I tried multiple times to read this and give it a chance, but I just could not get into this one. It is very well reviewed, but it just was not for me.

Annabel Monaghan's Nora Goes Off Script is an easy, engaging read, filled with some great themes and refreshing focus on everyday challenges that adults face when facing marital strain and distress and then the start of a new relationship. I always enjoy stories with celebrities as actual flawed humans and celebrities and every day people meeting and exploring a relationship, always tropes I am all in for, and readers who enjoy those themes should look for this one! I think that the target audience for this book, generally women and women in particular who enjoy romance novels and a focus outside of characters in their 20s (nothing wrong with those books at all!) will find a lot of engagement and visibility here.

I think my wanting a bit more from the plot and characters here more shows my genuine interest in the story and particularly in Nora's mindset and thoughts (Leo was a strong character too, maybe felt a bit stereotypical though); wanting more often simply means I was drawn into the character and wanted to spend more time knowing them.

For me this is a 3.5 plot, it was a bit under developed for me in places and a bit lacking in full development of main characters BUT 4 star rounded up here because I also think that this book 100% lives up to its intended purpose: a charming romance for summer reading and women's focused book discussions. I am looking forward to reading more from this author!

I have a love/hate relationship with this book, so bear with me, this review will be heavily opinionated. I went through the reviews and there are a lot of five-star reviews... I may just not be their target audience.
Let's talk about our MC, Nora. It took me a third of the book to connect with the woman. Don't get me wrong, I wanted to feel for her... but I wasn't getting any real emotion or feelings from her. I'm pretty sure that was deliberate on the writer's behalf. It left me cold, bored, and several times wondering at which point I could honestly say "I tried" and tossed it in my DNF pile. I found it boring, honestly, with pockets of funny one-liners that made me smile (think 90's sitcom... I could almost hear the canned laughter).
I liked the kids, Arthur being maybe the most level-headed and real in the family, whereas Bernadette adds the warmth and excitement needed for the story. Leo is.... complex. He came and obviously had baggage; but watching him insinuate into Suburban-Mom land was charming. I ended up adoring him, and then adoring the way Nora opened up just a bit more. I connected to Nora through these interactions, and they are what saved the book for me- thus, when the misunderstandings started, I was ready to throw hands.
I think the biggest issue for me is that nearly the whole book read like a Hallmark (or would that be a Romance Channel?) movie. There were moments of reality, though... pain, joy, sarcasm... that seemed deeper than that would allow. I guess that would be Nora going off script (for me, anyway... though many would say that the romance in itself and Nora giving up her rigid control would be where she went off the script). All in all, I liked the book but found it messy, formulative, and far too much of a slow start. I was so excited when I read the summary... maybe my expectations were too high. By the end, I liked the book and had made peace with most of the characters. I am still glad I read it but having to wait a third of the book to connect to the main character- and half the book to truly enjoy it, if I had bought the book, I think I would have found that upsetting. Like I said, there are tons of people who loved this book; I may just not be their intended audience. After all, I don't watch those Hallmark Romances. In the end, this was a three-star book for me.
On the adult content scale, there was language, drinking, sexual content and references to a fairly toxic relationship (let's face facts, Ben was an emotionally abusive narcissist). None of it was terribly over the top, so I would say New Adult and higher. (16+).
I was lucky enough to receive an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!

This was a good one! Nora Goes Off Script is the story of a single mom who writes cheesy romance movies for The Romance Channel (think: Hallmark). When her loser of a husband leaves her, Nora does what she does best... she writes! The finished product is a game changer. Nora's emotional screenplay gets picked up by a huge production agency and the A-list actors film the movie in her very own back yard... and one of them doesn't leave.

Leo might be incredibly talented and the Sexiest Man Alive, but he's burnt out and miserable. After filming Nora's movie, he realizes that he could use some time away and offers to rent a room for a few days. What follows is a complicated love story that packs quite the punch.

This is a quick read that can be devoured in one sitting and I enjoyed Monaghan's writing. She took a pretty common trope ("celebrity falls for a normal person") and made it feel believable and authentic. The first half of Nora Goes Off Script was a light and fun story with a bit of romance. Things took an emotional turn during the second act, which I found a little frustrating at times but I still couldn't put it down. I think the pacing could potentially use some work, but I am the last person that should be giving advice to a writer.

If, like me, you enjoyed Evvie Drake Starts Over this might just be your cup of tea. I do caution you to go into this anticipating about 2/3 women's fiction and 1/3 romance. A cute little rom-com, this is not.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for allowing me to be an early reader.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. It was a joy to read from start to finish.

Wow! This was such a fun book to read! I loved the characters, the love story, the storyline. It all works so well! I adore Leo and Nora.

This was my first read by author Annabel Monaghan and I really enjoyed it!

I was sucked into this book immediately. I fell in love with Nora’s character. I loved how she spoke and thought. So many wonderful characters. I wouldn’t change a thing in this book. I also did not want it to end. I will definitely be reading other books by this author. This was not a spicy romance.

I was not able to get into Norah goes off the script after all. I wanted to like it since it has a neat idea. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing the chance to read and review.

Nora Goes Off Script was an out-of-nowhere hit for me! I thought it had a fantastic story line, with lots of heart and humor.

Nora was a screen writer who typically writes Hallmark type movies, but when her husband walks away from their family, she writes a tearjerker instead. The book started as that movie is being filmed at her house. I loved that there was a bit of time between Nora being left and this new love story starting. After the movie wrapped, the movie's leading man decided to stay a bit longer for a bit of a break from Hollywood. The story took off from there and became this wonderful tale of finding love after disappointment and heartbreak. The road to true love was not an easy path though, so prepare yourself for some ups and downs that will make you wonder how they possibly will be together in the end.

There were several things I loved about this book. Nora was 39, had a steady job, and was a wonderful mother. It was so refreshing to not read about a 25 year old (although I love those books too). Nora and Leo had real life emotional and physical baggage that they were dealing with. This book dealt with some heartbreak but also had a ton of humor and wit.

This book was full of charm and warmth and is not a typical rom-com. I enjoyed it even more for that reason. 4.5 stars. I wholeheartedly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the advanced E-book in exchange for my honest review.

Nora writes cheesy romance screenplays that all follow a certain formula. A stranger comes from out of town to a small, idyllic town and meets a new love interest there. They fall in love and work together on some cute local festival, then the out-of-towner leaves for some reason, breaking the local’s heart. Then they end up reconnecting and having their HEA. And wouldn’t you know it, Nora’s life suddenly seems to be repeating this pattern when Hollywood comes to her town to film a movie from a screenplay she wrote about her selfish ex-husband and the sexiest Hollywood star, Leo Vance, seems to be falling for her and her two cute children and her adorable little town. He even helps out directing the elementary school production of the musical, Oliver. Everything seems perfect until Nora’s romance seems to follow the script a bit too closely.

Despite all the predictable tropes and plot points, I really enjoyed this and wanted to keep on reading to find out how they were going to get back together. I could suspend disbelief that the sexiest man alive and wealthy Hollywood superstar would fall for a local woman, but I had a harder time thinking that the movie script that she wrote would be popular at all or considered Oscar worthy. But if you can get over that, you’ll enjoy the book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone. As a romance channel screenwriter, it’s her job. But when her too-good-to work husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora turns her marriage’s collapse into cash and writes the best script of her life. No one is more surprised than her when it’s picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her 100-year-old-home. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne’er do well husband Nora’s life will never be the same.

I am a sucker for a hallmark movie so this book was right up my Ally! I enjoyed the characters, the storyline and just thought this was a good read! I recommend that if you are a fan of hallmark movies that you read this book!!

I absolutely enjoyed reading “Nora Goes Off Script” by Annabel Monaghan, since it made me feel like I was curled up on the couch watching a good romance movie unfold before my eyes.

Nora (a single mother of two) has written a screenplay about her marriage and subsequent divorce. The movie is filmed for a few days in her backyard, and stars Leo Vance, a former Sexiest Man Alive and famous Hollywood actor. Leo is unsatisfied/disenchanted with his current life and offers Nora $1000/day, if she’ll just let him stay another week. What unfolds between the two will have you keep flipping the pages to find out if Nora will get her own happily ever after and rewrite the story of her love life.

I sort of flew through reading this book, because I was so invested in the characters and how it would all end. Overall, this was just an enjoyable read between the morning sunrises with Nora and Leo getting to know one another on a deeper level, the loving relationship Nora has with her parents and children, and just the fact that the book doesn’t just end with a reconciliation here now everything is better, but you get to see into their lives little bit more which I always love – I just hate when a book ends without giving you much closure - and this one did not do that. I’ll definitely be recommending this book to friends if they’re looking for just a fun, feel good read.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book provided to me through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Annabel Monaghan and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for giving me the opportunity to read this book!

The writing style did not work well for a romance. The relationship lacked the dialogue to create chemistry. We never got to really know Leo because we didn’t have any of his POV or much dialogue. The first person writing felt very factual - then this happened, then this happened etc. Would work for a different kind of story but doesn’t work for creating chemistry between the two characters.

I really enjoyed this story as we get to see Nora find herself after her divorce and find love with a movie star. At the beginning I had a hard time connecting with Nora since she felt a little detached, but grew to love her as we got to see her with her kids and opening up to Leo.

I loved how strong Nora tried to be for her children who felt abandoned by their dad. Bernadette and Arthur were so sweet throughout. I also enjoyed the easy comfort between Nora and Leo as they appreciated the simple moments in life like watching the sunrise and trips to the grocery store.

I highly recommend picking this up for a heartfelt love story. It reminded me a bit of “The Idea of You” with the single mom dating a celebrity (minus the age gap and open door steam).

Thanks Putnam Books for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really really liked this one. And here’s why: Nora is so damn well-rounded.

She’s a romance movie writer with two kids who has to learn to adjust to single life. Like so many divorce stories I’ve .l heard, the change is devastating, no matter the circumstances, and Nora does that thing where she throws herself into her career.

And then Leo comes along. And look, while I don’t want to give away spoilers…oh, it’s just so cute and you have to read it!!!

I received an ARC of Nora Goes Off Script from NetGalley and I just wanted to say WOW!
This is how I know a book is in the sweet spot: I start reading and find every excuse I can to keep reading and avoid all other responsibilities. Case in point, Annabel Monaghan’s Nora Goes Off Script. I stayed up late reading into the night because I had to make sure I wasn’t going to cry and that Nora would get her Happy Ever After (don’t worry, she does). Needless to say, I loved this book! It’s rare that I’ll tear through a book like that.

Things I definitely appreciated that you can tell were important to the author and the story:
1. Nora is 39 (THANK YOU—she’s not 25–and there are tongue-in-cheek age nods to Carole King-like attire). As a 40 year old woman myself it’s so refreshing to see a love story for someone in the middle of their life.
2. Nora has awesome kids that have REAL personalities and aren’t just minor supportive characters. Her children have flaws (which are addressed), and the kids play an active role in story development.
3. Nora is representative of middle class moms. She’s single, doing her best on her own and obviously putting her kids first, but realizing she needs to be happy too. I felt like I’d known her my whole life. She has financial struggles, tries to be a good mom, and is aware of her own limitations.
4. The yearning in this book is palpable. The character separation in this novel was so excellently written that I felt like a teenage version of Nora, knowing and trying to accept the loss of a relationship (by being a grownup) and yet wanting to tear my hair out and bite my fingernails with anxiety over the loss of communication. This part of the book kept me flipping pages because I FELT what Nora felt.

A fantastic adult romance debut with the famous person/non-famous person trope, Nora Goes Off Script checks off all the boxes. Thank you to Net Galley and G. P. Putnam’s Sons for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sadly this was just okay for me. I was expecting something other than what I got. A lot felt really unrealistic and a little rushed. Nora and Leo were an interesting pair, that’s for sure. All in all it was okay, just not what I was wanting.

I think that this book was an interesting read. I found that it had a slow start, and it took me several tries to actually start enjoying it, but once I read a good portion of it, I started to enjoy it. I enjoyed reading about Nora and Leo. I thought that they had really engaging banter and good chemistry. I would not compare this book to Beach Read by Emily Henry, which I feel all romance books do in their descriptions now. I would not rush to recommend this book to a friend, but I would not tell them to not read it.

What a feel good love story!
I was hooked from the very first page until the last and struggled to put the book down. I loved each and everyone of the characters, the writing style, and the premise.... But my favorite part - long after I read the last page I couldn't stop thinking about the book.... I look forward to reading more by Annabel Monaghan!

Wow! Was this billed as a rom-com? That’s what I expected from the cute, fun cover at least. And it was. I laughed and I swooned. But there was a lot more to it than that. And I loved it!

Nora is a single mom (thanks to her worthless ex-husband leaving her high and dry) raising two young children and doing a great job of it. Normally, she writes screenplays for those cheesy romance movies on The Romance Channel (we all know what she means). She goes deeper and writes a screenplay that is the story of her marriage. And this is going to be a big film. It’s filming on her property. Big movie stars and all. Leo is starring as her ex-husband. They meet. And that’s when the fun begins. I don’t want to say too much more and ruin the story.

I absolutely adored this book! The characters were deep and relatable. Nora was amazing. The kids were perfect. The ending was surprising and refreshing. Please, pick up a copy on 6/7/22 and see for yourselves! What a perfect summer read this will be.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the early copy.