Who knew that the world of luxury realty was so intensely competitive?

Trina Lee is a rockstar realtor who outperforms all others in the industry and has developed a reputation of being cutthroat and ruthless. She’s been featured in a magazine’s list of 30 under 30 and as the cherry on top of her cake of a great year professionally, she’s a hairsbreadth from winning the coveted Realtor of the Year award. Except that she’s pipped to the post by a Jane-come-yesterday, Kendall Yates. The two work in rival companies and there’s no love lost between their bosses. Post the award presentation, as Trina is attacking Kendall with all she’s got and Kendall is pulling no punches in trading insult with insult, their bosses come up with a ‘friendly’ (but not really) competition between their star performers – to outsell the other in one particular upcoming development.

Trina and Kendall get down to it, never missing an opportunity to bring out those deadly claws and sharp tongues to deliver scathing insults. But that much passion spills into unexpected channels and their whole relationship does a 180 degree.

Trina Lee is one livewire of a character. Sassy, sarcastic, sharp and competitive, she is also borderline arrogant and cocky but tempered down with her sweetness and loyalty right from the beginning. Though she comes across as the more abrasive and antagonistic of the two initially, her character is so well rounded by her other relationships that she is never dislikeable. Kendall has a past that she’s trying to outpace. She cuts a more sympathetic figure at start. Also she’s not the one itching to fight all the time. However, Riley does a great job of making both women equally appealing. More to her credit, Riley somehow manages to give a flavour of I-like-her-therefore-I’ll-pull-her-pigtails-to-get-her-attention to the whole animosity.

The chemistry between the two leads is sizzling. And par for the course, as with all Riley’s books, the heat-o-meter is set at burn. The book has a great balance between romance and sex.

We sorely missed an epilogue in this one. We’re sure that Trina and Kendall will be happy together for life, but we’d have definitely liked to know what Kendall does professionally and how she fares after all the evil-dad-interfering-in-her-life drama. (BTW, this dad-villain bit added to the rather farfetched premise makes this one more a romcom than a contemporary romance. But in no way does it detract from the fact this is a hugely entertaining book with great chemistry and amazingly good sex).

Definitely recommended.

First things first, as an LGBTQ Asian, yay representation!
I wasn't a fan of Trina's sharp tongue. Kendall later comments that Trina is not ruthless or malicious, but I can't let go of the terrible first impression that Trina made. It wasn't just the usual taunting insults, Trina went for the jugular with her barbs, and they hurt Kendall more than she would know. The fact that they started getting along without having cleared that up made the relationship seem imbalanced to me. Although Trina has many admirable traits, Kendall seems too good for her. The highlight is the flirting, because they certainly have chemistry.
I've come to recognize the pattern of competition-driven romances, so the plot wasn't particularly riveting. The final conflict only serves to make me more annoyed with Trina, who apparently loves Kendall so much but can't trust her, despite not getting proof that Kendall knew what was happening. In Trina's shoes, the fact that Kendall sold one of the last units under asking price would give me pause, but fine, whatever. Then the confrontation: what exactly did Kendall expect her father to do to Trina? It seemed like his only intentions were to make Trina win, since he wasn't dangerous until Kendall arrived.
From Fiona Riley, I've only read Not Since You, so I don't have much to compare to. For what it's worth, I liked Bet Against Me more between the two. Four stars.

I feel like I'm disappointed a little, I hated Trina, A LOT. she's a bully and though-out the book i could not like her. Kendall tho was wonderfull and felt sorry for her in many ways, her father, her last relationship and for knowing and loving Trina.! she's so fast to judge Kendall even after she got to know her. that's not healthy or love to me. and lets not stop there, Kendall was really trying her best to get her back. LIKE HELL Kendall WHY ! Why did you not love Ellision ! she's awesome, understanding and so kind ! and likable as a character.

I don't think me not liking Trina has anything to do with the author writing since she's a fantastic writer. dialogues were great as well.

One of her bests. And I have loved each one that I have read of Fiona’s. This book had is all and it was written superbly: friends to enemy, tension, great dialogue, great conversation and wonderful characters who were real and flawed and honest. If you are a fan of Fiona Riley then add this one to your collection because it will not disappoint. Great job!

This book just got better and better as it went on. The character arc made the entire book, and catches you by surprise. When I first meet the main characters I had my doubts because there was so much tension and hostility when these two real estate agents are pitted against each other. The plot unfolds and their banter turns more flirtatious and friendly, and the true personalities start to come through as they uncover the depth of their feelings for each other. The story is charming, steamy and heartfelt all in one fell swoop.

I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

If this book had ended at around the 80% of the story, my rating would be 4 or 4.5 . It's so frustrating and disappointing when good authors (like Fiona Riley) literally destroy their books with all this trying to insinuate unnecessary tension and drama between characters. I'm sorry if that sounds harsh but it's such a shame when a writer does such a good job with creating all this sexual tension, clever dialogues and interesting main characters only to ruin everything in the last 30 -40 pages of the book.
As of the MCs, I really liked Kendall and I felt for her. It was implied in the book by several other characters and also by herself, that she was spoiled and elitist in the past but what I actually saw was someone who had learned from her past mistakes, someone who was mature, intelligent, motivated and with a good heart.
To be honest I didn't like Trina at the beginning, then when their relationship started developing, she became more sympathetic but I was left dumbfounded in the last few chapters of the book. Her decision to believe everyone except of her gf and the fact that there weren't even facts for the accusations thrown at Kendall was quite unbelievable. And also the fact that after the truth was revealed it was Kendall the one who still pursued Trina and wanted them to be together. We never saw Kendall receiving any emotional support from anyone especially after what happened with her father. And let's not talk about that plot with her father out of jail. It was another thing that didn't make sense and I couldn't understand why even use this weak and unrealistic plot in order to break the two mains.
I still cant wait for Riley's next work cause she's one of the best w/w authors out there, it's just that this book wasn't for me.

This is a enemies to lovers novel.
The main characters are beautiful, professional woman.
This is classic romance novel, with some sexual diversity.
This was an easy read.

3 stars.

I’ll admit that Bet Against Me was a difficult read to get through the first couple of chapters. My first impression of both women were ego-laden primadonnas that may have been talented at real estate, but were loathsome human beings especially to each other. I’m glad I hung on because once Trina and Kendall gradually allowed each other peaks through the window into their worlds, inch by inch they found so much more than just a masterful competitor. They soon find they are the yin to each other’s yang, and that ultimately the adrenaline rush of a closed deal is no comparison to the cozy warmth of genuine companionship and a passionate lover. The story arc tests each woman their resolve through professional competition while balancing their love affair along with a little intrigue and thrills from meddling family. One of my favorite attributes to this book is the intensity of each woman. They work hard, they play hard, and consequently their love affair is smoking off the pages. Truly one of the best in this genre for the year, look for this one to win some well deserved awards. I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love how Fiona Riley tells a tale! This book starts by introducing both Trina and Kendall as ruthless realtors not above cutting people off at the knees to make a sale. I honestly couldn't find any redeeming qualities about Trina for the first 1/4 of the book. Then what Fiona Riley did was share with the reader, the softer sides of both of our main characters. She showed how each, especially Trina, are caring and compassionate with the people they love. I really enjoyed the competition aspect of this book, it helped elevate the chemistry between Kendall and Trina. The supporting characters are great and added another layer to the plot. The only thing I wish was that there was a little more to the ending, perhaps an epilogue to share how Trina and Kendall's relationship progressed. Thanks Fiona for another amazing read!

This is a haters-to-lovers kind of romance, it looks like a new series is coming too, High Stakes#1 is the under title of this one, set in the high realtors world.

This story has as main protagonists two women, lesbians, feminine, gorgeous, the best in their working world as real estate agents of luxury homes. But Trina was the best in Boston, until Kendall arrived from Connecticut and snatched the title of Best Realtor of the Year without Trina being able to figure out how it happened.

And after a tough first meeting due to this fact and a situation caused by the owners of the real estate companies in which they work, they are forced to compete openly to sell a super-luxury development that is under construction.

In addition to this personal struggle at work, they also have to face the attraction they feel from the first moment. And in this aspect the story has many heated situations during the development of the personal relationship between them. Some steamy ones. Some really sweet. Points in favor for my liking are the lack of malice and resentment of the two women, despite having some baggage from their past that could have soured them.

The plot had to have its share of tension, that undercurrent with Kendall's father was created throughout history, something dramatic inevitably had to happen. It was fine with me despite my usual reluctance to pointless drama.

So this has been a pretty classic romance, with some touches of sexual and racial diversity, which I really liked, definitely.

I don't think I've recently read better flirting dialogue than in this book! I dare say it's my favourite ever! Saying that the chemistry is amazing is such an understatement! The only "flaw" this book has is Tina's verbal cruelty towards Kendall whenever she's angry with her; Kendall was treatinghher with much more respect and mindfulness. But these two are one of my favourite romance book couples!