What a complex love story this is.
A successful realtor, Ellison wants to have a baby but has been told she has a "hostile uterus". As she seeks an alternative to her dream she finds herself suddenly drawn to young Katie who has her own struggles going on.
But as their friendship grows into more, what is Katie's role in Ellison life? Did she imagine being a mother? Is it all happening too fast for her?
The road to happiness isn't easy and they will have to decide what it is they want most.
Absolutely a must read.
Thank you Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

A very sweet sapphic love story. <i>Beginner's Bet</i> follows Ellison, a highly successful realtor of luxury properties who is reeling from the news that she will never bare genetic children, and Katie, who has recently had to institutionalize her mother and the bills are piling up on her. This romance heavily focuses on pregnancy and motherhood, as well as the intersections with queerness that can have. There was a nicely diverse cast here. The extenuating circumstances and hurdles to overcome are believable. This wasn't my typical f/f romance, I just really like queer love stories, y'all.

**I received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

This is by far the best book I've read this year so far, hands down! I don't know how Fiona Riley does it, but I never read "just a ok" book by her. She's become my favorite dialogue writer and my Top 5 lesbian fiction author.
Ellison is such a great character, amazingly written! If that woman was real, I'm sure every single woman would have a seriously deep crush on her! Now, include a beautiful, smart redhead, with amazing green eyes in the story, you get dazzling sparkles flying everywhere!
I read this ARC in one take, because once I started reading those effortlessly written dialogues, I couldn't put the book down.
Pure, bright, huge 5 stars!!!

Beginner’s Bet is one of the best books I have truly enjoyed in several years. Ellison and Katie are truly well written. There are so many authentic, genuine moments of how hard life can be and yet in those struggles we come to realize the beautiful path of happiness that was secretly being planned all along. Katie and Ellison both have very hard circumstances in their lives. They come to know each other and grow from friendship to love. They must face their own insecurities to allow their lives to blossom and grow.

The dialogue is funny, witty, warm and the chemistry is off the charts.

A sensational read. I highly recommend this book.! I also want to see if that pizza really exist and try it!