Better Than the Movies is a young adult romantic comedy by Lynn Painter (2021). The novel tells the story of Liz Buxbaum, a senior in high school with a passion for romance movies inherited from her late mother. This coming-of-age story references classic romantic comedy tropes and films as Liz eventually discovers that “happily ever after” is not what or who she expects.

Painter is the author of other bestselling romantic comedies, both for teens and adults, such as The Do-Over (2022) and Mr. Wrong Number (2022). This guide references the July 2022 paperback edition of the novel.

Plot Summary

The protagonist, Liz Buxbaum, explains in the Prologue that romance movie binge-watching is a tradition she and her late mother shared. Before she died, Liz’s mother taught her that the charming “bad boy” is not the man to aim for; instead, she should seek a nice, dependable man for her “happily ever after.” Liz believes her hero cannot be Wes Bennet, her annoying next-door neighbor who has tormented her since childhood. They currently have an ongoing war over the only available parking spot on their street, and he constantly teases her for her fashion sense and optimistic belief in romance.

When Liz’s childhood crush, Michael, returns to town after seven years, Liz is immediately infatuated again. She makes it her mission to go with him to prom, even though her best friend Jocelyn (Joss) warns about romanticizing him. Liz also does not let the rumors about Michael having feelings for apparent mean girl Laney discourage her—Liz has despised Laney ever since grade school for Laney’s cruelty. Liz is determined to make Michael into the rom-com hero of her love life; she believes this would make her mother proud. She has recently found it hard to cope with her mother’s death in the face of senior year milestones and the thought of leaving for college; when Joss asks Liz to go prom dress shopping, Liz invents an excuse not to go.

When Wes invites Michael to a party, Liz realizes that Wes’s friendship with him can be the way to Michael’s heart. She asks Wes for help winning him over in exchange for the parking spot. Wes is skeptical Liz’s plan will work but agrees to help. He takes Liz to the party where she hopes to get closer to Michael, but she ends up humiliated when a girl vomits all over her. After Wes helps her clean up, he advises Liz on what to wear and how to act around Michael, promising to praise her in front of him whenever he can. They go to a basketball game, Liz hoping again to make progress with Michael, but her plan is hindered when a ball accidentally hits her in the face. Wes takes her to the hospital, and Liz is surprised by his attentiveness. She previously believed he was a shallow jock, but she realizes he is kind and funny. They bond by hanging out in their “Secret Area” behind Wes’s house and reliving their amusing childhood memories. Meanwhile, Liz lies to Joss about her scheme and growing closeness with Wes.

Part of their scheme involves making Michael think Wes has feelings for Liz in order to make her seem like a grown-up, potential romantic partner. However, this backfires when he repeatedly encourages Liz to date Wes. They plan to call off the ruse and have Wes date Alex, a girl who is rumored to have a crush on him, leaving the path clear for Michael to ask out Liz to prom. However, when the time comes, Liz realizes she has real feelings for Wes and is no longer interested in Michael. Meanwhile, Liz finally agrees to go dress shopping with Joss and her stepmother, Helena, despite it feeling wrong. She picks a beautiful dress, but the moment feels empty without her mother.

After Liz and Wes almost crash Wes’s car in the rain, Liz decides to kiss him, and he kisses her back. She hopes this could be the start of their romantic relationship. She is later shocked when Michael suddenly asks Liz to prom despite his feelings for Laney. Because Wes still seems supportive of her pursuit of Michael, Liz is dismayed and accepts Michael’s promposal. At prom, Liz is further upset when she sees Wes with Alex. Liz’s relationships with Joss and Helena also suffer as Joss discovers Liz’s lies and Liz shuns Helena from her life for fear of replacing her mother.

After making amends with Joss and Helena and pushing Michael to finally be with Laney, Liz decides to go after Wes with a grand gesture. However, it falls flat when she sees him with Alex once again. Later, Wes confronts Liz, and ultimately, they both reveal that they have fallen in love with each other. They reunite and kiss, earning their “happily ever after.” In the Epilogue, Liz and Wes are about to head to UCLA together, and she feels that her mother would be happy to see her moving forward.