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jehansen127's review against another edition
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
yvo_about_books's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
Finished reading: August 15th 2024
“When you’re in the room, every single cell in my body—every nerve, every muscle, every breath—is lost in you.”
It's no secret that I don't exactly read a lot of YA anymore, but I've had this author recommended in the past and after enjoying Better Than The Movies I decided to add Betting On You to my TBR as well. I do love the whole fake-dating trope when done right, and it sounded like a fun premise in general... And I have to say that I ended up really enjoying my time with this story. Sure, it took me a little while to warm up to Charlie, but I really liked the banter and growing connection between the two main characters. I could have done without the drama of the so-called 'third-act breakup', which put a minor damper on things... But as a whole I did have a great time reading Betting On You. The plot uses a dual POV structure, switching between Bailey and Charlie to give a better idea what each character is thinking and how their growing connection affects them. There is also room for more serious topics, with for example both characters dealing with the aftermath of divorced parents and the whole possible stepdad situation. Parts are maybe a bit cliche, but as a whole I liked how this element was incorporated into the plot. The writing flowed easily and this made the story hard to put down once you are properly invested in both characters. If you like your romances on the sweet side and don't mind a dose of drama along the way, I can definitely recommend Betting On You.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
julells's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Such a sweet story with really adorable characters and funny moments, even though from time to time some scenes felt a bit repetitive.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
michellebub's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Moral of the story - Ashe
Us - Gracie Abrams
This gives me total 10 things I hate about you vibes. But the conflict wasn’t as bad here. It also got resolved way too fast, I feel like we never got to see them actually be together:(
BUT THEIR BANTER AND TENSION😚
Us - Gracie Abrams
This gives me total 10 things I hate about you vibes. But the conflict wasn’t as bad here. It also got resolved way too fast, I feel like we never got to see them actually be together:(
BUT THEIR BANTER AND TENSION😚
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Sexual content
aralalala's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
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 and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
katrinalamothe's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Sexual content, Violence, and Alcohol
ihugparrish's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
doodeedoda's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Alcohol
blackveilbeccy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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, and Abandonment
Moderate: Infidelity and Medical content
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
_rubydodge's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence