A Small Town Gamble

by Melinda Curtis

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A small town romance with quirky characters about the healing power of unexpected love from USA Today Bestselling author Melinda Curtis.

It's hard to start over.

But single mother Annie Raye is determined to make it work. Step one, move back home to Harmony Valley. Step two, apply to jobs outside of California where hopefully no one will discover her ex-husband is a convicted embezzler.

And sometimes you can't be completely honest.

When Annie finally lands a job, she packs up the car and shows up for work, only to be told that she can't have the job until she passes a background check conducted by a tall, handsome stranger who doesn't seem to realize she's no trouble. No trouble at all.

But the past has a way of catching up to you.

And when Annie's unexpectedly does, she has to make a choice about her future, about who she wants to be, where she wants to be, and who she wants in her life.

Fans of movies with Las Vegas twists, like Oceans Eleven, or Hallmark movies where the city life isn't all that its cracked up to be will love this fun, heartwarming romance with a happily ever after.

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Book Details

Genre

Contemporary Romance

Subgenre

Destination / Vacation, Small Town

Series

Love in Harmony Valley • Book 14

Audience

Adult

Bell Peppers

🫑

Profanity

1 None

Violence

1 None

Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco

2 Mild

Publication Date

August 20, 2024

Language Versions

English

Narration Type

Digital

Fiction Form

Novel

Sensitive Themes

PTSD or trauma recovery

Editorial Reviews

"There are twists and secrets at every turn that keep this story so engrossing that you won't want to put it down. This is a wonderfully written story with comical and adorable secondary characters that add to the entertainment of the story." Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

"Another great addition to the series, this one made me laugh more than it should have given the reason for my humor." Amazon Reviewer, 5 Stars

Not part of my husband's scheme!

Ann has to leave part of her part of her life in the rearview. As well as her convicted embezzling husband. Although he failed to mention to her anything about his extracurricular activities......it is still impacting her life. When she finds a new job, she packs up and high tails it out of there. Wanting to start a new and hopefully out of the reach of her husband's name recognition. When she arrives at her new place of employment, she is informed that they'll need a background check. A task that is handled by Sam Knight. Of course he rejects her application. But Ann is not about to accept that. She decides to follow Sam. Well one thing leads to another and then.......Sorry, no spoilers here. Just grab this book, get in your favorite reading nook, grab some delicious wine, or your drink of choice. Then settle in and read this fantastic book. Or, if you haven't read the entire series you can start with book one. This can be read as a standalone.I voluntarily accepted a copy of this book and this is a honest review.

Sunshine & Smiles . . .

I really liked this book and enjoyed our characters. It was definitely interesting to see how a card counter works and what length people will go to, to help someone in need. I always like to see how our main characters meet and Annie and Sam have an interesting first meeting especially when Sam knows right off the bat who she is, the plot really thickens when Vince is involved and we come to realize how small of a world it really is especially when Annie’s cousin Jill has an up close and personal connection to Vince who is friends with Sam. I really felt like we got two stories in one with this book with both Annie and Jill. I really wasn’t a fan of Brett, but he eventually grew on me and I’m sure that Aldo was a bad and scary person back in the day, I loved the scene with Jill, Annie, and Aldo especially when it ended up being a friendly situation between the three. At the end of the book, I was thrilled for Annie and her situation but sad for Jill until I realized that her story is coming next. I am a little concerned for her with her son’s grandparents but with Vince on the scene, they will be well taken care of. My favorite line in this book is, ‘Hobbits know the secret to a happy life.’ Great book.

Sam and Annie

Another great addition to the series, this one made me laugh more than it should have given the reason for my humor. They both have PTSD but Annie can avoid the gambling world that scarred her at the tender age of twelve. Sam can't totally isolate himself from children, his military career giving him first-hand knowledge of how far zealots will go to further their cause. As their lives become increasingly intertwined as she dogs his heels to make him complete a reporting of her non-criminal status so she can get a better job, her sheer determination and gentle heart draw him in. Just one kiss and he is hooked but he still can't bring himself to trust the woman whose father is under the radar of a big-time Vegas casino owner. That can of worms is the reason for Annie's trauma.Old wounds will be healed and new bonds formed on multiple fronts as relationships are changed. Annie and her dad get a second chance to be the family they lost years ago. Little Maddy helped a lot, taking to her grandpa with an unconditional love of which only kids and animals seem capable. Sammy (per Maddy) gets fixed, learning to cope with his condition and take steps to lead a life worthy of his dad. Even the Patrizio family (Jill, Teddy, Vince, Aldo) gets a HFN that will begin to help settle Jill's (Annie's cousin) problems from a run-in in her past. Life is challenging and each of the Harmony Valley couples rise to the occasion brilliantly to fight for the love they deserve. More please.I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Un-Put-Downable

A Small Town Gamble is the thirteenth in the Love in Harmony Valley series but can be read as a stand alone story, however I suggest reading the previous stories for the pure entertainment and delight. Annie Raye is a single mother who is trying to overcome past issues that were not of her making and is now hoping to land a job at a company in Las Vegas but is hindered by her unsubstantiated arrest record. Sam Knight is a former military vet and now works as a p.i. He is hired to run background checks on applicants for a company his best friend has invested in but when he rejects Annie, she refuses to allow him to end her potential job so she trails after him on his other job of trying to find card counters only to realize her father is one of the people Sam is looking for. As the two begin to work together, their pasts come to light and they help each other overcome the panic attacks that occur. Neither is looking for a relationship but both begin to have feelings, protective as well as romantic but must forgive the past to have a future. There are twists and secrets at every turn that keep this story so engrossing that you won't want to put it down. This is a wonderfully written story with comical and adorable secondary characters that add to the entertainment of the story.I received an advanced reader copy from the publisher but all thoughts and feelings are my own.

Happy valley series

I love the whole series. I started reading this series after watching the hallmark movie. It was a joy to have met Melinda Curtis and also Mr. Curtis who is her biggest fan. It made me feel more invested in the books