Whitney Carroll is back home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee after divorcing her low-down, cheating husband. First thing on the to-do list: Get a job. Second thing: Just say no to men. Third thing: Don’t fall for the boss. One out of three’s not too bad, right? For Sam Ellis, his to-do list is always work, work, work, trying to keep his family’s legacy alive. Now, out of concern, his siblings bet he … siblings bet he can’t keep a girl happy for thirty days, and if he loses he’s out as CEO. No problem, he can fake a relationship. And he knows just who to ask…his new man-vegan assistant.
Yet Whitney’s sexy boss–secret singer and Skee-Ball champion–is definitely NOT boring, and their connection is undeniable. But when a disaster strikes at work, Sam will have to decide if he’s willing to trade in his job for his heart.
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Betting on Love is a short and sweet small town romance. I read it within a short span, but I couldn’t deny the smile that was stuck on my face from the beginning to the end. Hello
Whitney and Sam had an instant connection that they both couldn’t deny. Well, Sam’s feelings were suppressed by his inner turmoil. Like was pointed out in the book- you could have everything in the world and not be happy.
That was the case for Sam. Although their pseudo relationship started out as a fake relationship, it fast turned into something undeniable for both of them.
While I enjoy drama and cliffhangers, which this story lacks, I still really enjoyed reading it.
I also appreciated how other characters from the other books in series were highlighted, and it made me crave their stories. I’ll definitely be adding the books in this series to my reading list.
I do wish the ending didn’t feel somewhat rushed, or maybe I just expected more drama from it. I did like the ending, but for me, it lacked even a low level of elaborate HEA that follows the climax of a story. Nevertheless, it was truly an enjoyable read.
Betting on Love by Jennifer Hoopes a five-star read you could bet your house on. I loved this one, I had read His reason to Stay, but honestly you don’t have to have read it first, it’s just about another member of the family and they only play a small part in this story overall. I don’t know why as Whitney Carroll is normally the character I would want to shake when I first meet her, but this time I wanted to envelop her into a hug and give her a glass of something strong and help her get her own goals, she is just so well written as a character. I loved watching her with Sam, and how protective his family were of him, watching him come out of his father’s history was sublime. The struggle felt real. This is a charming roller-coaster of a read, that will leave you on a massive high, much like the ride of your life.
A man on a mission to prove himself worthy of his family’s legacy, a woman on a mission to reclaim her independence, and a bet. Great, easy read with a fun and heartfelt familiar trope. I really enjoyed reading this novel in one day and look forward to looking for more titles from this author.
This is a sweet story and I really enjoyed it. We meet Sam, the over worked brother that has spent every moment trying to prove himself. I loved the way that Whitney and Sam had this immediate connection, that pull towards each other. There’s a flow to the story, I loved getting to know the family and looking forward to more.
The book was fairly quick I did however find that it felt rushed, I wish they would have developed the characters better. Whitney and Sam didn’t grab me like some characters tend to do and you are rooting for them, with these two I didn’t feel that and I also felt like the issue within families was never really given or answered. I did however like the secondary characters.
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions.
I will start out by saying that if you plan on reading this, make sure you read the first book prior.
Sam Ellis has been running his family’s company for a year now and hasn’t taken a single break. When his siblings talk him into a night out, they bet him that he leaves without a certain girls phone number.
Whitney Carroll is back home after five years and finding out her husband had been cheating on her. Her cousin takes her out to a bar where she meets Sam. She ends up telling him that she needs a job and her degree is in a field that he just happens to have an opening for.
This book had no emotion in it in my opinion. All of the characters seemed very robotic and the whole book (except the final chapter) happened in the course of a week. I’m glad it was a quick read because it just could not hold my attention.
First time in reading this author. The place it was in caught my attention. Once I started it I found the pages to keep turning as I enjoyed this one and the cute attitude. Whitney has those goals that life will sometimes say back as you think so? Sam is also a character in himself with his own attitude and match them together they get a attitude adjustment. Following that adjustment is the fun part but seeing where this all ends is the satisfaction part.
Quick read about a fake relationship between Whitney and Sam. Ok read for me and I think that was because the story felt rushed to me. I also like my stories to have a little more heat and this didn’t. If you are looking for a quick, sweet read then this is the story for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
Bets in a book make a me a little nervous because it never ends well. But I loved how the author decided to tackle the concept between Sam and Whitney. Betting on Love was my first read by Jennifer and it was a cute read. It was a little too short for my liking at only 150 pages, I think a bit more could have really developed not only their character, but relationship as well. By the end, I was really seeing the chemistry and connection between them and then we get the epilogue. And it didn’t quite feel right.
I loved Whitney’s character, she was no damsel and generally a strong heroine I prefer to read about. After what she went through with her ex-husband, she needed a new start more than anything. And I loved how driven she was to get it, a strong and independent woman that many readers will love.
I had no idea that this was part of the series, but I really loved seeing Sam’s family in the background. They’re hilarious and COMPLETE meddlers, but they’re always coming from a good place.
When it comes to the romance, I’m not really a fan of the fade to black scenes when Sam and Whitney become intimate with each other.
This was an OK read for me, still very cute, but it definitely needed to be longer. I am looking forward to reading more about the Ellis family.
**AN ARC WAS PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW**
Whitney needs a second chance after a bitter divorce and she definitely has trust issues after being cheated on. Sam has his family business on his shoulders and has enough problems of their own.
However, both of them work together, they complete each other (even if they have trouble in recognizing it…). This book is fun, loving and the characters are great to read.
I love books that show the characters as they are and make it fun and loving.
Jeniffer Hoopes has catched my attention and I will look for her books in the future.
I didn’t read the first book in the series and I have never read anything by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. When I first started this book it seemed like so many other relationships of convince, however I liked all the characters they were fun and Family was first no matter what they faced. I loved Betsy she is a pistol and oh my I can’t wait to read her story. I loved Whitney why she has a broken spirit from her divorce she was a fighter and willing to take on whatever was thrown at her. This book over all was a fun read it did have sex indicated but not in-depth. I can’t wait to read more from this author and see what these fun characters are up to next. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion
Jennifer Hoopes is a new-to-me author but you guys know by now that I’m always up for reading something by someone I’ve never read before. Even though my top 1-click authors put out more than enough to quench my thirst for amazing reads, I also like to give new authors a try because there are some true hidden gems out there. With that in mind, I jumped into Betting on Love.
Sam Ellis has worked himself nearly to burnout. His siblings dare him that he can’t maintain a relationship for thirty days, and he takes the bet because if he doesn’t win, his dad’s prediction will be proven to be true, and he’ll lose the company. Whitney Carroll’s life took a huge plunge when she caught her now ex-husband with her best friend. Back home and starting from scratch, she takes a job working for–and with–Sam, much to her cousin’s dismay. Oh, did I mention her family and his are in an epic feud that makes Romeo and Juliet’s families’ feud look like child’s play? To further confuse matters, Whitney agrees to help Sam win the bet and jumps into a fake relationship–and new job–with both feet. In a game like this, can there be any winners?
NICUnurse’s Rating: First of all, I need to say this. I read this book while in the middle of the Coronavirus shelter-in-place, and we were well into week three of isolation. I’ve found that, in the past, my attitude and emotions sometimes color how I view a book, no matter how great it might be in reality. I’m hoping this is the case with Betting on Love. The book was well written, but it kind of fell flat for me. The world-building and character development seemed to take up most of the book, and that made the plot seem to drag and circle around until the last quarter of the book where it seemed to pick up for me. But the climax seemed to fall flat and the ending seemed a bit too easy. I did love how the author depicted both main characters’ relationships with other family members, though. Especially Sam’s close-knit family. Whitney’s cousin just deserved a smack to the back of his head, but the relationship was still well developed between him and Whitney. The book had all the necessary pieces, and I know that my views regarding the issues I have with the storyline can be colored by what’s going on in my personal life, so I’m adding Betting on Love to the list of books to re-read when I’m in a much better headspace. If my views change, I will certainly update my review. For readers who love a sweet plus heat story that isn’t very complex, I think you’ll find a nice distraction with this book. But if you’re looking for a more complex storyline, this one might fall a bit flat for you, as well.
I give Betting on Love by Jennifer Hoopes 3 out of 5 stars!
I was pleasantly surprised by this one, it’s the first book I’ve read by Jennifer and it was super sweet.
Sam and Whitney are from two families that have a feud that goes back generations. Despite that these two are instantly attracted to one another and it’s that bond that we see be strengthened throughout the book.
Whitney is recently divorced and is looking to start again in her hometown. By coming home Whitney is hoping to build a life of her own, on her own two feet.
Sam is a workaholic who is driven by the words of his deceased father. These words have forced Sam to push himself in a way that has impacted his health and relationships – all of his siblings are worried.
When a bet is made and a proposition is extended – we end up in a world of unnecessary complications.
Throughout the story we see both Sam and Whitney try to be open and honest with one another while not complicating the rest of their lives. The push and pull of these two makes you keep cheering for them to figure it out because they make each other better.
If you’re looking for a super sweet, slow-burn this one is for you!
Family loyalty can be trying and Whitney and Sam know all about it. Both are making changes in their lives they believe are being forced on them. A decision to collaborate leads to love. This is a story that continues in the vein of the first in the series about family loyalty and love. There are things that they hold inside that has the power to limit their ability to thrive. It’s only once they let go of the past that they can enjoy the present and see the future.
While the courtship was a bit rushed, I liked Sam and Whitney’s connection. I would have enjoyed a bit more insight as to the feud between their two families. It seems like there’s nothing there, but why make a big deal about it if there isn’t.
I also didn’t realize it was part of a series, but I had read the first book. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone and there’s nothing major missing from the storyline. I will admit, there’s more “meat” to the story in the first book. I have to wonder if the subsequent books…there’s 3 more siblings, I assume they’ll each get a book….will have more complex relationships.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. Slightly longer than a novella but not as long as most romances. I like Ms. Hoopes easy writing style and have read more than a few of her catalogue. I’ll continue to do so in the future.
**I received a copy of Betting on Love from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are mine alone and not solicited in any way.**
Betting on Love by Jennifer Hoopes is the second book in her series featuring the Brodie’s (Whiskey distillers) and the Ellis Family (Amusement parks) and the bet between Sam Ellis and Whitney Carroll (nee-Ellis). While the book is good it’s very short and I felt to quick to get to the end so yes, I wish it was just a bit longer.
Whitney Carroll has come home to Gatlinburg after her divorce from a hubby who wasn’t faithful to her. She needs a job but to the dismay of her cousin, Sam Ellis offers her a job with his company as their new marketing director. First assignment promote their newest ride all while trying to convince Sam’s family they are dating. Sounds simple right? Well, all is great but when a problem arises he blames Whitney for distracting him. Can they go beyond their past and insecurities and be the couple they were meant to be? Or will they call an end to the feelings that both Whitney and Sam have for each other? Sam needs to get beyond his fear of failing to run the family business first.
I give the story 4 stars and the heat is mild between the couple I just wish it was a bit longer is all.
Sam falls in love with Whitney!
Sam Ellis had felt like a fraud because something his father said when he was young and taking over the family entertainment corporation after the sudden death of their father and oldest brother. Sam wanted to prove to his siblings that he had what it takes by almost working too much instead they did an intervention trying to get him to slow down by telling him they would fire him if he didn’t. Whitney Carroll needed a job after her divorce and Sam Ellis needed an assistant so the diced to ask Whitney if she would play his girlfriend/assistant while working for him.
Sam Ellis wants a relationship like his parents had where they complement each other in work and family and he finds that in Whitney Carroll because she loved him and took care of him and also was great at her job with the company.
Betting on Love is the book for you if you like series about families that care for each other.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Book 2 in the series takes us back to Gatlingburg, TN and the Ellis siblings.
This time the story belongs to Sam, the brother that since the death of his parents a year ago, has taken the reins of the Ellis Enterprise. He is fearful of failing the family and to that end has become a workaholic, not sleeping or eating.
His siblings are worried and to keep them off his back, he agrees to go with them to the local bar.
There he meets Whitney. A cousin of the feuding family and a woman who has been crushed by her ex. The moment they meet , sparks erupt and his family decides to bet him that he can’t find love in 30 days because of his work .
Little did anyone realize, especially Whitney and Sam, that not only their lives would forever be changed, but fears and secrets would be revealed.
Aside from the storyline, it’s a story about family. About what a comment made in a moment of jest, could change the trajectory of a person and also how love though messy at times, can conquer everything.
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Entangled . The opinions expressed are solely my own.
2.5
What I liked:
The writing style
Part of a series: Ellis Family Saga
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
What I didn’t like:
The main characters
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC from NetGalley.