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The Gamble
I need a wife. She needs money. It's a gamble, but one month will solve both our problems.
Unimpressed with my billionaire playboy ways, my father has given me an ultimatum — settle down and get married before the investors’ meeting of Gaston Pharmaceuticals, or I’m out the door. Yeah... he’s a dick but he holds my future in his hands, so I need to play nice, for a while.
One problem is that the meeting is only a month from now. The second problem is that I’ve never dated a girl I liked well enough to spend an entire night with, let alone a month. So my best friend and I process my dilemma the best way we know how — by getting mind-blowingly drunk.
And just like that, I wake up in Vegas with an epic hangover... and a wife.
A beautiful wife. A fun wife. A caring and creative wife.
Now, all I have to do is convince her to stay married to me. I make her a promise. In four short weeks, we’ll quietly annul this farce and go our separate ways. I’ll get my life back. She’ll get hers plus some cash.
There’s just one little complication. I think I'm falling for her. As luck would have it, she hates my guts.
This is a Full-Length STANDALONE billionaire romance novel with an HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
Unimpressed with my billionaire playboy ways, my father has given me an ultimatum — settle down and get married before the investors’ meeting of Gaston Pharmaceuticals, or I’m out the door. Yeah... he’s a dick but he holds my future in his hands, so I need to play nice, for a while.
One problem is that the meeting is only a month from now. The second problem is that I’ve never dated a girl I liked well enough to spend an entire night with, let alone a month. So my best friend and I process my dilemma the best way we know how — by getting mind-blowingly drunk.
And just like that, I wake up in Vegas with an epic hangover... and a wife.
A beautiful wife. A fun wife. A caring and creative wife.
Now, all I have to do is convince her to stay married to me. I make her a promise. In four short weeks, we’ll quietly annul this farce and go our separate ways. I’ll get my life back. She’ll get hers plus some cash.
There’s just one little complication. I think I'm falling for her. As luck would have it, she hates my guts.
This is a Full-Length STANDALONE billionaire romance novel with an HEA and NO CLIFFHANGER.
Unknown Binding
First published September 18, 2017
687 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
Alice Ward
112 books1,318 followersAlice Ward is the bestselling author of dozens of hot and steamy contemporary romances. She’s an amazingly prolific writer, releasing a new book almost every single month. Her books are widely read, especially by women and any other lovers of the romance genre. My Stepbrother, My Lover, was her first smash hit.
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Alice lives in Miami with her hunky husband. The beach is her all time favorite place to relax with her laptop and write.
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Alice lives in Miami with her hunky husband. The beach is her all time favorite place to relax with her laptop and write.
Alice loves to connect with her readers:
AuthorAliceWard.com
Facebook.com/AuthorAliceWard
Twitter.com/AuthorAliceWard
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
June 17, 2019
The Gamble was a stand-alone by Alice Ward. It was my first book by the author.
Talen Gasten was the heir to Gasten Pharmaceuticals. He was the rich playboy who partied hard. But he also worked hard and earned his place in the company - well to everyone except his father.
Dani Brooks was scraping by with two jobs and taking care of her mother who had dementia. Her life was a daily struggle and she wasn’t sure what else she could do for her mother.
The storyline was the quintessential billionaire playboy who got the ultimatum from dad to settle down or lose everything. He married the beautiful poor girl in an arrangement to pacify his dad knowing the ultimate end goal would be a significant payoff at the divorce. No spoilers so far since all of that was pretty much on the book description.
Although the storyline was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed most of it. I mean yea, the dad was satan and the best friend was a dick; otherwise, the focal part of the story was entertaining. I craved more depth regarding Tarn’s relationship with his dad - it just kinda ended and I wanted more. On a side note, I also wanted more answers from Dani’s ex. After five years, there was more to that story that was worth exploring even though he wasn’t a primary character. Otherwise, the characters were fairly likable and I was pulling for them.
In the end, it was a quick, sexy and entertaining read.
Talen Gasten was the heir to Gasten Pharmaceuticals. He was the rich playboy who partied hard. But he also worked hard and earned his place in the company - well to everyone except his father.
Dani Brooks was scraping by with two jobs and taking care of her mother who had dementia. Her life was a daily struggle and she wasn’t sure what else she could do for her mother.
The storyline was the quintessential billionaire playboy who got the ultimatum from dad to settle down or lose everything. He married the beautiful poor girl in an arrangement to pacify his dad knowing the ultimate end goal would be a significant payoff at the divorce. No spoilers so far since all of that was pretty much on the book description.
Although the storyline was somewhat predictable, I enjoyed most of it. I mean yea, the dad was satan and the best friend was a dick; otherwise, the focal part of the story was entertaining. I craved more depth regarding Tarn’s relationship with his dad - it just kinda ended and I wanted more. On a side note, I also wanted more answers from Dani’s ex. After five years, there was more to that story that was worth exploring even though he wasn’t a primary character. Otherwise, the characters were fairly likable and I was pulling for them.
In the end, it was a quick, sexy and entertaining read.
September 17, 2017
This contemporary romance had a slightly different twist on the forced marriage trope that is commonly found in a historical romance. Talen is told by his father that unless he wants to lose everything - the job, penthouse and all the money - he must marry a respectable woman within one month to impress the stockholders. After his initial outrage at the suggestion, Talen and his best friend get drunk in Vegas. So when Talen wakes up married to Dani, a complete stranger, he sees it as an opportunity to please his father. Dani will get some much needed money out of the deal as well.
While the rest of the plot is predictable, I did take some issue with Talen. I found it difficult to believe that he was so weak when it came to dealing with his father. I hoped he would stand up to his father earlier than he did but at least it finally happened. Still it was an enjoyable romance between Talen and Dani.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
While the rest of the plot is predictable, I did take some issue with Talen. I found it difficult to believe that he was so weak when it came to dealing with his father. I hoped he would stand up to his father earlier than he did but at least it finally happened. Still it was an enjoyable romance between Talen and Dani.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.
October 3, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
The Gamble by Alice Ward.
4 stars.
Standalone.
So.. I started this book slowly, I didn't connect immediately but, somehow, in the middle, I was hooked. I couldn't stop reading and flipping pages! I must say I've read this one until 4 am 'cause I couldn't sleep without knowing what would happen.(It really made me regret this morning haha)
Talen pissed me off more than enough times... His way of always going with someone's mind except his was infuriating! Come on, grow a pair!!! Everyone who said something to him could change his mind, finally, in the middle, he began to change... Dani really worked her magic there...
This book was a nice read, I liked how different the story was and how Dani could let go of everything that was keeping her from shining. And mostly, how Talen grew as a person, seeing the world as an adult and no longer as Daddy's boy. I was a good read and an enjoyable story.
I wish I could know more about Madison and Brandon... How they met, how they're doing... Since the beginning I imagined those two together, they were so alike. I hope Alice writes something about them.
Anyway, I recommend this read, it was fun, delicious, cute, heartbreaking and so much more. Alice did it again, I really enjoy reading her books. So, that's it. 4 stars worthy. :)
D: To me, he was a safe bet. And I'd always bet on us.
The Gamble by Alice Ward.
4 stars.
Standalone.
So.. I started this book slowly, I didn't connect immediately but, somehow, in the middle, I was hooked. I couldn't stop reading and flipping pages! I must say I've read this one until 4 am 'cause I couldn't sleep without knowing what would happen.
Talen pissed me off more than enough times... His way of always going with someone's mind except his was infuriating! Come on, grow a pair!!! Everyone who said something to him could change his mind, finally, in the middle, he began to change... Dani really worked her magic there...
This book was a nice read, I liked how different the story was and how Dani could let go of everything that was keeping her from shining. And mostly, how Talen grew as a person, seeing the world as an adult and no longer as Daddy's boy. I was a good read and an enjoyable story.
I wish I could know more about Madison and Brandon... How they met, how they're doing... Since the beginning I imagined those two together, they were so alike. I hope Alice writes something about them.
Anyway, I recommend this read, it was fun, delicious, cute, heartbreaking and so much more. Alice did it again, I really enjoy reading her books. So, that's it. 4 stars worthy. :)
D: To me, he was a safe bet. And I'd always bet on us.
September 24, 2017
Alice Ward’s “The Gamble” is a story of fake marriage of convenience that turns into romance story. Talon needed a trophy wife or he loses everything - the job, penthouse and all the money while Dani needs money to take care of her mother.
Talen ends up in Las Vegas with his best bud trying to drink his troubles away and wakes up married to Dani – a woman who is a complete and total stranger. Usually that is a cause of alarm but to Talen, he is happy because he sees it as an opportunity to make his dad happy and an opportunity to get him off his back. Dani ended up in Las Vegas after her 5 yr relationship ended when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her and he ended their relationship when he said he had “found” someone else and was ending their years long relationship. I don’t want to bog down my review but lets say good riddance to bad trash like Dani’s ex. So Dani is waiting for her friend, who is a strip club dancer to finish dancing. She is at the bar and that is when Talen meets Dani and ends up chatting her up and drinking with her , while his bud is Brandon has his eyes on Madison, Dani’s BFF. Next thing they both know, they wake up, hung over and married.
At first it comes off as a marriage of convenience but you can read the writing and see the passion and connection between the Main Characters –Dani and Talen- they really do connect. There is so much smoke and heat between them. They start to fall in love except Talen is weak when it comes to allowing his father to stick his nose into his business . He lets his father tell him what to do or what not to do and that bothered me. Dani comes off as more alpha that Talen and I didn’t like that. That’s a pet peeve of mine. Im all for woman being strong but I dislike weak men. Does Talen grow a backbone? Do they stay married… I would recommend this story as a good read, with the minor issues like the ones I mentioned for there are some great things that happen. Overall, it’s a good read.
My Rating: 4.4 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
Talen ends up in Las Vegas with his best bud trying to drink his troubles away and wakes up married to Dani – a woman who is a complete and total stranger. Usually that is a cause of alarm but to Talen, he is happy because he sees it as an opportunity to make his dad happy and an opportunity to get him off his back. Dani ended up in Las Vegas after her 5 yr relationship ended when she found out her boyfriend was cheating on her and he ended their relationship when he said he had “found” someone else and was ending their years long relationship. I don’t want to bog down my review but lets say good riddance to bad trash like Dani’s ex. So Dani is waiting for her friend, who is a strip club dancer to finish dancing. She is at the bar and that is when Talen meets Dani and ends up chatting her up and drinking with her , while his bud is Brandon has his eyes on Madison, Dani’s BFF. Next thing they both know, they wake up, hung over and married.
At first it comes off as a marriage of convenience but you can read the writing and see the passion and connection between the Main Characters –Dani and Talen- they really do connect. There is so much smoke and heat between them. They start to fall in love except Talen is weak when it comes to allowing his father to stick his nose into his business . He lets his father tell him what to do or what not to do and that bothered me. Dani comes off as more alpha that Talen and I didn’t like that. That’s a pet peeve of mine. Im all for woman being strong but I dislike weak men. Does Talen grow a backbone? Do they stay married… I would recommend this story as a good read, with the minor issues like the ones I mentioned for there are some great things that happen. Overall, it’s a good read.
My Rating: 4.4 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
September 14, 2017
I've now read several books by Alice Ward, and while they often get off to a rocky start they usually end well with a heartwarming sense of rightness, and so I was eager to get my hands on an advance reader copy of this latest novel, but for several reasons which I'll get to shortly, I could only give it a 3.5 star rating.
Told in alternating narration, we first meet Talen, heir to a billion dollar big pharma company owned and headed by his impossible to please draconian father. Were this novel set in England, I'd have called Talen the wastrel son, but in this country, he and his friend Brandon are wealthy, womanizing playboys and drunks, who go out hunting for their next lays every weekend, usually ending up in a Las Vegas hotel room and waking up hung over and not even knowing the names of the women they've bedded. Although Talen appears to be getting tired of this routine, it doesn't take much convincing on Brandon's part to get Talen to do it again. Talen's father however, has issued Talen an ultimatum. There's an upcoming meeting in several weeks with the investors and the members of the board in the company, and Talen has been ordered to find a suitable wife and be married by that time, so that the heir apparent will appear to be both mature and stable. In short, no wife, no cushy life.
We next meet Dani, who, from the very beginning is a caring, kind daughter to her mother, who is rapidly succumbing to dementia. Although Dani is a struggling artist and is holding down two part-time jobs to make ends meet, she still finds time to visit her mother several times a week, pre-cook her meals, do her laundry, clean her house and spend time with her. She worries that soon her mom will need full-time care in an assisted living facility and is hoping that her upcoming showing at an art gallery will bring in some much needed funds. Dani's had the same boyfriend for the past 5 years, Perry, a businessman who is rarely there for her, and his phone calls to her are increasingly rushed and all too brief. He's never yet shown up at one of her gallery showings, although he's promised that he would. Dani's mother would love to see her married and pregnant while she still has her wits about her, but when Dani verbally confronts Perry by phone for his non-appearance at her latest gallery show, he informs her that he's found someone else, their relationship ends and Dani is devastated.
Dani's closest friend is Madison, who works at a strip club, and she's always thought that Dani deserved a better man than Perry. Madison tries to cheer her up by taking her away to Las Vegas for the weekend, leaving on Friday night. Dani is sitting alone at the strip club bar while Madison is performing on stage, and when Talen spots Dani, and is attracted to her, the two begin chatting and drinking, while Brandon has his eyes glued to Madison.
It's Sunday morning--Talen and Dani wake up together in the same bed, wearing matching wedding bands, and to their relief, some clothing. Dani has some vague recollection of them being married to each other by an Elvis impersonator and the two want the marriage annulled until Brandon quietly mentions that this could be the solution to Talen's problem--offer Dani enough money to pretend to be his wife for the next month, until after the board meeting, and it solves both their problems. Or does it? While I wasn't expecting a marriage of convenience romance at the outset, that's exactly what this novel became.
While I have no objections to the plot or the writing of this novel, I did have a problem with some of the characters, most notably with Talen, who has never in his life managed to stand up to his utterly obnoxious, demanding and emotionally abusive father. He was simply too much of a coward to be considered a hero. His father too, had not one single redeeming feature, admitting to his own son that his marriage to Talen's lovingly portrayed mother was merely a business decision. Finally, there's the issue of Dani's mother and her dementia--it was the chance to seriously address this subject, a horrific situation for any adult child to have to deal with alone, but aside from the search for a suitable assisted living facility, Dani's feelings over her mother's rapid mental deterioration was downplayed and in this reviewer's opinion, it was a missed opportunity to insert real emotional angst into this story.
While The Gamble was, for the most part, an enjoyable read with an HEA ending, it just missed the mark when it came to eliciting real emotional involvement between the characters and in this reader. It's not a bad read at all, but I believe it could have been so much better.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
Told in alternating narration, we first meet Talen, heir to a billion dollar big pharma company owned and headed by his impossible to please draconian father. Were this novel set in England, I'd have called Talen the wastrel son, but in this country, he and his friend Brandon are wealthy, womanizing playboys and drunks, who go out hunting for their next lays every weekend, usually ending up in a Las Vegas hotel room and waking up hung over and not even knowing the names of the women they've bedded. Although Talen appears to be getting tired of this routine, it doesn't take much convincing on Brandon's part to get Talen to do it again. Talen's father however, has issued Talen an ultimatum. There's an upcoming meeting in several weeks with the investors and the members of the board in the company, and Talen has been ordered to find a suitable wife and be married by that time, so that the heir apparent will appear to be both mature and stable. In short, no wife, no cushy life.
We next meet Dani, who, from the very beginning is a caring, kind daughter to her mother, who is rapidly succumbing to dementia. Although Dani is a struggling artist and is holding down two part-time jobs to make ends meet, she still finds time to visit her mother several times a week, pre-cook her meals, do her laundry, clean her house and spend time with her. She worries that soon her mom will need full-time care in an assisted living facility and is hoping that her upcoming showing at an art gallery will bring in some much needed funds. Dani's had the same boyfriend for the past 5 years, Perry, a businessman who is rarely there for her, and his phone calls to her are increasingly rushed and all too brief. He's never yet shown up at one of her gallery showings, although he's promised that he would. Dani's mother would love to see her married and pregnant while she still has her wits about her, but when Dani verbally confronts Perry by phone for his non-appearance at her latest gallery show, he informs her that he's found someone else, their relationship ends and Dani is devastated.
Dani's closest friend is Madison, who works at a strip club, and she's always thought that Dani deserved a better man than Perry. Madison tries to cheer her up by taking her away to Las Vegas for the weekend, leaving on Friday night. Dani is sitting alone at the strip club bar while Madison is performing on stage, and when Talen spots Dani, and is attracted to her, the two begin chatting and drinking, while Brandon has his eyes glued to Madison.
It's Sunday morning--Talen and Dani wake up together in the same bed, wearing matching wedding bands, and to their relief, some clothing. Dani has some vague recollection of them being married to each other by an Elvis impersonator and the two want the marriage annulled until Brandon quietly mentions that this could be the solution to Talen's problem--offer Dani enough money to pretend to be his wife for the next month, until after the board meeting, and it solves both their problems. Or does it? While I wasn't expecting a marriage of convenience romance at the outset, that's exactly what this novel became.
While I have no objections to the plot or the writing of this novel, I did have a problem with some of the characters, most notably with Talen, who has never in his life managed to stand up to his utterly obnoxious, demanding and emotionally abusive father. He was simply too much of a coward to be considered a hero. His father too, had not one single redeeming feature, admitting to his own son that his marriage to Talen's lovingly portrayed mother was merely a business decision. Finally, there's the issue of Dani's mother and her dementia--it was the chance to seriously address this subject, a horrific situation for any adult child to have to deal with alone, but aside from the search for a suitable assisted living facility, Dani's feelings over her mother's rapid mental deterioration was downplayed and in this reviewer's opinion, it was a missed opportunity to insert real emotional angst into this story.
While The Gamble was, for the most part, an enjoyable read with an HEA ending, it just missed the mark when it came to eliciting real emotional involvement between the characters and in this reader. It's not a bad read at all, but I believe it could have been so much better.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 4, 2017
My initial thought was, based on the cover, the H is an a**hole. But, I got fooled by the cover. Talen was not bad. A bit childish but, likable. He needed a wife to please his father and the shareholders. I kind of hate this plot because who said you needed a partner to make you look good. All Talen got to do was spend less time in Vegas and more in places like the Big Brother program he joined.
This was the second book I'd read with both MC gotten drunk and married in Vegas. I don't remember much about the previous book but, the MC stayed in the marriage because of some crazy ex. I do remember there's no money involved except the h in that book needed a place to stay while she put herself together. I don't know, when money got involved, it felt icky. It's like whatever relationship the MC develop from that point forward had a stain on it.
Dana was sometimes a contradiction. She was basically a doormat with her ex but, showed her fang with Talen, in most occasion that is. The reason I said that was because I wanted both the MC to grow into a better person, not that they were not great but, just better. So, when she went back and forth from a doormat to a no nonsense woman and vice versa, it was somehow frustrating and annoying.
I'll stop here because I don't want to spoil anything. It's a good read, in fact, it took me a couple of hours (skipped the smexy part), to finish. I'm glad I gave it a try.
This was the second book I'd read with both MC gotten drunk and married in Vegas. I don't remember much about the previous book but, the MC stayed in the marriage because of some crazy ex. I do remember there's no money involved except the h in that book needed a place to stay while she put herself together. I don't know, when money got involved, it felt icky. It's like whatever relationship the MC develop from that point forward had a stain on it.
Dana was sometimes a contradiction. She was basically a doormat with her ex but, showed her fang with Talen, in most occasion that is. The reason I said that was because I wanted both the MC to grow into a better person, not that they were not great but, just better. So, when she went back and forth from a doormat to a no nonsense woman and vice versa, it was somehow frustrating and annoying.
I'll stop here because I don't want to spoil anything. It's a good read, in fact, it took me a couple of hours (skipped the smexy part), to finish. I'm glad I gave it a try.
September 15, 2017
**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**
I really liked this book. Its a what happens in Vegas book, but of course it never really stays there, especially as both characters live near the edges of Vegas.
Talen is a bit of a party boys at the weekend but works hard during the week, but seems to have daddy issues, especially as his dad seems to be a nasty character.
Dani right from the beginning is a caring soul and wants to help her mother as much as she can, and ends up using her nurturing nature to help Talen in more ways than one. But this woman is no rollover.
Its a good book, has a strong start and finishes in a good place, however i would have loved a reconnection and possibly a baby on the way, but it was a good ending.
I really liked this book. Its a what happens in Vegas book, but of course it never really stays there, especially as both characters live near the edges of Vegas.
Talen is a bit of a party boys at the weekend but works hard during the week, but seems to have daddy issues, especially as his dad seems to be a nasty character.
Dani right from the beginning is a caring soul and wants to help her mother as much as she can, and ends up using her nurturing nature to help Talen in more ways than one. But this woman is no rollover.
Its a good book, has a strong start and finishes in a good place, however i would have loved a reconnection and possibly a baby on the way, but it was a good ending.
September 17, 2017
received copy for honest review
This is a fake/marriage of convenience romance. Talon needed a trophy wife and Dani needed money for the care of her mother. There are no surprises and crazy plot twists. Most things follow as you expect. They both get more than they bargained for. What starts out as fake soon becomes real. Talon was not a strong of a character. He was bullied by his father and a little meek in most things. He was a spoiled playboy. after a lifetime of bullying, it was easy for his dad to manipulate him into a marriage. Dani had the stronger personality. She was not intimidated by Talon, his wealth or his father. It took a lot for Talon to break free.
This is a fake/marriage of convenience romance. Talon needed a trophy wife and Dani needed money for the care of her mother. There are no surprises and crazy plot twists. Most things follow as you expect. They both get more than they bargained for. What starts out as fake soon becomes real. Talon was not a strong of a character. He was bullied by his father and a little meek in most things. He was a spoiled playboy. after a lifetime of bullying, it was easy for his dad to manipulate him into a marriage. Dani had the stronger personality. She was not intimidated by Talon, his wealth or his father. It took a lot for Talon to break free.
February 3, 2018
Talen Gaston and Dani Brooks find themselves married after a night of drinking in Las Vegas. These two strangers make and agreement to stay married for 30 days. Talen's father the head of a billion dollar Pharmaceutical company has ordered his son to get married in 30 days or he will find a bride for him. So he ask Dani to stay married to him for the sum of $100,000.oo and he would give her an annulment after the 30 days. Dani needs the money too put her mother into an assistant living facility because she is suffering from Dementia .
I fell in love with Talen and Dani they are well written characters with lots of depth and dimensions to the character. They have one hot sensual, sexy steamy marriage. The couple is believable. They grow from almost hating each other into a loving romantic caring relationship. Talen's father is a real SOB piece of work. You can feel Dani's pain has she watches her loving mother lose her memory and succumb to this deadly illness of Dementia. This topic was also, well written by the author Alice Ward. It is was heartbreaking to watch Dani's mother go through such a divesting illness.
The Gamble is a well written, face paced and Highly Enjoyable story. Contemporary Romance is not my favorite genre to read, but everything I have read so far by this author is Excellent. My Favorites are The Surprise and The Hunt, this is not to take away anything from The Gamble.
I fell in love with Talen and Dani they are well written characters with lots of depth and dimensions to the character. They have one hot sensual, sexy steamy marriage. The couple is believable. They grow from almost hating each other into a loving romantic caring relationship. Talen's father is a real SOB piece of work. You can feel Dani's pain has she watches her loving mother lose her memory and succumb to this deadly illness of Dementia. This topic was also, well written by the author Alice Ward. It is was heartbreaking to watch Dani's mother go through such a divesting illness.
The Gamble is a well written, face paced and Highly Enjoyable story. Contemporary Romance is not my favorite genre to read, but everything I have read so far by this author is Excellent. My Favorites are The Surprise and The Hunt, this is not to take away anything from The Gamble.
September 23, 2017
Received an Advanced Copy for my voluntary review for Hidden Gems. The book was ok, it was entertaining. Talen was a rich playboy, who apparently does not want to grow up. His friend Brandon, constantly convinces him to go party and get drunk and pick up woman, this seems to be their MO. However Talens dad gives him a choice, stop that lifestyle and get married, or lose everything. We meet Dani, whose five year boyfriend, dumps her by phone on one of the most important days of her life. She also has to deal with her mother having dementia, and while Dani works 2 jobs to help her mother out, it wont be enough to put in a good home. Dani is heartbroken, and her friend convinces her to let lose, and that very night she meets Talen, who is also letting lose, because of his dad's ultimatum, and the sparks fly. You need to read the rest.
September 21, 2017
I enjoyed this light read by Alice Ward. Not too much angst, just enough to keep me reading.
After Talon is given an ultimatum by his father to get married or he's out of the family company, he runs off with his best friend to Vegas and wakes up the next morning married to Dani. Their first thought is to get an annulment but he then proceeds to talk her into staying married for a month. It will help them both out in the long run. It's a win-win situation. What they don't bargain for is actual feelings developing and will they actually take a gamble on each other or go their separate ways?
Overall a good read that kept me entertained. I was leaning more toward the rating of 3.5 stars but I loved the ending so I'm giving it 4.
I received an early copy and voluntarily left my honest review.
After Talon is given an ultimatum by his father to get married or he's out of the family company, he runs off with his best friend to Vegas and wakes up the next morning married to Dani. Their first thought is to get an annulment but he then proceeds to talk her into staying married for a month. It will help them both out in the long run. It's a win-win situation. What they don't bargain for is actual feelings developing and will they actually take a gamble on each other or go their separate ways?
Overall a good read that kept me entertained. I was leaning more toward the rating of 3.5 stars but I loved the ending so I'm giving it 4.
I received an early copy and voluntarily left my honest review.
September 19, 2017
This was definitely a gamble
I took a gamble on this book since I liked what the blurb said. Guy needs a wife in order to tame his bad boy reputation and secure his spot in his fathers company. Sounds good so far. He finds a wife after one night of drinking in a strip club in Vegas. So drunk they get married but neither one really remembers. Woman agrees to stay married for her own reasons but lines are crossed. Each one wanting more but afraid to ask. Well this story seemed to have the makings for a great read but unfortunately it just didn't hold my attention long enough. So sadly this gamble didn't pay off for me. This is part of a bundle set and other stories are included. I did not read those.
I took a gamble on this book since I liked what the blurb said. Guy needs a wife in order to tame his bad boy reputation and secure his spot in his fathers company. Sounds good so far. He finds a wife after one night of drinking in a strip club in Vegas. So drunk they get married but neither one really remembers. Woman agrees to stay married for her own reasons but lines are crossed. Each one wanting more but afraid to ask. Well this story seemed to have the makings for a great read but unfortunately it just didn't hold my attention long enough. So sadly this gamble didn't pay off for me. This is part of a bundle set and other stories are included. I did not read those.
September 23, 2017
I know it has probably been said in other reviews, but here goes. What happens in Vegas does not always stay in Vegas (haha). In Alice Ward's new book that is somewhat true. Talen and Dani do get married in Vegas but they also live in the outskirts. If you have lived in the Vegas area you know that once you leave the strip it is a whole nother area, so once they left that casino and wedding they could have left that all behind. But Talen needed that marriage and in her own way so did Dani.
This is a great book and I really enjoyed it. I was happy to have read it and am happy to give my honest review. Read this book! And if you can one click it. It is diffidently worth it!
This is a great book and I really enjoyed it. I was happy to have read it and am happy to give my honest review. Read this book! And if you can one click it. It is diffidently worth it!
October 7, 2017
***I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.***
Talen and Dani's relationship had a rough start; from meeting at a strip club and getting drunk to waking upbeing married to each other without remembering that they actually got married. Despite many problems, they grew to like each other a lot.
I really liked how this book was written because it has the perfect details on what a relationship undergoes from beginning to end. Some starts of nicely and some starts on the wrong footing. But no matter what, if both parties involved are invested, they will find a way to make it work.
Talen and Dani's relationship had a rough start; from meeting at a strip club and getting drunk to waking upbeing married to each other without remembering that they actually got married. Despite many problems, they grew to like each other a lot.
I really liked how this book was written because it has the perfect details on what a relationship undergoes from beginning to end. Some starts of nicely and some starts on the wrong footing. But no matter what, if both parties involved are invested, they will find a way to make it work.
September 18, 2017
Alice Ward does it again - such a good book! We know right from the beginning how perfect Talen and Dani are together but it seems they need a little convincing. And thus from that comes our story - full of HOT sex, angst, love, and yes, even friendship.
Alice always writes such intriguing stories. She lures you in with a story that seems like just a piece of fluff then bang, she goes to the depths of human emotion. I'm so glad I discovered her and grab her books the day they are published.
Grab yours today - maybe you'll become a fan girl as well.
Alice always writes such intriguing stories. She lures you in with a story that seems like just a piece of fluff then bang, she goes to the depths of human emotion. I'm so glad I discovered her and grab her books the day they are published.
Grab yours today - maybe you'll become a fan girl as well.
September 28, 2017
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This was another great book by Alice Ward. I love these fake marriage romances that end with the two main characters falling in love and this one did not disappoint. I loved the journey this book takes you on. Definitely a recommended must read.
September 12, 2017
This book is well written and tells a captivating story. All characters are interesting and well developed. I read this book in one sitting and liked it. I was a little disappointed because, unlike in all prior books by this author, I couldn't find that elusive connection with characters.
September 18, 2017
This book is The Hangover meets romance. Talk about a great book. I was a bit nervous to read this book from Alice Ward, as her last book totally gutted me. Thankfully this book wasn't like the last at all.
I love reading books where the characters get married by "accident". Their relationships are always so much better, as you get to watch them be thrown into a relationship and fall in love. The Gamble is by far my favorite book in that aspect. Talen and Dani were the perfect for each other, and I found myself falling in love with them both. This was one sweet ride and I am always a fan of a sweet HEA.
I love reading books where the characters get married by "accident". Their relationships are always so much better, as you get to watch them be thrown into a relationship and fall in love. The Gamble is by far my favorite book in that aspect. Talen and Dani were the perfect for each other, and I found myself falling in love with them both. This was one sweet ride and I am always a fan of a sweet HEA.
September 21, 2017
There's just no denying how wonderful this book was. I didn't want to stop once I started it. The characters were amazing and the story flowed so well. Loved it! You should definitely read this. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
September 18, 2017
The Gamble Alice Ward a four-star read that is worth the gamble. Alice Ward writes a great story, she makes you fall into the story and not want to get out, you will start by liking Talen but thinking he needs a good shake, but will the woman he takes a gamble on make him see things differently? Or will the gamble be a loss and will he stay being a douche? What made this book so amazing for me is Dani, she was someone I loved from the start, she is struggling but not letting it get her down.
If you are looking for a good read to take a gamble on then you will love this story.
If you are looking for a good read to take a gamble on then you will love this story.
September 13, 2017
Alice Ward has a unique talent of giving her readers exactly what they want... drama, well-developed characters, hot chemistry, many emotions, a plot that is intriguing and interesting, and so much more.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
September 17, 2017
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Typically I LOVE an Alice Ward book, but I feel I would rate this book at 3.8 out of 5 stars. I feel like there were too many similarities between Caitlyn from The Hunt (Ms. Wards previous, and excellent, book) and Dani, the female lead in The Gamble. They both painted professionally and held gallery showings, were raised by a widowed older woman with serious/deadly health issues, worked two jobs plus sold paintings to help pay for their mothers/grandmothers care (they both worked part time at a diner), they both had auburn hair. I think there were a few more. Had there been fewer, or better yet, no, similarities between these women than I would have rated it higher.
Talen, the male protagonist with the sexy name, is a workaholic manwhore. His strict and overbearing father, who is also his boss, ignores how hard Talen works for the family company and instead focuses on his weekend indiscretions. He decides Talen is an embarrassment to his company and he fears his playboy ways will alter the companys bottom line, so he orders Talen to find a wife to help stabilize his image before the shareholders meeting in a month. Obviously an outdated concept.
Dani's longterm boyfriend cheats on her and dumps her on a day she is already feeling low, so her best friend takes her out to forget her woes.
A chance, drunken encounter between Talen and Dani changes both of their futures when they wake up married. They plan on annulling their marriage but Talen decides to blackmail Dani into staying married for the month. Her mothers health decline takes a steep and expensive turn, so she agrees to Talens demand and stays married for money. They discover they have chemistry and eventually fall in love, though neither will admit as much to the other because they are afraid.
An accident causes Dani to push Talen away, making him realize how deep his feelings for her are. He decides to play for keeps and risk his heart by attempting to win his wife over and bring her back into his life. There are some sweet scenes, some steamy scenes, and some outright sexy scenes.
I am on the fence about this book. I really liked Talen and Dani as a couple, but some of the details were far-fetched or unrealistic. Like I said already, there were too many similarities between the women. Talen tells Dani to quit her jobs so she can be available to him whenever he needs her as arm candy, and unbelievably she does. On the flip side of that she invests a load of time into her painting and her talent really developes and flourishes. It just didnt seem very responsible to me that a woman who worried so much about paying bills and taking care of her mother would quit her jobs at the behest of a man she doesnt know for an undisclosed amount of money. I mean, it works out in the end, but Dani didnt know it would because that wasnt their initial plan. Other details that bothered me were Talens father insisting that people at work didnt respect Talen when its repeatedly demonstrated that they do in fact respect and like him. Talen and his father have a kind of contentious relationship that without warning explodes when his dad suddenly turns straight up evil. Other details that bothered me are about the setting. The story takes place in Vegas, and I lived there for a while, so I kinda feel like Ms. Ward just looked at a map and made assumptions. The traffic is killer. Always. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In reality nobody can get around as quickly as the people in the book did. Henderson is where Talen, and I think the office, is located, and Dani lives in what I think is a made up (nothing wrong with that at all) city like 20 minutes north of Vegas. There is no way she, or he, could make the drive to Henderson on the southeast end of Vegas to a city 20 minutes past the northern limits of the city in an hour. Even in the dead of night that isnt happening. I am not sure why that bothered me so much, but it did.
Typically I LOVE an Alice Ward book, but I feel I would rate this book at 3.8 out of 5 stars. I feel like there were too many similarities between Caitlyn from The Hunt (Ms. Wards previous, and excellent, book) and Dani, the female lead in The Gamble. They both painted professionally and held gallery showings, were raised by a widowed older woman with serious/deadly health issues, worked two jobs plus sold paintings to help pay for their mothers/grandmothers care (they both worked part time at a diner), they both had auburn hair. I think there were a few more. Had there been fewer, or better yet, no, similarities between these women than I would have rated it higher.
Talen, the male protagonist with the sexy name, is a workaholic manwhore. His strict and overbearing father, who is also his boss, ignores how hard Talen works for the family company and instead focuses on his weekend indiscretions. He decides Talen is an embarrassment to his company and he fears his playboy ways will alter the companys bottom line, so he orders Talen to find a wife to help stabilize his image before the shareholders meeting in a month. Obviously an outdated concept.
Dani's longterm boyfriend cheats on her and dumps her on a day she is already feeling low, so her best friend takes her out to forget her woes.
A chance, drunken encounter between Talen and Dani changes both of their futures when they wake up married. They plan on annulling their marriage but Talen decides to blackmail Dani into staying married for the month. Her mothers health decline takes a steep and expensive turn, so she agrees to Talens demand and stays married for money. They discover they have chemistry and eventually fall in love, though neither will admit as much to the other because they are afraid.
An accident causes Dani to push Talen away, making him realize how deep his feelings for her are. He decides to play for keeps and risk his heart by attempting to win his wife over and bring her back into his life. There are some sweet scenes, some steamy scenes, and some outright sexy scenes.
I am on the fence about this book. I really liked Talen and Dani as a couple, but some of the details were far-fetched or unrealistic. Like I said already, there were too many similarities between the women. Talen tells Dani to quit her jobs so she can be available to him whenever he needs her as arm candy, and unbelievably she does. On the flip side of that she invests a load of time into her painting and her talent really developes and flourishes. It just didnt seem very responsible to me that a woman who worried so much about paying bills and taking care of her mother would quit her jobs at the behest of a man she doesnt know for an undisclosed amount of money. I mean, it works out in the end, but Dani didnt know it would because that wasnt their initial plan. Other details that bothered me were Talens father insisting that people at work didnt respect Talen when its repeatedly demonstrated that they do in fact respect and like him. Talen and his father have a kind of contentious relationship that without warning explodes when his dad suddenly turns straight up evil. Other details that bothered me are about the setting. The story takes place in Vegas, and I lived there for a while, so I kinda feel like Ms. Ward just looked at a map and made assumptions. The traffic is killer. Always. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In reality nobody can get around as quickly as the people in the book did. Henderson is where Talen, and I think the office, is located, and Dani lives in what I think is a made up (nothing wrong with that at all) city like 20 minutes north of Vegas. There is no way she, or he, could make the drive to Henderson on the southeast end of Vegas to a city 20 minutes past the northern limits of the city in an hour. Even in the dead of night that isnt happening. I am not sure why that bothered me so much, but it did.
September 19, 2017
This review is based on an ARC that I received in exchange for my honest review.
You might think that you have had enough of wealthy men and the women that they never knew that they needed. If the author is as talented as Alice Ward, then you need not worry that the story is just a repeat of an often told tale.
I found that Talen and Dani were intriguing. In the progression of the story, we learn enough of who they were that we can pick up right at where, and who, they are. If you expect a story of differences between two individuals were to follow a preconceived script, you will be pleasantly surprised by this title. Detours, humor, human emotion, tears, physical attraction and misunderstandings all fill the pages.
A peep into their relationships with their best friends, has the potential for more depth. Wouldn't you want to know more about a Las Vegas stripper when there is a quick mention that she is doing this job to support the cost of her education? Madison, is Dan's best friend. Brandon, is a rich, ready to party playboy. He is also Talen's best friend. When Brandon and Talen party it is hard and wild. Because of their best friends, one ready to party until it hurts, the other working in a location that attracts just that kind of crowd, Talen and Dani meet.
Dani's mom is ill and will only decline. Choices will need to be made. Talen is under pressure from an overbearing father. Not all abuse is physical and the damage that his father imposes on Talen has made him cold and disconnected from feeling emotional connections to anyone but his mother and Brandon.
When these two meet, there is despair from both about where there lives are. How they find that they can help one another may not be conventional, may not be the most humane way for a man to turn to a woman, but people are shaped by their environment. You will hate Talen at times. You will be frustrated with Dani for not having the strength to speak her feelings when things change. In defense of Talen, his primary male examples; being his father and Brandon, have not taught him better than to throw around the weight of his wallet. For Dani, she has had to be strong enough to endure her mother's illness and the eventualities that it will present, strong enough to be patient for mom, to work at a couple of part time jobs when her passion and desire would be to concentrate on being true to her art. As an artist craves she freedom to be creative in her craft, but is she expressing the kind of talent that is a true representation of her talent? She finds that all that comes from being a starving artist is exhaustion, near impoverishment and fear for every day that passes without a solid gallery show, where she is proud of her work and plenty of paintings sell, instead of $100 in waitress's tips.
Will a deal made, coerced by Talen, ease Dani's fears? Will Talen benefit beyond his original expectations? Will one month of their lives change who they are beyond the original agreed upon terms?
You will be flooded with emotions and ready to gobble up the finer details.
You might think that you have had enough of wealthy men and the women that they never knew that they needed. If the author is as talented as Alice Ward, then you need not worry that the story is just a repeat of an often told tale.
I found that Talen and Dani were intriguing. In the progression of the story, we learn enough of who they were that we can pick up right at where, and who, they are. If you expect a story of differences between two individuals were to follow a preconceived script, you will be pleasantly surprised by this title. Detours, humor, human emotion, tears, physical attraction and misunderstandings all fill the pages.
A peep into their relationships with their best friends, has the potential for more depth. Wouldn't you want to know more about a Las Vegas stripper when there is a quick mention that she is doing this job to support the cost of her education? Madison, is Dan's best friend. Brandon, is a rich, ready to party playboy. He is also Talen's best friend. When Brandon and Talen party it is hard and wild. Because of their best friends, one ready to party until it hurts, the other working in a location that attracts just that kind of crowd, Talen and Dani meet.
Dani's mom is ill and will only decline. Choices will need to be made. Talen is under pressure from an overbearing father. Not all abuse is physical and the damage that his father imposes on Talen has made him cold and disconnected from feeling emotional connections to anyone but his mother and Brandon.
When these two meet, there is despair from both about where there lives are. How they find that they can help one another may not be conventional, may not be the most humane way for a man to turn to a woman, but people are shaped by their environment. You will hate Talen at times. You will be frustrated with Dani for not having the strength to speak her feelings when things change. In defense of Talen, his primary male examples; being his father and Brandon, have not taught him better than to throw around the weight of his wallet. For Dani, she has had to be strong enough to endure her mother's illness and the eventualities that it will present, strong enough to be patient for mom, to work at a couple of part time jobs when her passion and desire would be to concentrate on being true to her art. As an artist craves she freedom to be creative in her craft, but is she expressing the kind of talent that is a true representation of her talent? She finds that all that comes from being a starving artist is exhaustion, near impoverishment and fear for every day that passes without a solid gallery show, where she is proud of her work and plenty of paintings sell, instead of $100 in waitress's tips.
Will a deal made, coerced by Talen, ease Dani's fears? Will Talen benefit beyond his original expectations? Will one month of their lives change who they are beyond the original agreed upon terms?
You will be flooded with emotions and ready to gobble up the finer details.
September 18, 2017
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book**
I have read several books by Alice Ward. The (her) books often start off rocky, with a little dilemma/drama twisted into the story, and therefore I was excited to have the opportunity as a ARC of this novel. I would have loved to give this book 5 starts, but for some reason it felt like something was missing to the story, and therefore I could only give it 4 stars.
The book was written both in Talen and Dani's POV.
Talen who is a heir to a billion dollar pharmaceutical company currently owned by his hard headed father. Talen's best friend loves a good night out in town, and while Talen would like to make his life better, he usually ends up agreeing to Brandon's wild ideas - consisting drinks and a wild night with ladies.
So Talen's father issues an ultimatum - find a wife before an important meeting with the company's investors or say goodbye to the heir position of the company, all his luxury cars and luxury life.
The father's plan for Talen to find a wife consist of his views on how Talens weekends is spent - he sees the wife thing as a way to stabilize his image (Talen's).
Into the story comes Dani, an upcoming artist /painter, a kind and caring daughter to her sick mother. Even though Dani has plenty of stuff on her plate - 2 part-time jobs, struggling artist, she stille finds time to visit and be with her mother. She worries her mother's disease is getting worse and will have to soon live in an assisted living facility and therefore hopes some off her paintings will sell at her upcoming art exhibition /gallery.
Dani's best friend Madison, works at a strip club and thinks it's time for Dani to have a night off and let loose. So one night while Madison works, Dani sits alone at the bar in the strip club, when Talen (who just happens to be at the same place) sees Dani, and finds her attracting, the two starts chatting and drinking the night away all the while Brandon is off to something else.
The next morning they find themselves in bed together, but with cloth on. Here to story takes off, they can't remember what happened the night before. When they find out they were married in Vegas, Brandon sees this as a way for Talen to fix the problem with Talen's father and his ultimatum, all he has to do is make sure Dani is on board for the next money.
Within that month a lot off events takes place which pushes Dani and Talen closer, that leads Talen to overcome his fear of Love and Dani finding that real love.
I really loved this book, but I felt like there where just to many similarities between this book and The hunt (another Alice Ward book) - Caitlyn from The Hunt also happens to be a waitress and an upcoming and struggling artist. They both painted and held gallery showings /exhibitions and where raised by widowed women who is struggling with their health. This is also one of the reasons it only gets about 4 stars - simply because of all the similarities.
I have read several books by Alice Ward. The (her) books often start off rocky, with a little dilemma/drama twisted into the story, and therefore I was excited to have the opportunity as a ARC of this novel. I would have loved to give this book 5 starts, but for some reason it felt like something was missing to the story, and therefore I could only give it 4 stars.
The book was written both in Talen and Dani's POV.
Talen who is a heir to a billion dollar pharmaceutical company currently owned by his hard headed father. Talen's best friend loves a good night out in town, and while Talen would like to make his life better, he usually ends up agreeing to Brandon's wild ideas - consisting drinks and a wild night with ladies.
So Talen's father issues an ultimatum - find a wife before an important meeting with the company's investors or say goodbye to the heir position of the company, all his luxury cars and luxury life.
The father's plan for Talen to find a wife consist of his views on how Talens weekends is spent - he sees the wife thing as a way to stabilize his image (Talen's).
Into the story comes Dani, an upcoming artist /painter, a kind and caring daughter to her sick mother. Even though Dani has plenty of stuff on her plate - 2 part-time jobs, struggling artist, she stille finds time to visit and be with her mother. She worries her mother's disease is getting worse and will have to soon live in an assisted living facility and therefore hopes some off her paintings will sell at her upcoming art exhibition /gallery.
Dani's best friend Madison, works at a strip club and thinks it's time for Dani to have a night off and let loose. So one night while Madison works, Dani sits alone at the bar in the strip club, when Talen (who just happens to be at the same place) sees Dani, and finds her attracting, the two starts chatting and drinking the night away all the while Brandon is off to something else.
The next morning they find themselves in bed together, but with cloth on. Here to story takes off, they can't remember what happened the night before. When they find out they were married in Vegas, Brandon sees this as a way for Talen to fix the problem with Talen's father and his ultimatum, all he has to do is make sure Dani is on board for the next money.
Within that month a lot off events takes place which pushes Dani and Talen closer, that leads Talen to overcome his fear of Love and Dani finding that real love.
I really loved this book, but I felt like there where just to many similarities between this book and The hunt (another Alice Ward book) - Caitlyn from The Hunt also happens to be a waitress and an upcoming and struggling artist. They both painted and held gallery showings /exhibitions and where raised by widowed women who is struggling with their health. This is also one of the reasons it only gets about 4 stars - simply because of all the similarities.
September 16, 2017
After a night involving way too much alcohol, Talen wakes up in bed with a woman who is a virtual stranger. It’s not the first time he’s found a woman he barely knows in his bed the next morning, but this is certainly the first time he and the woman have been wearing matching wedding bands! The fact that his best friend Brandon walks into the bedroom wearing an Elvis costume just adds to the confusion. But before Talen can go with Dani to get their marriage annulled, Brandon convinces Talen that Dani may be the answer to his problems. As next in line and heir apparent to the billion dollar Gaston Pharmaceuticals, his father has given him one month to clean up his act, and that includes finding a wife. Otherwise, Talen is cut off - no job, no penthouse apartment, no trust fund.
Dani is an artist who works two part-time jobs and cares for her sick mother, so the money Talen is offering her is something she desperately needs. She can put up with a business arrangement for a month if it means being able to provide medical care for her mother. It’s a good, mutually beneficial plan. Until feelings get involved. She’s a smart, talented, caring person, but it’s that compassionate part of her nature that makes it tricky to remember it’s “just” a business arrangement.
Talen is the kind of hero I love! Of course he’s handsome, intelligent and rich, but he lives his life on the surface, masking anything deeper with alcohol, women, and his juvenile best friend’s antics. In his father’s eyes, he’s immature and irresponsible, and nothing he does is ever good enough. But there’s a wonderful, complex side where his goodness hides, and it takes a woman like Dani to see below the surface to the man he really is and somehow encourage Talen to want to be that better version of himself. Their journey together is a delight to watch and their story is fascinating, heartfelt and compelling.
I’m not sure it’s possible for Ms. Ward to write a book that’s not in some way socially conscious, and the advance copy I read of this book is no different. Dani’s mother suffers from dementia, and Ms. Ward accurately, thoughtfully and compassionately portrays the struggles, pain and confusion of this disease both with the patient and loved ones who are effected by it. Again, I applaud Ms. Ward for writing a book with strong characters and a great storyline that also moves the reader to think beyond her small piece of the world. This is another excellent work by this author and not to be missed.
Dani is an artist who works two part-time jobs and cares for her sick mother, so the money Talen is offering her is something she desperately needs. She can put up with a business arrangement for a month if it means being able to provide medical care for her mother. It’s a good, mutually beneficial plan. Until feelings get involved. She’s a smart, talented, caring person, but it’s that compassionate part of her nature that makes it tricky to remember it’s “just” a business arrangement.
Talen is the kind of hero I love! Of course he’s handsome, intelligent and rich, but he lives his life on the surface, masking anything deeper with alcohol, women, and his juvenile best friend’s antics. In his father’s eyes, he’s immature and irresponsible, and nothing he does is ever good enough. But there’s a wonderful, complex side where his goodness hides, and it takes a woman like Dani to see below the surface to the man he really is and somehow encourage Talen to want to be that better version of himself. Their journey together is a delight to watch and their story is fascinating, heartfelt and compelling.
I’m not sure it’s possible for Ms. Ward to write a book that’s not in some way socially conscious, and the advance copy I read of this book is no different. Dani’s mother suffers from dementia, and Ms. Ward accurately, thoughtfully and compassionately portrays the struggles, pain and confusion of this disease both with the patient and loved ones who are effected by it. Again, I applaud Ms. Ward for writing a book with strong characters and a great storyline that also moves the reader to think beyond her small piece of the world. This is another excellent work by this author and not to be missed.
September 25, 2017
I think the best part about this particular book is that the drama wasn't piled on. There could have been so much to get in their way, but the plot was relatively simple enough that the relationship they were trying to build/not build remained the focus. It allowed us to really see these people and their own struggles and how they came together despite their differences and the not-so-obvious obstacles.
Obstacles in the form of parents are always tricky. The villainous father, the sick mother, both of them were a bit unpredictable in terms of finding a solution but what was done here was actually perfect. I was imagining a ton of scenarios where the father was as bad as he was but in different ways, ways that were more insidious. I LOVED how Dani reacted to the father at dinner. She's quietly amazing. With her mother things were more heartbreaking than anything. Nothing as intensely as devastating as in The Hunt, but not any less difficult because of the struggles that go along with the disease. Overall, the outcomes of both situations were pretty great, really well thought out and realistic in their conclusions.
As for the romance, however, I wish there were more of a marked turning point for Talen and Dani to go from fake to desiring more. We see it begin with immense attraction and intense desire but where things deepen, it feels like I skipped a page or two and missed where things actually changed. I knew it needed to and would change, but how it did wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be. The way that things came together was difficult to read, in a good way, because Talen had so many things to overcome in his own mind. Dani was a bit simpler because she knew she needed to stand on her own and had all the independent spirit to do so, it was just hard to see her denying herself out of fear. Confessions, though, were tender, sincere, and honest. I loved seeing them finally admitting to everything they felt, not just to themselves, but to one another.
At the very beginning I was interested, when the morning after came I was a bit less interested because of the Hangover elements, but as the story progressed I was invested. Talen was so "lost little boy", Dani was a bit of the "damsel in distress", and both of these characters had the perfect hole in their lives and hearts that were almost tailor made for one another. Such a great story, seeing these two overcome their struggles and finding solace and healing in their partnership.
Read and willingly reviewed this ARC for the author.
Obstacles in the form of parents are always tricky. The villainous father, the sick mother, both of them were a bit unpredictable in terms of finding a solution but what was done here was actually perfect. I was imagining a ton of scenarios where the father was as bad as he was but in different ways, ways that were more insidious. I LOVED how Dani reacted to the father at dinner. She's quietly amazing. With her mother things were more heartbreaking than anything. Nothing as intensely as devastating as in The Hunt, but not any less difficult because of the struggles that go along with the disease. Overall, the outcomes of both situations were pretty great, really well thought out and realistic in their conclusions.
As for the romance, however, I wish there were more of a marked turning point for Talen and Dani to go from fake to desiring more. We see it begin with immense attraction and intense desire but where things deepen, it feels like I skipped a page or two and missed where things actually changed. I knew it needed to and would change, but how it did wasn't as satisfying as I hoped it would be. The way that things came together was difficult to read, in a good way, because Talen had so many things to overcome in his own mind. Dani was a bit simpler because she knew she needed to stand on her own and had all the independent spirit to do so, it was just hard to see her denying herself out of fear. Confessions, though, were tender, sincere, and honest. I loved seeing them finally admitting to everything they felt, not just to themselves, but to one another.
At the very beginning I was interested, when the morning after came I was a bit less interested because of the Hangover elements, but as the story progressed I was invested. Talen was so "lost little boy", Dani was a bit of the "damsel in distress", and both of these characters had the perfect hole in their lives and hearts that were almost tailor made for one another. Such a great story, seeing these two overcome their struggles and finding solace and healing in their partnership.
Read and willingly reviewed this ARC for the author.
September 23, 2017
Talen is from a wealthy family who plays hard and works hard. He enjoys women and drinking as a distraction from his demanding father who tries to control his life. Talen works hard for the family business but his father never seems to appreciate any of his work. Then his dad calls him to his office. Their business must get a merger to continue to be successful and his dad thinks that investors are uncomfortable with Talen's playboy ways. His dad is giving him the month until the merger meeting to settle down and marry or else Talen will lose everything. Talen is incensed! He is so mad and discouraged that his friend takes him out drinking. At a strip club he meets Dani, a beautiful woman who unlike most other women makes no moves on him. Dani tells him she is off men and the two decide to talk and drink as friends. After a mostly forgotten night Talen and Dani wake up in a strange hotel room with wedding rings on their hands.
Dani was a struggling artist with 2 part time jobs. Her mother is suffering with dementia and needs more care than Dani can provide. She just broke up 5 year relationship when she discovered her boyfriend was seeing another woman. She was done with men until she woke up in bed with Talon. At first Talon and Dani planned to get an anullment untl Talon decided Dani might be the answer to his problems. Talen demands that Dani stay married to him for the next month making several appearances in return for money. Dani doesn't want to give into the jerk's blackmail but she is desperate for money to take care of her mom.
As the month goes on, Dani sees that there is more to Talen than she first expected Talen is developing new feelings for Dani. Can this gamble of a marriage pay off? This is a good book. At first I had no sympathy for Talon but as I got to know him better, I felt for him. I voluntarily received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
Dani was a struggling artist with 2 part time jobs. Her mother is suffering with dementia and needs more care than Dani can provide. She just broke up 5 year relationship when she discovered her boyfriend was seeing another woman. She was done with men until she woke up in bed with Talon. At first Talon and Dani planned to get an anullment untl Talon decided Dani might be the answer to his problems. Talen demands that Dani stay married to him for the next month making several appearances in return for money. Dani doesn't want to give into the jerk's blackmail but she is desperate for money to take care of her mom.
As the month goes on, Dani sees that there is more to Talen than she first expected Talen is developing new feelings for Dani. Can this gamble of a marriage pay off? This is a good book. At first I had no sympathy for Talon but as I got to know him better, I felt for him. I voluntarily received a copy of this story and this is my honest review.
November 12, 2017
With The Gamble, Alice Ward has managed to write a magnificent novel. It is full of romance and action while keeping the reader in tears or laughter as they read. It is short enough to be read in one sitting which is definitely a plus. The characters are very realistic and act like real people with real feelings and emotions. It is definitely going to be a best-selling book.
Dani Brooks works two jobs to support herself and her Mother. However, with her Mother getting dementia, it will soon not be enough to keep her Mother at home, much less in a good nursing facility. When she has some free time, Dani can be found painting. She is having a showing the following week and just hopes her boyfriend of five years will be there. She isn’t getting her hopes up though. It is a good thing since he doesn’t show up and then calls and breaks up with her. Dani is more mad than upset which makes her wonder about loving Perry. To help her get over her anger, her friend Madison asks her to go to her club for the evening. Dani usually doesn’t go with Madison to the club as it is a strip club; but she goes this time. She meets Talen Gaston at the service.
Talen Gaston is a spoiled, rich young man who with his friend, Brandon, hit the clubs in Vegas every weekend. Talen has been given an ultimatum by his Father. He is to get hold of himself and to get married before the investor’s meeting coming soon. He sets out with Brandon to paint the town Red. Brandon takes him to a strip club where Talen meets Dani and after a wild time on the town ends up being married to her. He convinces her to keep the marriage to appease his Father until the board meeting.
Should Dani remain married to Talen until the board meeting or call it a day and leave him? Will Talen’s influential father make Talen leave the company or get rid of Dani, or will he just strengthen everything.
Dani Brooks works two jobs to support herself and her Mother. However, with her Mother getting dementia, it will soon not be enough to keep her Mother at home, much less in a good nursing facility. When she has some free time, Dani can be found painting. She is having a showing the following week and just hopes her boyfriend of five years will be there. She isn’t getting her hopes up though. It is a good thing since he doesn’t show up and then calls and breaks up with her. Dani is more mad than upset which makes her wonder about loving Perry. To help her get over her anger, her friend Madison asks her to go to her club for the evening. Dani usually doesn’t go with Madison to the club as it is a strip club; but she goes this time. She meets Talen Gaston at the service.
Talen Gaston is a spoiled, rich young man who with his friend, Brandon, hit the clubs in Vegas every weekend. Talen has been given an ultimatum by his Father. He is to get hold of himself and to get married before the investor’s meeting coming soon. He sets out with Brandon to paint the town Red. Brandon takes him to a strip club where Talen meets Dani and after a wild time on the town ends up being married to her. He convinces her to keep the marriage to appease his Father until the board meeting.
Should Dani remain married to Talen until the board meeting or call it a day and leave him? Will Talen’s influential father make Talen leave the company or get rid of Dani, or will he just strengthen everything.
September 21, 2017
this is second book by Alice Ward and i enjoyed both books.
very unusual story of two people (Talen and Dani) finding love. Talen did everything his father asked him to do but he never recognized his accomplishments. Now his father was fed up with his son's player boy lifestyle, he gives ultimatum, he needs to find a wife within month or he will loose everything. he never imagined he would find someone that quick and settle down.
Now Dani working two jobs and being a painter and taking care of demantia mom but her love life doesn't seem to go her way. her boyfriend of 5 years has been missing all her art shows and he is always on his business trip. now her art show didn't do well and her boyfriend tells her he found another women. Nothing is going her way and her best friend decides to make her better by taking her out to her work (strip club).
When Talen saw Dani, he wanted to get to know her and one thing led to another. they ended up in his bed next day. until they both saw a ring on their ring fingers. (their whole situation remind me of Rachel and Ross from friends.).
Both can't believe they were married and now they have to get a annulment. Before that Talen suggests a month of marriage for his father and next month important meeting and she will be paid. Dani's mom's condition is rapidly deteriorating and she couldn't delay her mothers care any longer and strike a deal with Talen.
they have crazy bed chemistry but their relationship has an expiration date. slowly Talen is showing different side of him and Dani finds another inspiration for her new painting.
with each day they spent together, it is harder to detach their true feelings for each other. it is not easy for both but what will they do to keep their marriage or kaput.
it was different type of love story of marriage comes first Nd love comes later. i did like both character and couldn't wait to finish. i enjoy reading this one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
very unusual story of two people (Talen and Dani) finding love. Talen did everything his father asked him to do but he never recognized his accomplishments. Now his father was fed up with his son's player boy lifestyle, he gives ultimatum, he needs to find a wife within month or he will loose everything. he never imagined he would find someone that quick and settle down.
Now Dani working two jobs and being a painter and taking care of demantia mom but her love life doesn't seem to go her way. her boyfriend of 5 years has been missing all her art shows and he is always on his business trip. now her art show didn't do well and her boyfriend tells her he found another women. Nothing is going her way and her best friend decides to make her better by taking her out to her work (strip club).
When Talen saw Dani, he wanted to get to know her and one thing led to another. they ended up in his bed next day. until they both saw a ring on their ring fingers. (their whole situation remind me of Rachel and Ross from friends.).
Both can't believe they were married and now they have to get a annulment. Before that Talen suggests a month of marriage for his father and next month important meeting and she will be paid. Dani's mom's condition is rapidly deteriorating and she couldn't delay her mothers care any longer and strike a deal with Talen.
they have crazy bed chemistry but their relationship has an expiration date. slowly Talen is showing different side of him and Dani finds another inspiration for her new painting.
with each day they spent together, it is harder to detach their true feelings for each other. it is not easy for both but what will they do to keep their marriage or kaput.
it was different type of love story of marriage comes first Nd love comes later. i did like both character and couldn't wait to finish. i enjoy reading this one.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
September 20, 2017
In the Gamble Talen is your typical spoiled rich kid or so we are led to believe. The fact that he has applied to be a “big brother” shows that he isn’t satisfied with how his life is shaping up & he wants more. He works at the family pharmaceutical firm where he one day expects to take over from his obnoxious father. He’s shocked, however, when he is issued with an ultimatum – get married to appease the board members, who are concerned about his wild partying with his best friend Brandon, or lose everything. On a trip to Las Vegas with Brandon to drown his sorrows he runs across Dani in a strip club.
Dani is a struggling artist. Working 2 jobs as well as looking after her mother who she is rapidly losing to alzheimers. After a disappointing showing of her latest paintings & then being dumped by her long-term boyfriend she is also on a mission to forget her troubles so when her best friend Madison suggests a weekend in Las Vegas starting at the club where she is a stripper, Dani doesn’t need much persuading.
After a drunken night Dani & Talen wake up together in a hotel room and, well what normally happens to drunk people in Vegas? You guessed it - they’re married!!! Talen sees this ‘marriage of convenience’ as the solution to all his problems but Dani will take a bit more persuading. It’s only when he offers her money to stay married she realises that this will enable her to pay for the best residential care for her mum.
This story & the characters gradually develop which is a bit more credible than the usual love at first sight. The supporting characters of Brandon & Madison were great as well. All in all a sweet love story with just enough hotness to pique your interest.
Dani is a struggling artist. Working 2 jobs as well as looking after her mother who she is rapidly losing to alzheimers. After a disappointing showing of her latest paintings & then being dumped by her long-term boyfriend she is also on a mission to forget her troubles so when her best friend Madison suggests a weekend in Las Vegas starting at the club where she is a stripper, Dani doesn’t need much persuading.
After a drunken night Dani & Talen wake up together in a hotel room and, well what normally happens to drunk people in Vegas? You guessed it - they’re married!!! Talen sees this ‘marriage of convenience’ as the solution to all his problems but Dani will take a bit more persuading. It’s only when he offers her money to stay married she realises that this will enable her to pay for the best residential care for her mum.
This story & the characters gradually develop which is a bit more credible than the usual love at first sight. The supporting characters of Brandon & Madison were great as well. All in all a sweet love story with just enough hotness to pique your interest.
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