# Better Than the Movies

By Lynn Painter · Better Than the Movies, book 1

Profile: https://hahafiction.com/books/better-than-the-movies-74dcc73e/

Liz Buxbaum wants a prom date with Michael, the childhood crush who has returned to town. Getting closer to him means asking her infuriating neighbor Wes for help, and their plotting gives Liz plenty of time with the boy she thinks she can’t stand.

## What makes it funny?

Liz and Wes have a running fight over a parking space. When she arranges for him to get a ticket, he retaliates by covering her windshield with it. His teasing also includes deliberately mishearing her words.

### The comedy at work

Liz knows the romantic-movie version of how her life should go. Her grudges and schemes keep interrupting it, with dry commentary and a neighbor who enjoys provoking her.

### Try this if…

Romantic-movie references and familiar devices such as fake dating and a makeover reward readers who enjoy seeing a character try to organize her own love story.

### Good to know

This YA romance also follows Liz’s grief for her mother. The films they loved together matter more as prom and other senior-year milestones bring that absence home.

## What to expect

- Genre: Romance
- On the shelf: Contemporary romance · Romantic comedy
- Kind of humor: Banter · Dry wit · Situational comedy
- The atmosphere: Warmhearted
- Audience: Young adult
- Format: Novel
- Length: 368 pages
- Audiobook: 10 hr 37 min
- Published: 2021

## More in Better Than the Movies

- Book 2: Nothing Like the Movies

## A few distinguishing details

- A prom plan involving the supposedly wrong boy
- A neighborhood parking feud

## Sources & further reading

- Publisher: [Simon & Schuster lists Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter at 368 pages and ISBN 9781534467620; the page is currently on its Hardcover format.](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Better-Than-the-Movies/Lynn-Painter/Better-Than-the-Movies/9781534467620)
- Publisher: [Simon & Schuster identifies Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter as an Unabridged Audio Download with runtime 10 hours 37 minutes and ISBN 9781797127958.](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Better-Than-the-Movies/Lynn-Painter/9781797127958)
- Book information: [Bibliographic listing](https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/lynn-painter/better-than-the-movies.htm)
- Review: [Kirkus review](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/lynn-painter/better-than-the-movies)
- Publisher: [Publisher and opening chapter](https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Better-Than-the-Movies/Lynn-Painter/Better-Than-the-Movies/9781534467620)