Review: The Wager by Rachel Van Dyken

The Wager (The Bet #2) by Rachel Van Dyken
Publisher: Forever
Publication date: October 1st 2013
My rating: 3.5 stars

Lose a bet, lose your heart...

What is it about a junior-high crush that can send an otherwise intelligent woman into a tailspin? TV reporter Char Lynn wishes she knew. Jake Titus is too rich, too handsome, too arrogant: a trifecta that once lured Char into the best night-and worst morning-after-of her life. Now they've been thrown together in a wedding party. It's awkward, but survivable . . . until Jake stops acting like a jerk, and starts acting like the man she'd always hoped he could be.

If watching your brother marry your best friend is weird, being attracted to your best friend's other best friend is downright bizarre. Unfortunately for Jake, Char hasn't forgotten how he once tossed her aside. Worse still, Jake's already-nutty grandma is even crazier about Char. Cue meet-cute shenanigans and all manner of meddling, and somehow, Jake's falling. For Char. Now all he has to do is make her believe it . . .

The Wager was a fun and sweet romance filled with lusty kisses and wacky humor!

Char had a wicked crush on Jake when they were in middle school, but after he hurts her by not coming to her defense they’ve had nothing but an antagonistic relationship.  Char can’t forget about Jake though because he’s a good friend of her best friend, Kacey, making for awkward.  Then complicating things more is the amazing one night stand they shared. Jake ends up ruining that as well with a hasty morning exit.  Char didn’t take his scribbled “thank you” note left on the pillow well.  With both of them in Kacey’s wedding, meeting again is unavoidable, and you know sparks are bound to fly.  Maybe some fists, too, lol!

Jake is a spoiled, rich bachelor who regrets the way he left things with Char. But he’s never been one for commitment, because if you don’t commit, they can’t leave you.  Fortunately, Jake’s scheming Grandma Nadine has plans for both Jake and Char, and neither one of them can ruin the HEA she has planned for them.

This was a cute romance filled with humor mostly provided by the manipulative Grandma Nadine, an eighty-six year-old who’s force to be reckoned with!  This lady has plots, and machinations that would give the devil a run for his money! Thankfully, she uses her power for good, (mostly) and Char and Jake are the current recipients of her talents.  She shoves them together making it impossible for their mutual attraction and old feelings to be ignored.  It’s a good thing too, because Jake and Char’s pride are difficult things to overcome.  Misunderstandings from the past provide obstacles that only Grandma’s interventions could overcome. 

This was a predictable, yet enjoyable romance. I don’t mind predictable if it’s entertaining and I crave it sometimes. The chemistry and magnetism between Char and Jake was palpable, but I would’ve been happier if they weren’t so contrary to each other for so much of the story.  I also had a little bit of an issue with the history between Jake and Kacey.  It almost felt like Jake was more attached emotionally to Kacey than Char, especially since Jake and Char were at odds for most of the story. Other than that, this was an enjoyable and quick read that had me cracking up in so many places!

Favorite quote:

“I want to ruin you for anyone else’s kisses.  I want to brand you as mine. I want to hear you say my name, not because you’re irritated, but because you’re so damn turned on you can’t think straight. I want to do that to you. I want to make you mine.”

“Yours?” Her eyes welled with tears.

“I’m a very possessive man if you can’t tell. I’m done walking away.”