Dr. Mandisa Avery is a Brooklyn chemist who's lost sight of her life outside the dreams her late mother left her to fulfill. With too many late nights spent in her office working, she's burned out and desperate for a change.
Slade Hamilton is a Texas businessman who adores ranch life. He'd love nothing more than to spend his days tilling his land. However, his inherent need to protect his family legacy from his hateful father keeps him and his future tied to a desk at Logan Industries.
When a lucrative business opportunity forces their paths to cross, Mandisa and Slade must each make a decision: risk it all on undeniable attraction, or hedge their bets to save their hearts and their respective businesses from ruin.
Will they fold, or will they risk it all on a wicked wager?
This novel is a fun and sexy, 80,000-word, erotic romance. It features a hot cowboy from Texas who meets his smart, fiery competition in the form of a concrete princess from Brooklyn. Place your bets on who's going to win this wicked wager.
LaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance—the kind of sentimental-and-steamy stories that feel like Hallmark movies… if Hallmark suddenly ramped up the sexy and gave us the hawt love scenes we deserve. Expect big emotions, bold choices, and characters who strut through the pages like the book is their own personal runway.
A proud Brooklyn native, she crafts unapologetically bold, character-driven Black and interracial romances where Black women are joy-filled, desired, and absolutely treasured. These women know they belong on the page—and dare you to try telling them otherwise.
When this current Ph.D. student isn’t writing, reading, or studying, she’s probably trying on (or hunting down) her next must-have makeup find. And honestly? No one would be surprised if it’s yet another shade of red or pink lipstick. At this point, it’s basically a personality trait. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
3.5 stars Wicked Wager had some amazing romance elements, corporate intrigue, and complex characters I got to know pretty well. I enjoyed meeting Slade and Masinda, and I look forward to the next story in this series :) There were some points of the story that dragged a little bit, which is the reason why I didn't give 4 stars :)
May contain minor spoilers. I’ve hidden them behind tags
This is my second book by LaQuette, and my first M/F. I moved away from M/F and read it sporadically because I found the heroines in most of what I was reading either started off deeply insecure and had to be propped up by the hero, or became insecure during the course of the plot due to the hero’s actions. That is not sexy to me, or healthy, and it really turned me off that sub genre. I like strong female leads who don’t second guess their worth because the male is a jerk, indecisive, or overbearing. It is not my reality, and I simply cannot connect with them.
There is none of that in this story. Mandisa is strong, has her own mind, and does not allow Slade’s actions to cause her to question her worth. She knows who she is and what she wants in life. Her personality was consistent throughout the story and I absolutely love and admire her. She is sexy, confident, and loyal. She was not going to let anyone make her doubt what is in her best interest.
Slade has his own issues resulting from his cantankerous relationship with his father, who has full control over Slade’s family business and has regularly held his inheritance over his head to get Slade to do things against the business’s best interest.
I liked Slade for the most part. He is a man who is used to getting what he wants in all but his business. He is charming and sure of himself. His position in life is almost set. He has been hurt but he is still mostly positive outside of work. When he sees Mandisa in a bar, he is instantly drawn to her, but has no intentions of taking it further than casual. On Mandisa’s side, this is also casual for her, so a win-win for them both at the time.
These two together are beautiful and off the charts hot. I loved their chemistry. Even while they’re thinking casual hook-up they were both present in their encounters. They both knew what they wanted and gave freely to each other. It was a breath of fresh air to read this equal exchange of intimacy. It made the scenes sexier and the story more appealing.
Of course there was some drama during the course of their relationship development. This is reality. Nothing works perfectly, People who read my other reviews can see that I hate additional angst and manufacture emotional drama for the sake of drama. In real life I’m an introvert, and I have to hide for weeks when external drama is occurring. I’ll be there for it to help, but then I have to take care of me. I have to have all my spoons to read messy books, and I rarely have all my spoons these days.
I really appreciated that this story was not filled with extra chaos. The plot was clean and the complications were true to the story. It meant that I could focus on the characters and how I felt about them individually and together. They made me happy, as did this story. I really connected with them, and wanted the best outcome for them both.
My faith in M/F romance has been renewed and I have a whole backlist to explore. If this is going to be a series, I’m excited for the next instalment, and if not, I’ll be happy to wait for the next project LaQuette is working on.
Mandisa's friend Kandi convinces her that all work and no play makes her a very dull woman. So Mandisa agrees to go out with Kandi and the rest of her girlfriends. Taking a break from dancing, she heads upstairs to the cocktail lounge to seek some peace and quiet. An admirer named Slade pays for her drink and sidles over to introduce himself and start a conversation. They spark and even share a kiss before an emergency takes her away.
Wanting to see her again, Slade gives her his business card only to discover that she left her clutch with his business card inside. Slade embarks on finding Mandisa again and picking up where they left off. He's successful and they meet up for dinner. Mandisa, a strong and assured woman decides she wants to get to the good part -- sooner, rather than later to which Slade doesn't object.
After a glorious night of torrid lovemaking, they decide to meet up later in the afternoon only to discover that later comes a lot sooner than either of them were expecting. Unknown to her (and him), Slade is the executive she's scheduled to meet to discuss possibly selling her business. Mandisa is angry and pissed and thinks she's been set-up, which means Slade would have had to known she was at that particular club and that she would come up to the lounge. None of which are true. She realizes that he's sincere in not having any idea that he was meeting with her.
Once they get past that issue, Slade admits he enjoys her company and wants to get to know her better. However, he's been tasked with buying her business by any means necessary. Knowing a good woman when he finds her, Slade enters into a double or nothing wager where Mandisa stands to gain more money than she'd ever hoped for. Who will win?
I loved the sense of family and open affection between Slade and Mama Indy and the relationship he shares with his best friend (brother) Aaron. Aaron is a non-believer in love that I am rooting for him to get his own story with Kandi as his love interest. This book was a pleasant surprise, though it leaves a major question unanswered and the hero makes a sacrifice that would have made more sense for the heroine to make in Texas!
I bought Wicked Wager in April of last year--nothing like waiting an entire calendar year to pick up a book you bought of your own free will and paid real money for! Seriously, why is it so hard to read books we already own? If anyone ever discovers a cure for that, patent it immediately (and alert me, please!).
As I always say when reviewing a book I dragged my feet on, it was great and I never should have waited so long to read it. I mean, a romance between a self-proclaimed concrete princess from Brooklyn and a Texas cowboy? And said heroine is a lab scientist with a PhD who runs a cosmetics company that caters to women of color? And said hero is a principled yet savvy businessman with a big set of...spurs? How could that not be amazing?! Anyway, don’t be like me, read this immediately, you won’t regret it.
Mandisa’s happy place is in the lab, but she’s been forced into a management role of the family business after her mother’s death. Slade loves spending time on his sprawling ranch, but as the heir apparent to his own company, he is similarly required to put on a suit and do what needs done. A possible deal between their two companies brings Mandisa and Slade together and their chemistry is immediate, but mixing business and pleasure might be more trouble than it’s worth. Conflicts in contemporary romance often make me grit my teeth--they’re usually reliant on lack of communication, which drives me batty--but in this case, I was fully bought into the barriers between Mandisa and Slade, not the least of which was their equal love for their very different hometowns. And without spoiling anything, I was surprised and pleased by how everything was resolved.
She inherited her mother’s business but she has dreams of her own. Mandisa is head strong but never gets the chance to let go. Slade is straight up Southern Charm after all everything is bigger in Texas. This story started off as insta-lust. You know the girl meets boy in bar they hook up and BOOM. Except this boom has strings attached. These two share more in common than just a physically attraction. Slade wants to buy out Sweet Sadie ( Mandisa cosmetic line), this is her chance to pursue other things but Slade has raised the stakes and offered more than just a business proposal. I loved how the author showed Slade’s background and we got to meet Mama Indy. I will say Mama Indy is like that sweet grandmother that doesn’t play games.
This story contained so many relatable characters that as a reader you wanted to know. Kandi was Mandisa best friend and didn’t mind checking her friend when needed. I for one cannot wait to read more of her and Aaron’s story.
Although Mandisa and Slade have this instant attraction he still has to earn her trust. I loved getting to see these two grow as characters. This is a romance thrown in with a little drama. I won’t give too much away but, Bull is a character who names suites him. I loved how the author had a message in this story and the issue of representation in cosmetics is BIG. This story was fully fleshed and the characters developed. I do wish more from the ending. This story didn’t quite feel finished to me. I felt more from the characters was needed. Hopefully they will make an appearance in the next story. Readers if you are looking for a quick read with a hint of drama, CLICK UP
Slade and Mandisa's story was spicy, hot and everything in between! I was pleasantly surprised that their wicked little wager had nothing to do with the gambling tables. Doctor Mandisa Avery is all work and no play, as she handles the business of her late mother's cosmetic company. She dreams of going back to her lab to create instead of sell products, but her dedication to her mother's dream is more important. Yet on a one off night of fun, she meets a corporate cowboy that turns the tables on her ordinary life. Slade Hamilton is a slick talking Texan, in New York on the order of his father to acquire a certain beauty brand to bring under their company umbrella.
But when he catches sight of Mandisa, all thoughts of business are out of his mind. So when the truth comes out about who they are in terms of business relations, their chemistry and connection can't be denied. So Slade gives her a wager, to spend time with him on his Texas ranch before she makes any decision to sell to his company. But there's trouble in paradise as Slade's wicked father and his dirty dealings threaten Mandisa's company along with his plans to cheat Slade out of inheriting his grandmother's family business.
Our lover's had the odds stacked against them, but love is comprises and understanding. This was a fantastic and romantic read, that really just checked off all those boxes.
Yasssss hunty......Yasssss!!! Hot AF! Brooklyn swagger meets Texas swagger!
Both dealing with hurt in their own way, both are take no prisoners fighters, both are afraid to love. You would think with all the differences, all the outside forces that these two wouldn't connect; but connect they do!
I love Slade's charm, his sexy swagger but his connection with his Mama...omg! I could see why Mandisa fell so hard for him and he with her. This story is a great addition to this author's arsenal and a new favorite of mine.
I'm trying to not say too much to give away the surprises in the book so I'll just say... hit that 1click button NOW!
When the Queen of Brooklyn meet the "cowboy" at the lounge they instantly hit it off. It didn't take them long to become more acquainted... Then,things change when they find out that their business meeting is with each other. Oops! That won't stop the Texan " cowboy " though,even thing are so much more complicated than he let her believe. Mandisa, girl you are so damn smart in every way... Slade , I love you man, but you are such a guy! I am so glad the the good Dr can point out your short coming and bring you to your knees. Only a woman can do that to a strong 💪man! Way to go Dr Avery! Bull, what name is that,anyway!? Suit you, cz you are a bully, I hope you and Macy get what you deserve. Can't wait for book 2.
Slade is the owner of a large successful company. The only problem is his father. Slade can’t be the CEO until he turns 40 in the meantime his father does everything in his power to take everything he can from Slade for reasons made clear in the latter part of the book. Bull, Slade’s father, wants to acquire Mandisa’s company. He threatens Slade in order to get him to go to NY and meet Mandisa. The story is intriguing and Bull is truly a horrible person. Mandisa and Slade discover that they have chemistry even before they realize their business connection. They almost lose each other because Mandisa thinks that Slade is acting like Bull.....I really think she over reacted. But the story is good...great characters...nasty villain in Bull. Sweet HEA.
LaQuette my Love you made a Strong woman in Mandisa. I love her sassy Attitude, her loving nature and her take no BS from anybody. She had me rolling on the floor when she corrected Macy in regards to the company she works for being Diverse which they wasn't, and telling her off in the Bathroom. "PRICELESS". And my Boy Slade came through him and Aaron on getting rid of the viper Bull. Truly love the the storyline, The Humorous Moments, and that there is a Part 2. Khadi and Aaron oh my I can't wait. Thanks For this Awesome Book
I loved the characters and how they supported each other. Man disa was a force to be recognized. She loved hard. Her cowboy was sexy with a heart of gold despite the pain his dad and fiancé caused.
Dr. Mandisa Avery and Slade Hamilton had this crazy not chemistry from their initial meeting. I just love Slade's sparingly deep Southern brogue. I would have hypnotized too. Their chance meeting in that lounge began unforeseen changes in both of their lives. Slade wanted desperately to keep Mandisa in his life. She gave him a sense of contentment and love that he'd only felt on his ranch, Havenheart in Austin. His father, Bull Hamilton's attempt to steal Mandisa's company Sweet David's from her, brought out his need to protect her under any circumstances. In doing so, he caused a rift between them and broke both of their hearts. They also had to figure out how they would handle a long-distance relationship.
LaQuette wrote an excellent love story about two people's chance meeting turning into so much more. They had to solve business problems and distance problems. The chemistry between the two was off-the-chain hot. Slade is my new BBF. I just love his style. Since this book, I can't wait for new books to drop in this series. I can see a book done on Aaron and I can see Bull and Macy causing some trouble too.
NOTE: Update after re-reading 17 Sept 2024 No matter what excuse Bull has for doing what he did, he's still a disgusting and poor example of a father figure. One can not blame the baby for losing your wife. He has issues that he needs a therapist for. I'd still love to see another book on this family.