4.25⭐️ When i first found out that this book was coming out i couldn’t have been more excited because better than the movies is one of my favourite books of all time and i was so excited to see what was going to happen in this book. Let me tell you this book DID NOT disappoint i absolutely LOVEDDD this book. I thought it was written so beautifully and the pacing of the book was done perfectly. I also loved how they found their way back to each other, they are soulmates, and the way that Wes was pining after liz was the sweetest thing ever.
I didn’t want this book to end and that’s when you just know how amazing the book is.
Thank you so much for the arc to this book!!!

BE STILL MY HEART!

Wow, I adored this book. This book picks up two years after Better than the Movies, and follows Wes and Liz in college together.

I enjoyed Better than the movies, it was a 4 star read for me, but this one- easily five stars. It was funny, lighthearted, and engaging. I loved the stories of friendship, second chances, navigating grief and fighting for what you want. I can’t wait to have it on my shelves!

Ahhhh Wes Bennett, so glad you came back into my life.

“Trust me, Lib,” I said, picturing her lips. “In a crowd of a million ski masks, I’d still be able to find you.”

“I am just Wes fucking Bennett, Lib, the guy who can’t remember a single day in his life when he didn’t love you.”

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

Uugghh 🥹🥹🥹

The first half of the book I felt a little slow but necessary to Wes and Liz’s story. Even though they went through two years of heartbreak and pain, they were still our sweet Wes and Liz when they reunited 💛

The grief and mental health aspect was handled really well and boy did I hurt for our sweet boy Wes, he went through some shit. Now the second half of the book had me hooked! The angst between them that was building and Wes trying to get his girl back was just so good.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for this ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

“Elizabeth Fucking Bennett” 😭🫶🏼⚾️🎥

This book was EVERYTHING we needed for Wes & Liz.
After two years of tragedy and heartbreak the love story continues with a very mature and engaging story line which honestly will make your heart MELT. There was the lowest of the lows and the highest of the high feelings jumping all over the shop right up until the last 50 pages. Let’s just say I couldn’t put this book down at all and absolutely loved it.

(and thank you for bringing the LOLs with the constant “-while wanting to throat punch him” 🤣🤭)

Thank you so much NetGalley for this incredible ARC and of course Lyn Painter for blessing our lives with more of Wesley Bennett 🥹❤️

I was lucky enough to read this book as an ARC with thanks to Simon and Schuster and Lynn Painter

This book is written as a dual POV and follows Wes and Liz as they embark on their second chance at romance together

I really enjoyed the setting of this novel being on a college campus and loved seeing the contrast of Liz's well settled college life compared to Wes' life as he began (well recommenced) his college journey. I loved where Liz was at in her life and thought the addition of Lillith was amazing as it brought themes of career planning and progression to the story.

I thought the themes of trauma and healing were really well handled and explained. I enjoyed hearing about both Wes' ups and downs of grieving for his father and how he overcame his demons (well his father's voice in his head) as the story progressed.

The first 50% of this book was a lot slower than the second half and honestly my rating improved SOOOOO much towards the end of the book because OMG it was good! Whilst slower at the start I think this was really important for context and character building and enabled a faster paced second half of the book.

Overall a great read! Definitely get your hands on this one!

✨ ARC REVIEW - Nothing Like The Movies - @lynnpainterbooks ✨

Release date - October 2nd
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What to expect
⚾️ second chance romance
🎧 humour and banter
⚾️ fake relationship
🎧 taylor swift references
⚾️dual pov
🎧lovers to strangers, to friends to lovers

Having fallen in love with “Better than the Movies” last year, it instantly became one of my favorite books. Naturally, when “Nothing Like the Movies” was announced, I felt a mix of excitement and nervousness about revisiting Wes and Liz’s world. I feared their story might change and disrupt the perfection it already held. But Lynn Painter delivered the perfect rom-com sequel.

“Nothing Like the Movies” picks up with Wes and Liz navigating life after breaking up following Wes’ unexpected loss of his father. Lynn Painter flawlessly continues their journey, seamlessly drawing readers back into the world she masterfully created. The banter remains as sharp as ever, and while the characters have evolved, their core essence remains unchanged. The novel is adorned with delightful movie quotes and music references, and I found myself wholeheartedly rooting for Wes and Liz to find their way back to each other.

If you adore rom-coms, these books are an absolute must-read. Lynn Painter excels at whisking readers away into the perfect rom-com movie experience through her writing.

I’m incredibly grateful to have had the chance to read this early, and without spoiling too much for those eagerly awaiting it, I can confidently say you won’t be disappointed. 💜💛🩵