Title:  When The Chips Are Down
Series:  Three of a Kind #1
Author:  Beth Rinyu
Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Published:  April 30, 2015
Publisher:  Book Enthusiast Promotions
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Synopsis:

Melanie Hanson’s life didn’t go quite the way she had planned. Her cheating ex-husband traded her in for a newer model and she’s in over her head dealing with the drama that comes along with raising her twin teenage daughters.

The last thing she is looking for or needs in her life is a man – or is it?

Ben Wilder is the boy that Melanie loved to hate throughout high school, the boy that all the girls loved and the boy that didn’t give Melanie the time of day, unless it was to tease her. When she runs into him once again she realizes…he’s not a boy anymore. Older and wiser, she’s determined not to fall for her secret crush from all those years ago. But sometimes our heart has different plans than our head. Will she finally get her happily ever after with the man she least expected to have it with?

Take a humorous journey with Melanie and her daughters as their lives begin to parallel and they discover that although they may be separated by a generation their struggles are still the same.

Read on for my thoughts on When The Chips Are Down.  No true spoilers, promise.

There are worse things in life than finding your husband, your cheating husband, in a compromising position with the secretary.  Might be hard to come up with them at the time, but there are.  And maybe, in some part of her mind, Melanie wasn’t so much surprised and hurt as she was relieved.  Sad, isn’t it?  When the one you planned on ending your days with until your last day turns out to be the scumbag you had been suspecting he was for some time now.  Oh sure, there’s pain, don’t doubt that for a moment.  And anger, toss in some fear and add in determination, love for your kids and a resolve to get through this new dynamic no matter what.

To that mix, now add in two daughters, twins who are totally teenagers with all the drama, angst and complications that come along with that condition (that thankfully we do grow out of).  Don’t assume that being twins means the girls are carbon copies of each other.  Nothing further from the truth – oh, they have each other’s backs, but they also are each strong individuals as well.  Carrie would be considered the brainy, sensible twin, and Gia is definitely the outgoing rebel (but not in a bad way) twin.  Both are facing a different future, a split family and simply being teens.

Now we add in Ben.  We all had a guy like Ben at some point in our lives.  Really, think about it.  The guy you had a crush on but never, ever gave you the slightest thought – until it was time to tease you, in front of everyone and you simply “died” of embarrassment… yeah, that guy.  Who would have thought he would grow up into such a fine man.  And feel the sparks start to fly once again, only this time those sparks go both ways.

When The Chips Are Down is told in three points of view – Melanie, Carrie and Gia each give us the story through their eyes.  Which only highlights the fact that while each one is experiencing life and all of its complications – they are all facing the same things, but don’t always see it that way when seen from an all inclusive view.

This story has all of the emotions possible.  It is a slice of life, served up with laughter, tears, anger, happiness and everything inbetween.  A second chance at love that will last.  If you need to laugh out loud, and cry during your reading time then this one has you covered.  An enjoyable read that I would definitely recommend to just about any style of reader, because you’ll probably find what you’re looking for in this one.

*I received an e-ARC of When The Chips Are Down from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available for the Kindle