If you’ve read Lynn Painter’s Better Than the Movies, chances are you have very strong feelings about Wes Bennett, Liz Buxbaum, and that swoony, unforgettable romance. The book became a favorite among YA romance readers for a solid list of good reasons: witty banter, fake dating, childhood crushes, romantic tension, and all the nostalgic charm of a classic rom-com.
But here’s my potentially controversial opinion (inhales deeply): I actually think Nothing Like the Movies is better than Better Than the Movies. There, I said it.
And before the Better Than the Movies fans come for me, let me explain.
Better Than the Movies Set the Bar Very High
Better Than the Movies is one of those YA contemporary romance books that feels almost impossible not to enjoy.
Liz Buxbaum is obsessed with romantic comedies and dreams of having a movie-worthy love story. Wes Bennett is her annoying-but-charming neighbor and longtime nemesis. When Liz decides to use Wes to get closer to her crush, things obviously become much more complicated than planned.
The book delivers everything you expect from a feel-good YA rom-com: Fake dating, enemies-to-lovers vibes, childhood connections, lots of banter, romantic tension, movie-inspired romance (and movie quotes, you guys, lots and lots of m o v i e q u o t e s), a charming small-town/suburban setting, a lovable book boyfriend, plenty of swoony moments…
And Wes? Wes Bennett is still one of the most recognizable YA book boyfriends of recent years. So how could the sequel possibly be better?
Well, the thing is, that's exactly where Nothing Like the Movies surprised me.
Nothing Like the Movies Feels More Emotionally Mature
One of the biggest reasons I prefer Nothing Like the Movies is that it feels more emotionally complex. While Better Than the Movies is primarily about falling in love, Nothing Like the Movies is much more interested in what happens after the happily-ever-after.
And, in my opinion, that's something YA romance doesn't always explore. We get to see what happens when two people who once felt perfect together are forced to confront the reality of their relationship, their choices, and everything that has changed.
Instead of simply asking: Will they fall in love? the sequel asks something much more complicated: Can people who loved each other find their way back to each other after everything changes? After everyone’s been deeply hurt?
That hit differently for me.
The Angst Makes the Romance More Powerful
If you’re still with me, brace yourself. Here's another unpopular opinion: I preferred the angst in Nothing Like the Movies.
Better Than the Movies gives readers the fun, swoony, butterflies-in-your-stomach kind of romance. But Nothing Like the Movies gives us the emotional baggage. And somehow, that made the romantic moments feel more meaningful.
When you've already seen how much these characters care about each other, every moment of distance, conflict, longing, and vulnerability carries more weight. It's not just a matter of Do they like each other? The question is more: Do they still know how to love each other?
That's a much more interesting romantic conflict.
It Still Has That Classic Lynn Painter Humor
One thing I was worried about before reading the sequel was that the heavier emotional storyline might mean losing the humor that made the first book so enjoyable. But thankfully, that wasn't the case.
Lynn Painter still delivers the witty dialogue, playful teasing, awkward situations, and rom-com energy that readers expect from her books. That's part of what makes the sequel work so well. It manages to be: Funny, romantic, nostalgic, emotional and angsty. And I find that combination very hard to resist.
Liz and Wes Feel More Real This Time
This might be my biggest reason for preferring the sequel. In Better Than the Movies, Liz and Wes are incredibly fun together. But in Nothing Like the Movies, their relationship feels more complicated and more human.
They're not simply two teenagers discovering that they're secretly perfect for each other. They're dealing with change. They're dealing with the past. They're dealing with expectations. And, moreover, they're dealing with the uncomfortable reality that loving someone doesn't automatically make everything easy.
That made their relationship much more interesting to me.
The Sequel Isn't Just Trying to Recreate the First Book
Another reason I think Nothing Like the Movies works so well is that it doesn't simply try to recreate the successful elements of Better Than the Movies.
A sequel can easily fall into the trap of: Readers loved the first book, so let's give them exactly the same thing again. That’s usually what makes sequels fail.
But Nothing Like the Movies takes the characters somewhere different. Instead of relying solely on the original book's fake dating, enemies-to-lovers and rom-com formula, Lynn Painter explores what happens when the characters have already experienced the romance.
That's a much harder story to write. And, I must say, it pays off.
Better Than the Movies Is More Fun — But Nothing Like the Movies Hit Me Harder
And maybe that's the real distinction. If I'm looking for a lighthearted YA rom-com, I'd probably reach for Better Than the Movies. If I want: emotional romance, angst, character development, second chances, complicated feelings, romantic tension, nostalgia and a deeper relationship story… I would choose Nothing Like the Movies.
Better Than the Movies made me smile more. Nothing Like the Movies made me feel more. And that's ultimately why I prefer it.
Featured Post:
🏆 My Lynn Painter Ranking
If we're talking specifically about these two books:
🥇 Nothing Like the Movies
More emotional, more mature, more complicated, and surprisingly addictive.
🥈 Better Than the Movies
The ultimate feel-good YA rom-com and still incredibly fun.
And honestly? There isn't really a loser here. Better Than the Movies gave us the romance we didn't know we needed. Nothing Like the Movies showed us that even a romance that feels like a movie can become much messier when real life gets involved.
A Quick Comparison…
💕 Romance
Sweet rom-com
Second-chance romance
🎓 Setting
High school
College
✨ Tone
Light & funny
More emotional & angsty
👀 POV
Liz-focused
Dual PoV
💘 Relationship
Falling in love
Finding each other again
🎬 Overall vibe
Feel-good
Emotional + romantic
⭐ Zøe Haslie's Rating
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
So… Is Nothing Like the Movies Actually Better?
Unpopular opinion: yes. Better Than the Movies might be the more iconic book. It might have the more instantly recognizable tropes. It might have introduced readers to one of YA romance's favorite couples.
But Nothing Like the Movies gave me something different. It gave the characters more emotional depth, more angst, more vulnerability, and a romance that felt less like a perfect rom-com and more like something people actually have to fight for.
And sometimes, the messy love story is the better love story.
So I'm standing by my controversial opinion.
Now I want to know:
Which Lynn Painter book do you prefer? Are you firmly on Team Better Than the Movies, or do you think Nothing Like the Movies is the superior sequel?
If You Enjoyed This YA Book Post, Check Out...
About Me
📍Dumbo - New York
I'm Zøe!
I write heartfelt, character-driven fiction featuring resilient teenage heroines navigating personal challenges and striving to become their best selves. Beyond my novels, I love storytelling in all its forms. On this blog, I share narrative-rich travel pieces, offering glimpses into my favorite places, hidden corners, and unforgettable encounters around the globe.
Get My YA Romance Favorites 💕
A cute little printable pack for YA romance lovers—with reading bingo, trope checklists, favorites to discover, and more. Perfect for adding a little fun to your TBR.
Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books and products that I genuinely love and think you’ll enjoy.
