Two people make a wager on who can find love first, not realizing what they should be betting on is each other, in this new romantic comedy by Lynn Painter, author of Mr. Wrong Number.
Hallie Piper is turning over a new leaf. After belly-crawling out of a hotel room (hello, rock bottom), she decides it’s time to become a full-on adult. She gets a new apartment, a new haircut, and a new wardrobe, but when she logs onto the dating app that she has determined will find her new love, she sees none other than Jack, the guy whose room she snuck out of.
After the joint agreement that they are absolutely not interested in each other, Jack and Hallie become partners in their respective searches for The One. They text each other about their dates, often scheduling them at the same restaurant so that if things don’t go well, the two of them can get tacos afterward.
Spoiler: they get a lot of tacos together.
Discouraged by the lack of prospects, Jack and Hallie make a wager to see who can find true love first, but when they agree to be fake dates for a weekend wedding, all bets are off. As they pretend to be a couple, lines become blurred and they each struggle to remember why the other was a bad idea to begin with.
Introduction
When was the last time you read a book in one sitting? I mean cover to cover, it was so good you just couldn’t put it down. The Love Wager just did this for me. When I tell you I could not stop laughing a the hilarious dialogue between these two, it was magnetic. Hallie and Jack and by far one of my favorite couples of the year. Let’s dive into why.
“it couldn’t of been anyone but you.”
Overview
Jack and Hallie’s paths cross at Colin and Olivia’s wedding (previously featured in Mr. Wrong Number). Something noteworthy: this tale serves as a sequel to Mr. Wrong Number, yet I embarked on it without reading the first installment, and had no difficulty immersing myself in the story. In fact, it stands well as a robust standalone narrative.
Hallie is working as a bartender to chip away at her student loans and catches Jack’s eye at the event. Following an incident where Jack’s envious date throws wine on Hallie, an unexpected connection ignites between Jack and Hallie, culminating in a one-night stand. Although their encounter is enjoyable, they agree to remain friends. Surprisingly, they later discover they’ve matched on the dating app “Looking4TheReal.” Opting to nurture their friendship while mutually searching for their soulmates, they even place a bet on who can find true love first.
Hallie’s pursuit centers on finding someone who values her above all else. She dubs her escapade with Jack the “Rock Bottom Night” due to her hasty departure, literally crawling out the door, unaware of his last name. She’s uninterested in pursuing a romantic relationship with a one-night stand, hence her decision to join the dating app.
Conversely, Jack expresses his readiness for a meaningful connection. Acknowledging his shortcomings in comprehending relationships, he acknowledges his past relationship mistakes—like failing to recognize his lack of common ground with his ex. He’s come to realize he was infatuated with the notion of being in a relationship rather than truly connecting. Now, he seeks assistance in finding a genuine match.
Hallie and Jack embark on a series of dates that quickly veer off course, and yet an undeniable undercurrent continues to simmer between them. As their journey unfolds, they must ultimately determine if love is indeed a gamble worth taking.
“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.”
Trigger Warnings
Content warnings in the realm of fantasy literature often tread a curious path, yet I find it necessary to illuminate aspects that could serve as potential triggers for fellow readers. Be advised that these warnings should be taken with care as I am not a licensed therapist and in no way could I identify everything. The following is what stuck out to me and other readers.
Death of loved ones
This theme is prolific throughout this novel, there is mention of all manner of animals being dead, and scenes include stomping on animals, breaking necks, and falling into a grave of a decomposing dog.
Death of a Minor/ Death of loved ones
There is a brief reference to the loss of a loved one.
Tropes in the Story:
- Fake Dating
- He Falls First
- Text Chats
- Lovers to Friends to Lovers
- One Bed
- Miscommunication
“Listen, Tiny Bartender.’ He grabbed the plate of nachos and slid it in front of her, because they both knew she loved selecting the first chip. ‘You have bewitched me body and soul, and I love you three times. Please tell me my hands are cold so we can get on with our lives already.”
Thoughts
When I first delved into The Love Wager, I had no inkling of what I was about to embark upon. Lynn Painter’s work was uncharted territory for me, and to my delightful surprise, she has quickly secured a spot among my new favorite authors. If an author can craft dialogue like that, consider me instantly captivated. As I delved into the story, I discovered it’s a sequel to Mr. Wrong Number. Despite having no previous knowledge of the first story, the narrative seamlessly stood on its own, without any glaring gaps.
The characters within this tale came across as incredibly authentic. At certain junctures, it almost felt as though Jack and Hallie were real friends narrating their love story to me. For me, that’s the essence of reading romance—I yearn to genuinely connect with the characters. This novel leans heavily on text conversations, which might not resonate with all readers. However, I’ve always found them enjoyable, as I also enjoy a flirtatious text exchange.
One thing is certain: this book is an absolute blast. The uproarious dates that Jack and Hallie find themselves in are nothing short of hilarious, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the read. The overall misconnection and hurtles these two faces seem human and believable. Not once are you taken out of the story for a character’s decision which I find rare and refreshing.
Conclusion
In summary, I am firmly of the opinion that this book is far from a mere one-liner; it’s a narrative that refuses to be categorized as a fleeting one-night stand. Rather, I see this book as a testament to wit and humor, woven intricately into its fabric, ensuring its status as a delightful and engaging read that merits revisitation.
