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The Love Wager

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Today I am sharing my thoughts on a book that I really really enjoyed. This book gave me a case of perma smile and I was rooting so hard for the two characters. I am talking about The Love Wager by Lynn Painter. It is the second book in the Mr. Wrong Number series, but it is the first book I read in the series, and I loved it!

In The Love Wager we meet our two main characters, Hallie and Jack. Jack's sister was the main character from the first book, so if you have already read her story you will really enjoy getting to see her and Colin sprinkled throughout this story. But here we have Jack who is ready to get engaged to his (kind of rude if you ask me) girlfriend, but instead of getting engaged- they break up. Enter Hallie, the wedding bartender and a lot of alcohol and Hallie and Jack have a very good time that night, only for her to flee the next morning thinking she will never see him again. When they connect on a dating app, they make a bet to see who will fall in love first. They form a friendship where they encourage each other to get out there and date, and then meet up for tacos when the dates don't go well. Watching them clearly fall for each other was so much fun. And when the fake dating aspect came into play, I was utterly charmed right alongside Jack and Hallie.

The Love Wager is super cute and completely hit the spot. I loved this book and I can't wait to read more from Lynn Painter.

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Another great romcom from Lynn Painter!! She just knows how to suck you right in with a fun romcom and get you hooked.

I loved Jack and Hallie and all of the tension between them throughout the book. The one-night stand they had at the beginning of the book really helped with the tension during their friendship, and I was rooting for them to just get it over with and get together through the rest of the book. Their back-and-forth banter was to die for. I had so much fun watching them go from the one-night stand to friends to lovers.

My only complaint is that there the plot followed the miscommunication trope with resulting crisis, and I just can’t stand miscommunication lol.

Other than that, I absolutely loved this story and thought it was so fun!

Now this story is the second book in a series. I haven’t read the first book Mr. Wrong Number yet but I think I’ll pick it up soon. I’ve just fallen in love with Lynn Painter’s books, and I’ve loved every single one I’ve read so far.

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I would classify this as a friends to lovers romance. Hallie and Jack are both looking for love and Hallie especially is trying to be a full on adult and making some changes. They make a wager to see who would find love first. Of course there’s a lot of bad dates and ALL.THE.BANTER between these two.
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I seriously could not stop reading this book. I love it when we get both POVs in a romance. Jack was also in Mr. Wrong Number, so I’m going to read that next. I probably should have read that first, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I just want to read anything Lynn Painter writes!

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This book was super cute, I loved it! Lynn Painter eats up banter every TIME! There was tension, there was just enough cheesiness, and I loved the characters. Jack…Jack man… one of my fav book boyfriends for sure. I loved Hallie’s personality and was rooting for the two of them the whole way! I finished this book in a day, definitely a fast paced read that you won’t want to put down. The only downside I’d say is that the pacing overall was good but when we got to the last 20% the ending felt a bit rushed. Like it was built up throughout the whole book and then it quickly ended to wrap everything up. I wouldn’t have minded a few more chapters. Other than that I highly recommend this book and I loved it!

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Another incredible five star read from Lynn Painter! At this point, I would read her grocery list — she's that great. She creates such a loveable story with endearing characters and swoon-worthy romance that's not to be missed. Lynn has definitely has solidified her spot as my favourite contemporary romance author and I can't wait to see what she delivers next!

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Honestly, Lynn's writing is candy to me. I don't normally fall for simpler plots but the way the tropes are done really work for me. Plus, sequel-romances really are my favorites building off established characters.

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This was a cute read!! Not my favourite but definitely still cute. I'm a fan of Lynn's books so I will definitely keep reading titles by her! Thanks Netgalley!

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I found The Love Wager to be exhausting. I have enjoyed the trope of two idiots who don't know that they're in love with one another in the past; I also enjoyed a number of Lynn Painter's previous books - however, this one did not work for me.
There's a lack of depth and maturity to both characters and the reason for the third act breakup (and how Hallie comes across the information by happenstance) was just bonkers.

Thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for providing me with an arc for review,

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I've been struggling with romances this year. Not a lot have really captured my attention, and most of the time I force myself to finish them because they are arcs and I have to review them. This one though, I really enjoyed! I read it in one sitting (which is usually how I read books that I love) and it was hilarious, snarky, tender, sweet, and romantic. Lynn Wager doesn't waste any time, she hits the ground running from page one. You have the two leads meeting RIGHT AWAY, and you know what? It works! I almost wonder why not more books do this.
The chemistry between Jack and Hallie was very present and real, and their friendship was sincere. You never feel that it's put on. The banter is one of the best (totally commend Lynn Painter on this one!) and you could definitely feel them falling in love with each other throughout the novel. With chemistry off the charts, why not, right?
Anyway. Love this romance. If you're looking for a light, swoony, and hilarious read, I'd wager (yep, I went there) this is the book for you.

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I alternated between audio and digital for this book. Both formats made me laugh out loud. There is both a male and female narrator and they did an excellent job.

Hallie and Jack meet at a wedding. She’s the bartender and he’s the brother of the bride (bride is the main character from Mr. Wrong Number, the first book in this fantastic series). The next morning she’s literally crawling out of a hotel room and decides it’s time to be a grownup and get in a dating app. Jack is also in the dating app and they decide their relationship is purely platonic. They actually make a bet on who will find love first and sweetly encourage each other (and laugh at with each other).

Hallie and Jack are both characters I loved and would want to hang out with (especially Hallie) and I adored their friendship as they supported each other through their dates. I loved watching them bond and laugh and have fun. Because they’d decided on friendship, this is the best kind of slow burn. There are so many fun scenes and characters.

Thanks to the publisher for a copy. All opinions are my own.

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Okay, where do I even begin. Have you wanted a book with so many tropes that it makes your poor little heart beat with all the warm fuzzies? Well here you go!
Hallie is working 1 full time job and 2 part time jobs. She is trying to get back on her feet after her ex douchecanoe broke her heart. What she didn't expect is to not only help a man pick out an engagement ring at PT job #1, but to have said man buy a drink from her at PT job # 2. As she is making the connection, the man's (soon to be fiancé) accuses him of cheating on her with Hallie and promptly throws a drink in both their faces. What better way to drown their sorrows (ish) than to get stupid drunk and have crazy sex in the elevator, the desk in the hotel, the ..okay you get the point. As she crawls out of his room, Hallie is determined to get on with her life. She quits her two PT jobs, starts apartment hunting, and gets on a dating app. But who does she see there? The GUY, Jack!
But she DOES NOT want to date him and vice versa so they agree to be each other's wingperson and help find their other half.
This turns into a wager to see who can find love first and they become best friends that go eat A LOT of tacos after their failed dates. But they sort of, prefer each other's company more than any of their dates.
Now they're firmly stuck in the friendzone, but Hallie told her family that she has a boyfriend that she is taking for her sister's wedding so Jack agrees to be her fake boyfriend for the weekend. What? It's not like one weekend of fun (and sex) going to ruin their friendship while both are hoping for more... right? Yes, One bed folks! AND THEN there's a scene in the rain during the climax and it is SO Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet!
I literally laughed out loud reading this book and I absolutely adored it!
The only thing I wish was explored more is Jack's job after the revelation at her sister's wedding and what happened to his PhD candidate date!

Hoping for bonus scenes soon!!

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3.5/5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley & Berkley Publishing I received an E-Arc of this book for an honest review! I’ve got into a bad habit of forgetting to check if books are part of a series before reading them and ding ding ding this one is the second in the series which I didn’t realize until almost halfway through… whoops....

Good news if you haven't read the first one “Mr. Wrong Number” you won’t be missing out or feel like you’re getting too many spoilers. Could easily be a standalone.

This book was super cute and had me laughing out loud. This was a great friends to lovers romance novel. The characters genuinely became friends first and the romance in the end was truly a bonus. With a hilarious meet cute and then a reinteraction it was straight fate. This book is such an easily light read if you need a little serotonin boost!
I’ll definitely be checking out the first book and the rest in this series!

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includes: one night stand, friends to lovers, fake dating

the second book in the series is always so fun to read because you're so excited to see how the universe will continue to build and knowing you're going to fall in love with new characters.

lynn painter is always going to deliver a book with happy endings, witty characters and books that will make you laugh and smile. the love wager was no different.

this book had me at fake dating and it delivered.

if you're looking for a mild spicy romance that will make you laugh, you have found it.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing an arc <3

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*Thanks to NetGalley and Lynn Painter for my eARC of this book!**

Loved this! Jack and Hallie are good at bring friends, but better as a couple. Their banter is a squirmy blend of silly, sweet, and sexy. The wedding / fake dating scenario was the cherry on top. Recommend for readers who like Tessa Bailey, Jasmine Guillory, and Penny Reid.

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This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

The Love Wager starts with a wedding. I didn't realize it until much later in the book, but it's the couple from the first book Mr. Wrong Number, Olivia and Colin. They are barely mentioned as this book is about Olivia's brother Jack.

I really enjoyed the humor in Mr. Wrong Number so I was excited to read The Love Wager. It doesn't disappoint. There are many, many hilarious moments. Other than the beginning, there are so many great times as Jack and Hallie get to know each other. Since as friends they are discussing, and sometimes commiserating, about their dates from the app, they are in a supportive friendship rather than truly adversarial. They do make a bet about who will find true love first. Neither seems truly competitive about it and it comes up in teasing ways.

Jack is a really good guy who has never really been in love. He hadn't even considered its importance until he goes to his uncle's funeral. He really enjoyed his uncle, who always seemed to have lots of friends, ladies and love. But there is hardly anyone at the funeral besides a few family members. So the footloose and fancy free with lots of ladies is no longer as appealing. Jack tries to find someone but is just going through the motions.

Then he meets Hallie twice in one week. She's smart and sassy and fun. Her self esteem took a bit of a hit when she was dumped by a long time live-in boyfriend. She's suffering over the upcoming wedding of her perfect sister where the ex will be a groomsmen.

So after some time, Jack has figured out he has feelings for Hallie so he agrees to go with her to the wedding and be her fake boyfriend. They enjoy this time so much but they don't want to loses their friendship by admitting they want more. Grrr I hurt for both of them in this. Hallie realizes her feelings for Jack too. I loved how the ex saw her in a new light.

So I felt bad for Jack struggling to understand and express his feelings. I imagine it was easy for him to find women to date and he hurt a few, but I don't see him as being dishonest with them. But he's clearly out of his depth when he has fallen for Hallie. I thought she was a little hard on him though they got there in the end. I loved them together and the humor was amazing.

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Perfect book and lunch for #TacoTuesday! Some of my favorite parts of The Love Wager, by Lynn Painter, are Hallie’s and Jack’s after date meet-ups at the taco stand.

This is a great romcom with all the witty banter and chemistry I enjoy reading. One night stand, friends to lovers, fake dating, one bed? Throw in all the tropes and I am all for it. Give me dual POV and I am sold!

This was definitely bingeable, I didn’t want to put it down. I love when a romcom, in a sea of romances that I read, really stands out and makes me smile. I am quite positive that Jack will be on everyone’s book boyfriend list!

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Lynn Painter has done it again! The Love Wager is another 5-star romcom that you absolutely need to read.

This friends-to-lovers romance has so much going for it. The banter between Hallie and Jack is perfectly written and had me laughing out loud multiple times. I was in love with both the main characters from the moment I met them. Their DM and text conversations were my favorite and I don’t usually go for texts in books, so you know Painter made them pretty damn funny.

In addition to the friends to lovers trope, there’s a fake dating and only-one-bed situation that was swoony and angsty and made me fall even more in love with the story. This one is a bit of a slow burn once Hallie and Jack become friends, but the getting-there parts are so fun I barely noticed the slow burn.

The book has some open-door scenes but nothing is explicit, so I’d say it’s actually pretty clean. (or at least it’s definitely easy to skim the steamy parts, if that’s not your jam.) The story moved effortlessly from funny to steamy to sweet and back again. It’s just so good!

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***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
A quick read with some definite steaminess. Quite enjoyable.

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This was a fun, low-angst read full of great banter and chemistry between the hero and heroine and I definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good epistolary romance.

*I received an ARC from NetGalley for voluntary review

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this was a super cute light rom-com that I really enjoyed. I beyond enjoy lynn painters YA romances and this one was just as good. I absolutely loved this one and also loved how there was no 3rd act breakup or unnecessary drama. I’m not normally a fan for strangers to friends to lovers but this one was great. There are a few points where this book lost my interest, mainly near the beginning but other than that loved.

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