Dr. Rhys Gray and Miss Margaret Babcock have met. Margaret's  father is a local squire. Rhys and Margaret have been corresponding , discussing their various academic interests and scientific type pursuits.  Margaret is a talented horticulturist spending most of her time in the greenhouse . There she activated and studied a variety of plants and flowers adhering to scientific methods of study, experimentation, and recording.  Margaret is happiest when working with her roses. Margaret is seeking to grow a new variety of hardy China Rose that her late mother had loved. Margaret is shy and wary of people and places she doesn’t know. Then Rhys let's Margaret know that he has spoken to one of the most influential members of the Horticultural Society about her rose and the member has asked Margaret to come to London to present it to him. Rhys finally talks Margaret into coming to London. She is to stay with the Turnes who will be staying with The Earl and Countess OF Ashby. Once there Margaret discovers the conservatory is not suitable and she sets to putting it right. Yet her work is constantly being disrupted. Rhys and Margaret have something going on even if they don’t admit it. Rhys struggles with his feelings for Margaret. Rhys had been engaged to another woman kind of. But the woman is a social climber -Sylvia whose family was a former enemy Rhys was to marry Sylvia to make up for what his father had done to Sylvia’s father . Rhys father and older brother had ran away to Italy after his father killed Sylvia’s father.  But Rhys is the only one who truly understands Margaret and encourages her. Then Rhys is threatened to be dragged into court for breach of contract because he wants to be with Margaret and she with him.

I liked this story a lot. I liked how Margaret and Rhys went slowly from friends to so much more even with Sylvia in the way. This is a little slow paced. This did however make me choke up at times is always good for a story to reach me and make me react with my feelings. I liked the plot a lot. But there was a bit too much drama from Rhys’s  family. I liked the twists and turns of this story a lot and loved the characters and I recommend.

Three friends. One Wager. Winner takes all.

The Earl—‘Lucky Ned’ Ashby. Pompous, preening, certain that he is beloved by everyone.
The Miller—John Turner. Proud, forced to work as the Earl’s secretary, their relationship growing ever more strained.
The Doctor—Rhys Gray. Practical, peace-loving, but caught in the middle of two warring friends.

Their wager is simple: By trading places with John Turner and convincing someone to fall in love with him, Ned plans to prove it’s him the world adores, not his money. Turner plans to prove him wrong.

But no one planned on Phoebe Baker, the unassuming governess who would fall into their trap, and turn everything on its head…

Awwww!!!

I really enjoyed this clean romance. It's "clean" in the sense that there are no love scenes, only kissing, but bad words are perfectly sprinkled throughout, which makes the narration and dialogue very realistic.

Although, I will say, those kissing scenes really sizzled!

The book deals with some pretty heavy issues that many people face every day, and reading how Annabelle helped Blake work through his was very endearing.

I liked Blake from the beginning. He was brooding and had a tough outer shell that he used to try to push people away.

Good thing Annabelle is about as stubborn as they come. Their interactions were very entertaining, and the tension that built between them was absolutely delicious!

I flew through this book. It was well-written and a very easy and enjoyable read. I'd love to read more books by Erin Kern!

***I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

Blake Carpenter has fallen from grace. Previously at the top of his game, a drug scandal and busted knee quickly ended his professional football career and sent him packing to a Colorado town. There he must try to build back up the public image he lost and coach a losing high school football team to the play offs. With everything riding on whether he can lead his new team to victory, Blake doesn’t have time for distractions. In particular, a distraction named Annabelle Turner.

Annabelle is a physical therapist and must have everything her way. She’s headstrong and passionate, especially about the team that she works with. When the new coach arrives and is pushing the boys to new levels, her concern for the team is heightened, along with the feelings she’d swore she’d never feel for anyone again. Though she is attracted to Blake, she knows that nothing will come from the heat that she feels when she is near him. He doesn’t do serious relationships, and she doesn’t do casual flings.

What I absolutely loved about this book was that instead of rushing into a relationship, the characters waited. The author enhances the characters with each passing chapter, chipping away at the superficial elements and adding to their true selves rather than shoving them into bed. It allowed me to get to know the characters and I was invested in them and eager to see where they would go, whether that was down the same path or on individual journeys.

Winner Takes All is a true must read romance novel with heart.