If you're trying to figure out how to navigate Lynn Painter's viral rom-com universe, you're not alone. The competitor page we looked at hallucinates a completely fictional author named Miranda Kenneally and lists entirely fake books like Better Than the Best Man and Fixing Fish. Let's set the record straight right away: the Better Than the Movies series is written by Lynn Painter, and it follows the witty, movie-obsessed romance of Liz Buxbaum and Wes Bennett.
Getting the reading sequence right matters because jumping straight into sequels without context leaves out crucial emotional development. Whether you're a first-time reader or revisiting Liz and Wes's story, here is the exact, correct reading order for the books and essential companion novellas.
The Core Reading Order
To experience the narrative arc as the author intended, follow this chronological and publication sequence. Both alignment methods match perfectly for the core duology.
- Better Than the Movies (2021): This is where it all starts. High school senior Liz Buxbaum is a hopeless romantic obsessed with classic rom-com tropes. When her childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town, Liz strikes a reluctant deal with her annoying next-door neighbor, Wes Bennett, to help land her a prom date. What follows is classic forced proximity, sharp banter, and a slow-burn realization that the right person might have been next to you all along.
- Nothing Like the Movies (2024): The full-length sequel picks up as Liz and Wes navigate the tricky transition into college life, long-distance hurdles, grief, and second chances. Reading the first book is mandatory here, as the emotional stakes rely heavily on the history built in senior year.
Essential Companion Novellas and Short Stories
Lynn Painter has expanded the universe with short digital companions that fill in gaps between milestones. If you want the complete immersion experience, slot these in alongside the main novels:
- Better Than the Prom (2022): A short companion novella offering bonus POVs and extending the prom night magic from the first book.
- Wes and Liz's College Road Trip (2022): A quick digital short that captures the banter-heavy transition phase between high school graduation and their next chapter.
Common Mistakes When Starting the Series
Readers often make a few predictable errors when picking up these books for the first time. Avoiding them makes for a much smoother experience.
- Confusing YA with Adult Rom-Coms: Lynn Painter writes both Young Adult (YA) and adult contemporary romance. Better Than the Movies is firmly YA, featuring high school and early college themes. Don't confuse it with her adult titles like Mr. Wrong Number or The Love Wager, which feature older protagonists and higher heat levels.
- Skipping the Novellas: While you can read the two main novels without the short stories, skipping them means missing out on crucial banter and inside jokes that bridge the gap between 2021 and 2024.
- Trusting AI-Generated Reading Guides: As seen on random low-quality sites, automated scrapers often mix up authors (attributing Painter's work to Miranda Kenneally) and invent fake titles. Always check verified publisher sources like Simon & Schuster or author directories before mapping out your TBR pile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read Lynn Painter's other books to understand this series?
No. While Painter frequently includes small Easter eggs or shared universe cameos, Better Than the Movies and Nothing Like the Movies stand completely on their own as a dedicated duology.
Can Nothing Like the Movies be read as a standalone?
It's technically possible, but it won't hit the same way. The emotional payoff of the sequel relies entirely on knowing how Liz and Wes went from sparring neighbors to true partners in the first book.
Is the series finished?
The core story centered on Liz and Wes is a duology, meaning the two main novels wrap up their primary arc. However, Painter continues to write interconnected contemporary romances set in adjacent worlds. You can explore her complete bibliography on Goodreads.
What age rating is the Better Than the Movies series?
It is classified as Young Adult (YA) fiction. It features clean, sweet romance with plenty of emotional tension, witty pop-culture references, and high school drama, making it appropriate for older teens and up.
