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A review by itschelseaw
The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
I almost DNF'ed this book every time I opened it. I kept hoping it would get better because all of these positive reviews but nope! I found Hallie and Jack to be insufferable, to the point that it was like "Oh, yeah, you're going to fall in love because no one else can stand you."
Hallie was a pick me "I'm not like the other girls" woman, it felt like I was reading a "cool girl" written by a 15 year old. That whole speed dating scene was when I really started to dislike them both. All for her to end up sitting!!! I WISH she had been one of the people moving around because that would've been so satisfying.
Jack being a jealous asshole after Hallie and Kyle really start hitting it off, just be honest with Hallie!!! Tell her that you're into her as more than a friend and while you're happy she's found Kyle, you hope she considers you as a romantic potential too. That would've been too mature, so instead he goes about sabotaging Kyle -showing up when Hallie explicitly tells him not too, cancelling their dinner reservation, and then telling Kyle about the bet in the hopes that it would freak him out. It did!!!
It sounds like their initial hook up was hot, it would've been fun to read about! Instead we got snippets of it doled out occasionally until it was used as a turning point in their relationship at the wedding.
There could've been a lot of depth in this story, but any attempt to add it (Jack's uncle, Hallie's existential crisis) were brushed over and turned into a joke by Hallie and Jack.
Also the whole texting each other rather than just talking to each other? When they're the only ones in the room AND they were just talking?? Was it supposed to be cute? I just found it annoying.
Finally, purposefully making your dates at the same restaurant for the same time so you can get tacos after if needed? Gross. I would get it if it was a coincidence the first time and then just text each other after bad dates... but to purposefully plan that their dates won't work out? It felt weird and gross to me.
The only conflict that felt real was not telling each other they loved each other, and miscommunication is my absolute least favorite trope, so that was fun to have in a book I already disliked!
Oh!!! And how Hallie handled moving out? What the actual fuck? How old is she supposed to be???? That was so immature and the moment I really started hating her.
TLDR: if you don't like it by 25%, it doesn't get better. Save your time and energy for a book you'll enjoy.
Hallie was a pick me "I'm not like the other girls" woman, it felt like I was reading a "cool girl" written by a 15 year old. That whole speed dating scene was when I really started to dislike them both. All for her to end up sitting!!! I WISH she had been one of the people moving around because that would've been so satisfying.
Jack being a jealous asshole after Hallie and Kyle really start hitting it off, just be honest with Hallie!!! Tell her that you're into her as more than a friend and while you're happy she's found Kyle, you hope she considers you as a romantic potential too. That would've been too mature, so instead he goes about sabotaging Kyle -
It sounds like their initial hook up was hot, it would've been fun to read about! Instead we got snippets of it doled out occasionally until it was used as a turning point in their relationship at the wedding.
There could've been a lot of depth in this story, but any attempt to add it (Jack's uncle, Hallie's existential crisis) were brushed over and turned into a joke by Hallie and Jack.
Also the whole texting each other rather than just talking to each other? When they're the only ones in the room AND they were just talking?? Was it supposed to be cute? I just found it annoying.
Finally, purposefully making your dates at the same restaurant for the same time so you can get tacos after if needed? Gross. I would get it if it was a coincidence the first time and then just text each other after bad dates... but to purposefully plan that their dates won't work out? It felt weird and gross to me.
The only conflict that felt real was not telling each other they loved each other, and miscommunication is my absolute least favorite trope, so that was fun to have in a book I already disliked!
Oh!!! And how Hallie handled moving out? What the actual fuck? How old is she supposed to be???? That was so immature and the moment I really started hating her.
TLDR: if you don't like it by 25%, it doesn't get better. Save your time and energy for a book you'll enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death