Such a quick read. Maybe too quick. It kind of boing boing boinged around and then it was over. I don't feel like I got to know the characters at ALL.

I can’t believe I took so long to read this, especially after loving Monaghan’s other two books. It’s everything I appreciate in a mature romance: a single mom who’s written a screenplay about life with her narcissistic ex-husband and who falls for the famous, handsome actor playing her ex in the movie; an unlikely couple who share sunrises and never run out of things to talk about; precocious children; small town vibes; and spicy but closed door. I don’t care for third act break-ups, but the reason for it is a doozy that makes sense within the broader context of the story. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from G.P. Putnam’s Sons through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

I kind of sort of loved this romance. It felt like eating strawberry shortcake on the veranda and I would one hundred percent read another one like it.

This story was so cute! Nora is a recently divorced mom of two who has written a screenplay based on her life. The movie is based on the story of her jerk husband leaving her, and they're filming it at her house. The morning after filming wraps, she finds the handsome star of the movie, Leo Vance, on her porch, where he asks if he can stay for a week. She's surprised to hear that what he wants is a week of normalcy. What follows is a week of Nora trying to dance around Leo, taking him places like the grocery store so he can buy his own food, and trying to fight it as he gets to know her two young kids better.

I thought the storytelling was great, but the writing was kind of flat from a pure writing perspective. It was very fact-based: ABC happened, and then DEF happened, and then XYZ happened. At other parts that wasn't the case at all. The pacing also left me scratching my head at times. However, it's a fantastic escapist book and I recommend it for that for sure!

This book was really cute and funny. I was surprised by how much I liked this story. The concept is a little different than the normal rom-com but it worked for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 STARS

I loved this rom-com! From the hilarious moments that had me laughing out loud to the heartwarming romance, this book had it all. The characters were so relatable and lovable, and easy to root for, too! The plot was unique and kept me entertained, making it difficult to put this one down. If you're looking for a fun, feel-good read with plenty of laughs and love, this is the book for you!

This book is such a fun read! It follows Nora, a screenwriter whose life gets turned upside down when her script becomes a movie. Suddenly, she’s thrown into the wild world of Hollywood, juggling her career and her personal life.

Monaghan’s writing is super relatable and filled with humor, making it easy to connect with Nora as she navigates the ups and downs of chasing her dreams. She’s a wonderfully imperfect character, and you can’t help but cheer her on as she figures things out—especially when it comes to love and family.

Nora Goes off Script is a delightful mix of romance and self-discovery that’s perfect for a beach day or a cozy night in. If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted story that’ll make you smile, definitely give this one a read!

Fun read, but definitely places where things felt dry, or random. There were things that felt unrealistic and lots of eye rolls, but it was overall a good read.

3.5 ⭐️
Was it my favorite book ever? No, but it was adorable and relatable. I wasn’t sure if I’d end up even giving it 3 stars halfway through, but she wrapped up Nora & Leo’s story nicely. I did find myself wishing for more dialogue, it felt a little choppy at times. I’m also such a sucker for a dual POV, but seeing how the storyline played out I understand how it was best to not see Leo’s POV. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author in the future.

LOVED this. Such a sweet, sweet story. I loved the juxtaposition of regular life and Hollywood come crashing together through romance - I loved how everything you wanted to have happen happened early on in the book - and then it all comes crashing down to be built back up. And now I’m in the mood to binge Hallmark Christmas movies 😍😂

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and humorous exploration of love, second chances, and the complexities of relationships, with a dash of romance and wit, making it a delightful read for anyone seeking a feel-good story about the power of human connection.

Thank you @putnambooks @netgalley for the free review copy!

📖 Nora is a romance channel screenwriter. When her husband leaves her, she writes the most successful screenplay of her career. When it gets picked up for the big screen, and shooting begins on her property, she meets leading man Leo Vance. When he offers her a large sum of money to stay on her property after filming ends, she finds it almost impossible to tell him no.

💭I devoured this book in a day. That never happens anymore because mom life, but my husband took over and I basically ignored everyone so I could spend the day reading. It was perfection! I loved that it was such a sweet romance, but that it also had very real emotions behind it. I really liked Nora and I was rooting for her and her kids to get their happy ending. My only complaint would be that I wish it was a dual POV instead of just Nora’s perspective. I really wanted to be inside Leo’s head.

📚Read this if you like…
Small town romance
Strangers to lovers
Celebrity Romance
Closed door
Sweet and emotional romance

4- What an beautifully written romance book! It has to be something special and this was it. I fell in love with Nora’s character. I loved how she spoke and thought. Her voice to diey for. So many wonderful characters. I could not put it down,This was not a spicy romance.

What a breath of fresh air! This was such a delightful romance with a realistic storyline. Nora and Leo are great characters and Annabel Monaghan has created a scenario where they grow together as they grow closer.
I can’t wait to read more from Monaghan.

Thank you to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.


I read the description of this book and it sounds like a fun one. It didn't disappoint me in the least. This is the first book that I have read by this author, and it certainly won't be the last.


This book was a pure delight.

"Nora Goes Off Script" is a charming contemporary YA novel that explores the themes of friendship, family, and finding your voice. The story follows Nora, a high school senior with dreams of becoming a screenwriter, as she navigates the ups and downs of adolescence while grappling with her father's unexpected illness. Filled with humor, heart, and plenty of cinematic references, this book was a delightful read that should have broad appeal to a range of differently-aged readers. Monaghan captures the trials and triumphs of teenage life, creating a story that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking, with a protagonist who is both endearing and authentic. As Nora embarks on a mission to make her mark in the film industry, she learns valuable lessons about the importance of staying true to herself and following her passions, even in the face of adversity.

Leo and Nora Forever!

This book is absolutely perfect. Cannot wait to read more from Annabel Monaghan.

I loved every minute of this book. Nora is a highly relatable character, and I was rooting for her from start to finish. Great story about a single mom finding her footing and finding love again.

Brilliant and perfect! How much I enjoyed this story, my first with this author. Nora is a script writer of cheesy romantic stories. This is how she kept her family afloat while her deadbeat husband went after one brainless investment after another. After her husband left her, she wrote a script that’s darker, because she just needed to write their story out of her angry soul. This won her a Hollywood contract for a movie starring Hollywood’s most famous couple.

They came to film the breakup scene in her tea room, the primary reason for her marriage failure and the place where her marriage actually ended. And in so doing, she met the man who would make her deliriously happy and give her what her loser husband never did, complete focus on what she says and feels. Until another movie contract called him away.

There were so many things I loved about this story that the list seems endless. I loved their mornings, sipping coffee in Nora’s back porch watching every day’s sunrise. I loved how Leo took to Nora’s kids and helped with Arthur’s school play. He fit so seamlessly into their lives that I was as aghast as Nora when he ghosted her. I suffered right along with her and the kids during his absence.

This book truly took me through all the feels and I loved the author’s writing style, not fussy, with some brilliant, poetic descriptions that fit right into a description of what her life was like at the moment. One such example, my favorite: “There are two ferns at all times, one dying and one getting started, on a regular rotation of grief and replacement.”

I got a huge satisfaction from completing this story and can’t wait to read more from this author!

NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT is such a fun read. The characters were delightful and the wit oozed off the page. Monaghan really created a smartly crafted novel with all the humor and heart needed in a story like this.