The Bet - Review

The Bet #1

By: Rachel Van Dyken

Published: March 26, 2013

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

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Summary:

"I have a proposition for you." Kacey should have run the minute those words left Seattle millionaire Jake Titus's mouth. It's been years since Kacey's seen her childhood friend Jake, but the minute Jake mentions his ill grandmother, Kacey is ready to do anything for the sweet old woman. And if that means pretending they're engaged for her sake-so be it.

But Kacey wasn't counting on Jake's older brother Travis still being there. She calls him "Satan" for a reason: she's never forgotten the way he teased and taunted her. Yet when they meet again, Travis's gorgeous smile is a direct hit to her heart . . . and Kacey's more confused than ever. As the days pass, only one thing starts to become alarmingly clear-she never should have accepted Jake's deal . . .

MY REVIEW:
I have said this many times before on other books but I LOVE stories that revolve around childhood best friends growing up to love each other.  Those love stories have got to be top favorites for me.  Kacey grew up next door to Travis and Jake and has loved one and hated the other her whole life.  Travis was always trying to win her heart, albeit in the fashion of every preteen immature boy, by throwing rocks at her, making fun of her, pulling her hair and embarrassing her - all in the name of being able to swoop back in and take care of her.  What little girl wants anything to do with a boy like that?  His plan backfired severely on him. That leaves a gaping whole for Jake to swoop in and he manages to steal her heart in high school but his method isn't honest or sincere.  He has plans, goals, and being tied down to one woman isn't going to help him get to those goals.

Years later a favor is asked of Kacey and upon agreeing to help Jake out she is thrown back into the home that was her second home growing up, around two brothers who have changed a great deal from the time they were all children.  Jake isn't exactly her white knight in shining armor anymore and Travis...well not all of his childhood antics are gone but his hotness sure has increased!

Favorite character in this book - Grandma!  She is one fiesty old lady, one who still can wear six inch heels and dress to kill, and one that is manipulative as all get out, but honestly has her families best interest at heart even when they can't see what's right in front of them.

I loved the humor, the bickering between the characters, the hotness associated with the brothers.  This was a fun and sexy read without being overly graphic as some New Adult books tend to be.  This is the second book of Rachel Van Dyken's I've read (the first being Elite) and it's safe to say she has entered my list of favorite authors.  Her writing style is quite enjoyable!

Favorite Quotes:
If Jake was devastating, then Travis was mind-numbing.

It's important to live and not get so hung up on the past.  The past is called the past for a reason.  If you are constantly looking behind you, your eyes aren't on the road ahead.  You don't drive a car that way, so why would you live your life that way?

Final Rating - 4.5 stars