Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter was a cute novel but it left me wanting more. I felt like the love story was not organic and a little force but overall it was cute.

While I appreciated certain aspects of this book, it didn't fully capture my enthusiasm. The book started so fast jumping right into the lottery win and the return of Leo, Miri’s estranged husband. As a reader seeking drama and tension, I anticipated a more captivating dynamic between Leo and Miri in this second chance romance, but unfortunately, it fell short in that regard.

I wanted more push and pull and angst and I just didn’t feel that. I also felt like the feelings were unbalanced. I felt so much more coming from Leo than Miri emotionally.

The pacing of the book felt rather abrupt and lacked the smooth flow that I typically enjoy. I craved a gradual buildup, an exploration of their shared history, dedicated sections for flashbacks—elements commonly found in second chance romances. Instead, we were immediately introduced to sexual tension but then of course had to wait for any actual action.

For me, emotional development and glimpses into their past relationship were crucial in order to really connect with a second chance romance. The pacing and tone just didn’t match my preferences.

While I entered this reading experience with certain expectations, particularly desiring a resemblance to the book "Before I Let Go" by Raven Kennedy, it wouldn't be fair to solely judge this novel based on those hopes. Either way this was an enjoyable romcom, but it wasn’t the right one for me.

Now as for the narration, it was wonderful! I loved the narrator’s pacing and the way she put her personality into the text. She really gave it that little something something you look for. She let her emotions shine through and she really brought the book to life.

Thank you Macmillan audio and NetGalley for this ALC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

A great story. Quick-paced with well-developed characters and an interesting premise. I appreciate that the romance scenes were steamy but didn't detract from the story or the growth of the characters. What would you do if you won the lottery? What loose ends from your life would need to be wrapped up in order for you to be happy and enjoy the win. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to listen to this book. The audio narrator was great.

A passionate romance and rom-com about a couple who is torn apart and brought back together under the most unlikely and unusual circumstances.

Definitely not a closed door romance or for virgin ears. 🔥🥵😳

Thank you to Jodie Slaughter, Netgalley, and MacMillan Audio for this ARC!

Sorry this book isn’t for me. I’m 40% in and I had to DNF. The plot was too slow and I could not get into the characters.

Voice actress Lacy Laurel did a great job with all the voices and the characters in this audiobook. She was able to portray the emotions of each character.
I was pleased with the audiobook; however, the content is another story. I had high expectations for this second installment. Still, I can't get over the fact that Leo thought the best way to help him feel secure was to leave his wife without notice with no help with the household bill, And he didn't even decide to come back but was called back and only started to try when he knew she had money.

I can't get over that; in a second-chance romance, we want to see the couple find that common ground and work things out. I felt like they didn't talk any of their issues out = they just wore each other out and got back together.

I hope that they aren't broke again cause then Leo is gone. He can't handle being unable to provide and has no issues leaving his wife when things get difficult.

I love a good second chance and this one didn't let me down. After winning the lottery, Miriam realizes she needs to contact her estranged husband, Leo, to finalize the divorce and make sure he doesn't take half of her winnings. When she calls him, he comes rushing home, the home he left 8 years ago. She isn't sure how to feel, but when all the feelings come rushing back to her, she just can't press that button and make things final.
Now that Leo is back home, he knows he needs to do what it takes to make sure people in his life, including Miriam, know how much he loves them. When he left all those years ago, he didn't just leave her, he left everyone and they are all feeling the loss. He knows he needs to try to win Miriam back, so he devises a plan to make sure he can succeed. With help from his sister and friends, he is ready to lay all his cards out on the table and make sure she understands just how much she means to him.
I think Leo is pretty perfect. Yes, he left her before, but I feel like when you are young, communication often is the demise of so many relationships. I am glad that he grew up and was able to tell her all of the things he was feeling and get her to open up as well. I loved their second chance. The narrator did a great job bringing this story to life.

This was a delightful, sweet, sexy second chance contemporary following Miri and her strained relationship to her estranged husband, Leo. A fast read perfect for summer

I read and enjoyed Jodie's book "Bet on It" which takes place in the same world as this book and I think I enjoyed this book even more than that one. I love that Jodie is so open and real with mental health and therapy in her books. The characters feel real and raw, but the story is somehow still light and an easy read. You don't have to get deep in your feelings which is really what I need sometimes. They are a great escape while still feeling like a piece of real life.

Like lots of us in life, Miriam's life is a struggle with money and love. Her deadbeat husband has been gone for nearly a decade, and money troubles plague her. On a whim, she buys herself a lottery ticket, ends up winning a pretty sum, and - at the advice of her lawyer, contacts her estranged husband with the intention of giving him enough $$ to get him off her back and sign divorce papers.

Of course, drama ensues as two people, who are still madly in love with each other but are too stubborn to communicate effectively, find their way back to each other. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Miriam and Leo. Also, I totally loved the secondary characters in this story.

It may not be PC to say this, but I love to read romances about/by people who comes from different backgrounds than I do. Whether it's race, culture, religion, gender preferences or other differences, I always learn a little about the way people who are different from me see the world It's one of the reasons I read.

3.5 ⭐ Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the strong characters!

4.0 for audio

I love a good second chance romance but this one left me wanting more. Miri win the lottery and her estranged husband comes back into her life after eight years. This automatically had me not liking Leo. If he loves her so much then why did he leave? I get that they were married young and had money problems but if you love each other you work through it especially if you are married. I didn’t really connect with either character. I just feel like we got more of the side characters (who I loved) and I wanted more between Leo and Miri.

The audio was very well done and Lacey Laurel brought the story alive for me. I’m not sure I would have finished the book if I didn’t have the audio.

Miriam feels that she is stuck in life years after her husband, Leo, left her. She is living with her mother, doing nails for a living, and when she runs errands for her mom, she stops at the corner store and buys a Mega Ticket. When she wins, she has no idea who to do and expects all her problems to be fixed now that she has money. She has to reach out to her ex-husband who she is actually not divorced from to see if he is going to try to claim part of her earnings. They have not seen each other in 8 years so obviously him coming to Greenbelt caused lots of old feelings to come to the surface and he is not going to make it so easy on Miriam.

I read Jodie's book Bet on It which features some characters for this book but I believe they can be read as a standalone. The sexual tension between Miriam and Leo was literally sparking from the first time they were together in the book. It was such a fun read and I loved seeing a glimpse at the characters from Bet on It. I also liked how instead of Leo trying to take advantage of Miriam's winnings, he wants to take care of the people in his life more so than himself. Him remodeling the house with Miriam in mind was super sweet because he was determined to get her back. Jodie did great and I think her writing reminds me of Jasmine Guillory who I am a big fan of!

Thank you NetGalley, SMP, MacMillian audio and the author for the free ALC in exchange for honest review. This is the perfect beach read for the summer. Quick chapters interesting story great Audiobook.. i found it a tad slow and hoped a bit more would happen with the second chance romance but the lottery plot was well done.

Not going to be a favorite this year but I definitely loved the Black romance rep, the second chance at love between long-separated married characters and the SPICY AF sex scenes. What I wanted more of: emotional depth/growth and better cover art.

I really enjoyed last year's Bet on it and this one was about the same level for me. Good on audio narrated by Lacie Laurel. The lottery win premise was also a fun, unique plot point. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!