Nothing Like the Movies is a YA romance all about what happens after the Happy Ending when real life happens.
Liz and Wes had their college life at UCLA planned out together but when Wes's Dad dies suddenly he must return to Omaha to help his family. 2 years later he returns to UCLA as a freshman again where he must face Liz again after he broke her heart by suddenly breaking up with her 2 years ago.
Problem is neither have really let each other go and Wes really wants Liz back but Liz has a (fake) boyfriend.

This book definitely shattered the perfect Wes from the first book and spat him out as someone who really had experienced the hard parts of life. As the story goes on you find out what Wes went through and why he acted the way he did. It's an interesting look at how quickly people can change under certain life experience.
I still loved this book because it's nice to have that continuation on what seemed like a perfect romance and to see how the relationship coped when life happened.

Filled with music and romcom references this is an enjoyable easy read.

Nothing Like The Movies by Lynn Painter is a heartfelt sequel that beautifully captures the complexity of growing up. As Wes and Liz head off to college, they face heartbreak, grief, and the challenges of moving on, which makes their story feel deeply relatable. This book explores the significance of second chances—especially for Wes—as he tries to rekindle their bond. Liz, meanwhile, finds solace in a new sense of found family, giving her the support she needs to cope with life’s twists and turns.

The story also balances these emotional themes with moments of lightness, like baseball and references to pop culture in movies and music, grounding the narrative in a sense of real-life dreams and ambitions. It’s an engaging read that perfectly combines romance, resilience, and the power of self-discovery.

I have been a huge fan of Lynn Painter ever since a friend recommended Better than the Movies (adored that book!) and so when I saw this I was so excited. Happy to say it did not disappoint! I was nervous going into it and knowing that Wes had let Liz down in some way, because I truly adored Wes in the first book. miscommunication unfortunately played a huge part in the book, but I understand why. Sometimes it’s needed to drive the plot forward. Plus in real life miscommunication happens often and unfortunately some people really do never just talk things out! Especially at Wes and Liz’s age. A worthy follow up to the first book, and now an established fan of this author. Thanks netgalley and the publisher.

Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

If you're a sucker for a good boy-pining romance with rom-com vibes, then Nothing Like the Movies has that classic Lynn Painter charm! This second book follows the story from Better Than the Movies, giving us a second chance romance that’s light and fun. While it delivers on the sweetness and humour, I couldn’t help but feel like the original book wrapped up well enough on its own, and a sequel wasn't totally necessary.

The story has some adorable moments, and the boy-pining is definitely a highlight—Painter knows how to write swoon-worthy guys. However, some of the plot felt a little stretched, and it didn’t have the same fresh spark as Better Than the Movies. Still, if you’re here for the second chance trope and a rom-com mood, this book delivers just enough heart to make it worth the read.

Nothing Like the Movies is a wonderful follow up to Better than the Movies.

As in real life, Wes and Liz’s HEA is shattered following loss and hardship. This book has a more mature tone than the first book, but explores similar themes of grief and loss, self discovery and relationships.

Painter’s writing style is fun and engaging, and Liz and Wes are such delightful characters. Their banter persists throughout their challenges, and it was interesting to see the evolution of their identities as they came to get to know each other afresh.

Overall, the book left me with a much richer and compelling sense of Wes and Liz’s relationship. In a way, it answers the question I often have - what happens after the HEA?

Thank you Simon & Schuster Australia for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this! It’s the perfect sequel to Better than the Movies. It had a completely different feel to the first book but at the same time was the sequel the book needed. Liz and Wes are growing up and their problems are bigger and I think one of things I liked most about the book is it showed that sometimes love can’t conquer all, it can’t fix everything and it shouldn’t be able to. A healthy relationship is about more than just loving each other.

The tension, angst, confusion and misunderstand was authentic and perfect for the story. I loved how the book had a cinematic feel and references to popular tropes shapes the characters views and actions.

This was a fun read however I struggled a little bit with it, possibly because I haven't read Book 1 and also because I didn't realise it was YA. I will definitely go and read Book 1 now though, as there were some great moments in this book that I enjoyed. I love the eye catching cover too!

I read Better Than The Movies in January this year and absolutely loved it, then devoured every bonus content chapters we were given. So when this book was announced I was eager to get my hands on this proper sequel.

Lynn Painter's writing style is fun and quick paced, I absolutely sped through this book in one night and the short-medium length chapters really helped keep me entertained as we swapped back and forth in perspectives between Wes and Liz. I really loved how this book was more Wes focused as we got to really get inside of his head. I enjoyed the UCLA setting and could tell that Painter did a lot of research to get it accurate. Getting to meet all of Wes and Liz's college friends was probably my favourite part of the book, I loved seeing how all of their dynamics worked with one another. It definitely seems like some of the moments were hinting at potential characters that we might see again in future Lynn Painter novels (fingers crossed!)

The main reason for this not getting a 5 star rating despite how much I ended up enjoying it, was just that the plot as a whole didn't make too much sense to me, seemed unrealistic and a bit unbelievable at times as characters seemed to take a complete 180 degrees from the version of them we knew originally. There wouldn't have been much room for this sequel if Wes and Liz stayed happy in college, and it's realistic that they would have their struggles as they transitioned into adulthood together. Though I feel like this could've been better done as a standalone book focused on one of the new side characters with cameos of Liz and Wes, the way Painter has done with her other books. Wes breaking up with Liz to avoid dragging her down with him as he struggled, not telling her the reality of his home life after he left college, lying to her and claiming he cheated to force her to move on from him; does not seem at all like the Wes Bennett I grew to love in BTTM. I understand that he grew and changed and was going through a traumatic moment, but surely whilst processing the death of a parent, your girlfriend who has her own parental loss experience would've been the first person you'd be able to talk to about it.

Most of the pre-breakup and breakup information we get as readers is fed to us through conversations within the book, and I feel like I would've enjoyed it if the book was actually longer and really gave us those moments in depth as they happened before fast forwarding the two years.

Lynn's writing is always full of references to movies and music, especially the Taylor Swift references. However at times in this book I was getting really sick of them, like at one point a Taylor Swift song was playing at a party they were at, and it quotes lyrics from Breathe??? What kind of party full of college aged students has Breathe on their party playlist. The song itself was suitable to the way that Wes was feeling, however seemed a bit of an odd choice for a party environment.

Overall the things I didn't like about the book didn't make it a terrible reading experience, just nitpickings since I love these characters so deeply and felt a bit shaken up by the big changes. However it is still an incredible YA romantic comedy, and I will continue to read everything Lynn releases in the future.

3.5 stars ✨

Nothing Like the Movies is set several years after book 1, Better Than the Movies. Unfortunately Wes and Liz aren’t together anymore, but I enjoyed that the reasoning behind this wasn’t just ‘drifting apart’. It touches on themes such as mental health and grief, which was written well.

The pacing was good, and the plot very easy to follow along with. Both Wes and Liz’s growth as individuals first was really great to read, and it made the ending that much better.

I recommend this if you’re after a YA contemporary second-chance romance fix.

Thank you to both NetGalley and Simon and Schuster AU for the advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion.

This is a fun and heartfelt sequel to Better Than the Movies. While I loved the familiar characters and their banter, the shift in tone made me miss the nostalgic feel of the first book.

The new characters and friendships were great and brought a lot of joy when things got tough. I liked the dual POV, which let us see both Wes and Liz grow and face challenges. The story explores how love alone isn’t always enough, but I didn’t love how the New Year’s Eve flashback played out—it felt out of character.

Wes’ transformation from the fun guy we knew to a more mature man was well done, though I wish Liz had fought harder to understand him. Liz’s changes felt realistic, and I enjoyed seeing them grow together. The rom-com quotes were a nice touch, and while the book isn’t groundbreaking, it’s a great continuation of their story that will make you laugh, cry, and smile. Worth the read!

Thank you so much Lynn and Simon & Schuster for this arc🫶

Nothing Like the Movies is a captivating sequel that skilfully delves into the ups and downs of young love and personal growth. The narrative picks up with Wes and Liz, who have endured the heartache of separation, grappling with their feelings as they embark on their college journey at UCLA. The emotional depth of their relationship is palpable, making it easy for readers to invest in their story. Wes is determined to win Liz back, and his approach is filled with romantic gestures reminiscent of classic rom-coms, showcasing both his creativity and vulnerability. Painter's portrayal of Wes's journey reflects the essence of love, messy, complicated, and often requiring bravery to confront past mistakes. The tension rises as Liz’s new friendship with a male classmate complicates their dynamic, pushing Wes to reassess his strategies and feelings.

The themes of self-discovery and resilience shine throughout the story, as both characters navigate their new college environment and the challenges it presents. Liz's character is especially well-developed; her strength and independence resonate deeply, providing a powerful counterpoint to Wes's more impulsive nature. Painter’s writing beautifully captures the nuances of their evolving relationship, weaving humor and heartfelt moments that leave readers both laughing and crying. The pacing is engaging, with just enough twists to keep the reader invested in the outcome of Wes and Liz’s relationship. The exploration of friendship, love, and the challenges of growing up is handled with grace, making this novel relatable to anyone who has faced similar experiences.

In conclusion, Nothing Like the Movies is a heartfelt and uplifting read that celebrates the transformative power of love and friendship. Lynn Painter has crafted a story that not only entertains but also resonates with readers, reminding us of the courage it takes to embrace our feelings and pursue happiness. If you loved Better Than the Movies, this sequel is a must-read that will stay with you long after the last page is turned.

I LOVED the first book Better Than The Movies which was a solid 5 star read for me so I couldn’t wait to get more of Wes and Liz and their adorably cute relationship. However, I think Better Than The Movies should have been left as a standalone 😭

This story jumped ahead two years just two chapters in and I couldn’t understand why Wes and Liz would have broken up and why they went 2 years of radio silence after their perfect happy ending in book one.

Their dynamic in the last quarter of the book did redeem it a little when we got Wes and Liz rediscovering their relationship again as college students and there were some super sweet and cheesy moments but overall, I was left feeling a little bit underwhelmed and like we lost the Wes and Liz magic that was created in the first book.

Like others, I was nervous when this one was announced because what do you mean they broke up?? and the breakup felt really strange.

I flew through this book and enjoyed reading more about these two. I enjoy Lynn’s writing and the pace of the book was good with the shortish chapters and the flow made it easy to read. The tension, angst, and chemistry between the characters were written well and you can feel it.

This novel was hard to love, and part of me wishes I hadn’t read it, as I had a perfect vision of Liz and Wes. Now, they feel different to me, but I appreciated the mature and more grown-up premise in this one, I really missed their younger selves especially how Liz loved pastels and cute dresses. I get she grew up but why did that part of her unique, cute personality have to change, it felt odd she was now “one of the boys”.

I love a dual POV.

I loved the quotes from the rom-coms at the start of the chapters and the playlist at the end was *Chef’s Kiss*.

Overall, I enjoyed it and would recommend to people who want more Liz and Wes content, but if you want to maintain the version of Liz and Wes as they appeared in better than the movies, I wouldn’t recommend reading this one as it might spoil that version for you.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book, it was so much fun to get to be back with Liz and Wes, but now in college and after years of separation… it gets interesting!!

Nothing Like The Movies follows Liz and Wes 2 years after a tragedy in Wes’ life, and 2 years after Wes’ suddenly broke Liz’s heart. But now, Wes’ has returned to college with a goal of winning her back. Too bad Liz won’t make it easy.

While reading I was giggling, kicking my feet, cackling out loud and cheesing so hard. I really loved Liz and Wes together in Better Than The Movies, so of course when the romance started I was SEATED. There was some great yearning, angst, sadness, healing and love in all types of forms in this book and while they are both flawed, it was great to see them come together again.

First of all, I love Wes! Half of the time I truly wanted to whack him over the head with some of the decisions he made… but I really appreciated Wes’ journey through this book, the grief and complex feelings he had gone through over the two years and its impact on his pitching was really compelling to me as well as his journey to healing. Wes as a MMC is so charismatic and romantic, and his banter was so top tier.

Liz was also very different in this book, becoming an anti-romantic and abandoning a lot of the things she previously loved due to bad memories. It was great when we could finally see those sparks of her old self when she was with Wes but I also loved her new vibe. I really felt for Liz with what she went through in the break up, and it did feel like she was fairly quick to forgive all considered. I did find her so self absorbed at times I wanted to pull my hair out… but hey that’s the early twenties for you!!

The rest of the cast of characters were so great, I loved seeing Liz and Wes’ friends and family from the previous book as well as the new friends they’ve made in college they were all so different and fun! Clarke is the real MVP!!

Overall, despite these characters frustrating me and making me love them in equal amounts, I ate this book up, I didn’t realise I had missed Liz and Wes until I was impatiently waiting for them to be together again!!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in return for an honest review.

3.5 stars
Just when we thought Liz and Wes would ride off into the UCLA sunset, nope. Two years ago, tragedy struck and Wes had to return home, only to dump Liz over the phone. Now he’s back and determined to win her back, only she is still angry and in retaliation pretends her housemate Clark is her boyfriend. Except avoiding Wes is going to be hard, as Liz is part of a documentary on the baseball team. Can these two young lovers find their way back to each other?

I really enjoyed this book as I adore Wes and Liz so this was a welcome return. However, there were some plot and character developments that I found a bit perplexing or undercooked. For instance, Liz spent two years believing something about Wes that wasn’t true and everyone expected her to forgive him easily. The doco storyline also had no real resolution as it was dropped once the focus returned to Liz and Wes. Also why is it two student interns, Liz and Clark were filming this supposedly professional doco? I’d loved to have seen more development of Wes with his grief and his complicated relationship with his dad and him taking steps to get therapy.

Overall, I devoured this book for its two characters who are now a bit older and scarred. I love a good second chance and it was such a lovely

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

3.75☆

“𝐼 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓁𝑜𝓃𝑔𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊”

Did I know what to expect with this sequel? No, not at all. But this was great - I ate this up. I took my time with this read because this was one of my most anticipated releases for 2024. In short, I can say that I enjoyed this, despite any of its flaws, because I found it so fun to be reunited with these characters.

I’ll start by saying that Painter does a fantastic job at exploring grief with her characters. I loved that in Better Than The Movies, the reader read through Liz’s POV and saw how she coped with the loss of her mum and the grief that ensued. Nothing Like The Movies takes a similar approach, except this time the reader sees both POVs, now with a focus on Wes as he grieves his father. I really appreciate how Painter talks about death and that with NLTM we see a more complicated loss, in some ways, as Wes wasn’t only dealing with his own grief, but we also saw how his life was affected by how this grief manifested in his mum and sister. It’s worth noting too that this definitely could have used a little more talk on mental health as this felt like it was often brushed over.

This was heartbreaking but I enjoyed seeing flashbacks and watching the characters grow from their shortcomings. These characters are flawed, and I love that Painter gives them their spotlight to work through their grief, frustrations, and personal struggles. It’s also worth noting, because I know it’s not everyone’s favourite, but miscommunication is at the forefront of this narrative. I know that will deter some, but I felt like it worked really well for the overarching story and really showcased the differences in how people grieve and the complexities outside of a persons reach that determine some of their final actions.

I laughed and I cried. This was so special and really showed the growth and maturity of the characters from the two years that have transpired since BTTM. I loved reading from Wes’s POV, his determination and drive in this book shone through and he was easily the star of the show.

Although you get more context behind the characters and their motivations, I think you could easily pick this up even if you haven’t read BTTM. Although, obviously with this being a sequel, I’d recommend you read BTTM first for the best experience. This is the perfect read for a hopeless romantic that just wants to see Wes & Liz have their happily ever after. If you were a fan of Happy Place by Emily Henry I feel like this sequel will be for you. This felt like a YA reimagining of Happy Place, in some ways, so do with that what you will.

(Also, is there potential for a Ross & Lilith short story anyone? I’d love to see where that goes 🤭)

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary e-arc in exchange for an honest review. All opinions in this review are my own.

i enjoyed better than the movies but was unsure which direction a sequel would take given how the first book wrapped up. this didn’t work for me unfortunately. this felt like an unnecessary sequel. some books are just meant to be standalone.

i am more suited as a reader to her adult fiction romances, the writing in her young adult doesn’t feel strong enough, im unsure if it would’ve worked for me while i was in the target audience age range also

thankyou to the publishing house and to netgalley for the early release copy.

I had mixed feelings going into this book. I was nervous because I really didn’t want to see Liz & Wes being broken up but also, when you really think about it - that is life and I’m so glad I decided to trust Lynn Painter’s process because this book was beautifully done!

I really enjoyed reading nothing like the movies - there was groveling, yearning, angst, banter and some of the best Liz & Wes moments!
I can definitely understand if people are sceptical about this one, but honestly this a book about personal growth, love & life.

I have so much love for Wesley Bennett and Liz Buxbaum, they are better together and this book was the perfect example of that!!

thank you Lynn Painter for giving us more and thank you Simon & Schuster Australia and NetGalley for this ARC!! 🫶🏻

REVIEW: Nothing Like The Movies by @lynnpainterbooks

I just flew through this book in less than 24 hours! It was such an easy, bingeable read, and an amazing sequel to Better Than The Movies.

I personally liked this book even more than the first one. I loved Wes and Liz being older now and in college. It was still YA, but it felt more mature, as the story and the characters now had history and life experience behind them.

I loved the college scene, the friendships and the dual pov was perfect in this book. I loved Liz’s internship in this book and want to know more about what happened with the project!

There was grief, mental health, angst, and I felt it was all navigated so well. This whole book had my heart breaking for Wes, after everything he has been through, he just wanted his girl back 🥹

“Because our good moments were the crumbs that fed me for seven hundred and twenty 12:13s when I was alone.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thankyou NetGalley and @simonschusterau for this ARC.
Release date: 2nd October

I don't actively seek out YA books but when Lynn Painter has a new one out, you can bet your bottom dollar that I'll be reading it. Better Than the Movies was such a sweet book, I couldn't wait to get stuck into the sequel Nothing Like the Movies.

Fast forward a few years and we find our two main characters Wes and Liz busy at college. Wes knows he hurt Liz when he broke things off with her but Liz doesn't know the full story and Wes is determined to win her back again.

Oh Wes, you are such a sweetheart! I loved how he pulled out all the stops to win his girl back. This second chance romance was so stinking cute. I know many people will be scared to read this one because the first book was such perfection. Fear not my friends. You'll love it and you'll thank me after.