Play to Win

Slaughter’s uneven sequel to Bet on It follows Miriam Butler, who, like most of the residents of Greenbelt, S.C., struggles to make ends meet—until she wins $220 million in the lottery. There’s a catch, though: her estranged husband, Leo Vaughn, could sue her for a share. After eight years of zero contact, the last thing Miri wants is to see Leo again, but for the sake of a better life for herself and her mother, she plans to get ahead of any potential conflict by offering him a large lump sum and serving him the divorce papers. When Leo, who has never stopped loving Miri, receives her call asking him to come home, he’s expecting a reconciliation, not a divorce and a payoff. Desperate to rekindle their romance, Leo must face the people he hurt when he left town and give Miri time to figure out what she wants. There’s plenty of spark in the sex scenes, but the chemistry outside of the bedroom falls flat. Meanwhile, there’s very little “com” in this rom-com. Still, Slaughter’s exploration of the importance of communication and self-healing, and thoughtful consideration of the socioeconomic pressures on Black families will resonate. Devoted series fans will find plenty to enjoy. Agent: Kimberly Lionetti, Bookends Literary. (July)