Unfortunately, I DNF this book. In the first three chapters I already felt something was missing and the info dump was tough to keep up with. When a figment of Gillians' imagination said that her neighbor might be gay - I couldn't tell if it was meant in a derogatory way. I gave her the benefit of the doubt and thought "certainly not" and continued reading. I did not care for how Gillian described herself (almost admonishing herself for not being thin), so I decided to look up reviews to see if this changes. Reports said it did not - so I quit reading.

Might be a book for someone else, but not for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. I need to realize that true rom coms (not marketed as even though it's a contemporary romance) are not my thing. I found their becoming enemies rather ridiculous and it felt like we spent most of the book with them disliking each other for stupid reasons. I also found Louise March and her blackmail really dumb. I did enjoy when they came together to work on their gardens. Ultimately I wanted more gardening, more bonding and less implausible outside character actions.
I contemplated DNFing multiple times, and it did get better as it went on, but just was not for me. I'm rounding up to 3 stars because there's nothing wrong with this book, it just wasn't for me.

Rating: 4/5
I received an eARC for my honest opinion.

If you have read The Rom-Com Agenda, you will know that it’s about a small town romcom with a twist. You will see characters that you got to know in that book in this one and see how the other characters are fairing now as well.

I love that this book is a standalone but it’s about the same small-town Willow Cove and with all the amazing characters that I came to love in the first book.

I love small town romances and Denker does a wonderful job with them. I love that I really do feel like I am in a small town with them and that I know all the characters as though they’re my long-time friends. I really enjoyed this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that was full of great humor and love.

I thought the plot was done well. You will see where the characters meet up and get to know the town more and see what interest these new characters have in this town, but it is the characters that really make this book great.

I loved getting to know Gillian more, and I really enjoyed getting to know her story. It’s a little sad but honestly, it’s what happens in this world so much with a lot of people that can relate to her. I found her character to be easily relatable and to connect with. I loved her sense of humor and that she never gives up on something that she wants to see come to life. I enjoyed getting to see a side of her that really wanted to hate and ruin Noah’s garden but she couldn’t do it because she is deep down a really sweet person. I thought Denker did a great job with making the chemistry between Gillian and Noah realistic, you can see that they both like what they see on the outside but due to situations when they met the first time it takes them a while to see that they really do like each other and for me it was believable.

Denker is amazing at making heartwarming, fun, great banter, and amazing characters for her books. They’re all relatable, well-developed and will hold a special place in your heart for small town romances.

I can’t wait to see who is next in Willow Cove to get a chance at love.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this book.

Noah, a walking red flag incapable of basic human interaction, meets Gillian, a human doormat, and hilarity ensues (not) in a small upstate New York town. In three quarters of the book, they have absolutely nothing in common, a complete inability to have a civil conversation, and yet inexplicably want to bone every time they see one another? There are approximately 58752 locals involved in their “ship”, which is the the literal definition of my worst nightmare. Gillian is obsessed with how her body is perceived by others, Noah is obsessed with everything except the fact that he’s an ahole to perfect strangers, and the author is obsessed with repeating the same facts over and over again (WE GET IT, ITS DRY AS FCK IN THE DESERT AND NOT IN UPSATE NY). The so-called “drama” around a gardening competition could have been sweet/cozy but was ultimately ridiculous and honestly boring (and I enjoy gardening). There was zero chemistry between the main characters and I have no idea why these two people are in love, other than Noah is on the rebound and Gillian is desperate for affection.

I gave a .5⭐️ for Noah’s naked dancing with a garden gnome cause that shit was funny as hell.

This was an adorably sweet romance full of heart and joy. I enjoyed the relationship growth between the two main characters. The main thing enjoyed? COMMUNICATION. They communicated their problems and worked them out together. It was a refreshing change from the third act breakup in this genre. There was no *spice* but that's just a personal preference and I was able to enjoy the story for what it was. I also liked that the main character was plus sized. The problems and feelings she had were very realistic and I was happy to see that explored. I will look out for this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for this ARC.

Hedging Your Bets is Jayne Denker’s newest sweet romantic comedy starring feuding neighbors. It includes characters from The Rom-Com Agenda but can be read as a stand-alone.

Gillian Pritchard is a divorced pharmacist in Willow Cove, New York. She is happily single and reluctant to date after several disappointing matches from dating apps. Although she is 5’ 8” and full-figured, in good shape, she gets fat shamed. She spends her spare time socializing with her female neighbors and working in her garden. She enters a gardening competition each year and is determined to win.

Noah West has just moved to Willow Cove, where he spent teen-age summers with his beloved Uncle Manny. Noah sold his art gallery in Palm Springs after a bad breakup and bought both the house next door to Gillian and Spencer’s Marina. Noah’s allergies kick in as soon as he arrives in town, so he immediately digs up the bushes just inside his property line. That upsets his new neighbor because it was part of her landscape design.

When Noah also enters the gardening contest, the competition between him and Gillian really heats up. They have totally different styles, and there’s a lot of descriptions of their plant arrangements. Noah is attracted to Gillian, and he sees her size as an asset. They have a lot of chemistry and their banter is hilarious.

Hedging Your Bets is a sweet romantic comedy, with no profanity or sex. It’s refreshing to read a story about a professional woman who has her act together and is happy with her size. The chemistry and banter between Gillian and Noah are outstanding. The cameos of Leah and Eli Masterson from The Rom-Com Agenda are an added bonus. This is a well-written romantic comedy that will be enjoyed by fans of Hallmark movies.

I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I love me a good enemies to lovers story and what is better than neighbour nemesis’? I loved this one so much and the friend group in this series is the best! Noah & Gillian’s banter was top notch and I loved every second.

Thank you to netgalley & St Martin’s press for letting me read this one in exchange for an honest review.

hedging your bets was a slow burn, enemies to lovers romance surrounding an upcoming garden competition. i really wanted to like this book but it was so slow and it introduced side characters that didn’t really add much to the story. they just needed to get together way earlier because it was dragging for me.

First and foremost, I am thankful to be able to give my thoughts and reviews for this early read. Secondly, this is my first rom-com! I thoroughly enjoyed every page and felt all emotions in this book. The author has such a way of getting the reader to be engaged and fully immersed in the pages.

First read of the year and it was an amazing read. Characters, the plot, and even plot twists were thought out well. This book tugged at my heart strings and even made me laugh. All in all, I would recommend this book to everyone.

This was so stinking cute! I’m so happy I started my 2024 reading year off with this lovely book.

After being happily divorced for several years, Gillian realizes she’s happy to stay that way after many failed dating app attempts. That is under she meets her hot new neighbor and they go head to head in the community garden competition.

I absolutely adored Noah and Gillian. Their chemistry was a hit from the beginning and the banter just made it even better. I also loved the garden competition and the freakin gnome! I was rolling about the gnome.

If you love a good enemies to lovers romcom then I highly recommend checking this one out! This beauty releases on January 9th!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the e-arc!

Jayne Denker had written an adorable enemies to lovers romance. Noah and Jillian start off on the wrong door as neighbors when Noah removed a hedge. They found many ways to agree to disagree. Slowly they find common ground, and the HEA is just totally sweet.

This was a sweet, closed-door romance about enemies to lover neighbors, Gillian and Noah. You can expect some laughs from obnoxious nosy neighbors, butterflies as the couple gets to know each other, and if you’re me, a desire to reconsider the black thumb (am I really that bad of a gardener?) 3/5 stars as I won’t find myself to pick it back up to reread but I happily finished.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC, opinions are my own.

This was a fine enough read. I liked the gardening aspect being part of the main storyline. And I thought the meddling neighbors were the kind of quirky small town funny that I like in a small town romance setting. The two main characters were both fine but I didn't find myself loving either of them. And they both had back stories that felt like they were mentioned like once and then just forgotten about. I liked some of their banter (like the gnome) but I was never just totally sold on their chemistry and many of their interactions just kind of read as clunky. I didn't like how much time the book spent following Gillian going on bad dates. And I thought there were too many side characters thrust in for this length of novel. The blackmail plot was fine as a conflict and I thought the main characters handled that well, but I did think the reason behind the blackmailer was flimsy at best and could have easily been better.

This book was an incredibly cute romantic comedy! The characters were witty and had decent personalities. The group of older lady neighbors (especially Judy) added some real fun to the book. The plot was interesting, although I think it could’ve been reworked a little. The obsession with pharmacy as a career to start and then basically disappearing by the end led to some discontinuity along with the Aiden plot stopping. The time jumps could’ve been handled a little better but I really hated inner Betty making several appearances. It was completely unnecessary. Overall, I still really enjoyed this book and think it’s great for a fun read! 3.75⭐️, 1.75🌶

A fun, quirky, closed door, enemies-to-lovers rom-com with plenty of body positivity and small-town charm. The main characters are loveable and the side characters are endearing. I certainly hope the author returns to the town of Willow Cove in future novels!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Title: Hedging Your Bets
Author: Jayne Denker
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2.50
Pub Date: January 9, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted #Ad

T H R E E • W O R D S

Witty • Predictable • Underwhelming

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Gillian has been happily divorced for several years and, after trying a few dating apps, prefers to stay that way. Navigating her way through dates with fat-shamers and lackluster men has left her with no desire to do anything other than work in her garden in her spare time. Who needs rude comments and awkward first-date conversation when soft roses and vibrant tulips are so much better?

Noah West has just moved to Willow Cove. After a rough breakup that leaves him looking to get far away, he relocates to the same small town he spent summers in as a teen—and moves right next door to Gillian. A big believer in minimalist design and that the best kind of plants are non-flowering, he knows as soon as he meets his neighbor that they are going to clash on just about everything. Now if only he could keep his eyes off her too. That might be helpful.

When a gardening contest brings out the competition in Gillian and Noah, dueling plant arrangements and fiery banter ensues. But is it possible that beneath all their differences, they might just be perfect for each other?

💭 T H O U G H T S

I'll admit Hedging Your Bets was a total cover request for me. As an avid gardener, I am here for any book where gardening plays a role. Additionally, I was intrigued to see how a gardening competition would play into the plot. Aside from that, I didn't know what else to expect from this rom-com.

What I like:
• the cover. The art is simple, yet conveys a lot. It honestly may just be my favourite part of the book.
• the gardening. Gardening as a hobby isn't something I come across often in books, so I was excited it was included here. Gillian's garden is her escape and I could definitely relate to that.
• the meddling neighbours. It's no surprise I love older characters and I absolutely adored Gillian and Noah's quirky, nosy neighbours. They added the humour I was hoping for.

What I didn't like:
• the chemistry. The banter felt genuine in the beginning, yet the whole enemies-to-lovers trope seemed undeveloped and confusing. Eventually their chemistry became forced and dragged on... and on.
• the gardening. There just wasn't enough focus on this aspect. I would have liked more time (for both characters) spent working in their gardens separately. The synopsis really focuses on it and it didn't deliver.
• the blackmail. I absolutely detested this part of the plot. It was ridiculous, childish, and petty for adults to behave in such a manner.
• the length. This could have easily been 30-50 pages shorter. I wasn't a fan of all Gillian's dating scenes (it just felt like filler). The two MCs spent minimal time together until around the half way point.

I has such high hopes for Hedging Your Bets, yet I never became fully invested in this rom-com. There were elements I enjoyed, but the ones I didn't outweighed those that I did, leaving me with a unsatisfied feeling once I finished. I'd definitely pick up another rom-com centered around gardening, but I am not sure this author is for me.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of enemies-to-lovers

⚠️ CW: divorce, body shaming, fatphobia, misogyny, sexism, toxic relationship, alcohol

Two feuding neighbors in the midst of a small-town gardening competition sounded like all sorts of fun. And it was! But it was nearly halfway in before I felt like the story truly started.

I liked the meet-cute and the initial bickering, but it shifted into a lot of time spent with Gillian going on numerous over-the-top, unbelievably terrible dates. It seemed like an easy means to paint Noah as perfect. The chemistry felt a bit forced because of that.

The latter half is where the story amped up the action and excitement for me. I adored the shady small-town politics and adorable meddling seniors.

A cute read, but unfortunately a very slow start. Though I will say, I was happily surprised by this being a closed-door romance! We don't get enough from publishers.

Small town rivals to lovers.

Gillian has been happily divorced for a while, she works as a pharmacist but her real passion is her garden, and she enters the town's garden competition every year hoping to win. When her neighbour gets up and packs from one day to another and Noah moves in right away. From the get go they get into one misunderstanding after another. Noah is running away from a bad break up and looking to start over, but buying a house and a business sight unseen and having a neighbour her clashes with may prove to be too much for him. With the circumstances having them both enter the contest, and being complete opposites, will they find a way to realize maybe they are right for eachother

This was a fun time, and i really enjoyed the small town vibes. The group of friends Gillian has was so supportive and comforting, the towns gang of old ladies who take no crap, know everything and defend their residents no matter what. The plus size rep was great too see if not too heavy handed on the "she is bigger but healthy". I appreciated that the author tried to add the rep, but plus sized people deserve love and respect even if they aren't "healthy". That among other little things too away from some of my enjoyment but it was still an entertaining time.

"Hedging Your Bets" is a sweet, fun, and original story from author Jayne Denker! It was great to visit Willow Cove again. Really enjoyed this small-town setting! The characters feel three-dimensional and are so lovable! They have personalities, thoughts, emotions, and personal difficulties of their own. The author has done great work exploring the shift in their relationship from enemies- to- lovers and the romance between them is sweet, swoony, and has lots of emotional depth! I had a great time getting to know Gillian and Noah and seeing our friends from book 1 'The Rom-com Agenda" again. The speed of the plot is perfect, the author's writing style is smooth and brimming with wit, humor, and heart. I enjoyed every page of this book! The neighbor ladies are so cute and were so much to get to know! The gardening competition was a lot of fun to read about. The romance was great! I really enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story. It was great to see the character development of both Gillian and Noah and seeing them slowly realize how wrong they originally were about each other. This is a story that is: creative, delightful, and SO. MUCH. FUN. Absolutely a must read! 5 stars

Thank you very much to the author Jayne Denker, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy to read and review honestly.

Hedging Your Bets is a closed door romance that is cute with lots of plants and banter.

The writing is easy to read and it’s easy to finish.