Book Review - Better Than The Movies by Lynn Painter

To me rom-coms are pretty much the same as feel good movies. Maybe it's the comfort of the clichés, the witty banter, the chemistry/swoon-worthy moments or simply, the fact that the characters seem to be really, really happy that makes this genre extremely appealing to me.

I've heard a lot of people call it cheesy and corny but that's exactly why it's good. What has both cheese and corn it and makes you feel happy? Garlic bread!! And if you don't like garlic bread, I don't know what to say to you.

Talking (rather, writing) about the plot of this book, I'd say that this is the textbook/manual/guide for a rom-com. It manages to deal with almost every single trope. This includes a highschool setting, the love-triangle, the good-boy-bad-boy, the makeover-montage, the falling-out-with-your-bff, the family-issues, the nerd-jock-combination, the neighbours, a fake relationship, the this-guy-is-too-good-to-be-true, a stupid prom and the rest of the package. I'm a tad bit let down that it doesn't have a villainous mean blondie but we can't criticise the genre for being repetitive without allowing it room to grow.

I love the protagonist and her love for rom-coms. I absolutely relate with her. Romantic comedies are food for the soul. The author has articulated all the high school sweetheart feelings so well that I think Netflix should adapt this into a movie ASAP. I was feeling super giddy throughout and that is exactly how a novel in this genre is supposed to make you feel.

I could point out a gazillion moments that made this book perfect but what I really loved was the usage of quotes from all the popular rom-coms before every chapter. They just made me all the more excited to keep reading because if your favourite characters were describing these moments, you'd probably listen to them. Also, I am a huge fan of references and the author banged that nail right on the head.

Overall, definitely a must read for anyone who loves to be lost in this super predictable but super cute genre.