there were moments when i liked this book, or when i really wanted to like it, but unfortunately it was never enough to get over the immediate negative impression it gave me.

this was extremely girl hatey, right away, on an insane, like, 2000s level, on not one but two women! the only other two women, in fact, who exist in the first chapter at all and aren't our protagonist.

there were moments when this was funny and even charming, but that wasn't enough to overcome the terrible beginning or how unlikable our main characters are, especially jack...repeatedly deliberately sabotaging a relationship your best friend is really excited about...not normal!

i've liked lynn painter books a lot in the past, and i'll try more from this author, but this did not work for me.

If I didn’t have adult responsibilities, I would have definitely finished The Love Wager in one sitting. When I think Lynn Painter has written my favorite book of hers, she goes and outdoes herself! I liked TLW way more than last year’s Mr Wrong Number. I think this is her best adult release yet.

Here’s some things I loved about this book:
💛 one night stand to friends to lovers + fake dating
💛 Jack and Hallie’s meet cute was super unique; she was a bartender at Jack’s sister’s wedding, and his crazy ex gf threw a drink in Hallie’s face. And that wedding? It happened to be Olivia and Colin’s wedding (from Mr Wrong Number!)
💛 the BANTER. This was some of the best texting banter I’ve ever read. Reading Jack and Hallie’s amazing text exchanges and one liners made the pages fly by!
💛 it kept you guessing if Jack and Hallie were really faking their relationship, or if it was really real. Sometimes it was hard to tell!

If you love classic rom coms, Taylor Swift and other pop culture references, and have a quirky fun sense of humor, you’ll enjoy this one. Highly highly recommend!

Thank you so much to Berkley Romance for the advance copy of this book!
Thank you also to PRH Audio for the complimentary audio!

This is my first Lynn Painter book but her name is one that I constantly see floating in the bookstagram world between her adult books and her young adult books. I think I have become a fan of her work just based off this one alone.

This was such a quick, fast pace written book. I was invested in them both right away from the start of their kind of meet cute to their developing friendship and to the eventual relationship. I love being able to see them every step of the way. The banter was *chef's kiss*. You could tell that they were just so comfortable with one another and that they had such strong sexual chemistry as well.

I love that this was told in two POVs. Romance books really thrive when we get both perspectives from the love interests. And what also I love is that the MALE FELL FIRST! I haven't read many when this was the case so reading it was so refreshing. It was getting a little frustrating when Hallie just wouldn't give in to her feelings but I understand that is part of the journey and it made the HEA even more sweeter.

This book just made me really happy and I just wanted more and more of Jack & Hallie.

The audio of this was FANTASTIC. I love how we got both narrators during the texting instead of whomever view it was at the time. Both narrators were excellent and this is no surprise but the male narrator definitely made me swooooooon.

Thank you to the publisher for the e-copy.

Oh my gosh, I adored this book. I read it in one sitting and didn't want it to end.

After a drunken one night stand, Hallie decides to get her big girl panties on and start acting like a grown up. New apartment, new haircut, and join a dating app to find a suitable guy. Yet, the first guy she sees on that app is none other than Jack - the other side of that one night stand. They become friends and decide to have a little contest - who can find "the one" first on this dating app?

THEN, Hallie needs a date to her sisters wedding, so what happens? FAKE DATING!!! Jack and Hallie FAKE DATE! AND - there's only ONE BED in the hotel room!!!! OMGGGGG, two of my favorite tropes!!!

Of course, you can figure out what happens, but it's a delightful ride filled with tension and chemistry between Hallie and Jack. I laughed out loud several times, I need to go back and read the first book in this series now, because I'm obsessed. I can't wait to see what's next from this author!

Hallie and Jack, I fell hard for your relationship. Strangers to start, a little romp, and so begins a great friendship.

After Jack's relationship with his girlfriend publicly implodes right in front of Hallie as she's bartending an event, these two somehow end up spending the night together. As, Hallie army crawls her way out of his room, she's certain she won't ever be seeing him again...that is until she sees him on a dating app and strikes up conversation. While they both agree there is no romance between them, they agree to help one another move on. To sweeten the deal, they make bets on what the other will win if they succeed first.

Here's the things about Lynn Painter, she pens these characters you can't help but feel envious of. Hallie and Jack have so much fun. They rally for each other, text incessantly, make all the fun and sillies plans together, and they consume an exorbitant amount of tacos despite Hallie being an incredibly picky eater. Their relationship development is fun to watch unfold.

I was fortunate enough to listen to this as an audiobook through Penguin Random House Audio (@prhaudio) and it brought it even more to life for me. I laughed aloud and found myself smirking while driving to and from work this week while these two danced around their sparks that were obvious to everyone but them.

DNF’d. I just don’t think this one is for me.

I’m heartbroken because I absolutely adore Lynn’s YA novels and this was my first adult novel by her that I’ve read, but I have to say I like the chemistry between the characters of her YA’s than the leads of this one. The fire just wasn’t there for me. I’m sure this will find it’s perfect audience.

Thank you to Berkley publishing and Netgalley for an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Lynn Painter remains queen of rom com banter! She creates love stories that are romantic, charming and mostly, FUN. I loved this one night stand to friends to lovers romance. Hallie and Jack are completely endearing and relatable characters. Their chemistry practically sizzled off the page and I loved the alternative point of views from both of them to experience the story more. Cannot recommend enough!!

Love the chemistry between Hallie and Jack. I wish Jack and Hallie didn't have their one-night stand so soon after Jack tried to propose to his ex-girlfriend. Also, it would have been better if we know a bit more about their past background so we can feel more connected/related to them. Overall, it was a quick, cute and fluffy read

Thank you to Berkley Publishing for my eArc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I ADORED The Love Wager. I am so glad that 2 characters from Mr. Wrong Number received their own book.

The witty banter was the best part of this book. The chemistry between Jack and Hallie is amazing. How can a book that opens with a one night stand not be a great read? Throw in fake dating and close proximity and you have all the makings of a quick, entertaining read, perfect for vacation.

While I am not a fan of the third act breakup, I understand how it is necessary for the story. Thank goodness for the perfect ending. I was smiling all day.

I’m constantly searching for the perfect rom com and somehow this author always nails it. I was texting friends throughout this raving about how good the banter between Hallie and Jack was and I can’t even really explain how just how freaking good it is. The wit, the humor, the sniping back and forth with each other was just utter perfection. On top of all of that goodness you also get a bunch of fun tropes. These two go from a one night stand to friends to lovers to secret pining to fake dating to only one bed and if that sounds like too much it’s not it’s everything! Their relationship felt so believable from the start and their chemistry was off the charts. I may have even liked this just a teeny bit more than Mr. Wrong Number and I loved that one too. A must read for romance fans!

✨Zach Efron said it best: Bet on it, bet on it, BET ON IT, bet on it 🫶✨

Solid main characters, semi-explicit sex, and prime displays of jealousy made up for a formulaic third act. The book benefited from the short length because honeybuns sure didn’t talk to each other, but I was still giggling. And respectfully, Jack’s job was hot and I want to know more about him being hot while doing professional things.

I think the plot was a little hard to sell since they did have that initial one-night stand, so I was kinda like…just get together you weirdos? So yeah they made a fun bet but also it didn’t make much sense as to why they were open to dating others but not each other? Like it’s normally one person just opposed to being in a relationship pushing the other towards a relationship. Hallie was kinda anti-relationship bc of a past breakup, but she was still actively trying to find a boyfriend…so no real dice there.

But I really enjoyed the one-night stand beginning and how we got little details of it throughout the rest of the book! I’m gathering pitchforks at dawn for an elevator bonus scene 👀 I just want to respectfully observe, Lynn!! Because maybe it was actually Miley who said it best: dontchya wish that you could be a FLY ON THE WALL.

As for the steam, there were a couple scenes that oscillated between in focus and vague. At times I knew what was happening and others I didn’t quite know where body parts were. It was marginally steamier than Mr. Wrong Number!

I loved Jack and Hallie as individuals and their chemistry was great, which kept my interest when I was a bit confused about the plot. Overall, it was a quick and fluffy read with a lot of charm.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

✔️ friends to lovers
✔️ fake dating
✔️ one bed

What a fun and quick read!

If you find yourself in a reading slump, the sweet but steamy The Love Wager should be your go-to. It is fast paced and very dialogue driven which makes it so easy to read.

This was my first read by Lynn Painter and I’m excited to go back and read more from her. The writing flows so effortlessly and isn’t bogged down by pages of description. The story never really slows down and has you wanting to find out what is going to happen next!

Jack and Hallie’s chemistry is the highlight of the book for me and pops off the page. Plus, the banter is just 🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻. On top of that, The Love Wager is bursting at the seams with mutual pining, hilarious text chains,

The Love Wager is out on March 14th and I know I will be picking up a physical copy asap!

Lynn has a distinctive writing style that makes her characters easily to love, and relate to. The Love Wager is a chance encounter to a one night stand thats leads to a roller coaster of much more.

What I loved about this book was the instant chemistry. Lynn has created characters that are funny, full of heart and in no way feel like they belong with anyone else but each other. I loved all the little moments that built up to finish...the cat adaption, the speed dating and the taco dates.

What didn't appeal to me is strictly personal preference. I didn't enjoy the amount of strong language and I did feel like the the level of intimacy was not in my wheel house. I didn't love how they kept sleeping with each other over and over without sharing how they felt. I have a hard time when a couple is fake dating, yet having a lot of physical moments in private but still deny feelings for each other. This type of fake dating trope just doesn't make sense to me and is frustrating in its lack of communication, and this was dragged out too long for my taste.

While this one didn't work for me that doesn't mean that its not worth trying. Ive seen a lot of positive reviews, this just wasn't one I personally enjoyed.

Quick synopsis: Hallie and Jack meet at the bar of a wedding and end the night with a one-night stand (a memorable one, at that). Hallie escapes without saying goodbye to Jack, but the two later reconnect on a dating app and decide to set a wager on who will find true love first.

This was a really steamy, fun read, and it had my attention from the start. My only issue was just how OBVIOUS it was that these two were clearly more than friends and had feelings for each other. I understand that they agreed that their physical chemistry was off the charts, but believing that you two are best friends when you're fake dating at a wedding but still texting each other from the table about what they want to do in the room once they can sneak off? I love those friends-to-lovers books where it's a slower burn, more subtle, and I get that these two felt very young so they may behave a little ridiculously, but I know I'd *never* talk to my real best guy friend the way these two talked to each other - they were romantic from the start. That said, the chemistry I speak of literally jumps off the pages - the banter, the flirting, it's so fun!

All the tropes were present in this book - friends to lovers, fake dating (guy offers to pretend to be girl's girlfriend at a wedding so she won't be single in front of her ex), the one bed in the only hotel room available, the ex boyfriend softening at the sight of ex-girl with new man at wedding, guy falls in love first, the rainy Nicholas Sparks love admission, etc.

Note: this book is released March 30th. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was a really cute romcom! The hero, Jack, is the brother of the heroine in Mr. Wrong Number. Unfortunately, that book didn’t quite work for me, but I’m glad I gave Lynn Painter another try and picked this one up.

I loved how Hallie and Jack’s meet disaster went from a one time thing to true friendship and connection. I’m such a sucker for the friends to lovers trope and it was done so well in this book. The banter, jokes, and silly text messages had me laughing and smiling throughout. The Pride and Prejudice references were a fun addition too! I wasn't a fan of the drama at the end, but I’m glad it wasn’t drawn too out and the epilogue was really sweet. This one is sure to bring a smile to your face!

I both read and listened to this one and it was narrated wonderfully by Zachary Webber and Kristen DiMercurio. The book is not done in duet style, but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that the text messages were. This made it much easier to follow along and felt more like a conversation.

Audiobook Review
Overall 4 stars
Performance 4.5 stars
Story 4 stars

CW: death of loved one (past), grief
Tropes: friends to lovers, epistolary, one night stand, he falls first, fake dating, only one bed

*I voluntarily read and listened to a review copy of this book*

Hallie is bartending a wedding when she unwittingly precipitates the breakup of the best man and his girlfriend. Luckily it turns out that he's not all that upset about it - and their commiseration over the events of the night lead to an amazing one night stand. Even though they part without exchanging contact information, they soon hook up platonically through a dating app. They are super compatible as friends, and since neither one wants to date a one night stand, they decide to be each other's eternal wingmen. They start planning concurrent dates at the same place and time so that they can meet up afterwards to debrief. But when Hallie starts getting serious with another guy, Jack has to decide whether he should take the plunge and let her know how he really feels.

This was a super quick, funny, and low-angst read. Jack and Hallie are perfect for each other, and they're so close to getting that themselves that you as the reader have a great time watching these two idiots try to figure it out. We especially enjoyed:

The Omaha setting
The relationship building via text messaging
The supportive friendships that both Jack and Hallie enjoyed
The fake dating+only one bed convergence (duh)
That this is a real romcom in that we actually laughed out loud.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Oh. My. God. I cannot believe I’ve never read a Lynn Painter book before this and yet I am so unbelievably happy because this was without a doubt, the best introduction to her work. Did I read this in one sitting? Why, yes. Yes, I did. What can I say? The Love Wager lived up to all of its friends-to-lovers, fake dating, one-bed trope, love confession in the rain, glory.

Where do I begin? I suppose I’ll start with the absolute delight that was Hallie Piper. A fierce redhead with a keep-you-on-your-toes personality, I couldn’t think of a better heroine. She’s a ball of energy that makes the world seem like a much better place. While Jack gave her a run for her money, Hal’s sense of humor is still unmatched. From one Parent Trap lover to another, the name choice was also top-tier and may’ve made me a little biased.

To be completely transparent, I didn’t like our male protagonist, Jack, too much at the start of the novel. I thought he was your typical playboy that would be unworthy of our ray of sunshine’s love. But, his character development was absolutely spot on to the point that I may even dare to say he might be one of my favorite book boyfriends now. I love a good guy-falls-first romance, so seeing him head over heels for miss Hallie earned him infinite bonus points. He is the textbook definition of the word pining. Did I mention he was down bad? Good Lord is he straightforward. Well, maybe not so much when it comes to the seriousness of his feelings, but I’ll excuse that for his…risqué choice of words, so to speak. Now that I think about it, maybe I’m the one that’s down bad…

Don’t even get me started on the pair’s chemistry. THE BANTER. Oh God, the banter was just…mind-blowing. It rendered me speechless. I can count the number of books on one hand that made me audibly laugh out loud, and I am proud to say that The Love Wager was one of them.

I am slightly appalled though because I had no idea that Olivia and Colin, our male protagonist’s sister and brother-in-law, had their own story. Don’t mind me casually starting Mr. Wrong Number as we speak because I get the feeling Olivia and I will revel in all of our dramatic beings.

I will say, I expected a little more out of the ex-boyfriend that was Ben plotline. It seemed anti-climatic once we were introduced to him. I expected some sort of showdown between rival lovers. The old versus the new, so to speak. Look, I said I was dramatic, so naturally, I wanted some angst.

That being said, the conclusion felt very Hallmark in the sense that you aren’t actually sure whether or not the couple will stay together through all of the trials and triumphs that life presents. Now, because I am choosing to live life in a constant state of delusion, I’m just going to manifest that Hal and Jack stay together forever and ever, even if it is just for my mental well-being. I think their swoon-worthy love confession would’ve benefitted more had it taken place a couple of chapters sooner, even just for the sake of giving their relationship more room to breathe toward the end. Their friendship was so strong that I doubt it wouldn’t translate over to a more romantic relationship. Yet, I can’t stop myself from asking, what if?

Now, there are authors that write in first-person, authors that write in the third-person, and then there are authors that write in the third-person but make it feel so personal that you don’t acknowledge that it isn’t written in first-person until halfway through the book. Painter’s writing was definitely the latter and I commend her immensely for that because it takes a boatload of talent to be able to achieve that sort of emotional connection with a less direct form of contact.

Overall, The Love Wager was a cute, easygoing rom-com that earned 4.75 stars from me.

I fell head over heels for Lynn Painter’s writing with Mr. Wrong Number, so when I heard about The Love Wager, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The Love Wager follows the story of Jack and Hallie. Jack and Hallie met at Jack’s sister’s wedding and ended up having a one-night stand. Hallie never thought she’d see Jack again, but fate had other plans. When Hallie logs into a dating app, hoping to find love, she finds Jack instead. Together, the two of them concoct a plan to become partners in the search for the one…

The Love Wager was such a fun and entertaining read. I fell for Jack and Hallie instantly. They rocked the friends-to-lovers trope. I loved how easy and genuine they were together. Their banter was witty and full of life. And we can’t forget about the explosive chemistry that drew me into their story and left me hanging on each and every word. I loved how real the author made their story with a true outlook on just how hard online dating can be.

I loved everything about The Love Wager from beginning to end. Jack and Hallie’s story was full of blurred lines, life and laughter and I just couldn’t get enough of it. If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers romances with light drama and witty banter, you won’t want to miss The Love Wager!

Pub date: 3/14/23
Genre: romcom (one night stand, friends to lovers)
Quick summary: After a one-night stand, Hallie and Jack reconnect as friends when they match on a dating app. Will their taco adventures (post dates with other people) lead to true love?

Love and tacos - what more do you need?! I fell in love with Hallie and Jack - I just wanted to jump into the pages of this book to eat tacos and go on terrible dates with them. Fun fact - like Hallie, I also enjoy tacos with cheese melted directly on the tortilla (it's life changing, try it please!) It did drag a bit in the middle, but overall I really enjoyed this one.

If you love banter and will they/won't they dynamics, I bet you'll love this one!

Thank you to Berkley and @letstalkbookspromo for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I somehow have a new favourite Lynn Painter book??!? I don’t know how she does it. Painter really is becoming the new queen of romcoms.

If you have a favourite romance trope, it’s possible (and likely) that trope will be in this. Painter took all of the best romcom tropes out there and created the best book possible.

I want to shove this giggle-inducing love story at all of my romance-reading friends.