Hilarious rom com you will laugh and smile a bunch while reading this book. Jean is a witty strong fun character and Charlie is nothing but awkward and cute. The energy of the story is different set in South Dakota and is well written. You will feel like you are there living the story. You will follow the characters as they take risks and learn to play the game. Buckle up for this fun read!

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

Sadly, I just could not get behind this one. I was really excited and the characters were just not likeable. I didn't feel the chemistry at all between Charlie and Jean.

Amanda Sellet's written a thoroughly entertaining tale of love and hate and love. Jean may be chaos incarnate, but that may also maker her my favorite character of 2025 so far. Thoroughly enjoyed!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Charlie is as Awkward as can be when it comes to anything other than snakes. Hiding away from the spot light and real life he comes across Jean. Or rather Jean comes across him in a very interesting situation! Jean has set her mind on a 1 night stand until it becomes a week long thing that has her heading from Hawaii to the black hills of South Dakota!

This novel was such a cute rom-com! The author did not disappoint on details! I hope the pikes family has some more books to follow!

Jean a resort employee is on a towel run when she comes across a scientist who needs help and clothes. they start an affair until Charlies disappears and Jean realizes there is more to the story.

This book fell short for me. I felt like Charlie and Jean lacked any depth to them. The whole pretending to be someone else felt silly, and then in the end it was revealed it was never a secret. This book was just a little too cheesy for me.

Snake scientist, Charlie, is staying at the hotel Jean works at. He floods the place, she brings towels and sees him naked. Insta attraction. They get along well until Charlie disappears. Jean goes after him to get revenge for leaving.

I tried to get into this one but I struggled. The plot was fast paced and fun. But it was just a little too strange for me. I didn’t enjoy Jean’s character but I adored Charlie. If you don’t mind odd stories you’d probably enjoy this one!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early access to this one!

I don't know with this one. On the one hand, I liked Jean and Charlie. On the other hand, the plot and conflict is entirely contrived, and sometimes the whole thing feels like it's being quirky just for the sake of being quirky and also wanting you to be aware of just how quirky it's being. You can see the twist coming a mile away. That being said, the resolution is satisfying and the hijinks are fun, so 3.4 or so rounded up.

I received a free ARC from Netgalley.

In her delightful contemporary reboot of Preston Sturges’ The Lady Eve, Sellet sends up corporate culture with her trademark bent for light social satire while building a comedic opposites-attract romance between a spirited but down-on-her-luck artist/hotel receptionist and a joyfully naïve herpetologist on the brink of reluctantly inheriting his family’s long-successful-but-desperate-for-a-rebrand brewing business. In true farcical fashion, we’re also introduced to a full cast of lightly askew characters and a series of antic scenarios that lean deliberately into the absurd, never shying away from the opportunity to induce a laugh or a smile, making this a breezy and joyful read from start to finish. Although the story contains references to characters, relationships, and events of book one, Sellet deftly makes this one work well as a standalone, allowing new readers to join the fun, even if they haven’t read the other work. An entertaining and fast-paced tribute to classic screwball comedy, full of breezy banter, quirky characters, madcap misadventures, and a smile on every page.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of the odds of getting even.

This book was not my favorite. It was a bit stilted and I didn’t connect with any of the characters. I felt that the whole Charlie/jean relationship was unbelievable. The secondary plot line with his inheritance was much more realistic.

good romance about a science guy from a beer family and the romance he found in hawaii. she ends up finding out about a party and tries to get even with him. loved the friends and side romances.

My face hurts from smiling so hard the entire time I raced through this book. It’s nonstop wit and humor, and yet it isn’t fluff. If you aren’t paying attention, you will miss the minute details that make the writing so spectacular. I want to be every character; I see myself in every character; I feel for every character, flaws and all (mostly…;). Devour this when you need to feel alive. 🥰

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy!!
@amandajsellet

I actually found myself having fun while reading this book. I think Sellet crafted a witty story with likable characters. She had just enough charm and banter to make it move along at a pace I enjoyed. I would read more from her in the future. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Amanda Sellet delivers another absolute gem with The Odds of Getting Even, a wildly entertaining, swoony adventure that had me hooked from the first quirky interaction to the last emotional reveal.

Jean Harrington is an absolute delight as a protagonist—chaotic, witty, and refreshingly bold. Pairing her with Charlie, the adorably awkward and reptile obsessed scientist, creates the perfect mix of opposites attract. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their poker "lessons" that turn into more escapades are as hilarious as they are heartfelt. Sellet has a knack for writing characters that feel real, flawed, and oh so lovable.

What starts as a whirlwind romance takes a twisty and unexpected turn when secrets from Charlie’s past come to light. The stakes grow higher as the story unfolds, blending humor, romance, and intrigue in equal measure. Jean’s relentless determination to get to the bottom of Charlie’s vanishing act—whether it’s out of revenge or love—is the kind of chaotic energy I couldn’t get enough of.

The backdrop of South Dakota adds a unique charm to the story, and the way Sellet intertwines the setting with the plot is masterful. From resorts to remote small towns, every location feels vivid and adds to the story’s adventurous tone.

This book is more than just a rom com—it’s a story about taking risks, letting your guard down, and learning to play for keeps. Jean and Charlie’s journey is filled with laugh out loud moments, tender realizations, and just the right amount of drama to keep you turning pages late into the night.

If you loved Hate to Fake it to You, this follow up will steal your heart all over again. With its joyous energy, witty humor, and a romance that’s as warm as it is wild, The Odds of Getting Even is a must read for fans of rom coms with a side of adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Amanda Sellet, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book.

Fun, adorable, and a hoot to read! I loved Hate to Fake it to You and The Odds of Getting Even features Jean’s story (and can easily be enjoyed as a standalone).

Jean is a talented artist and her day job is working at a fancy resort in Hawaii. A routine towel delivery to a guest staying at the hotel turns into an unexpected connection with him. However, when Charlie ghosts her out of nowhere, Jean vows to get revenge! What follows is an adventure in South Dakota featuring fake identities, professional rivalries, and plenty of lighthearted drama.

Jean and Charlie are sweet together and their banter (much of it revolving around snakes!) was hilarious. If you want a romance that puts a smile on your face, look no further. I’m looking forward to whatever Amanda writes next (hopefully Hildy finding love?!).

Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

This was an okay read for me. The writing did not keep my attention and I often found myself skim reading. What I was for was more depth to the characters as well as the story itself.

The Odds of Getting Even is an exhilarating whirlwind of romance and adventure that had me grinning from ear to ear! Jean Harrington is a chaotic delight, and her instant chemistry with the shy, enigmatic Charlie is the kind of magic that pulls you right into the heart of their story. The writing is sharp and playful, full of witty banter that kept me hooked from the start. The plot is packed with surprises, and every twist adds a layer of depth to their budding relationship. What I loved most is how the book balances humor with genuine emotion. It’s a playful chase across oceans and through the wilds, where both characters learn to confront their pasts while figuring out what they truly want. This story is a gamble you won’t want to miss, an absolute treat that’ll leave you breathless and ready for more!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. I loved the main characters! They had great chemistry and worked so well together. I loved how the book just flowed. My first by this author but will not be my last!!!