Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter

A Cinematic Love Letter to Love Itself

You know those moments in romantic comedies where everything just clicks? The witty banter, the swoony glances, the will-they-won’t-they tension that makes your heart race? Lynn Painter’s “Better than the Movies” captures that magic and bottles it up into one utterly charming YA novel that will have you grinning from ear to ear.

As someone who grew up inhaling rom-coms like oxygen, I felt an instant kinship with protagonist Liz Buxbaum. This girl lives and breathes romantic movies, viewing her own life through a cinematic lens complete with imaginary soundtracks. Liz’s obsession stems from cherished memories of watching these films with her late mother, adding an extra layer of poignancy to her quest for the perfect movie-worthy romance.

Plot Summary: Life Imitates Art

When Liz’s childhood crush Michael moves back to town just in time for senior year, it seems like the stars have finally aligned for her picture-perfect happy ending. There’s just one problem – she needs an “in” with Michael’s social circle. Enter Wes Bennett, Liz’s annoying next-door neighbor and longtime nemesis.

In classic rom-com fashion, Liz hatches a scheme to use Wes to get closer to Michael. But as she and Wes start spending more time together, bantering and pranking and grudgingly enjoying each other’s company, Liz begins to wonder if she might be starring in the wrong love story altogether.

Characters You Can’t Help But Root For

Liz is an absolute delight as our narrator – quirky, dramatic, and so earnestly romantic that you can’t help but adore her, even when she’s being ridiculous (which is often). Her character growth over the course of the novel feels earned and satisfying.

But it’s Wes who truly steals the show. Snarky and laid-back on the surface, he reveals hidden depths as the story progresses. His chemistry with Liz crackles off the page, their back-and-forth banter sharp enough to cut glass. You’ll find yourself grinning like an idiot every time these two share a scene.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from Liz’s refreshingly cool stepmom Helena to her ride-or-die best friend Joss. Even characters who initially seem like stock rom-com archetypes are given nuance and dimension.

Writing Style: Quippy and Quotable

Painter’s prose zips along at a breezy clip, peppered with pop culture references and laugh-out-loud one-liners. The dialogue in particular shines – witty and naturalistic in a way that captures the cadence of real teen speech while still maintaining that slightly heightened rom-com feel.

A few favorite quotes to give you a taste:

“I’d been replaying everything in my mind, every awful second of what’d happened, and Wes’s rejection was starting to piss me off. Because it wasn’t just that he’d rejected me. No, it was the fact that he’d known my end goal was Michael, yet he’d still pushed hard on the charm with his dinner date and his Secret Area teasing and his straight-from-The-Notebook kiss in the rain.”

“I’m pretty sure I looked at her as if she had a snake crawling out of her mouth.”

“I felt like I’d been caught cheating, and I wanted to disappear. But at the same time, I looked at her and realized I’d much rather be nonsense-shopping with Wes than dress shopping with her.”

Tropes and Themes: A Love Letter to Rom-Coms

Part of the joy of “Better than the Movies” is the way it lovingly embraces classic rom-com tropes while still managing to feel fresh. Enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, the “getting ready” montage – it’s all here, executed with a wink and a nod to genre conventions.

But beneath the frothy exterior, Painter explores some weightier themes. Liz’s grief over her mother’s death and her complicated relationship with her stepmom add emotional heft. There’s also a thoughtful exploration of the way romantic ideals from movies can sometimes do more harm than good in real life.

The book ultimately strikes a nice balance between celebrating the fantasy of rom-coms and acknowledging their limitations. It encourages readers to find magic in everyday moments rather than constantly waiting for some cinematic grand gesture.

Minor Quibbles

If I had to nitpick, there were a few moments where the plot felt a tad contrived to hit certain rom-com beats. And readers looking for a more subversive take on the genre may find this hews a bit too close to formula. But honestly, that’s part of its charm – this book knows exactly what it wants to be and executes it nearly flawlessly.

Final Verdict: A Must-Read for Rom-Com Fans

“Better than the Movies” is an absolute gem of a YA romance – funny, heartfelt, and utterly swoony. It hits all the right notes for fans of the genre while still feeling fresh and contemporary.

Liz and Wes’s journey from enemies to friends to maybe-something-more is an absolute delight to follow. Their banter alone is worth the price of admission. Add in a supporting cast of lovable characters, snappy writing, and just the right amount of emotional depth, and you’ve got yourself a winner.

This book left me with the same giddy feeling I get after watching my favorite rom-coms. I wanted to immediately flip back to page one and start all over again (which I may have actually done, not gonna lie).

If you’re a sucker for enemies-to-lovers, witty dialogue, and stories that will make you laugh and swoon in equal measure, do yourself a favor and pick up “Better than the Movies.” Just maybe clear your schedule first, because once you start, you won’t want to put it down.

Who Should Read This Book

• Fans of YA contemporary romance
• Anyone who loves a good enemies-to-lovers story
• Rom-com aficionados looking for a book that captures that movie magic
• Readers who enjoy witty banter and snarky humor
• Those who like their fluff with a side of emotional depth

Content Warnings

• Mild language
• Some kissing scenes (nothing too steamy)
• Discussions of grief/loss of a parent

About the Author

“Better than the Movies” is Lynn Painter’s debut YA novel, but she’s no stranger to romance. She’s previously published adult romantic comedies, including “Mr. Wrong Number” and “The Do-Over.”

Painter lives in Omaha, Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children. She’s a biweekly contributor to the Omaha World-Herald’s parenting section and claims to be “the polar opposite of a Pinterest mom.” When she isn’t chasing kids or writing swoon-worthy stories, she can be found reading and shotgunning cans of Rockstar energy drinks.

If You Liked This Book, Try…

• “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” by Jenny Han
• “Tweet Cute” by Emma Lord
• “Today Tonight Tomorrow” by Rachel Lynn Solomon
• “You’ve Reached Sam” by Dustin Thao
• “10 Blind Dates” by Ashley Elston

Final Thoughts

In a world that can often feel cynical, there’s something to be said for a book that wholeheartedly embraces romance and happy endings. “Better than the Movies” is a warm hug of a novel, the literary equivalent of curling up with your favorite rom-com on a rainy day.

Yes, it’s tropey and predictable in places. But sometimes that’s exactly what you need—a story that delivers on its promises and leaves you with a smile on your face and a flutter in your heart.

So go ahead, indulge your inner romantic. Let Liz and Wes sweep you off your feet. Because real life may not always play out like the movies, but books like this remind us that a little movie magic can be found in the most unexpected places—even right next door.