Winner Takes All

The Millionaires Club #1

by Sandra Kitt

“Great story-telling of the most romantic kind.”—Brenda Jackson, New York Times bestselling author

“A warm-hearted story and a clever plot reflecting current issues with sensitivity, warmth, and wisdom.”—Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Jean Travis has the job of announcing the latest lottery winner on TV and is stunned to find that Patrick Bennett, her teenage crush, is the top mega winner. They haven’t seen each other in years, and Patrick is thrilled to renew their acquaintance. Jean, not so much. After all, a lot has changed since they used to study together and Jean worked so hard to hide her feelings. Now that he’s won so much money, Patrick faces a whole new world of demands from family, friends, coworkers, strangers. The only person he knows for sure he can trust, is Jean…

“Romantic, tender, emotional, and compelling.”—RaeAnne Thayne, New York Times bestselling author

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Adult

320 pages, Paperback

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

Sandra Kitt is the author of more than twenty novels, including The Color of Love, Significant Others, and Close Encounters, as well as numerous short stories.

Her work has been nominated for the NAACP Image Award and has appeared on theEssence and Blackboard bestseller lists. She is the recipient of the Romantic Times Lifetime Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.

A native New Yorker, Kitt previously worked as a graphic designer, creating cards for UNICEF, illustrating books, and exhibiting her own work, which is included in the collection of the Museum of African American Art in Los Angeles. She formerly served as the managing director of the Richard S. Perkin Collection in Astronomy and Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winner Takes All by Sandra Kitt is a 2021 Sourcebooks Casablanca publication.

Jean’s job is to announce the name of the seventy-five- million- dollar lottery winner- but she is shocked to discover the lucky ticket owner is her old friend from high school- Patrick Bennett.

Patrick is a pro- athlete turned ESPN commentator- but with his lotto win- people are coming out of the woodwork to buddy up to the new multi- millionaire. The only person in his orbit without an agenda, who is giving him level- headed advice- is Jean. Although Patrick is developing deeper feelings for his old friend, one obstacle after another is blocking the path to any thought of a long-term romantic relationship.

I can’t tell you how excited I have been about Sandra Kitt's return to writing. I’ve read several of her books over the years and really liked her style and the way she weaves interesting subjects, especially that of interracial relationships, and the various challenges that presents into the story.

This book touches on some of those things as Jean is bi-racial and encounters a unique set of difficulties, at times.

The main plot, though, involves Patrick and his adjustment to sudden wealth and how this effects his desire to take his relationship with Jean to the next level.

While Kitt is a seasoned author, a little rust is evident, as the story was a little too busy, leaving some conflicts and threads fading without much follow up, while other, meatier threads, where depth and emotion could have taken the story to a higher level, were underdeveloped.

Despite that, this first book in the Millionaire Club series is a solid enough foundation to build upon. I was invested in the plot and enjoyed watching the couple fight to work through the adversity they faced. The communication breakdown was the most frustrating element of the story, but factoring in the insecurities of a new relationship, the couple needed some room to grow, and they had a lot on their plate!!

Overall, this is a nice, enjoyable, sensual second chance love story. It was so nice to reconnect with this author. I’m am definitely on board for the next installment in this series!!

3.5 stars

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boy, did Jean and Patrick have their work cut out for them. Between rekindling an old friendship that Patrick definitely wanted more from (then and now), fielding outrageous attempts from friends and strangers alike, and trying to find time for each other somewhere within busy schedules, I was tired for both Jean and Patrick. And when Patrick has one huge thing slap him upside the head, he’s forced to place Jean further down on his list. Even with all of that, Jean managed to support Patrick and vice versa...and this book still didn’t feel chock full of drama. Instead, it felt like two very real people were stuck juggling schedules and insecurities and life while trying to keep their love. Overall, this was an enjoyable read that flowed very well and kept me wondering how this could possibly all work out in the end.

[Maryanne/MA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost a DNF. The premise was good - about Patrick, a former athlete turned sportscaster, who wins $75 million in the lottery. The good news is that he reconnects with Jean, a woman he knew in high school. The bad news is the complications it brings - people coming out of the woodwork looking for a handout. I just didn't enjoy the writing style. I was also frustrated by the lack of communication between the two lead characters. The complications in the plot would never have been complications if Jean and Patrick had communicated like adults.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read an advance copy in return for an honest review.

[Stephanie Panach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think we've all had a dream of what we would do if we won the lottery - expensive cars, paying off our houses, quitting our jobs, you name it. But I think the reality of that maybe ends a little differently for a lot of people - it ends with a lot of hands out and a lot of unwanted attention. Particularly when the winner is someone already in the spotlight.

Even though this book is all about a 75 Million dollar lottery winner (who also happens to be a former pro-athlete and ESPN commentator) - there is really no imbalance on the scales of successful professionalism. Jean is a very successful woman - she works a high level job in the Mayor of New York's office managing events and public affairs. She is very busy and career focused. Jean and Patrick knew each other in high school when Jean tutored Patrick in math. He was interested in her then - but Jean's mom shut him down for various reasons. They meet again all due to Patrick's lottery win. Patrick pursues Jean pretty strongly but their very busy and VERY complicated lives keep pushing them apart. So much of what was going on with them was very realistically portrayed - even the drama of the lottery win and the stress it added to Patirck.

I give this one a solid 3.5 stars - I loved Jean and Patrick but sometimes it felt like they were in a long distance relationship - even though they lived in the same city. I also felt like the stuff they weren't telling each other - was something they really should have been. For two people to be in love - but not have the trust to talk about past relationship and major life-changing things seemed off. I also was kind of shocked when Patrick's son came in to the picture - or maybe it was the way the topic was introduced. In one chapter we have his friend mention seeing his ex with a very young boy. Then nothing - then BAM they are fighting over custody. I feel like I must of have missed something key.

Overall I recommend it - Sandra Kitt is definitely a gifted author and writes amazing multicultural books with amazing strong black heroines. I adored Jean and loved seeing all of the other amazing black women in the book!

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and entertaining

This is a story of second chances. Of coming into money and not realizing all that might entail. Of figuring out if something is worth fighting for when life continues to get in the way. I really enjoyed Jean and Patrick's story.

Jean and Patrick went to high school together. They didn't exactly run in the same circles, as he was a very popular jock and since she was biracial, she struggled to fit it. She was very smart and secretly tutored him. He was a couple of years older than she was and she had a crush on him. He was nice to her but she never dreamed he might feel the same.

Then very unexpectedly she ran into him again. All the thoughts and feelings came rushing back, for both of them. They started to spend time together and since they were both adults now, they were able to decide if they wanted to see if this could be more than a friendship.

Their careers take up a lot of their free time though, so finding time to spend together is tough. Meanwhile Patrick keeps having circumstances that are beyond his control. Will this tear them apart? Is this more than a fling? And what exactly is happening between her parents? Are her parents really going to finally get together after all these years?

Wonderful story and beginning to a new series. I'm loving exploring new authors.

[Regina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is written by a really good storyteller who has created believable characters set in a New York City that we are happy to remember, a pre-Covid glamorous, yet intimate city where there's a restaurant setting for every occasion. Sandra Kitt is a writer who engages you from the first page because her dialogue flows naturally, her characters interact like real people, and her descriptions are accurate and real and set the reader firmly in the world her characters are inhabiting. She draws you in right away. Romance? Check. Sex? Check. Sports, office culture, business, philanthropy? Check. It's also a profound insight into the minds of a biracial couple but written without reference to politics or prevailing emotional climates; her humanity, thoughtfulness and obvious experience living in both worlds make Sandi Kitt a unique person who has taken the romance genre and added a new layer to it. Read it. You won't be disappointed.

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice easy going romance with real life problems. It was a great read.

[Cardyn Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://blerdybingereader.blogspot.com...

[Gretchen King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Sandra Kitt is one of my favorite authors. I was really sorry to see that this story has only received lackluster reviews. It is one of her best since The Color of Love and Close Encounters, my two personal favorites of her books. I love that her stories are a little longer and more detailed than most. I felt I got my money's worth - $9.99 on my Kindle. This story actually opened my eyes to all the scams and deceitful deeds that can come from winning a lot of money and the public knowing of it. I play the lottery weekly and if I ever win, I'm wearing a bag, mask or some other disguise and if people ask, if I were the one who won, I'll say "Are you kidding? I wish!" Lol. But getting back to the book, the only thing i wish had not been included was the addition of a surprise child in the middle, towards the end of the story. One reason I got away from my beloved Harlequin Presents is that all the stories revolve around a baby. There are some of us who would like the two lovers to be the center of the story and not have the lot revolve around either a surprise pregnancy or secret child. That trope has been played to death. I am glad it was not the sole focus of Jean and Patrick's problems. The story still kept me engaged. I love stories about black women who are professionals living in contemporary settings in large cities around the world. I really love BWWM romances because there is always that extra issue of race tot have to work through. I think these stories offer good solutions to the race relations problems that still plague this country. Can't wait for the next installment in the Millionairs Clue, and that's saying a lot because I generally do not like seires romances. But I see her next story has two totally different characters who don't appear to be in this current story and have a standalone plot. Thanks again Sandra Kitt. :)

[Erika · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frustrating

The book was far too light on the romance and concentrated too much on drama. At times it felt more like a juxtaposition of encounters instead of the building of a relationship. The lack of communication between Jean and Patrick was the worst. First thing first, why would Jean recommend Ross to her possible boyfriend without telling him exactly who he is? Then when it all blew up she still didn’t explain why Ross and her broke up. Then Patrick not telling her about his son? Even with the warning it’s not as though she would tell anyone. For her to find out from a newspaper was just foul. What exactly happened between her parents ? They kept talking in circles without saying anything concrete. Lastly the whole situation with the money was frustrating. I get wanting to stay humble, however given his current « fame » he should have hired security instead of giving up on his luxury car and basically try to sneak around the city. Ridiculous. Giving his ex more money was also ridiculous. Yes she’s the mother and he won the money but still. Child support is enough. No need to be more generous. I guess I found it frustrating that the book kept hinting that somehow because he had a reasonably « charmed life » so far he had to somehow pay for it and was made to feel guilty to even enjoy the money. The ending was also far too abrupt. What happened next?

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

What if you won the lottery is there someone you could absolutely trust to give you the direction you need without them having an ulterior motive? What if you had no immediate significant other would you have someone other than a family member who you could turn? How much confidence, commitment, and loyalty could you expect? Remember people are going to be requesting funds for all kinds of things and family you didn’t even know that you had will crawl out of the woodwork.

Patrick Bennett was announced as a lottery winner and lo and behold the announcer was a girl from his high school days. Jean Travis had a crush on Patrick, but what she didn’t know was he thought she was cute in high school and wanted the chance to get to know her, but her mother put a kabash into that opportunity.

Now with this tense situation would the two even be able to have a relationship because money does things to people.

The author has a good idea for a storyline, but there needed to be more interesting dialogue between the characters because it seems really stilted and just a statement of facts. I think the most interesting talk was between Jean and Patricks boss, Brian as they were riding bikes.

I received a free advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

[Cheryl Jamai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jean Travis works in PR for the Mayors office. She encounters a blast from the past when she realizes Patrick Bennett, her high school crush, has won the lottery, and boy has he won big! Patrick works for a big sports network and is already a local celebrity. He invites Jean to his big celebration and she realizes she is still attracted him. They are both generally curious about each other.

As Jean and Patrick get reacquainted, high school nostalgia changes to two adults that can be in a relationship. They find out things from the past and how Jean’s Mom may have unintentionally blocked them from getting together back in the day.

Jean and Patrick are both dealing with issues, individually and as a couple. Ms. Kitt provides plenty of detail to make sure we understand the external forces Jean and Patrick are both dealing with. Jean is impacted by hurt feelings from a prior relationship and not wanting to move too fast. Patrick is dealing with issues of becoming a millionaire overnight and how a life changing event was kept from him by his Ex.

Jean and Patrick are two caring people. There are touching moments throughout with them and their families. Overall, I was rooting for them to work things out.

[Monique · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know where to begin. I've ready several of Sandra Kitt's novels and I have the same issues with all of them. The female protagonists are soooo weak. They fall in love, but they can never be the first to tell the man. The man has to take charge of the situation and always make the first move. The women never initiate sex or really do much of anything that could be considered pro-active and assertive in their own lives. Secondly, when Ms. Kitt writes about interracial relationships they are usually living in modern times and often in big cities like NYC, yet the characters act as if it's pre-Civil Rights. "We can't be together, what would people say?" Like why couldn't Jeans' parents be together in this novel? Because they were in an interracial relationship in NYC? In the 80s? She never clearly says. And she never provides any background on Jean's and Patrick's relationship in high school. I was hoping for some flashbacks or something. Without them, it just felt like the book started and they were basically in a relationship. Where was the slow build? And where was the conflict? There really wasn't anything standing in the way of them being together so they just get together. Boring.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a fresh spin on second chance romance. Rather than a meet-cute, or a random bump-into-one-another-on-the-street-and-spill-coffee, Jean Travis is pulled in at the last minute to host a program that announces lottery winners. Yup, one of the winners is Jean's old high school crush, a sweet guy who she tutored. She had a crush on him way back then, but since she is bi-racial she had a difficult time in school and the relationship never materialized (we find out a reason why during the book, though).

Patrick "Trick" Bennett was a jock in school, turned into a professional athlete, now a sports commentator who received the lottery ticket from an ex-girlfriend/stalker. Turns out he wins $75 million, and suddenly people start crawling out of the woodwork. The only bright side he sees at first is that it reunited him with Jean, who seems to be the only person who doesn't want something from Patrick.

This was a sweet romance, dealing with some sensitive issues around race. I enjoyed it, but I don't do spoilers, so read it for yourself!

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this story, in which Patrick, a former athlete/sportscaster, wins a $75M lottery and reconnects w/ Jean, a mayoral aide coordinating the lottery winners' ceremony, who turns out to be his former student tutor in high school. Both Patrick and Jean have worked hard and achieved success in their chosen careers. When they meet again, they both feel a spark and want to explore it but life, in the form of both of their professional and personal obligations, keeps getting in the way. The book did a good job of showing the kinds of pressures that come with winning such a large sum of money. Patrick was already comfortably situated, but the lottery win takes him into the stratosphere and he becomes a target of almost constant requests for assistance. He handles them with grace and respect, but you can see the toll it's taking on him. I also appreciated that rather than just ignoring race in the book, there is some exploration of how being biracial affected both Jean's and her parents relationships.

I felt that the romantic relationship between Patrick and Jean was less well-executed with lots of telling, not much showing. They both seemed more focused on other things and it didn't feel like they were all that connected to each other. Patrick also had a disruptive personal situation that he wasn't open about with Jean, and it did not seem plausible that they had already exchanged "I love you"s yet he didn't tell her about it. Then, when he finally did open up, she didn't even seem to care that he hadn't told her sooner. To me, it indicated a lack of trust and consideration on his part and I would have been questioning the foundations of the entire relationship, not just accepting it as if it was no big deal. In the end, I enjoyed the overall story, but I wish the romance had been better executed. My thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

[John]

This wasn't for me. I (personally) found the romance arc secondary and too high-level to feel emotionally connected. We don't actually learn much about who the characters are and what makes them tick, their pasts are fairly vague unless they become fodder for external drama, and it often feels like they're orbiting separate suns and occasionally crossing paths more so than navigating this story together.

There's also only one Asian character who talks in stereotypical broken English, and the politics around being biracial, while nuanced, feel rather vague in how they're addressed - and the white hero makes a few comments that makes it feel like there are discussions about race, about their pasts, that the main characters just never have, but would need to have to function based on what we know about them.

So, it's not for me. But I think everyone should try Sandra Kitt's work and see how it resonates for them, and listen to Black readers, particularly Black women, about its impact and how it engages with these topics.

[Barbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book!

Jean works for the Mayor's office and is tasked with a last minute request to emcee the announcement of the latest lottery winners. She is surprised to recognize one of the names on the winners list as her high school crush, Patrick Bennett. Patrick is clearly happy to have bumped into each other and his interest in Jean is immediate, though the feeling is not exactly mutual. Jean guards her feelings to avoid getting hurt while Patrick seeks to get to know her better after all the years they had been apart.

After winning 75 million dollars, Patrick was being bombarded with requests for loans and gifts. It was all so overwhelming for him, but Jean wasn't interested in his winnings. She was there for Patrick and helping him think through some of the requests and ideas for managing his money. Their story was an emotional one and I loved every minute of it. I hope we hear more from these two!

Thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Shirley Frances · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this story with so many expectations based on the blurb (and it's reviews) but unfortunately within the first few chapters I knew this was not the book for me. Jean didn't impress me much from the get-go and neither did Patrick. But I put my feelings aside and decided to give this couple a chance since the premise was interesting and I'm a sucker for a second chance romance.

Initially, I though Jane and Patrick's connection was a stretch but I decided to blame it on them not seeing each other in a while. However, as the story progressed and they started to spend time together the connection between the two felt forced. That feeling only increased as they continued to miscommunicate and create drama. Ultimately, I lost interest in the romance and everything else just fell by the wayside.

All in all, a great premise but definitely not the story for me.

[Asmaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so entertaining. I was drawn into the story from the beginning and was involved until the end. The characters were complex and interesting. I found the story to be well paced and engrossing throughout the whole book. It was a variation of a second chance romance in that the characters were interested in each other in high school but neither knew. There was also a lottery win so dealing with how to manage the hero’s win was also a central part of the story. The background characters were also fun. I was invested in the couple throughout the book and felt all the emotions through both the highs and lows of the story. If you want an entertaining and well written book this is it for you.

[Penny Leidecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a second chance for Jean and Patrick to reconnect when he wins the lottery., where Jean has been tasked to announce the winners. They haven’t seen each other since high school, where Jean tutored Patrick and had a major crush on him. We learn he wasn’t immune to her back then either, but we have to wait a while for this to come out. Jean has a hard time deciding if the men she dates wants to be with her for her or because she’s biracial. I enjoyed the secondary romance that was happening as Jean and Patrick were spending time together. This book isn’t without some bumps in the road, but it’s still an enjoyable read. No spoilers, so grab your copy and see what happens.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it a second chance romance if the couple was never a couple but not for longing by at least one of them? Jean tutored Patrick, known as Trick, in high school and she had a huge crush on him. He was a jock and as time went on, became a pro athlete and then a commentator. He is given a lottery ticket and much to everyone's surprise, Jean is the one who pulls the numbers and announces that he's won $75 million, There's a cautionary tale here about what happens when there's a huge financial windfall but Kitt focuses more on this couple. Old misunderstandings come to light and a new relationship is born. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good timely and sensitive love story.

[Sara | sara.reads.too.much · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has one of the most original plotlines I've read.

I mean, it's based around the lottery, how cool is that? Jean and Patrick used to go to high school together but lost touch after Patrick graduated. After winning the lottery, coincidence brings Jean and Patrick together again and with that a whirlwind of obstacles that get in their way.

This was a very innovative and unique second chance romance book!

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for the earc in return for an honest review.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winner Takes All (The Millionaires Club #1) was a great read by Sandra Kitt. Jean Travis must announce the newest lottery winner on TV. She was stunned to find that her teenage crush, Patrick Bennett, is the winner. Patrick is thrilled to renew their acquaintance although Jean isn’t as happy about that. Jean has worked hard to hide her feelings. Patrick has to face new demands from everyone and realizes that he can only trust Jean. I enjoyed reading this book and can’t wait to read more by the author.

[Pam Papworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sourcebooks for sending me this ARC of Winner Takes All. I loved the cover of this book, and was very excited to read it, especially due to the high praise that Susan Wiggs gave it on the cover. The book started out strong, but I got bored with the last 1/3. And a few things didn't make sense (in the timeline). I am glad that I read it, but I cannot rate it as high as other books I've read this year.

[Anai Finnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’ve only recently started to openly admit to reading and enjoying romance novels. So this is my first review of one. I don’t know if it’s because the author has never been in an interracial relationship or because she’s on the older side, but this book is just blech. The way that the characters discuss and think about it is straight out of the 50s. I genuinely hope no one still thinks about miscegenation this way while actively participating in it.... yikes.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a man who wins the lottery and faces many new demands
As all want a part of his money. Jean Travis works for the city and knew
Patrick in high school. She is the only person he trusts at the moment.
There is a lot of action in this tale and two people with different backgrounds
Try to find love . This is an emotional story with strong characters and a lot
Of complications. I recommend this warm-hearted story.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. The guy-wins-the-lottery-and-problems-come-out-of-the-woodwork premise was interesting and different, but the execution didn't really work for me. Communication could have resolved their problems sooner, and there were weird inconsistencies throughout (like Jean thinking another woman would be a great fit with her ex, but then being shocked when the ex meets that other woman, likes her, and asks her out) that kept throwing me out of the story.

Rating: 3 stars / C-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Saby Westcliff Bedwyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. This was just OK. Feel like it could have turned out so much better. It started with a lottery winning, and after that, it was a litany of all the events after the winning, with no real plot in place. I kept waiting for the angst to begin, and when the misunderstanding did happen, it was weak and fell flat.

[Lori Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of winning the lottery and what would happen if that ever happened. Of course, it would be great, but it comes with a lot of heartache too. Sandra puts it all in this wonderful story. Can love work too if you have a huge windfall? The ups and downs of being rich and finding love is part of this story too. It was really good.