Better Than the Movies

Written by Lynn Painter

Narrated by Jesse Vilinsky

A USA TODAY and New York Times bestseller

Perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, this “sweet and funny” (Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks) teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: May 4, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797127958

Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, The Do-Over, Betting on You, Mr. Wrong Number, The Love Wager, Nothing Like the Movies, and Fake Skating. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn’t reading or writing, odds are good she’s guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms. You can find her at LynnPainter.com, on Instagram @LynnPainterBooks, on X @LAPainter, and on TikTok @WesBennettsMom.

Reviews for Better Than the Movies

[T. Rosado · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

4+ Stars!
The whole rom-com loving heroine who wants or thinks she needs to experience all of the tropey cliches in order to find "the one" has been done before. Yet, this author nails the delightful banter along with a super swoony hero and delivers a refreshingly witty and occasionally poignant enemies-to-love YA romantic comedy. The heroine could be a bit histrionic at times and her snowballing deceit had me groaning "No!" out loud on occasion, but overall, this was one of the better YA rom-coms that I've read in awhile. Honestly, I can see myself reading it again at some point simply for some of the amusing banter.

[kath frah · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i love it so much! highly recommend it guysss! its a lovely story

[Josh Jones · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really sweet and really fun. A slow burn with just enough twist and a enough predictability to be ab easy read!

[michelle rex · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Funny story and great narration. Entertaining listen. No heavy subjects.

[Kaya Barnetson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. If you’re debating starting this, just do it. Thank me later.

Incredible voice actor!

[Karla Petrova · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, unafraid to reference or not reference

[Michaell Johnson · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Super cute. I laughed and cried. Reminiscent of a 90s She’s All That kind of fun.

[Elizabeth Behrens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It reminded me of a better hallmark movie where you can predict the people who end up together but in the best way possible to where you get excited to have gotten it right and you get to choose a side. This was on my reading list for ever and I’m so happy I finally read it because it’s my new favorite❤️❤️❤️

[Patrick Best · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

?️ Book Review: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
⭐ 3.5/5 Stars | ?️ 0.5/5 Mini Tabasco Bottles

? The Story:
Liz has always dreamed of a rom-com-worthy love story, and when her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, she’s convinced he’s The One. The problem? She needs help getting his attention, and the best person for the job is her annoyingly charming neighbor, Wes. But as Liz and Wes team up, she starts realizing that maybe the perfect love story isn't the one she imagined—it’s the one unfolding right in front of her.

? Tropes You'll Love:
✔️ Childhood Crush
✔️ Enemies to Lovers (kinda?)
✔️ Fake Dating-ish
✔️ Boy Next Door
✔️ Rom-Com Obsessed FMC

?️ What I Loved:
✨ So many fun rom-com references!
✨ Wes is swoon-worthy in that “bad boy with a soft heart” way
✨ Light, funny, and full of adorable moments

? What Could Have Been Better:
? Liz was a little too focused on her rom-com fantasy, making her blind to real love.
? The romance felt predictable, but still enjoyable.

?️ Spice Level: Just a pinch—this one is super sweet! ?

? Final Thoughts:
A cute, lighthearted read perfect for rom-com lovers. If you love YA romance with laugh-out-loud moments and a swoon-worthy slow burn, Better Than the Movies is worth a read! ??

? Have you read this one? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️

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[DeeVarr · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Narrator is great and story is interesting. The main character and some of her antics are annoying at times but thankfully she gets her act together towards the end

[eda.nur1999 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Sweet story to listen to/ read, especially when you need something relaxing again. :)

[Crystal Gonzalez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was sooooo good, funny and quirky and romantic loved it.

[rsyates · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolute perfection! Was not a fan of YA but this book changed my mind. Lynn is so gifted in the way she writes these characters. Love the main characters and will re-read over and over. This book just makes you smile. Narrator captures the characters flawlessly, too.

[elizabethstahl54 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I am usually not one for romance books. Like they aren’t my normal first pick. But this one I’m genuinely upset it’s over.?? definitely will read it again and only hope to find something that will make me feel that giddy.

[Sandra Ramirez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Absolutely the cutest story. Predictable as to who she was going to end up with, yes but the movie and music references were so nostalgic and fun! I loved the story.

[abbyreynolds203 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a good enemies to lovers book. I wished they had gotten together sooner or had pulled the story out a bit longer. I didn’t love the main character but was absolutely obsessed with Wes ( the love interest). I would definitely recommend but wouldn’t call it one of my favorites.

[Emilija Novaković · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's so sweet! Sometimes I could be like Liz and I've found comfort in this book ? tbh the moment of realization wasn't that convincing so that's why i gave it 4 starts

[Jill Canez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A very sweet story. The ending was just perfect for this couple.

[Toya McClurkan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So cute! And the banter was top notch. I don't usually read teen romance, but this one was really well written and enjoyable.

[brooke katz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I could not get enough of this book. I fell instantly in love with the characters and the story line. I found myself laughing out loud, raising my eyebrows and even throwing my hands up in annoyance lol. Our girl Liz is a hopeless romantic living her life like she lives in a romantic comedy. The problem is real life isn't anything like the movies and she is about to find that out when she strikes a deal with her enemy neighbor Wes. I loved every single character they came alive for me in this story. Also I'm a huge rom com fan and it was like being immersed in a Nora Ephron film. I loved this book so much I didn't want it to end and was so sad when I got to the last page and almost started it over just to relive it again. I highly recommend.

[Whitney Sivill · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Slow to start, once it picked up steam, it was an adorable ride of" will they, won't they?" I got frustrated with Liz at times, but all the characters are believable and endearing. I'm so glad that the author didn't fall into the boy the MC wants is really a jerk trope. And I loved the real emotions that come with grieving. The MC didn't get over her mom's death a few months after she died. Too many authors fall into that trap of unintentionally trivializing the true depths of losing someone close and the havoc it can wreak even years later.

[cn6hfb9gdx · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Adorable! Nothing but giggling and kicking my feet ? I love a good rom com.

[Helen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Over done a million times, just all the rom coms she mentions

[Kimberly · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book Highly recommend. The narration was spot on!

[jessmettaa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

pure escapism, and it’s well-narrated. really enjoyed listening to the audiobook that enhanced the experience, the narrator really expressed the characters really well!

[Akash · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Gonna read more from the author. I had to relax before writing my thesis. It worked.

[Ariel De La Mora · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

i thoroughly enjoyed this book. the author does a great job of really making you feel the way Liz does throughout the story. predictable in a cozy and very cute way.

[Ramune VL · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! Funny, romantic story ?✨?? I had a nice time with this story?

[hayleyhaydz · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Such a cute and ridiculous story! Loving it so far. Have only started this book and it has me hooked.

The uniform confusion was so funny haha

She is a massive cheeseball living in her own world and I’m such a fan of this storyline.
Absolute la la land and so typical of highschoolers haha

I’ve been trying to find a fun breezy story and this is it!!

(The lying is BS though - absolute pet peeve - but it makes sense (the fear/ embarrassment))

The narrator is amazing and has me cracking up playing all the parts.

Will update again once I finish.

[nicole. · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

not my cup of tea.
i liked the references tho.