This is a first author for me, have not ready anything of hers before, so I love the anticipation-AND I was not disappointed.

The chemistry between the characters Trina and Kendall was just wow. They are in the same industry but competing against each other, which makes the tension just delicious. I did have a heard time warming up to Trina, but that's ok, I enjoy a good book with opposites attract. The dialog, which I love when a book is full of it, had me like, oh she did not just say that <smile>, and the one liners had me just going and going-actually read this in one sitting. Everything about the storyline and characters was very rich, and well the sex scenes, I had to get some cold water a few times (I understand this is kind of a trade mark of this author after I read a few reviews from her other books).

Even though this was a first author for me, I will be buying her past and future books! So glad I decided to try this book, opens up more reading material for me going forward <smile>

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.

To see my Amazon review, it is under CC-Wow just wow

Such a wonderful and hot story. The competition between main characters leads to hot and steamy romance. Of course loved the drama in it. It kept me interested at all times. Very hard to,put this one down.

Bet Against Me is a romance novel between two women who happens to be rivals in business. When I read the description it got my attention thinking I will read some sexy lesbian book. I got a bit disappointed seeing that it contains too much cliches and really slow in the beginning to my liking.
I like to read about hard working and ambitious women, who achieve their dreams, but when it turns into being mean with each other is just not my thing. I got more hooked, when Trina and Kendall turned from rivals to lovers. From that part the book got spiced up, sexy and fast paced.

This book is almost too sexy… almost!

This book is quintessentially Fiona Riley with the characters having off the chart chemistry, sizzling tension and sexy sassy dialogue. I knew it would be a winner when I listened to Fiona read a scene from it recently in a Author reading video. It screamed all the things I love about this author. It is 100% my new favourite Fiona Riley book.

There are so many things I want to tell you about this book but I think this book is best read without any spoilers so I am going to try and keep it to a minimum here… Actually you could probably stop reading here and scroll to the bottom and just buy the book because this book is nothing short of phenomenal.

My favourite thing about this book is the flirtatious dialogue between Trina and Kendall. It was almost like a type of foreplay to the inevitable.

I loved Trina and her sassy flirty banter. In fact they way she talked to Kendall in the beginning (and a times throughout) just ramped up her sex appeal honestly. She is the Queen of Take No Shit and it was so very sexy. But who best to stand up to someone like Trina than Kendall. She also doesn’t believe in holding back so together they are combustible.

Secondary characters were amazing and I see why the author decided to make this into a series because it would be such a shame not to. She really used this book as a building block to the reader relationship for upcoming characters and their stories while still keeping this about Kendall and Trina. It was perfection.

If I could have my cake and eat it because as a reader why not… I’d have a fourth book for Jax. Jax was my favourite secondary character without a doubt and honestly Jax deserves to find their forever person too. And if anyone could pull that book off, it would be Fiona Riley. Fact!

This book was all about chemistry. I don’t know how Fiona Riley does this every time but she manages to keep it fresh and her novels oozed chemistry no matter the story. Kendall and Trina, even when at loggerheads, have this intense chemistry it freaking hot as F@*#!

I reckon the build up to Kendall and Trina finally having sex was incredibly intense and creates a sexy tension for the reader. All I'll say is the locker room had me almost falling off my sofa in lust… Watch out for the scene folks! Delicious!

But the sex… oh the sex! It doesn’t only straddle the line of erotic which Fiona Riley is know for but it’s so hot that i was worried my kindle would alight. Talk about being too hot to handle.

As much as I loved the sex sexy moments, and I sincerly did, there was another element to this amazing connection I enjoyed just as much. Kendal and Trina had a vulnerability with one another after their first sexual connection. And that continued into moments of vulnerable chats or simple touches that just grew the romance factor for me. #swoon

I cannot recommend this book enough. It should be number one on everyone's must-read list for September. Fiona Riley is a phenomenal writer and her stories draw me in so much I get lost in them. So the fact this book in my opinion is her best should be enough for you all to dive in! Trust me. You can thank me later. Enjoy!

While the enemies to lover trope may be a bit overdone, I've certainly never read a real-estate version! This was a fascinating book to read, and the characters were very well developed (as well as the main relationship). Trina being an Asian woman was a refreshing bit of representation, as it wasn't the focus of the story, but certainly wasn't ignored. Along those lines, it was wonderful to read a story with a trans character as well.

Trina and Kendall's relationship was a very interesting one to read, although the start was a bit shaky. One issue I had with it was that Kendall apologized numerous times for her classist remarks and behavior at the beginning of the story, whereas Trina never apologizes for accusing Kendall of not having earned any of her success multiple times throughout the story. She expresses remorse once, but it's immediately followed by her once more lashing out at Kendall the exact same way. This isn't a big problem, since it doesn't seem to bother Kendall, but as a reader it certainly doesn't make us like Trina any more.

The alternating perspectives was a good touch, and really highlighted the contrast between Trina and Kendall's work environment, while simultaneously showing parallels in both women's lives. Overall, this was a great book, and I will certainly be reading more of Fiona Riley's works in the future.

This book fell flat for me. First off, it was very hard to get into for a couple of reasons. One, I love the romance trope of two enemies falling for each other, but this one was just petty, and the characters were so mean to each other - especially Trina, who was extremely unlikeable. I didn't feel any chemistry at all between them.

The second issue I had was that I just kept expecting something to happen. I was bored reading this, and put it down a lot. The story just didn't keep my interest.

I couldn't get into this one. Too slow, too much real-estate, too mean.
The whole premise of the story is based on a ridiculous bet.
Kendall wins best realtor. Trina and her firm are mad because they didnt win so they say some really cruel things to Kendall. So instead of turning and walking away, Kendall says a bunch of cruel things back. (That whole scene was over the top mean)
So Tina's boss challenges Kendall's boss with a bet that Trina can out sell Kendall at some new water front condo. So the the first 50% of the book is about how nasty these 2 ladies can try to be to each other. I got bored. I know they will get together but I didnt care. I didnt like either of the characters or the bet.
The writing was good but wordy. Too much description, not enough story to keep me interested.

This was a very good read. I have to be honest that I wasn’t crazy about 2 out of the last 3 books Riley has written. For me they were good but just missing that spark. I’m happy to say that this book was very enjoyable and more like the Riley that wrote the Match series that I became such a fan of. This was the steamy romance I was hoping for and I’m excited to read more in this series.

I’m a big steamy romance fan and I also love the enemies to lovers trope. And as someone who enjoys watching Million Dollar Listings, I was very happy with the high stakes realtor theme too. This book was definitely a match for me and I would easily recommend it to other enemies to lovers fans. The fighting and banter that oozed into sexual tension was really well done. I also thought the two mains stayed enemies for the right amount of time. A lot of books have that tension end way too fast, but this book had the perfect amount of time to build up some great chemistry.

While I found the real estate parts to be very interesting, the heart of this book is the steamy romance. As I already mentioned before, this romance had wonderful chemistry. The two mains seemed completely made for each other and the sparks between them just kept growing and growing. And because they had so much chemistry, the sex scenes were all really well done. The sex scenes had a good mix of intimacy and dialogue that just steamed up the pages.

I complain about this a lot but I wasn’t big on the big conflict moment. You could tell what it would be about very early into the story. It was a little too predictable for my tastes. But what was even worse was that the character that really needed love and support, and probably therapy, is the one that had to win the other character back instead. That didn’t make any sense and had me scratching my head. While I liked the way the character won the other back because it was sweet, it should have been the other way around with the other main doing the wooing. In my mind, since there were outside forces affecting the characters, the big conflict scene should have been the two mains against the outside force. That would have made more sense and they could have grown closer together since they fought together. Always using an auto break-up for the final conflict, especially when it makes little sense, doesn’t work with every romance book and it’s why I can’t give this book more than 4 stars.

While I didn’t like how the final conflict played out, this was still a really good read. It’s just that it could have been one of my favorites of the year. Oh well, I still easily recommend this one to steamy romance and or enemies to lovers fans. This kind of book is Riley at her best and it was very nice to read.

Kendall hissed. “You would never win this competition. I beat you once and I’ll do it again.”
“Bet against me,” Trina challenged as she smiled her first genuine smile since before the awards started tonight. Fuck that stupid award—this was where the excitement was.

With her win for Realtor of the Year award so close she was touching it, Trina was sent crashing down when it was snatched right under her nose and awarded to the elusive Kendall Yates. To add fuel to fire, their respective agencies than pitted them against each other. The Best vs the Best.

As with all Fiona Riley’s books, sexual tension was dripping from the pages and the verbal sparring between characters sent it off the charts.

The book cooled somewhat towards the end and what would have made it from 4 to 5 stars was if readers could know more about Trina. That woman is a bomb!

I just reviewed Bet Against Me by Fiona Riley. #NetGalley

Fiona Riley's name on the cover is always enough for me to just pick the book up, nothing further needed. Happy to report that this one is a winner too!

Despite starting off a bit slow, this one picked up pace quickly. Fans of the enemies to lovers troupe are going to be thrilled with this read! There's a lot of high stakes rivalry in this one, set in the luxury real estate scene this time. I'm very thankful that this looks to be a series also, can't wait to see what's coming up next! Props to Riley for including a transgender character also! 4.25 stars.

**Many thanks to Bold Strokes for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.**

I always jump at the chance to read a romance written by Fiona Riley. There are several reasons for that. Her books are always entertaining with exciting story lines, gorgeous main characters, and some of the steamiest love scenes around. With Bet Against Me, Ms. Riley has created all of these elements and a whole lot more in one amazing tale.
This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with two successful realtors competing in a bet to see who can sell the most luxury condos within a certain time period. Trina Lee and Kendall Yates are both very competitive. Both dislike each other at first sight, but there is also that pesky mutual attraction that they have.

This is one of those books that grabs you at the beginning, and refuses to let you stop reading until the very end. Trina and Kendall are kick-ass women with looks, style, intelligence, and the drive to compete and win. The romance is off the charts steamy; both erotic and romantic with lots of highs and lows. The way Ms. Riley builds romantic tension using both outside forces as well as the chemistry between the two characters is truly incredible. The story itself is entertaining and exciting. She has created a charming love story with this novel. I totally enjoyed this romance and can recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great love story.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.

Rainbow Reflections: http://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

Bet Against Me is the first book I've read by Fiona Riley and I'm furious! Furious that it's taken me this long to experience her story telling (and understand her reputation as the Queen of Steam!)

This enemies-to-lovers book centers around Trish and Kendall, two rival luxury realtors who are competing with each other for an unofficial "Realtor of the Year" award. At first it seemed like both the MCs were going to be ice-queens considering their dedication to their job, but as the story progressed, it was obvious that they care for their family and friends deeply, it's just each other they hate!

The flirting throughout the book was hot (and my god that first kiss!) and the dialogue was witty, biting and amusing for the majority of the MCs' interactions with each other. The secondary characters were well developed (Trish' brother, best friends Lauren and Jax, and Kendall's BBF Margot) although I did think Kendall's father and the ensuing angst was a little bit rushed.

Overall, I loved this book and can't wait for the follow up that will center around Lauren's story. In the meantime, I'm going to start reading the Perfect Match series to get my Riley fix.

An advanced reading copy has been sent to me by the publisher Bold Strokes Books through Netgalley for my honest review

Entertaining romance. While reading this high stakes, luxury real estate story, I could not help but think about the few episodes of "Million Dollar Listing" I have taken time to view. This glamorous job/career presents a pressure cooker for real estate agents. It seems as though you have to be walking the line of confident and arrogant to be successful.

The premise of the story was interesting with two ambitious and talented realtors. Kendall Yates, is from Connecticut and new to the area. But she works hard and wins Realtor of the year. Trina Lee is established in the area and she thought the award went to the wrong person. As a result, their bosses decide to hold a competition to see who can sale the most units in a luxury apartment complex.

Not only is the competition fierce, the chemistry between Trina and Kendall is sizzling. Each woman begins to question if there should be more to life than selling property and making money. The supporting characters provided life to the story. Especially, Trina boss, Ellison and Kendall's father. I appreciated the character diversity. Well done!

This was my first Lgbtq read I must say I really enjoyed it. At first I was a little annoyed by
Trina's attitude but after her and Kendal got past there rivalry and the chemistry between them started this was a great read.. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Trina is up for an award as luxury realtor of the year. She is certain the award is hers because she is the best and has put in all the hard work necessary. She didn't factor Kendall, another realtor who is new to the area, into the equation. They meet. share a heated exchange, and end the night committed. To a competition, that is.

At first, their contentious behavior toward each other made it hard for me to like either of them very much. But as the book moved on, my feelings about them changed for the better. There really is nothing better than two women that hate each other so much they either need to fight or.... you know.

I have to say that this book felt deeper than previous Fiona Riley books I have read. I found myself feeling super invested in these two gals. I loved their chemistry and couldn't wait for them to combust together. I wanted them to fall for and make each other's lives better. This could have been a book where the two of them continued to butt heads ,but I was happy that the author took them down a more adult route where they tried to navigate their circumstances with maturity and respect.

I really liked this book with exception of what felt like an anti-climactic ending. The whole book was building up to this foreseeable confrontation/climax. And while it did deliver the anticipated scenario, it didn't offer the amount of conflict or excitement that I had hoped for. It all felt a little bit rushed and resolved easily.

Overall, I'm fairly certain that this is one of my favorites from Riley.

I recommend this book to those who like to read about romance, enemies to lovers, luxury real-estate, chemistry, trying to keep things casual, and flowers.

Trina and Kendall are rival realtors in Boston. When Kendal wins Realtor of The Year over Trinia their bosses start a competition to see which one can outsell the other at the new Seaport Condo.
The entire story felt forced and did not keep my attention.
Thank you NetGalley, Fiona Riley, and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC for my personal review.

Since her debut novel ‘Miss Match’ was published in 2016, I’ve read all of Fiona Riley’s books. I enjoyed her first series ‘Perfect match’, and was excited to start with ‘Bet against me’, book one of her ‘High Stakes’ series. I loved it and can’t wait to see what’s coming in the next installment.

Trina Lee and Kendall Yates are luxury property realtors working in competing companies, both very ambitious and extremely good at what they do. But there’s just one place at the top and neither of them is willing to be second best. When their respective employers decide to bet who will sell more properties in one of the most expensive buildings in Boston, both women jump at the chance to win the bet. If only a pesky mutual attraction wouldn’t get in their way…

This was an entertaining, fun, and hot novel and a very promising start of the ‘High stakes’ series. I admit that I wasn’t a fan of Ms. Riley’s previous book ‘Not since you’ but with this novel, I’m happy that she’s back to writing what she does best: hot and sweet romances with lovable characters and superb chemistry.

This is an enemies-to-lovers romance with the setting of the cutthroat Boston luxury real estate environment. Even though the bet story sounds a bit extreme for the real world, Ms. Riley has researched the business well and it works in the plot, at least to an unknowledgeable person like me. There is a good amount of detail about the real estate business and the fierce competition in that high-end market. I enjoyed reading about it a lot.

Ms. Riley’s readers know that her books feature likable characters with great chemistry between them. This book has it in spades and, as usual, the author delivers pent-up sexual tension and hot intimate scenes. Even though both leads come across as jerks at the beginning, the story slowly reveals their human and lovable side and show why they are made for each other. I wasn’t that invested in the subplot of Kendall’s past but it makes sense in the context of the story and helps to see the character in another light.

Overall, another entertaining, fun, and hot romance by Ms. Riley. I can’t wait to see what’s next in the series. 5 stars.

ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

See all my reviews at www.lezreviewbooks.com

Fiona Riley is one those authors that you have to read whenever a new book comes out. She writes good romances with steamy love scenes. Sometimes it’s what I really look forward to in a book, well, after a good plot. ;) Bet Against Me had that same Fiona Riley signature, but I must be honest that I find the plot almost ridiculous. But enemies to lovers trope is pretty exciting to witness. There’s always a promise of electrifying tension between the MCs and explosive bedroom hat-knitting after. This book had enough. Although the snarky banters were sometimes mean, the sexual tension covered for it. I was expecting more though about the dad. I was waiting for a bigger bomb than what actually happened. But it’s alright. Now, my main problem really was Trina’s character. I have never disliked an MC as much as I did Trina. She was a 5 foot 3 bitch to the perfect Kendall—who’s done nothing wrong but by being who she was. Even after everything has been said and done Trina likes to keep playing the victim. And Kendall deserves sainthood if not another woman. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed them together but I wished Trina did more to redeem herself to Kendall. She should’ve been the one to overwhelm Kendall with diamonds. It’s just major UGH for me. The secondary characters though were exciting. I can’t wait for Shay, Lauren, and maybe Ellison’s or Jax’s part in the series. I’m sure it’s gonna be another worthy read.

This was an engaging romance that focused on two rival up and coming queer Realtors. I felt like at first the hatred between the two characters was way to extreme and it didn’t seem contextualized. They both came off as vapid cruel people for the first 1/3 of the book. Once they stopped being aggressively mean to each other I was able to see redeeming characteristics of both protagonists. Despite the annoyances I had of the hatred in the beginning I really like having queer romances, so this book was fun for me. The flirtations between the protagonists were very heated and believable.

As an aside that doesn’t have to do with the rest of the review, I really liked how the character of Jax was portrayed with the pronouns they/them/theirs with little fanfare. It is good to have any gender non conforming/non-binary representation in books.

Thanks to the publisher Bold Strokes Books, Inc. and to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Trina Lee and Kendall Yates are both up for Realtor of the Year in Boston. Trina knows she has the trophy in her purse, but when the award goes to Kendall she and her co-workers are left stunned. When Kendall and her boss are confronted, they leave the party with a bet placed that whoever outsells each other in a new high rise that is new Realtor of the year. Oh how this could all go done so terribly.

After I finished reading this one, I thought about it the entire night. First let me say that I love Fiona Riley's romances. I always look for her new books and will continue to do so. With that said, Bet Against me fell flat for me. I really wanted to enjoy this one and found myself really only liking Kendall. Both characters have some family issues, but Kendall really is the one who rises about her troubles. I thought that I would eventually get the point were I would be okay with Trina, but that really didn't happen for me. I was really detached from this one. This one even has some steamy scenes, but I felt indifferent about them. I just really want to get through this one. Now I will say the writing was perfectly fine, I just hated Trina and couldn't see Kendall wanting to be with her. The ending even sorta rubbed me wrong.

I give this one 3 stars because I still really like Fiona Riley and will continue to read her books. Plus she is a talented writer.

This arc was provided by the publisher for an honest review.