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Nothing Like the Movies

Lynn Painter
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Nothing Like the Movies

Lynn Painter
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Overview

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER464 PAGESENGLISH
Promotional Details

Shop The Series

Better Than the Movies
Better Than the Movies
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Overall rating: 4.54902 / 5 from 51 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

Customers praise 'Nothing Like the Movies' as a must-have, lovely, and interesting book, highly recommending it as their favorite in the duology. They appreciate it as a great sequel, with compelling rom-com elements and a heartfelt second-chance romance.

Summary topics

  • Enjoyment: 16%
  • Favorite Book: 54%
  • Sequel Quality: 11%

Review topics: ["book","read","sequel","romance","ending","story","duology","liz","kids","movie","series","slowburn","storyline"].

Review highlights

  • "Perfect sequel and happy ending." — Natasha
  • "the books were in great shape and the staff were soooo nice" — Mimii
  • "I recommend to young adult/teen readers!" — AvaM

Reviews

Overall rating: 4. 8/5 stars

"Lynn Painter has done it again! The only sequel I have read that has turned out better than the original. The beginning was a bit prolonged and less attention-grabbing but the ending made up for it all. The ending of the first book in the series (Better than the movies) ended quite abruptly, so it came as a shock to me when the ending was all I ever would’ve wanted for this book. I like seeing the new mature perspectives of both Liz and Wes. I felt as if I grew up with them. Liz definitely adapted to her new lifestyle well because I found all her “quirks” from the first book that made her… well her, were lost. Wes is the ultimate-yearner and anyone who is in need of a good slow-burn should definitely purchase this book! A guaranteed reread."

— Readannaandthefrenchkiss (5/5)

Thoughts

"I actually haven't started reading it yet, but I am going to this month. I loved the first book, Lynn painter has a way of writing Romcoms that just make them seem like a movie ;). If you haven't read Better than the movies you should read that first, and if you are and are hesitant don't be."

— Jay A. (4/5)

it truly is nothing like the movie

"oh my goodness it was so good. The ending was so good but it was it has like sad parts but overall it was good a 10 of 10 for me would I read it again yes definitely will. I recommend it for sure and Wes and Liz are like so perfectly to each other, but I have seen something on TikTok about nothing like the movies I am for sure. Going to read that but for now better than the movies are like the best."

— Thea (5/5)

Condition

"Livre en parfaite condition. Le service était très bien!"

— Élene (5/5)

Nothing like the movies more like everything like the movies

"It was really good. Nothing will beat the first book tho. I love a good teenage romance"

— Missy (4/5)

just buy it already

"I adore this book so much. It’s honestly so over hated. Everything about it was chefs kiss. Like the yearning the love UGH"

— Aryy (5/5)

Great delivery!

"This book was nothing like the movies! It was great and came in perfect condition!"

— Mickala (5/5)

Nothing Like the Movies

"Purchased for Granddaughter. She loves to read. Enjoyed the book. Wants me to read before she shares with friends."

— Bonnie (4/5)

Léger et divertissant

"J'aime lire un livre plus léger entre 2 plus intense ou après une série pour couper avec les personnages, et j'ai adoré celui-ci. Léger et divertissant!"

— Sylvie L. (4/5)

Nothing like the movies

"Love this book so much!!! Perfect sequel and happy ending. I love Lynn painter sm, fav author BY FAR!!"

— Natasha (5/5)

Q&A

  • Published date: Sep 02, 2025
  • Language: English
  • No. of Pages: 464
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
  • ISBN: 9781665947145
  • Dimensions: 5.5" W x 1.1" L x 8.25" H
In this follow-up to 2021’s Better Than the Movies, a 20-year-old college freshman gets a second chance at his dreams.

After the death of his father and his mother’s subsequent physical and emotional disappearance, Wes Bennett left behind all of his plans and the girl he made them with to go home and take care of Sarah, his younger sister. But now, Sarah has graduated, his mom is back on her feet, and by some miracle, Wes has an offer to pitch for UCLA’s baseball team. Liz Buxbaum, the girl he’s always loved, works for the university’s athletic department, taking photos and video of the team for social media, which means that maybe he can have a second chance at love, too. But since Wes left, Liz has made every effort to protect herself from ever feeling that broken again; there’s no room for love, because she doesn’t believe in it anymore. Or she doesn’t want to. This second-chance sports romance includes fake dates, quippy and quirky best friends, real heartache, and the sweet ache of first love. The clever dialogue keeps readers from drowning in the main characters’ emotional push-and-pull. Reading the first novel isn’t necessary for appreciating this one, although knowing the full history between Wes and Liz will only add to the ache and longing readers feel from and for them. Main characters are cued white.

A worthy second-chance romance. (Romance. 14-18)

Lynn Painter is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Better Than the Movies, The Do-Over, Betting on You, Mr. Wrong Number, The Love Wager, Nothing Like the Movies, and Fake Skating. 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 @LynnPainterBooks, on X @LAPainter, and on TikTok @WesBennettsMom.

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