The Irishman's Christmas Gamble

Wager of Hearts #2.5

by Nancy Herkness

Having risen out of the slums of Dublin to build a multinational gourmet chocolate business, Frances “Frankie” Hogan has settled for being respected, envied, and rich beyond belief…but never happy. She has built a secure home within the walls of the exclusive Bellwether Club, a place she established for self-made billionaires like herself. She’s convinced that nothing can ruffle the calm of her well-ordered, though lonely, world—until her past, in the form of Liam Keller, shows up at her door. European soccer sensation Liam Keller has carried a torch for Frankie since their years together in their hard-scrabble Irish neighborhood. Frankie was the one who fed his dreams and pushed him to reach for the elite level of his sport, even as she kept him at arm’s length. Their ambitions launched them in different directions, but now Liam finds himself in New York as a coach to an up-and-coming professional American soccer team. Liam’s feelings for Frankie have never faded, but their years apart have brought complications, including a secret that could drive Frankie away. Only a Christmas miracle can help Liam convince the woman he adores to finally gamble on love.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Novella, Sports, Second Chance

142 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2016

About the author

Nancy Herkness is the award-winning, best-selling author of contemporary romance for readers who love richly developed characters and an immersive reading experience. Meet the wealthy, powerful alpha heroes who need down-to-earth women to show them how to find soul-deep love and pulse-racing passion. Nancy’s vivid writing brings to life settings both elegant and homey, while making her flawed but fascinating characters leap off the page and into your heart. Savor the thrill of falling in love by diving into one of Nancy’s books.

Author of the Royal Caleva, Consultants, Wager of Hearts, and Whisper Horse series, as well as several other contemporary romance novels, Nancy has sold over a million books. She is also a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award.

Nancy has received many honors for her work, including the Book Buyers Best Top Pick, the New England Readers’ Choice award, and the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award. She graduated from Princeton University with a degree in English literature and creative writing.

A native of West Virginia, Nancy now lives twelve miles west of the Lincoln Tunnel in suburban New Jersey with two tabby cats.

For more information about Nancy and her books, visit www.NancyHerkness.com. Sign up for her monthly newsletter—and get a free novella—at: http://www.nancyherkness.com/newsletter/

Social media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nancyherkness
BookBub author: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/nancy...
Amazon author: https://amazon.com/stores/author/B001...

Reviews

[Anna's Herding Cats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed for herding cats & burning soup. (live 12/7)
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2rIR2d3

Yay! I love this series from Herkness and had been hoping for Frankie's story.
The series is about a trio of billionaires who make a bet to find...true love. And Frankie's the lady who owns the swanky club where they make the bet. The whole series I'd been like I neeeeeeeeed Frankie's story! And then I spotted The Irishman's Christmas Gamble. *squees of delight* lol

So I Christmased in June.

Yall this one was so cute! A sweet second chance romance that made me smile and made me cry as childhood friends found each other 23 years after they lost touch.

Gah! I love that.

The story was a little bittersweet since these two had pretty much loved each other since they were kids growing up in the slums of Ireland. Both fighting hard to make something of themselves and never reaching out. So much time lost!

I loved watching them get to know each other again now that his career had brought him to the States. There were some heartbreaking moments as they remembered the past and some pretty sweet ones as well. Not to mention steamy! Yes, these two had amazing chemistry. The sparks and love between them after all those years just flew off the pages as they explored the city making new memories.

Some fun things:

-He's 41 and she's 49. Silver haired. Love seeing that.
-He's a famous soccer player turned coach and she made her millions founding an international chocolate company.
-Even though he's well off she's the billionaire. You rarely see that in romance

The Irishman's Christmas Gamble was a lovely little addition to the series.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Irishman's Christmas Gamble, a Wager of Hearts by nancy Herkness
Frankie Hogan is well protected at the bar. Liam shows up and he was the one to rescue her when they were younger. He's an athlete and well known.
Prince is there to oversee the facility that is being built and he plans to stay in NY.
Story follows each of them and goes back in time to when they were younger and the struggles they've overcome over the years.
Interesting career, liked learning about them. Hot steamy sex is implied at the beginning but there's a lot of years between them, as always.
When his son shows up it upsets her in many ways. Will they ever be able to be together?
Have not read the others in this series but there's enough of them in this one to make me want to read them. Erotic sex scenes.
This novella was free from the author via InstaFreebie.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable read. I was glad to learn more about Frankie. She has always been so mysterious in the other books. Glad she found her happy ending. Happy reading!

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This is a novella (book 2.5) in the Wager of Hearts series by Nancy Herkness.

Even though this was a quick read, I felt like it was handled just as gracefully as the longer books. Truthfully, I would have read an entire book about these two. The words just sang off the page.

Basic premise: Three men walk into an exclusive bar (a CEO, an Athlete and an Author) for billionaires and make a wager on love when the have given up on the concept. This book features Frankie Hogan the owner of the Bellwether Club who keeps the bets of these three gentlemen safe.

Frankie has this sort of untouchable air to her that makes you think nothing can touch her or ruffle her very aloof feathers. But there is a man out there who can get under her skin. Liam is from the same town in Dublin as Frankie. They were slum kids who managed to break themselves out of their awful poverty. Now the two are thrown together. Frankie doesn’t want to revisit the past but Liam has other ideas.

Great novella. I read this as part of the Owls Readathon. The prompt for Potions was to read a book under 150 pages.

If you love a good contemporary romance with a bit of suspense, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

[A.M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so sweet for a novella!!! Omg I'm in Iove with this series so much! I think this is one of most lovely billionaire story I've ever read.

This series is different from many billionaire story I'd read because we don't have possessive alpha male vibe, here we only have a normal human being searching for love with just an additional bonus as billionaire, that's it.

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read the other three in this series and held out to read this during holiday time, so I was very excited to read the story of the lady billionaire who is not in her 20's, or even her 30's. Well-written novella packed with childhood trauma, undying love, extravagance, and romance.

[Krissys Bookshelf Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author: Nancy Herkness
Title: The Irishman's Christmas Gamble
Series: Wager of Hearts #2.5
Cover Rating:
Silver Star

Book Rating:
Three Stars



About the Book:
Having risen out of the slums of Dublin to build a multinational gourmet chocolate business, Frances “Frankie” Hogan has settled for being respected, envied, and rich beyond belief…but never happy. She has built a secure home within the walls of the exclusive Bellwether Club, a place she established for self-made billionaires like herself. She’s convinced that nothing can ruffle the calm of her well-ordered, though lonely, world—until her past, in the form of Liam Keller, shows up at her door.

European soccer sensation Liam Keller has carried a torch for Frankie since their years together in their hard-scrabble Irish neighborhood. Frankie was the one who fed his dreams and pushed him to reach for the elite level of his sport, even as she kept him at arm’s length. Their ambitions launched them in different directions, but now Liam finds himself in New York as a coach to an up-and-coming professional American soccer team.

Liam’s feelings for Frankie have never faded, but their years apart have brought complications, including a secret that could drive Frankie away. Only a Christmas miracle can help Liam convince the woman he adores to finally gamble on love.



My Thoughts:
I was lucky enough to be gifted a copy of this book from the author. Thank you Nancy Herkness.

There is a lot of push and pull between our h/h without much pull aside from Frankies broken past, emotional ties, and Liams desperate attempt to appeal to her.

Frankie got on my nerves but I still wanted to see this broken girl / woman find her way to love because in the end if there isn't love there is no hope and that sucks.

So we get a lot of angst and drama but I enjoyed reading it.



Disclaimer:
Krissys Bookshelf Reviews received a digital copy in exchange for an honest review from the author. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.

Note:
If any of Krissy's Bookshelf Reviews has been helpful please stop by to like my post or leave a comment to let me know what you think. I love hearing from you!

[J Alm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sweet Novella from.....

......

A Wager of Hearts series

Book Number______Book Title_____________________________________Characters

1_________________The CEO Buys in_______________________________Nathan and Chloe

2_________________The All-Star Antes Up__________________________Luke and Miranda

3_________________The VIP Doubles Down_________________________Gavin and Allie

4_________________The Irishman's Christmas Gamble________________Frankie and Liam


💞💗💟🌈🌻💒🎶🎊🎇🎆🎄🎁🌃🌹💞💗🎄💓💖🎆🎇🌌🍀💏💜💓💕💫🎄💝💞💟🌻🌼🌺🌹🌈🌸🌷🍀

Last in the series, Frankie the owner of the Bellwether Club and adjudicator of the bet Nathan, Luke and Gavin made, gets her story told in this shorter story.

All the men are either married or nearly married from the Wager of Hearts and Frankie has become firm friends with the 3 men.

Coming up to Christmas Frankie is not in the mood for it but has the club decked out, however her apartments on top of the club were decoration free.

Frankie is told of a visitor waiting in her office and she is annoyed that someone was left alone in her inner sanctum, so she went to find out who it was and finds a very old friend from Ireland. Liam had never been out of her heart. She has followed his career as hers progressed too.

At first she is not so sure she wanted to get close then she decided that she wanted fresh memories before they parted again. Frankie feels she can't give Liam a family so she decides to keep things short and sweet, however Liam doesn't feel the same.

Top soccer (football) star Liam Keller has come to the U.S. to coach the New York soccer team. He has two other reasons for the job and one of them is Frankie.

He spends time with Frankie letting her get to know the older him but he can feel her sliding away from him. A few big surprises, one in particular sends Frankie back to the safety of her club.

It has some sweet moments. Finishing with an even sweeter ending. Short but worth reading especially if you have read the previous stories.

[Sandra Aaron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an OK addition to the Wager of Hearts series, but as a short novella, it didn't have as much character development as I like. I especially would have liked more backstory on Liam. It gets 3.5 stars from me, rounded down to 3 stars.

This book is about Frankie and Liam. I liked Frankie, but her determination to never let anyone get close to her got annoying at times. I get that it was a reaction to her terrible childhood -- but Liam had never given her any indication that he couldn't be trusted. Liam was likable, but I wondered why he waited so many years to try to find Frankie again. I did like that he wasn't going to give up in persuading her that they could have a successful relationship.

I enjoyed this series, but I wish we'd gotten a book about Ben, too.

My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.

[JoAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed books by Herkness before and wanted to continue the Wager of Heart series since I had already read the first two books in the series, The CEO Buys In and The All-Star Antes Up. The Irishman's Christmas Gamble, a Wager of Hearts novella and book 2.5 in the series, was a quick read at only ninety-three pages. I wish it had been longer so I could get to know the characters better. I like that there was at least a mention of the billionaires that the series is about.

The book takes place at the Bellwether Club which is an exclusive club for billionaires. Frankie, who owns it, has an attitude from the minute the book opens but Liam, a retired professional soccer player, who hails from the same poor hometown in Ireland, tries to reconnect with her after not seeing each other for twenty three years. She's eight years older than Liam and feels her actions were justified since in her mind she would have held him back.

There are some reminisces, not all good, and not always the way the other remembers. There are feelings that Liam wants to ignite but Frankie isn't sure it's the best idea or is it? While Liam is sweeping her off her feet they do get to know each other again but will Frankie let down her defenses? There was some closure and the epilogue which takes place ten months later was a definite plus.

I look forward to reading the next book in the series, The VIP Doubles Down, as well as other books the author has penned.

[K.M. Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the first 3 books I was excited to see that Frankie was getting a book. I love Christmas books at the best of times so I started it immediately after book 3.
The first three books don't give anything much away about Frankie, apart from her being the owner of the Bellwether club.
This is a short novella, but it was perfect. Like the first three books, Frankie followed not believing she could be loved, because of her age. So, when long lost school friend - Liam - showed up in her club, she was mixed up in her own mind. She always pushed Liam to follow his dreams with his football career, but now their time has arrived for loving one another.
It was certainly a nice, quick story. I loved Frankie and Liam.

PS - Note to author, I could read more and more about all of these characters. ***hint hint*** ☺

[Irene Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short novella

It's a good end to the water series, Frankie Hogan owner of the infamous Bellwether club where to become a member you have to be a self made billionaire. She started life as poor as a church mouse in Ireland constantly hungry with seven siblings that she had to care for her dad a drunk and her mother weak. There she met and fell in love with Liam Keller another poor kid with a talent for football he went off to England to play and make his name and she went to America to make her fortune and lost contact with each other. Two decades later he has come to claim her and she as much as she tried cannot deny her love for him is still as fierce. His love for her is just as strong and he won't allow anything to get in his way. It's a sweet heart warming story of love winning through no matter what. A really good quick read.

[Ptiteaurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Depuis le début j'adore la saga New York Challenge et dans ce tome 2.5 nous en apprenons plus sur Frankie, la propriétaire du Bellwether Club que nous avons découvert par le biais des paris que les trois héros font pour trouver l amour véritable. J'ai passé un très bon moment avec cette héroïne et avec Liam

Bref, une novella très sympathique qui nous permet de découvrir plus amplement un personnage certes secondaire mais assez important pour l'intrigue principale de la saga. Elle qui ne croit pas à l'amour véritable va devoir faire face à son passé et peut être être enfin heureuse .

Chronique complète https://thelovelyteacheraddictions.bl...

[Terry Hammoutene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frankie has no time to get it together for Christmas as a multibilionaire running her chocolate company, as well as the exclusive club she owns.
Liam is a European soccer player turned coach, he is a blast from her past. The past she doesn't want to remember, yet he doesn't want to forget.
Liam shows up and takes her for a day she will never forget, however can that day turn into more and can Liam score a goal and win her heart forever?

This was a great book that held my interest from the beginning. There is some twists that show up but it is mostly there emotions that gets in their way

** I received a copy in exchange for an honest review**

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

A perfect ending to a fabulous series

Book 3.5 in the Wagers of the Hearts series by Nancy Harkness.
Frankie is the mysterious owner of the Bellweather Club. After the three billionaires make a bet to fall in love within 1yrs frankie oversees the transaction and they have to prove they have found someone by at least an engagement ring.
I absolutely loved that Liam was a lost love and that both of them have waited for each other without making any real commitment to anyone else.
Really enjoyed this whole series just sad that this didn’t have a listening option like all the others under ku borrowing.

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've liked Frankie since the first book in this series. It's hard to imagine her age because she seems either older or younger at times.

But her relationship with Liam, her true love from the past and for the future, is beautiful. He finally comes back into her life, and brings her memories, joy, and healing.

Not a fan of novellas, but the history here allows Liam and Frankie's relationship to progress at a nice pace.

KU

[Loucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chouette petite nouvelle de noël qui nous en apprend plus sur Frankie. Bon je n'ai pas trouvé très crédible le fait que l'héroïne soit devenue si riche en créant une marque de chocolats. Millionaire aurait été crédible, mais milliardaire, ça me semble un peu exagéré, même aux USA. Ce petit détail ne m'a pas empêché de passer un bon moment avec Frankie et le craquant Liam. Ca change d'avoir des héros plus mature (la quarantaine).

[Carolien · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. A lovely Christmas romance that tells the story of Frankie, the owner of the Bellwether Club as Liam, the love of her previous life in Ireland seeks her out. Both of them escaped poverty and hardship and created their own successful careers, but remained single. Now Liam wants to convince Frankie that their love is still there, but first she must slay the ghosts of her past. I liked the mature characters and serious back story of both characters.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m literally giving a 5 star review because the female protagonist is a self made billionaire, not a trust fund hahah or an inexperienced, poor, QUIRKY girl who’s only got like 3 shirts who somehow is DiFFeRenT than other girls. Since this is a novella, I can overlook the fact that Frankie’s growth is kinda rushed and glossed over and the end, I think it was written beautifully and I’m a sucker for romances where the guy pines for the girl so…

[Stephen Walton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella. Nothing outstandingly exciting but a good gathering of story lines to tie up the four book series. It was a very interesting view into the life of the disadvantaged kids that are world wide and suffer through the horror of poverty caused by alcohol and its misuse. Well done Nancy.
A good read and highly recommended.

[Shel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful end to a fun foiled romantic and face fanning series!
Nancy Herkness did it again. Frankie's story was full of surprises and heart melting moments. Liam is scrumptious as well as truly lovable. I had to giggle through the park scene. 😊 If you have read The Wagers of the Heart series you must complete it with Frankie and Liam! Well done Nancy. Thank you!

[MELANIE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gavin est un auteur a succès qui n'arrive plus à écrire. Son agent embauche une kiné pour l'aider avec ses problèmes de dos, et bien entendu, Allie l'aidera plus que ça.

J'ai beaucoup aimé découvrir enfin l'histoire de Gavin, comprendre son passé et le voir lutter contre son syndrome de la page blanche. Il m'a énervée à se montrer trop égoïste vis à vis de Allie, à jouer les enfants gâtés qui font un caprice pour avoir Allie auprès de lui au lieu de la laisser travailler pour d'autres patients, mais il s'est rattrapé ensuite.

J'ai vraiment apprécié le personnage de Allie, sa force de caractère et son empathie.

J'ai aimé cette trilogie, je crois que le 1er tome reste mon préféré mais j'ai apprécié les 3 tomes, de belles romances, avec des personnages et un contexte étoffés, bien développés, davantage que dans beaucoup de romances.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

over coming but not forgetting

Sometimes life hands us lemons and we must strive to overcome them. Sometimes because of those lemons, we can become successful or allow them to drown us. These two found love at an early age during despair, but pushed past the dredges to find success in themselves and one another. Nancy Herkness write a beautiful romance of true love.

[Dana Dobias · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Nice Little Side Story

I enjoyed the Wager of Hearts trilogy and this is a nice complementary story giving readers background on Frankie, the holder of the bets. I love these stories the have the same characters from book to book.

[Bianka Sharpe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Predictable

Wasn't a very exciting read, a little boring at times and so predictable. I wouldn't recommend this read, it took me a while to read as it sent me to sleep instead of gripping me!

[Jeanie's Kindle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forced by poverty to take different paths in life. Reunited years later to rekindle their love that never really burned out. Both had become rich and famous, neither completely fulfilled the missing piece was the other. Now reunited they form a complete fully functional one. Great love story.

[Suzainur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love stories with unconventional protagonists! She's not only older than him, but both of them are above 40! Navigating past trauma and rekindling old flames have never been so much fun. Go and read this!

[Inga · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the books...

Nancy Herkness writes wonderful stories. A person cannot help reading them all once they've read the first book. I've finished the Wager of Hearts series. Moving on to her next series. And then there are her standalone books. Thanks, Nancy!

[Brenda C · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Irishman's Christmas Gamble

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is so romantic the uncertainty is what grabbed me.I thought she was a fool to risk losing him again after all those wasted years. 😊

[Marie Lapointe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Little On The Heartbreaking Side

Some of what goes on will bring tears to your eyes. It was a very heartfelt story of a horrible upbringing and them clawing their way out. Wonderfully written.