The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Book Review: Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley and Wayne J. Keeley

Author: Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley & Wayne J. Keeley
Release Date: 17th October 2017
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Adult, Light Erotica
Edition: Ebook
Pages: 359
Publisher: Melange Books

Blurb:

Three mismatched suburban couples, Steve and Katie, Marty and Erin, and Scarlett and C. Thomas, have been neighbors and friends for years. During a pummeling Connecticut Nor’Easter, the members of the bored triptych engage in a friendly game of Texas Hold’em in front of a fire and over more than a few bottles of Merlot. The impromptu get-together eventually leads to the institution of alcohol-driven, bi-weekly poker nights.
One evening on a lark, someone suggests an alternate payout – instead of pocket change, the winner may choose a player (other than his or her spouse) with whom to spend the night. The proposition takes shape, but complications arise as these things will.
All too quickly, friendships are strained and relationships begin to crumble. Lies are told, truths are exposed, and feelings are hurt. In the end, can anyone bear the weight of this wanton self-indulgence? They are six fully consenting adults, and after all, it’s only a game. Or is it?

Review

★★★★+1/2

Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley & Wayne J. Keeley is a contemporary fiction (bordering on erotic fiction) written very well by the husband-wife author duo and rich with authentic characterization.

When I read the blurb of this book, I was quite intrigued yet a little sceptic, but having read the authors’ previous book Deadraiser, I accepted the book knowing how the writing would be. And to my utter pleasure, the book turned out to be really good!

I loved the way the story was told as the easy flow of the writing made reading this book not only easy but also very quick. There was a use of different POVs which helped me in relating to most of the characters. But the best part about this book was the characterization. The characters were so realistic that it was hard to imagine that it wasn’t a true story. All the characters were unique and had qualities that made them real and relatable. I was really vouching for Steve and Katie’s relationship but I must say that the end was nothing short of satisfying given what he did.

In this book, the authors beautifully experiments and bring us face to face with different human tendencies that anyone can or would exhibit. I’m sure that about eighty percent of the people I know are like Steve; they know what they really want but always try to do the right thing and not think about anything else really.

I’d recommend this book to all the contemporary readers and Poker lovers (you’d love the book just for the kicks alone.)

PS: The book is not outright erotica but it does have some pretty explicit scenes.

Bookstagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/BatoU9rDDgw/


Goodreads and Amazon

One response to “Book Review: Going All In by Stephanie C. Lyons-Keeley and Wayne J. Keeley”

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
October 2017
M T W T F S S
 1
2345678
9101112131415
16171819202122
23242526272829
3031  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Midtown: The Forsaken Virus of the Black Realm by Isaak Uriarte & Karsten De Bolt

    Book Details: Author:  Isaak Uriarte & Karsten De Bolt Release Date: 20 October, 2025Series: Genre: Science-Fiction Fantasy, Dark FantasyFormat: E-book Pages: 294 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Nikki Sinclair has spent years hiding her gifts, living in the shadow of her mother’s secrets and…

  • Book Review: Shards Of An Empire by Adam Lawless

    Book Details: Author: Adam Lawless  Release Date: December 14th, 2025Series: Genre: Thriller, FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 378 pagesPublisher: –Blurb:Four lives. Four nations. One slow-burn collapse of the world order.Drawn together by desire, betrayal, and ambition, four strangers from opposite…

  • Book Spotlight: Inconclusive Volume 1 by Alexandra Devane

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Alexandra Devane for her latest release, Inconclusive Volume 1. Book: Inconclusive Volume 1Author: Alexandra DevaneSeries: The Shards of Sansatia Series (Book 1 of 2:)Publication Date: 31…

  • Book Review: Human Again: In the AI Age by J.D. Macpherson

    Book Details: Author: J.D. MacphersonRelease Date: December 3rd, 2025Series: Genre: Blend of Psychology, Philosophy, and Technology, Non-Fiction, Computer Science, AIFormat: E-book Pages: 221 pagesPublisher: Cairnstone PressBlurb:Are you using AI or is AI using you?In a world where algorithms…

  • Book Spotlight: Shards Of An Empire by Adam Lawless 

    Welcome to the TRB Lounge. Today, we are featuring author Adam Lawless for his latest release, Shards of an Empire. Book: Shards Of An EmpireAuthor: Adam LawlessPublication Date: December 14th, 2025Publisher: –Page Count: Genres: Fiction, ThrillerAvailable in: ebook,…