Better Than The Movies: A Hilarious & Heartwarming Romance Novel

Overview of Better Than The Movies

Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter is a romance novel that was originally released in 2021. It tells the story of Liz Buxbaum, a romance movie addict who decides she wants to find a real-life romance like the ones she sees in her favorite films. The book became a hit on BookTok and has developed a big following among romance readers.

About the Author

Lynn Painter is the author behind the hugely popular book Better Than The Movies. She lives in Iowa City, Iowa with her husband and two young daughters. Better Than The Movies is her debut novel.

Painter has said in interviews that she has always been an avid reader of romance novels. She wanted to try her hand at writing her own love story inspired by her favorite romantic comedies. The result was Better Than The Movies, which combines her love of books and movies.

The Story and Characters

The main character in Better Than The Movies is Liz Buxbaum, a 25-year-old living in Los Angeles. Liz works at a movie theater and spends most of her free time watching her favorite romantic comedies. She obsessively watches films like When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Pretty Woman.

Liz dreams of having her own epic romance story like the ones in the movies she loves. However, she has never had much luck with romance in real life. Her dating history includes one awkward one night stand and a string of lackluster Tinder dates.

At the start of the book, Liz has just gone through a breakup with her long-term boyfriend Mike. They had grown apart and Liz felt like the spark had gone out of their relationship. Now newly single, Liz decides she is going to actively try to find the kind of romance she has always dreamed about.

The main love interest in the story is a charming and handsome doctor named Wes Bennett. Liz first meets Wes when she ends up in the ER with a sprained ankle. Sparks immediately fly between them, leaving Liz thrilled that she may have finally met her own romantic comedy leading man.

Themes and Plot

Some of the major themes in Better Than The Movies include:

• The search for true love and romance
• The difference between fantasy and reality when it comes to relationships
• Letting go of expectations and finding happiness in real connections
• Learning to communicate openly and honestly in relationships

After first meeting cute in the ER, Liz tries to orchestrate more "meet-cutes" with Wes like she has seen in her favorite movies. She pretends to keep running into him "accidentally," downplays her interest in him to seem more desirable, and even uses her eccentric neighbor Holly as a "sidekick" character to meddle in her love life.

However, Liz soon realizes real-life romance is much more complicated than in the movies. She struggles to get Wes to see her as girlfriend material. Liz also lies to Wes about parts of herself in order to seem more perfect and runs into issues when he discovers the truth.

Eventually after much pining, misunderstandings, and soul searching, Liz learns to embrace the messiness of real romance. She opens up emotionally to Wes and realizes the importance of honesty and vulnerability in finding true love.

Why Fans Love It

Better Than The Movies has resonated strongly with romance readers, especially those who feel disillusioned with modern dating and long for an old-fashioned love story. Fans say they love Liz's character and find her totally relatable, especially her obsession with romantic comedies.

Readers gush over the steamy but emotional chemistry between Liz and Wes. Their on-again/off-again courtship is filled with plenty of swoony moments. Fans also say the book made them laugh out loud while also tugging at their heartstrings.

In the end, readers say Better Than The Movies leaves them feeling hopeful about love. Liz realizes that while romance won't be exactly like the movies, real-life love can still be amazing when you find the right person.

Bonus Content in PDF

In late 2022, author Lynn Painter surprised fans by releasing a free PDF on her website titled "BTTM Bonus Content." This special PDF includes deleted scenes and an alternate ending giving more details about Liz and Wes' relationship.

Some highlights from the bonus content include:

• A scene of Liz and Wes on a cute picnic date at the Hollywood sign
• A scene where Liz gets relationship advice from her psychic landlord
• An alternate ending scene of Wes proposing to Liz in a romantic callback to a movie scene

Fans were thrilled with the bonus content, which provides extra insight into Liz and Wes' charming love story. The PDF is available to download for free on Lynn Painter's website.

Conclusion

Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter is a must-read for romance fans looking for a fun, heartwarming love story. Readers fall in love with Liz's journey to finding her own true romance. With plenty of humor and steamy chemistry, Better Than The Movies satisfies readers' desires for an uplifting and passionate romance novel.

FAQs

What is the book Better Than The Movies about?

Better Than The Movies follows Liz, a romantic comedy addict who is searching for a real-life epic love after a breakup. She believes she's found it with a handsome doctor named Wes. However, Liz soon learns real romance is more complicated than in the movies.

Who wrote the book Better Than The Movies?

The book is written by author Lynn Painter. Better Than The Movies is Painter's debut novel.

What genre is the book Better Than The Movies?

Better Than The Movies is a romance novel with elements of romantic comedy as well. The book has humor and lighthearted moments like rom-com movies.

Where does Better Than The Movies take place?

The book is set in Los Angeles. Main character Liz Buxbaum lives and works in LA.

Is Better Than The Movies available as an audiobook?

Yes, an audiobook version of Better Than The Movies is available. It is narrated by Carly Robins.