This was such a delightful read with amazing representation. A sex pact around bingo was something I didn't know I needed. the SC location setting felt so good and realistic as someone who has lived there. I adored so much of this book. Jodie's writing is one of my favorites.

3.25 stars. There were so many things I liked about this romance. I liked the diverse characters, and how both of the main characters, Aja and Walker, were unapologetically real. The author did a great job with their mental health challenges and having them be supportive of each other, rather than trying to fix one another. The book is definitely open door steamy, so reader know thyself. I also liked the storyline of Aja and her friendships.

There were times were I felt the steamy scenes were a bit ridiculous (particularly the setting for two of them), however, this is fiction and if that’s what the author crafted for these characters, then let’s roll with it.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

DNF @14% — When it’s been 11 days, and you’ve only made it a few chapters in, it’s time to call it.

I was really interested in the anxiety rep for this book, and the own voices in general. And, so far, the anxiety rep looked really solid.

My problem is I just wasn’t interested in either MC, wasn’t feeling connected to them as individuals or as a couple, and so I’m going to cut my losses. It very well might be a solid book, but I hate forcing myself to read, even if it’s just mood.

Congratulations to the author on her novel’s publication! Instead of an overall star rating, I’m going to list pros and cons. This book was a mixed bag for me, and I don’t want to limit my review by stars.

Pros: I liked Aja and Walker. I appreciate the author’s sensitivity to their issues and how they handled their issues. I liked Gram a LOT! She was real and a hoot. I loved her friendship with Aja.

The Bingo angle was cute, but I felt like it could have played a bigger role overall.

Cons: Language and open-door sex scenes (didn’t seem much like lovemaking to me). A lot of what seemed to me gratuitous use of the f-bomb. More descriptive bedroom scenes than I am comfortable with.

Overall, it’s a steamy rom com that fits as a lighthearted yet substantive summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

DNF at 38%. I really respect the mental health representation that this author was trying to bring to the table, and I could imagine that this book could be really empowering and moving for someone who had similar experiences of the characters. However, it felt like their anxiety was the ONLY part of their personality, which made them seem one-dimensional to me. The plot was also extremely slow moving, and by a third of the way in I was desperate for SOMETHING to happen. I also felt like the insta-love was WAY too strong, and there wasn't enough time between their first meeting and their instant attraction to one another. Overall, I think this could be a valuable book for someone, but it wasn't the right fit for me.

My favorite part of the novel was the references to the Piggly Wiggly at the beginning. Such a mainstay in small southern towns.

This novel involves anxiety, and I appreciated the author’s note at the beginning to tread lightly if needed.

I listened to the audio and I did NOT like the reading of Walker at all- as someone from the south it was WAYYY out of place and just missed the mark.

The audio reading for Asia’s part was spot on and done well!

After a while, the banter just was not enough to keep me invested in this novel. Walker and Asia didn’t have much chemistry although they wordily tried to make it like they did. And when Asia made Walker sit outside, I was DONE. She asked for so much grace in the midst of her anxiety, yet she gave ZERO CARES for Walker and his own. BLEH, I don’t like to celebrate characters that behave that way. I really wanted to like this, as it has a body-positive character and brings mental wellness to the forefront of the conversation, but I just can’t. You can’t excuse away Asia’s choices. YUCK.

Wasn’t sure what to expect when picking this one up but still very much enjoyed! I love any time diversity is incorporated into the romance genre (seriously it’s about time). I really loved this story though, it hit everything I’m looking for in this genre

Gotta love a book with great mental health rep!

This was a super cute romance! I loved the dynamics between the two main characters, and how the plot surrounded bingo (because it's something I've never seen done before), but also the fact that both characters came together because of their mental health and them supporting one another was so wholesome!!

I have to admit I was skeptical about a romcom centered around Bingo - but boy was I surprised.

Walker and Aja are both new arrivals in Greenbelt, SC - he's moved home to take care of family and she's looking for a quieter life. After a shaky start, the two become friends and their mutual attraction eventually compels them to take that next step.

Overall, a fun, saucy little read that I enjoyed!

I really enjoyed this story, I think the mental health rep on it is really great. Aja is a dynamic character and I really wanted to see her get the love and care she deserves. I think that’s why this book wasn’t a five star favorite for me, because Walker knew he was leaving and pursued Aja anyway and then he just left and waited over a month to finally talk to her again. Sure they were sure together but I wanted a bit more from Walker when he was so enthusiastic and forward about trying to be with her.

I appreciated this romance’s small town setting and its various quirks, but was ultimately underwhelmed.

If you had told me that I would be be wooed by a book about Bingo and Peach cobbler I likely would have laughed in your face but I'll be damned if this wasn't one of the most fun books I've read in a long time.. Perfectly balancing well rounded, believable and genuine characters with issues of family, trauma, and mental health, Bet On It hit all the right notes.
The slow burn romance here hit just the right stride, with just enough pining and an incredibly sexy payoff that made all the waiting worth it. I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for more by this author, especially if it's similarly set in this southern setting that she paints perfectly.
You will be left hungry (literally and figuratively) for delicious baked goods and sweet as pie romance that has you believing in romance again.

I really enjoyed reading Bet On It. Aja and Walker are so cute together and I love their cheeky little pact based on Bingo night. Even more so, I liked the discussion of anxiety and mental health and how the characters related to each other and worked through their struggles together. I also enjoyed Aja's journey to making adult friends in a new place, which can be so dang tricky!

Another romcom causing such an extreme overwhelm of emotion that I am compelled to dump text about it on Goodreads? Seems about right.

We follow Walker and Aja, who are both recent transplants in Greenbelt, South Carolina. He’s returned home to care for his injured grandmother and she’s trying to start a new, quieter chapter in life. After a rocky first meeting, the two become fast friends—sharing peach cobbler and bingo tips—before their mutual attraction morphs into a saucy lil sex pact.

While Walker and Aja’s chemistry alone could have easily carried the book, I appreciated the attention that Jodie Slaughter placed on deepening their relationship. The sweet, slow pining and southern backdrop were a dream to read about. I loved the unabashed adoration that Walker had for Aja (seriously, his POV was a delight) and how her kind-hearted, attentive energy towards him was never unrequited. There’s also some great anxiety representation and it’s clear that a lot of care was taken in giving the characters healthy and (relatively) realistic arcs. Lastly, of course, I would be remiss to not mention the truly *scrumdidlyumptious* smut that Bet On It had to offer. Finger lickin’ good shit, literally. Coochie smoochin’ that could save a life…I’ve said all I need to say.

And that’s all I’ve got!!! This story was a wonderful example of why I love me a romance ALWAYS, why fiction will never not be FAR superior to reality, and why my Google history is currently FULL of small town real estate searches.

Rating: 3.5
I liked the characters and the representation of panic attacks and anxiety. The relationship was ok, but I think it happened to quickly and I didn't care that much about it.

This was such a refreshing read. Not only was it a fun, unique romance but it worked in mental health representation, something that I'm really enjoying seeing in contemporary romance novels lately.

I enjoyed this book.
It all goes down in the Piggly Wiggly…. Frozen foods is where it’s at….. for a panic attack….. when you meet the man of your dreams….
Poor Aja!
This book is so sweet, friends to lovers with a little bit of steam and a lot of feeling.
The author really showed character development between Aja and Walker and their extreme chemistry.
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read and review this title.

I really tried to like this but this just was not the book for me. I didn't really like either of the main characters was was pretty board. The cover is so cute and I wanted to like this but I had to DNF.

Funny, heartwarming, swoony and now one of my favorite rom-coms of 2022! Who knew I’d get obsessed with a book centered around bingo night?! I loved Bet on It and can’t recommend it enough—it’s just the kind of book you’ll want to live in.

Thank you Netgalley and Publishers for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review

I loved the premise of this novel, but the execution lacked key elements for me to enjoy it. I thought there was a tad bit of insta-love and lust that was driving this novel forward. I don't mind steam but in a rom-com I expected laughs and a bit more of the romance. I didn't get the romantic chemistry between them, and it wasn't keeping my attention. I also thought some of the steamy scenes were more cringe than hot. Outside of the bedroom some of the scenes were just boring (?) and I wasn't registering where their chemistry was supposed to come from.