Introduction
Better Than the Movies is one of those romances that leans fully into its own charm. It’s sweet, familiar, and built on the kind of tropes that feel like slipping into a favourite hoodie. It acts as a safe space, as Lynn Painter creates a cozy world to tell a true love story in, shrouded by music and romance movies.
A Summary
Better Than the Movies follows Liz Buxbaum, a hopeless romantic who’s convinced her life should play out like the rom‑coms she grew up watching with her mum. When her childhood crush Michael moves back to town, Liz becomes determined to win him over - except she needs the help of her annoying next‑door neighbour, Wes. As they team up, Liz starts to realise that the story she’s been chasing might not be the one she actually wants. What really rounds out the story, though, are the relationships beyond the romance. Liz’s bond with her step‑mum, Helena, adds emotional grounding, especially as they navigate grief, memory, and what it means to hold onto someone you’ve lost. Her friendship with Jocelyn brings lightness and loyalty, offering a steady counterbalance to Liz’s dramatic tendencies and keeping the story rooted in genuine teenage connection.
Writing Style
The writing is light, easy to sink into, and very YA‑rom‑com coded. It leans heavily on humour and internal monologue, which works well for Liz’s dramatic, slightly chaotic worldview. The pacing is generally quick, with short chapters that keep the story moving, though the middle does slow down a tad. The dialogue feels natural, the emotional beats land cleanly, and the tone balances sweetness with just enough sincerity to stop it feeling flimsy. It’s the kind of writing that doesn’t demand much from you; just lets you settle in and enjoy the ride.
What I Loved
Better Than the Movies explores a simplistic theme, but it does it flawlessly. With a book like this, it draws you into an atmosphere of immersion - and safety - and carries you through the retelling of the classic love story. I loved the side characters, especially Helena. They add a level of nuisance and humour throughout the story, and each of them have distinct personalities that indicate there is more to them than just what is written on the page. I loved the way the book dealt with darker themes - like parental death and being terrified of losing the memory of them. It added emotional depth to the story and I did find myself more invested in the storyline between Helena and Liz, than Liz and Wes.
What I Didn’t Love
Overall, the plot of the story isn’t original or new, it’s a similar story to those that have come before it. It doesn’t attempt anything particularly bold or surprising, and you can see most of the beats coming from a mile away. That’s not always a bad thing - comfort reads have their place - but it did make the middle feel a little predictable. Liz’s choices also start to loop after a while, like the story is stalling just to keep the tension going. And while the rom‑com references are cute, they sometimes lean too hard into cliché instead of playing with the trope in a fresh way. It’s enjoyable, just not groundbreaking.
Recommendation
If you like sweet, cozy romance, then this is the book for you. It’s corny - there’s no denying that - but it doesn’t matter what age you are, as long as you enjoy romance books, you’ll enjoy this.
Songs
The soundtrack of Wes and Liz:
Someone Like You by Adele
Paper Rings by Taylor Swift
Lovers by Anna of the North
Ocean Eyes by Billie Eilish
Bad Liar by Selena Gomez
Public Service Announcement by Jay-Z
Up All Night by Mac Miller
How Would You Feel (Paean) by Ed Sheeran
Hello Operator by White Stripes
Paradise by Bazzi
Sabotage by Beastie Boys
Feelin’ Alright by Joe Cocker
Bella Luna by Jason Mraz
Forrest Gump by Frank Ocean
Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters
Kiss by Tom Jones
Electric (feat. Khalid) by Alina Baraz
Someone Like You by Van Morrison
Enter Sandman by Metallic
Death with Dignity by Sufjan Stevens
We Are Young by fun. Feat. Janelle Monae
New Year’s Day by Taylor Swift
River by Joni Mitchell
(P.S. We made them links so feel free to click on them and get teleported straight into the vibes.)
