Betting on His BF is the fourth book in the ‘Nerd vs Jocks’ series. It stars Felix, the Quiz Bowl Champion, and PJ, aka Parker, the Jock. This is told in first person through both Felix and PJ’s povs.



I’ll start the review with the cover. I was first confused on which character was which, but after the descriptions in the story, the characters fit. The quirky smile on Felix’s face suits him considering his participation in the contest. However, there’s no mention of him having a tattoo on his chest so I don’t know why that wasn’t removed for the cover. It doesn’t look like a symbol of Asgard, which was supposed to be in the center of his chest.

I usually review plot before characters, but I’m going to do characters first, because I have a lot to say about the plot. PJ and Felix were awesome. They each had distinct personalities that carried throughout the story. It was clear they were great buddies when the story started. The authors did a good job with how the two interacted, and their character growth. I was invested in them as separate characters and as a couple because they were interesting. I could believe in them as a couple. Felix is cautious but willing to go along with PJ’s crazy schemes because he trusts him. Felix is also insecure because he’s short and considers himself a freak because of his overly large appendage. PJ is outgoing, brash and up for anything. He loves Felix as his wingman and he doesn’t think there’s anything wrong with PJ. They make a fun couple.

Now to the plot. I am extremely conflicted on how I feel about it. As I mentioned, the characters are great. The antics of the Greatest Wang contests are hilarious, and I can see that event as something realistic. But the involvement with the Mafia, the kidnapping, and the grand escape, that’s when the story fell off the cliff. If you’ve read a lot of the books by either of these authors, you know that one of them has used the kidnapping plot device in a lot of her stories. So much so, that it’s predictable, and unbelievable, with way too many plot holes. It’s like kidnappings are a convenient way to create conflict without having to think of new unique events to create conflict, else why use it over and over again with just a few changes? This particular kidnapping I’m sorry to say, is absurd. That’s the only word I can use and I’ll give the reasons. There is a notice at the beginning of the book that mentions this story is different because Felix and PJ are friends, so this is a friends to lovers book, unlike the previous three stories that were enemies to friends. That’s not what made this book different for me. The first three books had a realistic quality to them. Events and people that could exist in the real world. Yes, this series is fiction, but the books should have tied together with a feeling of reality. Book Four does not. It reads like a Fantasy or Fairytale, where bizarre events happen that in no way resemble our world or the first three books. Sure, there can be wild, fun stuff happening in Vegas, like the Wang contests. If there were more fun crazy stuff like that, the story would have worked better. But the Mafia and kidnapping are too over the top, and fails this story for me. Here are my reasons:

1) Throughout the book it’s mentioned that cameras are everywhere. That means wherever PJ and Felix are in the casino they can be found. I’ll get more to this later.
2) Can you honestly tell me that Joey who’s in the Mafia would hire stupid men? They aren’t silly characters in a Lucille Ball comedy. The Mafia is dangerous and smart. The authors portrayed them as easily fooled goofballs, which was absurd. This is a fairytale type villain that creates a feel of a book that shouldn’t be included with the first three books because Reality and Fairytale aren’t the same.
3) With all the surveillance and security men, are you telling me that Joey’s men don’t use earpieces that can connect them to the monitor room if something is happening in the casino? This is another plot hole that annoyed me. And since cameras are everywhere as repeatedly mentioned throughout the book, then security, who monitored the cameras, would be able to tell where PJ and Felix where in the casino after they escaped and report that info to Joey's men. It was too convenient that none of these security devices were used or forgotten about. That’s what I mean about the kidnapping plot device is used for action, but conveniently leaves out parts that would make it difficult for authors to work into the plot. If you can’t make the kidnapping plot device realistic, then don’t use it.
4) How many of you know someone who’s been kidnapped? Most kidnappings involve children by family, and some strangers. Most are found. But what about adults? Especially adults kidnapped by an organized crime member? Logically think about it. They are not going to be found alive. So why use kidnapping by Joey? This is an unrealistic direction to send a story into.
5) Can you honestly say even if Joey's in prison that he still doesn’t have connections outside of prison? That he still doesn’t have men loyal to him? That he doesn’t have people who owe him favors? Remember Joey owns many of the police in LV. I wouldn’t be surprised he has some FBI in his pocket also. PJ’s dad would never make it out of prison alive. And if he did, he’d die soon after. Same goes for PJ’s mom. AND to top it off, Joey likely knows that PJ and Felix gave testimony about the kidnapping. You bet he’d also have someone coming after them. PJ and Felix would end up dead in an accident, say by car when the brakes failed. Not only that, PJ’s dad turned evidence on other clients. You know those guys would be after his dad and anyone connected to him. PJ’s dad isn’t long for the world. Neither is PJ or Felix. Don’t use organized crime in a story unless you’re realistic about what they can do, not some Disney style fluffy ending. That’s a fantasy or fairytale, and that genre doesn't sync with the first three books.
6) And PJ’s mom, she sold everything and moved to Florida. This is another unrealistic outcome. Prosecutors and FBI would’ve gone after all their belongings to sell, then give the money back to those swindled, if there were honest clients, or to pay off the lawyers. She’d have to claim bankruptcy.

Now you can understand why I’m conflicted about this story. PJ and Felix where great, the Wang contest was great, the developing relationship was great. The involvement with the Mafia and the kidnapping was ridiculous and I wanted to chuck my Kindle at the wall. It ruined the story for me. If that chunk of the plot could be removed and replaced with crazy antics, I would’ve enjoyed this story much, much more. Instead, I’m very disappointed that Betting on His BF’s is the last book in the series. The conflict in the plot doesn’t fit with the first three because the whole style is different with cartoonish villains made for children rather than adults, not because the trope is friends to lovers. Sadly, this book doesn’t stand up to the quality of the first three, and I can only give it 3 Stars despite of my love for PJ and Felix. I enjoyed the first three books in the series, but I can’t tell you how disappointed I am by this one.


I received an ARC copy of this book from the authors. I am leaving my honest and unbiased opinion. ( )