BETTER THAN THE MOVIES
๐๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ง๐ต๐ฎ๐ป ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ผ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
๐๐ ๐๐๐ป๐ป ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ: ๐ฆ๐ถ๐บ๐ผ๐ป & ๐ฆ๐ฐ๐ต๐๐๐๐ฒ๐ฟ
๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ธ: ๐๐๐
๐ฃ๐๐ฏ๐น๐ถ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฑ: ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐น๐ ๐๐๐๐
๐๐ฒ๐ป๐ฟ๐ฒ: ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ถ๐ด๐ป ๐ช๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด
๐ฅ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฌ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ: ๐๐๐๐
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter is a charming YA rom-com that leans wholeheartedly into its tropes while offering emotional depth beneath the sweetness. The story revolves around Liz Buxbaum, a rom-com enthusiast who has been navigating life and grief ever since losing her mother years ago. Watching romantic movies isnโt just a pastime for herโitโs a coping mechanism, a way to hold on to memories of a time when everything felt whole.
When Michael, her childhood crush, returns to town, Liz believes itโs finally time to live out her own cinematic love story. Enter Wes Bennettโthe boy-next-door, longtime nemesis, and, inconveniently, Michaelโs best friend. Reluctantly, Liz asks Wes for help to win Michaelโs attention, only to discover that Wes may not be the antagonist she has always believed him to be.
Liz is a well-written yet occasionally frustrating protagonist. Her immaturity and moments of delusion can be irksome. Yet they feel authentic to her unresolved grief and emotional confusion. Her communication issues are aggravating at times, though they also reflect the realities of teenage vulnerability. It isnโt entirely Lizโs flaw aloneโitโs part of growing up.
Wes, on the other hand, stands out as a quietly firm and misunderstood character. Despite the constant bickering, he remains patient, kind, and genuinely supportive once he agrees to help Liz. His emotional maturity adds balance to the narrative. Supporting characters, such as Jocelyn, Helena, and Noah, play their roles well and enrich the story without overpowering it.
The language is simple and accessible, the narration flows smoothly, and the pacing is near perfect. With tropes like enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and boy-next-door romance, the book delivers just what it promises. Itโs sweet, comforting, and leaves you feeling light-hearted by the end.
So why a 4-star rating? While the book is undeniably enjoyable, the teenage romance angle didnโt entirely work for me. I do enjoy rom-coms occasionally, but stories centred on adolescent leads arenโt always my personal preference. That said, this is more about taste than quality.
Who should read this?
This book is best suited for teenagers, college-going readers, and anyone who enjoys feel-good rom-coms filled with familiar tropes and emotional warmth. A delightful, cosy readโBetter Than the Movies truly lives up to its name for its intended audience.