Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter is a sweet, funny, and heartfelt YA romantic comedy that has captured hearts across BookTok. This enemies-to-lovers story follows hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum as she discovers that real love might be better than the perfect movie ending she's always dreamed of. If you're curious about this viral YA romance or want to know where to read it for free, you've come to the right place!
Story Summary
Better Than the Movies is a sweet, funny, and heartfelt YA romantic comedy about love, loss, and growing up — told through the eyes of hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum.
Liz has always dreamed of her life playing out like a perfect rom-com — think To All the Boys I've Loved Before energy with a 10 Things I Hate About You heart. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, Liz is sure this is her chance at her "movie moment." The only problem? Her next-door neighbor and lifelong nemesis, Wes Bennett, keeps getting in her way.
To get closer to Michael, Liz reluctantly teams up with Wes, but their fake alliance turns into something more. Between banter, pranks, and surprise moments of tenderness, Liz starts realizing that maybe real life — messy, complicated, and unscripted — can be better than the movies after all.
Main Characters
Liz Buxbaum
- • Age: 17
- • Ethnicity: Caucasian-American
- • Hair Color: Light brown
- • Eye Color: Hazel
- • Identity: High school senior / aspiring romantic / hopeless movie addict
A dreamer obsessed with rom-coms and grand gestures, Liz believes in fairy-tale endings. But as she deals with grief over her late mother and learns that real relationships aren't perfect, she discovers that love can be unexpected — and better than scripted.
Wes Bennett
- • Age: 18
- • Ethnicity: Caucasian-American
- • Hair Color: Blond
- • Eye Color: Blue
- • Identity: Liz's next-door neighbor / former childhood pest / secretly the golden boy
Once Liz's annoying neighbor who always stole her parking spot, Wes turns out to be charming, patient, and way more caring than she ever noticed. Beneath the teasing and the banter, he's the real rom-com hero she never saw coming.
Romantic Highlights – From Enemies to Lovers
While Better Than the Movies isn't spicy like your typical new adult romance, it's overflowing with chemistry, tension, and emotional payoff. Lynn Painter nails the slow-burn sweetness — every almost-touch, every stolen glance, every sarcastic argument hits like a teenage heart flutter.
Here's a look at the key romantic moments that made readers fall in love with Wes and Liz.
Chapter 12 – The Pact
Liz and Wes make a deal: he'll help her get Michael's attention if she stops hating him. Their teamwork starts off awkward but fun — fake smiles, forced compliments — and quickly turns into genuine friendship.
"He smiled that stupid smile that made me hate him and like him all at once."
Chapter 17 – The Car Scene
The first hint of real feelings. On the way to a party, Wes and Liz share one of those quiet, golden-hour car rides where teasing turns into something deeper. It's a small moment, but it's pure cinematic magic — the kind of scene Liz would've swooned over in her favorite movie.
"Somewhere between the laughter and the silence, I forgot I was supposed to hate him."
Chapter 23 – The Fake Date
When Wes pretends to be her date to make Michael jealous, things spiral fast. The chemistry is undeniable — and for the first time, Liz starts realizing that her "fake" date might be her real dream guy.
"He looked at me like I was the main character."
Chapter 28 – The Confession
The big emotional moment. After Liz's plan backfires, Wes confesses how he's always seen her — flaws, quirks, and all. It's soft, funny, and full of heart. The realization hits her: love doesn't have to be perfect; it just has to be real.
"You keep looking for a movie moment, Liz, but this — this is the real thing."
Chapter 32 – The Dance
The book's swooniest moment. At prom, everything comes full circle — Liz's perfect ending isn't with Michael, it's with Wes. The two finally dance, the lights twinkling around them like a scene straight out of her favorite film.
"And just like that, my life became better than the movies."
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Goodreads Reader Reactions
Readers absolutely adore Better Than the Movies. It's one of those comfort reads that makes you laugh, ache, and smile all at once.
Positive Reactions:
Fans loved the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, the nostalgic high school setting, and Wes's "golden retriever" boyfriend energy. Many said it perfectly captures what it feels like to grow up and realize love doesn't always look like the movies.
"Wes Bennett is literally the blueprint."
"This book healed my teenage heart."
"You'll want to shake Liz half the time — but that's what makes her so real."
Critical Reactions:
Some found Liz frustrating early on, especially her obsession with Michael, but most agreed her character growth felt authentic.
Where to Buy or Read Better Than the Movies
- Amazon: Paperback, Kindle eBook, and Audible audiobook (narrated by Jesse Vilinsky & Michael Gallagher).
- Barnes & Noble: Paperback and Nook eBook editions.
- Apple Books & Kobo: Digital versions available worldwide.
- Libraries: Popular in YA romance sections and available via Libby/OverDrive.
Related Books by Lynn Painter
If you fell for Wes and Liz, you're in luck — Lynn Painter's connected stories keep the romantic comedy magic going:
Nothing Like the Movies (Book 2 – coming 2025)
A sequel that follows Liz and Wes's story after high school.
Other Lynn Painter Books:
The Love Wager
Adult rom-com with dating apps, humor, and heart. Perfect for readers who want more Lynn Painter magic but with grown-up characters.
Mr. Wrong Number
Another classic enemies-to-lovers romance, but for grown-ups. Features the same witty banter and heartwarming moments that made Better Than the Movies so beloved.
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