This was a quick fun read. I liked the story of Sam and Whitney and how they are pulled to one another. I enjoyed Sam’s siblings meddling in the situation because at the end of the day they did not want their brother working himself to the grave all because of the family legacy. I enjoyed how Whitney understood where the family was coming from and what her role in the situation was. Only thing I wish the story was a bit more flushed out seemed towards the end a bit rushed. I hope to read more from this author.

This was Sam & Whitney’s book. Whitney Carroll is back home in Gatlinburg, Tennessee after divorcing her low-down, cheating husband. First thing on the to-do list: Get a job. Second thing: Just say no to men. Third thing: Don’t fall for the boss. One out of three’s not too bad, right? It was an entertaining read. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

A quick and enjoyable read
Many thanks to Entangled Publishing and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was sweet but it had its flaws.
I read it the first time in 2020 before it was published but never reviewed it and unfortunately it wasn’t very memorable to me so I chose to listen to the audiobook before I had to write the review now.

My problems with it was that the hero annoyed me very much with his stubbornness and his whining about something his father said when he was thirteen. And this comment his father made he has build his whole world around ever since the parents died.
I really didn’t understand why the heroine kept making excuses to keep him in this miserable life when she knew that it was wrong.
I thought that they were cute together in their fake relationship and I liked that he changed back to the person he was before with her help, but I liked them more as friends.

I liked his siblings who kind of forced his hand into this bet that could make him loose everything unless he pulled himself out of his funk. They had to do it to make him see his mistakes.

I got this book from Entangled publishing and Netgalley and this is my honest opinion and my voluntary review.

“Love is totally worth the wait.”

This was such a cute little story! It was a very quick read, that I wish had been longer to include more character development, and also because I just didn't want it to end! Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and this was definitely a good one. I loved the small town, big family vibes between Sam and all of his siblings.

Poor Sam. He had so much on his shoulders and put so much pressure on himself to be perfect for everyone. I am glad he was able to finally relax a little and find his happily ever after.

Poor Whitney too! After being blindsided by her husband's multiple affairs, she gets divorced and moves back home to start over. Despite everything she was strong and determined to make the most of a crappy situation.

Whitney and Sam were so good for each other though, each giving the other exactly what they needed even if they didn't realize it themselves. I look forward to continuing this series and finding out about more of the Ellis family!

Thank you Entangled Publishing for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is due for publication 4/13/22 and I recommend it!

www.instagram.com/that.bookmom
www.facebook.com/thatbookmomm
tiktok.com/@that.bookmom

Fake dating, clean romance and a happily ever after. Well count me in! This book felt just like a hallmark movie and I’m not mad about it. If your looking for a cute and clean romance this is for you.

Small town, close knit family romances are my weakness. Betting on Love is book 2 in the Ellis Family Saga. I did not read the first book so this clearly can be read as a stand alone you just already know the HEA from the first book without having to read it.

Sam Ellis is running his families company after a tragic accident took his brother's life. In an attempt to prove to himself that his father was wrong about him he is working himself to death. His family sees it, and like all family like to do, they make a bet with his life. Sam has to maintain a relationship with a woman for 30 days and they get to pick the woman. Enter Whitney.

Whitney Carroll has just moved back to her hometown after a divorce that left her with nothing but shame and embarrassment. A chance meeting with Sam Ellis in the local drinking hole leads to her interviewing for a job with his company. Sam, seeing so much potential in Whitney, decides to kill two birds with one woman. He informs her of the bet and asks for her help to fake date through the 30 days while working for him.

Love Bets and Fake Dating are sooo MESSY and I freaking love it. We all know that they are doomed to fail, and no matter how many times I read different scenarios of this, I still love every minute of it. An added bonus is that the Ellis family business is theme parks! Oh and can't forget the Hatfield-McCoy twist. The Ellis family and Whitney's family have been feuding FOREVER because of one woman choosing an Ellis man over another man.

I am thankful to Netgalley as well as Entangled publishing for a review copy of Betting On Love. I was slightly disappointed that there was no extra chapters in the back letting us know that the Ellis Family Saga will continue. I would really love to at least get a story for Becky, if not the rest of the brothers.

I just absolutely had so much fun and I was so sad to turn the last page. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories from this author.

This book is the story of Sam & Whitney and what starts out as a fake relationship for Sam to prove to his siblings he can slow down. This book is on the short side but a cute read.

A sweet short novella and a great romantic story. Loved this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Whitney Carroll is back in Gatlinburg divorcing her cheating husband. She has worn off men for now and all that she desperately needs is a job to get back on her feet.

Sam Ellis is a workaholic. Trying to keep his family legacy alive he is over working himself and didn't take a single day off in the past year. Out of concern his siblings bets him to date a girl for thirty days or they will remove him as a CEO of the company.

Whitney is the perfect choice. She is the perfect candidate to work as a PR for his company and to also help him with the bet as they would be working together alot. But what started out as fake can turn into something real? When the time will come to choose whom will Sam pick work or love?

Review-

This is a short story novella kind of book. But I wish it was a full fledged story because everything just happens quick and fast. You don't get to connect with the characters. Their emotions are confusing and it keeps oscillating.

The plot had so much potential there could be some office romance, fake dates or maybe some family drama. Author could have described more about the characters by throwing them in different situations. At times I felt same thing was getting repeated again and again.

Even the twist at the end was felt rushed and not planned because the whole dynamics of the story changes based on a very trivial thing.

The most fun and interesting part of the story was Ellis siblings and the chemistry between the characters. Siblings interference, their planning and scheming just makes it so much fun to read.

Author banged the chemistry between Whitney and Sam. From the first encounter you can feel the connection between them. Though it happened very fast their love story still warms your heart.

If you are looking for something sweet, simple and short in romance, this is the perfect book for it.

Betting on Love is I think the second story in the Ellis family book series but it was easily read as a standalone series; although some slight confusion about one of the family units.

The book was sweet and both a slow burn and incredibly fast. It was awhile before the story got going on the relationship but then it felt like it immediately went to love and forever. I think both characters are great but it ended up so fast and could have used more time to build the relationship once there was a first kiss.

I will read more in the series.

3 stars

I wish I knew this is the second book in a series. I wish I Rea d book one first. That would have helped a little. I felt a little lost. It was a fats read. A short book. I wished it was longer. More in depth.

This is a delightful contemporary fake relationship romance involving a family feud, a workaholic, a bet and a feisty, determined divorcee who is determined to not get involved with a man again . . . .

The Ellis family have suffered multiple tragedies, including the untimely death of their parents and eldest brother. Now Sam is endeavouring to keep all the family businesses thriving, even if it means working all hours and not having fun. His siblings are concerned about him and coerce him into going to the local bar with them….and make a bet with him. In the bar he tries to come to the aid of Whitney Carroll, who actually didn’t need any help . . . the next day he offers her the job of his assistant. That’s when the fun starts. The two are attracted to each other but plan to have a fake relationship . . . . but what happens when the attraction proves too much to resist?

There’s plenty of family love in this story, with great characters, plenty of twists and turns and absolutely loads of humour to put a smile on your face. It is an easy read and proved to be heartwarming to escape into. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more stories about the Ellis siblings in future!

I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.

I thought the book was good, but it’s a very quick read and I was kind of disappointed we didn’t get more details on the story between Sam and Whitney. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a quick, light summer read!

If you're looking for a quick romance perfect for a cozy night by the fire, this book would be a great addition! 

Reading this one in just under a couple hours, I was here for them. I love reading books set close to me (i.e. Tennessee) and this one just screamed READ ME! 

I would have liked to have seen their office relationship blossom a little more, but as this is a shorter book, I couldn't complain too much. Despite the lack of fleshed characters, I thought their family drama created the right amount of angst. The steam is a bit milder, so if this is more up your alley, I recommend giving this one a try. 

A 3 out of 5 star read!

Having recently returned to her hometown of Gatlinburg after divorcing her cheating husband, the last thing that Whitney was interested in was a relationship.

Sam has spent the last year running the family business following the death of his father and older brother. He doesn’t have time to sleep, let alone be in a relationship.

How then did these two people from feuding families find themselves together? And despite the many odds against them, can they stay together.

Find out in this charming, sweet, and often funny tale of two people who really do deserve happiness and each other.

Betting on love is the story of Sam and Whitney. Sam is the CEO of his family’s company...a position he inherited after tragedy, and one he doesn’t believe he deserves. Although he is willing to work himself to death to prove otherwise...the only problem is...no one else needs him to prove himself. This is an inner battle. Whitney is returning to her hometown after a divorce from a cheating no good husband. She is looking for 2 things...a job and independence from men. When her marriage ended, she realized how much she had given up for that relationship and vowed not to put herself in that position again. After a chance meeting at a bar where instead of walking out with a phone number...she is walking out with an interview for a job that is perfect for her. Score one on her list! She nails the interview and accepts the job, but also learns about the bet. Sam needs a fake girlfriend for 30 days to prove to his siblings he can slow down, enjoy life, and take some time off from his workaholic lifestyle. If he loses the bet, he also loses his position as CEO. Whitney is torn in helping with this bet shenanigan...oh she is definitely willing to pretend to be Sam’s girlfriend...that is no problem, but does she want him to win the bet? Winning the bet means he would continue with his same current lifestyle of working 24/7, not eating, sleeping, and although she would be hard pressed to admit it.... no time for a real relationship…..





My thoughts:



This book is very short. Not sure if it is categorized as a novella but should be. I’m not really a fan of novellas/short stories. I really liked the amusement park element...super fun! The characters were likable, and I was rooting for them. Although there were times, I was hoping a ride of one of the roller coasters would jostle some sense into Sam. The feud storyline felt forced, underdeveloped, and unnecessary...like the author had to throw something in as an afterthought to add complication. Having said that...overall this is a cute read.



If you are looking for a very quick, very tame, fun, contemporary romance...I’m willing to “bet” you will enjoy this book!

For more book fun check out my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Jennifer Hoopes, and the publisher for this opportunity.

After being betrayed by those she thought she could trust Whitney has returned to her hometown looking for a fresh start and that begins with a job. When she is offered the perfect opportunity, she accepts even if her now boss’s family have an ongoing feud with her family.

Since his parent’s passed away Sam is all work and no play as he is on a mission that he capable of taking over the family business. A bet with his siblings has him approaching Whitney at the bar and before he knows it not only is she his employee but pretending to be his girlfriend as well. It is only a matter of time before the relationship begins to feel very real but balancing his personal and professional life may be the biggest challenge of all.

I liked the relationships that Sam had with his siblings and how Whitley showed Sam that there was more to life than just work.

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first Jennifer Hoopes book, but it won't be my last, that's for sure.

This was a fun, quick read that focuses on a fake romance between Whitney and Sam. Whitney is getting over her cheating ex-husband, and Sam is too focused on the family business to have a relationship. When his family bet him he couldn't have a happy relationship for 30 days, he takes on the challenge.

I could have read about Sam and Whitney for much longer, that's how much I was enjoying it.