The Probability Of Love

by Dena Blake

A chance meeting and a no-strings rendezvous in Las Vegas has chemistry flaring between Blair Haskell and Rachel Taylor. But long-distance relationships rarely work, and Blair’s still kind of hung up on the woman back home who broke her heart. When Blair’s friend Morgan hears about her wild night in Vegas, she doesn’t let the opportunity for a wager slide. Morgan proposes a bet: which of them can get Rachel into bed again?

Blair doesn’t buy in―after all, Morgan is the player, not her. But then Blair and Rachel unexpectedly meet again and share a passionate weekend affair. Blair is sure Rachel isn’t interested in anything more, but as her attraction spirals out of control, she’s in danger of falling.

Can a one-night stand turn into forever despite the odds? Or will the bet Blair never intended to make ruin their chances for a happily ever after?

Catch up with Chloe and Shay from Just One Moment and Sophie and Tess from Love By Proxy as they help bring this romance to life.

Genres: Romance

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 12, 2022

About the author

Dena Blake grew up in a small town just north of San Francisco where she learned to play softball, ride motorcycles, and grow vegetables. She eventually moved with her family to the Southwest where she began creating vivid characters in her mind and bringing them to life on paper.

Dena’s first novel, Where the Light Glows, is a Rainbow Award winner for Best Lesbian Debut and A Country Girl's Heart is a Goldie Finalist.

Reviews

[Jude Silberfeld-Grimaud · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having to fly to Las Vegas at the last minute for a conference wasn’t Rachel’s plan. Thankfully, a fling with a bartender makes it all better. She didn’t expect them to click so well in such a short time. However, when they meet again by chance in Florida, they pick up where they left off. They try to keep it casual yet despite juggling conflicting schedules, feelings get involved.

You may remember Rachel from Just One Moment and Blair from Love by Proxy (which I haven’t read). The MCs from these two books are secondary characters in this one and while I don’t think you absolutely need to read those first, knowing the background always helps understand the dynamics at play. Rachel’s feelings for Shay interfere with her blooming attraction to Blair and add to the difficulty of coming to terms with said attraction. Blair’s relationship with Tess and Sophie is much more at peace.

As they try to find their way in a relationship neither of them dared hope for, both Rachel and Blair allow their insecurities to take over at times. At least, they take turns, which makes the other’s forgiveness believable. What’s nice, however, is that these outbursts lead to discussions. Not long ones, but enough to dissipate assumptions.

This was a mostly fun and interesting read. Sexy times abound and both MCs are relatable, normal people, with fears and hopes, and who screw up sometimes. That’s where the “mostly” above comes from. There were a few instances of intense cringe because yes, we all have our idiot moments, but they sound a lot less natural on paper than they do IRL.

All in all, however, The Probability of Love was an enjoyable read, a lazy Sunday kind of book. Avoid the official synopsis, though, it’s both inaccurate and spoilery. 3.5⭐️

I received a copy from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Read all my reviews on my blog (and please buy from the affiliation links!): Jude in the Stars

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a story about physical therapist Rachel Taylor who goes to a medical conference in Las Vegas and meets bartender Blair Haskell. They hook up for a one night stand that turns into a 3 day weekend. They have instant chemistry and many similar interests and get along really well in Vegas. Then Rachel returns to her home in Florida and tries to forget about Blair. As fate would have it Blair is also from Florida and a few weeks later she’s quits her Vegas job now that she has saved up enough money to open up her own bartending catering business for events and weddings. Rachel’s friends own an art studio and at an event Blair ends up catering, they meet up again. They start up their hook ups again and both begin to have feelings for each other. But of course the past rears it’s ugly head and they have a few break ups before the HEA.

I was confused by the blurb on this book and it took a while to sort out the characters roles. Also I would highly recommend reading the two proceeding books in this series first. A large part of this book dwells on two other couples past relationships with Blair and especially with Rachel. It made it difficult to understand Rachel and Shay’s past relationship even though it is partially explained in this book.

Blair was very sweet and seems to have her head on straight, Rachel is a mess and has multiple issues to work through. Both MCs have a failure to communicate like adults with each other.

I think Dena Blake did a good job setting the scene in Vegas and the various backdrops were well written and interesting and added depth to the story. But all the scenes in Florida had zero backdrop and could have made the book so much better with some added interest. Having been both places myself I think Blake should have done a better job with her research in this area.

Overall this was a nice, quick and easy read.

Arc received for an honest and voluntary review from BSB via NetGalley.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you’ve read Blake’s Love by Proxy and/ or Just One Moment you would recognise all these characters. That’s not to say you will need to read either one of those before reading this book.

Rachel is the physical therapist from Just One Moment. I haven’t read that one and going by what I gleam from that story in this book I will not read it either. I did read Love by Proxy and I immediately recognised the characters from that book. Blair has moved to Vegas to get away from what she couldn’t have but helped organise. She’s getting her life in order, her dream ready, when she meets Rachel. Who’s attending a conference. I really don’t like how Rachel handles her attraction and connection to Blair while still dealing with her “things”. If you’ve read Just One Moment you will know what I’m talking about, but I won’t spoil it here.
I feel like Rachel is leading Blair on a bit. Blair is a sweet character and I think she deserves better than whatever these two have going on.

I have this issue with Blake’s writing where I like the writing style but I just can’t seem to connect with the characters, don’t see enough development in them to enjoy it fully. I think this one is slightly better because I do like Blair, but Rachel is just a very hard character to like and to root for.
It’s an easy read, as with all other Blake books I’ve read, but that’s really all there is to it. I would recommend it if you are up for a very light read.

*ARC received in exchange for a voluntary and honest review*

[Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dena Blake takes the two third wheels in her novels Just One Moment and Love by Proxy and lets them meet up. Dr. Rachel is a physical therapist and a goes presents at a conference in Las Vegas. While there she keeps running into the same bar tender which turns in to Vegas sight seeing and for her an unusual weekend fling. Blair Heskell is just finishing a year in Vegas earning money for her new business venture of running a bartending business for events like weddings, gallery openings etc. She returns to Florida and at her very first working event runs into Rachel again.

The two quickly agree to keep things light and easy but fall into a very steady relationship over a few months. I really like Blair and want her new venture to be successful. Rachel is harder to like. She has unrequited feelings toward a married friend and doesn’t like it when Blair asks her not to be the friend's crutch date to events without Blair attending. Rachel also seemingly doesn’t respect Blair’s job or financial situation. The red flag moment to me is when she cuts off all contact because of a misunderstanding. If that had happened right after the Vegas weekend it would be understandable but when it happens it seems such an over the top reaction it borders on ridiculous. Even though the epilogue gives them a HEA I’m not convinced.

This can be read as a stand alone novel. I had only read the book featuring Blair previously. Maybe if I had read the other I would have been more understanding of Rachel. Thank you to NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[LE · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first Dena Blake and I was very excited for it. The blurb was a little confusing and looking back a little misleading with Morgan's involvement (she gets shot down immediatly by Rachel and the bet is only mentioned near the end to cause conflict) but the premise of Vegas love exited me.

Sadly this book just wasn't for me.
What I really liked was the tour and great knowledge of the Vegas area but for the characters I just couldn't connect. They both seemed so very immature in their communication and actions, it got a little frustrating fast.
Also this book can't be read as a stand-alone in my opinion. The secondary characters (Shay & Chloe and Sophie & Tess) play such an important role and I didn't understand neither Rachel's extreme infatuation with Shay nor Blair's with Tess because I didn't read "Just one Moment" or "Love by Proxy".
I'm usually all for integrating characters from previous books (like Erica Lee does it) but here it felt too central to the story and made me question both MC's behaviour.
The had undeniable chemistry, the flirting was cute, the sex scenes hot but the childish jealousy and breaking off contact after a silly little misunderstanding kind of ruined that for me.

Overall I think if you read the previously mentioned other books it's great to see Blair and Rachel get their happy ending and get over their broken hearts but sadly only 2.5 stars from me.

An eACR was given to me via NetGalley for an honest review.

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

Blair and Rachel indulge in a passionate night in Las Vegas, which when they meet again leads to a passionate weekend affair. Then Rachel returns home and Blair is left wondering if there could have been more between them, as is Rachel. When fate brings them back together unexpectedly Blair is in danger of falling for Rachel completely, even though she’s sure Rachel isn’t looking for anything more than the brief connection they shared.

What a great emotional ride, with magical moments and purely amazing connection between two fantastic women. If you’ve read other books of Dena’s there are a few lovely surprises throughout this great story too, which were an absolute treat and made me smile!

I loved the torment both Blair and Rachel inflected upon themselves. Rachel was certain love couldn’t happen on a whim and couldn’t believe Blair would be interested in her, and just as she started to believe, Blair’s friend, Morgan’s revelations threatened to ruin everything. I was on the edge of my seat at moments, but was so hopeful Blair would follow her heart and not give up on what she and Rachel could have because of Rachel’s reactions. It was very exciting and one of those dream take a chance stories that are straight out of the movies but you have to hope they happen in reality because they are the most amazing stories.

Really excited for Dena’s next story, they always capture my heart and make me believe in finding love and happiness at any moment.

[HComet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Vegas romances and this one is no different. Blake delivers an interesting story of two women who have a weekend affair and never expect to see each other again. But then they do. What happens from there is sweet and a bit bumpy as they get to know one another better and move into a rhythm with each other. I was glad to see both Rachel (from Just One Moment) and Blair (From Love By Proxy) get their happily ever after. This is a must read if you've read the two previous books but can be read as a standalone as well.

[Silvia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Probability of Love brings us the story of Rachel, Shay’s physical therapist from Just One Moment and Blair from Love by Proxy. It’s not necessary to read the other 2 books, this can be read as a standalone. We left Rachel obsessed with Shay in Just One Moment and we find her in the same situation. I wasn’t a big fan of Rachel before I read this book and it didn’t do much to sway me the other way. And the misunderstanding that lead to the break up seems forced to me. Blair on the other hand is likeable and you want her to have her HEA. And the book has some steamy passages as an added bonus.

Free ARC via NetGalley.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas – except when soul mates meet there. Rachel is in town for a conference and Blair is tending the hotel bar where Rachel is staying. Rachel knows the connection between them is strong, but she’s not ready for a relationship because she’s still hoping someone else’s wife will want to be with her. Blair hasn’t got time for a relationship she’s working two jobs and every extra shift she can to save enough money to return to her hometown, Tampa, to open her own bar tending business – and she’s exhausted. But what the two of them have between them will not be denied even when Rachel, who is also from Tampa, ghosts Blair. When they meet again by accident, there’s no denying what they have. Now if each of them can just get out of her own way, they might have a chance at a HEA ending.

Dena Blake has created two interesting characters each of whom isn’t quite ready for what fate has in store for her. Blake’s characters were not as well drawn as they should have been, and readers may have a hard time telling the characters apart. Plus, Blake’s editor should have had her add a lot more dialogue tags so readers wouldn’t be drawn out of her story. The part of the book that takes place in Vegas is very interesting because Blake takes her readers on a tour of the sights of Vegas that most visitors never see, but Tampa is not featured as a character in the book.

If you’re a fan of Blake’s books, you’ll love this book.

My thanks to Bold Strokes Books for an eARC.

[Bee Sherrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read this book. Lot’s of personal crap going on but the one thing I will never forget is how good this book made me feel. Lovely book about two women who meet in Las Vegas, having a great time. Neither Blair and Rachel think they’ll ever meet again but imagine their surprise when they realize they both call Tampa home. A fun read. A book I really enjoyed.
ARC via NetGalley/ Bold Stroke Books

[Bella · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.0

This book was kinda confusing at first (I don't know if some side characters are from Blake's other works), then it was spicy and cute, then it was a train full of red flags, then it was a train wreck, then everything was on fire. I have so many problems with this book that even the cute and spicy moments can't overcome them, unlike Blair's and Rachel's relationship, which is basically a train wreck on fire.
I feel like there are too many dramas, and the book was just too much, After each hardship, there would be another, then another, etc. You get the gist. Also, there are too many side storylines that just tangle up and cheapen the main storyline. I like drama, but this just feels like a bunch of obstacles keep coming and nothing is really resolved, then we suddenly get a happy ending which feels forced.

- Rachel: definitely needs therapy; girl got issues; the toxic person
- Blair: Charming and highly driven, no fault to her really besides for falling for Rachel
- Shay: high-key the person walking around with red flags

The writing style isn't for me. It's difficult to differentiate the dialogues. The timeline wasn't consistent. There are phrases and words that are overused, leading to dull repetitions.
This might be a quick read, but I was tortured to finish the last 40% of the book, almost DNF because I kept having to stop to scream at Rachel.

[Dr E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the cover and the Vegas setting made we want to read the book as it sounded interesting. I did indeed enjoy the Vegas beginning and I quite liked the move to Florida. The triangle stories that both the leading characters had going sounded like they were other books that I might have missed, which may have helped the story have more depth. It was ok, my interest kind of waned a bit about two-thirds of the way through when the trust issues needed sorting out, but there was some realism there that made the story feel authentic. Meanwhile Paige and Morgan surely have a future?

[Gadgtgirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Counteracting the Charles rating. They need to stop.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that we get to see a romance from two of Ms. Blake's characters in previous books, Rachel from Just One Moment and Blair from Love By Proxy. This made my heart happy.

[娼妇 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley, Bold Strokes Books, and Dena Blake for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Not going to lie, I forgot I even had this book sitting in my NetGalley shelf. The minute I found it and read the blurb, I was excited. Unfortunately, the book didn't really live up to my expectations.

One thing that made me continue with this book was because I found out in the earlier chapters that Rachel's a physical therapist and, I don't know, there's just something about having something like being a physical therapist (manifesting!) in common make me continue. It makes no sense, but I have no idea how else to explain it, LOL.

Moving on to the actual story, Rachel's annoying and Blair's a sweetheart. There was just something about the way that Rachel handled things that made it extremely infuriating. And I'm pretty sure Rachel's just leading Blair on. I'm not entirely convinced she actually loves Blair, which makes me think that despite this having a HEA (Happily Ever After) ending, they won't last that long.

Overall, it's an okay book. It's a fast and easy read.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blair is a bartender and an aspiring entrepreneur. Rachel is a physiotherapist forced into attending a conference in Vegas where they meet, at the bar.

Sparks fly, they have an amazing weekend that seems to mean so much more than a one night stand to both of them. They keep in touch but Rachel can’t see a way through and let’s the communication die out. They meet again, both living in the same area this time. They reconnect with a friends with benefit type of arrangement, because Rachel thinks her heart belongs to someone else. They settle into a routine and after a few hurdle decide to give a relationship a go. Insecurities on both ends cause some friction but eventually they find their way back to their HEA.

This was a nice read, the characters had some nice growth and went through a series of self reflection and figured themselves out. Plus, there was some nice steam.

Would definitely recommend.

** ARC provided by publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review***

[Nathalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story was something different than I expected from the blurb. The bet was actually ap rtty minor subject throughout the book. It was more about letting yourself get over ex crushes and opening up to new possible love.

It was also not clear to me that this is a third book in the world of these characters. It did make it weird why both MC's were so hung up on their past crushes as I did not really feel that past as I had not read the previous 2 books. It might be good to mention this somewhere so people have a choice to read those books first if they want.

Overall it was not a bad book but it had some hiccups for me so that's why it's a 3 star book for me.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started out good but I ended up not liking either of the MCs by the end.

[Kathryn Crowley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. only dialogue with no personality for the characters.