Scan barcode
alex_whitehall's review against another edition
4.0
Stars: 3.5/5
Overall
If I ever need an upper, I turn to an Amy Lane book, and Gambling Men was no exception. This book is a bit different from some romances in that usually a good chunk of the story is the characters meeting and slowly coming together, or coming together for the first half and then dealing with issues the second half. Instead, our two leads have been long-time friends and in the first chapter they hook up in the most carnal definition of the word, and a relationship blooms from there.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, how much fun they have with one another, and each admission of love that Quent had to pull from Jase every so many chapters. Since I, like Jase, enjoy the hunt, I felt the building of the relationship went slow for me, but ultimately it left me satisfied and I trusted Lane to lead me to the right place. She did not disappoint. Lane fans and readers who want something soft (with hard edges) and frequent bubbles of joy should definitely pick this up.
Review
While this is a good books, I didn't enjoy it as much as other Lane books, primarily due to the focus of the story being on the continuously developing relationship. Although that isn't a bad setting, it did make the story movement slow (for me). It didn't drag, per se, but because there was little propulsion, the plot ambled along with the characters, motivated by small jumps and lurches. Because of this I think the story would work well for a beach read--picking it up at leisure, since you don’t have to tear yourself away from it to go enjoy something else.
Along the same vein, this story almost feels like a series of long vignettes, where we experience highlights of these two men's relationship. Of course in this case the tales all tie together into one story, but there isn't really a climactic moment or primary struggle. Instead they are just two men dealing with their relationship and trying to get over the personality traits that can make relationships difficult. Again, not a bad thing, but not terribly riveting either.
The dance between these two men and their incessant poker references is sweet, cute, adorable, frustrating and overall the best parts of the book. Sometimes I wanted to smack one of them (mainly Jase), and tell him to stop being a twerp, but for the most part I was charmed by them, even when Jase is being an idiot. Because despite his habit of making things harder than they need to be, it's obvious he's struggling not to be a jerk about things and it's only the behavior of a scared little boy coming out in the shape of a grown man.
There's a wonderful family theme in this story, both blood and created, and the group of friends that surround Quent and Jase is funny, and they are supportive of the two men, even when making snide comments. It felt realistic because they weren't perfect, they had some problems, they dealt with them, they overcame things and failed in others. All the supplementary cast was well applied and a nice complement to the story as a whole.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
Overall
If I ever need an upper, I turn to an Amy Lane book, and Gambling Men was no exception. This book is a bit different from some romances in that usually a good chunk of the story is the characters meeting and slowly coming together, or coming together for the first half and then dealing with issues the second half. Instead, our two leads have been long-time friends and in the first chapter they hook up in the most carnal definition of the word, and a relationship blooms from there.
I thoroughly enjoyed the characters, how much fun they have with one another, and each admission of love that Quent had to pull from Jase every so many chapters. Since I, like Jase, enjoy the hunt, I felt the building of the relationship went slow for me, but ultimately it left me satisfied and I trusted Lane to lead me to the right place. She did not disappoint. Lane fans and readers who want something soft (with hard edges) and frequent bubbles of joy should definitely pick this up.
Review
While this is a good books, I didn't enjoy it as much as other Lane books, primarily due to the focus of the story being on the continuously developing relationship. Although that isn't a bad setting, it did make the story movement slow (for me). It didn't drag, per se, but because there was little propulsion, the plot ambled along with the characters, motivated by small jumps and lurches. Because of this I think the story would work well for a beach read--picking it up at leisure, since you don’t have to tear yourself away from it to go enjoy something else.
Along the same vein, this story almost feels like a series of long vignettes, where we experience highlights of these two men's relationship. Of course in this case the tales all tie together into one story, but there isn't really a climactic moment or primary struggle. Instead they are just two men dealing with their relationship and trying to get over the personality traits that can make relationships difficult. Again, not a bad thing, but not terribly riveting either.
The dance between these two men and their incessant poker references is sweet, cute, adorable, frustrating and overall the best parts of the book. Sometimes I wanted to smack one of them (mainly Jase), and tell him to stop being a twerp, but for the most part I was charmed by them, even when Jase is being an idiot. Because despite his habit of making things harder than they need to be, it's obvious he's struggling not to be a jerk about things and it's only the behavior of a scared little boy coming out in the shape of a grown man.
There's a wonderful family theme in this story, both blood and created, and the group of friends that surround Quent and Jase is funny, and they are supportive of the two men, even when making snide comments. It felt realistic because they weren't perfect, they had some problems, they dealt with them, they overcame things and failed in others. All the supplementary cast was well applied and a nice complement to the story as a whole.
Be sure to check out my other reviews on my blog.
hippiedaizy's review against another edition
2.0
ACK! PLEASE don't throw tomatoes at me. I know everyone loves Amy Lane's books so I thought I would finally give one a shot. I have to say I was disappointed. Maybe it was just this particular book?
What I didn't like:
Jase. I thought he was a huge dick for almost the entire book. He was a moody little shit for no reason, in my opinion. If he just opened his mouth instead of being a douchenozzle then maybe he wouldn't be so damn moody. I get that he has a constant fear of heartbreak, but at what does it take for him to realize that Quent's "all in"?
The whole "poker is life". Seriously? Sorry, but life/love/relationships aren't a game, unless you like playing with someone's heart. Maybe that's why I thought Jase was such a dick?
I thought it was too long. Perhaps, because I didn't enjoy it?
They jumped into bed right away. Therefore, it had too much sex. I would have liked to learn more about their relationship as friends before they jumped into bed at like 6% or wherever it was.
Quent's family issue.
What I did like:
Quent! He was a sweetheart and I loved him.
Overall, this was rough to finish, but I did it. The ending was sweet. I'll have to try another book from Amy Lane.
What I didn't like:
Jase. I thought he was a huge dick for almost the entire book. He was a moody little shit for no reason, in my opinion. If he just opened his mouth instead of being a douchenozzle then maybe he wouldn't be so damn moody. I get that he has a constant fear of heartbreak, but at what does it take for him to realize that Quent's "all in"?
The whole "poker is life". Seriously? Sorry, but life/love/relationships aren't a game, unless you like playing with someone's heart. Maybe that's why I thought Jase was such a dick?
I thought it was too long. Perhaps, because I didn't enjoy it?
They jumped into bed right away. Therefore, it had too much sex. I would have liked to learn more about their relationship as friends before they jumped into bed at like 6% or wherever it was.
Quent's family issue.
Spoiler
I would have liked more interaction with them at least heard their end of the conversation. Maybe showed us readers the time spent with Sam and her kids at Christmas. Instead of us being told about it later which wasn't much.What I did like:
Quent! He was a sweetheart and I loved him.
Overall, this was rough to finish, but I did it. The ending was sweet
Spoiler
Quent's poker table gift!!!bookworm_panda's review against another edition
5.0
I have loved all the short stories I've read with these two main characters so I was so, so happy to get to read a full length novel with them! I love the span of time it goes through from beginning to end, and I just love Quent and Jace and their strengths and weaknesses, their friends and relationships with them, and just them being them. Wonderful story! After reading one of Lane's books, I always think that this is "one of my top favorites" of hers...well, I guess they are ALL my favorites! Haven't read a book of hers that I didn't love.
atarnus's review against another edition
4.0
4-⭐
Engaging, steamy, funny, and a bit quirky with the silly poker innuendos. It's cheesy and fun, though one needs to leave their brains in the other room while reading this. It's so over-the-top and there are many niggles like how implausible it is nothing would have happened between these two during all those years. And while I'm not a rulebook person, I just can't get past how extremely unprofessional sex in the workplace is. (Yeah, every BL manga set in office does it too, and every time I'm just baffled.)
But if one doesn't take things too seriously, this is a very entertaining read about two idiots who can't keep their hands off each other. The couple here bickers and competes, and normally I probably wouldn't like Jace, but these guys work well together. I did miss piny moments before action and would have still preferred a less money shark environment but the focus of the story is on the men obsessing about each other, which is definitely a good thing.
Engaging, steamy, funny, and a bit quirky with the silly poker innuendos. It's cheesy and fun, though one needs to leave their brains in the other room while reading this. It's so over-the-top and there are many niggles like how implausible it is nothing would have happened between these two during all those years. And while I'm not a rulebook person, I just can't get past how extremely unprofessional sex in the workplace is. (Yeah, every BL manga set in office does it too, and every time I'm just baffled.)
But if one doesn't take things too seriously, this is a very entertaining read about two idiots who can't keep their hands off each other. The couple here bickers and competes, and normally I probably wouldn't like Jace, but these guys work well together. I did miss piny moments before action and would have still preferred a less money shark environment but the focus of the story is on the men obsessing about each other, which is definitely a good thing.
marlobo's review against another edition
3.0
More plot and a bit less sex would have been better. I prefer the short story included in [b:Curious?: A Woman's Introduction to Gay Romance|7938293|Curious? A Woman's Introduction to Gay Romance|Elizabeth North|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1269984282l/7938293._SX50_.jpg|11349180].
nicola949's review against another edition
4.0
After years of friendship, Jason finally sees the sign he has been waiting for and makes a move on Quentin, revealing his true feelings.
There is no denying that these guys are hot and the sex that follows is sizzling!
Struggling to communicate, poker becomes the language to raise issues. Once they are able to admit their feelings to themselves, each other and their friends, the emotion is deep. When Quent and Jace are forced to acknowledge their feelings, they do so in a way that is honest, raw and passionate.
The only downside to this book was the overuse of the poker metaphors - too many and too often - but this is really only a minor complaint, easily overlooked.
There is no denying that these guys are hot and the sex that follows is sizzling!
Struggling to communicate, poker becomes the language to raise issues. Once they are able to admit their feelings to themselves, each other and their friends, the emotion is deep. When Quent and Jace are forced to acknowledge their feelings, they do so in a way that is honest, raw and passionate.
The only downside to this book was the overuse of the poker metaphors - too many and too often - but this is really only a minor complaint, easily overlooked.
shan198025's review against another edition
3.0
Not as angsty as Amy Lane books usually are. It was cute.
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
3.0
Quent and Jason are business partners who have been friends since their freshman year of college. Everything they've done has been based on Jason's outlook that life is poker and he lives it like he's in one constant game. But when one night they give in to passion, can they beat the odds and ensure their friendship-turned-romance is based on a winning hand.
I struggled with this one a bit. I know the poker metaphor is a large part of this book, but I feel like it overshadowed things quite a bit. I also felt like Jason's personality was off-putting and a bit inconsistent at times--especially in terms of him being in control and possessive vs. indecisive with no real rhyme or reason that I could discern. Ultimately, though, it is a nice little romance and I did enjoy the dynamic between the two of them.
I struggled with this one a bit. I know the poker metaphor is a large part of this book, but I feel like it overshadowed things quite a bit. I also felt like Jason's personality was off-putting and a bit inconsistent at times--especially in terms of him being in control and possessive vs. indecisive with no real rhyme or reason that I could discern. Ultimately, though, it is a nice little romance and I did enjoy the dynamic between the two of them.