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itschelseaw's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I almost DNF'ed this book every time I opened it. I kept hoping it would get better because all of these positive reviews but nope! I found Hallie and Jack to be insufferable, to the point that it was like "Oh, yeah, you're going to fall in love because no one else can stand you."
Hallie was a pick me "I'm not like the other girls" woman, it felt like I was reading a "cool girl" written by a 15 year old. That whole speed dating scene was when I really started to dislike them both. All for her to end up sitting!!! I WISH she had been one of the people moving around because that would've been so satisfying.
Jack being a jealous asshole after Hallie and Kyle really start hitting it off, just be honest with Hallie!!! Tell her that you're into her as more than a friend and while you're happy she's found Kyle, you hope she considers you as a romantic potential too. That would've been too mature, so instead he goes about sabotaging Kyle -showing up when Hallie explicitly tells him not too, cancelling their dinner reservation, and then telling Kyle about the bet in the hopes that it would freak him out. It did!!!
It sounds like their initial hook up was hot, it would've been fun to read about! Instead we got snippets of it doled out occasionally until it was used as a turning point in their relationship at the wedding.
There could've been a lot of depth in this story, but any attempt to add it (Jack's uncle, Hallie's existential crisis) were brushed over and turned into a joke by Hallie and Jack.
Also the whole texting each other rather than just talking to each other? When they're the only ones in the room AND they were just talking?? Was it supposed to be cute? I just found it annoying.
Finally, purposefully making your dates at the same restaurant for the same time so you can get tacos after if needed? Gross. I would get it if it was a coincidence the first time and then just text each other after bad dates... but to purposefully plan that their dates won't work out? It felt weird and gross to me.
The only conflict that felt real was not telling each other they loved each other, and miscommunication is my absolute least favorite trope, so that was fun to have in a book I already disliked!
Oh!!! And how Hallie handled moving out? What the actual fuck? How old is she supposed to be???? That was so immature and the moment I really started hating her.
TLDR: if you don't like it by 25%, it doesn't get better. Save your time and energy for a book you'll enjoy.
Hallie was a pick me "I'm not like the other girls" woman, it felt like I was reading a "cool girl" written by a 15 year old. That whole speed dating scene was when I really started to dislike them both. All for her to end up sitting!!! I WISH she had been one of the people moving around because that would've been so satisfying.
Jack being a jealous asshole after Hallie and Kyle really start hitting it off, just be honest with Hallie!!! Tell her that you're into her as more than a friend and while you're happy she's found Kyle, you hope she considers you as a romantic potential too. That would've been too mature, so instead he goes about sabotaging Kyle -
It sounds like their initial hook up was hot, it would've been fun to read about! Instead we got snippets of it doled out occasionally until it was used as a turning point in their relationship at the wedding.
There could've been a lot of depth in this story, but any attempt to add it (Jack's uncle, Hallie's existential crisis) were brushed over and turned into a joke by Hallie and Jack.
Also the whole texting each other rather than just talking to each other? When they're the only ones in the room AND they were just talking?? Was it supposed to be cute? I just found it annoying.
Finally, purposefully making your dates at the same restaurant for the same time so you can get tacos after if needed? Gross. I would get it if it was a coincidence the first time and then just text each other after bad dates... but to purposefully plan that their dates won't work out? It felt weird and gross to me.
The only conflict that felt real was not telling each other they loved each other, and miscommunication is my absolute least favorite trope, so that was fun to have in a book I already disliked!
Oh!!! And how Hallie handled moving out? What the actual fuck? How old is she supposed to be???? That was so immature and the moment I really started hating her.
TLDR: if you don't like it by 25%, it doesn't get better. Save your time and energy for a book you'll enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death
samone2's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
It would be 5 starts without the fast ending and third-act breakup. But it was a fun quick book I read in one sitting in my room to start the year off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Death and Vomit
chelle22's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
vanesst's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Grief and Death
_mariethln's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
dogoodwithbooks's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
CW: death of an uncle (recounted), grief/loss, anaphylaxis (recounted)
Closed Door Modifications: Chapters 25-28 (some parts)
I was really looking forward to reading The Love Wager. The concept grabbed my interest and there was a lot of hype surrounding the book. Which, in case you were wondering, is mostly worth the hype.
This is the first time reading [a:Lynn Painter|19322026|Lynn Painter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1577135205p2/19322026.jpg]'s work and I mostly know of her YA novels, such as the infamous [b:Better Than the Movies|51246693|Better Than the Movies|Lynn Painter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603114798l/51246693._SX50_.jpg|71767711]. For me, I thought she had a solid writing style with an interesting premise and writing that will keep you sucked into The Love Wager.
Yet, I felt like the momentum I was experiencing when reading the book fell flat a bit once you got to the fake wedding dates subplot since I didn't think of the wedding aspects as super interesting and I feel that you would have gotten more out of the book with more time focused on Hallie and Jack's relationship. Nevertheless, the momentum gets back to speed just in time for the ending.
Other than the book's pacing, I did enjoyed reading The Love Wager. Hallie and Jack had great dynamics on-page and it was great to read their "will-they-or-won't-they" predicament as they try not to fall for each other. The romance is good and Painter has moments where you can laugh or swoon at a given moment.
If you're the type of reader who's looking for a friends-to-lovers rom-com that can soothe one's love-skeptical side, you might enjoy reading The Love Wager.
Closed Door Modifications: Chapters 25-28 (some parts)
I was really looking forward to reading The Love Wager. The concept grabbed my interest and there was a lot of hype surrounding the book. Which, in case you were wondering, is mostly worth the hype.
This is the first time reading [a:Lynn Painter|19322026|Lynn Painter|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1577135205p2/19322026.jpg]'s work and I mostly know of her YA novels, such as the infamous [b:Better Than the Movies|51246693|Better Than the Movies|Lynn Painter|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1603114798l/51246693._SX50_.jpg|71767711]. For me, I thought she had a solid writing style with an interesting premise and writing that will keep you sucked into The Love Wager.
Yet, I felt like the momentum I was experiencing when reading the book fell flat a bit once you got to the fake wedding dates subplot since I didn't think of the wedding aspects as super interesting and I feel that you would have gotten more out of the book with more time focused on Hallie and Jack's relationship. Nevertheless, the momentum gets back to speed just in time for the ending.
Other than the book's pacing, I did enjoyed reading The Love Wager. Hallie and Jack had great dynamics on-page and it was great to read their "will-they-or-won't-they" predicament as they try not to fall for each other. The romance is good and Painter has moments where you can laugh or swoon at a given moment.
If you're the type of reader who's looking for a friends-to-lovers rom-com that can soothe one's love-skeptical side, you might enjoy reading The Love Wager.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
itsme_lori's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol and Sexual content
Minor: Death
readwithloz's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
I was obsessed with Hallie and Ryan right from the start. I cannot wait until The Love Wager is released and you're all able to see how funny, light hearted and cute it is!
Tropes: Friends to lovers, slow burn, one night stand
Tropes: Friends to lovers, slow burn, one night stand
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
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