I think the plot is really cute and I love the premise of this book; the writing is good but some thing didn't click with it for me. I think it just was hitting right with the emotional aspects of what the characters are going through but that's OK

Nora Goes off Script is a deeply engaging, beautiful story that makes the idea of a screenwriter and the actor who played her ex-husband in a movie feel as realistic as possible. I thoroughly enjoyed this one after reading a string of romances that didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

I recommend this book to fans of Gilmore Girls, small town vibes, and the work of Emily Henry.

I adored this book. It definitely reminded me of Waiting for Tom Hanks and Evvie Drake starts over, which is a good thing since I liked those books as well. It’s everything I want in a summer beach read. At times I laughed out loud and caught myself smiling along while reading. Nora was a compelling character that I enjoyed. I received an ARC from netgalley of this book. Thank you Netgalley.

I loved meeting Nora Hamilton in this witty new novel from @AnnabelMonaghan. I think the description on @Goodreads is so on point: a cross between Evvie Drake Starts Over and Beach Read. They were both five star reads for me as well!

Nora is a recently divorced mother of two - her husband Ben left her and their children one day and hasn’t been back since. Instead of being upset, Nora wrote a movie about it. That’s her job - she writes movies for The Romance Channel. Think Hallmark Christmas movies. This was a departure from her usual story lines of cupcake shop owners and big city beaus; and it ended up being made into a major film. Leo Vance (I’m picturing Matthew McConaughey in his prime) is cast for the role of Ben, and they film a few scenes at Nora’s house. Leo is gorgeous and honestly a little strange, and it doesn’t take long for him and Nora to click…and fall in love. He starts to get involved with her family and makes promises to her and her children that he can’t really keep. Things end abruptly and Nora is left questioning if any of it was real at all? Plenty more happens after this but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone!

I love a romance involving more mature characters who have more at stake - kids, homes, careers, etc. Those feel more realistic to me, and just more substantial. This story was funny, heartwarming, heartbreaking and heartwarming all over again! It was great to have a female MC really go through all the stages of a breakup and come out okay on the other side! Thank you so much to @netgalley and @putnambooks for my e-arc!

Nora Hamilton is an expert romance writer whose first big-budget movie is being filmed in her very own writing sanctuary. When she first encounters Leo, the dreamy star playing her ne’er-do-well ex-husband, she’s flummoxed by him. Filming wraps up and the crew is on their way, but she finds Leo on her front porch with an interesting proposition. He wants to stay I. Her tea hours for seven days and he’s willing to pay her $1,000 a night. $7,000 is a lot of money to the single mom… and seven days isn’t that long. Her agreement sets in motion a love story and a heartbreak story too.

Monaghan has written a compelling story that captures the tragedy, grief, and resilience of its main characters. The story isn’t overly cliche. The obstacles ring true. I really enjoyed reading this one.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons for a gifted early copy of the book.


I liked this book so much, I am somewhere in between 3 and 4 stars.
I loved that it was a closed-door romance, but I have a tough time with the miscommunication trope. The main character felt like she forgot how to speak/type in English for most of the story. I wish there was a little more confrontation, and yes it would possibly lead to even more miscommunication but at least she acted instead of just accepting what was happening around her.
I absolutely loved the kids, my favorite part of the book. Hollywood and Oscars were such a cute side plot to the story.
I felt like it was a little too short. I know lots of readers always say "oh this could have been 80 pages shorter" when romances are 300+ pages long, but I love the detail and long build-up. I would totally read more about the Hollywood part of this story.
Overall, I had a great time reading this and the book brought me joy. It's short and fun, and would be perfect for vacation or just a relaxing summer read day.

Nora is a single mother of two, her husband having decided that a family and kids was holding him back from the life he really wanted. She typically writes sugary sweet screenplays for The Romance Channel; But on this occasion managed to turn her heartbreak and trauma over her relationship with her ex-husband into a deep and meaningful screenplay. They come to shoot one of the scenes from her screenplay at her house, and that’s when she needs the lead actor and former sexiest man alive, Leo Vance.

At this point, it’s a pretty good set up, and I think the story could have gone either way, with it being a great romance novel, or a completely hot mess. Amazing, it turned out to be a complete joy to read!

I enjoyed this entire book, from the very beginning through the end of the story. I never found there was a point where it lagged or was difficult to engage in. The offer strikes the tone perfectly right, and I felt like I understood and was rooting for all the characters throughout the story. Honestly, I found it hard to put down and finished it all in one day. The book was funny, but also heartfelt and charming. 4.5 stars and I can’t wait for her next one!

This was such a great book! I loved the romance trope that was depicted in the book. The characters were relatable and I was rooting for Nora throughout the entire book. I also really enjoyed the kid characters who added a lot to the story as well. I will be hand selling this title in my store and look forward to more by this author.

You👏🏼need👏🏼this👏🏼book👏🏼⁣
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I absolutely adored Nora Goes Off Script. I loved how clever it was and how it made fun of hallmark romance movies. I loved how real Nora was with her adorable two kids and her deadbeat ex husband. I loved the small town she lived in and all the fantastic side characters (looking at you, Weezie!). This story is just the perfect escape. Is it realistic? Absolutely not! But will it leave you swooning and smiling? Absolutely! This book will be one of your FAVORITE summer reads. It’s everything you want in a romance. Gosh, I just loved it. And now I’m a forever fan of this author. Like, what is next? Please just send it my way. New go-to author. ⁣
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Content: romance- lots! But closed door, friends 🙌🏼 language- yep, but I could deal without gritting my teeth. 😆⁣
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Loved it. Pack it in your suitcase for beach vacay, and thank me later.

When Nora’s husband walks our on her and their kids, she does what anyone would do—write a script and sell it to Hollywood. After filming at her home is over, Leo Vance, the star, offers Nora 1,000/day to stay at her home. The two end up developing a relationship.

I loved this book! I was emotionally invested in the characters and was rooting for them throughout the book. I loved Leo’s relationship with Nora’s kids. Overall very cute book!

Thank you Penguin Putnam House and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really needed to read this palate cleanser after some of the heavier books I've been reading lately.

This is such a cute, feel-good romantic comedy. Yes, looking back at the end there's a misunderstanding that could have been easily remedied with a phone call, but as I was reading it I didn't get mad like I usually would have. It felt really believable to me and I just went with the story. I loved Nora and her grit and love for her family. I thought Leo's fascination with everyday life was hilarious and I laughed out loud more than a few times at some of the things he said and did.

I also really adored the kids and thought they were a great addition to the story. The one thing that gave me slight pause was that I didn't think Nora protected the kids enough from Leo--I would have said "Hey, if you break my heart, fine, but if you mess with my kids' hearts you're dead." Her actions in those moments were what made this not quite a 5-star read.

Overall though, this is totally worth reading, especially if you want a light, humorous romance with a lot of heart.

This is so sweet and cute! I fell hard for Nora and her kids. Nora is a screenwriter, living in a ramshackle home in northern New York. She is raising two sweet kids alone, after her lousy husband left her. She writes a screenplay about his leaving, and it becomes a major motion picture, starring a handsome lead actor, Leo. Leo likes life in her sleepy town and ends up staying a few more weeks, and of course, Nora and Leo fall in love. He leaves to star in a new film, and somehow, weirdly, ghosts Nora. Nora and her family are shocked, as Leo seemed so real. So she pours her heart out into a new script, and hopes to move on. I was rooting for her the whole time! The writing flowed and I think this will be THE beach read this summer! I will read more from this author!

I loved Nora Goes Off Script so much! There is a very strong romance/romantic comedy thread that I love but I also genuinely loved all of the characters and enjoyed their own individual growth throughout the novel. The setting of Nora's home also felt particularly cozy and charming. Highly Recommend!

I looooved Nora so much and I loved the premise of the book! I mean who doesn't love Hallmark romances? The characters were great and so was the romance. I think it was really well written and obviously a much needed happy ending.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Nora Hamilton writes romance movie scripts for what are essentially Hallmark movies. Her movies, like her life, are very formulaic. That all changes when Hollywood comes to film her newest movie about her recent divorce. Cameras, crew, and directors all show up. But so does heartthrob movie star Leo Vance. And Leo is about to change everything.

This book is such a delight! I’d describe it as Evvie Drake Starts Over with a smidge of The Idea of You. And who wouldn’t love a celebrity/regular person/single parent trope? Especially one that feels very believable. Leo is so charming as he tries to fit in with Nora’s “normal” life and schedules. Imagine teaching someone how to grocery shop.

This is so much more than a husband leaving, a woman falling in love, and then being heartbroken all over again. It’s about the kids too. Oh the wonderful kids. They’re in this journey to healing just as much as Nora is. You’ll fall in love with them and want to give them a big hug.

I found myself crying at the end of this book but in such a happy, cozy way. It’s about healing, learning to be happy again, and leaving behind the daily monotony of life while still appreciating the simple sunrises. Basically, this book got me in all my feels.

I featured this title in a roundup of general fiction publishing in June. I sent a link to several blog groups, posted on Facebook, and sent a link to Twitter.

I LOVED Nora Goes Off Script. I started it and planned to only read a few chapters… well 3 hours later I had read the whole book in one sitting. The best kind of book!! Annabel Monaghan can write a rom-com! It reminded me a lot of Emily Henry books in the best way. Witty banter, likable/relatable characters, a vivid setting and an adorable romance. I really look forward to reading more from this author!

This is a Women's Fiction/Romance. I have to say that I was so scared to pick up this book because so many women's fiction/romance fell short for me this year so far, but this book was so great. I loved this book from the beginning to the end. There was nothing I did not like about this book. The characters were not fun and cute characters, but they felt real which I really loved. I loved the slow moving romance in this book, and I really loved the ending. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (G.P. Putnam's Sons) or author (Annabel Monaghan) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

For anyone who read all their Emily Henry books and is looking for the next romance that will make you both swoon and cry Nora Goes Off Script is the book for you. This is the second book this year with a main character named Nora who I loved. And I loved seeing Nora on her journey after a divorce. Nora has my dream job as a romance screenwriter and seeing her get her second chance with my favorite new grumpy hero Leo was just so fun. This is just a wonderful summer romance.

Thanks to Putnam and Netgalley for the ARC for an honest review.

I finished Nora Goes Off Script with decidedly mixed feelings. On the one hand, the premise - a small-town mother of 2 who writes movies for the Hallmark-like Romance Channel and a movie star fall in love when he comes to film her first big budget movie - pulled me in. But on the other, the book didn't entirely seem to know how to sustain itself on that story for the entire thing.

*spoilers ahead*

The strongest parts of this book are the beginning and the ending. The parts where Nora and Leo were just starting to get to know each other were lovely. I enjoyed watching them share parts of themselves and discover those parts in the process. While the shift from friendship into romance did feel a bit sudden to me, I also enjoyed the early days of their relationship, mostly because Nora's joy was refreshing to read. The end of the book brought reconciliation and the return of that joy, and another few lovely moments. In some ways, the book felt like it wanted to be a romance novel, but then tried to pull in too much realism.

As a result of that choice, the book stumbled in the middle for me. The pacing dragged. Time moved weirdly, either with every hour accounted for or chunks of time skipped over with little acknowledgment. It was kind of a drag to read about Nora's circular process of deciding she was over Leo and then not again, not because the sentiments seemed unrealistic but because everything was spelled out so explicitly. A classic case of me reading and yelling "show, don't tell!!!!" And with Leo just gone, a lot of the tension seemed to leak out of the pages. A return to the status quo might be realistic but it's not exactly exciting to read.

I also struggled a little with Nora's whirlwind experience following the release of The Tea House. Maybe given everything she was going through with Leo, she cosmically deserved success with the movie, but it was weirdly frustrating to see everything going so perfectly right. Critically acclaimed, a feminist icon, an Oscar... this was the point for me where the book seemed to cross into wish-fulfillment territory. It felt out of step with a lot of the more down-to-earth moments of the rest of the story, and I almost wished Nora hadn't won the Oscar, just to ground things a little more.

While there were some undeniably cute and lovely moments, Nora Goes Off Script held itself back too much for me to fully love it.

3.25/5