Reckless Roulette

The Elite #1

by Alice Winters

Seven days until game over.

Len

Kade has seven days left to live… unless I do something about it. I am one of the best assassins around, after all. But… I’m not sure I exactly care what happens to Kade. He’s rude, only cares about himself and his casino, and did I mention he doesn’t know a single thing about video games?

Okay, okay. Maybe that’s not enough of a reason to watch him dash headlong into danger while I kick back and enjoy the show.

It’s kind of fun though.

Now I know what you’re thinking… doesn’t that make me the selfish one? See, I don’t mind helping people—it’s kind of my thing. But the ones I help aren’t anything like Kade. They’re people who have nothing left yet are willing to go to great lengths to save those they love, even at the cost of losing themselves. Still, maybe Kade can show me that beneath his icy exterior is a man worth saving. A man worth loving. And maybe even a man worth risking everything for.

Issue is… he only has seven days to do it.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, Crime, Humor, Audiobook, LGBT

154 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2023

About the author

Alice Winters started writing stories as soon as she was old enough to turn her ideas into written words. She loves writing a variety of things from romance and comedy to action. She also enjoys reading, horseback riding, and spending time with her pets.

Follow me on Facebook where I put up short stories, teasers, and giveaways: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Alice...

Join my newsletter: https://www.alicewintersauthor.com/

Reviews

[☆Kylie☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Re-read and rating change, I was too harsh on this book, I liked the story more this second time around

This was fun, the ending seems rushed, but the book in general super fun!

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. It felt like a happy murder blob met a displeased cat and they mutually fell in love. Odd description but still. Describing Len isn't that easy.

[Mir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute but too short. Would be 4 stars if it was longer, I’m sure.

[Janet (iamltr) · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, shout out to Alice for giving me a video game mc. I don't mean one that just plays a shooting game now and again with friends, but a die hard player who is so much like me. Minus the killing part.

Spoilers ahead

So in here we have Kade, a really horrible person if we are going to be honest. I was gonna dnf this, as I really disliked him, but thankfully, Kade started having the "why am I such a horrible person" thoughts and I love it when a really horrible person suddenly grows a heart and feelings.

Anyways, Kade is being harassed by a bad guy. A bad guy who coincidently was also raised and abused by Kade's father. See, Kade was a mean bad guy, but Kade's father was a horrible human being. Said bad guy Norn, thought Kade's father was going to leave him the casino so he had him killed. Unfortunately, it was left to Kade and Norn really wanted to launder the money through the casino and he hated Kade for reasons. (no, I have no idea either)

Kade asks his only friend to find someone to take Norn out. This person is Len.

But Len only works for people he likes and after a hilarious meeting, finds out the Kade is an arsehole so nopes out of working for him.

But, Len is so nice that he gives Kade another chance and suddenly there are feelings.

Len is a complicated soul. He loves video games, anime, binging tv, and killing those who hurt others. He was also very abused by his brother. Yea, the over all bad guy.

It all ends very matter of fact in front of a lot of cops (no, dont ask, just go with it) and they finally are able to be with each other.

But you may be asking, what about this club in the hotel for bad guys?

Well they both showed up there once, with Len having a panic attack at having to use an elevator, and Len telling them to leave them alone. Then at the end of the book, they stay there to recuperate. I guess like the hotel in the John Wick movies, they don't think twice when people who are beat up and shot show up in a fancy hotel to get a room.

I really started to enjoy this on around 43% in. And I cannot wait for the audio, it will be great.

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

After listening, I've knocked it down a star to 4. That isn't because of the narration, which was perfect. Only that it didn't have the same spark that I'm used to. A good read/listen but not my fave.
4.5
Reckless Roulette is a quick read with a grumpy/sunshine pairing, morally grey characters, and a whole lot of violence.
Honestly, it took me a while to warm up to Kade. Len, I liked immediately.
Slow burn with a satisfying ending. While there is some humor, there's not the same level as usual Alice Winters books. It feels different from the others.

[Evelyn Bella (there WILL be spoilers) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the one author whose books I'd pick up even though I never like the background stories in her romances, merely because they'll be funny enough to make up for the subplots. Queen of grumpy x sunshine where both are snarky.

[Reem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nerdy assassin! This is perfection! Better than Leland & Cassel, even.
I loved this book, and enjoyed reading it Very much! The characters aren’t over the top and the banter was enjoyable AND the sex scenes were actually sweet, which was kind of surprising lol 🫢😂 I kept checking if I had mistaken the author!

I will definitely go check what the other authors added to this series, it was great.

Although, what is this city they live in? They stumble on dead bodies left and right and killing is so easy! Till the end, I wondered if they had police or not.

[Simone - on indefinite hiatus - · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was once again reminded of the fact that this author and I don't share the same humor... 🙄🤷‍♀️

[Shonee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not too long, great balance of humor and seriousness, and Michael Ferruiolo narrating. So good.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off pretty strong. The banter between the two leads was great, and there was enough humor to keep me entertained. But somewhere in the middle the tone shifted, and the themes became much heavier in a way I wasn’t expecting. It wasn’t that those themes were handled poorly; in fact, they gave much more depth to our characters. However, it was done so abruptly that it didn’t feel organic. That shift is when the feelings developed too, so it all was just too fast. If this was longer, it probably would have worked better. Some of the humor is brought back at the end, which was appreciated, but by then I’d mostly lost interest.

[Natalie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

June 2023
Kindle edition

Oooh multi-author series. Love these. I'm bouncing between 3 and 4 on this one. At the start Len was annoying and Kade wasn't going to be a hard loss. They were both over the top in their ways and didn't go well. Although I did like Len winding Kade up. The smoking thing wasn't cool though. I would've walked away for that. Horrible smell.

At best I would've said maybe they would've ended up friends, then they're running into each other, teasing sex like its normal and suddenly the scales tip and the duo are actually getting along. As for the Anonymous, the closest the characters get to that is a letter that Len rejects.

The little moments where Len is pushing Kade to be more caring were sweet. I did like the guards and how they did actually care about their boss. Then of course, the guy runs off and gets himself into trouble. The twist with Norn did feel like it came out of nowhere and torturing someone with claustrophobia is not cool. Death, dark themes, a guy that gets what he deserves and game references.

[Love Is All Around · Rating 5 out of 5]

Voto: 4.5
RECENSIONE A CURA DI BARBARA
Maliziosamente divertente!
Ebbene sì, Alice Winters da il via a una serie che si prospetta di puro relax. Ci conquista con questo primo capitolo dalla semplicità disarmante, ma è proprio questa spontaneità di stile che rende la lettura stuzzicante e totalmente di evasione. E’ difficile rimanere impassibile di fronte alle interazioni dei suoi due protagonisti, attimi che ci regalano una danza dissacrante e disarmante, quasi stessimo assistendo a un’operetta buffa.
“Reckless Roulette” è prettamente una storia d’amore, una vicenda che si colora di dolcezze e divertimento, azione e violenza. Una storia per due protagonisti ilari, forse irrecuperabili,che ti fanno scuotere la testa, ricchi di pungente sarcasmo e insinuante ironia.
Continua sul nostro blog!

[Janet Hunt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reckless Roulette is the first in an exciting multi-author new series, The Elite. Kade is given a week to sell his hotel or forfeit his life. His only friend recommends a hitman named Len. But Len needs to meet him first and unfortunately for Kade, he makes a horrible first impression on Len. Kade and Len make the perfect grumpy/sunshine pairing. I loved Len but Kade was kind of a jerk. The main and secondary characters are great. Len is a fun character. It’s on the shorter side, a quick fun read with some action, and quirky characters. Overall, highly enjoyable read. Well written with fast pacing that kept me turning the pages.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s interesting, has promise. But in the end just didn’t deliver.

Rating: 3🌈

Reckless Roulette is Alice Winters offering in the multi author series, The Elite. Per the series description:

“What links these books together is The Anonymous, a club beneath the gritty city where only the elite are welcome.”

Nebulous enough, the characters met briefly in the club here seem nasty, entitled, and of a semi lawful nature. So the books could have a wide range of themes.

Here it’s Kade, a casino owner being threatened by a brutal thug. The thug wants everything Kade has, starting with the casino, and there’s a timeline to turn it over before everyone dies. Including Kade.

The reader should immediately feel sympathetic, right? Be on Kade’s side?

And that’s one issue for me. Alice Winters can create snarky, sometimes sarcastic, self indulgent characters and still make them endearing or connectable. See her Hitman series for starters.

But here? The minute we enter the ugly life and identical mind of casino Kade, it’s an unpleasant, unending cesspool of selfishness, rage, and arrogance. A mind unmarred by thoughts of any kind of concern for others or even the most minuscule of ripples that he’s responsible for his actions and their consequences/impacts on others. Kade is completely contemptible, so spending pages with him becomes almost impossible.

Len, the hitman, a gamer, with a hoodie and a attitude is a better character but given the personality he’s to play off of and the short time in which to make his redemption believable, it just never feels right.

It’s a short story to begin with, with problematic characters, a lot of twisted emotions and dark reveals that needs a larger narrative to get the depth to handle the themes here.

That HFN ending, the irredeemable, contemptible person now so loving and happily generous to one and all? I just felt Winters never sealed her plot development along with the character growth.


It’s interesting, has promise. But in the end just didn’t deliver.

If you’re a fan of this author, or love to read entire series, then you might want to check out this book. Otherwise, I’d recommend Winter’s’ Hitman series where I feel this type of character was given a far better treatment.

The Elite Multi-Author series (9 Books):
- [x] Reckless Roulette by Alice Winters
- [ ] Leave No Trace by Michelle Frost
- [ ] Ace of Maids by K.L. Hiers
- [ ] Poison Hearts by Jennifer Cody
- [ ] Liar's Gambit by Kelly Fox
- [ ] Dealer of Secrets by Davidson King
- [ ] Bullets & Butterflies by Maz Maddox
- [ ] Love for the Reaper by Charlie Cochet
- [ ] Chance Encounter by Luna David

[Jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Based on the reviews of this book, I'm clearly in the minority, but I didn't like this one at all. I found it to be so over-the-top cheesy. There was so much focus on Kade wanting to kill Len it was hard to see these two together. But what, by day 4 or 5, they loved each other?!?!? Yeah, no. Sorry, not buying it.

[Joseph Tonlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny at times. Very enjoyable.

[Devoted❤️Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bananas

Raise your hand if you love cheerful gamers who are also lethal assassins. Raise your hand if you love grumpy casino owners who are secretly (way down secretly but it’s there I promise) marshmallows. Raise both hands if you love these all these things together.

“Do you think I’m a joke?” I ask.
He tilts his head while never looking away from the screen. “Why do we have to talk like this? It’s a bit awkward whispering in each other’s ears. Like wow, bad boy, you’ve got some fine-looking ears on you.”
“I will have you murdered,” I growl.
“I want you to look at the screen. See the guy in green there? That’s you,” he says before his character f*cking punches mine right off the platform.

Ha! I think it was this moment I fell all the way in love with Len and Kade. I adore how Len combines his love for gaming with his skill for annoying Kade, while ruthlessly taking down enemies, and I adore how Kade’s grumpiness and his, and I say this lovingly, ineptness only makes him more lovable. A little edgy with plenty moments of the ridiculous and snark we love, these two are an unbeatable combo, and so is this world. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for us from The Anonymous.

[Fay MMBookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ Book one of the Elite Series I was looking forward to reading.
Kade 37 was pissed being held at gun point by an idiot but a dangerous one with two of his men dead. Treated to sell within 7 days or he’d suffer the same fate. Oh a great start to the book.
Harker was the man behind the finance for Kade’s casino and tries to help setting things up with Len. I loved their boss and employee banter Harker knows how to talk to Kade when the others are afraid of bossman.
I had to laugh as Kade met with his potential problem solver but stuffs it up badlyyy. Lol
Kade and Len are not friendly quite the opposite as Len blokes his fee for the hit job.
I loved Len’s life aim to help others, its a pity Kade didn’t take a leaf out of Len’s book. Len didn’t have a nice growing up which includes domestic violence which motivates him.
The story progresses and the sass starts between them, oh someones letting someone else in finally.
A dramatic filled ending to the book which had a twist that I didn’t see coming. I cant wait to read more of this series. Highly recommend this book but it does have its violence scenes of death.
An HEA with dual povs.

[Kristel (hungryandhappy) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just as any other Alice Winters' book, this was so much fun and action packed while also having the characters being vulnerable and flawed. Kade and Len were precious!! Kade was insufferable and just simply rude and awful; he was taught to be this way by family and by seeing the world he lived it. Len is sunshine and videogames, with his switch and smile he can melt any heart and maybe let Kade see he doesn't need to be the way he is to survive in the world. He doesn't need to be alone and not care about others. And who better than the assassin he's trying to hire and who wants nothing to do with him, can make him change and wish for more, starting from wishing to have Len all to himself.

As I said, it was action packed with people wanting to hurt Kade and Len trying to protect him from them and from himself. It was a rollercoaster and it was great seeing them reach the point of no return, when they see the other and realize that their hearts have made the decision for them.

If possible I'd read so many more books featuring them. They were such a fun duo!

[Adelaide Blaike · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Kade, Rich Asshole (TM), is given an ultimatum: seven days to sell his casino or Bad Things will happen, his only hope is the sassy assassin, Len. But Len only helps those who deserve it, and Kade's selfish nature (not to mention his distaste for video games) makes him decidedly ineligible. Unless Kade can prove he's capable of change...?

I loved this even more than Hitman's Guide! Len was sweet, funny, and bratty, but he was also dependable and competent AF. I thought it was a good length - while only a novella, it didn't feel like it was missing anything, and additional pages may only have dragged.

Len and Kade's dynamic was adorable, and while it was full of banter and tension, I liked that they didn't jump into anything physical until late in the game. Guess I'm a sucker for slow burns ;)

[Lu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun quick read. It had humor, action, intrigue, and moments where the characters showed vulnerability. Len was hard not to love and perfect paring for Kade. I don't know, but this story felt a bit different than Alice Winters other books. Maybe edgier or darker. Even though Reckless Roulette is the first of the series, there wasn't anything about the Anonymous, except for a quick mentioned. Looking forward to see what the other authors will do.


Baby dark MM romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Slow burn
Morally grey characters
Funny banter
Quirky assassin

[NYC reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much attempted here in too short of a book. Kade goes from being a 37-year old total selfish asshole to being in lurve in less than a week because a cute but traumatized assassin points out he’s a bad person and gets him to play some video games, and he’s like, ok I’ll be better? Nah.

[Lettura Arcobaleno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recensione a cura di Lettura Arcobaleno 🌈


"The Elite" è una serie creata in collaborazione tra più scrittori.

Quando Kade viene minacciato, avendo solo 7 giorni per vendere il suo Casinò al suo nemico, decide di avvalersi del migliore assassino in circolazione. Len si sceglie i suoi clienti, perché sa di valere.
Kade dovrà affrontare molti ostacoli prima di ottenere la sua attenzione.

La parte che in genere amo di più in un romanzo rosa è come i due protagonisti si incontrano. Se potessi dare una medaglia all'originalità del primo incontro, lo darei a Alice Winters🥇. Divertente, accattivante e strabiliante.

Sono rimasta incollata a questo libro per tutto il giorno. È scritto in maniera impeccabile, ma è la storia che mi ha intrigata. Piena di sorprese e di suspance. Chi non amerebbe un assassino dal cuore d'oro ossessionato di anime, videogames e manga? 🎮
E chi non si sognerebbe un uomo scontroso, egoista e burbero ma che riesce a cambiare per l'uomo di cui è innamorato? ❤️

Se siete alla ricerca di un libro veloce da leggere ma ben fatto, vi consiglio vivamente questo qui.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable romance featuring a very rude, arrogant and self centred casino owner named Kade and Len who is a nerdy sweet assassin. He loves his Switch and all manner of gaming, wears gaming themed hoodies and only takes in jobs if he likes the person asking for his help.
Circumstances bring these two men together and their first meeting does not go well. Over the course of seven days as they spend more time together, Kade becomes a better person due to the influence of Len. They also have to fight off the villains of the piece and that’s where Len shines! Eventually calm returns to their world and they get the HEA they both always wanted.

This was a fun read with plenty of banter that had me laughing out loud. Len is the sweetest marshmallow who had to overcome many obstacles in his life so I did get some feels. The chemistry between Kade and Len bubbles along quietly as they ease into a couple of heated moments. I really enjoyed the dynamic between these characters and the evolution of Kade as he morphed into a better person.

[Romance Recs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so the writing isn’t PERFECT but this short read gives you that fast paced action MM love story that you crave when you just want something happy and fast. It’s an overall good read I just had issues with some of the plot points like how towards the end she switched stuff up as far as who had a crush first and weird things like that. It honestly didn’t take too much away from it though and I’d still recommend this if you want something fast paced but not that great.

[Ray Flores · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit hesitant to get into a new series, especially since this author is a 50/50 for me but well, I’m kinda glad I did ‘cause Len and Kade were so much fun.

I see Kade as one big mafia boss who’s grumpy AF and has a target on his back. Len is a hitman who also happens to be a huge gamer and pop culture fan –he kinda remined me of Wade Wilson / Deadpool.

Anyway, Kade needs Len to protect him for the time being and despite his particular humor, he does agree to protect him. At least after Len forces him to realize he’s being alone for most of his life and he has pushed people aside to get whatever he wants. Kade is not a bad man, but he could be better, more empathic at least.

They have a witty and entertaining banter and their interaction was fun to read for the most part. I think if this were a movie it would be like “The hitman’s bodyguard”, you know, a mix of action with comedy and, in this case, sexy scenes between the MCs.

Anyway, I do recommend not to take this book too seriously to fully enjoy it.

[Ivka_s_knihou · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jo tak tohle byla ta správná oddechovka.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Molto carino!

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that Alice Winters can do low key crazy guys? Len was almost muted compared to Felix, Finn, and Leland of the other series by this author. Len is not a human wisecracking machine and I don’t remember any of the dialogue or scenes having me laughing. Kade is a different type partner, too. Definitely not in the law and order profession as the others are. I enjoyed the scenes of casino owner Kade realizing that assassin Len was becoming more to him than a pain in the ass. I liked the deepening of their enemies to lovers relationship. The steamy scenes were good. A side note, when did hit men become ‘assassins’? I have wondered this while reading other books with this plot line. I did not like the excessively high body count in this book and the casual attitude of the MCs towards the killings. I know this was the hard boiled underworld of Vegas, but, for me, it was disturbing to read. This was balanced by more lighthearted scenes of Len making Kade loosen up and treat his employees better and Len’s insistence that stone cold boss man Kade learn to play video games.
The story had the usual clear writing by the author. I enjoyed reading it.

[Kelly (Maybedog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite Alice Winters books are where one MC is charming and the other not and the charming one just wears the other down. I find it really funny and this is no exception. I didn’t laugh out loud like I usually do but it was just a novella and she had to fit the action scenes in, too. There were a lot of them with good danger and some angst.

I was pretty repulsed by all the killing but that’s my fault for reading a book about an assassin. I mean he says he’s not a serial killer but he totally is. He fits the definition of a spree/serial killer (kind of both).

Ugh. I hate to give something a five rating with all that killing because really, what does that say about me? But I’m being truthful: I loved it.