[Thank you to Simon Teen, GoodReads, and NetGalley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]
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Sequels are sometimes scary because you don't want characters and/or stories you love to be ruined. I loved BTTM and I was nervous when I learned that this would be a second chance romance (how could Liz & Wes have fallen apart?!). Turns out it was unnecessary to be wary. I read NLTM in one sitting and absolutely loved it.

Painter did such a beautiful job continuing with the story of Liz & Wes. Liz claims to have moved on from Wes, working towards her career goals, while Wes is desperate to get Liz back after experiencing a family tragedy that took him away from school for two years. During NLTM, we learn different aspects of their breakup but we don't learn the full story until almost the end of the book. 

This book has all the things that you know and love about Painter's writing: banter, tension, angst, etc. We are introduced to great new characters (Clark is my favorite) and there were even a few surprise cameos in there. Is it possible to love Liz & Wes (especially Wes) more now? I wouldn't have thought so and yet here I am. 

I don't want to spoil anything, but please know that this book is great and you should absolutely pick up a copy. I would read a million more bonus chapters and/or books about these two but if there's nothing else, I feel good with where we leave them.

Oh how wonderful it was to be back in the universe where Liz Buxbaum and Wesley Bennett exist!

2 years after "Better Than The Movies", Liz and Wes are broken up. While Liz remained at UCLA, built new friendships and is doing quite well, due to unfortunate circumstances at home Wes had to drop out and move back to Omaha. Despite trying to maintain a long-distance relationship, they broke up shortly after.
Now, two years later, Wes has decided to re-enroll at UCLA and continue playing baseball. He has major plans: to win back Liz. Fortunate for him, Liz's job is to film UCLA's baseball team, thus they are forced to spend some time together and catch up. Even though Liz does not seem to happy about Wes's surprising return to UCLA, he is determined to do everything in his power to get her back and will not be stopped by anyone.

This book was funny, cute, heartwarming yet a little heartbreaking. Following both Liz and Wes while both try to sort out their emotions was insanely captivating. If you loved 'Better than the Movies', you'll love this one as well! It is impossible not to get attached to these characters and not root for them.

After a tragic breakup two years ago and circumstances tearing Wes and Liz apart, Wes is ready for a second chance. But is Liz ready to start over after all of this time and growth away from Wes?

4.25⭐️
Thank you so much Simon and Schuster, Lynn Painter, and NetGalley for access to the ARC!

As such a big fan of the first one I was so excited to go into this, and it did not disappoint. From the very first page which includes a quote from the movie Set It Up, I was hooked. Lynn does not hold back on the music and movie references in this book which I absolutely loved, and it made it so much more fun to read.

Onto the actual dynamic of Liz and Wes, seeing Wes in such a state of yearning after having gone through so much on his own made me so sad, but I ultimately love him even more now (which I didn’t think was possible after the first book). The buildup between them was great and I loved how we learned different aspects of the breakup throughout, meaning we didn’t know the full story until the very end. It made the ending all the more rewarding. Overall, I feel the story was tied together with a perfect (and emotional) ribbon that I cannot wait to discuss with others once the book comes out.

Though I feel the buildup was great, I wish the pacing allowed for more time to see them together and happy. I hope there will be short stories in the future where we are able to see the two of them interacting with all of their friends as a couple. As such a WesLiz girlie, I had the most amazing time reading this, and I wish it could have gone on forever!