To Wager with Love

Girls Who Dare #5

by Emma V. Leech

Girls who dare – Inside every wallflower is the beating heart of a lioness, a passionate individual willing to risk all for their dream, if only they can find the courage to begin. When these overlooked girls make a pact to change their lives, anything can happen.

Ten girls – Ten dares in a hat. Who will dare to risk it all?

To Wager with Love.

Once bitten, twice shy…

Harriet Stanhope is intelligent and serious, the kind of girl who reads Plato and likes long walks in the rain. She is unsuited to ballrooms and flirting and finds the season a horrific waste of time. Once upon a time she fell in love, however, she trusted her heart to a man who kissed her and whispered sweet words … and then laughed with a friend about her having done so.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Harriet vows to use her brain in the future and never trust her stupid heart ever again.

An unrequited passion…

Jasper Cadogan, The Earl of St Clair is hopelessly in love, with a woman who hates him.

Lovable rogue, Jasper, is handsome, charming, easy-going and beloved by the ton, the most eligible man on the marriage mart, but he can’t put a foot right with childhood playmate Harriet Stanhope. Though they were once close, Jasper knows he did something years ago that hardened Harriet’s heart against him, but for the life of him he can’t think what it was.

Jasper knows Harriet believes he’s frivolous twit at best, and in awe of her superior brain, gorgeous Jasper is struggling to prove himself otherwise. Determined to discover what it was that drove Harriet away from him, he’ll use fair means or foul to get to the truth.

A wager that will risk both their hearts…

The Peculiar Ladies dare Harriet to bet something she doesn’t wish to lose and when her big-mouthed friend Kitty tells Jasper, she knows she’s in trouble.

Too stubborn to back down, Harriet accepts Jasper’s shocking wager and plunges them both into a scandal that will risk everything, including two hearts.

Genres: Historical Romance, Romance, Historical, Regency, Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Enemies To Lovers

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2019

About the author

Bestselling author hiding mostly in 19th-century England, venturing out only for chocolate and tea.

Emma V. Leech is the award-winning author of multiple bestselling series across Regency romance, Regency mystery and paranormal romance. Fall in love with swoon-worthy rogues, bold heroines, witty banter and deeply romantic happily-ever-afters. Follow Emma on BookBub for new releases and exclusive deals.

EMMA’S BOOKS

Rogues And Gentlemen
Regency romance – 17-book series (ongoing)
Sexy, tumultuous and irresistibly romantic. From pirates and smugglers to earls and dukes, these unforgettable rogues will sweep you away!

Winter Rogue
A Regency Christmas romance within the Rogues & Gentlemen world
A scandal-weary earl, a runaway heiress and a crumbling country estate snowed in for Christmas. A sensual, heart-tugging holiday novella about redemption, desire and a love neither of them expects.

A Rogues and Gentlemen Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
A collection of three romantic holiday stories featuring beloved Rogues & Gentlemen characters. Expect snowstorms, sizzling tension, unexpected proposals, mistletoe moments and heart-melting happily-ever-afters – a cosy festive escape for Regency romance lovers.

The Girl Is Not For Christmas
A standalone Regency Christmas romance
Miss Olivia Penrose is the only thing standing between her family and ruin when a brooding aristocrat crashes into her carefully laid plans. Sparks fly amid family secrets, snowy scandals and irresistible festive longing in this passionate, witty and deeply romantic winter read.

Girls Who Dare
Regency romance – 12-book series
Inside every wallflower is the heart of a lioness. When these overlooked young women make a pact to change their lives, rules are broken, reputations are risked and love becomes the most daring adventure of all.

Daring Daughters
Victorian romance – 19-book series and two compilations
The next generation of the Girls Who Dare. Their mothers risked everything for love – now their daughters are ready to be even bolder. An ongoing series of fiercely romantic stories set in a rapidly changing world.

Wicked Sons
Victorian romance – 12-book series
Their mothers dared all for love. Their sisters did the same. Now it’s the sons’ turn… dangerous, tempting and determined not to fall – until the right woman brings them to their knees.

The Venturesome Ladies Of Little Valentine
Regency romance – my current series
A quiet seaside village, a wave of scandalous newcomers and local ladies who refuse to be swept aside. A warm, witty Regency series full of secrets, second chances and delicious enemies-to-lovers romance.

The Regency Romance Mysteries
Regency romantic suspense – 3-book series
Dashing heroes, wicked villains, murder, mystery – and heroines who refuse to sit prettily and wait to be rescued. Perfect if you like your Regency romance served with danger and intrigue.

The French Vampire Legend
Paranormal romance – 4-book series
A dark, dramatic and heart-wrenching tale of courage, sacrifice and a love that not even time, war or monsters can destroy. Gothic atmosphere, high stakes and a romance that refuses to die.

The French Fae Legend
Fantasy romance – 4-book series
An award-winning saga with close to sixteen million online reads. Moving between modern-day France and the Fae Lands, these books weave powerful magic, danger and an all-consuming love that proves stronger than any enchantment.

The Book Lover
A standalone paranormal romance novella
A book-obsessed young woman, an infuriatingly charming stranger and the unnerving sense that stories might be bleeding into real life. A short, intensely romantic tale for anyone who has ever fallen in love with books… and perhaps with something not entirely of this world.

Reviews

[niteskycs · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Cristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could’ve easily been a 4 star. Unfortunately the H slept with OP but has been in love with the h since she’s 16. I think it would’ve signified their love was above it all if the H remained celibate. But alas, only the h remained pure.

[Alvina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Minerva swallowed and took the card from his hand, wishing she wasn’t wearing gloves as their fingers brushed.

This is the ye old Romance I’m talking about! And they were a side pairing! This book was worth it solely for the Minerva and du Beauvoir storyline. Looking forward to reading their book.

The main couple was tiresome mainly because I hate the misunderstandings trope. The primary conflict spanning many years was solved with a single conversation. I actually disliked the heroine and how condescending she acted toward the hero.

[Sharon Davidson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm in love

This story was one of the sweetest of the whole series. Jasper was seriously swoon-worthy and Harriet finally realised what a lucky girl she is. Loved the beginning, made me laugh out loud and the way we get updates on all the peculiar ladies. Still one of the best decency romance series out there.

[Elodie’s Reading Corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

To Wager with Love
Girls Who Dare Series #5
Emma V Leech
https://www.facebook.com/EmmaVLeech/
Release date 11/13/2019

Blurb :

To Wager with Love.

Once bitten, twice shy…

Harriet Stanhope is intelligent and serious, the kind of girl who reads Plato and likes long walks in the rain. She is unsuited to ballrooms and flirting and finds the season a horrific waste of time. Once upon a time she fell in love, however, she trusted her heart to a man who kissed her and whispered sweet words … and then laughed with a friend about her having done so.

Heartbroken and humiliated, Harriet vows to use her brain in the future and never trust her stupid heart ever again.

An unrequited passion…

Jasper Cadogan, The Earl of St Clair is hopelessly in love, with a woman who hates him.

Lovable rogue, Jasper, is handsome, charming, easy-going and beloved by the ton, the most eligible man on the marriage mart, but he can’t put a foot right with childhood playmate Harriet Stanhope. Though they were once close, Jasper knows he did something years ago that hardened Harriet’s heart against him, but for the life of him he can’t think what it was.

Jasper knows Harriet believes he’s frivolous twit at best, and in awe of her superior brain, gorgeous Jasper is struggling to prove himself otherwise. Determined to discover what it was that drove Harriet away from him, he’ll use fair means or foul to get to the truth.

A wager that will risk both their hearts…

The Peculiar Ladies dare Harriet to bet something she doesn’t wish to lose and when her big-mouthed friend Kitty tells Jasper, she knows she’s in trouble.

Too stubborn to back down, Harriet accepts Jasper’s shocking wager and plunges them both into a scandal that will risk everything, including two hearts.

My review :

Will a woman let her past hurt decide for her future and forfeit her happiness ...

I am no professional reader, when I write a review it is to put on paper what a book made me feel. And outside a TSTL character, every sentiments a story brings out from me, is proof of a talented author. From time to time, I put immediately on paper my thoughts, like I did today.
Then I pondered if I should minimize how upset I was during the first part of the book, but it is truly what I felt, was I more tired or not in a good mood, I am not sure as the rest of the story did it for me and redeemed my annoyance.
So sorry if I rant, but sometimes there are books that make you react, or overreact like this one.
While I had been sorry for Harriet to have overheard things she should not have and the pain it caused her, I am not fond of people who hold a grunge for years, it made them angsty and unreasonable people.
For a clever renowned woman, she was such a coward, she was hurt eight years ago and since then she has been punishing the man, Jasper, she hold responsible but not once did she tried to clean the slate and to get to know why. For one hurt, she since had been hateful and relentless in her set down of him.
She is quite the vilain in this tale, the one who subjects him to pain, she shuns him because he does not follow the path she would have, it is difficult for me to feel empathy for this kind of characters who uses past hurt to be licensed the right to punish others.
And when she could act like an adult and get her answers, she runs, lies and hides.
I confess it is because it was a Mrs Emma V Leech book I kept reading, and hopefully gladly.
First I had a reprieve for my anger with a part of the story focusing on the other members of the club, I so love Matilda, alas her story I suspect would be the last in this series. And this short foray in the other women’s life cooled my boiling blood.
And then the author gives us an insight of who is really Jasper, a man hurting, ashamed of his deficiencies, trying his best to mask them and for years, unable to understand why he lost the love of the woman who is his world. He makes mistakes, he is a flawed man, but he respects and admires Harriet, if only she will acknowledge him instead of avoiding him or passing by him as if he was invisible.
Yet, Mrs Leech did it, she atones Harriet’s character and lets her see the wrong of her choices and headlong rush.
From there, I turned every pages eagerly as the other girls’ story became more complicated and interlocked with the main couple’s story.

Even if Harriet and Jasper’s story stands alone, you might miss a lot by not reading the series in order as each book contains insights about the other women member of the club.
5 stars for this book as I just adore to read about lost peoples whom regain their senses and walk again on the right path.

Now I can’t wait for Bonnie’s story, and all the other girls left.

https://www.facebook.com/429830134272...

[Annelinde · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Jes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I essentially finished this book sometime last week but didn't realize it. The last 15% is just advertisements and previews for other books.

Um. But this was good. I like childhood friends and I like second chance romances. I just think this had some of the same issues as the last book I reviewed, Always Mine. The author is setting up for so many other books and there's just so many characters and subplots.

I should've reviewed this when it was fresher in my mind. I feel like I really enjoyed it as I was reading but I only just finished the ending. And it was lackluster.

[K2019 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!!

One of my favourite books from Emma so far. I loved the story of Jasper and Harriet!! I also love the snippets involving the other characters from the series. I am utterly addicted to this series! I am so looking forward to Maltida’s book!!

[Juliana Veale · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ordinarily, the story of an intelligent bookworm, underappreciated and overlooked is a staple of many a romance, not just within the Regency sub-genre.
Harriet fell in love once, but had her love rebuked and it's something she never recovered from emotionally. In the meantime, Jasper, the Earl of St Clair has been silently in love with Harriet for many a year.
I feel I should have enjoyed this instalment of the series more than the others, but I found this very boring. All the usual things are said and done, including the compromising position and the need to marry. There was nothing interesting about Harriet, her intellect was never really shown or her neglect from her parents (something that's revealed in another book) and it seems that her relationship is built on the hero's unrequited lust and their past interactions. The ending was cloyingly sweet and very predictable. There are a few tidbits that were fun, such as Bonnie (the heroine of the next book) and the scientist Inigo, but overall one can give it a skip.
The books isn't bad, it's just too predictable, there are other instalments in the series that are more fun. The book cover is rather lovely.

[ECReads · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Cold Shoulder To the Extreme

This story has a lot of sweet touches between Jasper and Harriet, especially near the end. I just couldn't help thinking how juvenile their thoughts and actions were. To let so many years go by with an unaddressed distance between lifelong friends seemed odd. I thought Harriet's dare was less amusing compared to dares from previous books. It could be because her situation with Jasper was so illogical - and she is the intellectual in her ladies' group.

[Arati · Rating 2 out of 5]

So-so. Skimming through this entire series since book 2 to follow Matilda's story.

[Elli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I only remember that this had so many 🚩🚩🚩

[Lotten · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://lottensbokblogg.wordpress.com...

Jag hade läst den första i den här serien tidigare på rekommendation av dottern. När jag kände för en romance i början av mars så valde jag den här, trots att den är den femte i serien. Återigen på rekommendation av dottern…Ett par klick senare fanns den på Kindleappen på mobilen. Nedan följer först hennes omdöme, sedan mitt.

Dotterns omdöme:

Jag är så smått beroende av Emma V Leechs böcker, framför allt hennes ‘Girls who dare’ serie. Med det sagt så är nog To wager with love min favorit i serien. Den innehåller fyra fantastiska komponenter: 1) Harriet, Hermionen av denna serie, 2) Jasper, en liten idiot full av kärlek, goda avsikter och dåliga sätt att förmedla de åsikterna, 3) Minerva och Inigo och början på deras romans, 4) resten av flickorna som vågar, för att jag är investerad i dem nu…

To wager with love är en bok om osäkerheter och hur dessa kan komma i vägen för ett förhållande, men det är också en bok om två lite idiotiska personer som är otroligt gulliga tillsammans och som jag inte kan låta bli att hålla tummarna för. Detta är en charmig bok med karaktärer du inte riktigt vill släppa taget om.

Mitt omdöme
To wager with love är mycket bra romance. Först och främst så är det fina karaktärer. Det är härlig kemi mellan Harriet och Jasper och sexscenerna är bra. Jag tycker om hela gruppen av kvinnor i den här serien, men Harriet är speciell. I To wager with love får man möta flera av de andra kvinnorna, vilket bäddar för framtida böcker. Det visar på en naturlig utveckling av deras berättelser. I början så gör det dock mig förvirrad, och det är många karaktärer, och saker som anspelas på i olika relationer.

Romance ska ju innehålla några utmaningar, både i relationen och i karaktärernas liv. I To wager with love är temat böcker och läsning, vilket gör det lite extra bra. Jag tycker i synnerhet att Jaspers utmaningar är fint tecknade.

Jag kommer definitivt att läsa fler böcker i den här serien!

Betyg: 4+
Omdöme: Härlig romance med fina karaktärer

[Lana Birky]

I have read along with the books in this series and loved each one of them and Book 5 was just wonderful!

Harriet Stanhope is a bluestocking and finds society functions of balls, parties and flirting to be a waste of her time when she could be learning something new from a book. She, however; has been in love with Jasper since childhood.

Jasper Cadogan, The Earl of St Clair is extremely handsome with his turquoise eyes, he is loved by the Ton, he is charming and it makes him a target for all the debutantes and their husband hunting mamas. He, however; has been in love since childhood with a Harriet, who despises him.

Jasper and Harriet were very close until Harry turned eight and ten and his father sent him to stay with some maternal relatives. He hated leaving Harriet but asked her not to marry anyone while he was gone - Harriet was six and ten and told him she would wait. However; when Jasper returned, Harriet ignored him and was rude - Jasper had no idea what he had done all those years ago but he plans to find out. They have an emotional road to happiness -- misunderstandings, no communication between them, a secret Jasper is hiding. But when they are discovered in a compromising position; the families try force them to marrying and the thought of marriage forces all the truths, secrets, misunderstandings to come forward. I highly recommend this book and all the books in this series for fun stories, wonderful characters (both main and secondary), with some spice and HEAs.

[Kamilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Do lado do casal Matilda e Montagu, o casal St. Clair e Harry vem sendo construído com vários livros de antecedência, por isso creio que criei muitas expectativas e acabei me decepcionando um pouco. Eu meio que já imaginava o motivo da raiva de Harry desde os livros anteriores e aceitei, e também foi bem fácil deduzir quais eram os problemas de St. Clair.

Tem uma coisa que me irrita profundamente nesses livros que tem uma história toda baseada em um grande mal entendido, porque em determinados momentos o fato daquelas pessoas estarem se pegando em cada esquina mas ainda não terem conversado UMA ÚNICA VEZ sobre o evento se torna muito mirabolante.

Achei os dois fofos juntos, mas já notei que a característica da autora é usar uns 50% do livro para contar a história do casal principal e o resto do livro para introduzir novos casais de livros futuros. É nessas horas que a comparação com séries com a mesma premissa como a Wallflowers da Lisa Kleypas consegue ganhar dessa série de lavada. Observações negativas a parte é uma leitura rápida e que distrai, a série consegue prender a atenção e criar interesse nos próximos livros, vou ler até o final, mesmo sabendo que não vai ser tão memorável.

[Jacqueline's Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

To Wager With Love is the 5th novel in the Girls Who Dare series. You can read the series out of order (I am). I pick and choose which storyline perks my interest the most.

Harriet has been in love with Jasper since she was a child. Something happened and it totally turned her off of him. It's years later and Jasper is ready to declare his love for her. The only thing is, Harriet changed her mind.

I love a good romance where the MMC chases after the FMC. Jasper is besotted with Harriet and will do anything he can to get her to wed him, even if it means catching them in a compromising position. This book was the steamiest read I've read so far.

I would call this a modern Friends-with- benefits kind of read. Harriet can be frustrating, since she continues to say no to Jasper, but it doesn't last long or I read so fast, it didn't seem like it would. Jasper is endearing and has his own issues. I like how everyone supports them, but Harriet just won't give in.

You also get glimpses of some other girls. Makes me wonder if I am missing some relationship building by skipping around.

Anyhow, I adore this series and I'm going continue.

[Jeanie Womack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Overheard and misunderstood

Harriet, or Harry, as her friends call her, has been in love with Basket for as long as she can remember. Overhearing something that was never meant to reach her ears, but intended to through off a terrible gossip, master leaves on his European tour. But Hacker has a secret he's shared with no-one, not even his family or best friend, Harry. That secret has almost as damaging effect on their relationship as the throw away comment Harry heard.

Harper is not prepared for the chasm that invisibly stands between he and Harry on his return four years later. The best of friends are now the worst of enemies?!

You won't want to miss this story of love, frustration, understanding, and healing. I was very drawn to the tenderness of the characters in their interactions. I know you will be, too.

[Wendy Tavenner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances

Loved the story of Jasper and Harriett. Harriett has loved Jasper all her life but when he left for Russia and she over heard some disparaging words she was heart broken. Jasper fell in love with Harriett when she turned 16 and asked her to wait till he came home from his grand tour and Russia.

When he came home after a year things between them had changed. She no longer cared and disparaged him. Jasper does not know what he did to Harriett for her to hate him so. He must find out because she is the only girl he has ever loved.

A wonderful story if they only told the other the truth to being with then they would not have lost years. A beautiful ending though.

[Susan Saltos · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read 5 books in the series now. I really like the author's writing style. I love the characters and her world building. I still find the relationship between the two main romantic characters is lacking. Harriet and Jasper have known each other their entire lives, sure. But they haven't really interacted besides snide comments since they were 16 and 18. They don't know each other as adults. And while Harriet did learn some secrets of Jasper's, it still didn't seem enough of Jasper for Harriet to know. There was not anything new of Harriet that Jasper learned. I'd like to see more interactions between the two main romantic characters rather than numerous internal thoughts, which are basically the same thoughts repeatedly said in different ways.

[Maria Cruz · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this series

It’s like a regency soap opera, haha. The stories build off each other and follow multiple characters and love stories but each book has one story concluded so you’re always getting a happy ever after.

This was the first book in the series to with more then one steamy scene. And till this one all steamy scenes occurred after marriage, so this one broke the mold. Def steamier book but I LOVED it. Wasn’t expecting it from this couple.
Bear in mind, it’s far from erotica, still kept very light and romantic.

HEA: Yes
Steam: Yes, 2.5/5
Cliffhanger: yes and no, one story concluded but the drama continues!

[Diandra Fernandes · Rating 4 out of 5]

É incrível como os livros anteriores deixam um início de desenvolvimento para os livros futuros de forma bem natural.
As coisas acontecem muito rápido, mas, por já existirem situações em andamento, esse "furacão de romances" entre esse grupo de amigas não incomoda.
Então, sempre termino um e já começo o próximo.

Harriet e Jasper já despertavam curiosidade. Ele era nitidamente apaixonado por ela; em contrapartida, ela o queria longe.

A história dos dois se desenvolve de forma muito envolvente. O segredo de Jasper, pouco explorado em romances de época, foi um ponto marcante e importante de se ver retratado.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

about halfway through this book i was tired of the non conflict. any tension that could be solved page 1 with a damn conversation is gonna get on the readers nerves. now i gave them extra time cuz i too hold a grudge and like being petty but it took too long to get to the point. and then after that it was like half a book left of no plot.

there were some attempts at side stories and i'm super invested in matilda/montagu but there are too many damn characters and i need them all to have names that start with diff letters it was too much at times.

[Avidreadersbc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love triumphs all

The heat is this one is absolutely scorching🔥. This enemies-to-lovers story is filled with angst and drama. Though they were friends before they were enemies but this counts!
If only Harriet had talked to Jasper instead of assuming the worst and if only Jasper could have found the courage to admit to Harriet of his shortcoming, they both could've saved themselves years of heartbreak and enmity. But the past cannot be changed and Jasper and Harriet are now well on their way to their very own happily ever after.

[Douglas Meeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

While very entertaining and since all of these books now have snippets of the lives of the other future stories woven into them, I love them all but so far this has been my least favorite because I have never been a fan of plots that would fall apart if the couple took 5 minutes of honest conversation which would solve all their problems but instead, we get pages and pages of misunderstandings. The fact I dislike those type plots so much and still love this book should give you a general idea of the enjoyment I am getting from this series.

[Toni Krogh · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO much misunderstanding…

Jasper and Harriet just can’t get along as adults, even though they have known each other and played together since children. But since Jasper got back from his trip overseas, he and Harriet have been constantly sniping at each other. What’s going on? A whole heap of misunderstanding and lack of communication, that’s what. But finally, they get it worked out, thank goodness! A very lovely story that also gives us snippets of what is going with some of the other Peculiar Ladies. A must read!

[Bridget Love to read Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood nemisis

Harriet loves to hate Jasper! Master has secrets and has always admired Harriet as they were best friends until they weren't! One year Jasper sent to Russia then Harriet hates him and he doesn't know why? Jasper acts out to avoid the pain and Harriet dives into books and reading to try and forget the pain Jasper has caused! But something changes and Jasper decides its all of nothing he takes a leap of faith and Harriet is engaged to someone else???

[Janet Denise Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

WONDERFULLY ROMANTIC

5 STARS is what I give the ( Girls Who Dare ) Series, this wonderful series of romantic books about a group of Peculiar Ladies who formed a club in the Historical Regency Era. Each book highlights one of the ladies' whoever is doing the dare at that time. Interesting characters where some show up in every book or so, lovable ones interesting to know. These can be read as Stand alones, or in loving order as soon. Recommend each book of the Series!

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

***not a standalone, all books must be read in order***

This book is where the story really took a turn for me. This book was beyond excellent. The beginning was one of the best romance beginnings I have ever read. I loved it. I also really loved Jasper and Harriet and was so happy when they resolved their issues.

The middle books of this series are like they were written by an entirely different author. The next couple follows a very nontraditional format as well.

[Stephen Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliantly crafted continuation of the series

This is another brilliantly crafted continuation of the series, that just keeps getting better. It is a gripping story of love overcoming, historical midsummer standings.The characters are brilliantly portrayed. This book will suit anybody who loves steamy historical romances with plenty of intrigue and surprises.

[sd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

I was truly touched by this story. The characters were so well done in their misunderstandings and I was moved by Jasper’s challenges. Both characters’ insecurities pulled at my heartstrings. I loved every moment and think I’ve found a favorite historical romance author to add to my shelves.