Oh my goodness was this fabulous!!! Meta, clever, heartfelt, sweet, smart... This is the ultimate rom-com and I hope they make a movie of it asap. This goes on my shelf to re-read when I want to feel hopeful and happy and believe in happy endings.

Omg I loved this book! Nora is a screenwriter for cheesy hallmark romances. But after her dick of a hubs leaves her she writes a darker screenplay that’s picked up and cast with some a list actors. The production ends up filming in her actual home and the male lead somehow ends up weaseling his way into Nora’s home and heart. While the set up is pretty hallmark romance itself the execution was fabulous. I just loved Nora’s voice and her growing relationship with her smoldering male lead was charming and adorable. With bumps and bruises along the way, this wrapped up in just the right way and I’m now recommending this widely as a feel good summer read. If you liked Idea Of you or the bodyguard you’d likely be swept up here as well. 4.25 stars.

I absolutely adored this book. I thought I was picking up a cutesy romance, but this book was so much more. Nora was an incredible mom, and her kids were wonderful characters too. I loved reading a book where the main character truly prioritized her kids, not sacrificing them for an instant romance.

Quick Summary: Brilliant!

My Review: Nora Goes Off Script was quite brilliant in every way. It was perfectly paced and so well balanced where romance and fluttering hearts are concerned. The entire story tugged at my heartstrings. I could not put the book down, once I started. Three scenes that nailed it for me...the first kiss, the bird sanctuary, and the hugs from the kids and for the kids. (Every single one was priceless. Real treasures.) I landed at the place of happy tears by the final page. Bravo!

My Final Say: This has earned a place on my favorites shelf.

Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes

Sincere appreciation is expressed to the author, to the publisher, and to NetGalley for making a digital ARC of this title available for review in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have expressed are my own and have not been influenced by any of the aforementioned parties.

* This review has been posted on Goodreads.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: June 7, 2022

Divorcee Nora usually writes formulaic romance movies for a living but then writes a serious movie about her failed marriage. When a full movie crew descends on her suburban home to shoot scenes for the movie, superstar actor Leo ends up crashing as a houseguest long after filming wraps and flips her very structured life upside down.

This is a quick read, closed door romance. I found the first person voice to sound like a narrator floating above the scenes at time—it just felt a bit detached from the character it was supposed to be from. I really enjoyed the characters in this one and was racing this this tearjerker HEA!

When Nora turns her husband leaving her and their two kids into a movie script, the last thing she expects is that Hollywood will pick up the script and film on her property. Even more unexpected is her connection with the leading actor, Leo.

This sweet story pulled me in from the very first page. Detailing all of life’s complexities, prepare to set aside places in your heart for each and every character. Nora is a character you’ll not only fall in love with, but you’ll be overwhelmingly filled with pride for. I’ll be recommending this read to anyone and everyone who will listen.

This is a really funny and heart-warming story. I especially liked the inclusion of the children and Leo's relationship with them. I was anxious to see how it all ended. Very enjoyable.

If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. IT WAS SO AMAZING. Perfect beach read, but I don’t know that I would wait that long if you can get your hands on it sooner. I laughed so hard throughout the book. I cried too. It was all the feels and just perfect. It follows Nora, a movie screenplay writer, who writes a new screenplay about how her husband just one day pretty much up and walked out on her and their kids. The film is shot on location for a few days at her house with, who other, than the heartthrob of all Hollywood heartthrobs, Leo Vance, Cue the rest of the story. That is all I will say. It is not cheesy. It is not predictable. It is AMAZING.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest opinion. I am forever grateful!!!

This was a delight, exactly the kind of booK that is perfect for vacation, or cozying up at home and pretending you are on vacation. I loved all the characters and especially loved the relationship between Leo and the kIds.

This story tugged on my heart more than I could have imagined. Annabel Monaghans writing had me so deep in my feelings I truly felt like Leo Vance was breaking my heart along with Nora. The relationship was a slow burn and this is one of those books I did not want to put down!

This was the perfect palate cleanser after a very heavy book. It would make for a great beach read this summer! The story was cute and fun but also had depth too. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

Nora Goes Off Script is a delightful spin on a feel good romantic comedy. I absolutely loved it, and immediately looked for other works by the author.

The story opens as Nora is about to welcome a Hollywood film crew to her charming if dilapidated house in upstate New York. She's recently turned the ending of her marriage into a big budget script, and the glitterati are descending on her house including Leo Vance, a handsome and world famous actor. What follows is, of course, predictable, but it the best kind of way.

If every rom-com, there must be a typical "misunderstanding", and the surprising part of this novel was just how long it went on. The central couple was kept apart for a good portion of the book forcing the reader to get a real upclose look at heartbreak. I, personally, enjoyed this aspect of the book as it gave it more depth than you get from the usual novel of this type.

This novel was a delight from start to finish, and I eagerly await the author's next one.

Nora’s ex-husband has wracked up some major debt, and she comes up with a creative way to pay it off- by writing a script about her life.

Welp, I didn’t hate it but I didn’t love it. I had read some really positive reviews about this one, so my hopes were high. It felt choppy, like perhaps things were cut out last minute… it was a bit strange honestly.

Not a bad book, but not something I’d go around calling a must read or recommending. Just so-so.

I was given an ARC of this story to read; but thoughts and opinions are all my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the chance to read this book!

This book was so fun and relatable. A romance that includes all the complications of everyday life combined with the sweet escapism of a good romantic read. Overall, well written, a good time.

This one was cute and I’m glad I stuck it out. It took a me a little while to stay on track and pay attention— a little bit of a slow read, but I liked the characters enough to stick with it and I’m glad I did. This is a fun love story with the regular (not at all regular) woman that meets a famous dude and you know how these love stories go… Except with a little more heart and storylines: You get divorce, heartbreak, motherhood, single mom life and woman following her dreams. I loved it, even with the slower pace. Would have been 5 stars for me with a few less chapters in the middle.

A cheesy romance about a cheesy romance author…I adored this book. The characters were well developed, even if the story was a little far fetched at times. I fell in love along with the characters and felt their devastation and shock at the plot twist (that I definitely didn’t see coming!). Overall, solid read!

A wonderful second chance romance between an author and an actor who meet when a movie is being made from the authors latest book. Her ex husband abandoned Nora and their two delightful children after a life of never pulling his own weight. The book she writes is that story which makes all of this a fascinating human interest view. The characters are well drawn and entertaining. The dialogue is snappy and rich. The HEA is pure perfection. I read this in one long afternoon, found myself too absorbed to put it down.

I had a blast with this title. Sharp and fun without insulting those of us who love a certain holiday movie channel brand. I could root for Nora, her town and for love. Well done!

Rounding up from 3.5 stars. This was a very sweet book. I loved the Hallmark Channel screenwriter finding herself in her own romance, and the way the plot went along (particularly any twists that may or may not have happened) I didn’t mind the low heat, and I would likely read another from this author! Honest review provided for a free ARC

I think my biggest beef with this novel is the use of lack of communication as the main a plot device.

Look, it's 2022. There are a bazillion different ways to communicate with other people on the planet. You're telling me that two grown ass adults (who apparently love each other very much), would rather sulk at opposite ends of the country nursing heartbreak for 7+ months than pick up a damn phone and get answers?
You couldn't reach out to mutual contacts to confirm or deny your concerns? Ugh. No.

I imagine this will be a good beach read this summer for a lot of folks. If you're chasing something light-hearted and superficial this will definitely scratch the itch.

Baby side note:
The FL is in the film industry (as a screenwriter, but still) but seems to be baffled by the concept of costars being seen together to generate buzz? What?! That's old school Hollywood promotion at its finest, definitely should not be a novel concept. . .

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and fair review