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kate_deeds's review against another edition
5.0
Story: 9/10
Spice: 2/5
Spice Hierarchy: Open Door
ARC Review- Releases 12/1
Maddox and Holly meet and have a hot ONS. Both agree to meet up at a later date to actually try to go a date. But neither expect to see each other between that time. Especially as Holly’s dad and Maddox’s mom announce their engagement. Maddox has no issue with being her future stepbrother and still pursuing a relationship with Holly since they are both adults. Holly is very reluctant and insists she needs a proper date for their parents’ wedding. Maddox makes a bet: if Holly can find a date, fall in love, and bring him to the wedding, Maddox will pay Holly $50,000. If she doesn’t find anyone, Holly has to date Maddox for real.
What’s not to love about a man falling first in a Christmas story. Maddox is so caring and thoughtful for what Holly needs. He knows her so well. It shows in how he consistently shows up for Holly when she retreats on herself. Holly’s past loss of her mom and embarrassment from her ex lead her to not enjoy the magic of Christmas but Maddox shows her that magic again.
The characters are perfectly done. The supporting friends and family set up future stories so well. Maddox and Holly’s inner monologues had me laughing while reading and yet I could still feel their struggles and heartache.
A great debut and I cannot wait for the next in this series.
Spice: 2/5
Spice Hierarchy: Open Door
ARC Review- Releases 12/1
Maddox and Holly meet and have a hot ONS. Both agree to meet up at a later date to actually try to go a date. But neither expect to see each other between that time. Especially as Holly’s dad and Maddox’s mom announce their engagement. Maddox has no issue with being her future stepbrother and still pursuing a relationship with Holly since they are both adults. Holly is very reluctant and insists she needs a proper date for their parents’ wedding. Maddox makes a bet: if Holly can find a date, fall in love, and bring him to the wedding, Maddox will pay Holly $50,000. If she doesn’t find anyone, Holly has to date Maddox for real.
What’s not to love about a man falling first in a Christmas story. Maddox is so caring and thoughtful for what Holly needs. He knows her so well. It shows in how he consistently shows up for Holly when she retreats on herself. Holly’s past loss of her mom and embarrassment from her ex lead her to not enjoy the magic of Christmas but Maddox shows her that magic again.
The characters are perfectly done. The supporting friends and family set up future stories so well. Maddox and Holly’s inner monologues had me laughing while reading and yet I could still feel their struggles and heartache.
A great debut and I cannot wait for the next in this series.
ljamison01's review against another edition
4.0
Holly met Maddox at a bar. Because her roommate had taken a man home, she agreed to go to his place for a while. Holly and Maddox had a great night together and since then he’s been sending her daily texts leading up to their official date. That official date is postponed when Holly finds out her father has been dating his mother and in fact they’re getting married. I didn’t really understand why Holly had such an issue with it. But she didn’t want people to know she was dating her (future) stepbrother. Maddox is a poker player and makes a bet with Holly that might ensure she will actually give them a chance at a relationship. It was definitely a cute story with some funny moments. There is a second book coming in this series.
ninas_booknook's review against another edition
4.0
This book was so much fun to read! I loved it, especially the ending. I loved seeing the relationship evolve. Such a great RomCom. I can’t wait to read more by @kcampfield19
Why you will love this book…
Why you will love this book…
thatwitchyvibe's review against another edition
4.0
Maddox is a professional poker player who goes after what he wants no matter how high the stakes are. He loves his family, Christmas, and betting on everything, including love.
Holly is a dedicated social worker whose love of Christmas has been dimmed for several years. She’s looking for love, but will she take a chance on an unlikely match?
Going All In is a fantastic Christmas read filled with hope, second chances, and a steamy romance.
As an ARC reader, I received this copy for an honest and truthful review.
Holly is a dedicated social worker whose love of Christmas has been dimmed for several years. She’s looking for love, but will she take a chance on an unlikely match?
Going All In is a fantastic Christmas read filled with hope, second chances, and a steamy romance.
As an ARC reader, I received this copy for an honest and truthful review.
dandi_andi's review against another edition
5.0
Holly and Maddox teamed up to make this book a blast! Holly's Christmas spirit took a hit after losing her mom and facing some embarrassing moments with her ex. Working as a social worker, she just wanted to let loose one night, and that's when she ran into Maddox. A wild night together turned into a shocker when they found out their parents are tying the knot on Christmas Eve.
Maddox is all in, thinking they're meant to be, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to win Holly over. Despite Holly wanting to keep things friendly, a bet throws a curveball. She has to bring a date she's head over heels for to the wedding to score big. The story follows Maddox and Holly as they navigate the tricky territory of friendship. But as they dig deeper, Holly starts feeling the urge to spill everything to Maddox—except the reason she's so guarded about love.
The book throws in some unexpected twists that make the story even more gripping. All the characters, from parents to friends and even coworkers, add layers to the plot. Set against the holiday season, you've got to read the book to find out if Holly can rekindle her Christmas spirit and maybe find love once more. Trust me, you won't be able to put this one down, and the next book can't come soon enough!
Maddox is all in, thinking they're meant to be, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to win Holly over. Despite Holly wanting to keep things friendly, a bet throws a curveball. She has to bring a date she's head over heels for to the wedding to score big. The story follows Maddox and Holly as they navigate the tricky territory of friendship. But as they dig deeper, Holly starts feeling the urge to spill everything to Maddox—except the reason she's so guarded about love.
The book throws in some unexpected twists that make the story even more gripping. All the characters, from parents to friends and even coworkers, add layers to the plot. Set against the holiday season, you've got to read the book to find out if Holly can rekindle her Christmas spirit and maybe find love once more. Trust me, you won't be able to put this one down, and the next book can't come soon enough!
abbiejayx's review against another edition
4.0
I adored this! Was lucky to receive an ARC, and I’m definitely keen to buy a physical copy when it’s released!
It’s a sweet, cosy, rom com style, holiday romance that’s well paced and easy to read. I loved Holly right from the start and I adore her friendship with JJ. It touches on some serious topics along the way, which were added seamlessly into the narrative, the spice is delish, bloody Maddox
It’s a sweet, cosy, rom com style, holiday romance that’s well paced and easy to read. I loved Holly right from the start and I adore her friendship with JJ. It touches on some serious topics along the way, which were added seamlessly into the narrative, the spice is delish, bloody Maddox
booksofviolette's review against another edition
3.0
Holly and Maddox meet in a bar and want to date before finding out their parents are getting married. Holly tries to forget him by going on dates with other men but of course Maddox will do everything to keep her...
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I enjoyed reading Maddox and Holly's story, it reads really quick, but I thought the potential it had was not fully used.
I liked Maddox's character and consistency (until something I thought was out of character happened at the very end) but I didn't really like Holly. I get past trauma, and I can understand how it affected her but the story revolved almost entirely on the same thing.
While holly is described as a social worker getting enamored with one of her kids and being really close to her father, we only get a couple of scenes with them.
Also, the ending felt rushed and a little out of character.
I loved the side characters though, JJ and Maddox's family.
Overall an enjoyable read for me.
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I enjoyed reading Maddox and Holly's story, it reads really quick, but I thought the potential it had was not fully used.
I liked Maddox's character and consistency (until something I thought was out of character happened at the very end) but I didn't really like Holly. I get past trauma, and I can understand how it affected her but the story revolved almost entirely on the same thing.
While holly is described as a social worker getting enamored with one of her kids and being really close to her father, we only get a couple of scenes with them.
Also, the ending felt rushed and a little out of character.
I loved the side characters though, JJ and Maddox's family.
Overall an enjoyable read for me.
danisbooksmut's review against another edition
4.0
After an epic one-night stand with a man named Maddox, who just might be her dream man, Holly is feeling on top of the world. After a bad experience with her ex, Holly has been avoiding men but feels like Maddox may be the one, so she agrees to go on a date with him. Things are finally looking up for her until she is introduced to her dad's new fiancee and her family, which includes her son, Maddox. Dealt with the realisation that her dream man and new stepbrother are the same person, and triggered by her past, Holly goes on a downward spiral in fighting her growing attraction and feelings for a man she feels she can't have.
Going All In was a really enjoyable read for me. I'm a huge fan of the stepbrother trope, but I feel this one was handled differently than the norm, and the fact everybody else seemed to accept it before Holly did was a big plus point to me.
Maddox came across as having huge golden retriever/cinnamon roll vibes and was perfect for Holly, coming across as kind, caring, patient, and loving. He accepted all the things Holly was doing to try and prove she didn't want to be with him and yet never lost hope, and I loved that about him. He wasn't overly pushy with Holly about his desire to be with her but wasn't completely dismissive either, and I genuinely enjoyed watching him pursue her.
Some of Holly's behaviours were a little bit toxic; they weren't intended to be, and so I could sympathise with her and not hate her, as it was clear she was hurting and hadn't dealt with her past traumas of losing her mom and the hurt her ex had caused her. She's so scared of other people's thoughts and feelings about her that she allows them to overpower her own thoughts and feelings. There is a real eureka moment for her, though, thanks to her best friend JJ and the fact that Maddox never gives up on her, even when she only offers him friendship.
Although some of Holly's thoughts were a little bit repetitive at times, I thought the author did a great job of creating not only an amazing pair of main characters, but the sideline characters were fantastic too, with JJ and Julio both providing some humour to the mix.
Going All In was a great story of laughter, lust, love, and leaving the past behind.
Going All In was a really enjoyable read for me. I'm a huge fan of the stepbrother trope, but I feel this one was handled differently than the norm, and the fact everybody else seemed to accept it before Holly did was a big plus point to me.
Maddox came across as having huge golden retriever/cinnamon roll vibes and was perfect for Holly, coming across as kind, caring, patient, and loving. He accepted all the things Holly was doing to try and prove she didn't want to be with him and yet never lost hope, and I loved that about him. He wasn't overly pushy with Holly about his desire to be with her but wasn't completely dismissive either, and I genuinely enjoyed watching him pursue her.
Some of Holly's behaviours were a little bit toxic; they weren't intended to be, and so I could sympathise with her and not hate her, as it was clear she was hurting and hadn't dealt with her past traumas of losing her mom and the hurt her ex had caused her. She's so scared of other people's thoughts and feelings about her that she allows them to overpower her own thoughts and feelings. There is a real eureka moment for her, though, thanks to her best friend JJ and the fact that Maddox never gives up on her, even when she only offers him friendship.
Although some of Holly's thoughts were a little bit repetitive at times, I thought the author did a great job of creating not only an amazing pair of main characters, but the sideline characters were fantastic too, with JJ and Julio both providing some humour to the mix.
Going All In was a great story of laughter, lust, love, and leaving the past behind.