I wasn't sure at first, but by the end of volume one I was having a lot of fun and ready to go track down the webtoon option so I could continue the series immediately. It's awkward, quirky, fully of irrational teens being annoyed at each other and crushing on each other causing miscommunications. It reminded me of the sort of overdramatic interactions I'd have with my own friends as a teenager. The artwork is adorable, and it's a very quick read. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone looking for light-hearted but not too-sweet romance and wants to be kept guessing a bit as to who the love interest is.

I love me a fun and engaging romance story, the first volume of Ochoa’s “The Kiss Bet” is one of them!

I thought the book was good. I don’t normally read books that have multiple parts so that’s new for me. I didn’t feel that the main character’s best friend acted like a best friend. I can’t remember their names. He seemed kind of mean at times. I don’t know if I will continue with the series if I can get this series for free I might I don’t normally read anime. I am not sure how to review it. It seems like a good story so if you do read anime, you should check it out.

THIS IS THE CUTEST SERIES EVER. Where was this when I was in high school crushing on my crushes?? I love how their friendship blossoms as they try to deal with all their big emotions and the pressures of high school. This is truly such a cute and wholesome story that still gets deep with real situations kids encounter growing up. I think if you liked Heartstopper, you would like The Kiss Bet Volume One! Can't wait for Volume Two!

The print publication of the popular WebToon THE KISS BET maintains the light-hearted fun of the original story, if losing some of the dramatic pacing. Imagine it's your birthday & your best guy friend dares you to kiss a random boy outside the subway. Things go terribly wrong, and if living with that embarrassment wasn't enough, it turns out mystery subway boy is your new math tutor! This is light-hearted and fun, perfect for teens who want light high school drama. While the romance takes center stage as the story goes on, it doesn't get fully developed in this volume. I wish the editors would have included a little more of the original WebToon to really bring forward the "oh no, I like 3 guys, what do I do?" side of the plot, but there's enough here to get most readers on board.

This is absolutely adorable and wholesome. I great pick me up read! Definitely one to give you all the laughs! Between the comedy and youthful romance you’ll binge this with a sweet beverage and crave more.

I thought it was pretty cute, but the characters are not my style. I think they were acting too childish for me maybe. I would read more in the future though, because I am intrigued.

3.5 Stars

I love the art style and the colors! Cute first volume to this series. It really set the scene for the start of the love triangle. It was a little slow at parts though. I am intrigued to read more and see the relationships develop.

Overall 3.5 stars.

I received this book for free in exchange for my honest review from NetGalley.

First off, I love the art style - it's cute. It's definitely on the younger side of young adult based off the way the characters talked and interacted with each other. I feel like this is more of a slow burn progression, and couldn't really get into it.

Such a cute story; I am definitely rooting for Oliver and Sara and can't wait to read more.
Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group/WEBTOON Unscrolled for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was actually pretty cute! It took me forever to finally get to it but glad I did.

Sara is a relatable main lead, feeling the pressure of getting older and wanting to experience things. And when her friend Patrick has a bet, it aligns into a kiss, romance, and heartbreak all in one. It's a coming of age story that I probably would have enjoyed when I was younger, but can still appreciate it's cuteness even older. Overall solid 3/5!

e-ARC from NetGalley.

Sara Lin has never been kissed. When her best friend, Patrick, bets her $50 to ask a random boy on the subway to be her first kiss, she agrees. Only the boy isn't interested, and Sara is so humiliated by the experience that she never wants to think about it again. And then she's assigned a new calculus tutor...

This was just a wholesome, fun time with a decent amount of humor and a lot of heart. Sara is super relatable in a lot of ways - I also found first kisses terrifying and really sucked at calculus - and I laughed every time she referred to her new tutor as "Subwayboy" and tried to wear a disguise for her study sessions.

I can already tell this is going to be a super lovable graphic novel series. Sara and all the other girls in her class like Joe, her new tutor's feelings are unknown, and it turns out "definitely not interested" best friend Patrick doth protest too much.

Looking forward to volume two. #TeamPatrick

Such a cute story! It was a typical high school comic, but I really enjoyed it. I am definitely rooting for Oliver and Sara and can't wait to read more!

This is really cute! I put it on order for a few customers already who wanted a lighthearted and cute romantic read.

Light hearted story of girl who's never been kissed and who is going to be her first kiss. Love the grumpy tutor who happens to have a golden retriever brother. Cute story so far looking forward to see where this is going!

The Kiss Bet was such a fun read! Volume One had me hooked with its charming mix of high school drama, romance, and humor. At first, I was all in for Sara and Patrick, but now? I’m torn between Patrick and Oliver! The love triangle adds just the right amount of chaos.

The art is absolutely gorgeous—vibrant, expressive, and full of that signature Webtoon charm. Sara is super relatable, navigating love, friendship, and high school awkwardness. Her first kiss dilemma is both hilarious and heartwarming, though I wish the bet itself played a bigger role.

There are some classic teen cringe moments, and the pacing slows at times, but overall, it’s a sweet and entertaining story. If you love lighthearted romance with K-Drama vibes, The Kiss Bet is definitely worth checking out! 💖

4.5/5 Stars, rounded up to 5/5!!

This was a phenomenal first volume. This first volume covers chapters 1-18 of the Webtoon.
It felt nostalgic to dive into this series as I was reminded of the teenage drama I went through growing up. Some not so nice to be reminded of but others made me laugh and I found myself relating to Sara and what she was going through. The art style is similar to others on Webtoon, but was so vibrant and colorful that it stood out, and has me running to Webtoon read more about not only Sara and Patrick, but their interactions with Joe and Oliver too!

Thank you to Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I am voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was a fun, quick read. Poor Sara Lin couldn't get herself together. The banter in this book was so reminiscent of being in high school and how indecisive we were. The tension between Patrick and Sara is so "Best friends that secretly like each other but don't know it yet." everyone else around them sees it but them, and the fact that "subway boy" turned out to not only be her neighbor, but her math tutor as well was genius!

The soft love triangle is fitting for high school kids, and the cliffhanger ending was great because what now?!?

I am interested in reading the second installment of this graphic novel. I am now invested in Sara Lin's journey. Will she be successful in her mission? How will the festival turn out?

Thank you, Netgalley, Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | WEBTOON Unscrolled, and Ingrid Ochoa for the ARC of The Kiss Bet Volume One.

Eh, this wasn't very interesting. The story struggled to keep my intention, the characters read far younger than they were, and none of the plot really moves forward. A miss for me.

Heat Factor: The whole thing starts because Sara’s never kissed anyone, and that doesn’t change

Character Chemistry: There are a lot of angsty avoidant teenage feelings so far

Plot: Sara is so embarrassed by everything that she doesn’t try for anything she wants, and the crush, the best friend, and the tutor who thinks she’s a weirdo all have different experiences with her indecisiveness

Overall: I mean, it’s really cute.

There’s plenty of set up to The Kiss Bet to draw this series out for quite a few volumes. Sara’s bestie, Patrick, is giving her a hard time about never having had her first kiss one evening at the train station, and the first bet is made: Patrick bets Sara fifty bucks that she wouldn’t go up to this guy sitting on the train platform and ask him to kiss her. And she does.

Technically that’s the bet, so I think she won it, because she did ask, but she and Patrick feel like she lost it because the guy said no, called her a weirdo, and she ran away, still unkissed. I feel like the guy’s response was reasonable, so not really sure what Sara and Patrick were expecting.

Anyway, not only does Sara give Patrick fifty bucks, Patrick also tells a bunch of people at school about the bet and how poorly it turned out, so Sara’s just dying of embarrassment. She’s also not a great student (at least in math), but luckily there’s a new student who tutors Calculus.

I know what you’re thinking…

BUT YOU’RE WRONG!

The new student who comes into Sara and Patrick’s classes is named Joe, and he’s a total dreamboat. Everybody’s crushing on him. Sara couldn’t possibly talk to him like a normal person.

But, okay, misdirection, Sara’s tutor isn’t Joe, it’s Oliver. Oliver is, in fact, the guy from the train station. And, fun fact, Sara finds out that Oliver lives across the hall from her very own apartment. Poor Sara. She’s just a teenage girl who needs some confidence.

These teenagers are having plenty of teenager issues, from divorced parent woes to jockeying for social status at the school newspaper. It’s a little bit over the top, but it’s also playful and sweet.

The illustrations are also adorable. (Seriously, their noses are just these squirty little cute, boopable noses.) And they’re very much in keeping with the tone of the high school drama (romance?).

I think I’ll keep going with this one if the publishers will let me!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.