Better Than the Movies

*The Hardcover book itself came in amazing condition*Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter – Honest Review by a 17-Year-OldThis book was incredibly sweet, packed with humor, and perfect for any rom-com or YA book lover! It had so many moments that made me blush, giggle, and kick my feet.Characters – 10/10Every character was memorable, engaging, and added something special to the story. The side characters were well-developed without taking away from the main leads, and their personalities were distinct enough to be lovable. The main characters had beautifully paced development, with backstories that added depth without feeling overwhelming. I’ve read the book twice now, and each time, I appreciate how naturally the characters evolve throughout the story. Their growth never feels rushed, but it also doesn’t drag—it’s just right.Book Pacing – 8.5/10With only 18 chapters, the pacing can feel varied—some chapters feel longer, while others fly by. There weren’t any unnecessary filler chapters, which I appreciated, and the story kept me engaged. That said, there were a few moments where I was just eager to know what would happen next! (Maybe that was just my excitement, though.) The ending was satisfying and well-executed.Romance – 9.5/10SPOILER WARNINGFor a YA rom-com, the romance was adorable! The playful banter and teasing made the chemistry between the leads feel natural and heartwarming. I found myself smiling nonstop at the sweet, innocent moments. There’s no spice or explicit content—just a passionate kiss, but it’s not overly detailed. The romance felt age-appropriate, lighthearted, and fun, making it a great read for fans of wholesome love stories.Humor – 10/10This book was genuinely funny! The humor felt natural, and I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. The banter between characters was witty and charming, and it never felt forced. If you enjoy rom-coms with playful humor, you’ll love this.Emotional Depth – 9/10While this book is lighthearted, it still has emotional moments that hit just right. The character growth, family relationships, and underlying themes of love and self-discovery added depth without making the story feel heavy. It balanced the emotions beautifully, making certain scenes even more impactful.Language – 6.5/10There is some cursing and a few suggestive jokes, but nothing extreme. It’s the kind of language you’d overhear in a high school hallway, at a basketball game, or in Walmart—noticeable but not excessive. If you’re sensitive to language, it’s something to be aware of, but it didn’t personally bother me.Overall Enjoyment – 10/10This book was an absolute delight! It had everything I love in a rom-com—great characters, sweet romance, humor, and just enough emotional depth to keep things meaningful. It’s the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you’ve finished it. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA romances!

i thought this book was good and i loved the mmc. he was sweet, charming, and his witty banter was lowkey the best part. i was a little disappointed with the ending of the book however. it felt like this big lead up with a rather anticlimactic ending (probably because she was planning for a sequel which i haven’t read, and probably won’t based on reviews.) i also felt like there wasn’t enough romance for me, there were only two “big” scenes throughout the whole book, and i would’ve loved more from them. all that said i did enjoy the book and i finished it in less than a day. i would still recommend!

It was so cute and sweet. Sarcastic. It was a light, refreshing read. Many times I didn't want to put it down. It did have me crying and chuckling out loud at times. Many parts of the book were relatable or reminiscent of another time.It is a clean read in regards to romance. Hand holding and kissing/making out. The word sex comes up a couple times in the protagonist's rambling, passing thoughts. Which was so nice the book was not centered around this.It did have a lot of casual swearing (curse, profanity, language), and there were a couple F-words around about 75% into the book.In the end, I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a really long time.

I picked up BETTER THAN THE MOVIES and flew threw it in just a few hours, enjoying every page-turning minute. There is a comfort in this book, of the characters who I want to imagine as my best friends, of the quirkiness of Liz's family, of the old-fashioned close-knit neighborhood setting. And of COURSE it harkens back to all of Liz's favorite movies, with RomCom references everyone will recognize. My heart ached, but it also sang for joy, and grew three sizes during the big, romantic climax. And did I mention it is TRULY hilarious? I loved every page of this book, and cannot wait for more from Lynn Painter.YA RomComs had always been my genre of choice, and BETTER THAN THE MOVIES has reminded me just why. There is something so special in the way that Lynn Painter writes. There is an energy in every sentence, whether it's leading to a joke, a bout of quick banter, or a heart-wrenching emotional beat. She understands the humor, the embarrassment, the awkwardness, and the hope, of being a teenager, and also highlights the very best bits of those years that often go forgotten once we grow up and move on--late night fast-food runs, shopping with your best friend, crappy retail jobs, watching movies in a crowded living room, and the very first keg parties that are never as glamorous as you expect.Liz is a heroine to root for. After her mother her passed away, and left her legacy of RomCom movie DVDs, Liz is obsessed with finding her perfect Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan ending of her high school career. She is confident in her own originality, her funky clothes, and affinity for movie soundtracks, but she can't be put into a box, either. She has relatable flaws and fears that feel so real, you can imagine having sit beside this girl in English Lit. When she sets off on her quest to make her childhood friend, Michael, fall in love with her, you just can't help but hope she gets her big, grand gesture kiss and happily ever after. Wes, the boy-next-door who is constantly stealing her favorite parking spot, is a jock and yet flips the stereotypical "popular boy" character on its head. He's a clown, but remains charming and tender. When he promises to help Liz get close to her crush, the two are thrown together for an unforgettable senior year.At the risk of being cheesy, I just want to say that this book... really is... BETTER THAN THE MOVIES. ;)

Sweet, young romantic story. Clean, no spice, lots of heart. Easy and quick read.Perfect to listen while driving or working out. The narrator of the audiobook did a great job.

Okay soWas the plot of this book cute? Yes yes it was. Was the mmc AMAZING yes yes he was, but was the FMC INSUFFERABLE??? YES OML YES. She single handedly made this book a 3 star read, but I would still recommend it! I also just don't really care for high school romance books and thats just on me.