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A review by sierrah_2101
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Was it cliche? Yes. Was it cute? Also yes. Do I recommend it? ...Sorta.
Lynn Painter's Better than the Movies is a romcom straight from the silver screen. Headed by Liz, her childhood crush Michael has returned to Omaha from Texas halfway through their senior year of high school. Liz enlists childhood neighbor and lifetime rival Wes to beautify her and get the word out to Michael to see if he'd ask Liz to prom.
Painter's write, although cringey at times, is realistically cringey. High schoolers are cringey, and so I felt quite a bit of the dialogue was quite fitting. Wes, as a character, is beyond lovable. Overall, a fun, charming, and upstanding man, Painter poured her love into his characterization. Liz's... Slips. At times, she pissed me off. But, that was kind of the point. Liz isn't perfect and tripped over her feet multiple times trying to get Michael's attention, and she does thankfully face consequences for those she hurt along the way.
Also, the way Painter wroteLiz and Wes's first romantic moments together extremely warmly and cutely, had me kicking my feet 'n' shit. Those moments are definitely her authorial strong suit. This book was very fast-paced and digestible, making it a speedy and fun read.
Now why would I hesitate to recommend this book despite enjoying it? Well... I enjoyed it so much because it's literally the plot of The DUFF. I love The DUFF it's like my favorite romcom of all time. But the plot overlap was uncannily similar. Am I saying Painter stole it? God no, I know tropes in romcoms are extremely thin and recycled beyond belief, but it still felt like I was reading The DUFF through a telephone. Made me really want to watch it again though.
Good read, cute, if at times cringey, frustrating, and repetitive. For a mindless romance read, it clears that bar easily.
Lynn Painter's Better than the Movies is a romcom straight from the silver screen. Headed by Liz, her childhood crush Michael has returned to Omaha from Texas halfway through their senior year of high school. Liz enlists childhood neighbor and lifetime rival Wes to beautify her and get the word out to Michael to see if he'd ask Liz to prom.
Painter's write, although cringey at times, is realistically cringey. High schoolers are cringey, and so I felt quite a bit of the dialogue was quite fitting. Wes, as a character, is beyond lovable. Overall, a fun, charming, and upstanding man, Painter poured her love into his characterization. Liz's... Slips. At times, she pissed me off. But, that was kind of the point. Liz isn't perfect and tripped over her feet multiple times trying to get Michael's attention, and she does thankfully face consequences for those she hurt along the way.
Also, the way Painter wrote
Now why would I hesitate to recommend this book despite enjoying it? Well... I enjoyed it so much because it's literally the plot of The DUFF. I love The DUFF it's like my favorite romcom of all time. But the plot overlap was uncannily similar. Am I saying Painter stole it? God no, I know tropes in romcoms are extremely thin and recycled beyond belief, but it still felt like I was reading The DUFF through a telephone. Made me really want to watch it again though.
Good read, cute, if at times cringey, frustrating, and repetitive. For a mindless romance read, it clears that bar easily.