The side characters in the book, especially Helena, Liz’s stepmom, had great personalities. She could also be herself with Wes and around Michael, she put up a façade.

She was also her best self when with Wes and we thoroughly enjoyed seeing them go from neighbors-who-hate-each-other to something more. Sure, her interests were a bit whacky, but she had heart. Her one liners were witty AF and she was COOL- we don’t care how many people said she wasn’t. We loved Liz for her humor and unique sense of self. Their chemistry was amazing and left us swooning, especially the parts involving their fake dates. He was actually super attentive, thoughtful and made Liz feel great about herself when others did not appreciate her authenticity. He was charming, funny, and more than the stereotypical enemies-to-lovers love interest. As self-proclaimed rom-com enthusiasts, we needed this book in our lives. The book is pitched for fans of Jenny Han and Kasie West, both of which we love. Claire would put it up there with Glimpsed as one of her favorite rom-coms. OMG! Better Than the Movies book was fantastic- one of the best books we’ve read this year. He may even be the happily ever after she was always looking for. But as they spend more time plotting, the more Liz realizes she actually more-than-tolerates Wes-she likes him. In exchange for forfeiting her rights to the prime parking spot in their neighborhood, Liz and Wes make an agreement: he will pretend to be interested in her to up Liz’s cool factor.

Enter her annoyingly attractive (and evil) next door neighbor, Wes Bennett, who is suddenly BFFs with Michael. Liz needs an “in” to get Michael to notice her. Except Michael still views her as the odd-ball Little Liz from elementary school. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, she thinks this is her shot at a happily ever after- and a prom date- straight from a rom-com. She used to watch them with her mom and, after her mom’s death, uses them as a way to feel close to her. Liz Buxbaum is obsessed with romantic comedies. *We received this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Better than movies by lynn painter