Author Lynn Painter has called on singer Gracie Abrams to officially release her song "In Between," a track fans have long associated with Wes and Liz, the central couple in Painter's novel "Better Than the Movies."
Painter made the appeal in an interview with CNN Brasil, as a film adaptation of "Better Than the Movies" is currently in production. The song is also mentioned in the book's sequel, "Happily Ever After."
How the song entered the book
Painter told CNN Brasil that the reference to Abrams emerged almost instinctively while she was writing. She said that when the writing is going well, it simply flows through her, and that she is sitting at the computer without thinking too hard about it. She explained that this is exactly how the mention of "In Between" appeared in the text, saying the song was in her head and that it is so much a part of Wes and Liz's story that it needed to be there.
"In Between" has never been officially released by Abrams, though she has posted a video on social media singing some of its verses. That has fueled speculation among readers, who have theorized online about whether the song might finally get a full release, particularly with the film version of the book now in the works.
Painter's own curiosity
Painter admitted she shares the fans' impatience. She joked that she wonders when Abrams is going to release it, or whether she ever will, and said not knowing is driving her crazy.
Asked whether the song might appear in the upcoming film, Painter did not confirm anything. Instead, she made a direct plea, saying that if Abrams is listening, she hopes she will please release the song.
Music and fan connections
Painter also spoke about the role music plays in her writing process and the pleasure she takes in seeing readers link songs to the mood and aesthetic of her books on social media.
She said it feels magical to see so many readers on TikTok connecting songs with the aesthetic they build around her stories, adding that they are all music nerds and that it is a lot of fun doing that together.
Background on the book and film
"Better Than the Movies" is a young adult romance novel by Lynn Painter centered on Wes and Liz, and it has a sequel titled "Happily Ever After." Gracie Abrams is a singer-songwriter known for her introspective pop songwriting. A film adaptation of "Better Than the Movies" is currently in production, though the source did not detail a release date or further casting and production information.
