#BookReview Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter @LAPainter @simonkids @SimonSchusterCA #BetterThantheMovies #LynnPainter Title: Better Than the Movies

Author: Lynn Painter

Published by: Simon & Schuster BFYR on May 4, 2021

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Young Adult

Pages: 368

Format: Paperback, ARC

Source: Simon & Schuster Canada

Book Rating: 9/10

In this rom-com about rom-coms, in the spirit of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, a hopeless romantic teen attempts to secure a happily-ever-after moment with her forever crush, but finds herself reluctantly drawn to the boy next door.

Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he’s back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar—and maybe snag him as a prom date—even befriend Wes Bennet.

The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz’s butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz’s in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she’s shocked to discover that she likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.


Review:

Cute, quirky, and absolutely adorable!

Better Than the Movies is a lighthearted, comical tale that takes you into the life of teenager Liz Buxbaum as she navigates a senior year full of emotional, momentous occasions, her childhood crush returning to town from Texas, and some dating help from her irritating, yet annoyingly sexy neighbour, Wes.

The writing is fluid and smooth. The characters are friendly, lovable, and sweet. And the plot is an entertaining, enjoyable mix of familial drama, teenage angst, hard work, awkward situations, embarrassing moments, goals, dreams, friendship, and first love.

Overall, Better Than the Movies is a humorous, charming, swoony read by Painter that pays homage to all the greatest romcoms, gave me a new book boyfriend in Wes, and reminded me as a tween in the 80s just how much I really wanted Jake Ryan to pick me up in his Porsche and ask me to make a wish over a birthday cake while If You Were Here by the Thompson Twins played in the background.

 

This book is available on May 4, 2021.

Pick up a copy from your favourite retailer or from one of the following links.

         

 

 

Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

 

About Lynn Painter

Lynn Painter lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband and pack of wild children. She’s a biweekly contributor to the Omaha World-Herald’s parenting section, even though she is the polar-opposite of a Pinterest mom. When she isn’t chasing kids, she can be found reading, writing, and shot-gunning Red Bulls.

Photo by Jackson Okun.

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