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Winner Takes All: A Novel
Not yet published
Expected 23 Jun 26When two rival music executives wake up married in Las Vegas with no memory of tying the knot, they have to recreate their night together while competing to sign the band of their dreams in this smart and sexy rom-com that combines Book Lovers with The Hangover.
Talent scout Eleanor Thompson arrives in Las Vegas with one sign the popular alt-rock group Dempsey to her record label and subsequently save her job. Unfortunately for her, Adam Shaw—former colleague and the man who recently poached the top performing artist from Eleanor’s roster—has the same idea. When Adam crashes Eleanor’s dinner meeting with the band, it sets them off on a night of shot-fueled one-upmanship that ends with matching wedding rings. Some people might be able to laugh off a drunken Vegas marriage, but Eleanor and Adam are not some people.
They soon realize annulments are a lot easier to get on TV, especially when you factor in a missing ID, a run-in with casino security, and a band still expecting to be wooed before hitting the stage for the final show of their national tour.
With only a few hours until the party where Dempsey plans to announce their new record label, Eleanor and Adam embark on a wild dash around Vegas to fix the previous night’s mistakes. Between meeting an attorney in the back of a strip club, getting blackmailed into playing the newlywed game, and a surprisingly deep moment outside a karaoke bar, Eleanor and Adam begin to fall for one another. Do they dare place a bet on love? Or will they keep their cards close?
Talent scout Eleanor Thompson arrives in Las Vegas with one sign the popular alt-rock group Dempsey to her record label and subsequently save her job. Unfortunately for her, Adam Shaw—former colleague and the man who recently poached the top performing artist from Eleanor’s roster—has the same idea. When Adam crashes Eleanor’s dinner meeting with the band, it sets them off on a night of shot-fueled one-upmanship that ends with matching wedding rings. Some people might be able to laugh off a drunken Vegas marriage, but Eleanor and Adam are not some people.
They soon realize annulments are a lot easier to get on TV, especially when you factor in a missing ID, a run-in with casino security, and a band still expecting to be wooed before hitting the stage for the final show of their national tour.
With only a few hours until the party where Dempsey plans to announce their new record label, Eleanor and Adam embark on a wild dash around Vegas to fix the previous night’s mistakes. Between meeting an attorney in the back of a strip club, getting blackmailed into playing the newlywed game, and a surprisingly deep moment outside a karaoke bar, Eleanor and Adam begin to fall for one another. Do they dare place a bet on love? Or will they keep their cards close?
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
April 7, 2026
This was a fun, quick read, but it didn’t totally stick with me.
The Vegas setup had potential, but it ended up feeling pretty generic—like a copy/paste version of every “woke up married in Vegas” storyline. It hits all the expected beats, and while it’s entertaining in the moment, nothing really felt fresh or surprising.
I did enjoy the pacing, though. It’s fast and easy to get through, and there’s enough chaos and banter to keep things moving. Definitely one of those books you can fly through in a day or bring on a trip.
Danny was easily my favorite part. He was sweet, easy to root for, and honestly grew on me really quickly. Eleanor… not so much. I just never fully connected with her, which made it harder to stay invested in the story overall.
The romance was fine, but it felt a little rushed. I didn’t quite buy how quickly everything shifted between them, even with their history. It wasn’t bad, just not super convincing
.
Overall, this one was enjoyable while I was reading it, but it’s not something I’ll be thinking about long-term. If you want something light and easy, it does the job.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Vegas setup had potential, but it ended up feeling pretty generic—like a copy/paste version of every “woke up married in Vegas” storyline. It hits all the expected beats, and while it’s entertaining in the moment, nothing really felt fresh or surprising.
I did enjoy the pacing, though. It’s fast and easy to get through, and there’s enough chaos and banter to keep things moving. Definitely one of those books you can fly through in a day or bring on a trip.
Danny was easily my favorite part. He was sweet, easy to root for, and honestly grew on me really quickly. Eleanor… not so much. I just never fully connected with her, which made it harder to stay invested in the story overall.
The romance was fine, but it felt a little rushed. I didn’t quite buy how quickly everything shifted between them, even with their history. It wasn’t bad, just not super convincing
.
Overall, this one was enjoyable while I was reading it, but it’s not something I’ll be thinking about long-term. If you want something light and easy, it does the job.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2025
I absolutely LOVED this. This is a perfect little contemporary romance read. It made me giggle and kick my feet and blush and swoon.
Eleanor and Adam are work RIVALS on two different music labels scouting to sign the same band. Except they get absolutely WASTED and wake up married in Las Vegas with no recollection of the night before.
As they try to get their marriage annulled, secure the band they both want, and ultimately piece together the night before, they also figure out exactly what they want in life.
The pacing of this is excellent. I feel like I’m a tough critic when it comes to contemporary romance because I think sometimes they drag out. But I could NOT put this down. I would have inhaled it in one sitting.
It is sooo funny and fun. Witty. And endearing.
The little inside jokes are ADORABLE.
The last sentence had me burst out crying actually.
I really don’t have any notes.
Thanks to Atria & NetGalley for the eARC. I really really really loved this book.
Eleanor and Adam are work RIVALS on two different music labels scouting to sign the same band. Except they get absolutely WASTED and wake up married in Las Vegas with no recollection of the night before.
As they try to get their marriage annulled, secure the band they both want, and ultimately piece together the night before, they also figure out exactly what they want in life.
The pacing of this is excellent. I feel like I’m a tough critic when it comes to contemporary romance because I think sometimes they drag out. But I could NOT put this down. I would have inhaled it in one sitting.
It is sooo funny and fun. Witty. And endearing.
The little inside jokes are ADORABLE.
The last sentence had me burst out crying actually.
I really don’t have any notes.
Thanks to Atria & NetGalley for the eARC. I really really really loved this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I loved this book. Adam Shaw and Eleanor Thompson are work rivals working for two different Recording labels. Adam works for Exeter and Eleanor works for Blue Sky. Eleanor goes to Vegas to meet with Dempsey a sibling band who needs a new recording label. However during dinner she is interrupted by Adam of all people. This isnt a book i would normally read. However Book Lovers by Emily Henry is my all time favorite book. I loved the different tasks they went through throughout the day together but especially loved the Newleywed Game most of all. Will rivals become lovers like in Book Lovers? Will Eleanor keep her job at Blue Sky? Can these two ever hit their own strides? What made it 4 stars was the fact it had quite a few run on sentences. It was a good book overall and I would read this author again. This book was given to me by Netgalley as well as Atria/Emily Bestler Books for my honest review of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the arc! This was such a fun read! I enjoyed this one so much. The characters were funny and relatable. The story progressed well and had a nice flow. Some of the chapters could be a bit long, but I honestly didn’t mind it too much as I was intrigued with what would happen next. It was lighthearted and I loved the progression of Elenor and Adam.
December 1, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up, I really loved this.
This was a quick, easy read. It was well paced considering it takes place over just about 24 hours. A perfect nod to The Hangover.
This had me blushing hard at how cute the MMC was being. He’s down bad for Eleanor even before he really knows much about her. They get to know each other over the course of the day’s mishaps and they end up being really sweet together. I couldn’t call this a slow burn since it’s just 1 day but I think there was proper time for the romance to really come about and it’s not just shoved in near the beginning. This was funny, entertaining, and endearing. This isn’t a very spicy book, just the 1 scene but I don’t think more would have suited this one. Would definitely recommend checking this one out. The epilogue was *chefs kiss*
My only criticism is that there are flashbacks that are just right in the middle of people talking. It’s not super confusing because of the subject of the conversations but it takes a second to realize the contents are not happening in the present and should probably be indicated some how (some are like mid paragraph).
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a quick, easy read. It was well paced considering it takes place over just about 24 hours. A perfect nod to The Hangover.
This had me blushing hard at how cute the MMC was being. He’s down bad for Eleanor even before he really knows much about her. They get to know each other over the course of the day’s mishaps and they end up being really sweet together. I couldn’t call this a slow burn since it’s just 1 day but I think there was proper time for the romance to really come about and it’s not just shoved in near the beginning. This was funny, entertaining, and endearing. This isn’t a very spicy book, just the 1 scene but I don’t think more would have suited this one. Would definitely recommend checking this one out. The epilogue was *chefs kiss*
My only criticism is that there are flashbacks that are just right in the middle of people talking. It’s not super confusing because of the subject of the conversations but it takes a second to realize the contents are not happening in the present and should probably be indicated some how (some are like mid paragraph).
Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2026
3.75⭐️
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Atria and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Winner takes it all by Emily Martin is a perfect rom-com. The story follows Eleanor and Adam, two rival music executives that wake married in Vegas.
I’m a sucker for rivals to lovers, and honestly this book does it really well. I loved reading the banter between Eleanor and Adam, their story was funny but swoony at the same time. As I already mentioned, this is a perfect rom-com and I would definitely watch a movie transposition. The story is completely set in Vegas and in the span of a day, I thought the pacing was going to be a problem for me but I ended up enjoying it. This turned out be a real page turner!
The only thing I wish was done differently is the flashbacks. I’m not a big fan of flashbacks in general, but I can work with them if they don’t make the reading experience confusing. In this case the flashbacks start in the middle of other scenes, and in some cases it’s kinda hard to figure out what’s going on.
Thank you so much to Netgalley, Atria and the author for giving me the opportunity to read this as an arc!
Winner takes it all by Emily Martin is a perfect rom-com. The story follows Eleanor and Adam, two rival music executives that wake married in Vegas.
I’m a sucker for rivals to lovers, and honestly this book does it really well. I loved reading the banter between Eleanor and Adam, their story was funny but swoony at the same time. As I already mentioned, this is a perfect rom-com and I would definitely watch a movie transposition. The story is completely set in Vegas and in the span of a day, I thought the pacing was going to be a problem for me but I ended up enjoying it. This turned out be a real page turner!
The only thing I wish was done differently is the flashbacks. I’m not a big fan of flashbacks in general, but I can work with them if they don’t make the reading experience confusing. In this case the flashbacks start in the middle of other scenes, and in some cases it’s kinda hard to figure out what’s going on.
January 31, 2026
3.5 stars
Eleanor and Adam are rival music execs in Las Vegas, trying to sign the same band. After a night of wining and dining, the two wake up in Eleanor's bed with no recollection of how they got there. When they notice they are wearing wedding rings, they are even more confused! Together, they have to piece back together their night and also, separately, try to convince the band to sign with them.
This was a fun little read! Despite the long chapters, it was a quick read with cute characters. You've got lots of tropes here, so there will be something for every romcom lover.
This was like a combo of The Rewind & The Hangover. And the whole thing (minus the epilogue) takes place in 24 hours.
I can see this being a hit as a beach read this summer! Throw this in your beach bag get swept away to the Las Vegas strip for a few hours.
Eleanor and Adam are rival music execs in Las Vegas, trying to sign the same band. After a night of wining and dining, the two wake up in Eleanor's bed with no recollection of how they got there. When they notice they are wearing wedding rings, they are even more confused! Together, they have to piece back together their night and also, separately, try to convince the band to sign with them.
This was a fun little read! Despite the long chapters, it was a quick read with cute characters. You've got lots of tropes here, so there will be something for every romcom lover.
This was like a combo of The Rewind & The Hangover. And the whole thing (minus the epilogue) takes place in 24 hours.
I can see this being a hit as a beach read this summer! Throw this in your beach bag get swept away to the Las Vegas strip for a few hours.
May 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria books for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!
Eleanor and Adam work for rival record labels and are both working hard to sign an up and coming band. Unfortunately they have to do this in Las Vegas and perhaps even more unfortunately; they get extremely wasted and get married! This is The Hangover in book form; it’s fast paced and sharply funny.
I really enjoyed having both Eleanor and Adam’s perspectives and reading about them fighting for their jobs and trying to figure out what the hell happened to them while also being very hungover? Comedy gold. This was a swiftly paced and easy read which works in the book’s favor because the entire story takes place in a day.
January 3, 2026
3.5 stars
This was a fun and engaging read! As a fan of both The Hangover and Book Lovers, I knew this story would be right up my alley.
I loved the hilarity of Eleanor and Adam trying to piece together their antics from the night before, while juggling the real-life pressures from their families and jobs. This story had some incredibly heartfelt moments, and I loved how Martin didn’t shy away from some of the darker themes present in the music industry (nepotism, misogyny, and power imbalances).
While I loved both Eleanor and Adam individually and as a couple, I wish their backstories aligned more - as a former couple, rather than as former colleagues. The choice to make them rivals at different music labels, without a previous spark of romance, made their drunken decision to get married hard to buy. It also made it hard to find the timeline of events believable. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the way their adoration for one another played out on page, I just found it hard to buy for a couple that had not previously been together in any way.
Overall, this story was fun, flirty, and full of friendly competition. It’s the perfect light-hearted read for those looking for humor and swoon-worthy moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun and engaging read! As a fan of both The Hangover and Book Lovers, I knew this story would be right up my alley.
I loved the hilarity of Eleanor and Adam trying to piece together their antics from the night before, while juggling the real-life pressures from their families and jobs. This story had some incredibly heartfelt moments, and I loved how Martin didn’t shy away from some of the darker themes present in the music industry (nepotism, misogyny, and power imbalances).
While I loved both Eleanor and Adam individually and as a couple, I wish their backstories aligned more - as a former couple, rather than as former colleagues. The choice to make them rivals at different music labels, without a previous spark of romance, made their drunken decision to get married hard to buy. It also made it hard to find the timeline of events believable. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the way their adoration for one another played out on page, I just found it hard to buy for a couple that had not previously been together in any way.
Overall, this story was fun, flirty, and full of friendly competition. It’s the perfect light-hearted read for those looking for humor and swoon-worthy moments.
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
December 31, 2025
A super quick, cute read!
After interning together at a record label years prior, Eleanor and Adam have a chance meeting in Las Vegas when they both show up to try and sign the same band. The night goes slightly off the rails when they end up married.
People are right when they say it’s a cross between Book Lovers and The Hangover. Was it a little cheesy? For sure. But it was the perfect book to end 2025 on. Quick to read, kept my interest (which has been a struggle lately), and I actually equally enjoyed the FMC & MMC.
Would have loved if it was a tiny bit longer, but this was a solid 4.5 star read for me.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Add this to your summer 2026 TBR!
After interning together at a record label years prior, Eleanor and Adam have a chance meeting in Las Vegas when they both show up to try and sign the same band. The night goes slightly off the rails when they end up married.
People are right when they say it’s a cross between Book Lovers and The Hangover. Was it a little cheesy? For sure. But it was the perfect book to end 2025 on. Quick to read, kept my interest (which has been a struggle lately), and I actually equally enjoyed the FMC & MMC.
Would have loved if it was a tiny bit longer, but this was a solid 4.5 star read for me.
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Add this to your summer 2026 TBR!
April 10, 2026
I just LOVED this book.
Winner Takes All follows Ellie and Adam, two rivals in the music industry who want to sign the same band. After a night dining with the band, Ellie wakes up next to Adam with a wedding ring on her finger. Unsure of what happened the night before, the two try to put the puzzle pieces together while they seek a way to get an annulment and still sign the band to their respective labels.
This was such an adorable book. I really loved Ellie and Adam getting to know each other and especially loved how they were committed to uncovering the truth about each other. I also enjoyed the growth of both characters. Both were flawed, but both took steps in becoming better versions of themselves in a believable way.
This book had a lot of humor and heart!
Winner Takes All follows Ellie and Adam, two rivals in the music industry who want to sign the same band. After a night dining with the band, Ellie wakes up next to Adam with a wedding ring on her finger. Unsure of what happened the night before, the two try to put the puzzle pieces together while they seek a way to get an annulment and still sign the band to their respective labels.
This was such an adorable book. I really loved Ellie and Adam getting to know each other and especially loved how they were committed to uncovering the truth about each other. I also enjoyed the growth of both characters. Both were flawed, but both took steps in becoming better versions of themselves in a believable way.
This book had a lot of humor and heart!
December 7, 2025
4,5⭐️
I really enjoyed this book! This main action takes place over a day so the pacing is quick and very engaging. With that, you’d think you would have trouble connecting with the characters but no. Eleanor and Adam are well fleshed out with their own backstory. Eleanor and Adam used to work in the same company before Eleanor left so they are not complete strangers as they are trying to get an annulment. This story was funny but it also left place for the characters to grow, which I really liked. It was a nice fast paced romcom with likeable characters !
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book! This main action takes place over a day so the pacing is quick and very engaging. With that, you’d think you would have trouble connecting with the characters but no. Eleanor and Adam are well fleshed out with their own backstory. Eleanor and Adam used to work in the same company before Eleanor left so they are not complete strangers as they are trying to get an annulment. This story was funny but it also left place for the characters to grow, which I really liked. It was a nice fast paced romcom with likeable characters !
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an arc of this book, opinions are my own.
April 5, 2026
Review of advance reader’s edition received from Goodreads Giveaways:
4.5 stars
This rom com, a classic enemies to lovers trope, was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I could not put down until 2 days later when I got the ending that I desired! It was written with the dueling perspectives of Eleanor and Adam as they navigate waking up in Las Vegas married and competing to sign the same band to their respective music label. I laughed, my mouth hung open in shock, and I internally swore never to get drunk and married in Vegas! I definitely recommend this book as a fun summer read, to get out of a reading slump, or maybe to prepare for an upcoming Vegas rendezvous!
4.5 stars
This rom com, a classic enemies to lovers trope, was a thoroughly enjoyable read that I could not put down until 2 days later when I got the ending that I desired! It was written with the dueling perspectives of Eleanor and Adam as they navigate waking up in Las Vegas married and competing to sign the same band to their respective music label. I laughed, my mouth hung open in shock, and I internally swore never to get drunk and married in Vegas! I definitely recommend this book as a fun summer read, to get out of a reading slump, or maybe to prepare for an upcoming Vegas rendezvous!
May 3, 2026
Winner Takes All had such a fun, high-concept premise that immediately pulled me in. The “wake up married in Vegas” setup is always a great hook, and here it worked especially well with the added layer of professional rivalry. Eleanor and Adam had clear chemistry from the start, and I appreciated that there were real stakes driving their actions beyond just the romance.
That said, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. Despite the chaotic setup, parts of the story felt slower than expected, which took away some of the momentum I was hoping for.
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.
That said, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. Despite the chaotic setup, parts of the story felt slower than expected, which took away some of the momentum I was hoping for.
Thank you to Atria Books for the ARC.
December 8, 2025
This review is thanks to the ARC I received from Atria books and is a honest review of what I read.
This book was so cute! I really loved both of the characters and how their story played out. Normally, I hate the miscommunication arc in a story, but was so glad to see two characters just have an adult conversation about it and move forward. Will definitely be reading more by the author!
This book was so cute! I really loved both of the characters and how their story played out. Normally, I hate the miscommunication arc in a story, but was so glad to see two characters just have an adult conversation about it and move forward. Will definitely be reading more by the author!
May 2, 2026
A cute romcom that kept me turning the pages! The characters were entertaining and I love a dual POV. Very fast paced and not overly wordy. Chapter lengths were just right! Would recommend for fans of an adventurous and fun romance.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted arc
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5
I absolutely adored this book. It was such a fun read! It's described as Book Lovers meets The Hangover, and I think that's a perfect description for it!
The story is about two rival music talent scouts who are in Vegas trying to lock in a contract with an up and coming music group. But they wake up married with no memory of the night before and try to retrace their steps, get an annulment, and close their deal, all while actually falling in love.
The banter was funny and I literally laughed out loud several times. However, the story had emotional depth too. I think the characters were very well developed and their emotional growth was well done.
Adam, the MMC, was green light city, and there were several swoon worthy lines from him.
The story is pretty short (under 300 pages) so it's a quick and easy read but is also very well written. My only critique is that I feel like the end wrapped up pretty quickly and I could have stood for a little more there.
Again, I loved this book. If you are looking for a fast and fun, but also genuinely sweet read, this is it! I've already pre-ordered the physical book for my library when it comes out on June!
I absolutely adored this book. It was such a fun read! It's described as Book Lovers meets The Hangover, and I think that's a perfect description for it!
The story is about two rival music talent scouts who are in Vegas trying to lock in a contract with an up and coming music group. But they wake up married with no memory of the night before and try to retrace their steps, get an annulment, and close their deal, all while actually falling in love.
The banter was funny and I literally laughed out loud several times. However, the story had emotional depth too. I think the characters were very well developed and their emotional growth was well done.
Adam, the MMC, was green light city, and there were several swoon worthy lines from him.
The story is pretty short (under 300 pages) so it's a quick and easy read but is also very well written. My only critique is that I feel like the end wrapped up pretty quickly and I could have stood for a little more there.
Again, I loved this book. If you are looking for a fast and fun, but also genuinely sweet read, this is it! I've already pre-ordered the physical book for my library when it comes out on June!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Eleanor is *this* close to signing a deal with the up and coming band Dempsey that will save her career (and her less than stellar finances). Unfortunately for her, someone has tipped off her rival Adam that Dempsey is looking for a new label, and he shows up in Las Vegas to try to poach them. Desperate not to lose out on this opportunity to a guy who is willing to drink with the band all night, Eleanor agrees to a night out that unexpectedly ends at a Vegas chapel, with her and Adam saying a drunken "I do." The rest of the book has them racing around Vegas to put their pieces of their night together, before Dempsey announces their label choice at a late night party.
This was fun!! A strip club lawyer, a game of the Newlyweds, some gambling to win much needed cash, and a career-defining race to the finish! More books should be this fun! The premise is goofy, and we never really get a full explanation of what went down the night our main characters blacked out, or why it ended with them at the altar, but I expect to put aside a bit of believability when I asked to buy into a goofy premise, and I didn't get bogged down with the specifics.
Eleanor and Adam as characters walk this nice line of having a past together that sets out realistic tension, without that tension or past being so loaded that you're not actually rooting for the couple to get together. And, while I've started this by saying how fun the book is, it's worth noting that it still does have real emotion to it - Adam and Eleanor learn and grow across this book, and both share heavier parts of their past without miring the novel in those darker themes. Their connection is one that is sparked very early on - it's so clear immediately that they're attracted to each other - but the storytelling is restrained in this respect, and they don't get together until it feels truly earned by the plot.
So, yeah! A solid story! A fun romp! It made me want to go to Vegas, and also listen to some good rock music. And maybe buy a pair of hotel slippers? It's a recommend for me for anyone who is looking for a fun, quick read with a satisfying plot and relationship arc.
Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was fun!! A strip club lawyer, a game of the Newlyweds, some gambling to win much needed cash, and a career-defining race to the finish! More books should be this fun! The premise is goofy, and we never really get a full explanation of what went down the night our main characters blacked out, or why it ended with them at the altar, but I expect to put aside a bit of believability when I asked to buy into a goofy premise, and I didn't get bogged down with the specifics.
Eleanor and Adam as characters walk this nice line of having a past together that sets out realistic tension, without that tension or past being so loaded that you're not actually rooting for the couple to get together. And, while I've started this by saying how fun the book is, it's worth noting that it still does have real emotion to it - Adam and Eleanor learn and grow across this book, and both share heavier parts of their past without miring the novel in those darker themes. Their connection is one that is sparked very early on - it's so clear immediately that they're attracted to each other - but the storytelling is restrained in this respect, and they don't get together until it feels truly earned by the plot.
So, yeah! A solid story! A fun romp! It made me want to go to Vegas, and also listen to some good rock music. And maybe buy a pair of hotel slippers? It's a recommend for me for anyone who is looking for a fun, quick read with a satisfying plot and relationship arc.
Thank you to Net Galley and the Publisher for the E-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Somewhere along the line, giving her what she wants became irresistible to me.
It sounds incredibly basic to say, but this book is such a fun time! I was worried that a story told in 24 hours wouldn’t be enough to hook me or buy in to the characters and root for them, but I was, delightfully, proved wrong.
Eleanor and Adam, industry competitors, are uniquely complex in their own ways, and a drunken Vegas marriage to one another while they’re both trying to sign the same band doesn’t simplify anything. With less than twelve hours to figure out exactly what happened the night before, they drag each other around the city trying to do as much damage control as possible. As they traverse through strip club meat, a newlywed game, pawnshops, and casino floors (which isn’t an extensive list of their experiences), they’re confronted with the reality that maybe they’ve had the wrong opinions of each other all along.
Winner Takes All is a whirlwind of adventure with charming characters, irresistible banter, and outrageous scenarios that’ll keep you laughing!
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this and that:
♡ accidentally married in Vegas
♡ banter
♡ hotel slippers x coconut water
♡ ice sculpture disasters
♡ last chance to save your job
♡ lawyers that operate out of a strip club
♡ music industry
♡ newlywed games
♡ open door spice (light)
♡ piecing together the night before from photos
♡ rivals to lovers
♡ strip club buffets
♡ The Hangover vibes
♡ told in 24 hours
♡ workplace romance
triggers:
☞ abuse of power (not between main characters, past)
☞ panic attacks
☞ sexism x misogyny in the workplace
notable quotes:
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thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the gifted review copy in exchange for my honest opinions!
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♡ find me on Instagram!
It sounds incredibly basic to say, but this book is such a fun time! I was worried that a story told in 24 hours wouldn’t be enough to hook me or buy in to the characters and root for them, but I was, delightfully, proved wrong.
Eleanor and Adam, industry competitors, are uniquely complex in their own ways, and a drunken Vegas marriage to one another while they’re both trying to sign the same band doesn’t simplify anything. With less than twelve hours to figure out exactly what happened the night before, they drag each other around the city trying to do as much damage control as possible. As they traverse through strip club meat, a newlywed game, pawnshops, and casino floors (which isn’t an extensive list of their experiences), they’re confronted with the reality that maybe they’ve had the wrong opinions of each other all along.
Winner Takes All is a whirlwind of adventure with charming characters, irresistible banter, and outrageous scenarios that’ll keep you laughing!
—
this and that:
♡ accidentally married in Vegas
♡ banter
♡ hotel slippers x coconut water
♡ ice sculpture disasters
♡ last chance to save your job
♡ lawyers that operate out of a strip club
♡ music industry
♡ newlywed games
♡ open door spice (light)
♡ piecing together the night before from photos
♡ rivals to lovers
♡ strip club buffets
♡ The Hangover vibes
♡ told in 24 hours
♡ workplace romance
triggers:
☞ abuse of power (not between main characters, past)
☞ panic attacks
☞ sexism x misogyny in the workplace
notable quotes:
—
thank you to Atria and Netgalley for the gifted review copy in exchange for my honest opinions!
—
♡ find me on Instagram!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
What is the worst that can happen when you wake up in bed with a rival music executive and no memory of the night before? "Winner Takes All" is a low-stakes rom-com set in Las Vegas. Ig you loved the movie "The Hangover", then this is for you.
As someone who typically reads more emotionally taxing stories, I did enjoy that this one was much lower stakes. It is the perfect length for a long flight or a beach getaway. The banter between our two main characters was pretty funny, too. The plot for the first half of the book, basically Murphy's Law, also contributed to the comedy factor. Of course, it was just one thing after another. I think my favorite part was actually the old ladies in the casino. The strip-club-lawyer being a close second.
Now, this book takes place in about a 24 hour time period. One of the things that felt a little bit off was the pacing. Usually, I love a Dual POV Romance. In this case, the MMC and the FMC's voices kept mixing in my head. Their voices didn't sound very different, which is something that I feel like you need, especially in a first-person narration. I honestly felt like we didn't need our MMC's voice at all, since his stakes were much lower, and most of his observations were just confirming what the FMC thought or said. It just felt like it was dragging the story out at times instead of taking the opportunity to give more depth to side characters. I found myself really not caring at all about the "men" they both kept referring back to.
I found myself not fully invested in the romance either. By the time they got to the "big moment" I just had a hard time believing that he changed his mind about her in the course of a day. Especially since it was referenced several times how they used to intern together.
Overall, I did like the story. It was cute, cozy in a chaotic way. A quick, fast-paced read that will be perfect for when the book releases in the summer.
I want to thank Atria Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a fair review.
As someone who typically reads more emotionally taxing stories, I did enjoy that this one was much lower stakes. It is the perfect length for a long flight or a beach getaway. The banter between our two main characters was pretty funny, too. The plot for the first half of the book, basically Murphy's Law, also contributed to the comedy factor. Of course, it was just one thing after another. I think my favorite part was actually the old ladies in the casino. The strip-club-lawyer being a close second.
Now, this book takes place in about a 24 hour time period. One of the things that felt a little bit off was the pacing. Usually, I love a Dual POV Romance. In this case, the MMC and the FMC's voices kept mixing in my head. Their voices didn't sound very different, which is something that I feel like you need, especially in a first-person narration. I honestly felt like we didn't need our MMC's voice at all, since his stakes were much lower, and most of his observations were just confirming what the FMC thought or said. It just felt like it was dragging the story out at times instead of taking the opportunity to give more depth to side characters. I found myself really not caring at all about the "men" they both kept referring back to.
I found myself not fully invested in the romance either. By the time they got to the "big moment" I just had a hard time believing that he changed his mind about her in the course of a day. Especially since it was referenced several times how they used to intern together.
Overall, I did like the story. It was cute, cozy in a chaotic way. A quick, fast-paced read that will be perfect for when the book releases in the summer.
I want to thank Atria Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for a fair review.
January 31, 2026
• BOOK REVIEW — Winner Take All by Emily Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This book is chaotic, flirty, and ridiculously fun — a romcom packed with rivalry, Vegas madness, and chemistry that refuses to stay buried.
Characters:
🎧 Eleanor Thompson — ambitious, stressed talent scout with everything on the line
🎸 Adam Shaw — smug, charming rival exec who knows exactly how to push her buttons
Vibes:
• rivals to lovers
• drunk Vegas marriage
• forced proximity
• workplace competition
• sharp banter
• romcom chaos
• “we hate each other but this feels dangerous” energy
What the story gives:
Eleanor flies to Vegas with one mission: sign the alt-rock band Dempsey and save her job. The last person she expects to see is Adam, the former colleague who already stole one of her biggest artists — and now wants the same band.
One night of competitive, shot-fueled one-upmanship later… they wake up married.
With missing IDs, an annulment that’s way harder than expected, casino security on their heels, and a band still waiting to be impressed before announcing their new label, Eleanor and Adam are forced to spend the day retracing their chaotic night across Vegas. Somewhere between strip-club legal advice, public newlywed games, and an unexpectedly vulnerable karaoke-bar moment, rivalry starts turning into something real.
What I Loved:
• Eleanor’s driven, no-nonsense FMC energy
• Adam’s arrogant-but-secretly-soft MMC vibes
• the constant banter and competitive tension
• forced proximity done in the most chaotic way
• romcom moments that actually made me laugh
• chemistry that sneaks up on you
Final Vibe:
Smart, sexy, and wildly entertaining.
Winner Take All is a fast-paced romcom about ambition, rivalry, accidental marriage, and realizing the person standing in your way might be exactly who you want.
If you love rivals-to-lovers, Vegas chaos, and romcoms with sharp banter and real chemistry, this one is such a fun read. 🎰💍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)
This book is chaotic, flirty, and ridiculously fun — a romcom packed with rivalry, Vegas madness, and chemistry that refuses to stay buried.
Characters:
🎧 Eleanor Thompson — ambitious, stressed talent scout with everything on the line
🎸 Adam Shaw — smug, charming rival exec who knows exactly how to push her buttons
Vibes:
• rivals to lovers
• drunk Vegas marriage
• forced proximity
• workplace competition
• sharp banter
• romcom chaos
• “we hate each other but this feels dangerous” energy
What the story gives:
Eleanor flies to Vegas with one mission: sign the alt-rock band Dempsey and save her job. The last person she expects to see is Adam, the former colleague who already stole one of her biggest artists — and now wants the same band.
One night of competitive, shot-fueled one-upmanship later… they wake up married.
With missing IDs, an annulment that’s way harder than expected, casino security on their heels, and a band still waiting to be impressed before announcing their new label, Eleanor and Adam are forced to spend the day retracing their chaotic night across Vegas. Somewhere between strip-club legal advice, public newlywed games, and an unexpectedly vulnerable karaoke-bar moment, rivalry starts turning into something real.
What I Loved:
• Eleanor’s driven, no-nonsense FMC energy
• Adam’s arrogant-but-secretly-soft MMC vibes
• the constant banter and competitive tension
• forced proximity done in the most chaotic way
• romcom moments that actually made me laugh
• chemistry that sneaks up on you
Final Vibe:
Smart, sexy, and wildly entertaining.
Winner Take All is a fast-paced romcom about ambition, rivalry, accidental marriage, and realizing the person standing in your way might be exactly who you want.
If you love rivals-to-lovers, Vegas chaos, and romcoms with sharp banter and real chemistry, this one is such a fun read. 🎰💍
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.22 ⭐️
This was a quick, fun read — a high-concept premise, but with plenty of heart.
With comparisons to both The Hangover and Book Lovers, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In truth, the book lands somewhere in the middle: there are hi-jinx, yes, but they are low key and well balanced with a plot that has a surprising amount of depth.
On the surface, the story is pretty straightforward: rival A&R reps, Eleanor and Adam, are vying to sign the same band. When they wake to find themselves married after a drunken night out, they must race to get their marriage annulled in less than 24 hours. This is all handled beautifully: well paced, with the right amount of romantic tension and a resolution that felt believable.
What I wasn’t expecting — and where this book really shines — was in its exploration of toxic masculinity and outdated, misogynistic viewpoints. It’s a theme that shows up in multiple ways, each of them well-handled. Quite a bit to accomplish in a relatively short book!
It’s hard to sum up either character independent of the other. The intimacy inherent to this sort of plot means we rarely see Eleanor and Adam alone, and they’re on very similar trajectories, not just in terms of their careers, but also in their character development within the book: They’re both A&R reps trying to grow past the influence of toxic mentors.
My only (very mild) criticism of this book is the tired cliché of the narcissistic rockstar. It served the plot here, sure, but it all feels a little worn out. The members of Dempsey (the band Adam and Eleanor are competing to sign) feel more like plot devices than people. It’s such a slight issue though - definitely not enough to deter me from checking out other books by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This was a quick, fun read — a high-concept premise, but with plenty of heart.
With comparisons to both The Hangover and Book Lovers, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In truth, the book lands somewhere in the middle: there are hi-jinx, yes, but they are low key and well balanced with a plot that has a surprising amount of depth.
On the surface, the story is pretty straightforward: rival A&R reps, Eleanor and Adam, are vying to sign the same band. When they wake to find themselves married after a drunken night out, they must race to get their marriage annulled in less than 24 hours. This is all handled beautifully: well paced, with the right amount of romantic tension and a resolution that felt believable.
What I wasn’t expecting — and where this book really shines — was in its exploration of toxic masculinity and outdated, misogynistic viewpoints. It’s a theme that shows up in multiple ways, each of them well-handled. Quite a bit to accomplish in a relatively short book!
It’s hard to sum up either character independent of the other. The intimacy inherent to this sort of plot means we rarely see Eleanor and Adam alone, and they’re on very similar trajectories, not just in terms of their careers, but also in their character development within the book: They’re both A&R reps trying to grow past the influence of toxic mentors.
My only (very mild) criticism of this book is the tired cliché of the narcissistic rockstar. It served the plot here, sure, but it all feels a little worn out. The members of Dempsey (the band Adam and Eleanor are competing to sign) feel more like plot devices than people. It’s such a slight issue though - definitely not enough to deter me from checking out other books by this author.
My thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for providing this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Industry colleagues-turned-rivals Eleanor Thompson and Adam Shaw wake up in the same hotel room, a ring on her finger, and photos of a wedding reception as the only memories of their Las Vegas elopement. In a Hangover style mad-dash around the city to pick up the pieces of their fateful night, Eleanor and Adam hash out the nitty gritty of who they have become and what really went down since they were last working together over four years ago.
I really enjoyed Winner Takes All! I personally love a rockstar romance so this gave many of the same vibes, but with a fresh perspective of the industry side of the music world. I also really enjoyed that this drunken elopement had actual consequences that the MCs needed to work through, both emotionally and logistically, and it wasn’t as simple as just moving on. It raised the stakes and kept me emotionally invested - like when are we telling Iris and Billy?! I needed to be a fly on the wall for those conversations.
This book is on the shorter side, which gives it a fun, fast-paced movement which I appreciate, but it also means that feelings happen quickly between our main characters. I wish that we could have a little more time fleshing out Adam’s feelings, but I still really enjoyed it! Best of all, we have a MMC admitting he was wrong! I love a man who can admit it AND do some groveling in the process.
Overall, Winner Takes All was a really fun read! I would recommend it for those who enjoy insta-love, witty banter, fast paced plot, and mutual pining!
Tropes:
♠️ Vegas wedding / woke up married
♠️ Antagonists to lovers
♠️ Unrequited crush
♠️ Music industry setting
Thank you to Atria, Emily Martin, and NetGalley for the eARC!
I really enjoyed Winner Takes All! I personally love a rockstar romance so this gave many of the same vibes, but with a fresh perspective of the industry side of the music world. I also really enjoyed that this drunken elopement had actual consequences that the MCs needed to work through, both emotionally and logistically, and it wasn’t as simple as just moving on. It raised the stakes and kept me emotionally invested - like when are we telling Iris and Billy?! I needed to be a fly on the wall for those conversations.
This book is on the shorter side, which gives it a fun, fast-paced movement which I appreciate, but it also means that feelings happen quickly between our main characters. I wish that we could have a little more time fleshing out Adam’s feelings, but I still really enjoyed it! Best of all, we have a MMC admitting he was wrong! I love a man who can admit it AND do some groveling in the process.
Overall, Winner Takes All was a really fun read! I would recommend it for those who enjoy insta-love, witty banter, fast paced plot, and mutual pining!
Tropes:
♠️ Vegas wedding / woke up married
♠️ Antagonists to lovers
♠️ Unrequited crush
♠️ Music industry setting
Thank you to Atria, Emily Martin, and NetGalley for the eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect from this novel. Just reading the Blurb, prior to actually reading the novel, I was skeptical about it because it was so cliche but I believe Emily Martin did a great job with it all. A solid 4 stars.
Eleanor and Adam's relationship grew on me and despite the fact that they made a drunken mistake, subconsciously, I believe they knew what they what they were getting themselves into and with whom, but their sober selves just didn't want to admit it. Either way, Emily did a great job of developing Eleanor's character as someone who has dealt with hardship and is trying to overcome the rumors of her past while Adam is trying to create a name for himself because he's tired of being considered a nepo-baby, with his father's reputation being more of a burden than an advantage.
It's clear they speak each other's love language and this is why their relationship work so well.
I loved that it wasn't just two complete strangers that got married. Instead, it was two people who knew each other prior to their encounter and detested each other because of misunderstandings of their prior encounters.
It was a refreshing read because it wasn't entirely based off of just sexual tension that carried the whole novel, like most novels these days. Although there was sexual tension but there was also banter, real conversations and real situations with real people giving each other small acts of love that they never knew they needed. I genuinely enjoyed this and honestly, I think it could potentially be on the same level of Abby Jimenez's novels. Regardless, I definitely recommend. It was fast-paced and very easy to read. And all the characters were enjoyable.
Thank you to Net Galley for an Arc of this Book.
Eleanor and Adam's relationship grew on me and despite the fact that they made a drunken mistake, subconsciously, I believe they knew what they what they were getting themselves into and with whom, but their sober selves just didn't want to admit it. Either way, Emily did a great job of developing Eleanor's character as someone who has dealt with hardship and is trying to overcome the rumors of her past while Adam is trying to create a name for himself because he's tired of being considered a nepo-baby, with his father's reputation being more of a burden than an advantage.
It's clear they speak each other's love language and this is why their relationship work so well.
I loved that it wasn't just two complete strangers that got married. Instead, it was two people who knew each other prior to their encounter and detested each other because of misunderstandings of their prior encounters.
It was a refreshing read because it wasn't entirely based off of just sexual tension that carried the whole novel, like most novels these days. Although there was sexual tension but there was also banter, real conversations and real situations with real people giving each other small acts of love that they never knew they needed. I genuinely enjoyed this and honestly, I think it could potentially be on the same level of Abby Jimenez's novels. Regardless, I definitely recommend. It was fast-paced and very easy to read. And all the characters were enjoyable.
Thank you to Net Galley for an Arc of this Book.
November 23, 2025
🎸💍 Winner Takes All by Emily Martin
Rivals → Shots → Accidental Marriage → Falling in Love in Vegas
If you love rom-coms with pure serotonin energy, chaotic Vegas nights, and “we woke up MARRIED?!” shenanigans… this book is about to be your new obsession.
Eleanor and Adam are rival music execs both trying to sign the same band... until one wildly unhinged night in Vegas ends with matching wedding rings, zero memory, and a whole lot of consequences.
What follows is the most fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud dash around Vegas while they:
🎤 try to woo the band
💍 attempt to undo their marriage
🔎 piece together the missing night
🔥 and accidentally develop melting-level chemistry
This book has everything:
✨ Workplace rivals with crackling tension
✨ Witty banter + inside jokes that get cuter and cuter
✨ Music industry chaos
✨ Big emotional moments that sneak up on you
✨ A romance that feels effortless, surprising, and so swoony
And the pacing? PERFECT. No filler, no slowdown, just pure fun with a delicious emotional payoff. That final line? Destroyed me in the best way.
Read this if you love:
💛 Rivals-to-lovers
🎲 Vegas chaos & “what did we DO last night?” vibes
🎸 Music industry romances
💋 Slow-slide into feelings
🤣 Smart, funny rom-com energy
🏃♂️ One-day adventure romances (think The Hangover meets Book Lovers)
This one is a blast and will make you giggle, swoon, and root hard for Eleanor + Adam. Add it to your summer 2026 TBR immediately.
#WinnerTakesAll #EmilyMartin #RomComReads #AccidentalMarriageTrope #RivalsToLovers #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #Atria
Rivals → Shots → Accidental Marriage → Falling in Love in Vegas
If you love rom-coms with pure serotonin energy, chaotic Vegas nights, and “we woke up MARRIED?!” shenanigans… this book is about to be your new obsession.
Eleanor and Adam are rival music execs both trying to sign the same band... until one wildly unhinged night in Vegas ends with matching wedding rings, zero memory, and a whole lot of consequences.
What follows is the most fun, fast-paced, laugh-out-loud dash around Vegas while they:
🎤 try to woo the band
💍 attempt to undo their marriage
🔎 piece together the missing night
🔥 and accidentally develop melting-level chemistry
This book has everything:
✨ Workplace rivals with crackling tension
✨ Witty banter + inside jokes that get cuter and cuter
✨ Music industry chaos
✨ Big emotional moments that sneak up on you
✨ A romance that feels effortless, surprising, and so swoony
And the pacing? PERFECT. No filler, no slowdown, just pure fun with a delicious emotional payoff. That final line? Destroyed me in the best way.
Read this if you love:
💛 Rivals-to-lovers
🎲 Vegas chaos & “what did we DO last night?” vibes
🎸 Music industry romances
💋 Slow-slide into feelings
🤣 Smart, funny rom-com energy
🏃♂️ One-day adventure romances (think The Hangover meets Book Lovers)
This one is a blast and will make you giggle, swoon, and root hard for Eleanor + Adam. Add it to your summer 2026 TBR immediately.
#WinnerTakesAll #EmilyMartin #RomComReads #AccidentalMarriageTrope #RivalsToLovers #Bookstagram #ReadersOfInstagram #Atria
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Eleanor has landed in Las Vegas and is ready to win big. As a talent scout for one of the hottest record labels, her #1 priority is to get the mega popular band, Dempsey, to sign that dotted line on the last night of their sold out tour. She’s feeling lucky.
That is, until her rival, Adam Shaw, shows up at her dinner meeting with the band. The smooth talking, well tailored, son of a music legend could only be here for one thing. And after already losing one of her favorite artists to Adam just 6 months ago, Eleanor needs this win.
What ensues is a night of drunken one-ups, wild enough for rock n roll history books. And as if the pounding headache and bright sunlight peeking into Eleanor’s hotel room the next morning wasn’t enough, there’s also a stranger in her bed. And she’s wearing a wedding ring. And - that’s not a stranger at all. That’s… 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮?!
On a mission to annul last nights mistake and still make it in time to catch Dempsey’s last show, Eleanor and Adam only have a few hours to retrace their steps and get back to business. What else could go wrong?
🍒 4.5 stars
🍒 Dual POV’s
🍒 Enemies to lovers
🍒 Described as “Books Lovers meets The Hangover”
🍒 Quick read, taking place over 24 hours
🍒 Original plot with loveable characters
🍒 The banter is super witty and had me giggling. If you’re a fan of Meghan Quinn’s humor, you’ll love this
Overall, I thought that this was such a cute, original, & fun romcom. Fan of Emily Henry and Meghan Quinn should definitely add to their TBR’s!
Eleanor has landed in Las Vegas and is ready to win big. As a talent scout for one of the hottest record labels, her #1 priority is to get the mega popular band, Dempsey, to sign that dotted line on the last night of their sold out tour. She’s feeling lucky.
That is, until her rival, Adam Shaw, shows up at her dinner meeting with the band. The smooth talking, well tailored, son of a music legend could only be here for one thing. And after already losing one of her favorite artists to Adam just 6 months ago, Eleanor needs this win.
What ensues is a night of drunken one-ups, wild enough for rock n roll history books. And as if the pounding headache and bright sunlight peeking into Eleanor’s hotel room the next morning wasn’t enough, there’s also a stranger in her bed. And she’s wearing a wedding ring. And - that’s not a stranger at all. That’s… 𝘈𝘥𝘢𝘮?!
On a mission to annul last nights mistake and still make it in time to catch Dempsey’s last show, Eleanor and Adam only have a few hours to retrace their steps and get back to business. What else could go wrong?
🍒 4.5 stars
🍒 Dual POV’s
🍒 Enemies to lovers
🍒 Described as “Books Lovers meets The Hangover”
🍒 Quick read, taking place over 24 hours
🍒 Original plot with loveable characters
🍒 The banter is super witty and had me giggling. If you’re a fan of Meghan Quinn’s humor, you’ll love this
Overall, I thought that this was such a cute, original, & fun romcom. Fan of Emily Henry and Meghan Quinn should definitely add to their TBR’s!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Winner Takes All by Emily Martin was such a playful, fun, witty, and messy in a good way read. I was already sold on this read by mainly the story takes place in Las Vegas. It reminded me of the Hangover movie, hands down. In addition, I loved the story concept between female main character, Eleanor and male main character, Adam, rivals in the music business yet wake up the next day not remembering a thing however, they are married? Crazy plot right. It gets even more juicy as both, Eleanor and Adam, recover their memories as the day goes by slowing remembering what they did or said. I won't add too much since I don't want to spoil the fun.
Personally, I felt this story was amazing. I loved how the different events were coordinated and planned out. I will say for me there were moments when I got a little lost yet, by rereading I was able to find my place and understand how it impacted the flow between the main characters. I truly enjoyed the funny banter between Eleanor and Adam. It always kept the story interesting as well as just overall feeling the connection and closeness between characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend to anyone to read it! If you are looking for a rivals-to-lovers, Vegas chaos setting/plots, forced proximity moments, and witty banter between main characters, look no further this is the book for you! Thank you again Netgalley, Atria Books, and Emily Martin for allowing me to read this amazing story!
Personally, I felt this story was amazing. I loved how the different events were coordinated and planned out. I will say for me there were moments when I got a little lost yet, by rereading I was able to find my place and understand how it impacted the flow between the main characters. I truly enjoyed the funny banter between Eleanor and Adam. It always kept the story interesting as well as just overall feeling the connection and closeness between characters.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend to anyone to read it! If you are looking for a rivals-to-lovers, Vegas chaos setting/plots, forced proximity moments, and witty banter between main characters, look no further this is the book for you! Thank you again Netgalley, Atria Books, and Emily Martin for allowing me to read this amazing story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mini Review: Winner Takes All
Quick Vibe
Two rival music executives, Eleanor and Adam, wake up in Eleanor’s hotel room only to realize they got married the night before. What starts as a mission to get the marriage annulled turns into a chaotic and funny adventure as they are forced to work together while still competing to sign the same artist. Somewhere along the way real feelings start to form and they have to figure out if what they are building can actually survive their careers and their pasts.
What I Liked
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went in thinking it probably wouldn’t be for me but it ended up feeling like a late night rom-com you throw on and can’t stop watching. The characters were funny, their banter was natural and the situations were fun. Even with all the humor there was still a strong emotional connection that made their relationship feel real.
What I Did Not Like
I do wish we had gotten to know the characters on a deeper level. I would have loved more insight into their individual histories and motivations. It did not take away from how fun the story was but it could have made the emotional payoff even stronger.
Overall Thoughts
This was a quick, fun and genuinely enjoyable read. Not super deep but very charming and satisfying. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cute rom-com meets ‘The Hangover’.
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
Quick Vibe
Two rival music executives, Eleanor and Adam, wake up in Eleanor’s hotel room only to realize they got married the night before. What starts as a mission to get the marriage annulled turns into a chaotic and funny adventure as they are forced to work together while still competing to sign the same artist. Somewhere along the way real feelings start to form and they have to figure out if what they are building can actually survive their careers and their pasts.
What I Liked
I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I went in thinking it probably wouldn’t be for me but it ended up feeling like a late night rom-com you throw on and can’t stop watching. The characters were funny, their banter was natural and the situations were fun. Even with all the humor there was still a strong emotional connection that made their relationship feel real.
What I Did Not Like
I do wish we had gotten to know the characters on a deeper level. I would have loved more insight into their individual histories and motivations. It did not take away from how fun the story was but it could have made the emotional payoff even stronger.
Overall Thoughts
This was a quick, fun and genuinely enjoyable read. Not super deep but very charming and satisfying. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a cute rom-com meets ‘The Hangover’.
Overall: 4/5 ⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you’re looking for a rom-com that feels like a mashup of chaos, chemistry, and just the right amount of heart, delivers exactly that.This story kicks off with a wildly fun premise: two rival music executives wake up married in Las Vegas with zero memory of how it happened—and somehow still have to compete to sign the same band. From there, it’s a fast-paced, slightly outrageous race through Vegas as Eleanor and Adam try to retrace their steps, undo their accidental marriage, and secure the deal that could make or break their careers.I flew through this one—literally. I read it on a flight and barely put it down, which says a lot about how quickly the plot moves and how engaging the story is. The pacing keeps things lively without feeling rushed, and there’s always something happening to keep you hooked.What really worked for me were the characters. Eleanor and Adam are both sharp, competitive, and easy to root for. Even though the situations they find themselves in are definitely over-the-top, their reactions feel grounded and believable. Their dynamic strikes that perfect rom-com balance of tension, banter, and growing connection, and I found myself fully invested in their story.Overall, this is a quick, easy read with a fun premise, lovable characters, and just a touch of spice. If you enjoy rivals-to-lovers stories with a chaotic Vegas twist, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for this Entertaining eARC.
Thank you to NetGalley & Atria Books for this Entertaining eARC.
December 5, 2025
Thanks, Netgalley, for the ARC!
I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it was a romance novel, so some of it was predictable, but I appreciated that the characters were a lot more complex. Both Adam and Eleanor had flaws, but they were more nuanced than I typically see in romance novels. I also appreciated that they were both much more adult about their interactions, so things like the predictable third act complication was short lived, and that it was an internal discussion for each character, where they assessed and then dismissed it because it wasn’t relevant to what they had learned about each other. Both characters had good growth arcs, and it happened without feeling forced, even though the timeline felt a little rushed.
My one complaint was I would have liked to see more development of ancillary characters, which I felt was a missed opportunity to build out the lead characters’ stories. I think seeing more of Adam’s parents and Billy was important to fully develop Adam’s character, while more of the behaviors from Griffin, more information about her relationships with Iris and Tyler, and more details about her relationship with her boss and what else had contributed to the lack of trust in that relationship really would have pushed this book to a 5 star.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book, and I would read more of her books!
I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it was a romance novel, so some of it was predictable, but I appreciated that the characters were a lot more complex. Both Adam and Eleanor had flaws, but they were more nuanced than I typically see in romance novels. I also appreciated that they were both much more adult about their interactions, so things like the predictable third act complication was short lived, and that it was an internal discussion for each character, where they assessed and then dismissed it because it wasn’t relevant to what they had learned about each other. Both characters had good growth arcs, and it happened without feeling forced, even though the timeline felt a little rushed.
My one complaint was I would have liked to see more development of ancillary characters, which I felt was a missed opportunity to build out the lead characters’ stories. I think seeing more of Adam’s parents and Billy was important to fully develop Adam’s character, while more of the behaviors from Griffin, more information about her relationships with Iris and Tyler, and more details about her relationship with her boss and what else had contributed to the lack of trust in that relationship really would have pushed this book to a 5 star.
Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book, and I would read more of her books!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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