Bet on It by Jodie Slaughter

e-Audio, 10:15:07
Narrated by: Angel Pean
Release Date: July 12, 2022
Published by: Macmillan Audio
Read from: July 29- August 1, 2022
Stand=alone
Source: Library’s Libby
TW: Panic Attacks, Abandonment, Mention of Past Drug Usage (from someone besides the MCs)
For Readers Interested In: Fat FMC, Inter-racial Romance, BWWM, Mental Illness Rep (Anxiety), Contemporary Romance, Realistic Fiction, Adult

   The first time Aja Owens encounters the man of her dreams, she’s having a panic attack in the frozen foods section of the Piggly Wiggly. The second time, he’s being introduced to her as her favorite bingo buddy’s semi-estranged grandson. From there, all it takes is one game for her to realize that he’s definitely going to be a problem. And if there’s anything she already has a surplus of, it’s problems.

     In Walker Abbott’s mind, there are only two worthwhile things in Greenbelt, South Carolina. The peach cobbler at his old favorite diner and his ailing grandmother. Dragging himself back after more than a decade away, he’s counting down the days until Gram heals and he can get back to his real life. Far away from the trauma inside of those city limits. Just when he thinks his plan is solid, enter Aja to shake everything up.

     A hastily made bingo-based sex pact is supposed to keep this…thing between them from getting out of hand. Especially when submitting to their feelings means disrupting their carefully balanced lives. But emotions are just like bingo callers—they refuse to be ignored.

     Jodie Slaughter’s Bet on It is a heart-stoppingly fun, emotional romance that will have readers falling in love until long after the last page is turned.

*MY THOUGHTS*

I knew I was going to love this as soon as I heard there was Bingo in it. If you know me, I have a Reading Journal that has a page where I play TBR bingo. I love Bingo anything, so it was a no-brainer that I got my hands on this. And Lordt I was not wrong that I would love it.

Another thing that caught my eye about this book besides the Bingo was the rep in it. There is Mental Health/Illness Rep and the female main character is fat and Black. Literally all I needed to know. I even bought it before I finished it because this sounded so much like me lol I don’t remember feeling so seen in such a long time. I mean from the panic attacks, to the body shape, to her being Black, to the Bingo. It was just all me. And it was done in such a tasteful way. I can’t lie, I was a little scared because I was afraid to see too much of me on the page. Like it just wouldn’t be right. But Slaughter knocked it out the park and I was so grateful.

The romance in this was spicy and sweet at the same time. Because BAY=BAY that freaking car scene?! Sheesh! I had to pause my audio and go take a walk lol It was definitely not the type of scene I was expecting when I started this. And I loved the way they both tried so hard to act like the other didn’t mean much to the other. It was so much fun to watch them realize that they were head over heels for each other. But that means it also crushed me when the third act break up came up.

After listening to this audio, I realized the narrator was Angel Pean, someone I’ve actually listened to before. And recently lol So basically it was easy to listen and enjoy her. Just as with her others, she is great with changing voices and making sure we know the difference between all characters. Especially his grandma. I thought it was pretty cool how she was able to show some age in her voice compared to the others. She is a true talent.

This book was such a surprise. I loved so much about it. If you liked Talia Hibbert, this is one for you. From the romance to the spice, it was definitely a book I wasn’t expecting to love so much. I hadn’t really heard anything about it. I decided on this off pure vibes alone and I don’t think I could have gotten any closer to my reading tastes lol I hope y’all love this as much as I did.

Overall, I give this