# Lynn Painter Talks Trust Fall and Movie Adaptations > Lynn Painter reveals how her new novel Trust Fall and upcoming adaptations of Better Than the Movies and Fake Skating blend small-town charm with Hollywood dreams. - Title: Lynn Painter Talks Trust Fall and Movie Adaptations | Shortify - Summary: Lynn Painter reveals how her new novel Trust Fall and upcoming adaptations of Better Than the Movies and Fake Skating blend small-town charm with Hollywood… - Keywords: lynn painter, trust fall, better than the movies, fake skating, seahawks, nfl, romantic comedy, book adaptation, youthful romance, hockey romance, columbia pictures, booktok - Source: Woman's World — https://womansworld.com/entertainment/books/lynn-painter-talks-trust-fall-and-movie-adaptations-exclusive - Author: Julianne MacNeill - Published: 2026-09-23T20:30:35+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: lynn painter, trust fall, better than the movies, fake skating, seahawks, nfl, romantic comedy, book adaptation, youthful romance, hockey romance, columbia pictures, booktok ## Magical Children Lynn Painter calls Wes and Liz from Better Than the Movies her 'magical children' who have become deeply meaningful to her. > They’re my magical children and I love them so much ## Trust Fall Inspiration Painter drew inspiration from Gossip Girl and small-town life for her new novel Trust Fall, where a family inherits money after winning the lottery. > It started out as, What’s my next book going to be about? ## Small Town to New York Painter visited New York for book research, walking neighborhoods and taking subway rides to capture authentic small-town-to-city transitions. > I think we need to go to New York for book research ## Enemies-to-Lovers Damion and Julia start as enemies in Trust Fall, with Damion secretly being Julia’s family’s benefactor and their relationship unraveling as they fall for each other. > They’re like, Oh, I hate you ## Hockey Romance Fake Skating follows childhood friends Alec and Dani reuniting after years apart, blending hockey culture with a found family story. > I went up to the Twin Cities and spent hours at high school hockey practices ## Book to Screen Better Than the Movies is being adapted into a film with Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono playing Wes and Liz. > They are better at being Wes and Liz than I am ## Hollywood Process The adaptation process involves auditions, chemistry reads, and finding actors who can deliver the characters’ cocky yet vulnerable banter. > It was so interesting to me because when I write especially with this book it’s just nameless faceless characters ## Hockey Obsession Painter’s hockey research in Minnesota led to Fake Skating, which became a story about found family rather than just hockey romance. > All of a sudden I wanted to write this story of somebody who didn’t grow up with all of this that seemed so cool ## Rom Com Favorites Painter loves When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, and Miss Congeniality for their snappy banter and authentic charm. > When Harry Met Sally and You’ve Got Mail should be lumped as one because they’re the autumnal canon ## Writing Process Painter writes messy, relatable characters by drawing from her own life struggles and small details like pet preferences. > I’ve always been kind of a mess so inadvertently I write characters that are a little bit messy ## Upcoming Projects Painter has an adult rom-com coming in April and another YA novel for next fall, continuing her love for romantic comedy. > In April I have an adult rom com coming out Cowboy Like Me ## Booktok Impact BookTok has amplified fan discussions about book adaptations, with fans eagerly casting characters for Better Than the Movies and Fake Skating. > Thanks to BookTok and the fact that more and more books are coming to life those conversations have become louder than ever ## Trust Fall Twist Julia’s family must live in New York for six months while attending an elite private school, creating tension with Damion’s secret role as the benefactor. > The only caveat is that Julia and her family must live in the Upper West Side for at least six months ## Adaptation Speed Fake Skating was optioned quickly, with filming starting in November and a July 2024 release date. > They’re gonna start filming that in November and it comes out next July on my birthday ## Hollywood Dreams Painter’s characters feel real because she draws from her messy, relatable life experiences and small details. > It’s important information but do we want to hear this hot guy describe his uncle or do we want to see him flirt ## Rom Com Legacy Painter’s favorite rom-coms include When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, and Miss Congeniality for their authentic charm and banter. > No one delivers snappy fast banter so lowkey like Hugh Grant in that movie ## Key takeaway Lynn Painter’s characters feel real because she draws from her messy, relatable life experiences.