I got this book as a ARC read from net galley so I would like to thank Net galley, Penguin Random House and LynnPainter for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!

It is a classic romcom! It had banter and humour. it even had one of my favourites tropes - fake boyfriend/girlfriend trop!

Lynn is a brilliant romcom author, I loved the tension and banter between Jack and Hallie. They had brilliant chemistry and their situation ship was backwards and it felt like a will they won’t they!

Very minimal spice so if spice isn’t for you I think you will love this! A very quick read and I’m so glad I read it.

'The Love Wager' was one of my most anticipated books of 2023, and I was so happy when I got an advance copy of this book. As I have read everything that Lynn Painter has written (and loved every single thing that Lynn Painter has written), I knew I was going to love this book.
I read Mr Wrong Number last year and this book follows Olive's brother Jack who ends up having a one night stand with Hallie at his sisters wedding but they end up meeting again and decide to make a wager that who ever falls in love first wins.
I instantly felt the chemistry between Hallie and Jack, and I just loved seeing them fall in love. The humour and the banter throughout this book was top tier and I found myself laughing a lot throughout reading this.
I absolutely flew through this book and read it in under four hours because I just could not put it down. There is something about Lynn Painters writing that is so addictive and you can't help but fly through her books because you just don't want to put the book down.
After reading and adoring everything Lynn Painter has written, she has definitely become one of my favourite authors and I cannot wait to read all of her future books.

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter is a strangers who become each other's best friends and they gradually fall in love despite the bet they made and who will find love first. But little do they know that the love of their lives is standing right in front of them. This book is amusing, funny and so much fun.

I really like the dynamic between the two main characters. They have so much chemistry and their relationship is just so full of fun and laughter. They really become each other's closest friends and really showed every layer of themselves without any pretence and filter.

This book is really such a breeze to go through. I managed to finish it in a day as I really couldn't stop reading the story. It was just so fun and cute. I would totally recommend you to read this book.

One of the best strangers to lovers book I have read! Lynn Painter comes with a bang. I enjoyed every second of it!

If I had to describe this book in a few words, it'd be cute, funny and lighthearted. If you're looking for a light and enjoyable rom-com, this is for you!
With an epic Friends-to-lovers trope -one of my favourite tropes- Lynn Painter will make you smile with the lovely friendship between Hallie and Jack. I truly enjoyed their banter, their laughs and their shenanigans. For me, that was the best part.
I'm sure many will love this book. As for me, I'll definitely be reading more from Lynn Painter!

Loved everything about this book. The will they/won't they of Hallie and Jack, the report the two of them have as friends, but then, crucially the steaminess of the final few chapters.

Absolute bonus points for a fake boyfriend plotline which I LOVE.

Perfect for an escapist, charming read.

The fact I read like 95% of this book in one day probably says more than anything else I can say for a majority or readers. But for everyone else, let me say this. Beyond some minor details, there is not much more I could wish for from a romance novel.

Let’s get the minor negatives out of the way, all of which are purely personal taste. When it comes to romances, I prefer a little more spice. There were scenes that really worked, the flirty texts between Hallie and Jack were steamy and great, but then once they put their phones away it lost the same heat. I would have enjoyed a bit more of the post-love-confession at the end and the proposal seems a little rushed considering it is only takes place over a few months (I think it was like September to Christmas?).

Other than those, I massively enjoyed this book. The awkwardness around their feelings and navigating a fake dating situation was funny and charming and the rest of the pacing was fantastic. I loved the side characters of Jack’s sister and brother-in-law and Hallie’s friend Chuck, they were compelling and hilarious and drove the plot forward just enough.

Overall, this book is definitely worth a read and can’t wait to read more from this author.

I enjoyed the author’s previous books and I was excited to read this new story.
The characters are so reliable and I liked them both. It rarely happens that in my cards because usually one of them gets on my nerves throughout the story but that’s not the case in here. The banter was funny and witty, just like expected from the author and the on and off scenes were really interesting to see how it will change their feelings towards each other.
One night stand turns into a faithful match for an online dating app and then into a fake relationship, just this time romance.
The chemistry was there at all times, the growth of each character is also on spot and the romance and steam are just as enjoyable for anyone that loves a great romance book.
Hilarious, enticing and beautiful story.

Very grateful to the publisher for my review copy through NetGalley

4.5 stars
Will post my review on my blog pages closer to the pub date.

Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for a review.

4⭐️

Listen, I enjoyed Mr. Wrong Number, it was okay. The Love Wager??? I <I>loved</I> it. It was absolutely delightful, I didn’t want to put it down.

Hallie and Jack have a one night stand and go their separate ways, only to find each other on a dating app soon afterwards. They connect, determined that they do not want to date each other, and end up placing a bet on who can find a true love first. The friendship that develops between them is funny, full of banter and believable - and god, I love a friends-to-lovers romance, and this was a great one. There is so much chemistry between them the whole time. What could make this better? Oh just a little fake dating and only-one-bed. Winners every time!!!

Lost a star due to the miscommunication that happens to cause the third-act conflict, as I’m never a fan of that trope.

But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. A witty, charming, fun romcom that will draw you in and leave you smiling.

okay, wow! I read and fell in love with Lynn Painter's YA books last year and when I saw she was releasing a new book, I just had to get my hands on it as soon as possible. Although The Love Wager does not have the essence of young first love that you get in Better than The Movies due to it not being YA - it still hits right. I loved the connection we got from the two main characters and I could not help but smile as they were falling in love over the pages of this book. Another great book by Lynn Painter who is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors!

I have read books from Lynn Painter in the past and if anything, they later ion became books I would turn to on a bad day. This is no exception. This was one of the cutest books I’ve ever read. I had so much fun getting to know the characters and watching them fall in love, I was grinning the entire way and was unbelievably happy.

A very fun, easy and lighthearted romance to be immersed into. I had so much fun reading about these two!! Going to highly recommended it to romcom lovers

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC of #LoveWager

I’m a sucker for a romcom and Hallie and Jack sure do deliver.

Hallie is working as a bartender, one of a few gigs, where she meets Jack and hijinks quickly ensue. Hallie is funny and I quickly was invested in her character. While I’ve been getting annoyed with how many books are doing multiple POVs, I appreciated seeing things from Jacks perspective, especially as things unfold.

As these two navigate dating apps and friendship and a shared love of tacos, I fell in love with them. There were a few fun plot twists but nothing too serious.

This is a light hearted and fun read with a bit of spice to keep it interesting.

Follow Hallie ’n’ Jack journey to find their soulmate. Without realize they already find each other.

"....I want to spend forever with my favorite human. The person who cracks me up and gets me and likes the way I think. Romance is nice, but I want to be with the one person where if something happens to me— funny, awful, wonderful— I’m dying to tell them."

Dont we all want that *sigh*.

Both in denial not want to accept each other feeling, Jack with his lonely problem, Hallie with her scare to just love the idea not love herself. They only can jealous in silent, so funny!

Thank you to NetGalley for provide this book, it is pleasure to review this book.

#TheLoveWager #LynnPainter #MichaelJoseph #PenguinRandomHouse #NetGalley #ARC

If you're looking for something light-hearted to read, Jack and Hallie's story in The Love Wager by Lynn Painter will be right up your street. There are no great surprises but the books is written in a bouncy and pacey style.

I've never read a Lynn Painter book before, but I've heard good things about her work, so I was intrigued to read this one, especially as it features one of my favourite romance tropes: fake dating!

I found The Love Wager to be vastly entertaining, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters (even if half the time I wanted to throttle them for being so dang oblivious to each other's feelings).

I'll definitely be picking up more books by Lynn Painter ASAP.

Thank you to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. The chemistry between Hallie and Jack was *chef’s kiss* and the friends to lovers trope was beautifully done. Enough angst thrown in at the end, but a really lovely story.

It’s really well-paced, with just a sprinkling of spice, and really warm enjoyable characters.

The Love Wager by Lynn Painter is a delightful contemporary romance that follows Jack and Hallie as they embark on their respective quests for love.

From the very beginning, it is clear that Jack and Hallie have a strong connection. Their chemistry is electric and their interactions are filled with playful banter and a hint of tension. As they team up to help each other find "The One," their relationship deepens and they begin to realize that perhaps they were meant to be more than just friends.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the way Lynn Painter captured the complexities of modern dating. Jack and Hallie both had their own baggage and insecurities, but as they navigated them, their chemistry was palpable and the dialogue between them was witty and entertaining. The author did a great job of building their relationship and showing the progression of their feelings for each other.

Overall, The Love Wager is a sweet, fun, and charming read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin, Michael Joseph/Random House for the e-arc.

I do not know what Lynn Painter puts in her books, but I am addicted! I devoured this book in less than 24 hours. I absolutely ADORED following Jack 'n' Hal!!! They made me chuckle and smile like a love sick puppy! From the minute they laid eyes on each other til the end, I knew they were going to be a pair I will continuously think about for the foreseeable... The banter was 10/10 and all the tropes I lovveeeed!!! Friends to Lovers, Fake Dating, One Bed & Guy Falls First.

Realising the woman he is due to propose too isn't the one, Jack and Hallie enjoy a steamy night of passion on the night of his sisters wedding.. however, a one night stand turns into something much more unexpected. After the embarrassment of the walk of shame from the hotel she works at, Hallie realises it's time to grow up and become an proper adult. Becoming an adult, means finding love... queue the return of Jack. On setting up her dating profile, Hallie comes across Jack's page and they become dating buddies/wingmen for each other... which inevitably turns them into best friends, or so they think... you'll just have to read to find out more!!!! You will absolutely NOT regret!

From a one night stand to becoming friends on a dating app, fake boyfriend/girl friend to lovers.

Jack is planning to propose when it all falls through. He drowns his sorrows by having a one night stand with Hallie aka the tiny bartender. The next morning, she makes a crayling exit and decides that she needs to change her life. She is currently employed part time in the tax business and holds two part time jobs. Jack and Hallie are looking for their soul mates. When Hallie notices that Jack is using the dating app, she sends him a witty message to which he responds very quickly. There is a lot of back and forth and they bet on who is going to have success first. Here begins the game. There are a lot of funny banters and so far they are both failing at finding the one. Will they continue to search or will they realise that there is more to their friendship?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Their banters are really funny and their friendship appears to be solid. They are witty and fun and I like the end. A hilarious read.

I was kindly issued with an eARC from Netgalley and the publisher and the views expressed are my personal opinion.