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The Break-Up Bet
Never make a bet with a man who plays to win... Especially not a man like handsome, arrogant Connor Pratt. AKA the huge PITA who’s currently crashing in my spare room. AKA my brother’s best friend since they were about six. AKA the one guy who still makes me feel like an awkward tongue-tied loser. But when Connor moved in, I got a glimpse of another side of him. Because, like me, Connor’s going through a nasty break-up. And, like me, he’s just doing whatever he can to get through it. Unfortunately, his method involves drinking alarming amounts of whiskey and watching a lot of, um … movies … that make every inch of my skin flush. I’m just trying to be helpful when I tell him that he should try my copious amounts of baked goods, sappy romantic comedies, and late nights spent whining with girlfriends. But I should have known Connor would take that as a challenge. Now, he says he’ll try my way of dealing with a break-up … but only if I agree to try his. Six month's rent to the person whose method works best. We call it the break-up bet. And I’m going to win. Except right now, it feels like there’s a whole lot more at stake than just rent money…
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 27, 2019
About the author
Cat Carmine
9 books365 followersCat Carmine writes contemporary romance and romantic comedy. She also happens to like drinking wine, eating cake, buying too many books, and snuggling with her elderly cocker spaniel (oh, and her husband too.) She loves — and writes — books with sweet and sarcastic heroines and strong, sexy heroes who like a little bark with their bite. She thinks witty banter is the best kind of foreplay, and she tries to infuse all her stories with heart, humor and heat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
May 9, 2019
DNF @ 49%. So in good conscience, I can't give this book more than 3 stars. The 2 stars is that it's really not all that interesting. It's fluff that you read when you're bored and have nothing better to do and you don't mind wasting your time.
I've gotten to the point where I don't want to waste my time. The bet is kinda stupid BTW. Writing doesn't have a lot of errors, but neither was it anything that made me feel anything. If I can put a book down for a few days, not feel any desire to return to it, barely even recall what it was about, and certainly not the MCs names, it's not that good a book.
I've gotten to the point where I don't want to waste my time. The bet is kinda stupid BTW. Writing doesn't have a lot of errors, but neither was it anything that made me feel anything. If I can put a book down for a few days, not feel any desire to return to it, barely even recall what it was about, and certainly not the MCs names, it's not that good a book.
April 26, 2022
3.5 stars. The story was cute, if not super deep. I listened to the audiobook version of the book, and didn’t love the male narrator. The female narrator was great though!
January 24, 2019
Quirky, funny, sweet, cute and charming all blended together to create this perfect book. If you are looking for a light read that makes you feel warm inside, then look no further. The Break Up Bet will surely make you glow. This book is just pure happiness.
Lucy is a food blogger who has a passion for desserts. Provide her with any type of desserts and she’s your gal. Baking brings her joy and contentment. It’s also very therapeutic for her and she is currently trying to get over her break up. That is where Connor come in. He needs a place to stay for a while and Lucy’s so happens to need a new roommate. They are both fresh out of relationships and use different methods to cope with their feelings which leads them to a bet. They both will use each others methods to get over their break ups. What’s starts off as a simple bet, turns into so much more. They know that nothing can happen between them because Connor is Lucy’s brother’s bff and it will complicate matters but being so close together brings out all these feelings and sexual tension that they can’t and don’t want to escape.
These characters were so lovable and adorable that you can’t help but love them. There were so many awkward moments in this book that I felt embarrassed for Lucy and made me laugh at her at the same time. Cat Carmine is a new author to me and she just gained a new fan. If I’m feeling down, I know her books will definitely pick me up. I read this in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down because I didn’t want the happiness and joy to end. I had a constant smile on my face.
Lucy is a food blogger who has a passion for desserts. Provide her with any type of desserts and she’s your gal. Baking brings her joy and contentment. It’s also very therapeutic for her and she is currently trying to get over her break up. That is where Connor come in. He needs a place to stay for a while and Lucy’s so happens to need a new roommate. They are both fresh out of relationships and use different methods to cope with their feelings which leads them to a bet. They both will use each others methods to get over their break ups. What’s starts off as a simple bet, turns into so much more. They know that nothing can happen between them because Connor is Lucy’s brother’s bff and it will complicate matters but being so close together brings out all these feelings and sexual tension that they can’t and don’t want to escape.
These characters were so lovable and adorable that you can’t help but love them. There were so many awkward moments in this book that I felt embarrassed for Lucy and made me laugh at her at the same time. Cat Carmine is a new author to me and she just gained a new fan. If I’m feeling down, I know her books will definitely pick me up. I read this in one sitting. I couldn’t put it down because I didn’t want the happiness and joy to end. I had a constant smile on my face.
September 4, 2019
This book is very good at meeting the criteria of its genre- a frothy romantic comedy. The heroine is a baking blogger who needs a new roommate and is getting over a breakup. The hero is her brother’s best friend who recently moved to NY from CA and needs a place to crash. He too is recovering from a breakup. They make a bet of whether each of them can use the other’s methods to recover from the breakup.
Along the way she learns to deal with her insecurities and misconceptions about what she thinks she understands about men, he shows her some vulnerabilities, they go through the requisite misunderstandings and then get together.
This probably isn’t a book I’d re-read because although I liked the story, main characters and the writing, it wasn’t truly memorable. But that’s ok- most books aren’t. This is still a nicely written book about two people going through life much as most of us do-stumbling around a bit, and trying to find our way back.
I also read this immediately after Eleanor and Grey so I appreciated the light read.
3.5 stars.
Along the way she learns to deal with her insecurities and misconceptions about what she thinks she understands about men, he shows her some vulnerabilities, they go through the requisite misunderstandings and then get together.
This probably isn’t a book I’d re-read because although I liked the story, main characters and the writing, it wasn’t truly memorable. But that’s ok- most books aren’t. This is still a nicely written book about two people going through life much as most of us do-stumbling around a bit, and trying to find our way back.
I also read this immediately after Eleanor and Grey so I appreciated the light read.
3.5 stars.
February 22, 2019
I'm in love!
This was such a great read. The storyline was amazing and the characters were great! 5 stars for this Awesome rom-com!
This was such a great read. The storyline was amazing and the characters were great! 5 stars for this Awesome rom-com!
January 31, 2019
The Break-Up Bet is my first book by the author, I've found a new author to love.
Lucy and Connor are roommates out of necessity.
She needs a roommate and Connor needs a place to stay, simple enough solution right?
Except he's the bane of her existence. He's her brothers best friend, the man who she lusted after as a teen. Now he's in her home 24/7 and it's going to drive her nuts.
Oh and did I mention she's just broken up with her boyfriend of 3 years so this time she should be grieving/reassessing/or partying her tail off getting over/forgetting about that jerk but instead she has a sexy, grumpy piece of man candy roaming her halls giving her hell.
Connor's also dealing with a breakup, he came home to reassess and decide where his life is going. Moving in with Lucy may have been his only choice at the time but he's getting comfortable with her.
When they decide to take make a bet, he tries her way of getting over his ex if she tries his their entire world gets tossed upside down.
Their both about to see things from an entirely different view!
The Break-Up Bet is funny, sexy and sweet all in one. I love snark and these two definitely have that. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
Lucy and Connor are roommates out of necessity.
She needs a roommate and Connor needs a place to stay, simple enough solution right?
Except he's the bane of her existence. He's her brothers best friend, the man who she lusted after as a teen. Now he's in her home 24/7 and it's going to drive her nuts.
Oh and did I mention she's just broken up with her boyfriend of 3 years so this time she should be grieving/reassessing/or partying her tail off getting over/forgetting about that jerk but instead she has a sexy, grumpy piece of man candy roaming her halls giving her hell.
Connor's also dealing with a breakup, he came home to reassess and decide where his life is going. Moving in with Lucy may have been his only choice at the time but he's getting comfortable with her.
When they decide to take make a bet, he tries her way of getting over his ex if she tries his their entire world gets tossed upside down.
Their both about to see things from an entirely different view!
The Break-Up Bet is funny, sexy and sweet all in one. I love snark and these two definitely have that. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from the author.
August 12, 2019
I've had a few days to calm down and think about my reaction to this book. I still don't like it, but at least I'm not angry anymore.
First, I want to talk about how the writing style is a bit bizarre. I didn't know why it bothered me until I realized that the narrator often spoke to the audience. That's not a problem if it has been established that there is a narrator speaking to an audience. I was under the impression that as the reader I was listening in on the thoughts of these characters. It took me out of the story when the characters suddenly addressed me while trying to rationalize their scandalous thoughts about the other person (as if I was judging them, to begin with.) I'm not too hard on writing style. Usually, I ignore it even if it does annoy me sometimes. This was just something that increased my anger at other things because I was already irritated.
Second, I found the heroine to be incredibly annoying. She came off as one of those basic MCs with a wide-eye, doe look, who doesn't know what sex is. I don't think the MC was a virgin, but I didn't read far enough, and/or I wasn't paying close attention. The scene that really irked me was when the MC was having lunch with a group of friends and their entire dialogue was made up of them being condescending and judgemental of each other and other sexual beings. Can't exactly explain it here because I don't want to and it'll take too long.
The third and final straw for me was at 13% when I reached said lunch with friends and the author chose to include her first POC. How do I know he was a minority? It's because he was the waiter and he introduced himself as Ahmed. The first minority character I see in this book and he's a throwaway character, whose name we didn't need to know since he was just the waiter (unless for some reason he comes back later, which I won't be finding out), and who the MC chose to belittle because she has a crush on someone else.
"The waiter is definitely cute, if you like that long hair, motorcycle jacket, wannabe actor sorta thing. Which, apparently, almost everyone at this table does."
Uhhh, What the hell?
"Maybe if he was taller, with broader shoulders. If he had shorter, messy brown hair instead of black. If he had green eyes instead of brown."
I don't care if the boy the MC is crushing on is white, you DO NOT compare the features of a POC to white features. Colorism is a problem in many cultures. I've seen enough of it in my everyday life. I don't want to see it in books I read for leisure. This wasn't the only thing I noticed about the characterization that bothered me. Within this same scene, I only received a description of one of her friends. She had curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and heart-shaped lips. The rest of the group didn't have physical descriptions and the heroine even mentioned that one of her friends was only bearable in small doses and that there was such thing as TOO MUCH of her. Some friend.
I could care less if an author decides to write a book in which the characters are all blonde, with blue eyes, and heart-shaped lips. You could have all those characters be located in the center of New York or Los Angeles, have them never interact with a POC, and I wouldn't care. It's your world and they're your characters. Create them in your vision. Just don't throw in an ethnic person just for the sake of having them and then do what was quoted above.
I skimmed the rest and decided to skip to the next chapter to Connor's POV. I wasn't annoyed with him, but I wasn't interested either. He also had a habit of speaking to an audience inside of his head, but I was more forgiving since I had already focused my annoyance on the heroine and her group of friends.
I've never dnf'd a book, but since I used my kindle unlimited subscription, I didn't pay for it, so I don't have to finish it.
First, I want to talk about how the writing style is a bit bizarre. I didn't know why it bothered me until I realized that the narrator often spoke to the audience. That's not a problem if it has been established that there is a narrator speaking to an audience. I was under the impression that as the reader I was listening in on the thoughts of these characters. It took me out of the story when the characters suddenly addressed me while trying to rationalize their scandalous thoughts about the other person (as if I was judging them, to begin with.) I'm not too hard on writing style. Usually, I ignore it even if it does annoy me sometimes. This was just something that increased my anger at other things because I was already irritated.
Second, I found the heroine to be incredibly annoying. She came off as one of those basic MCs with a wide-eye, doe look, who doesn't know what sex is. I don't think the MC was a virgin, but I didn't read far enough, and/or I wasn't paying close attention. The scene that really irked me was when the MC was having lunch with a group of friends and their entire dialogue was made up of them being condescending and judgemental of each other and other sexual beings. Can't exactly explain it here because I don't want to and it'll take too long.
The third and final straw for me was at 13% when I reached said lunch with friends and the author chose to include her first POC. How do I know he was a minority? It's because he was the waiter and he introduced himself as Ahmed. The first minority character I see in this book and he's a throwaway character, whose name we didn't need to know since he was just the waiter (unless for some reason he comes back later, which I won't be finding out), and who the MC chose to belittle because she has a crush on someone else.
"The waiter is definitely cute, if you like that long hair, motorcycle jacket, wannabe actor sorta thing. Which, apparently, almost everyone at this table does."
Uhhh, What the hell?
"Maybe if he was taller, with broader shoulders. If he had shorter, messy brown hair instead of black. If he had green eyes instead of brown."
I don't care if the boy the MC is crushing on is white, you DO NOT compare the features of a POC to white features. Colorism is a problem in many cultures. I've seen enough of it in my everyday life. I don't want to see it in books I read for leisure. This wasn't the only thing I noticed about the characterization that bothered me. Within this same scene, I only received a description of one of her friends. She had curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and heart-shaped lips. The rest of the group didn't have physical descriptions and the heroine even mentioned that one of her friends was only bearable in small doses and that there was such thing as TOO MUCH of her. Some friend.
I could care less if an author decides to write a book in which the characters are all blonde, with blue eyes, and heart-shaped lips. You could have all those characters be located in the center of New York or Los Angeles, have them never interact with a POC, and I wouldn't care. It's your world and they're your characters. Create them in your vision. Just don't throw in an ethnic person just for the sake of having them and then do what was quoted above.
I skimmed the rest and decided to skip to the next chapter to Connor's POV. I wasn't annoyed with him, but I wasn't interested either. He also had a habit of speaking to an audience inside of his head, but I was more forgiving since I had already focused my annoyance on the heroine and her group of friends.
I've never dnf'd a book, but since I used my kindle unlimited subscription, I didn't pay for it, so I don't have to finish it.
January 31, 2019
4 sweet stars!
This was a fun flirty romance story by Cat Carmine .
The break up bet is a light romance read.
Lucy is a food blogger obsessed with baking. Connor needs a place to stay so moves in with Lucy, whilst he gets back on his feet.
Lucy has always had a crush on Connor but he is her brother’s best friend so has always been off limits.
Both are fresh out of relationships so the bet each other to use each other’s methods to help them get over their past relationships. A guys way of getting over a girl is a lot different to a girls way.
The bet leads to sparks flying between the pair. How long can they push against the invisible force that is pulling them together.
This book will warm you heart....and make you hungry!
This was a fun flirty romance story by Cat Carmine .
The break up bet is a light romance read.
Lucy is a food blogger obsessed with baking. Connor needs a place to stay so moves in with Lucy, whilst he gets back on his feet.
Lucy has always had a crush on Connor but he is her brother’s best friend so has always been off limits.
Both are fresh out of relationships so the bet each other to use each other’s methods to help them get over their past relationships. A guys way of getting over a girl is a lot different to a girls way.
The bet leads to sparks flying between the pair. How long can they push against the invisible force that is pulling them together.
This book will warm you heart....and make you hungry!
March 18, 2019
I believe I’ve read all of this author’s other books. I’ve always really enjoyed them. I think Cat Carmine has lots of potential. This book, however, fell flat. The characters were too immature and under developed-something was just missing. I didn’t buy into Lucy’s massive childhood Connor crush, her daddy baggage felt contrived and Connor was a flat character. I didn’t buy the chemistry or feel invested in the characters or relationship. I understand the attempt to intertwine Lucy’s baking blogger character with how she thinks about the world in general but all the recipe and ingredient comparisons to people and relationships didn’t work for me. Cat usually does better. I will still read her next book.
August 14, 2019
It was a nice, cliché romance novel. It took me a while to finish it because after the characters got together, it kinda dragged a bit, but it was a fun, entertaining novel, with a couple with a nice chemistry (it wasn't off the charts, but I liked them together and there were some cute, giggly but also hot moments). The ending was meh and it lacked for me, so it lowered the rating a bit.
May 16, 2020
achei uma comédia romântica bem gostosinha de ler e é ótimo pra quem quer sair da ressaca, é pequeno e a leitura flui super rápido.
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January 27, 2019It seems like I’ve been waiting forever for Lucy's story, so I was thrilled to read an early copy of this book! I adored Lucy when I met her previously because, let’s face it, any gal who can make a living writing a baking blog certainly has something going for her. Plus, chocolate. Need I say more? Lucy's roommate has found love and moved out, and Lucy is looking for a new roommate. Also, her boyfriend of three years recently broke up with her, so she's had some major changes in her life. Her brother's best friend, Connor, has experienced similar heartbreak and has had enough of his life in Silicon Valley, so he's moving back East and needs a place to stay.
Lucy has known Connor since she was fifteen, and we won’t mention the crush she had on him back then, so living with her brother's best friend should be no big deal, right? And it's not. Until it is. It all starts with their break-up bet, where Lucy will teach him how women get over break ups, and Connor will teach Lucy how to put her ex behind her the way guys do. Let's just say Connor's way of getting over a break up leads to some interesting hands-on, together time for Lucy and Connor.
Carmine is an author I’ve been reading since she first started publishing, and every new book is better than the last. With endearing characters and lots of light-hearted, sexy fun, Carmine also infuses this book with plenty of poignant tenderness to tug the heart strings throughout the lighter scenes. I adored Connor, who seems too laid back to ever take anything seriously but has a deeper, honorable side with a hint of vulnerability. He and Lucy are just perfect together, and their story is everything I love in a romantic comedy and more than I expected. Don’t miss this fun, steamy and heart-felt read!
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
Lucy has known Connor since she was fifteen, and we won’t mention the crush she had on him back then, so living with her brother's best friend should be no big deal, right? And it's not. Until it is. It all starts with their break-up bet, where Lucy will teach him how women get over break ups, and Connor will teach Lucy how to put her ex behind her the way guys do. Let's just say Connor's way of getting over a break up leads to some interesting hands-on, together time for Lucy and Connor.
Carmine is an author I’ve been reading since she first started publishing, and every new book is better than the last. With endearing characters and lots of light-hearted, sexy fun, Carmine also infuses this book with plenty of poignant tenderness to tug the heart strings throughout the lighter scenes. I adored Connor, who seems too laid back to ever take anything seriously but has a deeper, honorable side with a hint of vulnerability. He and Lucy are just perfect together, and their story is everything I love in a romantic comedy and more than I expected. Don’t miss this fun, steamy and heart-felt read!
*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.
September 12, 2019
Recently single and in desperate need of a roommate, Lucy is in luck when her brother’s best friend, Connor, moves back to NYC and just so happens needs a place to live.
Lucy had a secret crush on Connor growing up, but years have passed so she should be able to handle living under the same roof as her brother’s ultra-hot best friend, right? And that’s where Lucy is oh-so wrong!
Connor recently had a terrible breakup, so he picks up his life in California and moves across the country to figure out what step to take next. Connor remembers Lucy as his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when he lays eyes on her again, he can’t believe what he’s seeing. Now she’s a career-driven baking blogger and full of luscious curves. Not only can she cook, but she’s irresistibly sexy.
Seeing as they’re both trying to get over their exes, Connor and Lucy make a friendly bet: they’ll each try to recover from their breakup using the other one’s methods. And whoever wins doesn’t pay 6-months of rent. But their bet backfires when Connor and Lucy find themselves falling head over heels for each other. And that was definitely not part of the rules...
The Break-Up Bet by Cat Carmine is a sexy and funny rom-com that was a breeze to fly through. I love the brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister trope (when done well) and this was a winner! I really enjoyed the banter and friendship between Connor and Lucy—and their physical chemistry was off the charts, too. I love when books include a baking element so I thoroughly enjoyed that one of the central plot-points was Lucy’s career as a baking blogger. Definitely recommend this fun, light romance! 4/5 stars.
Lucy had a secret crush on Connor growing up, but years have passed so she should be able to handle living under the same roof as her brother’s ultra-hot best friend, right? And that’s where Lucy is oh-so wrong!
Connor recently had a terrible breakup, so he picks up his life in California and moves across the country to figure out what step to take next. Connor remembers Lucy as his best friend’s annoying little sister, but when he lays eyes on her again, he can’t believe what he’s seeing. Now she’s a career-driven baking blogger and full of luscious curves. Not only can she cook, but she’s irresistibly sexy.
Seeing as they’re both trying to get over their exes, Connor and Lucy make a friendly bet: they’ll each try to recover from their breakup using the other one’s methods. And whoever wins doesn’t pay 6-months of rent. But their bet backfires when Connor and Lucy find themselves falling head over heels for each other. And that was definitely not part of the rules...
The Break-Up Bet by Cat Carmine is a sexy and funny rom-com that was a breeze to fly through. I love the brother’s best friend/best friend’s sister trope (when done well) and this was a winner! I really enjoyed the banter and friendship between Connor and Lucy—and their physical chemistry was off the charts, too. I love when books include a baking element so I thoroughly enjoyed that one of the central plot-points was Lucy’s career as a baking blogger. Definitely recommend this fun, light romance! 4/5 stars.
January 31, 2019
Lucy Sweet is a baking blogger living in Brooklyn, where the rent is high and she needs a roommate. Her brother’s best friend, Connor Pratt, has moved to New York to get over a break-up. He decides to move into Lucy’s extra room.
Lucy and Connor make a bet to get over their break-ups doing it the other person’s way. So a girls way is to eat ice cream, watch romantic comedies and drink wine. A guys way is to immediately get back out there and watch porn. This part of the book was actually kind of funny.
Their relationship blooms slowly, mostly due to Lucy’s insecurities and daddy issues. Her dad abandoned their family when she was young and she’s convinced that being with a good looking guy like Connor will end poorly for her. This part of the book drove me nuts.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was Lucy’s ability to equate everything to baking. And ingredients. It was really cute and endearing.
I really liked Connor. He was such a sweet guy and he was very good for Lucy. I liked Lucy as well, but her insecurities got a little old after a while. Her group of friends were quite funny, and I enjoyed them. I hope the next book is about her friend Tess or her brother Kyle, because I would read both of those.
I would recommend this book. It was fun and sweet.
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Lucy and Connor make a bet to get over their break-ups doing it the other person’s way. So a girls way is to eat ice cream, watch romantic comedies and drink wine. A guys way is to immediately get back out there and watch porn. This part of the book was actually kind of funny.
Their relationship blooms slowly, mostly due to Lucy’s insecurities and daddy issues. Her dad abandoned their family when she was young and she’s convinced that being with a good looking guy like Connor will end poorly for her. This part of the book drove me nuts.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was Lucy’s ability to equate everything to baking. And ingredients. It was really cute and endearing.
I really liked Connor. He was such a sweet guy and he was very good for Lucy. I liked Lucy as well, but her insecurities got a little old after a while. Her group of friends were quite funny, and I enjoyed them. I hope the next book is about her friend Tess or her brother Kyle, because I would read both of those.
I would recommend this book. It was fun and sweet.
Blog --> https://tvaddictedbookworm.com
Twitter --> https://twitter.com/tvaddictbookwm
Instagram-->https://instagram.com/tvaddictedbookworm
January 25, 2019
We’ve all read a novel with the classic “BET” romance trope thrown into it. Two characters falling for each other as their master plan of betting the other one won’t. But what you haven’t read is Cat Carmine’s unique spin on this classic love story.
In The Break Up Bet, Carmine pairs baking blogger, Lucy Sweet with Silicon Valley app developer, Connor Pratt. Thrust together in a small NYC apartment, these two childhood friends don’t take long to invade each other space and heart. Immediately you can’t help but love Lucy. Her character is quirky, funny and so relatable to the average girl. She’s rebounding hard after losing the vanilla boyfriend she’s had for the last three years. Connor Pratt is nowhere in her league. To begin with, Connor is Lucy’s brother’s best friend and his last girlfriend was a too hot gold digger. Nothing like Lucy. Yet instant, Connor falls fast for this shy, sometimes odd baker.
I’ve never read Cat Carmine’s work before. Taking a chance on a new author, I can tell you she is worth the read. The Break Up Bet was fun, flirty, romantic and had just enough of that angst to make me a complete fan. The characters were beyond amazing too. I’m hoping this isn’t the last of them either. If you are looking for that perfect romance, I’d “BET” Cat Carmine’s is one you should one click.
In The Break Up Bet, Carmine pairs baking blogger, Lucy Sweet with Silicon Valley app developer, Connor Pratt. Thrust together in a small NYC apartment, these two childhood friends don’t take long to invade each other space and heart. Immediately you can’t help but love Lucy. Her character is quirky, funny and so relatable to the average girl. She’s rebounding hard after losing the vanilla boyfriend she’s had for the last three years. Connor Pratt is nowhere in her league. To begin with, Connor is Lucy’s brother’s best friend and his last girlfriend was a too hot gold digger. Nothing like Lucy. Yet instant, Connor falls fast for this shy, sometimes odd baker.
I’ve never read Cat Carmine’s work before. Taking a chance on a new author, I can tell you she is worth the read. The Break Up Bet was fun, flirty, romantic and had just enough of that angst to make me a complete fan. The characters were beyond amazing too. I’m hoping this isn’t the last of them either. If you are looking for that perfect romance, I’d “BET” Cat Carmine’s is one you should one click.
January 30, 2019
The Break-Up Bet is the first book that I have read by Cat Carmine, and although it’s not the first in the series it is easily read as a standalone. It was light-hearted and fun, with fun, adorable characters and a great story line. The premise- learn from your mistakes. But Lucy Sweet and Conner Pratt take this to a whole other level and have to try each other’s way of getting over a break-up.
Lucy is a baking blogger. She likes to bake and right now, her sweet things and romantic movies are all that she’s interested in after breaking up with her boyfriend of three years.
Conner is Lucy’s brother, Kyle’s best friend and this hot, sexy App developer is currently living in Lucy’s spare room. They used to be close, but she’s not really spent much time with him in years, and now he’s all up in her space. And it’s not a big space!
Cue some hilarious drunken moments, a revelation and then the inevitable will they, wouldn’t they.
Conner likes to have fun, he’s an easy-going, laidback guy whereas Lucy is more set in her ways. She just liked everything to go the way she planned them. She has a great little posse of besties and some previous characters from earlier books pop up too. I liked getting to know them.
This was a great first read, and I will be going back and reading the earlier books too.
Lucy is a baking blogger. She likes to bake and right now, her sweet things and romantic movies are all that she’s interested in after breaking up with her boyfriend of three years.
Conner is Lucy’s brother, Kyle’s best friend and this hot, sexy App developer is currently living in Lucy’s spare room. They used to be close, but she’s not really spent much time with him in years, and now he’s all up in her space. And it’s not a big space!
Cue some hilarious drunken moments, a revelation and then the inevitable will they, wouldn’t they.
Conner likes to have fun, he’s an easy-going, laidback guy whereas Lucy is more set in her ways. She just liked everything to go the way she planned them. She has a great little posse of besties and some previous characters from earlier books pop up too. I liked getting to know them.
This was a great first read, and I will be going back and reading the earlier books too.
January 29, 2019
This is a cute, light, fun romantic comedy that I really enjoyed. The characters were all well developed and really easy to like. Lucy was a by the book, likes everything in its specific box kind of girl. Connor was pretty much the opposite, relaxed and fun. It had both points of view, which I love in a book. I loved all the great friendships between the girls and between Kyle and Connor. You also see characters from some of Carmine’s previous books, which was so fun. It’s still a complete standalone though. Lucy was a baking blogger, and I really liked all the food talk! All sounded so delicious!
I was a little disappointed that when they finally did get together, they almost immediately imploded. I wanted to see more of their relationship. Also, the epilogue was good, but personally, I just wanted a little more from that. It sounds like we might be getting books from some of the other characters and I hope we will see Lucy and Connor’s relationship more in those books.
Overall, this was a quick, fun romantic comedy and I would highly recommend it!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was a little disappointed that when they finally did get together, they almost immediately imploded. I wanted to see more of their relationship. Also, the epilogue was good, but personally, I just wanted a little more from that. It sounds like we might be getting books from some of the other characters and I hope we will see Lucy and Connor’s relationship more in those books.
Overall, this was a quick, fun romantic comedy and I would highly recommend it!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 1, 2019
The Break-Up Bet by author Cat Carmine was a quirky, witty read!
Lucy is needing a new roommate after her previous one found love and moved out. Enter Conner, her brother's best friend who just moved and needed a place to temporarily stay. Both have ended relationships and have their own unique ways to move on. Hence the bet. Each has to try the other's way of putting the past behind them.
The characters were funny and have their own patches of sweet. I loved Lucy's quirky way of looking at people as ingredients. Connor was so cocky but in an endearing way that keeps him from being too over the top. Their chemistry was so hot and you just know this couple are meant for each other.
Cat Carmine wrote a sweet funny contemporary read that I thoroughly enjoyed!
March 11, 2019
Si je suis d'avis que l'héroïne était probablement déjà "trop" accroché au héros, j'ai beaucoup aimé l'idée que les deux soient en "peine d'amour" et du fameux paris. Tenter de traverser la période à la manière de l'autre? Oh que oui. C'était amusant et mignon. Quant à la scène dans la chambre du monsieur, celle concernant un certain film xxx, elle était parfaite et terriblement sexy.
Malheureusement, aussi amusant ait été le livre, j'aurais bien aimé que l'héroïne soit moins... En chaleur? Je comprends que le héros était attirant et tout, bla bla bla ahem, mais sans jouer la chieuse, elle salivait un peu partout. C'était un chouia triste, voir un peu pathétique... Enfin, au moins on a évite le insta love, merci au héros, qui aura su se retenir. Ahem.
Malheureusement, aussi amusant ait été le livre, j'aurais bien aimé que l'héroïne soit moins... En chaleur? Je comprends que le héros était attirant et tout, bla bla bla ahem, mais sans jouer la chieuse, elle salivait un peu partout. C'était un chouia triste, voir un peu pathétique... Enfin, au moins on a évite le insta love, merci au héros, qui aura su se retenir. Ahem.
January 28, 2019
I was really excited to read this book because I felt the plot was different than the romantic comedies that I have read in the past. Boy, was I right!
I really enjoyed The Break-Up Bet. Lucy and Connor are both fresh out of relationships and not sure how to get over their exes. The make a bet that brings them together in ways that I would have never expected.
Lucy and Connor are funny, sweet, and relatable. Their interactions kept me feeling warm and fuzzy and I just couldn't put this book down. If this is the type of romantic comedy that you enjoy, this is a book for you!
Cat Carmine is a new to me author and I can't wait to read her other books!
I really enjoyed The Break-Up Bet. Lucy and Connor are both fresh out of relationships and not sure how to get over their exes. The make a bet that brings them together in ways that I would have never expected.
Lucy and Connor are funny, sweet, and relatable. Their interactions kept me feeling warm and fuzzy and I just couldn't put this book down. If this is the type of romantic comedy that you enjoy, this is a book for you!
Cat Carmine is a new to me author and I can't wait to read her other books!
February 2, 2019
When Lucy gets a new roommate who just happens to be her brother's best friend, the guy she used to have a crush on, she thinks she can handle living with Connor, no problem. Connor, like Lucy, has just been through a bad break-up, and they have had different ways of coping. But then someone (Connor) gets the bright idea to have a bet on whose process for dealing with a break-up is better - hers that involves ice cream and binging on sappy chick flicks, or his which involves porn and whisky. Whoever moves on first, wins. It sounds iffy to Lucy, but as Connor said, no matter who loses, wins anyway.
The Break-Up Bet is so sweet and adorable. Lucy is definitely a dork, but in a cute way, and Connor definitely notices. And Connor was just as adorable as Lucy, so them together as a couple were even better than them separately. Cat Carmine is fast becoming one of my favorite writers with her sexy heroes, and sweet, strong heroines, I can't wait for whatever story she has in store for us next. I hope it's Tess and Noah's!
ARC via author for an honest review.
Full review posted on my blog ---> Live Through Books Blog.
May 13, 2020
Eu acho que honra o gênero. A tradução pra português não é muito boa, tive que ir passando as coisas pro inglês na minha cabeça pra elas fazerem sentido, mas isso não afetou muito a minha leitura. Já tava há bastante tempo sem ler livros desse gênero, e acho que cumpriu o prometido. Fiquei até quase 4 horas da manhã lendo porque precisava ver a Lucy e o Connor terminando juntos hahahaha
August 29, 2020
Ok I loved this!! My third 5 star read of 2020. It was just a cute read and I really like the authors wiring style. I liked alll the characters as well.
It did say there would be a second book but I don’t see anything about it sadly . Anyone know about it? It said it was called the Fiancé Fiasco at the end of the Break up bet.
It did say there would be a second book but I don’t see anything about it sadly . Anyone know about it? It said it was called the Fiancé Fiasco at the end of the Break up bet.
November 30, 2019
Fun book, light reading, not a lot of drama either. It's about getting over a break up and how they bet who can do it first. Also how a childhood crush can go both ways without them realizing it. Fun baking blogger Mc with dual POV.
November 28, 2022
4.25 rounded down to 4 stars.
January 31, 2019
It's very rare these days that I grab a book by an author I've absolutely never heard of. Cat Carmine is my recent find, and between the cover and blurb for this book, I couldn’t pass up the chance to try someone new.
And my decision paid off because I really enjoyed this book!
Connor is amazing. He’s so much more than what you’re expecting. This guy is smart, successful, oozes charm and charisma, and has this fun, open personality that just puts you at ease. He’s sweet and kind, but also rough and dirty. He’s sexy and irresistible and so much fun.
Lucy is a mess of the best kind. I absolutely love her. She’s quirky and funny, with an upbeat personality and awkwardness for days. She can be shy and quiet and flip to unfiltered and crazy in the blink of an eye. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.
From the very first page you could feel the chemistry between these two. Their witty banter and crazy shenanigans will keep you on your toes and their slow-burning chemistry will have you flipping the pages at a rapid pace to see what happens next. I definitely made the right choice when I picked up this book. The Break-up Bet is a fun, flirty read and Cat Carmine just found herself a new fan. I can't wait to read her other books.
And my decision paid off because I really enjoyed this book!
Connor is amazing. He’s so much more than what you’re expecting. This guy is smart, successful, oozes charm and charisma, and has this fun, open personality that just puts you at ease. He’s sweet and kind, but also rough and dirty. He’s sexy and irresistible and so much fun.
Lucy is a mess of the best kind. I absolutely love her. She’s quirky and funny, with an upbeat personality and awkwardness for days. She can be shy and quiet and flip to unfiltered and crazy in the blink of an eye. There’s never a dull moment when she’s around.
From the very first page you could feel the chemistry between these two. Their witty banter and crazy shenanigans will keep you on your toes and their slow-burning chemistry will have you flipping the pages at a rapid pace to see what happens next. I definitely made the right choice when I picked up this book. The Break-up Bet is a fun, flirty read and Cat Carmine just found herself a new fan. I can't wait to read her other books.
January 31, 2019
***ARC Provided by the Author and Give Me Books***
3.5 Stars
I enjoy "bet" romance...as long as both parties know that the bet exists. (When they don't, bet romances feel a little cruel and lack authenticity in the relationship.) In this case, as they make the bet with one another, I was all in. I believed in it, and I was interested to see how long it would take for them to figure out that they were meant to be together.
And, I laughed. That matters in a romantic comedy, and it is hard to make sure one with a premise like this one doesn't go off the rails into crazy comedy territory.
I believed in the chemistry between Connor and Lucy. I enjoyed that they were friends, that they genuinely enjoyed one another, and that they really wanted the other to be happy. I felt so sorry for Connor at the end, at the choice he made, in my opinion, really solidified how he felt about Lucy...which is what matters the most in a romance, that I believe in the relationship.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
3.5 Stars
I enjoy "bet" romance...as long as both parties know that the bet exists. (When they don't, bet romances feel a little cruel and lack authenticity in the relationship.) In this case, as they make the bet with one another, I was all in. I believed in it, and I was interested to see how long it would take for them to figure out that they were meant to be together.
And, I laughed. That matters in a romantic comedy, and it is hard to make sure one with a premise like this one doesn't go off the rails into crazy comedy territory.
I believed in the chemistry between Connor and Lucy. I enjoyed that they were friends, that they genuinely enjoyed one another, and that they really wanted the other to be happy. I felt so sorry for Connor at the end, at the choice he made, in my opinion, really solidified how he felt about Lucy...which is what matters the most in a romance, that I believe in the relationship.
I enjoyed and recommend this title.
February 17, 2019
Man I am loving these books by Cat! They are funny and sweet and romantic, the perfect combination for romcoms. And she has all the right ingredients for this book!! Lucy is a baking blogger and man did this book make me hungry for some of her sweets she was making. And she needs a roommate so her brother hooks her up with his best friend that just moved back to town. That Lucy so happened to have a crush on when she was younger and he still gets her all tongue tied. Conner comes in and sees his best friends little sister isn't so little anymore but he can't cross that bro code. But the chemistry they have is off the charts. But Lucy doesn't think they are good for each other at all. Can they actually be good together or will Lucy's insecurities get in the way or Conners fear of the bro code stand in the way? Read this book and find out what happens I promise this is worth the read!! I highly recommend it. - By Tina
October 10, 2019
It was a sweet quick read. But I just couldn’t stand all of the food analogies and food jokes and just food everything just because she was a food blogger.
Also she just makes up a persona for him and judges him on it. She thinks he’s a player because she knew him in hs but it didn’t seem like he was much of a ‘player’ even back then. And even when he’s shown how real and sweet and caring he is she just gets mad at him and does the annoying ‘we’re too different’ thing. He didn’t deserve that at all. Honestly he was so not a player and using girls. She just really annoyed me and didn’t deserve him.
Also she just makes up a persona for him and judges him on it. She thinks he’s a player because she knew him in hs but it didn’t seem like he was much of a ‘player’ even back then. And even when he’s shown how real and sweet and caring he is she just gets mad at him and does the annoying ‘we’re too different’ thing. He didn’t deserve that at all. Honestly he was so not a player and using girls. She just really annoyed me and didn’t deserve him.
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