom and grow throughout the story and Walter gets to work through his past traumas.

Now, the real reason y'all are here…….the romance….how was it? I’ll tell you how it was. It was cute, a nice feel good type of love. It also has some steamy parts. Overall their connection was really sweet to read. Walker really ADMIRES her and the ground she walks on.

I will be looking out for more Jodie Slaughter books to read in the future. Sis, you’ve got yourself a fan! If you are a fan of Talia Hibbert I am SURE you’d enjoy this book.

Review Posted: 4/7/22 Posted:Goodreads

This was a sweet little love story about two people facing their own mental health and baggage which find a safe space in each other. This story is a prime example of that old saying “you’ll find love when you’re least expecting it” as Walker and Aja meet at the grocery store whilst Aja is in the middle of a panic attack. I LOVE the relationship between the two MCs and how they’re able to help each other work through their demons whether they know what they are or not. I wasn’t prepared for the spice level of this book and it went from zero to dirty talk in the blink of an eye, but I loved it! The anxiety representation was top notch and I really liked that we were shown a character in therapy and working through her stuff like it’s totally normal-BECAUSE IT IS! The only thing I wish for from this book is maybe just a bit MORE of the mental health content because I feel like we were given the bare minimum with the MCs and their back stories and we definitely could’ve done with more!

I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Good romance book, pretty standard romance. Nothing special not my favorite read lately. Thanks for the ARC net galley

Bingo + romance? Sign me up! This book was fantastic and the characters are relatable and compelling. This book tackls mental health and the reality of data with generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD in a thoughtful, realistic way. Walker and Aja have LOTS of chemistry and the sex scenes are STEAMY. I also love a dual POV book and both Walker and Aja have unique voices. Overall this is a great book that I highly recommend to everyone, even people who don't traditionally read romance.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this eBook!

This is totally a summer rom-com, and I enjoyed it! Anxiety rep without it feeling preachy, and a beautiful, plus size lead? I was bound to enjoy it. An 80’s-style sex bet dependent on winning BINGO? Yes, please and thank you. Do I think this book is for everyone? No. I think there are a fair amount of content warnings, and some public-ish canoodling. If that’s a deal-breaker I’d give this a pass.

I also was thrown from the story a couple of times by things I hope are only in the ARC—specifically how BINGO numbers work when Aja wins, and the fact that kids were talking mess about Walker the Monday after of 4th of July… in school? Not deal breakers by any means, but they did stick out to me.

All of that to say if plus size ladies with anxiety finding love and thriving are your jam, this is a good choice!

I would first like to start of by thanking NetGalley and publisher for providing me with an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. With that being said, lets get started.

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.


----REVIEW----

LET IT BE KNOWN--
1. The spice? TOP TIER x1000000
2. This is going to be one of the top ten reads for Contemporary Romance 2022. I am calling it now. Just given from the cover I was drawn in right away, and the leading lady Aja ( which is oddly enough my aunts name and exact spelling, I cackled at that ) looked plus size and of a different ethnicity that other books tend to portray and I am LIVING for the representation in those areas. As a member of both the plus size community and an ethnic gal, it was nice to be able to look at a book and see someone that resembles you on there.

Now let's get past the cover LOL.
The book starts out with Aja having an anxiety attack int he middle of the frozen foods section, and Walker's instinct to offer stand next to her and just make sure she was okay is absolutely adorable. ( Because he struggles with mental health himself) They then meet again on Wednesday... dun dun dun
you guessed it, Bingo Night. Thus, comes the bingo sex pact. and their story began.

This book was just what I needed to get me out of my month long slump-- and get me back on track to my reading goal for this year because I'm ten books behind and am now charged up and ready to go. I am also living for the mental health rep we get in this book along side all the other representation. This author along with many others I've seen lately writing contemporary romance are tending to take that heavy romance with heavy topics and it's hit or miss because some cannot write and portray it correctly. Jodie Slaughter, got it perfect. I will be following along for her to really release so I can share all my unfiltered thoughts with many of you, but for now this is what ya get.

A sweet and romantic story of Walker and Aja. I love their journey and how they learn to heal and manage mental health issues.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the e-ARC for an honest review.

Definitely definitely definitely read the CW before this book! There is a lot of mental health rep (for both main characters) including discussions of panic attacks on-page. Overall, it's a fun book, but can be heavier at times, so tread with caution if needed. I found the ending to be a bit rushed but overall appreciated the representation and inclusion of a biracial couple. I was pleasantly surprised by this one!

This was STEAMY. I just need to get that out of the way. If you don’t like steam you may not like this. The story line was so fresh and new. I loved it.

After moving to the small town of Greenbelt, Aja’s main social obligation is her weekly bingo game. Her anxiety is holding her back from making connections in her new town, until her bingo friend’s handsome grandson rolls into town. Walker has more than his fair share of bad memories in the town and has never had a reason to stick around before despite his grandmother’s pleas to have the family in one location. Will a bingo-based pact be enough to coax Aja out of her comfort zone and Walker to give his hometown a second chance?

This book had such good mental health representation. That being said, the on page panic attacks and PTSD were challenging to read about at times and I would encourage readers to check content warnings before reading.

The growth of each character was really rewarding to see. I loved seeing Aja develop connections and take chances. Overall, this was a super enjoyable read, although I found the ending was a touch rushed. This book was SPICY.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced reading copy!

I really loved the representation of anxiety disorders in both of the main characters. I loved that it was a biracial couple , let alone a plus-sized main character.
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Everything happened so quickly. It felt like there could’ve been more to the romance and more to the plot. I know that instant-love is a well loved trope, but this seemed more rushed than planned out.
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I wanted to love the characters more than I did.