The third novel in the Brits in Manhattan series, Hedging His Bets takes place in London where Jake Harrington is by day working as a commodities broker and by night enjoying his friends with benefits arrangement with roommate Jess. What looks to be an easy arrangement between friends has hidden depths and as this novel evolves we learn through flashbacks that each of them is hiding from deeper emotions. Jess from the loss of her parents at a young age and Jake from the betrayal of his best female friend back in New York, Emily. When Jake has to go to the Hampton’s for a week to visit his family. he asks Jess to go with him for moral support.  While working to put his past behind him, Jake realizes what he wants for his future.

Jess was such an interesting heroine! Seeing her mother die from a broken heart, after watching her father waste away, she was afraid of love. She traveled with an aunt and uncle to third world countries and saw a bigger world view that influenced the decisions she made in life. Those flashbacks to Thailand showed a contrast between that culture’s faith and her own despondence and lack of color in her life. When she met Jake, her world bloomed.

Jake had a totally different upbringing with a happy family and happy life. His world, until he graduated from college revolved around his friendship and feelings for Emily. When he meets Jess, it is an instant connection but the easiness of their friendship fooled him for awhile. It isn’t until he has to face his past that he truly grows up and see’s what’s right in front of his face.

I liked Balancing the Scales and enjoyed Drew and Becky’s relationship. It was fun, hot and well there were pastries and everything is better with a piece of cake, right? It was a good start to a nice series, however, Hedging His Bets was the full meal, not just the dessert. The characters were well rounded, the sex scenes moved the story forward, and most importantly the emotional climax of Jake and Jess’s story gave the ending the impact I wanted for my happily ever after. Hedging His Bets is the best book in the series and Laura Carter’s best book to date. If you haven’t read the first two books in this series, I would encourage you to not be discouraged from picking up this novel. It can easily be read as a stand alone novel, but the first two books are also worth reading because of the British cheekiness and charm that infuses Ms. Carter’s style of writing. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for my honest review and it was honest!

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