Jericho Conway is the type of son most people would be proud of. He doesn’t cause trouble, keeps his head down, does whatever’s asked of him, contributes to the family, and doesn’t talk back to his mom. They’ve been on their own for as long as he can remember, and he’s always done his best to take care of her—lately that’s in spite of his stepdad.Jericho’s a way-too-mature-for-his-age fifteen … fifteen (and a half), and he’s feeling stuck in the small community outside Knoxville where they live. Stuck, because no one here is quite like him. He’s different from his classmates, has been all his life, but what sets him apart is one of those secrets that can’t ever be brought to the light of day.
Then his stepfather stumbles onto his secret. And Jericho’s right. There’s hell to pay.
—
Eeerrrrkkk.
Okay, okay. As the person writing the description, I know Bet On Us might not sound like a totally romantic story right off the bat, but it really is! On the one hand, there’s Jericho himself. He’s amazing, promise. And strong, so very strong. Then we’ve got his uncles, who would do anything for him. In Trent and Jacob, we get to see this dynamic, resilient, and loving couple with deep family ties, especially when you factor in Jacob’s sister and her family. (That’s Jaime, Connor, Nate, and Matt from With My Whole Heart. Oh, and Jordan, Nate’s best friend.) Jericho is finally exposed to the kind of fierce and loyal example for how incredibly sweet love should be, and thinks he might see an echo of the thing that’s always set him apart. Here’s hoping his Coming Out Day gives this precious boy exactly what he needs.
Continuing on …
—
It’s been two years since Trent first watched his husband’s eyes grow misty as they talked seriously about babies. Two years of Trent and Jacob searching for the right clinic, then the right surrogate, and then the ever-elusive “right time.” However, all of their tentative plans come tumbling down when Trent receives a phone call from his hometown. A place he’d long ago left in his rearview mirror, stuffing all the memories associated with his personal Coming Out Day into a deep, dark hole never to be revisited.
Only now, Trent is forced to return, because the call is about the murder of his estranged sister and the health and welfare of a half-grown nephew he didn’t know existed. Thrust into guardianship of Jericho, Trent and Jacob struggle to help the damaged teen deal with his grief and the hidden reasons behind his mother’s death.
*Set in the world of With My Whole Heart, this story is a continuation of characters first introduced there, and while it can be read as a standalone, is best enjoyed as a follow-on to that story.
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I really enjoyed reading this book.
The story was very well written and held my attention.
I normally don’t read this genre but this book might have
changed that.
The characters had wonderful chemistry.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book from
an advanced reader copy.
Title: Bet On Us
Author: MariaLisa deMora
Genre: Contemporary Drama
**RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW**
This has to be one of the sweetest, most loving books I have ever read. Quick synopsis: Jericho is coming of age in a family and town not necessarily always tolerant of alternative lifestyles. Tragedy strikes and he becomes the ward of an uncle Trent he didn’t know he had and Trent’s husband Jake. It is up to Trent and Jake to show Jericho how unconditional love is meant to be and how family is meant to be.
You can feel the love, warmth, acceptance, and devotion between these characters and it is awesome. Trent and Jake are funny and warm. And no matter what they speak the truth and allow Jericho to be who he is. They guide him and love him no matter what. This truly was a touching story about acceptance and identity. Loved it.
what an amazing intense beautiful heartstopping love story of Trent and Jake and their insta family with Jericho ready for more
Bet on us is not just one love story but two. This book starts where With my Whole Heart finished and gives a insight into Trent and Jake’s love for each other and when a tragedy happens and they are left to care for Trent’s 15 year old nephew Jericho. This book will have your heart beating out of your chest with the understanding and love that is shown to Jericho when he realises that he won’t be judge if he chooses to be different. Beautiful written M/M romance MariaLisa DeMora has done a fantastic job of this book and you won’t be disappointed.
Jericho wow this kids has not had it easy so when bad things happen he meets his uncle Trent and his husband Jacob, these two show Jericho just what real love is and how love is love no matter who it is between.
I was excited that Trent and Jake got to tell their story! I recommend you read With My Whole Heart first so you will know some of these characters. Marailisa has a way with her storytelling/writing, it sucks me in so that I feel like I’m right there in the story. I feel their pain, their wants and needs.
Jakey’s humor made me laugh outloud, together with Trentie, than made me cry, lust, love and be so damn proud of and happy for them. Whenever I hear “Babe” i will think of them!
Jericho really touched my heart. Watching him go from hell in life to his uncle’s he didn’t know he had. Dealing with the death of his mom, his own sexuality, and coming out. Such a good young man, I feel like they are family. Wonderful story of family and their big hearts full of love and together get get through anything! Well done ML deMora!
This is a story of family and acceptance as much as it is a romance. I have been an avid reader of romance novels as long as I can recall, but I admittedly avoid M/M because I can’t relate to it. I like to feel as if I am in the story and can’t do that with a M//M story because I am not a man. I have however been a reader of MariaLisa’s for years and have read the other M/M she wrote because it was part of her bigger RWMC series. I will admit that I greatly enjoyed this book. It was more than I anticipated it would be. MariaLisa really helps the reader understand the feelings and emotions of these characters in a way I could not have forseen.
There are really so many layers to this story that I don’t know where go with this review. There is the love between Trent and Jacob, the development of their family, Jericho’s coming out and finding acceptance where he was accustomed to scorn, his learning what family should be, him finding his way in his new life and finally finding the love he is so deserving of.
I highly recommend this book. You may want to pick up With My Whole Heart first to meet Trent and Jacob as MariaLisa wrote about them in that book first, but it is not required to enjoy this book.