I loved loved this book. Predictable, yes, but so lovely to read! Tiny bartender and Jack had the most amazing chemistry and I enjoyed the drama of their first meeting too.
I thought the characters were all very likeable and funny and the whole story felt smooth and just the right level of detail. I read the whole thing in just a day or so because I really wanted them to realise how they felt about each other so I didn’t really put it down!

My first 5 🌟 of the year!

I haven't really enjoyed a rom-com book in so long. This was a perfect mix of funny, romantic, lovers to friends to lovers to fake dating to lovers!

Hal and Jack just fit so great and their friendship was everything, their banter and their private jokes made me constantly 😊

So if you're looking for a good time 😉 this was definitely a hit and I highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishers for this reviewer's copy in exchange for my honest review ❤️

Lynn painter manages to always write quick, fun rom-com books with the right balance of romance and comedy. I loved the characters in this book and I can’t wait to read more of her work!!

Hallie Piper is ready to start a fresh and begin her online dating journey. That is after she crawls across the carpet of a hotel room after a one night stand with the hot brother of the bride from the wedding she was bartending. Through the app Hallie reconnects with Mr One night stand, Jack. Jack and Hallie begin a friendship, texting and sharing dating stories and lots of *not* flirting. Hallie is sure Jack is not the man for her whilst Jack starts to fall head over heels for the woman he can’t have. The pair begin to go on dates at the same time to make sure they have backup if the dates go horribly wrong. They make a wager, who can fall in love first but can they make it through a weekend of fake dating at a wedding without falling for each other?
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Oh my goodness this book is so fun! Lynne Painter writes book banter like nobody else, this book was hilarious and honestly had me giggling so often. The concept of this book is fabulous and takes those tropes we know and love and give them a new fresh take. Painter has written really great character, from the MCs to the side characters I really really enjoyed reading this. Hallie and Jack are very funny and great characters. I really enjoyed Mr Wrong Number so was very happy to see Colin and Ollie make several appearances in this book. Jack was such a great character in their book so I’m happy he got his moment to shine.

I really recommend this book for a light, funny and feel good read. This book feels like it should be made into a movie!!

Read this book if you like:
✨ Lynne Painter (obviously)
✨ Mr Wrong Number
✨ 90s romcom vibes
✨ Fake Dating
✨ Friends to Lovers
✨ Spice

Thank you Lynne Painter, Netgallery and Penguin for this advanced reader copy

I couldn’t wait to read this book after loving Mr Wrong Number and the second book within the series didn’t disappoint.

The story begins at Olivia and Colin’s wedding, Hallie, the tiny bartender (TB), reaches rock bottom after a steamy hook-up with the bride’s brother and best man (Jack). Determined to turn her life around she moves into her own place, begins a new job, and starts online dating. While swiping she uncovers none other than Jack’s dating profile. Determined to be ‘just’ friends they set a wager on who can find their soulmate first.

Hallie and Jack are just the cutest pair. I didn’t realise how much I loved pet names until Jack came along. Olivia and Colin do make appearances throughout which is a nice touch for readers of the first book. Although Jack is definitely my favourite. Sorry, Colin.

Honestly, I always thought I preferred Enemies to Lovers, but this book may have converted me.

The Love Wager is a sweet, easy read with a satisfying slow burn, if you’re anything like me you might find yourself shouting, ‘just tell her already!’


Read if you enjoy:
Dual POV
Fake Dating
One Bed Trope
He Falls First

I loved the first book Mr Wrong Number, so I had high hopes for this one. Well this did not disappoint and dare I say it but Jack may have been even hotter than Colin! Sorry Olivia.

Hallie aka TB, not the infection but short for tiny bartender. A nickname given to her by groomsman Jack after a case of the green eyed monster sees her getting a drink to the face and wrecking his proposal at his sister Olivia’s wedding party. The following morning she’s hunting for her bra and doing military style manoeuvres to escape said Jack who has become a sleeping one night stand in a hotel room.

Much hilarity ensues a few weeks later when they both use a dating app and after a few messages decide to be each others wingman/woman. We all know where this is going and there is much fun to be had getting there. But it certainly stepped up a gear once they agree to be fake dates for Hallie’s sister’s wedding. Yes it does seem like everyone’s sister is tying the knot but just go with it.

Hallie is adorable and Jack didn’t stand a chance as even I fell in love with her sweet nature, feisty attitude and altogether unusualness. Jack on the other hand holy moly hotness overload and a nice thoughtful guy too. Men in books are just so damn perfect aren’t they and Jack is certainly worthy of the term book boyfriend.

Fake dating, lovers to friends to lovers, great humour, some spicy scenes and squirrel pants. What more could you want in a romcom?

I literally devoured this book , I could not put it down ! It was so funny with the right amount of romance. After one drunken night, fate brings Hallie and Jack back into each others lives. A dating wager sets them up competing against each other but at the same time brings them closer together than the other wants to admit.

This book has lots of tropes to keep you interested including fake dating, one bed and also he fell first. You can sense the chemistry between them which I like about this book as a lot of rom coms seem to fail at making that come across. This book doesn’t have loads of spice but I don’t you actually need it as sometimes it’s good to use your imagination

I adored this book. the storyline and the writing style was so good. I loved the characters and couldn’t put this book down. Definitely reading every book this author has published.

I have read 2 books by this author before this one — one of them YA and the other her adult debut which in all honesty I didn’t really love. I was starting to think that MAYBE she was a one hit wonder for me but thankfully all hope was not lost because she definitely redeemed herself with her new friends to lovers rom com. Jack and Hallie were fun, entertaining and most of all, I was rooting for them the entire time. The Lynn Painter magic is real and it has once again made itself known in the form of The Love Wager. I cant wait for everyone to read and love this one!

Lynn Painter's 'The Love Wager' was my first time trying her work - it was amazing!

This read was seriously entertaining. I could've blitzed it in 24 hours if I didn't have other stuff to read.

The jokes, plus the fast-moving plot, made me want to keep picking this up. The writing style was so good that I was right in there with Jack and Hallie's mission to find love. They're both incredibly lovable and fresh. It was pretty obvious how it was going to end, but that's why we read this kind of stuff, right?

I'm so excited to read more by this author, can't wait to see what comes next!

If you are a Rom-Com fan, you will adore ‘The Love Wager.’

Thankyou to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This unfortunately was just not for me. I didn’t get on with the author’s writing style and found the comedy aspect of this book really cringey.

I disliked both of the main characters and I just didn’t care what happened to them. I couldn’t feel any chemistry between them at all, and didn’t really understand the reason for them not just getting together already.

The plot was all over the place and it seemed like too many tropes were squeezed in just to tick a box. It would have been better if the author had chosen one or two to really develop.

The third act break up was just ridiculous and so petty.

Overall, I didn’t enjoy this book and not sure I would read anything from this author again as her writing style was just not for me.

This was quite cute. The writing is good and the book is engaging, and it has a pair of likable, endearing leads.

I liked the relationship between Jack and Hallie. They had a really fun dynamic, and it made for some really sweet scenes between them. The fact they were genuine best friends worked really well for me. It gave a good foundation to their romance – their affection for each other was clear, as was how well they knew each other. The parts where they were going on dates with other people then dating each other was entertaining – a bit silly and good-humoured.

I personally found the wager aspect of this book a little weaker than the rest – despite the title I actually forgot about it until it caused a bit of drama. That said, it was the sort of book where I felt like the drama had to be a little bit forced because honestly the relationship between Hallie and Jack was so fun and easy it made me wonder why they didn’t just get together after their first meeting. But then there wouldn’t have been a book I suppose! I think them becoming friends and ‘helping’ each other worked really well, though.

Overall this is a really nice book and I had fun reading it. If you’re looking for something light and fluffy that’s low on drama with a little bit of humour, this could be the book for you. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a free copy of this book.

Content Notes: Death of a close relative (in past), grief, on-page sex.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Love Wager
Lynn Painter

This was my first Lynn Painter novel and I absolutely adored it. I bought Mr Wrong Number after wanting it for years and now i’m even more excited to get to it, I now also want to try her YA novels (even though i’m not usually a YA girlie) as I have heard nothing but good things!

Jack and Hallie meet at a wedding, the two end up having a rough night which leads to them having a one night stand and the next morning Hallie leaves in a panic without Jack’s number and no last name so she can’t even look for him on social media. The two join the same dating app and end up crossing paths. Hallie sends Jack a cheeky message which leads them to make a wager on who can find love first… what could go wrong?

Jack and Hallie had such amazing chemistry, it was so believable from the start and didn’t feel forced one bit. Their banter had me literally laughing out loud, and I love a good text message thread and this was full of them!

I recommend this one if you loved Josh & Hazels Guide to Not Dating! They really give off the same vibes and I loved them both! 🥰

Read if you love:
💙 One night stand to lovers
💙 Witty Banter
💙 Guy falls first
💙 Fake dating
💙 One bed trope
💙 Josh & Hazels Guide to Not Dating

(Thank you so much to @michaeljbooks and netgalley for this EARC!)

💙

☆☆☆☆/5

Tropes: one night stand, one bed, fake dating, friends to lovers, he falls first

The Love Wager is the follow up novel to Lynn Painter’s Mr Wrong Number, this time the spotlight is on Jack Marshall aka Livvie’s brother and Colin’s best friend (the couple from book one!). The Love Wager pulled me in instantly, from Hallie and Jack’s first meeting to the very end, I was so invested in their relationship which went from strangers to friendship and then blossomed into a beautiful relationship. And we have the ‘wager’ to thank for that. After entertaining a series of failed dates, Hallie and Jack to make a wager on who can find love first, and from there, the story really sets off!

One thing about Lynn? She’s going to make you get stitches from laughing too much. Hallie and Jack’s banter was top-tier and their dynamic was everything - they truly enjoyed each other’s company which was so lovely to see. And the text messages? Obsessed, obsessed, obsessed with them.

Hallie & Jack’s chemistry was everything (even though they were refusing to play into it so much during the early stages that I wanted to shake them) and I loved how Jack was serving ‘he fell first’ trope. Like he was head over heels, very in much love with her in the most obvious ways (well to everyone but Hallie), that I was just ugh. melting.

A light-hearted, cosy rom-com that will have you smiling from ear to ear. Lynn Painter will forever continue to be an auto-buy author me, so excited for the next read! I see an upcoming release by her and I’m immediately like: 💳💥💳💥💳💥

The love wager

🥹🥺 I’m obsessed with everything Lynn painter does. This book is happiness, joy, fun and googey romantic goodness.

I found the start to be a little slow but by 20%, I was so invested. The banter between Jack and Hallie read like messages between me and my boyfriend. I loved how aware of the the tropes the characters were like “one bed trope only happens in the movie” and the “males role in this situation, is to suffer” 🤣 also, I’m a sucker for fake dating. I love it.

Also, references to pride and prejudice always have get points. An easy read, perfect for longer and warmer days.

Thank you @netgalley for the arc! The love wager comes out 30th March!

This is the first I have read from Lynn Painter and it had everything I love in a romance book. I love being able to learn so much about the main characters and following a blossoming relationship that has me fully invested. Jack and Hallie have a wonderful connection and I just wanted it to continue forever.

This is the second book in the series. But can be read as a stand alone. In this book we meet Hallie and Jack. Who were each others one nights stands. They have now become friends and decide to make a wager on who can fall in love the fastest. It was really nice to have the points of view off both Jack and Hollie. If you like the troops of friends to lovers, or fake dating and predictable storylines then this one would be for you.

The book is fine. And the characters are okay. But I wouldn't say I feel in love with either. There wasn't much depth, to the storyline or the characters. It was however funny and comforting.

This one night stand - friends - to lovers story was a fun, easy read. I loved the banter between Hallie and Jack, even though you could tell a mile off how this one was going to end. (Loved the Taylor Swift references too!).

Turns out I’ve read this back to front as this was the second book in the series, but even though similar characters appear you don’t need to have read them both. Looking forward to giving Mr Wrong Number a try next.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

BOOK REVIEW: The Love Wager by Lynn Painter

3 Stars

I was looking forward to this after giving the first book in this series 3.5 Stars. Unfortunately it fell a bit short of my expectations.

The Love Wager is about lead female Hallie who has a one night stand with lead male Jack. After randomly finding each other on a dating app, they become friends and decide to make a wager for who can fall in love faster.
This storyline is filled to the brim with tropes. Friends to lovers, fake dating, only one bed and guy falls first. This is a dual point of view book which I really liked as Jack's side was actually my favourite.

The characters are okay, I wouldn't say that I loved either of them but I definitely enjoyed how they connected and their banter. They were stronger together than separately in my opinion. I think this is because it was quite a shallow depiction of their characters and their wasn't much depth to the storyline. I wish there had plenty of potential.
The romance was pretty obvious but I still liked it. As with book one, I found it odd that the smut was open door but with no real detail. Especially as sex was such a big aspect of the book (talking about etc). I think the author needed to be braver with this and either keep it closed door or give us real smut!

The humour was good and this is something this author definitely heavily relies on (which is great!), but I wanted some more serious moments as well.

Overall, a decent read but I won't be running back to continue this series and in my opinion there are better romance books out there.

Please note that I was #gifted this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

After reading Mr Wrong Number I was so excited to read Jack’s story - and it did not disappoint! This was a perfect story of two best friends falling into like and love with a healthy dose of shenanigans along the way!

Jack and Hallie immediately hit it off and quickly become best friends - to the point that I spent the rest of their friendship thinking: hello??? You’re perfect for each other??? Get it together???

But that realisation from the get go made the tension and love that built between them that much more sweet. They are so funny, sarcastic, chill and loving together. They see all that the other is and know it’s more than enough and more than they could ever imagine from a partner.

And any book that discusses the merits of Pride and Prejudice and New Girl is a win for me!

This book is friends to lovers excellence and I couldn’t recommend it more 🤍

You’ll love this if you love:
🤍Friends to lovers
🤍Witty rapport
🤍Pride and Prejudice referenced love confessions
🤍Seriously hot fake dating