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Bet The Farm
Olivia Brent has one summer to save the dairy farm she just inherited.
But there’s one problem, and it’s not her lactose intolerance.
Jake Milovic.
The brooding farmhand has inherited exactly fifty percent of Brent Farm, and he’s so convinced the city girl can’t work the land, he bets she can’t save it in a summer.
Determined to prove him wrong, Olivia accepts what might be the dumbest wager of her life.
His strategy to win seems simple: follow her around, shirtlessly distracting her between bouts of relentless taunting. And it’s effective—if his dark eyes and rare smiles aren’t enough to sidetrack her, the sweaty, rolling topography of the manbeast’s body would do the trick.
What they don’t know: they’ll have to weather more than each other.
Mysterious circumstances throw the farm into disarray, and with the dairy farm in danger, Olivia and Jake have to work together. But when they do, there’s more to fear than either of them imagined.
Because now their hearts are on the line, and the farm won’t be the only casualty if they fail.
But there’s one problem, and it’s not her lactose intolerance.
Jake Milovic.
The brooding farmhand has inherited exactly fifty percent of Brent Farm, and he’s so convinced the city girl can’t work the land, he bets she can’t save it in a summer.
Determined to prove him wrong, Olivia accepts what might be the dumbest wager of her life.
His strategy to win seems simple: follow her around, shirtlessly distracting her between bouts of relentless taunting. And it’s effective—if his dark eyes and rare smiles aren’t enough to sidetrack her, the sweaty, rolling topography of the manbeast’s body would do the trick.
What they don’t know: they’ll have to weather more than each other.
Mysterious circumstances throw the farm into disarray, and with the dairy farm in danger, Olivia and Jake have to work together. But when they do, there’s more to fear than either of them imagined.
Because now their hearts are on the line, and the farm won’t be the only casualty if they fail.
296 pages, Paperback
First published February 23, 2021
About the author
Staci Hart
50 books6,170 followersI was the kid who stayed inside to read.
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 637 reviews
February 22, 2021
4 stars
I love Staci Hart's rom coms and this one was no exception. Bet the Farm had all the humor I wanted, but also had a lot of emotion and a ton of heart.
Olivia Brent is back at the dairy farm she grew up on, but it's not the same as it once was. Her grandfather passed away and left her half the farm. The only problem, it needs a lot of help or it will go under. Well, that and the other half was left to Jake. Jake who doesn't take any of Olivia's idea's seriously. These two butt heads so much trying to get this farm together and it was a joy to read.
There isn't much I love more in romance than the grumpy hero/sunshine heroine and that is exactly what you get with Jake and Olivia. Jake could be a jerk at times and he was a little brass, but he had his reasons. He truly loved the farm and needed it to do well. And as much as he denied his feelings for Livi at times, it was obvious how much he cared for her. I loved that Livi was optimistic and always trying to better the farm and cheer Jake up, even if it did get her in trouble sometimes.
This couple had so much chemistry and complimented each other perfectly. I enjoyed reading about their romance so much. There was a suspense element to the farm that was a bit predictable, but I really liked how it was resolved.
If you're looking for an emotional and fun book that will make you laugh and give you feels, pick up Bet the Farm!
I love Staci Hart's rom coms and this one was no exception. Bet the Farm had all the humor I wanted, but also had a lot of emotion and a ton of heart.
Olivia Brent is back at the dairy farm she grew up on, but it's not the same as it once was. Her grandfather passed away and left her half the farm. The only problem, it needs a lot of help or it will go under. Well, that and the other half was left to Jake. Jake who doesn't take any of Olivia's idea's seriously. These two butt heads so much trying to get this farm together and it was a joy to read.
There isn't much I love more in romance than the grumpy hero/sunshine heroine and that is exactly what you get with Jake and Olivia. Jake could be a jerk at times and he was a little brass, but he had his reasons. He truly loved the farm and needed it to do well. And as much as he denied his feelings for Livi at times, it was obvious how much he cared for her. I loved that Livi was optimistic and always trying to better the farm and cheer Jake up, even if it did get her in trouble sometimes.
"Do me a favor and stay out of trouble," he called over his shoulder.
"I can't promise that."
This couple had so much chemistry and complimented each other perfectly. I enjoyed reading about their romance so much. There was a suspense element to the farm that was a bit predictable, but I really liked how it was resolved.
If you're looking for an emotional and fun book that will make you laugh and give you feels, pick up Bet the Farm!
August 15, 2021
3 stars!
Well this frustrated the shit out of me, but still liked it. I had lots of issues with this one but it turned out to be an okay read.
Rtc
Well this frustrated the shit out of me, but still liked it. I had lots of issues with this one but it turned out to be an okay read.
Rtc
February 23, 2021
4 'Pink rain boots' Stars!
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Staci Hart makes her grand entrance in the small town romance world with a sweet and emotional romcom that you will devour word by word. I had no doubt as soon as she announced this book that Staci would write it marvelously and, of course, she did not fail. Bet the Farm is the perfect romantic comedy that warms you up inside with the hate-to-love development, the loving characters, the emotions running high and the beautiful chemistry between the couple. I.AM.IN.LOVE!
So, Bet the Farm is Staci’s new standalone novel and, as I said, it’s a small town romance and the love story between Olivia Brent and Jake Milovic. Olivia is back where she grew up after spending years away from the place she called home. She is back because she has inherited the farm her grandfather had and now she realizes she has to share that with Jake, a man who apparently hates her presence. These two have very different opinions on how to safe the beloved farm and that doesn’t help. However, behind the grumpy farmhand and the quirky marketing genius, there is a whole lot of tension and buried emotions. What will happen with them and the land they love?
Olivia Brent held the power to take away everything that meant something to me. And I was too terrified of that possibility to do anything but fight her off.
Even if she might be right.
I love a good small town romance and Staci did a fantastic job with this one. I love the familiarity between the characters, the environment and its descriptions, the palpable love in the space and the connections formed with the couple and secondary characters. Bet the Farm has that and so much more. It’s not only a love story, it’s a tribute to a beloved character that has passed away and has left a huge mark in everybody’s hearts. Livi’s grandfather and the man Jake considered his savior (and father figure) is constantly in the air and I believe it’s his magic that finally brings Olivia and Jake together. Yes, their start is difficult, bumpy and with a long list of accusations against each other but the spark is there as well and it definitely wins. When these two finally stop their back and forth, their chemistry explodes and it’s just beautiful to read how they fall deeply in love. I am a sucker for such sweet endings!
“I don’t know who I am here without you, not anymore. And I don’t want to know. You’ve changed everything for the better, me most of all. Without you, this farm has no heart or soul. And neither do I.”
Therefore, I am rating Bet the Farm with 4 STARS because it was an absolute delight to read from start to finish. I loved the characters, the scenery, the relationships and the chemistry between Livi and Jake. I love an enemies-to-lovers that gives me all the emotions and also ends with such sweetness. The back and forth and their stoppable connection made this love story what it is: a beautiful romance. I sincerely hope Staci turns this into a series because I loved these characters so very much and I am not ready to say goodbye to any of them! Highly recommend this one!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Staci Hart makes her grand entrance in the small town romance world with a sweet and emotional romcom that you will devour word by word. I had no doubt as soon as she announced this book that Staci would write it marvelously and, of course, she did not fail. Bet the Farm is the perfect romantic comedy that warms you up inside with the hate-to-love development, the loving characters, the emotions running high and the beautiful chemistry between the couple. I.AM.IN.LOVE!
So, Bet the Farm is Staci’s new standalone novel and, as I said, it’s a small town romance and the love story between Olivia Brent and Jake Milovic. Olivia is back where she grew up after spending years away from the place she called home. She is back because she has inherited the farm her grandfather had and now she realizes she has to share that with Jake, a man who apparently hates her presence. These two have very different opinions on how to safe the beloved farm and that doesn’t help. However, behind the grumpy farmhand and the quirky marketing genius, there is a whole lot of tension and buried emotions. What will happen with them and the land they love?
Olivia Brent held the power to take away everything that meant something to me. And I was too terrified of that possibility to do anything but fight her off.
Even if she might be right.
I love a good small town romance and Staci did a fantastic job with this one. I love the familiarity between the characters, the environment and its descriptions, the palpable love in the space and the connections formed with the couple and secondary characters. Bet the Farm has that and so much more. It’s not only a love story, it’s a tribute to a beloved character that has passed away and has left a huge mark in everybody’s hearts. Livi’s grandfather and the man Jake considered his savior (and father figure) is constantly in the air and I believe it’s his magic that finally brings Olivia and Jake together. Yes, their start is difficult, bumpy and with a long list of accusations against each other but the spark is there as well and it definitely wins. When these two finally stop their back and forth, their chemistry explodes and it’s just beautiful to read how they fall deeply in love. I am a sucker for such sweet endings!
“I don’t know who I am here without you, not anymore. And I don’t want to know. You’ve changed everything for the better, me most of all. Without you, this farm has no heart or soul. And neither do I.”
Therefore, I am rating Bet the Farm with 4 STARS because it was an absolute delight to read from start to finish. I loved the characters, the scenery, the relationships and the chemistry between Livi and Jake. I love an enemies-to-lovers that gives me all the emotions and also ends with such sweetness. The back and forth and their stoppable connection made this love story what it is: a beautiful romance. I sincerely hope Staci turns this into a series because I loved these characters so very much and I am not ready to say goodbye to any of them! Highly recommend this one!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
February 15, 2021
Okay. This was ridiculously adorable!
In a world where things are topsy-turvy, this book is what my heart and soul needed. Sweet, playful, and so much fun, BET THE FARM was a delight.
I'm always a sucker for a grumpy hero. When he's paired with a ray of sunshine like Olivia, it's gold. These two together are hysterical and you can't help but NEED them to be together. I was hyping them up from the first page. I was so invested in their enemies-to-lovers-but-not-really relationship and couldn't wipe the smile off my face while I was reading. (Although, now that I'm finished, my smile has turned upside down. Hart could fix that by telling me there's more to come from this farm. Please?)
This story is full of characters you want to be friends with, animals you want to cuddle, and a freaking Instagram account that you want to follow! (I'm also eyeing a pair of pink boots. Don't judge.)
Picking up BET THE FARM is the best thing I've done for myself this year. You should do it too.
You'll love this book. I'd bet the farm on it. <3
In a world where things are topsy-turvy, this book is what my heart and soul needed. Sweet, playful, and so much fun, BET THE FARM was a delight.
I'm always a sucker for a grumpy hero. When he's paired with a ray of sunshine like Olivia, it's gold. These two together are hysterical and you can't help but NEED them to be together. I was hyping them up from the first page. I was so invested in their enemies-to-lovers-but-not-really relationship and couldn't wipe the smile off my face while I was reading. (Although, now that I'm finished, my smile has turned upside down. Hart could fix that by telling me there's more to come from this farm. Please?)
This story is full of characters you want to be friends with, animals you want to cuddle, and a freaking Instagram account that you want to follow! (I'm also eyeing a pair of pink boots. Don't judge.)
Picking up BET THE FARM is the best thing I've done for myself this year. You should do it too.
You'll love this book. I'd bet the farm on it. <3
June 30, 2022
5 All The Feels Stars
Till Sunday, IT'S FREE!!!!
* * * * * Spoiler Free
As a tried and true Staci Hart Addict, this book delivered on many levels for me. It had a setup that was very believable. It had two people, Olivia and Jake, who loved the one person who meant the most to them. This love for a man who they respected, who loved them unconditionally, who taught them the most important things, was the one unifying thing that brought them together every time.
Frank, who was Olivia's grandfather, was the type of man who others wished they were. He ran his dairy farm, held up, and carried on after his wife passed and almost lost it when his son with his wife was taken in a horrible accident. It was Olivia who came to the farm and kept him going along with Jake, a young man who needed exactly what Frank was offering, a place to make his home.
We learn of Frank's passing and leaving the farm to both, Jake and Olivia. They have history to overcome, her leaving the farm and being a city gal with Jake a farmer through and through.
This is a story about more than Jake and Olivia battling for the farm. There is a test of trust, an understanding of how progress is important, and the willingness to be open to each other.
All of this happens with humor, banter, sexy times, heart, life lessons, and amazing secondary characters. Well done, Ms. Hart.
Bet the Farm
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
❤️💕❤️💕❤️ Going In!!!
Febuary 5, 2021- If You Want More Tease....Click HERE
UPDATE January 29, 2021- Teasing Tease!!!
UPDATE December 22, 2020
The Release Date Has Been Pushed To February 23rd...
And Since You Are Being Patient...
Here Is A Little Bit...
To Tease You...
November 19, 2020
So Staci Hart Has Been Busy...
Thinking Her Thoughts...
And She Decided To Take Us To The Farm...
Oh, This Wasn't Just Any Farm...
Nope, This Farm/Small Town Story...
Has Hunky Jake Milovic...
Looking To Push Olivia Brent...
Out Of Her 50% Ownership...
After All What Does A City Girl...
Know About Running A Dairy Farm...
The Only Thing She Probably Knows...
Is How To Order A Latte With Extra Milk...
But Olivia Has Something To Prove...
And That Desire to Show Jake He's Wrong...
Causes Olivia To Make...
The Silliest Agreement...
Olivia May Have Been...
Blinded When Jake Took Off His Shirt...
Because That Could Only Be...
The Reason She...
Bet the Farm-February 23, 2021
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
Till Sunday, IT'S FREE!!!!
* * * * * Spoiler Free
As a tried and true Staci Hart Addict, this book delivered on many levels for me. It had a setup that was very believable. It had two people, Olivia and Jake, who loved the one person who meant the most to them. This love for a man who they respected, who loved them unconditionally, who taught them the most important things, was the one unifying thing that brought them together every time.
Frank, who was Olivia's grandfather, was the type of man who others wished they were. He ran his dairy farm, held up, and carried on after his wife passed and almost lost it when his son with his wife was taken in a horrible accident. It was Olivia who came to the farm and kept him going along with Jake, a young man who needed exactly what Frank was offering, a place to make his home.
We learn of Frank's passing and leaving the farm to both, Jake and Olivia. They have history to overcome, her leaving the farm and being a city gal with Jake a farmer through and through.
This is a story about more than Jake and Olivia battling for the farm. There is a test of trust, an understanding of how progress is important, and the willingness to be open to each other.
All of this happens with humor, banter, sexy times, heart, life lessons, and amazing secondary characters. Well done, Ms. Hart.
Bet the Farmhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
❤️💕❤️💕❤️ Going In!!!
Febuary 5, 2021- If You Want More Tease....Click HERE
UPDATE January 29, 2021- Teasing Tease!!!
An unbidden laugh slipped out of me, and she softened at the sound. Her eyes traced the lines of my face with an unfamiliar emotion behind them. It was a sort of fondness, an admiration.
“I love it when you laugh. You never laugh. Or smile. Has anyone ever told you you have nice teeth?”
“Wouldn’t you know—that’s the first thing anyone says about me,” I teased.
With a laugh of her own, she tried to bump me with her hip, but because she was drunk, she just sort of fell right into me. For the second time in ten minutes, Olivia’s body was flush against mine.
But this time it wasn’t just the sweet scent of her that I noticed. It was the length of her dark lashes, the endless depth of her eyes. It was that smart little nose and the valley that connected it to her lips. Those lips were full and wide, with a bow so deep and sharp, it looked like it’d been carved there by a sculptor. I could have counted the smattering of freckles on her cheeks or the creases in those plump, rosy lips, which parted just a little. Just enough for me to capture one if I tried.
UPDATE December 22, 2020
The Release Date Has Been Pushed To February 23rd...
And Since You Are Being Patient...
Here Is A Little Bit...
To Tease You...
“You said you’d stay out of my way.”
He took a step closer. “And I have. But I said no goats.”
“What’s your problem with them?”
“You gonna clip their hooves? How about mend all the fences when they bust out, because they’re a pack of brainless Houdinis. How about deworming? And you’ve gotta breed. You ever smelled a goat buck? Tell me, smartass—have you ever seen goats mate?”
I shook my head.
“Let’s just say there’s a reason the devil has goat horns, and you’re gonna have a front-row seat to the horror shop. If you knew anything about anything, you’d never have started all this.”
Another step, his arms folding across his expansive chest, which was covered. And thank God. I couldn’t think when he was shirtless.
Part of me thought he knew it too.
“Lemme tell you something, Olivia. It’s gonna be me who deals with the fucking goats, not you. And I told you no.”
“Fine. I hereby take all responsibility for the goats. All hoof clipping, fence mending, and deworming will be done by me.”
He stared me down for a second, and whatever he was thinking tugged at one corner of his lips for that whisper of a smile. He stuck his hand out for a shake.
I took it, aware of every nerve touching his skin. The rough of his calluses. The warmth in his palms. The odd sensation of my hand being almost completely enveloped by his.
I squeezed and pumped our hands once.
“Just promise me one thing,” he said, still holding my hand.
“What?”
“Let me know when you’re clipping their hooves so I can make popcorn.”
November 19, 2020
So Staci Hart Has Been Busy...
Thinking Her Thoughts...
And She Decided To Take Us To The Farm...
Oh, This Wasn't Just Any Farm...
Nope, This Farm/Small Town Story...
Has Hunky Jake Milovic...
Looking To Push Olivia Brent...
Out Of Her 50% Ownership...
After All What Does A City Girl...
Know About Running A Dairy Farm...
The Only Thing She Probably Knows...
Is How To Order A Latte With Extra Milk...
But Olivia Has Something To Prove...
And That Desire to Show Jake He's Wrong...
Causes Olivia To Make...
The Silliest Agreement...
Olivia May Have Been...
Blinded When Jake Took Off His Shirt...
Because That Could Only Be...
The Reason She...
Bet the Farm-February 23, 2021
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
March 4, 2021
Favorite Quotes:
“Tell me I can’t milk a cow,” I muttered as I pulled on jeans and buttoned up a blue plaid shirt. “Oh, I’ll milk a cow,” I said to my boots, shoving in one foot, then the other. “I’m gonna milk her so good, she’s gonna need a smoke when it’s over.”
She smelled like flowers— not the old lady kind. The kind that made you sigh in the summertime and wish you lived in a meadow.
Priscilla pointed at her mother. “Bad word, Mama.” “Mama can say bad words because Mama knows how to use them.” She opened her fat little hand, palm up. “Monies.”… “My mother started a swear jar,” Presley said. “I’ve spent a small fortune on quarter rolls.” “And how’s that going?” I asked, still laughing. “Cilla’s college should be paid for by Christmas.”
“Oh my God— please tell me you’ll feed it in a rocking chair with no shirt on for my calendar.” “What calendar?” “The one I just thought of. Twelve Months of Mantitty, Featuring Jake Milovic,” she said, motioning like she was reading a marquee.
It’s been a long time since I’ve lived alone, since before you came to me. My next phase is cat lady, and I’m not sure if I love that look for me.” “I don’t know. I could see it. Maybe get one of those hairless cats.” She made a disgusted noise. “They look like ballsacks with eyes, Livi. I’d never sleep again with one of those things lurking around my house.”
You couldn’t look terrible if you wore hillbilly teeth, shaved your head, and put all your clothes on backward.
My Review:
This was my first exposure to the delightfully amusing word stylings of Staci Hart and I picked an excellent start point, as it was divine! The storylines were robust and industriously busy with a bit of everything working at the same time with clever wit and irreverent levity, family drama, a long-standing small-town family feud, baby animals, tiny goats in pajamas, money woes, new business ventures, sabotage, a new romance, sizzling sensual scenes, and a lactose intolerant dairy farmer with pink rubber rain boots. Wow, I should feel exhausted but I adored every word of it. Ms. Hart has a new fangirl and I hope she doesn’t frighten easily as I fell for her hard!
“Tell me I can’t milk a cow,” I muttered as I pulled on jeans and buttoned up a blue plaid shirt. “Oh, I’ll milk a cow,” I said to my boots, shoving in one foot, then the other. “I’m gonna milk her so good, she’s gonna need a smoke when it’s over.”
She smelled like flowers— not the old lady kind. The kind that made you sigh in the summertime and wish you lived in a meadow.
Priscilla pointed at her mother. “Bad word, Mama.” “Mama can say bad words because Mama knows how to use them.” She opened her fat little hand, palm up. “Monies.”… “My mother started a swear jar,” Presley said. “I’ve spent a small fortune on quarter rolls.” “And how’s that going?” I asked, still laughing. “Cilla’s college should be paid for by Christmas.”
“Oh my God— please tell me you’ll feed it in a rocking chair with no shirt on for my calendar.” “What calendar?” “The one I just thought of. Twelve Months of Mantitty, Featuring Jake Milovic,” she said, motioning like she was reading a marquee.
It’s been a long time since I’ve lived alone, since before you came to me. My next phase is cat lady, and I’m not sure if I love that look for me.” “I don’t know. I could see it. Maybe get one of those hairless cats.” She made a disgusted noise. “They look like ballsacks with eyes, Livi. I’d never sleep again with one of those things lurking around my house.”
You couldn’t look terrible if you wore hillbilly teeth, shaved your head, and put all your clothes on backward.
My Review:
This was my first exposure to the delightfully amusing word stylings of Staci Hart and I picked an excellent start point, as it was divine! The storylines were robust and industriously busy with a bit of everything working at the same time with clever wit and irreverent levity, family drama, a long-standing small-town family feud, baby animals, tiny goats in pajamas, money woes, new business ventures, sabotage, a new romance, sizzling sensual scenes, and a lactose intolerant dairy farmer with pink rubber rain boots. Wow, I should feel exhausted but I adored every word of it. Ms. Hart has a new fangirl and I hope she doesn’t frighten easily as I fell for her hard!
February 26, 2021
Words that describe Bet The Farm? Fun, hilarious, sweet and oh so playful! The dash of spice in the enemies to lovers trope doesn’t hurt either.
I really really REALLY enjoyed reading Bet The Farm.
Small town romance? check ✓
Enemies to lovers? Check ✓
Grumpy yet sexy hero? Check ✓
Fun, driven, independent, hilarious, sunshine-like heroine? Check check check! ✓
Did I mention that the heroine is a Lactose intolerant city girl who inherits a dairy farm? Hahaha!
Bet The Farm is a wonderfully written book that is heartfelt, emotional, with a dash of drama, romantic but most of all an absolutely fun book that made my day with all the HILARIOUS moments.
It’s Friday as I write this, so I highly suggest that you grab this book for your weekend read!
February 11, 2022
DNF at 40%
I'm done reading about some toad yelling at this girl for actually trying to work on this nearly out of business farm. I thought nearly 50% in he would turn into a decent human being - especially because she's raking in major cash each day to try and bail the farm out. Nope. EVERY interaction that they've had he's been dressing her down - with barely any fight back. And when he doesn't get good enough support for being a bully from the people around him? Get in the bunker, honey cause he throws nukes.
(Ramona Singer spitting straight facts like usual.)
To put the icing on the cake it's HIS fault that the farm is going under since it was mortgaged TWICE to get his sorry behind a citizenship. The reason he consistently calls her the enemy, belittles her and calls her useless? Because she decided to go and find a job in the city instead of staying at the farm when she was younger. How about this? No one owes you anything, Jake. Just because you have a hard-on for her and think that she ShRikED hEr DuTieS doesn't mean that you can degrade her every time she comes up with a new idea or seems excited about anything.
I'm done reading about some toad yelling at this girl for actually trying to work on this nearly out of business farm. I thought nearly 50% in he would turn into a decent human being - especially because she's raking in major cash each day to try and bail the farm out. Nope. EVERY interaction that they've had he's been dressing her down - with barely any fight back. And when he doesn't get good enough support for being a bully from the people around him? Get in the bunker, honey cause he throws nukes.
(Ramona Singer spitting straight facts like usual.)
To put the icing on the cake it's HIS fault that the farm is going under since it was mortgaged TWICE to get his sorry behind a citizenship. The reason he consistently calls her the enemy, belittles her and calls her useless? Because she decided to go and find a job in the city instead of staying at the farm when she was younger. How about this? No one owes you anything, Jake. Just because you have a hard-on for her and think that she ShRikED hEr DuTieS doesn't mean that you can degrade her every time she comes up with a new idea or seems excited about anything.
July 12, 2021
This book had all the right ingredients - cute animals, city girl taking over a farm, enemies to lovers - but somehow managed to be one of the most boring romances I've ever read. Jake was the human equivalent of a dumpster, Olivia literally did nothing wrong and kept getting blamed for everything, everyone kept shitting on her for her obsession with pink which came off as lowkey misogynistic, and there was ZERO chemistry in this so-called "romance novel". Jake and Olivia seemed like they legitimately disliked each other and then suddenly hooked up? Like so late into the book that I was getting bored out of my mind? And after Jake yelled at her like a billion times? Sounds like a very healthy relationship! Relationship counsellors everywhere are SHAKING IN THEIR BOOTS looking at this perfect couple!
I wanted to stop reading this book so many times, but my reading challenge-obsessed ass wouldn't let me. So yay, I guess. Another book completed.....but at what cost 😔
I wanted to stop reading this book so many times, but my reading challenge-obsessed ass wouldn't let me. So yay, I guess. Another book completed.....but at what cost 😔
September 10, 2021
3-3.5 stars! This was really cute.
Read
February 23, 2021NOW AVAILABLE!!
Amazon https://amzn.to/3hg0zkT
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
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Amazon https://amzn.to/3hg0zkT
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
Kobo https://bit.ly/2RdyL6a
B&N https://bit.ly/3bN6Hji
February 26, 2021
Hated the hero
Could not stand the hero. A bully, a misogynist, just a real jerk. Made it to 45% and then skimmed it to the end. After one last ugly scene, a miraculous reconciliation.
Don't waste your money
Could not stand the hero. A bully, a misogynist, just a real jerk. Made it to 45% and then skimmed it to the end. After one last ugly scene, a miraculous reconciliation.
Don't waste your money
March 2, 2021
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Olivia Brent's suitcase has always been pink, from the moment she arrived on the farm for her grandfather to raise her, to the time she left to live life and attend school in New York. This time, though, the suitcase is full of the things she'll need to make her life on the farm. She knows her grandfather has trusted her with the farm and she wants to turn it around, if Jake Milovic will let her. He doesn't think she'll last three months, let alone a lifetime. She accepts a wager, but along the way they discover they need each other if they want the farm to succeed.
"She smelled like whiskey and springtime and trouble …"
Looking for something sweet and heartfelt? Bet the Farm is the book to pick up. With a quirky, sassy main character and a farmhand with a chip on his shoulder, Staci Hart tells a story of love, family, and figuring out who you really are and who you need beside you. I loved Olivia, I have dairy farming in my family too and I also am lactose intolerant. It was fun to have so many connections with a character, I really felt like I could see myself in her, which made the book all the more enjoyable for me. Jake is a stubborn, typical farmhand, but underneath his chiseled body is a teddy bear heart. He's gruff, but there's a reason for it, and I love that Staci didn't make him such a typical hero. They both want the farm to succeed, but grief and firm personal beliefs have them at odds. They really are sunshine and darkness, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their taunts, their fights, the hidden lust, it all makes for such a great romance read.
Bet the Farm is the latest release from Staci Hart and another book I just couldn't put down. I needed the laughs and I needed the tears. It's another well written, entertaining novel and I highly recommend it to my fellow romcom fans.
ARC provided
Olivia Brent's suitcase has always been pink, from the moment she arrived on the farm for her grandfather to raise her, to the time she left to live life and attend school in New York. This time, though, the suitcase is full of the things she'll need to make her life on the farm. She knows her grandfather has trusted her with the farm and she wants to turn it around, if Jake Milovic will let her. He doesn't think she'll last three months, let alone a lifetime. She accepts a wager, but along the way they discover they need each other if they want the farm to succeed.
"She smelled like whiskey and springtime and trouble …"
Looking for something sweet and heartfelt? Bet the Farm is the book to pick up. With a quirky, sassy main character and a farmhand with a chip on his shoulder, Staci Hart tells a story of love, family, and figuring out who you really are and who you need beside you. I loved Olivia, I have dairy farming in my family too and I also am lactose intolerant. It was fun to have so many connections with a character, I really felt like I could see myself in her, which made the book all the more enjoyable for me. Jake is a stubborn, typical farmhand, but underneath his chiseled body is a teddy bear heart. He's gruff, but there's a reason for it, and I love that Staci didn't make him such a typical hero. They both want the farm to succeed, but grief and firm personal beliefs have them at odds. They really are sunshine and darkness, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Their taunts, their fights, the hidden lust, it all makes for such a great romance read.
Bet the Farm is the latest release from Staci Hart and another book I just couldn't put down. I needed the laughs and I needed the tears. It's another well written, entertaining novel and I highly recommend it to my fellow romcom fans.
ARC provided
March 5, 2021
Contemporary Romance : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
So freaking sweet!
So freaking sweet!
February 23, 2021
***AVAILABLE NOW***
5 Cow Loving STARS
I didn’t know Bet the Farm was just was what I needed. It was the perfect escape from the chaos of the world - light and fun, humor for days, and a message of hope.
Olivia had me rolling with laughter. Everything from her antics to her crazy farm ideas, had me chuckling, and seeing Jake’s reactions only made it that much better.
Jake is the grumpy farmer we can’t help but love. Like most her heroes, he has such an original background, and I enjoyed the layers it gave to his character and the motivation it provided for his actions.
I think more than anything though, this story gave me a laughter and lightness in a time that I needed it. I could resonate with the Olivia and her desire to see the best in people and her need to help, even if she didn’t always get it right. I saw myself in Jake’s cautiousness. I loved that these two opposites came together for these home they loved. Ultimately, the message of hope and love is what I needed, what the world needs. Not everyone is right or wrong completely. Not everything is black and white, there are shades of grey. It is when we come together and listen, we can make amazing things happen.
This book was about family, love, hard work, and home. It’s about finding your people. I loved every farm moment, every interaction between Jake and Olivia, and the whole host of secondary characters.
Cute, charming, and completely hilarious, I loved every single moment of Bet the Farm.
BETA
5 Cow Loving STARS
I didn’t know Bet the Farm was just was what I needed. It was the perfect escape from the chaos of the world - light and fun, humor for days, and a message of hope.
Olivia had me rolling with laughter. Everything from her antics to her crazy farm ideas, had me chuckling, and seeing Jake’s reactions only made it that much better.
Jake is the grumpy farmer we can’t help but love. Like most her heroes, he has such an original background, and I enjoyed the layers it gave to his character and the motivation it provided for his actions.
I think more than anything though, this story gave me a laughter and lightness in a time that I needed it. I could resonate with the Olivia and her desire to see the best in people and her need to help, even if she didn’t always get it right. I saw myself in Jake’s cautiousness. I loved that these two opposites came together for these home they loved. Ultimately, the message of hope and love is what I needed, what the world needs. Not everyone is right or wrong completely. Not everything is black and white, there are shades of grey. It is when we come together and listen, we can make amazing things happen.
This book was about family, love, hard work, and home. It’s about finding your people. I loved every farm moment, every interaction between Jake and Olivia, and the whole host of secondary characters.
Cute, charming, and completely hilarious, I loved every single moment of Bet the Farm.
BETA
August 23, 2021
Estuvo tierno y divertido, se lee muy rápido y tenía lo que quería de una novela de romance.
La historia va sobre Olivia volviendo a la granja de su abuelo cuando este muere, ella se crió ahí hasta que la enviaron a New York a estudiar, y desde entonces sentía la culpa de haber abandonado su hogar. Lo que tampoco ayuda es que Jake, un chico que su abuelo adoptó, le ponga las cosas difíciles no teniéndole fe en su capacidad de salvar la granja. Por eso cuando ambos heredan el lugar hacen una apuesta para ver si la mejor decisión es mantener todo igual como dice Jake o tomar un nuevo camino, como cree Olivia.
Olivia es adorable, una chica positiva y llena de ideas y con cero miedo al ridículo. Está más que dispuesta a hacer lo posible para salvar la granja de su abuelo. Me gustó la forma en que busca entender a Jake para poder trabajar con él porque sabe que sola no podrá lograrlo. Igual que su reacción al descubrir que solo iba a heredar la mitad, nunca fue de enojo o celos, solo alivio porque sabía que tendría a Jake para trabajar en equipo.
Jake quizá no me gustó tanto como podría, entiendo sus reacciones y todo, pero de verdad era hiriente por momentos con Olivia que solo quería entenderlo. Al final igual fue linda la manera en que ambos se apoyaron e incluso al inicio, mientras todavía pasaban por el proceso de duelo casi odiándose, pero estaban ahí el uno para la otra.
No hay mucho más que decir, es una historia bonita y divertida, con romance, mucho sobre vida en una granja, situaciones divertidas y bastante sobre la familia. La de sangre, pero también la que se forma con lazos más fuertes a raíz de las circunstancias.
La historia va sobre Olivia volviendo a la granja de su abuelo cuando este muere, ella se crió ahí hasta que la enviaron a New York a estudiar, y desde entonces sentía la culpa de haber abandonado su hogar. Lo que tampoco ayuda es que Jake, un chico que su abuelo adoptó, le ponga las cosas difíciles no teniéndole fe en su capacidad de salvar la granja. Por eso cuando ambos heredan el lugar hacen una apuesta para ver si la mejor decisión es mantener todo igual como dice Jake o tomar un nuevo camino, como cree Olivia.
Olivia es adorable, una chica positiva y llena de ideas y con cero miedo al ridículo. Está más que dispuesta a hacer lo posible para salvar la granja de su abuelo. Me gustó la forma en que busca entender a Jake para poder trabajar con él porque sabe que sola no podrá lograrlo. Igual que su reacción al descubrir que solo iba a heredar la mitad, nunca fue de enojo o celos, solo alivio porque sabía que tendría a Jake para trabajar en equipo.
Jake quizá no me gustó tanto como podría, entiendo sus reacciones y todo, pero de verdad era hiriente por momentos con Olivia que solo quería entenderlo. Al final igual fue linda la manera en que ambos se apoyaron e incluso al inicio, mientras todavía pasaban por el proceso de duelo casi odiándose, pero estaban ahí el uno para la otra.
No hay mucho más que decir, es una historia bonita y divertida, con romance, mucho sobre vida en una granja, situaciones divertidas y bastante sobre la familia. La de sangre, pero también la que se forma con lazos más fuertes a raíz de las circunstancias.
February 23, 2021
Bet the Farm delivers on all that we’ve come to expect and admire from Staci’s unique voice- a compelling and welcoming story brimming with charm, keen wit, equal dashes of quirkiness and angst, and a feel good journey story that's sincere artifice lies in its uncanny ability to both lull us with its pleasantness while simultaneously challenging and invigorating us with its hopeful emotional center, a heartfelt, simple yet profound message about how we can love each other a little better, how love can make us BE a little better. And truly, has there ever been a time when we’ve needed her voice, her optimism more? The laughter, the joy, the fun antics and sweet nothings- it’s like they clear the air, like I can breathe a little bit more easily, more freely, more contentedly.
And not only do we get the Staci magic, but we also get Staci’s hand at small town romance. And my goodness- SHE WAS MADE FOR IT. The quirky characters, the meddling town folks, the gossip and humorous proximity, all of those small town rituals. And the farm? Well the farm becomes a character in and of itself. Vibrant and rich- THIS is how you write a setting. I’ve always felt her books are a microcosmic study of how humans love- her pessimism and optimism of connecting, and what better way to deliver that experience that situation is in a small town smack on a dairy farm.
Per usual, our characters are fantastic. But OLIVIA- WHAT A CHARACTER, ya’ll! She’s basically everything that I want and aspire to be. A prodigal Pollyanna returned to her childhood farm to say goodbye and start fresh- out of love for the man who raised her and out of regret for the distance she kept. Staci infuses her with so much zealous optimism and exuberance- and amble charming quirks. Donned in her pink farmwear and armed with a razor sharp penchant for grassroots marketing, she’s on a mission to save the farm. I LOVE how capable she is, how open and positive and HOPEFUL she is. And despite the barriers, including one grizzly romantic interest- she never stops believing or hoping. She NEVER stops looking for the good. I fell so in love with her.
Our hero Jake is her opposite, a grumpy mountain of a man who doubts everyone and everything- with good reason. While Olivia sees possibility, all he sees is responsibility. He’s got a big heart, his intentions are good, but he can’t handle change- because he can’t handle hope. He took time for me to love, to accept and understand- because he’s so resistant, at times mean, and I felt frustrated at him that Olivia gave so much, compromised so willingly, and he was just unmovable. But then Staci humanizes him- opens his heart. We see his fragility, his own regret, and his own surprised hope.
These are two incredibly lonely characters- coping in two drastically different ways. And that makes for some dynamic chemistry- as they both get each other but struggle to meet each other halfway. And that is really what this story is about- EMPATHY, and perspective. Caring enough to truly understand and listen- that is loving. And when we have LOVE- there hope. There is a home. There is a path.
Delightfully funny, charming, sweet, and sexy-this story is overflowing with a tender heart. Bet the Farm is the sweet and soulful balm that I needed to soothe the booming disquiet that has surrounded me of late. This is a story that artfully captures all that is good about love...and all that is good about the human spirit.
And not only do we get the Staci magic, but we also get Staci’s hand at small town romance. And my goodness- SHE WAS MADE FOR IT. The quirky characters, the meddling town folks, the gossip and humorous proximity, all of those small town rituals. And the farm? Well the farm becomes a character in and of itself. Vibrant and rich- THIS is how you write a setting. I’ve always felt her books are a microcosmic study of how humans love- her pessimism and optimism of connecting, and what better way to deliver that experience that situation is in a small town smack on a dairy farm.
Per usual, our characters are fantastic. But OLIVIA- WHAT A CHARACTER, ya’ll! She’s basically everything that I want and aspire to be. A prodigal Pollyanna returned to her childhood farm to say goodbye and start fresh- out of love for the man who raised her and out of regret for the distance she kept. Staci infuses her with so much zealous optimism and exuberance- and amble charming quirks. Donned in her pink farmwear and armed with a razor sharp penchant for grassroots marketing, she’s on a mission to save the farm. I LOVE how capable she is, how open and positive and HOPEFUL she is. And despite the barriers, including one grizzly romantic interest- she never stops believing or hoping. She NEVER stops looking for the good. I fell so in love with her.
Our hero Jake is her opposite, a grumpy mountain of a man who doubts everyone and everything- with good reason. While Olivia sees possibility, all he sees is responsibility. He’s got a big heart, his intentions are good, but he can’t handle change- because he can’t handle hope. He took time for me to love, to accept and understand- because he’s so resistant, at times mean, and I felt frustrated at him that Olivia gave so much, compromised so willingly, and he was just unmovable. But then Staci humanizes him- opens his heart. We see his fragility, his own regret, and his own surprised hope.
These are two incredibly lonely characters- coping in two drastically different ways. And that makes for some dynamic chemistry- as they both get each other but struggle to meet each other halfway. And that is really what this story is about- EMPATHY, and perspective. Caring enough to truly understand and listen- that is loving. And when we have LOVE- there hope. There is a home. There is a path.
Delightfully funny, charming, sweet, and sexy-this story is overflowing with a tender heart. Bet the Farm is the sweet and soulful balm that I needed to soothe the booming disquiet that has surrounded me of late. This is a story that artfully captures all that is good about love...and all that is good about the human spirit.
February 27, 2021
2.5 ☆ | Grumpy-sunshine trope but make it boring (for me, obvs). I just think this author's works aren't for me... I love how she rebranded herself and now has all these cute covers with all the tropes, etc., but I think I've only enjoyed two of all her books and the rest just made me skip a ton to get to the end.
I'm not gonna lie, all that talk about the grandpa was very emotional and made me cry a little, but the main couple didn't move me a hair.
I'm not gonna lie, all that talk about the grandpa was very emotional and made me cry a little, but the main couple didn't move me a hair.
February 26, 2021
Olivia and Jake. Oh, my heart!
Enemies to lovers.
A pint-sized, red-headed city girl.
A big, muscled, grumpy, farmer.
Baby goats dressed in pajamas.
It's ALL HERE.
Bet The Farm was a perfectly swoony, hilarious, feelsy, 5 STAR read for me!
Olivia is a great female lead. She is driven and kind and stubborn and hard working. She is the perfect balance of strong and soft. Her innovative ideas to bring the farm more profits are met with constant push-back and she continues with her vision, despite one very grumpy farmer.
Jake is a wonderfully complex leading man. He is passionate and strong and has a rigid sense of right and wrong. He is grumpy for a reason and we can't help but love him. His practicality is the perfect counter to Olivia's big dreams.
The genius of Staci Hart's writing in Bet The Farm is that the reader can clearly see the two sides of this argument and understands BOTH of those points of view. There isn't a "bad guy" in this relationship. just two people, reeling with grief, doing their best to move forward and do what is right. They have the same goal, but different ideas on how to achieve it and the reader GETS IT. As in life, there are some decisions for which both sides have valid arguments. I loved this story because it never took the easy way out. *slow clap for Staci Hart*
This book has laughs, swoon, sparks, and sweetness. You will LOVE it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Lots of feels, but won't break you*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3aM8OoX (aff.)
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
Kobo https://bit.ly/2RdyL6a
B&N https://bit.ly/3bN6Hji
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
Enemies to lovers.
A pint-sized, red-headed city girl.
A big, muscled, grumpy, farmer.
Baby goats dressed in pajamas.
It's ALL HERE.
Bet The Farm was a perfectly swoony, hilarious, feelsy, 5 STAR read for me!
Olivia is a great female lead. She is driven and kind and stubborn and hard working. She is the perfect balance of strong and soft. Her innovative ideas to bring the farm more profits are met with constant push-back and she continues with her vision, despite one very grumpy farmer.
Jake is a wonderfully complex leading man. He is passionate and strong and has a rigid sense of right and wrong. He is grumpy for a reason and we can't help but love him. His practicality is the perfect counter to Olivia's big dreams.
The genius of Staci Hart's writing in Bet The Farm is that the reader can clearly see the two sides of this argument and understands BOTH of those points of view. There isn't a "bad guy" in this relationship. just two people, reeling with grief, doing their best to move forward and do what is right. They have the same goal, but different ideas on how to achieve it and the reader GETS IT. As in life, there are some decisions for which both sides have valid arguments. I loved this story because it never took the easy way out. *slow clap for Staci Hart*
This book has laughs, swoon, sparks, and sweetness. You will LOVE it!
RATING:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
STEAM LEVEL: Rated R
TRIGGERS: Immigrant reporting, fatal car accident (not MC), death of family member, fire
FEELS-O-METER: 3/5 *Lots of feels, but won't break you*
I an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
BUY IT HERE:
Amazon https://amzn.to/3aM8OoX (aff.)
Apple Books https://apple.co/2DLEtsM
Kobo https://bit.ly/2RdyL6a
B&N https://bit.ly/3bN6Hji
INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | YEAR OF SMUT CHALLENGE
September 11, 2021
I think Staci needs to write small town romance for the rest of her life, because Bet the Farm made me SO happy! Did it have to do with all the pink? Maybe. The baby goats in pyjamas? Possibly. Two people coming together to save something they love? Probably. In all seriousness, this book was truly so heartwarming. I think the animals, small town charm and relationships really made this special.
This book follows the grumpy hero and sunshine heroine trope which I think at this point we all know, love, and would kill for. After loosing her grandfather, Olivia comes home for a funeral and to help run the family farm now that her grandfather is gone. Jake has been helping Frank, Livi’s grandfather run the farm since he was a teen. He knows Frank’s granddaughter is coming home. He expects her to stay for the funeral, sign some papers and then leave him to take care of things like Frank would have done. What he doesn’t expect is Livi wanting to stay and help run the farm. This, combined with an old feud that’s been going on for years and years with another local dairy farm makes for lots of drama and excitement. While there was drama, there wasn’t a ton of angst which worked really well in this setting. The bigger picture focused on two people who were dealing with their respective grief coming together, putting aside their differences to attain a common goal which worked perfectly.
I had a lot of fun reading this and absolutely fell in love with the setting. I can’t wait for the next book that Staci mentioned will be coming this Spring, Friends with Benedicts. It’ll be another small town romance and I’m hoping it’ll feature Presley (fingers are all crossed). If you’re a longtime fan of Staci’s or just getting into her writing now, I think Bet the Farm will be an easy fan favourite!
This book follows the grumpy hero and sunshine heroine trope which I think at this point we all know, love, and would kill for. After loosing her grandfather, Olivia comes home for a funeral and to help run the family farm now that her grandfather is gone. Jake has been helping Frank, Livi’s grandfather run the farm since he was a teen. He knows Frank’s granddaughter is coming home. He expects her to stay for the funeral, sign some papers and then leave him to take care of things like Frank would have done. What he doesn’t expect is Livi wanting to stay and help run the farm. This, combined with an old feud that’s been going on for years and years with another local dairy farm makes for lots of drama and excitement. While there was drama, there wasn’t a ton of angst which worked really well in this setting. The bigger picture focused on two people who were dealing with their respective grief coming together, putting aside their differences to attain a common goal which worked perfectly.
I had a lot of fun reading this and absolutely fell in love with the setting. I can’t wait for the next book that Staci mentioned will be coming this Spring, Friends with Benedicts. It’ll be another small town romance and I’m hoping it’ll feature Presley (fingers are all crossed). If you’re a longtime fan of Staci’s or just getting into her writing now, I think Bet the Farm will be an easy fan favourite!
June 23, 2022
Jake (male protagonist) was overly selfish and made so many hurtful remarks at Olivia (female protagonist) and she made these stupid excuses for him. So what if he’s in debt up to his eyeballs and is mourning? That doesn’t give anybody a right to be intentionally mean to other people.
He constantly talked condescendingly to her, rubbished all her plans, and was just nasty to her on several occasions. What irked the most was that whenever they would have one of their blown-up fights, she would crawl back to him to apologize. Imagine. He talked to her with so much ferocity and the author tried to make up for his silliness by making him ultra-romantic in the epilogue.
The only good things about the book were the narrators’ voices. The male narrator’s voice was crispy and rich and the female narrator’s voice conveyed just that right level of bubbliness. It was very fun to listen to their bickering. Boy, did they bicker. I listened to the audiobook and I don’t believe there were any quotable lines but I liked that inner monologues did not swallow up the plot.
All in all, the book was well written but it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the story enough to care for any of the characters and they were just too annoying for me to keep up with them. It’s perfect if you like enemies-to-lovers though, so don’t mind my criticism.
Full review: Literary, Darling!
He constantly talked condescendingly to her, rubbished all her plans, and was just nasty to her on several occasions. What irked the most was that whenever they would have one of their blown-up fights, she would crawl back to him to apologize. Imagine. He talked to her with so much ferocity and the author tried to make up for his silliness by making him ultra-romantic in the epilogue.
The only good things about the book were the narrators’ voices. The male narrator’s voice was crispy and rich and the female narrator’s voice conveyed just that right level of bubbliness. It was very fun to listen to their bickering. Boy, did they bicker. I listened to the audiobook and I don’t believe there were any quotable lines but I liked that inner monologues did not swallow up the plot.
All in all, the book was well written but it just wasn’t for me. I couldn’t get into the story enough to care for any of the characters and they were just too annoying for me to keep up with them. It’s perfect if you like enemies-to-lovers though, so don’t mind my criticism.
Full review: Literary, Darling!
March 4, 2021
WOW! Five stars and a big round of applause for this delightfully funny and heartwarming small town romance from Staci Hart. I have been dying for Hart to break out of New York City (where all her other books are set) and flex her muscles in a small town arena. Boy, did she deliver!
Bet the Farm is an emotional rollercoaster of a love story with the perfect balance of humor and heat. The angst danced with the romance in perfect tandem, and I was completely swept off my feet from the first chapter.
Jake was so broody and loving. He cares fiercely about everything and everyone around him -- especially the farm that Olivia has now inherited half of. When they have to work together, sparks fly from a childhood romance that started years ago and was left burning in the years since they've seen each other. I loved the constant push and pull, the enemies-to-lovers banter and the irresistible humor laced throughout it all.
I can't recommend this book enough. Will be on my top reads of 2021 for sure!
Bet the Farm is an emotional rollercoaster of a love story with the perfect balance of humor and heat. The angst danced with the romance in perfect tandem, and I was completely swept off my feet from the first chapter.
Jake was so broody and loving. He cares fiercely about everything and everyone around him -- especially the farm that Olivia has now inherited half of. When they have to work together, sparks fly from a childhood romance that started years ago and was left burning in the years since they've seen each other. I loved the constant push and pull, the enemies-to-lovers banter and the irresistible humor laced throughout it all.
I can't recommend this book enough. Will be on my top reads of 2021 for sure!
March 5, 2021
I wanted to like it but unfortunately the hero just didn’t do it for me. He was an asshole the majority of the book and even though the heroine was right/had good intentions she was constantly apologizing to him.
He did not do enough groveling for all the tears/pain he caused. I really enjoyed the heroines quirkiness and willingness to put herself out there. The hero’s insecurities made this a frustrating read. I skimmed the last 30%.
The two stars are for the heroines fun personality. Her Instagram page hashtags. The pajama wearing goats. And her awesome pink boots.
He did not do enough groveling for all the tears/pain he caused. I really enjoyed the heroines quirkiness and willingness to put herself out there. The hero’s insecurities made this a frustrating read. I skimmed the last 30%.
The two stars are for the heroines fun personality. Her Instagram page hashtags. The pajama wearing goats. And her awesome pink boots.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2021
I loveloveloved this book! It was so funny and sweet and emotional. I adored it!
Olivia and Jake were amazing! Together and as individuals they were incredible characters. Their chemistry, their banter, how both of them were so stubborn and made for each other.. gah! I couldn’t get enough of them. I think I have fallen in love with Jake, and not just because his last name is Milović ( but that was one of the reasons I picked up this book). He was so grumpy, so serious but with a heart of gold and I adored Olivia and how positive and kind she was.
This book has everything I love and was exactly what I needed right now. There wasn’t a single dull moment. From the beginning to end I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
Olivia and Jake were amazing! Together and as individuals they were incredible characters. Their chemistry, their banter, how both of them were so stubborn and made for each other.. gah! I couldn’t get enough of them. I think I have fallen in love with Jake, and not just because his last name is Milović ( but that was one of the reasons I picked up this book). He was so grumpy, so serious but with a heart of gold and I adored Olivia and how positive and kind she was.
This book has everything I love and was exactly what I needed right now. There wasn’t a single dull moment. From the beginning to end I enjoyed every minute I spent reading it and I couldn’t recommend it enough!
September 14, 2021
After her parents died when she was a young girl, Olivia’s Grandpa Frank raised her on his dairy farm in California. When she was 16, Olivia moved away to NYC to live with her aunt and now a decade later she’s finally returning home when Frank unexpectedly passes away. In his will, Frank left half of the farm to Olivia and the other half to Jake, who Frank took under his wing as a teen. Jake’s been working at the farm ever since and couldn’t imagine ever leaving.
Jake and Olivia constantly butt heads. Since the farm is hemorrhaging money, Olivia is trying to find ways to save it, even if they’re unconventional. And Jake is disagreeing with her along every turn, wanting to keep things the way they are.
Somewhere along the way—and rivalrous bet later—Jake and Olivia develop feelings for each other. But if they can’t save the farm, Olivia will go back to her life in NYC, and Jake isn’t sure his heart could recover losing Olivia all over again.
Bet the Farm by Staci Hart is an enemies to lovers romcom set in small town California. This romance was a lot of fun and Olivia & Jake’s rivalry definitely induced some giggles. This reminds me a lot of a couple other books with somewhat similar plots—Arrogant Devil (RS Grey), Rustic Hearts (Amber Kelly). I really enjoyed both those other books so this type of storyline really works for me! I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to Jake & Olivia as a couple as I was hoping, so that’s why I docked off a star. But by the end, they definitely grew on me. I’m looking forward to Presley’s story next—I’m a sucker for a single parent romance! 3.5/5 stars.
Jake and Olivia constantly butt heads. Since the farm is hemorrhaging money, Olivia is trying to find ways to save it, even if they’re unconventional. And Jake is disagreeing with her along every turn, wanting to keep things the way they are.
Somewhere along the way—and rivalrous bet later—Jake and Olivia develop feelings for each other. But if they can’t save the farm, Olivia will go back to her life in NYC, and Jake isn’t sure his heart could recover losing Olivia all over again.
Bet the Farm by Staci Hart is an enemies to lovers romcom set in small town California. This romance was a lot of fun and Olivia & Jake’s rivalry definitely induced some giggles. This reminds me a lot of a couple other books with somewhat similar plots—Arrogant Devil (RS Grey), Rustic Hearts (Amber Kelly). I really enjoyed both those other books so this type of storyline really works for me! I didn’t feel as emotionally connected to Jake & Olivia as a couple as I was hoping, so that’s why I docked off a star. But by the end, they definitely grew on me. I’m looking forward to Presley’s story next—I’m a sucker for a single parent romance! 3.5/5 stars.
August 14, 2021
This book was a perfect summer read for me and I truly enjoyed the setting at the dairy farm - it was such a sweet change than just reading about big cities all the time. As someone that also lives on a small farm, I must say that the everything about the farm was written so well and the story line was very realistic.
The reason why I fell in love with Olivia instantly was because she reminded me so much of Miley from Hannah Montana movie when her dad took her back Crowley Corners. All of the scenes where she was settling back were so funny and made me truly laugh. But what stood out was her personality. I admired her strength and how she was determined to get the farm back on feet. Was she a little naive sometimes? Yes, but her ambitiousness added spark to the story.
Jake’s character made the story interesting as well. He played the moody hot farmer so well, I could really relate to Olivia’s lust for him. The first half of the book, Jake really gets on your nerves especially with how he treats Olivia, but then he gets so much better and yeah I was here for his character development!
Their relationship was sweet and the tension was so well written. From the first encounter in the book, I just couldn’t get enough of how great they were. And the growing lust between them?? It really was perfect and without them this story would truly be nothing. I might also add that I really loved how it wasn't just about their love story, but about everything on the farm and that it had interesting plot twists that really shook with the story multiple times.
**
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The reason why I fell in love with Olivia instantly was because she reminded me so much of Miley from Hannah Montana movie when her dad took her back Crowley Corners. All of the scenes where she was settling back were so funny and made me truly laugh. But what stood out was her personality. I admired her strength and how she was determined to get the farm back on feet. Was she a little naive sometimes? Yes, but her ambitiousness added spark to the story.
Jake’s character made the story interesting as well. He played the moody hot farmer so well, I could really relate to Olivia’s lust for him. The first half of the book, Jake really gets on your nerves especially with how he treats Olivia, but then he gets so much better and yeah I was here for his character development!
Their relationship was sweet and the tension was so well written. From the first encounter in the book, I just couldn’t get enough of how great they were. And the growing lust between them?? It really was perfect and without them this story would truly be nothing. I might also add that I really loved how it wasn't just about their love story, but about everything on the farm and that it had interesting plot twists that really shook with the story multiple times.
**
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February 20, 2021
As hard as it is to believe, Bet The Farm was the first book I’ve read by Staci Hart. How is that possible? I don’t know. Will it be my last? That’s a big fat NO. As a new to me author, I went into this book blind, but based on the adorable cover, I was expecting a sexy romcom read and that is exactly what I got.
Bet The Farm is a quirky enemies-to-lovers romance about a larger than life cowboy and a pint sized firecracker. Jake and Olivia are as different as night and day temperamentally. But deep down inside, where it counts, they are essentially the same. Orphaned at a young age, Frank, her Pop, took Olivia in. In a foreign country, alone and motherless, Jake wandered until he found a home with the old farmer. When Pop passes he leaves the farm to both of them. Jake is determined to keep the farm exactly the way it is, while Olivia sweeps in like a pink wrecking ball, prepared to modernize it. The ensuing sexy battle of wills makes Bet The Farm, the laugh-out-loud, read-in-one-sitting, Five star romance that it is. Never have I ever enjoyed a small town, enemies-to-lovers read more than this. Bet The Farm gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!
Bet The Farm is a quirky enemies-to-lovers romance about a larger than life cowboy and a pint sized firecracker. Jake and Olivia are as different as night and day temperamentally. But deep down inside, where it counts, they are essentially the same. Orphaned at a young age, Frank, her Pop, took Olivia in. In a foreign country, alone and motherless, Jake wandered until he found a home with the old farmer. When Pop passes he leaves the farm to both of them. Jake is determined to keep the farm exactly the way it is, while Olivia sweeps in like a pink wrecking ball, prepared to modernize it. The ensuing sexy battle of wills makes Bet The Farm, the laugh-out-loud, read-in-one-sitting, Five star romance that it is. Never have I ever enjoyed a small town, enemies-to-lovers read more than this. Bet The Farm gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!
February 23, 2021
"If Frank taught me one thing, it was that there is always hope. In the darkest night, at the lowest low, there is always hope.
What do you get when you mix a city girl that loves the color pink and is a ray sunshine and a grumpy, shirtless farmer that just wants to run the farm like it's been running? You get Olivia and Jake butting heads, trying to run a farm that has been left to the both of them. I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance, but when you throw in a past, a small town and the characters that come with it along with a family feud, then I'm a goner!
Olivia has returned back to the family farm in California after her grandpa has passed away. She has lived the past few years in NYC, but now it's time to slow down and return to her roots. She's the light and positive vibe that the farm needs. She has many thoughts and is thinking outside of the box to make this failing farm succeed. But what stands in her way is not only money, but the farmhand Jake Milovic who was left half of the farm along with Olivia. One wants to capitalize on offering different and new things to the public and the other wants to just keep the farm operating like it's been. That's the only thing Jake knows and that's the way he thinks Frank (Pops) would want it to be. What ensues is a fun, enemies to lovers, small town romance/rom-com with a little bit of a serious undertone.
I know when I pick up a Staci Hart book that I'm going to get the laughs. I know she is going to make me feel good and give me characters that I will absolutely fall in love with. These are a given. But when you also get a book that gives you a bit of sexual tension between the characters, that's where the real magic happens. That's when I really fall for the characters and the way they make me feel. Of course I got the laughs, but with Bet the Farm, you are also getting the feels. The feels of losing a loved one. The feels of two characters fighting their feelings for one another. The feels of all the people in the small town coming together. The good feels. The emotional feels. All the feels!
Bet the Farm was just what I needed for my February read. It was light with a side of serious and a dash of mystery. Jake and Olivia were fun to see work together and compromise with. I love that Olivia thought outside of the box and brought a lighter side to Jake. And Jake? Even though that man is serious and thinks he owes his life to the farm (which in some ways he does), he is that grumpy hero we all crave and absolutely end up falling for. He has a heart of gold (and a chest to match 😂). Even though this book would classify as a rom-com, it is so much more!
"I don't have to make good of everything-there is good in everything. I just have to find it. I've always known there's good in you too, if I was patient and persistent enough to get past Mad Jake."
If you need laughs, a grumpy hero, a ray of positive sunshine all set in a small town on a farm, you've hit the jackpot. Add in an older character (even if they are not physically present) that has secrets or wise and sage advice, and a family feud that has been going on for generations, then you've hit the motherload!
Love the small town. Love the laughs. Love the grumpy hero. A feel good story that even made me teary-eyed. That epilogue and those acknowledgements? Yup...put me right over the edge. Just what I needed for a February read!
What do you get when you mix a city girl that loves the color pink and is a ray sunshine and a grumpy, shirtless farmer that just wants to run the farm like it's been running? You get Olivia and Jake butting heads, trying to run a farm that has been left to the both of them. I'm a sucker for an enemies to lovers romance, but when you throw in a past, a small town and the characters that come with it along with a family feud, then I'm a goner!
Olivia has returned back to the family farm in California after her grandpa has passed away. She has lived the past few years in NYC, but now it's time to slow down and return to her roots. She's the light and positive vibe that the farm needs. She has many thoughts and is thinking outside of the box to make this failing farm succeed. But what stands in her way is not only money, but the farmhand Jake Milovic who was left half of the farm along with Olivia. One wants to capitalize on offering different and new things to the public and the other wants to just keep the farm operating like it's been. That's the only thing Jake knows and that's the way he thinks Frank (Pops) would want it to be. What ensues is a fun, enemies to lovers, small town romance/rom-com with a little bit of a serious undertone.
I know when I pick up a Staci Hart book that I'm going to get the laughs. I know she is going to make me feel good and give me characters that I will absolutely fall in love with. These are a given. But when you also get a book that gives you a bit of sexual tension between the characters, that's where the real magic happens. That's when I really fall for the characters and the way they make me feel. Of course I got the laughs, but with Bet the Farm, you are also getting the feels. The feels of losing a loved one. The feels of two characters fighting their feelings for one another. The feels of all the people in the small town coming together. The good feels. The emotional feels. All the feels!
Bet the Farm was just what I needed for my February read. It was light with a side of serious and a dash of mystery. Jake and Olivia were fun to see work together and compromise with. I love that Olivia thought outside of the box and brought a lighter side to Jake. And Jake? Even though that man is serious and thinks he owes his life to the farm (which in some ways he does), he is that grumpy hero we all crave and absolutely end up falling for. He has a heart of gold (and a chest to match 😂). Even though this book would classify as a rom-com, it is so much more!
"I don't have to make good of everything-there is good in everything. I just have to find it. I've always known there's good in you too, if I was patient and persistent enough to get past Mad Jake."
If you need laughs, a grumpy hero, a ray of positive sunshine all set in a small town on a farm, you've hit the jackpot. Add in an older character (even if they are not physically present) that has secrets or wise and sage advice, and a family feud that has been going on for generations, then you've hit the motherload!
Love the small town. Love the laughs. Love the grumpy hero. A feel good story that even made me teary-eyed. That epilogue and those acknowledgements? Yup...put me right over the edge. Just what I needed for a February read!
February 14, 2021
Super cute with plenty of small town charm, this was a fun read. I love a playful enemies to lovers romance, and that's what this one was - these two clearly don't hate each other, but there's plenty of friction between them. They've got some great history and their friendly competition makes for some fun moments. I did think that the second half was stronger than the first, only because things were a little slow moving romance-wise, and our heroine almost had equal chemistry with another guy, which is kinda awkward, lol. But it's a solid, sweet, and low angst read that definitely makes me want more from the series.
The story follows Olivia, a woman who left for college and never returned. When she inherits half of a dairy farm, Olivia is determined to make things work. She quits her job, makes plans to move to the farm, and has all kinds of ideas for getting the business out of debt. That's all complicated by her new co-owner, the frustrating and sexy Jake. He's spent years working on the farm, and is convinced that Olivia is a city girl at heart. She may be in town for now, but there's no way she'll stay long-term - or so Jake thinks. The two spar over their conflicting ideas for the farm and that slowly shifts into chemistry, which complicates things even further.
This was adorable and sweet with a low angst feel that really worked for me. At times, it was a little TOO slow-moving, but I enjoyed it throughout. The main characters are both likable and the farm is an integral part of the story, so I became invested in its evolution as well. I definitely liked the story the most when the romance was at the forefront; there are some great moments between Olivia and Jake, so I loved all of the sweet scenes. And the sexy moments too. I wish there had been a little less of Jake being a grouch and a little more swoon, because I think these two were awesome together once they set aside their differences. Overall, it's charming and playful with a small town feel that keeps things sweet. I received an early copy via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review of this lighthearted enemies to lovers romance.
The story follows Olivia, a woman who left for college and never returned. When she inherits half of a dairy farm, Olivia is determined to make things work. She quits her job, makes plans to move to the farm, and has all kinds of ideas for getting the business out of debt. That's all complicated by her new co-owner, the frustrating and sexy Jake. He's spent years working on the farm, and is convinced that Olivia is a city girl at heart. She may be in town for now, but there's no way she'll stay long-term - or so Jake thinks. The two spar over their conflicting ideas for the farm and that slowly shifts into chemistry, which complicates things even further.
This was adorable and sweet with a low angst feel that really worked for me. At times, it was a little TOO slow-moving, but I enjoyed it throughout. The main characters are both likable and the farm is an integral part of the story, so I became invested in its evolution as well. I definitely liked the story the most when the romance was at the forefront; there are some great moments between Olivia and Jake, so I loved all of the sweet scenes. And the sexy moments too. I wish there had been a little less of Jake being a grouch and a little more swoon, because I think these two were awesome together once they set aside their differences. Overall, it's charming and playful with a small town feel that keeps things sweet. I received an early copy via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review of this lighthearted enemies to lovers romance.
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