Being back with Wes & Liz feels like coming home❤️

📖 Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
Release Date - October 1, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

I have never documented more quotes from one character than Wesley Bennett. If you adored him before, you will only fall harder for him. And the most beautiful thing, you will get Wes' POV.✨️ This sequel is dual point of view.

Don't fear the second chance. It's real, it's raw, it's beautifully done. Will your heart break a little? very possibly. Will you still love these characters endlessly? ABSOLUTELY.

All the movie quotes, song references, and our beloved Wessy & Libby are back for a beautiful sequel, along with some new friends you will adore. (Clark, I'm definitely looking at you.)

I will love these two forever.

Thank you so much @netgalley and Simon and Schuster Books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

And @lynnpainterbooks for gifting us the most beautiful young characters, emotional and witty dialogue, and a love story of our dreams.❤️

Get this on your list now (but read Better Than the Movies first).

I was super scared of reading this book because I knew the Liz-Wes breakup would be hard, and you know what, I was right, the pain had me sobbing.

I do think Lynn has done an amazing and beautiful job with this book though. I always got the feeling in BTTM that Wes wasn't completely transparent with Liz about his feelings for things *apart* from his love for her, and it is precisely that which exacerbated the tragic event that occurred to him and caused their breakup. Does my "silly little love lover" heart prefer that Liz-Wes work through this issue without the breakup and the second chance? Well, YES. But I cannot deny how good this book was, and how much the space apart helped them grow and get back together stronger.

So yeah, Lynn has done a phenomenal job with the writing and the emotions in this book, and aside from grievances about the manner of the breakup itself (there is no actual cheating, but the breakup is definitely betty by Taylor Swift) I think people will love this book.

Also the third act was the perfect amount of dramatic okay, it was the equivalent of the cliched running to the airport, and it was fucking perfect.

Also also, Wes's sister Sarah was one of the highlights of this book! One of the best side characters ever.

TWs - death of parent, survival guilt/ptsd, teenager forced to take a parental role, mental abandonment by a parent, mentions of cheating (again I have to stress that there is no actual cheating, that's all I can say without spoilers), moderately serious sports injury

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

A spectacular follow-up up Painter's beloved Better than the Movies! Although I didn't think or expect another book about Wes and Liz, I think this was a great way to continue their story as they tackled more mature issues as they enter college and deal with personal challenges that are thrown their way. Painter has an incredible ability to delve deeply into the relationship between these two characters, and though there were times that I was frustrated by Liz's actions or lack of actions, the ending was great!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

-5 stars

↘for a few months, wes had liz, but then as they were headed to UCLA, tragedy struck, Wes lost Liz. Flash forward to now they find eachother again. Wes knows he broke Liz's heart, but he wants it her back.

I was so excited to read this sequel, and it DELIVERD. Wes and Liz's bickering is just as good as the first book, and I love how much they have both changed. This book made me cry so much (happy and sad tears). I usually hate second chance romance books, but this book was fenomonal, and the amount of Taylor references made me so happy!

After completing a re-read earlier this week, I immediately jumped into “Nothing Like the Movies.” I also went in knowing this might not necessarily be the typical happy-go-lucky read. From the minue I read the prologue, I knew it was going to be a bit of a heartbreaker.

Wes and Liz have lived a lot of life in the last couple of years. They started off at UCLA together until some setbacks arise causing Wes to move back home, and ultimately, calling things off between him and Liz.

It changes her and she’s no longer the hopeless romantic, believer of love that she used to be. But, Wes, returns to UCLA more determined than ever in his baseball dream and to get the girl of his dreams back.

Oh, this book took me on a ride. I was practically holding my breath the entire time, feeling my own heart breaking in my chest through their reintroductions, the rehashing of the past, the painful life moments they’ve gone through in between. It’s a real coming-of-age story and is done so beautifully. Can the couple stay in love or was it just a moment for the high school sweethearts?

I wondered if it was going to hold up to the OG book, and while I think I’ll always just have a certain soft spot for that one, “NLTM” gave us an opportunity to see these two beloved characters (and appearances/cameos from some of the other secondary characters) mature, understand what it means to truly fall in love, create long-lasting friendships in college and find a way to pursue your dreams and let other people in at the same time. I love that the story is still wrapped up in the music and lines from some of the best rom-coms, just as it was in the first book, and carries over that same kind of charm that we all fell in love with.

I love these characters and the stories between them so much, and wish this series could continue, but I believe their story (if this is really the final) is wrapped up neatly. If you’re a fan of “Better Than The Movies” or picking up for the first time, you’ll fall in love with them in no time. I absolutely encourage everyone to go out and buy this book on Oct. 1 or Pre-Order now!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers for the advanced copy**

This was a good sequel but could be a stand alone. Lynn is a great writer. Great plot and characters. I loved the romcom quotes. Her stories are entertaining and have depth. There is lot strong language for a YA book but that is more of the norm now.

I received this novel as an advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I love everything Lynn Painter writes. This sequel exceeded my expectations and I love how she continued Wes and Lizzie’s story. They have so much chemistry and the author fully captured their love and little moments of importance.
Highly recommend!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the advanced ARC of this title. This was one of my most anticipated releases this year and am so thankful for the opportunity to read it early.
In my opinion, 'Better than the Movies' is one of the best RomCom's ever written. To write a sequel to this was not only a service to the fans, but also a challenge to live up to the expectations of its predecessor.
This book takes place after Liz and Wes have graduated from high school to 2 years later when they find themselves at the same college after having a less than amicable breakup.
College years can be a difficult story to navigate: See Saved by the Bell. Lynn Painter doesn't miss a beat. Liz and Wes show a different level of maturity and an overwhelming sense of self.
Liz is no longer the hopeless romantic and Wes has had to take a crash course in adulthood. The one thing that hasn't changed is their flirty banter. It is more tender and subtle, as they are trying to overcome the hurt and heartbreak that led them here.
Can they move past the mistakes of their youth?

This book will have you kicking your feet, feeling frustration, swooning, and hugging the book to your chest by the end. I'm a goner for these characters and this story. I am beyond happy that we got a little more time with them.

✨”She didn’t move, didn’t speak; we were in slow-motion quicksand, and the only thing I knew was that we were about to kiss.” ✨

First off, this review might be biased because I love Wes and Liz and will read any extra insight I can of them!

‘Better Than The Movies’ is one of my favorite romcoms, so ‘Nothing Like The Movies’ was my most anticipated read of 2024. It did not disappoint! Of course, I knew that with a second chance romance plot line, there would be sadness and it was in no shortage here. I was heartbroken to know one of my favorite couples was apart for two painful years, but I loved seeing them reconnect as adults in a new stage of life.

The story illustrates personal growth for the characters, while also staying true to character continuity. The banter is top notch and NLTM includes some of the best tropes! My heart loves these two and while I’m sad they were ever apart- life is truly messy and complicated, and I was just so happy to be back in their world!

Some tropes/highlights:
💟 romance quote chapter headers
💟second chance romance
💟loss/depression/guilt
💟dual pov
💟forced proximity
💟fake dating
💟grand romantic gestures
💟clean romance with (swoon-worthy) romantic tension

Thank you to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Publishing, and Lynn Painter for the opportunity to read an eARC in exchange for my honest review. I’m excited to get in the physical copy I’ve preordered!

I am beyond honored to receive on ARC of this book because Better Than the Movies is one of my all time favorite books. Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster, Lynn Painter, and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book.

Honestly this exceeded all of my expectations for a sequel. The dual POVs were perfection. I loved getting into Wes's head, I loved the depth that it added to his character. I was so excited for Liz to be cool in college.
I love an obsessed MMC and Wes is ✨obsessed✨
Lynn did such a great job with this storyline and showing the heartbreak and loss that they both went through and ultimately bringing them back together. Entire story was so on point for Lynn and I wouldn't change anything.

I wanted to indulge myself in some kind of romance book, and this was it.
I have mixed feelings about this book but in the best way imaginable. I've eagerly awaited the chance to read it for so long.

The experience was an emotional rollercoaster, taking me on a journey from somber moments to pure elation as I reached the end. It's the kind of book that compels you to keep reading, even when you feel you should take a break. Calling it amazing feels like an understatement. I appreciated every aspect of it. The writing is so captivating that it resonated deeply with me. I wish I could forget it just to have the joy of reading it for the first time again and reliving those moments.

This book truly had a powerful impact on me. It is, in every sense, remarkable.

5⭐️’s

When I found out what the premise of the sequel to one of my favorite rom coms would be, I was a bit nervous, I’m not going to lie. Lynn Painter has yet to miss for me though, and I knew her love for these characters would not let me down. Sooo, I’m happy to report that this book was just what I needed!

Better Than the Movies was a feel-good, cutesy YA romance that meets all of my requirements to start kicking my feet and giggling.

Nothing Like the Movies has all the same elements but with an additional angst, depth, and longing from Wes that we did not get from Liz’s POV in Better Than the Movies! I loved how real this book was, and how it challenged Wes and Liz in more mature situations than they have encountered together prior.

I really enjoyed reading about the ways in which Wes and Liz changed as they were apart for two years and how they had to navigate getting to know one other again. Life happens at the most unlikely of times, high school relationships, and the “honeymoon phase”, don’t always last, and people change and grow in these young and pivotal years. Sometimes we need to fall apart to come back together stronger.

I felt alllll the feels during this read and was obsessed with the media references as per usual!! Lynn Painter, you’ve done it again and I still can’t believe I got to read this early. Thank you, NetGalley 🥰🥰

This book was literally everything. Lynn broke my heart but then fixed it and oh my goodness i am so glad she did. I love my wesliz babies💕

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing for providing this book, with my honest review below.

Nothing Like the Movies was a satisfying YA read that I have no doubt will fulfill the anguish and novelty of first loves that both young and older readers find so addictive.

We see where Wes and Liz are after their first love, entering the adult world of complications and regrets. But, unlike the title, this is everything like the movies in that it leans into romantic tropes but does so in a way that feels unique to this story. I absolutely loved the callbacks to some great movies with the quotes at the start to chapters and they helped set the tone on this sweet story about what happens after things stop being so simple as teenage love.

Pick this up to get caught up in the highs and lows of two very cute characters finding their way back to each other!

I haven't been more excited for an ARC I've received, but tragically I also haven't been more let down by one.
Better Than the Movies succeeds in its commitment to a love for classic romcoms, a heroine who unabashedly loves them, and antics that are distinctly YA but still fun to read about. This book, on the other hand, lost the magic of those romcoms by turning the heroine into an unromantic cynic, centers around a conflict that felt too convenient, and ultimately feels like a slap in the face in comparison to the ending of the first book. Second chance romance works because as the reader you didn't see the first time around; you only see the issues, and the story works because you see them overcome those issues, similar to any other romance trope like enemies to lovers, etc. However, because we already saw these two fall in love, to start the next book with them decidedly out of love and also back to square one makes this story feel unnecessary and distinctly not fun to read. I wished that Wes' point of view added, but I don't feel that it did.
Ultimately, I don't believe I will highly recommend this to my teen patrons. I will turn them instead to author's other YA titles before checking out this one.

I wished I loved this book more than I did. I really enjoyed Better Than the Movies, and so was stoked to be able to receive an arc for the sequel. However, it disappointed me.
Overall, the book struggled because it did not need to exist, and therefore the stakes and tension of the story felt diminished. Tonally, it was very different from the first book, which took me out of the reading experience and made me struggle to stay engaged. There is a major time jump at the beginning that was especially jarring, which did not help to get me into the story,
Ultimately for my teen patrons I will recommend the first book, and the author's other YA titles, but I don't know if this one is worth a try.

"Ketchup hearts and raindrop kisses, Gracie Abrams and tear-soaked goodbyes. Noah Kahan on repeat for months."

Sequels always scare me, especially when the first book's HEA is two high school students drifting off into the sunset, heading to college with full hearts and a future of love ahead of them. When the book ends at the HEA, I can feasibly believe that these two high schoolers will never breakup, never fight about new friends and classes, or how they feel about being away from home. When a sequel is written, especially one that takes place during college, that opens the door for unrealistic situations, so when Lynn Painter announced a sequel to Better Than the Movies, one of my favorite YA romcoms, I was apprehensive. Lesson learned--never doubt Lynn, because this sequel was INCREDIBLE.

Synopsis:
Wes and Liz are meant to be. After years of living the classic enemies-to-lovers, boy-next-door, he fell first, she fell harder tropes, they're getting their happily ever after out in California. Liz is going to study music and Wes is going to play baseball and they're going to be the perfect pair of high school sweethearts. Until Wes' dad dies two weeks into their first semester. Until Wes defers from UCLA to take care of his spiraling mother and teenage sister. Until Wes breaks up with Liz after being back in Wisconsin for only a couple weeks. Until Wes tells Liz at a New Year's Eve party that he doesn't care about her at all.

Now, two years later, Wes' life is back on track. His younger sister has graduated, his mom is in therapy, and Wes is back on the UCLA baseball team against all odds. He's a 22-year-old freshman and determined to get back the life that was stolen from him years ago. Especially Liz.

Liz, on the other hand, is thriving. She's scored her dream internship filming UCLA sports content with an industry legend, she lives with her three best friends in a swanky apartment, and she's finally over Wes Bennett. So why does her heart stop when she sees him on campus, pitching from the mound where the hotshot rookie is supposed to be? And why is he trying to win her back after breaking her heart so thoroughly?

Miscommunication, fake-dating, second-chance romance, and even cameos from Painter's other YA novels--Nothing Like the Movies was nothing like what I expected--it was, ironically, better ;)

Thoughts:
WesLiz is one of the best YA ships, so reading the first chapter any seeing that they had broken up was devastating. But, trust Painter to have the best slow burn that makes it worth it. The sass, the wit, the banter is still there, even though both Wes and Liz have changed drastically since high school. The longing looks, the pining on Wes' end and the confusion on Liz's--all the best parts of Better Than the Movies are still there, just elevated and more mature.

Painter weaves in themes of grief, guilt, loss, mental health, addiction, and overcoming trauma while also highlighting the joys of college away from home: new friends, living on your own, parental freedom, parties, exciting classes and passionate professors, and internships that overwhelm but inspire. We're introduced to the goofy and lovable UCLA baseball team as well as Liz's eccentric roommates. We explore the UCLA campus and live the warm California life, but also make a nostalgic and heartwarming visit back to the Wisconsin street where it all began.

Painter truly fulfills every fan wish while still keeping the story compelling. And of course, the playlist is immaculate. (As a diehard Noah fan, I loved the references to his songs, as well as my other favs including Taylor, Gracie, and the super surprising Blake Rose mention?!?)

Overall:
If you're a YA fan, a romcom fan, or just a person looking for a good read, always start with Lynn Painter. She never misses, and this sequel proves that she can provide fan-service while still putting out creative, amazing writing. I'm so glad she's getting the moment she deserves, and I hope Nothing Like the Movies gets the same hype that Better Than the Movies did.

5/5 stars, WesLiz forever, and maybe I'm a baseball fan now???

"His gaze was home. His gaze was backyard bonfires and late-night phone calls and cross-country road trips that led to hotel rooms with soft sheets and cool, heavy comforters."

I am a Wes Bennet stan through and through! He shall forever be the blueprint to all high school boyfriends. I loved this book so much! Lynn Painted knows how to write a YA romance that will make you giggle and cry a little. I could not put this book down! I loved the silly reference that only a certain generation will understand and come on, gotta love all those TS references!

I was worried about a second book for Wes and Liz BUT I loved it. I enjoyed the dual POVs and the film (and movie) references. A lovely way to continue the magic of these couple. So many swoony moments and a book that left me happy. Thank you netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

I was so happy to receive this arc! This book was everything I was expecting from it and so much more. I felt so many emotions while reading this book. Seeing the differences between Liz from Better than the Movies and Liz in Nothing Like the Movies was heartbreaking to me because it really showed to me how much this tear in her and Wes's relationship affected her. I also loved seeing how both Liz and Wes have grown as characters but at the same time they were still the same characters from the first book.

Every single interaction between Wes and Liz in this book was incredible. The TENSION, the YEARNING. There was so much to love. Even as they tried to deny it I felt like it was jumping off the pages at me. They just miss each other so much. I also loved how as soon as they kissed again for the first time old Little Lizzie popped out again even though Liz kept saying she was dead. As soon as they kiss she thinking of the perfect song to go over the moment and what would be happening in a movie right then if their life was a movie. That fact almost made me more emotional than them breaking down and kissing because I missed the movie loving Liz and the fact that she came out right then was so special.

I loved this book. I lived getting to know more of Wes and get his points of views on things that were happening. And he was just so cute trying to win her back. I loved the ending of this book. I loved how they got together, and thank you Lynn Painter for writing it!