Better Than the Movies
by Lynn Painter
Summary
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.
My Review
I don’t read a lot of YA romance, but when I do, I seem to pick the gems—and this book was definitely one of them! This story was pure fun: charming, sweet, and wonderfully wholesome. While there’s some language, there’s no spice, making it a great pick for those who prefer a clean romance.
This was my first book by Lynn Painter, and I listened to the audiobook, which turned out to be an excellent choice. The narrator did a fantastic job bringing the story to life, giving each character a distinct voice that made them feel real. I could easily picture this playing out as an adorable teenage romcom, complete with all the swoon-worthy moments. It even made me tear up a little toward the end.
Yes, it’s predictable and a little cheesy (as most romcoms are), but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. The pacing was great, keeping me engaged the entire time, and the characters were so much fun to get to know. Since the story builds up to prom, it makes for a perfect springtime read.
I also had a deeply personal connection to Liz. Like her, I lost my mom when I was young, and I really resonated with her complicated emotions—especially regarding her stepmother and best friend. Those aspects of the story felt so genuine, and I appreciated the depth they added.
Now, let’s talk about Wes… what a book boyfriend! If I were younger, I’d absolutely have a massive crush on him. He’s sweet, charismatic, thoughtful, and effortlessly funny—the kind of character who steals the show. While the book claims it’s an enemies-to-lovers story, I saw it more as friends-to-lovers since Liz and Wes have known each other since childhood. And that’s one of my favorite tropes!
If you love romcoms, this book will hit all the right notes. The references to classic 80s and 90s romantic comedies were a delightful touch, making it even more nostalgic and fun.
I can’t wait to read the sequel and other companion books in this series—I need more Liz and Wes! I’m also eager to check out Lynn Painter’s adult romances now. Highly recommend this one, especially the audiobook!