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Bad Beat
More than Rivals?
The heat of the Las Vegas summer is just too much to handle, especially when you're stuck playing hand after hand with your rival.
Fresh from a devastating breakup, Jax Bass wants one thing and one thing only: to win the Women's International Poker Tournament and the two-million dollar prize. She's less than pleased to find her rival, Miri, standing in her way.
Miri Black is tired of online hecklers dismissing her as an airhead, and would love nothing more than to win the tournament for herself. Only knocking out her biggest threat, Jax, would make this even sweeter.
Unfortunately for the two of them, they can't stop bickering with each other long enough to focus on the prize at hand. After a fellow contestant gets sick of the Jax and Miri show, both women are forced to answer the question: could there be something more between them?
Bad Beat is a stud/aggressive femme, enemies-to-lovers novella set in the world of tournament poker in Las Vegas.
The heat of the Las Vegas summer is just too much to handle, especially when you're stuck playing hand after hand with your rival.
Fresh from a devastating breakup, Jax Bass wants one thing and one thing only: to win the Women's International Poker Tournament and the two-million dollar prize. She's less than pleased to find her rival, Miri, standing in her way.
Miri Black is tired of online hecklers dismissing her as an airhead, and would love nothing more than to win the tournament for herself. Only knocking out her biggest threat, Jax, would make this even sweeter.
Unfortunately for the two of them, they can't stop bickering with each other long enough to focus on the prize at hand. After a fellow contestant gets sick of the Jax and Miri show, both women are forced to answer the question: could there be something more between them?
Bad Beat is a stud/aggressive femme, enemies-to-lovers novella set in the world of tournament poker in Las Vegas.
Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2023
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72 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 15, 2023
I had some difficulty getting into the story, I really wanted to love it right away! About 40% in it took off and I blazed through with glee. I like the two MCs and their chemistry. The tension was lovely and the build up to their steam was very lovely. The banter was perfect throughout as was their confidence and vulnerability that shined in the little glimpses of each pov. Would love a little epilogue to see where they may go in the near future.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 2, 2023
I was very excited to receive an ARC of this book from the author. I haven’t seen any sapphic romance books before with a plot like this one revolving around poker rivals, so I was interested to find out more.
Enemies-to-lovers is not the easiest trope to write. Sometimes the rivalry or animosity make it hard to feel the connection between the characters. But L.M. Bennett wrote this rivals-to-lovers story beautifully. I could feel the sexual tension building between the two characters as the story progressed. And even though they technically never stopped being rivals (because you know…poker tournament), the dynamics of their rivalry begins to shift little by little and we get to see them go from a place of hatred and distrust to respect, admiration, and maybe even love. If they both play their cards right, both women could end up winning, regardless of who takes that 2 million dollar prize.
I don’t know much about poker and so there were a few things I didn’t quite understand the meaning of, but L.M. told the story in a way that even if you don’t have a thorough knowledge of poker you can understand what’s happening and enjoy it.
It took a little bit to get into the story but once I got a little ways in the action really picked up and kept me turning pages. It was confusing at times because the story alternates between Jax’s and Miri’s perspectives, but it doesn’t tell you whose POV at the start of the chapter. So when I put it down and picked it back up the next day, it would take me a minute to figure out whose POV I was reading. The only other minor issue I had is that there were some repeated phrases at times, and it was giving me this deja vu feeling.
All in all I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, fun, and spicy novella and I look forward to the next book in the series!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Enemies-to-lovers is not the easiest trope to write. Sometimes the rivalry or animosity make it hard to feel the connection between the characters. But L.M. Bennett wrote this rivals-to-lovers story beautifully. I could feel the sexual tension building between the two characters as the story progressed. And even though they technically never stopped being rivals (because you know…poker tournament), the dynamics of their rivalry begins to shift little by little and we get to see them go from a place of hatred and distrust to respect, admiration, and maybe even love. If they both play their cards right, both women could end up winning, regardless of who takes that 2 million dollar prize.
I don’t know much about poker and so there were a few things I didn’t quite understand the meaning of, but L.M. told the story in a way that even if you don’t have a thorough knowledge of poker you can understand what’s happening and enjoy it.
It took a little bit to get into the story but once I got a little ways in the action really picked up and kept me turning pages. It was confusing at times because the story alternates between Jax’s and Miri’s perspectives, but it doesn’t tell you whose POV at the start of the chapter. So when I put it down and picked it back up the next day, it would take me a minute to figure out whose POV I was reading. The only other minor issue I had is that there were some repeated phrases at times, and it was giving me this deja vu feeling.
All in all I enjoyed this book. It was a quick, fun, and spicy novella and I look forward to the next book in the series!
I received an ARC from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
September 20, 2023
Firstly thank you so much L.M. for the ARC!
What a great Novella, I thoroughly enjoyed it, the connection between Jax and Miri was undeniable and I was rooting for them the whole way though. The poker aspect of the storyline was entertaining and made me want to play.
I loved the MCs and all the other characters around them, the book keeps you wanting more, it's a page-turner and I couldn't put it down. I recommend it for sure!
Don't miss out, this book will be released on October 11th 🗓
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
What a great Novella, I thoroughly enjoyed it, the connection between Jax and Miri was undeniable and I was rooting for them the whole way though. The poker aspect of the storyline was entertaining and made me want to play.
I loved the MCs and all the other characters around them, the book keeps you wanting more, it's a page-turner and I couldn't put it down. I recommend it for sure!
Don't miss out, this book will be released on October 11th 🗓
Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥
October 3, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up, because why not? I really enjoyed the rivals-to-lovers dynamic here. One of my favorite things about LM Bennett's writing (I've read some of her shorter stuff before) is how specific she gets. I know absolutely nothing about poker, but the level of detail she brought to the descriptions made it possible for me to follow what was happening as though I was watching the story unfold in real time. I was rooting for these two, both as poker players and potential partners!
Because it doesn't come out for another month or so, I expect there will still be some small changes. The one thing that I struggled with is that the chapters aren't labeled with the names of the POV character, and it took me a few chapters to understand that it was a revolving POV. This also meant that when I would put it down and come back to it, I couldn't always remember whose POV we were going into. I figured it out, but I was a little confused at the beginning since we meet a handful of different players in the first few chapters, and I was real confused until I put two and two together. For all I know, this will change before the book is released, but it's something to be aware of when you're going in.
I received this book as an ARC through Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Because it doesn't come out for another month or so, I expect there will still be some small changes. The one thing that I struggled with is that the chapters aren't labeled with the names of the POV character, and it took me a few chapters to understand that it was a revolving POV. This also meant that when I would put it down and come back to it, I couldn't always remember whose POV we were going into. I figured it out, but I was a little confused at the beginning since we meet a handful of different players in the first few chapters, and I was real confused until I put two and two together. For all I know, this will change before the book is released, but it's something to be aware of when you're going in.
I received this book as an ARC through Book Sirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 27, 2023
Winning Everything
As the barbs fly and the hands are played, you sense something is going on under the hostility zinging between Miri and Jax in the poker tournament. Something other than winning the gold bracelet and $2,000,000 purse even as they play as if nothing else matters and like they both have something to prove to themselves and others.
When another player makes an offhand comment about them getting a room, suddenly Jax and Miri sense a stirring inside and try to ignore it while wondering if it's real. When they finally give in, their intimacy comes alive on the page. You can feel it. The sexual tension and chemistry between these ladies is sizzling hot yet they're not sure if the other is playing them doing anything to win.
This story is a well-written page-turner, which keeps you invested in the poker tournament, with the MCs, and even what's going on with the supporting characters. You'll want to know who wins. You'll be holding your breath as they battle at the tables, in their own minds, with their emotions, and in their interactions. You'll wonder if there's any hope for a future and anything lasting between them.
Thank you, L.M. Bennett, and BookSprout for an ARC of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
As the barbs fly and the hands are played, you sense something is going on under the hostility zinging between Miri and Jax in the poker tournament. Something other than winning the gold bracelet and $2,000,000 purse even as they play as if nothing else matters and like they both have something to prove to themselves and others.
When another player makes an offhand comment about them getting a room, suddenly Jax and Miri sense a stirring inside and try to ignore it while wondering if it's real. When they finally give in, their intimacy comes alive on the page. You can feel it. The sexual tension and chemistry between these ladies is sizzling hot yet they're not sure if the other is playing them doing anything to win.
This story is a well-written page-turner, which keeps you invested in the poker tournament, with the MCs, and even what's going on with the supporting characters. You'll want to know who wins. You'll be holding your breath as they battle at the tables, in their own minds, with their emotions, and in their interactions. You'll wonder if there's any hope for a future and anything lasting between them.
Thank you, L.M. Bennett, and BookSprout for an ARC of this book and I'm voluntarily leaving an honest review.
September 23, 2023
4 stars. I want more! Now I have to wait until next year for book two. And that one is going to be a MMA enemies to lovers! Please! This was so good and the sexual tension and chemistry between Miri and Jax was off the charts. I honestly don’t know who I swooned harder for. Both are such intelligent, self assured, and driven women. I liked both of them a lot.
I loved all of the poker playing scenes and the way they were written. Miri and Jax are enemies but there was something bubbling underneath the surface between them and let me just say when they do finally give in to those feelings it was so hot. They both have something to prove. Jax just got out of a relationship and Miri wants to prove that she is more than her looks and you really feel just how important winning the tournament is for the both of them. The writing was really good and for this to be less than 200 pages it feels full and complete. Overall, this was a very good read and I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved all of the poker playing scenes and the way they were written. Miri and Jax are enemies but there was something bubbling underneath the surface between them and let me just say when they do finally give in to those feelings it was so hot. They both have something to prove. Jax just got out of a relationship and Miri wants to prove that she is more than her looks and you really feel just how important winning the tournament is for the both of them. The writing was really good and for this to be less than 200 pages it feels full and complete. Overall, this was a very good read and I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 31, 2024
3.5
The story is about Jax and Miri, and let me tell you, these two have a vibe that's hard to ignore. Their journey from being at odds to something more is the main thing here. It's not every day you find a romance blossoming in the middle of a high-tension poker tournament. Their interactions are interesting and pretty relatable when it comes to fighting your feelings and trying to focus on your goals which is cool considering they're in this high-stress, competitive world. Full review at https://kaybeesbookshelf.blogspot.com/
The story is about Jax and Miri, and let me tell you, these two have a vibe that's hard to ignore. Their journey from being at odds to something more is the main thing here. It's not every day you find a romance blossoming in the middle of a high-tension poker tournament. Their interactions are interesting and pretty relatable when it comes to fighting your feelings and trying to focus on your goals which is cool considering they're in this high-stress, competitive world. Full review at https://kaybeesbookshelf.blogspot.com/
December 9, 2024
Jax Bass and Miri Black are pro gamblers who are now facing off in a actual casino tournament. Jax bears a grudge over the time Miri bluffed her to win.
When another player calls out the sexual tension between them, Miri finds herself intrigued..... Intense flirting leads to a kiss, but there's still the tournament to win.
Good read. It's a bit rushed,but understandable at only 160 pages. The characters are interesting, and while I know nothing on poker, the matches were written in a engaging way.
When another player calls out the sexual tension between them, Miri finds herself intrigued..... Intense flirting leads to a kiss, but there's still the tournament to win.
Good read. It's a bit rushed,but understandable at only 160 pages. The characters are interesting, and while I know nothing on poker, the matches were written in a engaging way.
September 30, 2023
3/5 stars,
I would've enjoyed this novella more if it didn't seem like we got jumped into the storyline with little context, since it is a novella I understand wanting to speed up the plot but I didn't fully understand what was going on until the very end. A classic fast-read, enemies-to-lovers trope.
Thank you Bennett and BookSirens for an advance reader copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
I would've enjoyed this novella more if it didn't seem like we got jumped into the storyline with little context, since it is a novella I understand wanting to speed up the plot but I didn't fully understand what was going on until the very end. A classic fast-read, enemies-to-lovers trope.
Thank you Bennett and BookSirens for an advance reader copy of this novella in exchange for my honest review.
December 6, 2024
I wasn't going to rate this one! My difficulties with it were definitely me problems (knowing nothing about poker, not being the biggest fan of enemies to lovers or big-talking banter). I enjoyed the book regardless and I knew it would be the perfect read for the right person. But then the epilogue unexpectedly blew me away with its beautiful writing and tender self-reflection. 5 stars for the epilogue, on top of a solid and enjoyable story.
October 10, 2023
This was a fast paced novella which kept me wanting to turn the page all the way to the end. I do not play poker but felt I understood what was going on in the game because of the expert way it was described . You could feel the attraction zinging between the two MCs and you were itching for them to get together. I'm not normally into novellas but this one had me hooked.
November 1, 2023
I read an ARC copy of this book. It was a slow start for me to get into. The two MCs are poker rivals, battling to win a big Vegas tournament. There was a lot of poker jargon and maybe that’s what lost me and/or kept my interest from peaking because I know nothing about poker at all. The two MCs tiptoed around each other throughout the whole book, even after their attraction peaked.
March 13, 2024
This is a nice look at competitive poker tournaments. The main characters are nicely done, but there is a lot of self dialog that seems to be much of what moves the story forward rather than action or actual dialog. Not that that is a bad thing, but it just isn't my cup of tea. Obviously, that didn't cause too many issues as I still give it 4 stars.
November 25, 2023
This novella is well written, not exactly something I would normally read but I enjoyed it.
An interesting story with good characters, yet I was disappointed with the ending. It just seemed unfinished to me. The setting was fun, the characters were interesting.
An interesting story with good characters, yet I was disappointed with the ending. It just seemed unfinished to me. The setting was fun, the characters were interesting.
December 27, 2023
I loved the tension between the two characters and how much I learned about poker. Great black lesbian slow burn!
April 24, 2024
Poker Love Story
Loved that they met through playing poker. I haven’t seen a story like this one before. Fun read for sure.
Loved that they met through playing poker. I haven’t seen a story like this one before. Fun read for sure.
March 8, 2025
3.5 stars
I read the series out of order, and this was my least favorite of the three. Not that it was bad, but the writing felt a little bit weaker and more repetitive.
I read the series out of order, and this was my least favorite of the three. Not that it was bad, but the writing felt a little bit weaker and more repetitive.
August 28, 2025
Good story
This was an interesting story. The game of poker never seemed as intense as it did in this book. The sexual chemistry gave it a nice twist.
This was an interesting story. The game of poker never seemed as intense as it did in this book. The sexual chemistry gave it a nice twist.
October 3, 2023
Wow what a fantastic storyline I loved the main characters their chemistry was shining through out, their competition to be the best at poker was written in great detail made you feel like you were watching I couldn't put it down must-read congratulations
November 8, 2023
A sapphic romance from rivals to lovers set against the backdrop of a high-stakes poker tournament in Las Vegas.
I don’t know how to play poker, although I have seen it on TV a couple of times, and you really get the atmosphere in this book (for sure the author knows what she’s talking about, and now I think I should really learn to play!)
I liked the build-up of tension between Jax and Miri throughout the entire book, although the ending was a bit rushed for me and I would have liked more some glimpses after they got together.
A recommended light, fast paced romance, that you will love if you are a poker fan.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don’t know how to play poker, although I have seen it on TV a couple of times, and you really get the atmosphere in this book (for sure the author knows what she’s talking about, and now I think I should really learn to play!)
I liked the build-up of tension between Jax and Miri throughout the entire book, although the ending was a bit rushed for me and I would have liked more some glimpses after they got together.
A recommended light, fast paced romance, that you will love if you are a poker fan.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 5, 2024
i liked this
This was a good one! And while enemies to lovers isnt a favorite of mine cuz i just feel like some authors take it too far and it starts to look more like abuser/oppressor to lover this book does not do that at all. I just cant stand petty bickering and little slick digs and thats just a personal gripe has nothing to do w/ this book ofc. Loved the characters and the way this plot played out. And last but not least, FUCK DRU!
This was a good one! And while enemies to lovers isnt a favorite of mine cuz i just feel like some authors take it too far and it starts to look more like abuser/oppressor to lover this book does not do that at all. I just cant stand petty bickering and little slick digs and thats just a personal gripe has nothing to do w/ this book ofc. Loved the characters and the way this plot played out. And last but not least, FUCK DRU!
September 29, 2023
This was a high stakes book between two rival poker players, both hoping to win a major tournament in Vegas.
What neither anticipated was the growing attraction between them two.
The book is witty and very real. Need to go and work on my pokerface now.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
What neither anticipated was the growing attraction between them two.
The book is witty and very real. Need to go and work on my pokerface now.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 8, 2024
Destiny in the Cards
Now I am by no means a serious card player but I enjoyed reading this story. The strategies at the tables was a great way to work the desires of Jax and Miri. Sometimes the one that rattles your nerves can also soothe your body.
Now I am by no means a serious card player but I enjoyed reading this story. The strategies at the tables was a great way to work the desires of Jax and Miri. Sometimes the one that rattles your nerves can also soothe your body.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews