Nominated for the Skroutz Book Awards 2025 public awards.

New York Times bestseller

USA Today bestseller

#1 in Amazon.com's Young Adult & Teen Romantic Comedy category

Liz Buxbaum always knew that Wes Bennett was not boyfriend material. You’d think her neighbor would be the perfect leading man for her romantic comedy-inspired fantasies, but Wes had proven himself to be nothing but trouble since they were kids. He was the one who put a frog in her Barbie Dreamhouse, the one who hid the head of a decorative gnome in her makeshift little library.

Ten years after the gnome beheading, Liz is now in her senior year of high school—a year that’s supposed to be full of important, movie-like moments—and she needs Wes’s help. You see, Liz’s big crush, Michael, has just come back to town and—oh no!—he’s become friends with Wes. This means that if Liz wants Michael to finally notice her (and ideally take her to prom), she needs Wes. He’s her way in.

But as Liz and Wes come up with plans for her to have her own magical prom moment, she’s surprised to find that she actually enjoys spending time with her neighbor. And as the two grow closer, she starts to rethink everything she thought she knew about love.

Praise for the book:

“A sweet and funny love letter to romantic comedies that shows how a happy ending can help us find our way through even the hardest times.” –Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks

“While rom-com fans will see what’s coming for Liz from a mile away, Painter makes the journey enjoyable with witty humor, lovable characters, and just enough tension.” –Mary Kamela, Kenmore West H.S., Buffalo, New York, School Library Journal