Title:  The All-Star Antes Up
Series:  Wager of Hearts #2
Author:  Nancy Herkness
Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Sports Romance
Published:  May 31, 2016
Publisher:  Montlake Romance
My Rating:  4 stars
Source:  NetGalley
Cover Description:

“No strings, no rings.” That’s Luke Archer’s motto. As the champion quarterback for the New York Empire—not to mention a self-made billionaire—Luke has given up on serious relationships. Women only want him for one thing: the thrill of being with a superstar. And he likes it that way too. But when his best friend announces he’s retiring from football to spend time with his wife and kids, Luke feels like he’s missing out on something much bigger than his career.

The assistant concierge in Luke’s luxury high-rise, Miranda Tate fled her family’s dairy farm to come to the bright lights of New York City. She works hard to move up and sends her spare earnings home to her brother. When she and Luke meet, there’s an instant sexual attraction which turns steamy quickly, but they’re in completely different leagues. Could Miranda be just the woman Luke needs to win the most important game of his life?

Read on for my thoughts on The All-Star Antes Up.  No true spoilers, promise.

The challenge has been made, the wagers set – and one of our trio of handsome, wealthy men has found his lady…and put a ring on it.  😉  Now it’s Luke and Miranda’s turn to find out if love will blossom, in spite of a wager.

Miranda is a concierge at a luxury apartment building in New York City.  For the most part she loves her job.  Helping others, solving problems and just being around people usually is the highlight of her day.  Yet this day isn’t going according to plan.  Unfortunately Miranda has the boss from the deepest pits of hell, one who is always picking on her, finding fault at everything she does and simply is trying to get her to quit.  (I had a boss like that and it certainly made me so much more sympathetic to Miranda)  His beef this time?  Miranda didn’t fulfill the guest of Luke Archer’s request.  Of course she didn’t – the jerk asked her to get him a call girl!  When Luke discovers what it was that his insensitive, jealous, incompetent brother did to get Miranda in trouble he quickly comes to her rescue.  He also discovered a charming, young woman that instantly sparked his attention.

Luke’s life revolved around football.  For as long as he could remember the game always took top priority in his life.  Now he’s getting older, not as quick on the field or to heal as he used to be.  His best friend is retiring from professional football to spend time with his family and move on to the next journey of his life.  In a melancholy state of mind, Luke realizes that there is nothing in his life aside from football.  Oh sure he owns a ranch but he can’t really do anything there as an off season injury could be the ending of a career.  Meeting Miranda has opened his eyes to a path he never considered – his own happiness away from the game he loved, but was soon going to be too old to give it his best any longer.

The All-Star Antes Up is the fun, charming and sexy romance of Luke and Miranda.  Two people on the surface who are the complete opposites, yet together they make a powerful, loving couple.  I enjoyed this story and it was realistic enough that I certainly had no trouble rooting for their happily ever ending.  Luke might be a famous billionaire but he comes off as an ordinary man who has an extraordinary job.  Miranda may be from a small town but she has her own dreams and isn’t afraid to do the hard work to make them come true.  Her “fan girl” moment was funny, sweet and completely how most of us would react when meeting a person we admired in their profession.  It just endeared her to me a bit more when she had a totally human moment.  🙂

If you enjoy a good, solid romance with relate-able characters and an interesting story line, then I believe you’d enjoy The All-Star Antes Up.  Yes, it is the second novel in a series.  But aside from a short mention, you could consider this a stand alone novel.  I will always suggest starting a series from the beginning – but that doesn’t mean you have to pass up a good story simply because you didn’t read the first one.  Go ahead, dive right in!  You’ll enjoy the experience.

*I received an e-ARC of The All-Star Antes Up from the publisher, Montlake Publishing and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. That does not change what I think of this novel.*

Available in audio, paperback and for the Kindle