The Red-Hot Stakes

by Maren Jenner

FROM EXCITING ROMANCE AUTHOR MAREN JENNER

Book three in the Sweet Nothings series

Gina Rossi is always up for a good bet, until she is gambling with her heart.

Gina' s one dream is to buy her own bar and run it the way she wants. But until she finishes her business degree, she is stuck working at The High Five, listening to bad karaoke and serving bland chili.

When the annoyingly handsome Liam Davenport decides to become a regular patron, Gina couldn' t be more frustrated. Sure he tips well, but he pushes all her buttons. The only time she can stand him is when he sings karaoke, and she loses herself in his velvet voice.

The last thing Gina expects is to fall for the brash, arrogant man, but he slowly wins her over. Soon she can' t imagine being with anyone else. When a mysterious blackmailer threatens to tear apart their new life together, she has to gamble with the highest stakes of her life. Her heart.

Genres: He Falls First

306 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2024

About the author

*For trigger warnings in Maren's books, please visit her website at marenjennerbooks.com
Maren Jenner lives in Michigan with her supportive husband and spunky daughter. She loves writing, and, when she’s not working on her next book, she’s got her nose in a different one. Her summers are spent on any lake she can visit, but the beaches of Lake Michigan are her favorite.
The Cupcake Standard was her debut novel, though she’s been writing for as long as she can remember. It’s always been a dream to become a full time author. Her dreams wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of her family and friends. And, of course, her invaluable readers!
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Reviews

[Blake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maren Jenner has done it again! She’s written another book that makes me giggle like a school girl and want to kick my feet happily.
This book was the perfect amount of suspense and intimacy.
I just think it could have been longer and more detailed in some parts.
I highly recommend this book and series!

[Cassandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

❤️ Billionaire Romance
🤍 Enemies to lovers
♥️ Dark Romance/Suspense
🤍 He falls first
♥️ Strong FMC
🤍 One bed
♥️ Check TW ⚠️ (abandonment)

🗺 Plot: 3.5/5
🌎 World Building: 4/5
📔 Cover: 3/5
💁🏻‍♂️ MMC, Liam: 3.5/5
💁‍♀️ MMC, Gina: 3.5/5
🌶 Spice: 2.5/5
♥️ Pulls at heart strings: 4/5
📄 Page Turner: 4/5
🫣 Angst: 3.5/5
🤍🖤 Dark: 3/5
🔚 Ending: 5/5
⚠️ Triggers: 2/5
🥰 Overall view: 3.75/5

🫶🏼 HEA: Yes!
✖️ Multiple POVs: No, told by FMC's pov
🤥 Cheating: No
🎭 OW/OM Drama: No

This is my first book by this author.

Just a taste 🗣

Liam and Gina have history, and it's not the best history but they Gina definitely doesn't like him. Liam is always at her bar and always entertaining women and asking Gina what he should sing to get the women's attention until one day he starts to get under her skin and this is where our story begins...

My Thoughts 💭

What a wonderful read to be my introduction to the world of Maren Jenner!! Now I know there is history between Liam and Gina but it does get revealed throughout this book just in case you want to read this as a standalone, you can.

I loved that Gina was very sassy and Liam was all for it! I also think the name of the book is super cute and clever once you realize what's behind it!

I loved the sweet romance between these two but they did have some spice between them as well.

I think the suspense aspect of the story was well written and I actually didn't guess who it was until they revealed themselves. I love being surprised. Maren also got me to cry which just showed she was able to really pull me into these characters👏

Thank you, Maren for letting me ARC read this and I cannot wait to read more from you.

If you like any of the tropes listed above then what are you waiting for?

[Angela Hodge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maren Jenner brings out all the feels in The Red Hot Stakes
And perfectly puts the finishing touches to this trio of friends story. You should read The Cupcake Standard and The Jellybean Dilemma prior to this story although can be read as a standalone but you’ll miss a lot of fun and a lot of background information!

Liam and Gina are frenemies. Their best friends are in love and are getting married so in ordered to see their friends they have to be around each other. Their attraction is so strong that it’s taking all their will to fight it, until they don’t anymore. What happens is beautiful until things go awry.

This story is so good because it’s theme is about learning to truly trust someone and I feel like the mfc, Gina really went through the motions and came out the backside learning to lean on someone and also stand on her own two feet and trust herself. I love all the the friend couples and love their camaraderie, they have each other’s back and don’t like to see one of their group done wrong and they say so.

I definitely recommend this book for an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, sweet romance with some spice and a hea.

[Ashley's Novel Idea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am sad that this series is over now, Derek, Avery, Rhonda, Greg, Liam, and Gina feel like friends, and everyone's all happy and moving on. Except for me and my poor little heart over here. 😍😍😘

Liam and Gina's story was super cute, little suspense mixed up in there, and lots of love. Liam was not what I expected after reading his roles in the other books, but he was perfect. You finally get some answers about why Gina is the way she is, and it makes you love her more.

Of course, Derek and Avery, from the Cupcake standard, are present with glimpses of Rhinda and Greg from The Jellybean Dilemma. As well as a few new side characters.

I will say, i genuinely wish that the book was dual POV. I think Gina and Liam were complex enough characters that the plot would have benefitted from the use of that vehicle.

Overall, if you haven't read this series, you are missing out. What a fantastic series and book from a debut author!!

If you like these tropes, you will love this book:
Found Family
Enemies to Lovers
Fierce Fiesty FMC
Billionaire MMC
One Bed
Suspense (blackmailing)

[SherrecePQ Tanner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in this series was so so good, I loved it. Gina and Liam gave all the feels, and both laid themselves bare with each other in some very raw moments.

Gina is Avery's best friend, and they couldn't be more different or come from different backgrounds. Liam is Derek's best friend, and ahs very close family ties, and once again, very different to Gina. They have spent the better part of the first two books seemingly despising each other, but all the signs point to a deeper connection.

Of course, Gina is fiercely protective of her background, and always has had to stand on her own two feet, and she is left to make a heartbreaking choice when faced, for the first time in her life, perfection. These parts broke me, and left me hoping Gina and Liam would have what they both deserve. I have found, that each book as just got that much better, and this group of friends I have grown to love. I highly recommend this.

[Kelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Red-Hot Stakes by MAREN JENNER
This was a beautiful 3rd installment to the Sweet Nothing Series by Maren Jenner, and can I just say she has done it again! I absolutely loved this book just as much as I love the characters within the world. I do highly recommend you read the other two books before diving into this one because the wait is just worth it, also even though this one is kind of a standalone the others give you so much background knowledge.

Okay, okay, now for Liam and Gina. omg I can’t even say enough good things about their frenemies vibe. Their best friends are in love and getting into married life, and with that, it means that these two characters have to spend some time together even when they don’t want to. But throughout all their interactions, attraction does start to form… even when they try to stop it. Love does start to win, but trust me, they do try to stop it (lol). And oh, my things do start to become beautiful until things then become all awry.

Overall, this story is just chiefs kiss and so good… I think it’s all because of the beautiful themes and learning about love & trusting of someone fully. Maren Jenner can really write the most wonderful MFC & MMC, but I think from them both Gina is one who I love most rn. Though Gina went through so many emotions in her roller-coaster of life, she really did come out on the backside, and oh, she learned so much! I also loved how she improved her own life and started trusting in herself more as a person plus I love how all the couples and friends have each other’s backs and the fact that no one can mess with the group is just perfect too. But to end it all out, this book has the perfect amount of love, romance, growth, and some spicy! 

[Amber Crook · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was such a great read with a lot of unexpected events! It was really fun. Thanks, Maren, for sending me this ARC!

We finally get Gina and Liam! I have been waiting for this story from the beginning. I really enjoyed this one. There were so many things going on, and I was rooting for Liam the whole time. So many different crazy things happened that made the story even more eventful. It was quite the journey.

This book is a part of a series, but it's one that you could read as a standalone, but you'd get more out of the story if you know the characters from previous books.

Tropes:
Frienemies to Lovers
Forced Proximity
Billionaire (but doesn't feel like a typical one)
(there are a few more tropes, but I feel like it would spoil the twists)

🌶🌶.5

[Lydia Sircy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gina and Liam: the couple I was waiting for!

This is the third book of the series and we’ve gotten glimpses of these two peppered throughout the other couples’ stories. Honestly, I have been waiting for their love story since book one. I knew that it was coming and I am a sucker for an enemies to lovers story. Well, maybe not enemies exactly, but there is some grade A bickering to be enjoyed.

Gina and Liam have watched their best friends fall in love and now they have to deal with eachother for their friends’ sakes, but it becomes much more. I loved watching these characters grow together and deal with the twists and turns of Maren’s story.

I am so thankful to Maren Jenner that I was able to receive an advanced copy as an ARC reader! I’m excited for her next releases!

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series and probably my favorite. It can be read as a standalone but it's so much better with the back story of all of the characters. I loved Gina and Liam's banter in the previous stories and have been waiting for them to get together.

Their flirty nature and interactions with each other make them such a loveable duo. They have things from their past that of course affect their relationship and how they react to things. Despite all of that, they are perfect together. There were a few twists and turns that were unexpected but added so much! This book is not to be missed!

[Tabatha Slagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far my favorite book of the Sweet Nothings Trilogy! Maren has such a wonderful writing style. You fall in love with the characters and experience their emotions. The nicknames in this trilogy are seriously everything! Liam and Gina have been the thorn in each other's sides since The Cupcake Standard. Both of them have incredible growth in this book. I messaged Maren because I was sobbing during one part, and my heart was breaking. Don't worry though, the tears were sandwiched by laughter and love. If you haven't read the trilogy, you have to. All three are so sweet and have plenty of heat. Don't forget to have your sweets at the ready.

[Paige (wingsandsmut) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Sweet Nothings series, but I do think it could read as a standalone if you wanted to. Although I did enjoy reading the first two books about their friends that are mentioned in this one as well! I definitely binged this book and loved seeing Gina and Liam's story evolve! Loved the banter and tension between them! And I also loved all the sweet moments they do share together too.

Tropes involved are: billionaire MMC, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, one bed, found family, and they get a HEA.

[book _nerd .uk · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a way to end this series. The Red-hot stakes is my favourite one out to this series and will be recommending it to all.

Liam and Gina what a pair. I absolutely adore their chemistry and the banter between them. The character development of them both has grown over the series and in this book was amazingly written. I didn’t want this book to end.

if you are looking for a book with great plot and a good amount of spice then this is the book for you.

Maren Jenner I cannot wait to see what you write next.

[Lindsay Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final installment in the Sweet Nothing’s trilogy—Red Hot Stakes can be read as a standalone or as the final book in the series.

Gina and Liam are possibly my favorite couple of the group! So much tension and angst between these two “frenemies” turned lovers. I loved the emotional depth of Gina’s character, and Liam was such a surprise, so much sweeter than his “bad boy” exterior set up in the prior books. These two had great chemistry! I loved the entire series and can’t wait to read whatever Maren publishes next!

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

She’s done it again!! I have been dying to read Liam and Gina’s story since book one and it absolutely exceeded expectations. Their enemies to lovers perfectly spanned the trilogy, with incredible twists and turns that left me reeling. The red hot stakes firmly solidifies Maren as an author whose books will always shoot to the top of my must read list! The only downside to this book is that the stories of the three couples are over and I’m not emotionally ready to say goodbye!

[Laura Perttula · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read all three books in this series. I really liked the first two. The first 70% of this book was a good read, even though I really didn’t connect with Gina. At 70%, one of my least favorite plot devices happens. I have DNFed other books as far as 80% in because of this specific thing. I do understand that not everyone hates it. I’m not going to include a spoiler. I liked the rest of the book enough to keep reading, and the end of the book was good enough to salvage 4 stars. I personally didn’t like this one as much as the first two but if you have read the others you should definitely check it out. I appreciated the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This 3rd book in the series didn’t disappoint! I had been waiting to read Gina and Liam’s story from the other books in the series. If you haven’t read The Jellybean Dilemma and The Cupcake Standard go get them! This series is awesome and love the characters and stories. They are standalone but you get so much more background on Gina and Liam’s meeting.

This is a forced proximity, enemies to lovers, and a spicy HEA! I highly enjoyed this book and the series!

[Doni Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Red-hot and more!

This is the first book I’ve read from Maren Jenner and I went in with no expectations. To say I was blown away would be putting it mildly! The build was great and the reveal towards the end was perfect. It left me wanting to read the books before this one to catch more of the story. I love the character building and the emotions she pulled out of me while reading. Im definitely looking forward to diving into more of her books!

[JennyG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this entire series so much.

I have waited for Liam and Gina to happen and it was well worth the wait. Might be my favorite couple in the trilogy. Their back and forth was fun to read. The angst turned to into a passionate love and unwavering devotion. Gina deserved a man who would be there for her and Liam was exactly what she needed.

I love that they all found and have eachother, especially Gina and Liam.

Maren, thank you for choosing me to be an ARC and letting me enjoy this series. I can't wait to read them all again.

[Caitie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Maren Jenner book and let me tell you, I ATE IT UP. I absolutely loved this, and will definitely be going back and reading the first two (which the author was nice enough to send to me).

I will admit that this has one of my least favourite tropes, however I still gave it 5 stars so....yeah that says something!!! Seeing Gina and Liam together was adorable and like, where can I find my own Liam?

Will definitely be looking at the authors back list!

[Michelle C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series and this was the perfect wrap on the friends. Liam and Gina got along because of their best friends. Or at least that was how it appeared. But the more time they spent together the more lines got crossed. Both have things from their past but their futures should be together. Twists and Turns. Enjoy

[Christine Layne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this 3rd installment of the Sweet Nothings Trilogy. I had wanted to see Gina’s story ever since I read The Cupcake Standard!
Gina and Liam were the perfect balance of sweet and spicy and I loved how they ended up together.
This book is not just fun and romantic, but exciting too. I’ve loved all of Maren’s books so far and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
I love a good enemies to lovers trope. This book was it. Gina and Liam had perfect banter, they loved to hate each other.
Having their best friends engaged to each other, they were together a lot. That turned into them being something more. Throw in some drama and this book was great.

[Mandi Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third book in the series and it is a great way to end it. So many things came together to make all the stories final. This one give you all the feels but the smut level is great.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely amazing. It was just such a sweet and funny book. I love how Gina and Liam are with each other, they are just the perfect couple. I just love their dynamic, it was such a sweet book with the right amount of spice. I definitely recommend everyone read this book.

[J. Pavey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first two books in this series and loved Liam and Gina’s chemistry instantly so I was really excited to read this book. I’m excited to say that the author didn’t disappoint. The characters came alive on the pages and it was easy to feel their emotions. I love that they marched to the beat of their own drum. I also like that Gina was so strong and Liam only loved her more for it. Never once did he discourage or belittle her.

Bravo!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the sexy fun of this trilogy. Maren closes out the Sweet Nothings Trilogy in grand fashion with Gina's story! She has proven time and again that she can bring the spice in such satisfying story telling! I've loved getting to know these characters and will miss them! I hope they make appearances in future works.

[Nicki 🫶 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Red-Hot Stakes is the third story in the Sweet Nothings series.

This story follows Gina, as she navigates her job working at the bar while also going to school full time to one day fulfill her dreams of owning and running her own bar. She also has to navigate her complex relationship with Liam, all while helping her best friend Avery plan her wedding.

Throughout book one and two, we get a glimpse into both Gina and Liam from others perspectives, but their character development really takes off in this book. Their dynamic and balance off of each other is electrifying, beautiful and so down to earth and touching. Gina faces a complex past that has her hesitant to open up and accept love. We see her character blossom, going through a tough journey of pain, hardships, looking to her inner self, and finding her true worth and love in herself. Gina and Liam are painted as frenemies that always bicker and argue, but once they explore that deeper connection and really face their insecurities can they truly find happiness.

I loved the first two books, they set us up for the dynamics and characters in this book. I was definitely not disappointed in any way, very much falling in love with these two and devouring this book in one sitting. I could not put this story down, enraptured in the twists and turns.

Just when you thought you knew what was going to happen, a new twist came in and changed the dynamic and shifted the storyline. I absolutely loved how open and raw Gina became once she opened herself up to possibilities, going through all of her emotions and learning how to lean on those around her.

Gina and Liam quickly became my favorite couple of the three, but I absolutely love all three stories and how they are connected and showcased throughout all three books. I loved seeing the character development from the friends even though the main focus was on one couple.

I highly recommend this series. Thank you so much Maren for the chance to read this ARC, I’m so sad this series is over but I can not wait to see what else you have in store and what other stories you have to share with us.

[io greymoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book three yes indeed! I love when an author is CONSISTENT and Ms Jenner does not disappoint with her third installment of Sweet Nothings. Reintroducing Liam and Gina, their best friends are in love, and they are forced to spend time together. A new slow burn Queen has entered town, this is a great palate cleanser for me from the dark romance, and my third book I have read by this author.

[sky · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

this was a quick read romance story. i really liked gina and liam and while i was mad at gina sometimes for letting her past overcloud what she knew of liam’s character, i understood her. i too run when things start to get “too good” and wonder when the other shoe will drop.

i wanted to hug gina when she felt she was so easy to abandon cause oh man i have those fears too.

liam was a great guy and super sweet boyfriend - golden retriever style. & i loved how he knew exactly how to push gina’s buttons just right to get her back to her firework self.

the end was sweet and i liked how it was all wrapped up and everyone saw the vulnerability and truth from each other.

only reason i held off on full 4 stars is because it just probably won’t be a reread for me. still recommend!

thank you to the author for the e-arc opportunity. review is my own, honest opinion.

[Debbie Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first moment Gina and Liam appeared together on the pages of The Cupcake Standard, I knew with their bantering and bickering that it was only a matter of time before they ended up together! I was so excited to finally read their story and it was fantastic! Once I started reading, I couldn’t put this book down, not only for Gina and Liam’s story, but for the other characters as well. I was so glad that there were updates on Avery, Derek, Rhonda, Greg, and their families sprinkled throughout the book and any loose ends were tied up by the end. I highly recommend not only this book but the entire series!