Hallie is bartending a wedding when she unwittingly precipitates the breakup of the best man and his girlfriend. Luckily it turns out that he's not all that upset about it - and their commiseration over the events of the night lead to an amazing one night stand. Even though they part without exchanging contact information, they soon hook up platonically through a dating app. They are super compatible as friends, and since neither one wants to date a one night stand, they decide to be each other's eternal wingmen. They start planning concurrent dates at the same place and time so that they can meet up afterwards to debrief. But when Hallie starts getting serious with another guy, Jack has to decide whether he should take the plunge and let her know how he really feels.

This was a super quick, funny, and low-angst read. Jack and Hallie are perfect for each other, and they're so close to getting that themselves that you as the reader have a great time watching these two idiots try to figure it out. We especially enjoyed:

The Omaha setting
The relationship building via text messaging
The supportive friendships that both Jack and Hallie enjoyed
The fake dating+only one bed convergence (duh)
That this is a real romcom in that we actually laughed out loud.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the novel.

Oh. My. God. I cannot believe I’ve never read a Lynn Painter book before this and yet I am so unbelievably happy because this was without a doubt, the best introduction to her work. Did I read this in one sitting? Why, yes. Yes, I did. What can I say? The Love Wager lived up to all of its friends-to-lovers, fake dating, one-bed trope, love confession in the rain, glory.

Where do I begin? I suppose I’ll start with the absolute delight that was Hallie Piper. A fierce redhead with a keep-you-on-your-toes personality, I couldn’t think of a better heroine. She’s a ball of energy that makes the world seem like a much better place. While Jack gave her a run for her money, Hal’s sense of humor is still unmatched. From one Parent Trap lover to another, the name choice was also top-tier and may’ve made me a little biased.

To be completely transparent, I didn’t like our male protagonist, Jack, too much at the start of the novel. I thought he was your typical playboy that would be unworthy of our ray of sunshine’s love. But, his character development was absolutely spot on to the point that I may even dare to say he might be one of my favorite book boyfriends now. I love a good guy-falls-first romance, so seeing him head over heels for miss Hallie earned him infinite bonus points. He is the textbook definition of the word pining. Did I mention he was down bad? Good Lord is he straightforward. Well, maybe not so much when it comes to the seriousness of his feelings, but I’ll excuse that for his…risqué choice of words, so to speak. Now that I think about it, maybe I’m the one that’s down bad…

Don’t even get me started on the pair’s chemistry. THE BANTER. Oh God, the banter was just…mind-blowing. It rendered me speechless. I can count the number of books on one hand that made me audibly laugh out loud, and I am proud to say that The Love Wager was one of them.

I am slightly appalled though because I had no idea that Olivia and Colin, our male protagonist’s sister and brother-in-law, had their own story. Don’t mind me casually starting Mr. Wrong Number as we speak because I get the feeling Olivia and I will revel in all of our dramatic beings.

I will say, I expected a little more out of the ex-boyfriend that was Ben plotline. It seemed anti-climatic once we were introduced to him. I expected some sort of showdown between rival lovers. The old versus the new, so to speak. Look, I said I was dramatic, so naturally, I wanted some angst.

That being said, the conclusion felt very Hallmark in the sense that you aren’t actually sure whether or not the couple will stay together through all of the trials and triumphs that life presents. Now, because I am choosing to live life in a constant state of delusion, I’m just going to manifest that Hal and Jack stay together forever and ever, even if it is just for my mental well-being. I think their swoon-worthy love confession would’ve benefitted more had it taken place a couple of chapters sooner, even just for the sake of giving their relationship more room to breathe toward the end. Their friendship was so strong that I doubt it wouldn’t translate over to a more romantic relationship. Yet, I can’t stop myself from asking, what if?

Now, there are authors that write in first-person, authors that write in the third-person, and then there are authors that write in the third-person but make it feel so personal that you don’t acknowledge that it isn’t written in first-person until halfway through the book. Painter’s writing was definitely the latter and I commend her immensely for that because it takes a boatload of talent to be able to achieve that sort of emotional connection with a less direct form of contact.

Overall, The Love Wager was a cute, easygoing rom-com that earned 4.75 stars from me.

I fell head over heels for Lynn Painter’s writing with Mr. Wrong Number, so when I heard about The Love Wager, I couldn’t wait to dive in. The Love Wager follows the story of Jack and Hallie. Jack and Hallie met at Jack’s sister’s wedding and ended up having a one-night stand. Hallie never thought she’d see Jack again, but fate had other plans. When Hallie logs into a dating app, hoping to find love, she finds Jack instead. Together, the two of them concoct a plan to become partners in the search for the one…

The Love Wager was such a fun and entertaining read. I fell for Jack and Hallie instantly. They rocked the friends-to-lovers trope. I loved how easy and genuine they were together. Their banter was witty and full of life. And we can’t forget about the explosive chemistry that drew me into their story and left me hanging on each and every word. I loved how real the author made their story with a true outlook on just how hard online dating can be.

I loved everything about The Love Wager from beginning to end. Jack and Hallie’s story was full of blurred lines, life and laughter and I just couldn’t get enough of it. If you’re a fan of friends-to-lovers romances with light drama and witty banter, you won’t want to miss The Love Wager!

Pub date: 3/14/23
Genre: romcom (one night stand, friends to lovers)
Quick summary: After a one-night stand, Hallie and Jack reconnect as friends when they match on a dating app. Will their taco adventures (post dates with other people) lead to true love?

Love and tacos - what more do you need?! I fell in love with Hallie and Jack - I just wanted to jump into the pages of this book to eat tacos and go on terrible dates with them. Fun fact - like Hallie, I also enjoy tacos with cheese melted directly on the tortilla (it's life changing, try it please!) It did drag a bit in the middle, but overall I really enjoyed this one.

If you love banter and will they/won't they dynamics, I bet you'll love this one!

Thank you to Berkley and @letstalkbookspromo for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I somehow have a new favourite Lynn Painter book??!? I don’t know how she does it. Painter really is becoming the new queen of romcoms.

If you have a favourite romance trope, it’s possible (and likely) that trope will be in this. Painter took all of the best romcom tropes out there and created the best book possible.

I want to shove this giggle-inducing love story at all of my romance-reading friends.

Hallie is a tax accountant by day and an occasional bartender by night and weekend. Jack is at his sister's wedding when he runs into a bartending Hallie and realizes they met earlier that day. When Jack's girlfriend believes that he's flirting with Hallie, wine is thrown and things end poorly for their relationship. After Jack and Hallie have too many drinks and an unforgetable night, they coincidentally find each other on a dating app. They become fast friends and decide to set a wager.. who can find love first.

I loved this book. I. Loved. It. The banter, the slow burn, the fake dating, the one bed trope, the friendship and chemistry – all of it. I am normally not a huge fan of friends to lovers but damn this was cute and hilarious while not being so cheesy that it's a turn off. I, unexpectedly, read the book in one sitting and I'm not mad about it. I will be looking for more from this author!

Once again, Lynn Painter has ruined me for all other romcoms. The Love Wager is SO good, I honestly didn't want to finish it because I was having so much fun watching Hallie and Jack falling so desperately and adorably in love with each other. Between red-hot chemistry, sparkling dialogue, and completely lovable characters, and recognizable pop-culture references (I feel so seen), this is the perfect fun, sexy, low-stakes, escapist read! I wish I could inject the author's voice and bubbly writing style into my veins. I can't wait for The Objectors next year.

Summary: After an awkward one night stand, newly single Jack and perpetually single Hallie decide to help each other find “The One” with the help of a dating app. Discouraged by the lack of good candidates, they make a love wager to see who will find love first.

Thoughts: If you are looking for a sweet but steamy trope filled romance, look no further. This fun one night stand turned Insta friends turned friends to lovers is filled with text banter, swoony moments and very relatable characters.

I am a huge fan of Lynn Painter and a big part of why I love her writing is that all of her books are the ultimate romance comfort read. They wrap you in a big hug and leave you with all of the HEA vibes you could ever want. They are the perfect rom com movie in book form.

I listened to this one on audio and fell in love with narrators Kristen DiMercurio and Zachary Webber. They really brought this one to life for me and had me in stitches at times. Both did an excellent job at narrating the opposite MC which isn’t always the case in rom com audio.

Read if you like:
•one night stand
•friends to lovers
•fake dating
•sweet romance
•open door mild description

Thank you to {partners} Berkley Romance and PRH Audio for the ARC and ALC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I swear each new Lynn Painter book ends up being my new favorite - she just keeps getting better and better and no one can do witty banter like this author!!

In this book we get to know Jack and Hallie two strangers who have a hot one night stand after Colin and Olivia's wedding (the couple from Mr. Wrong number). Part When Harry met Sally and part The wedding date, this romcom sees the two leads becoming friends as they bond over dating app woes and try to help one another find true love.

Full of bad dates, amazing chemistry and a wonderful friends to lovers romance that sees Jack falling first. Plus a fun only one bed scenario as Jack poses as Hallie's boyfriend for her sister's wedding. I honestly loved every bit of this book and thought the narration by Kristen DiMercurio and Zachary Webber was excellent.

Much thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC and NetGalley and Berkley Romance for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest reviews! If you love Lynn Painter like I do, you don't want to miss this one!!

Thank you to Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! I absolutely adore Lynn Painter's YA books; I loved Better than the Movies and the Do-Over more than anything. Her Mr. Wrong Number was a miss for me, and I had hoped that The Love Wager would be better, but unfortunately, it was not. The premise is charming, but Painter's adult voice feels unnatural. I wouldn't really say that she keeps her young adult voice and it doesn't fit into her adult writing, but that her adult works just feel forced overall, both in plot and character. Nothing really stood out to me. Still an enjoyable rom com overall (and spicy) but I don't think Lynn Painter's adult books are really for me!

3.75 stars

<b>“Listen, Tiny Bartender.” He grabbed the plate of nachos and slid it in front of her, because they both knew she loved selecting the first chip. “You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love you three times. Please tell me my hands are cold so we can get on with our lives already.” </b>

Hallie & Jack. Partners in crime. Hallie is a tender little sweetheart of a girl! Jack = delightful boy. He might literally be Prince Charming. The chemistry!!! The humor!!! The tacos!!! The love!!! Just so chef’s kiss!!! GAH!! Every single one of Lynn Painter’s books is a FIVE star read!

🍟 THINGS AND STUFF 🍟
-dual pov
-friends to lovers
-looking4thereal dating app
-shopping for soul mates
-nicknames
-french fries in bed
-a bet. a wager, if you will… who could find love first
-tacos: cheese on the bottom, of course
-pizza, beer, & pride and prejudice the hand flex version
-fake relationship
-texting & banter
-#IsThisAKissingBook: open door. This is a pg-13 show! “I’ll be back.” “I’ll be in the ballroom, apparently.” She started pulling away, but he jerked her back and kissed the tip of her nose.

Thank you Berkley Romance for an earc! And thank you Lynn Painter for a physical arc!

Song: I like that by Adam Turley

I wanted to love this one so bad & I’m bummed I didn’t. The banter was very awkward & unnatural, & a lot of the conversations were cheesy & felt forced. It was a cute concept & I did enjoy some parts but overall it fell a bit flat for me.

<i>thank you berkley pub for the eARC of this book!</i>

everything about this book was a massive hit to me!

friends to lovers meets "they make a bet trope" meets one bed trope !!!! YES PLS

i'm a sucker for interconnected stand alones, and this book allows us to revisit the Mr. Wrong Number characters in a different light, spotlighting jack as our MC and a fun, silly new female lead who's genuinely so entertaining to read about.

the entire premise of this book is so perfectly romcom that as i read it, it played out so perfectly as a film (think <i>set it up</i> type romcom–there's a clear vision here) in my brain and i genuinely got SAD when i finished it. painter creates these perfectly crafted comedic timings while also keeping somewhat deeper themes in the book and it all adds up to this gem of a read.

the third act conflict was a slight miss for me, but thats just personal preference if we're being honest. i saw it coming from a mile away (lovely sort of foreshadowing, ms painter) but even so, i just wish it would have been done a bit differently. but all in all, SUCH a fun book.

4.25/5
surprise surprise, i absolutely loved it.
lynn painter just comes out with hit after hit and this is no exception. i fell in love with the characters and their interactions with each other, something that lynn painter has done with every book of hers i've ever read.
the banter... the chemistry... the comedy... all of it was just top tier. this is the kind of book that is a warm hug of a romance. hallie and jack's chemistry lights up the page and and just made it so easy to root for them. i loved them. and i can totally see this as a comfort read for me in the future.
im so excited for everyone to read this book. this is a romc-com for the rom com girlies. for my 27 dresses, for my how to lose a guy in 10 days, for my the proposal girlies. lynn painter understood the assignment, just as she always does, and i can say with confidence that this has only further solidified the fact that she is one of my favorite romance authors.

thank you so much to netgalley and berkley for letting me read this title early in exchange for an honest review! all opinions are mine and mine alone :)

It feels almost impossible to put my love for this book into words, but I'm going to try.

OH MY GOODNESS Y’ALL. I can tell this is going to be one of my favorite reads of the year. I absolutely adored this book. I was addicted since chapter 1 & I cannot get over Hallie and Jack’s relationship. They have the most delicious one night stand to best friends to fake dating romantic relationship ever. The tension is unreal and sizzles off the page.

I cannot stress enough how incredible of a romance book this is. It's an addicting, laugh-out-loud hilarious, and charming story that book lovers will adore.

The Love Wager comes out in March and I truly am excited for this to be out in the world. Lynn Painter’s books are a treat & this book has been a happy place for me to escape into the past few days

This book is perfect to read if you're a fan of Taylor Swift references, one night stand to best friends to lovers trope, fake dating for a wedding, dual POV, and mutual pining.

Lynn Painter has done it again! In an amazing follow up to Mr. Wrong Number, it's quite possible that Hallie and Jack have actually surpassed Olivia and Colin for my top spot (ok, ok, maybe it's tied) - fake dating, friends to lovers, amazing banter and some fabulous spice - what's not to love!

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Publication date: March 14th, 2023
Book 2 after Mr. Wrong Number, can be read stand alone

This was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed it! I didn’t realize that this was set after Mr. Wrong Number until after I read it and I didn’t feel like I was missing any information - you can definitely read it as a stand alone.

This one started off rocky for me with some tropes I don’t prefer, but it quickly turned into great chemistry, hilarious dialogue, and an interesting concept. I also enjoyed the unique rotating dual POVs within the same chapter!

I love love LOVED the chemistry between the MCs. I will miss their friendship, banter, and dialogue. 🥹

Perfect for you if you like:
Strangers to best friends to lovers
Fake dating + there’s only one bed
Bold and spunky FMC

🛑 multiple open door scenes and explicit language
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ four open door scenes, plot remains emphasis: plot is primary throughout and then there are multiple open door chapters back-to-back at the end.

Thank you @netgalley and @berkleyromance for an advanced review copy of this book!

Thanks to Let’s Talk Books Promo and Berkley for the copy of this book.

I’m pretty sure I had a stupid grin on my face the entire time I read this, which honestly was only a few short hours because I binged this in a day. First, obviously always here for a redhead MC. Second, the insta love was SO GOOD. Not usually a trope I’d say is a favorite, but pure perfection here. Third, the banter is amazing - so much sarcasm, great text exchanges, and absolutely delightful in-person interactions. I loved all the quirky supporting characters and the friendship + relationship built between our MCs. This was a really fun and swoony read!

Read if you like:
- Making sarcastic comments
- When the main characters make a bet
- Pride and Prejudice movie (2005)
- Insta love

This was such a cute read-Lynn Painter does it again! Hallie and Jack are adorable together and I loved the plot as well as their banter-books that make you laugh are the best :)

Hallie Piper is determined to get her act together. She's got a new haircut, some new clothes, and a new apartment. Now all she needs is someone to share her new life with. When her cousin convinces her to join a dating app, one of the first profiles Hallie sees is none other than the guy whose hotel room she belly-crawled out of. Jack Marshall has just been dumped by the woman he thought he was going to marry, and forced into online dating by his meddling sister. But his attitude changes when he reconnects with Hallie. But instead of dating each other, the pair place a wager on who can find their soulmate first. They schedule their dates at the same time and place, so if it's a bust, they can get tacos together and commiserate. But when Jack agrees to go to Hallie's sister's wedding as her fake boyfriend, the lines start to blur, leaving them wondering why they thought being together was a bad idea.

I'm obsessed with this book. I read it in one sitting because I couldn't put it down, and then once I finished, I went back to the beginning and re-read it to highlight my favorite parts. Spoiler alert: there were a lot of them. Painter's writing is so sharp and quick-witted, and her characters are so fun. Hallie and Jack were everything I could've wanted in a pairing. They had the playful, teasing banter I love so much, and their chemistry was palpable. I had a goofy grin on my face throughout the whole book because I couldn't get enough of them. There were some instances of miscommunication (my least favorite romance trope), but I never found myself that bothered with it here. If you're in the mood for an amusing yet swoony rom-com, I highly recommend checking it out.