Better Than the Movies

by Lynn Painter · 2021

When hopeless romantic Liz Buxbaum’s longtime crush Michael returns to town, she’s determined to finally catch his eye and secure the perfect prom date. To make it happen, she enlists the help of her infuriatingly charming next‑door neighbor, Wes Bennet—who has been a constant source of teenage annoyance since childhood. Their scheming involves goofy pranks, decapitated lawn gnomes, and a whole lot of teenage drama, but as Liz and Wes work together, she discovers that the boy she’s been chasing may not be the one who truly makes her heart race. As feelings shift and friendships deepen, Liz must confront what love really means and rewrite her own version of happily ever after.