Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter - Spoiler Free Review

Guess who finally read the first book of the year? Yes, you guessed right! After a challenging start to the month, I finally took some time to dive into my favorite hobby, reading. I knew that for the first book of the year, I wanted to pick something easy to read that would not make me feel too emotionally invested. Basically, I needed a sweet escape from the real world. I picked the perfect book for my needs, and that was Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter.

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Lynn Painter is one of the popular romance book authors. I heard so many amazing things about her writing and decided to give Better Than The Movies a try. I'm usually not the biggest fan of young adult books that are set in high school, as that is not something I relate to nowadays. However, this book is written in such a fun way that made me reflect on my teenage years, which I haven't done in such a long time.

About the Book

As mentioned, this is a young adult contemporary romance book. I'm a big fan of '90s and 2000s romance movies, and this book reminded me so much of them. Although this book is about a young adult and the main character is going to high school, the main plot was not making it too immature and unable to relate. There are themes of love, friendship, grief, and self-discovery visible throughout the whole book. Grief is a big part of the book, so make sure to have that in mind; however, for me, it wasn't written in a triggering way.

We are following a helpless romantic teenage girl, Liz Buxbaum. Her childhood crush is back in town, and she decides that now is the perfect time to secure that happily ever after she has dreamed about since she was a little girl. Of course, the only way she can do that is with the help of her annoying next-door neighbor, whom she's not on good terms with.

Writing Style & Narrative

I don't know about you, but one of my reading pet peeves is when the chapter is longer than 10 pages. I feel like long chapters can feel too dreading and stall. However, Lynn Painter has such an engaging and witty writing style that made those 20 pages fly by. The storytelling and character development in this book are so refreshing. I usually prefer books with dual points of view as you can get to know both main characters better. 

Better Than The Movies is written in a first-person POV. We are following Liz's heartfelt story, so it does make sense that she is the only character we closely follow and get to know. I really enjoyed the humorous elements and the banter between the main characters. I also was glad that we could learn more about inner thoughts and details about other important characters from other characters in the book.

Characters & Development

Liz is a hopeless romantic who dreams of living her own rom-com. She’s quirky, a bit dramatic (in a fun way), and obsessed with movie-perfect love stories. What makes her so relatable is her inner struggle with wanting things to turn out exactly like she imagined while slowly realizing that real life—and real love—doesn’t always follow a script.

Then there’s Wes. Oh, Wes. The sarcastic, laid-back neighbor who has been an annoying presence in Liz’s life for years. But as they start spending more time together, you quickly realize there’s much more to him than his teasing nature. Their dynamic is classic rom-com gold—bickering, reluctant teamwork, and a slow shift into something deeper.

The supporting characters, like Liz’s best friend and her father, add so much warmth and depth to the story. They aren’t just there to move the plot along; they have their own personalities and moments that make the story richer. I also appreciated how Liz’s mother’s presence is felt throughout the book, shaping her views on love and relationships.

Romance & Relationships

If you're a fan of slow-burn romances, this book delivers. The romance doesn’t feel forced or rushed, which makes the payoff even sweeter. There’s a fun mix of rom-com tropes—fake dating, childhood crushes, the “boy-next-door” dynamic—but it still feels fresh and engaging.

What I appreciated the most was how natural the chemistry between Liz and Wes felt. Their conversations, little moments of tension, and unexpected kindness made their relationship feel real. You can’t help but root for them.

Favorite Aspects

What makes Better Than The Movies stand out in the YA romance genre is that the characters don't feel immature or unrealistic. I could imagine these characters actually being real. Humor is such an important part of a book for me, and Lynn Painter writes so wittily. There were a few scenes where I had a laugh-out-loud moment and gasped, which is definitely something that made this book a page-turner.

Who Would Enjoy This Book?

If you love classic rom-coms, witty banter, and stories that make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, this book is for you. Fans of books like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or The Summer I Turned Pretty would probably enjoy this one. If you’re looking for a lighthearted, feel-good romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but still has depth, Better Than The Movies is a great pick.

Final Thoughts & Rating

Overall, this book was such a fun and heartwarming read. The humor, engaging writing style, and lovable characters made it stand out among other YA romances. While I wouldn’t say it was overly emotional or deep, it delivered exactly what I was looking for—a lighthearted, charming story with a swoon-worthy romance. If I had to rate it, I’d give it a solid 4.5/5 stars.

Have you read Better Than The Movies? If so, what do you think? Let’s chat in the comments! And if you’re looking for more book recommendations, make sure to check out my other reviews.