This was VERY cute. While I don't think a sequel was necessary, this was exactly what I expected and wanted a sequel to be. Lots of swoon, lots of angst, but not too much angst, excellent cameos from high school friends, new characters <spoiler>hello we're getting a book about Clark and Sarah and their inevitable love story, right??</spoiler>, and enough will they or won't they to keep the readers hanging on.

Knowing Liz is named Buxbaum after [author:Julie Buxbaum|843820], there was a moment where Wes listed three things and my heart did a little jump (I've read that book an obscene number of times as a comfort read).

I would like liked more wrap up with Lilith and whatever was going to happen with her documentary. It seemed like she had secret plans to make it about Wes and Liz, but that never materialized.

Weird thing to notice, the term "you little shit" was used A LOT, like a lot a lot. Strange.

One thing that felt very manic pixie dream pick me girl is how Liz is suddenly into everything sports related. It felt very off brand for her, even if it was showing her growth in college.

Overall, very sweet, very fun, very full of college baseball.

Better Than The Movies is one of those rare perfect romance books that encapsulates the feeling of a 90s rom-com perfectly. It is unusual that a sequel to such a book will live up to its predecessor but somehow Lynn Painter did it again! A second chance romance, with dual pining, massive character growth, and a platonic soulmate? This book was a literal masterpiece. Wes Bennett will forever go down as a top tier book boyfriend. I loved the way that Lynn Painter gave us layers to Wes and Liz. We were able to experience their maturation and in some cases the trauma that realistically comes with growing up. Liz in particularly feels like a very different character than the Libby we got to know in BTTM but it truly felt like a realistic character growth for someone who has gone through the life experiences she has. Her friend group was a fun addition to the story and Clark was the perfect platonic soulmate. I hope we get to read more about the characters in this world! As always, Lynn drops the most perfectly timed song lyrics that are just the icing on a beautifully written scene. I could not recommend this book more!

I loved this book and getting more LizWes content! “Nothing Like the Movies” perfectly encapsulates the angst and yearning readers are meant to feel in a second chance romance. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and getting to know Liz and Wes as evolved and matured individuals in a different stage of life. Their initial love story and their second chance love story gave me so much excitement and love for the characters without ruining the integrity of the original story.

This was cute and humorous! Despite getting Wes’s POV I wasn’t very into humor their rekindled relationship - both characters seemed to gloss over the two years of life since they were last together. Regardless, super fun and sweet!

When I read Better Than the Movies I remember feeling so sad to say goodbye to Liz and Wes. I was thrilled when I saw on Instagram that Lynn Painter was writing more to their story. Lynn Painter never misses, so I loved the book- but I was sad I didn’t get more time with Liz and Wes together. Also, do I see a future story for Ross and Lilith? Just saying…

Lynn Painter's *Nothing Like the Movies* is an absolute gem of a sequel, blending the charm of classic rom-coms with the delightful energy of young adult fiction. The storyline is irresistibly cute, centered around characters who feel so real that it's impossible not to get invested in their journeys. From the banter to their heartfelt moments, every aspect of their lives draws you in, making you root for them from start to finish.

What makes this book stand out is how effortlessly it captures the magic of YA when it’s done right. The narrative is light-hearted yet meaningful, and it’s a reminder of how much fun young adult stories can be. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the genre or just dipping your toes in, *Nothing Like the Movies* will leave you with a smile, proving that sometimes, life—and love—can be just as sweet as the movies.

Dnf. I’m not a big fan of the writing style unfortunately. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc.

"Nothing Like the Movies" by Lynn Painter is a delightful romantic comedy that combines witty banter with heartfelt moments. The story follows a charming yet reluctant protagonist who finds herself caught between the predictable plot of her life and the unpredictable nature of true love. Painter’s engaging writing style and relatable characters make this novel a fun, feel-good read. If you enjoy contemporary romance with a touch of humor and a lot of heart, this book is a perfect choice.

This book was beautifully written but heartbreaking. As much as I enjoyed the story, I really had wished we didn’t have to go through heartbreak season with Wes & Liz. I love the pining and the banter, but the actions of Wes actually tore me up.

Unfortunately this was not for me. I felt this book didn’t need to be written, I was bored throughout most of it and i felt like the plot never really developed into something that made me want to root for them. I liked the writing style and the characters from the previous book but this one felt unnecessary to me.

Nothing Like The Movies

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Lynn Painter
Genre: YA romance
Sequel to Better Than The Movies

Liz and Wes are back!! Sadly they are no longer together 😭. Liz and Wes went to UCLA college together, but after only two weeks, Wes dropped out and moved home due to his dad passing away. This led to the relationship coming to an end. Fast forward two years later, and Wes is finally ready to reenroll in college, and win Liz back. There’s some issues with that though, Liz is no longer the hopeless romantic that Wes knew, and she is in a new relationship. Between navigating new classes, and proving himself on the baseball team once again, Wes is determined to win Liz’s heart back.

I’m not going to lie, usually I’m not a fan of sequels that were made because the fans wanted it. But this one!!! Lynn Painter really threw a curveball by ending their happily ever after story by breaking them up and moving this story to be a second chance at love. This was so well executed, and I love that she let her characters mature and personalities change as we do in real life when we enter adulthood and experience the freedom of college. I was rooting for Wes the whole time, but I also understand my girl Liz is all her reservations. If you liked Better Than The Movies, you must read this sequel!!

I thought the first book of this series was pretty good, so I decided to request this one on NetGalley. Lynn Painter's books can be hit-or-miss for me, but since I liked the first, I thought surely I would like this one. I think my issue with this one is that I don't like when the couples break up and get back together. To me, most of the time, when you break up, there is a reason for it and you should just stay apart. I just don't care for the trope. I think there were parts of the book I liked, but I thought it was way too long and I found myself losing interest. I'll still read Lynn Painter's books, but this one wasn't my favorite.

Lynn Painter does it again! I really enjoyed this sequel; it’s just what I needed. I loved the insight into Liz and Wes’ lives through the dual pov and the hidden details added. Also the Taylor references?!?! Liz and Wes are so back!!

I mean, all I can say is that Lynn has written another book that just made it to my fave reads of the year! 🩷🥹 I love her so much! This book was like coming back home and hanging out with amazing friends!🩷💐

I loved this book. I enjoyed the first book, but I devoured this one. I loved getting to know the new, moody, unromantic Liz, while watching Wes really come back into himself and being a silly little love lover. I loved the friends dynamic, and the groveling, and the humor. But really....Lynn, I have one question, why did THAT have to be Wes's tragedy..? After the first book...couldn't we have used ANY OTHER TRAGEDY?!?!

I was fortunate enough to get an ARC of this on Netgalley. A big thank you to Simon and Schuster for this!

I read the first book and gave it three stars, and then thought "Hey I love Lynn Painter" I'm going to give it a go. Unfortunately, I think that her YA books are too young for me . I couldn't connect to the attitudes or life stages that the two main characters. Wes and Liz connected over music and baseball (highschool at that) and I felt so far removed from that point in my life I felt like I was dragging myself to get to the end. I know I would have read this as a freshman in highschool or college. Going forward, I will stick to Painters adult books.

In Nothing Like the Movies, Lynn Painter takes us back into the lives of Wes and Liz, who first won our hearts in Just Like the Movies. This sequel follows their journey as they start college at UCLA, a place filled with promise and love—until tragedy strikes, shattering their world. Wes, facing the daunting task of restarting college and his baseball career, is equally determined to win back Liz, the girl he can't imagine living without.

Painter excels at creating characters that feel like old friends. Reuniting with Wes and Liz was a joy, and it's especially gratifying to watch Liz come into her own. Her growth, though accompanied by heartbreak, makes her all the more relatable. Wes's determination, both in sports and love, adds a layer of depth to his character, making their story one of resilience and hope.

The supporting cast in this novel is just as engaging, adding richness and dimension to the story. Painter's signature touch—her seamless incorporation of music and movies—continues to enhance the reading experience, making the world she builds feel vibrant and lived-in.

Nothing Like the Movies is a heartfelt continuation of a love story that explores the challenges of growing up, the pain of loss, and the enduring power of love. Fans of the first book will find this sequel both satisfying and emotionally resonant.

📖: Nothing Like the Movies
✍️: Lynn Painter
📚 Publisher: Simon & Schuster
🗓 Pub date: October 1, 2024
Genre: YA Rom Com
Format: Kindle eARC
Pages: 445
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Gaahhh.. I was super happy to go back into the world of Liz and Wes! I think we always hold a special place for the first book of a series, but this sequel did not disappoint. We get to see Liz and Wes in college - more mature in certain aspects but still being young ones at the same time. There was drama, there were sad moments and there were funny ones as well. I LOVED getting Wes' POV!
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“There was never anyone else for me but you.”
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Thank you Lynn Painter, Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the eARC!

I loved reading about the college version of Liz and Wes. I was obsessed with the first book and loved that I was able to enter this world again. The writing style of this book just made it so easy to read and everything flowed together.

This was SUCH a cute read! To be honest, I didn't read the prequel before reading this, but still really enjoyed it! There were some gaps, but I was able to make enough inferences to put everything together. This one takes place two years after the first book when Wes and Lynn broke up. Wes is dying to have her back but Liz isn't so sure and is keeping her distance. Their college adventures brought me back to my own experiences and I enjoyed the dual POV. That being said, don't let the cutesy background shy you away - it does a great job at tackling tough topics like grief, identity, and growing up that makes it easy to connect to.

I think this was a really relatable story that reminds us that sometimes people come into our lives for a season, some never leave, and some need some time and distance so we can find our way back to each other. Lots of fun rom-com references, witty banter, and lovable character development that make for a great read. Thanks for the ARC!