I've read the thoughts of a lot of people who believe this book "didn't need a sequel." Respectfully, I don't agree. I think the whole idea of the first book--that actual, real love is significantly better than the fantasies Liz made up in her mind based on rom-coms--made this sequel absolutely necessary.
Rom-coms are self-contained. They end with the happy ending. By subverting that by showing the problems Wes and Liz had after the HEA, Painter re-emphasized this point.

As for the actual book: it's probably taboo to quote another book in one book's review, but I recently read the cutest book by Katherine Center, The Rom-Commers. In that book, there is a scene where the FMC is trying to explain the point of rom-coms to the MMC and (to badly paraphrase) explains that the point of a rom-com is to simulate the feeling of falling in love. I think that is a) spot on and b) a great new test for a rom-coms success.

Using Center's guidelines to review Nothing Like the Movies, I have to say, I think Painter has accomplished this twice. While I think NLtM has a completely different vibe (it's a lot more serious and less light), it might be more meaningful. It shows that big romantic gestures (IE: Wes breaking up with Liz out of fear that he will drag her down) are not always pretty, but mean more than the cutesy ones like putting flower petals on someone's balcony. Sometimes they comes from sacrifice and can be painful. And, in the end, they do get back together, so even though it's serious, the reader does get the pay off in the end.

lynn ate with this one yet again. it HURT while bringing me happy tears at the end. she really puts you thought a variety of emotions. i wanted to hug wes ugh. i also love his sister sarah, id love for her to get her own book one day! better than the movies was an infinity rating for me and this was a great follow up. liz and wes 4ever.

This book was everything. I am so happy with how this turned out, truly one of the best sequels I've ever read. I could not put the book down, i stayed up until 5 am reading. I loved how this book felt a lot like Wes's book, getting to be in his head was EVERYTHING. It physically pained me how much Liz was anti love because of what happened between them. And dear lord the PINING. Lynn using illicit affairs was actually criminal. This book has now sent me into a book slump, it was that good. I had to re-read BTTM and all of Lynn's bonus content in order to move on.

I cannot wait for everyone to get to read this because I'm going to have a really hard time shutting up about this.

I'm not sure if this book was needed, i really loved it at first, eating it up but in the middle, it felt kind of flat. liz started to annoy me a little but what i really loved was wes's character, he really had his chance to show who is he and i loved that we saw more of his story than liz's. i do miss the 'little liz' but im glad lynn painter made a little older but wished she had that still inside her<3

I struggled a bit at the beginning to understand the reasoning behind Wes's decision, especially so soon after the events of BTTM. That being said, I think it was rehabed very well. It's impossible not to like Wes and Liz's dynamic and this book made me root for them even harder.

It was so amazing to continue the journey with We’d and Liz. I could not put this book down and finished it in a day. Loved that the music aspect was included again in this story. I will for sure be recommending and appreciate the opportunity to read it!

I loved this story! Such a cute sequel. I couldn’t wait to read more about Wes and Liz. Wes’s story was heartbreaking but so well written. My heart went out to him. Liz’s story made me so happy to see her loving out her dream. Overall it was so so good and made me miss college life.

Great book! One of my favorite tropes is Second Chance because I adore the angst between the two main characters and I loved how the author wrote the conflict. Unlike other books, they don't get together right away and there are cameos and references. While I feel that the characters went through too major of a change in just 2 years, it is one that you can justify and still enjoyable. I recommend this book if you enjoy romcoms, second chance romance, or the first book.

I felt that while the story was good and a decent ending to Better Than the Movies, I felt that it wasn't totally a needed sequel because the ending of the first book was satisfying enough.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review!

Nothing Like The Movies gives us Liz and Wes in college, but this time they are no longer a couple. Liz is coming back from a heart break but is in a healthier place. Wes has gone through a tragedy and Liz isn't the romance lover she once was. In this movie, Wes will do anything to get the old them back.

This book was super cute but it was hard to rate it next to Better Than The Movies, which I loved so much. Was a fun and enjoyable read and if you loved Wes and Liz, then you got to see how their story continues post high school.

“When I’m near you, the way I feel steals the breath from my body. It’s like I breathe for you, like I exist to exist alongside of you.”

this was one of my most anticipated reads and unfortunately it was okay. I honestly feel like better than the movies should’ve stayed a standalone. this book has miscommunication and it’s one of my least favorite tropes.

Liz was getting on my nerves!! The whole fake dating with Clarke was out of the blue and didn’t really do anything for the story.

Wes is my baby and deserves the world. He’s the reason I gave this a 3 star and chose to push through because I wanted to dnf since 29% in.

Even though this book wasn’t my favorite, I’ll still buy a physical copy just because I love Wes and his love for Liz.

Thank you to netgalley for this arc.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES by Lynn Painter

At a Glance:

✏️ Dual POV
💕 Second Chance
🏫 College
⚾ Baseball
👩‍❤️‍👨 Fake Dating
💔 Grief

I'll admit that I was skeptical as soon as I saw this title announced. I was even more suspicious when the blurb dropped and I'm normally a huge fan of second chance romance. (It's the pining for me.) Sequels so rarely live up to the original work, but I found this so utterly charming and tender that I am ready to safely say that we can continue our Lynn Painter fanship in peace and there is no need to riot. This is an exceptional follow up.

If you're already a WesLiz fan, this book is going to break your heart a bit. Admittedly, I teared up quite a few times. The sadness in the book is palpable, but so is the hope and the laughter. Lynn Painter remains the reigning queen of dialogue. I am happy to say that she did these book babies justice and I really hope they can now remain at peace forevermore. The only time it would be acceptable to see these two again is in a cameo in a Clark/Sarah story which I highly, highly suggest. (Wink wink, nudge nudge LP.)

My heart palpitations are now officially settled and I am proud to say that I was happy to see WesLiz again. Don't worry, readers. We're all going to make it through this one. And I think most of us are going to come out smiling.

This is the highly anticipated sequel to Better than the Movies. This one ended up being not quite what I expected. I assumed it was going to be Wes trying to get Liz back, and though it was, but it was also a lot more. The trying to win Liz back was only a small portion of the story. This book does have a sadder undertone than Painter's other books, one reason being because we all just love Wes and Liz and want them to be together. I do think this book makes their relationship deeper and it was really beautiful.

Four stars for this sequel. I think that this book has everything you could possibly want from a romance book. Interesting story with awesome characters and enemies to lovers style.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers publishing for the advanced reader copy of this fantastic rom-com.

Lynn Painter's Nothing Like the Movies is a sequel to Better Than the Movies, delving into the complexities of love and growing up. In this much anticipated follow up, Wes and Liz's story continues as they navigate the challenges of college life and the aftermath of a heartbreaking breakup. The author portrays the emotional journey of Wes, who is determined to win back Liz after a tragedy forced them apart just before starting college. Wes's romantic gestures, inspired by Liz's love for rom coms, add a charming and humorous touch to the story. This novel captures the essence of young love, heartache, and the struggle to balance personal growth with maintaining a relationship.

i absolutely loved better than the movies. and not gonna lie when the sequal was announced, i was lowkey doubting the author's decision to extend wes and liz's story. but alas! this book is a reminder to never doubt my queen lynn painter 👑✨

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5 stars

PERFECTION. In the sequel to the beloved Better Than the Movies, Wes and Liz get to live out the second chance romance trope and the angst and romance is top notch. Wes and Liz were enjoying their romance while at college together when tragedy strikes. This leads to Wes having to move home and losing Liz. Now, he is back and more determined than ever to win Liz back. However, his romantic plans go up in smoke when this new Liz is having none of his grand gestures. Will these two crazy kids work it out?

I was OBSESSED. This was the perfect follow-up to one of my all-time favorites. I loved getting to see an older Wes and Liz and watching(reading) as they fall in love all over again. The swooning that took place. I demand another sequel of adult Wes and Liz. Or at least a novella every single year about a random day in their lives. I demand it.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book is pure perfection. I'm not a huge fan of second chance but this book made me love it. Liz & Wes are perfect. The Taylor Swift references and the romance are my favorite things about this book. I literally cried a few times but it was worth it so you should totally read it.

I absolutely loved this book!! Every single book I’ve read of Lynn Painter’s has never been below 3 stars. Nothing Like the Movies showcases Wes and Liz’s growth over the years between Better Than the Movies and currently. I loved all of the Taylor Swift references, and mentions to some of my favorite songs. I laughed a lot, I came close to tears a lot, which in my opinion, is a thing a great book can do to you. Readers who haven’t read Better Than the Movies in a while, I would suggest that you read it before Nothing Like the Movies comes out on October 1st because at some points I was struggling to remember characters that were in BTTM, but that’s definitely not Lynn Painter’s fault! Nothing Like the Movies is probably going to make my top 5 books of 2024 list. Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of this book. 🤍

I absolutely loved this book. It was a perfect continuation of better than the movies.! Wes and Liz’s story was wonderful! I also love the little blur from the movies at the beginning of each chapter. The quotes were on point. They were amazing! One thing I really enjoyed about this book was watching the characters grow and develop. It was a slow pace story but it was so good. Lynn Painter might have just become a buy all author for me! I was so excited to receive this copy and I was so excited to read it. This is a five out of five stars.

Second chance romance is profoundly NOT my thing because breakups happen for a reason, but I actually didn’t mind the plot here. The first book is a 6 star YA for me, and this one was fun too. I love a pop culture reference, especially when a critical plot point revolves around a party at Jack Antonoff’s house. Overall, I think the characters are likable and the banter is cute.

Some of this book is big cringe. I can get behind a pining man, but Wes pushed me over the edge especially in the last quarter.

A forehead kiss to Simon & Schuster, Edelweiss, and NetGalley for the ARC 😘