Bingo plus undeniable feelings equals love?

     A small-town romance that can never work? Mental health representation? All set around bingo games? As unique as it sounds, Jamie Wesley’s Bet on It features all of the above and you can read all about it when the book comes out on July 12th!
     The first time Aja Owens encounters the man of her dreams, she’s having a panic attack in the frozen foods section of the Piggly Wiggly. The second time, he’s being introduced to her as her favorite bingo buddy’s semi-estranged grandson. From there, all it takes is one game for her to realize that he’s definitely going to be a problem. And if there’s anything she already has a surplus of, it’s problems. In Walker Abbott’s mind, there are only two worthwhile things in Greenbelt, South Carolina. The peach cobbler at his old favorite diner and his ailing grandmother. Dragging himself back after more than a decade away, he’s counting down the days until Gram heals and he can get back to his real life. Far away from the trauma inside of those city limits. Just when he thinks his plan is solid, enter Aja to shake everything up. A hastily made bingo-based sex pact is supposed to keep this…thing between them from getting out of hand. Especially when submitting to their feelings means disrupting their carefully balanced lives. But emotions are just like bingo callers—they refuse to be ignored.
     This book was a great read. I liked the emphasis it put on mental health and how both our MCs have issues that they’re dealing with yet are able to realize how sharing their burdens with others and letting themselves feel things and embrace the unknown can make them stronger.
     In addition to the romance, the small-town southern charm in this novel was fun to read about and I’m kinda a sucker for a good bingo game, so I totally understood Aja’s love of attending the bingo hall!
     There were a few things I was missing in terms of plot. For example, there wasn’t much of a backstory for Aja and some of the time jumps were all over the place. Additionally, I wanted more vulnerability for Walker with his grandma. 
     Besides those little one offs, I thought it was cute! While the plot was a little predictable, the mental health rep made this book a bit more interesting! Ultimately, I think this was a quick and cute summer read that any romcom lover will appreciate!

*I received an ARC from St. Martin’s Press in exchange for my honest opinion.​

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