I was very excited for this book but ended up DNFing at the 50% mark. It really just came down to not quite rooting for the characters--I was a little invested in Gillian's outcome, but I really didn't care much about Noah, and I definitely didn't care about the two of them ending up together.

I think if Gillian's POV had shown us a little more of her focusing on her garden, since that was her main motivation at the heart of the book, and Noah's had shown us a bit about him making good choices in the past or at least not blaming other people for his own mistakes, I would have been more invested in them individually. And their verbal sparring just didn't quite work for me--it felt immature and a bit ridiculous, and I didn't get enough chemistry from their interactions to make me root for them to get together.

It's a fun read, I just wasn't invested enough in the romance or the individual characters to keep reading. But while it really wasn't my thing, I do think a lot of people would enjoy this book, especially if you're into contemporary enemies to lovers romances.

This was an okay read for me. It was slow burn which I usually love but I felt the tension that makes you yearn for the leads to end up together was missing. The chemistry was only okay and I felt too long was spent with Gillian dating other people. The supporting characters and friend group were fun and I do like the author’s writing style. Overall 2.5 ⭐️

I really wanted to love this book, but the way that the fmc health and weight is talked about rubbed me the wrong way. I’m sure that this could be a 3-4 star review for others who like small town romances and enemies to lovers. I also found that there was a lot of unnecessary information in this book that had nothing to do with building the story or characters.

There is nothing quite like a book that makes you smile so many times your jaw literally starts hurting! I went into this story somewhat blindly, but I never expected to become so easily captivated by the characters, or that the mere would have me feeling this giddy. Even a week after finishing this book, it still never fails to put a smile on my face.

This is a charming Small-Town Rom-Com!

Hedging your Bets by Jayne Denker is a cute heartwarming enemies to lovers romcom set in the quaint town of Willow Cove. Gillian and her new to town neighbor Noah’s garden-centric feud evolves into a sweet love story, and the lively supporting characters add a dash of humor.

While the initial animosity may seem exaggerated, it’s all part of the fun. This book encapsulates the essence of small-town romance, making it a cheery and delightful read.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an ARC copy for review.

★ ★ ★ ★ //5

Hedging Your Bets
by: Jayne Denker

THOUGHTS:

I want to thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for giving me the opportunity to read an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you love:

-Small Town Romances
-Enemies to Lovers
-Grumpy/Sunshine

Then this book will be for you!

I love Jayne Denkers writing and this book I enjoyed so much. I loved this slow-burn closed door romance. Noah and Gillian are neighbors who do not care for each other in the beginning and the banter between the two of them is great!!! I loved watching their relationship and growth develop throughout this entire book. This book is such a fun quick read that will leave you in love with the two of them by the ending. As I always say, please check your trigger warnings before reading. This book is a must have on your TBR and a must read.

Cutest friends to lovers novel. Noah and Gillian are so fun. You can just feel the simmering love emotions with each encounter. Plus, there are several nosy neighbor ladies to add to the story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was not able to finish the book and therefore do not feel that I can give an unbiased review about the book, its plot, characters, or the author's work. I might revisit this book at a later time and finish it then, but not right now.

This is a charming small town enemies to lovers modern romance. Gillian is strong, smart independent woman who is sick and tired of online dating. She is looking to take a break from online dating then Noah moved to town with his grumpy personality. They both wanted to take a break from dating but Noah couldn't stand for her loves for flowers and gardening. The both decided to enroll in a gardening contest and became dueling contestant where one of them will come out as a winner!

This was a DNF for me. I just couldn't get into the story. I'm not sure why, but I wasn't able to finish it.

A neighborly opposites attract , enemies to lovers fun read.

Gillian hasn’t had luck in the dating scene. Noah is trying to start over. Their new neighbors and sparks instantly fly, but not in a good way. You have all the charm of a small town and it’s high jinx in this book.

If you like all of the above you’ll love this book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Hedging Your Bets is enemies to lovers and closed door romance done right. I was so excited to get the arc for this book and to head back to Willow Cove to catch up with the characters from The Rom-Com Agenda and get Gillian's story. This was a really cute fun read and added some more characters from the small town who all enjoyable and of course updates on people from the previous book. I'm giving this one 3.5 stars rounded up to 4! I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin Press for allowing me to review this book.

⭐️⭐️ (2)
🌶️ (1)

Perfect if you like:
👩🏼‍🌾 Small Town
👩🏼‍🌾 Gardening
👩🏼‍🌾 Enemies to Lovers
👩🏼‍🌾 Opposites Attract
👩🏼‍🌾 Neighborly Feud
👩🏼‍🌾 Third Person Dual POV
👩🏼‍🌾 SLOWWW Burn

My thoughts:
I had a hard time getting through this book. I had to put it down and come back a few times. All the tropes are right up my alley. Perhaps it’s the fighting between Noah & Gillian for almost 3/4 of the book. There was not much chemistry between the two.

The side characters were so cute! I loved the old ladies and their gossip circle. Total golden girl vibes! I want more of them throughout the book. Or maybe another book from Willow Cove of the ladies setting up other couples!

Let’s talk about side character Louise and her corruption at her job. Homegirl is willing to lose her career over a garden?! 🙄

I really liked the cover art and title. Definitely draws in people’s attention 🫶🏼

Gillian and Noah are unexpected neighbors and enemies after Noah moves in and interrupts Gillian’s garden planning. Though, in their small town, and especially their own side by side houses, it’s hard to stay away.

Noah needed a new start after a bad breakup, which made this an interesting gender-swapped “finding yourself in a small town” romance. Because Noah and Gillian started out as enemies, Noah toed some lines of animosity that I was really concerned about (name calling, complaining about a woman). It never got too bad but it never quite left my mind. Other than that, Gillian and Noah had good banter, and Gillian was amazing. She was such a badass and Denker incorporated modern dating apps in a realistic way.

I quite enjoyed this book. I am a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope and this one did not disappoint. I loved the Hallmark vibes with a touch of sass. I love that Gillian was written as an independent, strong, sassy, curvy woman and I love Noah's snarky attitude but sweet demeanor. The wit and banter was amazing and there were several moments I found myself laughing out loud.

Hedging your bets by Jayne denker. When Gillian and Ben become neighbors. They both see only flaws. But as time goes by they find the perfect person for them

Hedging Your Bets was a sweet romcom, small town, opposites attract, happily ever after book.

I found the first half didn’t draw me in a lot and I sometimes had to remind myself that I had this book on the go. The second half I found much more enjoyable but struggled with the whole garden competition, maybe I just couldn’t relate to it, not being a gardener or competitive.

The characters were likeable, especially the meddling neighbours. [small town old ladies who meddle are the best]

If you’re a fan of gardening or small town competitive gardening you’ll probably really enjoy this romcom. It was a unique take on bringing two people together.

Thank you to NetGalley St Martin’s Press for the complementary ARC for my honest review.

This book was an amazing sequel into the town of Willowcove and that amazing group of friends! I could NOT stop laughing at all the hijinks. I love this series and can't wait to see who gets their HEA next but this one makes me want to leave my life in the city behind and move to a small town. It's beautifully written and watching the characters bloom is irresistible to put down! I highly recommend giving this series a shot!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the opportunity to review an advanced copy.

This was a cute, easy read. I was quite enjoying the first third of the book, although both main characters were acting like hotheads a little too much - I questioned whether any actual humans would act the way they were acting. When some conflict was introduced via a stereotypically villainous character, and the pair was put into a completely manufactured and ridiculous conflict situation, it completely lost me. Just way too silly a plot and not at all believable.

I think this will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries, small town stories, and low stakes plot lines. For me, I prefer deep interpersonal connection and conflict, and this did not deliver on that - all very surface level.

Cute romance with a fun gardening theme!

I enjoyed this novel a lot more than expected because of the witty banter and character development. I read the whole thing in two sittings because it was highly addictive and fun. Gillian and Noah were super cute together and I enjoyed how Noah took time to listen to Gillian and her struggles, unlike so many of her previous dates.

My gripes would be the pacing and supporting characters. The first half of the book felt a little empty, most of the main events happened later (as they should lol) but the set-up felt a little too slow. Additionally, there were wayyy too many side characters. It was hard to remember the elderly neighbor trio and Gillian’s friends for who they were because they all felt very similar.

Also I didn’t know this book was a part of a series until I finished and looked it up lol. Can definitely be read as a stand alone.