The Kiss Bet: A Novel

by Farrah Penn, Ingrid Ochoa (Creator)

In this laugh-out-loud coming-of-age novel based on the wildly popular webcomic, Sara Lin has decided senior year is the time she’s going to make something special her first kiss.

This clean teen contemporary YA rom-com about first love and friendships is perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Rainbow Rowell’s Pumpkinheads.

Based on the hit WEBTOON comic, The Kiss Bet follows Sara Lin on her quest to experience her first kiss. Told from both Sara and Patrick’s point of view, The Kiss Bet shows that life—and love—can be messy and complicated, but it sure can be fun. 

It’s senior year and Sara Lin just turned eighteen. The last thing she needs is to worry about having her first kiss.

Sara understands that her first kiss is a rite of passage, one that she takes very seriously, even if everyone around her doesn’t. She wants it to be special—true love’s kiss—and wants to fall for someone she really cares about, not just get it over with. 

But that’s about to change because her good pal Patrick just challenged her to a bet that will either lead to love, heartbreak, or embarrassment . . . or maybe all three. 

As Sara explores her relationship options with three different boys, she realizes that life isn't a fairytale and romance can be confusing.

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Farrah Penn is an author and writer based in Los Angeles. Her published works include her debut, Twelve Steps to Normal, and Cancelled (March 2024). She graduated from the University of North Texas. You can find her on Instagram @FarrahPenn.

Reviews

[✧ Beanie Reads ✧ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read: October 23rd - November 11th
Format: E-Book
Rating: 2.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I had issues reading this. I love webtoons and silly dorky high school romance shoujo manga, and this novel captured so much of what I see in both of those things. The novel also makes me very intrigued by the actual webnovel, as well as intrigued to read the other Farrah Penn arc I have. So lots of good things it makes me want!

But I just couldn't fully enjoy it. Shoujo-type stories (which have a lot of similar vibes to teen-aimed romance webtoons) have very exaggerated characters, and that works for me in artistic form a lot better than it does in written, because in written, I'm in the character's head. When I'm in their head, the exaggerated characteristics become far more obnoxious and difficult to deal with. I just didn't like Sarah or Patrick while in their heads. Sara came across as extremely bratty and superficial while Patrick was selfish and fickle. I don't think that's the fault of Farrah's writing, nor the fault of the webtoon. I really just think that its an outcome of the translation of mediums that didn't work for me.

All to say, I very much skimmed.

I think this would be easier to read for a younger audience (which isn't always necessary for YA reads). Or at least, it would have been for me. Younger me loved Junie B. Jones, and while I still hold that series in a special place, adult me sees how bratty the character while kid me was all for her.

So, do I think this book achieved what it aimed to? Yes. But do I think it was successful for me personally? Nope.

But definitely eying the webtoon version more and more... In part because I actually really liked Oliver 🤣

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Embarrassing situations and steering the rollercoaster of social life in high school mixes with fun characters for a delightful read.

This novel is strongly based on the same titled graphic novel by Ingrid Ochoa, but this form does add tons more depth. We still have Sara, a girl celebrating her eighteenth birthday with her two best friends, who faces a $50 bet of asking a random guy to kiss her. When she does, it doesn't head into fairytale goodness but leaves her face-planted on the concrete floor. Glad that no one outside of her two friends and the stranger witnessed her humiliating experience, she heads to school to deal with falling grades in math and the usual social drama. This ends her up with tutoring hours. Unfortunately, her tutor is the new guy, and he just so happens to be the stranger from the subway. Add that the best friend, who challenged her to the ludicrous bet, is suddenly discovering he's actually in love with her, and chaos is guaranteed.

For those who read the graphic novel, you're already aware of the direction this tale goes, but it definitely adds so much more to everything. The chapters dance between Sara and Patrick, her best friend's, perspectives. I found Patrick's chapters humorous but fitting in the beginning, since they start with only one sentence or so. When he starts 'waking up', they quickly get longer. Sara carries most of the tale, which fits since she's the main one facing everything. While I found her a bit ridiculous, at times, in the graphic novel, this normal novel form brings her across with more clarity, and her decisions are more understandable. She has lots to figure out, but the things she faces and how she handles them aren't as sporadic as they, sometimes, come across in the graphic novel form. In other words, she's easier to connect with and root for.

This is a very sweet, light-hearted romance read. There's absolutely no 'spice' and not even hints of it. These characters have enough on their plates as they deal with the daily problems and try to figure out the chaos of teen life and last year of high school. It's innocent, humorous, and lets the awkwardness of friendships, first loves, and getting ready to head into 'real' life shine in the most adorable way.

[Elena Zinonos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story centres on Winnie, a girl navigating her final years of school, friendship troubles, and that universal teenage feeling of being a little bit lost. Her best friend, Sam, is perfect in every way popular, attractive, and seemingly having life figured out.

The main premise kicks off when the high school 'bad boy' or resident heartbreaker, Matty, proposes a bet: he bets Winnie that she cannot get a boy to kiss her by the end of the semester. Matty offers to coach her through the complex world of dating and flirting. This sets up a fantastic friends-to-more-than-friends dynamic, as well as a great 'fake dating' or coaching trope, depending on how you see it.

The dynamic between Winnie and Matty is the real highlight. Their banter is witty and engaging. What starts as a slightly silly bet gradually reveals deeper layers to both characters. Matty isn't just a surface-level bad boy; he has real depth and vulnerabilities that slowly emerge, making him a very swoon-worthy love interest. Winnie is relatable in her insecurities, and watching her grow in confidence throughout the novel was incredibly satisfying.

The book captures the awkwardness and excitement of first love and teenage years brilliantly. It touches on themes of self-worth, genuine friendship, and the importance of communicating your feelings properly.

The Kiss Bet is a feel-good, easy read that is perfect for a cosy afternoon with a cup of tea. It is well written, the pace is quick, and the characters are endearing. While it follows some classic YA romance conventions, it does so with a lot of heart and charm.

I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a comforting, smile inducing contemporary romance with great chemistry between the leads. Farrah Penn has a lovely voice and I look forward to reading more from her in the future.

[SK.Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This really is a cute shoujo style rom-com about a high school girl trying to get her first kiss before graduation. Sara (the FMC) is a huge airhead which I kind of love (thank you sailor moon for that). Patrick is her guy best friend who is constantly trying to get under Sara's skin and get her out of her comfort zone. Our girl apparently needs some niggling to get out of her shy shell. There are definite love triangle vibes and lots of the miscommunication trope (which is very popular in shoujo style comics). The ending of this book is a cliff hanger which means I'm going to have to read the webtoon now.

I have never read a webtoon turned novel before and I really liked it. I have not read this specific webtoon so the story was new to me. It does come across as juvenile in some aspects of the character building however it fits because they are high schoolers (aka juveniles). This is a very YA appropriate novel. My only problem was I was confused by the setting. In webtoons you physically see where the story is taking place ie. what city and country. Half of the characters have Asian sounding names and half have American sounding names, the setting could be in the western part of the world then? They were in uniforms which is not American culture but could be British culture? They do karaoke and hotpot alot after school, most likely not America? But then Sara's father is obsessed with American rock and so is her neighbor....The context clues did not help me decide where they live. I couldn't fully picture the story because I don't know where we are in the world. Knowing the setting is important because it colors the culture of the story. We don't need a city and real life locations but knowing at least the country would be helpful.

[nia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I saw this on NetGalley and unironically screamed, having met Ingrid and read the comic on webtoon (but not gotten all the way) this thrilled me. It's a quick and easy read (like a couple of hours long).

This book is teenage awkwardness and embarassment encapsulated in a ton of bets that we know are a terrible idea but lighten what could be cringe worthy - there are a few cringe worthy moments but what's being a teen if not slightly cringe worthy?

That said I wasn't in love with this in the way I expected to be, having read the first comic not so long ago a large part of this book was a refresher BUT I love love love Oliver - seriously he is my fave. Patrick, loathe entirely - that said I want him to be redeemed so I NEED a second book.

I kind of wished there were little diagrams / maps at the start of the book just to really add context but that's just me! This is a charming adorable little story but won't suit everyone as it does feel quite young in parts (which is no one's fault just the way the story is).

One thing is I need Oliver to have a POV - Patrick's was a good inclusion but I found being inside his brain irritating. I need to hear Oliver's thoughts to become fully fully invested just because Partick feels a bit thick. Younger me would've loved this and while I did enjoy it I might be a bit old? But it was a good easy read overall!!

And the cliffhanger? AGHHHHHHHH I NEED AN OLIVER KISS DON'T DO THIS TO ME!!!

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | Wattpad Books for the digital ARC for review!

I was so excited to see this uploaded to NetGalley. I had no idea they were going to do a full novel version of the graphic. I usually enjoy full novel adaptations, but usually not as much as the original graphic, but in this case I actually enjoyed this WAY more.

I gave volume 1 of the original graphic 3 stars and this one is easily a 4.5. I think this story benefitted in having more of the characters inner thoughts to be able to connect to them more. I think the story actually fits better as a novel. Although, I did miss seeing the cute art, I feel like this story was overall better.

I really enjoy the way the author writes teens. It really feels like you are listening to real teens talk about their lives without being cringey or too adult-like.

I’m really glad that I decided to read this one. I would say if you’ve read the graphics PICK THIS UP. Also, if you haven’t read the graphics, I feel like you would still very much enjoy this.

[Danita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for the free review copy of this book! All opinions are completely my own.

I've read The Kiss Bet on WEBTOON, so it was really fun to read this novel based on the comic. It actually follows the comic pretty closely and had a very similar feel.

The book was a quick and easy read that I overall enjoyed. There's a lot of high school drama so it might not be the right fit for readers looking for something more mature, but I think teens and fans of the web comic will enjoy it. At times Sara, the FMC, felt annoyingly impulsive and irresponsible, but I also couldn't help but root for her. Most of the characters felt similar to their comic versions, though I think I liked Patrick more in this version, maybe because I was able to understand his viewpoint better.

This novel covers season one of the comic, so it does end on a cliffhanger. Hopefully there will be more novels to continue the story!

[Karrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars
The Kiss Bet: A Novel by Farrah Penn is a lighthearted YA romance that mixes humour, awkward first love, and the ups and downs of growing up.

It follows Sara Lin, a senior who’s never been kissed, as a bet with her best friend pushes her into unexpected situations with new crushes, complicated friendships, and the pressure of senior year.

The story is breezy and relatable, with plenty of funny, heartfelt moments and characters you can root for. The dual POV helped understand both Sara and Patrick more fully as characters.

Overall, it’s a charming, feel‑good read that captures the excitement and messiness of teenage romance while keeping the tone fun and uplifting.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Zara S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I liked this book, and it was a quick and easy read, but I didn't find myself as into it as I thought. There was a lot of secondhand embarrassment moments, and I feel like I didn't really connect with the characters. I also don't like Sara and Patrick together (or Patrick at all), just personal preference, so that further icked me out a bit. I still think I'll read the second book, if only because this one ended so so abruptly on a cliffhanger, but I probably wouldn't recommend. Oliver was the best character by far, so rooting for him, and Joe seemed more like a caricature than an actual person, but it was a fun read if you want something light and breezy.

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read most of The Kiss Bet on Webtoon so it was really cool reading this in a book format ☺️
I'd rate this book 4 stars! It was a fun read, written well with some great vocab, imo 🤭 It gave a better insight into the characters' minds, and I loved reading about Oliver slowly opening up 🥰 It even made me laugh a couple of times 😆
The only things that I wasn't a huge fan of were a few grammatical errors I came across, and some of the scenes were a bit too cringey or middle grade for my taste.
Otherwise, I recommend you read this book, especially if you've read the Webtoon! Be warned though, it does end on a cliffhanger 😉

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read the eARC!

[Lauren]

I love this WEBTOON, so seeing this book makes me so happy!!

[AddisonA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the the Webtoon version of this story a few years ago and remember loving it, the novelized version does not disappoint! This was such a quick and easy read, I read it within a day. It is just as addicting and fun as the Webtoon version!