While I was not emotionally ready for the rollercoaster of feelings I went through while reading NOTHING LIKE THE MOVIES, I would do it all again for the pleasure of immersing myself in Lynn Painter's writing. One of the best YA authors out there!

4⭐️

I was kindly provided with the ARC of this book by NetGalley and the editors in exchange of an honest review, thank you ✨

Ahhh, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year! I first read Lynn Painter last year with Better than the movies and u was obsessed, so obviously when I knew that we would getting a sequel I was dying!!! But then I saw it was a SECOND CHANCE ROMANCE and dear God if I wasn't nervous because Liz and Wes are my babies.

This books was really good, I totally liked the plot and also hurt me to see Wes navigating though a lot in his life and Liz also being heartbroken, I was living for Wes gaining her back and how they met all over again. This books was q good surprise 💜

Painter returns to her beloved Wes and Liz with the force of a seasoned writer and all the feels one could hope for. This is by far one of the best second chance YA romances I've ever read and a warm, cozy delight from page one. An instant classic sequel to one of the best YA romances on the market.

After reading so many novellas from Wes' POV, I really enjoyed getting so much of it in this book. This whole book felt like a third act breakup. After the perfection of the first book, it wasn't neededa, but it was fun to be back with two of my favorite book couples

Nothing Like the Movies was an excellent sequel to Better Than the Movies. At first I was heartbroken to read that Will and Liz were not living their "happily ever after" in LA together, but this redemption story certainly made up for that. Will processing his grief over his father's death and the death of his dreams was very realistic and endeared him all the more. Liz, no longer being the "love lover" that she was in the first one because of her breakup with Will was presented in a believable way. I loved the side characters and the roles that they played in this novel as well. I would absolutely add it to my library, but the strong language throughout will keep me from being able to add it at my middle school library. I do think that high school students and beyond would really enjoy this book.

I love Lynn Painter's YA novels. Painter is great at capturing the real, intense feelings of young adult romance and angst. Nothing Like the Movies is a solid addition to her books. This novel revisits Wes and Liz, the main characters from Painter's Better than the Movies. In Better than the Movies, we left Wes and Liz in a good place, in love and heading to the same college. When we find them in Nothing Like the Movies, things have changed drastically. Tragic life events pulled Wes and Liz apart. Now, years later, Wes is back in college and Liz is beginning to prepare for her future career. Wes wants to win Liz back, but is it too late? In typical Lynn Painter fashion, Nothing Like the Movies is full of relatable humor and heart, with great angsty moments thrown in. I really enjoyed this sequel.

The highly anticipated sequel to Better Than the Movies is here, though I was thrown off at first—wait, they broke up?!

Nothing Like the Movies feels like a different book, with a more mature tone and heavier themes. I was so used to the cute, lighthearted Wes-and-Liz dynamic, so seeing them as older characters dealing with real-life issues was refreshing. Wes’s struggles with loss felt incredibly realistic, and my heart broke for them both. Liz’s character development was also impressive, especially since I found her indecisive in the first book.

As expected, the book is packed with rom-com and pop-culture references, including some Taylor Swift-coded lines that are spot-on.

Getting both Liz and Wes’s POVs added so much depth to their story, showing what each was going through. I loved how the story explores self-discovery and the complexities of romance, all while nodding to classic movie tropes. As a movie lover, I appreciated how those cinematic moments shaped their views on love. I just wish the miscommunication hadn’t driven the entire plot, but I get why they acted as they did.

I recently read Better Than the Movies and fell in love with Wes and Liz. I was so happy to see we got another book about them! I will admit this book is a rollercoaster ride!

The story picks up months after the first book and we learn that Wes had to deal with a family tragedy. He quits college and travels back home to handle his loss. During this time he decides to break up with Liz. Liz couldn’t understand why they could not do long distance.

A couple of years later, Wes returns to college and returns to playing baseball. He hasn’t spoken to Liz since the break up, but he is still in love with her and determined to get her back.

This book will give you all the feels especially seeing what both characters go through but it definitely has some laugh out loud moments. I love that Wes doesn’t give up on trying to win Liz over. They easily became one of my favorite book couples.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Okay so although I didn’t love this one as much as the first book, I really did enjoy this one. The miscommunication and pain from the first half was so heartbreaking for me, I was just wanting to shake my babies! I would have LOVED these books as a 16/17 yo girl, I wish they were around when I was in high school. I still had a great time reading as an adult hehe

You'd enjoy this book if you like:
-Second Chance Romance
-Sports Romance
-Forced Proximity
-Dual POV

Thank you Lynn Painter and NG, for the arc!!!

Stars: 4.5

Thank you to @simonteen for the #gifted copy of this book.

Thoughts: First of all, I enjoyed this one as well... Not quite as much as the first one but I loved being in Wes and Liz's world yet again. This book completely broke my heart at the beginning, especially after loving their road trip bonus chapter. I am so glad we had Wes's POV this time around because it helped me to see what was going through his mind and gave me the hope I needed for the two of them. Lynn's play on fake dating in this book was such a fun twist to the traditional trope. Wes's determination to get back to UCLA coupled with his sister's support brought tears to my eyes for all he had to overcome. As usual, the banter was top-notch in this book, especially for all that happened between Wes and Liz throughout this book. Ahhh I just love Wes and all his swoony ways... Don't miss this one!

Jesse Vilinksy and Charlie Bushnell did such a wonderful job bringing this story to life. It was so hard for me to press pause while listening because I just wanted to keep going. If you love audiobooks, this is a good one.

Read if you love:
Second Chance Romance
Rom Com Movies
Swoony Moments
College Baseball

I absolutely fell in love with Wes and Liz in the first book, Better Than the Movies and some of the subsequent mini prequels and novellas we've gotten since then.. Wes Bennett is top tier for me. Now what absolutely broke my heart is the tragedy that had to occur that split up our two love lovers. And as much as everyone hated it, that IS life. Things happen outside of our control which can cause immediate and catastrophic consequences... or some things (or people) change little by little over time. They grow apart, evolve, and move on. Wes, finally able to move on with his freshman year of college, is ready for things to go back to the way they should be. With Liz in his arms and all the movie references to boot. But Liz isn't giving in very easily.

It's difficult to watch your favorite fictional characters go through heartbreak and real world consequences... when the real world is what we're trying to escape in the first place and seek out all the feeling good chemicals. This book made you feel EVERYTHING ELSE first.
Although I am a huge fan of Painter's writing and characters, I didn't necessarily love the direction this book went and everything our lovers had to go through to get there. I would have been just as content with BTTM as a standalone with all the other novellas and connecting books about other couples.

Is this as good as the first one? No. But I loved that book so much I don’t think anything will be.

I hate that Wes & Liz missed out on two years of their life together but at the same time it felt real. They both felt older in this which I liked because nothing bugs me more than a book set sophomore year and above but they act like high school students.

Lynn Painter is a master writer when it comes to YA romance! I was so excited to spend time with Liz and Wes - especially to have the opportunity to see them adjust their relationship and expectations with what college was bringing to the table. It was a wonderful continuation of the story and brought all the feels!

What a fun read! Silly me put off reading this recent release. I love love love Better than the Movies when I read it back when it first published, and I did a reread via audio to get myself back into the Wes and Liz universe before diving into this sequel. I love that the author basically succumbed to reader pressure to write this sequel because many of us loved the characters and their story that much!
Each chapter begins with a quote from a beloved movie, from Pretty Woman to Runaway Bride to Crazy, Sexy, Love to La La Land. I looked forward to the start of each chapter to see what movie would be quoted next, and then I kept reading because I couldn’t put this one down, binging it in one afternoon/evening. This series is YA, but I hope that won’t limit readers from giving them a try because the characters and storyline are really well developed.
Thanks to Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing and NetGalley for a review copy, as well as Libro.fm for a free audio copy in exchange for my honest opinion. I do think you should read Better Than the Movies before reading this one to fully enjoy the characters. And don’t be silly like me - pick these up to read sooner than later!

I enjoy the characters in the story.. I hope there is a follow up because I really enjoyed this series.

I love that this book followed them to college and showed how much they’ve grown. Liz is so different than who she was in high school and seeing Wes have to adapt to the new *her* was a good plot point. I also loved all their college friends - they all seemed like so much fun lol.

The story follows Josie, a hopeless romantic who believes in the magic of movie love. When she meets David, a cynical and pragmatic guy, their contrasting personalities spark a unique and captivating dynamic. Painter expertly balances the lighthearted humor with genuine emotion, creating a story that is both funny and touching.

The characters are well-developed and endearing. Josie's unwavering optimism and David's guarded heart make for a compelling pairing. The supporting cast adds depth and humor to the story, creating a vibrant and realistic world.

While the plot is predictable at times, it's the execution that makes "Nothing Like the Movies" stand out. Painter's witty writing style and clever dialogue keep the reader engaged, and the romantic tension is palpable.

Overall, "Nothing Like the Movies" is a charming and enjoyable read that will leave you smiling. It's a perfect choice for fans of romantic comedies who are looking for a fresh and heartwarming story.

Thanks so much to the publisher for my ARC!

In Nothing Like the Movies, Lynn Painter brings readers back to the beloved world of Liz and Wes, this time delving into the complexities and growing pains of young adulthood. After their fairytale romance in Better Than the Movies, life has taken a dramatic turn. The story picks up with Wes, still reeling from a painful breakup with Liz and determined to win her back. However, it quickly becomes clear that the "happily ever after" of the first book has been replaced with real-world challenges: grief, unresolved emotions, and a painful distance that neither character expected.

Wes’s efforts to rekindle his romance with Liz are both heartfelt and awkward, creating a series of rom-com-worthy situations. The plot captures the reality that while people change over time, the bond they share can sometimes transcend those changes. Although Wes’s determination and Liz’s cynicism sometimes clash, their chemistry is undeniable. Painter portrays their growth with honesty, highlighting both characters’ attempts to navigate a complicated landscape of love, friendship, and self-discovery.

While fans of Better Than the Movies may find the tone shift jarring, the novel ultimately rewards readers with Painter’s signature mix of humor and emotional insight. Side characters like Liz’s roommates and Wes’s baseball teammates add warmth and comedic relief, supporting the protagonists through their ups and downs.

This book may not offer the same lighthearted joy of its predecessor, but it reflects the messiness and resilience that often accompany real relationships. Nothing Like the Movies is a must-read for fans who want to see Liz and Wes tackle love in a more nuanced, mature way.

In Nothing Like the Movies, tragedy strikes after Liz and Wes start their freshman year at UCLA. Wes's dad dies of a heart attack, and he must go back to Nebraska to support his mom and sister, leaving Liz behind. Deciding she is better off without him, Wes breaks up with her and begins to work on getting his life back together. Fast forward two years and Wes is back playing baseball at UCLA, but Liz wants nothing to do with him. Unfortunately, her internship with a production company has her focusing on the baseball team, throwing them together constantly. She enlists the help of her camera man Clark to pretend to be her boyfriend, but Wes will not give up on getting her back. Each chapter begins with a quote from a popular romcom and an extensive playlist of romantic songs is woven throughout the narrative.

I gave this book 4.5 stars! I will admit it did take me a little bit to get into, but overall, I really enjoyed the story. I loved seeing baseball as a big part of this book, (as someone who normally doesn't take interest in sports romances) and I also loved all the UCLA references as it is a school I hope to attend one day. I loved how obsessed Wes was and how he was absolutely delusional about Liz and still gave it his all, including hurting his ankle just to try and impress her. Chapter 38 was perfection, and I loved how the whole story wrapped up, besides the way my heart dropped when Wes collapsed on the field. This book was so good, and I stand by the fact that Lynn Painter never disappoints.