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Winner Takes All: A Novel
When 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
Published June 23, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 251 reviews
July 12, 2026
This pretty much had all the elements you'd expect from waking up in Vegas, not remembering the night before, and finding out you got married. Yeah, I'd say this was a fun, quick read that delivered exactly the vibe it was going for.
Watching Eleanor and Adam navigate all the different scenarios they came up with to get out of their marriage was entertaining. I'd say their chemistry was average. There were moments where they were really cute and tender together, but at times their dynamic felt a little all over the place. Other than that, I had a good time reading it.
* I want to thank Netgalley, Atria Books, and Emily Martin for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Watching Eleanor and Adam navigate all the different scenarios they came up with to get out of their marriage was entertaining. I'd say their chemistry was average. There were moments where they were really cute and tender together, but at times their dynamic felt a little all over the place. Other than that, I had a good time reading it.
* I want to thank Netgalley, Atria Books, and Emily Martin for the ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 2, 2026
Winner Takes All by Emily Martin
Contemporary romance. 1st person, present, alternating POV’s.
Surprise! You’re married.
When talent scout competitors Eleanor Thompson and Adam Shaw wake up missing memories from the night before, they discover they are married. Retracing their steps through Las Vegas, they gather their marriage certificate and wedding photos, his missing ID, photos of them eating wedding cake, and a large bar bill still due. They find a lawyer who might be able to help in a strip club. As they straggle through the day, they get to know each other, have an adventure and a lot of laughs.
Pressure from their bosses keep them on the path to signing the band to their record label, but also questioning career and life choices.
Will they be able to just walk away after the weekend or have their lives been changed?
Entertained couple with history, banter, and cross-purposes. Backstory was a bit clunky.
I loved Eleanor’s attitude of wanting the best for the band, and not the bottom line for her record label. I can totally get behind her phobia. His long time crush is adorable. Enjoyed the match game and elderly slot players. I wondered about their chips since I’ve only gotten a single expelled voucher but let that go.
What a weekend.
Witty and entertaining.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Atria Books.
Contemporary romance. 1st person, present, alternating POV’s.
Surprise! You’re married.
When talent scout competitors Eleanor Thompson and Adam Shaw wake up missing memories from the night before, they discover they are married. Retracing their steps through Las Vegas, they gather their marriage certificate and wedding photos, his missing ID, photos of them eating wedding cake, and a large bar bill still due. They find a lawyer who might be able to help in a strip club. As they straggle through the day, they get to know each other, have an adventure and a lot of laughs.
Pressure from their bosses keep them on the path to signing the band to their record label, but also questioning career and life choices.
Will they be able to just walk away after the weekend or have their lives been changed?
Entertained couple with history, banter, and cross-purposes. Backstory was a bit clunky.
I loved Eleanor’s attitude of wanting the best for the band, and not the bottom line for her record label. I can totally get behind her phobia. His long time crush is adorable. Enjoyed the match game and elderly slot players. I wondered about their chips since I’ve only gotten a single expelled voucher but let that go.
What a weekend.
Witty and entertaining.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley and Atria Books.
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.
July 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5 stars)
Winner Takes All is a cute, just-okay rivals-to-lovers romance with a fun music industry backdrop and a classic “woke up married in Vegas” premise.
Eleanor Thomson heads to Las Vegas hoping to land a chart-topping band for her record label—a deal that could solve both her professional and financial problems. Unfortunately, her biggest competition is her longtime industry rival, Adam Shaw, who wants the same band. After a night they can’t remember, they wake up wearing matching wedding rings and have to piece together exactly what happened while continuing to battle over the biggest signing of their careers.
The Las Vegas setting and the behind-the-scenes look at the music business were easily my favorite parts of the book. It gave the romance a fresh backdrop that helped it stand out from other contemporary romances, and I enjoyed watching the professional competition play out.
That said, rivals-to-lovers has never been my favorite trope, and this story reminded me why. The emotional transition from enemies to romance felt a little too quick for me, and I never completely bought the chemistry. The characters also felt somewhat one-dimensional, the dialogue didn’t always sound natural, and despite being a relatively short novel, the pacing occasionally dragged.
Overall, this was an enjoyable summer read, even if it wasn’t especially memorable. It’s not one I’ll revisit, but if you love Vegas romances, music industry settings, rivals-to-lovers stories, and don’t mind a slower burn with a low level of spice (about 🌶️🌶️/5), there’s still plenty here to enjoy.
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
🎵 Music industry romances
🎰 Las Vegas settings
💍 Accidental marriage stories
❤️ Rivals-to-lovers romances
Winner Takes All is a cute, just-okay rivals-to-lovers romance with a fun music industry backdrop and a classic “woke up married in Vegas” premise.
Eleanor Thomson heads to Las Vegas hoping to land a chart-topping band for her record label—a deal that could solve both her professional and financial problems. Unfortunately, her biggest competition is her longtime industry rival, Adam Shaw, who wants the same band. After a night they can’t remember, they wake up wearing matching wedding rings and have to piece together exactly what happened while continuing to battle over the biggest signing of their careers.
The Las Vegas setting and the behind-the-scenes look at the music business were easily my favorite parts of the book. It gave the romance a fresh backdrop that helped it stand out from other contemporary romances, and I enjoyed watching the professional competition play out.
That said, rivals-to-lovers has never been my favorite trope, and this story reminded me why. The emotional transition from enemies to romance felt a little too quick for me, and I never completely bought the chemistry. The characters also felt somewhat one-dimensional, the dialogue didn’t always sound natural, and despite being a relatively short novel, the pacing occasionally dragged.
Overall, this was an enjoyable summer read, even if it wasn’t especially memorable. It’s not one I’ll revisit, but if you love Vegas romances, music industry settings, rivals-to-lovers stories, and don’t mind a slower burn with a low level of spice (about 🌶️🌶️/5), there’s still plenty here to enjoy.
Recommended for readers who enjoy:
🎵 Music industry romances
🎰 Las Vegas settings
💍 Accidental marriage stories
❤️ Rivals-to-lovers romances
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.
July 21, 2026
This was a lighthearted, funny, and easy-to-read romcom! It features Eleanor, a talent scout in Vegas to secure a deal with the popular up-and-coming music group Dempsey. When she unexpectedly runs into her rival Adam, who is there to pull the deal from under her. The story kicks off with them waking up with wedding bands on, and from there they navigate a bunch of hurdles to figure out what happened the night before. I felt like I was watching, “The Hangover,” because it was giving what stays in Vegas may not actually stay in Vegas. Though it was a light/funny read, I thought the author did a great job weaving in character growth + I enjoyed seeing how the story unfolded. Eleanor’s character grew on me in the end and I appreciated the ending. IYKYK! Rivals to lovers, forced proximity, dual POVs, and a cute love story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
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!
June 25, 2026
This didn't work for me. I did not think they had chemistry. Everything happened too quickly. We are introduced to them and they practically hate each other and then the next thing you know, they don't. We didn't get to experience any of the night with them so it was too quick. I didn't like Eleanor. She needed a lot more work and growth. There were other things that I didn't like that added up to me not really enjoying the reading experience. Mainly anything to do with Eleanor. At times some of the preachy rants came off as inorganic. It's like the author had an opinion about something and built a character just to express that opinion. Not everyone had to have a soapbox. Despite that, I liked the backwards timeline and the people they encountered along the way.
July 21, 2026
Winner Takes All by Emily Martin
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Thanks so much to Atria for the eBook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A short, cute rivals to lovers romance with Vegas as the fun backdrop to the story. If you crossed the Friends episode where Ross and Rachel get married in Vegas with the forgotten shenanigans from The Hangover you would have this book. I enjoyed the fast pace of this story and all the crazy things they had to figure out they did while they were hungover. While I enjoyed a shorter read, I think a little more could have been added to the end, it felt like it ended really quick and I missed out on much of a happy ending (yes happy ending but just needed more).
Overall I feel like this would be a great read at the pool or relaxing. It was funny and low stress.
#winnertakesall #authoremilymartin #NetGalley #bookreview #atria
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Thanks so much to Atria for the eBook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A short, cute rivals to lovers romance with Vegas as the fun backdrop to the story. If you crossed the Friends episode where Ross and Rachel get married in Vegas with the forgotten shenanigans from The Hangover you would have this book. I enjoyed the fast pace of this story and all the crazy things they had to figure out they did while they were hungover. While I enjoyed a shorter read, I think a little more could have been added to the end, it felt like it ended really quick and I missed out on much of a happy ending (yes happy ending but just needed more).
Overall I feel like this would be a great read at the pool or relaxing. It was funny and low stress.
#winnertakesall #authoremilymartin #NetGalley #bookreview #atria
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.
June 12, 2026
4.5 ⭐️eARC, Thank you Net-Galley!
Haha I had the best time reading this! It was like a crossover between The Hangover movies and Play Along by Liz Tomforde and I loved it! There was humor, heart and a strong & empowering FMC! Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read more of this author!
Haha I had the best time reading this! It was like a crossover between The Hangover movies and Play Along by Liz Tomforde and I loved it! There was humor, heart and a strong & empowering FMC! Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read more of this author!
July 28, 2026
🎰 🎸🎶
-Libby 🎧
-Libby 🎧
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
July 5, 2026
No chemistry between the two leads. Seemed like a wild scavenger hunt and a side quest of trying to get a band to sign on their respective team. Entertaining enough to want you to continue reading.
June 15, 2026
“Winner Takes All” is described as “Book Lovers” meets “The Hangover,” and that comparison couldn't be more accurate. Unfortunately, it also describes the entire book and leaves very little else to discover.
Eleanor and Adam are rival music executives who wake up married in Las Vegas with no memory of the night before. As they retrace their steps to figure out what happened and how they ended up with matching wedding rings, they're also still competing to sign the same popular band to their respective record labels.
This was a quick and easy read, but it ultimately wasn't for me. The plot was predictable, the Las Vegas setting didn't particularly appeal to me, and much of the humor missed the mark. The various antics and mishaps were clearly intended to be funny, but I found them more exhausting than entertaining.
I received a complimentary advance review copy of this book via NetGalley; thank you to NetGalley, Emily Martin, and Atria Books.
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
Eleanor and Adam are rival music executives who wake up married in Las Vegas with no memory of the night before. As they retrace their steps to figure out what happened and how they ended up with matching wedding rings, they're also still competing to sign the same popular band to their respective record labels.
This was a quick and easy read, but it ultimately wasn't for me. The plot was predictable, the Las Vegas setting didn't particularly appeal to me, and much of the humor missed the mark. The various antics and mishaps were clearly intended to be funny, but I found them more exhausting than entertaining.
I received a complimentary advance review copy of this book via NetGalley; thank you to NetGalley, Emily Martin, and Atria Books.
Pub Date: June 23, 2026
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!
July 23, 2026
Please be advised this review will contain some spoilers.
Ah, Las Vegas. The city that has spawned several cheeseball mottos. Fabulous Las Vegas, the backdrop to the Hangover film franchise. A city I've visited a whopping five times in my lifetime so far. And yet I've managed to never accidentally get married in it.
Unlike our protagonists here. Eleanor Thompson wasn't even in town for anything other than business, for heaven's sake. Her job as a music exec is hanging on by a thread; this trip wasn't even planned! But in order to save her job, she has to sign one of her own favorite bands, Dempsey, to her record label. Easy peasy! Right? Wrong. Because who crashes her meeting and subsequent dinner? None other than Adam "his suits are always tailored to perfection" Shaw. Former colleague. Band poacher. Kind of good looking, whatever. Nothing much happens except for the usual rivalry between music execs. Some cheap shots and alcoholic in between. Oh, and waking up in bed together the next morning, wedding bands snuggly wrapped around ring fingers. Did they... Clothes are still on... That means they can just go and get a quick annulment and be on their merry, separate way again! Right? Still WRONG. Turns out that is tricky, and you need all sorts of stuff to make it happen, and one of the key elements is definitely: an intact memory. In order to break up their marriage, they have to team up and retrace their steps. And while doing so, they begin to remember that perhaps it wasn't just booze that led up to this moment, but the start of a genuine connection.
The storytelling is really well done here, the story itself not too complex but still very layered. Winner Takes All is character driven; the timeline is short with the novel spanning mere days, but a lot still happens to the characters, and there are significant hurdles for them to overcome, allowing them to develop at a satisfactory pace. This is one of those books that reads away easily, but it's rich enough that it leaves you feeling like you've had a lovely reading experience. It's also shorter than average and hard to put down, which makes it a perfect read for a relaxing beach day or for when a cold day has you burrowing in the blankets.
Where the writing shines most, is the subtle parallel in storyline (there is one timeline, but there are many references to the past). As Eleanor and Adam unravel their wedding night shenanigans, in a slow pace, by way their dual PoV thoughts, we piece together how their rivalry came to be. Winner Takes All if a perfect example of a book that benefits from and needs a dual PoV. Both Eleanor and Adam's memories are compromised. They're both pretty unreliable at the start, and they (again, very subtly) fill each other's blanks for the reader a little bit, which is cleverly done. Then there are the moments when they make assumptions about each other, or when they hide thoughts and feelings from each other - they are oblivious to the effects but the reader, being privy to it all, knows better.
The best part is watching Adam realize the crush he'd had on Eleanor from the very start (years ago) never left, and we get to see him sort of retroactively fall back into that crush, but more meaningful this go around. He's the one who falls first in the present timeline, and hard at that, because he's experiencing sort of an awakening now that he gets to know Eleanor better: the feelings he had back then had merit. Martin will have Adam show how much he cares. There are little moments where he's shown to be attentive, having paid attention to her over the years, remembering everything. The more you read, the clearer this pattern becomes: he's been quietly locking away and nurturing details about her for years. Eleanor is realizing this and taking not of this in real time in the present, alongside the reader. It's very romantic.
It's not just Adam who's showing his romantic side: Eleanor is very responsive to Adam whenever he looks at her and touches her, and she's not immune to his attentiveness (although she doesn't connect the dots for a while). Their physical chemistry is really something else. The romantic scenes are gentle, languid. I like how the author lets their chemistry shine through gentle touches, kissing and pausing, taking each other in. There's spice too, but honestly that's just bonus. The romance works beautifully regardless.
His love shines through most in the moments where he observes her unabashedly being herself. Brushing teeth together, fixing hair. Hers is in re-learning to accept that she's worthy of this kind of attention. Their love is found in this simplicity of realness. I think this is so relatable and desirable in romance. As out there as the "married in Vegas" plotline is, the rest - what comes next - actually is attainable. That contrast is effective.
Add some really good banter that had me smiling ear to ear; their rivaling dynamic is carried on in their relationship, as they challenge and tease each other. Rag on each other. It's playful. This entire book is just playful. I was smiling ear to ear several times. I'm a happy romance reader. The humor Martin uses is incredibly subtle, and I love that the author utilizes some callbacks (making them rewarding inside jokes to the attentive reader). It all comes together in something that feels authentic to the characters and their backstories.
While the book is a light read, it does tackle some serious matters with their backstories: both have been influenced by toxic men, relationships that impact who they are today. For Eleanor, it's her former boss and older ex Griffin; Adam's is his chauvinist mentor and father figure, Billy. Their associations with each cause some conflicts but also plenty of opportunity for development and a surprising show of maturity, especially on Adam's end. (Both leads are 28 years old.)
For me, Winner Takes All is one of the surprises of 2026. I am so happy I wasn't deterred by the "they got drunk and got married accidentally" premise, and (to stay in the Vegas vibe here) bet on it. I won a really cute and memorable (haha, the irony) read.
**Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books / Emily Bestler Books for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.**
Ah, Las Vegas. The city that has spawned several cheeseball mottos. Fabulous Las Vegas, the backdrop to the Hangover film franchise. A city I've visited a whopping five times in my lifetime so far. And yet I've managed to never accidentally get married in it.
Unlike our protagonists here. Eleanor Thompson wasn't even in town for anything other than business, for heaven's sake. Her job as a music exec is hanging on by a thread; this trip wasn't even planned! But in order to save her job, she has to sign one of her own favorite bands, Dempsey, to her record label. Easy peasy! Right? Wrong. Because who crashes her meeting and subsequent dinner? None other than Adam "his suits are always tailored to perfection" Shaw. Former colleague. Band poacher. Kind of good looking, whatever. Nothing much happens except for the usual rivalry between music execs. Some cheap shots and alcoholic in between. Oh, and waking up in bed together the next morning, wedding bands snuggly wrapped around ring fingers. Did they... Clothes are still on... That means they can just go and get a quick annulment and be on their merry, separate way again! Right? Still WRONG. Turns out that is tricky, and you need all sorts of stuff to make it happen, and one of the key elements is definitely: an intact memory. In order to break up their marriage, they have to team up and retrace their steps. And while doing so, they begin to remember that perhaps it wasn't just booze that led up to this moment, but the start of a genuine connection.
The storytelling is really well done here, the story itself not too complex but still very layered. Winner Takes All is character driven; the timeline is short with the novel spanning mere days, but a lot still happens to the characters, and there are significant hurdles for them to overcome, allowing them to develop at a satisfactory pace. This is one of those books that reads away easily, but it's rich enough that it leaves you feeling like you've had a lovely reading experience. It's also shorter than average and hard to put down, which makes it a perfect read for a relaxing beach day or for when a cold day has you burrowing in the blankets.
Where the writing shines most, is the subtle parallel in storyline (there is one timeline, but there are many references to the past). As Eleanor and Adam unravel their wedding night shenanigans, in a slow pace, by way their dual PoV thoughts, we piece together how their rivalry came to be. Winner Takes All if a perfect example of a book that benefits from and needs a dual PoV. Both Eleanor and Adam's memories are compromised. They're both pretty unreliable at the start, and they (again, very subtly) fill each other's blanks for the reader a little bit, which is cleverly done. Then there are the moments when they make assumptions about each other, or when they hide thoughts and feelings from each other - they are oblivious to the effects but the reader, being privy to it all, knows better.
The best part is watching Adam realize the crush he'd had on Eleanor from the very start (years ago) never left, and we get to see him sort of retroactively fall back into that crush, but more meaningful this go around. He's the one who falls first in the present timeline, and hard at that, because he's experiencing sort of an awakening now that he gets to know Eleanor better: the feelings he had back then had merit. Martin will have Adam show how much he cares. There are little moments where he's shown to be attentive, having paid attention to her over the years, remembering everything. The more you read, the clearer this pattern becomes: he's been quietly locking away and nurturing details about her for years. Eleanor is realizing this and taking not of this in real time in the present, alongside the reader. It's very romantic.
It's not just Adam who's showing his romantic side: Eleanor is very responsive to Adam whenever he looks at her and touches her, and she's not immune to his attentiveness (although she doesn't connect the dots for a while). Their physical chemistry is really something else. The romantic scenes are gentle, languid. I like how the author lets their chemistry shine through gentle touches, kissing and pausing, taking each other in. There's spice too, but honestly that's just bonus. The romance works beautifully regardless.
His love shines through most in the moments where he observes her unabashedly being herself. Brushing teeth together, fixing hair. Hers is in re-learning to accept that she's worthy of this kind of attention. Their love is found in this simplicity of realness. I think this is so relatable and desirable in romance. As out there as the "married in Vegas" plotline is, the rest - what comes next - actually is attainable. That contrast is effective.
Add some really good banter that had me smiling ear to ear; their rivaling dynamic is carried on in their relationship, as they challenge and tease each other. Rag on each other. It's playful. This entire book is just playful. I was smiling ear to ear several times. I'm a happy romance reader. The humor Martin uses is incredibly subtle, and I love that the author utilizes some callbacks (making them rewarding inside jokes to the attentive reader). It all comes together in something that feels authentic to the characters and their backstories.
While the book is a light read, it does tackle some serious matters with their backstories: both have been influenced by toxic men, relationships that impact who they are today. For Eleanor, it's her former boss and older ex Griffin; Adam's is his chauvinist mentor and father figure, Billy. Their associations with each cause some conflicts but also plenty of opportunity for development and a surprising show of maturity, especially on Adam's end. (Both leads are 28 years old.)
For me, Winner Takes All is one of the surprises of 2026. I am so happy I wasn't deterred by the "they got drunk and got married accidentally" premise, and (to stay in the Vegas vibe here) bet on it. I won a really cute and memorable (haha, the irony) read.
**Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books / Emily Bestler Books for generously providing me with a copy of this book; all opinions expressed are honest, voluntary and 100% my own.**
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!
—
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!
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!
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