Why we’re excited
This is a collection of deleted scenes, flipped points of view and epilogues featuring Wes and Liz. It includes Wes's side of key moments, a road trip to college with a rescue cat, and a fresh scene written for this edition alongside stories first posted online.
Lynn Painter's two Wes and Liz novels, Better Than the Movies, then the follow-up Nothing Like the Movies, have a devoted young adult following, and this is a bonus volume for that audience. It is not a place to start: read the two novels first, then come here for the extras.
On our most-anticipated list since 22 October 2026. See all the most anticipated books →
What to know about Behind the Movies: Outtakes and Extras from the World of Better Than the Movies
Behind the Movies: Outtakes and Extras from the World of Better Than the Movies is Book 3 in the Better Than the Movies series. New readers should begin with Book 1, Better than the Movies (we have reviewed it). The book just before this one is Nothing Like the Movies, also reviewed on The Bookish Elf. We have reviewed 2 of the series so far.
We have reviewed 8 of Lynn Painter’s books, with an average score of 4.0 out of 5. Our highest-rated so far is Trust Fall (4★).
From the publisher
For the first printing only! This paperback features sprayed stenciled edges while the special edition supply lasts.
Go behind the scenes of the beloved and New York Times bestselling rom-coms Better Than the Movies and Nothing Like the Movies for deleted and post-credit scenes and flipped POVs of fan-favorite moments in this swoon-worthy short story collection by Lynn Painter!
Ever wonder what Wes and Liz were up to between the movies? Now the moments that wound up on the cutting-room floor have all been collected to create a full, extended-cut experience of their romantic adventures!
Swoon-worthy scenes show what Wes really thought about Liz getting close to another guy, along with what was racing through Wes’s mind when Liz kissed (kissed!) him for the first time in Better Than the Movies! Plus unforgettable stories that have Wes and Liz road-tripping to college—and getting into some shenanigans with a rescue cat along the way—then living their best romantic lives post–Nothing Like the Movies with their family and friends.
Wes and Liz aren’t done yet. This collection gives behind-the-scenes access to how their iconic relationship started and how the future is looking for everyone’s favorite rom-com couple.
This collection includes stories originally released online on the author’s website and SimonTeen.com and an all-new scene written specifically for this volume.
Description supplied by the publisher.
We haven’t read Behind the Movies: Outtakes and Extras from the World of Better Than the Movies yet. When our review goes up, it will replace this page.
