Such a unique book, I loved the plot, and oh my god the characters we're so amazing!! I definitely will be recommending it!!

My second book by Denker, and I am enjoying these so far. This was a good follow up on The Rom-Com Agenda but in a way that didn't make it imperative for you to have read the first book in order to enjoy this or to catch onto the relationships. There are a lot of players, but after the initial flurry (and me having to go back to the previous book to recall who is who) it settles down. Jenna is probably my favourite, because she has some pretty awesome lines and is unfiltered like me in a lot of ways.

The characters are fun and the romance builds nicely. There is an enemies to lovers element, but it doesn't really play out quite the way I expected, and there really isn't a major blowout to complicate the story and the romance. I am done with romances where there is a (contrived) falling out towards the end that has to be resolved through a great gesture or something similar. I mean, yes it's a trope that works. But I think I've become jaded or have read too many of those stories and appreciate a story where the drama is less tear us apart. I suspect it's because I am more and more convinced that the relationships that last are the ones without the drama.

Anyhow, Gillian and Noah are very likeable characters, even when they are at their worst - Noah has more worst moments for sure - and the garden competition does not end up being too much for this book. Yes, gardening plays a role, but Denker refrains from putting too much into the flower pieces. And most of the garden scenes are eclipsed by the gnome. I love a good gnome in a garden, and the way that the gnome is incorporated is just plain fun.

Oh. I also love the three old ladies who stick their nose into things. Probably my favourite moment was when Noah went to brunch with them instead of folks his own age. I have to admit I wanted more of them throughout the book.

So, good main characters, fun secondary characters, conversations that flow nicely, a plot that progresses well, and a romance that just works. Hoping there is a book 3.

This book was decent. It took me a while to get into, but when I was in it, it went pretty fast until the end, where I felt like it dragged again. When they got together, finally, I thought that is where it started to drag again. The relationship between our MC's was hot and cold for me. I really enjoyed the banter at points, but sometimes I just felt like Noah said some crappy things about Gillian behind her back at first. I know it was enemies to lovers, which is my favorite trope, but some of the things he said at first rubbed me the wrong way. I also was having some trouble keeping all of our supporting characters straight most of the time. It felt like I was already supposed to know these people, but not having read The RomCom Agenda, I did not really get into their friend world as easily. There were some funny parts for sure, and I liked that there was some different body type representation from our FMC, but this book, to me, was just okay. I was decently entertained, but I am not frothing at the mouth over it.

I enjoyed book 1 in this series but was slower to connect with this storyline. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A fun romance around a new neighbor and a gardening competition. I enjoyed Thai typical premise with fun characters and conversations. A good beach read.

Light-hearted enemies-to-lovers rom com, where new neighbors Gillian and Noah feud over their small town garden competition.

A sweet story told in dual narration, Gillian is a pharmacist and gardener in her small town. She is a favorite of most everyone in town, but has not found 'the one' and is struggling through dating apps. Her weight, eating habits, and health is a discussion point in this book. Noah moves next door after Gillian's neighbor ups and moves to Florida, He has had his own breakup experience as in looking to set down roots. Of course their initial 'meet cute' does not go well, and sparks fly.

As they banter and argue over the gardening contest, Gillian and Noah, seem to hate-lust for each other, but hold fast to the "we are soooooo different" of course we can't like each other. It felt more like insta-love (if you're into that) and I did not feel much depth to their relationship.

I loved that "All About Eve" was in the book, however, the extended dreams/imagining of Bette Davis was kinda weird and did not feel like it fit in with the rest of the story. The supporting characters really pulled it together for me. Overall, if this is your jam, you will really like it.

I did have the opportunity to read an advance copy through NetGalley in exchagne for this review. Thank you to St. Martin's press.

2.5 out of 5 stars. The premise for hedging your bets was so cute and there were quite a few things that I enjoyed about it like the banter between the love interests. But overall it wasn't for me. I didn't really understand Gillian's desire to continue to online date when every time she went on one some over the top problem happened, and because she always said she didn't wanna be going on them. I also didn't get why every time Noah went to apologize or make up for his initial mistake he was snubbed off by her. It felt a little drawn out in that regard but overall it would be a great book for someone who loves the slow burn enemies to lovers romance style.

DNF at 33% - I’m sorry, I really tried to finish this but couldn’t get over the emotional and destructive binge drinking by Noah.

I can handle a lot of dark content in the fiction I read, but the overall self-pity attitude, lack of an actual apology (nor actual remorse), and toxic masculinity made me not want to continue reading this. I.e. Noah thinking his “charming” smile was enough. It would take a lot for me to get over the enemies to lovers hump and find Noah endearing enough to be a good match for Gillian.

I also found the writing to be wordy and clunky. I couldn’t get into the book and am unable to finish it despite multiple attempts.

I was kind of scared for a bit towards the end, I was expecting a third-act breakup but I’m glad that didn’t happen. Gillian is someone that a lot of woman can look up to. She’s comfortable in her own skin and what other people have said about her may have affected her when she was younger but she doesn’t let it affect her now. I’m glad she was the first one to say I Love You. I’m happy that Noah gets to stay and doe what he loves alongside the love of his life.

This is an interesting one for me to rate - on the one hand, there's a lot to like here. The enemies to lovers trope is well done, the tension is good, and at times I laughed out loud. At the same time, it leaned pretty heavily into the small town tropes - nosy neighbors, everyone knows everyone, low-level town council corruption.

I think it's a good beach read, or even a nice fall read. Curl up and enjoy the book! But it's not quite memorable enough to rate any higher for me personally. 3.5 stars rounded down. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.

Gillian has been divorced for several years, and with a number of bad dating experiences behind her, she decides to stay happily single. Her passion is gardening, and her flowers make her happy.

When Noah West moves in next door after a bad breakup, his austere minimalist view of everything turns into a headache for Gillian. Their relationship goes from entertaining enemies to friends to lovers.

I really enjoyed the bicker and banter in the relationship with these two. It was fun and heartwarming to watch them grow together. I generally enjoy a little more spice in my romance books, but I knew going into this that I wouldn't get that, so I still really enjoyed it. I would definitely recommend this if you enjoy enemies to lovers romances!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you for the ARC 🪴 this was a cute enemies-to-lovers, small town romcom. While the romance itself was sweet enough, what I liked most in this book was Gillian and the topics of body image.
I’ll admit, the plus size chick on the cover was a big draw for me. I love books that have characters without “toned legs and a taut stomach”; I honestly don’t know anyone especially women, in real life that match that description. As a plus size gal myself, the way other people talked about Gillian’s body could have been pulled right from my own experiences. The way Gillian remained kind and confident was inspiring and exactly how I wish more of us handled judgement.
Louise was a well crafted villain and the neighbors added some levity. Overall, I enjoyed it. I don’t think I’d reread it but for a feel good romance with a curvy FMC it satisfied that for me.

This romcom was a happy find! I loved the premise (new neighbors who got off to a rough start and a garden competition), the characters were well fleshed out, lots of great wide characters, and a believable plot line. I think the way the main characters handled difficult situations was done really well and in a way that was believable but engaging. There was definitely romance and a great love story but no real spice. There is some swearing sprinkled throughout.

I received this ebook as an ARC from Netgalley and this is my honest review!

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

Gillian is a pharmacist who loves to garden. When her new neighbor moves in and rips up a hedge that’s precious to her garden design, the two become instant enemies. Along the way there are fights, pranks, and heated moments, which turn to laughter, sharing, and lingering moments as these enemies become friends. This slow burn romance features a plus-sized lead who is sure of herself and a (hidden) golden retriever male lead. A fun read featuring lots of tension, longing stares, and love!

Gillian is divorced and decides to try dating apps. So far, she has not been successful. The night she sees a young man in her neighbor’s house she can’t help wanting to meet him. When she sees him digging out the shrubs lining their driveway, she hates him. She has a garden competition coming up and those hedges were important to her. When Noah West’s girlfriend dumped him, he moved to Willow Cove buying the house next door to Gillian. He bought the marina where he worked as a boy after the owner died. Being a small town, when Gillian expresses her hate for her new neighbor, her friends don’t accept him. When he finds out there are liens on the marina for back taxes, he is asked to create his own garden to make sure Gillian does not win first place. I really enjoyed this book. The dates Gillian goes on with the dating app offer a lot of laughs. Noah’s attempt to get Gillian to like him is also endearing. I loved the small-town community and their allegiance to Gillian. It is fun to see their romance blossom. Great characters and story.

I loved the bickering and the community of Willow Cove because the side characters were just as good as the actual main characters.

This book is basically about a guy named Noah who moves to this small town and then wrecks this girl Gillian's garden and then they fall in love.

3 stars!

This book was cute and I enjoyed the theme of the gardening contest.

I did find it hard to keep track of all the different friends (that may just be a me problem).

I did enjoy the representation of the dating difficulties as a plus size woman.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC.

HEDGING YOUR BETS is filled with gossipy neighbors, a gardening competition, and an enemies-to-lovers romance that is just so precious! I adore all of Ms. Denker's books and this one is no exception. The characters from Ms. Denker's Willow Cove series make appearances, with Gillian, the pretty pharmacist, this time as star. Gillian is an avid gardener and has not yet won the town's gardening competition, since she unfortunately endures a vendetta from the head judge. Also, Gillian is a divorcee' and is on dating apps. One awful date after another leaves her jaded. When a hunkalicious man moves in next door, Gillian is hopeful. Maybe he is her match?

Noah West, suffers a rough breakup, is extremely grumpy and moves to Willow Cove. He is the new owner of a marina and proud owner of a house. He lives next door to a curvy, pretty lady. Noah is irritable after sweating and pulling out an ugly shrub. Noah is smitten with the snappy kitten as they argue over a hedge he unknowingly destroyed that was part of Gillian's garden plan. Now he's made an enemy with his dishy neighbor.

After Gillan meets her new neighbor turned nemesis after he uproots a beautiful boxwood bordering her garden, she loses hope in the male species. The war is on between them, Gillian is angry, Noah is spiteful, which makes for strained interactions. However, Noah is conned by the head judge to enter the garden contest and Gillian is furious. As they garden, side-by-side, bickering, bantering, and more, they forge a friendship. Is it possible that Gillian and Noah will fall in love with each other?

HEDGING YOUR BETS is a highly entertaining, grumpy meets sunshine, with small-town vibes, nosy neighbors, that perfectly combine in this winning new novel from my favorite author. Gillian and Noah fight over their gardens, social lives and more. However, there is an underlying romantic thread that brings them together, sneakily. Ms. Denker does a spectacular job of flushing out a rousing romance of will they or won't they get together? I often wondered if Noah and Gillian would put down their boxing gloves long enough to get to know one another. This is a delightful, delicious, doozy of a story that you will love!

Hedging Your Bets by Jayne Denker brings the reader back to Willow Cove and includes cameos from other characters from the author’s previous novel, The Rom-Com Agenda. Gillian is a pharmacist and avid gardener, who although not due to lack of effort but instead vendetta from the head judge, has yet to win the local gardening competition. Noah moves in next-door and immediately, unbeknownst to him, makes a change to his backyard. An ongoing banter battle ensues between the two. Cute book set in a small-town filled with gossiping neighbours, a close friend group and some healthy (gardening) competition.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for offering me a copy of the eARC of this book, as well as NetGalley and the author, in exchange for an honest review.