Maggie C. Gates

Not in the Cards

Rachel Estep

By far the best book yet in the Beaufort Poker Club series, and that's saying a lot. Once again, Maggie Gates has come through with a compelling and heartwarming story of true love and how we find it. This time, however, I think an important aspect of life showed itself that she has not yet captured in previous books. What does it look like when your true love is someone you've always known? It was a stellar story about finding oneself, finding your person, and finding your way home. Weaved intricately into Mel's story, we also have Bridget. Over the past few books, we've seen short snippets of Bridgets journey. There have been hints about her secrets, but in this installment it comes to the light. The description of domestic violence, from the POV of the victims best friend, is both eye opening and heartbreaking. It respectfully captures the topic, and the emotion, and gives insights into the way DV situations affect everyone who is touched by them. Five Stars, and props to Maggie for another book beautifully written

Paula Sundby

Huge thank you to Maggie for sending me an ARC in return for this review.

Mel & Jase are honestly the perfect match - the spunky, take no crap girl and the snarky yet laid back “player”.

After being apart for 20 years, I loved that their friendship came back to them so easily. I loved seeing their connection grow throughout the book and turn from friends to lovers. Realizing how badly Jase loved Mel, even as kids, made my heart melt. He also planned the best first date I’ve ever read about! Oh and I will never look at a Rubiks Cube the same way ever again...

This book does deal with some heavy topics (gaslighting, sexual assault/abuse) and I feel that Maggie did a really good job with telling that story in an appropriate way. These topics do come up in the other Beaufort Poker Club books, but specifically in this one and the final book of the series as well. Thank you Maggie for starting this story and properly giving us readers enough information ahead of time so we can decide ourselves if we feel safe reading the story.

Now I very impatiently wait for book #6.....

Molly Witt

I received this arc for an honest review. 

OMG! Maggie did it again with the Beaufort poker club. Not in the Cards delivered everything I was hoping for for Melissa’s story. We’re back in Beaufort, NC and this time, we are hanging out with Melissa and we meet Jason, Bridget’s older hot, tog gun fighter jet flying, brother. Mel and Jason have known each other since they were kids but it’s been about 20 years since Jason has graced Beaufort with his presence. Melissa and Jason connect and with a forced proximity trope, things get interesting. We get to check in with the other members of the poker club and that is all I will say about because I really don’t want to spoil anything for anyone. This was a great addition to the Beaufort series and I can NOT wait for the finale! 

*as always, check TW, Maggie does a really good job with doing so, but just check them.

Not in the Cards

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