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Taking Chances
One lie. One affair. One chance to take her life back.
Audrey Hale has it all—a devoted husband, a dream vacation to the Virgin Islands just days away, and a secret she can’t wait to share.
One moment, she’s holding four positive pregnancy tests. The next, she’s cradling a broken dream—and a gnawing suspicion that her husband’s late nights have more to do with sex than sales.
The worst part? Her best friend—the glamorous, magnetic Natalie— might be in on it.
When one heartbreak leads to another, Audrey is left raw, vulnerable… and searching for truth in a world that’s quickly unraveling.
And the only person who seems to be there for her is Natalie’s husband—Harvey.
He’s off-limits.
He’s furious.
He might be the only one who sees what’s really going on.
As secrets are uncovered and stolen glances become charged, the line between comfort and temptation starts to blur.
Because betrayal cuts deep—but desire cuts deeper.
Audrey Hale has it all—a devoted husband, a dream vacation to the Virgin Islands just days away, and a secret she can’t wait to share.
One moment, she’s holding four positive pregnancy tests. The next, she’s cradling a broken dream—and a gnawing suspicion that her husband’s late nights have more to do with sex than sales.
The worst part? Her best friend—the glamorous, magnetic Natalie— might be in on it.
When one heartbreak leads to another, Audrey is left raw, vulnerable… and searching for truth in a world that’s quickly unraveling.
And the only person who seems to be there for her is Natalie’s husband—Harvey.
He’s off-limits.
He’s furious.
He might be the only one who sees what’s really going on.
As secrets are uncovered and stolen glances become charged, the line between comfort and temptation starts to blur.
Because betrayal cuts deep—but desire cuts deeper.
- GenresFriends To Lovers
Audible Audio
Published May 17, 2025
243 people are currently reading
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 12, 2017
***TWO AND A HALF STARS***
This was totally my kind of story. Love cheating stories, and this one had potential, but for me it kind of missed the mark. I just didn't feel the angst at all when Audrey found out the truth about Greg's cheating, nor did I feel any real emotional connection between Harvey and Audrey when they tried to become a couple. And this story had so many missed opportunities for some much needed drama to keep the reader invested.
It wasn't a terrible story, it just wasn't that great either.
This was totally my kind of story. Love cheating stories, and this one had potential, but for me it kind of missed the mark. I just didn't feel the angst at all when Audrey found out the truth about Greg's cheating, nor did I feel any real emotional connection between Harvey and Audrey when they tried to become a couple. And this story had so many missed opportunities for some much needed drama to keep the reader invested.
It wasn't a terrible story, it just wasn't that great either.
May 31, 2019
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK decent reads.
November 18, 2025
I was so eager to read this one...just knew it would be rude with some ✅angsty gut-puching goodness...
✅cheating hub
✅duplicitous bff /ow
✅overhead confession of his infidelity
✅heroine gets better man
However, this one missed the mark with ❌juvenile dialogue, ❌ramblings of pointless stuff that added little to no value to the main plot
❌We never hear what happened to ex bff (just vapor) or the eventual outcome of cheating hubby. ❌We also get zero details on why he cheated, nothing ever discussed.... just it happened and it's over because hubby still loves his wife and ended it... although ow/ex bff seemed willing to continue.
i dunno, I just didn't feel anything, but bored 😔
✅cheating hub
✅duplicitous bff /ow
✅overhead confession of his infidelity
✅heroine gets better man
However, this one missed the mark with ❌juvenile dialogue, ❌ramblings of pointless stuff that added little to no value to the main plot
❌We never hear what happened to ex bff (just vapor) or the eventual outcome of cheating hubby. ❌We also get zero details on why he cheated, nothing ever discussed.... just it happened and it's over because hubby still loves his wife and ended it... although ow/ex bff seemed willing to continue.
i dunno, I just didn't feel anything, but bored 😔
August 11, 2025
This book popped up on my Kindle, and I was instantly intrigued—cheating tropes are one of my favourites, and marriage-in-trouble is another. It’s a short read (just over 100 pages) and follows four main characters: Greg and Audrey, married for about five years, and Natalie and Harvey, whose marriage length isn’t specified.
The story begins with Harvey approaching Audrey to say he suspects Greg and Natalie are having an affair. He lists a few things that have made him uneasy:
• During a dinner the four of them attended, Greg and Natalie both went to the bathroom at the same time. When Natalie returned, Harvey could smell men’s cologne on her—something he dislikes and knows isn’t his.
• At a barbecue with mutual friends, Greg spilled something on his shirt and looked at Natalie in what Harvey described as a “loving” way.
• Greg and Natalie have been working late together more often.
• Harvey also knows Natalie is capable of hiding things—she was engaged to another man when they first got together, so she’s cheated before.
At first, Audrey doesn’t believe him. But then a few things make her doubt: she miscarries and notices Natalie looking upset when she mentions trying for another baby; Greg makes a crude sexual comment in the shower about something Audrey’s never done for him, which makes her wonder who he’s been talking to like that; and Harvey later finds Greg’s money clip in Natalie’s purse, which Audrey recognises as one she gave Greg.
They hire a PI to follow Greg and Natalie on a work trip to Chicago. The PI reports nothing suspicious—they travelled separately, didn’t have dinner together, and never went to each other’s rooms. Feeling guilty, Audrey drops the suspicions, assuming Natalie and Harvey’s marital issues stem from fertility struggles.
The four of them then go on a long-planned holiday to the Virgin Islands. A few days in, Audrey overhears Greg and Natalie talking on a balcony and learns the truth: they had been having an affair, hooking up a few times before Greg ended it, saying it wasn’t fair to Audrey or Harvey.
That night at dinner, Audrey raises her glass and toasts, “Cheers to 15 years of friendship and three years of marriage, all down the drain thanks to you two,” then kisses Harvey. She tells him what she overheard, and Greg immediately begs for another chance. Audrey refuses to let him stay in her room, so he bunks in Natalie’s while Harvey moves into Audrey’s.
From there, Audrey and Harvey spend more time together and grow closer. After a hurricane forces them all into one house, Audrey and Harvey eventually sleep together. When she questions whether it’s revenge or rebound sex, Harvey is hurt, saying he genuinely likes her. This causes some distance between them, and months pass with no contact.
Audrey starts divorce proceedings, moves out, and later bumps into Harvey while on a date—he’s managing the restaurant. She sees another woman kiss him, but he chases after her, says he loves her, and that the kiss meant nothing. They get back together quickly, and the epilogue jumps seven months ahead to Harvey proposing, with Audrey pregnant.
I did enjoy the book—it was quick and entertaining—but there were big gaps that kept me from loving it. I wanted more history between Greg and Audrey to understand their dynamic and why Greg would cheat if he was still so “heartbroken” after losing her. We get almost no details about the affair, how it started, or why, and Natalie disappears from the story completely after the reveal.
Greg’s “grovel” is minimal—one conversation where he calls Audrey his soulmate and begs for another chance—but he gives up far too easily. Their divorce is civil and emotionless on-page. As for Audrey and Harvey, I didn’t mind them ending up together, but their relationship moved fast, and I never fully felt their chemistry.
Still, for a short book, it was well written (though there were a few errors), and it kept me entertained.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2020
Another thief disguised as an author! Why do authors write stories and rob us of the angst? When I read a book I want to feel all the emotions and angst is a great feeling if written correctly. No, I don't want a story with a treat me bad you modern day cad character. But I do want to feel something when the story contains infidelity. I would recommend this book to people who love luke warm romance.
August 13, 2025
The story showed promise. I know it wasn’t a full novel, but I felt even though it had good bones to the story it was very surface level…I read the angst and emotion, I just didn’t feel it.
It didn’t help that unfortunately the author fell into the trap of telling instead of showing. It was being explained to us as if the author was literally pointing it out, e.g. “Our parents,” I whispered. He was as turned on as I (it was obvious from the way his shorts jutted out in front of him).
Other examples:
~ Harvey drove us back to the hotel, and my drunken self was hoping he was sober enough to get us there. He was.
~More notably, I had a text from Harvey. It simply said, “Call me.” So I called him.
~ He was waiting for me to give the final OK and give the guy the money. So I did.
Towards the end I thought the fmc let the mmc get away with something too quickly. Spoiler……I know they weren’t ‘together together’ but It was like she wasn’t bothered he was swanning off with other women and hadn’t tried harder when they went their separate ways. I could see what the author was trying to do but It just felt so cliche….
- “I can believe it. It’s where I’ve wanted to be for so long,” he said, his voice thick as he reached for my …….. I moaned softly and asked, “What took you so long?”
Erm…long enough that he was with other women and she barely even spoke about him…we didn’t even get any inner thoughts either. She just let him back in her life and into her bedroom….all whilst swooning over his good looks…they didn’t even use protection. That was after him intimating that the other women were mistakes….it left such a bad taste in my mouth. I really really disliked their story from page 148 onwards….such a let down and so rushed in places. Such a missed opportunity, especially the last twenty pages.
It didn’t help that unfortunately the author fell into the trap of telling instead of showing. It was being explained to us as if the author was literally pointing it out, e.g. “Our parents,” I whispered. He was as turned on as I (it was obvious from the way his shorts jutted out in front of him).
Other examples:
~ Harvey drove us back to the hotel, and my drunken self was hoping he was sober enough to get us there. He was.
~More notably, I had a text from Harvey. It simply said, “Call me.” So I called him.
~ He was waiting for me to give the final OK and give the guy the money. So I did.
Towards the end I thought the fmc let the mmc get away with something too quickly. Spoiler……I know they weren’t ‘together together’ but It was like she wasn’t bothered he was swanning off with other women and hadn’t tried harder when they went their separate ways. I could see what the author was trying to do but It just felt so cliche….
- “I can believe it. It’s where I’ve wanted to be for so long,” he said, his voice thick as he reached for my …….. I moaned softly and asked, “What took you so long?”
Erm…long enough that he was with other women and she barely even spoke about him…we didn’t even get any inner thoughts either. She just let him back in her life and into her bedroom….all whilst swooning over his good looks…they didn’t even use protection. That was after him intimating that the other women were mistakes….it left such a bad taste in my mouth. I really really disliked their story from page 148 onwards….such a let down and so rushed in places. Such a missed opportunity, especially the last twenty pages.
December 14, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was about two people who were hurt deeply by the one they loved. They turned to each other for help and ended up finding the happiness that they both deserved. I'm glad that I read this book and I'm looking forward to this author writing more books.
September 15, 2025
Sweet
The cheating aspect of this book aside, this was a sweet and steamy romance.
The 4 main characters that book starts off with are two sweet main characters and two not so sweet.
Fast paced as the couple turns out to be is finished with an HEA
The cheating aspect of this book aside, this was a sweet and steamy romance.
The 4 main characters that book starts off with are two sweet main characters and two not so sweet.
Fast paced as the couple turns out to be is finished with an HEA
November 16, 2016
It is a good book, more chick-lit than romance but that's not a bad thing. It is about Audrey finding her way through life after learning about her husband's affair with her best friend.
December 23, 2025
NO DUAL POINT OF VIEW
Normally I don’t ever feel sorry for the cheater, but I did feel a little sorry for Greg. Not for Natalie tho. And of course, I absolutely felt sorry for Audrey and Harvey. They were the ones cheated on and it was painful.
I would have liked a dual point of view story. What were Greg’s thoughts and feelings? In most infidelity stories, the man only ends the affair after he’s caught. Greg had ended the affair well before she found out. That says something about his conscience. That he had possibly true remorse. I felt like she could have given him more of a hearing ear. Agreed to couples counseling. If marriage can be saved, that’s a good thing.
Book was too long. I really skimmed over most of the vacation Audrey and Harvey shared, and I really skimmed over the whole parents, hurricane, hometown parts. That just went on too long.
I was more interested in her and Greg’s relationship. Having only one side of the story felt very flat. Emotions are rarely black-and-white.
The author may not have intended this, but it came across as though Audrey didn’t value the marriage any more than Greg did. They had a long, shared history. Greg had rescued her from an abusive relationship. She seemed to devalue that.
I don’t think I truly enjoyed the book. I wouldn’t say it’s terrible, but it did not flow or end the way I would’ve liked.
We never learned what happened to Greg? what happened to Natalie? The story was very incomplete.
I would have given the story 3 stars instead of just 2 if it had been a dual point of view story. We only heard one side. And there’s never just one side to a story.
Normally I don’t ever feel sorry for the cheater, but I did feel a little sorry for Greg. Not for Natalie tho. And of course, I absolutely felt sorry for Audrey and Harvey. They were the ones cheated on and it was painful.
I would have liked a dual point of view story. What were Greg’s thoughts and feelings? In most infidelity stories, the man only ends the affair after he’s caught. Greg had ended the affair well before she found out. That says something about his conscience. That he had possibly true remorse. I felt like she could have given him more of a hearing ear. Agreed to couples counseling. If marriage can be saved, that’s a good thing.
Book was too long. I really skimmed over most of the vacation Audrey and Harvey shared, and I really skimmed over the whole parents, hurricane, hometown parts. That just went on too long.
I was more interested in her and Greg’s relationship. Having only one side of the story felt very flat. Emotions are rarely black-and-white.
The author may not have intended this, but it came across as though Audrey didn’t value the marriage any more than Greg did. They had a long, shared history. Greg had rescued her from an abusive relationship. She seemed to devalue that.
I don’t think I truly enjoyed the book. I wouldn’t say it’s terrible, but it did not flow or end the way I would’ve liked.
We never learned what happened to Greg? what happened to Natalie? The story was very incomplete.
I would have given the story 3 stars instead of just 2 if it had been a dual point of view story. We only heard one side. And there’s never just one side to a story.
March 29, 2020
Sweet love story
Harvey and Audrey have suspicions that their spouses are having an affair. But they weren't able to prove it, even the PI came up empty handed. The four friends went on their pre-planned vacation. This is where Audrey overheard her husband and best friend talking about their affair. The way that Audrey confronted them about it was great! The rest of the story is about life after the reveal. Her husband seemed genuine with his groveling and apologies. I thought MAYBE she should've gave him another chance. But, I also wanted to see where her new love interest went. It does have a HEA, and I'm happy with the ending.
Harvey and Audrey have suspicions that their spouses are having an affair. But they weren't able to prove it, even the PI came up empty handed. The four friends went on their pre-planned vacation. This is where Audrey overheard her husband and best friend talking about their affair. The way that Audrey confronted them about it was great! The rest of the story is about life after the reveal. Her husband seemed genuine with his groveling and apologies. I thought MAYBE she should've gave him another chance. But, I also wanted to see where her new love interest went. It does have a HEA, and I'm happy with the ending.
December 13, 2025
Skimmed quite a lot. There was so much filler and absolutely no angst. It was a lot of telling. H1 and hs best friend having an affair. H2 (bfs hubby) and h get together very quickly. Also I found it strange that never talked about protection or getting sti checks after their spouses cheated. I think they are meant to be in their late twenties? But the writing and character felt very very young.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2017
I loved this book. I read a lot and it was a refreshing new story idea!!
May 17, 2019
Meh...nice story but not a must read. If you have time and nothing else to read go for it.
Read
March 17, 2024Reread
July 18, 2025
Not what I expected
Thought it would be about Greg cheating was mostly about her an her and Harvey getting together. I was disappointed
Thought it would be about Greg cheating was mostly about her an her and Harvey getting together. I was disappointed
July 20, 2025
Nice short story
Lovely story to read on a rainy Sunday afternoon thoughrly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it and would read more books by this author
Lovely story to read on a rainy Sunday afternoon thoughrly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it and would read more books by this author
September 22, 2025
good
I enjoyed the story. I would have liked to see the reaction of the ex’s when the engagement and the news of the baby came out. That would have been great to see
I enjoyed the story. I would have liked to see the reaction of the ex’s when the engagement and the news of the baby came out. That would have been great to see
October 7, 2025
❤️❤️❤️
I knew Harvey was gonna be her one but dang they had to go through a lot to get there. And Greg and Natalie needed to suffer A LOT more.
I knew Harvey was gonna be her one but dang they had to go through a lot to get there. And Greg and Natalie needed to suffer A LOT more.
March 16, 2017
This was a really quick read. I saw the description and pulled in because it's not everyday this plot is done.
I liked the characters. They were drawer together by things they couldn't change and even though they had known each other for A long time it was still pretty fun to watch them skate around each other.
What you read in the description is pretty much what you get, with a few twists thrown in. I really enjoyed it somethings probably could've been left out but in the end it was a really good story.
Overall, I can't going to detail because like I said the description pretty much tells you what you're going to get in the book so I don't want to spoil the future West at the store he does have. But being my first book by this author I did enjoy it. 4 stars #2OCCJD
I liked the characters. They were drawer together by things they couldn't change and even though they had known each other for A long time it was still pretty fun to watch them skate around each other.
What you read in the description is pretty much what you get, with a few twists thrown in. I really enjoyed it somethings probably could've been left out but in the end it was a really good story.
Overall, I can't going to detail because like I said the description pretty much tells you what you're going to get in the book so I don't want to spoil the future West at the store he does have. But being my first book by this author I did enjoy it. 4 stars #2OCCJD
September 25, 2016
“Taking Chances”, is an amazing love story with a serious twist. The four main characters are all married, Greg to Audrey and Harvey to Natalie. Much to Harvey and Audrey's disillusionment they discover that their respective spouses are having an affair with each other. Though Harvey suspected that his wife was fooling around with Audrey's husband he couldn't come up with enough evidence to convince Audrey. To get the proof they need Audrey and Harvey pooled their money together to hire a PI. Unfortunately, the PI's investigation came up empty. Audrey felt like a fool for going along with Harvey's unfounded suspicions.
Finding nothing to substantiate their fears Harvey and Audrey decided to go ahead with their planned vacation to the Virgin Islands with their spouses. Both couples having enjoyed their first day sunning on the beach return to their room to get ready for dinner. Audrey over hears an argument between Greg and Natalie that is taking place below her balcony, were Natalie berates Greg for breaking up their affair. Audrey is in shock yet she has enough presence of mind to confront the cheating couple with class and elegance.
Though Greg pleads with her, Audrey is finish with him. Both Harvey and Audrey find comfort in each other and things begin to progress to their inevitable conclusion. The question is can Audrey trust Harvey or his he just using her to get even with Greg and Natalie.? Will she give love a second change?
This book is a total winner. Cosette Hale is awesome writer and I can't wait to read her next book. This book is a stand alone novel with no cliff hangers.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
Finding nothing to substantiate their fears Harvey and Audrey decided to go ahead with their planned vacation to the Virgin Islands with their spouses. Both couples having enjoyed their first day sunning on the beach return to their room to get ready for dinner. Audrey over hears an argument between Greg and Natalie that is taking place below her balcony, were Natalie berates Greg for breaking up their affair. Audrey is in shock yet she has enough presence of mind to confront the cheating couple with class and elegance.
Though Greg pleads with her, Audrey is finish with him. Both Harvey and Audrey find comfort in each other and things begin to progress to their inevitable conclusion. The question is can Audrey trust Harvey or his he just using her to get even with Greg and Natalie.? Will she give love a second change?
This book is a total winner. Cosette Hale is awesome writer and I can't wait to read her next book. This book is a stand alone novel with no cliff hangers.
I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review
September 23, 2016
It was a great story, with two people seeking comforting in the face of a betrayal. Life is about taking risking and taking chances. The couple took a chance on HEA and won. Wish we could of found out what happened to the exes. Congrats Cossette on the book. look forward to reading more from you in the future.
December 28, 2016
A vacation in paradise turns into a living nightmare when neighbors Audrey and Harvey find out that their suspicions are true: their spouses have been having an affair. But the breakup of their marriages -- and some tight quarters in their hometown following a tornado -- lead to Audrey and Harvey taking a chance on one another.
September 24, 2016
This is a great story about two people who were betrayed by their spouses and found comfort in each other. They eventually found their love for each other couldn't be resisted anymore and got their happy ever after. Wondering what happened to their spouses?
September 24, 2016
4.5 stars
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