Oh, Ellison *swoon*

How can a character be so perfect but also feel so real?! You'd think it wasn't possible if it weren't for Ellison Gamble.

I adored the way she first interacted with Katie. She’s so, so kind but also playful and honest. It’s absolutely riveting when a character seems so earnest with their interactions with others. Ellison felt like this, not only with Katie, but also with her colleagues and friends. It was lovely to read and feel apart of those interactions.

I really enjoyed this novel for its characters. Ellison and Katie were great love interests and I was completely backing them from start to finish. I loved Ellison's work colleagues and friends who seemed quite well-rounded for secondary characters. I'm also saying this as someone who hasn't read the previous novels in the series, which featured two of these friends. It didn't take away from my enjoyment of this novel.

I'd be remiss if I didn't say that there were aspects that I didn't quite like in this novel (for example, the sudden change in relationship as well as the conflict at the 85% mark that felt a bit too scripted for my liking) but overall I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Katie and Ellison.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bold Strokes Books for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

This 3rd book in the High Stakes romance series is by far the best of them and Riley set a high bar because I loved the other 2 as well. The latest focuses on Ellison, the boss of the office and her road to a happy ending with Katie. I loved Ellison! In the first two books you get to know her a little bit, but when the focus shifts to her you find out what a great woman it really is and I liked the interaction with the other members of her office; Trina, Lauren and Jax. Katie fit in seamlessly and even though there is an age gap where the relationship could have been out of balance due to the events in the book, it really isn't. Ellison is a real powerwoman who is at a secure place in her life while Katie's life is falling apart around her, yet their relationship makes both women better and I was rooting for them from the start.

All books in this series I would highly recommend to anyone who loves romance, the can be read as a standalone so it is possible to start with Beginner's Bet. In all honesty though: I would start at book 1 to get the full experience and save the best for last!

***An ARC was provided by Netgalley in exchange for a honest review ***

This is the book that I was waiting for from the very beginning. I just felt that Ellison was going to be so interesting to read about and I was not wrong. What I didn’t expect was her dry sense of humor and her great personality. I just loved her, she was strong, passionate and sweet all at the same time. Katie was the perfect complement to Ellison’s.character and this book just hit a high on all of the levels.

I love Fiona Riley books, and although I've read the others, they can all be read as standalone novels. I really enjoyed this one, the story of Ellison. Everything you expect in a romance - challenges, steam, sizzle, HEA, and great characters. This is a lovely book, and I definitely recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon/ Instagram reviews to follow.

Beginner’s Bet is the third book in the High Stakes Romances. This is the first book I have read in this series and Fiona Riley made it easy to catch up with the characters from the previous two novels.
Ellison Gamble owns a high end real estate and development company. She is a self made women, divorced and trying desperately to become pregnant. Katie Crawford, a message therapist, dropped her life and dreams three years ago after her mother was in a serious car accident and required her constant care for any chance of recovery. As her mother’s health and independence declined even more so after a stroke, Katie made the tough and costly decision to place her mom in a rehabilitation center. Yet even with working double shifts her money will run out in a few months. She has no idea what she will do at that time for herself or her mother.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. It is well written with humorous dialogue and a depth of character I constantly look for from writers. As well, it is about mature women dealing with hard knocks that life tends to throw no matter your economic stature. After the first few chapters I thought I knew where the storyline was going and was pleasantly surprised that my assumptions were incorrect. The love story read as genuine with the two women meeting on the worst day of both their lives.
If you are a reader who tends to skip the Acknowledgments I will strongly suggest to take the time to read them in this novel. Having the author share the reality of her life struggles shines an intimate light on the story. It undeniably made this story genuine and a must read.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review.

Loved this story. The romance was very fun loving and sweet between Ellison and Katie. Even though there's a age gap between them you could tell that it was a mature relationship with all the ups and downs of any pairing. There's some drama and angst, but it just seemed to make this story better. Ellison seemed like such a sweet soul you just wanted to root for her to get everything she wanted out of life and Katie was such a contrast to Ellison by being more hesitant in how she felt about where her life was and could go that at times she sabotaged what was growing between the two. The supporting characters were great too couldn't get enough of Trina, Lauren, and Jax. I would definitely recommend this book to all my friends and family, and I will definitely be on the lookout for what this author writes next.

Beginner’s Bet is the third novel in the “High Stakes Romances” series by Fiona Riley. I loved the first two books in this series, but I think I love this one the best of all.

The series centers around a luxury real estate firm and the people who work there. Each book covers the romance of one of the employees. This book tells the story of the firm’s owner, Ellison Gamble and Katie Crawford, a young woman who has to sell her childhood home.

This book has everything I expect from a Fiona Riley contemporary romance. We have two vibrant and exceptionally likeable main characters that have a definite chemistry that only grows as they get to know each other. There is an age gap and a financial disparity that fuels the conflict in the plot. The sex scenes are quite steamy, exactly what I look for in a Fiona Riley romance. Since all three novels are set around the realty firm, we also get to reconnect with some of our favorite people in the first two books.

You could read this novel as a standalone if you wanted, but I would suggest that you read all three books in order. They are all fabulous stories with Beginner’s Bet being the best one yet.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for an honest review.
Rainbow Reflections: https://rainbowreflections.home.blog/

Third and last book of the series and what better way than to round it all up with The Boss.

For readers who have not read the previous books, Ellison Gamble is the cream of the crop. Owner of the real estate firm, she is wealthy and established, powerful and poised, beautiful but alone. In the midst of a life altering decision she meets the younger Kate and they strike an unlikely friendship. A friendship between an overwhelmed and broke Kate who is struggling to provide for her ill mother and Ellison who has all it all but is rejected for her help.

The author made the progression from friends to lovers a sweet and natural affair. Both leads were waiting for someone but neither knew it was the other until it happened. However, since life is never easy, things just have a way to spiral out of control. In this book, Ellison, the seemingly untouchable boss and rock of the company is seen with vulnerabilities. Not giving away too much but if you are a fan of toaster oven romance…. Thank you Fiona for sharing some of your life experiences and events with the readers - you made what the characters’ went through real.

I just reviewed Beginner’s Bet by Fiona Riley. Thank you NetGalley and Bold Strokes Books for the ARC.

Riley has hit another home run with her third novel in her High Stakes series. We finally get to know Ellison Gamble, the sort of matriarch of the series. (And it is now just occurring to me that her last name is Gamble and the titles are all about bets… wow! I guess I never claimed to be clever nor observant.) Ellison is a competent, strong, successful woman. She is such an amazing character who is hard not to admire and we are finally invited to really understand what makes her tick.

Katie is struggling to get her footing in life. When she meets Ellison she is trying to find a balance between her job, her ailing mother and a house that has become “an albatross.” The two connect and easily become good friendship which quickly evolves into much more. They are clearly well matched with a really healthy dose of trust and mutual support and easily help each other navigate life’s challenges.

My only one critique would be with the quick, and seemingly out of nowhere conflict. This book was so easy with a solid relationship progression right up until the climax where Katie becomes overwhelmed and just, kind of, falls apart. It seems to develop almost out of no where and a bit of an overreaction. She is so happy in content in her new world, her problems solved, but doesn’t seem to have a spare thought for the future. When she is questioned about next steps, she just falls off the wagon within less than 24 hours. It doesn’t make sense to me. People, by nature, tend to consider their futures, so how can someone be so surprised and shocked when checked with a dose of reality? But maybe that’s just me.

Also, and this has nothing to do with anything, but the use of the word tissue as a synonym for skin makes me cringe a bit. It’s makes me think of blood and guts, not something soft and touchable.

What I loved most about this book was the ending and how it continues to tell the later years instead of just the typical happy romance ending. Really enjoyed reading

Woohoo we made it too book 3 and with that comes the end of a awesome series. i love that Riley saved the best for last, and that is juts what we get out of this book. This book grabbed onto me and held my heart hostage.
I totally love Ellison she has been with us through all 3 books and became a fixture in each. I was very excited to see that she was the main story for book 3, she is the total package, Classy, Sexy and has her own company. How can you not love her let alone wanna be her, she has it all and now she has found love with a capitol L. The chemistry between Ellison and Katie was off the charts, and not to mention the steamy sexy times that we can always count on in a Riley book. If your looking for a great romance about the woman that finely gets it all then this book is for you.
I received an advanced readers copy from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

This is the third book by Fiona Riles I have read thanks to netgalley and I have loved every single one of them. They are sweet, funny, and incredibly sexy. Add to that the Boston and New England settings and they are some of my favorite romance novels. I can't recommend them highly enough.

If you've loved meeting Ellison in any of Riley's previous books and wanted more from her, you get it here in this sweet and sexy book.

This has been the best romance of the year for me to date, deserving of the highest rating and I am really glad that the author is who she is because she had already given us great stories. But for me this one surpasses them all.

It has two excellent protagonists. We had already met one in the previous two books in the High Stakes Romances series, as she is Ellison Gamble, the owner of Gamble and Associates, The other is a new character, Katie, who currently works as a chiropractor at a Spa that is next door to Ellison's office. Well, Katie gives massages and does everything she can to get the most money since her mother has just suffered a seizure that has left her disabled and in need of constant care. In fact, Katie has gotten her admitted to a rehab facility, but she doesn't know how long she'll be able to afford it. So the two of them meet casually for professional reasons but quickly realize that there may be much more between them.

All despite the fact that Katie isn't gay to begin with, and the two of them are in such different worlds ptofessional and economical, not to mention their fourteen year age difference. And Ellison wants to be a mother because she has been putting it off for so long, even though she physically is not going to be able to do it. There are so many factors that should prevent them from starting something but at the same time so many align to make things easier for them.

But here the author has managed to chain the facts and do it in such a perfect way that the story surrounds you and the desire to see how they overcome all obstacles and their own fears grows more and more. Both women are wonderful, I have adored them from the beginning and they have not disappointed me, which is unusual. And their demeanor is honest, sincere and generous at all times.

Do not forget that it is a part of a trilogy, so we can reconnect with Trina and Lauren and also with Jax and Thea, from other stories as well. It is always appreciated. But this story is perfectly independent in itself, without having to read previous parts.

But without a doubt I consider this one the best of the three and it is a really safe bet. winner gamble.

"Beginner's Bet" is Fiona Riley's final book in the "A High Stakes Romance" series and it is absolutely the best, even given that the other books in the series were quite good. This book has it all.....wonderful, relatable characters (Ellison Gamble, Katie Crawford, and all the employees from Ellison's real estate agency); emotional life changing events; romance; age-gap (fifteen years); and a massage scene that smolders with chemistry and so much more.

This book is in my top five list of books that I've read this year. 5 stars.

I received an ARC from Bold Strokes Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely the best book in the series.

This was a shift from the previous book as it gets very deep and emotional but still has some light and fun moments you would expect from the author.

Loved the journey of both characters as none of them was dealing with an easy situation.

The book has my favourite massage scene ever.

The final in the series of the Bet series does not disappoint. Ellison finds love in the unlikeliest of ways, and it just goes to show that you can’t judge a book by the cover. Despite Ellison’s hard fought and won success, she’s a bleeding romantic at heart. Even though Katie is no where near Ellison’s social status, the romantic in her doesn’t care and just goes for it. A very enjoyable book to soak up an afternoon or two.

If I can give this more than 5 I would. ever since I started the first book in this series. Ellison was my favorite and having her own book made me like her even more. glad the author made her like someone as likable as her. very very enjoyable read I honestly did not want it to end.

𝗘𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻.

The High Stakes series revolves around a realtor firm and this is its third and final book. It is also the best, in my opinion and I love this book to bits for one specific reason - Ellison.

Ellison is the perfect character and I fell for her instantly. This realtor boss is classy, mature and so put together. She's dependable and I love how she takes on the protector role in the relationship. Katie is lovable too but in a different way. They are exact opposites. She’s young and bubbly, but her life hasn’t been stable since her mother’s stroke. And although Ellison and Katie are so different, I love that none of that really matters to them and they fit like pieces in a puzzle and they complete each other. They meet at the lowest points in their life and the idea of them being together really grew on me.
 
There is one thing that Ellison wants more than falling in love and that is to have a child of her own. Ellison doesn't compromise on that. There is a whole storyline about this and it sort of runs in parallel with her love life and while I'm not personally thrilled by the timing of it, I think I understand why this is important to Ellison. But the main couple skirts around the issue for a long time and I wish they hadn’t.

This is a strong end to the series and it is my favourite out of the three. But before I end this review, I feel like I need to say that there was something that bothered me – that is Ellison having an ex turned best friends with occasional benefits. I honestly can’t wrap my head around it because I can't deal with a partner who still hangs out with someone this special even if cheating isn’t in the cards. It is weird to me but I get that it is my personal bias. It is not an issue because none of the characters make a big deal out of this and it doesn't take away the enjoyment I had from this book. It's really just me and I’m the only one still perturbed.

I know Riley has written other books apart from this series and I really need to check them out.

Beginner's Bet has a giant hold on my heart and I'm not sad about it one bit! I honestly haven't been this smitten with a book in a really long time and can't wait to read it again. This is the third installment in Fiona Riley's High Stakes Series and while we met and got to know Ellison Gamble in the first two books, Beginner's Bet is where she finally took center stage and boy did she ever! In the previous books, readers knew Ellison as the head of Gamble and Associates. She laid down the bet for Trina and Kendall in Bet Against Me and helped save Thea's family farm in Bet the Farm. Ellison was, to put it simply, an enigma.

In Beginner's Bet, the reader really got to know Ellison and see her for the intelligent, motivated, persistent, compassionate, and selfless person that she was. Yes, she was a "boss bitch" but she was so much more. It's been said that people come into your life for a reason and for Ellison and Katie, this is true. Katie, a 28-year-old massage therapist was struggling to make ends meet, care for her disabled mother, and maintain her family's ancient Victorian house. They met by chance at Katie's place of employment and established a friendship that slowly morphed into more as the chemistry between the two was undeniable. Fortunately, the age difference never caused any unnecessary drama nor did Katie's newfound gayness. We were able to catch up with friends from other Fiona Riley books. This book was really just so wonderfully written, from the descriptive detail to the witty dialogue to the steamy, sexy scenes. I just loved everything about it and highly recommend it. It is definitely my favorite Fiona Riley book so far!

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

Downloaded this book on my work computer because I HAD to finish it. I have only read one other Fiona Riley book, but I will be buying and adding them all to my TBR. This was so good.