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iconic_messreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a cute read and the main character is so loveable and relatable !!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Vomit and Death of parent
Minor: Death and Alcohol
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, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, 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: Cursing and Grief
Minor: Drug abuse, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
cepbreed's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I couldn’t put this down. I put some Taylor Swift on my speakers and tucked in for the long haul. As cringey as it gets Liz and Wes are so overwhelmingly adorable. I absolutely loved their dynamic. Don’t even get me taking about THAT car scene. Please. I was holding my breath so hard I nearly suffocated to death all by myself. I seriously need to get a grip on myself because at my grown age I shouldn’t be kicking my feet when two fictional people as much as talk to one another. I can watch a horror movie in an empty house without blinking but set a rom com in front of me and suddenly I have to take breaks because it’s too much. AH I just love love.
At the same time Liz as a character annoyed me. She constantly emphasizes how different she is from the “popular” crowd in order to seem unique and relatable. I’m tired of this type of female lead but it happens so often it’s disheartening. It makes sense that authors infuse bits of themselves into their characters but from what I’ve seen that means all authors are unpopular weirdos and I really hope that’s not the case. Plus there’s no reason for all leads to be bookish introverts. Liz is embarrassing, she lies for no reason and acts in ways no normal human being would. I literally had to close the book and take a second because the cringe was too much.
Random coincidence but the two short stories she mentioned on page 176 were also assigned to me senior year and I had to choose from those plus a couple others to write a paper on. Of course I went with my girl Kate Chopin.
Songs: (they’re just so Taylor Swift coded, specifically Lover)
At the same time Liz as a character annoyed me. She constantly emphasizes how different she is from the “popular” crowd in order to seem unique and relatable. I’m tired of this type of female lead but it happens so often it’s disheartening. It makes sense that authors infuse bits of themselves into their characters but from what I’ve seen that means all authors are unpopular weirdos and I really hope that’s not the case. Plus there’s no reason for all leads to be bookish introverts. Liz is embarrassing, she lies for no reason and acts in ways no normal human being would. I literally had to close the book and take a second because the cringe was too much.
Random coincidence but the two short stories she mentioned on page 176 were also assigned to me senior year and I had to choose from those plus a couple others to write a paper on. Of course I went with my girl Kate Chopin.
Songs: (they’re just so Taylor Swift coded, specifically Lover)
- Movies - Conan Gray
- Daylight - Taylor Swift (“I once believed love would be black and white / But it’s golden”)
- Afterglow - Taylor Swift (after Prom)
- Satellite - Harry Styles (this is so Wessy)
- Rear View - LANKS (this to the rain scene omfg, it embodies Liz’s perspective)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Alcohol
rylin_marie's review against another edition
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: Cursing, Death, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
samchase112's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.75
I ADORED THIS BOOK! It has all the elements of a perfect YA love story — friend drama, unbelievable love triangle, parent acceptance, coming of age, and (of course) a pitch-perfect book boyfriend. I couldn't stop from racing through its pages long into the night, and was honestly sad when it was finally over. This is the kind of YA book that reminds me why I got into romance in the first place, and I'm so grateful for that.
Reread April 2024
Did a quick reread in anticipation of Nothing Like the Movies, and ahh so happy this is just as good as I remembered. Wes and Liz are an incredible couple, and I cannot get enough of them!! Truly, imagine how insufferable I’d have been if these two existed when I was in middle school or early high school. LOVE!
Reread April 2024
Did a quick reread in anticipation of Nothing Like the Movies, and ahh so happy this is just as good as I remembered. Wes and Liz are an incredible couple, and I cannot get enough of them!! Truly, imagine how insufferable I’d have been if these two existed when I was in middle school or early high school. LOVE!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Car accident
theinstabookworm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
THE GOOD: This was my first Lynn Painter book and it's a new favourite. I'm a huge music and movie lover and I loved all the pop culture references in this book. I also loved all the bookish references. This book reminded me of the show Lizzie McGuire, and I kept picturing Liz as Lizzie, Wes as Gordo, and Michael as Ethan Craft. I also loved that it's a YA that doesn't read too YA. If you're not a fan of YA, I would still give this a chance.
THE BAD: One thing I didn't like about this book were the long chapters. There's only 19 chapters but the book is 349 pages. The story is also only told from Liz's point of view and I think if Wes's point of view had been included it would have been even better. My copy also could have used another round of editing, as there were quite a few grammar and spelling errors.
Favorite quote: "I just need to know that happily ever after really exists."
THE BAD: One thing I didn't like about this book were the long chapters. There's only 19 chapters but the book is 349 pages. The story is also only told from Liz's point of view and I think if Wes's point of view had been included it would have been even better. My copy also could have used another round of editing, as there were quite a few grammar and spelling errors.
Favorite quote: "I just need to know that happily ever after really exists."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit
Moderate: Death of parent and Alcohol
bri__'s review against another edition
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, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit and Car accident
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, and Alcohol
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: Cursing, Car accident, and Alcohol
kendra_taylors_version's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, and Alcohol