Reviews

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

Only show reviews with written explanations

anintrovertslibrary's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I’ve unlocked a new favorite genre.. ROMCOM

gracie_0319's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

ruinedlanguage's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

[3.5] This was so cute but there were parts in the middle where I just wasn’t as excited to pick it up, and considering the expectations I had for it this shocked me.

I thought the dynamic between the two leads was a lot of fun, they definitely contribute the bulk of enjoyment garnered from this. I loved how each chapter began with a quote from a romcom, it seemed so fitting given the relevance of these movies to the premise.

Liz can feel a little flat at times. I personally dislike the “not like other girls” trope which is definitely in play here, because its always felt unrealistic to me. It was more bearable in this book simply because it gets explained towards the end.

It’s interesting to see where I feel like that trope works and where it just infuriates me. Like Lara Jean in To All the Boys can be considered to have a similar style to Liz and Peter definitely mentions how different she is, but Lara Jean is so likable I almost forget it.

Also, this has one of those scenes where the main love interest comments on how Liz eats so “different” from other girls. Liz rightly questions this but I’m tired of this whole Jennifer Lawrence you won’t catch me pushing around my salad I WILL shovel this food into my mouth without caring thing.

I think the friendships could’ve been more fleshed out, at the beginning she mentions this group of four she’s a part of and then they basically never show up.

Definitely one of the more enjoyable romcoms I’ve read! (Or I’m just a sucker for the “he fell first” thing).

TW: loss of a parent, vomiting, blood

[SPOILERS]
/
/
/

I wish there had been more flashbacks to friendship moments because while the absence of Joss is explained well it doesn’t feel like it matters because we’ve never known what it was like before her.

nattylite08's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

brownie_928's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I really enjoyed it, it was sweet and fun and yes the book is better than a movie. I could relate to Liz a bit too much and I loved Wes (new book bf)
(Audiobook)