By Book Club Team 
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter centers on Liz Buxbaum, who’s set on catching the attention of her childhood crush, Michael, for senior prom. To make her plan work, she teams up with her neighbor, Wes, even though he’s her last choice for a partner in crime. But as they work together, Liz starts to realize there might be more to Wes than she thought. This story is packed with classic rom-com tropes like fake dating and enemies-to-lovers, making it a light, entertaining read.
“Better than the Movies” Summary
It’s all about Liz, this girl who’s obsessed with rom-coms (like, she’s got all the soundtracks) and wants her life to be straight out of one of those classic movies. When her childhood crush, Michael, comes back into the picture, she teams up with Wes, her next-door neighbor (who she low-key can’t stand), to try and catch Michael’s attention.
The story follows Liz Buxbaum, a high school senior who’s a hopeless romantic and obsessed with rom-coms (think 10 Things I Hate About You, You’ve Got Mail—all the classics). She’s always imagined her love life would play out like one of her favorite movies. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, she’s convinced that he’s “the one” and that they’re destined for a movie-worthy romance.
But there’s a catch. Michael isn’t exactly noticing her, and she’s desperate to get his attention. Enter Wes Bennett, her next-door neighbor and long-time nemesis. He’s always been a pain in her life, but he’s also friends with Michael. Liz reluctantly teams up with Wes to get closer to Michael, and in true rom-com fashion, things don’t exactly go as planned. As Liz spends more time with Wes, she starts to realize that maybe the guy who annoys her the most is the one who gets her better than anyone else.
It’s full of witty banter, awkward teen moments, and tons of rom-com references. Plus, there’s fake dating, prom drama, and a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance that totally sneaks up on you.
If you’re into feel-good, lighthearted romance with a bit of self-discovery thrown in, Better Than the Movies is the perfect read!
| ✍️Author | Lynn Painter |
| 📅Publication date | May 4, 2021 |
| ⭐Goodreads Rating | 4.29 |
| ✔️ISBN-10 | 1534467629 |
| 📆 Age Rating | 12+ |
| ❔Topics | Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Young Adult Romance, High School, Love |
“Better than the Movies” Synopsis
Liz Buxbaum is a romantic dreamer who’s spent her whole life fantasizing about a perfect, cinematic love story straight out of a rom-com. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, Liz is determined to make him her boyfriend and create her very own movie-worthy romance. But there’s a problem—Michael doesn’t seem to notice her.
To get Michael’s attention, Liz reluctantly seeks help from her annoying next-door neighbor, Wes Bennett. Even though Wes has always driven her crazy, he’s surprisingly good at helping her catch Michael’s eye. As Liz and Wes spend more time together, Liz starts questioning her rom-com-inspired plans. Is it possible that her real-life love story might be unfolding with someone she never expected?
Filled with humor, heartfelt moments, and all the charm of a classic rom-com, Better Than the Movies is a delightful exploration of love, friendship, and the idea that sometimes, the best love stories aren’t the ones you see coming.
Is “Better than the Movies” Spicy?
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter isn’t really what you’d call spicy in the way some romance novels are. It’s a sweet, clean YA rom-com, so it focuses more on the emotional connection and slow-burn romance rather than explicit scenes. There are plenty of swoon-worthy moments, flirty banter, and cute chemistry between Liz and Wes, but it’s definitely more about building that romantic tension in a light, fun way.
If you’re looking for a heartwarming story with lots of cute, “aww” moments, this is perfect. But if you’re after something more intense or steamy, this one leans more toward the wholesome, feel-good side of things!
“Better than the Movies” Genre
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter falls under the Young Adult (YA) Romance genre, with a strong emphasis on romantic comedy. It’s got all the classic rom-com vibes, mixed with high school drama, swoon-worthy romance, and a touch of coming-of-age themes. The book also plays with tropes like fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and friends-to-lovers, making it a fun, lighthearted read for fans of feel-good romances.
“Better than the Movies” cover explained
The Better Than the Movies cover gives off playful rom-com vibes, showing Liz and Wes standing close but facing away—hinting at their love-hate dynamic. The bright, illustrated style and small details, like Liz’s headphones, reflect her love for rom-coms and set the tone for a fun, romantic story.
“Better than the Movies” Characters
Here’s a breakdown of the main characters in Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter:
- Liz Buxbaum – The protagonist, Liz is a quirky and romantic high school senior who’s obsessed with rom-coms. She dreams of a picture-perfect love story and is determined to make her life one. Liz is sweet, sometimes awkward, and has a fun, witty personality that makes her easy to root for.
- Wes Bennett – Liz’s next-door neighbor and supposed nemesis. Wes is charming, sarcastic, and playful, often getting on Liz’s nerves. Even though they have a love-hate relationship at the start, he becomes an unexpected ally in her plans to get Michael’s attention. As the story unfolds, Wes turns out to be more than the annoying guy Liz thought he was.
- Michael Young – Liz’s childhood crush who moves back to town. He’s the classic “boy next door” type—handsome, popular, and seemingly perfect. Liz has had a crush on him for years, and she’s convinced he’s her rom-com dream guy.
- Joss – Liz’s best friend who’s supportive and down-to-earth. Joss is there to help Liz navigate her romantic dreams and keep her grounded when things get too out of hand.
- Helena – Liz’s late mother, who was also a big fan of rom-coms. Liz often reflects on her mom’s love for these movies, and this plays a huge part in why Liz holds onto her rom-com fantasies so tightly.
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