3.5 Playing Against the House Stars
* * * Spoiler Free
In Gambling, when you Double Down you are betting everything against all odds...Things look dire and instead of throwing in the towel or walking away and eating your losses... You make a Hail Mary move in betting it all or going All In. It is extremely risky and more often then not, can be disastrous...

But then there are those gamblers...the ones you see at the tables...all suited up. They have all the watches, sunglasses at night and shiny cuff links on their crisp white shirts. Those are the ones who never blink when the tables have not been kind. Those are the ones who calmly curl a finger at the banker, sign a huge note and take all of the chips and lay them at the feet of Lady Luck.

In this conclusion of Even Money, the All In Duet, this happens throughout the book. The story picks up from the where it left off- we are given a fast acting situation for these star crossed lovers to handle and then we are taken for a ride.

This entry has more of the thriller/suspense element to it but with doses of this couple's passion and love for each other. It is what keeps them sane during all of the manipulations and maneuvers. We have new characters from Dario's past who leap off the page with us warming to them immediately. The past support crew are there, not as much, but are there when the going gets good.

And oh the villains... twisted, ugly and nonredeemable. All coming together not in a tidy bow but with a gift box of sorts. More leaning towards a possible addition down the line.
Torre totally Double Downed with her second entry and the pay off covered her bets.


A gifted copy was provided by Select Publishing via NetGalley for an honest review.

<i>"Love me through the cracks."</i>
What a perfect line. A beautiful idea. A need we all have.

This is not a stand alone, you have to read book one first. Dario and Bell are in the thick of chaos through the whole story. They have to dig their way through so much, all while there's still a crazy person out there. I was totally pulled into their world, more so with this book than the first.

One thing I like about their relationship is the passion- not the dirty kind as much as the way they aren't afraid to fight things out. They're both strong and stubborn, but wanting the same thing at the end of the day. And Bell doesn't want the things he can give her, other than himself.

I loved the conclusion of this duet and the way it all went down. There were surprises along the way, suspense, and a deep love overcoming all.

4.5⭐️ The story continues immediately after the last page of the first book. I'm not sure how to talk about the story without giving anything away... like who went to jail, who died, who killed whom, and if the culprit was brought to justice.

It has a lot of unexpected twists and turns... and while going through page after page, I kept on thinking that this would be awesome on the big screen, if not, probably great to be made into a mini-series—like Twin Peaks.

I know this is a duet but...I cant help but wonder if there will be more in the future?? And honestly, I would've wanted to read more about Dario and Bell after that last page... Or probably explore something romantic with Meredith and that cop... Sorry! Cant help it. I'm such a romantic sap! Lol

Looove this! So riveting! Ya'll wouldnt wanna miss this one!

I couldn't wait to read the conclusion to Even Money, read in one sitting on a sunny afternoon - couldn't put it down. Sorta ends in a cliffhanger.
We were left off in Even Money where everything was in a disarray, things don't always go as p!anned. Hearts heal in HOT, dramatic, pivoting scenes. Most loose ends are tied off, not all as never was explained how some important details were revealed.Great supporting cast of characters using psychosis and fear.
Though this a thrilling read, found it ended too fast, and not all was resolved.

DOUBLE DOWN by Alessandra Torre is an emotional thrill-ride from beginning to end. This is the second half of the All In Duet and completes Bell and Dario’s love story. Double Down is a roller-coaster from the first page because it takes up where Even Money ended and keeps going from there.

Want to talk about heat level? Alessandra Torre takes the heat level and turns it all the way up and through the roof. I loved the character development for Dario and Bell, but also the peripheral characters within the story. The multiple points of view add to heighten emotions throughout the book and are just one more thing that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Alessandra Torre’s writing is superb and if you’re like me you’ll find that you can’t put the book down once you start reading! And I’m just going to throw this out there. I love, love, love Laurent. That is all. Oh, and go buy this book ASAP!

A wonderful conclusion in this All in Duet. Double Down pick up right where Even Money leaves off. The love and bound between Dario and Bell gets stronger and stronger in this one. I love how they just fit. They are hot. Double Down will keep you on your toes as everything starts to unravel for Hawk and Claudia. Dario and Bell continue on no matter how much is thrown their way. I loved every minute of reading not only this book but this duet too. Alessandra Torre did a fantastic job of keeping you on your toes.

* A copy of Double Down was provided by Netgalley for an honest review, no compensation was given*

Double Down is the continuation and conclusion to the All In series. One of the things that I liked about this book is, it starts exactly where Even Money ended. So if you have not read Even Money, the first book in this duet, please read that first. I have come to the conclusion, after reading this duet, that Ms. Torre is a master of romantic suspense. Just when you think that Ms. Torre couldn't surprise you, she does. I had more than few WTF moments. And of course the twisted darkness of her writing is just down right captivating.
The main characters, Bell and Dario, grew so much in this sequel. The intense need that these two people have for each other is palpable. Like the previous book this book is also hot as hell. This book gives us a good look into what Dario's life was like before he became successful, and makes him even move attractive and sexy. A new character, Laurent, who grew up with Dario, was introduced in this book. I would love to read a book dedicated to him.
Ms. Torre wrapped up this series in a very delightful sexy way . But, it did leave a tiny window open for another book. And I certainly wouldn't mind reading a spin off of this series. So if you are looking for a dark twisted love story that is chock full of deceit, suspense and nail biting pages look no further, it doesn't get ant better then the All In Series.

Whoa. Incredible conclusion.

Alessandra Torre brings her A game to this conclusion. It was full of twists and turns, lies, deceit and malice. Double Down was harrowing yet I was on the edge of my seat thinking — no, she didn’t do that — she went there.

Yet the underlying current was LOVE. It takes all shapes and sizes sometimes, it can be masked and then it’s not really love.

This book was a stunning, heartfelt conclusion to a couple we rooted for when didn’t think we could.

Double down was the highly anticipated sequel that everyone wanted to get their hands on. Countdowns were in place, deals were made, and the drinking begun very early on because of the cliffhanger in part one. After reading this one, I have mixed feelings about this book. I didn’t entirely hate it, but I also didn’t love it and I felt somewhat disappointed.

If you’ve read the first book, then you’re fully aware of the cliffhanger that had us readers screaming wtf along with some other classy choice words. Double down picked up immediately and we were thrown back into the mix of web of lies and deceit along with murder. We were all left wondering what’s going to happen next and how can Bell and Dario come back from such a shocking tragedy. Some questions were answered, while some secrets remained just that…. A secret.

I’m going to be completely honest and say that I was expecting more from this story. I needed more answers and the plot itself was too predictable in a way that I was never excited for what was to come next. I did like certain parts and I feel that Dario was the epitome of any woman’s dream, but this was not a great connection for me with him being with Bell. Something was missing and when you add in the crazy AF villain, I felt disappointed.

If you’ve been waiting patiently to read this series, then what might have not worked for me, will probably work for you and you should give this one a try.

Double Down is an absolutely thrilling conclusion to the All In duet, and quite the display of Torre’s talent at mixing suspense with romance. The first installment was the slow climb to the top of the roller coaster with a sensuality that beguiled and a little bit of mystery that built as it climbed to the top, but then this second half was the downward fall that snatched my breath away and gobbled up every thought from my mind as it brought me through every twist and turn.

For fear of revealing anything, I’ll be very brief—With moments of darkness and grime, what continually shines through is the attraction and love between Dario and Bell. What kept the pages turning was my devotion to them, to finding out whether or not they’d be okay at the end…everything else around it was a wonderfully breathtaking cherry on top of their love story. I enjoyed every single moment this duet had to offer and many will be captivated with it just as I was.

Double Down by Alessandra Torre is book Two in the All in Duet series. This continues the story of Dario Capece and Bell Hartley. Even Money the previous book needs to really be read first to fully enjoy their story in this book.
This book picks up where Even Money left us wonder what going to happen next.
They are dealing with someone out to her Bell and the death of Dario's wife. This book and series has been a page turner for sure. Dario is a alpha man with Bell but some of his reason for doing things were questionable for me...but overall loved him.
Loved this exciting Duet!

Bell and Dario's story continues from Even Money. There was a real jaw dropper at the end of that book and I couldn't wait to read this book and it sure did not disappoint! Dario will do anything to protect Bell even if it means being separated from her. So he packs Bell up and sends her to Louisiana (where he grew up) while he deals with all the trouble that Gwen's father caused.

There are so many twists and turns that just keep coming right to the end. I couldn't help but fall for Dario because here he was in his late 30s and he has never truly loved anyone like he loves Bell ... she is his next breath. And Bell didn't believe in love, but Dario changes everything for her. This is a romance with lots of suspense and a side of steam and this series shouldn't be missed.

I received an ARC courtesy of Select Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Usually after an amazing cliffhanger I find part 2 of a series to be a bit of a let down. Definitely not in this case part 2 Double Down was everything I hoped for and a lot more.

This series has everything, hot steamy sex, passionate love, mystery, intrigue, secrets revealed and murder what more can you ask for? After the shock ending of Even Money, Dario knows that Bell is in danger and that he has to hide her. He sends her to stay with his friends in the backwoods of Louisiana. Dario is working hard to clear Bell from suspicion and remove all threats to her safety, namely his father in law and his wife's crazy sister. He is also working with the FBI to bring down his father. One threat is unexpectedly removed but the other has to be found and evil secrets revealed before Dario and Bell can find their happiness.

This is a book you will not want to put down it is fast paced and so exciting while at the same time being a beautiful love story. Thank you to Ms Torre for a fabulous

Wow! This book started right where Even Money left off. This was an insane roller coaster ride of suspense. I was on edge the whole book. There was so many surprises and schemes going on. I loved it! And Dario and Bell kept growing and bonding. And they added just the right amount of heat to the story. And Lance, Rick, and Laurent were perfect secondary characters. Great romantic thriller!

The epic conclusion of Dario and Bell's story had me gripping my kindle so tight, I thought I may crack the screen. This duet is in the white-knuckle-your-device category -> fair warning. Just like the first book, I couldn't put this baby down. The house could have caught fire and my ass would have stayed parked on my couch until the last page. Unless there were some cute firefighters. I may have paused to ask some inappropriate questions regarding their hoses. I loved it just as much as I loved the first one, which is rare.

Dario has made a permanent butt imprint on my book-boyfriend bench. That man is just delicious and I found myself for the very first time being jealous of a fictional character - Bell - because she gets to have him.

"Just love me through the cracks." - Dario

Dario and Bell start this book off with him sending her on the run to after the incident in the hotel room. With her emotions at a high, and doubt creeping in about the strength of their relationship, Bell arrives in Louisiana while Dario stays back to aid in the FBI investigation in Vegas.

The first book focused more on the bond that was forming between Dario and Bell, and the second book just went to show how solid they were together. The investigation was a huge focus of this book as well, and we get to see the different POV of secondary characters, that help gives us more insight into the story.

I wasn't ready for this book to end, I'm pretty sure I pouted a little when I read the word Epilogue. I wish Alessandra was the type of author who did spin-offs of her novels because I'd love to have more time in this world.

This is a pretty messed up story. :) It's dark and a little bit crazy. The whole story is sort of complex and very interesting. I will admit that I was slightly confused by the ending. I wasn't sure if I missed something, or it it was intentionally left as vague so you would have to draw you own conclusions. The characters were well-written and I especially loved Laurent. This was my first experience with an AT story and I will go back and read some others.

In this second book of the duet, Bell and Dario are already a couple, but what makes this book riveting is that they get more involved, more passionate about each other, as they deal with the aftermath of Gwen’s murder. As events occur and their union comes into danger, Dario becomes more devoted than ever to keep Bell safe.

After the murder of Gwen, Dario takes several drastic steps to protect Bell from the authorities and from his father-in-law’s wrath. He’s convinced that the proposed victim was Bell and the murderer killed Gwen by mistake because they are similar in appearance and Gwen was in Bell’s suite. He’s also convinced that his father-in-law is responsible for the actions against Bell.

There’s a real huge production of police and FBI agents, all working together to capture Gwen’s murderer. There’s a psycho killer on the loose and Dario is convinced that they may go after Bell, so he utilizes all his resources to protect her.

The action started a little slowly and mostly dealt with sorrow and guilt. As events develop, the suspense ratches up and the danger to Bell climbs up. Bell and Dario deal all through the book with the guilt that their love affair caused Gwen’s loss. Dario has to deal with the loss of his best friend, a woman he swore to protect; and now he has to protect the woman he loves from an unknown danger. Bell hovers between her typical independent spirit, and her desire to bow to Dario’s need to protect her.

This book was riveting from start to finish. I liked that it started slow and then picked up speed and suspense until I was literally biting my nails and reading. There’s a surprise at the end that didn’t make me so very happy. I felt it was inconclusive and left some plot lines open, unless there’s more related books in the future, in which case I will be a happy reader.

After a jaw dropping cliffhanger at the end of book one I was dying for book two and Alessandra did not disappoint. What a crazy intense, shocking conclusion to the All In duet. Double Down pretty much double dose on the steamy, passionate romance between Dario and Bell. The sizzling chemistry and the heated sex scenes are off the chart hot!!! Alessandra got this down!!!
All the action, drama, suspense, twists and turns continue with this book which kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to the kindle until the end. The plot is quite mind-blowing with murder, kidnap, secrets, deceit, betrayal – very unique.
Love the epilogue – lots of “I love you” but I want more. Maybe an extended epilogue / novella is in the near future?
All In duet is a romantic suspense genre – gritty, thrilling, fast-paced, combined with the author’s excellent storytelling and superb writing = one fascinating read!

This is the conclusion of our story. What a ride!

Dario and Bell are in the middle of a murder and their lives are at stake. Bell is the one that would feel the wrath of Dario's father in law unless she hides where he cannot find her. So, from Vegas to the swamps in Louisiana, Bell travels with just the clothes on her back to wait for Dario to handle the fallout.

The plotline has all the ups, downs and twists that we love from this author. Totally unexpected, thrilling, and exciting this love story is one you cannot miss if you love romantic suspense. Be prepared ... you will not want to put this book down. I read it in one sitting because I just had to know what happened next.

I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

I liked Double Down more than Even Money. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoyed Even Money but in that book we were establishing the attraction between Dario and Bell. Alessandra Torre was building the story and creating the pulse of the duet. She was showing us the animal magnetism that Dario and Bell had that no matter what the danger to them and those around them they couldn’t fight that urge and now have consequences to their love. Consequences neither really thought would occur. Even Dario who knew how cruel Richard Hawk could be didn’t expect to see happen. That was the first book it was filled with sexual tension, sensual intimacy and acting on the forbidden. In this book we are still feeling the attraction and love but it is more. The sensual intimacy isn’t in the forefront of their minds. They aren’t as intimate in that way in this book as much as Even Money. We are now in the meat of the plot. This took that climax of an ending in Even Money and continues that pulse beating and danger defying moments. Double Down has the heat of the chase and trying to outsmart the cruel one. Of finding the other responsible while keeping the one you love safe no matter what. Even if it means being apart to do that. We begin where Even Money left off.

Dario has taken control of the situation and is now putting Bell out of harm’s way. Or as far as he can out of the way. Bell is questioning things and feeling guilty. She is also wondering what is going on. She for a moment questions Dario but looks in her heart to find the truth. Now she is confused and hurt but doing as told because of fear.

As she is away, Dario brings the spotlight to himself as he works to catch the devil behind the hell he is in. He has lost his best friend in Gwen and feels he didn’t keep his promise to protect her. He has the love of his life tucked away and feels guilty about this and the situation she is in but he vows to keep her out of the fray. He puts himself at risk to stop the madness that started the night he first met Gwen and we see so many twists to the heart and story coming around the bend. Dario does give a command performance when he sees Hawk but is it enough? Only now it isn’t just Hawk to take down but the mystery person who did Hawk’s bidding.

Claudia is now on the run feeling fear and anger. She feels that if Dario didn’t mess with Hawk and the family none of the events would happen. She is fascinating for there is justification to all her actions and never her own fault. She doesn’t own her actions but give them excuses and says they are not hers but Dario’s for it was his love of another that precipitated the events and her actions. She is just as wonky as Hawk. The padawan has gone beyond the master in the case of Claudia. She takes her cruelty and ability to create a no fault attitude to a whole new level. And when the turn of events bring a twist to the tale she becomes more unhinged and seeing red. Her plan was executed flawlessly and man is she a creepy lady.

It is this twist that has us see how much Dario will do for Bell but also for the memory of Gwen and all those that Hawk has harmed over the years. This story shows this as well. You are caught in the web of danger and intrigue that is happening as the story unfolds.

Our story is in Bell’s, Dario’sand Claudia’s view. We see a little of Hawk’s but his isn’t as intriguing as Claudia’s. Her mind is like Hannibal Lecter creepy. Really draws you in just out of the pure audacity she has and all the justifications. You see just how much she is like Hawk but also takes it to a new level and her thoughts blow your mind. A great insight into a twisted character.

Dario shows us his strength and guilt. Shows us his capacity to love as well and what he will do for that love. Also how much he we do to keep a promise even if the one the promise was made to no longer is there. He is vowing to protect others when he begins the wheels to take down Hawk and his henchman. We see his past and how he has clawed his way out but also the pain he has gone through. We see his honesty and caring nature but he is uber protective for sure. His view gives us a look at the complexity of this man and the love he has for Bell and Gwen.

Bell shows us that she still has some insecurity in her relationship with Dario but her heart helps her through it. So does her mind. She sees him as the man that was devastated by the events. She sees a man putting himself out there to right wrongs and catch those who put them on this path. She sees him own up to his guilt but also show her love and kindness as well. Bell finds her strength in him but also in herself and grows as well.

The story is one that has you on the edge of your seat with a tension of danger that really ratchets up the story. We get more depth seen in Dario and Bell’s relationship that really helps us see the love, trust and faith they have in one another. There is some sexual intimacy but it doesn’t overwhelm the story but enhances the intimacy that Dario and Bell have. Their intimacy grows in trust and faith in one another. They see that even apart they are together in spirit and faith.That apart they still have their love to help give them strength and support from one another. We get twists and turns and some danger that has you on the edge wondering what is next. Alessandra Torre has written a book with grit, meat, romance and a ending that has you wondering about what is next even though it seems things are nicely wrapped up or are they??? A truly great book that really keeps you in the story to the end and than some.