He thinks he's god's gift to women. She thinks he's a sex-mad jerk. FOR $10K HE'LL PROVE HE CAN WIN HER OVER.
Arrogant. Womanizing. Jerk. Xavier Stone has been called many things, and he's proud of most of them. Driving a Ferrari 488, living in Tribeca, and running businesses that spit out $$$, he's living the dream. He can, and often does, have any woman he wants.
Except for Isabel Laronde. That chick is something else. And right now, she's not interested.
Failing to attract her attention, Xavier seeks to prove himself by placing a bet: $10K to win Isabel over and to get her into his bed. Piece of cake.
Except that Isabel is mistrusting of the rich and privileged, and Xavier represents everything she hates in a man. Finding him to be arrogant and self-obsessed, Izzy sees right through Xavier's flirtatious attempts--and there's no way in hell she's falling for any of them.
Until, despite her best intentions, she does. When her defenses crumble, her resistance falls to the wayside faster than her panties.
But Xavier Stone should have come with a warning. She should have listened to her gut. She should have stayed away. First impressions are rarely wrong and this man was trouble right from the start.
** The Bet is a 110K sexy standalone contemporary romance with a HEA, no cheating, or cliffhangers. It is also Book 1 in the Indecent Intentions series (a spin-off from The Billionaire's Love Story) **
Lily Zante is the author of over sixty contemporary romance and women's fiction novels. After spending two decades working in IT, she decided to give writing another try. Given her love of The Walking Dead, she started off writing zombie fiction but quickly dove into writing romance instead. She's glad she switched.
This was a really slow read for me. Well written and well put together, however, it took so very long for the MC's to get down to some juicy bits. And the juicy bits are pretty much non existing.
I also found the heroine was excessively mean to the hero. And even if it was because he was a man whoring ego-maniac, it doesn't warrant how hostile she was with him.
So in the progression of this story, a flip happens where at first I like the heroine's resolve and strength and disliked the heroes attitude and actions, I then hated the heroine's resolve and liked the heroes actions. To the point where I felt sorry for the poor chap who took verbal abuse from just about everyone in this story. In essence, whereas the hero has a successful arch in this book, the heroine has non. So No. I disliked her to a fault. She was way too judgmental and sanctimonious.
The book made for a good entertaining read. The plot wasn't much unique but I really liked the presentation of the book. And I am glad that the female protagonist wasn't a damsel in distress. The hero as always happens in Romance stories, was hot.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I liked the characters. He was a bit of a douche in the beginning and I felt like he matured over the course of the book. She never gave him a chance in the beginning though, immediately putting her own spin on his actions without seeing him as a person first. Granted, his sexual verbiage didn't help. I guess what bothered me was that she had gotten to know him and still let her past insecurities get in the way. The brother easily blamed him for everything. And almost every character told him he was nothing. Yikes.
Mainly, I thought the story was a bit slow and hard to read at times. It was difficult to keep my interest on the story. The multiple confrontations between the characters was too much for one book. Her father, his brother, the ex-girlfriend...too many things going on.
This book grabbed me in an unexpected way. The main character started out as a despicable womanizer and changed into a different being. It’s an old story but captured me anyway.
Wow, this spin-off from the Billionaires Love Story did not paint Tobias in the best of light. Also, It did not paint Xavier and the best of light either. However in the end misunderstood Xavier met the woman that challenged everything he thought he believed. Izz lowly warmed her way into Xavier's heart and Xavier grew on Izz like a lost puppy dog.
I have my suspicions. Luke is dating on the download but I can't wait to start the second installment of the iIndecent Intentions/strong> !series
I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through Booksprouts arc
Xavier is the usual playboy that gets everything he wants including many women. He is going to his brother's wedding on their private island. Xavier is going with his girlfriend Giselle and was Xavier is hoping that she would keep her mouth shut and doesn't say anything. Lizzy is working for Tobias and Savannah the bride to take care of their son Jacob and entertain him. Giselle broke it off with Xavier right before he left. He was looking for action but Tobias told him to keep it in his pants Kay, Savannah's cousin try to hit on Xavier which she almost accomplished but then he heard Tobias's voice. Earlier that day he spotted Izzy with Jacob in the water but had no idea who she was but would find out. The next day was his brother's wedding and he knew he couldn't screw up. At the wedding Xavier freaked when he put his hand in his pocket and the ring box was gone. He remembered he left it on the dresser he runs out. After the ceremony his family came up and asked why he couldn't do one thing right just one thing he had to do. Also, Kay from the previous night ignored him was he losing his touch. Xavier friend Luke who was working the bar kept giving him jabs about losing his touch. He sees Lizzy and she blows him off with one look. Xavier bet Luke $10,000.00 that he could get Lizzy in his bed within a month Luke gave him 3 months. Xavier has been doing everything he could to be around Izzy he would go over to visit her and Jacob. Xavier told Savannah what Izzy had told him but he made it seem that Jacob told him. Savannah now felt guilty so she knew she had to let Izzy go. Xavier told Savannah he could use Izzy as a VA so she wouldn't lose the money. Izzy thought about it she really needed the money and she didn't really have to see him. Xavier is at his friend's Luke bar and runs into Kay and she kind of gives him the cold shoulder. He asked what he did to piss her off and she tells him it is not all about him. Then he turns to Luke and said maybe because he didn't call her or something he was so smug. Time goes by and he is really getting to know Izzy better but he thought about his bet with Luke. She really trusted him that's what made him feel guilty he really tries on several occasions but something always comes up. He wanted to take her to his family house in the Hamptons then he would tell her. Xavier was shut out of Izzy's life he was trying everything to get back in again. Xavier was making a little more headway finally she started to let him. They finally make it to the Hamptons and they shed a little more.
The Bet is the first book I've read by Lily Zante. I did not want to put this story down until I finished! I had to know what happened next.
Despite this novel being a spinoff of another series, I did not have any issues following the story of Xavier and Izzy. Xavier is accustomed to getting what he wants when it comes to women and he doesn't have to beat around the bush to get it either. He is known for going through women quicker than he can drink water. Izzy is a college student and has several side jobs to make ends meet. A new offer to watch a little boy named Jacob is presented to her, but she's hesitant due to a past experience with well-to-do families. During a drunken "fit" (due to a crushed ego), Xavier bets that he can bed Izzy, who refuses to give him the time of day, for 10k.
This was a nice change from the ever increasing "insta-love" romance books. This book had real people with real problems making real choices, though not always the right choice. I liked how the author developed Xavier. I despised his character at the beginning but found myself rooting for him at the end. I liked Izzy's character as well. She was written with a pain-filled past and that influenced her choices. Despite her resolve, she had a friend who was always in her ear swaying her to do what she had set her heart against. Their relationship felt real and her decisions that were based on that friendship helped create a story that could be real. I liked that she seemed to learn a few lessons as well.
This story flowed though there were a few editing issues. I did not find this overwhelming or off-putting. I liked the supporting characters, both good and bad. I also liked that there were consequences for the choices that were made. They brought balance and depth to the story line.
This book has: crude language, innuendos, male chauvinists, sexual assault/harassment, adult situations, a cute boy named Jacob and a HEA
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Bet (Indecent Intentions Book 1) By: Lily Zante It Starts As Seduction... But Quickly Turns Into A TAKEDOWN... Of His Heart!! He's out to seduce her, all for "The Bet," but he's quickly learning that there's MORE to her & being with someone than he realized... She's been used & abused before so she's weary of giving her trust... Yet, he keeps working at breaking down walls, & getting through her shell; is it because of "The Bet," or is he a victim of his own Game... I was granted an ARC of Lily Zante's "The Bet (Indecent Intentions Book 1)" via Booksprout; I thoroughly enjoyed this book, & find Lily to be a talented writer. I'm looking forward to the next installment in this series. I definitely recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given! Until next time... Happy Reading!
When Izzy doesn't just fall at Xavier's feet when they were at a private island for his brother's wedding he is stunned. Izzy has heard a lot of things about Xavier and doesn't want to be just another notch in his bedpost. He doesn't make a great first impression with her and it continues to get worse the more she's around him for the wedding festivities. Tired of his friend making jokes about Izzy not wanting him Xavier makes a bet that he will win her over within a certain time period or lose 10,000 bucks to his friend. He starts his courtship once they get back home and Izzy is helping out with his step nephew. Izzy is amazed by Xavier's gall to keep showing up and using Jacob to get closer to her. As times goes by she starts seeing Xavier differently and thinks she judged him before actually getting to know him. However what will she think if she learns that he only started seeing her for a bet?
This was a great story once I started it I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between Xavier and Izzy was off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this to any book lover.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story is a very slow build; agonizingly slow at times. It’s very well written, which helped me to stick with it even though there were times I just wanted to be done with it. I’m really torn by my reactions to the characters. Xavier spends most of the first half of the book behaving like playboy jerk. At this point, I completely supported Izzy when she’s barely polite to him. But as they get to know one another and Xavier drops the mask he hides behind with almost everyone else, Izzy���s continuing attitude really started to bother me. She behaves so mean and bitter towards him. Taking out her anger at other people’s actions on him. By the time we get to his actual “sins” against her, she’s so far off the deep end there’s no reeling her back in. I like that Izzy made him work for her attention and made Xavier strive to be a better person. I didn’t like that nearly every character in the book seemed to feel it was their right to treat him as if he had no feelings at all. Like Xavier didn’t deserve any better than to be subject to the most atrocious behavior. I thought he needed to find a better class of friends and family. I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
Xavier really comes of as a a$$ at the beginning of the book so you get a really good feel for why Izzy dislikes him so much. After becoming very aware of Izzys dislike for him at his brothers wedding Xavier decides to drunkenly makes a bet with his friends he can win her oven in 3 months, his friend Luke gives him an out when they next meet up knowing Xavier was well and truly drunk when he placed the bet but his pride is too much and he won't. From here we see Xavier immersing himself in Izzy's life in any way he can to get close to her but as time goes on is this still about a bet or more about falling for someone. There are some good cringe worthy moments, steamy scenes as well as forehead slapping times that keep you entertained while seeing if they will end of together or if the bet will be their undoing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For starters I was so thrilled to get more of Tobias, Savannah, and Jacob in this novel. The 3 part (9 book series) was not even remotely enough. Getting to learn more about Tobias’s brother Xavier in this novel made me love this family even more. Xavier had a lot of growing up to do, and he definitely did so in this novel. Xavier had a bad reputation, and he played off of it. In this novel you see him realize that that isn’t the reputation anymore. This story is has much about finding love as it is about growing up, but still being true to yourself.
Highly recommend, but if you haven’t read Savannah and Tobias’s story I would recommend doing that first. Otherwise you will definitely feel a little lost reading this novel. You won’t regret investing your time in this series. You will fall in love with this family once you take the leap.
I decided to read this book after reading The Billionaire's Love Story Series. Xavier Stone is the opposite of his older brother Tobias & just seems to be recklessly going through life with his multiple hookups & constantly being berated by his brother & their caustic Mother. But then Izzy Laronde comes along & refuses to fall for his cocky facade. She is a college student & has multiple jobs to keep up with her expenses & also is trying to help her Father from falling deeper into depression. She sees Xavier as a cocky rich playboy & they couldn't be more different. I found myself rooting for Izzy as she'd had a rough time at one of her jobs as a Nanny. I definitely enjoyed this Book & plan on reading The Hookup next which tells Luke's story-a good friend of Xavier.
This is a spinoff to the Billionaires Love Story - I would suggest you read those to get a good feel for some of the characters, not absolutely necessary but recommended. Xavier Stone has a massive arrogance about him - he is HOT - he has money - and most women fall all over him. That is until he meets Izzy at Tobias (his brother) and Savannah's Wedding. She already has her mind set that he is a douche and wants absolutely nothing to do with him. She has her own issues with arrogant wealthy men that plays so well with this story. Xavier can't figure out why she continues to give him attitude and not give him the time of day, he is used to women throwing themselves at him. So in a drunken stupor the BET in concocted. Although at times the story was a little slow I didn't feel that was a very big issue with enjoying it all the way through. This is a story of making mistakes, learning and growing from those mistakes and truly falling in love. Opening yourself up to all the possibilities and just going with it and fighting for all of it. Xavier and Izzy's story should not be missed :).
This is my 1st read and review for this author and wow what an introduction to her work. I’m not going to give any spoilers this book speaks for itself so read Lily’s blurb and that will give you the gist to this story. I read the blurb before I read this book and I was fascinated and I couldn’t wait to read this book. Xavier was such a bad womaniser but then when you have money to back you up and you could be such a jerk and women will fall all over you. I liked Isabel she knew what men like Xavier were like and they didn’t impress her. This is a fantastic story with some sizzling hot scenes and I really enjoyed reading it. A 5 plus ⭐️ read and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Xavier lives in the shadow of his brother, Tobias. A bad boy player crude & manipulative, using women like and discards them, until he met HER ! Izzy, having had an bad experience with a former employer. She is now the Au Pair for Jacob, Izzy and Xavier will meet at Tobias’s wedding, Izzy’s pre-conceived impression of Xavier will further cementing with his inappropriate behavior at the wedding. Making “The Bet,” with his bf Luke, to woo Izzy in a pre-set period of time for $10,000... Just Because.No.One.Refuses.“Xavier-The-Stud-Stone!!” Izzy has already a deep rooted and hateful opinion. Izzy is a worthy woman, and his conquest takes a whole different course, she brings out the real Xavier.
I received this book free from Booksprout and l am volunteering to leave this review.
Isabel Laronde is wary of rich men after the husband of the couple she worked for as a nanny makes a pass at her. Xavier Stone, is everything Isabel despises, rich, arrogant and a player. They are attending a wedding, Isabel as a nanny and Xavier is the groom’s brother. He makes a bet he can get Isabel in his bed. No women says no to Xavier, but Isabel is making it hard for him to win the bet. When Xavier’s wooing goes into overdrive he realises that hid feelings are different with Isabel. Is Isabel the women who tames Xavier?
What a wonderful book. The chemistry is delicious from the pages. Izzy is a woman who does not let herself get lost, certainly not after what the last employer has done. Xavier a man who can get every woman, but has his mind set on one that can not easily be caught. It reads wonderfully, was longer than expected, but everything is well described and that ensures that everything is correct in the book. From me 4 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wonderfully written with strong, intriguing characters. It is an enthralling romance that is very exciting and enjoyable. There is a roller coaster of emotions you will experience that actually make you think and feel. This book will captivate you from page one and hold your attention until the very end – there is not one dull page. A great read you will not be disappointed in and comes highly recommended. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When I received this book, I realised it was a spin off from The Billionaire’s Love Story so of course I had to go back to the beginning to start reading before The Bet, SO glad I did 😊 I really enjoyed the series and can’t wait for Luke’s story! Hope we get some catch up from these earlier books, I loved this one but I wished there had been an extra epilogue like The Wish, just wanted a later catch on Xavier and Izzy, but hopefully we’ll get that in Luke’s book 😊 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Xavier is a guy who gets a glimpse of his cockyness through the eyes of someone he wants to impress. He has alterior motives to get on her good side but the more he spends time with her the more he wants to be the good guy in her eyes. Isabel doesn't think highly of Xavier and her judgment is coloured by men he reminds her of and she thinks he will treat her badly too. They both learn to grow as they get to know each other better. I received this book as a Booksprout ARC in return for an honest review.
There was real effort to create three-dimensional characters, including, of course, Izzy and Xavier. I also appreciated the portrayal of their relationship as evolving over time-- so many "enemies to lovers"-type stories depict this progression as happening very quickly. A good read-- I look forward to reading more of Lily's work.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
he is rich and expects everyone to fall at his feet until he meets her. he wants her so bad but she wont even look at him. he places a bet saying he will get her one way or another. she hates men like him but in time she start to fall for him. she should have trusted her first impression. what will go wrong and where will it go? see what will happen
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book with no requirement for leaving a review. This review is being left voluntarily and any and all thoughts are my honest opinions on this book and the authors work. This was definitely an interesting read with Izzy being a prim and proper lady and Xavier is a cocky and arrogant playboy who has a bet set up to woo Izzy. There are intense sex scenes so be warned.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Lily's series leading up to The Bet (The Gift and The Vow) so I was disappointed this book was "preachy". It doesn't bother me when difficult issues are part of the story and justice is served but when the issues are politicized I get turned off. I read and see enough in the news about politics and intolerance I don't want to read about them in my books. I stopped reading about 1/2 way through then read the end.
I almost DNF this and I’m so glad I hung in there. I loved Billionaires Love Story series and was looking forward to Xavier’s story. But the first 30-40% or so Xavier had absolutely no redeeming qualities. Usually the a-hole H has at least one or two to latch onto. I wasn’t rooting for him and it was annoying me. But finally it turned around (thankfully) and then it was so good.
Lili Zante does not disappoint. Her writing is impeccable. From beginning to end this book holds your complete attention, more so since is really the sequel to Xavier Stone’s brother, Tobias and his new wife Savannah story. I definitely recommend reading both brothers books and definitely look forward to continuing reading the future books in this Series.
An amazing g story about love, making mistakes and not giving up. The love of a good woman can make a man be his greatest self. Lily Zante, does an amazing job developing her characters. You can get lost I. The story, wishing you were a part of it! A page turner you wont be able to put down, but will want to savor!
I enjoyed reading this story and the characters were interesting. I would like less bad language but realize it went with Xavier 's character. Also, I do not think I am a prude but the heavy sex was a bit much. Other than that I enjoyed the people and. the story kept me wanting to know what would happen next. Looking forward to more by Lily Zante.