Better Than the Movies: Discover the swoonworthy tiktok sensation (Better than the movies, 1) Paperback – Big Book, 28 Mar. 2024

❝Sometimes we get so tied up in our idea of what we think we want that we miss out on the amazingness of what we could actually have.❞Liz and Wes grew up as next door neighbours. Wes was always messing with and tormenting Liz and this continues as they enter Senior Year of High School. When one of their childhood friends (and Liz’s crush) moves back into the neighbourhood, Liz needs Wes’ help to secure him as her prom date. Liz starts to question if Michael is really for her and starts to see Wes in another light.This book was just so amazing! This was my first Lynn Painter book and I was not disappointed. The perfect holiday read.The whole time I was just waiting on Liz to realise her true feelings. I really loved Liz (even though I wanted to shake her a few times) and my heart honestly broke for what she was going through coping with the loss of her mum.Liz and Wes were just so funny and cute. I especially loved how he was always there for her - like giving her clothes when she needed them and more.

After all the hype this book went through, I was expecting a more exciting ending. Although the book itself was cute and easy to read, I think my expectations were too high because I thought it would be something super exciting. It turned out to be just a good book for one day. Although I will still read more books by this author because I liked the writing style.

What can I say. I absolutely loved this book. I loved all the movie quotes. The enemies to lovers .. So happy that Liz & Was finally realised they wanted each other... Such an awesome Rom Com of a book.

The book was ok. I liked the storyline and Wes, Helen, and despite my initial misgivings, even Michael.However, Liz is another story... she is such an immature girl. I mean, there was no need for the string of lines she spewed to her own supposedly best friend. And kept on lying even though she knew in her heart that she was wrong to do so. Friendship is about trust and honesty and there was nothing there. It was shocking!Also, she had a pact/agreement with Wes but did not tell her best friend, was grieving the death of her mother but again did not share that with her best friend .. that's not friendship and definitely not a best friend type of relationship. The lies were unnecessary and hurtful and this spoiled the book for me as I spent the read annoyed with Liz.

Nice easy read, great choice to start reading challenge with for the new year. Good storyline and characters. Typical rom-com story

A great book for fans of rom coms.Predictable, but in the best way! I plan to continue reading more of Lynn Painter’s books :)

This book reminded me why I love reading so much, I ate it up, every bit of it and couldn’t look away.I felt so much in this book, it had me giddy and kicking my feet, feeling gooey. It hurt my heart and it made my heart full.I loved the character development, the enemies to lovers (always), the quirkiness of Liz, the fake dating, it was everything and it was so cute!I just loved it so much!

I enjoyed this book way more than i expected to. It was a slow start for me but within about 4/5 chapters I was hooked. I read 80% of it in one day. *may contain spoilers*At first you meet Liz who is over the top girly and obsessed with rom-coms. Something she shared with her mum, who passed away when Liz was younger. She bumps into an old crush from her childhood and decides he's her destiny. So she cuts a deal with her annoying/hot neighbour Wes to help land him. The sickly-sweet over the top girliness of Liz's nature was a bit much in the beginning but i couldn't help but like her. All of us who grew up watching rom-coms all secretly wished for grand gestures and perfect meet cutes. I felt for her navigating important milestones without her mum. The book has a lot of heart and it's just an enjoyable read from start to finish. I loved Wes, he wasn't over the top cruel like some leading men, he was the right balance. There are a couple of lovely scenes written between the two that made me nostalgic.The only reason i gave this 4 stars and not 5 is because i really didn't like Jocelyn's character. She was really judgemental. But other than that this is a really great story filled with embarassing moments, sweet exchanges and grabbing-my-face-while-reading-because-i-can't-believe-she-said-that moments. At one point i even yelled "no don't say that!". If that's not the mark of a good story then i don't know what is!