House Edge: A High Stakes Fake Dating Spicy RomCom

by Tessa Henry

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a cute, spicy romcom that I really enjoyed. Set in the high-stakes world of competitive poker, we follow Clark and Elena after Clark ropes Elena into pretending to be his fiancée. Elena agrees—especially when she’s offered $40k to keep up the act during the competition.

Clark starts off emotionally unavailable and very much a logic-driven robot, with his life revolving around probability and statistics… but underneath it all, he’s kind of an adorable puppy. Watching him slowly open up, feel things, and let emotions in was so satisfying. Elena has her own secrets, and watching their fake relationship turn into something real was everything.

And listen—if you can make me cry during a third-act breakup, I’m officially emotionally invested. This was a fun, heartfelt romcom with great spice and characters I genuinely cared about. Such a great read.

Tropes:
♠️ Fake fiancée / Fake relationship
♠️ Only one bed
♠️ Grumpy / Sunshine
♠️ He falls first
♠️ Spicy romcom
♠️ Competence kink

Spice Rating: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Jess ❤️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had the opportunity to read as an arc reader!
When the MMC is the one weak in the knees and the FMC is his anchor… yeah, I was DONE for. 🖤
House Edge flipped the power dynamic and consumed me in the best way.
Dark. Twisted. Addictive.
And I’m not ready to let them go yet.

[C Me Read Write Now · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this book and I loved it!! It kept me engaged the entire time, and loved the banter! The spice was on point! It was very well written! I was able to finish it in one sitting! I will absolutely purchase another book by Tessa!!

[carbs_coffee_chapters · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to read this ARC release and here is my brain dump.

Elena is a genius who has been blacklisted (with possible prison time if caught) from poker. She picks up on everything. Every tell, every sign, everything. Clark, ooh poor Clark, has turned himself into this calculating robot because of 2 women who need smacked. Their meet cute is funny and escalates quickly to where Elena has to play the part of his fiancée for $40k which will help her dad’s medical care. The entire book takes place over a 3 day poker tournament and things never slow down in Vegas.

This book has a lot of great parts. The spice was written perfectly! Also, I love how emotionally strong Elena is. Clark made me laugh. He’s sort of like is Troy Bolton and Sheldon Cooper shared a brain.

Where the book lacked for me was the dropped story between Elena and her dad and the poker lingo. So much more depth could’ve been added to the story by diving into Elena and her father’s relationship. And when it comes to any card games, my knowledge is about tapped at Uno. So, reading the poker language was a struggle. I was hoping poker would have been more of the background plot and the characters’ relationships and lives would’ve been more prominent. AND, did I miss why his hands are insured?!?! How did I miss this?!

Some quotes that stuck with me from the story….
“He'd memorized how I took my coffee because it was relevant. Because I was relevant. Because somewhere in that analytical brain, he'd decided I was worth the storage space. I took a sip to hide whatever my face was doing.” - Elena
Maybe the sweetest and most romantic micro-trope.

“I can't calculate my life without you in it." - Clark
Well this quote just rose my rating of this book by an entire star. Clark Cross just made me swoon.

[Manda Doorley · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when you cross an over analytical poker player with one of the best card counters? He’s not just a brilliant business man, but also a poker player that over anaylizes everything. To him, the math never lies and he weighs every move to have it give him optimal outcome adjusting for every variable possible. Until, he hires her to play the role of his fake fiancee during a poker tournament.
She observes everything and has managed to make herself as invisible as possible to survive. When he puts her in an unexpected situation, not only is she quick to play along but knocks him off his access as she does so. She needs the money to help with her finances, and agrees as long as she stays to her three rules. Most importantly rule number three: don’t fall for the mark.
This story was so fun to read between the poker, the over analysis of every move, to the tells and signs.

[Melanie Atkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love cards, mathematics, and statistical risk analysis, you need to read this book.
If you DON’T love cards, mathematics, and statistical risk analysis, you STILL need to read this book!!
What a ride, even the technical jargon I didn’t understand had me hooked, because I knew it was leading me somewhere good.
This was so well written and leaned into the controlled, assessing, analytical tone that Clark and Elena brought to the table. Clark’s stilted communication was hilarious and I loved the way Elena used it to rile him up, calm him down, put him in his place, and make him want her. Their chemistry was incredible and I finished this story feeling like these characters really saw each other, had learned each other inside and out, and belonged together.
This is an easy 5⭐️ for me, and 3.5🌶️ it is in no way as k!nky or $mut filled as other books I’ve read, but if I could rate it higher I would because the spicy scenes just worked, EVERYTHING WORKED! 🥰🥵❤️

[C. McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved House Edge by Tessa Henry. Set against the high-stakes world of casinos and poker, this story delivers a romance that feels just as risky, intoxicating, and impossible to walk away from as the games themselves.
The tension is delicious — every glance, every conversation feels like a calculated bet, and the chemistry between the characters crackles beneath the surface. I loved how the poker setting wasn’t just backdrop, but a mirror for Elena and Clark‘s intimacy and relationship. The romance unfolds with precision and heat, rewarding patience with moments that land hard and stay with you.

This is a smart, sensual, emotionally charged love story — perfect for readers who enjoy romance with edge, depth, and a setting that raises the stakes in all the right ways. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and I highly recommend it.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tension to the edge.
Elena and Clark have a powerful dynamic. From the first unintentional moment to the very end, they worked well together. Elena was able to get through Clark’s very analytical thought process. The tension is spread throughout their interactions and the poker tournament. I do not play poker, and I don’t necessarily like it, but it was done so well you could feel the anticipation in the air of the game. Yet it didn’t overly bombard the story to the point of exhaustion. This was very well played.


Come read with me @booksy.tx.ana

[Cathie Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

House Edge by Tessa Henry,
Well I will tell you that this is also my first time reading a book by this author and let me tell you she doesn't disappoint! She has amazing writing skills. Not giving to any spoilers but this book pulls you in right from the start and has so so many surprising turns you would not expect. Just the right amount of spice . I could not put this book down I totally recommend you read House Edge you will thank me for it. 🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️ I can wait for her next book!

[Marissa Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow. Where do I begin. This book was everything and more good spicy romance along with challenges. Love the characters and the banter. Don’t know much about poker so sometimes reading the parts about when he was actually gambling made no sense. Overall very good read. Definitely one you can’t put down. I look forward to reading more of her books.

[Antoinette McMyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book.I really like the banter between Elena and Clark. I also really like that Clark is different than others but is trying to learn. He may have to "reboot" himself but he acknowledges his flaws. I love the even though Elena has been knocked down in the past, she does not let it hold her back. It is a great read.

[Canadiansweety_85 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book 📕 fast paced and easily kept my interest- I would have been done much sooner if only I’d had the time. I loved these characters. And the way they ended up falling for each other unintentionally what was just supposed to be a deal and a job turned into something much more. I would totally recommend this book!!

[Edna Strange · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! If you are a fan of poker and statistics then this book is for you. The characters are engaging and the storyline strong. Highly recommend this book. I was lucky enough to receive an
ARC of the book and this is my honest feedback.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Spice and some suspense. Left me wondering what was going to happen next. Clark and Elena were good for each other.

[Sophi Reaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will absolutely pull you in!! I am in love with the MFC. The power dynamic? 😩🥰 I just don’t have words.. go read it!!

[Tamisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had just the right amount of spice and banter. A little slow to start but then I couldn't put it down. I'd give a 4.5 star rating. I will definitely be reading more by Tessa Henry!!!!