The co-op bookstore for avid readers
Book Cover for: Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter

Better Than the Movies

Lynn Painter

The New York Times Best Seller
2025 The New York Times Best Seller
A USA TODAY and New York Times bestseller

Perfect for fans of Kasie West and Jenn Bennett, this "sweet and funny" (Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks) teen rom-com follows a hopelessly romantic teen girl and her cute yet obnoxious neighbor as they scheme to get her noticed by her untouchable crush.

Perpetual daydreamer Liz Buxbaum gave her heart to Michael a long time ago. But her cool, aloof forever crush never really saw her before he moved away. Now that he's back in town, Liz will do whatever it takes to get on his radar--and maybe snag him as a prom date--even befriend Wes Bennet.

The annoyingly attractive next-door neighbor might seem like a prime candidate for romantic comedy fantasies, but Wes has only been a pain in Liz's butt since they were kids. Pranks involving frogs and decapitated lawn gnomes do not a potential boyfriend make. Yet, somehow, Wes and Michael are hitting it off, which means Wes is Liz's in.

But as Liz and Wes scheme to get Liz noticed by Michael so she can have her magical prom moment, she's shocked to discover that she 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 ideas of what Happily Ever After should look like.

Book Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
  • Publish Date: May 4th, 2021
  • Pages: 368
  • Language: English
  • Edition: undefined - undefined
  • Dimensions: 8.30in - 5.80in - 1.30in - 0.95lb
  • EAN: 9781534467620
  • Recommended age: 12-17
  • Categories: Romance - Romantic ComedySocial Themes - FriendshipSocial Themes - Emotions & Feelings

About the Author

Painter, Lynn: - Lynn Painter writes romantic comedies for both teens and adults. She is the author of Better Than the Movies, Mr. Wrong Number, The Do-Over, Betting on You, and Nothing Like the Movies, as well as being a regular contributor to the Omaha World-Herald. She lives in Nebraska with her husband and pack of wild children, and when she isn't reading or writing, odds are good she's guzzling energy drinks and watching rom-coms. You can find her at LynnPainter.com, on Instagram @LynnPainterKirkle, or on X @LAPainter.

More books by Lynn Painter

Book Cover for: Better Than the Movies, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Nothing Like the Movies, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: The Love Wager, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Accidentally Amy, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Betting on You, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: The Do-Over, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Happily Never After, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Mr. Wrong Number, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: The Wish Switch, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Mejor Que Ayer, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: NADA Como En Las Peliculas, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Maid for Each Other, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Una Apuesta de Amor, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: El Senor Numero Equivocado, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: Fake Skating, Lynn Painter
Book Cover for: The Going to the Movies Collection (Boxed Set): Better Than the Movies; Nothing Like the Movies, Lynn Painter

What people are saying

twitter.com
twitter.com
Show more

Praise for this book

"Better Than the Movies is a sweet and funny love letter to romantic comedies that shows how happily ever afters can help us navigate our toughest moments. I loved watching Liz learn that unexpected plot twists sometimes make the best stories. Perfect for anyone who wishes their life had a film-worthy soundtrack, a quirky wardrobe, and a memorable meet cute."--Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks