Reviews with content warning for Grief - Better Than the Movies

Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter, it was an absolute gem of a page-turner. Every page held a new revelation, and I was utterly engrossed. The emotional rollercoaster it took me on was extraordinary—there were moments of exasperation, heartache, ire, chuckles, and pure joy. Surprisingly, I found that I could somewhat foresee the unfolding plot, yet it didn't in the slightest diminish the book's magnetic pull. This, I believe, is owed to the author's masterful storytelling.

Spoiler

The narrative, a delightful rom-com, follows the classic formula of a fake dating aimed at winning over a crush. What sets it apart is the seamless integration of references to beloved rom-com films and songs, enriching the story's texture.

Now, let's talk about Liz. Oh, Liz! She's a character I found myself vehemently disliking. Perhaps that was the author's intention, for it worked like a charm on me. I couldn't condone her actions—the manipulation of her friend and the exploitation of ~~a childhood friend~~ an enemy to get closer to her crush. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. Yet, despite this, the overall experience was immensely satisfying.

One thing that truly stood out to me was the way the book tackled themes of friendship, family, love, and self-discovery. It wasn't just about the romance, but also about the bonds that form between the characters. The complexities of human relationships were explored with a deft touch, leaving me reflecting on my own connections long after I turned the final page.

Ultimately, Better Than the Movies proved to be a journey I'm truly thankful for. Though I had my reservations about certain characters, the overall narrative was crafted with a commendable touch of skill and care. This is a book I'll wholeheartedly endorse to fellow rom-com enthusiasts.

Content Warnings

americattt's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

“Because of things like car accidents and lost loves, life and death and broken hearts, we should grab every moment and absolutely devour the good parts.”

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kashiish's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

“but news flash: you’re not a character in a movie. you can wear jeans sometimes and straighten your hair if you feel like it and curse like a sailor and honestly do whatever you want, and she’d still think you’re amazing because you are. i guarantee she would’ve found you charming as fuck when you were smoking a swisher in the secret area— i know i did. ”

the song that describes the book the best is — someone like you by adele

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thebookwhale's review against another edition

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2.5

Nuh-Uh.
I just really hate Liz so much and I don't even know why. I think she's so annoying, it's unbearable. Second hand embarrassment whenever she's talking.
In general, this book promised a lot of things it didn't give. For example, the fake dating? What was that? Or better, where? They didn't fake date for a single second, Wes just brought Liz to some events of the group. They had a fake friendship, ok, but please don't market it as a book with the fake dating trope.
I also felt like I never really got to know the characters. For example, Jocelyn? She's supposed to be Liz' best friend, but what do we know about her? Nothing.
Liz states that she knows Wes a lot better than anyone else, then TELL US? Who is he? Aside from that witty mean guy that tries to steal her parking spot? Ah, he plays baseball, right.
Still, Wes is one of the better characters in this book. Feels weird to me how Liz couldn't have noticed what a great guy he actually is.
Also, her hate for Laney? Seems unreasonable. Yeah, she was mean to you in pre school, but if you always watched her, how did you not notice her change, Liz? She was never actively mean to you in the present. Whatever. I expected more.
Barely 2.5/5

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cdoubet's review

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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spill_the_tea's review

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Read this because of Haley Pham;) Love the playlist in the back of the book. The recommendation on the back is so right too!

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eviejo_07's review

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emotional funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

I enjoyed this book way more than I thought I would! It was actually so cute 😂 I couldn’t personally rate it 5 stars because there was quite a bit of profanity and some suggestive dialogue. If not for that than definitely five stars! The banter between the two main characters was very funny and well written and I found it hard to put this book down. Very fun read. It even has a playlist in the back! 🤩

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jessica_casal's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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