Book: Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
Reviewed by Book Holds and Jello Molds
Rating: 5/5
Liz lives as if she's the character in a rom com movie, down to the quirky clothes and the constant creation of soundtracks. When her childhood crush moves back to town, Liz is convinced he's her romantic lead, although he still sees her as the "little weirdo" from elementary school. In a move straight out of the movies, she enlists her nemesis, Wes, into helping her win Michael over, in a fake dating scheme. Anyone that knows me knows that rom coms are my absolute favorite thing and fake dating/enemies to lovers tropes are my sweet spot. Better than the Movies absolutely nails it in this debut YA novel. It was fun and filled with nods and epigraphs to all the great rom com movies and I could not put it down (and, even though I know the main characters are teenagers, I couldn't help but picture them as Nick and Jess from New Girl and I'm not even sorry). I will definitely be looking for more from Lynn Painter in the future!