Yep, my now wife applied twice in 2013 for a B2 and was denied both times. We had a similar feeling, but then decided to move on and proceed with the K1. My recommendation today would be to pursue the spousal visa as with processing times of a K1, Adjustment of Status, Work Permit, Advanced Parole today, a spousal visa makes way more sense. That wasn't the case in 2014/2015 where K1s were getting GCs in 5-8 months.