Lynn Painter Books in Order: The Ultimate Rom-Com Reading Guide

If you are obsessed with the witty, fast-paced banter of Emily Henry or the nostalgic, cinematic sweetness of Jenny Han, Lynn Painter belongs at the absolute top of your reading list. A massive BookTok sensation, Painter has mastered the art of the modern romantic comedy, capturing readers’ hearts with her flawless execution of beloved tropes like fake dating, academic rivals-to-lovers, and proximity-induced tension.

Painter seamlessly splits her time between writing heartwarming Young Adult (YA) fiction and hilarious, spicy Adult contemporary romance. Because her books are often packed with interconnected companion novellas or standalone gems, organizing her library by age demographic and series ensures you get the ultimate reading experience.

The Ultimate Reading Vibe: What to Expect

Before you dive into her books, here are the core stylistic hallmarks that define a Lynn Painter novel:

Cinematic Rom-Com Homages: Painter’s characters are often unashamedly obsessed with classic romantic comedies. Expect big gestures, structural mixtapes, and playful meta-references to the films we all love.
Top-Tier Banter: Whether her protagonists are teenagers or adults, her trademark style relies heavily on sharp, fast, and fiercely funny dialogue that makes the underlying chemistry leap off the page.

1. The Young Adult (YA) Novels & Series

The Better Than the Movies Universe (Publication Order)

This is the series that launched Painter into global stardom. It follows Liz Buxbaum, a hopeless romantic who reluctantly recruits her annoying neighbor, Wes Bennett, to help her land a childhood crush—only for lines to completely blur.

Note on Companions: Painter has released several short digital companions and POVs from this universe. The core novels should be read in publication order, with the main short stories tucked in between.

Better Than the Movies (2021) – The foundational novel.
Better Than the Prom (2022) – Companion novella.
Wes & Liz’s College Road Trip (2022) – Companion novella.
Nothing Like the Movies (2024) – The highly anticipated full-length sequel tracking Wes and Liz navigating college, grief, and second chances.

YA Standalone Novels (Chronological Order)

These books feature entirely independent characters and high school settings, perfectly delivering all the angsty, sweet hallmarks of contemporary YA romance.

The Do-Over (2022) – A brilliant “Groundhog Day” style time-loop rom-com where sixteen-year-old Emilie is forced to relive a disastrous, heartbreaking Valentine’s Day over and over again.
Betting on You (2023) – A dual-perspective, fake-dating masterpiece following seventeen-year-old Bailey and the sardonic Charlie as a petty bet at their summer waterpark job turns deeply personal.
Fake Skating (2025) – Dani Collins moves back to her Minnesota hometown and is shocked to find her formerly nerdy childhood best friend is now the school’s star hockey player.
Trust Fall (Scheduled Release: September 29, 2026) – Painter’s upcoming YA release, diving into another unforgettable, trope-heavy romance.

2. The Adult Contemporary Romance Novels

For readers looking for a bit more edge, higher stakes, and adult humor, Painter’s adult rom-coms deliver the same electric banter with a higher heat level.

The Mr. Wrong Number Duology

This hilarious series explores the chaotic nature of accidental digital connections and the enemies-to-lovers trope.

Mr. Wrong Number (2022) – Olivia Marshall’s life is in shambles when a flirty, anonymous wrong-number text sparks an addiction, completely unaware that the man on the other end is her brother’s infuriatingly attractive roommate, Colin.
The Love Wager (2023) – The spin-off companion following Hallie Piper and Jack Marshall. After a disastrous one-night stand, they swear to be platonic friends and use a dating app to wager who can find true love first.

Adult Standalone Novels (Chronological Order)

Accidentally Amy (2022) – A delightful, fast-paced case of mistaken identity involving a shared coffee order and an unexpected workplace romance.
Happily Never After (2024) – Sophie Steinbeck hires Max Parks, a professional wedding objector, to crash her own doomed wedding. The two cynics team up to sabotage other terrible nuptials, inevitably catching feelings along the way.
Maid for Each Other (2025) – A sparkling, forced-proximity contemporary romance packed with Painter’s signature laugh-out-loud mishaps.
First and Forever (May 2026) – Her latest adult release. Sports fan Duffy Distefano becomes a viral villain after a clash with a hockey mascot and is forced into a fake publicity romance with a charming tight end, Connor Cunningham.

3. Middle Grade Ventures

The Wish Switch (2025) – Lynn Painter’s charming debut into the middle-grade demographic, expanding her heartfelt storytelling to younger readers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need to read the “Better Than the Movies” books in order?

Yes, absolutely. Nothing Like the Movies is a direct continuation of Wes and Liz’s relationship timeline. Reading the original 2021 book first is critical to understanding the emotional weight, inside jokes, and growth they experience in the sequel.

Is “The Love Wager” a direct sequel to “Mr. Wrong Number”?

It is a spin-off rather than a direct sequel. While it features entirely new main protagonists (Hallie and Jack), it takes place within the exact same universe and includes delightful cameos and shared timelines with Olivia and Colin from Mr. Wrong Number.

Does Lynn Painter write standalone books that don’t require reading a series?

Yes, the majority of her novels are independent standalones. Books like The Do-Over, Betting on You, and Happily Never After can be picked up entirely on their own without any prior reading.

Final Thoughts: A Modern Queen of Rom-Coms

Lynn Painter has firmly established herself as an elite voice in contemporary romance literature. By infusing genuine emotional depth, relatable characters, and electric chemistry into every single page, her books offer the perfect feel-good reading marathon. Grab a copy of Better Than the Movies or dive into the hilariously chaotic world of Mr. Wrong Number to start your journey today!

Know Your Author

Emon Anam

Hi, I’m Emon
I’m the voice and heart behind Whimsy Read. After nine years in the world of banking, I followed my passion for storytelling into the world of SEO and content strategy. Now, I blend that analytical eye with a deep love for literature to bring you book reviews that are thoughtful, honest, and always focused on the stories that stay with you.
When I’m not reading or writing, you’ll find me enjoying joyful chaos with my wife and three kids, getting lost in a new series, or revisiting my old loves: theater, music, and gaming. At the end of the day, I believe great books are meant to be shared, and I’m so glad you’re here to share them with me.