Nothing Like the Movies is the enthralling sequel to Lynn Painter’s hit novel, Better than the Movies. The first book made waves across social media back in 2021. Now, with its much-anticipated sequel, Painter reminds her fervent fanbase why they fell in love with her storytelling in the first place. Readers yearning to be swept back into this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers narrative all over again will be delighted to discover that Painter delivered precisely that this past October.
Painter’s witty commentary and creative storylines welcome the reader into a college romance, set on the picturesque campus of UCLA. This book follows the internal monologues of two students: Liz Buxbaum – a third-year videography major who recently landed her dream internship with the award-winning documentary producer, Lilith Grossman – and Wes Bennett, the hot-shot freshman baseball pitcher, recently returned to UCLA after taking some time off to help his family stay afloat after his dad’s passing.
It is difficult to grasp the depth of Nothing Like the Movies without having read the complex backstory laid out in the first book. Wes and Liz are not the typical college romance. They both have romantic baggage – and each character’s private history is just that: unknown to the other. Painter invites the reader into one character’s perspective after the other, and the dance of their dialogue, the dramatic irony of their every exchange, makes for an irresistible tension throughout.
“Okay, so tell me about your three favorite things about UCLA so far.”
Liz Buxbaum, Liz Buxbaum, and Liz Buxbaum.
“The food, the scooters, and the libraries.”
The universe seems to be pulling these two together: meet-cutes, mutual friends, a romantic high school sweetheart past. Wes has a serious infatuation with this particular music-loving redhead. However, a scornful memory has left Liz sworn off love. She can’t imagine a future with Wes without escaping their past tribulations. Will Wes be able to change Liz’s mind and prove that he has truly changed? Can he comfort her anxious hesitations? Are they truly star-crossed lovers or simply a fling meant to remain in the past?
Continuing the trend with Painter’s first book, each chapter opens up with a rom-com movie quote. This creative detail resonates with the intended young-adult audience demographic. Pop culture references can be found all over Painter’s novels. Rom-com quotes, in addition to several song references, frequently produce an exciting and satisfying sense of recognition. Turning on the songs as they are mentioned in the book makes for a particularly immersive reading experience. If listening to music while reading isn’t preferred, there is a culminated playlist at the end of the book that can be enjoyed all at once. These tasteful and amusing elements have a knack for elevating the romantic storyline, as when the lyrics of a Taylor Swift song overtakes Wes’ mind.
“I’m looking at you and trying to find the words to convince you to be with me, and do you know what comes into my head? You showed me colors you know I can’t see with anyone else. They aren’t my words, I don’t even know what song or album they’re from, for God’s sake, but it’s exactly how I feel. And you taught me a secret language I can’t speak with anyone else – ”
Nothing Like the Movies is truly a hopeless romantic’s dream. While the book is, admittedly, a slow-burn, and though a handful of time-jumps might leave you confused for a page or two, this is ultimately a sweet and cheesy story. Anyone who enjoyed the first book is sure to take a liking to it. Most impressively, however, Painter manages to make a 448-page novel feel like a light and refreshing read. Anyone who has found themselves in a reading-slump is sure to be remedied by this book.
Emily Hackett is a rising freshman at Oregon State University. She is pursuing a degree in marketing and runs a photography business on the side.
Orange County Review of Books 