Better Than the Movies
- Megan W
- Jul 2, 2024
- 2 min read
Updated: Aug 22, 2024
A perfect rom-com about rom-coms, Better than the Movies is one of the best romance books I’ve read so far! This book is a contemporary YA romance with many charming and heartfelt moments that had me giggling the whole time. I fell in love with the characters and the trope, childhood lovers x enemies to lovers and their character dynamic and chemistry was satisfying to read. Liz Buxbaum is a hopeless romantic, yearning for love, like the movies. Wes Bennett is her cheeky, humorous neighbor and childhood friend who she always viewed as a nemesis. They're both easily lovable characters and I really enjoyed their journey, finding their way to one another throughout the story. Their banter is sharp, hilarious, and often laced with underlying tension that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages. Liz's dreams of a perfect romance are both endearing and relatable, especially to those of us who grew up with the same delusional fantasies of love inspired by classic rom-coms. Lynn Painter did a beautiful job of showcasing the daily essence of a teenage girl and the trivial things that came her way. The humor in the book is genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and it's balanced beautifully with poignant moments that tug at your heartstrings. I was absolutely in love with the use of movie references; every start of a chapter would have a quote from a different rom-com and it just made the book even more enjoyable and fun. Beyond the laughs and the swoon-worthy moments, this book also explores deeper themes of loss, friendship, and self-discovery. Liz's journey is not just about finding love but also about understanding herself and learning to move forward after the loss of her mother. This emotional depth gives the story a richness that elevates it above a typical romantic comedy. This book reminded me how love can be one overwhelming emotional rollercoaster, it's messy and confusing but also it sometimes really is “better than the movies”. The story really embraces the beauty of imperfection and hardship so if you are looking for a quick, feel-good read, I highly recommend “Better than the Movies” by Lynn Painter. I finished this book feeling giddy and romantic and I hope this book has that effect on anyone who reads it!
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