Full Book Review of Better Than the Movies
Check out my full review of Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter. If you’re a fan of sweet, feel-good romances, Better Than the Movies is the perfect read. This contemporary romance captures all the charm of classic rom-coms while weaving in heartfelt themes of love, friendship, and family. With lovable characters, witty banter, and a storyline that feels both nostalgic and refreshing, it’s a book that will leave you smiling long after you finish.
Here’s a short synopsis of the book:
“Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet.
The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.
But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.”
Full Book Review Without Spoilers
As a romance reader, I loved Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter because it felt so sweet, fun, and heartwarming. The story immediately pulled me in with its lovable characters and nostalgic vibe, reminding me of the classic romantic comedy fantasies I grew up watching.
One of the things that stood out to me most was the depth and array of characters Lynn Painter created. Liz Buxbaum as the main character felt both relatable and endearing, especially as she navigated the ups and downs of her senior year. Her interactions with Wes Bennett, the next-door neighbor she’d known forever, brought so much charm and banter to the story.
If you’re someone who loves contemporary romance with fake dating, next door love interests, and a guaranteed happy ending, Better Than the Movies is definitely worth picking up. It’s sweet, heartfelt, and leaves you smiling long after the final page.
Just know that this romance is not a super in-depth, emotional, hard hitting type of read. This is truly like watching an early 2000’s rom-com (in the best way).
Characters
The characters of this book were enjoyable to read about because they felt so real. All of the events happening and the feelings swirling around you can see really happening, making it even easier to get pulled in by the story. Wes especially was a character I loved because he’s really so much more than he seems at the beginning of the book.
Plot
Finally, Lynn Painter’s new novel is wonderfully written, with a plot that flows smoothly and a style that makes it easy to get invested. Every scene kept me turning pages, rooting for Liz and Wes, and soaking in the nostalgic rom-com atmosphere.
Writing
I’m already a big fan of Lynn Painter’s writing style, and this book reminded me exactly why. She has such a talent for crafting romances that are both sweet and heartfelt, while still giving readers that guaranteed happy ending.
Full Book Review With Spoilers
You’ve been warned that from here on out there will be spoilers. Continue on to the conclusion section to avoid them.
From start to finish, the book struck the perfect balance of humor, heartfelt moments, and swoony romance, making it a delightful contemporary romance to dive into. I especially enjoyed how the relationships between the characters—whether with her best friend, her childhood crush, or her quirky classmates—felt authentic and added layers to the overall plot.
What really made this book shine, though, was the interesting back story woven in with Liz’s late mother. That thread gave the story an emotional depth that balanced beautifully with all the funny, lighthearted moments. It also made Liz’s journey to find happiness, even while carrying the loss of her mom, incredibly touching and memorable. I loved how the narrative reminded readers that love, in all its forms, can be healing.
I also have to highlight how much I adored Wes. What started as a simple “wes scheme” to help Liz land her prom date turned into so much more. Watching their fake dating arrangement slowly blossom into something genuine was one of my favorite parts of the story. I am a big fan of the fake dating and enemies to lovers (or rivals to lovers) tropes, so this book was admittedly right up my alley.
Pros of the Book
The biggest pro of the book for me was the fake dating setup that was obviously based loosely on some of my favorite rom-coms. This may not be the most ‘unique’ love story, but what modern romance is? I still read a bunch every year, and still love it!
Another pro is the character dynamic between Wes and Liz. I love a story where they don’t seem like they would work on paper, but mesh together so well in real life. And the witty banter between them was great!
Cons of the Book
A con of this book is that there are a few miscommunications that draw out the relationship which I didn’t love. Like a lot of romances, the communication and honesty could have been better in the book, but it’s easy to overlook if you like the rest of the story.
A much smaller con for me personally is that this is a high school romance which is starting to feel a little young for me. If that’s not the case for you, don’t worry about it!
Conclusion
Better Than the Movies is the kind of feel-good read that makes you smile long after you’ve turned the last page. If you’re looking for a contemporary romance full of fake dating, next door love interests, and all the charm of a classic rom-com, this one is definitely worth picking up.
I have a full summary of the book here if you need a refresher on any of the main points.
Does Better Than the Movies Have Spice?
No, this book does not contain any spice. There’s some kissing, but that’s about it.
Rating- 4.25 Out of 5 Stars
I liked it enough to pick up the next book even though the reviews are very mixed on that one.
Here’s how I rate all my books: My Rating System
Who Would Enjoy Reading?
With lovable characters, the bittersweet touch of Liz’s late mother, and a romance that blossoms into a swoony happy ending, this contemporary romance is truly a feel-good read. Fans of fake dating, best friends, and next door love interests will absolutely fall in love with Liz and Wes’s story. Again, if you like more emotional, in-depth romance, this may not be the book for you.
What to Read After Better Than The Movies
If you liked this book as much as I did, either because of the characters or the writing style, check out more of my recommendations below.
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
If you really loved the story of Wes and Liz, keep reading about them in the next book. I haven’t finished the book yet, and there are very mixed reviews.
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
This is for fans of Lynn Painter’s writing style or her YA romance stories in general. This one was my favorite of her YA romances.
I have a full review and summary of this one.
Picking Daises on Sunday by Lianna Cincotti
If you liked the sweet, feel good romance, try this book. This one has similar vibes and is equally as cute.
