Review ~ The Bet by Rachel Van Dyken

Title: The Bet

Author: Rachel Van Dyken

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Published: March 26^th 2013

"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 . . .

Buy Now * – Amazon l Barnes & Noble

*Purchases through buy links help support this blog

The Bet is an easy and entertaining read with a fun storyline and some great characters. Kacey, Jake and Travis all grew up together, the boys are brothers and Kacey and Jake were best friends all through school and into college. Travis picked on Kacey so much that she despised him and are sworn enemies to this day. Now that they are adults, they have all gone their separate ways after some uncomfortable circumstances, but have been bought back together due to the influence of another person.

Kacey is still in college and is doing pretty well, but life hasn't been too easy for her, but she is doing her best to get by. She is very independent and is trying to find her own place in the world. She was very close to Jake until an incident between them in college. She seems like a quiet girl, but stands up for herself when needed.

Jake is a millionaire, and his personal life is making things a little difficult for him as it is usually headline news. The board of his company insist that he settles down to build a good profile for himself and be rid of his bachelor ways. Kacey is a great way to set things back on track. I didn't really like Jake, he is arrogant and self assured and is simply a jerk! I didn't understand what Kacey ever saw in him, but she is willing to go along with his plan so that she is able to put some debts behind her.

Travis, also has money but has lived a stable life on his ranch. He has done quite well for himself, but didn't know how to treat the girl of his dreams. He has always wanted to set things right with her and to have a second chance. When the opportunity arises, he falls straight back into his immature ways, with the teasing, bickering and insults. I can see that he is a good guy, but just doesn’t know how to show his true feelings. The longer I read the book, the more I liked him!

Grandma is a key piece to this story. She is very manipulative person and likes to have her way. She has played a very important role in all their lives, and will not rest until everything is how she wants it to be. I liked her a lot! She is quirky and deceitful, but has a good heart.

I thought this book had a great plot, but what some of the characters did was a bit too childish for people that have been up so well. I think that some of the things that happened throughout the first half of the book, adults nearing their mid-twenties wouldn't do. The boys have been bought up with money, and are quite successful. The second half of the book was a lot better and I really sat back and enjoyed it. The characters had grown considerably and had worked on their feelings and their personalities seemed to have changed a bit too. The sex scene was very brief and glossed over, but the build up was quite intense. Overall, it was a nice easy read which was enjoyable and I would be happy to pick up more from books written by Rachel Van Dyken.

I won a copy of this book from TASH @ Confessions From Romaholics