Review: The Wager-- Rachel Van Dyken
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 13, 2013
I love it when the sequel to a book is just as fantastic as the first- and this one definitely was!! The Wager was everything that you wanted and more from Rachel, and a great continuation to the Titus story. This is the story of Jake, whom we met in The Bet, and Char- whom we also briefly met in The Bet. Jake, is the younger brother to Travis Titus- who is marrying Kacey (Jake's former girlfriend and all around best friend), and Char is Kacey's other best friend. Nothing was ever mentioned in The Bet about them having any previous history together at all, but apparently they do- and it is not the best. Apparently, they had a night of steamy passion several months prior to when the story begins (picking up soon after the end of The Bet), and just as Jake did to Kacey, he left Char high and dry promptly afterwards. But in this case, he actually was quite affected by Char, which I really think just scared the hell out of him.So, when he and Grandma run into Char at the airport on their way back to Seattle, he instantly knows that his life is about to become quite uncomfortable for a bit. Enter Grandma and all of her meddling, yet seriously freaking hilarious, ways of rearranging his life and working her matchmaking magic. Have I said yet how much I LOVE Grandma?? She is awesome!! She is most definitely the source of the humor and hilarity throughout both books. So, she begins doing what she knows best, which is bringing Jake and Char back together, being sure to make it so that they will be completely joined together- not taking any chances that all of her hard work might go to waste. I have to say, that woman is quite creative!! But of course, we have to remember that this book is titled The Wager though, which means that somewhere, somebody is bound to be doing their own form of matchmaking in addition to Grandma's. Enter Kacey and Travis, who take it upon themselves to try and fix Char up with an acquaintance of Travis's, while simultaneously betting Grandma that their coupling will be the ultimate winner. Apparently, this means war to the Titus family, because Grandma starts pulling out all the stops to get her way. And, her way gives us lots of steamy goodness for Jake and Char!! Now, aren't you glad that 86-year old bitty stuck to her guns and helped us all out?? Again, love me some Grandma!!This book definitely has its steam, not as much as some, but definitely more than others. I have noticed that all of Rachel's books that I have read so far, do tend to keep it on the lighter side of steamy, which is perfectly acceptable. I just want to make sure that everyone understands that this isn't anything too hot and heavy, and nothing too graphic. But that doesn't take away from her books-- not at all!! Some of my new faves are hers. And this one, is no different from that.5 stars!!!!