Hedging His Bets (Brits in Manhattan #3) by Laura Carter #BookReview

“I love that Jake doesn’t hold her to an impossible standard of beauty.” ~GraveTells Romance review

The start of this book kept surprising me, in the best ways. When it started out with a flashback scene between a young boy and girl, I thought surely this was the book’s couple, their origin story. But then we flash ahead sixteen years and meet a very cocky and confident adult Jake, who sexes up his best friend and reveals the easy-going, no-strings nature of their friendship. Jess is an up-and-coming fashion designer, and she seems like a cool chick. Which had me wondering…wait, is this the heroine of the story? Then in Jess’s perspective, the story takes a deeper turn, diving into her past—how it defines her—and dropping hints about how perfect she actually might be for Jake.

By magazine standards, you might think she’s normal looking— whatever that means. She doesn’t have legs that go up to her neck. She isn’t six feet tall. She doesn’t have blond hair that’s polished and perfectly straight and runs down to the small of her back. She’s toned but she doesn’t have abs, or cut in at the hips. She has a flat stomach. Her breasts aren’t large; they’re just perfectly sized for her body— and my hands, in case you were wondering. The bones at her collarbone and sternum don’t show through her skin. Her jawline isn’t prominent. Her cheekbones aren’t high and dramatic. So, I can’t tell you why I’m lying here with a semi-on and thinking she is a fucking sublime human being. But damn it, she is.

The banter between Jake and Jess is fun, and their dynamic so natural and easy. I love that Jake doesn’t hold her to an impossible standard of beauty. And that they’re not afraid to openly appreciate one another, even as friends.

She nods and folds her arms across her chest. “Have a good day fishing. I can’t imagine anything worse.”
“That’s why you’re not invited,” I call back over my shoulder. “Enjoy painting the world pink.”
“Bring me back a tiny fish that is so small we can’t even cook it up.”
“Save me some cucumber face mask. You know how I love utterly pointless shit.”

This story is unexpectedly lovely. It explores the beauty in loneliness, the comfort in friendship. Through the polar-opposite voices of the two main characters, the author weaves a narrative of love, intimacy, friendship, loss, fear, hope… And growing up. It’s a story you can sink into, get lost in.

She turns to me, her eyes full of unshed tears. “I don’t even remember telling you about this. How would you remember such a small detail as how my dad used to make my pancakes?”
“There’s a very big part of me that’s designated solely for Jess, babe.”

And oh, OH the FEELS! The end of this story, although a little angsty, is just perfect, and it made me tear up. You know those moments that make your eyes wet and have you clutching your chest? This was one of those.

“You’re beautiful, Jess.” And I mean more than the way she looks. I’m talking about her soul. The way the shape of her fits the shape of me like we are supposed to be together. I see it now.

Do you love romance with heart, heat, and life-long friendships? One-click this one RIGHT NOW! Even though it’s #3 in the series, it easily stands alone.

This review copy was provided by the Publisher. No compensation was received for this review.

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A high-flying investorNew Yorker Jake Harrington loves a lot of things about living in London. His lucrative hedge fund job. The way British women melt at the sound of an American accent. His just-sex arrangement with his gorgeous roommate, Jess. And, oh yes, being thousands of miles away from the girl who betrayed him.

His sexy British flatmateJess’s deal with Jake suits her fine. No commitments, no risk of being hurt again, just friendship and mindblowing pleasure. And friends do each other favors, like agreeing to go on a trip to New York where Jake will have to face his past.

And a vacation that will change everything…What friends shouldn’t do? Suddenly find themselves feeling something much more complicated than simple lust. When “no strings” is no longer enough, will Jake be willing to take the ultimate gamble?

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