Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter
The start of Nothing Like The Movies was unexpectedly heartbreaking, especially right after finishing Better Than The Movies. That story ended on such a joyful and romantic note for Wes and Liz, full of hope and excitement for the future. So, beginning the sequel with a breakup felt like emotional whiplash. We meet versions of Wes and Liz who are older, more complex, and shaped by the weight of real-life experiences. It was a shift I didn’t expect, but one that made their stories feel even more meaningful.
I wasn’t prepared for the turn Wes’s life would take. At the end of BTTM, he and Liz were filled with excitement for college and everything ahead. But life took a sharp turn. The loss of a loved one turned his world upside down, forcing him to set aside his dreams and plans. Reading about his grief and the slow, painful process of rebuilding himself moved me deeply. There’s something incredibly powerful about seeing someone allow themselves to hope again after feeling completely lost.
At the same time, I felt for Liz. Wes ending things without telling her the full truth felt unfair. But grief doesn’t follow rules. People cope in different ways, and sometimes that means making choices that hurt others, even if the intention wasn’t to cause pain. They were young and still learning how to navigate the complexities of life. In the end, I’m just happy they found their way back to each other after everything.
For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: the strong-willed girl next door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off for college to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.
Flash forward months later, and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.
Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with rom-com-worthy grand gestures she loves. Only . . . Liz will have none of it! Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend . . . a guy friend.
Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.