Review: I seriously just fell in love with a book.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 3, 2013
Rachel Van Dyken created another great mix of humor, wit and romance. This was pure sugary sweet love at its best. Although Jake has some heated moments, there is nothing too steamy in this read. But the romance is off the charts. Nothing like a reformed playboy to cause your heart to skip a beat. Sometimes a great romance is just that, no angst or drama thrown in just for effects."Because it's going to be the first of a hundred thousand kisses.""Love." Jake smiled. "Love isn't effortless; it hurts. When I watch you my chest feels like it's going to explode, when you touch me I feel it everywhere, when you breathe I hold my breath until you exhale. Love is h*ll, it's torture, it drives a man insane, and it's the scariest thing I've ever felt. I feel like I jumped into a burning building...but Char, you're my water. I just need to know one thing.""What?" She whispered."Will you come to my rescue?"The Wager is the sequel to The Bet, where we first meet Jake. I have to admit that part of me was pulling for Jake in The Bet, but I am so glad I did not get my way. So what is it that finally gets the millionaire playboy to sit up and pay attention? One girl, Char.Jake and Char have known each other since they were kids, he was the first guy she fell in love with and the first boy to break her heart. But when they a brought back together for Kacey & Travis's wedding some feelings from the past are too much to ignore. Throw in a meddling grandma and you get one hell of a scheme to get two people together.But when they were kids, something changed. They went from spending every day together to suddenly to just being acquaintances. Every time Char had allowed herself to hope that Jake would see her as someone he could love, he let her down. He did it back in Junior High and once again when they finally saw each other after years. But now that they are paired up for the wedding, Jake is forced to see what he feels for Char for the first time.Jake has abused his good looks and his money for years, he's lost sight of what was important and there is one old lady that is bound to set him straight. With a nice dose of tough-love and most likely slipping something into his drink, Grandma is going to break him down so he can be rebuilt. From the moment Char and Jake find themselves on the same plane heading home, the plan goes into place. And Grandma doesn't lose.Jake has always seen himself as someone that was not worthy or deserving of a girl like Char. After all he has already broken her heart more than once - but there is just something about her that he can't seem to let go of. So when they spend a few weeks forced to spend time together, Jake must try to figure out just what it is that he is willing to fight for and he must learn to not walk away from it.These two just felt like they fit. And although they might have gotten there eventually, one pushy broad wasn't going to sit back and wait.Let's meet Grandma.'Grandma reached out and patted Aileen's arm. "Sweetheart, I'm the one with hearing aids, not you. I called you a whore. Would you like me to spell it for you, too?"She is bat-s**t crazy but she knows her boys and she knows just what it will take to ensure that she shoves them head first into love. Grandma is a bit of a hussy and a little over the top. And I love her for it.ARC received by the publisher via Net Gallery.