In Spades

Beaufort Poker Club #4

by Maggie C. Gates

Once upon a time, Kristin Boyd was a college senior about to graduate with a business degree. Then, a single night turned her life upside down and landed her back in Beaufort, North Carolina. With her hopes for the future shattered, she found herself raising four kids on her own, struggling to make ends meet.

Five years later, life still hasn’t given her a break. Working to the bone as a housekeeper, she isn’t just worried about getting enough hours to pay the bills. When news hits that the Taylor Creek Inn is being sold, she’s worried if she’ll have a job at all.

William Solomon expected nothing more than a two-week staycation when he booked his suite at the Taylor Creek Inn. That all changed when a beautiful maid barreled into his room and left him smitten.

After instant attraction turns into natural chemistry, Kristin is faced with the choice: tell Will about her past, or risk missing out on the love of her life. Kristin isn’t the only one hiding something, though. Will isn’t exactly who he claims to be.

When secrets and lies threaten to tear the poker club apart, lines are drawn, and choices must be made. Is love worth the risk? Can their friendships survive?

Get ready for an insta-family, undercover boss romance—complete with a dog rescue, nap dates, a billionaire lap dance in a backwoods bar, and a spicy moment on top of a Ferris wheel that will melt your Kindle! This modern day Cinderella story is book four in the Beaufort Poker Club Series.

The Beaufort Poker Club series is meant to be enjoyed in order. Start with book one, Poker Face: A Steamy Enemies to Lovers Romance!

Genres: Romance, Found Family, Friends To Lovers, Small Town Romance, Workplace Romance, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn

468 pages, Paperback

First published December 2, 2021

About the author

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.

Reviews

[kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars !! - I LOVE SINGLE PARENT ROMANCES RTC

[monica ✨ romantasyreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨

Book 4 of the Poker Club series is my least favorite so far. Kristin barely has a personality, but Will and the rest of the gang stole the show.

This book was a slooow burn with lots of pining and interruptions because of children and work, which felt out of place in this series. The previous books have been much more fast paced, which is one of the reasons I love them. I read the other 3 in one day, this book took me multiple days because honestly I got bored and put it down a few times.

[Dani R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review

OoOOOoOOoooO baby. Oh, my goodness.

This.

This is the best one in the Poker Club series, IMO.

And Will. Will motha-effin Solomon is my new book boyfriend. Like, actual top three favorite HMC I have read in a very long time.

Possible Spoiler?
The character development in this book is outstanding. Kristin and Will's relationship takes time (though the skirting around one another is sexy AF) due to some circumstances surrounding Kristin's heartfelt and tragic story. However, their journey is sincere and Will is a very understanding saint.

Maggie C Gates keeps delivering therefore I will keep reading. Bravo!

[Jill (readinginpjs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Tantor Audio for the ALC. All opinions are my own.

📖 mini blurb:
undercover boss/billionaire Will + inn Head Housekeeper Kristin, who is also a single guardian to her 4 siblings fall in love in this age gap romance.
_____

I’ve read this book twice now, and I didn’t take any notes either time 😅

I LOVE this book so much, it’s my absolute fav in the series (it’s book 4 & you do need to read in order, they’re all fantastic).

I LOVE Will so much, the way he comes into Kristin’s life & falls so fast, yet gives her the space and time she needs to catch up. He’s incredible with her siblings as well, always having them as a package deal from day 1.

While they may not seem to have a lot in common on the surface, Will’s past and both of their values align, and they are exactly what the other needs.

Also LOVE the entire Poker Club, protecting Kristin + her siblings, while also being SUPER nosey & meddling 😅

🎧: Kelsey Navarro Foster & John Lane dual narrate this one, and they’re both the perfect fit for their characters.
Kelsey brings Kristen to life, fully expressing her self doubts & fears.
John captures Will’s confident energy, and the depth of his emotions.

tropes & stuff:
♠️ age gap
♠️ single guardian (to her 4 siblings)
♠️ head housekeeper fmc
♠️ nerdy tech billionaire mmc
♠️ hidden identity
♠️ small town
♠️ found family
♠️ dual 1st person pov

🎧 audio+ebook | ⭐️: ♾ | 🌶️: open door |

📖 In Spades by Maggie Gates
📚 book 4 • Beaufort Poker Club series
💜: contemporary romance (mf)
🎙 narrated by: Kelsey Navarro Foster & John Lane

*Connect with Me*
🤍 Instagram 🤍 Blog 🤍

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Objectively, this is trash. Subjectively, it’s FUCKING AMAZING.

[Rachael*Caribbean*girl*bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spoilers ahead 2.5*


I've enjoyed a lot of books from this author but this particular series isn't working for me at all.



I'm a sucker for single parent romances and with Kristen as guardian for her 4 siblings this book should've been right up my alley, unfortunately i didn't enjoy it

The buildup took forever
The ily came out of the blue
I didn't like that will's deception lasted almost till the bitter end
I wanted more time with him and the kids
The sexy times took place at some shitty times

Colour me dissatisfied


No cheating
H not a manwhore, he was engaged previously but broke things off
h hadn't been with anyone in 5 years
13 year age gap
His ex showed up as she was still employed with him, she created some work drama and outed his secret and was fired

[Megan Coggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alright this gets all the ⭐️

Will was top tier. I’m not into billionaires, but I like he was a jeans and boots, nerdy, glasses, recluse type.
Boy obsessed!

Kristen, I loved her story, struggling single guardian to her 4 siblings.

The maid/boss trope 👌

Age gap, I loved the banter with this.

[Zoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie C Gates has warmed our hearts with another happy ever after story! Will and Kristin’s story has some bumps in the road and she needs to break down the walls but the nurturing relationship between them and her family is a joy to read! With a bit of spice in there to keep things exciting the newest edition to the poker club doesn’t disappoint! Whilst it can be read as a stand alone the little tasters for Bridget and Chases story also adds to the story- not that I’m wishing the series away but can’t wait for betting man!

[Allie Giancarlo · Rating 5 out of 5]

“And when the flowers wilt, I’ll bring new ones.”

I am so emotionally attached to the Poker Club that watching each of them get their happy ending makes my heart full, and Kristin is no exception.

The entire Boyd family is derailed, forcing Kristin to put her life on hold to become insta-mom to her four siblings. Kristin’s selflessness, and the way that she does anything and everything in her power to put her siblings above all else, makes my heart crack. Almost as much as it did when Will Solomon entered her life.

As a billionaire businessman who generally stays quietly to himself, Will kind of sneaks up on Kristin (well actually, she sneaks up on him), and he definitely snuck up on me too.

I loved Kristin and Will’s sweet relationship. He is so patient, loving, and kind with her heart, and the fact that she finally lets her guard down and is able to let someone else take on her burdens and take care of her heart made *mine* burst. Watching Kristin finally understand her worth through and alongside Will is a journey that will have you melting right along with them.

[Esther Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed In Spades! I loved the character development of Will and Kristen and the steamy scenes are hot! I loved how Maggie wrote about the different personalities of the siblings - that could not have been easy to write about 4 different siblings of the different ages. I love how Will wants to really earn their trust and be a role model to all of them. I wish the Thanksgiving scene was played out because I was really wanting to know how Thanksgiving went with the friends and with the kids staying at Will's house. I love that Will is a billionaire but didn't flaunt his wealth. I also enjoyed his back story and how it connects to Kristen (in a way). Way to go, Maggie! Another great book in this series.

[Carly Mae]

i dissociated through all of this i gotta be real

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Spades - Maggie Gates

*BOOK REC* (must be read in order)

“𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒏𝒐𝒘. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈’𝒔 𝒈𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝒃𝒆 𝒐𝒌𝒂𝒚.”

WELL! Will came out of NO where and just swooped me TF off my feet. I absolutely loved this one (shocker) Kristin and Will are from opposite sides of the track and fate intervened and brought them together...a modern day Cinderella, but Kristin doesn't know she has a fairy god Daddy 😏

“𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒅. “𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒚 𝒑𝒖𝒔𝒔𝒚.”

Will bought out the Inn Kristin works at and they met while she was cleaning his room. He was instantly taken with her, but kept who he was to himself while he was trying to fix some things. Kristin being dealt a hard hand at life is a take no shit and don't screw me or my kids kinda gal. They are truly the perfect match. As always Maggie just blindsides me with another couple to love.

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒊𝒑 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒈𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔 𝒐𝒇𝒇 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒊𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒅. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒘 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔.

🛎️Small Town
🧑🏼‍💻Undercover Boss
🛎️Age Gap
🧑🏼‍💻Caretaker to her siblings

[drea :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
ok but why did i eatttt this up, so cute

[Rhea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had all the potential but failed in execution.

I know it's my own fault for reading a book in the middle of a series but my god. There were too many goddamn side characters. Way too many.

I think the relationship between both MCs are a fantasy, they would not survive in real life. I wish H had more interactions with her siblings than he did with her goddamn friends. I wanted to really delve into their familial relationships, we only saw the bare minimum. What interactions they did have were cute.

Third act break up had no grovel and tbf I'd be pissed if I found out my boyfriend still employs his ex. Especially after she outed him publicly even though there's a supposed NDA being signed. I was more pissed at her friends for keeping it from her. She forgave them too easily.

Mediocre at best.

[Nikita Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this installment of the Beaufort Poker Club, Maggie never fails to keep me hooked!

The love story is absolutely swoonworthy, with a hero who is gentle and patient enough to let his heroine shine (but don't think he doesn't know how to take control when it matters, because DANG).

I loved the character development, especially because the characters are all so relatable. And then there's all the little tidbits of what's to come!

I can barely contain myself, I'm super excited for the last two books in the series!

[Maggie Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Spades is OUT NOW! I can't wait for you to read this age gap, undercover boss, reluctant billionaire romance! Will and Kristin make me seriously swoon! The rest of the poker club series is coming SOON!

XO,
-Mags-

[skyeslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Love is a natural disaster. The moment we think we’ve got our lives all figured out, love comes in with an unexplainable divine force and turns everything upside down. It’s one of the few things in life that can’t be calculated or controlled, and that’s the point. You just have to go with it.”

I read this book because Kristin and Will were featured prominently in Seven of Hearts , which I read first. so, I knew what I was getting myself into, and I loved it! watching Kristin and the kids get treated so well made my heart happy. I didn’t love Will keeping his secret for so long, but it wasn’t done in a nefarious way, so I was able to see past it, just like Kristin. the emotions and experiences are so raw and written very well. Maggie Gates knows how to write stories that’ll tug on your heartstrings and bring you happiness.
—

this and that:
♡ age gap
♡ beach town
♡ billionaire
♡ dive bars
♡ dual pov
♡ found family
♡ North Carolina state fair
♡ open door spice
♡ poker nights
♡ secret identity
♡ single guardian
♡ small beach town
♡ workplace romance

triggers:
☞ drug abuse x death due to drugs (not MCs)
☞ financial crimes
☞ parental abandonment

notable quotes:

“How are you real? And why aren’t you running for the hills?”
“Real men don’t run, sweetheart.”
_
“Don’t bother yourself with the opinions of unimportant people. Unimportant people are quick to criticize and slow to support. It's a pity that people are so concerned with cramming love into a one-size-fits-all box instead of just celebrating it.”
_
“Love isn’t about what you have to offer; it’s about who you are…You’re worthy of love.”
_
“People are too stingy with saying I love you. There’s nothing mature or enlightened about withholding love and not telling someone how you feel. The only person who loses out is you because you don’t get their love in return.”
_
“I know you think that you don’t have anything to offer me, but the truth is, you’re everything I need. I don’t need something from you. I need you. All of you.”
_
“Love is a natural disaster. The moment we think we’ve got our lives all figured out, love comes in with an unexplainable divine force and turns everything upside down. It’s one of the few things in life that can’t be calculated or controlled, and that’s the point. You just have to go with it.”

—

♡ find me on Instagram!

[Kate Laycoax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. God. This book. THIS BOOK. In Spades is hands down the best in The Beaufort Poker Club series, and I am absolutely obsessed! Will completely stole my heart—he’s the ultimate sweetheart and the perfect book boyfriend. If you love guardian romances, prepare to swoon, because watching him not only fall for Kristin but also win over her siblings is everything.

Kristin is such a strong, selfless FMC, doing everything she can to keep her family afloat. The way she puts her siblings first, even when life is overwhelming, made me love her so much. And then there’s Will—sweet, thoughtful, and so patient. He sees Kristin’s struggles and doesn’t run. Instead, he steps up, slowly but surely proving to her (and her siblings) that he’s all in. Every little moment with them, from the dog rescue to the nap dates, melted my heart.

The romance? Absolute perfection. The chemistry is fire, the slow burn is just right, and that Ferris wheel scene?! 🔥🔥🔥 Plus, the undercover billionaire twist adds the perfect amount of drama and intrigue. I laughed, I swooned, and I didn’t want this book to end.

Maggie Gates has outdone herself with In Spades. It’s a modern day Cinderella story with so much heart, heat, and family love that it’ll stick with you long after you turn the last page. Do yourself a favor—read this series in order and savor every second of Will and Kristin’s story. You won’t regret it!

[Mary Kate Missiaen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED reading In Spades. First of all, it had my absolute favorite trope which is single parent, or in this case single not parent. It also had age gap, and millionaire. And it did all three in the absolute best way!
If you enjoy series like Blue Moon, or The Miles family, or Bluewater Billionaires, you will love the Beaufort poker club series.
Kristin is a young, sunshine character who is a giver. She felt so real, and by the end of the book she felt like my friend. To see the way she grows by the end of the story was amazing.
Will is sort of a mystery throughout the beginning of the book, I definitely wanted to keep reading to find out more, figure out his why, and eventually everything is revealed.
In Spades had me laughing, had me sad for the characters, had me excitedly flipping pages because I couldn’t wait for what came next. Do yourself a favor and read this book, and the whole poker club series.

[amirah · Rating 5 out of 5]

FIVE STARS I AM GNAWING AT THE IRON BARS OF MY ENCLOSURE RN 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Will Solomon, the man that you are 🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️🙇🏻‍♀️

I will ALWAYS eat up a kind-hearted, soft masculinity MMC over the grumpy asshole or reformed playboy or whatever the fuck. This guy is fuckin UNREAL and I’m so glad my sweet baby Kristin got this man. I cried real tears reading this book.

I’ve said this over and over again, I don’t read romance novels for thought-provoking literature. I read them for vibes. And the vibes from this book??? Unbelievable.

The found family trope strikes again. I love seeing the poker club’s individual relationships with Kristin (heavy on Chase and Steve!!), especially because of her backstory and how she came to be part of the group. On top of that, Will was so perfect for her and her siblings in every way possible. And the growth from LOGAN??? I’m obsessed.

I genuinely am so scared I’m gonna hate Melissa’s book, but as long as I get a Chase and Bridget end game I’ll be happy 🙂‍↕️

[mj · Rating 4 out of 5]

will is such a sweetheart and the first guy to not act like a dick from the start. love that for him.
it's obvious that since Kristin struggles with money, she needed a billionaire and ofc that billionaire had to be the one who bought the inn and was hinted at in the last book.
i love how their relationship came together and how she grew to trust him more and more. he's also such a sweetheart and made that really easy. he was such an angel to her and I'm thrilled that they were able to work through the whole inn thing. (also him paying for the whole college thing was incredible)

*also i seriously wish the next book was about melissa and austine hale - it makes so much sense in my head

memorable quotes
"Chase grinned. 'Lip fillers, huh? That's what the ladies like to call my dick.'"

[Lindsey Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Kristin and Will so they still get 5 stars. The plot did bother me a little bit though. I kept waiting for there to be some bigger reason that Will couldn't just tell Kristin and there never was one. Anyone with two brain cells to rub together would know with the reason that was given in the story, the easier, more sensible thing would have been to just tell her. Butttt... I still loved it!!

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miscommunication and lying are the WORST tropes and it ran 70% of this book which just pissed me off. I don’t think I’ve ever been this upset with a book. However cute moments and found family made up for it a little.

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A+ truly. Will Solomon, sir, you are the man. Will interacting with all the kids and finding ways to connect with them made me want to SOB. I am so attached to Logan. I want to read about him. Kristen really is so much stronger than I could ever imagine

[Emma Louise]

DNF at 15% her friends are cringy calling him hot stuff lover boy fresh meat and they’ve had like 3 conversations the writing is cringy and the plot is non existent yes I know it’s only 15% through and not much happens at that point but literally nothing is happening at all

[Anna Winesette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is probably one of my favorite books in the whole series, I love the relationship between Kristen and will, and the kids. So sweet and kind and I love it all so much.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was so beyond mid

[Gwyn yu · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh, just a filler…

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Laurie duhamel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ j’ai aimé, mais sans plus. Comme ça se voyait venir le problème de la fin. Vraiment, je continue la série parce que j’ai de grosses attentes pour Chase et Bee