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abby2207's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Lynn Painter doesn’t miss! This YA romance has a couple flaws, but I loved Bailey and Charlie’s connection and banter and friendship, and the way their anxieties surrounding divorce impacted their relationship and character growth. The third-act breakup wasn’t so annoying because the reasoning actually made sense. I couldn’t stop turning the pages, so much fun! I highly recommend this, and all of Painter’s, YA romance.
these kids swear too damn much.
these kids swear too damn much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
katievallin's review against another edition
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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Grief
Moderate: Body shaming, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Pregnancy
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
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
4.0
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, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content
vj_thompson's review against another edition
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy and Alcohol
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.75
Taylor Swift songs: “you’re on your own kid”, “you are in love”, “treacherous (tv)”
YA adaptation of “When Harry Met Sally” meets “10 things I hate about you”, with dual pov, enemies to friends to lovers, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, and TONS of Taylor Swift references!!
I devoured this book honestly, it was such a fun and lighthearted read!! I was hooked by the first chapter, and the entire thing was such a joy to experience. I honestly liked this more than the movie of “When Harry met Sally” because we get the dual POVs in this book, so we see what both of the characters are thinking and discover along with each of them how they feel about each other, it just hits so much harder this way.
I really love and relate to Charlie’s character so much!! He is a cynic/grumpy but is actually the sweetest softest cinnamon roll boy on the outside, I love him so much, he is precious. And their banter??? Loved it!!
If you know me or have seen my reviews or videos at all, you know I love Lynn Painter, and this was no exception. It was an amazing book, and I enjoyed every second of it! My book is so highlighted and annotated!!
For everyone wondering, we do have an equivalent of the iconic “She isn’t you” from “Better than the Movies”!!
I am so beyond grateful and honored that I got to read this six months early!! And not only that, but my bestie Lynn sent me a copy herself and signed it, which was the sweetest kindest thing ever. (This in no way influenced my review, my review is 100% honest, I just thought I would add how kind the author is!)
Age rating: 13+ (language, not spicy)
YA adaptation of “When Harry Met Sally” meets “10 things I hate about you”, with dual pov, enemies to friends to lovers, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, and TONS of Taylor Swift references!!
I devoured this book honestly, it was such a fun and lighthearted read!! I was hooked by the first chapter, and the entire thing was such a joy to experience. I honestly liked this more than the movie of “When Harry met Sally” because we get the dual POVs in this book, so we see what both of the characters are thinking and discover along with each of them how they feel about each other, it just hits so much harder this way.
I really love and relate to Charlie’s character so much!! He is a cynic/grumpy but is actually the sweetest softest cinnamon roll boy on the outside, I love him so much, he is precious. And their banter??? Loved it!!
If you know me or have seen my reviews or videos at all, you know I love Lynn Painter, and this was no exception. It was an amazing book, and I enjoyed every second of it! My book is so highlighted and annotated!!
For everyone wondering, we do have an equivalent of the iconic “She isn’t you” from “Better than the Movies”!!
I am so beyond grateful and honored that I got to read this six months early!! And not only that, but my bestie Lynn sent me a copy herself and signed it, which was the sweetest kindest thing ever. (This in no way influenced my review, my review is 100% honest, I just thought I would add how kind the author is!)
Age rating: 13+ (language, not spicy)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
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