‘The Love Wager’ shares charming love story

By Odeth Rubio Staff Writer

New York Times bestselling author Lynn Painter released a romantic comedy novel, “The Love Wager,” last month.

Several of Painter’s books, such as “Better than the Movies,” have been popular on “Booktok,” a popular Tiktok community that shares reading recommendations and serves as a platform for many to discuss books.

“The Love Wager” draws the reader in straight from the beginning as it submerses them into the story with its dialogue and detailed storytelling.

The novel has two lovable main characters who entice the reader and incite them to keep reading.

ton thanked the crowd for coming and continued to stay on stage with fans even as the crowd began to leave.

Andrea Garcia, sophomore in LAS, is a member of Star Course.

Garcia said Sean Kingston was chosen as the performer for this year’s Spring Jam because he was one of the top three contenders from a poll list that was sent to students earlier in the year. The poll asked individuals to choose artists from the long list of artists who could possibly come to Spring Jam.

Laporte is a committee member of the Illini Union Board. He said his favorite part of helping with the event was working with other members of the board.

“It’s just working with each other and trying to figure out how to make Spring Jam bigger and better,” Laporte said.

Laporte said his favorite part of the event was seeing the success of an event he helped with flourish.

“It’s fun to see it all come together,” Laporte said.

Jerolds believes Kingston’s uniqueness is what makes him stand out from other artists.

“I think he’s got a pretty unique sound, and definitely, there’s a lot of nostalgia with it too,” Jerolds said.

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The book’s main characters are Hallie Piper — a woman in her 20s working as an accountant looking to fix her life — and Jack Marshall, a man in his 20s who works as a landscape designer and wants to feel less lonely.

The two initially meet and see each other multiple times in one day, ending the night with a one-night stand.

The chemistry between the two main characters is natural and gradually increases with time, though the characters continue to date others while developing feelings for each other.

When an opportunity arises when they are both single, Jack decides to make a move on Hallie.

While the book uses various popular tropes like “friends to lovers” and “fake dating,” it does so in a way that does not seem like every other book that follows those tropes.

“Friends to lovers” is a common fictional trope where two people start out as friends but develop romantic feelings for each other, and “fake dating” is when two individuals fake being in a relationship, mostly to get someone else jealous or to fool people around them for their benefit.

Though some drama ensues, the couple’s story wraps up well. “The Love Wager” is a unique and charming romantic comedy book that leaves many readers wanting more of Marshall and Piper’s life.