A review by abidavisf
Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter

challenging emotional funny reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

I was devastated when I saw that Nothing Like the Movies was coming out. What do you mean Liz and Wes broke up? Are you trying to tell me true love isn’t real, even in the fictional world, Lynn Painter?! Now, I am so glad that this book was written. My heart has been torn apart and sewn back together. I forgot that this was a young adult series. Who are we to expect teenagers to stay together through all the hard times that the world throws at us? How can we expect them to have the wherewithal to navigate tragedy and grief with emotional intelligence and understanding?

Nothing Like the Movies is genuinely devastating. I listened to audio book and sobbed multiple times hearing Wes tell his story, a story that was so understandable and yet so utterly frustrating in how preventable it was. Liz’s delusion for her own feelings was bittersweet in its hilarity which was coupled with understanding of the grief she’d experienced at the hands of her soulmate. 

This book is beautiful. The narrators were perfect. I’m somewhat gutted by the ending because I want a further glimpse into the future, but I think that’s the point. We don’t know what’s coming next. All we can do is love and live well today.
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