Bet on It

April 4, 2022
This sexy, warmhearted rom-com from Slaughter (To Be Alone with You) makes space for two lovable but struggling characters to work through their issues both separately and together. Aja Owens could not be more mortified by her first meeting with hottie Walker Abbott, who happens upon her mid–panic attack in the frozen food aisle of a Piggly Wiggly in Greenbelt, S.C. She comforts herself by thinking she’ll never have to see him again—until she learns that he’s the estranged grandson of her elderly bingo buddy in town to care for his grandma following an accident. Walker and Aja find kindred spirits in each other and neither can resist their intense chemistry. But Walker’s memories of Greenbelt are all horrible, and he can’t bear to stay in town for long. In an attempt to keep a lid on their budding feelings, they make a casual sex pact to hook up only when one of them wins at bingo. Slaughter refreshingly balances steamy scenes with the unfolding drama surrounding Walker’s childhood trauma and Aja’s generalized anxiety, and the romance manages to be breezy and light without trivializing either protagonist’s struggles. It’s a fun but thoughtful gem. Agent: Kimberly Lionetti, BookEnds.

May 1, 2022
Mental health and trauma take center stage in this small-town South Carolina contemporary romance. When Aja Owens and Walker Abbott first meet, it's in the frozen food aisle of Piggly Wiggly. Aja is in the midst of a panic attack, something Walker immediately recognizes; he offers to stay with her until she feels comfortable enough to head home. Aja doesn't expect to see him again, but when bingo night rolls around, she's surprised to find him accompanying her favorite regular to the Greenbelt City Bingo Hall. Aja hasn't seen Ms. May Abbott--"emphasis on the 'miz' "--in some time, and she's shocked to see her friend looking terribly bruised from a fall down the stairs. That's why Walker, Ms. May's grandson, is in town, helping her out while she recovers; his stay is supposed to be temporary. Walker has some demons of his own, and he's been diagnosed with complex PTSD; being back home in Greenbelt begins to bring old memories to the surface. The small-town Southern setting comes alive through Aja and Walker's intimate social circle, and the bingo-hall scenes are just delightful. Yearning is at an all-time high for Aja and Walker, as the pair navigate their attraction and how far things should go. With Walker only supposed to be in town for a limited amount of time, is it really smart to get involved? Is it possible to keep things casual with a person who sees and understands your own blend of baggage, mental health, and romantic desires? The meddling small-town residents push the two together through carefully orchestrated run-ins. While the author has no problem amping up the sexiness, this is still very much a slow, methodical burn. Slaughter thoughtfully includes content warnings, and readers should take them to heart. An emotional sucker punch mixed with a nuanced and tender modern romance.

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May 1, 2022
Aja Owens moves to a tiny town in South Carolina to manage her anxiety. She doesn't expect to meet the key to her future while having a panic attack in the Piggly Wiggly. Walker Abbott grew up in Greenbelt, and never planned to return, but his grandmother, who raised him, needs his help while she recovers from an injury. He struggles with PTSD and anxiety from his troubled past. Aja sees him again at a bingo gathering. They end up flirting and, reluctant to get involved, especially since Walker is only in town temporarily, they make a sex pact stating that they will only get together if one wins bingo. Debut romance author Slaughter provides plenty of humor to prevent the serious challenges her protagonists grapple with from overwhelming the appealing love story. Their struggles are realistic, adding a layer of depth to a memorable story. The combination of a small-town setting, comedy, and sexual attraction are reminiscent of Jennifer Crusie's style.

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