Better Than
the Movies

"In this rom-com about rom-coms, in the spirit of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, a hopeless romantic teen attempts to secure a happily-ever-after moment with her forever crush, but finds herself reluctantly drawn to the boy next door."

Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prime candidate for a romantic comedy fantasy—the boy next door is a classic trope, after all—but Wes has been nothing but a pain in Liz's life since they were children. He puts frogs in her Barbie Dreamhouse and decapitates her lawn gnomes. He is effectively the villain in the story of her life, the antagonist to her carefully curated romantic dreams.

However, Liz is a senior now, and she has a goal: prom. She doesn't want just any date; she wants Michael Young. Michael has just moved back to town, and he was Liz's childhood crush before he left. The problem is, Liz is shy, and Michael barely remembers her. But you know who Michael is friends with? Wes Bennett.

In a desperate move that would make any rom-com heroine proud (or cringe), Liz strikes a bargain with her nemesis. Wes helps Liz get Michael's attention, and in exchange, Liz helps Wes with his own romantic endeavors. As they scheme and plot, referencing every classic romantic movie from Sleepless in Seattle to 10 Things I Hate About You, the lines between fiction and reality start to blur. Liz begins to realize that maybe, just maybe, the person she's supposed to be with isn't the one she's been dreaming of, but the one who has been there all along.

Why "Better Than the Movies" is a Must-Read

Downloading the Better Than the Movies PDF isn't just about reading a book; it's about experiencing a love letter to the romance genre itself. Lynn Painter masterfully weaves a narrative that is both nostalgic and fresh. The character development of Liz, as she navigates grief—having lost her mother at a young age—and growing up, adds a layer of depth often missing in standard YA romances. Her mother's presence is felt through the romantic comedies they used to watch together, making Liz's obsession with the genre poignant and heartfelt.

Readers everywhere are falling in love with the banter between Liz and Wes. Their relationship evolves organically from childhood pranksters to reluctant allies, and finally, to something much deeper. It is a story about allowing yourself to be surprised by life, even when it doesn't follow the script in your head.