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That's One Big Series #1

That's One Big Deck

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Bryony Thibodeaux has been dealt unfortunate cards since birth. After her father dies when she’s fourteen, her stepbrother- Buck- takes care of her. He becomes more controlling and eventually sinks his claws into Bryony, claiming her as his. Sometimes toxic relationships stir awake from the depths of the abyss, dragging you along until you’re just barely skimming the surface for air.

Then Leland Bourbon moves to town. He’s hired at the same construction company that Buck works for in New Orleans. Leland is the first man to treat Bryony like a person, lighting her life up with happiness. Something she has never had. Their friendship soon blossoms into something more, which only unleashes the monster inside Buck.

Will Bryony be able to break the cycle of abuse before it breaks her completely?

This novel contains vulgar language and graphic domestic violence scenes. Reader discretion advised (18+).

408 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 1, 2023

57 people are currently reading
271 people want to read

About the author

Mika Rayne

24 books78 followers
Mika Rayne was cornfed and raised in Iowa. She lived in Colorado and Louisiana for a bit, and now her home is happily in the Rocky Mountains. She loves cooking, running her cleaning business (she has the best clients ever), taking photos, reading, writing, and being a mom. '80s metal, oldies, grunge, and classical music are her favorites. Inspiration for writing is easy since nature is abundant where she lives. She writes all types of romance tropes. Mika loves her little family more than life.

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5 stars
66 (52%)
4 stars
30 (23%)
3 stars
21 (16%)
2 stars
6 (4%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
Profile Image for Chelsea Cardenas.
383 reviews28 followers
August 31, 2022
Oh my goodness! This was such a great book! I couldn’t put it down. Such a roller coaster ride of emotions it takes you on. Bryony, I was so glad Leland came into her life and helped her break away from Buck and his abusive ways. This book, I cried and laughed, I loved the food talk, and I love seeing their relationship grow. It’s my first book by this author and she did not disappoint. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
Profile Image for Stef(midnight_reads_addict).
152 reviews21 followers
October 5, 2022
I don’t even know where to begin. There’s so much to say about this book. Not only is the cover gorgeous but the name is genius.

Bryony not only got out of an abusive relationship. She gives hope to people that might or have been in her place at some point in time. Though I can’t relate personally, I’ve seen it happen to people I’m very close with. The things that happened to her, would break a lot of people. In the end she really shows all of us that there’s light at the end of even the darkest of tunnels.

Leland we all need one of him! It didn’t take him long to become one of my favorite book boyfriends. He’s loyal and protective everything we all want in a man. He showed Bryony there’s more to life then the life she’s living. He saw her for who she really was.. a real person.

I have to give a shout out to Darius, he really stood out to me. Without giving too much away he was really there for Bryony her whole life protecting her in a way no one did until Leland came around. He gave tough love when needed and that’s what she needed.

I can’t wait for the next book in this amazing series. Happy reading!
Profile Image for Melody Calder.
Author 41 books269 followers
October 7, 2022
a perfect mix

This was my first book by this author and won’t be my last. I love the dark themes in this book mixed with humor and lots of spice. I cried and laughed, and absolutely love they way DV was handled from the FMC’s perspective. I also loved the extra touch of pictures.
Profile Image for Imari McClure.
458 reviews
December 1, 2022
Some stories just draw you in right away. Some stories make you feel so many emotions that you don’t know if you can finish the book. Some stories hit home way too close.

This was my first book by Mika and let me tell you when I say I felt this story I absolutely felt it. So many emotions played out. This story hit so close to home with what I have experienced in my life.
I loved that the story was so relatable.
Not like the normal Dv books that are way out there.
This one drew you in and kept you there till the end.
I never shed so many tears while reading a book before.
I’m so happy she got her happily ever after.

I highly recommend this book just know their are some triggers you should check first.
Profile Image for Veronica.
532 reviews14 followers
September 1, 2022
This book really pulls out alot of different emotions from you. I laughed so much thru out it. Bryony is stuck an in abusive relationship with the only family she has left after her dad passes away. Then she meets Leland and the attraction is instant. I loved watching their story unfold and especially all the food talk considering Bryony's job is cooking. She went thru so much I'm happy she got her HEA
Profile Image for Are Vazquez.
101 reviews4 followers
November 25, 2023
THAT’S ONE BIG DECK

This BOOK IS EVERYTHING!!! RAW, EMOTIONAL, SPICY AF, REAL!!!

First, I’d like to wholeheartedly THANK MIKA so much for this book in bringing awareness to DV. Bringing not just awareness but also a light into the lives of those that need it because they feel seen, understood, and heard. ❤️ You are one in a million, to step out and show the world the darkness and also coming out of it, that it IS possible, and one CAN do it!

The AUDIOBOOK is everything I would hope for and then some😭 but the story in this book HURRTSS so bad! It’s so good but so intense. Once that emotions door gets kicked down and the intensity cranks up, Mika Rayne doesn’t ease up at all and has you by the heart, balls, eyes, I mean SHET you name it and she’s claiming it with tears!!!

I couldn’t breath at times of how much pain there was and the emotions that come with it all that just engulfed me and wouldn’t let me go. It doesn’t stop, keeps going, seems to settle to then sucker punch you all over again. FEECKK was it the ride of my life in a book.

Mika Rayne, i FELT THIS in my soul.
THANK YOU for such a painfully beautifully written book! Craig did a GREAT job!!! Absolutely great voice, delicious sounds and knew how to bring this book alive!

Check it out and make sure to support your authors by following and staying up to date with everything also, make sure to follow this phenomenal narrator!
Profile Image for Katelyn.
276 reviews
November 5, 2022
Spicy Level: 3🌶/5🌶

TW Below (and in the book): 18+, mentions of SA and taboo relationships

They say family is everything, but what if your family is truly everything you have? What if that family is toxic? Will you find your way out?

This is a story that sucks you right in from the beginning. However, I will say I did have a bit of a hard time truly getting into it as the first portion of the book revolves around Bryony and her relationship with her former step-brother, Buck. I found it very difficult to read the SA and general A Bryony had to go through, however, I knew what I was getting myself into and pushed through it. Trust me, it’s worth it in the end!! Will Bryony ever be happy? Will she be able to leave her toxic relationship with Buck behind? I truly enjoyed the book's second half and flew through it, waiting to see what would happen to Bryony and her potential new love, Leland. The book will make you laugh, cry tears of sadness and joy, and everything in between. It makes you hope to have your own happy ending (if you don’t already have one). Plus, there will be follow-ups to this novel exploring other characters’ lives. I can’t wait!! (The next one comes out next week, y’all!)

If you are able to read sensitive material and don’t mind a good deal of spicy scenes, this book may be for you! It reminded me a lot of Colleen Hoover’s books (what doesn’t lol?!) – especially Ugly Love and It Ends With Us. Definitely check it out if you enjoyed those books or anything that sounds similar to this one!
1 review1 follower
November 8, 2022
The title caught me, it made me smile and giggle. As I climbed into the pages of this book, I felt like I was walking life with Byrony. The way Mika pulls you in as she tackles real life issues, real things we women go through but often don’t speak about.. she handled it with care. She showed us hope, that just because life is this way, it doesn’t have to stay this way. This book pulled at my heart and made me fall in love with the Bryony and Leland. If I could say one thing to anyone on the fence, it would be.. jump in and read. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll process along side her. It was a journey I fully loved! I’ll definitely be reading this again!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,114 reviews62 followers
October 28, 2022
Eh

Not the greatest or the worst. Just Blah. I thought this was going to be a novel about abuse. Instead I was reading a lot of slang apparently from the South. So I gave up.
Profile Image for Samantha Grimes.
144 reviews4 followers
November 6, 2022
whew

I loved this book so much! This book made me feel things I hadn’t really felt before and I loved it for that it was so well written the author did an amazing job and I can’t wait for the next one!!
Profile Image for Tamara.
129 reviews2 followers
October 18, 2022
Wowza!!

This book is…I don’t even know where to begin. Let me start by saying, please be aware of the triggers and the content of this book.

I went into this book having only read the blurb and it blew my mind. Bryony has been truly dealt a crap hand at life. Losing her mother at a young age, and then her father a few years later. She basically had no choice as a teenager but to stay with her stepbrother, Buck.

Buck is a manipulative piece of garbage. I can honestly say I have never hated a character more. His drug abuse, his lack of respect for anyone around him and his basic existence set me off right away! That being said, the way this author wrote a heartbreaking story of abuse and lies, is something beautiful. Of course, there’s trauma and at one point when Bry was recalling past scars, I was emotionally damaged. But like all things, there’s a silver lining.

Leland comes along, he’s understanding, patient and of course the sexy tool belt helps. He’s taken a liking to Bry, so he’s going to make sure she’s safe. Well, he’s not always around to make sure that she is.

I can truly say, this book sent me all over the place. From the laughs when Bry and Leland make terrible puns, to the tears for the way Bry tries but fails to leave an abusive relationship. I would give this more than 5 stars if I could. 👏
Profile Image for Jennifer Martin.
87 reviews1 follower
February 2, 2023
I love the book cover and the name of the book. As soon as I started reading it, I was hooked. I couldn’t put it down. I love all the characters in it except for one. It was an emotional roller coaster.

Bryony and Leland are my book girlfriend/boyfriend. She has been through a lot just like Leland has. Buck, I just wanted to put a pillow on his face and sit on it to suffocate him. If you buy the book you will understand why I said that. You will laugh, cry and most likely hate some of the stuff that happens in it.

But it is such an amazing book. And the author is such an amazing person. Go buy it. I guarantee you will not be disappointed, I know I wasn’t.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
18 reviews
June 14, 2022
This book was raw on so many levels. I couldn't stop reading it. The main character was so relatable and I love how the hero stepped in to help her in the abusive relationship. I cried, laughed, and also loved all the food talk. The other characters were also well developed and I can't wait to read their stories.
Profile Image for A.A. Reid.
Author 2 books21 followers
May 24, 2024
Holy crap! This was an amazing read and even better to listen to! Mika Rayne has absolutely brought her A game with Bryony and Leland! Can we talk about how absolutely SWOON worthy Mr. Leland Bourbon is???? And how truly tough Bryony is?

As someone who has also been through neglect and abvse, it was so amazing to read about such a strong female main character. Seriously fighting for her life in some parts but coming out stronger, showing and proving that you don't have to stay. You can walk away. Even with all the emotional baggage and trauma bonding.

I freaking loved it so much! I loved how confident Bryony was because all women deserve to love themselves. I loved how quirky she is without being over the top. Her catchphrases had me cracking up and hiding my face. Finding true love in a man that truly wants you and is willing to be that MAN for you like Leland was for her was admirable to see. He wanted her to live herself enough to leave but also know that he cared deeply for her while he was fighting his own demons. I can not recommend this book enough! 10/5 stars!!!
Profile Image for books.n.ash.
234 reviews8 followers
January 8, 2024
“That’s One Big Deck” by Mika Rayne is a story of survival and choosing to break the cycle of abuse and addiction by choosing yourself and recognizing what true and healthy love looks like. Although a fantastic love story, this book is still full of smutty goodness and some of the hottest dirty talk from an unapologetic spitfire MMC I have ever read. The MMC is absolute fire 🔥 and will burn you in the best of ways. He’s a swoon-worthy Midwestern man heaven hell bent on keeping the heroine safe. This story does have domestic violence, sexual assault and drug use so please check your trigger warnings. But this was such a great story of reclaiming power and finding true love in the face of adversity. 🖤🩷
Profile Image for Nayeli Gonzalez .
448 reviews
January 23, 2024
This book had me on a roller coaster of emotions. I did had to pause the audio several times to take in what was happening. Please do check your triggers because it talks about a lot of heavy subjects. The romance was phenomenal between the FMC & MMC and the ending was super satisfying. I did win this audiobook on a giveaway in Facebook which I’m so grateful. The narrator voice is sexy, but I did come across some errors. Not on the reading, but on the audio quality. I’m not a narrator and I don’t know much about the editing. But there is some errors that could have been edited. Other than that the book is amazing and can’t wait to read more from the author.
Profile Image for DyAnna Baker.
190 reviews5 followers
December 21, 2023
“Love isn’t suppose to hurt” This story! To be honest it started off a little different but by chapter 3 I couldn’t put it down. Mika really got the emotion and feeling of loving a drug addict down. I come from a family of addicts and found myself crying so much throughout this book because so much of it felt real and like I had a friend who understood. I cried so hard when the situation with buck came to a head as I lost my brother much in the same way. She really embodied everything I think she set out to in this story. The happy ending that the two got was everything.
Profile Image for Jacqueline Fromm.
359 reviews8 followers
November 7, 2024
I want this man in real life. Do not get me wrong I love my husband but Leland is the man of every woman's wildest dreams. The way he cares for Bryony is absolutely heartwarming. The rollercoaster that this book was is for sure one that I will not be forgetting anytime soon.
The darkness that was Bryony's life before him has your reevaluating if your trigger list is complete but it so worth it for the happy ending they get. The witty banter has you laughing till you cry. I never wanna be on the wrong end of a pressure washer I can till you that. One of my all time favorite reads.
Profile Image for Steph.
76 reviews2 followers
June 11, 2022
Will make you hungry

I felt like I was on LSD while reading this. It’s like a very confused southern unicorn threw up on a word document and this came out. The pets totally steal the show. And the food mentions.
Profile Image for Cori Zahara.
Author 15 books849 followers
July 21, 2023
I'm keeping it short and sweet. Everyone needs a Leland. 🖤
Profile Image for Nineette.
829 reviews15 followers
December 12, 2023
Leland and Bryony

Heed the content warning of the author. The book was so well worth the read. You might get mad with bry in one scene with her stepbrother buck;but remember all she had as a relationship has been Buck. Leland showed her there is more to have.
Profile Image for Heather Hill.
9 reviews
September 7, 2024
Oy this book! I was disturbed by her love life but found her humor and attitude truly amusing. Made me want to be her friend and rescue her. The trigger warnings on this one are real people. But the love found....amazing.
Profile Image for Elizabeth Fowler.
184 reviews2 followers
November 26, 2024
I've read a lot of romance this year and this is easily the most realistic story by far. The people are real, the situation is real, everything was real. And that meant dealing with a lot of things that made my stomach hurt. I'll be honest, I didn't love the female lead the whole time. I didn't love the male lead the whole time. But even when I didn't like them, I knew it was true to their characters and true to reality and that's why this was a 5* book.

More than anything this is a book about healing. It's about a child who was groomed into a woman who was abused and her hope for escape. The story is written with as much humor and lightness as this subject allows, avoiding dark romance while still battling a heavy topic. There is a need for more books like this in the romance genre.
Profile Image for BookishBarbie (Annette).
302 reviews10 followers
December 4, 2023
This audiobook was AMAZING!! I could not get enough!
Bryony is in an abusive, toxic relationship with her stepbrother Buck, who becomes her caregiver when her dad dies. She lives in the 'ghetto' and life seems to always knock her down, but she never lets it stop her. Bryony is a free spirit with no filter and no matter her circumstances, she always helps others with her love language, cooking her delicious food.
And then we meet Leland Bourbon. Not only is he the new guy to the crew, but he's also got a good heart and will not be disrespected by an unstable coworker. Until he meets the pink-haired beauty who brings lunch and her bubbly personality and Leland can't stay away. The spice between these two is oh-so-delicious, fun, and spontaneous.
This leads to toxic behavior from Buck, who is dealing with his demons and will not let anyone come between him and Bryony.

What a great read. These characters' stories are heartbreaking and will have you in your feelings. Until you see the light at the end of the tunnel and tears in your eyes. You just want to reach in and hug everyone.
January 15, 2025
That’s One Big Deck
By: Mika Rayne

“Then it took off towards the sky to carry a message to the sea of endless stars: that I’d found the goddamn moon inside Bryony. She lit up my darkness, just as I did for her”

More people should be talking about this series and this author!
Based in New Orleans (hometown of my people) Y’all…I hurt when Bryony hurt, felt her break and I felt her fall in love but mostly, I felt her come alive! Thank you to our MMC Leland.
City meets country. Leland (fresh from ChiTown) knows how to love, and show love. Who better than a man who’s been hurt by two people he loved and trusted. He falls hard and we fall with him.
All secondary characters play pivotal rolls. My favorite: Ms Gloria! You will laugh(a lot) and cry but mostly, you’ll wish you could have lunch with her daily.
This is a slow burn, with an hard fought for HEA.
Please heed the TW. They are there for a reason.
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
6 reviews
September 9, 2024
DV needs to be talked about and the author treated the topic beautifully. All the carpenters are good guys except for one. This book makes me want to visit New Orleans. Also, Leland...gawddang. Bryony is lucky.
Profile Image for Christina _readingwhilewet.
518 reviews28 followers
February 11, 2025
what a heartbreaking rollercoaster

Wow
Coming across Mika was eye opening
Tackling such tough topics but being able to make you laugh their the darkness is a talent . The way I need the rest of this series immediately.
11 reviews
August 26, 2023
Realistic with a happy ending. Team Leland.
Profile Image for Kerrie.
35 reviews2 followers
December 27, 2023
Witty, clever and raw to the core, all the triggers but one of my favourite reads!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews

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