Reviews

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

n_pip2's review against another edition

Go to review page

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? No

4.0

charlottiec's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

thriftylibrarian's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Make sure you're not lactose intolerant before picking this one up, because there is a lot of cheese.

A cute, predictable romance with nice character depth and growth. I sympathized with Liz's grief and her complicated relationships with friends. Wes was a golden retriever of a love interest with no flaws, which is just a tad unrealistic.

Liz's character did get a little annoying at points (pockets in dresses are great, but I highly doubt Prom bouncers care about them, much less are impressed with them), but it made sense considering the role she was trying to fill.

I'm not a music person, but I did look up many of the songs mentioned and listened to them while I read the book, which was a pleasant experience.

jordysaurus's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful 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

vanillawhippedcream's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

one of my fav books ever just cause its cute and silly

vidhiexisting's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

it was an easy read! entertaining, very YA and i liked how consistently the storylines built up to the end, a very satisfying read but i guess i just don’t enjoy this genre of books that much anymore so i’m giving it a 3/5.

cindypichichero's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

nyahcloud's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A

4.5

life_full_ofbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

4.5

Romcoms are my favorite kind of movie and Lynn Painter did a fabulous job incorporating them into this YA romcom. 
Liz Buxbaum is a hopeless romantic. Her favorite movie is any romantic comedy and she’s trying to live her life according to an invisible script. Senior prom is quickly approaching and her old childhood crush, Michael, just moved back to town having moved away 8 years ago. She knows he’s who she is destined to be with and when she realizes that her next door neighbor and life long nemesis, Wes, is friendly with Michael, Liz bribes him to help get Michael to notice her. She knows this is who she’s meant to be with, so why is Wes suddenly taking up all of the room in her thoughts?
This romcom is so much fun! It’s filled with so many of the great (and maybe some not so great) tropes like enemies to lovers, the boy next door, and miscommunication (my least favorite). The characters are all complex and multilayered, thus making this book more deep than your typical romcom. 
I loved how each chapter started with a quote from a romcom movie and I really loved how Liz curated soundtracks for every event in her life, even the more mundane ones. This is the first book I’ve read by Lynn Painter but it certainly won’t be my last!

kelliv810's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.25

Lynn Painter is always a bit predictable for me, but it doesn't stop me from liking her books.  This was a cute teenage romcom :)