Who couldn't fall in love with Charlie? Such a sweetheart, despite his love of snakes. Jean is as 180 from him as one can get, but together they are dynamite. Jean has learned that her best self is her real self, and Charlie agrees. This story reminds me of an old Hollywood movie with a smart, wisecracking heroine and a sweet, naive hero. It doesn't get any better than this.

Not sure if I was in the wrong headspace for this one but I didn't connect with it as much as others who I have seen have reviewed it. I liked it but it wasn't anything that stood out to me. There was a lot of miscommunication and failed communication attempts which could have been made to avoid a lot of the situations that arose and I struggled to feel the chemistry between the two main characters.

A fun premise that didn’t quite land for me
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)

I’ve really enjoyed Amanda Sellet’s previous books, so I was excited to dive into The Odds of Getting Even. The concept—a chaotic heroine chasing down the guy who ghosted her, only to get swept into something much bigger—felt fresh and full of potential. There’s humor, adventure, romance, and a quirky, over-the-top energy that makes this a clear contender for a summer rom-com escape.

That said, this one didn’t quite come together for me the way I hoped. The setup takes a while to unfold, and the “getting even” plot doesn’t really kick in until a third of the way through. While I appreciate slow-build stories, I had a harder time connecting with the characters early on, especially with the romance feeling more situational than deeply developed.

Once the setting shifted to South Dakota, the book picked up—there were definitely laugh-out-loud moments and a wild cast of supporting characters that made the back half more enjoyable. Still, I didn’t totally buy the emotional arc between Jean and Charlie, and I found myself wishing for more depth or chemistry to make their connection land.

Overall, I’m glad I stuck with it, and I still think Sellet’s voice is sharp and distinct. If you’re in the mood for a rom-com with offbeat humor, desert hijinks, and a little revenge flair, this might hit the spot. It just didn’t quite reach the charm and spark of her earlier books for me.

What a fun read! It was a screwball comedy all the way, and delightful to read. My only criticism is that there were WAY too many assumptions. Then again, without them there, where would the story with all its twists and turns and surprises be?

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this novel!

Yikes.
(I think that sums up how I felt after I finished this one)

I had to assign myself a certain # of chapters to read each day, just because I was determined to finish this one so I could provide an honest review.

Um, I really didn't like this one. I felt like the characters had no true chemistry (I think they only knew each other for maybe a week? - unsure of the timeline). Jean (FMC) gets in her head that she needs to get *revenge* on Charlie (MMC), after he leaves the resort she's working at (again, they don't know each other enough for her to have feelings as intense as she did - it was very weird to me and I felt second-hand embarrassed for her). Honestly, none of the characters were likeable and the story felt all over the place. I think the whole idea was for this to be a romcom, but I didn't find myself laughing at anything.

Not going to spoil the plot for anyone who plans to read this.

I'd like to thank St. Martin's Press & St. Martin's Griffin for the eARC of this book.

I really got off on the wrong foot with this book when the FMC, a hotel employee where the MMC is staying, knocks on his door and just WALKS IN instead of waiting for him to open it. THEN, she sees him standing there, naked, and instead of saying “oh, sorry, here are those towels you asked for” and leaving she just like….invites herself in? And starts making small talk with him?

And then suddenly they’re like hanging and banging and she somehow knows nothing about him???

I dunno. The story itself was fine, I guess, but the characters felt irredeemably stupid and they just needed to talk to each other like adults.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Amanda Sellet for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, how I wanted to like this book more! This book had an intriguing premise but fell flat in the execution for me. At the heart of the story are Jane, whose fling (at her place of work no less, a resort) with a “mysterious stranger” (our main male character, Charlie) leads to Jane “getting even” in the wilds of South Dakota. While the concept of her getting even could have made for a compelling revenge/second chance romance/enemies to lovers’ narrative, the way the plot unfolds is random and hard to connect with. The book is slow to start off with and we don’t get into the “getting even” part of the plot until 30-40% through the novel. Sure – the romance needs to be established but even that didn’t seem to land for me. The novel does get better when the setting moves to South Dakota, albeit still very random with an eccentric group of supporting characters which I didn’t mind with the push of “getting even”. It was an easy read from that point with quite of few hilarious moments. There unfortunately wasn’t any semblance of chemistry between the leads and I didn’t really get their strong feelings for each other despite, demonstrably, not really knowing much about each other.

I enjoyed the concept of this book. A chance meeting between Jean and Charlie that turns into attraction, but then goes a bit sideways when Charlie is trying to hide his true identity and Jean thinks he is a cheater. Sometimes it was a bit hard to follow and sometimes the story stalled a bit. I had frustration over Charlie's best friend being so smothering and controlling over him and it was little frustrating when it took so long for Charlie to actually stand up for himself. Overall ok, but I felt a little underwhelmed.

I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own. Thank you Netgalley, Amanda Sellet)

cute and fun romcom which was quite a bit more wild in terms of twists and turns than I expected! 4 stars. tysm for the arc.,

Sometimes I’m not sure what I’m thinking when I choose a book for review. This one made me question myself. The main male leading character is obsessed with snakes.

This girl absolutely hates snakes. So what was I thinking?

I think the author was trying to make these two so completely opposite that it became a basis for building a relationship. As the saying goes, opposites attract, and the author did a great job with the basis of their relationship.

What was interesting, however, was the way that Sellet wrote the story. The beginning was odd. Their conversations were very odd, and you almost had to pick through the dialogue to figure out what they were talking about.

Again, I think that’s the author just trying to build that ultimate connection between the two characters that they knew each other on another level. Which is fine, but in some instances, it came off very weird and definitely different.

I have a love-hate relationship with many parts of this book. Definitely the snakes – number one – not fond of that. Some of the vibe that came off with it was different, and something you have to get used to as you read the story.

The story had a lot of areas where simple communication could’ve solved everything. However, the story really was built on the lack of communication. Because without that, there wouldn’t have been a storyline at all.

The Odds of Getting Even is a bit campy and tends to offer some word soup that could’ve been tightened up a lot.

I did enjoy how the author developed the characters as they were getting to know each other, and the fact that they would stand up and protect each other. Together, they had good qualities and a hot connection.

What I thought was strange was how the female lead character was acting at the end of the story. It was just really odd to pretend to be someone else so she could be mad at him – that was just weird. Although she is a fun, positive character, there were spots where she was a jerk, and like the title says, getting even, in her mind anyway.

Overall, the story is entertaining when you read between the lines. Some will find it adorable and humorous. I found it a bit off center.

I should've known this would be a bust the moment I saw there was mention of the MMCs name over 800 times in 320 pages. Nothing peeves me like a book where a character's name is said incessantly as if we've forgotten who they are by the time we turn the page.

That was far from my only qualm, however. For being such a short book, it felt like it dragged on forever. The plot doesn't really truly come in until 30%. If this weren't an ARC, I would've dnfed it by 15%. A book does not need that much set up. It just doesn't.

The two MCs did not really hook me. I didn't see why they should be together. She really had a one night stand, thought she got stood up, and then decided to track him down and get revenge over it. Awkward. And weird as hell to boot. You knew him for one day, girl, get over it.

And don't even get me started on the side characters. I didn't care about any of them, much less so the main characters. Even Charlie felt super unfinished as a character and that's the worst thing to happen to a book.

Super disappointed overall.

Charming, clever, and full of heart. Sellet has a knack for smart, bookish heroines, and this one delivered again. Some pacing felt uneven, but the voice was delightful and the story left me smiling. A lovely YA gem.

I ADORED this romance that had a wild west feel to it! This was fresh, fun and perfect for a summertime beach or pool read.

I was hoping for a fun, witty read, but The Odds of Getting Even fell flat for me. The writing feels like a wannabe Kate Spencer (whose novels I adore), but it’s snarkier, crasser, and lacks the charm. The sexual innuendos weren’t funny—just awkward and forced.

The premise of seeking revenge for being ghosted is pretty far-fetched that it never lands as humorous. Worst of all, the main character isn’t even likable; she comes off as entitled and self-centered, making it hard to root for her. I couldn’t connect with the story or the humor and ended up DNFing it. Disappointing all around.

I was invited to read a DRC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley. This review is my own and reflects my honest thoughts and opinions.

I wanted to like this book but the main characters were so cartoonish that I found myself constantly checking out. It is a really interesting premise, but I just could not connect with any of the characters (despite trying to read this book for about 6 months)

Amanda Sellet has written such an enjoyable book bringing her characters to life! Jean and Charlie couldn't be more different and yet fit together so well. There were times the story and dialogue just bounced back and forth and you couldn't help but laugh and shake your head. Both characters have great chemistry with each other and depth to each of their personalities. Would definitely recommend!

3.5 stars = "I liked it, but..." I thought that The Odds of Getting Even was cute. The leading lady, Jean, was fun and quirky in the initial section of the book where she and the adorkable leading man, Charlie, click and quickly fall for each other. Even though it is fast, the opposites attract connection is believable and I found this part of the story goofy yet charming.

I had a few issues with the later part of the story where the pair are kept apart by miscommunication and by interference by Charlie's best friend. The friend really bugged me in the way that she dismissed Charlie's feelings and treated him as a child.

The twist in the ending is pretty easy to see coming and all of Charlie's lifelong problems with his parents expectations wrap up quickly and tidily, but overall I still enjoyed this. I am a sucker for a nerdy, sweet leading man.

ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley - this is an unpaid review. Expected publication July 15 2025

This is a cute, light romantic comedy that is a pleasant way to while away a day at the beach or beside the pool. The characters are amusing and engaging, and the situation that unfolds as they all come together at Charlie's parents' extravagant party has all the hallmarks of the traditional silly rom-com story. I found the novel mildly enjoyable; it doesn't have a lot of depth or character development (and maybe it doesn't intend or need to). Charlie and Jean are lovable and appealing, and rom-com lovers will appreciate the happy ever after, including the satisfying downfall of their primary nemesis. Lovers of light rom-coms should find a lot to enjoy here.

I absolutely adored the first chapter of this book, which features a meet-cute like nothing I’ve ever read and had me laughing nearly nonstop. The characters are both refreshingly different—the hero almost a naif and the heroine unapologetically bold and weird. Their chemistry sizzles, somehow, despite the whole naif thing.

But then the main conflict of the story turns out to be a frustratingly simple misunderstanding—my least favorite plot device—and the whole rest of the book is just the two of them digging deeper into that hole despite the really obvious subplot going on around them that would instantly clear up said misunderstanding if either of them could see it. Neither main character seems to grow or learn anything about themselves in the course of the story, and the supporting characters are so one-dimensional they’re basically just there to advance the plot. There was also a ton of buildup around how everyone else in the hero’s life patronizes and pushes him around him that never resolved in a satisfying way.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.