Betting Man is book 6 in The Beaufort Poker Club. This series MUST be read in order. Start with book one, Poker Face!
Bridget
The day I decided to leave Kyle Kingsley was the day I was no longer afraid of dying. I was afraid of living. I’d had it all—or so everyone thought. I had been trapped in a gilded cage by a deadly monster, and finally escaped. But so did he. Trusting again was harder than healing, especially when the nightmare wasn't over yet.
Chase
Bridget was the only girl I had ever wanted. Seven whispered words during our friends’ wedding gave me hope, and then it all went to hell. I had been fighting my attraction to Bridget my whole life, and now I had to fight for her life. _________________________
The Beaufort Poker Club Series is complete with Chase and Bridget’s happily ever after! Get ready for a heart-pounding, feels-packed love story with a fairy tale happily ever after, and some moments that are so hot they’ll melt your Kindle! For a note regarding sensitive topics in Betting Man, please see the preface of the book.
Maggie Gates writes raw, relatable, romance novels packed full of heat and humor. Maggie calls North Carolina home. In her spare time she enjoys daydreaming about her characters, jamming to country music, and eating all the barbecue and tacos she can find! Her Kindle is always within reach due to a love of small town romances that borders on obsession.
This is one series that really does need to be read in order. The build up for this book was a long time coming. And I’m pretty happy with how things wrapped up.
Bridget’s story was upsetting to read. Chase: love a cop, boy obsessed
Friends to lovers Decades of pining
Men like Kyle deserve everything bad in life.
Since Mistletoes & Mysteries doesn’t have a Goodreads spot for it I’m slapping this here. 5 ⭐️ I loved the super extended epilogue for each person.
Also had to meet Leah in time for Seven of Hearts.
immediate thoughts: screaming crying throwing up i literally cannot get over how perfect this series is. i would sell my SOUL for a second generation. this might actually put me in a reading slump. i dont know how im ever going to move on. if you take anything from my reviews EVER i am begging you please give this author a chance
pre-review: i am prepared to be absolutely emotionally gutted by this
I actually don’t even want to write a review because then I have to admit that the poker club is over.
This book added 4 entries to my cry journal and I was choking back tears many more times. This was SO emotional. The moment we’ve all been waiting for and the perfect end to a perfect series.
Chase, you amazingly patient incredible man. For everyone’s sake I wish you would’ve gotten your head out of your ass years earlier but hey, it all worked out.
Bridget, I don’t even know how a person could be so strong, truly.
Kyle, fuck you.
These two just pulled such genuine JOY out of each other so often I want to sob for days. Their wedding was perfect and magical and I want mine to be exactly like that.
Chase sprinting down the streets to help Bridget burn her wedding dress? Stop
Chase SOBBING in Bridget’s arms in the middle of the bar dance floor?? STOP
The story of Chase’s parents??? SHUT THE FUCK UP
(Unfortunately, Chase, I cannot forgive you for the banana and mayo sandwich abomination)
I love you, Beaufort Poker Club. Don’t ever doubt it.
I can't believe it's over! 😭 where to even begin? I love the fact that we pick right back up from the beginning and there's not a lot of time spent trying to catch people up.
You can tell there was actual time spent on the specifics of Bees healing, not just "oh this tragic thing happened and BAM, I'm all better now" because the emotional abuse CAN be more damaging than the physical, and the fact that we're along for that bumpy, albeit sad ride, it made me appreciate this book so much more.
This book was everything, yall... Chase dug his heels in when Bee needed him to, against her own thoughts that she "didn't deserve him" and let me tell you, usually this type of thinking from the FMC annoys me, but the wringer I have been through with these 2 on books 1-5 has made the emotional rollercoaster worth the wait.
I told my husband I want to move to North Carolina, and I'm disappointed he hasn't proposed with hairties everyday (because let's be honest, us women leave them EVERYWHERE around the house)
I'm not even going to touch on Kingsley (because eff that guy) but I think the only downside was I wished something more brutal happened to him, but this was the perfect ending to my favorite group of friends who shows that not all family is blood.
I usually don't buy physical copies if I've read them on KU, but this is one series I'm buying and re-reading multiple times. I laughed, I cried, I swooned and fanned myself-Chase is legit 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
♦️ First, I want to say “thank you” to Maggie for sending me an advance copy to read and enjoy in exchange for an honest review. I couldn’t be more thankful if I tried.
♠️ When I tell you this was a bombshell of an ending to the #BeaufortPokerClub series, please believe me. I was crying from page one and cheering on each and every character. I think a piece of my heart lives in Beaufort. If you haven’t read books 1-5, are you even a reader? (Kidding, but read them).
♥️ That satisfying ending you’re wanting? Let’s just say it’s that and so much more (without giving it away). Decades of foreplay ending in the climax with an emotional roller coaster between is just *chefs kiss*
♣️ I finished this book a solid 9 hours ago and I’m still having trouble forming the words needed to convey how much I loved this. The characters are so relatable and lovable, the situations are real, & the books make you feel like you’re friends, too.
- it’s safe to say I LOVED it. Thank you, again, Maggie. I can’t wait to see what you do next!
Un. Freaking. Believable. I am an avid reader but I have never anticipated a book release more than this one. When I was chosen for an ARC I almost cried in excitement. I have wanted the scoop on Chase and Bridget since day one! Maggie did not disappoint. There was laughter. There were tears. I rocked my infant for his naps so he would sleep longer and I would get more reading time. My toddler was put to bed early. I have no regrets! 😂 I didn’t think I could love Chase more than I already did but boy was I wrong. Every “hey, darlin’” had me swooning. We already knew him to be a fun, dependable man but throw in a marshmallow-soft interior and some sexy time and *phew.* I think I may have found my newest book boyfriend! Bridget’s story was so important to tell. I hope and pray women in this situation read this and are given the inspiration and the power to invoke change in their own lives. Bridget always came across as a strong and independent woman but in Betting Man we see her as vulnerable, passionate and fiercely loyal. The last letter at the end was perfection. Well played, Maggie! I can’t believe it’s over! I am forever grateful that everything was wrapped with a perfect little bow and little was left to the imagination. If any group of friends ever deserved their very own happily ever after, it was the poker club! Now to wait a few months for the next Maggie book I already know I won’t be able to put down!
If there has ever has ever been a perfect ending to a series it was this! First of all if you've never read any of the Beaufort Poker series, go read them right now. They are amazing books and can be read alone but this series is truly an experience you will enjoy best if you read all 6 in order.
We've read about Bridget and Chase throughout this series and I believe other Beaufort Poker Club fans will agree this is the story we've all been dying for.
This book begins with Bridget in the hospital after being severely abused trying to escape from her abusive fiance. Chase and Bridget have been best friends for years and he immediately steps in to help her heal from this abuse. Bridget's recovery is heartbreaking to read. It showed not only the physical pain she experienced but also the emotional pain, fear, anxiety and so many other emotions someone would go through in that type of experience. I loved how Chase and all of her friends were so patient with her and showed up in their own ways to help her and show her unconditional support. Chase and Bridget have always loved each other as friends and more in their hearts but this experience allows them to finally come together and see how deep their love truly is. Yes this book is a romance book with all the spice we love but it covers so many other emotions as well. You will laugh, swoon and cry all in one book. I'm sad this series is complete but Maggie could not have written a better ending. It gives us the HEA for Bridget and Chase as well as updates on all of the other Beaufort poker club family and friends we have all grown to love throughout this series.
I received an ARC of this book but all opinions in this review are my own.
I can’t believe this series is over!!! I was most excited about Bee and Chase’s story. Maggie Gates did not disappoint! “I love you darlin’, don’t ever doubt it”. I could not put any of these books down! Once I started reading, I was addicted!
The surprises and the love of this book, my gahd. Chase took me by storm and never stopped chasing the girl he loves. Bridget is so goddamn strong. And the poker club, oh I’m currently sobbing, the found family, the love and support. I loved everything about this.
TikTok got me. Perfect summer filler book! Really sweet story with emotional/moving character development. Might have to read the others in this little saga.
Betting Man is AVAILABLE NOW! I cannot wait for you all to read the epic series finale to the Beaufort Poker Club! Chase and Bridget are so special and while I'm sad the series is coming to a close, I'm so glad you joined me for the journey! Here's to many more happily ever afters!
this was the story i wanted so bad in this series & it just didn’t hit for me. i think because so much of this relationship building took place over the other books & their childhood, i struggled to get in to it.
I jumped all over the place with this series. I read Hannah first, then Maddie, and honestly I couldn’t wait longer to read Chase and Bridget. We watched them pine over each other for the whole series (what I read, anyway) and I really wanted to know what happened between the two.
I was not expecting a DV situation, and wow my heart broke. This book started off strong out of the gate and had me crying the first few pages. This book was about trauma, healing, and what it feels like to finally accept love. Chase is an absolute dream. From the first page of this book to the last he never once gave up on Bridget. Considering this was a friends to lovers I was happy to see that the “friends” part we got was simply the build up of them in all the other books.
This was straight up lovers and once Chase had discovered what was going on with her ex and almost lost her, he was all in. I don’t think I’ve ever read a character that was as patient, loving, and understanding as Chase. He was exactly what Bridget needed and deserved and it was wonderful to watch her start to realize that too.
This definitely wasn’t an easy read. The big trigger is DV but you also watch Bridget work through a whole boat load of trauma. They do get their happily ever after, it just takes a bit to get there. This book was the best way to end the series, and while I’ll go back and finish the other books, nothing will top Chase and Bee for me.
We also get a bonus epilogue 10 years out which was amazing. Watching these characters grow and still stay so close to each other was amazing to see. I highly recommend this read especially if you’ve started the series.
Wow. Betting Man absolutely wrecked me in the best way possible. This book was raw, emotional, and at times, incredibly difficult to read—but it was also a stunning story of healing, resilience, and unconditional love.
Bridget’s journey shattered my heart. Her pain, her fear, and her struggle to rebuild herself after escaping an abusive relationship felt so real and deeply personal. Maggie Gates doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of domestic violence, and at times, it was hard to stomach—but that made her healing process all the more powerful. Watching Bridget learn to trust again, to believe she deserved happiness and safety, was both gut wrenching and beautiful.
And Chase? He was everything. The way he loved and supported Bridget with such patience and devotion had me in tears. He never rushed her, never pushed too hard—just stood by her side, ready to fight for her even when she wasn’t ready to fight for herself. His quiet strength and unwavering love made him one of the best men in this series.
This book isn’t just about romance—it’s about survival, second chances, and the kind of love that helps you put yourself back together. It was intense, heartbreaking, and so, so worth it. If you’ve followed The Beaufort Poker Club series, this finale is everything you could hope for and more. Just be prepared—this one hurts before it heals.
What a beautiful end to a beautiful series. I have long awaited Chase and Bridget's story, and it exceeded my expectations tenfold. Betting man is impeccably well written, deals with emotional and physical trauma in a respectful and thoughtful way, and brings light to some of the horrors that domestic violence victims and their loved ones face. Chase is patient, warm, and kind. He is steadfast in his love for Bridget even when she believes she doesn't deserve that. And Bridget, with so much healing left to do, is strong, resilient, and incredible. Frequently I was in awe of the ironclad armor both characters had in their own ways. The dynamic between the two of them was so natural, so light, and so comfortable. The surrounding characters, the rest of our beloved Poker Club, all continue to bring light to the story, even after their own love stories are "over" proving once again that the Happily Ever After part is never really the end. This book was sexy, it was smart, it was gentle and it was everything I ever wanted.
*sigh* Maggie, this book was the perfect ending to the Beaufort Poker Club gang. I laughed, I cried (oh my god did I cry), and I fanned myself with THOSE scenes. I loved that we got to really see Bridget, really know her story. And Chase…what can I say about a man who is the perfect amount of “awwww” and “daaaamn” all wrapped up in a tulip giving package. Maggie’s does a beautiful job tackling a very tough subject, and let’s her readers know, and so I will too; PLEASE CHECK THE TRIGGER WARNINGS. It’s done well, but can absolutely be a trigger. Thank you for bringing these wonderful people into my life, Maggie.
I knew Chase and Bee’a story would grab my heart, and it definitely did not disappoint. Any girl who’s gone thru what Bee did needs a Chase to help her heal. I’ll never look at tulips the same!! I can’t believe this series is done, I’m going to miss these characters so much!! TW for domestic violence.
This. This is THE romance book. THE love story. But it takes the first 5 books to set it up and build it up. It's not just about Chase and Bridget, it's about all of them. And BECAUSE it's about all of them, by the time you get to Chase and Bridget, you spend the whole damn book crying. This is the story. This one. Read this series.
Love, love, love the Beaufort Poker Club! I feel like I am now friends with each individual character and that makes my heart happy! This was a series that kept you wanting more...always kept you captivated! Looking forward the new series that will mention our favorites yet again!
THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️ I have been SALIVATING for Bridget & Chase since I started this series. They were everything I could have hoped for and more. Chase could only be a fictional character, he was too amazing. I will ALWAYS fall for the man in uniform, but in addition to that, he was pretty much the perfect man. Throughout this entire series it was been clear just how wonderful he was. But when this man got his girl? All bets were off. Devotion, longing, pining, desperation, spice, passion - they had it all. Now, as much as I truly adored Chase, Bridget was a force to be reckoned with. I found her ability to overcome inspiring and powerful. I truly think this book will remain one of my top reads for the year. This IS a book that I would suggest skimming the trigger warnings before reading. You absolutely HAVE to read the entire series to get the full effect of their story, but it is completely worth. Phenomenal end to the series.
No words for how perfect this was. I went through all the emotions 10x over and it was genuinely the best conclusion to a series I could have asked for. I love every member of the poker club and the found family is next tier. “I love you. Don’t ever forget it.” 5⭐️ and a new favourite author.