Better Than the Movies is a romance book Lynn Painter wrote in 2021. It features two high schoolers, Liz and Wes, who decide to fake date to make Liz’s crush, Micheal, jealous. Liz is a redheaded lover girl who loves music and romance while Wes is the annoying baseball player next door. Nothing Like the Movies is a sequel to Better Than the Movies. It’s about Liz and Wes finding their way back to each other after being broken up for two years. Will this book be as giddy as Better Than the Movies? Are Liz and Wes still the same?
Nothing Like the Movies is about a couple, Elizabeth and Wesley, who set off to college. After a few marvelous weeks, Wes and Liz decide to break up. Two years later, Wes is back, confident he will win Liz back using the big romantic gestures he knows are her favorite. But it looks like there’s a boy in Liz’s life. Will he be a problem for Wes?
Many people stated that Better Than the Movies was better left alone, and in ways I can’t entirely disagree, Better Than the Movies was an outstanding book that was written so carefully and molded Liz and Wes perfectly. The Liz and Wes in Nothing Like the Movies weren’t much like that; from Wes who struggled with his mental health which caused him to make a huge mistake to Liz not being the Rom-Com goofy girl she was in Better Than the Movies.
However, it was still enjoyable to read, Lynn’s writing was well outdone once again and I adored the little quotes she put at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the fact that she makes the chapters not as lengthy as in Better Than the Movies. I loved Liz and Wes’s second chance buildup and the storyline. It was quite different, for a romance novel, but it was unique and the plot was interesting. Lynn Painter never disappoints with her writing; she always uses enough detail and imagery to help paint the perfect picture in your mind. Clace on Goodreads wrote, “It was easy to read and the flow of writing was there, keeping me connected to the story.” She has a knack for writing rom-com books, giving the story a little romantic twist, or having you swing your feet back and forth.
Lynn Painter outdid herself, while this book may not be as giddy as Better Than the Movies, it is still very entertaining. Lynn left me speechless at some points, just not as much as the first book. This is the perfect book to binge-read and rant about with your friends. After all, everyone loves Lynn Painter.
