Liz Buxbaum has always known that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You would think that her next-door neighbor would be a prince candidate for her romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only proven himself to be a pain in the butt, ever since they were little. Wes was the kid who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the monster who hid a lawn gnome's severed head in her little homemade neighborhood book exchange.
Flash forward ten years from the Great Gnome Decapitation. It's Liz's senior year, a time meant to be rife with milestones perfect for any big screen, and she needs Wes's help. See, Liz's forever crush, Michael, has just moved back to town, and—horribly, annoyingly—he's hitting it off with Wes. Meaning that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her, and hopefully be her prom date, she needs Wes. He's her in.
But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she actually likes being around Wes. And as they continue to grow closer, she must reexamine everything she thought she knew about love—and rethink her own perception of what Happily Ever After should really look like.
The series
In the world of rom-coms and teenage drama, Better than the Movies by Lynn Painter offers a refreshingly real twist on the genre. This charming and clever story follows the journey of a high school senior, Liz, who is on a mission to find love, but not in the way you might expect. Through a series of unexpected events, Liz finds herself navigating a web of relationships, family dynamics, and her own dreams, all while embracing the chaos and joy that come with growing up.
Read full series description
The series effortlessly blends heartfelt moments with laugh-out-loud humor, taking readers through the highs and lows of adolescence. Liz’s voice is witty and relatable, making her a character who feels like a friend you’ve known forever. As she embarks on a rollercoaster of emotions—trying to live out her romantic fantasies, grappling with friendship woes, and coming to terms with her own aspirations—the story becomes an exploration of what it truly means to find happiness and love in all the unexpected places.
At its core, Better than the Movies is a love letter to the way movies shape our expectations of romance and life, while also reminding us that real life is so much richer than any movie script. It’s about embracing imperfections, learning to trust yourself, and finding love in the most unlikely situations.
Packed with hilarious situations, tender moments, and an undercurrent of emotional growth, this series strikes a perfect balance between lightheartedness and depth. Readers will find themselves laughing one moment and sighing the next, all while rooting for Liz to navigate her way through the maze of high school life and love.
If you love stories that capture the messiness of growing up with humor, heart, and a touch of cinematic magic, Better than the Movies is your next must-read.
Be the first reviewer
Sign in and write the first reader review.
