“He was my best friend…” I say more to myself than her. “Yeah, so was I but you seem to have forgotten that part of your life.”The bet was simple. You draw a name from the hat. That’s the girl you have to seduce. It wasn’t hard for me to do, in fact, it was something I did all the time. I was known for breaking hearts. Sex was just that, sex. And it didn’t take me very long to get a woman on her … very long to get a woman on her back.
And then I drew her name: Jules Peterson.
My former best friend. My first kiss. My first love. Three years ago, she shattered my heart into a million pieces. She left me right when I needed her most.
And as fate who have it, she had entered my life once again, at almost the perfect time.
She was a transfer, fresh meat, and she had just put a target on her back. It was my turn to make her pay. It was my turn to break her heart.
Holding onto that hate, that anger, that f*cking heartbreak. It does something to you. It breaks you, and it broke me, it tainted me, just like I would do to Jules.
She used to be my everything, but now she was nothing but The Bet.
**The Bet is book one in the North Woods University series. It is a full length, standalone, novel. It contains adult themes and contents that are not suitable for all readers. It is NOT a young adult novel.**
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Big Bully, Big Romance!
This book starts out with some bullying that is a somewhat over the edge, so I would count this as a dark romance. Like books where the heroine is taken hostage and when the Hero uses his strength and power and the fact that the heroine is attracted to him in order to overcome her objection to being touched intimately, this bully does the same.
The bet itself is a move of a lot of jerks we have seen in books and movie. They do something similar in the After series and I think I have seen others with worse bets, like getting with as many girls as possible and rating them, etc. However, it is not long before this Hero Remington (a.k.a Remmy) realizes what a horrible person he has been and truly regrets his actions.
Remmy actually turns into quite a likable character and though he still has some anger issues, he doesn’t turn them against anyone who does deserve it after he comes to the realization of what a douche he was being. Though he remains quite a self-assured and cocky guy throughout the book.
One thing I didn’t like was his reasons for being so angry at the heroine Jules. They had been best friends since kindergarten and at fifteen, they were moving towards something more than friends when she left town to go live with her Father and brother after her parents divorced. He made it sound like it was her choice to leave him and he claims it was when he needed her most because he had recently been abandoned by his alcoholic mother.
However Jules didn’t really have a choice. Her mother placed work above all else and was never home. So she pretty much had to stay with her family (father and brother). It doesn’t really say if her parents would have allowed her to choose, but either way, you can’t really blame her. Though Remington does and he turns into a different person, filled with anger and using sex as a method to deal with his pain and anger.
Once Remmy realizes that his anger was internal and not really about Jules, he tells her and hopes to go right back to where they were but it isn’t as easy as that. He had done some terrible things to her and she wouldn’t just forget. I really liked the book overall, but not the things he did to her. As a New Adult bully romance, it was pretty good in my opinion. A lot of the things that happen I. The book, I think probably do happen in real life. I love the bully romance sub-genre and this is a good example. It is definitely hot and steamy . I also enjoyed the ending.
Please make sure to read the Dear Reader note. It’s written for a specific reason so it would be a good idea to pay attention to it.
Remington Miller sees someone he thought he’d never see again. Jules Peterson can’t believe the person she sees. The authors have written one of the most thought provoking books that I’ve read since I don’t know when.
I can almost hear any mothers out there that are reading this saying, “if he was my son…!” It’s not hard to hate him and to sympathize with Jules. No one should have the kind of power he feels he has the right to and to use it on anyone and damn the consequences. It wasn’t hard to shake my head and wonder what he would be like once he’s been in the workforce for a while.
If you currently have a daughter, or even a son, that are in college this could become a discussion moment – what to keep their eyes out for. Just like Remington wants it – our attention is all on him. Will he dig himself into a hole or will he redeem himself? You know this is a work of fiction but after the recent college scandal, it may have you question those of authority. There are issues with fraternities and that could be another discussion. You may not want to read it together ‘cause you know your young adult may feel a little weird about the whole thing.
You should start out by reading it first and then let them go ahead and once their finished sit down and have your discussion. When it was my time to go to college, it was the rule at the time that I was too close to live on campus – after reading this book that may have been a good thing. It’s also a great way to remind them that if they are concerned about something that there are people on campus who can give them the support they might need.
With everything that went on here, it all made sense. Yes, it was a very tough read but it’s not anything that doesn’t feel realistic. In this day and age, we do more talking and shaming those that think they have the right to hurt a woman. After all the drama that went on, I felt there was a rush to get to an ending. I understand that our authors had to lighten the mood so they could get to that happy ending but it can be tough when you’re handling such a hard subject. This is also a book where you can expect no two people will read it the same way.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
It’s an amazing read. Gripping and emotional. LOVED IT <3
Loved this book!
It all started with a bet, it seemed easy enough to do, Remington and his frat buddies do it every year. But once he learns who he will be using to win the bet it becomes more about revenge and less about winning! When he draws Jules name he can’t believe he is going to have to interact with her again after all these years, she is the girl who broke his heart and walked away. He doesn’t know why she chose to come back to town, but he would love nothing more than to drive her away again… permanently!
The Bet is an angst-filled little page turner that’ll have your heart in your throat and your emotions totally wrecked from beginning to end! These two had a lot of healing to do, unresolved feelings to address, and differences to sort out. Which made for many emotional highs and lows, one minute I was feeling the love, the next I was fighting back tears and wondering if they could ever find common ground.
I absolutely loved this story, it had me completely mesmerized all the way through and the characters completely stole my heart, you couldn’t help but feel for these two. I’ll admit though that it took me a while to come around to Remington, that man pushed my buttons more than a few times! This series has become one of my favorite literary finds this year, these authors have penned stories that are truly unforgettable… and they really know how to make you FEEL the words!! Highly recommend!!
Wow !!!
This was my first book by both authors and I am hooked! This was a page turning read I could not put down from beginning to end. This book is filled with raw emotions and sexually charged scenes and the betrayal omg ! I definitely recommend this book ! Can’t wait for the next one to come out!
Just the absolute best story. It had me captivated from the beginning with the hot steamy scenes. I really enjoyed reading this book and I would recommend it! Everything I like to read about and more. Such a great story I will read again and again. A keeper!!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I absolutely loved Remmy and Jules story, They undeniable attraction & chemistry that was sizzling HOT, Theres a few twists and turns along they way want o no if they get HEA Couldn’t tell you that without spoiling there story. A must read,I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy, Another great story J.L and Cassandra, Go on hit that Pre-Order button now
PREORDER YOUR COPY BELOW!!
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AMAZON UK: http://bit.ly/THEBETUK
AMAZON CA: http://bit.ly/THEBETCA
AMAZON AU: http://bit.ly/THEBETAU
Great story!
Again, I was struggling with my feeling towards the H. Do I like him? Or do I h*a*t*e him?
I believe Remington had no reason to hate Jules!!! I understand both were young and all that but seriously! More than once I found my self trying to shake Remington for him to stop being an a*s*s*h*o*l*e!!!!!!
Jules, she was never at fault……. So why s*h*i*t keeps happening to her? My heart was breaking for her.
The story kept me glued to it. I started and I was having trouble putting it down, but adult life and all….. I found myself sneaking any minutes of reading whenever possible!!!
Emotional reading and I can’t wait for Vance and Ava’s!!!!!!
I received an ARC of this story and this is my voluntary review.
Well that escalated quickly! Remmy and Jules have a lifetime of history. History full of heartbreak. Their chemistry is intense and the authors do a good job grabbing your attention and keep the pages turning. Lots of twists and turns with this story and a whole mess of angst. I was feeling all this with these characters. Couldn’t put it down. Great book. Recommend.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really got infatuated in this story. It was a real page turner. Fated characters come back together after years apart and a whole lot of heartache and loss. Then there is revenge and regret but can they move forward together or are they lost forever?
Thank you to Booksirens and the authors, J.L Beck & ,C. Hallman, for providing a copy of The Bet (North Woods University book 1). I have reviewed honestly.
The Bet features, but is not limited to, the following themes:
Bully romance
Enemies to lovers
Second chance romance
College
Sexual assault
Attempted rape
Drink spiking
Assault
Mental illnesses
My overall rating for The Bet is…
4.5 Stars!
I just want to start this review really reiterating that there are triggers present in this tale that really hit the reader. The way Beck and Hallman presented depression, anxiety and PTSD in this tale made it all sink in soul deep. They’ve made this story personal and that projects strongly off the page. I love the character developments our two mains traverse and how we really get to see inside of their heads. What started off as a typically brutal bully romance turned into something deep and delicate. I did find some sayings and sentences that were repeated, if not word for word it was similar enough to be a slight annoyance for me. Overall, a beautifully intense and impassioned tale.
the book was well written flowed flawlessly however i coulnt get into the book i did finish the book but it just didnt keep my attention like i hoped it would,
** Trigger warning**
So I am at a loss for words. I am not sure how I feel about this book. I mean I was all over the place while reading. My emotions went haywire. I thought Jules would be a strong a character but soon realized that was not the case. She has been through a lot and still grieving. She seemed a bit oblivious to what was going on around her. Then you have Remington. Gah what a piece of work. He was literally on the crap list til we got towards the end of the book. Not gonna lie this was intense with a few up and downs. I felt that Remington was just self destructive and just could not process things that happens and places the blame on everyone else. He has a hard time to accept the reality of situations. However, these two obviously have something but is it enough to get past all the hurt and pain? Will there be a happily ever after for these two or will it go down in flames? Guess you need to read it for yourself to find out.
This was an okay story. I found it to have enough drama and suspense to keep my interest and I really ended up liking Remmy & Jules (love that name!). Why only 3 stars? I found a couple of things too hard to get passed, like how big of a guy Remmy supposedly is in campus. The author only says that his dad paid a lot of money to the school. There’s really no built up to that, and that’s a pretty big part of the storyline. I also didn’t like that there wasn’t more about Jules’ family. I did enjoy the book, though! I was sent a free copy and I am choosing to leave my honest review.
Love this book!!!
This is a story that is hard to put down. I was sucked in. It has the right amount of suspense, danger, sweetness, adn sexiness to keep you glued until the end. It has some hard themes and the bully at times had me screaming at my Kindle but even through all that you can’t help but feel a little swoony at Remmy. I loved Jules and her strength as well. The truth is always different than we imagined so this is a journey. Hang on for the ride.
Jules Peterson transfers to North Woods University and is surprised to see the gorgeous Remington Miller. They used to be best friends but now he wants to hurt her. Break her. Jules wants no part of Remmy, that is, until she catches a glimpse of the boy she once knew. But will Jules feel the same way when she finds out she was Remmy’s bet?
The Bet is a dark, angsty, drama-filled and steamy story that will suck you in. I can’t wait to read The Dare, Book 2 of the North Woods University series.
Remington and Jules were best friends until she moves away with her father and brother. Remington is angry, hurt and feels betrayed. When Jules shows up in one of his college classes 3 years later he is stunned and begins his plot for revenge. Jules cannot figure out why he is so angry and quickly sees how much the boy she loved has changed. Blinded by anger he shares intimate information with his frat brothers to win “THE BET”. As one of his frat brothers, Cole, becomes obsessed with Jules and information is leaked to set Remington up, the re-established connection they have begins to unravel. However, once confronted with all the lies, Jules knows she has to help Remmy, just as he had helped her. This book has possible triggers- bully, attempted rape, and social shaming. However, it is extremely well written and is handled in a way that gives positivity to speaking up, owning one’s actions, and the result of how love can conquer.
Remington:
Jules isn’t just a memory, or a bet, she’s everything, the air, the light, the f*cking very thing needed for me to live, and without her, I’m nothing. There is no Remington Miller without Jules.
The Bet is the first book in the North Woods University series. This is the first book I’ve read of those authors and I must say I found it really hard to get into the story at first and I really didn’t like what happened in the beginning, BUT after the first chapters I was totally hooked and I love the story of Jules & Remington and I was glad I sticked to the story because I enjoyed it a lot!