Hello and happy Monday bookworms! I hope you’re all well and enjoying this lovely first day to the week. Maybe I’m saying that because I’m in between jobs right now, so I get to sit home and write while I job hunt. Who knows. However, the weather has cleared up and it’s a gorgeous day, and since I’m behind on book reviews, I figured I’d hustle a little bit and keep going with my next story.
I was fortunate enough to receive an ARC from one of my favorite contemporary authors, Alessandra Torre. Her latest project, a thrilling romantic duet, Even Money and Double Down are hitting shelves weeks apart, and I was all but jumping up and down when the first of the two hit my kindle almost an entire week early from its release date.
During the few days I was running back and forth to NYC for Book Expo, I spent my commute devouring this book.. and I mean devouring. I think I finished this book within a 24 hour period while I curled up on the train.
Bell Hartley is a college student and cocktail waitress hustling to make a living in Sin City… Las Vegas. Living in such a decadent and fast-paced city has not only made her very aware of the people around her, but combined with an abusive past, has kept her hardened to love and all the fuzzy feelings. Then Dario happened.
Dario Capece is Las Vegas. A major mogul and total household name through the entire strip, he’s used to getting what he wants and he wants Bell. It’s when he tries to pursue her that he realizes it doesn’t matter who he is, but he’s not going to accomplish his goals so easily.
Not only does Dario throw Bell off her game, but he’s a complicated creature who terrifies her when it comes to any sort of agreement or relationship. He’s a high profile man, and he’s been known to have numerous girls in his life, and he’s also married.
Despite his reassurance and the fact that he severed ties with his other entanglements, Bell remains guarded and hesitant when it comes to Dario. His power and his seduction attempts are crumbling her walls and she finds herself in uncharted territory. She won’t admit it, but they’re both falling hard and fast for one another.
Dario’s marriage adds another level of difficulty to their lives. He and his wife are friends, but they know their wedded bliss is nothing more than an arrangement, a charade. Despite Dario being candid and up front about these facts with both Bell and his wife, Gwen, Bell is hesitant, and Dario is unaware that the two of them are in danger.
When things escalate and threaten fatality, all bets are off.
There’s so much going on in this story and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. If I could’ve pulled off walking the streets of Manhattan with my nose buried in my Kindle, I would have.
Torre is a master at keeping the readers on their toes, and she does it so well. The text is electrifying and I was constantly guessing or anticipating everyones’ next moves. When I finished this book, I was actually sitting in my car in a parking garage at the train station fairly late at night because tensions were high and Dario and Bell found themselves in a deadly situation. I had to know what happened before I drove myself home, and once I did, I felt almost traumatized. I actually had a sick feeling in my gut and all I wanted was book two, and ot maybe cry and scream a little.
Im constantly astounded and envious of Torre’s talent to write such sexy and provacative characters mixed with such a suspenseful plot. It’s stories like hers that make her a guaranteed must-buy author every single time. If you’re buying a story from Torre (ha), be prepared for oozing chemistry and sensuality, secrets, deception, danger, and off the charts romance.
Needless to say, I’m frantic for book two in this duet so I can see how everything unfolds. I need answers and I’m so anxious! Double Down hits shelves on June 18th!
Do not wait! Scroll down now to click and get your copy of Even Money. You won’t regret and you’ll get a sizzling book boyfriend to add to your lists of favorites!
My Final Review: five out of five stars
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