From the Bookshelf of ༊*·˚ Stuck On The Book ♡₊˚ 🦢・₊✧…

Better Than the Movies (Better Than the Movies, #1)

Lynn Painter

Start date: June 4, 2024

Finish date: July 1, 2024

Discussion: BOTM

Discussion leader: Alexia･ﾟﾟ･｡༉‧₊˚. ❧

Why we're reading this: JUNE BOTM - romance
[close] JUNE BOTM - romance

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BOTM

* BOTM-How does it work?
By Alexia･ﾟﾟ･｡༉‧… · 1 post · 55 views

last updated May 09, 2024 12:16PM

MARCH BOTM!-romantasy suggestions ˚ʚ♡ɞ˚
By Alexia･ﾟﾟ･｡༉‧… · 5 posts · 21 views

last updated Apr 07, 2025 03:34PM

What Members Thought

Apr 14, 2024 Grace rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

33 likes · Like · see review

Feb 21, 2024 Maia rated it liked it

made me cringe A LOT but i enjoyed it

20 likes · Like · see review

Feb 24, 2024 Cami✯ (semi-hiatus — school ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. “You haven’t messed up my hair in a really long time.” “And it’s been killing me.” He took a step closer, which pressed me against the side of my car. “I fell in love with teasing you in the second grade, when I first discovered that I could turn your cheeks pink with just a word. Then I fell in love with you.”

Our kiss was breathless and wild and Wes pulled away too soon. He wrapped his arms around me, picked me up, and moved me to the trunk of my car. He smiled after plopping me down and said, “You haven’t messed up my hair in a really long time.” “And it’s been killing me.” He took a step closer, which pressed me against the side of my car. “I fell in love with teasing you in the second grade, when I first discovered that I could turn your cheeks pink with just a word. Then I fell in love with you.”

Our kiss was breathless and wild and Wes pulled away too soon. He wrapped his arms around me, picked me up, and moved me to the trunk of my car. He smiled after plopping me down and said, “Do you realize we could’ve been doing this for years if you weren’t such a pain in the ass?” “Nah—I didn’t like you until recently.” “Enemies-to-lovers—it’s our trope, Buxbaum.” “You poor, confused little love lover.” A giggle shimmied through me before I set my hands on his face and said as I pulled him back to me, “Just shut up and kiss me.” Cue the Bazzi.

INSTANT FIVE STAR READ.
I somehow just knew from the very beginning of this book, that our enchanting love interest wasn't Michael; it was Wes. It has always been Wes. And the only thing that made me quite angry was how oblivious Libby truly was to that.

The main character is not even close to being one of my all time favorites. She is a liar and she doesn't even lie by omission, she just lies. I genuinely felt bad for Jocelyn and HELENA. Poor Helena, bless her kind heart, she kept trying to get closer to her stepdaughter but oh what a shame, the stepdaughter is a bitch. Had I been Helena OR Jocelyn, I would've been much more hesitant to forgive Liz. The only thing that somewhat justifies her actions is the fact that she never moved on from her mother, and rightfully so. The problem was that Liz believed her mom was The Icon, while her mom unwittingly had ruined her self-esteem, leading her to believe that the bad boy is wrong and so many other seemingly inconsequential things that turned Liz into what she believed her mother would've wanted her to be, failing to understand that a parent loves unconditionally. Helena also loves her thus, and I'm so glad Liz finally understood that.

While I don't like Liz's repetitive deception, I find her personality strangely similar to mine, which is likely the reason I don't like her much. She tries so hard to fit in, and when she thinks she's finally found her place, surprise surprise, she's not where she's meant to be! Like myself, she tries too hard, and I just want to give her a big hug for that.

So if you're wondering - which, you probably are - Cami, you say you hate the main character. So why in hell is this book a five star read for you?

Good question. I have an even better answer. WES BENNETT, y'all. It is difficult to find a young boy in romcoms that is THIS perfect. From the way he was so concerned for her when she hurt her nose, to the Wes & Liz soundtrack, to the Secret Area, to The Spot, to helping her out with the Michael idiocy.

Their little "dates" (which they were unaware of being so) only got better and better. The Michael moments helped them bond, but I swooned for that soundtrack, watching that romcom and each-other's windows, the lovely Wes hoodie, the Secret Area cigar drama, THE SHOPPING SCENES, the shameless flirting, the jokes, the fights, the teasing, THE JEALOUSY. You know jealousy makes a good romcom. And here, we have loads. My little Wessy was so selfless that he gave away the girl of his dreams, just to see her be happy. He observed everything about her, he supported her, he LOVED her. And God help me, I love him. I love everything about him.

His very existence makes everything better, and I was losing my mind over the fact that they didn't go to prom together. They're going to California together, though, and I hope we see ACTUAL cuteness in book 2, no breakups because I cannot handle them.

To conclude this review and this jewel of a book, I loved it. The angst, the tension, that beautiful kiss. I screamed and I don't jest when I say I don't think any romcom can top this one for me. Can I give it six stars? Seven? 🫀🌟🫶🏻 ...more

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Mar 21, 2024 sophie (semi-hiatus bc my life is still a little messy) ⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ rated it it was amazing

➳ 4.75⭐️

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Feb 09, 2024 Chlo (Taylor's Version) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites-xoxo

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

3 likes · Like · see review

Jan 19, 2024 ⋆˚࿔ Judy 𝜗𝜚˚⋆ (Kai Azer’s Version, Haitus) rated it it was amazing

Late review!! 5⭐️! This was such a great YA romance! I put this book off so many times and now, I’m so glad I read it! Definitely recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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