Better than the Movies
Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a lawn gnome's severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange.
Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. It's Liz's senior year, a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes's help. See, Liz's forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and—horribly, annoyingly—he's hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He's her in.
But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.
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Lynn Painter
Lynn Painter is a talented author who specializes in crafting heartwarming and humorous young adult stories that dive deep into the messy, beautiful realities of adolescence. Known for her witty writing style and relatable characters, she has captured the hearts of readers with her unique ability to blend humor and emotion seamlessly.
Her novels often explore themes of love, self-discovery, and the ups and downs of growing up, all while maintaining a sense of lightheartedness and charm. Painter’s books resonate particularly with fans of contemporary YA, where her insightful observations about teenage life are both uplifting and refreshingly honest.
Better than the Movies
In the world of rom-coms and teenage drama, Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter offers a refreshingly real twist on the genre. This charming and clever story follows the journey of a high school senior, Liz, who is on a mission to find love, but not in the way you might expect. Through a series of unexpected events, Liz finds herself navigating a web of relationships, family dynamics, and her own dreams, all while embracing the chaos and joy that come with growing up.
Better than the Movies consists of two primary books, and includes one additional book that complement the series but is not considered mandatory reads and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
