Betting on You by Lynn Painter Book Review

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The publisher kindly provided me with a digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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When seventeen-year-old Bailey starts a new job at a hotel waterpark, she is less than thrilled to see an old acquaintance is one of her coworkers. Bailey met Charlie a year ago on the long flight to Omaha, where she moved after her parents’ divorce. Charlie’s cynicism didn’t mix well with Bailey’s carefully well-behaved temperament, and his endless commentary was the irritating cherry on top of an already emotionally fraught trip.

Now, Bailey and Charlie are still polar opposites, but instead of everything about him rubbing Bailey the wrong way, she starts to look forward to hanging out and gossiping about the waterpark guests and their coworkers—particularly two who keep flirting with each other. Bailey and Charlie make a bet on whether or not the cozy pair will actually get together. Charlie insists that members of the opposite sex can’t just be friends, and Bailey is determined to prove him wrong.

Bailey and Charlie keep close track of the romantic progress of others while Charlie works to deflect the growing feelings he’s developed for Bailey. Terrified to lose her if his crush becomes known, what doesn’t help his agenda is Bailey and Charlie “fake dating” in order to disrupt the annoying pleasantries between Bailey’s mom and her mom’s new boyfriend. Soon, what Charlie was hoping to avoid becomes a reality as Bailey starts to see him as not only a friend she can rely on in the midst of family drama—but someone who makes her hands shake and heart race. But Charlie has a secret—a secret that involves Bailey and another bet Charlie may have made. Can the two make a real go of things … or has Charlie’s secret doomed them before they could start?

Betting on You Book Review

Lynn Painter does it again! Betting on You is the perfect young adult romantic comedy. It’s full of witty banter, adorable characters and an entertaining plot.

Betting on You follows Bailey, who gets a job at a waterpark for the summer. When she shows up for her first day, she realizes that one of her coworkers is the annoying boy she met on a plane the year before. While their original meeting didn’t go so well, spending time over the summer and some bets bring them closer together.

Bailey is a really great main character. When we first meet her, she’s struggling with the impact of her parents’ divorce and what it means for her future. I think we see some growth in her character throughout the book, and while the start of her relationship with Charlie is rocky, he truly brings out the best in her.

Charlie is a fun love interest. Lynn Painter does a great job of creating characters who are broody and mysterious yet charming and sweet at their core. Charlie’s experiences in life make him guarded, but I like that Bailey helps him break out of his shell and let those guards down.

The plot is so much fun — just like all of Lynn Painter’s books. Bailey and Charlie create a bet on whether two of their friends will take their flirtation to the next level. Charlie also starts a bet with another friend of his that involves Bailey. While both of these bets create conflict, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the plot.

The romance is sweet and adorable, which is no surprise. There’s witty banter and strong chemistry between the two characters. Lynn Painter is truly skilled at creating the perfect romantic comedy formula.

Overall, Betting on You is a fun and entertaining book. Combined with the writing, the characters and romance make this book a success. I can’t wait to see what Lynn Painter releases next! I can already guarantee it’ll be another great read!

Rating: ★★★★★

About Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults. She is the author of Better Than The Movies and Mr. Wrong Number, as well as a regular contributor to the Omaha World-Herald. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms.