Lynn Painter is the queen of YA romance! This is equal parts fun, swoony, and hard-hitting. I love how she balances complex teen emotions and real-life situations with heartfelt romance. Another hit!

This an adorable and heartwarming young adult read! I became so invested in what would happen to Bailey and Charlie, the two main characters who are very well-developed and engaging! It was also perfect to read over a winter break because the setting seemed to often take place during the winter months!

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

Charlie and Bailey’s relationship is completely adorable. From all of their inside jokes and cutesy moments, it makes it so easy to root for them. Plus Lynn Painter’s ability to slide in so many pop culture references creates an even better read!

I have loved everything I’ve ever read by Lynn Painter and this book has only continued to solidify that for me.

This YA/NA story is phenomenal. I love the connection between Bailey and Charlie from the first time they meet and can’t stand each other because they’re clearly complete opposites who get on each other’s nerves. And then when they randomly run into each other years later and still manage to annoy one another. But even years after that when they find themselves working together… a unique kind of “friendship” seems to bloom and it’s my favorite part of the story.

I love seeing them discover how much they have in common despite how different they are as people. I love seeing them battle their own insecurities and challenges despite coming together for one another when they need it too. I loved the chemistry and dynamics of not only the two main characters but also the side characters throughout this story. I absolutely loved it. It was definitely a slow burn tho — the beginning was a bit drawn out in my opinion, but once we got to the heart of the story, I couldn’t put it down even if I wanted to!

Tropes:
- Young adult
- Enemies to lovers
- Opposites attract
- Workplace romance
- Forced proximity
- Witty banter
- Friends to lovers
- Fake dating

I don’t read a lot of contemporary romance, but books like the ones Lynn Painter writes are honestly making me realize that I may enjoy them more than I once thought.

I have now read all of this author's young adult books (her adult books are next on my list!) and I have very much enjoyed every single one of them! They are just so freaking cute! Lynn Painter’s writing makes me grin from ear to ear, even in public, like a crazy person. But I absolutely love it! 😆

Betting on You started very interesting because the two main characters, Bailey and Charlie, had two brief encounters over the span of two years. Right from the beginning, they did not get along well. Unfortunately for Bailey, things take an unexpected turn when, on her first day of work, she discovers that her old acquaintance Charlie (cynicism and all) is going to be her coworker! Ooof. But let me tell you, this new Charlie is

I mean, he's still a cynic, saying guys and girls can't be just friends, but not as much as he was when they first met two years ago. She is still cautious around him, which is fair—she's only ever known him as Cynic Charlie. However, now they are forced to work together and spend more time with each other. As a result, they have gotten to know each other better and it was SO cute!

Bailey starts to realize that maybe he isn't as big a jerk as she believed him to be. I'm not gonna lie, the way he was introduced in the very first scene of the book... That was not it. Lol. I was right there with Bailey 😂 But that changed pretty fast, for me at least. At 15% into the book I was like, "I love him already."

And that's because there was depth to the character, and there was this fun, sweeter side that Bailey got to see. It also helped that this book was dual POV so we got some Charlie chapters where we really got to know him and see why he did the things he did. I really loved those chapters!

One of my favorite things about Lynn Painter's books is the banter—it's always so fun! Plus, this book had ALL the tropes! It had this sort of enemies-to-friends-to-lovers situation which I enjoyed. And there was also some fake dating, which I'm always a fan of! And there was a little bit of a one-bed trope thing going on. This is YA so it wasn't spicy, if that's what you were wanting, but it was still very 😍 The fake dating bit in particular was my favorite.

One thing that is not my favorite about contemporary romances in general (and this might be one of the reasons why I don't read many of them in the first place now that I think about it), is the third-act conflict. I always hate them because they typically tend to be something dumb that can be resolved by communicating. It's so frustrating! This book suffered from that a little bit, but in this case it was mostly self-sabotage, which was almost as dumb and frustrating. And, I mean, I get it. It made sense for this character, but it was still annoying. Lol.

And the catalyst that incited this conflict? I saw it coming from miles away! As soon as this thing was mentioned I was like, "Yep, this is the thing that's gonna drive a wedge between Bailey and Charlie.” Unpredictable this book was not.

But all that being said, I really did enjoy this book! I cannot get over how freaking cute this was! It's no wonder why Lynn Painter quickly became a favorite author of mine! I loved the characters and the character development they went through. I was very pleased with Bailey's in particular. The thing that Bailey and Charlie bonded over was actually their parents being divorced. One big plot point of this book was Bailey's mom getting serious with her boyfriend and what that meant for her and her mom's relationship going forward. I really enjoyed exploring that and seeing Bailey grow as a person. And I kind of wish we'd had more insight into Charlie's home life as well. As I mentioned before, this book was dual POV, but we never really got to see much, if at all, of his home life, which was pretty complex as well. But he did have his own character growth in a different way, which I appreciated. I enjoyed getting to know the real him, and not just the cynical dickhead Bailey met at the airport all these years ago.

They were just so cute together—them reading together in the coffee shop was the cutest fucking thing I have ever read in my life!

The fun games they would play, their interactions, the banter, and the sweet and thoughtful things Charlie would do for Bailey—it was all just so good!

She might not love me back, she might love me for a while and then stop, but every minute that I had her was worth the fall that might (or perhaps might not) eventually come.

Now excuse me while I go devour more Lynn Painter books 😆

Bailey and Charlie are polar opposites in so many ways, but what they have in common is that they're both children of divorce dealing with parents who seem more interested in their new partners than in their children.

While Bailey is neurotic, Charlie is obnoxious. She worries, and he acts like nothing phases him, although his reflux might lead you to believe otherwise.

As they start to band together to support one another through some trying circumstances, they start to see past their obvious differences to how they actually improve each other's lives.

This is a sweet enemies-to-lovers romance with some realistic challenges that they face. If you enjoy teenage banter and drama, this story is a good choice.

Thank you to Lynn Painter, Simon and Schuster, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Book Review of Betting On You by Lynn Painter

Cover Story: Start to Finish
BFF Charms: Roger Murtaugh, With Benefits
Talky Talk: Old-School Rom-Com
Bonus Factor: Nicknames and Fake Dating
Factor: Divorce
Relationship Status: Heart Eyes


Cover Story: Start To Finish
This cover looks a bit like an IKEA instruction manual. Step 1: Be flirty and joky during a movie. Step 2: Go on a date during which you lock eyes after touching hands while trying to grab the last piece of pizza. Step 3: Give into your feelings and become a cozy couple, complete with heart pajama pants and a cat. Step 4: Live happily ever after. (At least until college.)

The Deal:
Bailey Mitchell and Charlie Sampson have—much to the chagrin of them both—known each other for a while now. First, they were seatmates on a flight from Alaska to Nebraska, a one-way flight Bailey took after her parents got divorced, during which Charlie was horribly obnoxious. Then, they unexpectedly ran into each other at a movie theater, both of them with significant others, but oddly intrigued by the older versions of each other. Now, they’re coworkers—not friends—who’re getting closer and closer, thanks in part to a bet they made that two other coworkers would eventually hook up. Bailey still can’t stand Charlie’s cocky personality and Charlie bristles against Bailey’s rule-following nature, but there’s something between them that just can’t be denied.

BFF Charms: Roger Murtaugh, With Benefits
While I’d probably like her were I the same age, reading Bailey as a 40-year-old had me more annoyed than enamored. She’s rightfully worried about her mom’s new relationship and frustrated with unwanted feelings toward Charlie, but she never talks to anyone about the things that are bothering her, even when she’s given ample opportunity. Additionally, her quirks—such as ordering a half-Coke/half-Diet Coke on a flight and a complicated popcorn order at the movies—are more annoying than endearing.

Charlie, on the other hand, can also be obnoxious, but his good looks and flirtatious nature are annoyingly sexy. The guy knows how to make a girl swoon, even when she’s determined to dislike him. I 100% would have had a massive crush on him in high school, and although I am an Old now, I wasn’t immune to his charms.

Swoonworthy Scale: 9
Although there’s little actual spice in Betting On You, the chemistry between Bailey and Charlie is undeniable. It’s giving old-school rom-com vibes, and I will never turn down reading a story that gives me those kind of butterflies. And Charlie’s the right kind of sarcastic and cocky. So much swoon!

Talky Talk: Old-School Rom-Com
The plot of Betting On You revolves around the relationship between Bailey and Charlie and the progression of said relationship from antagonists to … something more. Painter does an amazing job at creating swoon while crafting characters who seem real, from their best qualities to their worst. There’s not a whole lot of world-building or tension, other than the sexual kind, but that’s not what I needed from this novel.

Bonus Factor: Fake Dating and Nicknames
Painter included these two classic rom-com tropes in Betting On You, to great effect. From the beginning, Charlie calls Bailey Glasses (meant at first, of course, to be an insult) and the two of them fake date in the hopes of causing strife between Bailey’s mom and new boyfriend. Naturally—and thankfully—the nickname evolves into something more, and the fake dating doesn’t stay fake for long.

Factor: Divorce
Bailey and Charlie connect over their shared experiences as a child of divorce, including their struggles with their respective mothers’ boyfriends. My parents didn’t get divorced until I was an adult, so I didn’t have the same experiences as either of them, but I certainly connected with some of it.

Relationship Status: Heart Eyes
You and I aren’t meant to be, Book, but I’m so happy you found your person. I’m rooting for you both, and am grateful I got to share in your swoon.

Every single book Lynn Painter graces us with is such a gift, and BETTING ON YOU is no exception. From witty repartee to swoon worthy kisses and THAT PERFECT NON-DATE SCENE THAT HAD ME IN FULL ON KICKING GIGGLING MODE, I WAS ENAMORED IMMEDIATELY.

Craft-wise, it’s a pitch perfect book: the razor sharp banter, the thoughtfulness and heart wrapped around these barbed-wire hearted young adults, all combines to gift the reader with a book they just want to HUG.

"Betting on You" by Lynn Painter is a charming YA romance that masterfully combines banter, fake dating, and meaningful themes. The relatable struggles of Bailey and Charlie, both navigating divorced parents and family challenges, add depth to the story. The reviewer, personally connecting with these experiences, found the narrative gripping, eagerly anticipating the resolution of Bailey and Charlie's relationship. Despite a desire for the characters to get together early on, the dynamite chemistry and authentic humor make the journey delightful and reminiscent of the sweet nuances of youthful romance.

Painter's writing shines in its authenticity, realistically portraying how 17-year-olds process their parents' divorce. The communication between Bailey and Charlie is praised for its age-appropriate tone, avoiding extremes of maturity or immaturity. The book is commended for its drama-free depiction of young love, maintaining a charming and relatable narrative that appeals to readers of all ages. "Betting on You" is celebrated as a delightful read that effortlessly weaves humor, authentic characters, and relatable experiences into a YA romance, leaving the reader eagerly anticipating the release of the physical copy.

This is another wonderful YA novel. Although it has a slow start, the character develop and friendship is enjoyable. It makes the reader wonder "Can boys and girls best friends?"

Lynn Painter is the queen of YA rom com. I’ll admit that the first part of this book was a little slow for me but it didn’t take long until I was fully committed. I love Charlie. He is sarcastic and real, and the banter between him and Bay was so fun. The representation of teenagers dealing with divorce and new family dynamics was real and honest.

I texted a friend and asked "is Lynn Painter a monster for breaking my heart, a genius or someone we should force to be our bestie" We decided all three. lol. Once again, Lynn Painter masters sarcasm, witty banter and the emotions you want to feel when you read romance. This story of Charlie and Bailey is a little enemies to lovers/friends to lovers/parent trap-ish all at once. Bailey and Charlie are both children of divorce navigating the new in their lives reluctantly. They have completely different approaches but that contrast makes them grow and change and learn from each other in ways that hold the readers heart close. I was a little nervous about the betting, but it was handled well and lightly and didn't seem too much in the story. I am all in on Lynn and this book just confirms why.

This is absolutely delightful!!!
I’m definitely in love with anything Lynn Painter comes up with. Betting on You was so funny, cute and full of tension. Everything about it was so perfect !

Love Lynn's books! This was no exception. Super cute YA RomCom that you will easily read and get through when you need something light to read.

Already purchased and in my high schools library!

I love a Lynn Painter book always. (And the Taylor swift references 😍). With all the Rom-Com funniness I love her stories also tackle deeper issues in a lighter way. Betting in you was no different. We see two young adults dealing with divorced parents, new cities, new families and all the baggage. This is so common for MANY teens. And many teens are told to get over it, they are not little kids and it shouldn’t matter. It does.

I love Charlie and Bailey and their friends (except Theo 🤢). Their “friendship” is perfection and are the most adorable. The friendship base was built so firmly before a relationship started and that is so important.

No surprise. I loved this book and Lynn Painter remains one of automatic I will read anything by this author.

This was a great book and I loved how Lynn Painter brought this story to life. I have read Painter’s adult books and enjoyed them but their YA books are also top-notch. This book follows a girl who makes an enemy at the airport only for him to show up in her town but she needs his help to get her mom and her boyfriend to break up. This was a well-written story with a great plot. I enjoyed the conflicts that the author brought onto the page. I do have to say that most of the dialogue was very repetitive as I caught many of the lines being repeated throughout the book. Usually, I don’t notice those things but in this book I did. The pacing was great and I loved the setting of the town.

This book is told from both Bailey and Charlie’s pov. I enjoyed both characters and the way they were written. Bailey is an introvert(ish) but an outgoing person who likes competition and her own ways. Charlie is an extrovert and is wild, kind, and fun. I loved each of their development in this book but I have to say that I felt there was more to Charlie’s pov than we got. There was a good bit of side characters but mainly Bailey’s mom and Scott stole the side character spotlight. The romance is enemies(ish) to friends to lovers and slow burn. I loved the chemistry between the two and would have loved to see more early one.

The ending was well done and I loved how this book turned out. It was well written and entertaining as I read it fairly quickly. Painter is a great writer and I totally recommend checking out their books. I believe this is a part of a series so I recommend checking out the first ones if you have time.

*this book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*

I'm betting on you liking this book as much as I did! I can see my patrons loving this book and it will definitely fly off the shelves!

I’m in the worst reading slump I’ve had since 2020, but I was able to read this pretty quickly despite homework and my job. I never wanted to put it down and always was craving to read it. I really really liked it and I want to read this authors other works now. Highly recommend!

Betting On You by Lynn Painter is a cute YA romcom. Lynn Painter has yet to disappoint with her books!! I really enjoy the easy reads and this was definitely one of them. This was super cute!

Lynn Painter is absolutely everything. I know what I said, but her books are perfect. Characters? Perfect. Dialogue? Perfect. She proves it again here with Betting on You, and while the Taylor Swift references tickled me, the banter and characters warmed my heart.

I continuously recommend Painter's books to YA readers, YA librarians and teachers because she writes the novels that YA readers and teens deserve.

I'm very thankful for this arc in exchange for an honest review- my opinions are my own.