A Winning Betrayal by Louise Guy

SYNOPSIS

When an unexpected windfall brings together strangers Shauna and Frankie, one woman is popping champagne corks - but the other just wants to cry.

For her part, Shauna is pouring celebratory drinks. Since her heart was broken and her dreams shattered, she's been ready for a fresh start. Surely she deserves some good luck at last?

But Frankie knows what can happen to families when money moves in and is allowed to take over. Fearing she'll lose the contented - if cash-strapped- life she has built with her husband and their two daughters, she wants to be in control this time.

But as money rewrites their life stories and truths emerge among the treasure, both are forced to wonder if their good fortunes is just bad luck in disguise...

REVIEW

The Lottery is a fantastic idea for so many, and there are so many out there who have daydreams about winning it and what they would spend it on. But what is the reality behind all of it? Is it really a blessing or a curse? For both characters, Shauna and Frankie their big wins are life-changing, but this doesn't negate the fact that some things don't always appear as it seems. Even though they no longer have the stress of worrying about day-to-day expenses, not everything is stress-free. Rather, it has added more stresses of various quantities to the pot.

Compared to other books that I have read in the past, this is simply one which is able to delve a little bit into a fantasy that most of us would never get, in the most easy and light-weighted writing possible. However, I have found that in some ways, this comes at a price. From the beginning of the story, the foreshadowing was very strong, too strong. In fact, if I was able to pinpoint what might happen before I read it, I think that it would have been eerily similar to what actually did happen. But in my opinion, it seems like nothing can really trump the ending. How quickly it seemed on a timescale from going from point A to point B. Plus, why choose an ending like that? I don't know, it kind of felt a little forced and maybe overdone.

However, this does not mean that everything was completely alike to what I thought would happen. There was one particular twist that I did not see coming at all and I was very glad of it, because I do believe that it gave one of the characters a lot more heart. It was nice to see an expansion of what good winning money could do to your overall happiness, rather than just the security of not worrying about bills anymore.

Even though I thought that there were some disadvantages to this book, or certain topics that I feel were glossed over, which should have been more of a conversation, I did enjoy it. I actually put all my other TBR reads to the side just to finish it. If that is not a testament to Guy's writing, then I don't know what is.

RATING: ***1/2 (THREE AND A HALF STARS)

BUY LINKS

Amazon: A Winning Betrayal eBook: Guy, Louise: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store

Bookshop.org: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/3917/9781542016018

Disclosure: If you buy books linked to this site, we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops.

Comments

Blog Tour: The Beast Hunters Dark Sovereign by Christer Lende

REVIEW So we are back in the world of the Beast Hunters for a sophomore instalment where we see Ara, Khendric and Topper back on another adventure. But this time with a difference. Instead of the world building from the previous book, we get to delve into a mystery with darkness starting to make pace in the background. We meet new characters, some good and some not so much. Not only do we have the overarching themes of beasts but also political intrigue and secretive plots. It is far more intricate than the previous instalment where the characters are making decisive and confident choices. Especially for our fave apprentice, Ara. If you want to get away from the current world affairs, this book will serve as an escape from reality. What these last two books do remind me of however, is a tv show. Why I say this is because it felt kind of episodic but they both have reinvented themselves with different themes. I found this to be quite good actually. This is because it feels l...

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

If you are in the mood for a sweet romance that gives Groundhog Day and Ferris Bueller vibes then this book is for you. What happens if you wake up to the same Valentine’s Day and everything always goes not to plan? What if you are someone who likes to plan and not share how you are really feeling? Emilie, our female protagonist is very much a stickler for planning and keeping to societal norms. She never really speaks her mind. But this Valentine’s Day is different. She is different. I found that the book itself is quirky and fun. It does have moments of sadness but there is a lot of heart in terms of how it is done. There could have been more time with other characters that are mentioned throughout but at the end of the day it is very much a Young Adult piece. There is nothing wrong with that. Would I read it again? Possibly if I want a Valentines themed book. It was also very quick to read for those who are not into big tomes. Rating: 4 Stars

Love is for Losers by Wibke Brueggemann

SYNOPSIS As far as Phoebe is concerned, love is to be avoided at all costs. Why would you spend your life worrying about something that turns you into a complete moron? If her best friend Polly is anything to go by, the first sniff of a relationship makes you forget about your friends (like, hello?), get completely obsessed with sex (yawn) and bang on constantly about a person who definitely isn't as great as you think they are. So Phoebe isn't going to fall in love, ever. But then she meets Emma...

Cat Step by Alison Irvine

Synopsis: One mistake can unravel everything. She only left her daughter in the car for a minute; just a quick minute whilst she ran into the shop. She barely thought twice about making the decision, but it soon began to consume her every thought. And not just her thoughts, but those of every neighbour, police officer and social security worker in a 15-mile radius. But this is her child. Surely she knows best? After she'd made the move to a small town in Scotland, the rolling hills and blustery beaches seemed to be the perfect backdrop for her and her four-year old daughter, Emily, to start again. It wasn't always easy just the two of them, but Liz, was sure that she could manage this time. And now this? Sometimes, one mistake is all it takes to unravel everything.

The One That I Want by Sandy Barker

The One That I Want is simply the friends to lovers trope packaged with bad communication. Has this trope been written well? I think not. It is drab and boring and I feel so bad for the matchmaker, Poppy. The only redeemable character in this book. Greta, unlucky with love, is the main focus of the story. She is getting older and she wants a real kind of love. Somehow, her work gets roped into her shenanigans and soon she is off having dates with men who she doesn’t even like. When she does finally get somewhere with someone she actually would like to spend time with it almost like she wants to sabotage her happiness for her stupidity. I just feel sorry for how much effort Poppy had to make and even then it mainly went to waste. I really hoped that I would enjoy this book as I enjoyed Poppy and Tristan’s story but the story and writing really fell short. It took me numerous times of picking up the book and putting it down again to get through. Honestly, I kind of wished that I DNF...