'Gambling on Love' was originally released back on 2011 and I didn't read the first edition so I'm not sure what the changes between it and this second edition are besides the cover and can i say I do like this cover it's definitely the more attractive of the two in my opinion.

 

This is a second chance story about Abe (Abel, but don't call him that he doesn't like it) and Gary or Fox as Abe tends to call him from time to time and yes, he is a ginger but that's not where the nickname comes from or at least not entirely. Apparently it's because he's too smart for his own good and that makes people wary of him.

 

Abe and Gary are best friends and during their senior year in high school they figure out that they both want more than friendship and that's all well and good until they get caught in the locker room by Abe's coach he gets an eyeful of how much more than friends they are. Unfortunately when it comes time to face the music Gary decides to pack up and leave without so much as a 'see you later' for Abe who stays and faces the music on his own and eventually settles into the comfortable and safe life he's makes for himself. A life very different from Gary, who has spent the last few years they're apart with Peter an older very dominant and controlling man who has shows Gary a very different world from the one he grew up in.

 

It's 11 years later when Gary finds himself heading towards his past and quite literally by accident back into Abel's life as he sets out to fulfill Peter's last request following the man's untimely death 

 

Needless to say while Abe's never stopped loving Gary he's also a little bit angry at how things ended and Gary's got some issues of  his own from that time as well.

 

One of the things that worked for me was the the emotional roller coaster ride that these two men went on when they encountered each other for the first time after their 11 year separation. It was a case of 'come here, come here, no get away, get away' and I could see that because out of the blue you find yourself confronted with your first love and the first person to ever break your heart add to that the fact that neither man ever really got over the other and I know if that was me it would be roller coaster time. There was more than one instance of 'get out of my life but I'm never letting you go again' totally conflicted feelings on both sides.

 

However while this worked for me and I could see how and why things would be this way I didn't quite feel it. I didn't have any gut wrenching moments where I felt like all that mattered was these two men getting things worked out. The sex was hot, undeniably so but I didn't find myself squirming in my chair or heading for a cold shower and the ending had a bit of predictability to it not in terms of exactly what would happen but more in that it would go in the direction that it did. In spite of this I liked the specifics of how things ended up the way they did and given what we knew about Peter from Gary's account it make sense to me as well, so for me it worked.

 

'Gambling on Love' isn't my first book by Jane Davitt and I have to admit it's didn't turn out to be one of my favorites because that spot still belongs to her series 'Laying a Ghost' and her books 'Hourglass' and 'Truthful Change' but it was an enjoyable story that kept me entertained for a few hours and that's never a bad thing either.

 

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A copy of 'Gambling on Love' was graciously provided by the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Jordan runs into his youngest brother’s ex-girlfriend Maggie. When he see’s she has a baby and finds out it’s his screw up brother’s, he feels the need to help her. Unfortunately he was also very drawn to her.

This was a really good and quick read. It was a complete story, regardless of being a novella. There were definitely some twists i didn’t see coming with it. I highly recommend.

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

Warning!! Do not read until in front of fans or an air conditioner...

Katie is a state prosecutor. She's had a lot of tragedy in her life and is raising her 3yr old nephew on her own. Joe recently switched from defending criminals to working in Katie's office. While she's secretly wanted Joe for months, she thinks he's nothing but full of himself. Joe has been crazy about Katie since he met her, but she wont' give him the time of day. When he finally gets his chance, he's afraid his current sexual lifestyle, already racking him with guilt, will have Katie running in the other direction.

This is the first book I've read from this author, so I wasn't sure what to expect. There was a lot of hotness contained in the book, as well as a good plot that was weaved in the background while the relationship was formed. The author was also able to really draw out the two main characters, especially Joe. He's obviously conflicted with what he feels and does, with the exception of Katie from the beginning. She's his end goal and the only guiding light he can seem to see.

Really great read. I can't wait to read more from this author.

 

Well this proved less savory than expected. I remember quite enjoying Ava March's books. Yet this one didn't hold any special spark.

This is a classic story of forbidden love. Not only two men falling in love, but a duke falling for a prostitute in early 1800's London.

Almost a year after having been betrayed by a lover, Max visits a brothel where he meets Tristan. After a few visits, Max finds Tristan with an abusive client and rushes in to save the day. Tristan had been working to pay off a debt. Max works out a deal with the brothel owner and is soon taking Tristan home under an arrangement where Tristan will spend his nights with Max for as long as the two enjoy it, with no emotional attachment.

The two main characters were both well written. Max is extremely wealthy, but is lonely and sad, running his dukedom on his own. He struggles with guilt and feelings of betrayal. Tristan is smart and optimistic, he is straightforward and yearns for some independence. As Tristan tries to draw Max out of the bubble he has created for himself, the two form a friendship by day and by night, Tristan is more than happy to indulge Max's kinks. The drama and conflict arise when Tristan realizes he has fallen in love with Max and that due to the class differences, the relationship will never work.

There is really nothing new to the story, but the characters and the good pacing of the story kept me reading. The majority of the story is the two men spending time together and I could really feel the relationship building between the two of them. The chemistry between the characters was very good and the love scenes well written with light BDSM. Overall an enjoyable read.

A copy of the book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.