Book Review: The Wedding Wager by Eva Devon

About the Book:

Title: The Wedding Wager

Author: Eva Devon

Page Length: 400

Publication Date: Oct. 25, 2021

Publisher: Entangled: Amara

Synopsis: When a gambler wagers his grown daughter as the winner’s wife, a duke who has sworn off marriage is so disturbed by the bet that he ensures the woman’s safety by making certain he wins her.The Wedding Wager is the first of a fun new sexy historical romance series from USA Today bestselling author Eva Devon.

LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon

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My Review:

An opposites attract historical romance, The Wedding Wager follows a couple brought together by a bet. Victoria, a woman who catalogs artifacts for her father and has no desire to wed, learns that her father has gambled away her hand in marriage to a disreputable Duke. Though he is known for his vast scandals with women, Chase can’t stand by and watch a bet that will potentially ruin an innocent woman’s life, even if that woman is known for being difficult and cold. So, he enters the gamble and wins Victoria’s hand, much to her dismay. Theirs is a marriage of convenience, but the more Victoria and Chase learn about each other, the more they realize that their relationship has the potential to be so much more.

I have mixed feelings about this book, as there were some things that I really liked and others that kind of fell flat. I loved the messages and the strong, intelligent protagonist who defies societal norms. However, the romance and development of the other characters didn’t quite work for me.

There are great messages about the gender inequities in society, the limitations in career ambitions for women, and the profound pressure to marry, which are quite evident in Victoria’s life and in her opinions. Victoria is an interesting character who, in many ways, is ahead of her time. Interested in the archeological and anthropological fields, which are limited to men, Victoria is often disregarded. However, she refuses to give up on her passions and ideals. She is a strong woman, a devoted sister, and someone who is trying to make the best out of a difficult situation.

Chase is also a likable character in many regards, though his lack of attraction to Victoria at the start of the story is a bit off-putting. He is unbelievably handsome and has developed a reputation of a rake, which he has carefully curated. He is a man with many secrets and a haunted past, which are revealed throughout the story and explain a lot about him. It also explains his determination to help women in need, which is admirable. He struggles with feelings of worth and identifying how he really feels about life, love, and himself.

Though they have a marriage of convenience, Chase and Victoria develop romantic feelings for each other. For the most part, I enjoyed their opposites-attract romance. They have a strong connection, which grows as the story progresses. I also love how supportive Chase is of Victoria’s goals and dreams. That was one of the most romantic aspects of the story. He doesn’t stifle Victoria and instead encourages her, which is what she so desperately needs. He is also very thoughtful and generous, which is something she hasn’t really experienced before.

There are some characters and plot points that I wish were more developed, especially concerning Victoria’s father and his convoluted rationalizations for what he did, but overall this was an enjoyable read, especially if you like an opposites-attract romance. Chase and Victoria are quite different in many ways, though as they grow closer they realize they have a lot in common too. I’m a bit curious about some of the minor characters, including Victoria’s younger sister and Chase’s best friend and have a feeling they might be further developed in future books in the series. Thanks so much to NetGalley, Entangled Publishing, and Eva Devon for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.