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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
2.5 stars. I expected to love this so much but it was rather underwhelming.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
3.5 stars. Lynn Painter is up there with Emily Henry for me as far as A+ banter goes. The Love Wager was a fun romp of a friends-to-lovers romance with little tastes of other tropes sprinkled in (fake dating, one night stand, there was only one bed).
I couldn't get enough of Hallie and Jack's friendship. While I did think the pacing in this was excellent and I read it in one sitting, I actually wanted this book to be *longer* (a rarity for me) so that I could get more banter from them. Their texts back and forth and their post-dumpster-fire-date friend dates together were the best part of the book for me.
Where I thought this could have improved was what was theoretically keeping them apart (their friendship) when they were so obviously into each other, especially towards the end.
I also kind of wish Lynn pulled a Ron Swanson and didn't half ass multiple tropes and just whole assed one trope. While the one night stand kicking off their friendship was kind of a unique twist, the fake-date-for-my-wedding-to-make-my-ex-boyfriend-jealous bit felt a bit lazy and played out. Lastly, the conflict at the end felt a bit weak and kind of rushed.
Even though I had a decent amount of issues with this, I almost don't care because the chemistry and dialogue was so fantastic. Would recommend to fans of Emily Henry, the friends to lovers trope, or anyone in the mood for some fun banter.
I couldn't get enough of Hallie and Jack's friendship. While I did think the pacing in this was excellent and I read it in one sitting, I actually wanted this book to be *longer* (a rarity for me) so that I could get more banter from them. Their texts back and forth and their post-dumpster-fire-date friend dates together were the best part of the book for me.
Where I thought this could have improved was what was theoretically keeping them apart (their friendship) when they were so obviously into each other, especially towards the end.
I also kind of wish Lynn pulled a Ron Swanson and didn't half ass multiple tropes and just whole assed one trope. While the one night stand kicking off their friendship was kind of a unique twist, the fake-date-for-my-wedding-to-make-my-ex-boyfriend-jealous bit felt a bit lazy and played out. Lastly, the conflict at the end felt a bit weak and kind of rushed.
Even though I had a decent amount of issues with this, I almost don't care because the chemistry and dialogue was so fantastic. Would recommend to fans of Emily Henry, the friends to lovers trope, or anyone in the mood for some fun banter.
