Rating: 3🌈
Bet You is among 8 novels written by different authors in the Franklin U series and each is a standalone featuring a different couple.
Bet You by Neve Wilder has a number of well known themes running through it. There’s opposites attract, the rich easygoing frat boy versus the stressed, overworked middle class student with money flow issues, and a somewhat jock / science nerd aspect as well. But the biggest trope is embedded in the title itself. Bet You.
Yes, that a bet by the rich frat boy that he can make the overworked poorer science student “like, date, fall in love “ with him, whatever the bet is here. There’s been many variations on this theme, but this is the basis for the storyline.
And the largest issue with it is that the reader always knows how the plot will play out regardless of author or book. It always goes the same way.
MC Character makes a bet with his friends. Figures out a way to get the 2nd MC to go out with him. The relationship progresses. They fall into (like,love) then MC2 finds out about the bet. He , naturally feels betrayed, they break up. Big drama. Then MC 1 redeems himself. Reunion and HEA.
It’s every story. The MC1 never tells MC2 about the bet.
If there’s a book out there where that happens, shoot me the title, pls.
So Wilder is trying to make a tired trope feel fresh, a tough job. And on top of that it starts with the fact that overworked, stressed Spencer Crowe’s designated parking spot (paid for) is routinely taken by the fraternity brothers next door. The loud, partying, 24/7 obnoxious fraternity. Which is already a huge problem when the scientists next door want to study.
And when he complains to the person he catches in his spot this time , the rich Cory Ingram, the complaints are immediately treated as insignificant. When Spencer’s reaction to being treated as a nonentity is rage, Cory and his frat brothers instincts lean towards bullying, his friends admitting that they park there often.
None of this makes me want to connect with anyone other then Spencer. Especially Cory’s tactics that follow the bet.
Yes he eventually becomes a nice person but for me, that early personality and events cut him and his frat off from engaging in this story.
Basically, I just wanted to tell Spencer to have him , and all others who park there towed , and call it quits.
It would have felt satisfying, however there wouldn’t have been any romance.
Things here just kept annoying me. What year is this that frats party 24/7 without complaints? Because it doesn’t happen here. In fact those chapters get closed down.
Bullying, non stop partying. Infantile actions. I’m sure they still are ongoing on campus’s elsewhere. I guess I no longer have the patience to read about them.
If you do, if all this sounds like it’s something you’d want to read. Then happy reading.
Franklin U series:
✓ Playing Games #1 – Riley Hart
✓ The Dating Disaster #2 – Saxon James
✓ Mr. Romance #3 – Louise Masters
✓ Bet You #4 – Neve Wilder
â—¦ The Glow Up #5 – A.M. Johnson
â—¦ The Learning Curve #6 – N.R. Walker
â—¦ Making Waves #7 – Christina Lee
â—¦ Football Royalty #8 – Eden Finley
https://www.goodreads.com › showBet You (Franklin U #4) by Neve Wilder – Goodreads
Description:
Spencer
Whose brilliant idea was it to build university housing next to one of Franklin U’s most notorious party frats?
I’m a real student—the kind who actually came to college to learn, not some dumb frat bro who sees Franklin U as a four-year challenge to consume the most booze and throw out the best pick-up line.
Their all-hours lifestyle is driving me crazy. Not to mention, the jerks keep taking my assigned parking spot.
But the worst offender might be Cory Ingram. Sure, he has a smile that could melt a polar ice cap, but no way will I ever be one of his minions. I’m pretty sure I made that clear when I blew my top at him. So I have no idea why he’s suddenly everywhere around me, turning on the charm like I might actually fall for it.
Nope. Not gonna happen.
Cory
From the first day I set foot on Franklin U’s campus, everything has been golden. I have a ton of friends, endless parties to be the life of, and whoever I want in my bed on any given night. Sure, I’m a shameless party boy, but I’m not a jerk. Ask anyone. Seriously.
Even the crotchety old groundskeeper waves and smiles at me when I pass.
Then there’s Spencer Crowe. I’ve never seen a guy’s face get so red over a parking spot. Even when I try to make it right, he proceeds to give me the tongue-lashing of a lifetime—which is about the moment I notice that, in addition to being irrationally irate, he’s also crazy hot.
My friends think I’ve finally met the one person I can’t seduce…
Bet you I can.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 