Nothing Like the Movies Book Review
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter book review and recommendation with NO SPOILERS
Date: 1-09-26 Post Written By: MK Overall Rating: 9.8/10
Book Cover Rating: 6.5/10
(My personal opinion)
Title: Nothing Like the Movies
Author: Lynn Painter
Pages: 448
Genre: Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Romance
Subplots: Contemporary Romance
Romance Level: 2/3 (no spice, but prominent part of plot)
Series: Better Than the Movies #2
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
First Published: 2024
Number of Editions: 32
Goodreads Rating: 3.98/5
Number of Goodreads Ratings: 167,874
Amazon Rating: 4.3/5
Number of Amazon Ratings: 8,959
Common Sense Media Age Recommendation: 14+
Movie/TV Show?? : No
Book Type: Standard
POV Type: Dual, First Person
Hook: When Wes and Liz first moved to UCLA together, it was perfect…..until it wasn’t. Until, Wes’s family struck tragedy. He moved back to Omaha immediately, dropped out of college, and stopped playing baseball. Liz tried her best to be supportive and help him through this tough patch, but even she didn’t know just how tough it was for him. Especially once he officially broke up with her. She tried to move on… but easier said than done.
One year later, Liz is officially (mostly) over him. Wes, on the other hand, started recovering from his tragedy and decided to move back to UCLA as part of their baseball team. Without telling Liz. Meanwhile, Liz just received the news that she would have a new college job filming the baseball team. It’s like deja vu when she first sees him, but she knows what comes of a relationship with him. Wes is ready to apologize with a grand romantic gesture and get back together, but Liz isn’t. She’s toughened over the last year and has fallen out of her ‘hopeless romantic’ dreams. She decides to fake date a friend to try to discourage him. However, Wes won’t give up that easily.
My Review
Main Characters:
Elizabeth Buxbaum- Liz is no longer the definition of a hopeless romantic. She still has a soft spot for old rom-coms, but doesn’t have the same faith in love that she used to. She still loves music and film, and is now pursuing them at UCLA.
Wesley Bennett- Wes was Liz’s next door neighbor. He used to be an amazing baseball player, but took a sizable break. When he left UCLA due to family tragedy, he could not longer stomach the thought of holding a ball or standing on the mound. However, he is still the kind, thoughtful person he always was and wants to make things right again.
You know what a really loved about these characters… the juxtaposition! In the previous book, we all fell in love with Liz’s fun, romantic quirks and Wes’s outgoing enthusiasm. However, in this book it was clear that both characters had matured and changed. Liz became cautious, while still having an amazing, fun personality. She was still herself, but clearly had a more ‘deepened’ personality. Similarly, Wes was back with all of the characteristics we know and love, however he seemed much more deliberate and focused. As if, he really had moved past high school frivolities and now knew exactly what (or whom) he was looking for. Seriously, it was super fun to note these differences without losing our favorite characters. This book increased my love and respect for both Liz and Wes; such a fun character development/depth journey!
Character Rating: 10/10
Setting:
This book takes place at UCLA, California and in Omaha, Nebraska
For the majority of this book, the setting wasn’t a highlight. It was kind of just…. there. However, there is a part in this book where the setting changes, and after that point, it seemed much more atmospheric and purposeful. Every little part of the setting after that point had a specific purpose and history in these wonderful characters’ lives. Each setting felt emotion and memory infused, leaving the reader’s heart aching for Wes and Liz.
Setting Rating: 9.9/10
Plot:
You know what I loved about the plot this time, it felt like a romance book with fewer frivolities and much more purpose. The plot truly seemed to be more mature and intentional. While it was definitely romance-heavy, there was an outside plot that definitely pulled on your heart strings. At this point, we have all fallen in love with Wes and Liz, so hearing of all that they had to go through made me feel for them. I wouldn’t call the plot depressing or sad necessarily, more so a plot that encourages empathy and compassion for these characters.
Plot Rating: 9.6/10
Writing:
I LOVE LYNN PAINTER’S writing!! The way she made this book as a whole feel more mature that the previous without adding ‘adult’ content or diminishing the previous book was incredible. She incorporated new details to old characters seamlessly. Finally, she made me ache for a character with more empathy than I have felt for fictional characters in a while. Seriously, AMAZING job Lynn Painter!!
Writing Rating: 10/10
Ending:
Loved this ending! It was sweet and joyful without feeling overly cliche or rushed. It felt like a much more honest, real ending than some of those found in Liz’s favorite romcoms. ❤️
Ending Rating: 9.7/10
The Overall:
Overall, I loved this real YA romance. The characters and the plot it book one felt sweet, heartwarming, and ‘perfect’ for one another. I loved this! However, I especially loved the juxtaposition of the characters and plot in this book. They felt ‘messier’ but at the same time, much less like a classic rom com. They felt much more personable and real. I was so impressed with Lynn Painter’s flexible writing in this case! When the story calls for heartfelt and a bit more cliche, she does an AMAZING job. However, when it feels like a change is due, Lynn Painter does a FABULOUS job with, really, an entirely different type of romance. She is such a diverse and talented author! Honesty, I really adored this book! Way to start off the year strong!!
Overall Book Rating: 9.8/10
I would strongly recommend this book
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Lynn Painter loves rom-coms and writing romance novels
She writes books targeted towards tweens, teens, and adults
For more information, view Lynn Painter’s website: lynnpainter.com
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