Lia Dimapasok

“Better Than the Movies,” a popular book among the young adult reading community sparked much controversy when its sequel “Nothing Like the Movies” was released. Some are for the deep, emotional writing, while others miss the light, rom-com feel.

Lynn Painter’s highly anticipated sequel, “Nothing Like the Movies,” has finally come out, and many fans are eager to see if it lives up to its successor, “Better than the Movies.”

In contrast to the light and quirky first book, “Nothing Like the Movies” features a more mature Wes and Liz who have finally moved on to college and are making a path for themselves—a path that does not involve each other. 

So far, the public reception seems to be divided—on one hand, many are open to the idea of a continuation to Liz Buxbaum and Wes Bennet’s love story, while many others believe that a sequel was an unnecessary addition to an already good standalone book

The first thing to consider with “Nothing Like the Movies” is the simple fact that it’s a sequel. “Better than the Movies” worked fine as a standalone, its story neatly wrapped up by the final page. So when Painter announced the sequel, of course, many fans were skeptical. Was there really more story to tell, or was this just a way to satiate a hungry fanbase?

From the start, “Nothing Like the Movies” felt like an attempt to recapture the success and positive reception from the first book. The plot picks up with Wes, determined to win back Liz after a breakup, and fans are still debating the necessity of it. What follows is a series of elaborate, rom-com-worthy attempts to get her attention, even as Liz makes it clear that she’s not interested (or is she?). 

“[Nothing Like the Movies] took a lot away from the characters’ original personalities. I missed that. It felt like a fan fiction,” said Kathleen Chang (10).

Her sentiment seems to be the general consensus: while fans were eager to see more of Wes and Liz, the sequel’s portrayal of them doesn’t always align with what made them so lovable in the first book.

“I just felt like the characters were a little too different from how they were in the first book, especially Liz,” said Gia Shaan (10). “Maybe it was just because she was still in high school, but she had a sense of relatability that I feel like was lost in ‘Nothing Like the Movies.’” 

One of the notable differences between “Better than the Movies” and its sequel is the shift in tone. While the original had a rom-com, almost whimsical quality, “Nothing Like the Movies” introduces a heavier story line. 

For some readers, this new layer of emotion was a very welcomed change. 

“It felt authentic,” said Chloe ‘Coco’ Hong (10). “The first book portrayed this young, high school love, while the second dealt with some very tricky life moments in a somewhat relatable way.”

Still, it has left others feeling like the sequel lost the lightheartedness of the original.

“I cried. Thank you for Wes’s backstory that I did not need to cry to,” Chang said.

Despite the criticism, “Nothing Like the Movies” isn’t without its redeeming qualities. While noticeably a very different take on Wes and Liz’s love story, there are fans who regard the added changes as Better Than its Predecessor.

“Don’t get me wrong, ‘Better Than the Movies’ is an amazing book,” said Hong. “But ‘Nothing Like the Movies’ feels so much more real to me. Even if Liz isn’t as caught up in her rom-com fantasies as she used to be, it’s nice to watch her figure out life without those rose-colored lenses.”

And, of course, for fans who love a good cry, “Nothing Like the Movies” delivered. 

“I like when I cry over books because it makes me feel more human,” Chang said. “’Nothing Like the Movies’ made me do just that.”

So, does “Nothing Like the Movies” live up to its predecessor? That depends on what you’re looking for. If you loved “Better than the Movies” for its lighthearted charm, the sequel might feel like a step in a different direction—one that doesn’t always work. But if you’re that invested in Wes and Liz’s relationship and willing to embrace change, there’s plenty to enjoy.

Ultimately, “Nothing Like the Movies” is a sequel that some readers will love and others will feel was unnecessary. Lynn Painter took a risk by continuing a story that many felt had already reached its conclusion, and while the results are mixed, the book is undeniably a noteworthy addition to her repertoire of other amazing works.