“Better than the Movies” by Lynn Painter is a feel-good teenage rom-com. Liz Buxbaum, the protagonist, is a quirky and romantic senior in high school who dreams of a perfect teenage romance. When her childhood crush, Michael Young, moves back into town, Liz is determined to win him over. Michael is handsome, popular, and Liz’s “perfect guy.” She realizes it’s pretty unrealistic for her to magically start dating him, so she asks her next door neighbor and enemy, Wes Bennet for help. Wes is the typical “bad boy:” sarcastic, charming, and never the type of guy Liz would go for. Wes reluctantly agrees to help Liz by bringing her to a party which Michael would be at and helping the two get close. However, the more time Liz and Wes spend together, their negative feelings towards each other get a little more complicated. “Better Than the Movies” is a novel which explores friendship, teenage love, and exploring your true self.
I would recommend this book to anyone. ”Better Than the Movies” is a charming rom-com which features engaging characters, an easy-to-follow storyline, and a feel-good plot. Liz Buxbaum is a relatable protagonist because she is finding herself while also trying to find her perfect teen romance. The book also highlights themes of friendship, family, and first love while also having laughable and teachable moments. The book also references many classic rom-com movies, as Liz is obsessed with them. The allusions to these movies give the book even more of a relatable, feel-good aspect. I believe “Better Than the Movies” is worth the read.
-Anonymous
