Betting on You is an interesting take on the question can girls and guys be JUST friends?

Charlie (or as Bailey refers to him, Mr. Nothing) has a strong opinion that NO you cannot be just friends and of course when he finally becomes friends with her is when he falls for her.

I think this was a super cute YA rom com with a pretty predictable ending. It reads perfectly for those in middle/high school and the characters VERY much act their ages in the book. I'm slowly realizing that this genre/age level is not for me anymore like it used to be.

In Betting on You by Lynn Painter, we get a spirited story of unexpected romance and youthful antics. The story centers around Bailey, a seventeen-year-old navigating the complexities of a new job and the awkwardness of re-encountering Charlie, an old acquaintance whose cynicism once clashed with her own desires. As they find themselves working together at a hotel waterpark, their initial animosity gradually gives way to a playful camaraderie, with their bet on the romantic fate of two flirtatious coworkers serving as the backdrop to their evolving relationship. Painter crafts a narrative that is both charming and engaging, capturing the essence of teenage romance with a light and humorous touch. The dynamic between Bailey and Charlie is one of my favorite tropes, enemies to lovers, which is part of why I really did enjoy this book.

However, while Betting on You shines with its adorable book boyfriend and the quick-paced, easy read it promises, it occasionally veers into the realm of the childish or more juvenile, which makes sense since it is YA, but it does detract slightly from its overall appeal. Some aspects of Bailey and Charlie's interactions, as well as the surrounding plot devices like fake dating, feel a bit overdone for me. Despite these moments, the novel's strength lies in its ability to whisk readers away into a light-hearted exploration of young love, complete with all its misunderstandings and mishaps. Painter successfully delivers a story that, at its heart, is about growth, friendship, and the courage to bet on love, even when it's complicated by secrets and bets made in the shadows. Betting on You is perfect for those seeking a quick, enjoyable read that, despite its occasional dips into the juvenile, offers a heartwarming journey through the trials and tribulations of finding love where you least expect it.

Lynn Painter, I love you. Be my valentine! xoxo.

Her YA books are always a blast. I feel like it really captures all the nervous vibes of first love and this one was just so cute! Opposites attract, grouch x sunshine, goody two shoes. So many classic YA romance tropes packed into one adorable book.

And it’s dual POV, which I enjoyed. Pick up for something cutesy!

Painter's done it again with a fun and funny read about quirky characters who go through familiar rom-com tropes to reach their happy ending. Painter's meta-discussions regarding the tropes may be my favorite part: when someone suggests Bailey and Charlie pretend to be dating, Bailey asks "Isn't that only in romance movies?" and when Charlie says men and women can never be friends there is mention of Billy Crystal and When Harry Met Sally.

Obviously I’m unlikely to adopt this for a gen ed ELA curriculum as it is a rom com, but I will be buying a few copies and stocking it for my classroom library. It was genuinely so adorable with such great characters dealing so authentically with something so many kids struggle with. I really, really loved it.

I adore Lynn Painter. This YA is a cute love story between "co-workers" LOL. I laughed out loud..... I love the sarcasm! The story was sweet and funny. All you Taylor Swift fans will love it!!

This book was too cute! I finished it in one sitting, and it’s now one of my favorites from Lynn Painter. This book is the YA book version of When Harry Met Sally (my favorite movie so no surprise I loved it). I was so drawn in by the characters, and I can’t believe it even gave me butterflies at times. Not to mention the Taylor Swift and New Girl references! Would definitely recommend to zillennials and YA readers (with the caveat that there is a fair bit of cussing for a book meant for teens). Can’t wait to see what Painter does next!

Lynn Painter had such a way with words! Her YA’s always have the heart and soul needed to make you fall in love with the characters. I will read every book she writes!

4.5 stars

When Bailey meets Charlie on a flight they’re like oil and water, their personalities clash. One year later, they run into each other at the movies. Now, three years later, Bailey is working at a water park, and guess who’s her coworker? Charlie! Charlie swears that members of the opposite sex can’t be friends, and Bailey is set to prove him wrong. But when they start to develop feelings for each other, all bets are off!

Lynn Painter is one of my favorite romance authors. She writes both adult and young adult fiction so well, and Betting On You was no exception. Bailey and Charlie’s story was so much fun. This retelling of the movie, “When Harry Met Sally” was perfect for readers of every age! I loved both Bailey and Charlie as characters and all of the antics they got up to while fake dating!

Painter always adds some depth to her romcoms, and the family drama Bailey is going through with her mother and her new boyfriend, not to mention her absent father, brought something to this story I wasn’t expecting. I liked how Bailey was portrayed honestly in this situation and how it helped bring her and Charlie closer together.

There’s a great cast of characters in this book, and I liked that it focused on friendship as well as the romance between Bailey and Charlie. I loved the dual point of views because it’s always great to see both sides in a romance, and the different timelines where Charlie and Bailey met were a lot of fun!

Overall I enjoyed this story and look forward to reading the prequel, Better Than Before soon.

Thank you Simon Teen and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was super cute! I love Charlie so much, the perfect book boyfriend. It was YA so definitely more juvenile than I am used to but was still very enjoyable. I do wish we got to have a bit more closure on his family as well.

Overall the book was okay for for. There were a couple of parts I enjoyed, but it was a long, slow painful read for me.

Every once in a while you pick up a book that captures your attention so much that you can’t stop thinking about it. The characters and situations become so real that you forget you are reading a made up story. This is one such book. I was so drawn in both emotionally and intellectually. I really cared about all the characters and their problems. I loved their reactions and vulnerabilities. The author did such a brilliant job balancing the dichotomy of the characters personalities while still keeping the story fun and entertaining.
Take some time to read this book. It’s worth it.
Enjoy!.

SO good! Such a cute read! I loved the characters, plot, and everything about this book. Lynn Painter’s YA books are always amazing!

Lynn Painter is the queen of witty banter and I’m a big fan of her books because I just know I’m going to have a good time while reading them. For that reason, even though I don’t read much YA anymore, I’ll always make an exception for Painter. Betting on You is her latest YA book, and although not my favorite because that will always be Better Than the Movies, it was still an enjoyable read for me.

Charlie and Bailey first meet on a flight to Nebraska. Bailey’s parents are divorcing and her nerves are frayed anyway, but pretty much everything about Charlie rubs her the wrong way, particularly his cynical views about the world and relationships. By the time the flight lands, she really hopes she’ll never see this annoying guy again. Flashforward a few years and Bailey finds herself working at a waterpark with who of all people, Charlie of course. This time around though, she gives him a second chance and they actually become friends, even though Charlie’s “When Harry Met Sally” belief that male and female coworkers cannot be just friends tests her patience at times.

I really enjoyed Charlie and Bailey together. While that initial plane ride had some hilarious moments just because Charlie annoyed Bailey so much, I definitely preferred to see the two of them bonding. It turns out that they are both parents of divorce. Charlie’s parents divorced a few years before Bailey’s so she is able to turn to him for advice or comfort whenever she’s feeling down about the changes taking place in her life.

Bailey also turns to Charlie for help when she decides she wants to break up her mom’s new relationship. I have to admit that as a child of divorce myself, while I found Bailey’s fear of change very relatable, I was not the biggest fan of her trying to sabotage her mom’s happiness, especially since the guy in question seemed like such a good one. The whole scenario does offer the opportunity for personal growth while we wait for Bailey to realize this too, which I liked, but I guess as an older and maybe wiser (haha!) reader, I just wanted to scream at her to just let her mom be happy.

Even with that issue though, I still overall really enjoyed reading about Charlie and Bailey and the changing dynamic of their own relationship. As always, Painter’s banter is on point, and she uses some of my favorite romance tropes to bring their story to life, including a little fake dating and of course friends to lovers. Betting on You is another solid YA read from Painter and the perfect read for anyone who enjoys the tropes I mentioned or stories that have When Harry Met Sally vibes.

Lynn Painter does YA so well. Betting on You has a bunch of plot threads that enmesh just right, giving us a polar opposites attract, fake dating, love bet romance that feels like it should be too much, but somehow winds up being just right.

What a great YA read! Bailey and Charlie start out as enemies but their chemistry and shared experience (children of divorce) soon bring them together as friends - although Charlie would never admit it. This is a super sweet retelling of When Harry Met Sally that took me right back to High School. Readers will love the banter and friendship between the two main characters. I'll be purchasing more of Painter's book for my classroom library.

This was another fun YA novel by Lynn Painter. The characters were solid and the premise was great. I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age.

3.25 stars

i had fun reading but it was a little too heavy on the taylor swift and the main character was a bit insufferable at times, overall the romance was very cute and easy to follow

I started this book and got about 10% in before I decided to DNF it. I found myself just not getting into it. I honestly can’t even remember anything about it, I found myself so distracted when reading it. Honestly, the book just wasn’t for me. I know others loved it, so I recommend checking their thoughts on it.

Lynn Painter's books have officially become my go-to comfort reads! While one might not typically expect tears during a YA Romcom, I found myself shedding some. Lynn has a remarkable talent for creating vivid descriptions that make it feel like you're watching a movie unfold in your mind. Her books are rich with Taylor Swift references, moments that will have you laughing out loud, and scenarios that tug at your heartstrings.

"Betting On You" falls within the romance genre, but what I particularly enjoyed was the exploration of family dynamics in the story. Bailey's journey resonated with my seventeen-year-old self on a deep level 🥹. The heartfelt conversations with her dad truly struck a chord, especially the contemplation of life changes when someone new enters your mom's life.

Shifting back to the romance aspect, Bailey and Charlie make an exceptional pair! Their opposite natures bring out the best in each other, and I found myself not wanting their story to end.

Additionally, Lynn Painter serves as an incredible hype woman! I appreciate how she seamlessly incorporates mentions of Taylor Swift, Emily Henry, and Sarah J. Maas into her work, creating an authentic connection with their content. Her enthusiasm for their creations is evident, and she does a fantastic job acknowledging and celebrating their contributions.