Win For Love - Review

Win for Love
By Isabelle Peterson
October 1, 2018

Bad luck has always followed Crystal—nothing ever seemed to go right for her—until the day the streak is broken in the form of a lottery ticket. Taking her windfall, she makes some changes in her life—including her name.
Chicago’s most eligible bachelor, David, is the golden son of the rich and famous Waterstons. Burned before, he’ll be damned if he gets involved with another woman who only wants him for his wealth. The only way he can believe a woman isn’t after his money is to hide his true identity.
Two people with secrets. Can they learn to trust one another?

Or will everything crumble when the truth comes out?

 

 

Amount of sex 2.5 / 5
How explicit is the sex scenes 2.5 / 5
Story 5 / 5
Overall: 5 / 5

Another fabulous book from author Isabelle Peterson! I have read all of Ms. Peterson’s books, and I just love how vivid her characters are.  They always have so much depth that it becomes very easy to get completely drawn into the storyline.

In Ms. Peterson’s latest novel, Win for Love, Crystal had a difficult childhood and had to grow up early to help her alcoholic mother.  As the story continues, Crystal moves to Chicago trying to live on her own for the first time but is fearful it will all disappear. When we meet David, at first glance, he looks like the typical privileged bachelor from a very well known family.  The two seemed complete opposites at first glance.  As the story continues, we learn more about them and realize how perfect they are for each other.

I just love this book and read it in one day!  I definitely recommend you adding it to your TBR list!

*Voluntarily Reviewed an Advanced Copy*

 

DAVID

 

I need to ask this girl out.

“Hello again,” I begin as I walk up next to her. “Twice in one day. I’d say it’s fate,” I say, trying to be my most charming self, but instead, I think I sound like an idiot. “May I take you out to dinner?”

She turns and looks at me, startled. “Sorry?” she says, her gentle eyes widen with alarm.

“Forgive me,” I say graciously, kicking myself for already messing this up. “This is the second time I’m seeing you today, well, the third, actually, and think that maybe it’s the stars in alignment or something. Like I’m supposed to ask you out. So, I thought dinner would be nice. Maybe tomorrow?” I sound funny even to myself. My voice sounds high-pitched and rushed.

“Um,” she says like a scared kitten. “I… I don’t know what to say.”

“Say ‘yes,’” I suggest, aiming for charm. “Unless you’re… there’s someone else?” I hold my breath.

“No, I’m not seeing anyone.”

“Good,” I give her my best smile again. “So, dinner?”

She pulls her lower lip in between her teeth, and I see her run the pads of her thumb and forefinger of her right hand in circles.

“I don’t even know your name,” she says timidly as she looks me over. I notice, though, that as she’s looking at me, and it’s not with any recognition. Just like at the aquarium. Like she truly doesn’t know who I am. Or maybe she’s not sure I’m David Waterston.

“My apologies.” I extend my hand to shake hers. “I’m David Wat—” I start, and cut myself off before giving her my last name. If she doesn’t know who I am, should I tip my hat? Embarrassingly, I find the idea laughable that she doesn’t know who I am. I’ve been in so many papers, especially the tabloids, and appeared on so many talk shows about my ‘Most Eligible’ status over the past month. Furthermore, somehow, I feel as though telling her my full name and what I’m most known for, would scare her off. Or it would make me look like a douche. Hi, I’m David Waterston. You know… of the Chicago Waterstons. And one of Chicago’s 20 Most Eligible Singles. Instead, I give her my mother’s maiden name. “Redding. David Redding.”

We lock eyes as she hesitates for a couple of moments before daintily accepting my outstretched hand. I’m enchanted as her cheeks grow pink again like she’s embarrassed. Why she would be embarrassed, I have no idea. I’m the one who appears to have screwed up his own name, but I’m astounded that it appears she doesn’t know who I am. There’s no hint that she is questioning my ‘name.’ I can’t recall the last time I was anonymous. I am hopeful that I can get to know her on a basic level—no big bank accounts or famous families and no cheesy ‘titles.’ Just a guy and a girl…

 

 

CRYSTAL

 

He’s looking at me with his disarmingly dark eyes. I feel like I’m lost in his gaze. And his size. He’s tall, a good few inches taller than Austin’s five feet eleven. At five feet nine, I often feel awkward and gawky around men as we’re often nearly eye to eye. I always envied the petite girls who were tucked into the crook of their man’s arm. I feel like I’d fit into this man’s embrace much that way.

My eyes trail from one shoulder to the other. He’s broad. I can’t help but notice how his suit fits him perfectly, and it’s very clear that under the fabric is a very fit body.

I practically jump when I realize that he’s holding out his hand to me. Waiting. What? Why? Oh, right! He’s just told me that his name is David.

I carefully place my hand in his and almost jump at how good his large hand feels as it curls around mine. I’m taken aback by how soft his hand is. Not like any man I’d known. All of the men I knew had rough, calloused hands. I guess I just thought all men had hands like that, but not David’s. Furthermore, his touch feels safe, yet there’s almost an electrical charge where our skin is touching. Then I tell him, “I’m Talia. Talia Jameson.” I smile inwardly, still secretly enjoying the sound of my ‘new’ name.

He doesn’t let go of my hand, and my heart races.

Isabelle Peterson

Isabelle Peterson is a Chicago suburbs girl living in Connecticut enjoying days in New York City. Her Dream Series was never intended to exist. Thanks to a couple authors who dared her to a write book (when she typically wrote screenplays), we got the book Ditching the Dream, which then evolved into the Dream Series. This first book didn’t take more than 8 months to complete the dare from rough draft to published, with several times rescuing the draft from the deleted file.

With the Dream Series, a collection of 6 books, now complete and available, 245 Days (another M/M Romance standalone novel),  and now The New Neighbor, Isabelle continues work on several standalone novels to be released over the next couple of years.

WebsiteFacebook Twitter  Instagram  Amazon