The Ultimate Rom-Com? Book Review: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

My Rating: 5 Stars

I loved this book!! Lynn Painter is a true rom-com fanatic because this surpassed my expectations. With a million rom-com quotes, soundtrack references, and fangirl moments, Better Than The Movies manages to pay homage to the golden era of rom-com's without copy and pasting their storylines.

What makes a good rom-com is the personalities of the main characters...and Painter's characters are the best. Liz Buxbaum is a great young adult female character -- she's even up there with Laura Jean Covey herself. She's dorky and awkward, yet still has a strong sense of self worth and identity. And Wes Bennet is the ultimate high school crush: sporty but not a jock, sweet but not a sap. The two characters spend so much time together and bond during small and quiet moments...old school rom-com style.

The story had twists and turns that left me loling and sympathizing with the characters. From the stress of senior year to cringy text messages, Painter captures the the essence of what it's like to be a young adult with half a brain in the modern age. But my favorite thing Painter does is emphasize the importance of being yourself...cliche but super feminist so I love it.

A quick and fun read! No annoying woke-ness, ridiculous parents, or over use of social media. Just all the feels.

Overall: 10/10, would recommend for readers of all ages who are looking for an adorable romance and have an appreciation for the rom-com's that collectively raised the female race's romantic expectations far too high.

Honorable mentions of rom-coms that should have been included in the chapter quotes:

• Drive Me Crazy: Next door neighbors who agree to fake date! Trying to make someone else jealous! Enemies to lovers! Make over montage! Lead up to the big dance!!!

• The Duff: Next door neighbors! Make over montage! Enemies to lovers! Once again, there is a very important dance at the end!!! It includes a message of self-love! HIS NAME IS ALSO WES FOR CRYING OUT LOUD.

Ms. Painter, please contact me about these issues. Thank you.

Synopsis:

Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a lawn gnome's severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange.

Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. It's Liz's senior year, a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes's help. See, Liz's forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and—horribly, annoyingly—he's hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He's her in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she actually 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 perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.