Dirty Bet

by Melinda Minx

Wanna make a bet? I bet you I can make any woman in New York famous. The lanky girl with the unfortunate haircut who works in the bike shop? Sure, you’re on. I’ll date her, do her, and make her shine. And I bet I can do it all without falling for her. I never make a bet I can’t win. So when I bet my friend I can make any girl in New York just as famous as me, he picks one for me. Ruth Biederman. She works in a bike shop in Brooklyn. She’s got a nice smile and some cute freckles, but everything from her hair to her clothes are a total disaster. I’ve got my work cut out for me. First, I’ve gotta get her to date me. Easy enough, right? I'm not just a billionaire, I've got the charm to back it up. She's as good as mine. But it turns out she’s suspicious. Go figure. I convince her I’m legit, and we go out a few times. We start making headlines too, turns out that dating down really brings my reputation up. Just when things are looking good, I make the one mistake I swore I wouldn' I fall for her. Maybe it’s because the sex is mind-blowing, or maybe it’s because when I get those glasses off her, that look in her eyes gets me hard as a rock. It’s not what I planned for, and the terms of the bet are...dirty...to say the least. If I lose, it’s going to mean I have to break her heart. And even if I win, can I really live with such a dark secret between us? Dirty Bet is a full-length, stand-alone novel. It has no cliffhangers, no cheating, and a happily ever after is guaranteed. Bonus content is included!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Erotica, Ebooks

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2017

About the author

Melinda Minx lives in Seattle with her loyal Corgi. She writes late into the night with a hot cup of Earl Grey. She likes to write romantic comedies, the cuter the better!

Reviews

[Shari · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF - 6 chapters - misspelled words, improper grammar, and the over use of the pronoun I. I just couldn’t take much more.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Dirty Bet, the first book I've read by Melinda Minx. I enjoyed the bet plot line of this story and both characters were great and I enjoyed the interaction between them both. The sex scenes were overly graphic and not necessarily in a good way, so with some editing I think they could have improved to be steamy instead of cheap with an over use of key words instead of feeling the connection. I also wished to have not known ahead of time about Ruth finding out, I think readers would have been better served by experiencing the betrayal along with her instead of by learning of Dimitri point of view, in fact, his POV should have been excluded all together and finally, having shown us instead of telling us how Aiden was going to help at the end with a little insight into how it ended up affecting Dimitri would have tied up Eric and Ruths revenge perfectly. Make those adjustments in the story and I'd have given it 5 stars.

[DawnMarie Carpintero · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

I was given this book for my honest review.

I really am at a loss for words on this book. I loved it plain and simple.
It was hot and sexy in all the right places, it had me screaming in some also hoping in others till the author decided to throw a twist in and then the book captured my heart in the end.

Happy Sexy Reading

[Coco.V]

💝FREE on iBooks today (7/20/2018)!💝

[Heidi R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m impressed, this was a pretty good story.

[Shock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a cliffhanger

[Jessica Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Bet
Melinda Minx

A billionaire's bet, a unspecting woman and a romance born out of lies. Can true love prevail through it all? You will love this romantic bit of comedy that has everything from the rich guy to the sassy but underestimated slightly not confident woman.
Ruth doesn't care about fashion or anything for that matter when it comes to real world things. Just her job at the bike shop called the Fixed Gear and college to be a lawyer. But lately she just feels like she's in a funk. But when a handsome guy asks her out on a date, she still can't quite believe it's true after everything he says....
Eric is use to everything going his way for the most part. With a big company such as his and his partner Dmitri. They have life made. But his image is shot all up. Because he never dates the same girl twice and is known for being a ruthless hard#ss businessman. Then his friend comes up with a bet that he can't really refuse. Only is it really worth it to show up his friend? Yes yes it is. His friend picks the girl, states the contest and its on. But how far will is he willing to go with all the lies, when he realizes what he has with the girl might as well truly the best time he has ever had in all his life with a girl? Can he really have his cake and eat it too? Without everything being blown up?

[Joanne Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eric bets his friend Dmitri that he could take any women that he could make them the New York couple. Ruth is riding her bike to work and all of a sudden she gets hit by a car. Eric and Dimitri go into a bike shop for Eric to pick out a bike. Ruth gets into the shop just in time to see Eric and Dimitri and gives them a rundown on this one bike. Dimitri tells Eric that Ruth should be the girl for him. Her bad haircut, skinned arms and coke bottle glasses. Eric knows that it going to take a lot for her to go out with him. Eric and Ruth take a bike ride in heavy traffic and a way around. Eric asks her to lunch she is real apprehensive of his motives. Eric and Ruth start seriously seeing each other. Eric is still worried about the bet and when the other shoe will drop. Dimitri comes into the shop and Maya is going nuts checking him out when they decide to take a bike ride. Dimitri being there is creeping Ruth out. Eric asks her to go to this party with him so her friend take her to this salon where is totally pampered. Hair dye, make up and prototype contacts she can’t believe how she looks. Meanwhile Dimitri goes out with Maya and he tells her about the bet he knows that she will tell Ruth. The party is a precursor for the 1st New York Couple and that was part of the bet and then he would have to break up with her in public. Meanwhile Eric is falling in love with Ruth and has no idea what is going to happen. Dimitri walks in with Maya who doesn’t look happy at all. Even though Maya and Ruth have not really been friends Maya knows she has to tell Ruth about the bet. Ruth is so heartbroken and was not going to let Eric get away with humiliating her. Ruth walks up and asks Eric if it were true that he was dating her as a bet. Ruth with a glass of wine in her hand throws it in Eric’s face and tells him never ever to speak or see her again. Dimitri was beside himself because he thinks he is going to get his accounts because Eric looked like a complete a**h*le. Aiden who works for Dimitri and he tell’s Aiden that he wants him to hook up with Ruth as her rebound guy and that would really put a nail in Eric’s
Coffin. Eric knows he has to do something drastic so he could get back with Ruth. Aiden tells Eric about the plan Dimitri has come up with to force his clients to go with Dimitri. But, Eric thought two can play that game so he gets Aiden involved. Meanwhile Ruth can’t believe that Eric played her. She knew she was never a beauty but, when she heard the whole bet she couldn’t believe that someone could be that cruel. Will Eric be able to get Ruth back. Will Ruth ever forgive Eric for being so cruel.

[SBee Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars.

This bet WAS meant to happen...

I received an Advance Reader Copy for Dirty Bet written by Melinda Minx and voluntarily reviewed this book. Winning the title of NY’s Best Couple was a great PR achievement, and one which Eric never considered, but his reputation as a billionaire playboy was definitely something he needed to clean up…fast. Problem was, he didn’t have anyone who could be crowned with him, BECAUSE of his once-and-done attitude towards women. So when fellow businessman, Dmitri, suggested a hefty bet that he could never make that exclusive list, Eric was all in. But it had to be someone who was determined an utterly hopeless charity case, someone of Dmitri’s choosing.

When Eric walked into Fixed Gear, the bike shop where Ruth worked, she had no idea that her whole life’s careful and uneventful canvas was going to be set on it’s edge. She had a degree in philosophy, but was studying for law school while working at the shop. She never went out of her way to be noticeable to anyone through the years, unlike her friends. Therefore, she was totally unprepared for Eric, who blew into the shop one day, who seemed to somehow notice HER…who seemed to want to be with HER!!??

Eric couldn’t predict or realize how much he would grow to like and care for Ruth, until seeing and being with her begins to slowly take over his mind, body and soul. Except the whole carefully contrived manner of meeting and wooing Ruth now becomes a disaster-in-the-making secret that could tear down everything he has built with her…and now he knows he cannot let her go, wager be damned.

One thing is true about secrets, though, and that is sometimes secrets have a bad habit of coming to light, some sooner than others…

Great story, with “ugly-duckling” roots, which had me, of course, rooting for Ruth, especially when she had the strength of will to not go running back into his arms straight away until all became clearly defined.

[Leticia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Bet leaves me speechless. The plot was readable and understandable with descriptive scenarios. As soon as I open the first page. I was connected to the characters through all sorts of emotions and feelings. That was so clever from the author to add some humor besides being a romantic story between two people. I laugh when two billionaires inside a limo drinking whiskey. Start having a conversation about New York's best couple. Instead of arguing about who's has more money or what happening in next meeting. They continue to mention about New York's best couple. Eric agrees that he can win it and Dmitri is going to choose the girl for him. They enter a bike shop by the name the fixed gear to purchase a bike. Inside they spot two guys working on an upside down bike. One of them turns around to greets them. She is a girl. So anyways they roam around looking at the bikes on their own. When they hear a female speaking to them by name of Ruth. She is the opposite of the girls that Eric dates. She works at a bike shop and her hair is cut into a bowl shape. Being nerdy with bottle caps glasses. Eric and Dmitri turn around and they see a female holding a helmet. Dmitri elbow Eric whispering that she perfect. As the story progresses. Eric plan continues forward with as he takes Ruth on a couple of dates. He wants people to gossip and tabloid to speak about them. to spot. Ruth is falling deeply in love with him and Eric is starting to have feelings for her. There some twist and turns. What will happen when Ruth finds out about the bet and lies. Will she forgive Eric or stop seeing him. What will happen to Dmitri will his plan succeed of seeing Eric ruined. I highly recommend this book. No cliffhanger but it ends with happily ever ending. I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book to leave an honest review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Eric and his business associated and frenemy, Dmitri, have a bet. Eric wants to improve his playboy image, and poses wining the Best Couple competition. Dmitri gets to choose the girl. Eric didn't plan on genuinely falling for her. He didn't see the lengths Dmitri would go to win while humiliating Eric and ruining his business.
Ruth has a degree in philosophy, now studying law and working in a bike shop. She is taken of guard when Eric shows interest in her. Suspicious when she learns who he is. They have chemistry. She wants to believe the fairy tale. Then the truth comes out.
Loved Eric and Ruth. Dmitri is just WOW, not in a good way. Would love to read a story about him, and the women to bring him down.
Dirty bet is a fun, fast paced, a little steamy, light read.
I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I bought a copy, I really liked the story and will be reading again. I wanted to support of the author, who is new to me. Will be checking out her other books.
Her book Fiancée For Hire is included as a bonus.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read about a billionaire, Eric, who makes a bet with his "friend" that he can basically get any woman to be his girlfriend to win a couple's award, the coach is that his friend picks the girl so when they enter a bike shop and Ruth enters after, she is their choice. Little does Ruth know, she's a "plain jane" and hides behind thick glasses and bargain clothes. Eric sees something in her after he finally gets her alone and realizes that if he tells her about the bet he may lose her but if he doesn't and keeps going what's the harm since she will never know. Unfortunately his friend has other plans and when Eric has completely fallen for her, the friend strikes. What can he do to win her back? Read and find out.
A great read with some humor and steamy scenes and never a judge a book by its cover because if you do you will never find out what's in it and Ruth is one of those. She's beautiful on the inside and as soon as she puts some effort in her outer self, she shines. I loved watching her become confident and unleash her outer beauty as well and I loved what Eric did to win her back with his stunt but as well with his company.
*I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book*

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story gone wrong! Ruth has graduated from college and working in a bike shop. She is a strong woman who is unusual. One day Eric decides while sitting in traffic to get out and buy a bike. With his friend, competitor and enemy, Dmitri they make a bet that Eric can not win Best Couple Contest and Dmitri gets to pick the women. Eric should have known better but once he saw Ruth he was invested to find more out about her. Ruth was worried about the reasons behind Eric's interest in her but he removed them and they end up falling into a relationship that could win the contest. Lets say that Dmitri is not a nice man and does everything he can to sabatoge Eric chance to win the bet and to keep Ruth. Once Ruth discovers what happened she stands up for herself and walks away. Eric realizes that the only thing he wants from the bet is Ruth that he does the unthinkable and puts in motion to win Ruth. This is a wonderful love story that two opposites have fierce attraction and chemistry towards one another. I voluntarily received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 Stars.....
There is a good amount of misspellings in this book. That said, I did NOT take that into account when rating. The premise of this book is a bet. Can Eric make a woman of his colleague’s choosing popular enough to win NY’s best couple award? Of course his colleague is going to pick a woman who he doesn’t think attractive. I won’t go into details. But I’ll tell you that I did not like Eric very much until the last chapters. And Ruth, sorry to say, she never grew on me either. What saved this book for me was the near end, and the major groveling. Of course Eric’s grand gesture helped. This book had the potential to be great but there was a lack of connection for me. I did not feel the chemistry between the H/h. I also wished Demitri’s POV was non existent. It sort of spoiled the climax. All that said, I thought the book was pretty good. And like I said, the potential was there for it to be a five star. I would actually like to read another book by this author.
This is my honest review. Thank you for taking the time to read it. :)

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Eric makes a bet with his friend and colleague that he can date any women, and win the New York Best Couples Contest he got more than he bargained for, especially when his friend Dmitri is the one who gets to choose the girl. When he chose disheveled Ruth, a quirky, shy girl who works at a bike shop- Eric knows he has his work cut out for him. Ruth is a fascinating creature, but are the stakes Dmitri set to high for this bet? Should he call it off before it goes too far?
I knew three pages in that this was a more than meets the eye storyline!
Many intriguing characters I had a love-hate, hate, want to hug them feel for!
This frustrating page turner with its bad boy billionaire, shy girls getting a confidence boost, funny moments, evil lurking in the background some hotness in between was not only an enjoyable read but for me more than I had anticipated!
One I would recommend to other book fiends!

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book

[Stephanie Bolen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The sex is the best thing about either story

It's typical genre nonsense--jerkish billionaire sweeps poor girl away into a world of fantasy. Villains have paper thin motives and happily ever after includes kids. Sex and the City had deeper plot lines. Liked the first villain better but the plot line of the second story better. The first story was more realistic but it had hipster idiots in it. The Coffee Snob was a level of pretension rarely seen in the real world where people actually have to make a living. I wanted to murder them all with my big red neck truck. The second was straight up 50 shades can fict. Better than the actual book but villain was straight up jacked and just as illogically loony toons as the villainess in Grey's world. The premise and events were discarded third string Gossip Girl rejects so as much as I wanted to kill all the hipsters their story wins.

[Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm usually a big fan of this author's work, but this one missed the mark for me. It's an interesting enough read and it did keep me turning pages to see how it would all play out, but some things about the story bothered me. I understand the need for Eric's complete 180, but it was almost like he was two different people. He was extremely arrogant in the beginning and had the attitude that any woman would be made better if she was on his arm. For me, he just became way too much of a good guy, way too fast. Ruth wasn't just a plain Jane, her description was so over the top that is was almost laughable. That may have been the point as there were some amusing parts in the story, but it was a little much for me. I did like the ending and the way everything was wrapped up. While this isn't my favorite book from Minx, it is worth the read and I will read other works by her.

[CharmaineW · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Now having a bet....good bets, bad bets, makes no difference. You have to look at the odds. When Billionaires Eric Prince and his colleague/friend Dmitri make a bet to find a woman and change her BUT she has to be something different, little do they realise how the odds are stacked against one another. All this for a game, a bet, is so cruel but will the laugh be on them? Meeting Ruth , who works in a bike shop, will, change all their lives for the good and bad. Dmitri is just a snake and so devious, trying to better Eric. At least Eric does have a heart ❤️ in there. Ruth is wary at first at why Eric wants to date her but she is like a butterfly, waiting to emerge from her cocoon. A story that's starts off so wrong but true love emerges from all the chaos. Loved it.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first read of Melinda Minx books. I enjoyed the story when it started with the bet between the billionaires with not much else to do. Unfashionable Ruth rider of a bike that conncects to her job of working in a bike shop. Eric, one of billionaires, is going to win her over and change her so she can attend affairs with him to win this crazy bet. Of course, you can see how difficult it will be for Ruth to believe this handsome billionaire is interested in her. He does get her ready to go with him and forget to give much thought to how pass "girlfriends" will treat this young woman when they see her attending the event with Eric. I felt there was comedy as well as romance as there relationship continue. It ended with Eric falling love with this nice, loving woman who helped him understand his life and how he treated people. It was a romance!

[K. Smock · Rating 5 out of 5]

There Eric Prince, who is a bored billionaire. Bored because he can pretty much get anything he wants. So when his other billionaire friend Dmitri tells him about the Best Couple in NY contest, he bets that he can turn any woman on his arm into the best couple. Dmitri gets to pick the woman. Enter Ruth, a nerdy woman that works in a bike shop. Dresses down, no makeup but when Eric meets her there is this spark. She may be a diamond in the rough. Can Eric win the bet? Will he end up having the joke on him? You will need to read the book to find out. I enjoyed it. Good character development and storyline as well as some hot hot scenes.

I voluntarily wrote this review from an advanced copy of the book

[Susan Foulkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a quick read with an interesting story line....but you know someone is going to get hurt, or as my mother was fond of saying, it will all end in tears.

Eric and Ruth make a lovely couple, and both genuinely fall for each other, despite the differences in their circumstances.

But Eric has a secret, a secret that would devastate Ruth if she ever found out.

Cue the villain of the piece, Dimitri.....will he get his just desserts?

Often in a short read there is little character development, but that is not the case here. Both Eric and Ruth change and grow in the course of the story, and it is wonderful to see Ruth especially come out of her shell.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Laila Viking · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written story about Eric and Ruth. Eric is a billionaire and very arrogant. He makes a bet with his friend Dmitri and this is just the worst scenario because it turns out that Eric wants the woman but he is going to destroy her feelings when she find out she was part of a bet.
The story is very fast paced but it has got a lot in it. It has drama, passion, chemistry, hot scenes and suspense. Ruth is a great characters that is strong when she has to be. Eric you just have to hate the first part of the story but he changes and becomes a better man. Almost to much of a change for me. I would have liked that he still had an edge to him.
I can only recommend this book to others.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Erin McCoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really care much for this story. It sounded good but the blurb is not quite accurate on a couple aspects. Ruth was an interesting and likable character, and Eric started off the rich playboy but quickly, a little too quickly, changed his tune.

There were some inconsistencies that bothered me. Ruth knowing Eric's secretary's name and thinking she visited his office before when it wasn't in the book. A party at work that's never even mentioned until suddenly her friend's saying she should go. Another party that Eric mentions and Ruth says she'll meet him there, but he never tells her where it is. Same party, she miraculously seems to know who is throwing it, but Eric never told her that either. Characters simply knew things they couldn't have known from what was written.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 4 out of 5]

What do billionaire’s do when they are bored? They make bets with a lot of money at stake! When Dmitri bets Eric to date and win over a girl of his choosing, he picks Ruth, who is plain and wears thick glasses, plus they have to win “New York’s Best Couple” competition. Eric did not take into account of developing feelings for Ruth. What will happen when secrets are exposed? No spoilers. I recommend for all readers!
This is a well written and entertaining story, which had me hooked throughout. This author never disappoints her readers, and I look forward to reading more from her.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book!

[Samm Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up

Eric and Ruth are really fleshed out and brought to life. Ruth's insecurities about a relationship with Eric are never quite quelled during their time together. Eric's desire to protect Ruth from his bet was admirable and he really fought and thought of how to keep her from being crushed by the truth.

While I enjoyed this book the climax was anti-climatic, as it happened exactly as described and plotted by Dmitri in the previous chapters. The ending was definitely a little twisty and brought the story to a nice conclusion.

I received a copy from the author and I voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Susanne M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2 stories about men with money

First short story, Dirty Bet, was good. Done before so no new concept. Overall quality of writing was good but there were a few glitches in proofreading. No cheating or cliffhanger and you get a happy ending. Second short story, is about an average looking young woman who suddenly becomes engaged to help a billionaire save his money. He ends up playing a deadly game of chess to save his queen. Overall quality of writing was good and too had a few glitches in proofreading. Some steamy intimacy scenes, no cheating or cliffhanger and you get a happy ending.

[Emma Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of Eric and Ruth.... Eric believes that he can turn any woman into an overnight success by being with him. Eric and Demitri make a bet..... Demitri chooses the woman and Eric has to make it happen..... there are bad consequences for Eric should it not happen. They both go into a bike shop be Ruth appears(she dresses strange me has terrible haircut) obviously she is the chose lady! What could possibly go wrong?!?!? Really enjoyable read and highly recommended.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book

[Veronica LaRoche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eric Prince is your typical playboy billionaire who needs to do damage control because his reputation isn't that great. Making a bet with his friend Dmitri to find a woman who he normally wouldn't date so he can win New York's Best Couple. Eric & Dmitri will get on your nerves how they talk about Ruth and you can't help but feel bad for her, but Eric starts to really like Ruth but with every secret it's bound to come out. Good story that will have you rooting for Ruth & Eric

I voluntarily reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy of this book

[Barrie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bets always backfire and this book was no exception. Eric's "friend", Dmitri, chooses a woman for Eric to act like he loves to win the New Couple of the Year Award. Dmitri doesn't think he can do it. Of course, Eric starts falling for Ruth and knows he should tell her the truth but if the truth comes out before the end, Dmitri will destroy Ruth and Eric isn't ok with that. This was a well-written read that was easy to get lost in until the last word. Definitely another great read from Melinda Minx!

My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.

[Nicole Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Bet- We start off with Eric and Dimitri making a bet. Pick any girl and Eric can make them win the Best Couple Award. Then we have Ruth, the invisible girl. The one no one really notices. Which never really bothered her one way or another till now. Dimitri who is a total A-hole picks Ruth. Thus our story begins love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Can they find there happily ever after or will Dimitri win? I really enjoyed Dirty Bet and recommend it.




I received a Advanced Readers Copy and I'm leaving a honest review