What do you think?
Rate this book
Bet's Christmas Gamble
She's been hiding her heart for years. He's done waiting. But someone else wants him, and they'll do anything to keep them apart.
Betty "Bet" Murphy has loved Garrett Hawthorn since she was seventeen. Now she works at his tech company under a false name, determined to prove herself on her own merits.
This Christmas, Garrett's company party isn't about holiday spirit—it's his last chance to tell Bet how he really feels.
But someone's watching. Someone obsessed.
When stolen files, surveillance photos, and escalating threats force Garrett to move Bet into his home for "safety," every boundary they've built crumbles.
Desire flares. Secrets unravel. And as danger closes in, Bet must risk everything—her job, her safety, and the heart she’s guarded for so long.
Because some gambles aren’t just about love.
They’re about survival.
Perfect for fans
• Alpha heroes who fall hard
• Friends to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Christmas romance with suspense
• "Touch her and die"
Content Stalking, violence, and references to past abuse. Guaranteed HEA.
Book 3 in the Evanston series—reads as a standalone.
Betty "Bet" Murphy has loved Garrett Hawthorn since she was seventeen. Now she works at his tech company under a false name, determined to prove herself on her own merits.
This Christmas, Garrett's company party isn't about holiday spirit—it's his last chance to tell Bet how he really feels.
But someone's watching. Someone obsessed.
When stolen files, surveillance photos, and escalating threats force Garrett to move Bet into his home for "safety," every boundary they've built crumbles.
Desire flares. Secrets unravel. And as danger closes in, Bet must risk everything—her job, her safety, and the heart she’s guarded for so long.
Because some gambles aren’t just about love.
They’re about survival.
Perfect for fans
• Alpha heroes who fall hard
• Friends to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Christmas romance with suspense
• "Touch her and die"
Content Stalking, violence, and references to past abuse. Guaranteed HEA.
Book 3 in the Evanston series—reads as a standalone.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 17, 2025
2 people are currently reading
988 people want to read
About the author
Ann Dunbar
3 books36 followersAnn Dunbar writes emotional, suspenseful romances where love isn’t always safe—but it’s always worth the risk.
With a fresh perspective and a talent for crafting heartwarming stories, Ann invites readers to embrace the magic of love through characters who fight for connection and redemption.
Born with an insatiable love for storytelling, Ann embarked on her writing journey with a mission to celebrate love in all its forms. Her debut novels blend romance, humor, and self-discovery, offering readers an escape into captivating stories of second chances and emotional depth.
Set against the rugged beauty of Montana, her books mix small-town warmth with high-stakes passion and danger.
When not immersed in fiction, Ann can be found sipping her favorite coffee blend while dreaming up new stories of love and personal growth.
Stay connected! Join Ann’s newsletter for exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her upcoming books:
https://anndunbarauthor.ec.page/jj1nr
With a fresh perspective and a talent for crafting heartwarming stories, Ann invites readers to embrace the magic of love through characters who fight for connection and redemption.
Born with an insatiable love for storytelling, Ann embarked on her writing journey with a mission to celebrate love in all its forms. Her debut novels blend romance, humor, and self-discovery, offering readers an escape into captivating stories of second chances and emotional depth.
Set against the rugged beauty of Montana, her books mix small-town warmth with high-stakes passion and danger.
When not immersed in fiction, Ann can be found sipping her favorite coffee blend while dreaming up new stories of love and personal growth.
Stay connected! Join Ann’s newsletter for exclusive sneak peeks, giveaways, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of her upcoming books:
https://anndunbarauthor.ec.page/jj1nr
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 4, 2025
I had the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Bet’s Christmas Gamble, and I have to say this is Ann Dunbar’s best work yet! This was my first time reading a Christmas romance, and it completely won me over. Bet and Garrett are complex, layered characters, and I connected with them almost immediately. Their chemistry is natural and heartwarming, and I found myself smiling through most of the story. The antagonist added just the right amount of tension (and was just the right amount of unhinged), keeping me guessing about what would happen next. With its blend of romance, suspense, and holiday charm, Bet’s Christmas Gamble is a heartfelt and engaging read that I’ll definitely be revisiting during future holiday seasons!
January 11, 2026
What a fun Christmas read! Not just a sweet one either. Under the strings of twinkling lights and flurries of snow, looms a threat that may just ruin Bet’s chances of love after years of yearning.
This is a standalone with some of the same characters in the Evanston series, my first read in it and I am definitely intrigued to read back and learn about other characters. I love that our heroes are not in their twenties!
Romance and happily ever after's with an undercurrent of danger – lots of Christmas feels, cinnamon spice, candy canes, sparkling dresses, family love and some shockers for heightened emotions! Home cooked comfort all wrapped up in a dazzling, beautiful setting, one can almost smell the hay and feel the cold breeze!
Without giving anything away… Candy is one heck of a character, my absolute favourite, her scenes were exceptional and added exactly what this story needed; with a complexity that'll have you turning pages and holding your breath. The end was bang on.
Grab this book for some cozy vibes, sweet and spicy romance, and hidden threats waiting to be revealed.
This is a standalone with some of the same characters in the Evanston series, my first read in it and I am definitely intrigued to read back and learn about other characters. I love that our heroes are not in their twenties!
Romance and happily ever after's with an undercurrent of danger – lots of Christmas feels, cinnamon spice, candy canes, sparkling dresses, family love and some shockers for heightened emotions! Home cooked comfort all wrapped up in a dazzling, beautiful setting, one can almost smell the hay and feel the cold breeze!
Without giving anything away… Candy is one heck of a character, my absolute favourite, her scenes were exceptional and added exactly what this story needed; with a complexity that'll have you turning pages and holding your breath. The end was bang on.
Grab this book for some cozy vibes, sweet and spicy romance, and hidden threats waiting to be revealed.
December 27, 2025
What a perfect, entertaining read for over the Christmas period, especially if you like your Christmas romances on the suspenseful, thrilling side.
Bet has been in love with Garret almost all her life. I think she is a character a lot of people will instantly like and relate to. She is hardworking, determined and loyal, however, she second guesses herself and underestimates her own abilities. A lot of this stems from a sad upbringing with her parents, so you can empathise with her feelings. However, she has a terrific group of friends who build her up and see her worth.
Garret also sees Bet for the great woman she is, however he has taken his sweet time wooing her as he believes she needs the time to be ready for something more. Enter trouble. There is no smooth path to love in this story. There is tension and suspense in the form of a deranged stalker and things are going to take a very interesting twists and turns in this story.
All I can say is I loved the ending. But I am not giving anything away, you will have to read it yourself to find out.
Bet has been in love with Garret almost all her life. I think she is a character a lot of people will instantly like and relate to. She is hardworking, determined and loyal, however, she second guesses herself and underestimates her own abilities. A lot of this stems from a sad upbringing with her parents, so you can empathise with her feelings. However, she has a terrific group of friends who build her up and see her worth.
Garret also sees Bet for the great woman she is, however he has taken his sweet time wooing her as he believes she needs the time to be ready for something more. Enter trouble. There is no smooth path to love in this story. There is tension and suspense in the form of a deranged stalker and things are going to take a very interesting twists and turns in this story.
All I can say is I loved the ending. But I am not giving anything away, you will have to read it yourself to find out.
November 28, 2025
Bet and Garrett are amazing in this holiday read. I loved that they both had feelings for I’ve author but never acted on them until Garrett moved her into his house for her own safety. From the feelings we’re able to finally come alive.
This was a great romance with a great story behind it. This us my first read from this author and I absolutely loved it.
This was a great romance with a great story behind it. This us my first read from this author and I absolutely loved it.
January 13, 2026
This was a great story with some of my favorite tropes like friends to lovers and forced proximity. This is an exciting steamy romantic suspense. Bet has always had a "thing" for Garrett. Now she's working at his company and when danger starts lurking around her, he demands that she move into his home. For her safety of course! That's when things start getting really good! This was a great story with some other woman drama that keeps things exciting and suspenseful.
November 29, 2025
I just finished Bet’s Christmas Gamble, and I’m still buzzing from the mix of romance, tension, and that delicious holiday sparkle woven into every chapter. Once again Ann Dunbar nailed a MFC! From the moment I met Bet, I felt her, this woman carrying unspoken feelings and old wounds, trying to stand on her own feet even while her heart keeps drifting back to the same man. Watching her navigate that quiet longing hit me harder than I expected.
Garrett, on the other hand, is the kind of man who makes you want to yell at the page, “Tell her already!” He’s protective without being overbearing, and the way he looks at Bet (even when she keeps trying to stay invisible) is the kind of slow-burn devotion that melts you.
But the story doesn’t just linger in the sweetness. There’s a dark pulse under the surface that kept me constantly alert. The threats, the strange clues, and that growing sense that someone is far too focused on Garrett added a sharp edge to the romance. When circumstances force Bet and Garrett to stay under the same roof, the emotional walls between them finally start cracking, and that’s when the story becomes impossible to put down.
Reading this author feels like watching a Hallmark movie, that vibe between vulnerability and danger. The vivid descriptions that capture your mind and make your imagination fly. The intimacy feels earned, the fear feels real, and the emotional payoff? Completely satisfying. The visual element during the phone chats makes this story more immersive. By the end, I was cheering for Bet to choose herself, choose love, and choose the life she truly deserved.
If you want a holiday story with heat, heart, and a streak of obsession-fueled suspense, this one delivers beautifully.
Garrett, on the other hand, is the kind of man who makes you want to yell at the page, “Tell her already!” He’s protective without being overbearing, and the way he looks at Bet (even when she keeps trying to stay invisible) is the kind of slow-burn devotion that melts you.
But the story doesn’t just linger in the sweetness. There’s a dark pulse under the surface that kept me constantly alert. The threats, the strange clues, and that growing sense that someone is far too focused on Garrett added a sharp edge to the romance. When circumstances force Bet and Garrett to stay under the same roof, the emotional walls between them finally start cracking, and that’s when the story becomes impossible to put down.
Reading this author feels like watching a Hallmark movie, that vibe between vulnerability and danger. The vivid descriptions that capture your mind and make your imagination fly. The intimacy feels earned, the fear feels real, and the emotional payoff? Completely satisfying. The visual element during the phone chats makes this story more immersive. By the end, I was cheering for Bet to choose herself, choose love, and choose the life she truly deserved.
If you want a holiday story with heat, heart, and a streak of obsession-fueled suspense, this one delivers beautifully.
October 20, 2025
Betty/Bet and Garrett has loved each other for years. This Christmas they plan to acknowledge their feelings to each other. Unfortunately, you got a crazy OW who will not let Garrett go and she will do anything to keep him.
The lead couple is lovely. They genuinely like each other and have a wonderful chemistry together. Candy (the OW in her own mind) is just crazy as heck. She is fixated on Garrett and willing to do anything to get him. The author really brings her to life. She definitely makes an impact on the reader.
The storyline pulls you in and you want to keep reading until the very end. This is the first book I have read from this author and it won’t be my last.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The lead couple is lovely. They genuinely like each other and have a wonderful chemistry together. Candy (the OW in her own mind) is just crazy as heck. She is fixated on Garrett and willing to do anything to get him. The author really brings her to life. She definitely makes an impact on the reader.
The storyline pulls you in and you want to keep reading until the very end. This is the first book I have read from this author and it won’t be my last.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 1, 2025
The third book I’ve read by this author, and equally as good as the other two, if not better. The plotting and characters are simply outstanding. Set during a glittering Christmas time in Evanston, it is a beautifully written, heart-stopping romance as Bet and Garrett’s love story unfolds, but with a dangerous villain in the midst things soon take a nasty turn that threatens to destroy the future for the lovers and their families. This was so compelling I didn’t want to put it down!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews