Better than the Prom by Lynn Painter Summary

Better than the Prom is a companion novella to Better than the Movies that follows Wes Bennett on prom night as he watches the girl he's loved his entire life, Liz Buxbaum, attend the dance with her childhood crush Michael. The heartfelt story captures Wes's emotional turmoil throughout the evening until Liz meets him afterward in casual clothes under their special streetlight, leading to a romantic revelation that proves more meaningful than any prom could be.

Lynn Painter is a New York Times bestselling author who specializes in romantic comedies for both young adult and adult audiences. Based in Omaha, Nebraska, she has written multiple successful titles including Better Than the Movies, Mr. Wrong Number, The Do-Over, Betting on You, and Nothing Like the Movies. She also contributes regularly to the Omaha World-Herald's parenting section and is known for her witty, engaging storytelling that blends humor with genuine emotion.

Better than the Prom is perfect for fans of Better than the Movies who want more of Wes Bennett's perspective, as well as readers who enjoy sweet, emotionally satisfying YA romance novellas. It appeals to those who appreciate stories about unrequited love, friendship-to-romance journeys, and the authentic messiness of teenage emotions. Anyone looking for a quick, swoon-worthy read with heartfelt moments and witty dialogue will find this novella engaging and rewarding.

Better than the Prom received overwhelmingly positive reviews, with readers praising its emotional depth despite its short length. Fans particularly loved Wes Bennett's devotion to Liz and found the novella sweet, swoon-worthy, and satisfying. Many readers expressed that it provided the Wes perspective they craved after reading Better than the Movies, with memorable quotes and charming romantic moments. While some critics felt it was unnecessary, the vast majority found it a worthwhile addition to the series.

Better than the Prom serves as book 1.5 in the Better than the Movies series, functioning as a companion story that retells prom night from Wes Bennett's point of view. While Better than the Movies follows Liz Buxbaum's journey pursuing her childhood crush Michael with Wes's reluctant help, this novella reveals Wes's internal struggle watching the girl he loves attend prom with another guy. The story provides essential context for understanding Wes's feelings and enriches the main narrative by showing his perspective during this pivotal moment.

Wes Bennett emerges as a deeply devoted, emotionally vulnerable character who has loved Liz Buxbaum his entire life. Despite his reputation as Liz's annoying next-door neighbor who constantly teases her, the novella reveals his genuine feelings and the pain he experiences watching her pursue Michael. Readers overwhelmingly praised Wes's character, finding his perspective authentic, swoon-worthy, and emotionally resonant. His combination of humor, loyalty, and heartfelt devotion made him a standout romantic lead who elevated readers' standards for fictional romance.

Better than the Prom explores teenage love, unrequited feelings, and the courage required to be vulnerable with someone you care about. The novella examines how love often hides in plain sight, waiting to be recognized, and celebrates the transformative power of honesty and choosing authentic connection over superficial expectations. Lynn Painter addresses the fear of rejection, the pain of miscommunication, and ultimately the joy of being truly seen and chosen by someone. The story emphasizes that perfect moments with imperfect people matter more than picture-perfect events like prom.

Better than the Prom stands out through its authentic dialogue, relatable characters, and clever use of metaphor and setting to convey emotional depth. Unlike traditional prom-centered stories that glorify the dance itself, this novella subverts expectations by showing that genuine connection matters more than the event. The modern touches including texting and pop culture references make it accessible, while the emotional authenticity of Wes's perspective creates unusual depth for a short novella. Lynn Painter's witty writing style combined with genuine heartfelt moments distinguishes it from typical YA romance fare.

Readers gave Better than the Prom overwhelmingly positive reviews, with many expressing desire for even more content from Wes's perspective. Common praise focused on Wes Bennett's devotion to Liz, memorable romantic quotes, and the overall charm of their relationship dynamic. Many readers found the novella emotionally satisfying despite its brevity and described it as sweet and swoon-worthy. Some fans commented that it raised their standards for romance, while a small minority of critics felt it lacked depth or was unnecessary to the series.

The central conflict revolves around Wes Bennett attending prom while knowing that Liz, the girl he's loved his entire life, is there with Michael—the guy she has pursued throughout Better than the Movies. Every glance Wes steals of Liz in her gown, smiling at her date, feels like a punch to his solar plexus as he navigates the painful experience. The emotional tension builds as they avoid each other at the dance, with Wes struggling between his genuine feelings and the reality of her apparent happiness with someone else.

Better than the Prom provides Wes Bennett's perspective to reveal the emotional depth and genuine love he harbors for Liz that wasn't fully apparent in Better than the Movies. Since the main novel follows Liz's journey pursuing Michael while slowly recognizing her feelings for Wes, this companion story fills the gap by showing Wes's internal struggle and unwavering devotion throughout the same timeline. Readers specifically requested more of Wes's point of view after falling in love with his character, making this perspective shift both commercially smart and emotionally satisfying for fans.

The contrast between the glamorous prom setting and the intimate streetlight spot where Wes and Liz ultimately connect serves as a powerful metaphor for authentic versus superficial romance. While the formal dance represents societal expectations and picture-perfect moments, their special spot under the streetlight symbolizes genuine connection and shared history. The image of Liz waiting for Wes in Chuck Taylors and a sweatshirt instead of her prom gown emphasizes that real love values comfort and authenticity over appearances. This setting choice reinforces Lynn Painter's central message that meaningful relationships matter more than impressive events.