A review by aralalala
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I finally understand why people love Wes Bennett.

Better Than The Movies is honestly much like every other fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, coming-of-age YA novel where the MC makes bad decisions, hits rock-bottom at a certain point, and then it all just resolves in the end and we’re all happy.

And tbh, who cares? It was lighthearted, fun, and swoony, and I’d recommend it to everyone who’s into that.

Liz was a little overbearing and hard to handle in the beginning (or like, for the most part of the book), but I’m glad I stuck around and hoped for the best. Thankfully, the happy ending was handed to me on a very cute silver platter and her corners were smoothened by the end. She was complicated and very rough around the edges, but I guess that’s all of us in high school with our chaotic ball of hormones and confusing feelings.

I kinda hoped for more though. I feel a two-week timeline was way too quick and I kinda hoped we could’ve had more time getting to know Joss and the others since they felt very background to me, but overall, it’s a light read and you get all the good stuff (i.e. the feels and the swoons).

Perfect for a slow day or a rainy night tucked in bed.

Would I reread it? Most definitely.

PS: I NEED to read this book from Wes’ POV!

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