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ellacat11's review
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
monalyisha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I devoured this so quickly and now I want nothing more than to devour some peach cobbler just as quickly. That’s a lie. I also want to go to bingo…but I cant find anyone to accompany me to the Drag Bingo & Easter Bonnet Competition later this month. So, I guess I also want cooler friends…😅
Steamy and full of empathetic understanding for neurotypical folks (anxiety, PTSD rep). Loved the platonic friendships developed throughout the story. Could’ve used more sassy elders and fewer pairs of so-soaked-as-to-be-see-through-panties. I mean, good for them — but that particular detail was too oft-repeated (although sometimes, to be fair, they were soaked shorts worn without panties).
Jodie Slaughter’s writing is fun! I’ll definitely continue the series.
Steamy and full of empathetic understanding for neurotypical folks (anxiety, PTSD rep). Loved the platonic friendships developed throughout the story. Could’ve used more sassy elders and fewer pairs of so-soaked-as-to-be-see-through-panties. I mean, good for them — but that particular detail was too oft-repeated (although sometimes, to be fair, they were soaked shorts worn without panties).
Jodie Slaughter’s writing is fun! I’ll definitely continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
sariereads's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Title: Bet On It
Author: Jodie Slaughter
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: July 12, 2022
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Unique • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In the midst of a panic attack in the aisle of the Piggly Wiggly, Aja meets the man of her dreams. She meets him again at her weekly bingo, when he is introduced as the grandson of her closest bingo buddy.
There are only two things in Greenbelt, South Carolina that take up room in Walker Abbott's heart: the peach cobbler at his favourite restaurant and his ailing grandmother. When he returns to help care for her after a decade away, he has fast plans to be gone as soon as she's rehabilitated.
After the very first game, it's clear they are both going to pose a problem to each other.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to Bet on It because of the cover, and after hearing the author discuss it in upcoming book preview event I attended, I was even more intrigued. It just sounded like the type of book I'd enjoy.
What I like:
• the representation. This book has mental illness representation, diverse representation, and fat representation. All of which were done incredibly well. The anxiety felt so accurate and relatable, and healthy conversations about therapy were a nice touch. The body positivity aspect was flawless.
• the meet cute. Meeting in a bingo hall. Yes, please! Aside from the mental health rep, the whole bingo aspect was my favourite part of the book.
• the grandma. It's no shocker I loved the grandmother.
• the small town vibes. Also not a shocker.
What I didn't like:
• lack of character depth. I felt like both Aja and Walker could have been developed more. Because of the lack of depth, the story kind of petered out.
• the second half. The relationship felt mostly about the sex, and I needed more of their relationship. My attention definitely waned after being so invested throughout the first half.
Overall, I enjoyed the idea of this book, the execution just could have used a little fine tuning. I'll be interested to see what Jodie Slaughter writes next based on the representation alone.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like their books steamy
• anyone looking for mental health rep in a rom-con -
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Her brain loved to overthink things. Find hidden meanings in moments without any. She was always digging through simple conversations for unspoken things that she’d already convinced herself were real, even against all logic."
"Shit’s hard. It’s important to be open and honest when you’re ready and willin’. But I don’t think we owe it to anybody to tell them shit we aren’t comfortable tellin’ them either."
Author: Jodie Slaughter
Genre: Romance
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: July 12, 2022
Thanks to St. Martin's Press for sending me a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
T H R E E • W O R D S
Refreshing • Unique • Steamy
📖 S Y N O P S I S
In the midst of a panic attack in the aisle of the Piggly Wiggly, Aja meets the man of her dreams. She meets him again at her weekly bingo, when he is introduced as the grandson of her closest bingo buddy.
There are only two things in Greenbelt, South Carolina that take up room in Walker Abbott's heart: the peach cobbler at his favourite restaurant and his ailing grandmother. When he returns to help care for her after a decade away, he has fast plans to be gone as soon as she's rehabilitated.
After the very first game, it's clear they are both going to pose a problem to each other.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to Bet on It because of the cover, and after hearing the author discuss it in upcoming book preview event I attended, I was even more intrigued. It just sounded like the type of book I'd enjoy.
What I like:
• the representation. This book has mental illness representation, diverse representation, and fat representation. All of which were done incredibly well. The anxiety felt so accurate and relatable, and healthy conversations about therapy were a nice touch. The body positivity aspect was flawless.
• the meet cute. Meeting in a bingo hall. Yes, please! Aside from the mental health rep, the whole bingo aspect was my favourite part of the book.
• the grandma. It's no shocker I loved the grandmother.
• the small town vibes. Also not a shocker.
What I didn't like:
• lack of character depth. I felt like both Aja and Walker could have been developed more. Because of the lack of depth, the story kind of petered out.
• the second half. The relationship felt mostly about the sex, and I needed more of their relationship. My attention definitely waned after being so invested throughout the first half.
Overall, I enjoyed the idea of this book, the execution just could have used a little fine tuning. I'll be interested to see what Jodie Slaughter writes next based on the representation alone.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• readers who like their books steamy
• anyone looking for mental health rep in a rom-con -
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"Her brain loved to overthink things. Find hidden meanings in moments without any. She was always digging through simple conversations for unspoken things that she’d already convinced herself were real, even against all logic."
"Shit’s hard. It’s important to be open and honest when you’re ready and willin’. But I don’t think we owe it to anybody to tell them shit we aren’t comfortable tellin’ them either."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Bullying and Cursing
PTSDmbedrosian's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Mental illness
a_libra_library's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin's Griffin for this Audio Arc.
This book opens with a panic attack and has themes of Mental health and illnesses.
Heavy trigger warnings for PTSD, Anxiety disorders and panic attacks, self harm.
Aja, a young social media manager, who has just moved to the small town of Greenbelt meets the man of her dreams in the local supermarket in the midst of a panic attack.
This dreamy man, Walker Abbot, has just returned to Greenbelt to help with his grandmother after a minor accident. After a heated bingo game Aja and Walker decide to go into a hasty bingo sex pack - Because that would be better than admitting there could be more than just sexual attraction.
I love that this romance book focuses on the two people individually, their families, friendships and health then puts them together. AND THEY COMMUNICATE!
Walker deals with his childhood trauma and relationships with his hometown, father and grandmother.
Aja works with her social anxiety by making friends in a new town and looking for a fresh start.
This book is HOT 🔥 🥵 , I never knew bingo could be sexy!? A bingo sex pact, thats definely how I’m going to recommend this book. The banter, the relationship, friendships!? I loved every bit of it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Drug use
elizabeth_delozier's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
"Peaches aren't for staring at, Walker. They're for eating."
You guys. This book. It checks a lot of boxes. A quick read, small town vibes, diversity, a fat main character without fatphobia, well-written smut, well-researched mental illness representation, and a romance that feels very genuine and human.
Also. This book is dirty. Now don't get me wrong - this book isn't going to be SmutTok's smuttiest read of the year, or even close. However, there is plenty of wonderfully written smut that is there for her pleasure, and the use of dirty talk is ✨chef's kiss✨ .
On top of that. This is book is one of my favorite displays of mental illness (specifically, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, childhood trauma, and panic attacks). In particular, I love that the author took the time to highlight the way that panic attacks can manifest differently in men and women, as well as cultural impacts on mental illness.
The audiobook narrator did a great job with these characters and keeping the reader engaged. I do, however, wish that there had been two narrators for the two perspectives, as it wasn't always clear when the perspective changed and it often took me a moment to orient myself to the new perspective.
This is a highly recommend for me. Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance and rom-coms are going to enjoy this one.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Angel Pean, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
You guys. This book. It checks a lot of boxes. A quick read, small town vibes, diversity, a fat main character without fatphobia, well-written smut, well-researched mental illness representation, and a romance that feels very genuine and human.
Also. This book is dirty. Now don't get me wrong - this book isn't going to be SmutTok's smuttiest read of the year, or even close. However, there is plenty of wonderfully written smut that is there for her pleasure, and the use of dirty talk is ✨chef's kiss✨ .
On top of that. This is book is one of my favorite displays of mental illness (specifically, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, childhood trauma, and panic attacks). In particular, I love that the author took the time to highlight the way that panic attacks can manifest differently in men and women, as well as cultural impacts on mental illness.
The audiobook narrator did a great job with these characters and keeping the reader engaged. I do, however, wish that there had been two narrators for the two perspectives, as it wasn't always clear when the perspective changed and it often took me a moment to orient myself to the new perspective.
This is a highly recommend for me. Anyone who enjoys contemporary romance and rom-coms are going to enjoy this one.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Angel Pean, via NetGalley. An advanced reader's copy of this audiobook was provided to me via NetGalley by Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Abandonment
brokenbodybitch's review
emotional
fast-paced
4.75
4.75 ⭐️
I REALLY loved this book and will be getting a physical copy for my shelf/to annotate.
Do not take the CW's at the beginning of this book lightly, as it has a VERY heavy entanglement of mental health representation in the plot; They both have anxiety and Walker has PTSD. Both the anxiety and ptsd rep felt as subtle as a slap across the face with a brick because of the accuracy and it was honestly a little hard to read in my current mental state BUT, I am not complaining at all...it was like therapy. There actually is therapy in this book and I love how casual the therapy is worked into the plot, also the sheer amount of coping skills added in and kindness/gentleness towards mental health that is throughout this book is very nice.
Aja and Walker's relationship is so cute and I love the bingo aspect of this book although it does become less prevalent throughout the book and I wish it had a bit more of an appearance towards the end but like I don't really care. The spice is a fairly average amount and not all that crazy but it is well written and at one point he says he's going to cry if he can't taste/eat her and I fucking love that for her, I am waiting for my physical copy for the rest of my quotes but the way the author describes Aja in one of the spice scenes made me have a lot of "queer panic"... just women 🥵
*thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I REALLY loved this book and will be getting a physical copy for my shelf/to annotate.
Do not take the CW's at the beginning of this book lightly, as it has a VERY heavy entanglement of mental health representation in the plot; They both have anxiety and Walker has PTSD. Both the anxiety and ptsd rep felt as subtle as a slap across the face with a brick because of the accuracy and it was honestly a little hard to read in my current mental state BUT, I am not complaining at all...it was like therapy. There actually is therapy in this book and I love how casual the therapy is worked into the plot, also the sheer amount of coping skills added in and kindness/gentleness towards mental health that is throughout this book is very nice.
Aja and Walker's relationship is so cute and I love the bingo aspect of this book although it does become less prevalent throughout the book and I wish it had a bit more of an appearance towards the end but like I don't really care. The spice is a fairly average amount and not all that crazy but it is well written and at one point he says he's going to cry if he can't taste/eat her and I fucking love that for her, I am waiting for my physical copy for the rest of my quotes but the way the author describes Aja in one of the spice scenes made me have a lot of "queer panic"... just women 🥵
*thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
trigger warnings: ptsd, anxiety and panic attacks, drug addiction mention, alcohol addiction mention, estranged parent, physical injury, sexual content
This was so unexpectedly wholesome! It's a meet cute turned friendship where they're struggling to keep their hands off each other. Aja and Walker bond over their shared social anxieties and mental disorders that lead them to being more empathetic towards themselves and learn to love each other through the pain.
The horny scenes were divine, Aja's journey to becoming more social and learning to open up her circle of close friends was really heart warming, and Walker's journey to healing from his childhood trauma was encouraging and healing.
The southern charm simply OOZES out of this book. LOVE
This was so unexpectedly wholesome! It's a meet cute turned friendship where they're struggling to keep their hands off each other. Aja and Walker bond over their shared social anxieties and mental disorders that lead them to being more empathetic towards themselves and learn to love each other through the pain.
The horny scenes were divine, Aja's journey to becoming more social and learning to open up her circle of close friends was really heart warming, and Walker's journey to healing from his childhood trauma was encouraging and healing.
The southern charm simply OOZES out of this book. LOVE
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse