The Forever Bet

Lake City High #3

by Jenny Cole

Hannah

Can your first love be your one great love?

Can your high school sweetheart be your soulmate?

Is it possible to find the person you’re meant to spend the rest of your life with so early in life?

These are the questions that plague my heart.

Ford and I were destined for a great romance until our parents stepped in the way and forced us apart. We’ll do as they ask and try to stay away, but being apart only makes our love for each other stronger. Trying to live my best life is impossible without him beside me, but I’m trying to live in the moment and make my life count for something good. Even if I must wait until June to be with the guy I love.

Ford

Is it possible to love a person so much that you can hardly breathe without them?

If you truly love a person, is it better for my heart to break, and let them be free instead of holding too tight?

Is she better off without me?

These are the questions that keep me up at night.

I finally signed with a college to play football. Only it’s bittersweet since I can’t share it with the girl I love. Being apart from her is more complicated than I imagined until Hannah proposes a solution to our problems. It’s not a good idea, but it’s getting harder and harder for us to stay away from each other. This may be our chance to do things the way we want.
Follow Hannah and Ford as they navigate their senior year and find out what it means to sacrifice for the person you love, follow your heart, and make a forever bet.

Genres: Romance

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 18, 2023

Reviews

[Ana Rodriguez · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have so many things to say about this book.

To begin I felt like the way the author wrote all of the dialogue was super repetitive. I felt like ever conversation Hannah and Ford had constituted of " I'm sorry" " Are you mad ?" and " I love you". And also every time Ford had a conversation with any of his friends it always ended with one of them say something along the lines of " Thank you __ for always having my back. I hope you know that I really value our friendship and wouldn't be here with out you". I also felt like Ford and Hannah never communicated properly except for when they were talking about getting married. They were always holding stuff from each other so that the other didn't get upset( which is okay at times) but then they would find out from someone else and the would have the " are you mad at me" convo.

I really did like the first two books and new to expect some cringey moment but not this many. I felt like the Hannah and Ford weren't the same and that their only personality trait was being in love with each other and their sports. I also considered that Hannah may be a bit emotional after then end of the second book but I felt like she was always on the verge of tears. In one of the first chapters she literally says she's tearing up bc of how proud she is of Ford.

Then there is the ending and I feel like at this point the author just likes creating problems for Hannah and Ford. I feel like they are never going to get a happily ever after and just continue down this road if problems.

I really wanted to like this book because I feel like it had a good way to start based off of the end of the 2nd book but i was just disappointed. I see how some people may like this book but for me personally I just didn't .

[K.Maureen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Will this author ever find a decent proofreader?
The answer is no.

This was another frustrating book in this series. The storyline draws you in, but the proofreading errors distract and detract. The dialogue is frequently cringey and the plot is mostly a series of things that happen again and again with no progression until the very end, at which point Hannah acts super irrationally, totally out of character, and in a way that randomly takes the plot line to a complete 180. Disappointing.

[Kathy Hernandez · Rating 1 out of 5]

Won’t be able to complete this series!
I really like two first books, however with this third one drama was a never ending storyline. Let’s not start with the ending, all Hannah’s character development is wrong!
It pissed me off, the author was just going in circles trying to create more space for another book, this could be over two books ago 😒

[Kelli Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

….. what happened to this series? This book was a mess.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has it all. While I cried so hard with that ending thinking no how could it finish like that to reading that there was a 4th book made me feel a bit better. I recommend reading the authors note at the beginning so not to be caught so off guard by that ending but it will also make you appreciate not just this book but the story as a whole.

The way Jenny has written this story has captured me, I feel every high and every low. I feel all Hannah’s frustration towards her parents, especially Beth. She definitely seems to be projecting her own experiences onto Hannah who is getting punished for it but also showing where she stands when it comes to her and Jack. I also feel as though Jack has grown more in this book as well and I don’t think Beth realises that what she is doing to Hannah is hurting Jack as well. Hannah’s father pisses me off too though, I mean he should know his daughter better than anyone and be standing up for her. I mean in book 2 it pisses me off with how he went about things after she trusted him with telling him about the website and going to him for help straight away. His actions along with Beth are why kids today hide things from their parents 😡😡

Anyway while Hannah’s decision at the end broke my heart I understand it in a way. Ford really only just started having a good relationship with his parents in this book and she felt that she was going to be the reason he lost them. I hope Ford doesn’t hold it against her as I was worried that he may give up on her and them like he did at the end of book 1. These 2 are soulmates, they belong together if only people would let them be them and stop thinking the worst. They need to have more heart to hearts because the love it each other so much that they keep making decisions thinking it’s for the best without consulting each other so that’s the main hope I have, they talk what happened at the end over, put a plan in place and live happily ever after as husband and wife seeing as Tyler I feel did them a solid and posted the marriage certificate off before shit went down.

Fingers crossed 🤞 I’m hoping book 4 has them on the same page, kicking ass, putting both sets of parents in place with backing of their own family of Jack, Tyler, June and Leah. Even little Hank and Scotty. Can’t wait 😝

Thank you Jenny for they way you have written this amazing story, each book so far has me captivated and so emotionally involved with these characters, it’s like I’m experiencing each and every moment with them. Your writing and story telling is one point that words just don’t do it justice. Thank you 😘

[Kam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this series!!! It really feels like I’m watching a tv show — something like one tree hill or carrie diaries. So much attention to detail in minor scenes, and details of storefronts is fun because i live somewhere with soda shops and little boutiques, and where kids can leave for lunch.

Hannah and Ford cannot catch a break. I’m interested to see what happens with the Beth subplot. Also we need the website issue to be resolved already. Bree is annoying and I do believe that mason isn’t involved AS much this time around.

So yeah I think I would very much love the last book right now!!!!!!

[M]

My frustration with Clark is off the charts. Girl won’t get out of her own way. Hopefully the next book is the final in the series. I just want to see things resolved. Also, I find Clark’s parents so unfair in how they police her every move vs. that of her brother. The boy vs girl rules are ridiculous.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

GameChanger

exceptional I can not wait for book 4, wish it was released sooner but a perfect book takes time…WoW, that was a roller coaster for book 3 unexpected turns and twist but some seen, while other aren’t and keep me guessing what is gonna happen next

[Livi Galloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s been awhile since I cried that hard!!!!!!

[Antoinette Potter · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler.... this book had me seriously wondering if I was a whining crybaby in high school. Couldn't stand this book. Pushed through thinking things are gonna turn around. The whole idea behind my parents won't let us date, so we'll elope as high schoolers wow. Teenagers, please don't take inspiration. I thought this would be the final book in the series. It's not. I don't see myself returning for the HEA that's probably coming in the final book.

[Hannah Weatherly · Rating 5 out of 5]

love!

I’m so in love with Ford and Hannah’s love story. Can’t wait to see if they finally get their happy ending!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 ⭐️

[Alyssa Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

I will just reiterate what others have said- the book is repetitive and the same dialogue and issues continually pop up. There is a serious lack of proper editing, and half the events of the book could have been cut out with the plot being unaffected.

Here is my real question though- I SWEAR Ford made a comment in book 2 about things he did in the week he and Hannah were broken up for the summer, but only Jake and Tyler know what he did. Am I imagining that part of the plot, or did it really happen? Are we just never going to know what he did? It was near the beginning of the book during one of the chapters in Ford’s perspective, and it has been bothering me through two books now.

EDIT: I went back and looked, and these are lines from Chapter 2 of Bet on Me:
“She can never know what happened the week I didn’t talk to her. I’ve sworn Jack and Tyler to secrecy. They’re the only ones who know, and they will never tell.”
Will we ever know or is this just a line thrown in to drive me insane???????

[Aldyn Hanson · Rating 2 out of 5]

This whole book was a lot.
I did like how Jack and Hannah relationship developed. And seeing more of who he is.
However the whole first half of the book I couldn’t get over how ridiculous her parents were being , essentially punishing Hannah for being bullied. They spent a lot of the first book wanting a tight family, wanting her to have friends and fun. As soon as this actually happens they go against it all and ruin everyone’s relationship with them. It drove me even crazier that no one sat down to tell them how they felt. You’d think after the first book at least Hannah would’ve learned her lesson about not being open with her parents on how she feels ..but now jack too . Ugh it was just too much. I pretty much read through it to see if it got better but it never did . Here’s hoping the next book won’t be as bad since I’m now invested in these characters endings.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series. However, I do not like the prolonging of the story just to get another book. I felt like this was supposed to be the last book in the series, but then the characters self-sabotaged again. I know if I knew there was a fourth book going in I wouldn't have been this frustrated, but I also feel that this series could have been summed up in three books instead of four. It's still a fun and loving series; the author did a fabulous job writing it. It just needs to be re-edited again for flow and consistency. The first two books hooked me right away, and I couldn't put them down.

[thebooklogue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay cliffhanger ending! I need to see how Ford and Hannah’s story ends! I will say there were definite tears towards the end. Jenny Cole is so good at making you feel the same emotions as the characters. You feel like you’re in their world….I honestly cannot wait to read the conclusion. I thought this was the last book in the series but I guess there’s one more coming! The final one 😬🥹🤭cannot wait to read it! Recommend!!
4.5/5 spice rating for the whole series so far

[Megan Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this, but agree with other reviews that it was repetitive.
I was annoyed with simple plot hoes like that they stated the football game was on a Saturday then they are all at the game "after a long day of school".
The parents are beyond dumb in their actions. They are lucky H & F didn't become irresponsible in having time together!!
The ending was ridiculous and made me angry, but I think that was the point...?
Hope the series ends well!

[Ella Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok so I’m not gonna lie this is not my favorite book. It made me so mad but at the same time it was kinda cute. When you’re reading this it really makes you feel like you are in this position. I can’t say I didn’t like it because I did, but it makes you think about all your decisions. I really like Jack and Leah. June and Ty goodness they were sooooo cute when Ty was worrying about June 🩷!!! Is there a book just about them? And Leah and Jack don’t get me started I love them together!!!

[Sally Good · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can’t get past the random punctuation and capital letters. Will the grammar be better in the last book? Probably not. Will I finish the series? Yes cause I’m a glutton for punishment and it helps keep my kindle streak alive.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like this series and I adore their commitment to each other, but I felt that this book ended exactly where it started and I don’t really understand why it has to be that way.

[Seanlee Espie · Rating 5 out of 5]

the ending has me 🥺😳

[Sydney Anderson2001 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is getting intense. One more book in the series and it will be interesting how that will turn out. Just hope that Ford and Hannah can overcome the obstacles in their path.

[Callie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, I am happy to start reading the next to find out what happens now.

[Karina]

This could’ve just been the first book. It didn’t need anymore .

[Alyssa Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

um the ending??? wtf just happened

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is somehow getting progressively worse as the series goes on

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typos and grammatical issues.
Cute story, quick read.

[Supernova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several sex scenes that I skipped.

[Rachael Roloff · Rating 3 out of 5]

And the series goes on….it’s like watching one tree hill or another YA soap opera drama

[Jojo96 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have loved this entire series. Her parents are very unfair. Hate how it keeps getting left on a cliffhanger. Hopefully book 4 ends with a happy ever after!