Betting on You By Lynn Painter (2023)

In this heartwarming rom-com, Bailey, a seventeen-year-old trying to navigate the waters of a new job at a hotel waterpark, finds herself entangled in a bet with her coworker, Charlie. Their history is a clash of personalities from a chance encounter on a flight to Omaha a year ago, but now, as coworkers, they discover a shared interest in the romantic lives of those around them.

The plot thickens as Bailey and Charlie focus their attention on two coworkers flirting at the waterpark. Charlie, a cynic who believes opposite-sex friendships are impossible, challenges Bailey's belief in platonic connections. Together, they make a bet on whether the cozy duo will become a couple.

As they track the unfolding romance, Charlie faces a dilemma—he's developed feelings for Bailey but is afraid of jeopardizing their friendship. In an attempt to conceal his crush, they embark on a fake dating scheme, initially aimed at disrupting Bailey's mom's relationship. However, the lines between fake and real blur, and soon Bailey finds herself torn between friendship and something more.

Unbeknownst to Bailey, Charlie harbors a secret involving her and another bet he might have made. The story unfolds as they navigate the complexities of love, friendship, and hidden feelings. Can they overcome Charlie's secret and forge a genuine connection, or will their tangled web of bets spell the end before it even begins? 📚❤️