I loved this book. I enjoyed the first book, but I devoured this one. I loved getting to know the new, moody, unromantic Liz, while watching Wes really come back into himself and being a silly little love lover. I loved the friends dynamic, and the groveling, and the humor. But really....Lynn, I have one question, why did THAT have to be Wes's tragedy..? After the first book...couldn't we have used ANY OTHER TRAGEDY?!?!

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of this on Netgalley. A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for this!

I read the first book and gave it three stars, and then thought "Hey I love Lynn Painter" I'm going to give it a go. Unfortunately, I think that her YA books are too young for me . I couldn't connect to the attitudes or life stages that the two main characters. Wes and Liz connected over music and baseball (highschool at that) and I felt so far removed from that point in my life I felt like I was dragging myself to get to the end. I know I would have read this as a freshman in highschool or college. Going forward, I will stick to Painters adult books.

In Nothing Like the Movies, Lynn Painter takes us back into the lives of Wes and Liz, who first won our hearts in Just Like the Movies. This sequel follows their journey as they start college at UCLA, a place filled with promise and love—until tragedy strikes, shattering their world. Wes, facing the daunting task of restarting college and his baseball career, is equally determined to win back Liz, the girl he can't imagine living without.

Painter excels at creating characters that feel like old friends. Reuniting with Wes and Liz was a joy, and it's especially gratifying to watch Liz come into her own. Her growth, though accompanied by heartbreak, makes her all the more relatable. Wes's determination, both in sports and love, adds a layer of depth to his character, making their story one of resilience and hope.

The supporting cast in this novel is just as engaging, adding richness and dimension to the story. Painter's signature touch—her seamless incorporation of music and movies—continues to enhance the reading experience, making the world she builds feel vibrant and lived-in.

Nothing Like the Movies is a heartfelt continuation of a love story that explores the challenges of growing up, the pain of loss, and the enduring power of love. Fans of the first book will find this sequel both satisfying and emotionally resonant.

📖: Nothing Like the Movies
✍️: Lynn Painter
📚 Publisher: Simon & Schuster
🗓 Pub date: October 1, 2024
Genre: YA Rom Com
Format: Kindle eARC
Pages: 445
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Gaahhh.. I was super happy to go back into the world of Liz and Wes! I think we always hold a special place for the first book of a series, but this sequel did not disappoint. We get to see Liz and Wes in college - more mature in certain aspects but still being young ones at the same time. There was drama, there were sad moments and there were funny ones as well. I LOVED getting Wes' POV!
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“There was never anyone else for me but you.”
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Thank you Lynn Painter, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!

I loved reading about the college version of Liz and Wes. I was obsessed with the first book and loved that I was able to enter this world again. The writing style of this book just made it so easy to read and everything flowed together.

This was SUCH a cute read! To be honest, I didn't read the prequel before reading this, but still really enjoyed it! There were some gaps, but I was able to make enough inferences to put everything together. This one takes place two years after the first book when Wes and Lynn broke up. Wes is dying to have her back but Liz isn't so sure and is keeping her distance. Their college adventures brought me back to my own experiences and I enjoyed the dual POV. That being said, don't let the cutesy background shy you away - it does a great job at tackling tough topics like grief, identity, and growing up that makes it easy to connect to.

I think this was a really relatable story that reminds us that sometimes people come into our lives for a season, some never leave, and some need some time and distance so we can find our way back to each other. Lots of fun rom-com references, witty banter, and lovable character development that make for a great read. Thanks for the ARC!

I loved their banter back and forth. I found the female character Liz to be kind of whiny but I understand that was also part of her heartbreak. I think I was hoping for a little more, but it was enjoyable!

this book was so good and it was so fun to be back in the world of liz and wes again! there were so many moments when i didnt want to put the book down. it was fun to grow with liz and wes and learn where theyre at now that theyre at UCLA and what their lives had turned into while they were gone. ive seen people complain about how easy it could have been for them to communicate but they both went through a lot and its not easy to deal with your whole life flipping upside down! this was amazing and i throughly enjoyed it!!

I had such a good time reading this sequel!! I enjoyed the college perspective, I felt closer to the characters with them being older. The whole time I was reading I felt completely immersed in their world! OBSESSED WITH ALL THE ROMCOM MOVIE QUOTES AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH CHAPTER!! So heartfelt. People who are hung up on their exes are going to eat this UP!

Details:

The beginning jumped really quickly into the bulk of the story. I feel like there could’ve been more dialogue as to why the storyline started on such a different course than how the first book left off. You do uncover why… but it left me a bit confused in the earlier parts of the book.

There were so many new characters introduced. CLARK!! The best!! I would love to see more of his story. I really enjoyed the side characters, I feel like they were tastefully written within the storyline.

The entirety of the book was a bit long until the last 85% where I feel like we FLEW. I understand why, but I naturally slowed down in the middle sections. I would’ve loved to relish in the last parts a bit more.

I am so glad I got to get an advanced copy of this book and can’t wait to see how well it does once it hits the shelves!

3.5 ⭐️ this was a highly anticipated read and it just did not give me the same feeling I got when I read better than the movies.

This takes place two years after BTTM, where Wes and Liz are broken up. First I will say that I did enjoy the beginning but overtime I just started getting very annoyed. This book is miscommunication haters worst nightmare. Coming from someone who LOVES second chance, I just couldn’t deal with the whiplash Liz was giving me.

I did love that this book was dual pov. There are some emotional moments with grief and felt that story line was great. There were scenes that had me laughing and I did shed some tears. I just didn’t love this as much as I was hoping.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy!

So cute! A great, believable follow-up that captures both the intensity of Liz and Wes and the struggles that young love faces when life gets hard. Loved reading it.

This romance novel enchants with its heartfelt story and relatable characters, weaving a tale of love that feels both timeless and fresh. The chemistry between the protagonists is electric, making their journey together as compelling as it is emotional. With moments of tenderness and passion, this book is a delightful escape into the world of love and connection.

Absolutely brilliant follow up to the first book. I really enjoyed the first, but LOVED the college version of Wes and Liz. They seemed to have matured while still maintaining some innocence which was fun to read. The conflicts felt realistic and relatable (unfortunately) and kept my invested.

Lynn Painter has done a fantastic job with these characters and following their love journey! I loved it so much. I could definitely read more about their lives even as they grow older. We’ve all come to love Wes and Liz thanks to Lynn.

A must read!! Especially if you enjoyed the first.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the eARC.

Nothing Like the Movies is one of the best romance new releases I have read this year. Lynn Painter’s iconic ya romance writing really shines through in this one and I absolutely loved every single second of it. And it’s DUAL POV!!!

Any doubt or worry that I had that this sequel would not live up to BTTM vanished within the first chapter. I knew that no matter where this went, Lynn knows what she’s doing and is always going to write the perfect story. Although I was initially pretty sad to see that this book starts with Wes and Liz not together, I should have known that Lynn knew exactly what she was doing. We got to see some good, old fashioned, yearning from Wes Bennett and it was absolutely beautiful. Wes knows he really messed things up with Liz, but he is willing to do anything in his power to win her back. Hearing Wes’s side of what happened in their time apart is completely heartbreaking, but the best addition to this already perfect book.

Wes and Liz’s happily ever after feels even more satisfying after all that they’ve been through in this book. They deserve every single happy moment they can have for the rest of their lives.

Nothing Like the Movies is an absolute must read. 5/5 stars!!!

A fantastic, swoony, moving sequel that is somehow magically impossible to put down yet makes you not want it to end.

The age progression and new scenario absolutely make sense, making getting to know these older versions of the main characters (and supporting cast) both familiar and engaging.

The way grief is handled is gracious and relatable.

The way familial, romantic and friendship love are portrayed makes it a safe place to land.

I love love loved this book.

All. The. Stars.

Thank you Netgallery for this opportunity to review Nothing Like the Movies. It took me a while to get into the book because like everyone else, I was scared it wouldn’t live up to Better than the Movies. Wes and Elizabeth are everything. In this book, Wes is getting his life together after unforeseen circumstances and lied to Liz about it. Liz hates Wes for breaking her heart after attending UCLA. Wes wants to make amends and get Liz back? Will he be able too? Will Liz forgive him? Will Wes forgive himself?

This was the best and I enjoyed every second of it! The perfect sequel to Better than the Movies.

This was definitely written with a little more depth. There were more mature emotions and feelings involved; where Better Than the Movies felt more like a true Young Adult novel, Nothing Like the Movies didn't really fall in that category for me. The characters are still completely loveable and there are tons of laughable moments along with heartbreaking moments.

Wes and Liz are both at more stable points in their lives at the time this story takes place. Wes desperately wants Liz back to where they were before tragedy struck his life and Liz is keeping her distance, she can't get over the heartbreak and has no intentions of experiencing it again. She isn't the same "Little Liz" she once was. It may be that she has changed to the point where Wes really doesn't know her anymore. Will all his romantic scheming and big gestures pay off or will they both realize maybe they really weren't meant for each other after all?

I have always loved Lynn Painter's writing, and this book is no exception! It kept me engaged, entertained and cheering on Wes because he is a great book boyfriend! Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and Lynn Painter for allowing me early access to this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

I was a big fan of Better Than the Movies, so I was very excited to read the next installment in the story of Liz and Wes. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me early access! This book mostly takes place two years after the first one. Readers may be surprised to learn that they broke up shortly after beginning their freshman year, when Wes had to unexpectedly move back home. Liz is now a junior at UCLA and is busy pursuing her dreams… then Wes shows up to play on the baseball team where she is interning. Since they didn’t end on good terms, there’s a lot of leftover baggage to navigate as they are thrown back into each other’s lives.

I didn’t dislike this book, but I didn’t like it as much as the first one. I’m wavering between 3 and 4 stars for a few reasons. First, while baseball is obviously an important part of this book, I lost interest a bit during the parts that were super sports heavy. Second, I fell in love with Liz and Wes during the first book, but the changes in their personalities were pretty jarring in this one. However, I do understand why the characters evolved because of all they had been through during the years between each book. Overall, this is a sweet, emotional, and mostly feel-good romance that can appeal to both teens and adults who enjoy a little nostalgia for their younger years.

When I read Just Like the Movies I fell madly in love with the characters, and loved watching them grow throughout the book - and of course fall in love! So when I found out there would be another book, I knew I HAD to read it as soon as possible. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC of Nothing Like the Movies.

As soon as I started the book, it was so easy to fall back into the world of Wes and Libby. This book made me feel *all* of the emotions. I found myself reading as fast as possible to learn about what happened. I had a great time falling in love with Wes and Libby and the continuation of their story together but also enjoyed seeing both characters be their own people and grow over the course of their years apart.

I will say - I wish we got a little more time with them at the ending of the book. But who knows, maybe Lynn will bless us with another book.

Overall, this little series holds a special place in my heart and I love it so dearly much.

read if you like:
🥰 romcoms
👩‍❤️‍👨 exes-turned-lovers
🍿movie tropes
🧑‍🎓 college romances

summary:
I needed a good end of summer read and this one didn’t disappoint! It tells the story of Wes and Liz, whose passionate high school romance was ruined by tragedy years ago, and who find themselves both at UCLA for college. Since they split, Liz has grown confidence and passion, and is determined to focus on school and her career. Meanwhile, Wes, a college baseball player, is determined to get her back. When Liz is assigned to do a social media assignment for Wes’s team, they find themselves thrown together more often than they’d like. Will they get back together?

This book is a cute spin on normal romcom. As music lover, I loved that each chapter started with a quote from a famous romance movie. I love a slow burn buildup, and this book provides exactly that. We watch them deal with their complicated feelings for each other, thinking back fondly on their history together. Both Wes and Liz are lovable, believable and relatable, and you cant help but root for their relationship to overcome the grief and trauma they’ve both faced. The book does move a little slow, and since there isn’t a ton of change in scenery, it can drag in a few places. While the ending itself isn’t surprising or shocking in any way, the predictability makes for a nice happy ending regardless.

This book actually a sequel to BETTER THAN THE MOVIES, but you definitely don’t need to read that first! Thank you to Simon and Schuster Books for the advanced copy, and check this out when it releases on September 30!