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.

A great sequel! I really enjoyed the first book but I liked the sequel even more! Lynn Painter does it again! Lots of demand for this book in my library. Lynn, keep writing books!

I don’t have enough words to express my love for this book. I didn’t know how Lynn Painter was going to make a sequel to a book that ended in a happily ever after(how could one ever doubt it?!), but she pulled it off in the best way.

This sequel is absolutely perfect in every single way. I love these two and I could read 800 more books about them and their love.

If you’re a fan of second chance romance - this book will be your dream come true. Everything I love in that trope was there.

What I didn’t expect reading this was to be choked up numerous times. This one is emotional and raw, and you are right in there with the characters and all of their vulnerabilities.

It’s also so damn sweet and left me swooning, giggling and kicking my feet out in pure joy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (Infinity stars)

I was introduced to this author by one of my students, and I LOVED Better Than the Movies. This book was a great follow up. On e of my favorite parts about this story was not even the main love story, but the stories of all the side characters. I could read book after book about all of the side characters in this novel. I also loved that a lot of this book felt really realistic. There was real tension, and it was not just a happily ever after from the beginning. It deals with college romance in a very real way, and I loved the banter between the characters. I also loved that the characters had changed from the last book- it really shows how people change as they grow up. Loved this book!

This was a cute book about second chances. If you love YA romance you simply have to read Painter’s young adult titles. It was missing the mark after the first, and took me wayyyy too long to finish because it just wasn't hooking me.

Read if you like:
- Rom-coms
- Dual POV
- Family dynamics
- Best friend groups
- Pop culture and T. Swift references
- Quirky MCs
- Heartfelt moments
- Reuniting with loved characters

I’m hooked on this author/series! This sequel did not disappoint! I loved the tension between these two in the first book, and boy does that tension continue! Add in another love interest and more funny banter, this is a total winner. Loved it!

I was so excited when I saw this book announced and even more excited when I was approved for an early copy. Unfortunately, I think these characters were better off with just one book. I am a Wes stan, he was my favorite part of Better Than The Movies - but I don't recognize this Wes at all.