bookwormbetty's review
5.0
Ummm yes, Bell and Dario are everything. I need the second book like now. This was my first book by this author, and boy I picked a doozy. This book was perfection. The pacing, the story, the characters, and side characters were amazing. I loved the slow burn this book had going on, but even though it's a slow burn, it's hotter than a firecracker on the 4th of July. Do yourself a favor read this book, it's amazing!
the_sassy_bookworm's review
5.0
~WRITING - PLOT - PACE~So honestly, if I had known when I was signing up for this book that the hero was married I probably would have given it a pass. I am not a fan of cheating. But man, that would have been a HUGE mistake on my part because this book turned out to be majorly eccellente. The writing was fantastic. It was very well paced. The plot was super engaging and had me hooked from the getgo. I loved the setting as well. Last, that cliffhanger of an ending...cazzo di inferno. How could you do me this way, Miz Torre!? Book two better release before I am off to Italy for two weeks! *squinty face*
~HERO~
DARIO...Well first, I really needed to do a complete brain bleach because my FIL's name is Dario...and NO, just NO. Carrying on... I adored Dario. He really was perfect hero material. He was sexy. He was sweet. He was caring. He was bada$$. He was enamored with Bell right from the start. I am figuratively salivating in anticipation of watching him exact his revenge in book two.
~HEROINE~
BELL...Bell was just as awesome as Dario. She was feisty. She was strong. She was sweet. She was independent. She was a great friend. I loved how she lead Dario on a merry chase and didn't just fall at his feet. There wasn't anything I didn't like about her character.
~SECONDARY CHARACTERS~
There were so many awesome secondary characters in this one. I LOVED Bell's bosses (and friends), Rick and Lance. I loved Bell's roommates. I even liked her fuck buddy Ian, and Dario's wife Gwen <--- and kudos to this author for not making Dario's wife a crazy bitch!
~HEAT LEVEL~
Low to Medium. There are a handful of spicey scenes in this one, but it is pretty late into the book before this couple has intercourse. I am usually not a fan of slow burn romances, but it worked very well in the instance. Plus, this couple has AMAZING on page chemistry.
~ANGST LEVEL - SEXUAL HISTORIES~
Low. I didn't find this one particularly angsty, to be honest. This couple's attraction was pretty insta (especially on the hero's part). There are a few ups and downs, but for the most part, they stay pretty solid throughout. Neither were virgins. Dario is married, but it is a marriage of convenience. Gwen is his best friend, and they tried once over ten years earlier to make it a physical relationship, but neither were interested in each other that way. He also starts the book with a mistress, and a waitress he f-cks. He ends both relationships when he meets Bell. Bell has a fuckbuddy (Ian), that she does have sex with a few times on page (but it isn't overly detailed). I *think* she actually slept with him once after she meets Dario, but before they become anything. Other than those things, there wasn't any OW or OM drama.
~IN THE END~
I LOVED it completely. From beginning to end this book had me in its grasp. The writing was excellent. It was fast paced. The plot was engaging. The characters, both main and secondary were intriguing and well developed. The chemistry between Dario and Bell was electric. And that ending...OMG...ripped my heart out. I seriously need to get my hands-on book two ASAP! Therefore, yours truly is going to give this one two HUGE thumbs up, and strongly suggest you add it to your TO READ list immediately.
cherryredsreads's review
5.0
Be ready to have your mind blown!
As soon as I started reading this book, I wasn't able to put it down.
Dario and Bell's story is one that will captivate you.
Intense, mysterious, suspenseful, your emotions will be high and once you reach the end you will be left in such an amazing book hangover.
I can't wait to find out what will happen next in Book 2.
I have my predictions and can't wait to see if I am right or totally off.
Author Alessandra Torre does it again with leaving readers breathless and having their minds racing into theories of how will it all wrap up.
Go One Click & be ready to take your Highest Bet on love.
As soon as I started reading this book, I wasn't able to put it down.
Dario and Bell's story is one that will captivate you.
Intense, mysterious, suspenseful, your emotions will be high and once you reach the end you will be left in such an amazing book hangover.
I can't wait to find out what will happen next in Book 2.
I have my predictions and can't wait to see if I am right or totally off.
Author Alessandra Torre does it again with leaving readers breathless and having their minds racing into theories of how will it all wrap up.
Go One Click & be ready to take your Highest Bet on love.
hannas_heas47's review
5.0
Thanks to the publisher for a copy to read and give my honest opinion. I thought the cover and title was splendid, and the blurb eye catching but let's face it....author's name had me here. Her books are always amazing and she did not disappoint.
This book should have been named vortex, because the pull of the blurb and the way the author has with words .....just sucked me in.
Bell Hartley is a cocktail waitress in the city of sin. One night she meets a man that tugs her heart on site, something she has never felt before because she is closed off from her feelings. Something about him has caught her eye but she knows he's trouble, she just doesn't know how badly she wants to burn.
Dario Capece, married in name only, to a rich heiress with a Psycho father. Few things rattle his cage but a few moments with a stunning cocktail waitress tells him he'd like to learn more about her. Quickly that info turns into an obsession.
This was a fast paced read and I loved every minute of it. The author has been known to really hook you and she didn't disappoint here. Dario and Bell have an instant connection and the dangers that try to keep them apart only force them together. Loved it...five stars of entertainment!
This book should have been named vortex, because the pull of the blurb and the way the author has with words .....just sucked me in.
Bell Hartley is a cocktail waitress in the city of sin. One night she meets a man that tugs her heart on site, something she has never felt before because she is closed off from her feelings. Something about him has caught her eye but she knows he's trouble, she just doesn't know how badly she wants to burn.
Dario Capece, married in name only, to a rich heiress with a Psycho father. Few things rattle his cage but a few moments with a stunning cocktail waitress tells him he'd like to learn more about her. Quickly that info turns into an obsession.
This was a fast paced read and I loved every minute of it. The author has been known to really hook you and she didn't disappoint here. Dario and Bell have an instant connection and the dangers that try to keep them apart only force them together. Loved it...five stars of entertainment!
alexperc_92's review
5.0
I received an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Review and release Day blitz can be found on *Milky Way of Books*
Mystery, intrigue, power, and money are at stakes in this amazing new book by Alessandra Torre! With Las Vegas in the background the story of Bell and Dario gripped from the start and I liked every part of it. There are some extra POVs thrown in for more suspense and while the book seemed small, there was one hell of a cliffhanger! I won't spoil but if you want something sexy, dangerous and full of stakes then this is for you!
Mystery, intrigue, power, and money are at stakes in this amazing new book by Alessandra Torre! With Las Vegas in the background the story of Bell and Dario gripped from the start and I liked every part of it. There are some extra POVs thrown in for more suspense and while the book seemed small, there was one hell of a cliffhanger! I won't spoil but if you want something sexy, dangerous and full of stakes then this is for you!
jenrich26's review
3.0
I really enjoyed Bell, I liked her tough exterior, I really liked her roommates and coworkers at the house and all their interactions were my favorite parts of the book. Her and Dario together I just didn't feel it, it felt too instant, It seemed like he was more into her then she was into him. I wish the mystery came into play earlier in the book, that kept me reading toward the end when I wasn't into the relationship.
chroniclesofabookreader's review
4.0
Even Money read like the city it was set in: sinful, thrilling and a little bit deviant. The pure magnetism between the main characters was palpable from the very beginning and only grew as the story went on. It felt nostalgic and beautifully poignant, two traits that made it easy to devour, and I was captivated from the get-go.
Most enchanting was the dynamic between Bell and Dario; how they had this hugely pivotal connection that became irresistible to ignore and yet they took their time exploring one another’s intricacies and heart. Bell wasn’t cowed by the wealthy man’s world, and that made her a character well worth exploring. Dario’s all-consuming and alluring nature was a huge part of him, but under that was a man that, without his empire, was just as hypnotic. Their coming together was explosively sexy and impossible to put down.
And I’ll tell you, it’s a good thing the second book in the duet is out later this month because that ending was brilliantly wild. Even Money is a thrill ride of a romance and I cannot wait for what comes next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
Most enchanting was the dynamic between Bell and Dario; how they had this hugely pivotal connection that became irresistible to ignore and yet they took their time exploring one another’s intricacies and heart. Bell wasn’t cowed by the wealthy man’s world, and that made her a character well worth exploring. Dario’s all-consuming and alluring nature was a huge part of him, but under that was a man that, without his empire, was just as hypnotic. Their coming together was explosively sexy and impossible to put down.
And I’ll tell you, it’s a good thing the second book in the duet is out later this month because that ending was brilliantly wild. Even Money is a thrill ride of a romance and I cannot wait for what comes next.
**Received an early copy; this had no bearing on my opinions**
mags_louise's review
4.0
4.5⭐
This is the first book I've read by Alessandra Torre and honestly, I couldn't of picked a better book to start with. As Even Money not only grabbed me from the start, but it never let go.
As this story had intrigue, twists, suspense, great characters, sizzling chemistry and a cliffhanger that has left me wishing it was June the 18th already!! Not to mention, I really liked how it was written in both the first and third person.
And so I would happily recommend Even Money to others. Especially if you're a fan of the author, or have read and enjoyed stories such as the White Lies Duet by Lisa Renee Jones.
**I was kindly provided with a copy of Even Money by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
This is the first book I've read by Alessandra Torre and honestly, I couldn't of picked a better book to start with. As Even Money not only grabbed me from the start, but it never let go.
As this story had intrigue, twists, suspense, great characters, sizzling chemistry and a cliffhanger that has left me wishing it was June the 18th already!! Not to mention, I really liked how it was written in both the first and third person.
And so I would happily recommend Even Money to others. Especially if you're a fan of the author, or have read and enjoyed stories such as the White Lies Duet by Lisa Renee Jones.
**I was kindly provided with a copy of Even Money by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
sairro10's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75