Review: Hustler by Meghan Quinn & Jessica Prince

Note: This ARC was provided by WordSmith Publicity in exchange for an honest review.

Authors Meghan Quinn and Jessica Prince have combined their writing powers and have given us one hell of a smartly written romantic comedy novel that looks to be the beginning of a series or is the starting point for at least two spin-off standalones. Hustler is the story of the Poker King of Vegas, Gavin Saint, who's known for being able to read his fellow card players and using their weaknesses to his advantages. He can read anyone away from the poker table as well, at least, that is, until he takes notice of cocktail waitress Penelope Prescott. Her wise-cracking, foul-mouthed commentary and her ability to knock him off his game have Gavin more than a little bit curious about the twenty-one-year-old who insists he call her "Nell". She's nothing like the other women he's been with and she's a distraction that he never expected. But Gavin refuses to allow himself to see her as anything more than that. He saw firsthand what falling in love did to his legendary poker player father. Will Gavin choose to fold or will he finally go all in with Nell?

This is the kind of book that already starts of well and then continues to get even better as Gavin and Nell try to get their footing with regards to their intense connection. The banter is sharp and snarky but also flirty and fiery, neither one willing to give an inch. But there's also more to this book than the creative mating ritual Gavin and Nell undergo while getting all their feelings thrown into the mix. Nell is a young woman who arrived in Vegas with a dream of performing on stage, but after three years of waiting around for the audition that will launch her career, she can't help feeling if she's merely grasping at straws. She would love nothing more than to help out her parents--who supported her whims and dreams--financially, but the money she earns as a waitress is barely enough to keep her afloat each month. Gavin's good lucks and cocky attitude are all part of a package that Nell recognizes as both irresistible and distracting. Giving in is inevitable, but with Gavin unwilling to fall in love, Nell could very well end up with a devastated heart.

When I said Gavin and Nell were engaging in a mating ritual, I meant it. There was a lot of back and forth, with Nell trying to resist Gavin's charms and just when he thought she had succumbed, she would kick him in the proverbial balls with her nonchalance and rejection, forcing him to regroup and wondering why the hell he couldn't seem to get it right. I was so charmed by these two because even though I knew they were going to finally give in and hopefully get their happily-ever-after (hey, you never know nowadays...sometimes a cliffhanger just comes out of nowhere), the whole Vegas-style courtship had me tickled all shades of pink and then some. The story was lighthearted comedy at its best but with just a hint of angst that I like my rom-com books to have. Throw in a cast of characters that I adored, especially since there are two potential couples-- Graham Larson and Page Blakely and Scott Turner and Gwen Davies--and I'm one hell of a happy and satisfied reader. Get your rom-com fix with Hustler, which gets five stars. ♥

Release Date: 09 May 2016

Date Read: 08 May 2016

Learn more about Meghan Quinn and Jessica Prince.

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