Overall, this was a super cute romance that left out all spice whatsoever. A mild 'enemies to lovers' type story of neighbors who grate against each other at first but learn that they have a heck of a spark.
It was fun to listen to while I ran errands and took care of chores around the house, nothing offensive or an issue. A fade to black intimate scene after basically one or two kiss descriptions.
However, this was *just* cute and wouldn't be a book that I would return to for a multiple read (or listen). Not much depth or interest to revisit the world with different characters.

Hedging Your Bets features the story of a divorced woman name Gillian who lives in a small town, and finds herself in a feud with her new next door neighbor Noah.

This is an enemies to lovers, slow burn romcom with a gardening rivalry and an adorable garden gnome. At times it felt too slowburn for me, and I listened to this as an audiobook, which was performed by dual narrators. Their voices were great, but I just wanted to love this more unfortunately.

*many thanks to St Martins Press, Netgalley and Macmillan audio for the gifted copy for review

This book just isn’t for me. I found the characters inner voice not my favourite and the way she describes her weight made me cringe several times throughout. I couldn’t finish it completely. I think the narration and plot could have used more editing.

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Gillian Pritchard is known in Willow Cover for her fantastic garden, and her fierce friendships. Unlucky in love, and happily divorced, she has sworn off dating, and would rather be in her garden than worry about what a man thinks of her. So when Noah West moves in next door, and accidentally destroys part of her garden in their first meeting, it's war. The annual gardening competition is coming up, and both are willing to do what it takes to win, though it is heating up in more than just a competitive sense.

I loved this book, and it was the perfect start to 2024! Gillian and Noah's romance was epic, and honestly so funny too. The scenes with them and the old ladies plotting to get them together were laugh out loud hilarious, and even the heartfelt moments when they discussed their pasts, and their insecurities were sweet. It was definitely a slow burn romance, but well worth the wait!

Gillian and Noah are the classic enemies-to-more when he moves in next door and a friendly (or not so friendly at times) competition ensues. Gillian is passionate about her garden, always entering it in the small town contest, and Noah loves poking and prodding to antagonize her.

In a case of "it's me, not you," I didn't connect with these characters as much as I would have liked to, but I did enjoy the themes and messages of body-positive image. I enjoyed watching Gillian and Noah help one another truly see themselves as enough.

Content: fade-to-black, but talk of sex and innuendo; strong language

As bright and fresh as a lovely garden, Hedging Your Bets is a fun and fast read rom-com from Jayne Denker. Four stars!

This is a cute small town, enemies to lovers story about next door neighbors Gillian and Noah, who and a competition for best yard. I liked the characters and there’s a nice blend of humor and romance. The supporting cast of gossipy senior citizens was entertaining too.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was good, not necessarily ground-breaking, but that‘s okay. I chose to read it because of the gardening theme and I enjoyed all of the gardening-talk in here. It‘s a slow burn, low on the spice. I enjoyed the small town sense of community surrounding Gillian and Noah and the rest of their friends.

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a review copy in exchange for my thoughts!

When Noah moves next door to Gillian they compete against each other in a garden competition
Enemies to lovers
Notbing that interesting happens in this book

This was a very fun, lovely, heartwarming read! The characters were so charming and I was rooting for them from the beginning. The plot was fun and the gardening aspect a nice addition.

I received a copy of this for my honest review.

Our FMC has started online dating again 5 years after her divorce, and its...not going great. That is when our MMC becomes her new neighbor, he moved across the country after a breakup, and bought a new house and the local marina. It could have been fine, except he decided to pull up hedges on his side of the yard - which she had included in her garden design for the annual garden contest. This causes them to be instant enemies. Their animosity continues to grow as they keep interacting, but eventually they start realizing they have more in common. This comes in a local old lady extorting him to beat our FMC in the garden contest all because of a years long grudge of her being plus sized and existing. Will they put aside their arguments to take down a common enemy?

Great romantic comedy with heartwarming qualities! Loved the two main characters and this was a fun read!

When I finished The Rom-Com Agenda last year, I wanted to read more novels featuring the supporting characters from that story. Well, Jayne Denker delivered with Hedging Your Bets, which features Leah's friend Gillian.

This was a sweet story overall. I don't like gardening but this novel made it seem interesting, at least, and it made me appreciate the gardening and planting that my husband and kids have been doing. I enjoyed seeing both Gillian and Noah's perspectives and wondering if they would ever admit that they liked each other more than they were letting on. The nosy neighbors were a lot of fun and they almost need their own book, which would be akin to The Golden Girls. I appreciate that Jayne addressed body image in this novel. Gillian felt relatable in that way.

My main concern was that it felt like the conflict came early in story and was resolved by the middle and then things were smooth sailing minus a few small issues here and there.

Overall, this enemies-to-lovers slow burn is adorable and entertaining with witty banter throughout. Great for a pick-me-up if you need something light and sweet.

(Trigger warning below.)

Movie casting suggestions.
Gillian: Emerald Fennell
Noah: Justin Hartley
Sebastian: Brandon Routh
Louise: Frances Fisher
Leah: Katie Stevens
Eli: David Corenswet
Jenna: Allison Williams
Ben: Kendrick Sampson
Gray: Dan Amboyer
Delia: Olivia Luccardi

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TW: Body shaming (Gillian experiences this and talks about it.)

Thank you St Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

I absolutely devoured this one. I will say enemies to lovers just is so good for this story. I loved both characters. The dual perspective really made this book for me. I enjoyed seeing their relationship developing from both the main characters perspectives especially because they are so different. Even though they are different there relationship really works! I also loved the side characters in this one. The small town was a character all its own and it did not disappoint. Jayne Denker really brought this story to life for me. If you are a fan of anything I said above you will enjoy this one. I think this would also be a GREAT audiobook!

This story follows Gillian a pharmacist who enjoys gardening and Noah West Who just moved back to Willow Cove. Noah moves into the house of one of the seasoned ladies who moved to be with a lover in Florida. Noah decides to change some stuff up and Gillian loathes him for it. How can he not appreciate what her friend had done with the place? They soon strike up heated arguments and discussions. When Noah's business in town is in trouble the meddling seasoned ladies hatch a plan to get Gillian and Noah together while also getting Noah to learn to garden. What could go wrong?

Read if you enjoy:
Body positivity
Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Gardening
Meddling seasoned ladies

STORY LIKES
⭐⭐⭐

SPICE
-

RECOMMEND
💳 yes

"Hedging Your Bets" is the quintessential saccharine romcom that can easily be produced as a movie for the Hallmark Channel. If this is your jam, give this book a read. I hope you enjoy this story more than I did.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read & review "Hedging Your Bets".

📚BOOK DESCRIPTION🌻🌼
Opposites attract in this enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy of feuding neighbors and dueling hearts from Jayne Denker, the author of The Rom-Com Agenda.

When small-town neighbors go head-to-head, better start Hedging Your Bets.

Gillian has been happily divorced for several years and, after trying a few dating apps, prefers to stay that way. Navigating her way through dates with fat shamers and lackluster men has left her with no desire to do anything other than work in her garden in her spare time. Who needs rude comments and awkward first-date conversation when soft roses and vibrant tulips are so much better?

Noah West has just moved to Willow Cove. After a rough breakup that leaves him looking to get far away, he relocates to the same small town he spent summers in as a teen—and moves right next door to Gillian. A big believer in minimalist design and that the best kind of plants are non-flowering, he knows as soon as he meets his neighbor that they are going to clash on just about everything. Now if only he could keep his eyes off her too. That might be helpful.

When a gardening contest brings out the competition in Gillian and Noah, dueling plant arrangements and fiery banter ensues. But is it possible that beneath all their differences, they might just be perfect for each other?

DISCLAIMER:
I do not rate below 3⭐s. Based on my understanding, reviews lower than 3⭐s affects the author's promotability & income - especially for indy authors.

Cute, quirky and entertaining. A real middle of the road rom com. I enjoyed it a lot. Definitely a fun book to read while relaxing in your garden after a long day at work.

I liked the premise of the story. Both from bad relationships. I loved the banter and there were some funny moments. I love the small town vibes, a tight knit community.

Noah was giving me whiplash. One moment he was sweet and kind, very emotional too. Then he was in a rage?! Everyone has their moments but I felt like he was very soft and then aggressive?! He was thinking about her feelings before even getting to know her very well.

Gillian was giving him way too much of a hard time and ya know when I was 40% in, I still didn't know who her ex was and what he did that resulted in them getting a divorce.

I needed more depth.

This was kinda cute, very cheesy. I liked the audio narration, just an easy/sweet read & listen. Thank you for my copy!

I didn't find it to be exceptional or unique in most ways. The hatred the two characters seemed to have had for each other felt a bit far-fetched