DNFed - I chose to DNF this book in the past. I am typing as a review so it doesn’t harm my %. I haven’t chose to pick the title back up.

Really tried to start this book multiple times but could not get into it the storyline enough to enjoy it.

Winning the lottery is supposed to improve your life, but with more money comes more responsibilities. One of which walked out on Miriam eight years ago. Sharing her winnings with her best friends and family makes Miriam happy but she is still anxious about what she is going to do with the rest of her life. Cute story, with good narration.

Miriam is unlucky in love but found herself lucky in the lottery. After winning the Mega Million lottery, she is in a unique position. Her estranged, but not divorced, husband Leo is entitled to half her winnings even though they haven't interacted in years. This is a cute, second chance romance. I liked learning the backstories of the characters and their relationship. The narration on this one was great and it made the story even more engaging.

I enjoyed playing to win a lot! The characters were interesting, and had depth to them. They felt like real people having conversations that you could easily overhear at any coffee shop anywhere. At the beginning, I was unsure of whether I supported the couple in this second chance, romance getting back together. I definitely hated the male main character at first probably, because I could identify with the female main character very easily. I was satisfied with how the story ended, however.
I can definitely see this expanding from one book into a series touching on the love lives of the female, main character and her friend group. I personally listened to the audiobook, but I foresee this being a very easy read for those that get a bound copy in their hands. The narrator did very good job at bringing the characters to life by using different voices, for each of them. I did feel, though, that her neutral narrator voice felt like I was listening to a news caster. It took a chapter or two to get used to the neutral narrator voice but, it was a very enjoyable listen overall. I would definitely pick up this book to have on my bookshelf at home.

I really enjoyed this narrator for this story. She brought so much life and spirit to the characters and had me laughing out loud on the plane a time or two. I found these characters to be frustrating and endearing and was happy to spend my travel day caught in their story.

I really struggled to finish this one. I wasn't a big fan of the storyline, but the characters were decent.

I didn't love this as much as Bet On It, but it was still good.
Mary wins the lottery, but has to get in touch with her estranged husband to make sure he won't sue for a share of the winnings. He stays around longer than one conversation.
It's giving what we love about second chance romance.

Tropes:
-marriage in distress
-2nd chance
-small town

Thank you for the dual narration!

Thanks to the publisher and for my ALC.

When Miri takes a chance on a lottery ticket, she never expects to win, but as fate would have it, she is the winner, and it just so happens that her estranged husband might also have a claim on her winnings.

*many thanks to SMP Romance and Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. Unfortunately this book was not for me.

Miriam Butler has been trying to make ends meet after her husband, Leo, left her 8 years ago. Then, one night she wins the lottery, and everything changes. The only loose end she has is Leo, who is back in town determined to rekindle their romance.

I read Bet On It by this author, and really enjoyed the writing style so I was excited to pick this one up. We even got little cameos from Walter and Aja in this which was fun. This was an interesting concept for a second chance romance... I do think she forgave Leo a bit to quickly for my liking though - I wanted to see GROVELING from his part. If my husband left me for 8 years, with no communication I would not even THINK about rekindling ANYTHING with that man. ESPECIALLY if he's only back AFTER I won the lottery... no mamn, I don't think so. I did like Miri though, I listened to this on audio, and do think the narrator did a great job with her character. There wasn't as much smut as I expected, and this was definitely a slow burn, but as I sad... she let him off to easy.

There was so really hysterical scenes in the book. It was comical, philosophical and certainly left me fantasizing what I would do with that kind of affluence. More money more problems as they say. I will take the loot and figured it out along the way. It really enjoyed the drama. #NetGalley

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

This second chance romance was great! I loved Jodie’s book Bet on It, so when I saw this one which was along the same line and takes place in the town I knew I wanted to read it.

The narrators did not disappoint!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook. This is my honest voluntary review.

Lacy Laurel narrates Jodie Slaughter’s second chance romance, Play to Win, about how Miriam Butler’s life changes and becomes unexpectedly complicated after winning the Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Miriam feels trapped, living with her mom in her childhood home and working the same low-wage job since her teens. When she buys her mom’s lottery ticket at the corner store, Miriam impulsively buys one for herself and hits the winning numbers. Unfortunately, her estranged husband is entitled to his share of her millions despite being gone all this time.

Leo Vaughn hasn’t spoken to his wife in years. But when Miriam unexpectedly calls, asking him to return to Greenbelt, he does as soon as he can, without question. He’s astonished that Miriam’s won the lottery but even more so by her offering him millions to sign divorce papers, walk away, and never contact her again. The last thing Leo wants is to take her millions, and he can’t imagine forever without Miriam in his life. Leo’s yearned for one thing since walking out on her eight years ago—Miriam back in his life. He makes Miriam a counteroffer to give himself time to make up for the biggest mistake of his life.

Laurel’s vibrant and expressive narration, honeyed speech patterns and inflections, and rich southern accent drew me in from the first scene. Her narration/voice perfectly fits Miriam, Leo, and both the novel’s male and female secondary characters. Skilled in narrating and offering distinct voices for many characters, Laurel’s voice changes to reflect their moods and reveal their personalities, feelings, quirks, and states of mind, using pitch, accents, vernacular, cadence, and pacing to differentiate between them. Her narration makes you feel like you are present with the characters in each moment. Additionally, she uses her considerable vocal range to express/portray the intimacy between Morgan and Rachel and their chemistry, sensations, and moods during the novel’s intimate scenes.

Complementing Slaughter’s intensely emotional, colorful, lively, and down-to-earth narrative style, Laurel’s narration beautifully brings Slaughter’s charming story and characters to life. Slaughter’s language use, vivid and detailed description, colorful and natural-sounding dialogue, and deft worldbuilding combined with Laurel’s narration kept me listening to Play to Win until the last word. Her characters are relatable, likable, complex, authentic, and fallible, and she skillfully develops them and her original story through funny, sweet, emotional, and entertaining interactions and scenes. Slaughter’s entertaining stories always touch my heart and mind unexpectedly. She writes straightforward and genuine character discussions and management of mental health. The novel’s captivating story and intriguing characters make it a page-turner with excellent pacing.

I love Slaughter’s development and exploration of the characters and their relationships. In dual POV, she tells Miriam and Leo’s love story by interweaving flashes of memories from their past with the present. Miriam and Leo’s fiery sexual chemistry and sexy, intimate, funny, sweet, passionate, and emotional love scenes—combined with their banter and intimacy—further the plot and the evolution of their characters and relationship. Slaughter explores how you can love someone with all your heart, but sometimes that may not be enough and doesn’t make things perfect.

Miriam’s stubborn, loyal, forthright, and generous, and she loves with all her heart and soul. She gave Leo her heart as a young woman and never got it back. And a life of poverty has given her a bleak outlook. You can’t help but root for Miriam to find her way and treat herself with all the love and care she so bigheartedly offers to the people she loves so she can live a life filled with hope happily ever after.

Slaughter takes Leo, a character I fully expect to hate, changes my mind about him and has me hoping this silly man can resolve his issues to win Miriam back and make up for the pain he’s caused her. I love how gone Leo is for Miriam and that she is the only one for him. Despite outward appearances, considering that Leo walked out on Miriam and hasn’t contacted her since, Leo’s a sensitive, sweet, and honorable man who takes his responsibilities seriously, maybe slightly too seriously. He gets so caught up in ideas about who a man—and husband—is meant to be and what he should do because of how he was raised that he loses sight of everything else, including considering and respecting others’ feelings and identities in their relationships with him—especially Miriam. Leo’s martyr complex leads him to make poor choices.

I also love how Slaughter explores the impact of winning the lottery on Miriam’s life and her loved ones. She thoughtfully examines how having money won’t heal the internal pains and scars and that whether it makes you happy or makes everything in your life change for the better is all up to you.

Play to Win is a beautifully written, fast-paced, steamy, sexy, funny, angsty, sweet, and romantic audiobook about second chances, first love, family, facing fears, self-esteem, forgiveness, self-discovery, hope, trust, and fresh starts. It’s an audio listen recommended for fans of steamy, funny, and angsty second-chance romances with heroes who fall fast and hard for the heroine.

Advanced listening copy provided by Macmillan Audio via Netgalley for review.

I found myself becoming increasingly more invested with every chapter. :) What could make a second-chance romance even more high stakes and dramatic? Easy - MILLIONS of things

Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter was a fun read. I like the small-town environment with both great main and supporting character work as well as the laught out loud moments throughout. I plan to read more by this author.

I received a review copy of this book from the author/publisher through NetGalley for my honest review. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Actual rating: 3.5

I thought this was such a cute story about love lost but finds a way to reconnect despite the hardships. I feel like the lottery thing was almost secondary to the plot because I forgot that happened, but it was a cute way to bring the characters back together.

The writing was very good. I didn't quite connect with the Mary and her emotions around the money. She felt more reluctant than I thought was possible. I thought the chemistry between her and Leo was solid, beyond sexy but then it just didn't hold my interest. I struggled to finish.

I listened to the audiobook. It was rough at the beginning, but the narrator grew on me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to @macmillian.audio for a free download of the audiobook.

Winning the lottery is such and exciting thing, but brings out many stressors. You have to hide if from your family, your friends…but legally you cannot hide if from your husband, even if you’re separated. Enter in Miriam’s first love Leo, who left her 8 years ago.

This was a fun read and sizzling like Jodie Slaughter’s other books. The longing and attraction between these distant lovers is palpable from the start.

One thing I loved about this book is it started and ended with Miriam digging a hole. Why? Guess you’ll have to read it to find out!

4 stars

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #macmillianaudio #ltbreaderteam #playtowin #jodieslaughter #smpinfluencers