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Better Than You
Not yet published
Expected 30 Mar 27NEVER HAVE I EVER meets BETTER THAN THE MOVIES in this paperback original romance full of academic rivalry, senior year shenanigans, and springtime magic.
Mira and Colin have been academic rivals for all four years of high school. So when they find out their GPAs are exactly tied, they refuse to share the valedictorian title, instead concocting an elaborate competition to determine the true head of the class.
As the whole school tunes into their increasingly desperate attempts to outdo each other, Mira and Colin realize that their rivalry might have been masking something else all along...
Smart characters = great banter: Rivals-to-lovers hits harder when they’re both whip-smart and incredibly witty!
The most wonderful time of year: Despite what you may have heard, it’s not Christmas. It’s the last few weeks of school, when the sun is out and anything is possible—even falling in love with the last person you expected.
Opposites attract: Overachieving is just about the only thing Mira and Colin have in common... or so they think.
Mira and Colin have been academic rivals for all four years of high school. So when they find out their GPAs are exactly tied, they refuse to share the valedictorian title, instead concocting an elaborate competition to determine the true head of the class.
As the whole school tunes into their increasingly desperate attempts to outdo each other, Mira and Colin realize that their rivalry might have been masking something else all along...
Smart characters = great banter: Rivals-to-lovers hits harder when they’re both whip-smart and incredibly witty!
The most wonderful time of year: Despite what you may have heard, it’s not Christmas. It’s the last few weeks of school, when the sun is out and anything is possible—even falling in love with the last person you expected.
Opposites attract: Overachieving is just about the only thing Mira and Colin have in common... or so they think.
- GenresYoung Adult
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 30, 2027
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
age rating: 13+ (toxic home life)
spice: none
language: 1/5
a quick and easy little romance!! i feel like these are harder and harder to find nowadays, but this was truly a YA book. there were no sexual innuendos, the language usage was fairly infrequent, and the characters actually behaved like teenagers. i will note that the writing style itself was more middle grade than i’d like.
academic rivals to lovers is probably my all time favorite trope, but as cute as this book was, colin and mira’s rivalry for valedictorian just didn’t do it for me in that aspect. it might’ve worked better if we had first person pov rather than third. it’s explained that colin’s toxic home life is what pushes him to fight for the title, but then there’s mira who admits herself that she doesn’t know WHY she wants to be named valedictorian so badly. (other than to beat him).
there was one tiny moment in the last 25% that gave me the ick so so bad—i’m not sure why the author thought it’d be a good move for the sake of conflict, but it genuinely left such a bad taste in my mouth. i get that both mc’s are meant to be eighteen but…it was weird. 😭😭
despite the times i cringed—i cannot handle performance or singing scenes, i’m sorryyy—this was a cutie read overall !!
thank you to harpercollins and netgalley for inviting me to view the e-arc 🫶🏼
spice: none
language: 1/5
a quick and easy little romance!! i feel like these are harder and harder to find nowadays, but this was truly a YA book. there were no sexual innuendos, the language usage was fairly infrequent, and the characters actually behaved like teenagers. i will note that the writing style itself was more middle grade than i’d like.
academic rivals to lovers is probably my all time favorite trope, but as cute as this book was, colin and mira’s rivalry for valedictorian just didn’t do it for me in that aspect. it might’ve worked better if we had first person pov rather than third. it’s explained that colin’s toxic home life is what pushes him to fight for the title, but then there’s mira who admits herself that she doesn’t know WHY she wants to be named valedictorian so badly. (other than to beat him).
there was one tiny moment in the last 25% that gave me the ick so so bad—i’m not sure why the author thought it’d be a good move for the sake of conflict, but it genuinely left such a bad taste in my mouth. i get that both mc’s are meant to be eighteen but…it was weird. 😭😭
despite the times i cringed—i cannot handle performance or singing scenes, i’m sorryyy—this was a cutie read overall !!
thank you to harpercollins and netgalley for inviting me to view the e-arc 🫶🏼
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Emma Harrison is BACK!!!!! My teenaged heart is so happy!
This was a cute, old school YA Romance, where the romance kind of takes a side seat to teens being teens. It was so refreshing and sweet.
It heavily focuses on the two main characters fighting to be Valedictorian. Rather than it be up to the GPA, the guidances counselors tell them to solve it themselves. So they create a hairbrained competition with the help of their friends. It's cheesy and over the top and utterly silly, and it felt very teen.
I will admit that when Mira realized pretty early on that she wasn't sure why she wanted Valedictorian other than she *did*, I was a little turned off by her character becaussssse it had been firmly established why Colin wanted it, even if Mira didn't know yet. The downside to the dual POV, I guess.
On that note, in breaking with it's Teen Lit vibes of the early aughts (which is a compliment), it's dual POV and 3rd person, which I thought was just a really interesting choice for a book being published YA in 2027, and I'm sorry, but the publisher comping Better Than The Movies is crazy to me. Nothing about this is Lynn Painter, and I absolutely do not mean that as an insult to either author.
This was a cute, old school YA Romance, where the romance kind of takes a side seat to teens being teens. It was so refreshing and sweet.
It heavily focuses on the two main characters fighting to be Valedictorian. Rather than it be up to the GPA, the guidances counselors tell them to solve it themselves. So they create a hairbrained competition with the help of their friends. It's cheesy and over the top and utterly silly, and it felt very teen.
I will admit that when Mira realized pretty early on that she wasn't sure why she wanted Valedictorian other than she *did*, I was a little turned off by her character becaussssse it had been firmly established why Colin wanted it, even if Mira didn't know yet. The downside to the dual POV, I guess.
On that note, in breaking with it's Teen Lit vibes of the early aughts (which is a compliment), it's dual POV and 3rd person, which I thought was just a really interesting choice for a book being published YA in 2027, and I'm sorry, but the publisher comping Better Than The Movies is crazy to me. Nothing about this is Lynn Painter, and I absolutely do not mean that as an insult to either author.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a cute YA Book!
Definitely fits the fans who enjoy Never Have I ever comparison. Mira and Colin are tied for valedictorian and have to determine (on their own) who is going to win the title through a series of competitions. While had I been one of those characters, I couldn't imagine doing that, but the idea was a fresh take on a rivals to lovers.
Two characters who have always been aware of one another are slowly learning that they don't hate each other and end up spending time together and find that they enjoy each other's company. I think the author does a good job of writing the teens being teens. I felt like the characters, even their friends, really added to the story.
Aside from the one small over the top moment that I wish would've been slightly different at the end (no spoilers!), I think this was an excellent YA book.
These are the kind of YA romances that I love to read.
Thank you for Netgalley for my advanced copy. I'm happy to write this positive review.
Definitely fits the fans who enjoy Never Have I ever comparison. Mira and Colin are tied for valedictorian and have to determine (on their own) who is going to win the title through a series of competitions. While had I been one of those characters, I couldn't imagine doing that, but the idea was a fresh take on a rivals to lovers.
Two characters who have always been aware of one another are slowly learning that they don't hate each other and end up spending time together and find that they enjoy each other's company. I think the author does a good job of writing the teens being teens. I felt like the characters, even their friends, really added to the story.
Aside from the one small over the top moment that I wish would've been slightly different at the end (no spoilers!), I think this was an excellent YA book.
These are the kind of YA romances that I love to read.
Thank you for Netgalley for my advanced copy. I'm happy to write this positive review.
August 16, 2026
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!
I ATE THIS UPPPP.
I'm not much of a binge reader but this totally got me binging. It was so easy and fun to read and I was really invested in the storyline from the start!
The writing felt modern but in a good way, the characters were likeable, the narrative was strong, and the ending was amazing. ❤️
This was an amazing enemies to lovers and I really, really enjoyed following Colin and Mira.
It was also really funny sometimes and I was so thoroughly entertained the whole time that putting it down was sad.
Especially because I really liked the community that was built in the book. Both of their friend groups were fleshed out and not just flat characters, and the school felt real. Also, the competition aspect was SO fun!
An absolutely amazing read and has me so excited to read Falling Into You!
5 stars ⭐
would definitely recommend!
I ATE THIS UPPPP.
I'm not much of a binge reader but this totally got me binging. It was so easy and fun to read and I was really invested in the storyline from the start!
The writing felt modern but in a good way, the characters were likeable, the narrative was strong, and the ending was amazing. ❤️
This was an amazing enemies to lovers and I really, really enjoyed following Colin and Mira.
It was also really funny sometimes and I was so thoroughly entertained the whole time that putting it down was sad.
Especially because I really liked the community that was built in the book. Both of their friend groups were fleshed out and not just flat characters, and the school felt real. Also, the competition aspect was SO fun!
An absolutely amazing read and has me so excited to read Falling Into You!
5 stars ⭐
would definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGallery for the ARC!
I ATE THIS UPPPP.
I'm not much of a binge reader but this totally got me binging. It was so easy and fun to read and I was really invested in the storyline from the start!
The writing felt modern but in a good way, the characters were likeable, the narrative was strong, and the ending was amazing. ❤️
This was an amazing enemies to lovers and I really, really enjoyed following Colin and Mira.
It was also really funny sometimes and I was so thoroughly entertained the whole time that putting it down was sad.
Especially because I really liked the community that was built in the book. Both of their friend groups were fleshed out and not just flat characters, and the school felt real. Also, the competition aspect was SO fun!
An absolutely amazing read and has me so excited to read Falling Into You!
5 stars ⭐
would definitely recommend!
I ATE THIS UPPPP.
I'm not much of a binge reader but this totally got me binging. It was so easy and fun to read and I was really invested in the storyline from the start!
The writing felt modern but in a good way, the characters were likeable, the narrative was strong, and the ending was amazing. ❤️
This was an amazing enemies to lovers and I really, really enjoyed following Colin and Mira.
It was also really funny sometimes and I was so thoroughly entertained the whole time that putting it down was sad.
Especially because I really liked the community that was built in the book. Both of their friend groups were fleshed out and not just flat characters, and the school felt real. Also, the competition aspect was SO fun!
An absolutely amazing read and has me so excited to read Falling Into You!
5 stars ⭐
would definitely recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was such a cute read! I really enjoyed the academic rivals setup and watching Mira and Colin go from constantly competing with each other to slowly realizing they actually liked each other.
I think my favorite part was seeing them learn more about each other outside of school. Colin had so much pressure on him from his family, and I liked getting to see that softer side of him. Mira was also such a fun character because she had so many different interests and talents, and she kept surprising him.
It was a little predictable at times, but I honestly did not mind because it was still really enjoyable. I also appreciated that once they finally got together, there was not a big unnecessary breakup just for drama.
Overall, this was a fun, sweet academic rivals-to-lovers romance with competition, banter, cute moments, and a satisfying ending. I had a really good time reading
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I think my favorite part was seeing them learn more about each other outside of school. Colin had so much pressure on him from his family, and I liked getting to see that softer side of him. Mira was also such a fun character because she had so many different interests and talents, and she kept surprising him.
It was a little predictable at times, but I honestly did not mind because it was still really enjoyable. I also appreciated that once they finally got together, there was not a big unnecessary breakup just for drama.
Overall, this was a fun, sweet academic rivals-to-lovers romance with competition, banter, cute moments, and a satisfying ending. I had a really good time reading
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 18, 2026
Thank you HarperCollins Teen for the early access ARC.
Overall just cute and fluffy. This dual POV from Mira and Colin follow the academic rivals to friends to lovers trope. Their group of friends along the way help boost the story and uplift the mood, so I'm glad their presence was continually included.
I wouldn't necessarily call the writing unsurprised, but even with other YA in the genre I have read romances with a little more depth. This felt low pressure with a lack of depth in the plot and character storylines. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, sometimes you just want an easy and mindless read.
Overall just cute and fluffy. This dual POV from Mira and Colin follow the academic rivals to friends to lovers trope. Their group of friends along the way help boost the story and uplift the mood, so I'm glad their presence was continually included.
I wouldn't necessarily call the writing unsurprised, but even with other YA in the genre I have read romances with a little more depth. This felt low pressure with a lack of depth in the plot and character storylines. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing, sometimes you just want an easy and mindless read.
August 14, 2026
5 ⭐️
This was a quick and easy read! Colin and Mira are both great characters and easy to love. I love rivals-to-lovers, and this was no exception. It felt like I actually knew the characters. I also loved how Mira was wearing cute outfits throughout the book. I feel like a lot of authors have their characters wear the ugliest outfits.
Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me read this book early! I really enjoyed reading Better Than You.
This was a quick and easy read! Colin and Mira are both great characters and easy to love. I love rivals-to-lovers, and this was no exception. It felt like I actually knew the characters. I also loved how Mira was wearing cute outfits throughout the book. I feel like a lot of authors have their characters wear the ugliest outfits.
Thank you, NetGalley, for letting me read this book early! I really enjoyed reading Better Than You.
August 26, 2026
Thank you to HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC!
This was a cute and pleasant read, but compared to similar recent YA releases that I've read, it fell a bit short for me. The rivalry was entertaining and the side characters and all the sweet friendship moments were great, but the main romance lacked spark for me. Because I feel YA romance mostly relies so heavily on slow-burn tension, sweet moments and emotional buildup to create those "butterfly" feelings, the lack of connection between the two made it feel a little off for me. Perhaps I felt like they didn't have enough "screen time" together with just the two of them? Overall, a fun story, but a solid 3 stars for me.
This was a cute and pleasant read, but compared to similar recent YA releases that I've read, it fell a bit short for me. The rivalry was entertaining and the side characters and all the sweet friendship moments were great, but the main romance lacked spark for me. Because I feel YA romance mostly relies so heavily on slow-burn tension, sweet moments and emotional buildup to create those "butterfly" feelings, the lack of connection between the two made it feel a little off for me. Perhaps I felt like they didn't have enough "screen time" together with just the two of them? Overall, a fun story, but a solid 3 stars for me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Super cute!
August 31, 2026
This was sooooo cute!!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews