I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

Odds, Ends, and Hijinks: A Wild Rom-Com Ride in South Dakota

The Odds of Getting Even drops readers into the chaos of South Dakota, where Jean’s one-night fling with the elusive Charlie ends with him vanishing, sparking her mission for payback. What starts as revenge quickly turns into a whirlwind of mistaken identities, outrageous mix-ups, and razor-sharp banter. Drawing from the spirit of classic screwball comedies, Amanda Sellet crafts a romp bursting with witty dialogue, madcap adventure, and romantic twists that keep the pages flying.

Jean is a riot: clever, determined, and utterly relatable as she charges through misadventures fueled by pride and a stubborn sense of justice. Charlie is a mystery wrapped in charm, pushing Jean toward both comic disaster and unexpected self-growth. The supporting cast is just as lively, adding layers of heart and hilarity to every scene.

Sellet’s writing sprints along, heavy on crisp banter and sly observations about love and the ridiculousness of modern romance. The humour is big and bold, but there’s just enough emotional depth to keep things grounded. If you crave a story that crackles with energy and doesn’t slow down for a second, you’ll find plenty to enjoy.

The only real knock? The chaos sometimes teeters into full-on farce, and those wanting a slow-burn, deeply realistic romance may find themselves wishing for a bit more substance. Still, for fans of laugh-out-loud rom-coms that don’t overthink themselves, this is a total win.

Rating: 4 out of 5

I selected this one on NetGalley because I wanted to read a book set in South Dakota for my states challenge, but maybe I should've just left this one on the shelf.

For all intents and purposes, it was fine. The opposites-attract was cute and well-established, and the spice was well-written. The plot itself was just...not great. Maybe I just hate reading about rich people (and I hate when "tabloids" are involved). Or maybe I just don't like when miscommunications lead to overblown reactions and the characters go at it for no reason.

Oh well. At least I read a book set in South Dakota.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the kind of book that will have you grinning like a fool from start to finish. It’s quirky, fun, and full of surprises, and I absolutely loved every moment of it. Their dynamic is so effortlessly sweet and hilarious, and it makes every moment of their interactions feel like pure gold. I really enjoyed the unpredictable nature of the romance. There’s no shortage of tension, but it’s not the kind that feels forced. It’s like two people trying to figure out how to make sense of this unexpected, ridiculous connection they have while dealing with their own baggage and insecurities. I was completely lost in it, and the only thing I hated was that it had to end.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC

This is my first reading anything from Amanda Sellet and I loved it.

I absolutely loved the characters in this novel. Jean is fun, loving and chaotic while Charlie is totally awkward, nerdy and smart. Of course, with these two being opposites, there’s a lot of banter which I enjoyed. It was very cute, and I was just here for it. They definitely have chemistry, and it was fun to see their relationship develop throughout the book. I also enjoyed the setting of South Dakota in the story. I felt that a town romance was the perfect fit for this adventure.

My only concern was that at first, I enjoyed the pace of the story, but it felt rushed towards the end. Otherwise, this was a great read. I definitely recommend this book to any rom com lover who loves adventure.

This was a sweet and thoughtful read with a charming plot and a heroine who truly stood out. Jean was a total powerhouse—smart, determined, and so easy to root for.

I enjoyed the way the storyline unfolded and appreciated its pacing. That said, I didn’t fully connect with her relationship with Charlie. Something about it felt a little off, and I found myself wishing his personality and quirks were more fleshed out. In general, the character development across the board could’ve gone a bit deeper.

Still, it had a lot of heart, and Jean’s strength really carried the story. A cozy, engaging read with a memorable lead.

this was a strong romance and worked well as a concept and from the storyline. I enjoyed the way the characters were written and how it was used in this plot. I thought the use of the characters worked well to tell the story and was glad it was so well done. Amanda Sellet has a strong writing style and am excited for more, as I enjoyed this and the previous book that I read from Amanda Sellet.

What a fun read. I loved these characters and enjoyed watching them navigate through their stuff to finding true love. Just a fun book that I think a lot of readers would like.

This book is so much fun! Hilarity and hijinks central. Everything about the story was over the top, but in a relatable way, if that’s possible. At least, I found it more accessible than the author’s previous book. Jean and Charlie are characters with whom I’d truly hang out. So fun. Thanks to St. Martin’s for the ARC.

**3-Star Review of *The Odds of Getting Even* by Amanda Sellet**

*The Odds of Getting Even* by Amanda Sellet is a quirky, coming-of-age novel that blends humor with a touch of mystery. The protagonist, Olivia, is a high school senior who gets involved in a plan to help her best friend with some unorthodox revenge, which leads to an unexpected journey of self-discovery. The plot is lighthearted and has some fun moments, especially with the dynamic between Olivia and her friends.

While the characters are generally likable, some of their development feels a bit shallow, and the pacing at times drags with predictable twists. The novel tries to balance humor, friendship, and romance, but it doesn't always hit the mark, leaving certain emotional beats feeling underdeveloped.

Overall, it's an entertaining read for fans of YA fiction looking for a quick, fun escape, but it's not groundbreaking in terms of character depth or plot. If you're after something light and easy, *The Odds of Getting Even* will do the trick, but it doesn't leave a lasting impact.

t’s nonstop wit and humor, and yet it isn’t fluff. Fun, adorable, and a hoot to read! Jean’s efforts to get revenge on Charlie publicly at the family’s centennial celebration, complicated by other unexpected guests and more misunderstandings, including about which characters are romantically interested in each other.

Immediately I was sucked in by Jean’s personality and her boldness. I like how her mind jumps to crazy scenarios that would make her life more exciting. She’s relatable in the way that she likes when people are awkward. I also like when people stumble over their words or blush because of the situation they’re in.
I’m not the biggest on miscommunication so this book isn’t rated as high.

Also, the only snake I’ll ever like is the one that is on Charlie’s body!! All I’m happy about is that they got their hea.

I loved this book! It was such a funny read, and I loved all the banter between the two main characters!
While I don't love the miscommunication trope, that's purely a personal opinion that in no way changes how I feel about the book. It was written really well, and I loved the chemistry!

Also I'm not a huge snake fan, but I may need to reevaluate that after this book.

Thank you netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

Gotta love when what starts out as a plan for getting revenge turns into something that might be better than the first time.

Jean loves the unexpected. She works in a hotel that prides itself on catering to customers' whims, especially those clients that rent out their more luxurious cottages. When Charlie calls the front desk asking for more towels, she is a little disappointed it's a standard call but is happy to find that Charlie is awkwardly charming. In the secluded cottage, they flirt their way through games and random snake facts. When Charlie disappears without a word, Jean teams up with a friend who is also interested in what he's hiding to infiltrate his family business's centennial celebration.

This is a follow up book but I did not read the first one and didn't feel like I was missing anything. It's an adorable story although I did feel like Charlie was incredibly immature. It worked in the story since his family seemed to keep him fairly sheltered. I loved Jean - her love of people being true to themselves, no matter how weird, was refreshing. There are several other quirky characters that brought a good amount of humor to the story. The story is told from the POVs of both Jean and Charlie. While the chapters aren't labeled, it's easy to figure out who is telling the story within the first sentence or two of the chapter.

The Odds of Getting Even, or what I like to call “Snakes on a Plain”, is a feast made from so many of my favorite things. Secret, if reluctant, famous person. Quirky, if misunderstood, love interest. A screwball comedy plot that rolls along, taking you for a wonderfully ridiculous ride from falling in lust at a tropical resort to seeking revenge in the wide-open plains of South Dakota. It’s sweet, and silly, and has a snake named Emma, who I promise is not too ssssslithery on page.

Being a science nerd at heart and having worked many (many) years ago with snakes, the opportunity to read a romance with a herpetologist MC really intrigued me, but it was the chemistry between Charlie and Jean that won me over. It’s so perfect and funny and leaves you cheering them on right through the final chapters.

This was so cute!! The banter was on point and Charlie was so sweet!! Jean could be a little bit annoying and the way she just jumped to conclusions about Charlie was frustrating, the miscommunication trope is not my favorite one. But this story did it in such a way that it wasn't as annoying lol. Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for my digital ARC!

This really leans into the COMEDY part of a Romcom, and I'm so here for it! It had a classic screwball comedy feel with an adorable, geeky, yet bumbling mmc and a fmc who is playful and has very little filter! The Odds of Getting Even was refreshing and fun to read. (Also, take note that there is no spice with closed door scenes).

Looking for your upcoming summer beach read? Look no further!

THE ODDS OF GETTING EVEN is yet another wonderful Romantic Comedy from Amanda Sellet. The novel is packed with punchy dialogue, realistic characters, and a screwball comedy plot geared to make you laugh, cry, and swoon. Jean and Charlie are the perfect leads for this stellar summer Rom-Com.

Fans of Sellet's first adult novel HATE TO FAKE IT TO YOU will find familiar faces in THE ODDS OF GETTING EVEN, but the two books can be read separately. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a free eARC in exchange for a review.

While the beginning was lovely and quickly made me believe this was about to be a top romcom read for me, midway through the writing style completely switched and I was confused most the time on what was even going on. This is my first novel by this author so I’m not used to their writing style. I did love the beginning so I hope to read other works by this author because this just did not feel like their best work.