Worst Idea Ever

by Mary Lee Painter

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 27, 2026

Reviews

[Zoey Rizvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sara and Noah are so cuteeee! I love their dynamic and the way they are with each other. There were so many cute scenes of them in the book and I loved them all. Honestly, I only really have two critics for it which are mainly personal preference tbh. First of all, I am a slowburn girly and yes, I love torturing myself by having to wait the entire book and sometimes even multiple books if it’s a series, so while this book was amazing the fact that it was more of an “insta-love” type of book is mainly the only reason why I didn’t like it as much. I’m more of a “fake dating for months until we finally realise we actually love each other and start dating for real” kinda girly so that’s kind of why I wasn’t that into it but honestly that’s just me and I’m sure a lot of other people would prefer this. Again, this isn’t exactly insta love in the sense that they get together immediately but it’s pretty clear that they love each other almost from the start.
Secondly, the other reason is that there are quite a few misunderstandings in the book but on the bright side most of them get solved pretty quickly within like the same chapter or so.

Anyways, the way Sara and Noah interact is super adorable and I’d love to see more of them! I just wish it was a longer book so we could see more of them! Also, congratulations to Mary for your first YA and thank you so much for giving me an ARC copy to review!

[Adrianne Gil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Lee Painter does it again. In her ya debut, she brought two amazing lovable characters to life. Sara is such a strong, independent FMC who is always taking care of her mom working at her local pizza joint, helping her friends pass their classes all while getting the best grades herself and achieving her academic goals. I just wanted to give her a hug and tell her it was going to be OK. Noah was such a fun character he balanced Sara out so well. He was caring and understanding, and he made her a cake ! So cute. So many cute moments in the book that had me laughing, crying and kicking my feet.lots of back and forth and some miscommunication that made me want to throw my e-reader across the room. Once you read it you'll understand. And that last paragraph literal tears. I loved it ! Worst idea ever has yearning, banter, drama all blended together with a touch of magic that only Mary Lee Painter can deliver. If you love 90s/00s teen ROM-Coms, you'll love this book. That is what it felt like reading it.



Thank you to Mary Lee Painter for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kim Napier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet YA Romcom!

Such a great story!! I loved how smart, independent and scrappy Sara is! Noah, although a rich, popular baseball jock, was an absolute sweetheart when i it came to Sara. They end up having more in common than they ever dreamed, and watching their relationship unfold was a total swoonfest!
4/5 stars!!

[Victoria Gerz · Rating 4 out of 5]

"You can't be sad when you're holding a cupcake." If that line does not grab your attention I do not what will!

Had a great time reading another of Mary Lee Painter's books! If you want back and forth banter from the two main characters, this book is it. Felt like I was in High School again with Noah and Sara's day to day happenings and of having a crush that consumes your mind.

Noah was an enjoyable and fun character to read. He was a jock, but yet charming and daydreaming about Sara who catches himself and tries to stop in that one scene, so cute. Noah had the cheesy pick-up lines and lots of them! And the way he asked Sara out... what girl would say no to that, cute moment.

Then you have Sara who worries about her mom taking care of her, was just sad cause she has so much potential after High School and it wasn't her responsibility. Sara has a big heart with a dash of quirky and smart pants who has quick and witty comebacks.

The only issue that I experienced was the beginning was a little slow, but it picked up and set the right pace when it did. And curious as to why were Noah's chapters shorter than Sara's.

Had a great time reading, another fun book to just enjoy reading! Thank you to Mary Lee Painter for the early copy, you are the best!!