River Kingston has a problem, and his name is Royal. Her brother owes one-hundred grand to the mob, and River feels it’s her responsibility to help him.The daughter of a renowned poker player, River does the only thing she knows how to do to win that much money…She hits the tables.Headed to Eden Island, home of the most elite poker tournament, The Omega One, River runs into–literally–the man … into–literally–the man from her teenage fantasies.
Now she has another problem, and his name is Alec Throne. Because after the famous poker star catches her from falling, he decides he’s never letting her go.
And, as River soon discovers, when Alec Throne sets his mind to something…
He’s all-in.
This is a full-length novel with no cliffhanger. It is part of a series, but each book is a stand-alone centering on new main characters. This is a steamy contemporary romance. Due to sex and language, it is recommended for persons over 18. HEA ***
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4,5 stars
River Kingston’s father was a professional poker player, so she and her brother Royal grew up with it and know everything about poker games and poker players. River never made a profession of it but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t know how to play it as a professional. And when her brother is in deep trouble with the mafia, the only way to pay back his huge debt is by playing on an important poker tournament, The Omega One. River knows that she has a chance of making the top 3 but she never thought she would fall for one of the famous poker players there, Alec Throne. Now her concentration is divided between playing good poker and a vacation fling with Alec, which could end very bad for her brother. River needs to concentrate on the poker game but Alec is making it hard for her, because he makes it very clear that he wants her, for more than just a game, he wants forever. Will River have to choose between love and family? And will these two poker players make their biggest bet yet and bet with their hearts?
Just like the previous books that I read of this writer, Sarah Curtis, I enjoyed this story very much. It was a well written story that was very easy to read. Both main characters were interesting and great. From the first meeting there was a chemistry between them, everything went very fast between them but I liked it. I was just in the mood for a story like that. Alec may be a player (of poker and with women) but with River he didn’t play games or only games he knew that he would win. He’s possessive, dominant, protective and jealous around her and I loved it all. River may be a bit younger than Alec but she knew how to stand up against him. I really enjoyed the banter between them and the little games they played. The writer did a wonderful job of balancing the poker games with the romance story. Even if you know nothing of poker (like me) you still can enjoy it in this story, the writer explains it well. The story was told from both POV’s. There were some steamy scenes in the story.
‘All in’ was a great read and I can’t wait to read the next story in this series (The gamblers) about Alec’s friend who is part of the Italian mafia.
This was another great read from one of my new favorite authors!! A love story involving a possessive, protective alpha and a sassy, intelligent, strong heroine is always a favorite read. I love how it was low angst with little conflict, sometimes you just need these.
River and Alec is such an awesome couple. River saw their interlude as just a holiday hook-up, but Alec was not having it, as like he is at the poker table, he was all-in from the very beginning.
It took River a bit longer to realize this since she had other things to worry about, like saving her older brother’s a$$…again, but he is the last family member she had. Even though Alec was a distraction, she couldn’t stay away, not that Alec would let her.
The chemistry between these two was hot and the banter, especially River’s responses to Alec’s often over handedness, was amusing. And I loved the epilogue so much!!
All in all another solid read. I can’t wait to read Nico’s story in Bad Beat.