Ok I will admit. I have been out, inconsistent and I'm truly sorry for that the thing is there's this training I'm undergoing and it has kind of shortened or eaten up the amount of time I can spend writing. I'm also in school and at school I'm writing my finals so- not really the freest man alive right now.
In this piece I will be taking you through my subjective personal take on Lynn Painter's book "Nothing Like The Movies" a YA rom-com novel. Before we deep out toes into the bubbly waters of Youth love I will like to circle back to something, this book is the sequel to "Better Than The Movies" so I suggest if you haven't read that one yet you might have to do so in order to vibe with this piece as i said. Lynn Painter, I think of her as the Renee Rapp of romance. She's enjoyed by a very selective group of audience in the romance space. There are outliers I know, but the basic person you see is never going to put her in the same space as Emily Henry or Taylor Jenkins for instance (currently eating up Atmosphere btw) because she dazzles differently. We need this type of writers in the romance space, we love them.
Also, Lynn Painter has a new book coming out soon (Maid for
each other) so more update on that in future blog posts.
What the Story’s About
This sequel to Better Than the Movies picks
up during college time, with Liz and Wes navigating a breakup caused by
personal tragedy—Wes’s father passes away, he drops out of UCLA, and their
relationship falters - Months later, Wes makes a determined return to
campus to win Liz back through heartfelt gestures... though Liz has moved on
and embraced a more serious, career-driven version of herself.
Strengths
1. Emotional Depth & Realism
Painter moves beyond pure rom‑com fluff to explore grief, mental health, and
personal growth. Wes’s grief over his father is portrayed with genuine weight,
while Liz evolves into a more mature, goal-oriented young woman
2. Dual POV & Growth
The story switches between Wes and Liz, letting us understand both sides. Wes’s
struggle and gradual redemption feel earned, and Liz’s transformation—from rom‑com-loving
teen to driven college student—adds layers to the narrative.
3. Balancing Humor & Heartbreak
There's still wit and charm—Clark and other campus friends bring lighter, fun
moments—sandwiched between sob-worthy scenes, like the emotionally charged
night in Wes’s living room or Liz’s grief at her mom’s grave.
What Doesn’t Work for Some
- Tone
Shift & Pacing: The story leans into angst and slow-burn tension,
which can feel jarring if you loved the bubbly tone of the first book
- Character
Changes: Some feel Liz and Wes don’t quite "feel like
themselves" compared to the high‑school versions—Liz’s rom‑com
passion is muted, Wes’s actions (schemes to win her back) come off as
flaky or manipulative.
- Mixed Reviews: Feedback varies—some readers loved the deeper, more mature take ("this emotional chokehold" with tears and growth) while others felt the sequel was unnecessary or disjointed compared to the original.
My Take
If you're looking for a deeper, more introspective companion
piece—full of real-world issues like grief, identity crises, and delayed
gratification—Nothing Like the Movies is a rewarding,
emotionally layered read. Painter’s wit remains intact, but the romantic arc
unfolds with much more complexity (and some messy college growth).
That said, if what you loved most about Better
Than the Movies was its lighter, rom-com sparkle and dreamy teen
romance, this sequel might feel too heavy or out of sync with those vibes.
- Recommended
for: Fans of YA second-chance romances with emotional depth, realism,
and slow-burn reconnections.
- Skip
or proceed with caution if you primarily enjoyed Painter’s first
book for its pure rom‑com magic and upbeat tone.
- Bonus:
Stick around for the bonus chapters at the end — they offer sweeter
resolutions and extra swoon moments that many readers cherish.