Alex

Wilde Love #1

by Kelly Collins

Hij is een gangster die het rechte pad op gaat. Zij is een serveerster die failliet gaat. Zal hun gok op een verstandshuwelijk uitdraaien op ware liefde?

Alex Wilde wil wanhopig graag uit de maffiabusiness van zijn familie stappen. Maar als zijn beruchte vader wordt vermoord, doet de advocaat van de familie een voorstel dat hij niet kan negeren: "Zorg ervoor dat je een bruid vindt vóór de begrafenis", anders zal zijn familie een huwelijk tussen hem en een Russisch gangstermeisje afdwingen. Als hij een pittige serveerster ontmoet die wel in lijkt voor een avontuur, denkt Alex dat hij zijn uitweg gevonden heeft.

Faye Tandy zit vreselijk in de schulden en weet niet hoe ze ervanaf moet komen. Alex' aanbod om voor een hoop geld een nephuwelijk met hem aan te gaan kan dus niet op een beter moment komen en ze is blij dat ze hem kan helpen de criminele wereld te verlaten. Het feit dat hij lang, donker en knap is, is een aantrekkelijke bonus. Maar als ze ontdekt dat de Russen een prijs op haar hoofd hebben gezet, vraagt ze zich af of ze niet beter gescheiden en bankroet kan zijn dan rijk en dood...

Als Faye's neppe gevoelens voor Alex vervolgens écht worden, is ze doodsbang dat de reis naar het altaar haar laatste kan zijn. Kunnen Alex en Faye elkaar echt vinden en behouden, of is het wrede lot van de liefde iets anders met hen van plan?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Amazon, Romantic Suspense, Mafia Romance

ebook

Published January 1, 2022

About the author

Kelly Collins is a bestselling, award-winning author of feel-good small-town romance filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters. Her books are perfect for readers who crave heartwarming contemporary love stories, sassy heroines, and slow-burn romances with cinnamon roll heroes you’ll wish were real.

With humor, charm, and emotional depth, Kelly brings to life tight-knit towns, unforgettable characters, and the kind of love that feels like coming home. When she’s not plotting her next happily-ever-after, she’s sipping strong coffee and dreaming up heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Come for the charm, stay for the swoon—and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the whole town.

Visit www.authorkellycollins.com to grab a free book and discover your next favorite escape.

Click “Follow” to get updates on new releases, special deals, and exclusive content.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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Reviews

[DJ Sakata]

My Rating:

4.5

Favorite Quotes:

She touched my hair. “You look like Snow White. Dark hair. Fair skin. Red lips.” She walked behind me and stared at our layered reflection in the mirror. “But your ass…did you have to eat all seven dwarfs?”

She’s not my type. I’ve seen nicer legs and bigger breasts on a chicken.

Not only was he handsome, he kissed like a porn star and danced like Michael Jackson. I’d hit a trifecta.

What’s with these Italian guys and their sausages? … You know me, I’m all about the O—and oh, does he have the skills to keep me happy.

I understood the danger of inviting such a diverse group; it was why I served cannelloni. No one needed a knife.


My Review:

Buckle up for an active modern-day Vegas mafia power grab with goons, beleaguered casino workers, Russian gangsters, money laundering, abductions, brokered marriages, romantic suspense, and the sassy waitress/college student in the midst of it all. I enjoyed the Wilde ride; written in my favorite dual POV with Ms. Collin’s signature clever and edgy humor. I look forward to more Wilde times ahead with this exciting new series.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (9/6/2019)! 🎁

[atomickitten]

1.5-2 stars

DNFed at 66%

Well, that was disappointing...

I didn't feel any connection or chemistry and tbh the story dragged like a Spanish telenovela.



When the story started I was under the impression that our characters already know each other but then I found out they met the day the story begins.
The writing style was not my cuppa.

It took them 6-7 chapters to meet and get married with minimum interactions only so they could jump into bed right away, after knowing each other for 3 days. Apparently they felt so much chemistry between each other that they couldn't wait any longer. What chemistry may I ask? I'm still scratching my head. Also, what deserves a slap is the fact that the sex scenes are non existent.
Plus, the first kiss was waaay below meh.

Faye, the heroine started to get on my nerves pretty quickly and I lost all my interest in how the story ends.
That was my first read from this author but I think her writing style isn't for me. I'm not gonna continue with this series. Pity, since I was super excited to read this book.
Hence my disappointment.

[Liz]

4.5 stars. Full review to come.

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty]

Funny, emotional love story with a mob-by twist…

I hear ‘mafia romance’ and I’m all in! Betting on Him holds all the delicious, political intrigue of the genre while not including gory details of the violence that is associated with it. For some reason, I was okay with that this time around… 

Faye was a feisty, funny, down-to-earth female lead. A strong woman who dealt with life in the best of ways – with humour, quick-wit and common sense. She dealt with every knock down as it came, not dwelling on the unfairness but simply getting on with things.

“She’s smart and sexy and funny as hell.”

I really liked Faye and wanted to like Alex just as much. Luckily, I did! He was serious, rather than funny, but could appreciate the lightheartedness that Faye brought to his life. He was fighting for his family’s survival in a world where getting out was not easy. Pulling Faye into the fight may not have been his best idea but he soon found out she could hold her own. While not really rescuing her (he so did) or taking away her choices (he didn’t), he offered a solution to Faye’s circumstances that killed two birds with one stone. While hoping they weren’t one of the birds…

“He was a good man. Kind when he wanted to be… Scary when he needed to be…”

I had no expectations going in so finding a wonderful story and a new to me author (with a substantial backlist) was a reading win-win. I am ready for more!

[Anne Z.]

I have a weak spot for Mafia romances, so I had to read this.
It took me a while to get into the story but once I did it deliver.
This was my first read by Kelly Collins and I really enjoyed it.

Full review will be on the blog on release date.

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[Whit]

Sweet! Sassy!!! Suspenseful!!!

Faye is fighting financially to stay in school and earn her degree. But eviction notices, no food, and no electricity has just about defeated her.

However, Alex Wilde just may be the answer. He wants his family out of the Mafia. And marrying Faye just may break the stronghold his father's enemies hold over his head.

Plenty of betrayal, kidnappings, bodyguards, and surprises in this one.

[Carolee Taylor]

3.5 stars. mafia is not not jam but this was "reformed mafia" so thought I'd give it a try. pretty much insta love and not much to hold my attention. Well written but pretty standard formula fare. Not sure I'm invested enough to read book 2.

[KittyLuvr]

This is the 1st book of the author's I've read & I enjoyed it so much I preordered it & the next in the series: Betting on Her. At first I wasn't sure I'd like this book, Faye, the heroine seemed too forward, too pushy for the type of heroine I like, but by the 3rd or 4th chapter I was sucked into the story. I liked the 1920's speakeasy, Chicago gangsters & flapper themes of the Las Vegas Old Money Casino with its club & bars where almost all of the story takes place.
Alex, the Hero, is 1 of 3 Wilde brothers & inherits the Casino after the hit that killed his father Vince Wilde: his brother Matt Wilde is in prison for 3 more mths & their youngest brother is still in college.
Alex finds out his father contracted for Alex to marry a Russian mob boss' daughter Katya to meld the 2 families together, but Alex wants to eliminate all illegal enterprises of his murdered father's empire & marrying into Katya's family will only add to them. What to do to avoid marrying Katya without igniting a war? Perhaps the curvy waitress in the beaded flapper uniform at the Casino bar holds the key.
Alex needs a wife ASAP to prevent a marriage to Katya & Faye needs money to pay student loans, bills & avoid being homeless. Thus a temporary marriage/business arrangement between Alex & Faye is proposed, agreed to & accomplished.
I have to say, once Faye agreed to marry Alex I really began to LIKE her character: she was never a doormat or submissive, she held her own BUT she kept her word & didn't constantly fight the terms of their agreement. One time she takes off (although staying in the Casino) without advising her bodyguard (a bodyguard being a new thing for her once she & Alex are married) but when Alex finds her & points out he can't protect her if she does that she realizes he is correct & doesn't do it again. I LOVED THAT: how many times in stories does the heroine make stupid/emotional choices that endanger her & others?
Throughout the rest of the story Faye remained mature, cool, collected & aware she was falling in love with her temporary husband while they were both swimming with sharks. And Alex was trying desperately to bring his legacy & his beloved brothers out of the dark into the light while keeping them all alive, including the temporary wife he was falling in love with. But, he was up against a Russian mob boss enraged at losing his chance into the Old Money Casino due to Alex' outmaneuvering him by marrying Faye, & there would be hell to pay. Who will succeed? Alex or his enemies?
I felt this story had an excellent blend of romance between two emotionally mature adults, very mild steaminess, tension & suspense. There were no parts I wanted to skip & I especially got a big kick out of Faye's sex crazed BFF Trish & the guy in Alex's circle she sets her sights on, he never had a chance. I was invested in Alex, Faye, Trish & others & I wanted Alex & Faye to have a HEA.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

[luminarysandlifes]

Dies ist mein erstes Buch von Kelly Collins und ich bin positiv überrascht. Der Schreibstil ist flüssig und leicht lesbar. Ein perfektes Buch in für zwischendurch.

Die Geschichte zwischen Alex und Faye ging ziemlich schnell, aufgrund dessen, dass das Buch so kurz ist. Trotzdem hat mich das nicht wirklich gestört, da bereits im ersten Kapitel an eine gewisse Spannung zwischen den beiden
herrscht. Trotzdem hätte ich mir ein paar Kapitel mehr gewünscht, in denen die Geschichte von Alex & Faye mehr ausgebaut wird.

Charaktere:
Alex, der, obwohl er in einer Mafia-Familie aufgewachsen ist, nichts damit zu tun haben möchte und sich mehr um das
Wohlbefinden seiner Geliebten sorgt als um sein eigenes,
und Faye, die einen Start als humorvollen und charismatischen Charakter darlegt, sind mir schnell ans
Herz gewachsen.
Ich mochte die Protagonisten, auch wenn ich zwischendurch ihre Handlungen nicht ganz nachvollziehen konnte.
Aber auch die Nebencharaktere wie Max, Trish und Katya haben mich überzeugt und dieses Buch noch einmal
besser gemacht.

Ich hätte mir außerdem eventuell etwas mehr von der Mafia-Storyline gewünscht, aber vielleicht kommt die in den anderen Bänden mehr vor.
Trotzdem bin ich auf die anderen Bände der Wilde Brüder gespannt.

*Rezensionsexemplar von @Lesejury*

[Rachel Smart]

Great book!

I don't usually go for Mafia books. However I like this author and thought I would trust her. I was not disappointed! This is a well written book. I love the heroine, Faye. She has a smart mouth, snarky sense of humor with a vulnerability that books yoh. Alex is the tough abused (as one who was raised by a mafia monster) and surprisingly honest hunk wanting out of the life. As the oldest and with his brother Matt in jail when his father died he does the unthinkable. He breaks goes with the Russian mob. Finding and closing all the holes isn't easy. This book as suspense, steamy sex (not BDSM crap), romance and humor. It is not a dark book. I loved it!! Can't wait to read the next one!!

[Jennifer]

How Interesting?!? Betting on Him is such an interesting take on a mafia novel. This book is a stand-alone book, but does seem to be book one in a series. This book has everything I like in a story. There is romance, drama, action, and heat. It is exactly what I needed.
The plot of this book was refreshing. This book is about the mafia, but the author took it a different direction. I liked that is was unique. It didn’t follow the same clichés that most books do. I really liked the characters and the story line. There were also some surprise twists thrown in.
The characters in this book were written well. I really liked Faye. She was a little spitfire that also knew when she needed to take a risk. I really liked how she stuck up for herself and what she wanted. Then you have Alex. He was such an interesting character. I liked how loyal he was to his family. He did everything he could to make sure they were okay. He is an alpha male with a big heart.
The heat in this book is what I expect from a mafia novel. It is dirty and hot with a side of sweetness when needed. I really liked that these two characters had instant chemistry. They were each attracted to each other from the beginning. This lead to some hot scenes between these two. Add in the feelings that came later, and you had the perfect recipe for some great heat.
The writing style of this book is good. I really liked how the author wrote this particular mafia The pace of the book was steady. The story was told a dual point of view. I liked the characters. Especially the minor characters that I can see will get their own story. My only complaint is that I felt some of the set up in the beginning of the story was glossed over as the story continued. I would have liked to see a little more loose ends tied together.
Overall, this was a great book. I really liked the plot and characters. The author did a great job creating a world I want to learn more about. I cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I would recommend this book to others.
Ratings:
Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Heat: 5/5
Writing Style: 4/5
Overall: 4/5

*Reviewed for Seraphim Book Reviews*

[Texas]

Betting On Him #1 - What a trip! I had so much fun reading this story filled with great characters and good storylines. The chemistry between he and she was great; there was explicit sex but I skipped that boring trash. Both had personalities that were bold and honest; plus some of the support characters were great in their roles, too. The story is fast paced, intriguing and had suspense, plenty of everything to the reader immersed in the pages. The violence isn't graphic. The romance and finding solutions is the focus. It's been decades since I've enjoyed a Mafia story along these lines, but I can recommend this entertaining yarn. 5*

Betting On Her #2 - Lucky for me I could chain read both books. BOHim left me riding a high, so it was only natural to continue the ride with BOHer. This book is just as entertaining as the first and there's actually a third book in the series, three Wilde brothers, but of course. There are the same great characters with a few new ones added to the mix. Good chemistry again, with explicit sex, which I skipped since I find written sex boring. This story is also fast paced, intriguing and humorous. The storylines are well thought out and there's a twist and kink here and there that will surprise some of the other characters, but makes the reader belly laugh. Again, hard to put down and don't expect an explicit violence, just romance and problem solving. 5*

One Hundred Excuses - This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed it immensely. Well written with good storylines and characters that are likable and decent people. I didn't realize this is part of series because other people and previous history were mentioned in passing as if introduced in another book. BUT this did not diminish my enjoyment of this delightful, heartwarming story. I had fun with Mrs. Beasley (from Family Affair), I remember when she hit the store shelves in the late 60s. Now I want to read the rest of the stories. I did skip the sex scenes, for me the sexual tension is interesting and written sex is boring. I found this book on Booksprout.co. 5*

[Ann-Maree]

Three of my favourite things in one book:
A Kelly Collins story
A New Series to lose myself in.
A Marriage of Convenience.

Throw in a bit of Mafia romances and I was in my reading heaven with this book. The chemistry between the two characters was great with laughable moments and some great sexy banter moments. The book is a fast-moving, intriguing, suspenseful drama about two different people with very different upbringings coming together to solve their own problems in life. If you have not read a book by this author I urge you to read this one as it the start of her new series that I am so looking forward to reading more of. I love a heroine that stands up for herself and shows power in difficult situations. I received an ARC copy of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review of it.
Faye Tandy is a struggling college student who is a cocktail waitress in Las Vegas to make ends meet. On the verge of being evicted and bankrupt Faye needs to change something in her life to improve it.

Alex Wilde life has changed overnight and he finds himself running the family’s mob business when his father is murdered. He desperately wants out of the gangster life and to run the casino on the up and up. But his father had arranged marriage planned for him with the Russian gangster’s daughter. His only way out of this is to marry someone else. The first person that comes to mind is the feisty cocktail waitress in his bar he met last night.

Will Faye take the proposal offered to her by her new boss? Is this her solutions to all her problems or is she stepping into the deeper end full of gangsters and Russians?

He tells her he never lies.
She was doing it for the money.
But will he make the biggest lie of all?
Money does not need your heart involved.

[Cathy Geha]

Betting on Him by Kelly Collins
Wilde Love #1

Feel good mafia romane – oxymoron? – No way! This book was just what I needed to read right now!

Alex Wilde is the oldest son of Vince the mafia crime lord of Las Vegas. Wilde was a ruthless cruel man even with his three sons. Vince is no more – he was gunned down a few weeks before the story begins and as it begins Alex is in a cocktail bar in the casino that now belongs to him. He is there to meet a lawyer and who should be his waitress but smart sassy Faye Tandy. Sparks definitely flew when they met so when he realized one way of avoiding a marriage merger agreed upon between his father and a Russian mafia guy was to get married the first person that came to mind as a potential “wife” was…Faye. And thus began a ride and a half that eventually ended up with a HEA for the couple.

I LOVED this book told in dual point of views. I could so relate to both characters and enjoyed the time they spent together. I also enjoyed the mafia elements that were dealt with without the blood and gore and all the rest that many such in the genre have. Don’t get me wrong, I like those books as well BUT this one though softer packed a wallop.

• I liked Faye’s strength of character and moxie
• I liked Alex’s strength with a soft core shown to Faye
• I enjoyed Stella who had been there with Alex since childhood
• I grew to like Katya and am eager to find out how she will end up with Alex’s brother Max
• I liked Trish and the side story of her with Max
• Shoot…I pretty much liked everything in this book except the bad guys that I was supposed to not like.

Thank you to the author and InkSlinger PR for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

[Sharon Grow]

This book was a “wilde” ride from beginning to end! Vincent Wilde, family patriarch, was cut down in a hail of bullets leaving his three sons as owners of the Old Money Casino in Las Vegas. The oldest son, Alex, has arrived in Vegas to take control of the casino…for the time being. Alex has his own legitimate business and has no intention of remaining at the casino. The Russian and Irish mobs would like to get their hands on the casino and Alex has no intention of allowing that to happen. Alex was pledged to marry Katya to cement the relationship between the families, but that’s not going to happen either. Alex knows that the only way to get out of the marriage would be if he is married to someone else…enter Faye Tandy. Faye has been working at the casino as a cocktail waitress trying to make ends meet while finishing her college education. In a chance meeting with Alex, who she has no idea is her new boss, she finds herself interested in him and he finds her charming, sassy and altogether delightful. He offers her money for a temporary marriage in order to avoid marriage to “the mob”. I read this book in one sitting as I just could not stop reading. There is danger, sizzling romance, and great characters. The story line is unique, dealing with sons who never wanted to be involved in their father’s business now trying to cut ties without being cut down. I loved it and can’t wait to read Matt and Rafe’s stories. Any book that Kelly Collins writes is guaranteed to be a winner! I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

[Gin]

This story is different from a lot of the mafia stories out there. It has an old world feel to it ala Godfather. Dark limousines with tinted windows, 24/7 bodyguards, secure locations, family members travel separately, and dangerous mob families. All want the last family-owned mob casino in Vegas but the Wilde family is not letting it go. Alex Wilde wants nothing to do with his father’s casino and his illegal mob activities but when the old man dies and the heir apparent is unavailable Alex has no choice but to step up and save the family business for his younger brothers. Alex has gone legit and decided to take the casino legit too. The other mob families are not happy. On the romance front, Alex needs a wife to thwart his father’s arranged marriage contract and after an interesting encounter with waitress Faye, he decides she the one for a fake marriage. Faye’s not sure what she’s getting into but she’s drawn to Alex (hello...tall, dark, sexy and dangerous) and his marriage deal. No surprise that even with Alex's firm resolve to never fall in love or have a family, Faye is the woman for him. But can she break through his hard countenance and have a real marriage? Things ramp up with the other families to a dangerous level but Alex is determined to keep his brothers and his wife safe while taking the business legit. Well written story that’s full of danger, intrigue, suspense and a sexy romance. Loved it! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC and bought the book.

[Yvonne Cruz]

I have to confess that I am not a fan of mafia or billionaire stories but being a fan of this author, I decided to give this one a try. Glad I did.
Alex Wilde’s father was a well known mobster in Vegas. A man that he did not respect and when his father is killed , Alex is more determined than ever to get rid of the mafia ties and go totally legit. In order to accomplish that he first needs not to marry the “mob princess”. One he’s expected/forced to marry . Now, if he can only find someone temporarily.
Faye Tandy is in debt after being swindled by her ex. Barely earning money to live and go to college, she’s working at the casino owned by the Wilde family.
When Alex meets her, he’s rather enchanted by her attitude and proposes a marriage of convenience until he’s able to leave the mob. With the money promised, Faye can finally go to school, and pay her debts.
In the midst of the danger, threats from the mob competitor, and some comic relief thrown in, neither expected to have feelings develop.
Will they survive the enemy? Will they finally get their HEA or will they end up going their separate ways?
This was an engaging story from the beginning to the end filled with unexpected surprises and very likable characters . Also with a female main character that will take no prisoners.
So now the second confession, I can’t wait for the next story in the series!
I was entrusted a copy of this book by Author’s Direct. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[She's a Lip Biter]

It’s always exciting to read a book written by an author new to you and this author is one I most definitely will be following closely.

Alessio or Alex Wilde and Faye Tandy meet at the casino Alex has just inherited. Unfortunately for him he has also inherited the connection to the criminal world his father lived in and was killed in. Needing an out to an arranged marriage between himself and a Russian Mafia princess, he asks Faye to marry him as a business proposition.

Faye is a fabulous character with her strong sense of self and sassy comebacks. She also shows that touch of vulnerability that makes her even more realistic and likeable. Alex is a hunk and although he professes to not be a very nice person evidence doesn’t really point that way. A stupid male who doesn’t think things through at times? Yes, but then that is very realistic too!

The book is very easy to read with its fast paced and interesting storyline. There is plenty of drama to keep things hopping without overdoing things. A good sense of humour, especially with the fun play on words the lead characters get involved with as well as Faye’s comments to herself, is sprinkled throughout.

I was impressed with the ending too, a fun, flirty finish as well as dropping a new bomb into the mix. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series!

Reviewed by Robyn

[Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews]

Alex's life has just become more complicated than he could have imagined. His father (the vengeful gangster) has just died and now he is being forced to marry into a rival Family according to his father's will. No way, no how! He has vowed to make his family legit and marrying into another gangster family would only draw him deeper into that life.

Faye is at the right place, at the right time. The connection she makes with Alex prompts him to ask her to marry him temporarily in order to avoid marrying as per his father's arrangement. What starts as a fake marriage quickly becomes a dangerous enterprise as the rival family takes it as an affront. There are a lot of undercurrents here. It is all about power and money.

Exciting and entertaining, this is definitely a book you would enjoy if you like romances from strangers to lovers. This is the first book in the series. More to come promising to be very exciting.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.

[Book With A View]

This book was alright. The premise of this plot (the deal/betrothal that the two mob bosses/fathers agreed to) didn’t make any sense. Agreeing that their two adult children are to marry to smooth things over between the families, but in 3 years time so that the bride’s 25 years old and only if the groom doesn’t marry someone else first? Why wasn’t this a more obvious loop hole, and therefore, an obvious plot hole?

That critique aside, I was enjoying this story up until the second half. He’s determined to not have feelings for her for whatever reason, but then he catches real feelings after their first sexy time and decides to avoid her for 10 days. She’s pretending it’s fine, but decides to make him work for it knowing he’ll eventually fall in love with her. Okay fine you fools who are already in love after only actually spending minimal time together. I accept that.

But then the story speeds up and we don’t really see him working for it, which I would have loved to see! The story seemed so rushed at this point. We skipped over some relationship development there. This story would have benefited from like 50+ extra pages.

[Reading Addict]

Betting on Him is a sexy, fun, marriage of convenience story. We have struggling waitress Faye Tandy. She's a great person but it seems as if she's living life under a rain cloud. In steps Alex Wilde, unbeknownst to Faye the heir to the casino where she works and quite possibly the answer to her financial woes. Faye has been struggling with tuition payments, rent and vehicle woes and doesn't know how she's going to make ends meet. Alex has been forced into an arranged marriage by his late father unless he can find a replacement bride pronto and into his life steps Faye. Alex may think that he controls all the cards but he hasn't met anyone like Faye! I loved the back and forth of their story and the underlying mob issues with the casino make everything that much more exciting. Betting on Him is written from dual POV and if you like a fast paced, well written contemporary romance that is loaded with sexy banter then you definitely want to read this.

[~❤️Minnie❤️~]

Originally posted on Under the Moonlight Book Blog

I want to cry at this moment. I had this review already scheduled to go and I was writing another when my blog somehow mixed them and I ended up with two reviews of the same book and a missing scheduled review. I will attempt to redo this review but I am very sure it will not come out as awesome as it was before.

So this book is about this guy Alex who is the older brother of three and at the moment the head of the family empire. His dad had just died and he wants to take his family on the strait and narrow and get out of the mob. Problem is that his dad made a deal with one of the other mafia families and he has to marry the man's daughter. Or does he?

Enter Faye, a waitress in financial need that works on the casino hotel his family owns. Thanks to an offhanded comment from the family lawyer (at least I think it was offhanded unless it was a veiled suggestion) he decides to get married to Faye and makes her an offer she can't refuse.

From the moment Faye and Alex meet I fell in love with their characters. Faye is a sassy, funny woman that doesn't let Alex walk all over her even when he is the "man in charge". I loved how this characters fell in love and that Alex was always helping Faye one way or another to achieve her dream.

The sexy scenes were hot with the office scene been one of my favorites. I also liked how the author paved the way for the next book and I cannot wait to see how Katya and Matt find a way to be together.

Disclaimer:
♥♦♥ This copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of it or the content of my review.♥♦♥

[Kari Hansen]

After the death of his father Alex finds himself with a job he doesn’t want. With one brother in prison and the other brother in college he now finds himself as head of his father’s mafia business. If that isn’t bad enough he finds himself being forced into an arranged marriage with the Russian mob’s daughter unless he can break the contract by marrying someone else.

Faye is the feisty and flirty college student and waitress at the casino that he just inherited and wants to turn legitimate. Between her student loans and rent she struggles to make ends meet. When Alex suggests a temporary marriage, it is a win-win as he gets out of his arranged marriage and she gets her debts paid. What could possibly go wrong?

Hot chemistry and humorous banter combined with the right amount of suspense and drama makes this an enjoyable storyline. I am looking forward to Matt’s story.

[Di OBRIEN]

Not your average mafia story

This was not quite a solid 4 star read, but was so much better than deserving only three stars that I had to go with rating it four stars.

While it is a mafia story, that aspect is just one part, and it isn't as dark as many others which are more sinister and filled with blood, guts, and gore. These characters are actually very likeable, and there's good chemistry between the protagonists. My only negative was that I felt the last several chapters were a bit rushed in wrapping everything up, and I'm wanting more. I'm curious now to see where the story takes the rest of the Wilde Brothers.

This can be read as a standalone, but since there is a boxed set in which I can get the other two books in this series, I'll go ahead with it to satisfy my need for more. I'm pretty confident this author won't disappoint me. . . she hasn't in the past.

[Maria (semi hiatus)]

2,5 stars. This book was okay, nothing special. Insta lust turned to love. Some miscommunications thrown in for the drama, but it was all pretty much smooth sailing. The OW who could cause any drama didn’t and the mafia suspense was also very lame. Last quarter of the book was all very rushed. Scenes were not fully completed and it went downhill by the page. The premises was very promising, the execution not so much. I did like the hero though. The times he messed up, he knew he’d done wrong. Him chasing the heroine like a lost puppy, loved that! Besides that, I had to force myself to finish this book. Wouldn’t recommend it.

Safe read. Hero didn’t give me manwhore vibes, but he was a “woman to please tonight, gone in the morning” type of guy. Not much about the heroine’s past, except a cheating ex and that she has sworn off all men. No cheating between both MC’s, OW/OM drama or sex with OP.

[Donna]

Alex and Faye come from two different worlds. He has always had money and power. She is barely scraping by. Alex is a crime boss' son and Faye is the daughter of an FBI agent. Against all odds, these two make an interesting, believable, dynamic couple.

I really loved the fact that Faye continued getting her college degree. Too many times, a woman would give up her dreams and aspirations if they found themselves in the same situation. Faye was a pragmatic individual and knew she needed to be prepared to take care of herself. She didn't need Alex, she wanted him.

I felt the climactic scene was too anti-climactic. I can't explain why without writing spoilers, so...

This is a terrific start to a new series and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I urge you to read all books by the talented Kelly Collins.

[Robyn Corcoran]

I really enjoyed this book, this is the first taste of this author for me and it definitely won’t be the last!

Faye Tandy is down on her luck in a bad way until she meets Alex Wilde, new owner where she works. Needing to find a way out of a tricky situation Alex asks her to marry him in a business arrangement. Of course there is that pesky mob history in his background that causes a few problems.

These two are great together! She doesn’t let him get away with anything. Her feisty but fair nature is perfect for Alex, he also enjoys how sexy and smart she is too. He likewise isn’t hard on the eyes but it’s their fabulous chemistry that sets things alight.

Add some drama to liven up things then throw in some fun banter and a healthy sense of humour and you have one really entertaining story.

[Kristen Lewendon]

This was nothing like I usually expect for a ‘mafia romance’. And I think I adored this book just that little bit more because of it. But it was everything I love about the fake marriage theme. Alex is the unwilling recipient of his father’s mafia legacy – including an arranged marriage he wants nothing to do with. After meeting Faye and experiencing the sparks she lights in him, Alex realizes this spunky cocktail waitress just might be the solution to his problem. My favorite part of this story was the snappy, sassy banter between Alex and Faye. They’re two people that probably shouldn’t have anything in common and yet they get on like a house on fire. I also really enjoyed watching the interactions between the brothers and with the ‘children’ of the other families. I can’t wait to read what happens next.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[Margaret Watkins]

In what could have been a horror story, Betting on Him is, in fact, a most enjoyable book. Faye is on her beam-ends with nowhere else to go until such time as she has finished her studies. Alex, meanwhile, has landed in more trouble than he could imagine with the murder of his gangster father. They have one thing in common, namely their mutual distrust of marriage and commitment. The story is well written and fast paced with humour mixed in the suspense. I loved both the main characters as well as the close-knit ancillary characters. This novel is the first in a new chain of books and I enjoyed meeting the brothers Wilde in what promises to be an explosive series. The story is a standalone and comes to a very happy and satisfactory conclusion. I received a copy of this book as a gift and this is my honest and voluntary review.