THE GAMBLE
By XAVIER NEAL
BLURB:
3 friends. 2 players. 1 bet.
When Luca Larson makes an expensive wager, guaranteeing the bedding of his only real female friend, he’s expecting the situation to go as smoothly as sleeping with any other woman would.
It doesn’t take long before he realizes his usual plays won’t work. She knows them too well. She knows HIM too well. If Luca wants to win, he’ll have to do things he’s never done before. Friendships will be challenged. Hearts will be broken. Lives will be inevitably changed. But one question will remain. Was it all worth the gamble?
My Review
Luca is a love them and leave them type of guy. No one gets too close, a good time will be had by all. No one is safe from his charms…..
Alexxa is the complete opposite, quiet, shy and naive! But she’s not silly, she knows what her two best friends are like, and accepts them for what they are. (Doesn’t mean she doesn’t try to change their habits)
A bet is made, and at the time Luca doesn’t give it much thought! She maybe a friend, but she’s also fair game! He’s wanted her for a while, but Alexx has always managed to avoid his advances.
He knows what the ladies like, he has many game plans…. All fail!!
The author has this habit of highlighting when her characters talk to the reader! I look at it as internal dialogue, it is a little off putting at time, but I certainly wouldn’t want it to stop. It puts a different spin on a book.
I was not a big fan of Luca, his attitude needed to change, and for most of the book I did wonder if he’d ever change. He blames his father for abandoning him and his mother, in fact I get the feeling he blames everyone but himself!
It’s told in the dual point of view. So we get to see both sides of this story.
Liked that he finally talks to his dad, and their talk enlightens Luca. It also mends a few bridges.
It also shows us why Luca is the way he is, if his father shows no remorse then why should Luca!
Alexx is a great character, she might be a little naive, but she doesn’t fall for Luca’s charms. It’s only when he begins to show the side no one sees that Alexxa falls for him.
But when the bet is made known to Alexxa, Luca realises the mistake he’s made! He’s really fallen for her, she’ll forgive him, right?! But will she forgive him?
I sort of liked the best friend/flat mate, although he really shouldn’t have made that bet with Luca!
He needs a book, and the FMC needs to give him the runaround.
I haven’t read the original book, so I can’t compare. But I enjoyed this one.
🦋
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30629487/
AMAZON
US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GQ8R9GW/
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01GQ8R9GW/
CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01GQ8R9GW/
AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01GQ8R9GW/
Apple, Kobo, Nook https://books2read.com/u/md7kvw
In between writing, she loves to read (everything from romance to self-improvement books), watch movies (old and new), eat too much Tex-Mex (her Chuy’s t-shirt collection is out of control), and watch AHL hockey games LIVE (preferably against the glass whenever possible). She currently resides happily in Texas with her bearded husband “Lumberjack”. Website: https://www.xavierneal.com
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