The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet: Review

By AMidlifeWifeBook Reviews
cover for The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet

Sometimes you run across a book that doesn’t really conform to what we consider a traditional romance story and that can be a good thing.

That’s why I enjoy so many different tropes within the romance genre. This book that I read for review was definitely different in terms of the characters.

Check out my thoughts and review on this upcoming release below.

The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet
Publisher: ‎ St. Martin’s Griffin
Publication date: ‎ July 15, 2025
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1250906274

OVERVIEW:
The last thing reluctant resort employee Jean Harrington expected to find on a middle-of-the-night towel run was a bashful scientist in desperate need of company . . . and clothes. Charmed by his awkwardness and endearing tangents about reptiles, she returns the next day to give the handsome mystery guest she knows only as “Charlie” lessons in poker.

He’s reserved and she’s chaotic, but together, the two of them just click. It’s like a honeymoon without the hassle of a wedding, until Jean discovers there’s a lot more to Charlie’s story than shyness and snakes—and she isn’t the only person with a pressing interest in his whereabouts, not to mention his secretly scandalous dating history.

When Charlie has the audacity to abandon her without a word, Jean has a score to settle. She’ll do whatever it takes to get him back—no, get back at him—even if it means chasing him across an ocean to brave the wild west of his remote hometown, and the famous family business he neglected to mention. With flames from their pasts raising the stakes, Jean is gambling she can get the upper hand before Charlie calls her bluff.

The real trick will be remembering what they’re playing for, when the biggest risk is putting all their cards on the table.

The Odds of Getting Even by Amanda Sellet Review

Sometimes I’m not sure what I’m thinking when I choose a book for review. This one made me question myself. The main male leading character is obsessed with snakes.

This girl absolutely hates snakes. So what was I thinking?

I think the author was trying to make these two so completely opposite that it became a basis for building a relationship. As the saying goes, opposites attract, and the author did a great job with the basis of their relationship.

What was interesting, however, was the way that Sellet wrote the story. The beginning was odd. Their conversations were very odd, and you almost had to pick through the dialogue to figure out what they were talking about.

Again, I think that’s the author just trying to build that ultimate connection between the two characters that they knew each other on another level. Which is fine, but in some instances, it came off very weird and definitely different.

I have a love-hate relationship with many parts of this book. Definitely the snakes – number one – not fond of that. Some of the vibe that came off with it was different and something you have to get used to as you read the story.

The story had a lot of areas where simple communication could’ve solved everything. However, the story really was built on the lack of communication. Because without that, there wouldn’t have been a storyline at all.

The Odds of Getting Even is a bit campy and tends to offer some word soup that could’ve been tightened up a lot.

I did enjoy how the author developed the characters as they were getting to know each other, and the fact that they would stand up and protect each other. Together, they had good qualities and a hot connection.

What I thought was strange was how the female lead character was acting at the end of the story. It was just really odd to pretend to be someone else so she could be mad at him – that was just weird. Although she is a fun, positive character, there were spots where she was a jerk, and like the title says, getting even, in her mind anyway.

Overall, the story is entertaining when you read between the lines. Some will find it adorable and humorous. I found it a bit off center.

3 STARS!!

Disclaimer: Chris has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free ebook so she could evaluate and use it for this post. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.