Better Than the Movies

Huuuuge shout out to Ms. Painter for finally breaking my DNF streak! And with a killer 5 star story to boot! It is first person POV through only Liz's eyes (hallelujah!!!! for single POV), clean with a good bit of swearing. "Enemies-to-lovers--it's our trope, Buxbaum. I loved pretty much every single thing about this book. It was captivating, it was enchanting, it was absolutely everything you want in a YA rom com. It wasn't cheesy. It wasn't unrealistic. It wasn't cringey or over the top. This book has throwbacks and mentions of all your favorite Rom Com movies, complete with a soundtrack at the end of the book of all the songs mentioned. I thought it was going to be formulaic with trying to recreate romance tropes, but it was not. The romance talk, the tropes, the movies referenced, were all integrated into the book seamlessly and flawlessly. Liz was a fantastic FMC because she was confident and secure in her oddities. She actually liked her quirks. Wes was a great MMC because he was normal. He wasn't too-good-to-be-true as a high school boy. He wasn't super arrogant, over the top flirty. But he was so good. The author captured teenagers (and their parents!) so perfectly that I felt like I could've been listening to a story from one of my high schoolers. It was refreshing and wonderful to read teenagers that actually sounded like teenagers--complete with slang and lingo that normally sounds really awkward and out of place to me, but here worked and sounded like it made sense. I read a review that complained that Wes was just a standard YA MMC, and I guess he was. He wasn't crazy douchey. He wasn't weirdly awkward. He wasn't super arrogant. He was normal. He was realistic. And it was adorable. As much as it made me tear up, I loved watching Liz's relationship with Helena develop. What a tough and sensitive subject matter to tackle, and Ms. Painter did it so beautifully. I hate how much Liz lied to Joss, but a lot of it was understandable. EXCEPT the Wes stuff. A girl who is utterly and completely obsessed with all things romance doesn't *want* to spill her guts about her new crush to her best friend?? I get that it would've been messy and complicated given her quest to get Michael and she's already lied a bunch about that, but it still just felt . . . weird. However, I love that author didn't just have Joss roll over. The resolution on that conflict was done really well. Again, very realistically and great for the reader. I went into this book thinking that she was going to set up different tropes for her and Michael to go through to get him. I honestly thought it was going to read a little more formulaic in that sense--and I was totally fine with that--and I was very pleasantly surprised to find out I was wrong. The Rom Com stuff was woven effortlessly and seamlessly into the story in a way that didn't feel disjointed like I thought it was going to. It wasn't over the top. It wasn't on every page, shoved in your face, THIS IS THE PLAN. Again, it just felt more realistic, and I loved that. My only complaint would be that I felt like the timeline didn't match up to real life for things like the basketball team still being in the playoffs (Feb maybe March) but it was also close to Prom (typically an April/May thing); baseball season had only just begun but we're prepping for Prom; Michael left his TX school senior year with less than a month left but then I think he's enrolled at their school? And I thought I remembered Prom being 2 weeks away but she hadn't bought her dress? (And does that mean everything happens over the course of just 2 weeks because it felt like there were more days covered than that.) This story was developed perfectly, paced to perfection, and written impeccably. And it just felt incredibly real. Even all of the teen lingo that was snuck in throughout the story--it just worked. Pick it up. This is one of those "cannot put down. One more chapter" kind of books. I cannot wait to reread this one. It's perfect for teen and adult alike. It's perfect for a romance lover or not. It it just perfect. Guys. This book made my stomach swoop like I was in high school crushing on the boy next door. I used to get this feeling when reading all the time when I was younger. When it disappeared, I figured I'd read too much romance, figured out the formula, grown too old to believe in fairytales... I don't know. But this book gave me that actual, physical feeling, and because of that, it is my duty to pass it along to you reading this review. And it is most definitely better than the movies.

This book finally took me out of a reading slump! It was super cute. I wish they would have gotten together sooner tho. Awesome things: ✓Super swoony hero. ✓Determined heroine ✓Great writing ✓ Rivals-to-friends-to-lovers ✓Guy falls first ✓Tons of mentions of romantic movies and good music ✓Good build up, chemestry and tension Not so great things: ✓Time frame. Everything happens in a week or two. She falls in love in that time frame as well ✓Slow. They get together at the end of the book (boo!). There is actually a mention about that, but I wish they mentioned at the beginning that this was a slow romance ✓Since everything happens so slowly and they get together by the end, I couldn't enjoy the romance part of the story as much ✓I know is a book and a story about teenagers but sometimes it was really annoying how the female lead was so dense. Overall, the story was great, the writing amazing, and the guild up intriguing. I would 100% recommend this book if you want to read a clean romance.

*The Hardcover book itself came in amazing condition* Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter – Honest Review by a 17-Year-Old This book was incredibly sweet, packed with humor, and perfect for any rom-com or YA book lover! It had so many moments that made me blush, giggle, and kick my feet. Characters – 10/10 Every character was memorable, engaging, and added something special to the story. The side characters were well-developed without taking away from the main leads, and their personalities were distinct enough to be lovable. The main characters had beautifully paced development, with backstories that added depth without feeling overwhelming. I’ve read the book twice now, and each time, I appreciate how naturally the characters evolve throughout the story. Their growth never feels rushed, but it also doesn’t drag—it’s just right. Book Pacing – 8.5/10 With only 18 chapters, the pacing can feel varied—some chapters feel longer, while others fly by. There weren’t any unnecessary filler chapters, which I appreciated, and the story kept me engaged. That said, there were a few moments where I was just eager to know what would happen next! (Maybe that was just my excitement, though.) The ending was satisfying and well-executed. Romance – 9.5/10 SPOILER WARNING For a YA rom-com, the romance was adorable! The playful banter and teasing made the chemistry between the leads feel natural and heartwarming. I found myself smiling nonstop at the sweet, innocent moments. There’s no spice or explicit content—just a passionate kiss, but it’s not overly detailed. The romance felt age-appropriate, lighthearted, and fun, making it a great read for fans of wholesome love stories. Humor – 10/10 This book was genuinely funny! The humor felt natural, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. The banter between characters was witty and charming, and it never felt forced. If you enjoy rom-coms with playful humor, you’ll love this. Emotional Depth – 9/10 While this book is lighthearted, it still has emotional moments that hit just right. The character growth, family relationships, and underlying themes of love and self-discovery added depth without making the story feel heavy. It balanced the emotions beautifully, making certain scenes even more impactful. Language – 6.5/10 There is some cursing and a few suggestive jokes, but nothing extreme. It’s the kind of language you’d overhear in a high school hallway, at a basketball game, or in Walmart—noticeable but not excessive. If you’re sensitive to language, it’s something to be aware of, but it didn’t personally bother me. Overall Enjoyment – 10/10 This book was an absolute delight! It had everything I love in a rom-com—great characters, sweet romance, humor, and just enough emotional depth to keep things meaningful. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished it. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA romances!

I love this book with all my heart

Its a great book and very good writing, the story itself is interesting but also trying to understand the actual characters is interesting (maybe its just me lmao) But it's genuinely a great book. This is the book that got me into reading again, definitely not boring!!

Cute and sweet. Nice light reading and references to many much-loved Rom-coms.

Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter is a charming, fun rom-com that’s pure delight from start to finish. The main character, Liz, is relatable, and the chemistry with her love interest is adorable. It’s a perfect mix of humor, heart, and sweet romance, with a nostalgic, movie-inspired vibe. A feel-good, unmissable read that’ll leave you smiling!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I picked this up on a whim, not expecting much, just a light read to dip my toes back into YA after years away. What I got was a delightful surprise: a story so well-written, so emotionally resonant, and so full of charm that I found myself completely swept away. YA often has great ideas, fun plots, lovable characters, but the execution can feel too juvenile for adult readers. Not here. Lynn Painter nails the tone with sharp dialogue, layered characters, and a narrative that balances comedy, romance, drama, and nostalgia in just the right proportions. It reminded me of the time when I was the target audience for YA, and somehow made me feel like I still am. Even though it’s written for teens, this book speaks to anyone who’s ever had a crush, a complicated friendship, or a soundtrack to their coming-of-age. If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond, don’t let the genre label fool you, this one’s for you too. It brought back memories I didn’t know I’d tucked away, and made me laugh out loud more than once. I thoroughly enjoyed it and immediately dove into the sequel. Five stars from me, and I can’t wait to explore more of Painter’s work. If this is what YA can be, I’m officially back in.