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funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There were things I liked about this book and things I really disliked. I liked the dynamic between Charlie and Bailey. Both of them have a bond of understanding and I liked that about them. I also liked Bailey's best friend Nekesta. She was always kind towards Bailey, never jealous, and also forgiving. Their friendship was very nice. I also loved the way Charlie made mundane things into a game. This way of doing this makes you appreciate all the small things in life. I loved how his general outlook in this regard is positive though as a character he was pessimistic in almost everything else.
I did not enjoy the swearing that Lynn Painter included here. I felt it was unnecessary and just too much. I did not think that this was as good as Painter's Better Than and Nothing Like the Movies books, I felt those books were special. Like I said, Betting on You wasn't bad, but the characters also make some immature decisions that almost make no sense. There were also small plot things that Painter brings up but don't really resolve, I felt this was a little less straightforward in that way.
I would read another Painter book but I just don't feel like this book lived up to the expectation I have of her after her other series. I may have appreciated this particular book more as a teenager, but with the swearing I don't necessarily recommend this for teens.
I did not enjoy the swearing that Lynn Painter included here. I felt it was unnecessary and just too much. I did not think that this was as good as Painter's Better Than and Nothing Like the Movies books, I felt those books were special. Like I said, Betting on You wasn't bad, but the characters also make some immature decisions that almost make no sense. There were also small plot things that Painter brings up but don't really resolve, I felt this was a little less straightforward in that way.
I would read another Painter book but I just don't feel like this book lived up to the expectation I have of her after her other series. I may have appreciated this particular book more as a teenager, but with the swearing I don't necessarily recommend this for teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Grief, Alcohol
Minor: Vomit
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
When I picked up this book I was thinking it would be a She’s All That like book, & in some ways it was, but in others it was so much better!! I loved the characters Charlie & Bailey were super adorable!! & even the side characters were fun! I didn’t think I’d hate it by any means, going into it I figured I would like the book, but I won’t lie, I’m amazed at how much I really loved it! It was such a sweet book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity, Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Toxic relationship, Grief, Toxic friendship, Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I think I like this a little more than Better Than The Movies.
As stated, Betting On You has the overarching “the bet” trope, but it didn’t actually feel like it was a big part of the story. It was more rivals-to-friends-to-lovers. And dang, did I eat this one up.
I like this more in terms of story mostly because (1) Bailey didn’t feel as overbearing and overdramatic (imo) as Libby from BTTM (but then again, who am I to judge), and (2) because their characters and relationship felt more natural and relatable. Understandably, BTTM has its own storyline, but this just felt more well-written than BTTM to me.
I love that they’re complex and complicated but not brats—navigating through the realities of their feelings towards being custody children, the betrayal, and the fear of making a mistake and losing something you never want to lose (totally relatable), all the while keeping the vibe very lighthearted and not borderlining melodramatic that it becomes so heavy. I also really like that we had more time with Nekesa as compared to our time with Joss in BTTM. The friendship here was deeper and had more actual friendship.
I do I have a few dislikes about this, like the overuse of pop-culture AND Taylor Swift references. One or two would’ve been forgivable, but beyond that just felt jarring and it pulls me out of the story every time (and I’m a Swiftie, too, so I know there were a lot of references).
The dual POV, I also have mixed feelings about, mostly because Bailey still had the most part and Charlie’s chapters were very short. I’ll forgive it but there’s definitely more room to explore there.
Overall, I think Lynn Painter got to step forward from BTTM in terms of her writing. Charlie and Bailey had more tangible development than Libby and Wes (imo).
As stated, Betting On You has the overarching “the bet” trope, but it didn’t actually feel like it was a big part of the story. It was more rivals-to-friends-to-lovers. And dang, did I eat this one up.
I like this more in terms of story mostly because (1) Bailey didn’t feel as overbearing and overdramatic (imo) as Libby from BTTM (but then again, who am I to judge), and (2) because their characters and relationship felt more natural and relatable. Understandably, BTTM has its own storyline, but this just felt more well-written than BTTM to me.
I love that they’re complex and complicated but not brats—navigating through the realities of their feelings towards being custody children, the betrayal, and the fear of making a mistake and losing something you never want to lose (totally relatable), all the while keeping the vibe very lighthearted and not borderlining melodramatic that it becomes so heavy. I also really like that we had more time with Nekesa as compared to our time with Joss in BTTM. The friendship here was deeper and had more actual friendship.
I do I have a few dislikes about this, like the overuse of pop-culture AND Taylor Swift references. One or two would’ve been forgivable, but beyond that just felt jarring and it pulls me out of the story every time (and I’m a Swiftie, too, so I know there were a lot of references).
The dual POV, I also have mixed feelings about, mostly because Bailey still had the most part and Charlie’s chapters were very short. I’ll forgive it but there’s definitely more room to explore there.
Overall, I think Lynn Painter got to step forward from BTTM in terms of her writing. Charlie and Bailey had more tangible development than Libby and Wes (imo).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief
Moderate: Cursing
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Abandonment
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Alcohol
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book and its characters really grew on me by the end. At the beginning, I struggled with the cynicism of MMC Charlie and the whininess of FMC Bailey, but their character development and friendship over time was lovely. I felt very sorry for Bailey as a child of divorce who had two selfish (in different ways) parents - some of that, especially with the subplot relating to her mother, was handwaved away. This book kept a lighthearted tone despite some of the serious subject matter, and the wide variety of side characters worked well. I didn’t like it as much as the last Lynn Painter book I read, but I still enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity, Medical content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to read this book because I love Lynn Painter’s work and when this was announced, I knew I would want to read it as soon as possible.
This book has two points of view. The first is Bailey. She has started a new job at a hotel waterpark and she is less than thrilled to see an old acquaintance is one of her co-workers. Bailey met Charlie a year ago on a 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 co-workers – particularly the 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. The second point of view is Charlie, he is determined to deflect the growing feelings he’s developed for Bailey. He is terrified to lose her if his crush becomes known. What doesn’t help is his agenda is Bailey and Charlie’s “fake dating” in order to disrupt the annoying pleasantries between Bailey’s mum and her 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 which involved Bailey and another bet Charlie might have made. Can the two make a real go of things or will Charlie betrayal too much for Bailey?
This book was so fluffy and fun. I love the aspect of fake dating and the whole young adult one bed stuff was great. I loved Charlie’s POV and I wish we had more of Charlie’s POV. This book was such an easy read and the dual POV made it a quicker read. I like the progression of the friends-to-lovers as it seems more realistic than books I've read in the past – both of them denying that they couldn’t have feelings for each other, ignoring them, and then getting over it and accepting it, to admitting their feels. As a kid of divorced parents and have stepparents, I loved the rep though now I appreciate the fact that my parents lived close to each other because I couldn’t think about doing a flight on my own under the age of 15. I loved that Scott was honest and open towards the end.
I wanted more. I would have loved more light being shed on Charlie’s overthinking/TUMS bit – I felt like it got mentioned with his mum, Bailey didn’t question it and then that was it. I would have liked to see more from Charlie’s household because we didn’t see much expect that he doesn’t like to be home. I get it was mainly focused on Bailey, but sometimes I felt like Charlie’s POV was just needed to move the story alone rather than a more depth of a character.
I will always read Lynn Painter, but I think I will always prefer her new adult books rather than young adult books because I felt like the bet bit of it was just unnecessary – not the bet with Bailey and Charlie but the bet between Theo and Charlie – the She’s All That reference of a bet. Plus these kids were giving me a headache sometimes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, Alcohol
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy, Alcohol