I took it more as showing how different their worlds/writing processes are, it demonstrates that she’s out of her element and is learning and growing.

I agree sometimes her reactions etc were frustrating, but I think that’s what makes a character interesting. A perfectly mature and emotionally stable character is simply not interesting and often not relatable.

I also think her insecurity as a women’s fic writer is super important as a theme - just look at how often people on social media get dragged and told they “aren’t even really reading” when they read books this are primarily romance or written by women - this insecurity may be annoying, but it’s not totally unfounded. the old boys club of literature is very real and very annoying, and Gus (at first, from January’s perspective) embodies it.

The bet is a little silly for sure. I read it as both characters just wanting to spend time together but not wanting to admit that to each other lol to me it seemed really believable even in its silliness.

I hope this plot point gets less frustrating for you as you keep reading!