Nothing Like the Movies: Better than the Movies

4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars | 3,099 ratings

Price: 17.71

Last update: 12-17-2024


About this item

In this highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling Better than the Movies, Wes and Liz struggle to balance their feelings for each other with the growing pains of being a college student.

For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: strong-willed girl-next-door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off to UCLA to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.

Flash forward months and months later and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.

Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with the rom-com worthy big gestures she loves. Only…Liz will have none of it. Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend…a guy friend.

Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.


Top reviews from the United States

  • Mackenzie Higgins
    5.0 out of 5 stars "A Delightful, Heartfelt Romance!" ????????
    Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2024
    "Nothing Like the Movies" is the kind of book that stays with you long after you've finished reading. It’s a heartwarming, emotional journey that combines the charm of a romantic comedy with the depth of real-life struggles and relationships.

    Why I Loved It:
    Relatable Characters: The protagonist, struggling with her own version of love and life, is incredibly relatable. The characters feel authentic, and their development throughout the story makes you root for them.
    Romantic but Real: The romance in this book is sweet and touching, but it doesn’t feel like the typical "movie romance." It’s grounded in real emotions and challenges, making it even more beautiful.
    Great Chemistry: The connection between the main characters is electric and full of tension, making their journey even more compelling.
    Feel-Good and Fun: While there are deep moments, the book is also full of humor and lightheartedness. It balances emotions perfectly, giving you a satisfying read.
    Perfect for Romance Lovers: If you're a fan of romantic stories with a touch of drama and humor, this is definitely for you. It’s a perfect escape into a world of love and hope.
    If you're looking for a heartfelt romance that’s more than just the typical movie plot, "Nothing Like the Movies" is a must-read. It’s a beautiful, emotional ride and will leave you with a smile on your face. Highly recommend! ????????
  • A Book and A Cup of Cocoa
    4.0 out of 5 stars ????????
    Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2024
    Have you read Better than the Movies? I got it on Netgalley 3 years ago and I've been in love with Wes and Liz since. They are such a fun couple to root for and I love that they've become so popular that Lynn Painter decided to tell us more of their story.

    If you like Better than the Movies, baseball, music, song lyrics, funny roommates/friends, fake dating, second chances, angst and books worth rereading, absolutely 100% check this one out.

    CW: language, passionate kissing, off screen death of a parent
  • CT Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars So, so good!!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2024
    Lynn Painter knows how to deliver all the feels and goodness of a delicious romcom that is perfect for teens and adults alike. There are no love scenes on the page or even mentioned but the characters do use strong language (not a problem for me or any teen I know but I know this could be an issue for some parents which is the only reason I mention it). Her characters feel real, with real problems, and relatable struggles. I adore how she infuses her love of music throughout her books. Even as a woman in her 40's, I can relate to the ups and downs of her YA characters and find myself not being able to put the book down. She's an auto buy for me and I can't wait for her next book! Pick this one up (and any of her others), you won't be sorry!!
  • O'Brica Johnson
    3.0 out of 5 stars It was okay
    Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2024
    A part of me feels like this sequel wasn’t needed. The story was okay. The characters were okay. It was just… okay ????????‍♀️
  • Keena
    4.0 out of 5 stars I love Wes Bennett!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
    STARS
    WES FREAKING BENNETT, ladies and gentlemen!!

    Nothing Like The Movies is the long awaited sequel to the best selling novel Better Than The Movies. It was so good to catch back up with Wes and Liz, the cutest couple alive!

    I have to admit that the first half of the book left me feeling very melancholy… life threw some serious curve balls (see what I did there) in our favorite couple’s direction, and I was VERY worried there for a few hot seconds.

    Wes’s story was heartbreaking. I cried literal tears for him. But I felt even worse for Liz… something about being lied to for so long really bothered me, even though Wes felt like he did it for the right reasons.

    The real love story didn’t pick up until pretty far into the book, which allowed for a lot of tension to build. I particularly enjoyed Wes’s inner thoughts the very most in this book. That boy is seriously swoonworthy! Lynn wrote this continuation of their story beautifully.

    SPICE
    Nothing Like the Movies is a Young Adult novel, so the spice is minimal. We get 2-3 tension-filled make out scenes, all of which gave me butterflies! The tummy twisting innocent love left me twitter-pated. It was perfection!

    I want to add that while this is Young Adult, it does contain language and mentions of underage drinking. This facilitated good conversation between myself and my teenage daughter, who cannot wait to dive in now that I am finished with the book.

    HAPPY ENDING
    YES! FINALLY! I wasn’t expecting one of the very last plot twists… it kind of came out of left field (again with the baseball pun, ha ha). But the end is picture perfect for Liz and Wes as a couple AND for Wes to finally find peace with his family situation.

    FINAL THOUGHTS
    Thank you Lynn for writing a book that facilitates connection with my teenage daughter. It’s rare to find a Young Adult novel that keeps me engaged and gives me perfect angst and tension but is also appropriate for my teen to read. You did this perfectly, and I thank you for that.
    Customer image
    Keena
    4.0 out of 5 stars I love Wes Bennett!
    Reviewed in the United States on October 15, 2024
    STARS
    WES FREAKING BENNETT, ladies and gentlemen!!

    Nothing Like The Movies is the long awaited sequel to the best selling novel Better Than The Movies. It was so good to catch back up with Wes and Liz, the cutest couple alive!

    I have to admit that the first half of the book left me feeling very melancholy… life threw some serious curve balls (see what I did there) in our favorite couple’s direction, and I was VERY worried there for a few hot seconds.

    Wes’s story was heartbreaking. I cried literal tears for him. But I felt even worse for Liz… something about being lied to for so long really bothered me, even though Wes felt like he did it for the right reasons.

    The real love story didn’t pick up until pretty far into the book, which allowed for a lot of tension to build. I particularly enjoyed Wes’s inner thoughts the very most in this book. That boy is seriously swoonworthy! Lynn wrote this continuation of their story beautifully.

    SPICE
    Nothing Like the Movies is a Young Adult novel, so the spice is minimal. We get 2-3 tension-filled make out scenes, all of which gave me butterflies! The tummy twisting innocent love left me twitter-pated. It was perfection!

    I want to add that while this is Young Adult, it does contain language and mentions of underage drinking. This facilitated good conversation between myself and my teenage daughter, who cannot wait to dive in now that I am finished with the book.

    HAPPY ENDING
    YES! FINALLY! I wasn’t expecting one of the very last plot twists… it kind of came out of left field (again with the baseball pun, ha ha). But the end is picture perfect for Liz and Wes as a couple AND for Wes to finally find peace with his family situation.

    FINAL THOUGHTS
    Thank you Lynn for writing a book that facilitates connection with my teenage daughter. It’s rare to find a Young Adult novel that keeps me engaged and gives me perfect angst and tension but is also appropriate for my teen to read. You did this perfectly, and I thank you for that.
    Images in this review
    Customer image
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the wait!!
    Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2024
    Nothing Like the Movies was so worth the wait! I loved Wes and Liz's story in BTTM and I couldn't wait to jump back in. NLTM is filled with the same witty banter as BTTM and just as heartwarming and entertaining. The audiobook was the ABSOLUTE best. Hearing both Liz and Wes's POVs was pure magic. I was sad to leave this story because I could just stay in their world forever. Lynn Painter, you deserve all the best things for this story. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
  • Heather Sykes
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nothing (and Everything) Like the Movies
    Reviewed in the United States on December 7, 2024
    Oh man this book was everything, I couldn’t put it down. Distraught by where these beloved characters ended up after the events on the first book, this book beautifully captures the fluctuations of life and growing up. Wes and Liz are such amazingly complex and messy characters that have been through a lot and the growth they experience is very realistic and relatable. Highlyyyy recommend reading along with the playlist(if that’s not distracting for you), it really immersed me and made it feel more cinematic.
  • Morgan
    4.0 out of 5 stars cute duo
    Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2024
    Did the story need this? Probably not but it was still cute and it was nice to see the evolution of both characters

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