Better Than the Movies
Ratings238
Average rating4
I loved this book it was such a fun cute read definitely YA but it also had Sloppy First vibes which maybe contributed to me loving it as much as I did.
I know it's meant for a younger audience but her selfishness and level of delusional didn't let me move forward.
“Enemies-to-Lovers—it's our trope, Buxbaum”
5 stars.
I did not expect this book to be soo good!! Ugh my biggest regret is that I hadn't read this sooner. I actually bawled out and squealed over Wes' confessions coz WHAT?? I just got a new fictional bf to obsess over. WES BENNETT EVERYONE. I swear- I will recommend this book to anyone who passes by me.
It's so relatable with the texting and tryna understand your feelings and THE SONGS AND ROM-COMS??? JUST AMAZING. Liz may be weird but it's the sweetest thing how Wes loves her for who she is and IT'S SO CUTEEEE how he actually gets concerned over her if she cries and the fact that he HATES TO BE THE REASON SHE CRIES?? Gosh I love Wes Bennett, unfortunately we won't find a guy like that in this generation
5 star ⭐
Great book! Hilarious, made me laugh out loud at some point. (FRIENDS reference eek!), loved the ending, who doesn't want a Wesley Bennett in their life? Going to totally make a LizWes playlist now. I love Liz's vibe- she's so cute!- totally reading the second book when I can!
Better Than the Movies is a fun, light read with relatable characters and a sweet romance. The witty dialogue and pop culture nods are enjoyable, but the story and its predictability are something I don't like about rom-coms. Some character choices can be frustrating, but overall, it's an entertaining, feel-good story.
I loved this. Great storyline, enough drama, Wes was perfect! It tugged at my teenage heartstrings, and was just so cute.
The addition of rom com quotes, chefs kiss.
I LOVED this book. It made me giddy and giggly. I also tested up and had heart strings pulled. I loved the character development so much and I think the way Lynn Painter describes the internal battles that girl teens/ young women face was just PERFECT. To see Elizabeth grow not just in herself but how she sees and judges others, has tough discussions with her friends and family, plus she speaks her mind! Ugh I loved that she (mostly) said what was on her mind. I love when authors allow characters to do that it makes things more believable. The dialogue was just phenom. I loved this very cute and sweet story. I love love and especially young budding love. This book nailed it and I can’t wait to read the rest of Painters books.
I went into Better Than Movies hoping for a good enemies-to-lovers story, but that aspect fell flat for me. The tension between Lis and Wes felt half-hearted and never quite reached the level of real conflict or animosity that makes that trope so fun.
Lis, our leading lady, was a real piece of work. She's got that whole “I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right” energy, and sometimes it was hard not to roll my eyes at her. But, honestly, I did get where she was coming from most of the time. Her stubbornness made her a bit irritating, but it also gave her a certain relatability, saving her from being a totally unbearable character.
Now, Wes? He was a total charmer. His sweetness really balanced out Lis's prickly side, and he's the kind of character you can't help but root for.
So while the book was still enjoyable in its own way, I couldn't help but wish the author had leaned harder into that trope. It could have added a lot more complexity and fun to their dynamic.
La única pega es que ojalá estuviesen más páginas juntos... pero Wes me hace sentir unas cosas ...
Really wanted to like this but the MC is kindof an unlikable idiot. Also, as a child who grew up on Animorphs, pop culture references in novels make me cringe and this book seemed to have a quota on needing to mention at least one semi-recent pop hit every 3 or so pages.
4.5 estrellas
Amé a Wes, Liz me exaspero demasiado, cada que empatizaba con ella hacia algo que me volvia hacer que me cayera mal, llegando al final esto mejoro, pero si se nota que tambien tiene mucho de comedia romantica y me encanta por eso, de lo mejor que he leido este año.
This book is perfect for those who enjoy slow-burn romances that really tug at your heartstrings! While the book is YA, the characters didn't come across as too immature, making it a great read for adults as well.
Liz is a hopeless romantic whose childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town. To show him that she's not the goofy little Liz she used to be but a viable girlfriend candidate, she asks her pain-in-the-ass neighbor Wes to help change Michael's view of her. However, as Liz and Wes spend more time together, she starts to question if she's chasing after the right guy after all.
For once, I didn't hate the third-act conflict at all. While the main character made some pretty stupid decisions, the conflicts were resolved in a way that actually highlighted the characters' growth over the span of the book.
Lynn Painter's writing is excellent and has the ability to really bring the characters to life. I cried so much over the beautiful prose and Liz's relationship with her mom, stepmom, and friends. Most interactions between her and Wes I felt physically as little tugs in my belly, and that made me fall in love with the book even more.
It’s rare for a YA romance book to live up to the hype, and let me tell you… this one does. I think it is in part due to the fact that although this is a book that is obviously set in high school, it didn’t feel childish. It felt just like a classic, sweet, and funny romance story. I could easily see this book being made into a movie that I watch multiple times on repeat.
As a rom-com lover, this book was the perfect mix. I loved all the references to my favorite movies and seeing the tropes play out in a way that broke the fourth wall but also was serious in playing them out. Not only that, but it is clear that Wes… ELITE male romance lead. He was funny, sweet, and clearly madly in love with the girl even if she didn’t see it. (Also… is it just me who pictured a Dylan O'Brian in his Teen Wolf era as Wes while reading this book?). I was practically swooning at certain parts.
This book is also hilarious in a way that I wasn’t expecting. There are multiple events where it seems like fate is trying to tell our brilliant female lead to maybe look for romance elsewhere, but goodness… it was gold. I truly found myself laughing at the absurdity while also thinking about how that could totally happen to me (misfortune is my bestie…what can I say?)
As with any good romance book, it touched on more topics than just romance and “getting the guy”. It dealt with grief and what it’s like to NOT move on while everyone else does. It was such as interesting and yet relevant subject that was written in a really relatable way.
Overall, I loved this book. It was a perfect weekend read, and I can see myself re-reading it in the future. It gives you hope… and if you are a hopeless romantic already, this book will just add to the proof that it exists. I would highly recommend!
Took a while to get into it, about halfway through is when it actually started to get interesting. The last 50 or so pages were the most interesting and relatable.
3.5/5
This was such a delightful read for anyone looking for a light and predictable escape, and it delivers exactly what it promises: a classic rom-com within a rom-com experience.
The story leans into familiar tropes, which some readers might find predictable. However, this predictability becomes a strength for those seeking a comforting and easy read. The narrative flows smoothly, making it a perfect choice for a relaxing morning coffee, or afternoon downtimes.
The references and nods to classic rom-com films throughout the story are a treat for fans of the genre. This extends beyond the narrative, with a fantastic music playlist included at the end of the book. The playlist acts as the perfect soundtrack to the story, further immersing the reader in the world of Liz and Wes.
While Better Than the Movies doesn't break new ground in storytelling, it excels at delivering a feel-good experience. Highly recommended for readers who are in a major reading slump, or just fans of romance books in general.
Rereading this book in preparation for its sequel was so amazing I forgot how sweet, amazing , wholesome & funny it is. I'm forever obsessed with it
I'll give this a solid 4. The writing was engaging and the characters were cute. The ending was meh, and the whole book is pretty predictable, but it was still entertaining.
was this plot completely predictable? yes. did any character have more than 1.5 character traits? no. did i still smile and kick my feet when the main characters finally kissed? YES ABSOLUTELY.
this book is sugary sweet and is nothing more and nothing less than it claims to be. however, in between very heavy reads, this was very very fun and an easy read. great ya beach read!!
(my one insane nitpick is that this books starts TWO WEEKS before senior prom and she STILL DOESN'T HAVE A DRESS?????? like yeah i get it's explained and is part of the story but there's no possible way ANYONE waits that long, that bugged me the entire time)
Loved loved loved this booooook!
It was so cute predicatable but the writing made me feel like I was back in high school. Giddy and smitten.