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A review by josie1999
Bet On It by Jodie Slaughter
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
I picked up this book on a whim and had seen it described as disability representation which was present throughout the story as both Aja and Walker deal with mental illnesses. I appreciated how forthcoming both characters were about their respective struggles. It was also wonderful to see that the women Aja became friends with were receptive to her anxiety and still welcomed her to the group and would make adjustments to their activities to accommodate her.
The concept of the bingo sex-pact was an interesting element of the story and I was looking forward to seeing that played out. However, I feel like it would have been more effective if it had been based on something that was more likely to occur. When we're made aware of Aja's experience with bingo, we're told she has not won in the eight months that she has been playing. That seems to set up a condition for the pact that seems very unlikely to occur. I felt like either the conditions could have been less restrictive or Aja and Walker could have been more willing to make exceptions to the rules.
I enjoyed the side characters and their additions to the story. From Ms. May playing matchmaker to Aja's supportive new friends. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Walker and Corey. I would have liked more of the background characters. I was waiting for a scene with Aja gossiping with her new friends after she hooked up with Walker.
A few additional highlights were the conversations about protection and getting tested and Aja's weight never being an issue or insecurity. Aja is described as curvy and a plus-size woman but it is never brought up as a bad thing. There are several scenes where food is involved and she is never shamed for what she chooses to eat. It was wonderful to see that she was just able to exist and not have her size acknowledged in a harmful way. The narrator also was the perfect voice for Aja. I really felt like I was listening to the character.
The biggest turn-offs for me were Walker's dialogue (particularly during the steamy scenes) and the use of the nickname "Peaches." Peaches were referenced so often either in reference to the peach cobbler or Aja that I was sure the last word was going to be "peaches." Every time Walker called Aja peaches I cringed. For me, Walker's dialogue a lot of the time felt like a guy trying to be suave or trying to be smooth rather than a man that actually was smooth or had the swagger that Walker seemed to be trying to emulate. I can understand in the context that he was nervous or trying to overcompensate for how he was feeling, the overly confident language would make sense but it also happened in scenes where he was comfortable we Aja. In the final sex scene, I found myself yelling at my phone for Walker to stop talking and for the book to just describe what was happening because the dialogue made me so uneasy.
Overall, it was a fun read and for people that don't have the same dialogue and nickname issues as me, it may be a fun lighthearted read. Yes, the story touches on several heavy topics, but it is done in a constructive way.
The concept of the bingo sex-pact was an interesting element of the story and I was looking forward to seeing that played out. However, I feel like it would have been more effective if it had been based on something that was more likely to occur. When we're made aware of Aja's experience with bingo, we're told she has not won in the eight months that she has been playing. That seems to set up a condition for the pact that seems very unlikely to occur. I felt like either the conditions could have been less restrictive or Aja and Walker could have been more willing to make exceptions to the rules.
I enjoyed the side characters and their additions to the story. From Ms. May playing matchmaker to Aja's supportive new friends. I found myself laughing out loud at the banter between Walker and Corey. I would have liked more of the background characters. I was waiting for a scene with Aja gossiping with her new friends after she hooked up with Walker.
A few additional highlights were the conversations about protection and getting tested and Aja's weight never being an issue or insecurity. Aja is described as curvy and a plus-size woman but it is never brought up as a bad thing. There are several scenes where food is involved and she is never shamed for what she chooses to eat. It was wonderful to see that she was just able to exist and not have her size acknowledged in a harmful way. The narrator also was the perfect voice for Aja. I really felt like I was listening to the character.
The biggest turn-offs for me were Walker's dialogue (particularly during the steamy scenes) and the use of the nickname "Peaches." Peaches were referenced so often either in reference to the peach cobbler or Aja that I was sure the last word was going to be "peaches." Every time Walker called Aja peaches I cringed. For me, Walker's dialogue a lot of the time felt like a guy trying to be suave or trying to be smooth rather than a man that actually was smooth or had the swagger that Walker seemed to be trying to emulate. I can understand in the context that he was nervous or trying to overcompensate for how he was feeling, the overly confident language would make sense but it also happened in scenes where he was comfortable we Aja. In the final sex scene, I found myself yelling at my phone for Walker to stop talking and for the book to just describe what was happening because the dialogue made me so uneasy.
Overall, it was a fun read and for people that don't have the same dialogue and nickname issues as me, it may be a fun lighthearted read. Yes, the story touches on several heavy topics, but it is done in a constructive way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Abandonment