This book was actually a great sequel to Better Than The Movies! I LOVED the dual pov and I thought that it was a great second part to Wes and Liz's story! It was really fun to see them grow up between the two books!

I was utterly thrilled when I got this ARC! I’m a huge fan of the author and couldn’t wait to read this book. Anytime there’s a sequel I have a worry that it’s not going to measure up to the previous book, but alas I had to read this book because it’s a sequel to one my all time favorite books! And let me tell you this book did not disappoint! It was an emotional roller coaster throughout the entire book! I cried and teared up multiple times, the writing is perfection, the emotional turmoil this book caused was incredible, and all I want to do is go and reread the first book again so I can go and read the second one again(what a glorious circle)! The descriptions, the characters, the storyline, plus the character growth are what every sequel needs to have! Honestly, this book was just wonderful from start to finish! From the characters to the storyline this book was so much fun to read and enjoy. I absolute loved it! I don't know how the author captures your interest and pulls you right into the story from the very first page, but I couldn’t put this book down. It's amazing and beautiful. Definitely recommend, love the story, love the characters, just an overall outstanding read! If you like a good book, you’ll love this one!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

THIS. This is what I want from a New Adult book. The romance, the longing, the passion of being a young 20-something who is just learning about life and love! This was a wonderful follow-up to the first book and I loved everything about their story. LP was on it with this one.

I don’t know if I can fully put into words how much I loved this book. This was a perfect sequel to an already amazing book. Lynn Painter doesn’t know how to miss.

This book was so heartbreaking in the beginning. I was not expecting to cry, but oh how found myself having tears running down my face. Reading how heartbroken Liz and Wes were after everything that happened hurt me. I was rooting for them the entire time. I wanted so badly for them to get back together.

Liz had so much growth from the last book. She showed real maturity that wasn’t fully present in the first book, which I thoroughly enjoyed. She was more relatable in my eyes in this book. I thought I saw a lot of myself in her in the first book, but I realized now how wrong I was and related to her more in this one.

Wes freaking Bennet. He done messed up, but he owned up to his mistakes and his initial stupidity. Another example of growth. He had so many moments that made my heart soar because of his love for Liz. It was just flat out beautiful.

This was probably one of my top 10 reads so far this year. I know I will be recommending this book to everyone. This book will be out October 1st.

Having a really hard time seeing through my tears. I love them so much, this book was everything to me.

Wes and Liz have the kind of love I will never stop looking for!!!!!! I both never ever want to forget a single thing and also banish this book from my brain so I don’t have to live with the knowledge that I am not liz and I do not have a Wes. I love them so much. I am so proud of them. Their love is truly my favorite love in the whole world.

Being back with Wes & Liz feels like coming home❤️

📖 Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
Release Date - October 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

I have never documented more quotes from one character than Wesley Bennett. If you adored him before, you will only fall harder for him. And the most beautiful thing, you will get Wes' POV.✨️ This sequel is dual point of view.

Don't fear the second chance. It's real, it's raw, it's beautifully done. Will your heart break a little? very possibly. Will you still love these characters endlessly? ABSOLUTELY.

All the movie quotes, song references, and our beloved Wessy & Libby are back for a beautiful sequel, along with some new friends you will adore. (Clark, I'm definitely looking at you.)

I will love these two forever.

Thank you so much @netgalley and Simon and Schuster Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

And @lynnpainterbooks for gifting us the most beautiful young characters, emotional and witty dialogue, and a love story of our dreams.❤️

Get this on your list now (but read Better Than the Movies first).

I was super scared of reading this book because I knew the Liz-Wes breakup would be hard, and you know what, I was right, the pain had me sobbing.

I do think Lynn has done an amazing and beautiful job with this book though. I always got the feeling in BTTM that Wes wasn't completely transparent with Liz about his feelings for things *apart* from his love for her, and it is precisely that which exacerbated the tragic event that occurred to him and caused their breakup. Does my "silly little love lover" heart prefer that Liz-Wes work through this issue without the breakup and the second chance? Well, YES. But I cannot deny how good this book was, and how much the space apart helped them grow and get back together stronger.

So yeah, Lynn has done a phenomenal job with the writing and the emotions in this book, and aside from grievances about the manner of the breakup itself (there is no actual cheating, but the breakup is definitely betty by Taylor Swift) I think people will love this book.

Also the third act was the perfect amount of dramatic okay, it was the equivalent of the cliched running to the airport, and it was fucking perfect.

Also also, Wes's sister Sarah was one of the highlights of this book! One of the best side characters ever.

TWs - death of parent, survival guilt/ptsd, teenager forced to take a parental role, mental abandonment by a parent, mentions of cheating (again I have to stress that there is no actual cheating, that's all I can say without spoilers), moderately serious sports injury

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

A spectacular follow-up up Painter's beloved Better than the Movies! Although I didn't think or expect another book about Wes and Liz, I think this was a great way to continue their story as they tackled more mature issues as they enter college and deal with personal challenges that are thrown their way. Painter has an incredible ability to delve deeply into the relationship between these two characters, and though there were times that I was frustrated by Liz's actions or lack of actions, the ending was great!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

-5 stars

↘for a few months, wes had liz, but then as they were headed to UCLA, tragedy struck, Wes lost Liz. Flash forward to now they find eachother again. Wes knows he broke Liz's heart, but he wants it her back.

I was so excited to read this sequel, and it DELIVERD. Wes and Liz's bickering is just as good as the first book, and I love how much they have both changed. This book made me cry so much (happy and sad tears). I usually hate second chance romance books, but this book was fenomonal, and the amount of Taylor references made me so happy!

After completing a re-read earlier this week, I immediately jumped into “Nothing Like the Movies.” I also went in knowing this might not necessarily be the typical happy-go-lucky read. From the minue I read the prologue, I knew it was going to be a bit of a heartbreaker.

Wes and Liz have lived a lot of life in the last couple of years. They started off at UCLA together until some setbacks arise causing Wes to move back home, and ultimately, calling things off between him and Liz.

It changes her and she’s no longer the hopeless romantic, believer of love that she used to be. But, Wes, returns to UCLA more determined than ever in his baseball dream and to get the girl of his dreams back.

Oh, this book took me on a ride. I was practically holding my breath the entire time, feeling my own heart breaking in my chest through their reintroductions, the rehashing of the past, the painful life moments they’ve gone through in between. It’s a real coming-of-age story and is done so beautifully. Can the couple stay in love or was it just a moment for the high school sweethearts?

I wondered if it was going to hold up to the OG book, and while I think I’ll always just have a certain soft spot for that one, “NLTM” gave us an opportunity to see these two beloved characters (and appearances/cameos from some of the other secondary characters) mature, understand what it means to truly fall in love, create long-lasting friendships in college and find a way to pursue your dreams and let other people in at the same time. I love that the story is still wrapped up in the music and lines from some of the best rom-coms, just as it was in the first book, and carries over that same kind of charm that we all fell in love with.

I love these characters and the stories between them so much, and wish this series could continue, but I believe their story (if this is really the final) is wrapped up neatly. If you’re a fan of “Better Than The Movies” or picking up for the first time, you’ll fall in love with them in no time. I absolutely encourage everyone to go out and buy this book on Oct. 1 or Pre-Order now!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy**

This was a good sequel but could be a stand alone. Lynn is a great writer. Great plot and characters. I loved the romcom quotes. Her stories are entertaining and have depth. There is lot strong language for a YA book but that is more of the norm now.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I love everything Lynn Painter writes. This sequel exceeded my expectations and I love how she continued Wes and Lizzie’s story. They have so much chemistry and the author fully captured their love and little moments of importance.
Highly recommend!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced ARC of this title. This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and am so thankful for the opportunity to read it early.
In my opinion, 'Better than the Movies' is one of the best RomCom's ever written. To write a sequel to this was not only a service to the fans, but also a challenge to live up to the expectations of its predecessor.
This book takes place after Liz and Wes have graduated from high school to 2 years later when they find themselves at the same college after having a less than amicable breakup.
College years can be a difficult story to navigate: See Saved by the Bell. Lynn Painter doesn't miss a beat. Liz and Wes show a different level of maturity and an overwhelming sense of self.
Liz is no longer the hopeless romantic and Wes has had to take a crash course in adulthood. The one thing that hasn't changed is their flirty banter. It is more tender and subtle, as they are trying to overcome the hurt and heartbreak that led them here.
Can they move past the mistakes of their youth?

This book will have you kicking your feet, feeling frustration, swooning, and hugging the book to your chest by the end. I'm a goner for these characters and this story. I am beyond happy that we got a little more time with them.

✨”She didn’t move, didn’t speak; we were in slow-motion quicksand, and the only thing I knew was that we were about to kiss.” ✨

First off, this review might be biased because I love Wes and Liz and will read any extra insight I can of them!

‘Better Than The Movies’ is one of my favorite romcoms, so ‘Nothing Like The Movies’ was my most anticipated read of 2024. It did not disappoint! Of course, I knew that with a second chance romance plot line, there would be sadness and it was in no shortage here. I was heartbroken to know one of my favorite couples was apart for two painful years, but I loved seeing them reconnect as adults in a new stage of life.

The story illustrates personal growth for the characters, while also staying true to character continuity. The banter is top notch and NLTM includes some of the best tropes! My heart loves these two and while I’m sad they were ever apart- life is truly messy and complicated, and I was just so happy to be back in their world!

Some tropes/highlights:
💟 romance quote chapter headers
💟second chance romance
💟loss/depression/guilt
💟dual pov
💟forced proximity
💟fake dating
💟grand romantic gestures
💟clean romance with (swoon-worthy) romantic tension

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing, and Lynn Painter for the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m excited to get in the physical copy I’ve preordered!

I am beyond honored to receive on ARC of this book because Better Than the Movies is one of my all time favorite books. Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster, Lynn Painter, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

Honestly this exceeded all of my expectations for a sequel. The dual POVs were perfection. I loved getting into Wes's head, I loved the depth that it added to his character. I was so excited for Liz to be cool in college.
I love an obsessed MMC and Wes is ✨obsessed✨
Lynn did such a great job with this storyline and showing the heartbreak and loss that they both went through and ultimately bringing them back together. Entire story was so on point for Lynn and I wouldn't change anything.

I wanted to indulge myself in some kind of romance book, and this was it.
I have mixed feelings about this book but in the best way imaginable. I've eagerly awaited the chance to read it for so long.

The experience was an emotional rollercoaster, taking me on a journey from somber moments to pure elation as I reached the end. It's the kind of book that compels you to keep reading, even when you feel you should take a break. Calling it amazing feels like an understatement. I appreciated every aspect of it. The writing is so captivating that it resonated deeply with me. I wish I could forget it just to have the joy of reading it for the first time again and reliving those moments.

This book truly had a powerful impact on me. It is, in every sense, remarkable.

5⭐️’s

When I found out what the premise of the sequel to one of my favorite rom coms would be, I was a bit nervous, I’m not going to lie. Lynn Painter has yet to miss for me though, and I knew her love for these characters would not let me down. Sooo, I’m happy to report that this book was just what I needed!

Better Than the Movies was a feel-good, cutesy YA romance that meets all of my requirements to start kicking my feet and giggling.

Nothing Like the Movies has all the same elements but with an additional angst, depth, and longing from Wes that we did not get from Liz’s POV in Better Than the Movies! I loved how real this book was, and how it challenged Wes and Liz in more mature situations than they have encountered together prior.

I really enjoyed reading about the ways in which Wes and Liz changed as they were apart for two years and how they had to navigate getting to know one other again. Life happens at the most unlikely of times, high school relationships, and the “honeymoon phase”, don’t always last, and people change and grow in these young and pivotal years. Sometimes we need to fall apart to come back together stronger.

I felt alllll the feels during this read and was obsessed with the media references as per usual!! Lynn Painter, you’ve done it again and I still can’t believe I got to read this early. Thank you, NetGalley 🥰🥰

This book was literally everything. Lynn broke my heart but then fixed it and oh my goodness i am so glad she did. I love my wesliz babies💕

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Nothing Like the Movies was a satisfying YA read that I have no doubt will fulfill the anguish and novelty of first loves that both young and older readers find so addictive.

We see where Wes and Liz are after their first love, entering the adult world of complications and regrets. But, unlike the title, this is everything like the movies in that it leans into romantic tropes but does so in a way that feels unique to this story. I absolutely loved the callbacks to some great movies with the quotes at the start to chapters and they helped set the tone on this sweet story about what happens after things stop being so simple as teenage love.

Pick this up to get caught up in the highs and lows of two very cute characters finding their way back to each other!

I wished I loved this book more than I did. I really enjoyed Better Than the Movies, and so was stoked to be able to receive an arc for the sequel. However, it disappointed me.
Overall, the book struggled because it did not need to exist, and therefore the stakes and tension of the story felt diminished. Tonally, it was very different from the first book, which took me out of the reading experience and made me struggle to stay engaged. There is a major time jump at the beginning that was especially jarring, which did not help to get me into the story,
Ultimately for my teen patrons I will recommend the first book, and the author's other YA titles, but I don't know if this one is worth a try.