3.5 stars ✨

Nothing Like the Movies is set several years after book 1, Better Than the Movies. Unfortunately Wes and Liz aren’t together anymore, but I enjoyed that the reasoning behind this wasn’t just ‘drifting apart’. It touches on themes such as mental health and grief, which was written well.

The pacing was good, and the plot very easy to follow along with. Both Wes and Liz’s growth as individuals first was really great to read, and it made the ending that much better.

I recommend this if you’re after a YA contemporary second-chance romance fix.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Simon and Schuster AU for the advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion.

This is a fun and heartfelt sequel to Better Than the Movies. While I loved the familiar characters and their banter, the shift in tone made me miss the nostalgic feel of the first book.

The new characters and friendships were great and brought a lot of joy when things got tough. I liked the dual POV, which let us see both Wes and Liz grow and face challenges. The story explores how love alone isn’t always enough, but I didn’t love how the New Year’s Eve flashback played out—it felt out of character.

Wes’ transformation from the fun guy we knew to a more mature man was well done, though I wish Liz had fought harder to understand him. Liz’s changes felt realistic, and I enjoyed seeing them grow together. The rom-com quotes were a nice touch, and while the book isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a great continuation of their story that will make you laugh, cry, and smile. Worth the read!

Thank you so much Lynn and Simon & Schuster for this arc🫶

Nothing Like the Movies is a captivating sequel that skilfully delves into the ups and downs of young love and personal growth. The narrative picks up with Wes and Liz, who have endured the heartache of separation, grappling with their feelings as they embark on their college journey at UCLA. The emotional depth of their relationship is palpable, making it easy for readers to invest in their story. Wes is determined to win Liz back, and his approach is filled with romantic gestures reminiscent of classic rom-coms, showcasing both his creativity and vulnerability. Painter's portrayal of Wes's journey reflects the essence of love, messy, complicated, and often requiring bravery to confront past mistakes. The tension rises as Liz’s new friendship with a male classmate complicates their dynamic, pushing Wes to reassess his strategies and feelings.

The themes of self-discovery and resilience shine throughout the story, as both characters navigate their new college environment and the challenges it presents. Liz's character is especially well-developed; her strength and independence resonate deeply, providing a powerful counterpoint to Wes's more impulsive nature. Painter’s writing beautifully captures the nuances of their evolving relationship, weaving humor and heartfelt moments that leave readers both laughing and crying. The pacing is engaging, with just enough twists to keep the reader invested in the outcome of Wes and Liz’s relationship. The exploration of friendship, love, and the challenges of growing up is handled with grace, making this novel relatable to anyone who has faced similar experiences.

In conclusion, Nothing Like the Movies is a heartfelt and uplifting read that celebrates the transformative power of love and friendship. Lynn Painter has crafted a story that not only entertains but also resonates with readers, reminding us of the courage it takes to embrace our feelings and pursue happiness. If you loved Better Than the Movies, this sequel is a must-read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I LOVED the first book Better Than The Movies which was a solid 5 star read for me so I couldn’t wait to get more of Wes and Liz and their adorably cute relationship. However, I think Better Than The Movies should have been left as a standalone 😭

This story jumped ahead two years just two chapters in and I couldn’t understand why Wes and Liz would have broken up and why they went 2 years of radio silence after their perfect happy ending in book one.

Their dynamic in the last quarter of the book did redeem it a little when we got Wes and Liz rediscovering their relationship again as college students and there were some super sweet and cheesy moments but overall, I was left feeling a little bit underwhelmed and like we lost the Wes and Liz magic that was created in the first book.

Like others, I was nervous when this one was announced because what do you mean they broke up?? and the breakup felt really strange.

I flew through this book and enjoyed reading more about these two. I enjoy Lynn’s writing and the pace of the book was good with the shortish chapters and the flow made it easy to read. The tension, angst, and chemistry between the characters were written well and you can feel it.

This novel was hard to love, and part of me wishes I hadn’t read it, as I had a perfect vision of Liz and Wes. Now, they feel different to me, but I appreciated the mature and more grown-up premise in this one, I really missed their younger selves especially how Liz loved pastels and cute dresses. I get she grew up but why did that part of her unique, cute personality have to change, it felt odd she was now “one of the boys”.

I love a dual POV.

I loved the quotes from the rom-coms at the start of the chapters and the playlist at the end was *Chef’s Kiss*.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend to people who want more Liz and Wes content, but if you want to maintain the version of Liz and Wes as they appeared in better than the movies, I wouldn’t recommend reading this one as it might spoil that version for you.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book, it was so much fun to get to be back with Liz and Wes, but now in college and after years of separation… it gets interesting!!

Nothing Like The Movies follows Liz and Wes 2 years after a tragedy in Wes’ life, and 2 years after Wes’ suddenly broke Liz’s heart. But now, Wes’ has returned to college with a goal of winning her back. Too bad Liz won’t make it easy.

While reading I was giggling, kicking my feet, cackling out loud and cheesing so hard. I really loved Liz and Wes together in Better Than The Movies, so of course when the romance started I was SEATED. There was some great yearning, angst, sadness, healing and love in all types of forms in this book and while they are both flawed, it was great to see them come together again.

First of all, I love Wes! Half of the time I truly wanted to whack him over the head with some of the decisions he made… but I really appreciated Wes’ journey through this book, the grief and complex feelings he had gone through over the two years and its impact on his pitching was really compelling to me as well as his journey to healing. Wes as a MMC is so charismatic and romantic, and his banter was so top tier.

Liz was also very different in this book, becoming an anti-romantic and abandoning a lot of the things she previously loved due to bad memories. It was great when we could finally see those sparks of her old self when she was with Wes but I also loved her new vibe. I really felt for Liz with what she went through in the break up, and it did feel like she was fairly quick to forgive all considered. I did find her so self absorbed at times I wanted to pull my hair out… but hey that’s the early twenties for you!!

The rest of the cast of characters were so great, I loved seeing Liz and Wes’ friends and family from the previous book as well as the new friends they’ve made in college they were all so different and fun! Clarke is the real MVP!!

Overall, despite these characters frustrating me and making me love them in equal amounts, I ate this book up, I didn’t realise I had missed Liz and Wes until I was impatiently waiting for them to be together again!!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars
Just when we thought Liz and Wes would ride off into the UCLA sunset, nope. Two years ago, tragedy struck and Wes had to return home, only to dump Liz over the phone. Now he’s back and determined to win her back, only she is still angry and in retaliation pretends her housemate Clark is her boyfriend. Except avoiding Wes is going to be hard, as Liz is part of a documentary on the baseball team. Can these two young lovers find their way back to each other?

I really enjoyed this book as I adore Wes and Liz so this was a welcome return. However, there were some plot and character developments that I found a bit perplexing or undercooked. For instance, Liz spent two years believing something about Wes that wasn’t true and everyone expected her to forgive him easily. The doco storyline also had no real resolution as it was dropped once the focus returned to Liz and Wes. Also why is it two student interns, Liz and Clark were filming this supposedly professional doco? I’d loved to have seen more development of Wes with his grief and his complicated relationship with his dad and him taking steps to get therapy.

Overall, I devoured this book for its two characters who are now a bit older and scarred. I love a good second chance and it was such a lovely

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.75☆

“𝐼 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊”

Did I know what to expect with this sequel? No, not at all. But this was great - I ate this up. I took my time with this read because this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. In short, I can say that I enjoyed this, despite any of its flaws, because I found it so fun to be reunited with these characters.

I’ll start by saying that Painter does a fantastic job at exploring grief with her characters. I loved that in Better Than The Movies, the reader read through Liz’s POV and saw how she coped with the loss of her mum and the grief that ensued. Nothing Like The Movies takes a similar approach, except this time the reader sees both POVs, now with a focus on Wes as he grieves his father. I really appreciate how Painter talks about death and that with NLTM we see a more complicated loss, in some ways, as Wes wasn’t only dealing with his own grief, but we also saw how his life was affected by how this grief manifested in his mum and sister. It’s worth noting too that this definitely could have used a little more talk on mental health as this felt like it was often brushed over.

This was heartbreaking but I enjoyed seeing flashbacks and watching the characters grow from their shortcomings. These characters are flawed, and I love that Painter gives them their spotlight to work through their grief, frustrations, and personal struggles. It’s also worth noting, because I know it’s not everyone’s favourite, but miscommunication is at the forefront of this narrative. I know that will deter some, but I felt like it worked really well for the overarching story and really showcased the differences in how people grieve and the complexities outside of a persons reach that determine some of their final actions.

I laughed and I cried. This was so special and really showed the growth and maturity of the characters from the two years that have transpired since BTTM. I loved reading from Wes’s POV, his determination and drive in this book shone through and he was easily the star of the show.

Although you get more context behind the characters and their motivations, I think you could easily pick this up even if you haven’t read BTTM. Although, obviously with this being a sequel, I’d recommend you read BTTM first for the best experience. This is the perfect read for a hopeless romantic that just wants to see Wes & Liz have their happily ever after. If you were a fan of Happy Place by Emily Henry I feel like this sequel will be for you. This felt like a YA reimagining of Happy Place, in some ways, so do with that what you will.

(Also, is there potential for a Ross & Lilith short story anyone? I’d love to see where that goes 🤭)

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

i enjoyed better than the movies but was unsure which direction a sequel would take given how the first book wrapped up. this didn’t work for me unfortunately. this felt like an unnecessary sequel. some books are just meant to be standalone.

i am more suited as a reader to her adult fiction romances, the writing in her young adult doesn’t feel strong enough, im unsure if it would’ve worked for me while i was in the target audience age range also

thankyou to the publishing house and to netgalley for the early release copy.

I had mixed feelings going into this book. I was nervous because I really didn’t want to see Liz & Wes being broken up but also, when you really think about it - that is life and I’m so glad I decided to trust Lynn Painter’s process because this book was beautifully done!

I really enjoyed reading nothing like the movies - there was groveling, yearning, angst, banter and some of the best Liz & Wes moments!
I can definitely understand if people are sceptical about this one, but honestly this a book about personal growth, love & life.

I have so much love for Wesley Bennett and Liz Buxbaum, they are better together and this book was the perfect example of that!!

thank you Lynn Painter for giving us more and thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for this ARC!! 🫶🏻

REVIEW: Nothing Like The Movies by @lynnpainterbooks

I just flew through this book in less than 24 hours! It was such an easy, bingeable read, and an amazing sequel to Better Than The Movies.

I personally liked this book even more than the first one. I loved Wes and Liz being older now and in college. It was still YA, but it felt more mature, as the story and the characters now had history and life experience behind them.

I loved the college scene, the friendships and the dual pov was perfect in this book. I loved Liz’s internship in this book and want to know more about what happened with the project!

There was grief, mental health, angst, and I felt it was all navigated so well. This whole book had my heart breaking for Wes, after everything he has been through, he just wanted his girl back 🥹

“Because our good moments were the crumbs that fed me for seven hundred and twenty 12:13s when I was alone.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thankyou NetGalley and @simonschusterau for this ARC.
Release date: 2nd October

I don't actively seek out YA books but when Lynn Painter has a new one out, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be reading it. Better Than the Movies was such a sweet book, I couldn't wait to get stuck into the sequel Nothing Like the Movies.

Fast forward a few years and we find our two main characters Wes and Liz busy at college. Wes knows he hurt Liz when he broke things off with her but Liz doesn't know the full story and Wes is determined to win her back again.

Oh Wes, you are such a sweetheart! I loved how he pulled out all the stops to win his girl back. This second chance romance was so stinking cute. I know many people will be scared to read this one because the first book was such perfection. Fear not my friends. You'll love it and you'll thank me after.

Nothing Like the Movies is a delightful sequel to Lynn Painter's Better than the Movies, capturing the tumultuous yet heartfelt journey of Wes and Liz as they navigate the challenges of college life and rekindle their romance. The story picks up after a tragic event has forced Wes to break up with Liz, leaving him with a heavy heart and unresolved feelings.

Painter effectively portrays the complexity of Wes's emotions as he grapples with guilt and longing. His determination to win Liz back is both endearing and relatable, especially as he employs various rom-com-inspired schemes to catch her attention. The narrative is filled with humor and clever references to classic romantic comedies, making it a fun and engaging read.

Liz, now with a new friend—a male classmate—adds tension and an intriguing dynamic to the story. Her strong-willed character continues to shine, showcasing her growth as she navigates her feelings toward Wes and her new friendship. Painter skillfully contrasts Wes's big, bold gestures with Liz's more grounded perspective, highlighting the push-and-pull of their relationship.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, combining lighthearted moments with deeper emotional beats. Wes’s clever plans often lead to humorous situations, while the underlying themes of heartbreak and healing resonate throughout the narrative. Painter’s writing is vibrant and witty, drawing readers into the ups and downs of young love.

Nothing Like the Movies is a charming exploration of second chances and the importance of communication in relationships. Fans of the first book will appreciate the continued development of Wes and Liz's story, filled with laughter, longing, and the undeniable magic of love. This sequel is a perfect blend of romance and humor, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary young adult fiction.

I absolutely adored this book! Being back with these characters through Wes was perfect. I even shed a tear and as we know the best books make you feel. So happy to have read this one! Definitely going to convince everyone to read it ASAP

Nothing Like the Movies (ARC) Review

My rating: DNF

I read over 100 pages to give this book a go and oh boy… *sigh* I honestly struggled trying to read through these 100 pages because it was so boring. I’m sorry, but reading this book felt like a chore. I haven’t read the first book since I didn’t realise this book was a sequel to the first book, so I’m not sure how much of it is relevant to the second book. That being said, it was not the best book. Liz was so…childish and immature for someone who is in college. Wes…well I really don’t know about him. He just didn’t sit right with me? I’ve only read roughly 30% of the book so I can’t comment anything else about it. But, this book really is nothing like the movies.

4.5 stars*

I absolutely LOVED the first book in this series, so I knew I HAD to read the second one.

I loved how this second book gave us insight to Wes' POV, and it made me just love his character even more. I loved that this series is all about romance and not about spice. It reminds me of the late 90's/early 00's rom com movies.

It was great to see them as a little more grown up in this book, but their chemistry still remains the same.

One thing I did miss was all of the song choices that Liz had in the first book - I know this one was meant to be more movie based, but I missed the music compilations.

A great follow up to a GREAT first book.

3 stars
TW: death of a parent and subsequent trauma, grief and guilt, PTSD, underaged excessive drinking, mentioning of cheating

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

This is one of the times where a series was unnecessary, and Better than the Movies should have remained as a standalone. Wes and Liz's story was complete in that first book, and I feel this sequel has only disrupted the flow and the beauty of this world.

Whilst there were moments during this read that I connected with what was happening, it took a very long time to get to that point. I found there was a certain level of destruction to the characters that I truly adored in book one, and watching both Wes and Liz assume and treat each other as they did was painful at times. I loved Liz in the first book, but came to barely tolerate her by the end of this, and found Wes extremely intense at times, to the point of getting uncomfortable on Liz's behalf. I also disliked the choice Liz made with her roommate Clark to push the boundaries with Wes, even though I could understand it stemmed from hurt. I felt like the pair just really needed to communicate maturely with each other, and their immature responses truly detracted from any growth they claimed to have navigating life as young adults.

Overall, I wish I had left this world alone at the five star place it was for me with the first book. Painter's YA stories normally engage me, but this one just wasn't for me. I did however cry at a couple of scenes, and get more engrossed with the read in the second third before it sadly dropped again for me, which is why I'm giving this three stars.

Painter excels with another YA romcom, following on from the events of Better than the Movies, but two years after high school finishes. We rejoin Wes and Liz, after a breakup and the loss of Wes's father.

Wes and Liz have matured, but their banter and ability to find each other again after a period of separation was truly kick-my-feet lovely. Wes's exploration of grief after losing his father was heartbreaking. It was definitely a fun and entertaining read!

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for an e-arc, all opinions are my own.

When I first read Better than the movies by Lynn painter, I falled in love with both Elizabeth Buxbaum and Wes Bennett and how their relationship came to folurish.

Now that a sequel is coming out I was a bit nervous cause I don't know what to expect.

Imagine two years after high school ends and supposedly in your second year of college, studying and trying to be the best and learning new things..

That wasn't the case for Wes Bennett until now.

After going through a rough break up with Liz after highschool and complications at home, Wes is starting fresh again at college and trying his best to win Liz's love back but it comes with a price.

With the storyline, I was intrigued how grown up and mature both Wes and Liz were throughout the book but still having that amazing banter they had in better than the movies. I felt like giving wes a big hug and keeping him protected after everything his been through and screaming at Liz to figure it out and forgive him.

I loved how every chapter started off with a quote from either a TV show/movie which involved around romance and the taylor swift references.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who has read Better than the movies as it's a good sequel to it.

Thank you so much Simon & Schuster and netgalley for letting me read this digital arc

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed Better Than The Movies when I read it a couple years ago - it’s a very sweet and fun YA rom com, that reminded me sooo much of the DUFF movie. While the main character did annoy me at points (all YA romance characters do 🤣) I really loved it and understood why it’s so many people’s favourite book!

I was a bit skeptical about a sequel coming out, but I actually enjoyed this a lot more than I expected! 💜

We’re following Wes and Liz roughly 2-3 years after Better Than The Movies ends, where they’re in college and are meeting again after a rough breakup a couple years ago 😭. So basically, this is a second chance romance as Wes tries to win Liz back ❤️. I actually thought this made sense for the characters since they’re in High School in the first book and I think it’s reasonable to assume not every high school couple will stay together, especially as they grow and change and major life events happen.

This book felt like a more mature version of the first one, where our characters have grown and changed as people (as we do throughout university), had some pretty major life events happen and life isn’t necessarily as fun and easy going as it feels in high school. I really liked seeing this side of Wes and Liz 🥹. They also still had such good banter throughout the book which I loved.

The book fell a bit flat for me in the last 10%. It felt like there was pointless conflict thrown in for the sake of it, and Liz started to really annoy me 😤. I also didn’t like the ‘resolution’ that solved the conflict, it felt a bit like a cop out to me.

Overall though, I really really enjoyed this book and I would definitely recommend it if you enjoyed Better Than The Movies. However, I’d just say go in expecting a different tone/vibe to the first book! 💖