Betting on You

Written by Lynn Painter

Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky and Zachary Webber

A New York Times Bestseller

From the New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, this “entertaining” (Publishers Weekly) rom-com in the vein of She’s All That and 10 Things I Hate About You follows a teen girl who unwittingly finds herself at the center of a bet while working at a waterpark.

When seventeen-year-old Bailey starts a new job at a hotel waterpark, she is less than thrilled to see an old acquaintance is one of her coworkers. Bailey met Charlie a year ago on the long flight to Omaha, where she moved after her parents’ divorce. Charlie’s cynicism didn’t mix well with Bailey’s carefully well-behaved temperament, and his endless commentary was the irritating cherry on top of an already emotionally fraught trip.

Now, Bailey and Charlie are still polar opposites, but instead of everything about him rubbing Bailey the wrong way, she starts to look forward to hanging out and gossiping about the waterpark guests and their coworkers—particularly two who keep flirting with each other. Bailey and Charlie make a bet on whether or not the cozy pair will actually get together. Charlie insists that members of the opposite sex can’t just be friends, and Bailey is determined to prove him wrong.

Bailey and Charlie keep close track of the romantic progress of others while Charlie works to deflect the growing feelings he’s developed for Bailey. Terrified to lose her if his crush becomes known, what doesn’t help his agenda is Bailey and Charlie “fake dating” in order to disrupt the annoying pleasantries between Bailey’s mom and her mom’s new boyfriend. Soon, what Charlie was hoping to avoid becomes a reality as Bailey starts to see him as not only a friend she can rely on in the midst of family drama—but someone who makes her hands shake and heart race. But Charlie has a secret—a secret that involves Bailey and another bet Charlie may have made. Can the two make a real go of things…or has Charlie’s secret doomed them before they could start?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Nov 28, 2023
• ISBN: 9781797165554

Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults. She is the author of Better Than the Movies, Mr. Wrong Number, The Do-Over, Betting on You, and Nothing Like the Movies, as well as being a regular contributor to the Omaha World-Herald. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms. You can find her at LynnPainter.com, on Instagram @LynnPainterKirkle, or on Twitter @LAPainter.

Reviews for Betting on You

[Nicki Corridoni · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

10 Things I Hate About You meets When Harry Met Sally. Love bets, fake dating, and girls and guys can't be friends.

I disliked this book almost as much as I disliked You Deserve Each Other. The parents in this RomCom about children of divorce were so selfish, and I hated it.

- gross and immature jokes
- gratuitous profanity
- the love interest would never gotten a second chance IRL

[Cece · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The book wasn’t bad, but it also wasn’t good. I would say it was more of an OK. The book was very immature but that’s something you should expect from the ages of these characters. Overall, I’d recommend this book to teenagers or preteen no one over the age of 18.

[Karen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

SO GOOD! I’ve loved everything by Lynn Painter that I’ve read, so when searching for a new read by a fav narrator, Zachary Webber, I came across this YA novel by her and decided to give it a go. I’m so glad I did! It’s an exceptional book with stellar narration…regardless of your age. I’m 59! I highly recommend!

[r6036971 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Good easy read for teenagers.

Parents are stupid and selfish. Didn’t enjoy this storyline at all but it explains the FMC people pleasing tendency/rejection anxiety.

Inner dialogue is annoying but I get it shes a teenager so pretty normal thoughts.

Could’t finish the end - was so whiney I couldn’t be bothered.

[Daniella Clear · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this .... It was totally cute and funny especially Charlie who had me laughing ?? out loud throughout the entire book

[Em Gut · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's remarkable to me how much better Lynn Painter's YA books are as compared to her adult romances. Something about the sweetness of the characters translates better in this format.

Bailey and Charlie were delightful and complex. I was so happy to go on their journey with them.

[Kimberly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great storyline. Loved the characters. Will listen again and again.