3.5 ⭐️ (rounded up)

First and foremost, a big thank you to NetGalley, Lynn Painter, and Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

I went into Nothing Like the Movies expecting something fresh, so I was surprised to find it continues the story of Wes and Liz. While the continuation was a fun twist, I found myself wishing for a deeper dive into Joss's or Michael's stories instead.

Overall, the book was good—not love at first sight, but certainly enjoyable. I felt it lacked the romance and comedic flair that I had hoped for. However, it still had its cute moments and would be a nice read for fans eager to see more of Wes and Liz’s journey. If you loved their first book, this one might be right up your alley!

Thank you to NetGalley & Simon & Schuster for the eARC!

Words cannot express how much I Ioved BETTER THAN THE MOVIES & I could not wait to be back in the world of Wesley Bennett, but this book broke my heart into a million little pieces. I’m sure it’s hard to write a sequel about a couple that is so loved & also give them a plot line that’s worth reading about but this one hurt. It felt like some of the nostalgic high school romance that I loved in the first book was undone in this one. I think this book was a good, realistic view of what a high school romance might look like as characters age and I appreciated the growth they both showed & how far they’ve come. It had the classic witty banter you can find in all of Lynn Painter’s books as well as many new, lovable side characters. Lynn Painter’s style of writing is refreshing, nostalgic, & easy to read. Ultimately I loved it because I love Wes & Liz but selfishly I kinda just wanted them to stay in their perfect little bubble. If you’re a fan of BETTER THAN THE MOVIES then you should absolutely pick this one up.

This eARC was given in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4 stars)

This is my second Lynn Painter book, and she’s quickly becoming a favorite! Nothing Like the Movies dives into Wes and Liz’s second-chance romance after their heartbreaking breakup. Wes is on a mission to win Liz back, and his sweet but sometimes clumsy efforts had me rooting for him the entire time. Liz is a bit more guarded in this one, but that just makes their reconnection feel even more real and emotional.

Painter mixes in her usual humor, which balances out the heavier themes of loss and growth. If you enjoy slow burn, emotional romance, this is a must-read!

Tropes:

Second chance romance
Slow burn
Grand gestures
Emotional growth
College setting

I'm a little biased, because I will buy anything that Lynn Painter writes, but his book holds a special place in my heart. Better than the Movies was the first Lynn Painter book I read, and I instantly fell in love with Liz and Wes. With Nothing Like the Movies, we have a more mature version of Wes and Liz, and a traumatic event that wedges them apart. I love the dual pov. Wes is a holy interesting character, and I love to see his thoughts.

The description of this book made it sound like it would be a light-hearted rom-com, but both characters ended up being nothing like they were in the first book in the worst ways. Wes did not make any successful movie-like big gestures as promised. Overall the book was a flop.

Most of the book was talking scenes. Even when they were in an interesting setting the descriptions weren’t there. Then it immediately went to Liz and Wes just talking or in an inner monologue griping about each other. It felt like nothing was happening in most of the book. The side characters were barely developed, and it felt like they were just there to be in there. I had no idea how to tell any of Wes’s roommates apart, they all seemed like the same guy.

I am a self-proclaimed nickname extraordinaire, so I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Liz had too many nicknames. Liz, Lizzie, Libby, Lib, Bux, Buxxie, Buxbaum, Elizabeth etc. It started getting distracting.

Some of the language that Wes used in his POVs about winning Liz back came off as creepy. I wish we didn’t have his POV. He was going after her like she was some prize to win back. It wasn’t attractive to me, it was a red flag and not in a fun romance book way. Also, lowkey Wes scootering around gave me the ick.

So many things didn’t add up. For one why would Liz not help Wes through the emotional turmoil of his dad dying when she had gone through losing her mom?? How was she so shocked when she found out he had such a difficult few months when his dad first died and he moved home?

Wes said throughout the book how tight money was but bought 200 daisies and a bag of candles and then took Liz to an extremely expensive restaurant? That makes no sense. There wasn’t even a throwaway line about how she was worth spending the money on, it was just glossed over.

Does nobody ever tell Wes that Liz faked her relationship with Clark?? How can she say he is a liar and she does that and never tells him the truth? Double standards much?

There was so much telling and now showing. Another review said they felt like this was more of a first draft and I couldn’t agree more.

I almost DNF’d this book so many times. It was like pulling teeth to finish. At the end of the book, I started rooting for them to break up and go no contact because they were being so toxic and annoying. For all the people saying maybe they didn’t like this book because they aren’t the target age anymore stop gaslighting yourselves! There are sooo many good YA books out there, including Better Than The Movies, but Nothing Like The Movies wasn’t it.

I don’t wanna be a complete hater. There were some things in the book that I did like:
I loved the beginning where they kept missing each other, but I wish that part was longer so the tension built more.

I liked the drive Liz and Wes both had for their passions. Liz with filming and Wes with pitching. The scenes where they talked about how much they loved their passions were my favorite and much more believable than when they talked about liking each other at all.

Clark and Lilith. Both of their characters were wholesome and I liked how much they looked out for Liz.

I liked that Liz was the baseball filmer, that was a fun and unique way to force proximity between her and Wes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for the ARC.

When I read Better Than the Movies I quickly fell in love with Wes and Liz. The opportunity to read Nothing Like the Movies early was something I had to jump on! While it was heartbreaking that the pair I love so much broke up, this story was one that needed to be told! It deals with life after loss, super heavy topic. If you’re into slow burn, angsty second chance romance, give this book a read!

I don’t think I have any notes for this beautiful work of fiction. If you know Wes and Liz then this book is everything and a bag of chips. I could go the corny route and insert lines from dozens of songs (because there’s still lyrics in our mind). This… THIS is the sequel we needed to get. Lynn Painter — GIRL — you knocked it out of the park, every pun intended. I loved this book so much it will be getting a special place on my book (tattoo) sleeve in the form of a vintage teddy bear. I don’t know how she nailed college but she nailed it. UCLA is the perfect spot for the kids to have their moment in the sun and find themselves and their love again <3. I LOVED THIS BOOK! Thank you Simon and Schuster’s Books for Young Readers for sending me an ARC. I will simply never recover. You can find me curled up rebounding by listening to the playlist in the back of the book and talking myself out of buying a UCLA jersey with Bennett on the back.

I loved loved LOVED this book! This was my very first book by this author and I couldn’t stop or get enough! It was cute, funny, and swoon-worthy and I ate it up!

I loved better than the movies, and I loved the idea of nothing like the movies. Character growth and development from some beloved high schoolers was really interesting to me. I didn't feel like it flowed very well. It was choppy and seemed like we deviated so far from who the characters were at the end of the book to the break up. I would have like the book to pick up when they went to college and go through the "off screen" challenge together since it's dual POV so I could have been more involved in it and then do a flash foward to the current state and winning her back. It felt very disjointed trying to piece the whole thing together. I look forward to what the author does next, but this one made me sad for my favorite duo!

Thank you to Simon Books and Simon Audio for the free copies of Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter, a delightful sequel to Just Like the Movies. This is a charming and sweet rom-com, but like its predecessor, it offers depth and a thoughtful examination of Wes and Liz as individuals, not just romantic leads.

While Just Like the Movies focused on Liz’s journey—her exploration of her future, her connection to her late mother, and her personal growth—Nothing Like the Movies shifts to Wes. It’s a well-crafted story about his grief, reconciling events from his recent past, and his pursuit of his dreams.

I did miss some of Liz’s quirks—her style and distinct voice (though she has her own chapters, the focus is more on Wes). However, the unfolding of Wes’s story, his resilience, and the nuanced way his challenges are revealed made for a satisfying read. This isn’t just a second-chance romance; it’s a story about growing up, dealing with loss, and learning how to share your true self with others. Liz, now in college, is grounded with clear goals and opportunities, but she remains her authentic self—caring, connected to her music, and still dreaming.

Recently, I’ve been reading essays on the power of YA books to disrupt and resonate. Painter’s work reminded me why YA matters—it captures that in-between stage of adolescence, when young people are not fully “in charge” yet are stepping into their independence. Painter leans into this transitional phase while preserving the vulnerability that comes with being young and uncertain about the future. The rom-com elements are strong, and the pop culture references add a fun, lighthearted layer to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC. While I enjoyed revisiting these characters, the sequel did not fully meet my expectations. I will absolutely highlight and recommend this book. It is a quick, fun read for those looking for a light YA romance. Teenage readers will LOVE it.

I was thrilled to dive into the sequel to Better Than the Movies. Having adored Liz and Wes in the first book, I eagerly anticipated their return. However, this second chance romance, where Wes attempts to win back Liz, unleashes themes I did not expect.

The novel delves into Wes’s journey through grief, introducing new, enjoyable characters and keeping the witty banter Lynn Painter is known for. Yet, the chemistry between Liz and Wes felt lacking compared to the original. The magic of their connection seemed to dissipate, with pivotal moments arriving too late in the narrative. Liz’s transformation from the hopeless romantic we loved in the first book was particularly disheartening. Liz came across as immature and lacking growth.

Despite these shortcomings, the book offers sweet moments and engaging dialogue. Painter’s talent for banter shines, though it takes a while to surface. Wes’s character depth is explored more thoroughly, but this comes at the expense of Liz’s development, making her seem less familiar and her new relationships superficial.

In summary, Nothing Like the Movies is a cute, sweet read with some delightful scenes, but it does not capture the charm of its predecessor. Fans of the first book might find themselves missing the original chemistry and connection between Liz and Wes.

Nothing Like the Movies is the perfect follow up. That said, you MUST read Better Than the Movies first!!!

In this one, Wes and Liz are no longer together. And it takes awhile before we figure out the full story as to why. But for the most part, life got in the way of their happily ever after. Until Wes is able to turn his life around, return to college, and try to weasel his way back into Liz’s life. Only… Liz isn’t “Little Liz” as he knew her anymore. Now she’s older, cooler, and confident. And he’s intimidated.

“He’s got nothing to lose and everything he’s always wanted to gain, so you should probably brace yourself.”

This story was beautiful and heartbreaking. It was filled with ups and downs, as life often is, and it followed redemption arcs as well as the plot of college-aged kids trying to find themselves. It highlights the beautiful connection some people are lucky enough to share and made me nostalgic for all the best rom-com movies…and college.

“There was never anyone else for me but you.”

Read if you like: rom-coms, second chance romance, college romance, fake dating, banter

CW: loss of a parent

Would you recommend this book?
Yes, for sure! Nothing like the movies is a sweet and lovable romance that gives a good dose of sexual tension, and some R-rated action, while leaving most of the deep and dirty details to our imagination. The focus is pointed strongly on their character development individually, and as a couple getting their second-chance.

Many thanks to Lynn Painter for providing us with enough details in the epilogue to imagine more of Liz and Wes’ future.

Would you be friends with the main character IRL?
I would like to BE her for just a few days. She is creating media content centered around college athletics in Los Angeles. Video, photography, design… she’s living the dream. Her professional story is similar to my original life’s dream before I was diverted on another path in my 20’s.

Mood Readers:
Nothing Like the Movies is perfect for romance readers who love a romantic pursuit. This is a second chance romance, and Lynn Painter perfectly balances the flashbacks to their adolescent love story with Wes seeking a chance to win Liz back.

I want to start by saying that I LOVEEEED Better than the Movies. That was an instant 5 star read for me. Unfortunately, because the original was so good, this sequel fell flat for me. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Wes and Liz. But that’s what made some of their actions in this book so unrealistic. The book was fine. But it just did not live up to the original. In fact, I’d like to pretend none of its contents ever happened.

Truly another 5 star read from Lynn. I really enjoyed this one a lot, it was a little bit more mature than better than the movies - it had some heavy moments but the whole story was relatable. I definitely felt my heart break reading what Wes went through with his dad.

I loved the side characters in this one a lot too. It seemed like such a realistic group of people and friends.

I would definitely have been fine with just better than the movies, but I like that Lynn gave us this story. It gave the characters a lot of depth and flaws and made it more realistic.

Personally, I’ve always thought some books don’t need a sequel. And although I’ve always stated better than the movies never needed one, this was still a fun read! There were many moments full of angst and anticipation as well as romance and comedy. However, there were times I needed to step away from the book as I felt the characters had changed a drastic amount compared to the first, but I can’t lie, I still love them!

I’d recommend this book but I’d also recommend reading it with less expectations because it might make it a more gripping read.

**I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

Lynn Painter what have you done to me?! I devoured this book possibly quicker than I did Better than the Movies!!

This is a continuation of our 2 love interests from book 1. Now they are in college, grown up, something has happened in the past that has driven them away from each other. We take our time in a dual-pov setting where we get to hear their thoughts, their feelings and little by little the story starts to come out on what happened to them after that prom night!

I just need so much more Lynn Painter in my life.

“In a crowd of million ski masks, I’d still be able to find you.”
I loved reading about Wes and Liz again but sadly did not need this book😭😭 in my mind they never broke up.

Grateful to netgalley for this ARC🫶🏻

Better Than the Movies quickly became a classic and a fan favorite for YA romance. I had super high hopes going into this one, but it didn’t quite live up to its prequel. One of my biggest pet peeves in literature is an obnoxious amount of Taylor Swift references, and this definitely got on my nerves for that reason.

First off, Thank you Netgalley and Lynn Painter for the chance to read this arc!!! 🩷🥹

I loved "Better than the Movies" and was excited this book was Liz and Wes! "Nothing Like the Movies" was cute, like all of Lynn Painter's books 🩷 Was happy to see more of their story!