4.5 stars

Double Down is the second book in the All In series and cannot be read without having read Even Money so if you haven’t read that one yet, stop reading this now and go check it out first!

Now, on to Double Down. This one picks up right after Even Money’s HUGE cliffhanger and will keep you guessing from start to finish.

It is practically impossible to talk about this book without giving plot points away so I will just say it was very well written and kept me on the edge of my seat. These characters were great and a few new ones are introduced as well.

The only thing I didn’t like was there were a few questions left unanswered and one plot point left open...I am guessing there may be another book at some point in the future?

My thoughts:

POV: switches between multiple characters
Quick hook or slow starter? 5 (I was hooked from the first chapter)
Character development: 4
Level of Romance between characters: 4
Passion/Heat level: 4.5 (the sex is hot and steamy throughout)
Angst/Heartbreak: 4.5 (Lots of drama...that’s all I am going to say)
Cliffhanger?: Not really, but as I said above I would have like a little more on a couple of things.

Overall, while I didn’t love this one as much as the first book, I still thought it was excellent and highly recommend this series to those who like some drama and suspense with their romance.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What an amazing wrap-up of Bell and Dario’s complicated story. I thought book one was a wild ride, book two certainly kept the roller coaster going. The All in Duet will be in my keeper section. A five star read!

Often when I read a duet I find that I absolutely love the first book and am disappointed by the second. I’m happy to say that wasn’t the case with this duet. Suspense, action and drama packed, the follow up to Even Money was just as fantastic, a gripping storyline that has you both itching to read as fast as you can to see what happens next, as well as wanting to read slower, draw it out and make it last longer. This epic conclusion to Dario and Bell’s story is a page turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat for the entire book.

Wow, that is all I can say! This was a great continuation of the story and at the same time I fill left with so many questions! My mind has been spinning since I finished reading this last night! Absolutely recommend this duet!

Even Money, book one in this diet left me twisted up in knots and jonesing for book two. Double Down definitely did not disappoint. Holy smokes, what a twisty, topsy turvy rollercoaster ride!

Alessandra Torre is a master of her craft. This story had me biting my nails and squirming in my seat. Not only is this masterfully written with killer suspense, but the love scenes are off the freaking charts! Thank God I had my air conditioner on full blast because I was starting to sweat. They were that good!

No spoilers from this gal, but if you're looking for something that will keep you guessing and engaged I highly recommend this duet. Wow! This author surprises me time and time again.

5 Stars

WOW!!! What an amazing, dramatic, roller coaster of a ride!! Alessandra has written a brilliant romantic, suspenseful, love story. There are so many twist and turns in the conclusion. A few times I thought "Holy crap I never saw that coming"!!! There were certain parts my eyes keep reading father ahead of me, I had to know what was coming, the suspense was killing me!

This story had me on the edge of my seat so many times. Dario and Bell's story was completely entertaining. Alessandra is on of those authors that can write any story and grab you, shock you, and most of all give you everything she has in a her words.

The final pieces of the puzzle all come into place in Double Down. Everything you need to know will be revealed. So hold tight, set aside some alone time and open the adventure.

Loved it!!! You can read books that are just so-so or you can read books that are awesome and well written and justly done. Alessandra has this writing thing down pat! She lures you in and takes you on a ride that is so nerve wracking and exciting. You see where the ride is taking you then BAM there is a totally different direction that you go. You "think" you see it coming, but you really don't see it at ALL. This book was a good one. I enjoyed the story and the romance and the love you feel between Dario and Belle. You see the crazy in Claudia and I am stuck wondering that it doesn't end with this book right?? I am not the only one thinking that right? Surely there is more? Maybe Laurent gets his own book and Lance too?? Well, it was definitely worth the read! Enjoyed it tremendously!!

I received this ARC from the publisher at my request via Net Galley for my honest review. Thank you Net Galley!!!

An explosive ending to this duology! Bell and Dario were an amazing couple who had to overcome their problems both emotional and with the enemies around them. I really won't spoil but I can't help but become emersed in Torre's writing!

In Vegas, there was one man who was off limits. One man… and I fell for him.I knew there were risks. Still, I played the game. When Dario Capece called, I answered. When he beckoned, I came. When he broke all my rules, I looked the other way.I knew there were risks. I just never realized they included death.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Alessandra Torre is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this books.

Double Down is a great conclusion to Even Money! I enjoyed Dario and Bell’s intense love story. The writing style was unique to anything I have read before. The multiple POVs were interesting and gave a different perspective from each character and added so much to the storyline. While this is the end to this duet, there is a little part of me left unsettled after reading chapter 29. I'm so nervous! I think readers will find it quite intriguing and want more. I know I do!

Double Down is a trilling, sexy read uniquely written and full of passion and suspense. I highly recommend!

♥ Review by Lys

Double Down is the gripping conclusion to the All in Duet. The story picks up right where it left off in
Even Money. It was intense and the twists and turns kept me so engaged, that I couldn't put it down. I needed to know what was going to happen to Bell and Dario. The characters were so in love with eachother. I liked them. Secondary characters were good too. I enjoyed reading this duet.

Reviewed by Sharon Thérèse

A curious title which meant nothing to me until Torre’s narrative put me in the picture, and then it made a lot of sense. You double your original bet on a good card well-knowing the next one to come could make it or break it, and that is exactly what her protagonists did. A risky move when one is already in danger of losing it all. The story takes off exactly where it left us; on a cliffy so desperately huge it left my heart racing and had me counting the days for the release of Double Down. Fortunately for those who had read Even Money, the wait for the gripping conclusion in the All In Duet was only a couple of weeks.

Dario and Bell’s relationship is a torment in itself. They question themselves, guilt of one kind or another consumes their very souls and being truthful with each other when they’re up against someone totally lacking in humanity is a crucial point I had to take into consideration. Loving like they’d never loved before, in their eyes it was what had to be. Mine too! However, not everyone was of the same opinion.

Torre’s writing is extremely visual and easily imagined on the big screen. All the involvement from different sources; the doubts sowed and accusations presented, make for a real page-turner. No-one is exempt until the truth is revealed; well, someone might be but I’m saying no more! What I would have liked more of though is the culprit. I thought their ending or comeuppance for a better word, a tad rushed and even wondered if just maybe, Torre would consider writing a spin-off throwing more light on this individual’s future plans. Plans which certainly leave food for thought and left me reeling not from shock, but hanging in suspense.

There are new characters in this story who I liked a hell of a lot. At times I had to reread Laurent’s jargon, but I adored him just as much as Rick and Lance who I’d had the pleasure of meeting in Even Money. Loved their leg pulling, their crazy nerdy ways and their devotion to Bell that never wavered for a minute.

How loss and self-reproach is dealt with so elegantly, how two people try to overcome an ordeal such as is theirs is without a doubt, worthy of reading. The story told in first and third person from different points of view is exceptionally well done. And the perfectly measured pace kept this reader glued to the pages from the very beginning to an exploding finale of emotions. Ooh, and I haven’t mentioned their abounding passion…one-click and you’ll see for yourselves how Dario and Belle steam up your screens. You’ll either be grabbing for your fan or putting the aircon on high! Bravo Torres!

At the beginning of Alessandra Torre’s All In Duet, even though they were living drastically different lives, Dario Capece and Bell Hartley were on equal footing, at least when it came to their mutual attraction. Bell had all of the power because she could choose to give into her desire for Dario or continue to use her head, understanding the consequences that came with starting a relationship with a powerful and married man, knowing that they would never be a ‘normal’ couple. But at the end of Even Money and heading into Double Down, Bell is led completely by her heart, which means that despite the risks…despite the radio silence that has to occur between her and Dario…despite her guilt, insecurity, and jealousy, Bell remains steadfast and never gives up on what she has with Dario; in fact, she risks everything to be with him, raising the stakes for them both.

Alessandra Torre illustrates the conflicted feelings that both Dario and Bell feel as they try to cope with the loss of Gwen and the subsequent events that occur because of Gwen’s death. Neither of them are safe, which means that as Dario works to bring down his father-in-law, he needs to watch his and Bell’s backs as well as work to secure the chance that he desperately wants when it comes to his love for Bell.

The varying perspectives present in the story allow readers to understand the full impact of the plot’s events, concretely illustrating how one act is the spark…the catalyst for other actions occurring in the book, and as insight is provided, readers are able to see what Dario and Bell are truly up against, which is much more dangerous and deadly then they even seem to realize.

Love each other ‘through the cracks.’ That’s what Double Down is all about…Dario needs Bell to stand by his side, even when circumstances feel too overwhelming, even when it feels like there’s no way back to what they had due to everything that has occurred. What Dario and Bell are experiencing is a life or death situation, so Bell must decide if love is worth dying for, and as Torre crafts the climax of Dario and Bell’s story taking them towards a resolution, they both need to decide if they’re ready to fold or raise the stakes, risking everything for love.

4 Poison Apples

This book was a great follow up to Even Money. It filled in some of the missing pieces from the Even Money book and the characters were stronger in this story and less wishy washy. Robert Hawk was an awful man in these books and the only redeeming quality was how got taken out! I loved that Nick showed up and shot the jerk. Perfect! Claudia thought she was getting her way and made an epic mistake and it was glorious to read how she tried to get revenge but failed miserable in the end. Dario is such a strong, alpha male character and he seems to have this air about him of being powerful and all knowing but when Bell captures his heart he is powerless to her love. I love that they spend the night at Bell's apartment with all her roommates and it is such a cluster that you can't help but laugh at the all powerful Dario having to sleep on a queen size bed and in a house full of women.

The suspense was killer in this story. Bell went through so much in a little bit of time. Trying to not fall in love with Dario, and trying not to get killed.
Dario had a lot on his shoulders, and has for along time. If I go into all he had going on it would ruin the book for anyone who hasn't read these two books.

The story itself was highly addicting. I'm still wondering if there is more to come from this. I say that because on how things ended for of the characters . I would be very interested if there was more to the story.

The title of this book is clear from the first page. I was a little unsettled by the super fast change from never-want-a-relationship-Bell to I-can't-imagine-life-without-him-Bell, but once you hit that point its a freight train to the end. I loved the insight into Dario's past and the chance to meet his real family. Laurent is a great character and I'd love more from him. I think my favorite part is the title headings where Claudia is featured. The change in the heading gives you so much insight into her state of mind and the direction of the story. Very clever! The resolution left me a bit unsettled, but maybe that was intentional.

Double Down is the highly anticipated conclusion after the epic cliffhanger in Even Money. This book picks up exactly where we were left waiting on the edge of that cliff…Dario and Bell is still that rollercoaster emotional love affair. There is soo many obstacles put in their way, things trying to stop and destroy them. Yet through all that, their love never wavered, their intense strength never diminished. Dario and Bell had many things that they had to deal with in order to get their HEA. What I adored about this story was the strength of the love that Dario and Bell shared. It was sexy, it was deep, it was intense, it was steamy and it was just right. I will say in this book, there isn’t as much sexy times for there was more angst, intrigue, danger, action, suspense and mystery than passionate times but that’s ok, I liked every moment of figuring out what happened and how Dario was going to protect Bell. There are so many twists in this story- there are ups and there are some downs, there are twists and there are turns. I definitely enjoyed the romantic suspense in this story. This book has everything that you could want in a story- I found myself hooked from start to finish. I had a total book hanger when I was done. That is how awesome this read is. I will say this book ended more of a HFN ending. Which leads me to think there could be more books from the author for this couple. I LOVE Dario and Bell and would totally be excited to read more about them. More Dario, Bell and their friends would be a fabulous thing in my book.

My Rating: 4.8 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

2.5 STARS!

Even Money ended in such a way that I couldn't wait to get my hands on book two and I'm grateful to Alessandra to have sent me an early copy of Double Down, but unfortunately it just wasn't the book for me.

Double Down was indeed suspenseful, but I felt it was rushed at times and that there was unnecessary drama surrounding the characters. I also felt the ending left me feeling indecisive. The sole reason I held on was because of Laurent. He's a big, quiet, Cajun swamp man from the bayou with a Louisiana twang who kept to himself #sigh. I just wanted more... More of him! He captivated me and at one point I was contemplating/hoping for Bell to fall for him!! Yes, that's not good at all being that he was not the hero in question. But regardless, this man needs a book! I love Alessandra's writing and I can't wait to read more of what she has to bring to the author world!!

Whew! What an epic conclusion! This book picks up right where Even Money left off. So, first, if you haven't read Even Money yet, go do that! I have been anxiously awaiting this conclusion to the duet. I was held completely captivated and I didn't want to put the book down. Alessandra did a great job of holding my attention and making me not want to do anything else but read. The twists and turns took me on a ride and I think you'll enjoy it, too. It wasn't predictable and it wasn't easy to see what was lurking around the corner. I liked that it kept me on my toes and my jaw kept dropping. If you like action, suspense, romance and a great plot, then be sure to grab your copy now. There was one thing that I wished had been resolved a little more, but other than that, I really liked this book!

4.75 BRILLIANT STARS

Double Down is the thrilling and engrossing conclusion of the All In Duet. As usual, there'll be no spoilers from me.

Once again, author Alessandra Torre has created another suspenseful masterwork with twists and turns, mixed with madness and the obsession for total control, that will have you feverishly flipping pages until the very end.

This book has a great story-line, a fantastic plot, is fast-paced, flawlessly well-written, chilling, exciting and compelling. The connection and chemistry between Dario and Bell is palpable. In addition, the rest of the characters were likeable, amusing and clever.

All in all, this story has it all, the right amount of humor, angst, tears and steamy passionate scenes. I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend it. However, don't forget to start with book one, though.

4.75 Stars only because Claudia's outcome... way to easy!


ARC kindly provided via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.