Betting on You is another YA winner from Lynn Painter. If you loved The Do-Over or Better Than the Movies, you will love this one too! There are trampolines, fake dating, a sweet kitten and lots of snark--it's all a great time.
The story opens when Bailey and Charlie meet on a plane flight from Alaska to Omaha. They get off on the wrong foot when Charlie tries to cut in line and Bailey won’t let him. But they end up sitting next to each other and talking about their parents’ divorces and how their families are changing. Flash forward two years later and they see each other at a movie theater. Bailey is there with her boyfriend, Zach, and Charlie is doing a big promprosal for his girlfriend, Bec. A year later, they are seniors in high school, getting over break-ups, when they see each other bouncing on giant trampolines at their job training at Planet Funnn, a huge hotel and entertainment center. Bailey and Charlie become friends as they make bets with each other on what guests will buy from vending machines and whether friends they work with will become a couple and it’s a good time.
The chapters alternate between Bailey and Charley’s point of views and I liked that because we get to see how much they really care for each other. Bailey is an uptight rules follower while Charlie is cynical and charming. He has a way of making everything a game and fun, even if it sometimes crosses over to obnoxious and annoying and he stole my heart when they find a kitten they name Puffball. The more time they spend together the more they look forward to being with each other. We can see their attraction building in their teasing and sarcastic banter. Bailey‘s mom has been dating Scott who is now at their home all the time. It’s hard for Bailey to relax and be comfortable in her own home and to make it worse, she hasn’t heard from her dad in four months. Charlie comes up with an idea to help Bailey that involves them fake dating and its happy to watch.
This story is about relationships, dating, blended families and helping and supporting each other. The banter between the leads is epic. The book teems with wonderful humor and Swifties will be happy to see lots of Taylor Swift references (there's a scarf!). I had the best time reading this book and I recommend it to readers who enjoy a cute YA love story with family drama, secrets and good friends.
Sensuality: Kisses
Publication Date: 11/2023
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