Keep Vegas is a funny contemporary romance. It's a billionaire playboy's second chance with the woman he never should have let go of and isn't sure he deserves.
Tony has almost rolled through three wives in ten years. But no one has ever challenged, intrigued, or turned on Tony Ladd like the girl from a decade ago. An unlikely "witch" put a spell on him that's never been broken.
Makenzie never goes out anymore. Her life is more settled than she'd like, but it's where she is. Sometimes she lets herself daydream about those three months in Paris when the possibilities seemed endless and there was love in her life. There was a brave 'king' who wanted her as his queen. But life isn't a fairytale, and no amount of wishing can make it come true.
But can one night in Vegas change everything? Behind the bright lights and way too much alcohol and regret, there might still be love if life and circumstance don't get in the way again. Maybe they can find a way to keep each other forever this time, or perhaps they only get to Keep Vegas.
I used to create "dreams" with my best friend growing up. We'd each pick a boy we liked, then we'd write down a meet-cute that always ended with a happily ever after.
Now I get to dream every day, although it's a little steamier these days. And I've discovered I can and will write anywhere I can. Keep tuned to Instagram to see all the times I fit in a sentence or two.
I'm a writer, married to a writer, mother of a creative dynamo of a nine-year-old boy and currently a little sleepy. I'm a klutz and goofball and love lipstick as much as my Chuck Taylors.
Good things in the world: pepperoni pizza, Flair pens*, wine, coffee, laughing with my friends until my stomach hurts, a musician at the top of their game, getting lost somewhere I've never been, matinee movies on a weekday, the Chicago Cubs, a fresh new notebook full of possibilities, bourbon on a cold night, Fantasy Football, witty men, walking through the local zoo in the rain and that moment when a character clicks in and begins to write their own adventure. I'm just the pen.
Keep Vegas is book 2 in the Boston Brothers series by Kelly Kay. Dual POV. Tropes: ✔️ billionaire ✔️ insta-love ✔️ second chance
Keep Vegas by Kelly Kay is a fun, sweet, spicy, and heartfelt romance that explores the power of love, forgiveness, and second chances.
Tony Ladd, a charming and wealthy man, desperately wants to find "the one," but after two failed engagements and three doomed marriages, he's not hopeful he'll find anyone who could replace the girl he fell in love with in Paris and then left him over a decade ago.
After many mistakes throughout her teens, Makenzie has made many efforts to earn a life she can be proud of, starting with helping her parents as well as working to get her medical degree (even if she graduates at 40). But nothing could've prepared her for running into Tony again.
When the two accidentally bump into each other in Vegas amidst the bright lights, excessive alcohol, and regret, they find themselves questioning if there might still be a chance for love, if only life, circumstances, and a bet worth millions weren't in the way.
The story starts in Paris twelve years ago when Tony and Mak meet and fall in love, but it's the next part with the "second chance" plotline that adds depth and tension to the narrative.
The pacing of the book was great, with the first part being particularly enjoyable due to its whirlwind romance. The second part of the book focuses more on character growth and individual introspection.
I loved the funny and fun parts (Tony in Target, what a trip!) as well as the sweet and swoony ones (Tony being his charming and romantic self are so… swoony). The chemistry and love between Mak and Tony leap off the page, and I loved it.
With its engaging plotline, likable characters, and balanced perspectives, this book kept me hooked until the end.
★ I received an ARC of this title from the author. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title. ★See all my book edits on Instagram
ARC Book Review Keep Vegas A Novel Written By Kelly Kay Fiction - Romance Published July 20, 2023 355 Pages ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is the author’s second book in the Boston Brothers Series. I have not read the first book in the series. That did not interfere with my enjoyment of this book.
Tony Ladd and Makenzie Preston are an unlikely couple. He comes from a rich family. Her family is poor. Both meet in Paris while studying abroad while in high school. Tony actually is studying. Makenzie, not so much. As their relationship heats up, a family emergency sends Makenzie back home to the states.
Fast forward 12 years later, Tony is a successful media mogul working for his father’s company. He now has three failed marriages. Makenzie has been working hard to put her life together. She no longer is the delinquent grifter she was when Tony first met her. She is making a life for herself that she can be proud of. A chance meeting in Las Vegas reignites the feelings they both had for each other.
This book packs in a lot of spice while stressing that people can have a second chance at romance and a second chance at making healthy productive choices in life. Mistakes in the past should not prevent a bright future.
Tony and Makenzie are forced to maintain a relationship from a distance. That results in very cute texts between the two.
“I’ve been hiding behind fixing my past for so long that I forgot I have a future.”
This is my first ARC read and I wasn’t aware until it was sent that it was a second book in a series. But you definitely can read this as a stand alone! This book had me staying up till midnight to finish it too!
•I enjoyed the “second chance” plot line and the rich/poor girl love story. I also like the two different POV too! •I really enjoyed the first part the most! It was very whirlwind romance and so face paced. •Part two was a little tough to get through but it’s where the characters had such growth and we got to know them individually! •Once I hit part three and I couldn’t stop. I had to see where the characters went. Time definitely flies by as these characters are meant to be apart for weeks at a time and I did get confused as to how long it’s been. •It wasn’t overall spicy so if you need a little into spice this is a one you can dip those toes into! •But it was a good book and easy reading.
Special thanks to @greyspromo for sharing this with me! Congratulations also to @kelly_kay_books for her new book #keepvegas
•cannot wait to read more about these Boston Brothers and their little “bets”• 😉
I loved this one even more than the first. These characters were fun. I loved the assisted living crew as well as the post office crew. You hit on a difficult subject of coming out. You did it well. Onto the next.
Gah, Mak and Tony are absolutely everything! Their story is so filled with challenges, love, lies, roadblocks, and it's one of the best things I've read this year. I could not put it down, its currently 1 am and I can't stop thinking about it.
Mak and Tony meet in Paris during their senior year of high school. They know even then there is something other worldly between the two of them. As happens though lies, pride, ignorance, and perceived disinterest get in the way and Mak ends things between the two essentially breaking both of their hearts. Fast forward 12 years, Tony is going through the ending of his third marriage and celebrating his 30th birthday in Vegas with his "brothers" When who does he run into? Mak of course and She's just as beautiful if not more so than he remembers. Mak has worked hard to turn her life around and set herself on a new path. But old habits die hard and instead of setting the record straight from her lies in Paris she keeps piling them on. Tony realizes he never stopped loving Mak but unfortunately he just made a bet, that should he lose will cost him millions of dollars, that he will go an entire year single. Tony stops caring about the bet, his impending divorce, and his buisness issues knowing he can't lose Mak again, but as her lies start to come piling down or top of her can Mak make her life what she wants and keep Tony once the truth comes out?
This book, I tell you, absolutely phenominal! I laughed so much, Mak and Tony are an utter riot by themselves but together they are laugh out loud hilarious. So many things took me by surprise from the multiple ways lies are woven all around them but mostly around Tony, to Mak's transformation, and the lengthy ways they both go through to try to remain together and build the life they want together.
Way, way over the top ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! That spice was 🔥 both Mak and Tony are crazy in a good way with their dirty talk! 🌶🌶🌶🌶 I am absolutely going to unalive waiting for the next book, heck more like for the next possibly 3 books. I have the feeling though this next one is just going to hook me even harder to these characters!!
This is more than a story about love. This is a story about growth.
Tony and Mak had a promising fling once in Paris. The kind of fling that could easily become a happily ever after. But it ended abruptly after Mak was forced to go home to Nevada.
Twelve years passed, and they meet again in Vegas. Tony has had his heart dented, having gone through three marriages already. Mak is faced with the consequences of the lies she's weaved. Can this second chance be the one they are hoping for?
This was an enjoyable read. I love that this read takes us from their youthful fling to their self-discovery to finding happiness as a result of being aware of their shortcomings. In particular, Mak demonstrated wonderful growth from being essentially a pathological liar to coming to terms with the truth.
I adore their chemistry. Kelly Kay did a good job of establishing a deep connection between our main characters from the get-go and building on it as they mature. Despite more than a decade of separation, that attraction did not feel like it had waned.
This is the second in the series but it can be a read as a standalone. If you are looking for a feel-good love story with some depth, this is a great pick.
** I am voluntarily reviewing an advance copy of this book. Thank you to Kelly Kay and Grey's Promotions for providing an ARC. **
This is book 2 in Kay's Boston Brothers series and can be read as a standalone. I absolutely loved everything about this book! I really enjoyed the brotherhood of these Boston brothers / friends. They have the best banter and while they rib each other mercilessly it's always out of love and comradery. Our main characters are Tony and Mak and this book takes us on their more than decade long journey to a HEA. It was the perfect balance of angst, steam and humor. My favorite funny scenes were the chasing of the buzzer and intro to what life is like at a retirement community and the Target scene. I adore the banter between our main characters as well - the billionaire knight and the poor witch who find that wealth is more than money and find everything they could want or need with each other - but the journey to get there is a hard one… I truly love this author's style and ability to balance wonderful steamy scenes with great banter and wonderful humor. Definitely a top author for me - I'll ready anything I can get my hands on if Kay's behind it and I can't wait for more in this series!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Keep Vegas" by Kelly Kay is an enchanting contemporary romance that skillfully explores the power of second chances. From the moment I started reading, I was immediately drawn into the captivating world of Tony Ladd and Makenzie, their undeniable chemistry, and the hope for love reignited.
The second chance trope is expertly executed in this novel. Tony, a wealthy and charismatic playboy, has had his fair share of failed relationships, but none have impacted him like the woman from his past. Makenzie, a strong and determined individual, has been focused on building a life she can be proud of. However, she often finds herself daydreaming about the magical three months they spent together in Paris, where love felt within their grasp.
The connection between Tony and Makenzie is palpable and emotionally charged. Kelly Kay beautifully captures their shared history and the unresolved feelings that have lingered over the years. As their paths cross again in Las Vegas, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions, hoping against all odds that they can overcome their past mistakes and find solace in each other's arms.
The writing style employed by Kelly Kay is both engaging and evocative. The book strikes a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments, keeping readers thoroughly engaged throughout. The witty banter between the characters adds an enjoyable touch of levity, enhancing the overall reading experience.
While "Keep Vegas" can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, the mention of interconnected stories in "The Boston Brothers" series promises future adventures that readers will eagerly anticipate. This aspect adds depth to the narrative and sparks curiosity about the lives and loves of the other intriguing characters in the series.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Keep Vegas" to fans of contemporary romance. It is a beautifully crafted story of love, redemption, and the belief that everyone deserves a second chance at happiness. My honest review serves as a heartfelt expression of gratitude to Book Siren for providing the ARC copy, allowing me the privilege of immersing myself in this captivating world created by Kelly Kay.
Mak and Tony met in Paris during their senior year of high school. Even then, they know there is an exceptional connection between them. But lies, pride, stubbornness, and miscommunication get in the way, and Mak ends things between them, breaking their hearts after a few months of happiness. Twelve years later, they accidentally meet in Vegas, and life presents them with a second chance. It's up to them to make the right decision this time. Their story is filled with ups and downs, challenges and mistakes, personal growth and self-discovery, lies and secrets, acceptance and love. Putting it this way makes the plot seem heavy and serious, but really, it's the opposite. Kelly Kay has a delightful way of creating a world you want to be a part of. The "brothers" are a special kind of group, a true support net. Everything about this book was enjoyable: the characters, the spice, the banter, the humor, and, most importantly, the heartwarming love story.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This was another duel timeline story, starting when the MCs first met at 18 in Paris. The vast difference between their lifestyles was so fun to explore.
I adore Mak !!! She figured it out and got it done. What is it? Yes. Life. Love. Goals. The future. Etc. I love how determined & passionate she is. Her goal to make it on her own without handouts is my favorite part about this book. The Henderson NV crew and the found family trope were so sweet. I loved the senior community in this story.
Tony was a fun MMC. His passion for life and adventure was exciting. His life was sad, though. Full off heartbreak and missed opportunities. Seeing how he treated Laura with kindness after learning that honesty truth was my favorite thing.
I loved the Taco Bell scene. I enjoyed Tony's 3 week camping adventure I was surprised that Mak is the one who took charge to fix it all and get her man!
Keep Vegas is a second chance love story of Mak+ Tony who hit it off the instant they met while they were both studying abroad in Paris. After returning home, things go south quickly.
Fast forward several years and many wives later for Tony, Mak & Tony run into each other again. Just like before, they are instantly drawn to each other.
This book has it all: billionaire playboy, insta-love, second chance romance, rags to riches, heart break, and some great spicy scenes
Although this is the second book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone. However, I loved how Kelly Kay incorporated characters from book 1 and gave some insight into their storyline as well. So if you haven’t read Keep Paris yet (book 1), I would recommend reading it as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the second book of the Boston Brothers series, but can be read as a standalone.
I found it to be quite a lengthy read, so will try and keep the review relatively short.
Tony and Mak meet in Paris, whilst they and their peers spend a semester studying there.
What Tony doesn’t know is that Mak is adept at lying, and Mak doesn’t know that Tony is the son of a billionaire.
Drawn to each other, they spend all their spare time together until they have to return to their respective studies at home - Tony in Boston, and Mac in Nevada. Twelve years later they run into each other in Las Vegas.
Mac has turned her life around and is trying to make up for all the studying and classes she has avoided. Tony is jaded, with a string of engagements and marriages behind him, and they are still very attracted to each other, but for various reasons, they aren’t able to pick up their earlier relationship where it had abruptly ended. They pursue a very on/off love affair, separated by thousands of miles, and difficult schedules, and not least due to Mac still hiding behind her lies.
This is a well plotted and written story, with a very mixed cast of characters, all of whom brought something to the story. I was hooked on Tony and Mac’s love story, and on their individual characters, and their families. They made many bad choices along the way, but the eventual outcome was strong, with all the characters coming together in one way or another to ensure a positive conclusion.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Brilliant 2nd chance romance. 5* As teenagers, they became soulmates and lovers, which remained a deep memory for both, so much so that more than a decade later, their hearts still wanted each other. Many things kept the tension high with resulting complications during their almost year-long reunion but their feelings for one another won’t allow further separation that is enforced upon them by unreasonable family pressures. Their character description, scene-appropriate dialogue, their soliloquies testified to very good use of the language, great wit, and imagination. I am more than happy to recommend this novel to others who like to see love triumph.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
What an adventure! OMG, this was so much fun. Mak and Tony are the best characters, they have fun and adventures, and Ms. Kay keeps us thoroughly entertained retelling the stories of their high jinks in Paris from 12 years ago when they first met and fell in love. Wind forward to the present and a chance meeting has them reconnecting in Vegas when Tony's feeling down and Mak least expects it. This part of the story has a little drama, a lot of lies to overcome, and some difficult situations to sort out, but it's well written, perfectly paced, and thoroughly engrossing, and still has that underlying sense of fun these two bring when they're together.
This is an epic journey between Tony and Mac! Getting to meet them in the beginning of their connection, how intense those days were, to the now and how strong that pull still is. Their story has ups and downs, secrets, frustration, heat, an amazing group of friends, and obstacles to overcome. I enjoyed this read from start to finish and enjoyed seeing their soft sides, and seeing the growth that they've both had over the years. I enjoyed their friends and am will be adding this series to my must read list.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Tony met Mak during their semester in Paris. Everything was perfect until it wasn't. Years later, they're once again back in each other's orbit. What ensues will keep you turning pages until you can't possibly keep your eyes open any longer.
From reading Keep Paris, I knew Tony would be a character. He was charming and funny. But that did not at all prepare me for the full Tony effect. I don't think I've laughed this much in ages.
This book was everything I needed that I didn't even know I needed. Lighthearted and sweet, as well as heartbreaking and beautiful.
I received this book as an ARC and went into it mostly blind. I knew it was a second chance romance but that was basically all. I also did not read Keeping Paris (the first book in this interconnected standalone series) - I did not feel like I was missing anything by not having read that book, however I will be going back to read it now.
Overall I was very impressed with this book, I felt although it had the same types of struggles for the couple, those struggles were presented in a completely different way than any of the other second chance romance books I have read. I loved the growth of Makenzie and how her character developed from a “delinquent” child to an adult that was going above and beyond for her better future. I might have wanted to strangle Tony a few times when he was blowing Mak off for work stuff. But overall I enjoyed their story and how it was played out.
If you are looking for second chance, lost love, lies that must come clean, cross country love, messy divorce (no cheating), billionaire who has not concept of money (the Target scene was hilarious), strong and independent FMC who pushes the MMC to be better - then this is the book for you!!
I am excited to see what happens with the rest of the group of friends. I want to see how Maggie and Colt navigate their love for each other. And I am most excited about the concept that was set up in the epilogue for Law’s story. I love him as a character.
-Kayla/Hot.Bookmance
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is book two in the Boston Brother's series, but it can be read as a standalone. I really enjoy Kelly's books and her style of writing, and this story between Tony and Makenzie was really great. The two know each other from high school, and just so happen to cross paths in Vegas years later. Tony is, and always has been a major flirt/playboy, and Mak is just the sweetest. Will these two finally get their second chance that they both deserve? I loved this book and had so much fun reading it. If you haven't read any Kelly Kay books yet, you really need to.
This one was a really great second-chance romance story. Not only can you feel the chemistry between the characters, you feel all the tension, heartbreak, and all those other fun emotions they go through. While this is technically the second in a series, it absolutely can be read as a stand-alone, which I love. If you did read the first one, though, you do get the joy of seeing a few familiar characters. I absolutely would recommend this book if you want to find a good second-chance romance that has a little bit of mild spice and a fantastic love story.
Keep Vegas by Kelly Kay is book 2 of the Boston Brothers series. First, I absolutely adore this author and everything she writes. Going into this, I knew it would a fantastic read! This book focuses on Tony and Makenzie. Having known eachother from high school, their paths cross years later in Vegas. Tony is a major flirt/playboy so you know how this will go. I love a good second chance romance and the setting was so perfect! What happens in Vegas... I highly recommend this book as it can be read a standalone, always read the full series in order because characters do show up from previous books! Looking forward to many more from this author!
I didn’t read the first book in this series but I will be. Just loved this story of second Chance/Fated love story. The story of Tony and Mak have me hooked on this series. The characters are smart and witty and keep you entertained. There are a group of senior citizens that you will fall in love with too. Pick this one up you won’t be disappointed.
From Paris to Vegas and all the places in between Kelly Kay makes you fall in love with her characters, with her smart choices and even smarter writing.
Mak and Tony’s story is one of those stories that grabs you and doesn’t let you go, it makes you want to be a part of their world. It makes you care about them and what they are going through. In other words, Kelly makes these characters real, and there’s nothing better than that.
This is a part of a series of interconnected standalones, and of course you don’t need to read them all but as Mak & Tony say “To Adventure!” You will regret if you don’t!
This story had everything I like in the story. It was written in dual POV with my favorite tropes such as a billionaire, insta-love and a second chance. 5 stars. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There is so much to love about Tony and Mak - their story is heartbreaking and hopeful, heartwarming and funny, playful and serious. I adore the journey that Kelly Kay gave these two from their time in Paris to fate bringing them back together years later.
I absolutely love the flow and pacing of the story. Their second chance is complicated and a work in progress with so many complications. I love that they found the courage to speak their truths and find a way through that together.
Tony and Mak are well developed characters that evolve in large and small ways. Their chemistry is amazing. Their banter is superb as they play off each other with so much fun and sarcasm.
The Boston Brothers were all present at times which was alot of fun and the family and community that Mak has in her life was heartwarming.
Keep Vegas was a light and fun read, perfect for vacation mode. I was able to pick it up when I had a few minutes and enjoy the fun. A lot of banter and silly misunderstandings. A lot of “what are they thinking” moments. A lot of secrets, a lot of emotion, a lot of fun. Oh and a LOT of money! That was fun experiencing the life of the Uber-rich! Only in my dreams (and fun books)
Boston Brothers #2 Tony and Mak have known each other since high school while doing a summer in Paris study program. They had a great connection and chemistry but each had their own secrets and ended up going their own way.
Mak is trying to do better and turn her life around while Tony has had issues with failed relationships.
What happens when they run into each other years later?
I love a book that makes me laugh out loud, swoon and get me all hot and bothered in the process. Give me a billionaire trope with a second chance romance and sprinkle in some insta-love and you have me saying yes, every time! I loved the character development, the story development and would recommend this book to any smut lovers out there!
Oooofff my heart hurt for them being kept apart but I loved Mak & Tony even more than I expected! I remember them in Keep Paris but didn't really care about either but this made me love them! I'm still LOLing at the 90s jokes Claire & Robbie made to Tony being on the dl using yahoo or aol email🤣🤣🤣
This was a wonderful and light hearted romantic adventure. Kelly has a way with the spice that is out of this world! Loved the twist and turns of the story and that even though it was a rags to riches story, our down to earth girl saved her man in the end and took his friends to task. So happy to keep reading the Boston brothers adventures.