The VIP Doubles Down by Nancy Herkness (Wager of Hearts #3)
Released: April 18, 2017
Contemporary Romance
Montlake Romance

Reviewed by Mandi

This is book three of the series centered around a group of three male friends who make bets about whether they will find true love. This is the first I’ve read of the series and it stood alone well. The bet thankfully didn’t play too much into this story – I don’t like it when there is a bet, which leads to a relationship, and the eventually the other person finds out about the bet and gets offended etc… It’s always so predictable! It happens in this book but there is much more to the story so it didn’t have that much of an impact.

Gavin is a self-made billionaire who writes a very popular action-suspense series which has been turned into blockbuster movies. But as he tries to write his next book, he can’t find any words. He has severe writer’s block and doesn’t know what to do. The pressure of getting this book finished so the movies can continue is intense. The stress of this is causing really bad neck pain, and his agent sends over a physical therapist to help him out, something Gavin doubts will cure him.

Allie is a physical therapist in need of money after her now ex-husband got her fired. Allie comes in and works her magic on the grumpy, stand-offish Gavin. And as she eases his pain, Gavin finds she also allows his words to flow.  They share an attraction and Allie goes from physical therapist, to Gavin’s love interest. Allie is a huge fan of Gavin’s books and movies, and she becomes his assistant, keeping his series organized and used as a sounding board for his ideas.

It took me a little while to get into this one – like I said, I’m not a huge fan of bets placed on relationships and while we get a recap of previous characters from previous books, I wasn’t super interested in them. Gavin started very cranky and cold and I wasn’t sure if I was going to like him as a romance hero, but I’m glad I stuck with the book because he really opens up and their romance unfolds at a nice pace. It’s not too rushed, as Allie has several PT appointments with him as they get to know each other. Once they start a physical relationship, they do fall for each other pretty fast, but it felt natural for that to happen. I warmed up to Gavin and and I like how he courted Allie and wooed her. This book is quite sexy too.

Gavin has trust issues as his mother left him when he was young, he has a bad relationship with this step-mother and his father who died. Fear of commitment rears its ugly head, and it takes some pep talks from his trusted friends to bring him around. Allie is wary as well of their relationship since he is a billionaire and lives a life so different from hers. But they work it out in the end, and have some sexy scenes along the way.

Grade: B-

Goodreads l Kindle l Nook