As much as I’d like to read and review this book, I just don’t support the authors views on what’s happening in the world right now. I think a necessary change—and self reflection is necessary in order for change to happen. It’s really disappointing and disheartening. But the first book was really good . I just won’t be moving forward

I devoured atleast 90% of this book in one sitting, which speaks to just how much I love Wes and Liz. After loving bttm, I expected another solid 5-star read, and while this book had its issues, there’s still so much to adore!!

The Positives:
- Just like bttm, this book is incredibly cute, with the same heartwarming charm!! The second-chance romance trope was beautifully handled.

- The characters felt more mature this time around, and the growth was portrayed with skill and nuance.

- The new characters were meaningful additions—Wes’ friend group, and Liz's friends too. Clark has my whole heart btw.

- The dual POV was a brilliant choice, offering deeper insight into both Wes and Liz’s perspectives.

The Negatives:
- Despite being the same length as bttm, the book felt longer. A few sections in the middle could have been tightened up.

- There were more pop culture references than in the first book, which, at times, felt a bit overdone. I love Taylor Swift as much as the next person, but it started to feel repetitive.

- Liz’s lack of sympathy for Wes in the first half seemed out of character. While she’s supposed to be angry about the “cheating,” something about her reactions felt off. It might be intentional, reflecting the characters' growth, but it left me unsure.

- Wes’s pining was a bit overemphasized, which dulled the impact of his feelings over time.

- The lack of diversity was noticeable, especially given the college setting. It was disappointing that neither friend group had a single person of color.

Conclusion: This book isn’t perfect, but it still captures the magic of Wes and Liz’s relationship. Their love story, despite its flaws, remains endearing and I’m thrilled they got their happy ending. For fans of the first book, this is a must-read—just be prepared for a few bumps along the way.

Thank you so much Net Galley and the publishers for the ARC !!

I had so much fun reading ‘Better than the Movies’ a few years ago, so when I saw there was a sequel, I was thrilled. I couldn’t wait to see Liz and Wes in college and watch their love grow. This definitely wasn’t as light and fun as the first, though it did have many light and entertaining moments.

It’s Liz’s third year at UCLA and she and Wes haven’t seen each other in two years. Yes, you read that right. Wes went home after a tragedy in his family and ended things. Now he is back playing as a freshman on the baseball team and Liz’s internship takes her right there… covering the baseball team.

I loved watching Wes try to win Liz over and seeing them change and grow. This book hit me in my feels more than once but it also made me laugh and smile. If you haven’t read a Lynn Painter book before, what are you waiting for? I adore them!

I first want to disclose that I did not read the other books from this series, I think you can read this alone like I did and enjoy it. I enjoyed Wes and Liz’z reconnected story. They were in college so I had to keep reminding myself of that as I read….because both their characters were quite immature. Especially Liz. I was entertained and engaged the whole time, but it wasn’t my favorite from the Author. I feel like I probably should have read the other ones in this series first to be more invested in the characters. But overall. it is more YA behavior than I like to read as a 40+ audience. Still, the writing was good.

Bottom Line: Read it.

** I received a copy of Nothing Like the Movies from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are my own.**

Very cute and engaging romcom! A little lengthy for YA. But it was sweet and had you wanting to know what was going to happen next. I loved the characters but found it hard to really connect with them at the start. I did however find myself loving them by the end!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC!

Super fun rom com that I gobbled up!! This was effervescent and so cute. A perfect new adult novel! Felt very authentic and true.

This was probably my most anticipated read of 2024!
I love Lynn Painter's YA Romcoms so much! The characters, the banter and humor always hit just right.... With that said, if I hadn't read and fallen in love with BTTM first l'd probably give this a solid 3-4 stars but because it is Wes and Liz I can't bring myself to give it anything less than a 5! Don't get me wrong, it's a great story! My heart is just stuck on the old Wes and Liz
I was a little nervous on how this would be a second chance romance after the ending of BTTM but it all came together nicely (in a tragic kind of way though)! You see the characters change and merge into adulthood without really losing who they've always been to eachother. (Does touch on the topic of grief, and honestly this was heartbreaking!)

Read if you like:
• Second Chance
• Dual POV
• It's Always Been You
• College Romance

This book felt like home. I love the movie lines at the beginning of every chapter. It feels so nostalgic. Their love was so sweet. In the end we all knew they’d come back together.

This was a cute enough follow up book. I really wish one of the chapters did not start with a quote from Descendants 3, as that was so unserious it took me out of the book completely.

I was really looking forward to the continuing story of Better Than the Movies, but this story was a little less romcom and a little more serious. We follow Liz and Wes again in their college years, but they're no longer together. This story is follows the two of them as they find their way back to each other while touching on grief of losing someone.

this is not quite as serious as it might sound, because my general and in fact preferred state of being is "in the depths of some sort of active breakdown," but still. i have a flair for the dramatic so i encourage you to take this seriously if at all possible.

the existential crisis is this:

do i actually dislike sequels? or just this one?

listen, nothing like the movies had all the makings of a good time—rom com vibes, a familiar author whose first book i genuinely found sweet and charming, and a premise i was ready to root for. and yet.

first of all, liz. someone who has seen every rom com under the sun—we’re talking from the classics to the netflix originals—would never in a million years fall for the absolute train wreck of a breakup strategy wes pulled. it felt insulting to her as a character and to my suspension of disbelief.

then, there’s wes himself. who... is this man? in the first book, he was sweet, grounded, and endearing, but here, he feels like a completely different person—a “broey,” almost caricature-like version of himself. i know he’s a young guy, but this wasn’t character growth or regression; it was just weird.

and finally, the crux of my frustration: liz’s reaction to wes needing time to grieve his dad. as someone who has also lost a parent, i found it deeply unbelievable that she wouldn’t be more understanding or compassionate. it just didn’t ring true.

the first book was cute, sweet, and self-contained. this one felt... unnecessary. i guess the lesson here is, not every story needs a sequel.

bottom line: i remain in my grinch character arc, but at least this time, i’m not alone.

Absolutely adorable! I loved getting to revisit these characters and experience more of their story. This is perfect for younger readers who enjoy a fun romcom.

Wow! I absolutely loved Better Than the Movies and could read it over and over again. When I heard there was going to be a sequel, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Most of the time, sequels come off as cash grabs, where the author tries to capitalize on the success of the first book. But Lynn Painter truly defies this trend. This sequel was phenomenal! It had heartbreak, sweetness, and moments that made me giggle and kick my feet in delight. I particularly appreciated how realistic the storyline was. In many romances, once the characters achieve their happily ever after, readers are left to believe that's how things will be for the rest of their lives. In reality, that’s rarely the case. Everyone experiences ups and downs, and Nothing Like the Movies beautifully illustrates this. It shows that with hard work and love, getting your HEA is possible. This book is perfect for both teens and adults, and I highly recommend the entire series.

Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter is the perfect rom-com read for fans of swoon-worthy moments and heartfelt humor. As the second book in the series, it builds on the charm of its predecessor, which I absolutely loved. Painter's witty dialogue, relatable characters, and the sweet tension between the leads make it an irresistible page-turner. If you're a fan of rom-coms, this one is a delightful mix of laughs, romance, and a bit of unexpected magic. It’s everything you want in a feel-good love story with plenty of heart.

Oh I just adore the chapter titles and the movie quotes from my favorite rom coms! What a great way to tie in the title. And I’m so invested in the plot! The romance build up/ tension between Wes and Liz is PERFECT. The flashbacks, the current emotions, the big romantic gestures: gahhhh. Just LOVE IT ALL. Was a great read/ listen.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

so sorry this took me so long to write a review for! i soft DNFed it because of the direction of the story. I tried to pick it up again and just could not get into it :( do not like to leave negative reviews but this was not going the way I was hoping! Thank you so much for the ARC copy though I am beyond grateful.

oh how good it was to see wes and liz again!! I truly feel like these two grew up with me and this book was such a fun way to see their story continue to play out (even when it was more sad than fun) just because I was back in their world again

while I don't think that I would have needed a second book, and the fact that they broke up at all absolutely shattered my heart, this book was still lovely and I could not put it down, just like with better than the movies. something about these two characters is so special and I loved getting to see their individual character development in this one beyond just their relationship together. especially with liz, the way she had really found her passion and was thriving in her career, was so cool and powerful to see. and then, of course, the romance!

there might have been some parts of this book that made me want to scream and throw my kindle across the room because I just wanted them to be together but let me tell you...the tension in this book!!! the pining, the small moments and things they notice about each other, the stolen glances and unspoken words, there was just so much good stuff. wes bennett is simply everything and more and I will never get over him, even if he is a scooter-riding college athlete lol. anyway I really enjoyed this book and there were so many swoon-worthy moments!

so did I think this book was needed? no. but did I enjoy it nevertheless and soak in every liz & wes moment? ABSOLUTELY

Wes and Liz are in college. They used to date in high school, and it was better than the movies. Things happened and now they aren´t in each others lives anymore. That is until Wes returns to college and Liz is on a project including his baseball team. Miscommunication, love, grief, anger, hate, sadness, all of the above and even more in this book.

I absolutely loved Better than the movies which is the book before this one. Lynn Painter always has me in my feelings. This is a second chance love story and if you loved better than the movies, please read this and follow Wes and Liz on their journey.

I rated this 4 stars.

Another great novel from Lynn Painter! A quick and easy read that will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

Nothing Like the Movies” by Lynn Painter is an engaging and heartfelt story that delivers the perfect mix of humor, romance, and relatable emotions. The characters are well-developed, and their chemistry feels authentic, making it easy to root for them. The writing style is witty and conversational, keeping the reader entertained throughout.

I gave the book 4 stars because, while it’s thoroughly enjoyable, a few moments felt predictable, and the pacing dipped slightly in the middle. Overall, it’s a charming read that captures the ups and downs of modern relationships with warmth and humor