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Play to Win
Jodie Slaughter's latest rom-com, Play to Win , is a sizzling romance where a winning lottery ticket is meant to be a new start but instead becomes a second chance at love.
Miriam Butler’s life is going nowhere in the slowest, most excruciating way possible. Stuck in the same barely-paying job she’s had since she was sixteen and spending every night sleeping in the spare twin bed in her mother’s house, her existence might be hilarious if it wasn’t so bleak. One trip to her favorite corner store upends everything when she finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, not even life-altering roses come without their painful thorns. Hers just so happen to be in the form of an estranged husband who has the right to claim his share of her money.
It’s been eight years since Leo Vaughn has had a conversation with his wife. When she calls out of the blue, practically begging him to come back to Greenbelt, the last thing he expects her to tell him when he gets there is that she’s come into a whole heap of money. She offers him a life-changing proposition of his own. Take a lump sum, finally sign the divorce papers, and be done with her for good. Only, a forever without her is the last thing Leo wants. So he gives a proposition of his own. One that won’t cost her nearly as many millions, but will buy him the time to do the one thing he’s been hungry to do since he left -- win her back.
Miriam Butler’s life is going nowhere in the slowest, most excruciating way possible. Stuck in the same barely-paying job she’s had since she was sixteen and spending every night sleeping in the spare twin bed in her mother’s house, her existence might be hilarious if it wasn’t so bleak. One trip to her favorite corner store upends everything when she finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, not even life-altering roses come without their painful thorns. Hers just so happen to be in the form of an estranged husband who has the right to claim his share of her money.
It’s been eight years since Leo Vaughn has had a conversation with his wife. When she calls out of the blue, practically begging him to come back to Greenbelt, the last thing he expects her to tell him when he gets there is that she’s come into a whole heap of money. She offers him a life-changing proposition of his own. Take a lump sum, finally sign the divorce papers, and be done with her for good. Only, a forever without her is the last thing Leo wants. So he gives a proposition of his own. One that won’t cost her nearly as many millions, but will buy him the time to do the one thing he’s been hungry to do since he left -- win her back.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2023
66 people are currently reading
15510 people want to read
About the author
Jodie Slaughter
9 books736 followersJodie Slaughter is a twenty-something romance author who spends most of her days hunched over a computer for her day job and her nights hunched over a different computer for her novels. While her back is definitely suffering, she wouldn’t have it any other way. She loves love, so she writes romance novels full of heart, passion, and heat. When she isn’t putting steamy scenes or declarations of devotion on the page she can normally be found being generally hilarious on twitter, dreaming about brisket, or consuming way too much television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 619 reviews
February 28, 2024
3/5 ⭐️
- Loved the plot of this book because it was so unique! It felt like a realistic second chance romance and I loved the family aspect in this book too. This was the first book I’ve read from this author and it was a fun read!
- I wish that we could have gotten a past and present pov because we would have really rooted for the couple more if we had been able to really see their history. I do love that the chemistry felt real while reading it so overall I did root for them as a couple!
- This would be a really great book club discussion because having someone come back into your life after you win the lottery would be wild. I love that this book didn’t have a crazy amount of spice, but you could still see the heat between both of them.
- Loved the plot of this book because it was so unique! It felt like a realistic second chance romance and I loved the family aspect in this book too. This was the first book I’ve read from this author and it was a fun read!
- I wish that we could have gotten a past and present pov because we would have really rooted for the couple more if we had been able to really see their history. I do love that the chemistry felt real while reading it so overall I did root for them as a couple!
- This would be a really great book club discussion because having someone come back into your life after you win the lottery would be wild. I love that this book didn’t have a crazy amount of spice, but you could still see the heat between both of them.
July 1, 2023
I enjoyed this author's previous book and had high hopes for this one, but I struggled with it. This book features a second-chance romance where the leads are reunited after the heroine wins the lottery and needs a speedy divorce. The concept of a lottery win bringing a couple back together did not sit right with me, and I hoped the backstory would provide clarity and remedy this feeling. Unfortunately, it did not.
Overall, I had trouble rooting for the leads as a couple because the hero did not do nearly enough to redeem himself IMO.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
Overall, I had trouble rooting for the leads as a couple because the hero did not do nearly enough to redeem himself IMO.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
2.5 stars
April 7, 2023
Jodie Slaughter you are a great author. If you love romance and comedy you will enjoy this book. I loved Mari and Leo and all the other characters. I also loved the relationship Mari had with her mom. There is always a second chance in romance even though there are a lot of ups and downs. Highly recommend.
October 15, 2023
I really like the story. This felt more of a chick lit than romance. The family bonds and friend group was amazing. I adored the FMC but i didn’t like how she and her estranged husband got back together. I would never know if he stayed because of love or because she won a lottery and that really irks me.
March 29, 2023
leo after leaving his wife for 8 years because they were poor: omg i have a boner
February 26, 2023
3/5 ☆
This was okay. The plot initially pulled me in with Miri, our main FMC, winning the lottery. The catcher: her estranged husband she hasn't talked to in eight years that she has for a divorce from. I'm a sucker for marriage in trouble books so this seemed right up my alley.
This was just a bit too slow for me. Nothing really happens between Miri and Leo until around the 50% mark and even after that for another 10%, its all just filler with other characters. I was really focused on Miri and Leo, but we don't get that until around the last 30% so I lost interest. I will say that the writing is done well and the spice was fantastic!
This might be a case of right book, wrong timing. I may have to come back to it.
This was okay. The plot initially pulled me in with Miri, our main FMC, winning the lottery. The catcher: her estranged husband she hasn't talked to in eight years that she has for a divorce from. I'm a sucker for marriage in trouble books so this seemed right up my alley.
This was just a bit too slow for me. Nothing really happens between Miri and Leo until around the 50% mark and even after that for another 10%, its all just filler with other characters. I was really focused on Miri and Leo, but we don't get that until around the last 30% so I lost interest. I will say that the writing is done well and the spice was fantastic!
This might be a case of right book, wrong timing. I may have to come back to it.
September 25, 2023
second chance romance books are rarely done well. this is no exception. the premise is kinda tea. she wins the lottery and has to get in contact w her estranged husband. it was cute until i found out he walked out and they haven’t spoken for 8 years. THERES NO COMING BACK FROM THAT. not to me! and i don’t think he did enough to prove himself. other than the plot itself, i loved the writing and her writing style!! imma try her other book
July 14, 2023
Nope. This one didn’t work for me. Totally unrealistic. No memorable characters or moments. Mari and Leo are both toxic and need prayer. It appears nothing has changed in 8 years so how is this suppose to work now? Oh yeah…that mega millions jackpot. Blah.
July 4, 2023
This review can also be found at https://carolesrandomlife.com/
I enjoyed this one! Miri takes a chance and buys a lottery ticket never expecting to win. But that is exactly what happens. She learns that her estranged husband may have a claim to her winnings so she needs to deal with that situation once and for all. I had a great time getting to know this cast of characters and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out in the end.
I liked Miri and Leo a lot and I could tell that the chemistry between them was still very much alive. I feel like eight years seems like a very long time for them to be apart to have any hope for a reconciliation but I was excited to see them give it a try. It takes a long time for the romance of the story to fully kick in but I was eager to see how things would develop.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story. I think that this is the first time that I have listened to Lacy Laurel’s narration and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to her work again in the future. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and that the character voices that she used helped to bring the story to life. I do believe that her performance only added to my overall enjoyment.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that the characters were very well done and I loved the overall premise. I would love to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin and Macmillan Audio.
I enjoyed this one! Miri takes a chance and buys a lottery ticket never expecting to win. But that is exactly what happens. She learns that her estranged husband may have a claim to her winnings so she needs to deal with that situation once and for all. I had a great time getting to know this cast of characters and couldn’t wait to see how things would work out in the end.
I liked Miri and Leo a lot and I could tell that the chemistry between them was still very much alive. I feel like eight years seems like a very long time for them to be apart to have any hope for a reconciliation but I was excited to see them give it a try. It takes a long time for the romance of the story to fully kick in but I was eager to see how things would develop.
I listened to the audiobook and thought that the narrator did a great job with the story. I think that this is the first time that I have listened to Lacy Laurel’s narration and I wouldn’t hesitate to listen to her work again in the future. I thought that she had a very pleasant voice and that the character voices that she used helped to bring the story to life. I do believe that her performance only added to my overall enjoyment.
I would recommend this book to others. I thought that the characters were very well done and I loved the overall premise. I would love to read more of this author’s work in the future.
I received a review copy of this book from St. Martin’s Griffin and Macmillan Audio.
February 13, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The book concept was great and the first half of the book hooked me, Miri winning the lottery and dealing with the aftermath of going from nothing to everything overnight was deftly portrayed. Having lived in SC, the portrayal of rural life in smaller towns was spot on. It’s rare to see a book portray regular people living a regular life. Even with Miri winning the lottery, that was a background plot and didn’t overshadow how the people of Greenbelt live. A+ all sound.
Where the plot started to fall flat for me was Leo coming back into town. The book, like a lot second chance romances depend on the audience to feel a nostalgia that we don’t. There is very little dialogue of substance between Miri and Leo throughout the second part of the book outside of how attracted they still are to each other. And that’s fine but even in a light hearted romance, those tough conversations need to happen on page, multiple times in this case because Leo walked out eight years ago. That’s a long time with zero explanation or him reaching out. The saving grace was that the author has very lovable secondary characters who help fill the gaps. Leo and Miriam expressed their feelings to family and friends so we at least had that. Just wished they spoke to each other more.
Overall, a good read and funny. Just wished it had more umph in the emotional department to make me think Leo deserved a second chance.
The book concept was great and the first half of the book hooked me, Miri winning the lottery and dealing with the aftermath of going from nothing to everything overnight was deftly portrayed. Having lived in SC, the portrayal of rural life in smaller towns was spot on. It’s rare to see a book portray regular people living a regular life. Even with Miri winning the lottery, that was a background plot and didn’t overshadow how the people of Greenbelt live. A+ all sound.
Where the plot started to fall flat for me was Leo coming back into town. The book, like a lot second chance romances depend on the audience to feel a nostalgia that we don’t. There is very little dialogue of substance between Miri and Leo throughout the second part of the book outside of how attracted they still are to each other. And that’s fine but even in a light hearted romance, those tough conversations need to happen on page, multiple times in this case because Leo walked out eight years ago. That’s a long time with zero explanation or him reaching out. The saving grace was that the author has very lovable secondary characters who help fill the gaps. Leo and Miriam expressed their feelings to family and friends so we at least had that. Just wished they spoke to each other more.
Overall, a good read and funny. Just wished it had more umph in the emotional department to make me think Leo deserved a second chance.
July 17, 2023
Jodie is a SPICEY author and there are always a couple scenes in her book that make my face turn red! It takes a bit for her to get there but the build ups are great. The small town setting helps keep the drama flowing and a little bit of humor moves it along as well. Overall I’ve really enjoyed this series.
🌀Synopsis
Miriam wins the lottery but she doesn’t tell many people about it. She doesn’t want people to treat her differently but she does want to help change some lives.
She helps her friends out and gives them some money. She’s also determined to help her mom have a better life. It’s always been just her and her mom and now she’s ready to help her mom take it easy since she’s always worked hard to provide for her daughter.
The only piece of the puzzle that doesn’t seem to be fitting quite right is her ex husband- Leo. They married young and things didn’t work out quickly, so they separated pretty early on. Now it’s been 8 years and he’s back in town.
Not only is he back though, he’s back to prove he can be the husband that she deserves for him to be.
🌀Synopsis
Miriam wins the lottery but she doesn’t tell many people about it. She doesn’t want people to treat her differently but she does want to help change some lives.
She helps her friends out and gives them some money. She’s also determined to help her mom have a better life. It’s always been just her and her mom and now she’s ready to help her mom take it easy since she’s always worked hard to provide for her daughter.
The only piece of the puzzle that doesn’t seem to be fitting quite right is her ex husband- Leo. They married young and things didn’t work out quickly, so they separated pretty early on. Now it’s been 8 years and he’s back in town.
Not only is he back though, he’s back to prove he can be the husband that she deserves for him to be.
April 10, 2023
I DEVOURED THIS!
Miriam feels like her life is going nowhere, as she is stuck in the same low paying jobs and sleeping in her childhood twin bed in her mother’s house. One day she takes a trip to the corner store, buys a lottery ticket and soon finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, this life altering moment comes with painful decisions. Hers is the need to contact her estranged husband who has the right to claim his share of her money.
Leo is surprised when he gets a call from estranged wife, begging him to come back to town. He was not expecting her proposition, to take a sum of money and sign the long overdue divorce papers. But Leo has other plans, he plans to get her back and that is something her newly acquired money cannot buy.
There were so many things in this book that I loved. As soon as I read Bet on It, I knew Miri and Leo’s story was one I needed to read asap. I loved how every relationship has meaning and the way the author expresses the love the characters have for each other. The writing simply flows like water down a river, how the slight banter most of the time expresses love and care. The characters are humble and sincere.
I also loved how the background characters have dimension and purpose. And I am saying this without meaning to sound or be creepy or a weirdo — I liked that HE was the virgin when they first got together and not her, something you don’t always see in books. There were so many the imperfectly perfect things here, such as how real yet so unrealistic this situation that brought them together is. I adored the SMUT here, so good! Last but not least, that they wanted to take that extra step to heal.
Thank you so much St Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange of an honest review!
Miriam feels like her life is going nowhere, as she is stuck in the same low paying jobs and sleeping in her childhood twin bed in her mother’s house. One day she takes a trip to the corner store, buys a lottery ticket and soon finds herself the winner of a Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot. Unfortunately, this life altering moment comes with painful decisions. Hers is the need to contact her estranged husband who has the right to claim his share of her money.
Leo is surprised when he gets a call from estranged wife, begging him to come back to town. He was not expecting her proposition, to take a sum of money and sign the long overdue divorce papers. But Leo has other plans, he plans to get her back and that is something her newly acquired money cannot buy.
There were so many things in this book that I loved. As soon as I read Bet on It, I knew Miri and Leo’s story was one I needed to read asap. I loved how every relationship has meaning and the way the author expresses the love the characters have for each other. The writing simply flows like water down a river, how the slight banter most of the time expresses love and care. The characters are humble and sincere.
I also loved how the background characters have dimension and purpose. And I am saying this without meaning to sound or be creepy or a weirdo — I liked that HE was the virgin when they first got together and not her, something you don’t always see in books. There were so many the imperfectly perfect things here, such as how real yet so unrealistic this situation that brought them together is. I adored the SMUT here, so good! Last but not least, that they wanted to take that extra step to heal.
Thank you so much St Martin’s Press for this arc in exchange of an honest review!
February 22, 2025
i needed more groveling
July 20, 2023
Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter
sequel to Bet on It
313-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance, African-American Romance
Featuring: South Carolina, Gambling, Jacksonville, Florida; Second Chance Trope, Small-Town, Family, Nostalgia
Rating as a movie: NC-17 for strong adult language and sexual content could be X later on
Songs for the soundtrack: "Uh Huh" by B2K, "I Want to Be Your Man" by Zapp & Roger, "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé, "Girl You Know" by Teddy Pendergrass, "You Can't Hide From Yourself" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" by Marvin Gaye, "Temperature" by Sean Paul, "Big Energy" by Latto, "You Should Be My Girl" Sammie featuring Sean Paul of YoungBloodz, "Trouble In My Way" by Luther Barnes, "Poison" by Bell Biv DeVoe, "Back in Baby’s Arms" by Patsy Cline, "Quiet Storm" by Mobb Deep
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🎰
My thoughts: 🔖Page 147 of 313 Ch. 13 Miri - This was fun for a long time, but now I need a drama break.
🔖205 Ch. 19 Miri - I tried, but Miri and Leo are still dull or something. I don't even care about the ending of Ch. 18. I need a change of scenery. I'll finish this tonight.
🔖230 Ch. 22 Leo - The sex scene was blah, and I'm still bored with this storyline. Now, they are doing too much for this level of character development. I won't be finishing this tonight.
This was better than okay; there were some issues like was her name Candice or Retta? The story started great, but somewhere along the way, it was going in too many unnecessary directions for me, and the main story fell flat. In each later chapter, I found myself wishing it move along faster. The scenes do improve later on but I was over the couple by then. It is 3.5 in my book, but it's getting a 4 on Goodreads because I wouldn't give it anything less than 3.5.
Recommend to others: Yes. I could see some people loving it, just not me.
sequel to Bet on It
313-page Kindle Ebook
Genre: Contemporary Romance, African-American Romance
Featuring: South Carolina, Gambling, Jacksonville, Florida; Second Chance Trope, Small-Town, Family, Nostalgia
Rating as a movie: NC-17 for strong adult language and sexual content could be X later on
Songs for the soundtrack: "Uh Huh" by B2K, "I Want to Be Your Man" by Zapp & Roger, "Naughty Girl" by Beyoncé, "Girl You Know" by Teddy Pendergrass, "You Can't Hide From Yourself" by Teddy Pendergrass, "Stubborn Kind Of Fellow" by Marvin Gaye, "Temperature" by Sean Paul, "Big Energy" by Latto, "You Should Be My Girl" Sammie featuring Sean Paul of YoungBloodz, "Trouble In My Way" by Luther Barnes, "Poison" by Bell Biv DeVoe, "Back in Baby’s Arms" by Patsy Cline, "Quiet Storm" by Mobb Deep
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½🎰
My thoughts: 🔖Page 147 of 313 Ch. 13 Miri - This was fun for a long time, but now I need a drama break.
🔖205 Ch. 19 Miri - I tried, but Miri and Leo are still dull or something. I don't even care about the ending of Ch. 18. I need a change of scenery. I'll finish this tonight.
🔖230 Ch. 22 Leo - The sex scene was blah, and I'm still bored with this storyline. Now, they are doing too much for this level of character development. I won't be finishing this tonight.
This was better than okay; there were some issues like was her name Candice or Retta? The story started great, but somewhere along the way, it was going in too many unnecessary directions for me, and the main story fell flat. In each later chapter, I found myself wishing it move along faster. The scenes do improve later on but I was over the couple by then. It is 3.5 in my book, but it's getting a 4 on Goodreads because I wouldn't give it anything less than 3.5.
Recommend to others: Yes. I could see some people loving it, just not me.
August 16, 2023
A slow burn, second chance romance with a couple very steamy scenes.
No third act breakup.
A very interesting view into how some communities take care of their own when they experience a windfall.
Recap:
Miriam and her mother live together and are somewhat struggling to get by when Miri decides on a whim to play the lottery using numbers significant to her and her estranged husband's relationship.
After winning the lottery, Miriam is advised to offer a lump sum to her husband to stop him from suing for more.
Leo is delighted to get a call from Miri hoping it is because she wants to give them a second chance. Miriam does still love Leo, but isn't over the way that he abandoned her 8 years ago.
Feeling that he was not a good provider for Miri he left with no preamble and she hasn't seen him since.
When they finally meet up again the chemistry is off the charts and we do see a lot of declarations of love from Leo who had made his intentions to win Miri back very clear.
I wish there had been a little more on the page romance between Miri and Leo. The author mentions that they begin talking every night, for hours, for weeks and I wish I could have gotten a glimpse into that bonding because the on the page relationship feels a little rushed.
We did have the grand gesture of Leo renovating a house that he declares he wants to have their future in and a happy ever after on a tropical island. The lottery win wad a bit understated and sometimes I forgot that it had happened at all as the book focused on Leo and Miri's past relationship and current struggles to reconcile.
This was a slow burn, but when the intimate scenes hit the author did not hold back. I, personally, have never read spice quite like it.
No third act breakup.
A very interesting view into how some communities take care of their own when they experience a windfall.
Recap:
Miriam and her mother live together and are somewhat struggling to get by when Miri decides on a whim to play the lottery using numbers significant to her and her estranged husband's relationship.
After winning the lottery, Miriam is advised to offer a lump sum to her husband to stop him from suing for more.
Leo is delighted to get a call from Miri hoping it is because she wants to give them a second chance. Miriam does still love Leo, but isn't over the way that he abandoned her 8 years ago.
Feeling that he was not a good provider for Miri he left with no preamble and she hasn't seen him since.
When they finally meet up again the chemistry is off the charts and we do see a lot of declarations of love from Leo who had made his intentions to win Miri back very clear.
I wish there had been a little more on the page romance between Miri and Leo. The author mentions that they begin talking every night, for hours, for weeks and I wish I could have gotten a glimpse into that bonding because the on the page relationship feels a little rushed.
We did have the grand gesture of Leo renovating a house that he declares he wants to have their future in and a happy ever after on a tropical island. The lottery win wad a bit understated and sometimes I forgot that it had happened at all as the book focused on Leo and Miri's past relationship and current struggles to reconcile.
This was a slow burn, but when the intimate scenes hit the author did not hold back. I, personally, have never read spice quite like it.
February 7, 2024
childhood bestfriends to young sweethearts to married to estranged for eight years second chance romance that starts off as a five star banger but fizzled a bit when I discovered ~why~ Leo ran. I needed a bit more to it, to either fully forgive him, or have the onus be a bit more on both of them or just solidly on him.
BUT that said, this was a great book club discussion book, because we talked about what we would do if we suddenly won the lotto, if second chance is a trope for us or not (for me, always will try), and all the potential for next books. the secondary cast of characters, including glimpses of Book 1's couple, were just a delight. Plus, Jodie's writing makes me actually laugh out loud. The cold open and the full circle ending paragraphs, also just stellar.
This is a slow-burn with big heat payoff in the end, which felt a bit unbalanced since I didn't fully believe Leo had show growth or change, but i'll leave that for you to decide for yourself!
thank you to the publisher for the ARC, i also checked out a paperback from the library to read for book club.
BUT that said, this was a great book club discussion book, because we talked about what we would do if we suddenly won the lotto, if second chance is a trope for us or not (for me, always will try), and all the potential for next books. the secondary cast of characters, including glimpses of Book 1's couple, were just a delight. Plus, Jodie's writing makes me actually laugh out loud. The cold open and the full circle ending paragraphs, also just stellar.
This is a slow-burn with big heat payoff in the end, which felt a bit unbalanced since I didn't fully believe Leo had show growth or change, but i'll leave that for you to decide for yourself!
thank you to the publisher for the ARC, i also checked out a paperback from the library to read for book club.
December 3, 2023
This is some of Jodie Slaughter’s best work yet. When Miri buys a lottery ticket on a whim, she’s floored when she wins a huge jackpot. This is life-changing after a paycheck-to-paycheck existence with her mother. However, there’s one snag. She’s still technically married to Leo and that means he’s entitled to the winnings. They haven’t talked since he walked out on her eight years ago. So she sucks it up and tracks him down to offer him a payout and then filing for divorce. Except Leo wants her back.
Abandonment is a tall order for a second chance romance. Does Leo even deserve a chance? Can Miri be sure he’s back for her and not more of the money? Because we get to be in Leo’s head, I did believe he was there for the right reasons. However, Miri’s anger toward him is visceral and there’s no quick resolution. She might still be attracted to him but there’s no undoing the pain he caused or the way he broke her trust. She would have been fully within her right to never reconcile and I completely understand readers who would have preferred she walk away. But for me, the evolution—and the fits and starts—ultimately worked. It helped that They married too young the first time and Leo didn’t have the emotional capacity to communicate his struggles back then. Plus, financial stress takes a huge toll on relationships even when partners can talk it through. They’re not the same people anymore and what’s more, they’re both willing to put in the work.
The exploration of poverty was one of my favorite parts. Miriam may have won a life-changing amount of money but it’s difficult for her to accept that she no longer has to scrimp and save and forgo the things she wants. She also realizes that money doesn’t automatically equal happiness. The world is her oyster but the options leave her feeling frozen instead of free. It’s easy for her to give money to her mom, closest friends, the church, and community. It’s harder to figure out what she can do for herself. I didn’t expect a romance about a lottery winner to go this particular route but it made it a much stronger story as a result.
My other favorite part was the way Leo has to face up to all that he lost when he left Greenbelt. He didn’t just leave his wife, he left his friends and family. Bless his heart for never having realized that before. But once he does, he takes that message to heart. He has to figure out what the community means to him and his place in it regardless of what happens with Miriam. The community aspect was particularly well done and had me reflecting on my own hometown and what we gain and lose by staying or leaving.
Characters: Miriam is a 32 year old fat bisexual Black nail tech and lottery winner. She adopts a dog named Ginger. Leo is a 32 year old demisexual Black construction worker. Miriam and Leo were married for six years before he left and have been estranged for eight years. This is set in Greenbelt, SC.
Content notes: marital abandonment and estrangement, poverty, gambling (lottery), pet adoption from shelter, past death of MMC’s parents and aunt who became his caregiver, FMC’s mom got pregnant with her from a one night stand (only knew his first name), unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of pregnancy prevention; FMC is on birth control and is tested regularly. ), on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejoratives, ableist language
Abandonment is a tall order for a second chance romance. Does Leo even deserve a chance? Can Miri be sure he’s back for her and not more of the money? Because we get to be in Leo’s head, I did believe he was there for the right reasons. However, Miri’s anger toward him is visceral and there’s no quick resolution. She might still be attracted to him but there’s no undoing the pain he caused or the way he broke her trust. She would have been fully within her right to never reconcile and I completely understand readers who would have preferred she walk away. But for me, the evolution—and the fits and starts—ultimately worked. It helped that They married too young the first time and Leo didn’t have the emotional capacity to communicate his struggles back then. Plus, financial stress takes a huge toll on relationships even when partners can talk it through. They’re not the same people anymore and what’s more, they’re both willing to put in the work.
The exploration of poverty was one of my favorite parts. Miriam may have won a life-changing amount of money but it’s difficult for her to accept that she no longer has to scrimp and save and forgo the things she wants. She also realizes that money doesn’t automatically equal happiness. The world is her oyster but the options leave her feeling frozen instead of free. It’s easy for her to give money to her mom, closest friends, the church, and community. It’s harder to figure out what she can do for herself. I didn’t expect a romance about a lottery winner to go this particular route but it made it a much stronger story as a result.
My other favorite part was the way Leo has to face up to all that he lost when he left Greenbelt. He didn’t just leave his wife, he left his friends and family. Bless his heart for never having realized that before. But once he does, he takes that message to heart. He has to figure out what the community means to him and his place in it regardless of what happens with Miriam. The community aspect was particularly well done and had me reflecting on my own hometown and what we gain and lose by staying or leaving.
Characters: Miriam is a 32 year old fat bisexual Black nail tech and lottery winner. She adopts a dog named Ginger. Leo is a 32 year old demisexual Black construction worker. Miriam and Leo were married for six years before he left and have been estranged for eight years. This is set in Greenbelt, SC.
Content notes: marital abandonment and estrangement, poverty, gambling (lottery), pet adoption from shelter, past death of MMC’s parents and aunt who became his caregiver, FMC’s mom got pregnant with her from a one night stand (only knew his first name), unsafe sex practices (no condom for penetrative sex without discussion of pregnancy prevention; FMC is on birth control and is tested regularly. ), on page sex, alcohol, inebriation, gendered pejoratives, ableist language
October 17, 2023
The premise behind this one was so interesting + I have to say for the entire book I was thinking about what I'd do if I won the lottery so that is something. To be honest tho I just didn't think my man's did enough to earn his girl back + that made me feel meh.
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July 8, 2023Slow burn with lots of feels. If you are hoping for lots of smut, this book does not have that. This is truly a character study on second chances. With that being said, the tone of this book feels more of women's fiction, almost literary fiction with romantic elements. That aside, I think what sticks out to me is that having money doesn't erase the hurt. Mari has the money to take care of her mother and her loved ones, but she still feels the abandonment but struggles with guilt having more than enough and having to keep it secret. The back half of the book leans into the romance. Leo had a lot to make up for, and one of his biggest hurdles was his ego. The conversation about traditional gender roles really as one of the reasons why they weren't working was clever since money was no longer an issue and allowing Mari to be more dominant when they were intimate.
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
CN: incoming security, poverty (stressors), work exploitation, estranged partner,
Thank you to the publisher for providing an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
CN: incoming security, poverty (stressors), work exploitation, estranged partner,
October 29, 2023
I love Jodie, and I loved Bet On It. Play to win based on the description is a win. However, it was missing a little something.
It could be because my toxic trait is I don't trust men; I didn't feel good about Leo trying to get Mirirm back. First off, he didn't choose on his own to try to get her back - he decided once she called him back. I couldn't see the growth of someone who learned from their mistakes. I couldn't condone these two getting back together.
There was no true healing between these two, and for most of the book, they were apart until the last couple of chapters, then bam, all is forgiven.
The spicy scenes were spicing as they should. If we added in more growth and healing between the main characters, I could feel more satisfied with the reconciliation
It could be because my toxic trait is I don't trust men; I didn't feel good about Leo trying to get Mirirm back. First off, he didn't choose on his own to try to get her back - he decided once she called him back. I couldn't see the growth of someone who learned from their mistakes. I couldn't condone these two getting back together.
There was no true healing between these two, and for most of the book, they were apart until the last couple of chapters, then bam, all is forgiven.
The spicy scenes were spicing as they should. If we added in more growth and healing between the main characters, I could feel more satisfied with the reconciliation
April 16, 2023
The book has a good structure and is written well, despite the unnecessary foul language. I found it is written for a specific demographic (or those who relate to the demographic) of low socioeconomic, black, city dwelling southerners. In addition it demonstrates acceptance of bisexualism but doesn't show the same openness with racial differences with obvious perpetuation of the black/white divide. I was disappointed.
February 10, 2023
3.5 stars
This was a fun read! Definitely a romcom, so if you’re into those, look no further. The humor was spot on, and I enjoyed reading a second chance at love between Miriam and and Leo. If you want a cute summer read this is the one for you.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read! Definitely a romcom, so if you’re into those, look no further. The humor was spot on, and I enjoyed reading a second chance at love between Miriam and and Leo. If you want a cute summer read this is the one for you.
A special thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2023
2.75/5
This book could've been better. If someone left me that easy and came back EIGHT YEARS LATER... uh uh, divorce papers would've been sent years ago. Had I won the lottery that big, people would been asking me questions because I would be living lavishly. Mari's actions and thoughts about her now being rich were understandable at first, but then it just got tiring.
This book could've been better. If someone left me that easy and came back EIGHT YEARS LATER... uh uh, divorce papers would've been sent years ago. Had I won the lottery that big, people would been asking me questions because I would be living lavishly. Mari's actions and thoughts about her now being rich were understandable at first, but then it just got tiring.
couldnt-finish
March 4, 2024Unrealistic and kinda dragged on.. couldn’t connect with either characters..
June 15, 2023
Not going to be a favorite this year but I definitely loved the Black romance rep, the second chance at love between long-separated married characters and the SPICY AF sex scenes. What I wanted more of: emotional depth/growth and better cover art.
I really enjoyed last year's Bet on it and this one was about the same level for me. Good on audio narrated by Lacie Laurel. The lottery win premise was also a fun, unique plot point. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
I really enjoyed last year's Bet on it and this one was about the same level for me. Good on audio narrated by Lacie Laurel. The lottery win premise was also a fun, unique plot point. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early digital and audio copies in exchange for my honest review!
March 12, 2023
3.5 ⭐️
The premise of this book drew me in. Black love, second chance, winning the lotto, what more could you want? What ended up feeling lack luster was the middle. The drama felt repetitive with no forward movement or progression in the plot. I love seeing Black characters taking center stage in this book. Let’s promote more Black authors and Black characters!
Special thanks to Net Galley for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
The premise of this book drew me in. Black love, second chance, winning the lotto, what more could you want? What ended up feeling lack luster was the middle. The drama felt repetitive with no forward movement or progression in the plot. I love seeing Black characters taking center stage in this book. Let’s promote more Black authors and Black characters!
Special thanks to Net Galley for sharing this digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
December 30, 2024
Voice actress Lacy Laurel did a great job with all the voices and the characters in this audiobook. She was able to portray the emotions of each character.
I was pleased with the audiobook; however, the content is another story. I had high expectations for this second installment. Still, I can't get over the fact that Leo thought the best way to help him feel secure was to leave his wife without notice with no help with the household bill, And he didn't even decide to come back but was called back and only started to try when he knew she had money.
I can't get over that; in a second-chance romance, we want to see the couple find that common ground and work things out. I felt like they didn't talk any of their issues out = they just wore each other out and got back together.
I hope that they aren't broke again cause then Leo is gone. He can't handle being unable to provide and has no issues leaving his wife when things get difficult.
I was pleased with the audiobook; however, the content is another story. I had high expectations for this second installment. Still, I can't get over the fact that Leo thought the best way to help him feel secure was to leave his wife without notice with no help with the household bill, And he didn't even decide to come back but was called back and only started to try when he knew she had money.
I can't get over that; in a second-chance romance, we want to see the couple find that common ground and work things out. I felt like they didn't talk any of their issues out = they just wore each other out and got back together.
I hope that they aren't broke again cause then Leo is gone. He can't handle being unable to provide and has no issues leaving his wife when things get difficult.
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February 20, 2024Miri and Leo got married young even though everyone in their small South Carolina town told them it was a bad idea. Then they couldn’t make ends meet, their marriage fell apart, Leo ran away and Miri hid in shame, and now it’s been eight years since they’ve spoken. They’d go on like that forever, but Miri just won the lottery. She calls Leo to offer him some money in exchange for his signature on the divorce papers—except it turns out he still wants to be married, and maybe she does, too. This is such a tender, hopeful portrait of two people who really hurt each other trying to figure out if they can be brave enough to try again. In their course of their reunion, they also realize how much their estrangement separated them from their other friends and family, and it’s touching to see them repair those relationships. I recently saw someone post on Bluesky that they were looking for working-class characters in contemporary romance, and I think many of the best examples are in Black romance. Miri is a nail tech and Leo works construction. They both grew up in poverty. It really shaped them. Having no money made their youthful marriage much harder, and Miri’s sudden lottery wealth doesn’t instantly change her personality—she’s still a person who worries about money, because a lifetime of worries is hard to shed. She eases into accepting good things for herself, like love and money, and then she gives back to others. I loved how delightfully queer this whole thing is. Miri is bi. Leo is probably somewhere on the ace spectrum, maybe demisexual (the word isn’t used, but I think it fits with how he describes himself as having no interest in sex unless he feels a deep emotional connection, and feeling alienated from a culture that tells him he should want casual sex). Many of Miri and Leo’s friends and family also turn out to be various kinds of queer, and part of the key to saving their marriage is realizing that it doesn’t have to be “traditional” in the way they were taught. This is so satisfying. It’s simultaneously fantastical wish fulfillment and a very real, grounded love story. And I haven’t mentioned yet that it’s fun and funny and sexy, but it is all of those things.
This review was originally published in Word Suitcase.
This review was originally published in Word Suitcase.
April 14, 2023
My Thoughts
Miriam Butler, Miri to friends and family, winner of 22 million and change has been scrambling for money her whole life and now she has it is not sure what to do with it for her own sake but has no problem sharing with others at all.
Having gone from almost rags to riches from one day to the next is not the worse thing to happen to anyone but for Miri it comes a close second to the day 8 years prior when her husband Leonard, Leo for short, walked out without telling her his reasons or contacting her since.
8 years is a long time and yet for them both it seems like yesterday when they see one another again when Leo responds to Miri’s unexpected summons.
The small town of Greenbelt, South Carolina is one where living day-to-day and hand-to-mouth is common for people of their acquaintance, both friends and family as well.
This is much more than a tale of sudden overwhelming wealth changing things for the better for Miri and her Mama Ms. Patrice.
Rather it has many facets to it from new opportunities to second chance for Leo and Miri to name a few important ones.
Whether the pair grab their second chance or not is a good question so to get answer you have to read book to know for sure, and I suggest you do.
Other important questions are raised and answered quite nicely by stories end and after having read this passionate look into the ins and outs of these fictional characters lives I am fully satisfied with their portrayal as living breathing people and its positive outcome for not only certain main characters but town of Greenbelt as well.
I still don’t want to play the lottery but this showed why certain people do and glad it worked for Miri.
[EArc from Netgalley]
July 18, 2023
I just finished Play to Win by Jodie Slaughter and here are my thoughts.
Miriam is stuck in a rut. She is still working the same dead end job, in the same town, sleeping in the same bed she grew up in. Her and her mama are barely making it but that doesn’t stop her mom from playing the lotto. When Miriam goes to pick up her mother’s play, she decides to get one for herself. She cannot believe her luck when she finds out she is the winner of the jackpot! Only snag… she hasn’t divorced the man that walked out on her 8 years ago and he could be entitled to half.
Leo never expected to hear from Miriam after that day so when she calls, begging him to come home so she can get her divorce and pay him off. Problem is, Leo doesn’t want a divorce. He wants his Miriam back.
This book was funny as all heck and had me chuckling at the witty banter and silly things the characters get up to. I love Miri from the get go. She was never greedy and wanted to help everyone. I loved it. I loved that she knew who she was. She used her time away from Leo to find her inner goddess but it took winning the lotto for her to truly dig into what she wanted from life. It’s amazing though how money didn’t bring her happiness. It bought just as much stress.
I loved the passion that came off every page. This rom com had real pizzazz and the writing was so good. Loved the flavor and the vibe and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
4.5 stars! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy
Miriam is stuck in a rut. She is still working the same dead end job, in the same town, sleeping in the same bed she grew up in. Her and her mama are barely making it but that doesn’t stop her mom from playing the lotto. When Miriam goes to pick up her mother’s play, she decides to get one for herself. She cannot believe her luck when she finds out she is the winner of the jackpot! Only snag… she hasn’t divorced the man that walked out on her 8 years ago and he could be entitled to half.
Leo never expected to hear from Miriam after that day so when she calls, begging him to come home so she can get her divorce and pay him off. Problem is, Leo doesn’t want a divorce. He wants his Miriam back.
This book was funny as all heck and had me chuckling at the witty banter and silly things the characters get up to. I love Miri from the get go. She was never greedy and wanted to help everyone. I loved it. I loved that she knew who she was. She used her time away from Leo to find her inner goddess but it took winning the lotto for her to truly dig into what she wanted from life. It’s amazing though how money didn’t bring her happiness. It bought just as much stress.
I loved the passion that came off every page. This rom com had real pizzazz and the writing was so good. Loved the flavor and the vibe and I cannot wait to read more from this author.
4.5 stars! Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for my gifted copy
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