I really, REALLY loved this one! 4.5 stars!

I borrowed Jodie Slaughter's first novel on a whim last summer and when I saw this one was available I had to jump on it.

This one explored the interesting premise of what would you do if you suddenly won a mega millions jackpot, rising out of poverty? I really loved that it explored the trauma of poverty, past mistakes/decisions, and how having an entire world of opportunities doesn't suddenly change where you come from.

I do wish Leo's character development had been a little bit more overt, rather than just implying that he suddenly moved back home and had found a way to get his shit together, but overall I loved the characters and the tension between them.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thanks to Netgalley for this copy.

This one started strong with an interesting premise and a good heroine. The lottery win for a woman who has struggled for years to make ends meet, trying to take care of everyone else while she tries to move on from her husband abandoning her eight years ago was a good start, a unique setup. Until Leo showed up.

I didn't care for her husband. He might have been sweet at times but the reveal of why he left miri had me rooting for a divorce. So as a second chance romance this was a bit of a fail.

The middle drags with lots of repeated conversations about what Leo and miri should do with everyone but each other. I didn't think it was fair the way everyone seemed to blame Miri or push her when Leo was the one at fault, the one who hurt her.

Anyways, good beginning, slow middle, skimmed the ending.

While I appreciated certain aspects of this book, it didn't fully capture my enthusiasm. The book started so fast jumping right into the lottery win and the return of Leo, Miri’s estranged husband. As a reader seeking drama and tension, I anticipated a more captivating dynamic between Leo and Miri in this second chance romance, but unfortunately, it fell short in that regard.

I wanted more push and pull and angst and I just didn’t feel that. I also felt like the feelings were unbalanced. I felt so much more coming from Leo than Miri emotionally.

The pacing of the book felt rather abrupt and lacked the smooth flow that I typically enjoy. I craved a gradual buildup, an exploration of their shared history, dedicated sections for flashbacks—elements commonly found in second chance romances. Instead, we were immediately introduced to sexual tension but then of course had to wait for any actual action.

For me, emotional development and glimpses into their past relationship were crucial in order to really connect with a second chance romance. The pacing and tone just didn’t match my preferences.

While I entered this reading experience with certain expectations, particularly desiring a resemblance to the book "Before I Let Go" by Raven Kennedy, it wouldn't be fair to solely judge this novel based on those hopes. Either way this was an enjoyable romcom, but it wasn’t the right one for me.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

Super quick, spicy read! I like the realistic setting and how winning the lottery doesn’t solve all the main character’s
problems. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I usually gravitate towards second-chance romances cause if done to my standards, my romantic heart is full. While I loved Jodie Slaughter's first book. This one did not hit the mark for me. It was a typical friends-to-lovers trope, which I think works great for these stories where the characters get married young. My biggest issue with this book, was the fact that it took EIGHT YEARS. To resolve their issues due to a huge lack of communication. I just couldn't get over the huge time gap to resolve something that, at the most shouldn't have taken more than 2 years to resolve. Another issue I had is that (somewhat spoiler) even though they were separated, but obviously in love with each other, the FMC still slept with other people during the separation. Now, I have a problem with this no matter which love interest is it. I am a romantic at heart, and to me, for the huge love they claim to have for each other, I'm the type of person who wants to see the "they couldn't stand to be with someone else, cause it's not the person they want to be with" type of story. I understand that while it's not technically "cheating" it's still ruins that love in my eyes. I can handle it in certain situations, mostly in books where the characters aren't married, so this one just kinda hurt me. Again that's just my romantic selfs opinion. Overall, I enjoyed it, but those two main things just added cracks that I don't enjoy in second chance romances.

Miri's life was going nowhere's and when she was going to go get her mother's lottery tickets for her, she decided to buy one herself. This was the first time she bought a lottery ticket for herself. She finds out she won the Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot, 220 million dollars. She wants to keep it quiet, and she needs to contact her estranged husband she hasn't seen or spoken to in 8 years.
She goes to see him and offers him a lump sum of money to sign the divorce papers. He counters her offers, and they come to an agreement. They end up spending time together, and they aren't the same people they were eight years ago.
It is an interesting story of seeing who they were, then after Miri won the Mega Millions Lottery Jackpot, and what happens when they spend time together again. Sometimes, when you start to think about what the other person might like instead of what you want, many things change. Play to Win lets us see how life can change people's life in an instant.
I received an ARC from St. Martin's Griffin through NetGalley.

4 stars!

when miri goes to buy her mother’s usual lottery ticket, she decides to buy her own and wins. trying to keep her lottery win quiet, she attempts to get her ducks in a row which means she has to reach out to her estranged husband, leo, and get him to sign divorce papers. except leo is back and he’s insist on winning her back instead of getting divorced.

slaughter writes such a sweet second chance story of miri and leo, childhood sweethearts, who have been estranged for years. miri was strong while leo was the perfect cinnamon hero. their reasonings for parting were frustrating but understandable. i found the pacing and writing consistent to her past writing. her main leads are written with care although it felt like they were holding back just a little bit here. her side characters were fun as usual and brought such a lightness to the book.

i loved the first book in this series but found this second one a little flat. there was interesting plot points going on but i felt disinterested in it all together. it felt wishy washy and not entirely complete like it was just missing a little something. i wish the ending had more finality with all the things that had gone on or clearer development in miri and leo.

still a great book that told the story of second chances, growth and community.

thank you netgalley and the publisher for an arc in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book and although I put off starting it I think I read it in about 48 hours once I got going. It's got some unique takes on the second chance romance trope and I liked the home improvement angle. I do feel as though the characters could have used a bit more depth but overall enjoyed this book.

I couldn't put this one down.
Miri and Leo were such lovely characters. Their love for each other jumped off the page. I love Jodie Slaughter's writting.

I loved Play to Win. I'm slowly making my way through Jodie Slaughter's bibliography and haven't been disappointed yet. Play to Win is a fantastic continuation of the world she built with Aja and Walker in Bet on It. It captures the small town vibes that Penny Reid delivers in the Winston Brother's books. If you've made it all the way through the Brother's and miss their funny antics and spicy romance, for sure pick up Bet on It and Play to Win. I'm also always looking to support black female authors and Play to Win gives a great insight to black culture. I really picked up on the different AAVE phrases and way of speaking and enjoyed learning more about that particular language. Play to Win will be making my list of books that feature plus size main character's as well. As a proud member of the fat liberation movement, I appreciated how the author eluded to the fact that Mirri is thick and full figured, but she takes great care to show that it isn't a bad thing. In fact, Leo notices that she's gotten bigger, but instead of thinking it's bad, thinks it makes her even more beautiful. I think the best part of this book was Leo's character arc. I HATED him at the beginning. I thought he was a selfish man who was delusional to think Mirri would ever take him back. After hearing more about his story and the explanation of the deep generational trauma, I came around. By the end, I was fully onboard the Leo train. I'm often in the camp of "men ain't shit", but Leo's character helped lighten those feelings a little.

The story follows a dirt poor Mirri as she navigates life being left by her husband high and dry for seemingly no reason. He's been gone for almost a decade and she's finally starting to cope, and by cope she means she's stuffed all the bad feelings in a box in the back of her mind. She decides to jump on the bandwagon and play the lottery when she gets her mom's weekly ticket. Next thing she knows, she's won $220 million and because she's still legally married, she needs to summon Leo back to make sure he doesn't try to sue her for half of it. All of this time Leo has been living half a life, working odd jobs, and just trying to make it through. He has no idea Mirri is going to ask him for a divorce and he is still deeply in love with her. The book follows the couple as Mirri tries to come to terms with what the heck she is going to do with her life now that she doesn't have to struggle and Leo as he tries to win Mirri back. This small town romance was everything I didn't know I wanted. You absolutely need to pick this one up.

Jodie Slaughter is a newer to me author and I have to say I see why so many people enjoy her stories!

Play to win was a cute second chance romance between a husband and wife who have been estranged for 8 years! Miri doesn’t know why Leo left but when she wins the lottery she has to contact him for his share of the money. I really enjoyed this starting point for this couple. It shows Miri is a good person through and through.

What follows is a combination of comedy, hard choices, second chance love, and a story you’re going to enjoy this summer. This story had so much going for it - the POC rep, open mental awareness, sexuality/intimacy , loveable supporting characters, and amazing writing style of the author. The biggest issue I had with this was the pacing. We started great hit a slump, and picked up right at the end. One of my biggest issues reading is when I’m invested and then lose the drive to keep reading. Once I hit that point I struggled to stay interested in Miri and Leo. I was still rooting for them but albeit less enthusiastically. But keep reading friends the ending is worth it!

While this isn’t going to be a favorite of mine this year I do think a lot of people will love it while relaxing this summer! 3.5 stars rounded up

3rd person
Second chance romance
Rags to riches
POC rep
Estranged husband and wife
Forced Prox
Spicy

Another gem of a Jodie Slaughter book. Not going to lie, I did roll my eyes at the premise of a woman winning the lottery but still being married to a deadbeat. I thought I knew where this book was going but I didn’t. Her characters are fully fleshed out, even the secondary ones. It makes you want to hang out with them exploring their little town. Funny and sexy read.

This was fine. It didn't have the same sparkle for me as Slaughter's previous work, but I have been in a huge rom com slump lately where nothing is working for me. I did enjoy it and will read Slaughter's next work too.

This rom-com was so fun. The input of a lottery ticket to change their lives and give them a second chance worked out really well. Miri was such a complex character and it was really easy to root for her Leo to be able to rebuild their marriage and their life. I love the surrounding cast as well. This was my first read by this author but it won't be my last!

Play to Win is a second chance romance that had me from the go, when that trope normally has me saying no.

Miri and Leo married young, before Leo left town under the pressure of poverty, gender roles in marriage, poor communication, and lack of access to resources such as counseling, leaving Miri devastated. Eight years and a rebuilt life later, Miri wins the lottery and has to sort out who she is, what she wants, and what the heck to do about her 8 year absent husband, when the pressure of poverty is lifted.

Hands down, I loved Miri. Miri is everything, in the best way - confident, vulnerable, strong, broken, beautiful, tired, an amazing friend, daughter, community member, funny, compassionate. She is so wonderfully written. The story drops us in at a point where Miri has really been carrying a load - winning the lottery should remove that load, but while money is the answer to so many problems, Miri finds herself lost when her everyday burdens are erased and she's left with the things money doesn't solve. Miri is so down to earth on her journey to heal herself and find her own peace, there is no starry-eyed loved story or money that magically makes up for the broken parts. This is very much a romance, but Miri is the star for me.

Leo spent 8 years growing up alone, without family, friends, or Miri and coming home seems to have sent him back to those original days a little. He's impatient, stubborn, wants Miri back right away and wants her to know it. But I believe he's remorseful, thoughtful, and does want Miri to choose him back, in the way that he has chosen her. I think the character development is a little unbalanced with Leo, having felt so much from Miri's character.

I loved the writing style and the dialogue in this book is excellent. Although it's a slower paced book, I found myself pushing along because the flow and character dialogue were so well done.

I do wish we had seen Miri's ultimate decision to get back together from her perspective and not Leo's. Because the portion was shared from Leo's side, it felt a bit sudden and unexplained. Much of the book was leading up to that moment and it flashed by a bit for me.

Over all, it's a gem. I truly loved it.

Year Pub: 7/11/23

Date read:6/22/23

Format: Kindle

Source: e-ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Page Count: 317

Setting: Greenbelt, South Carolina

Genre: AA interests, CR, Rom-Com

Tropes: 2nd chance romance, lottery winner/suddenly wealthy

Standalone/Cliffhanger/Part of a Series: standalone

HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: yes 4 months later

Character(s)POV Spoken: Dual H/h

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Miriam Butler is struggling to pay the bills living with her mother Patrice in Greenbelt SC. She plays her mother's lottery and buys a Mega Millions ticket for herself. She wins $220 million. Leonard Vaugh hasn't spoken to his wife in 8 years. Because they never got divorced, he could collect half the money, so Miri calls with a proposition. Leo agrees but has his own plans to get Miri back.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Representation: bisexuality

Contains Cheating: no

Contains Children: yes Ginger the dog

Flashbacks: Memories of first kisses and 1st times

Jealy/Possy/OTT H/h : Leo was a little jealous in the past, since they've known each other since 6 years old.

Amount of Sex In The Book: a few scenes

Overall Smex Rating: 3

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Hero: Leonard Vaugh

Hero Description: 31, working odd jobs as a contractor when Miri calls him. He wants to take care of his sister Thea+ her family and rebuild his Aunt Roberta's house. He will do all this while trying to get Miri back because he never stopped loving her.

Hero Likability Rating: 5

Heroine: Miriam Butler

Heroine Description: 32, works as nail tech and doing odd jobs. Her and Patrice are struggling to pay the bills when fate smiles on Miri- she wins the lottery. More money brings her more problems. She has access and opportunities now, but she is struggling with what to do with herself.

Heroine Likability Rating: 4

Secondary characters:
Jade, Aja, Olivia-Miri's bffs she gives each of them $6 million
Demetrius-helping Leo work on aunt's house. Had a thing w/ Miri @16 years old.
Thea- Leo's older sister. Felt abandoned by him when he left Miri. She has a husband and 3 kids.

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: none mentioned

Cheating Before/During/Outside H/h Relationship: no

CONTENT WARNINGS/TRIGGERS
poverty, racism, anxiety/mental health, therapy

AUTHOR OVERVIEW
Jodie Slaughter
New or read before & any favorites: new author

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 4

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES: My grandmothers Louise and Rosa Mae were just like Ms. Candice and Patrice. They played lotteries, had their superstitions (both died w/ money buried in the back yard), and they made a lot of somethings from nothings. Raised poor, they struggled with paying bills and providing food and clothes. They were single mothers. They rented from white landlords and had a natural distrust of white people. I understood Miri and Leo so well. My paternal grandfather Fitz left my grandmother and their 9 kids because he felt just like Leo. He didn't feel like a proper husband and father. He couldn't find a good enough job to keep everyone housed and fed.

Miri goes through the same thing most people do. She was living in poverty, then won the lottery being able to have anything she wanted. She has an identity crisis and being with Leo keeps her grounded.

I love romcoms so I devoured this. I love a good second chance romance. The characters were likable and the plot kept me interested in this book the whole way though.

I loved the premise of this story. I also loved the characters. The MCs felt very real and honest, imperfect people. I also adored the side characters, new and old. The friends and family members all really added so much depth to the story.

I think if I had to nitpick something about this book, it would be that I hoped we'd get a little more groveling, more push and pull, angst. Usually when it's a second chance romance/marriage in crisis, we get all that. And we did some, but I just wished for a little more. While I'm happy Miri and Leo got their HEA, I feel like there wasn't a ton of work put in to get there. But I can accept and appreciate that not everyone's journeys are the same. Having said that, I enjoyed reading this particular one nonetheless. It really was written so well; I was sucked right into the story and devoured it in a day.

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for the ARC!

**Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC**

This book was really good and when I really love a book, I tried to savor it as long I can and to me, it really did that. So, this book is about a woman named Miri who's estranged by her childhood husband, bought two lottery tickets -- one for her mom and other for her -- she played her numbers and won the lottery. After winning, Miri had to but didn't want to contact Leo because legally they're still married. So, this whole progress for Miri is definitely overwhelming and, of course her mom isn't having NONE of it. Both Miri and Leo slowly patches things up between them while renovating childhood homes but of course, close family and friends are being weary and concerned for the both of them.

Like I said, I did love reading this book and the plot as well also there was some humor that did made me giggle. Plus, it ended with a HEA and I LOVE HEAs in romances. So, if you enjoy reading second chances, HEA, and steamy scenes then you definitely should read this book. 5/5

This book was great. It was definitely an easy read! I love the way that the author wrote. I also liked the characters. I think that was the one thing that made this book good.