Masuk Free Press

Lauren: I had never previously read a book by Lynn Painter, but I had heard really great things and had high expectations. I cannot say that I was disappointed exactly, but I can say that the book was not really for me.

I am a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers romance, with a sarcastic love interest. I love a meet-cute, or fake dating storyline. However, I am not sure how I feel about all of those in one. The book was a conglomerate of different cliches, filled to the brim with common tropes. That can make for a fun read, but many felt forced and unnatural. 

The book was also littered with pop culture references, and while references are often fun little Easter eggs, this was over the top. You could not go one chapter without some sort of Taylor Swift song lyric worked in, and while I appreciated the first few, it became sickening as the book wore on. 

I could overlook all of these small annoyances, there is no point in being overly critical and sucking the fun out of reading, but I really could not connect very well with the two main characters. They felt two dimensional, and while their quirks were charming I would have liked a little more substance. They were truly pigeonholed into a stereotype, but at least they could not be called inconsistent. 

While Betting on You may not have been stuffy, finely crafted literature, and even though I would not read it again, it was still enjoyable and I would recommend it to others.  The book was a fun, lighthearted read, perfect for fans of cute rom-coms.

Anastasia: As a big fan of Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, I had high expectations for this book. While I can not say that it quite meets those expectations, it checks all the boxes for a cute rom-com and I did truly enjoy reading it. 

Personally, I LOVE a good fake dating plot. I am all for scheming your way into getting what you want, especially when it ends with a cute relationship. I think the plot carried the book well and it all made sense for the age of the characters and the setting they were in.

I loved the characters and they fit the story well. Bailey, up-tight and well-behaved, Charlie, cynical and not afraid to bend the rules; they are the classic example of opposites attract. Yet as they continue to grow closer, they do not try to change each other. Instead they bring out each other’s best and are fond of what makes them so different.

As Charlie said, “She was twenty things that annoyed me, all rolled into one, but there was something oddly relaxing being around her.” 

Sarah: Rom coms are my palate cleanser. They are a fun and easy break from all the other genres and school assigned reading. 

This book was no exception. 

I’m a big fan of Lynn Painter having read two of her books previously (Better Than the Movies and The Do-Over) and I can happily say, Betting On You met my expectations. 

With lovable characters that have plenty of internal conflicts on the side that add depth to the story, I can confidently say I intend to read all of Painter’s other books. And not just because I read everything. 

If you like When Harry Met Sally you will love this modern take. Between their personalities, arguments and chance meetings, it quickly becomes obvious. It has all the heartwarming elements with a side of endless banter that will leave you hanging on the edge of your seat, unable to stop turning the pages.

And if you like Taylor swift you will be very pleased with the amount of references to her (as well as the playlist for Bailey and Charlie in the back of the book).