Book Review: Joy's Willful Wager (Seven Unsuitable Sisters, Book 4) by Maeve Greyson

One daring wager, one stolen kiss, and a heroine who refuses to play by the rules—Joy’s Willful Wager is here!

Book Information

Title: Joy’s Willful Wager
Author: Maeve Greyson
Series: Seven Unsuitable Sisters (Book 4)
Genre: Historical Romance / Regency Romance
Release Date: October 21, 2025
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

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Book Description

Wit, wagers, and one irresistible rogue—will she fold or raise for love?

Lady Joy Abarough may be the fifth daughter and sixth child in a house brimming with sisters, but she’s always been first when it comes to games of chance. Witty, daring, and ever ready to test her luck, Joy thrives on wagers—until one fateful bet changes everything. A harmless dare lands her locked in a room with Sir Jansen Winterstone, a man as charming as he is dangerous. When she loses to him at Piquet, he proposes a different form of payment—a single, scandalous kiss.

Never one to back down from a challenge, Joy accepts. After all, it’s just a kiss. But when her friends come to her rescue, she begins to wonder… did she escape just in time, or is her fate already sealed?

One reckless gamble. One stolen kiss. One man determined to win at any cost. Joy may have played the odds—but has she finally wagered her heart?

The Wager Behind the Story

At the heart of Joy’s Willful Wager is not just a reckless dare, but a carefully constructed system of rules and consequences — one that reflects Joy Abarough’s sharp mind and her fondness for morally gray risks. The wager that sets events in motion is tied directly to charity, raising the stakes far beyond personal pride. If Joy completes the dare and wins, her friends must make an extra donation to the Reader’s Dare Club charity pot supporting London’s Children’s Home. If she fails, the financial consequence falls squarely on her shoulders.

That structure says a great deal about Joy. She isn’t gambling purely for thrill or rebellion — she’s wagering with purpose, confidence, and an expectation that she can outplay the odds. It’s a risk she willingly accepts, even knowing the personal and social consequences if things go wrong.

The Reader’s Dare Club

Referred to publicly as a book club, the Reader’s Dare Club is anything but ordinary. In truth, it functions as a ladies-only gaming hell for women of Polite Society who can afford to lose a bob or two — all in the name of charity. Disguised as weekly literary discussions, the gatherings allow women to gamble, bet, win, lose, and even indulge in the occasional brandy or cigarette, all while maintaining the illusion of respectability.

The club is one of Joy’s proudest creations. Not only does it provide generous donations to charitable causes, including London’s Children’s Home and the British Charitable Fund, but it also offers women a rare space of freedom — a place where rules bend, risks are embraced, and men remain entirely unaware of what truly happens behind closed doors.

This daring setup gives real depth to the central wager. It isn’t just about one kiss or one compromised moment; it’s about a woman who understands risk, controls the game, and believes she can walk away unscathed — until she discovers that the greatest gamble may be giving her heart a say at all.

Why the Wager Matters:
This isn’t just a reckless dare — it’s a carefully weighted gamble tied to charity, reputation, and Joy’s belief that she can always control the odds.

Why Readers Will Love Joy’s Willful Wager

Maeve Greyson has a gift for creating historical romances that balance humor, heart, and sizzling chemistry. In Joy’s Willful Wager, readers are treated to a heroine who thrives on challenges and dares—only to discover that when the stakes involve her heart, the game changes completely. If you’ve loved Greyson’s blend of Scottish flair, bold heroines, and dashing rogues in earlier books, this latest installment promises even more banter, slow-burn tension, and emotional payoff.

Perfect For Fans Of

• Bridgerton-style historical romance with witty heroines
• Maeve Greyson’s Scottish-tinged regency settings
• Series featuring bold sisters and found family themes
• Slow-burn romance with high stakes and playful banter

My Review

Joy’s Willful Wager brings a clever premise, a bold heroine, and a welcome layer of suspense to the Seven Unsuitable Sisters series. Joy Abarough is a character who genuinely enjoys risk — from her love of wagers to her morally gray Reader’s Dare Club — and that energy gives this story a strong and engaging start.

I especially enjoyed the whodunit element threaded through the romance. It added tension and kept me guessing, even as Joy and Jansen’s relationship unfolded. That said, the pacing felt a little uneven. Some sections lingered longer than necessary, while the mystery itself resolved very quickly once revealed. After such a steady buildup, I wanted more space for the answers to truly land.

The romance between Joy and Sir Jansen Winterstone is heartfelt, though I found myself wishing Jansen had more on-page presence. His devotion is clear, but at times he felt sidelined when his role could have been expanded. I was also surprised by the minimal appearances of Chance — and the absence of Serendipity at the end stood out, especially for longtime series readers.

The ending took an unexpected turn, particularly surrounding Joy’s labor complications. It felt historically grounded and emotionally intense, but the long-term effects were addressed very briefly in the epilogue. Given the weight of those moments, I would have loved a bit more reflection before the story closed.

Overall, this installment offers an entertaining mix of intrigue, romance, and family dynamics. While it wasn’t my favorite of the series, it adds meaningful depth to Joy’s story and delivers a conclusion that isn’t entirely predictable — something I always appreciate.

Tropes & Themes

• One Bed
• Gambling for a First Kiss
• Unrequited Love
• Friends to Lovers
• Blackmail
• Compromising Situation

Favorite Quotes

“Because you are the part of my soul that has been missing all this time.”

“You own me, body and soul, through eternity and beyond.”

Series Order: Seven Unsuitable Sisters

• Book 1 – Blessing’s Baron
• Book 2 – Fortuity’s Arrangement
• Book 3 – Grace’s Saving
• Book 4 – Joy’s Willful Wager
• Book 5 – Felicity’s Eloquent Earl
• Book 6 – A Less Than Merry Marquess
• Book 7 – Serendipity’s Suitor
• Book 8 – The Making of a Duke

Join the Conversation

Do you enjoy romances that mix mystery with high emotional stakes? And do you prefer mysteries that unfold slowly — or ones that deliver quick, surprising reveals? I’d love to hear your thoughts.