Betting on You Paperback

This book caught my attention when I was browsing the publisher's website. It sounded like a YA version of "How to Lose a Guy in 10 days," which I found intriguing. So I bought it. By the second chapter I was pretty hooked because the internal dialogue and verbal exchanges between the characters was pretty realistic and often hysterical, in my opinion. I loved how the guy always referred to the girl as "glasses."The emotion that tugged at me and kept me reading were their exchanges and vulnerability around how they felt about living with one of their divorced parents and how that impacted their life and their view of the world. So many homes consist of blended families now it's pretty much normal, but that doesn't mean it does not impact the offspring of the original parents. This novel showed that very well. The internal conflict was so well done. How they ended up being insecure about relationships also made sense. It's rare that I plow through a book and almost devour it, but in this case, I couldn't help myself. And the best part was the book made me think about things that I normally don't ponder. That's the sign of a good book, IMHO.On the negative side, there was a lot of swearing in their internal dialogue - especially his. But they didn't talk that way around parents and in situations where it wouldn't be appropriate, so in that sense it felt pretty realistic. I grew up in NY and f bombs were just the way teens talked even back in the 80s. That being said, I loved that the characters developed a deep emotional connection and it wasn't based solely on attraction. Also, there was no sexual content that would make it feel like a teen porno book. That was well done and shows that books can be compelling without all the smut. All that to say, bottom line...I really enjoyed this book.

This book was so cute! I love Lynn Painter’s writing style!Both characters are so lovable and their chemistry is through the roof. I will say that one thing I hate is the miscommunication trope and this book is all about it, which is the only reason I gave it four stars. But other than that, so so good!!

Lynn Painter can do no wrong. There are no flaws. Charlie and Bailey are adorable and I loved their story. And it was so much more than just a cutesy ya romance. Like my heart strings were pulled and I teared up a time or two. As long as you produce content, I will read it!! (Also the audio was so good)

I had to take a moment after reading this to really gather my thoughts. Overall, the banter and compatibility between our leading lady and man was, no surprise, enjoyable and engaging. I love Painter’s ability to write two unseemingly personalities and make them gel. It’s truly one of her strengths. My problems didn’t lay with our main characters or how they reacted to situations. The opposite, in fact, as I felt their emotions were completely justified with little justice for them in the end.I’ll start with our darling main girl, Bay. What an absolute sweetheart. Her relationship with her mother was supposed to come off as “close” but ultimately revealed itself to be surfaced. Bay is 17. She is not a grown woman, she is still a child. The way Emily reacted to Bay’s emotions and her insecurities with having a strange man around the house did not sit well with me. I am mother of both a daughter and a son, and I can say, Emily’s behavior was so, so self centered and awful it was beyond cringe and so disheartening she would treat her daughter the way she did and have the audacity to make it seem like Bay was the problem. On the other hand, Bay’s dad was completely skimmed over and all I got was at one point he wasn’t a dead beat and then he turned into one?On the other hand, our goofy, complex stud of hero was completely jipped of all justice when it came to his family. This boy was angry and bitter and the complete ignorance of his parents and the mom’s boyfriend was jarring. Therapy and tums were not what he needed. But a lending ear and someone to show they truly care about what he’s going through would’ve been a good start.I just had such a problem with the parents in this novel it was hard to truly feel happy for Charlie and Bay.In the end, this novel unraveled to be a story about the relationship between parents and their children and in that regard it really missed the mark. I mean REALLY missed the mark. The whole story is centered around two children dealing with divorce and finding solace and companionship with each other, but at the end of the day, if all grown ups suck around them, it’s hard to remedy the fact that Bay and Charlie end up ok when they have so many unsolved problems with their parents.I do love Painter’s writing. What a gift to read a novel and feel like you’re watching a movie. But the modern day outlook on divorce and the idea children need to just grin and bear it because the parent needs to be happy just left me feeling empty. The child is still living under your roof, under your authority.They take priority ALWAYS. Children are not responsible for parent’s happiness.

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

these books changed my life i wish they never ended help

Heel leuk boekAanrader!

If you’re after a feel good romcom book this one is for you. I loved watching the friendship build between Charlie and Bailey and how they interacted with each other.I was a big fan of Better than the movies and this book gave me the same vibes.

I’m a sucker for strangers to friends to lovers and this DELIVERED. i was so happy that it was dual pov!!! their friendship was so built up, they really knew everything about eachother and when charlie called them ‘friends’ I GRINNED. the roadtrip was for sure my favourite part!!! i loved that they worked together too! charlie had such sarcastic dry humor and he was so funny 😭🫶🏼 i liked that she was like relatable in the things she liked, such as having a bookstagram, listening to Taylor swift, reading books, without it being over the top or overly quirky.seeing bailey navigate her feeling towards her mums new relationship and troubles with her dad was great too. i liked that charlie was a part of that too. AND HES A CAT DAD 😮‍💨the only thing that stopped it being 5 stars was the third act break up. other than that it was so much fun. loved her best friend too!

All ok