I thought that the concept of this book was interesting but I think it was missing something that would have made it capture my attention fully. It took me a little longer to finish this book than it normally would and I think that was the reason. It was still a pretty good book though as I was able to finish it in the end.

Thank you to Netgalley for the free book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for a review!

Play to Win opens with Miri, who lives in South Carolina with her mother in the same town she grew up in. Her mom likes buying lottery cards and on a whim, Miri decides to buy one too. It turns out that she chose the winning numbers and won the jackpot of 220 million dollars. She goes to a trusted banker of her friends who tells her that since she got the card alone, she should have no problem having people coming out of the woodwork trying to claim some of her winnings. The problem is that she is technically married, even though they haven't spoken in eight years. The banker advises her to offer him a lump sum as long as he signs the divorce papers.

She gets her husband's, Leo, phone number from his sister and calls him up saying he needs to come home. He apparently has been waiting on her call for eight years and drops everything and immediately drives back. He is hoping that she called because she wants to get back together, and is disappointed but not put out when she says she wants a divorce and will give him some of her winnings. He is determined to win her back.

About halfway through the book, it is finally revealed what went down eight years ago. Basically, Miri and Leo, grew up together and started dating when they were sixteen and got married after high school at eighteen. When they were twenty-two, they did not have a lot of money and were very stressed about money and behind on bills when Leo came home one day and was like "I'm leaving you". Miri was obviously very distraught by this and is understandably hesitant to jump back into a relationship with him, which is what he wants.

A big problem that I have with this book is that Leo doesn't really apologize for leaving her and causing her all of that pain and constantly is getting frustrated and confused that she is not immediately taking him back and forgetting about the past. The people around Miri that are important to her are also telling her that she obviously wants him back and that she's just "being dramatic". No one was really validating her feelings up to a certain point in the book and that annoyed me.

For a large part of the novel I was not rooting for them to get together, which is not what you want when reading a romance. After one conversation together, all of a sudden all of their problems are solved and they get back together.

Another issue I have is that I don't think that they would have worked out if she hadn't won the lottery. Obviously her winning the lottery was the catalyst for her reaching out to him and them reconnecting, but the reason he left her was because they were poor and he was insecure that, as a man, he was unable to provide for his wife. If she hadn't won the lottery, those money issues and insecurity would have still been there. It isn't until they are already back together that Miri brings up that they should go to therapy in order to make sure they work out. If that stipulation had been mentioned earlier, or if Leo had gone to therapy in the eight years of estrangement and was able to say for certain that he is over the insecurity he felt and would never leave her like that again, I would have found the romance more believable and the novel more enjoyable.

Fantastic writing, storyline, banter and the list goes on and on. It will be a clear favorite on booktok and bookstagram.

Second chance romance, pretty high steam level, charming supporting cast of characters, believable conflicts between the main characters (a couple that married far too young, separated for 8 years but still legally married), and an unexpected glimpse into the emotional challenges of winning the lottery after a lifetime of teetering on the edge of poverty. Since the couple at the center of the story separated because of money problems, watching them cope with the reality of a massive windfall and the sweeping changes it brings was really interesting, and added a lot of depth to the characters and their story.

Thank you @smpromance @netgalley for this book. Am estranged marriage and winning a boat load of money is an interesting premise. I love how humble Miri is and she didn't go all crazy after winning the lottery. When she reached out to her estranged husband, Leo, he didn't act all crazy wanting money which was amazing. I liked that Leo changed his ways and wanted to stay in this small town. I appreciated how the story showed not only how Miri was impacted by Leo leaving but his family too. I am still not sure why he left and still enjoyed the story.

I enjoyed this rom-com and would rate it at about a 3.5. It had all the right elements to become an escape from reality. The main characters were likable, and it was easy to root for them. Let's face it, a love story is always fun, and this one was pretty spicy too.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

There is this point in every Jodie Slaughter novel, near the beginning, when I realize that I don't understand everything that's going ok but that I need to just give in to the book and see where it takes me, and Play to Win is no exception. Miri and Leo were childhood sweethearts who married and then acrimoniously split. They haven't been in contact, but Miri has won the lottery and needs Leo to relinquish his claim.

Miri and Leo are wonderfully flawed, and despite them having serious incompatibilities to resolve, you can't help but root for them. And Patrice, Miri's mom, is fantastic too. The whole town of Greenbelt, South Carolina feels like another character.

Highly recommend.

I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Play to Win is the story of Miri, who has hit a low point in life. Her husband left eight years ago, she struggles to provide for her mom and herself, and their landlord is the worst. On a whim, she decides to buy a lottery ticket and everything changes. After the initial shock, she realizes that because she is still married, her estranged husband could sue her for the winnings. Her lawyer advises her to make contact and offer him a set amount in exchange for a divorce. But that will require reaching out to the man who left that she may still have feelings for…

Jodie Slaughter writes excellent, steamy, can’t-put-it-down romance! I gulped this book down like candy. Miri is such a great protagonist and I loved how determined and grounded she was. Even when she won the lottery, she prioritized taking care of the people who had always been there for her. Slaughter’s dialogue is hilarious and feels realistic. I loved that Miri is bisexual and that Leo is such an accepting partner. Miri’s mom was also wonderful- forever looking out for her daughter and protecting her. I enjoyed the cameos of Aja and Walker from Bet On It.

Leo and Miri have scorching chemistry, along with a mess of tangled emotions about who they once were. They grew up together and married young, which made things even worse when Leo left. Leo meanwhile has been missing out on his family in town, including his adorable nephews. Leo and Miri slowly dance around each other, taking steps to work through their shared trauma, before finally rushing towards each other in a satisfying conclusion. I can’t wait to read what Jodie Slaughter writes next! Readers who love complex second-chance romance will devour this book.

Thank you to Jodie Slaughter, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

Author Jodie Slaughter is a dirty, dirty writer. Phew! Damn, it’s hot in here. But she also writes such realistic characters, that I truly feel as if I’d been on this journey with them. Maybe I can’t relate to their history or circumstances, but I can relate to their emotions and feelings of inadequacy. That’s universal. And I love the world created in their little South Carolina town, and can’t wait to visit again.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Leo and Miri are such engaging characters, along with their friends and family. Estranged for eight years, Leo sees a chance to win Miri back and atone for his mistakes. Miri sees another opportunity for a massive heartbreak if she allows Leo to get close again. Will love and maturity win out?

So this was a big disapointment. The initial couple chapters had a great set up, a poor women wins the lottery and while meeting with a lawyer discovers that her astranged husband (for the past 8 years) has a claim to the money. She reaches out to the astranged husband to offer him a lump sum and ask for a divorce so he couldn't get half of the money. From there the story goes down hill. The husband left 8 years ago because they were poor and he felt like he couldn't provide for his wife....so he just left. And then when she reached out to him he suddenly decides that he now wants to get her back. The two of them never really talk about their issues other than "yes you left and it made me upset," like that was it. They didn't discuss any real issues that would have came from that. He makes it clear he wants her back and then one day shes just like "oh ok I love you too" and they are back together. I felt 0 romance between them, they didn't talk about any of their issues, they didn't do much together in terms of being a couple. When they got together in the last 10-15% I couldn't believe because they didn't make any sense and there wasn't any time for things to make sense.

I was really disapointed because the first book was so much fun and well done, this just felt like the shell of a story without any substance.

Second chance romances is one of my favorite tropes. That’s why when I heard that this book had this trope, I was really excited to read it. Unfortunately it just didn’t do it for me.
I loved Miri I was just not a fan of Leo, at all. There was honestly no redeemable factors about his character. Also there was nothing to push the plot along (not even the winning the lottery) in this very slow paced story.

I really enjoyed Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter last year, so added this one to my list. I typically enjoy second chance romance, but didn't enjoy this as much as her first. What really connected me to the pervious book was the depictions and inclusions of anxiety/panic attacks. So while I didn't dislike this, I just didn't connect to it as much! I did enjoy how it's set in the same small town as Bet on It and we run into characters from that story.

The premise was pretty entertaining! Miri grabs a lottery ticket by chance after picking one up for her mom, using numbers that all represent something in her relationship with her estranged husband. And what do you know, she wins! So now she is $220,000,000 richer, but is advised to contact said estranged husband to finalize a divorce before things get tricky with splitting their assets. So now Leo is back in town, willing to do anything to reconcile with Miri.

While I could feel the yearning from Leo and the romance, overall the story was a little slow for me.

Second chance romances are usually some of my favorites. That’s why when I heard that this book was a second chance romance between two childhood friends to lovers I was really excited to read it. Unfortunately it just didn’t live up to my expectations, especially on the romance front.

I need to start by saying I love Miri, she was the best part of the book for me. From her relationship with her mama to her selfless heart she just felt like the kind of person I’d want to be friends with. She and her mom just made the story for me (especially when her mom threatened the financial advisor in the beginning of the book).

Now while I loved Miri I was just not a fan of Leo, at all. First he leaves for eight years (for a stupid reason), then comes back and wants things to just magically be back to nice and happy? Makes no sense to me. There was honestly not a single point where I was really, truly, rooting for them to get back together. Miri deserves better.

There were also some moments where things were a little slow but they finally pick up around 65-70%.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.

I tried so hard to like this book. I never really got into it. It felt too slow, and I ended up skimming the last couple of chapters. I thought the premise of the book was very interesting - Miri winning the lottery and her estranged husband, Leo, coming home to win her back. So I'm disappointed I didn't like it. I just never clicked with either of the characters. They both felt lacking - maybe too stuck in their self-hurt? The book didn't feel like it had much of a plot to drive it along.

I just finished Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter and my heart feels all wrapped up in love. The epilogue to this book has got to be one of my favorite romance endings ever. Such a tender conclusion to a second chance romance that took my emotions on a bumpy ride.

Eight years ago Miri was a newlywed, married to her childhood best friend turned high school sweet heart. Life had its challenges for such a young couple in love, but never did Miri expect to have to face a challenge without Leo by her side. Then one day Leo came home from work, packed his bag without discussion, and vanished. It took a lot for Miri to find her footing and learn to live without her best friend. Now her life has a steady routine, she has a strong group of girlfriends, the love and companionship of her mother, and other elders in her community that she takes care of. One split second decision to be spontaneous sets Miri on a life altering path with new obstacles and old road blocks.

This was such a unique fresh take on the second chance romance genre. Slaughter's story does so much more than send a lover back from the past to grovel for forgiveness., She tackles many critical pieces to what builds a strong relationship. Taking the topic of relationship from familial, to friendship and of course romantic. She writes of an experience that we all dream about and puts it into a realistic and true light. She tackles other issues such as generational poverty, strong community, and to an extent gentrification. Her characters are mature, self actualized and unwilling to be pigeon holed into stereotypes.

Miri is strong, beautiful and scarred, but she also has grit and tenacity and an open-mindedness that allows her to grow and heal. Leo knows he has done the most unforgivable thing to his most beloved, but as the story drives on he learns that his past actions left a rippling effect of destruction. This story is loaded with so many strong and supportive characters that help these two to each find their own path to healing. It reminds me of when guests at a wedding are asked to help support and guide the newly wed couple. In Play to Win we see why this is so important and how it can help or hinder such a new bond.

I love when I pick up a book thinking I'm going to get a fun and simple romance and I'm gifted with so much more.
Play to Win is a prize and I'm the winner who had the joy of reading it.

I am grateful for my advanced review copy provided to me from NetGalley and St. Martins Press. I am leaving my review here voluntarily.

In this book Miri is a woman who is dirt poor, living with her mother and down on her luck. After she finishes a thankless odd job she stops to grab groceries for her mama, and buys a lottery ticket on a whim. No one is more shocked than her, when she wins. Winning the lottery is supposed to make you happy, but Miri struggles with how to find happiness when she has all the options in the world. Miri also struggles because when she wins, she finds out her estranged husband can come back and claim half her winnings if he wants. So she is forced to do the one things she never wanted to do, and has to contact him and face him again. This book explores poverty, lost love, heartbreak, and second chances. This was an enjoyable quick read that made me think, what would I do if I won the lottery, and would I be able to try for a second chance at lost love if the opportunity presented itself. A thought provoking funny romance. This is my first book by this author, but it won’t be my last. I received an ARC and this is my honest review.

DNF. This is the 2nd book of Jodi Slaughter’s that I’ve tried and then DNFed so I don’t think I’ll be continuing with this author. The stories just do not grip me at all. Thanks anyway for the ARC and hopefully others can become more interested and attached to the characters than I was.

When Miri wins the lottery, she has to figure out what to do with her new inheritance. But when she learns her estranged husband could claim half of it as his own, she must enact a plan: pay him a sum of money and have him sign divorce papers. But will old feelings take over and ruin that plan?

This was a new type of second-chance romance that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. Our main characters already have an established history, including marriage. This means that even though readers are seeing the fallout, they also know that these characters really did love one another at some point. But we also see how that fallout affected the people around them for the 8 years they had been estranged.

There's also a realness to how they think of each other. The hurt, love, passion, and tension are laid out so well that I could connect with each emotion. This novel also doesn't shy away from Miri and Leo having sexual needs and thoughts, even from just seeing each other. But it's never crude or awkward to read.

This was a slow burn, but it needed to be as they slowly reconnected. I will admit, I was hoping for more drama surrounding Miri's win, but that's simply because our setting is a small town. I can't wait to check out more from this author!

Fun read, but at this time we don’t see a distinctive enough angle to include in our network’s book club selections.