What We’re Reading in September 2024
CURRENTLY READING
Better Than the Movies
by Lynn Painter
It’s back to school season, my loves! And we’re heading back to high school. This neighbors, enemies-to-lovers will give you butterflies reminiscent of those when you laid eyes on your childhood crush for the first time. And if you love it, well… we’re just in time for the release of the sequel in October!
If Taylor Swift’s You Belong With Me music video was a romance novel, it might be this book… the details might by different, but the vibes are the same. Non-stop pop culture references — shows, movies, and songs.
Get your copy of Better Than the Movies (Amazon) and read with us!
What Victoria Loved
VICTORIA’S RATING: 5/5
A rom-com about rom-coms — can you think of anything more perfect?
Yes, I can. THIS BOOK. Neighbors, childhood friends turned enemies with the potential lovers. A right-in-front-of-you, always been you type of love. *Swoon* !!
Better Than the Movies is my middle school idea of high school romance come to life. I found Liz completely relatable — a hopeless romantic, holding onto a childhood crush who she’s eager to impress when he moves back to town.
And then there’s Wesley. Ah, Wesley. One of my favorite MMCs of all-time. I could list out all the things I love about him, but I don’t want to ruin the magic of falling in love with this character.
If this book doesn’t make you wish you were heading back to school this fall, well, I don’t know if we can be friends anymore. (I kid!) But at the very least, I hope you’ll be glad you don’t have any homework to do anymore.
Listen to Liz & Wes’ extended playlist; here’s our Better Than the Movies playlist (Spotify). Note: Songs are listed in order of appearance.
What the Book Club Loved
FIREWORKS & STEAM: 0/5
There was no steam to rate, per se. But in terms of warm, fuzzy butterflies? 4/5
WRITING STYLE: 4.25/5
Lynn delivers sooo hard on the teenage girl mindset. Liz lived up to our memory of being a high school senior — a bit self-centered, wary and suspicious of the cool kids and dramatic AF. However, that ultimately led us to question whether she’s a reliable narrator. And we weren’t convinced she was given her perception of everyone (especially Wes) turned out to be wrong.
We also loved how Lynn connected chapters with the plot lines of the movies she quotes at the start of each chapter. It was nostalgic and so relatable.
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: 4/5
TL;DR: We wanted more. We wanted more influence from Joss, more backbone from Liz (and confronting her fears with Joss and Helena), more communication, more backstory on Wes’ grandma, more Wes. P.S. Michael is a piece of wet bread, and you can’t change our minds.
THE LOVE STORY: 4/5
Liz and Wes are so cute! We wish Liz had pined for Wes longer, proven she was worthy of him in the way he had pined for her. We didn’t have a chance to see her express and demonstrate that interest outside of jealousy and failed communication… and Wes deserves that effort. His willingness to give up what he wants (to go to prom with her, to love her) for her happiness, so she gets what she wants is too much. Our stomachs were flipping from the cuteness overload.
“I was crying on the T. I need to read the next Liz and Wes book ASAP.”
- JESS
If You Loved Better Than the Movies, You’ll Love These
BACK-TO-SCHOOL, COLLEGE EDITION: Begin Again by Emma Lord (Amazon)
A new school year means a fresh start, but for Andie Rose, it’s quite a rocky beginning when all her plans crumble at her feet. This YA romance does a beautifully nostalgic job of bringing together the unease and excitement of the first few days of college and the journey to finding oneself (and love) amidst the chaos.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
JUMP TO THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: Today Tonight Tomorrow (Rowan & Neil #1) by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Amazon)
This 24-hour romance between two overachievers is a high-school dream come true. Fall in love with the city of Seattle through the game of Howl as these two sweet characters find the love that’s hummed under the surface of their rivalry for the past four years.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
BY THIS AUTHOR: The Do-Over by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
If I could live in a time loop and reread this book over and over and over so I could relive this day with these characters endlessly, I would. Lynn Painter has marvelously woven every emotion into this story and then swiftly surrounded it with a playful cardigan. That said, The Do-Over is the perfect read for a T-Swift playlist, starting with “Lover.” Actually, here’s the actual playlist Lynn created for the book (Spotify). Enjoy!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5
ON MY TBR: Nothing Like the Movies (Better Than the Movies #2) by Lynn Painter (Amazon)
We get to see our favorite characters go through a hard time and come out stronger. We finally get to read about Wes playing baseball!! And see Liz living out her passions as well. We get more romantic gestures, charming side characters, snappy one liners, pop-culture references. And obviously, a beautiful reminder of what a lovely human Wes is. Read Victoria’s Sneak Peek!
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
Until the next chapter!
xo, Victoria
P.S. Craving more books featuring these sub-genres, tropes, and themes? Tap the links below.
