Cover Image: Love, Unscripted

Love, Unscripted

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Love, Unscripted is a stand-alone novel by Denise Hunter. The main female character, Chloe Culpepper has written a first novel which has become a runaway hit with a movie now being made. Chloe has strong feelings concerning the main male character in her clean wholesome book. Liam Hamilton is cast in that important part but she doesn’t necessarily see him as clean or wholesome. Easy to see where the conflict is going to come just from the introduction at the beginning of the book.

This story has several unexpected, never-saw-that-coming turns in the characters’ lives, the conflict and the making of the movie. I am not actually a fan of celebrity characters or their stories, but Denise Hunter made this an entertaining, interesting and an enlightening tale. Fans of her books will love the book, Love, Unscripted. New readers will want to check this one out too, it will make them fans of hers.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Chloe is thrilled that her first book, with her perfect boyfriend, is going to be a mayor motion picture filmed in her hometown. But when news of the male lead been playboy Liam Hamilton, she isn’t sure he can really make justice to Ledger. Can they fake a relationship for both their gains and not fall in love when their time together has an expiring date? A sweet story about facing your demons, friendship, family and finding your soulmate.

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I really enjoyed this. I think the main thing holding me up was the fame of the male main character. I typically don’t enjoy stories that revolve around celebrities of any kind. I much prefer the average Joe. I was also a bit distracted by the horrible formatting of the ARC that I was reading. It’s hard to know if that took away enough enjoyment to affect my rating or not. Overall, this is probably a great read for people who enjoy or at least don’t mind the fame aspect.

The characters were pretty well rounded, and the relationship was mostly believable. I do wish there had been some faith content. I had expected that from a Christion novelist and publisher, but there was nothing. Overall, a good read but not one I’m likely to remember for long or that I’ll revisit.

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This was such a good story. Chloe wrote a best seller that was being made into a movie. She was not happy about who they cast for the male lead. He even heard her say so when he was signing the contract. He came to her town (where the move was being shot) to get to know her and change her mind. What she didn't like about him was his reputation. Her character in the book was the perfect boyfriend and she didn't think he fit the bill. I loved how they learned about each other and their friendship grew until a story came out that she thought he leaked. It broke her heart She finally learned Liam had not done it, so she tried her hardest to correct her error.
This was a very good story that kept me quite entertained

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4.5 stars. I love books written about authors and usually hate books written about the super popular movie stars. Denise Hunter was able to blend the two worlds together to give one of her normally delightful romances.

Chloe and Liam's first interaction was pretty rough (there may have been an insult or two!). When the two meet face to face, the attraction is front and center. Chloe is desperate to have her hero portrayed the way she wants in the movie and the two strike a deal. They are thrown together and love is in the air! But can she trust Liam? Can he trust her?

A very enjoyable read of two people trying to manage what life throws at them and find their way together.

Thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

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4.5-5 stars

This was my first Denise Hunter book, and I loved it! It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but it was very, very close, so I went ahead and rounded up. It’s a clean contemporary romance that doesn’t have any language or spice, which are my preferred stories, so I really appreciated that aspect of it.

At first, I thought this was just a light, cute, fluffy romance. I was enjoying it but not totally blown away, but then, it took a turn in the second half of the book, especially in the last quarter of the story, and it went deeper, past trauma surfaced, and strong emotions rose. I was already invested, but the last part of the book really pulled at my heart and made me fall in love with the characters and their story even more. I’m always looking for good character development along with an interesting, entertaining plot. This book hit all of my favorite elements.

I loved the two main characters, Chloe and Liam, and their romance. They were from two completely different worlds, but when they got together…sparks! There was so much great chemistry between them. The banter was on point, and it got deep with their emotions. There was a level of maturity and emotional intelligence from the couple, which I always prefer in my romances. It wasn’t a surface-level romance. There was depth, authenticity, relatable problems, and miscommunication. I connected with both characters in so many ways. I also enjoyed the scenes where they were each taking care of the other when they got sick, even though it was still new and fresh into their “relationship.” They were already starting to care for each other. It was so endearing and cute. There are so many great scenes of them together!

I think I loved the side characters as much as the main characters. Getting to know Chloe’s family and friends as well as the other town’s people immersed me more into this sweet story. I loved how they rallied around Chloe, and she had their love and support during this whole ordeal. We were also introduced to some of Liam’s family and friends, which helped add layers to his backstory. There were some great messages about letting go, forgiveness, not jumping to conclusions, and communication.

I also loved the charming Southern town in North Carolina as the setting. It gave small town vibes and felt very cozy. This would be a perfect read for spring, summer, or as a beach read.

Read if you like:
+ (Slightly) Enemies-to-lovers
+ Opposites attract
+ Movie star/Celebrity romances
+ Fake dating
+ Forced proximity

Overall, I loved this charming, adorable story. I laughed, teared up a little, and smiled the whole way through it. This is one of those romances that makes you giddy the entire time while reading it! It was such an easy read because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and couldn’t put it down. Now, I want to read everything by Denise Hunter. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one of her books! Highly recommend!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

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Review ☀️🌊👙🏝️

To give you just a taste of this adorable book…

“Where will you call home, Liam?”
“Whenever Chloe is.” ❤️

I love a good love story, and this one was so charming! Chloe wrote a book, and her best friend Mariah has it in her bookshop on the beach- (like how fun is that!) She got the call that her book is going to be made into a movie! Dream. Come. True. But she wants it to be perfect. She’s gone through a lot and she wants it to be told perfectly. They chose Liam, and actor who has been in the tabloids for all the things she doesn’t want her “perfect guy” in the book to be. Liam is a gorgeous guy, but the tabloids have made him to be out to be a flirt, and not great with relationships. On accident she says all this while he listens. Liam though shows Chloe he is not what the tabloids make him out to be. He is learning the area, reading the book to study the part, and has a lot to show Chloe who he really is. The producers think it would help the film, and his reputation (that also becomes hers now with this book becoming a movie) to fake date. So they do! They play the part, she helps him get the idea of the dreamy man she has written about. But as they begin to spend so much time together they both fall for each other. Sadly, past things get brought to the surface, miscommunication, and the tabloids come into the picture in not the best of ways. This book was absolutely adorable! A fun, lighthearted, and extremely charming love story. I have always admired Denise Hunters writing and her sweet love stories she tells.

Add Love, Unscripted to your to be read lists! It comes out March 11.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Love , Unscripted by Denise Hunter comes out on March 12th, and it is beautiful! Liam and Chloe have two of the most awkward *not* meet-cutes. Reading it definitely gave me some Pride and Prejudice feelings at first.
Liam and Chloe have such amazing depth, their characters nuanced, and deeply motivated by old wounds. When pictures from their first in-person meeting circulate, the need to salvage Liam’s reputation comes up front and center. To make sure Liam is willing to present the character she wrote well, she agrees to fake-date Liam for publicity. Before long, fake dating includes real kisses and even more real feelings. But of course, not everything is sunshine and roses…heartbreaking news from Chloe’s past is used in the media to drag her name and family through the mud, and she blames Liam. Watching as Liam and Chloe work through towards the happily ever after brought both tears and smiles.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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Another cute contemporary romance from Hunter! I always love how much depth and backstory each of her characters have and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed the small, east coast town setting and how it played a part in the film. I enjoyed that the book was about film and movie stars, but it wasn't inundated with those things and was mostly focused on the character growth. Overall, a cute story about learning how to trust and love and realizing people aren't perfect.

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<b><i> “Welcome to middle-class America, Liam Hamilton.” </b> </i> ☕📚

This is a contemporary romance new release on March 12, 2024, by Denise Hunter.

This book was, in a word, delightful!

<b><i>WHAT’S TO LOVE? </b> </i> This clean contemporary romance was such a fun spin on the “fake dating a celebrity” trope. This story had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. And it wasn’t only the funny thoughts of our female lead, Chloe. It was the witty banter between her and Liam, and HILARIOUS words from Chloe’s brother. Every. Single. Character in this <i>small-beach-town-breath-of-fresh-air </i>story felt authentic and had the best dialogue. You will fall in love with all of them (even the cat!) and want to move to this North Carolina beach pronto! And you’ll be cheering Chloe on until the very end.

Now that I think of it… amid all the lightheartedness, the author expertly slid in some pretty darn serious topics like alcoholism, rehab, abandonment, divorce, and bigotry. However, there was not one swear word - thank you! And it was clean romance, albeit, lots of touches and kissing - thank you!

<b><i>CAUSE FOR PAUSE? </b></i> Speaking of kissing and touching, if you don’t like mentions of his hotness, his muscles, his tan skin, his full lips, his muscular chest, and his six-pack, etc, etc, etc, you won’t like this one. While the physical attraction was seriously intense and was a bit much, I’m just thankful it stopped there. Some of it was pretty funny too - so it's all good in my eyes.

<b><i>CONSIDER READING IF… </b></i> you want a modern story with lots of southern charm, realistic problems, and several characters that'll make you chuckle, go now and get yourself a copy of this book! I am stingy with my stars, but this one gets 5. 😀

<b><i>MY RATING </B></i> 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This will be released March 12, 2024.

☕📚 <i>Thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing/Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. I received a complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.</i> ☕📚

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How exciting to have your book made into a movie! How embarrassing to have the star overhear your opinion of him. How fun to see how Chloe and Liam handle this situation. This made for an interesting and entertaining story, that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is a wonderful story with great characters. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

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Love, Unscripted, by Denise Hunter, is the story of author Chloe Anderson as she works with Hollywood studios to bring her novel to the silver screen. Chloe wrote her bestselling debut novel, Beneath the Summer Skies, after an intense heart break. Chloe has based her leading man, Ledger, on all the characteristics she looks for in a man. It may be lofty, but Ledger is her ideal. When tabloid bad boy Liam Hamilton is given the role, Chloe is not kind with her reaction not knowing she is on speaker phone and Liam is on the call. As he has already accepted this part, Chloe angsts that he cannot possibly portray the character accurately.

When Liam arrives in Stillwater, NC, well before filming begins, he encounters Chloe in a crazy afternoon meeting and they decide to call a truce leading to an unlikely alliance to help each other. From this point a beautiful story unfolds as two improbable people begin an unexpected adventure.

Again Ms. Hunter has written a lovely book about real people finding their ways in an often unkind world. This book looks inadvertently at the negative effects of social media and tabloids and the dangers of the anonymous comments sending daggers to the hearts of real people. This is currently a very serious social problem that has been well addressed. Ms. Hunter has presented a well scripted story that I very much enjoyed and do recommend!

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Love, Unscripted ⭐⭐⭐⭐by Denise Hunter
Release Date: March 12, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Denise Hunter has another great book for readers to enjoy.
A fake relationship with a twist. The characters aren’t perfect which makes it relatable and keeps you interested throughout the entire book
4 stars

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Another great story from the author!

Chloe and Liam don't start off on the best foot, since Chloe is rather frank about what she thinks of him as the actor to portray her character. It gets even funnier when they meet in person on the street in Stillwater.
Despite these missteps, they agree to a public fake relationship that will benefit both of them, to repair his image and to boost hers. Of course, not everything goes as planned.

I liked Liam better than Chloe as he came across as more genuine and invested.

One not to miss.
I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

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When I pick up a book by Denise Hunter, I know that I am in for a beautiful love story... and Love, Unscripted absolutely did not disappoint.

Chloe and Liam did not exactly get off on the right foot. He is an actor with a bad-boy reputation, signed to play the lead in the movie being made from her novel... and she is NOT pleased with the selection and is quick to let her opinion be known. When they wind up in a PR relationship to help with his reputation for the better of the movie, she quickly learns that there is a lot more than the man in the tabloids. These two drew me in right away--- from their hilarious meeting (both in person and over the phone) to the amazing chemistry, I couldn't help but love them. Both of them are imperfect characters with histories that make them hesitant to fully trust and I loved watching them grow as the story went on. I loved the message that it's not about perfection, but about finding the right one for you... and that certainly came through in their story. It was beautifully written and heartfelt, keeping me thoroughly invested in these characters right to the very end.

If you enjoy a good Hallmark-like romance, this is certainly one to check out.

**I received a complimentary copy for consideration. All opinions are my own.

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Meu primeiro contato com Denise Hunter foi ano passado e eu gostei bastante, ainda que tenha sido numa série em andamento. Assim, foi ainda melhor ter a chance agora de ler algo em volume único dela, e novamente pude atestar a leveza de temas e narrativa dela, bem como uma criação bacana de personagens que, mesmo não cativando aos montes, entretém conforme a história pede.

Enredos com o background de Hollywood e afins podem dar muito certo ou muito errado comigo - vai de como o autor desenvolve, e nesse caso prefiro quando o fazem de forma a focar nos personagens, e não nas tretas do mundo da fama e, ainda que tenha iniciado assim, Love, Unscripted realmente focou mais para o lado dos protagonistas, Chloe e Liam, de uma forma que prendeu mais minha atenção e me convenceu não só do romance, mas mesmo até amizade que nascia ali entre eles. É legal acompanhar a forma como, sem estereótipos, Liam desarma os preconceitos de Chloe e vice-versa, quando ela trabalha com ele à respeito de seu personagem queridinho. Tudo se desdobra de uma forma palpável, com o pano de fundo de gravações do filme e do acordo só somando à trama, e definitivamente nos fazendo querer saber mais e mais de como tudo se desenrolará.

Da metade pro final, em especial, todos leitura me pegou ainda mais e, ainda que, ao fim, não tenha sido 5 estrelas ou favorito, não deixou de cumprir com o plot e entregar um romance mais maduro e ao mesmo tempo leve, fofo, sem hot, com clichês na medida certa na relação inusitada que envolve os protagonistas, é mesmo até um ou outro secundário por entre outros temas trabalhados no livro, principalmente no âmbito familiar de Chloe e de Liam.

É uma leitura tranquila, com eventuais momentos de tensão aqui e ali, mas nada grandioso, e sem reais antagonistas para atrapalhar ou irritar, o que foi ótimo rs. Seria uma boa escolha para trazerem a autora para o Brasil, espero que não deixem a oportunidade passar, romance clean é com ela mesmo!

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I really enjoyed this book which was a favorite trope of mine, enemies to lovers. The characters were well written. The small town setting is another favorite of mine. The storyline was fun and kept me enthralled throughout. Once I started this book, I didn't stop until the last page.

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I loved this book. The characters are fun but flawed, and there is some solid character development throughout the story. The plot is entertaining - a debut novel that is going to be made into a movie with the lead male character being played by an actor with the wrong reputation. There are some true laugh out loud moments which offset some of the serious personal family issues both main characters have to deal with.

This is listed as Christian fiction, but God is barely mentioned so I would consider this more clean romance.

Recommended for anyone looking for a great beach read.

Family friendly.

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Great beach read! An easy read, with likeable characters. Chloe had the image of the perfect guy for leading part in the movie created from her best selling novel. Liam was the exact opposite in her mind. Sparks fly when Chloe and Liam meet but not the good kind. With both having past hurts, there are many ups and downs in this enjoyable story. Recommended.

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This was another nice romantic book by this author. Every book I’ve read by her has been good.
It was probably a bit predictable but a good story nonetheless the less. Perfect to loose yourself in
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

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