Better Than the Movies

This book is perfect for those who enjoy slow-burn romances that really tug at your heartstrings! While the book is YA, the characters didn't come across as too immature, making it a great read for adults as well.
Liz is a hopeless romantic whose childhood crush, Michael, moves back to town. To show him that she's not the goofy little Liz she used to be but a viable girlfriend candidate, she asks her pain-in-the-ass neighbor Wes to help change Michael's view of her. However, as Liz and Wes spend more time together, she starts to question if she's chasing after the right guy after all.
For once, I didn't hate the third-act conflict at all. While the main character made some pretty stupid decisions, the conflicts were resolved in a way that actually highlighted the characters' growth over the span of the book.
Lynn Painter's writing is excellent and has the ability to really bring the characters to life. I cried so much over the beautiful prose and Liz's relationship with her mom, stepmom, and friends. Most interactions between her and Wes I felt physically as little tugs in my belly, and that made me fall in love with the book even more.