The Bet

The Bet #1

by Rachel Van Dyken

This is an alternate cover edition for ASIN B00C2FDBX4

"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .

Genres: Romance, New Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Humor, Chick Lit, Friends To Lovers

240 pages, ebook

First published March 26, 2013

About the author

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of mafia and contemporary romances.

Hey guys I'm rarely on Goodreads, if you need to reach me feel free to email!
EMAIL ME: rachelvandykenauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachel-...

Reviews

[Tricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just do not understand the high ratings on this one. The characters in this book were extremely immature. Adults who acted as if they were preteens. If you are interested in this book, please take the time to read the 1 and 2 star reviews on Amazon before purchasing. Just about everyone is how I felt reading this book, and much more acurate than the 5 star reviews!

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Sometimes,when life gets hard, and people make you angry or even when you're scared, the best response is laughter. Laugh in the face of fear, in the face of what scares you the most.It's the only way to get you through the things that bring you to tears.”


The Bet is one of those books that brought the laughs. If you’re looking for something light and easy that will keep a smile on your face, this would be a good one to pick up.

This is a story about childhood best friends Kacey and Jake. But it’s not just about them. Jake’s older brother, Travis is in the mix. You see Jake and Kasey were always best friends, even dated for a while, but Travis is the guy who’s always cared for Kacey. She just didn’t know it. Travis and Kacey’s relationship as children/teens was less than sweet and loving. They picked on each other in a good natured way.

Kacey has been away from the Titus boys for a while, but when Jake needs her help with a ‘fake engagement’ he makes her an offer she can’t refuse….

I was so confused the first bit of this book. I had no idea if I was supposed to like Jake or hate him. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to love Travis, or if Jake was the one who would get his act together and steal Kacey’s heart. At first I thought… love triangle? Really? But by the end you realize there was never any competition. One man truly cares for and loves Kacey and one doesn’t. Not the way she deserves anyway.

All these characters were great in different ways, but there was one that stood out above the rest. The grandma. She was fun, spunky, and laugh out loud funny. I really want to read the next book just to get more grandma!

I listened to the audio version and it was one of those cases where I think it was more enjoyable in audio than reading. The narration was great, you could tell the narrators were really getting into the story and that’s always fun! Sometimes you just need a light read to listen to that will make you laugh and smile. If you’re looking for a hilarious, quirky and sweet romance, this is one I’d recommend!

[• Lisa • · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 I LOVE THIS BOOK STARS.



I, Lisa Jayne Woodward formally declare that I'm a self-confessed book butterfly junkie, sign me up for RA (romance anonymous). Failing that leave me in a padded cell with a shoot for food and this book to read over and over again. This has to be crowned best book of 2013 for me so far. It ticked all my romance story boxes and here are my thoughts ...

What's it all about?
Kacey is approached by her childhood friend, now millionaire Jake Titus who asks her to return to their childhood home and pretend they are engaged for the sake of his ill grandmother. It's been years since Kacey has even ventured home or seen the Titus Brothers but she is ready to do anything for the sake of this elderly lady. Kacey has a history with Jake's older brother Travis they have a somewhat shaky past and she has never been able to forget the way he teased and taunted her. But when they meet again, sparks fly between these sworn enemies leaving Kacey more confused than ever. Only trouble is Kacey is supposed to be engaged to Jake. A series of hot encounters ensue and a whole host of miscommunication, secrets and unrequited love explodes when this couple meet again.



What did I love?
'The Bet' boasts the best ever prologue, with a start like that one I knew that I would fall helplessly in love with this story. It has a cute love triangle vibe which is low on the angst with a romance filled healthy dose of heart-in-mouth style Unrequited love. I loved the Sibling rivalry, these brothers will demand you to fall head over in love with them. The Titus brothers are utterly Devine. Jake and Travis were both amazing characters but there is only one brother for me and that's Travis, he is completely dreamy and I could not get enough of this authors ability to write loveable characters.The hero and heroine are obvious candidates for forever sweethearts, a romance book can't host too much sweet for my reading taste and this book delivers. I can't possibly talk about what I loved without mentioning Grandma, she is one crazy, loveable granny and had me laughing out loud at her antics. Rachel Van Dyken knows how to write swoon worthy heart stopping, likeable stories. Here we have an amazing hero and a Funny, likeable 'I want to be best mates with this girl' heroine. 'The bet' is all of the above packed into four hours of true happiness and out there fabulous reading.



Final thoughts ...
I loved every Page of this book, if you love laugh out loud funny, book butterfly sexy, and books so sweet you may be put in a glucose overdose coma, this will be your next favourite read. I could not get enough of these characters, this is what romance is made of, I'm in complete book heaven. Go grab it romance junkies, enjoy ... Kisses.

*Anna Champion, my book bestie I owe my butterflies to your recommendation. Long live your one-click addiction, so that you can carry on finding these treasures.*

[Akanksha❤ Søren♰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel had the cutest prologue I've ever read. :D

I loveddddddddddddd the book.
I want AMAZING, SUPER CUTE, BRILLANT AND JUST *swoon*

I want a continuation of this book!!! Like their story to continue!
Like I want more of the other brother too.
The story was wonderful and I loved the characters. Grandma was the best!

The witty bantering, the humor, the whole feeling of the book, I enjoyed it all..
The whole bet was ADORABLE! hehe

Do read this book!! Its Awesome~ :D

He knew for a fact Kacey loved princess stories. She would talk about how girls are supposed to be treated like princesses, and boys are supposed to be princes.
But how was he supposed to be a prince when there were no dragons to slay? How could he prove himself when there were no monsters?
Good thing he was the smartest kid in his class. He knew just what to do. All he had to do was cause the trouble and then save her from it.


Char was the truest type of friend. When Kacey cried, Char cried. When Kacey threatened to kill Jake, Char offered to pay for a hit man, and when Kacey finally moved on and only mentioned Jake as the man who shall not be named, Char went ahead and nicknamed him Bastard for her sake.
I wish we saw more of Char~ Her character seemed like someone I would totally love.

I hope this book continues and we see more into their lives, the ranch life and stuff and the empire Jake's building :P and maybe a baby for all I care! haha :D

[KAS · Rating 2 out of 5]

After reading the prologue, I had high hopes for this one. But as the story progressed, the immaturity of the characters was on full display along with "cheesy" dialogue.

Having enjoyed all my previous Rachel Van Dyken reads, I persevered through it hoping for the best.

Fifteen Years Ago .....

Travis, a stuttering eight year old, really likes Kacey and assumes he will marry her one day. After all, he was the oldest and well on his way to becoming a man. His attempts at showing Kacey he likes her always backfires and she ends up running away in tears and hating him.

Jake, Travis' six year old brother, likes Kacey too, and makes a bet with Travis that she would be marrying him. They each spit in their hands and shake on the million dollar bet.

Present Day .....

Kacey is sitting across from the one man she gave her heart to, and he is wanting a huge favor from her. Jake is asking her to fly back with him to their hometown and pretend to be his fiancé for the weekend. The bad press coverage (due to the stripper incident) is hurting his career and putting a strain on his relationship with his parents and grandmother. How is she supposed to spend an entire weekend with this Greek God of a man she has always loved and never gotten over? Jake has broken her heart twice, once in high school and again in college. Yet, here she stands, agreeing to his delusional plan, as he puts a three carat diamond ring on her finger. Oh how she wished it wasn't pretend. Jake owns her heart and he is about to break it into a million pieces all over again. Seeing his brother Travis after all these years won't be fun either. They can't stand each other.

My summation .....

Given the premise of the storyline, this could have been so much better, IMHO. Unfortunately, I had to constantly wince at the twenty-two year and twenty-three year old's childish behavior and silly conversation.

[Kelly (and the Book Boar) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/

If you know my history with romance novels, you’ll know I’m not real good at reading them right most of the time. Mainly because . . .



One exception to my ongoing list of failures has been Rachel Van Dyken, so when I saw my library had a selection I had not yet read I was all . . . .



This is the part where I talk about the tired trope and whatnot. If you are still a naïve thinker who believes NA romance stories can be “spoiled” it’s probably best you leave now.

Still here? Alright, let’s roll. The plotline for The Bet is that Kacey has agreed to go back to her hometown and pretend to be her former bestie Jake’s fiancé for the weekend. Due to some stuff and things that happened in the past, our leading lady is a bit worried that she will end up taking her role too serious and fall for Jake’s charm. Upon their arrival we meet Travis – Jake’s brother. Brothers, you say????? Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh YES PLEASE AND THANKY BABY JEEBUS! . . . .



Travis spent his childhood tormenting Kasey, but momma’s little baby is all groweds up now. It doesn’t take long for Kasey to realize that her worries of crossing a line with Jake are pretty much nonexistent as he has become a superdillhole. Travis, on the other hand, is nothing like he was as a kid . . .

“Don’t forget to buckle up, princess. I drive like I ride.”

You know what that means, right????? (Spoiler Alert: BOOOIIIIINNNNNNNNG!) I had to spend some quality time in the bathroom ‘cause Mr. Kelly had a shot of getting some action!!!!!



Throw in a sassy granny, the inevitable will they/won’t they drama, plenty of humor, a great delivery and pretty perfect pacing and I’m one satisfied customer . . .



Many thanks to the porny librarian who keeps me in supply of no-cost smut!

[Serena.. Sery-ously? · Rating 1 out of 5]

Recensione del II volume
Recensione del III volume

**ATTENZIONE: Recensione piena di spoiler, cattivella e totalmente demolitrice; se vi è piaciuto il libro o volete leggerlo (no, dai, non fatelo. Davvero.) non fa per voi :D**

Dicono del libro:

“Ma è un libro sulla droga? No perché pare che i protagonisti ne facciano uso…” (Giovane della comunità di recupero)

“Ah sì, come no, l’autrice.. L’autrice è stata nostra paziente dopo una brutta caduta dal seggiolone” (Infermiera dell’ospedale pediatrico in cui la Van Dyken è stata paziente per un trauma alla testa”)

“Boh, vbb, io xò tnt cretineria tt insieme mica l’avevo mai vista” (14enne shoccata dalla porcheria che ha letto mentre mandavaa un whatsapp e un twitter)

Questo libro è la PORACCIAGGINE stampata su carta, un grido di dolore degli alberi: non si fa Rachel, non lo sai che poi gli alberi piangono??
Io mi chiedo sinceramente perché le persone si sveglino, saltino la colazione e tutt’ad un tratto si accenda loro una lampadina che gli suggerisce di scrivere un libro.
Ma.. anche no, sai? Non è che ora tutti devono farlo.. Ti piace scrivere? Anche a me piacerebbe mangiare nutella e non ingrassare, ma visto che non è possibile il nostro rimane un amore platonico. Ordunque.. Perché se io rinuncio alla Nutella (e mi costa, eh) tu – che non hai una storia che possa fregiarsi di questo nome e soprattutto zero capacità di riportare quelle due idee farlocche che ti ritrovi per iscritto.. Ecco, perché tu dovresti essere uno scrittore??
ARGH!
Bene, detto ciò passiamo al libro; direi di sorvolare sull’ennesima scelta penosa della copertina italiana, tanto ormai sembra essere una gara a chi sceglie le più brutte e insignificanti con bonus extra se la donna presa a rappresentare cotanta storia sembra essersi appena fatta una dose massiccia di LSD, con lo sguardo perso nel vuoto che però potrebbe sembrare allo scaltro lettore quello di una donna che riflette sui massimi destini del mondo.. Direi che palesemente la Nord a questo giro ha sbancato proprio!

La storia, se così vogliamo chiamarla, fa già acqua nella trama (ed è tutto dire se gli editori non sono riusciti nemmeno a dissimulare qui la presenza di una storia che vale, tipo L’Oreal): Jake, donnaiolo e cazzone miliardario chiede alla sua amica d’infanzia (con cui però non si sentono più perché la vita è brutta e ingiusta gnè gnè gnè gnè) di far finta di essere la sua fidanzata per un weekend, con tanto di brillocco da 392394384394 carati, per far credere alla sua famiglia (e al consiglio d’amministrazione della sua ricchissima e fichissima azienda di famiglia) di aver messo la testa a posto, di non uscire più con le spogliarelliste e bon, vissero felici e contenti.
Domanda difficile per i nostri ascoltatori: quanti (finti) scrupoli si fa KAcey a dir di sì e soprattutto.. Quando tempo ci mette a capitolare e ad accettare di fare una cosa simile, nonostante abbia frequentato per anni i genitori e la nonna di Jake e che dunque la conoscono come fosse parte della loro famiglia?
… Bravi, bene: la risposta è un paio e dieci minuti. Fa credere al lettore che NOOOOOO la cosa non si può fare perché Jake CATTIVONE (nonché bastardo egoista) l’ha ferita mortalmente.. Però lei deve finire l’università, ha debiti da pagare.. Cosa vuoi che sia la morale (Ingannare la famiglia che ti ha cresciuto come se ne facessi parte) o l’amor proprio (mi ha spezzato il cuore, ha tradito la mia fiducia, non sarò mai più la stessa, SONO CALIMERO, PICCOLO E NERO E NESSUNO MI VORRA’ PIU’ BENE, NGUE’ NGUE’ NGUE’) quando si tratta di fare un favore al tuo vecchio e caro amico e soprattutto essere pagata per questo (squallore in 3,2,1…)?
Niente e così i due mettono in moto la farsa del fidanzamento e vanno a casa di lui.. Dove ad aspettarli c’è Travis.
E voi direte.. Chi è Travis? Il focoso ex? L’amante mascherato? Il nonno di Heidi?!
No, un poraccio rincoglionito che dall’età di otto anni è innamorato di Kacey e per farglielo capire le fa i dispetti (tragico. Giuro, un rincoglionito perso) e la ‘tortura’ tanto che la dolce Kacey lo ha soprannominato “Satana”. Ovviamente a lei prende un coccolone, i due si insultano nemmeno avessero dodici anni (sì, la maturità del personaggi è inesistente. Dicono di avere 22 e 24 anni.. Ma non dategli retta, una mela acerba è tranquillamente più matura di loro tre messi insieme) e il lettore assiste impotente ad una manfrina che grida “DISAGIO” da tutti i pori.
A casa di questi deficienti le figure genitoriali non sono tanto meglio di loro e quindi sono cretini tanto quanto loro. Vogliono celebrare il matrimonio la settimana dopo (ma che problema sociale hai di grazia??!) e credono, per un astruso collegamento degli astri che il lettore non può cogliere che Kacey sia incinta. Insomma, BOOM, l’hanno sparata enorme..
Jake, che povero cristo è affetto dalla tripla personalità, inserisce la personalità macha (dopo averci reso partecipe di mille pippe mentali su come sarebbe stato se non avesse rovinato tutto con lei) e decide che OH, mica può star dietro a KAcey.. Cioè, l’ha portata a casa e se la deve pure sorbire? Insomma, prende, lascia la cena coi parenti, smolla la fidanzata e va a far sesso con la focosa SamantHa (l’acca, mi raccomando, altrimenti levate tutta la focosità di questo personaggio che risulta essere piatto come un foglio di carta velina - COME SE INVECE GLI ALTRI BRILLASSERO PER SPESSORE CARATTERIALE EH..), che ha fatto venire direttamente da Seattle (o da dove vivono. Insomma, Samantha con l’acca ha preso l’aereo per vedersi con Jake che non riesce a tenerselo nei pantaloni due giorni); Kacey dunque che altro può fare, povera crista pure lei, se non rifugiarsi da Travis, la sua NEMESI (lo chiama così. Giuro), che odia con tutto il cuore perché è dispettoso e da bambina la faceva sempre piangere (RIUSCITE A SENTIRE IL PATHOS?).. Eh, beh, normale, no? Insomma, vanno in cucina, flirtano, si rimbeccano e:

Lui la lasciò subito andare. «Dai, portiamo di là la torta prima che pensino che mi hai pugnalato.» «Penserebbero bene», borbottò lei, anche se non era proprio quello che aveva in mente. Cospargergli il corpo di lamponi e poi leccarli? Sì. Violenza? Sì, ma solo sessuale.

… No words. Perché poi la cosa peggiora, precipita e diventa un nonsense completo:

Chissà, forse fu solo per la frustrazione, per il desiderio represso, sta di fatto che Kacey si alzò, si mise a cavalcioni su Travis e spalmò la torta sul quel viso splendido, gridando: «Adesso ti prendo!» In teoria, i Titus avrebbero dovuto ridere, invece rimasero in silenzio.

Cioè, capite? I Titus avrebbero dovuto RIDERE: chi non troverebbe comica la scenetta della fidanzata del figlio che si mette a cavalcioni sull’altro figlio? Ah ah ah, io mi sto scompisciando dalle risate, giuro.
Travis si comporta da vecchio scemunito e Kacey, altra ritardata rara, non capisce che sta nascondendo i suoi profondissimi sentimenti e lo reputa uno stronzo.. Fatto sta che bisticciano un altro po’ come due ragazzini a cui il lettore darebbe volentieri una mazzata sui denti e finiscono per vedere un film insieme.
Ora, quale espediente ha un povero scrittore per far avvicinare due persone che teoricamente si odiano ma che in realtà sono solo troppo cretine per parlare come gli adulti che in realtà sono?
.. Esatto, un film di paura, così che la donna sola e indifesa possa trovare conforto tra le braccia possenti e scolpite (sì, perché Travis è un figo da paura.. Avevate dubbi??) del maschio alfa.
PIETA’.
PIETA’ DOPPIA, perché il film scelto dall’autrice, sperando di risultare un sacco simpatica (Ci torno sul suo stile, tranquilli!) è nientepopodimeno che.. “Alice nel paese delle meraviglie”, ritenuto spaventosissimo da Kacey per lo stregatto.
MA CHE TI DROGHI???
Vabbé, vi lascio cinque minuti per assorbire la cosa e prepararvi all’eclatante colpo di scena successivo che nessuno si sarebbe mai aspettato.. I due si scolano due bottiglie di vino e la passione chiama: baci bollenti e il quasi sesso interrotti dalla nonnina che passa:
«Travis! Kacey!» Nadine si portò una mano al cuore. Oddio. Ecco. La nonna lo aveva appena beccato mentre stava per scoparsi la fidanzata di suo fratello. Ci sarebbe rimasta secca. Lo sapeva. «Kacey, quel reggiseno è davvero carino. Rosa. Dovrei prendermene uno anch’io», disse invece la nonna.

A questo punto il disagio è diventato esistenziale. La Van Dyken prova a buttarla sull’ironia (certo, un’ironia un po’ bacata la sua eh) ma è tutto talmente triste e osceno che non ho avuto nemmeno la forza di indignarmi per questi espedienti noti al mondo della critica come “allacazzodicane”..
Insomma, una cosa tira l’altra, la nonnetta li ha interrotti e il momento è sparito: tutti a letto; in quel mentre arriva Jake che ha preso un clamoroso due di picche da Samantha con l’acca perché ella si è lamentata di Kacey e quindi non se ne è fatto niente.. Tornato in sé Jake capisce quanto Kacey sia bella, figa, buona ecc e pensa di riprovarci, va da Kacey, la bacia (e che importa se codesta fanciulla fino a tre minuti prima si è spupazzata l’altro fratello) ma viene interrotto da Travis che stile uomo delle caverne si batte il petto e difende l’onore di Kacey e caccia via il fratello; morale della favola Travis e Kacey litigano perché fondamentalmente - e non mi stancherò di ripeterlo – sono due disadattati sociali e pure rincoglioniti e buonanotte a tutti.
Il giorno dopo Jake porta Kacey alla riunione delle superiori: tutti circondano Jake di attenzioni, le donne (ingrassate, invecchiate, brutte e acide – e che importa se hanno 22 anni e non 59.. Solo Jake e Kacey hanno mantenuto il fiore della loro gioventù) sono il corrispettivo femminile dei morti di figa e si strusciano come farebbe la tipa del permaflex con il materasso a Jake, contentissimo di queste attenzioni.. Kacey, povera, triste anima incompresa, viene salvata da Travis e.. Non ricordo che fanno perché a quel punto ero troppo annoiata per prestare attenzione a ‘sti due poracci.
Arriviamo felici e sereni alla cena, in cui Kacey sente dire a Travis alla madre che loro due si stanno solo divertendo e non c’è nulla tra loro (Il povero Trav che prende pali a destra e manca..); Kacey si arrabbia come una faina e decide di fargliela pagare.. Giocano a monopoli in coppia con tutta la famiglia e come al solito i due battibeccano; Travis le porta il tè e si scopre poi che.. No, ragazzi tenetevi forte e se siete in piedi sedetevi perché la mia sarà una rivelazione tostissima.. SI SCOPRE CHE IL TE NON E’ DETEINATO
Che scandalo!!! Ma vi rendete conto??? Sono senza parole, sconvolta, offesa!
Kacey ancora più arrabbiata perché sa che Travis l’ha fatto apposta così che lei non potesse dormire, si precipita nella sua stanza (che è in una dependance con ingresso autonomo) e gli afferma che dormirà con lui per vendetta.
(… Lo so, vi capisco. Pensate che io l’ho addirittura LETTA questa scena)
Dopo le solite manfrine, ecco che i due.. Sì insomma, no? Stanno per. E che succede a questo punto a rovinare la loro pace interiore, dal momento che siamo ‘solo’ al 70% della storia e se questi due finissero a letto insieme non ci sarebbe più una storia? La madre arriva e chiede se va tutto bene perché ha sentito dei rumori.
ORA. Eravate attenti quando vi ho detto che la stanza si trova in un’ala separata della casa con un ingresso autonomo??? Che diavolo di udito ha la madre per la miseria??
A questo punto però è palese che la Van Dyken scrive random tutte le idiozie che il criceto nella sua testa le suggerisce senza darsi pena del fatto che abbiano o meno senso. In fondo, se il lettore fino ad ora ci ha creduto,.. Tanto vale continuare sulla strada del nonsense, no?
I due si interrompono, lei va a fare la doccia e lui entra senza motivo chiedendo “Tutto bene”? (Ma che problemi sociali ha la gente, di nuovo?). Travis inciampa nel perizoma di Kacey e nel cadere strappa via la tenda della doccia lasciando Kacey nuda come un verme.
… HAHAHAAHAHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH!!! Ma cos’è, la candid camera??
Sconvolta.. Anche perché entra tutto il resto della famiglia e nessuno si chiede perché KAcey stia facendo la doccia in camera di Travis quando TECNICAMENTE è fidanzata con Jake. Ve la faccio breve, la nonna aveva pensato a tutto e voleva far stare Kacey con Travis perché lui la ama da sempre ma non gliel’ha mai detto; gli lascia 24 ore di tempo a casa da solo con Kacey per ‘ risolvere’ e qui inizia una nuova fase nonsense della storia: Travis e Kacey (che io vorrei ricordare fino a due giorni prima odiava Travis come se non ci fosse un domani) iniziano a baciarsi sul prato di casa e siccome – davvero – era ancora troppo presto succede questo: (Vi riporto la citazione perché una boiata simile dovete leggerla dal vivo)

Con un gemito, lui la spinse a terra e le sollevò la camicia. «Merda!» mormorò. «Uh?» «Maledetta erba del cazzo!» «Che c’è?» Kacey non capiva. Perché Travis se la prendeva con l’erba? E soprattutto perché aveva smesso di baciarla? «Sono allergico all’erba!» esclamò, alzandosi a sedere.

…Pietà e misericordia!!
Vabbé, c’è tutta una parte patetica troppo noiosa da raccontarvi (ma vi lascio qualche chicca nelle citazioni) quindi andiamo al sodo: FINALMENTE i due fanno sesso (ed è ovviamente bellissimo, stupendo, incredibile e via dicendo) e Kacey se ne esce con: “Ti amo” (sì, il famoso innamoramento da weekend. E che tocca fa’). Travis viene preso alla sprovvista perché dopo tutti gli anni di ammmmore incondizionato verso Kacey non gliel’ha detto per primo e si chiude in bagno (…).
E’ il panico perché KAcey sta rivivendo la stessa scena vissuta con Jake ed ecco il GRNDE segreto e il “gnè è brutto e cattivo e mi ha devastato”: i due al college hanno fatto sesso e poi Jake ha tirato la corda. Sì, ok, non è il massimo, ma ripigliati dai.. Nemmeno ti avesse tradito o.. Che ne so, lasciato sull’altare!
Dopo una serie di scene rocambolesche (ma tu, tu scaltro lettore, avrai capito che si tratta di scene patetiche e raffazzonate alla meglio) i due si ritrovano, si amano, tutto chiarito e AMEN.

…Ma che storiaccia assurda e infame è??!
Oltre a questa povertà di trama lo stile della Van Dyken è uno dei PEGGIORI che io abbia mai avuto il dispiacere di incontrare in un libro; cioè, fa davvero davvero schifo!! Innanzi tutto un’ironia becera che ti fa muovere sulla sedia in preda ad un forte attacco di disagio puro (dai ce l’avete presente.. Come quando in sala cade il gelo dopo che qualcuno ha detto qualcosa di inappropriato) e che non fa ridere per niente; ha cercato di creare un personaggio figo come quello della nonna, ma a me ha trasmesso solo squallore, altroché!
Ma poi anche la costruzione della frase, i dialoghi, il.. TUTTO. Probabilmente il mio pupillo 13enne saprebbe scrivere un po’ come lei (male eh, i suoi temi mi fanno dannare :D).
La Van Dyken purtroppo aveva mezza idea in testa e invece che scriverci un racconto breve (che avrebbe letto tra i suoi amici E BASTA) ha voluto fare il salto di qualità con un romanzo e quindi – essendo limitata- ha usato 283844848348383 volte l’espediente del deus ex machina: ogni volta che Travis e Kacey stanno per far sesso o si stanno avvicinando e risolvendo le loro infantili e infinite discussioni, interviene un elemento esterno di disturbo che definirlo ridicolo è fargli un complimento. A volte la storia non sembra essere un romance ma anzi, sembra che il lettore sia stato catapultato all’interno di un libro di fantascienza.. Per la miseria non sono credbili quelle cose!! (Vedasi la madre che arriva nel cuore della notte a chiedere se va tutto bene pur dormendo mooolto distante da lì o Travis il rincoglionito che inciampa su un perizoma e ruzzola fino a strappare la tenda della doccia…) Io come lettrice mi sono sentita un po’ insultata da questa demenza xD
I personaggi sono così piatti e insulsi che non vale la pena nemmeno parlarne; giusto di Kacey mi piacerebbe spendere due paroline: Kacey è bella, stupenda, infinita.. Ma non fa altro che sminuirsi; è LAGNOSA (fastidiosamente lagnosa), cretina (ma vabbé, sembra essere appannaggio delle protagoniste di questi libri-fotocopia) e, cosa ancora più sconcertante.. CATTIVA:

Travis tirò un pugno al tavolo, mettendo fine alla conversazione. «Scusate, credevo di aver visto un insetto.» Kacey inarcò un sopracciglio. «Davvero? Io non ho visto niente.» «C’era», replicò lui a denti stretti. «Sicuro che non te lo sei immaginato? In fondo conosciamo tutti il tuo amore per gli amici immaginari. Prendi per esempio il coniglietto. Dormi ancora con lui?» Travis fece un sorriso tirato. «Non lo so, Kacey, tu ti succhi ancora il pollice?» Lei strinse le palpebre. «Però, che risposta matura. Dimmi, ti provi ancora le battute nella mente per non balbettare o non ne hai più bisogno?» Sapeva di aver toccato un nervo scoperto.

«E, Travis, hai fatto pipì nei pantaloni?» «Certo, mamma, come no. Ho ventiquattro anni ma me la sono fatta addosso. Ma ti pare?» «Scusa, caro, è solo che sembra proprio che...» Indicò i suoi pantaloni e arrossì. «E poi mi ricordo che quand’eri piccolo...» Oh, no. «Quand’era piccolo cosa?» chiese Kacey, incuriosita. «Oh, gli capitava a volte di bagnare il letto e di fare brutti sogni, niente di che.» Kacey s’illuminò. «Ah, be’, ma immagino che il coniglietto con cui dormiva gli fosse di grande conforto durante quelle notti difficili.» «Coniglietto?» domandarono Jake e il padre all’unisono.

Al di là di quanto male sono scritte le scene.. A me non hanno fatto ridere. Ma proprio per niente. Kacey, sei davvero una stronza cattiva, non so come altro definirti!!!

AAAHH, Il momento migliore di tutti!! LE CITAZIONI DEL CAPOLAVORO!!

*Goodreads non me le fa inserire perché la recensione è troppo lunga.. Le citazioni potete trovarle QUI

[Tammy Walton Grant · Rating 2 out of 5]

Colour me perplexed. Is this what "NA" books are? 21 and 23 year olds flailing about, finding love and discovering themselves? If so, this book ain't it.

It has the other pre-requisites: heroine orphaned tragically, alone in the world and struggling to finish college; the stunningly gorgeous male lead with a tortured (well, this guy had a stutter. Sort of tragic, no?) past, tons of money and a weird family.

Otherwise, it was a standard, run-of-the-mill contemporary romance. Heroine agrees to act a fiancee to the love of her live in order to fool his family and patch up love's career, then runs into love's older brother, who has been in love with HER all of his life. Comedic love triangle and assorted goofy family antics ensue.

The problem I had with this (and it's too bad, because otherwise I quite enjoy this trope) was that although the author says her characters are 21 and 23, they don't talk that way, dress that way, have jobs that fit, or, for the most part, act that way. Hero is supposed to be 23, talks like he's 30 and has owned and run a millionaire's ranch for years. WHAT? The ne'er do well brother, who we are told is 21, has taken over his parent's multi-million dollar company, is stalked by paparazzi and tabloid reporters and has been in multiple scandals with strippers. The only believable thing about all of that is the stripper part. The heroine, who is also supposed to be 21, is the only one who remotely acts her age, but certainly talks like a woman in her late 20s.

So there was that. And the whole high school thing from my updates. It got to be surreal by 2/3 of the way through the book, and that's when I started skimming.

The first half of the book felt as though the characters and story were written to be in their late 20s, early 30s. By the end of the book nothing much was making sense anymore.

Well, at least it was free.

[Tink Magoo is bad at reviews]

Where's Chuck Norris when you need him to punch some fictional characters in the face?!


When I was thinking about what to write here, I suddenly realized that I'm a hypocrite (well okay I already knew I was, this just highlighted it). I was going to say that Jake was plain nasty because he pays strippers and prostitutes for sex and fuck knows what STD's he has. THEN I thought, 'hang on I read books were the heroine is a stripper or prostitute', I root for her and have never wondered what STD's she may have or thought that the hero in those books is nasty for wanting a relationship with her.

You see my point?! And even though I've realized that, I still don't like Jake for doing it.



Here's another thing - I had to check the blurb for this book several times because we kept getting Jake's POV. I wondered what the hell was going on - was this a story about a man whore turning himself around for the heroine or was it a story were she falls for the 'love of her life's' brother? Why do we need to read about Jake wanting her, not wanting her and also not wanting anyone else to have her. Fuck Jake.

Next ...

Kacey. She needed to open her fucking eyes and make everyone's life easier by getting 'doormat' tattooed on her forehead (not that it would take anyone long to see). Better yet, she could just FUCK OFF! I hate weak heroines. Everyone could see he didn't want her, I wanted to shout 'HELLO! YOU LOOK LIKE A FUCKING MUPPET, OPEN YOUR EYES'.

Travis. Initially I thought he was near perfect. Strong, determined, lovable. But all he seemed to do was bemoan the fact that he didn't have Kacey and Jake did. Grow a pair already and TALK to her properly.

To summarise -

Kacey needs a backbone.
Travis needs some balls.
And Jake needs to move to a tiny island were his next girlfriend will never have to meet any of his ex-sex partners (because there is an infinite list of them).

DNF at 30%

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute fun read ! Some awkward moments followed by heart warming full on awwwwwwwwwww moments ;). This Travis is a Breath of fresh air ! He said he was going to marry her! He knew this at the firm age of like ten ! His honest thoughts and crush on Kacey - just so adorable. Bonus points for this Travis Titus : 1) he was sentimental ( kept stuffed animal he named after her ) 2) he kept her parents memories alive 3) his fear of big bad bears 4) he finally right hooked his brother 5) his determination to surprise her and make her happy 6) his use and love of Benadryl !!! Lol. He evoked a momentary pharmaceutical the-heat-is on! Nuff said. This Travis is a keeper ❤too!

If you have a desire for a quick, cute and easy reading give this a try. I give this ❤❤❤❤ 4 cavity-inducing sweet stars!

[Vikki ~ *squee* lite ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, this was seriously adorable. Sweet, funny (laugh out loud funny), poignant, with just the right amount of cheese. Definitely an enjoyable (mostly) lighthearted read about childhood friends who finally (with some well meaning family manipulation) realize they are meant for each other.

"He'd wanted her more than Anything. His entire life. How many people could actually claim that? That for their entire existence, the one person they wanted to share eternity with, had never changed, never faltered. Her. It had always been her . . ."

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet and sexy with lots of humor and emotion. I'm really starting to like this author. Looking forward to following this series!

My favorite quote:
“Sometimes, when life gets hard, and people make you angry or even when you're scared, the best response is laughter. Laugh in the face of fear, in the face of what scares you the most. It's the only way to get you through the things that bring you to tears.”

Rachel Van Dyken's adult contemporary romance series: The Bet includes the following installments as of October 2017:
#1-The Bet
#2-The Wager
#3-The Dare

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!
So why a four star and not a five...well I'll explain in a bit.

Kacey's world was turned upside down after a fateful night where she not only loses her best friend but also her parents.

Jake has always been Kacey's best friend and protector from not just his older brother who terrorized her as a kid, but also mean teenage girls who did not understand their relationship.

Travis (Jake's older brother) has always been behind the scenes and the third wheel to this little equation. He has also been secretly crushing on Kacey since he was eight.

A few years later, Kacey gets a random phone call from her once ex-best-friend Jake who is now eccentric millionaire playboy and heir to the Titus throne. After a few bad choices he finds himself backed into a corner and is desperate to find a solution and knows that there is only one person who he can ask for help. Kacey.
He offers her a proposition. He asks her to be his pretend fiancee for the weekend and be available for random photo ops. It'll help get the board at Titus off his back for bringing such negative press to their respectable firm, but to also show his parents that he is a responsible mature adult who is capable of commitment. As her reward he will pay off her student loans which will make life so much easier for her.

Trouble is Travis her 'arch nemesis' will be present throughout the entire weekend and that is when the story gets...interesting.

Ok can I say that I loved this book. After chapter one I was hooked! Could not put it down.

Found myself sighing, swooning, grinning and laughing out loud throughout the story. Grandma has got to be the most hilarious grandparent ever! With her cheeky manner, shameless, cunning, manipulative mind, and her live life for the moment philosophy...she was just absolutely perfect!

I really enjoyed this book. But you ask, why four and not five? well here's why. I found the ending quite rushed. We reach a climactic point in the story where it gets all heated and interesting and then like a flash it's sorted and then the moments gone. I really do wish there was an Epilogue after the final chapter. I mean yeah it has a happy ending and all but it would have been nice for just a teensy bit more to their story, you know?

Otherwise, totally loved this book!

4 Stars

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say this was a nice surprise. Have never read this author before but must have come across it here on Goodreads. It was romantic, funny, smart, sexy (without too much sex - well, without hardly any sex and certainly none of it graphic). Two brothers, one girl. Could get messy. No, it didn't, well not really. Kind of reminded me a bit of the old film, Sabrina. I loved Travis. Kinda liked Jake.... but he was a bit to smoozy for me - is there such a word? Think you know what I mean. Will definitely check out some other books by this author. It was nice get away from reality for a while and forget about all the troubles in the world and live in someone else's fluffy little world for a while.

[Jen (jenslostinthepages) ♥Star-Crossed Book Blog♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bet was hilariously addicting! I loved that the characters charmed their way into my heart, that the pages were filled with tons of fun drama and that the ending left me excited to read the next book in this series. This was my first book by Rachel Van Dyken and I'm definitely kicking myself that I didn't pick up one of her books sooner!

Jake's thumb rubbed across her fingers delicately.
Another involuntary shiver ran down her spine. It's not real, Kacey. Just remember it's not real. He doesn't really like you in that way. Do it for Grandma!

Jake Titus propositioned Kacey to pretend to be his fiance. They were childhood friends, but after a falling out they hadn't spoken in a few years. Jake was feeling pressure from his family's company to change his playboy persona and his Grandma, who loved Kacey and had been sick, wanted to see her. So by bringing Kacey back home, he'd be back in his family and company's good graces and he would help Kacey out with her college expenses in return. It sounded like the perfect win win situation. Yet nothing could prepare Kacey for being back in the Titus' house, especially with Travis there. He was Jake's older brother who was horrific to Kacey as a child.

He'd be a fool to let her go.
Again . - Jake

I was definitely confused at first. Was I supposed to love Kacey with Jake or Travis? But over time we got to see who deserved Kacey's heart. In the beginning, Kacey and Jake's interactions were adorable. They had a friendship that was definitely complicated and filled with some hurt. But it also felt strong and true, or at least it use to be that way. You see, we got to hear lots of stories referencing Kacey and Jake's past and I laughed so hard I cried. Their past was hysterical! But the more I saw who Jake was, I wasn't the biggest fan of him. He would come across as a self centered asshole. He could make the worst choices and it all seemed to center on instant gratification. And he never thought about how the ramifications would affect others. But Jake seemed like the type where if he really wanted something, he'd find a way to make it happen.

Travis held up his wine. "To conquering old fears?"
Something shifted between them. His eyes, though it was dark, seemed to he hiding something, as if he were talking about more than her stupid phobia. She leaned in, now completely relaxed from drowning half of her wine already, and whispered, "To conquering old fears."

Now Travis and Kacey? They made me laugh so hard too, but each moment had something else coursing through it. There was a tension between them that was always crackling and it left me with the hugest grin on my face. Travis and Kacey's moments together were so hot. Even when they were throwing jabs at each other. They could also be ridiculously silly and it was so much fun. I loved their teasing and their weird obsession with food fights. It made my heart smile and I couldn't stop laughing!

He wondered if she could hear his heart hammering in his chest. "Because of you, Kace. Everything I do, everything I've done in my life it's all because of you." - Travis

Travis was definitely book boyfriend material! He looked out for Kacey and he thought about her happiness first. Yeah he would screw up from time to time, but ultimately he was her biggest protector and champion. So I kept my fingers crossed that that was who Kacey would end up with, because sometimes it didn't feel as though it'd pan out in that direction. So be careful with your hearts! Speaking of my heart.... ohhhhh I have to say I think everyone will love Grandma!! She was funny, smart, devious and I'm looking forward to seeing what she's up to in the next book!

Both brothers.
One a friend, the other something so much more.

So I definitely recommend The Bet! It's for everyone who adores NA stories that have tension running through them. And if you love drama that's fun, with sillier moments laced through it, then this is definitely your book! The next book is about the brother who wasn't meant for Kacey and I'm so excited to see what happens to him!

PS So here's a weird confession. Usually I don't read books with the name Travis. It's my brothers name and yeah it just feels weird. But I call my brother Trav and I heard that wasn't used in this book, thank goodness!!

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Shreya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why the hell does this book have a "below 4" rating???? Why?? Why???
It's a real good one, girls & it has every single thing that we looooove... :)
1> Childhood crush



2> Super-sexy guys..Yep, as in more than one...Moreover they are right bit of cocky!! Just the way we love them

3> The heroine is not bad too...(Actually couldn't keep tabs on her while salivating for one of the guys... ;) :) *hint* Travis)

4> Totally loveable family members including a crazy Granny...:D Oh yes, I loved her...

5> It has quite a bit of humour in it... The dialogues were witty..

6>Great, slow building romance!!

7>Last but not the least,hot hot love- making...

I couldn't stay away from the story...Make sure to check this one out..
I'm sure you guys will love it... :)

[Laurynne Gouws · Rating 2 out of 5]

No. No. No. Pure torture. Pure annoyance and irritatingly goody goody & childish.

There is no heat, no passion, no desire, no swearing, no lust, no fire.... nothing that would be considered sinful. It's a book you could read at your church picnic.

I bet you just looked at the cover again right? Yeah... deceiving. Actually it's nothing like the book. Firstly, there's no passion as the cover suggests. And more importantly, Kacey, who I assume is suppose to be the girl on the cover, actually has dark hair.... I'm going to go and guess that its Travis who is kissing the blonde version of Kacey... Now, well Travis is suppose to be blondish.... so the cover is so far off from the book it's pathetic. Whoever chose the cover / book combination didn't do their homework... Like. At. All! #refund

The characters where hollow. They were absolute freaks. They were 10 year old's disguised as adults. They could actually even be mentally challenged because nothing they said or did made any sense. If there had been a paragraph in the book about how they all gather around and smoke weed every Friday, I may have understood them better.... but no, according to the book they are normal. And that's crazy strange.

I'm all for fun banter and tricks up your sleeve. I'm not a prude. But when you put three seriously hot adults together then surely there needs to be some heat in there somewhere - there was none. There was not a single curse word, not a single r-rated moment - Nothing, Nada, None!

The Bet lacked personality, it has no grip to keep you hooked, the plot is nonexistent, the 'secret' is so pathetically boring.... It's simply lifeless fiction. I had a horrible, horrible time reading it. I wanted to poke my eyes out just to inject some emotions into my life while I read it. Oh God... I just really didn't like this book at all.

I kept reading because I wanted to find the turning point. I really did. The prologue was so good that I just had to hold onto the belief that there must be something resembling some kind of redemption within the pages, but I've now completed it and unfortunately I'm still awaiting. Thank F#%k I didn't hold my breath.

And I was having such a winning streak lately with books - I guess my luck has finally run out!

If you want spineless men who are completely immature... then this is the book for you.

♥ For More Reviews Visit My Blog CBL Book Reviews
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[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

I really enjoyed this one. It was nice and refreshing to read a book for a change that (a) didn't have an annoying heroine--or hero for that matter and (b) didn't have cheesy as hell dialogue. Now don't get me wrong I wanted to kick a couple of boys in the ass a few times....and a girl, but overall it was a really entertaining and funny read.

Jake, Travis and Kacey have known each other all of their lives. Jake and Kacey have always been BFFs and Travis was the older brother with the secret crush on Kacey. Fast forward 15+ years and we find Jake and Kacey in a fake engagement heading home to visit Jake's family. While there a whole slew of adventures take place....new loves are discovered, friendships are tested and a past is re-visited.

I really liked everything about this book. The banter between everyone was laugh out loud funny....especially from the feisty grandma. I was really happy with the way everything ended. This was a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending! Yay!

I'll definitely be checking out other things from this author!!!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed. It was a lighthearted romance with some seriously sweet moments.

Kacey grew up next door to Jake and Travis. While Jake was a smooth talker, Travis was always being mean to her. In high school, Kacey fell in love with Jake...



but Jake was too busy being in love with himself.



Kasey looses her parents and her best friend in one night and will never be the same. She takes off and doesn't look back.



Travis, forever waiting in the wings, felt like he would never get a chance with Kacey. He was not the smooth talker that Jake was and he was a little shy and a lot dorky. But now, he's all grown up, and man has he ever changed...



Jake needs a favor from Kasey. His father has retired from his multibillion dollar company and now Jake is in charge. Jake's fast and loose lifestyle is not sitting well with the board. So he asks Kasey to go home with him for a weekend and pose a his fiance for the paparazzi. Kasey reluctantly agrees. The only saving grace in her mind is that Travis wont be there to torment her.

She arrives at home for the first time since her parents died. She has to face her past. She has to deal with her unresolved feelings for Jake and she has to discover the real reason Travis has tormented her.

This book was full of tough topics but was done in a lighthearted and funny way. It wasn't heavy at all. I absolutely adored this writing style and the flow of the book. And the end..


LOVED IT!

4 stars.

[Chantal ❤️]

ANOTHER MAN WHORE AND STUPID SPINELESS FOOL HEROINE.

GOING TO PASS ON THIS MESS!

[Jultri · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 18%. Heroine childhood friends with 2 brothers, one a manwhore (B1) and the other her old tormentor (B2) in their younger days. She gave her virginity to B1 (her best buddy) in high school and the scum only trifled with her and swiftly moved on to other conquests the next day breaking her heart in the process. I'm sure deliberately hurting your best friend and ruining the friendship would be considered a low even for scums. B1 has little remorse for his past actions. How do we know this? Because the author saw it fit for us to be let into the offensive turd's dirty mind. Now, where's the bottle of bleach? Why do we need to get his POV if he is not the eventual hero of the story, the role of which goes to B2; B2 whom we got introduced to only in fleeting, because we needed to be exposed to the ongoing lust between heroine and B1. I only realised that B2 is the real hero by reading the reviews. Icky matter. I hate love-triangles as a rule, but especially that between two brothers where the heroine lusts and makes out with both. No, just NO! The brothers are 21 and 23, but one is about to be CEO of a multi-million dollar company and the other has been the successful owner of a wealthy ranch for many years. Problem is, they all talk like infants and behave at the same level, which makes their business achievements even less believable if that's possible.

[Brianna bribookish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute and funny book. Definitely exceeded my expectations. I didn't expect to love it as much as I did. It was a quick read and the story is fast-paced. Grandma Nadine will become a favorite character, loved her to pieces. Travis is definitely on my list of book boyfriends (which is forever long). Maybe I missed the explanation (honestly I probably did) but I'm curious to know what happened to her parents... Again, probably missed it. Whoops! But can't wait to read more of Rachel's books!

[Serena.. Sery-ously? · Rating 1 out of 5]

La prima parte della recensione è QUI


II parte, le citazioni!

Quello almeno Travis lo sapeva: alle ragazze non piacevano i ragazzi. A loro piacevano gli uomini, e lui stava per diventarlo. Gli era perfino cresciuto un pelo sul mento. Se andava avanti così, si sarebbe fatto la barba entro la fine della settimana.
Travis a otto anni. Normale amministrazione, no?

Si chinò ancora di più, facendo guizzare i bicipiti. Gli occhi color nocciola erano fissi in quelli di lei e, quando Jake si passò la lingua sulle labbra, Kacey non ebbe la forza di distogliere lo sguardo. Merda. Sbavava solo a vederlo.
Ecco come Jake ha convinto Kacey ad aiutarlo. Ma cosa abbiamo lottato a fare per l’uguaglianza tra uomini e donne..

E così, lo scapolo d’oro di Seattle le aveva appena chiesto di sposarlo. Il matrimonio poteva anche essere fasullo, ma una proposta era pur sempre una proposta. Avrebbe dovuto essere entusiasta.
Ma perché avresti dovuto essere entusiasta di una cosa FINTA? Sei scema o cosa?

Si erano messi insieme al liceo, ma ben presto avevano capito che funzionavano meglio come amici. O forse il punto era che lui non riusciva a tenerlo nei pantaloni. Probabilmente erano entrambe le cose, ma chi sta con una ragazza sola al liceo?
… Ovvio, no?

Travis rimase in silenzio per un po’. Pessimo segno. Voleva dire che di lì a poco gli sarebbe venuto il mal di testa e avrebbe dato la colpa a Jake.
Ma c’è una connessione sensata tra il rimanere in silenzio e l’avere mal di testa?!

«Porco cane! Questa roba è una mer...»
Principessa, prego, le deve essere caduta la corona mentre si chinava..

Aveva bisogno di starle lontano e, per riuscirci, doveva comportarsi da stronzo totale. Così almeno non avrebbe rischiato di trovarsi col cuore a pezzi per la seconda volta e, con un po’ di fortuna, anche quello di lei sarebbe rimasto intatto.
Almeno aveva portato Kacey a casa per il week end, proprio come aveva promesso. Adesso erano cavoli della nonna. Non suoi. Lui avrebbe trascorso il resto del fine settimana a fare quello che voleva, e non a preoccuparsi di Kacey.
Lanciò un’occhiata a Kacey. Stava sorridendo a sua madre. Era così che sarebbe diventata la sua vita se si fossero sposati? Non era poi tanto difficile da immaginare. Una bella mogliettina che lo aspettava a casa e un’amante in città. Il sogno americano.
Dio, se era stato stupido. Avrebbe dovuto chiederle scusa. O almeno fare qualcosa, qualsiasi altra cosa che non fosse starsene seduto lì con la testa tra le mani, sul punto di scoppiare a piangere per aver rovinato l’amicizia più importante della sua vita. Ne era uscito distrutto.

E’ sempre Jake che parla. Doppia personalità, scelgo te!!

«Dove vivi?» «In un ranch.» Santo cielo! Almeno così si spiegavano i bicipiti e i jeans attillati e il fuoristrada

Ahh, capito? Se avete bei bicipiti, jeans attillati e il fuoristrada.. Si spiegano solo perché vivete in un ranch

Dopotutto la nonna aveva davvero lavorato per la CIA tanto tempo prima, anche se Travis era l’unico che fosse riuscito a farglielo ammettere.

… Patetico, non ho altre parole

I Titus l’avrebbero uccisa e l’avrebbero odiata per sempre. Perciò non le restava altra scelta che sposare Jake e chiudere un occhio sul fatto che non sapesse tenere il pisello nei pantaloni.

Lei ha deciso di partecipare alla farsa, poi le prendono gli scrupoli verso la famiglia con cui è cresciuta e quindi.. Ma sì, sposiamo un tipo random che sembra respirare con il pene.

«Ah, no. Ci manca solo questo: tu che scavi nel mio passato e prendi in giro tutte le mie ex ragazze. E poi io non esco più con le ragazze. ESCO CON GLI UOMINI!Esco con le donne.» La squadrò da capo a piedi, quindi leccò piano la forchetta.
Ah no, pensavo avremmo assistito al mega colpo di scena gay.. E vogliamo parlare della sensualità di Travis che parla e lecca la forchetta?

Jake stava ridendo di un tale che era caduto dentro la piscina, e Kacey stava bevendo acqua come se non ci fosse un domani. Andavano sempre insieme alle feste e ognuno faceva in modo che l’altra bevesse molta acqua e restasse fuori dai guai. Ci erano andati più per dovere che altro, ecco tutto.

Ma da sballo proprio eh!!

«E così hai ancora paura degli orsi, eh?» Odiava quei cavolo di mostri. Perfino gli orsetti gommosi. «Stavo solo cercando di proteggerti.» «E di salvarti la pelle.» Kacey gli diede una spintarella, poi gli prese la mano. «Ammettilo, avevi il cuore che batteva all’impazzata. E sudavi.» «Odio gli orsi.» Travis si sentiva come se fosse tornato a quando aveva dieci anni e Kacey gli aveva chiesto perché stesse piangendo. E lui aveva risposto che era perché c’erano gli Orsetti del cuore in TV.

IL DISAGIO DI QUESTA SCENA.

«Chiedimi scusa e ti lascio andare.» «Mai.» Lei sorrise. «E va bene.» Senza lasciare la presa sui suoi polsi, avvicinò il viso al suo e iniziò a raccogliere la saliva. «Ah, no. Non azzardarti a...» Cercò di lottare sotto di lui. Dio, che sensazione meravigliosa. «Devi solo chiedermi scusa.» Lei lo fulminò con lo sguardo. «L’hai voluto tu.» E le lasciò cadere lo sputo sulla faccia.

IL DISAGIO MASSIMO DI QUESTA SCENA. Ma che schifo tristissimo è??

Lui indossava una ridicola camicia hawaiana verde e pantaloni kaki. A ben pensarci, era proprio l’uomo perfetto per la nonna. Lei adorava le Hawaii.

Quindi se io metto una maglietta con un teschio sono una satanista..

«Tu!» Kacey lo colpì al petto e lo fece arretrare per poter entrare anche lei nella stanza. Dopodiché sbatté la porta alle loro spalle. «Tu e i tuoi trucchetti non funzionano con me, Travis Thomas Titus!» «Ehi, ehi, stiamo calmi. Non può essere successo niente di tanto grave da farti usare il mio nome completo.» Si scostò i riccioli castano chiaro dalla fronte e sbadigliò. «Adesso mi dici che cosa ho fatto, così poi me ne posso tornare a dormire? Sai, non tutti passano le notti a immaginare nuovi modi di torturare la gente.» «Il tè...» Kacey lo spinse ancora. «Non era deteinato!»

QUALE AFFRONTO! ORSUDUNQUE FELLONE!

Kacey lottò per non strangolarlo. «Hai chiamato il tuo coniglietto Kacey? Ma se mi odiavi! Perché l’hai fatto?»

..Ti droghi ancora Kacey??

Kacey trattenne il fiato. Gli guardò prima le labbra, poi gli occhi. «Kace...» Le labbra di Travis scesero piano verso quelle di lei, anche se il cuore batteva a mille. «Sto per baciarti.» «Okay.»

Un caffè, un caffè in vetro, cappuccino, tè freddo.. I caffè diventano due! Pathos, questo sconosciuto.

I baci di lei lo rilassavano, lo facevano sentire al caldo e al sicuro e... «Cazzo!» «Come, scusa?» Kacey chinò la testa, regalandogli una visione celestiale della sua scollatura. «Il Benadryl.» Oddio, stava forse farfugliando? No, oh, no, non poteva succedere, non adesso che le cose stavano andando così bene. «Il Benadryl cosa?» chiese Kacey, ricominciando a baciarlo. «Mi... fa dro... dormi... re.» Travis iniziava a vedere doppio.

La scena più focosa del mondo. Lui dorme. Boh, io me ne sarei andata a casa..

«Vuoi che batta le mani?» «Be’, se c’è qualcosa nel mio aspetto cui vorresti applaudire...» «Non lo so. Girati.» Travis obbedì. «Fermo così!» ordinò lei non appena ebbe una fantastica vista sul suo sedere. «Adesso sì che ho voglia di applaudire.» Fischiò pure.

Principessa.. La carrozza l’aspetta.

[Shelly Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yessss! Loved it!

The book was fantastic. And it didn't need to have a sex scene every five minutes to do it! There wasn't really a love triangle either. It sounds like it, but really there's no contest. I won't say who, but I'm sure you can see once you sink into the book. And you need to sink into it. It's got all my favorite things in a book! A swoony guy, a heroine who's NOT a ditsy idiot and someone that I could be friends with, a great family dynamic, a crazy grandma, and it's all about the romance.

I was never bored or uninterested. In fact, I neglected my whole family for a whole day for this book. It was great. I hated the villain, I loved the hero and completely felt for them all.

Travis...holy swoon...holy hotness...yum...want one for Christmas.

Jake...come closer for a swift kick.

So, if Rachel is wondering who her next stalker will be, it's gonna be me. Must pick up her other books pronto!

6 out of 5 stars from me!

[A_Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, easy read with lots of funny to keep you smiling.

[nikita · Rating 2 out of 5]

TWO STARS

This book was a little bit fun in the beginning and i was curious to know more about the characters and basically about the climax so I gave it a chance but as I continued reading, I released how cliché this book was. The characters were around 21 and acting like a bunch of 13 years old.. talk about immaturity excellence

Kacey calling Travis "SATAN" because he teased her and pulled pranks at her when they were younger.. I mean what are you,12??
Jake, travis’s brother and kacey’s so called best friend, acts as a complete rich playboy and jerk. One minute he was in love with Kacey and then in another he was fucking some other woman…. nice
The only character I liked was the grandma. She was so fun.. a little bit childish but fun nonetheless.

There’s nothing more or new in this story, no angst or passion whatsoever. It felt as I was reading a Wattpad book tbh.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This ended up being so much better than I expected. I was terrified of the love triangle aspect, the chance that Jake would pull his head out of his ass and realize that he loved her - that Travis would finally man up and admit that he had teased her so much because he loved her... and then that Kacey would break my heart by picking the one I didn't pick...or not pick either at all.

Kacey, Jake and Travis grew up together. Kace & Jake were best friends and Travis was her worst nightmare. At the age where boys are mean to girls they like - he figured she would eventually figure out all the mean things just meant he liked her...well that plan backfired. Fast forward to their twenties and Jake is asking Kacey for a huge favor that will set his disastrous personal life on track in the media - save his chances as CEO of his families company...But Kacey is still reeling from the events that turned their friendship into a distant memory.

But returning home to his family, she is willing to put on the show. At least she won't have to see Travis, or Satan as she named him. In the years that have passed, Travis grew up. But the one thing that never changed was his love for Kacey or the fact that he still resorted to childhood teasing.

The banter was fun, Grandma was a hoot and the crazy antics these kids recounted throughout the book had me smiling. Kacey struggles with the fact that she has not returned home since her parents died - she has not spent time with Jake - since that night and now she is having feelings for the boy that she spent his youth tormenting her. But Grandma has a plan and they all seem to be falling for it.

For those who are worried about love triangles, I feel your pain. I really tried to stay impartial through the first 60% of this book. I hoped that Jake could be redeemed and that somehow he would be less of a douchebag, I expected Travis to grow a pair and then let Kacey fight out her feelings for the two brothers. I was content with waiting it out to the end but it was obvious which one was the right choice, even as I tried to ignore it.

This was a very cute story - it had great humor and even some very touching moments that hit that awe spot in in your heart. Finally a book with two guys and one girl that does not have you in knots or full of angst.

[Bj · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I gave this audiobook a B- for both the story and narration at AudioGals*

If you love your romances short, cute, sweet, and full of laughs, then The Bet may be a good bet for your next listen. Having previously listened to several books in Ms. Van Dyken’s Eagle Elite series (mafia New Adult), I have to admit that I was expecting something a little different (deeper and more emotionally angst ridden). Nonetheless, in the right frame of mind, The Bet comes off as the classic tale of what happens when two brothers fall in love with the girl next door, except here, it’s riddled with tons of jokes, puns, and crazy laugh-out-loud, off the wall scenarios. As for the narration, with the caveat that it was somewhat difficult to distinguish the two brothers who are the main characters in this story, Tanya Eby otherwise delivers a decent performance.

For the full review see AudioGals.

[sage (semi-hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read such a guilty pleasure read but so enjoyable

[İlkim · Rating 3 out of 5]

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