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danaegg's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
at first i thought liz was really annoying and because i thought the same about the do-over, i was kinda just ready to accept that lynn painter's books aren't for me (or that i've aged out of this kind of book) but then as she started not caring so much about living her life a certain way, the book and character got easier to digest. and then it was super cute!!! even though i thought she was annoying, it was believable how all of her worries had effects all of the issues in her life, it felt believable and made me sympathetic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death of parent, Death, Gaslighting, and Car accident
Moderate: Alcohol
sammymilfort's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Car accident, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.0
Finished reading: July 21st 2023
"Sometimes we get so tied up in our idea of what we think we want that we miss out on the amazingness of what we could actually have."
I've been curious about this author for quite some time now, but I wasn't quite sure if her books would be for me. I've been warned that her adult books are probably too steamy and to stick with her YA books, and I'm having the feeling this advice hits the nail on the head. I don't read a lot of YA anymore, but I can totally understand why Better Than The Movies is so popular. This is such a cute fake dating romance and basically an ode to romcoms, and I really enjoyed my time with this story. I loved the many romcom quotes at the beginning of the chapters as well as the references to movies and music in the story itself. They worked so well with the plot as well, and I liked the little something extra it added. I loved the whole enemies to lovers, childhood friends to lovers and fake dating elements this story had, although the love triangle vibe was a tad too strong for me. I like quirky and adorable characters, and both Wes and Liz fit the bill. I do have to say that I was a bit annoyed by Liz at times, and especially when it comes to how she treats the people close to her. I understand that she is still grieving her mother, but that doesn't really excuse just how bad she treats them at times. There were some other minor niggles that prevented me from giving it the full five stars, but I still very much enjoyed reading Better Than The Movies. I will be looking forward to the sequel coming out next year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Grief, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Vomit, Blood, Car accident, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Cursing
Minor: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Car accident, and Death of parent
bookworm4life's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Cursing
Minor: Drug use
rylin_marie's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
this book is so good!!! i looove wes and the whole soundtrack thing is so fun! i absolutely loved this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Blood, Car accident, and Vomit
ephalent's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing and Car accident
bri__'s review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
A cute little romance read. A little disappointed in how it was executed though. The main character was very annoying at times with the decisions she made because she COULD NOT communicate and then felt bad for herself afterwards. I also didn't like how the characters around her belittled her for her unique style. However, the main love interest, Wes, is *chefs kiss*. I'm a little sad that I didn't get to see more of them as a couple as I think that would've been really nice to see. I really loved Helena as a character, her and Wes made the book easier to get through. Some of the references through out this book I found a little out of place but still an enjoyable read overall, would recommend for the sake of a cute romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Vomit and Car accident
Minor: Cursing, Alcohol, and Bullying
readingwithmeredith's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Alcohol, and Cursing