I enjoyed Nora Goes Off Script. I appreciated a romance with more mature characters. And though I didn't love the conflict between Nora and Leo at the end of the book, I liked how the story came together.

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.

The morning after shooting wraps and the crew leaves, Nora finds Leo on her porch with a half-empty bottle of tequila and a proposition. He’ll pay a thousand dollars a day to stay for a week. The extra seven grand would give Nora breathing room, but it’s the need in his eyes that makes her say yes. Seven days: it’s the blink of an eye or an eternity depending on how you look at it. Enough time to fall in love. Enough time to break your heart.

Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, Nora Goes Off Script is the best kind of love story—the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. For Nora and Leo, this kind of love is bigger than the big screen.

I adored this romance. Nora is a mother of two kids who writes romance novels for television. When her husband leaves her, she writes it into a script that is being made into a movie. Enter a handsome movie star who asks if he can pay her to stay at her house. He needs to get away from the scene. The romance is sweet and doesn't follow the usual formula. I loved that they incorporated the kids, who were not perfect. This book was easy to read and hard to put down. This is perfect for anyone who loves reading romances about the industry and is a perfect beach read.

4 ⭐️ A sweet, heartfelt romance that I thoroughly enjoyed

"The best things come back. Sometimes it's right after the commercial, sometimes it takes longer. But time and sunshine bring growth, and life unfolds just the way it's supposed to."

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ movie star MMC
✨ divorced screenwriter FMC
✨ small-town romance
✨ miscommunication
✨ angst
✨ HEA
✨ no spice


Summary:

Nora is a recently divorced romance screenwriter who just sold her first big non-romance script. Since the screenplay is based on Nora's life, the director wants to use her home as the film location. So for one week, Nora and her two children will have to deal with the film crew and actors - including Leo Vance - Hollywood's biggest star and "Sexiest Man Alive."

After filming wraps, Leo decides to extend his stay for a couple of weeks. This Hollywood superstar is looking to ground himself in something that looks like a 'normal life'. But as Leo spends more time with Nora and her kids, the more integral he becomes a part of their family. Leo was supposed to be temporary, but what if he is meant to stay?



What I liked:

• The premise is wonderful.
• The writing is straightforward and easy to follow.
• Bernadette and Arthur, Nora’s kids, stole the show.
• Nora’s journey of moving on and learning to love and appreciate herself was honestly beautiful.
• The third act conflict (which happened at 50% of the book) gutted me. My heart physically ached for Nora.
• I didn’t see that plot twist coming, and it was so great! I was wondering how on earth I’d ever forgive Leo.


What I didn’t like:

• While Nora and Leo did not instantly fall in love, it felt like insta-love once they got together because there were hardly any moments where we see them forming a solid romantic connection. It felt a little out of the blue.
• I also didn't really feel the chemistry between Nora and Leo. And I think it had everything to do with this lack of romantic build-up in the beginning.
• I never felt connected to Leo. I didn’t really know him or felt emotionally attached, so he just seemed very two-dimensional. I just wish we had seen more personality or emotions shine through during his interactions with Nora and the kids.


But, overall, I thought this was such a wonderful story. I would 100% recommend reading it if you want a mature, sweet romance with angst.

When Norah’s screenplay is adapted into a major movie, the star of the film Leo ends up living in her backyard. Of course, sparks fly.
I absolutely loved this famous person/normal person romance, not just because I love all/most books that fall in this trope (I might be predisposed to) but because this was so beautifully written. Norah and Leo are fully fleshed-out adults! They like each other and I believed they would fall into a relationship. The supporting characters are just as well drawn and even the inevitable breakup felt like a thing that could happen because of who they both are. This book a believable romance in an unreal setup.
Thanks to Net Galley and Putnam Books for the ARC!

A delightful read filled with a lovable cast of characters. Monaghan speeds through story at a breakneck speed, so that we only see the most important romance-centric, swoon-worthy scenes.

Thank you so much to @putnambooks for my gifted copy of Nora Goes Off Script, by Annabel Monaghen! This sweet book is out now, and y’all, if you like romance and women’s fiction, don’t miss this one. It’ll likely be one of my favorites of 2022! In Nora Goes Off Script, we meet Nora Hamilton, a divorced screenwriter who turns her heartbreak into the best script of her life, and the movie is filmed at her home. Afterward, one of the stars (Leo) wants to stay for a week, and will give her $7,000 as rent.

Y’all, Leo was SO dreamy as the book went on. I loved how he developed through the story (even when he wasn’t exactly acting the best). But y’all, he so redeemed himself. It was so good.

And Nora and her kids were just delightful. They were beautifully written, and you could really feel their emotions jump off the page and into your heart. I loved Nora’s arc throughout the story as well, and how things unfolded for her. I don’t want to say too much at risk of spoiling things, so message me if you’d like to discuss!

Wow! I really really enjoyed this story. Nora has been pushing out movies that are romantic, easy, and predictable. However, when her husband leaves her and her two kids, that all changes when she writes something different. With her new script being so personal, filming is being done at her residence and she becomes familiar with one of the actors booked for the job.

This was just SO CUTE. I also loved the two kid's characters. A lot of times in romance books, the children are kind of pushed to the side, but not here. This was a sweet story and I enjoyed every bit of it. Looking forward to more from this author!

This book will be at the top of my favorites list for 2022. I could not get enough of Nora and movie star- their friendship, their relationship and how it all unfolded mostly under a sunrise. Such a fun and romantic read filled with hope. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Romance screenwriter Nora may have met her match when movie star Leo begins shooting scenes on her property and then asks to stay around a while.

I loved this one. Leo and Nora felt relatable despite the former being a hugely popular actor. None of the tropes came across as tedious. I was very invested in the will they/won't they of it all and was rooting for them to make it as a couple. I had very clear pictures of who would play these characters in a movie. Nora's kids were also great.

Nora Goes Off Script blew up in the @pelotonmomsbookclub over the summer and we loved chatting with Annabel about it. Already can't wait to read whatever she writes next.

Rating 4 stars

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of Nora Goes Off Script for review purposes! All opinions are my own.

Loved this cute story! Loved the characters and story. Twists were appreciated too! Thanks to NetGalley, and the publisher fir thus ARC

Thanks for the gifted book, @putnambooks! I was sent this book a couple months ago and life got in the way and I FINALLY was able to pick this delight up.

This book was lovely. I adored it. But y’all!!!! I am so disappointed I didn’t read it sooner. SO enjoyable. This might be late, but thank you so much, Putnam! I loved it.

You know how much I love the single dad trope, but I’m not huge on the single mom (double standard… 😬) this book succeeded in showing me that I love both! Nora is a divorced, single mom, who is basically a screen writer for hallmark (never truly mentioned hallmark, but same thing) one of her scripts is picked up by big Hollywood and they want to film at her home. That’s where she meets Leo, the most popular Hollywood actor and… they don’t hit it off. But if you think I’m spoiling anymore for you, no way!

Look. I’m a huge sucker for Hollywood meets single parent trope. It’s just perfection. Annabel Monaghan wrote a wonderful story that gave me all the feels and I truly enjoyed every moment of it.

Content warning: this is not a sweet romance. Open door and some language.

This just was not for me. I can appreciate that it’s well written but the story itself just did not compel me like I anticipated it would.

Thanks @prhinternational for this ARC!

Depois de ver seu casamento acabar, Nora Hamilton transforma toda sua dor em um roteiro e este acaba sendo escolhido para virar filme.

As gravações ocorrem na sua própria casa e o galã Leo Vance é escolhido para ser o seu ex-marido. Uma semana após o término das gravações, Nora encontra o ator de volta à sua porta pedindo para que o deixe ficar por mais alguns dias hospedado em sua casa.

Nora Goes Off Script tinha muito potencial para ser uma boa leitura pra mim, mas dessa vez a narração junto do audiobook tornou a experiência não muito prazerosa.

Já começamos com o fato que muita coisa do livro é narrado e não mostrado e isso quebra demais o ritmo da história. Muito da rotina e acontecimento da vida de Nora é apenas citado e pro desenvolvimento do romance com Leo, eu senti que pesou muito, já que eu não conseguia sentir muita verdade entre eles. Outro ponto é justamente a passagem de tempo na história, que não é bem sinalizada e me deixou bem perdida em diversos momentos.

Sobre os personagens, eu gostei bastante de Nora. Sendo alguém saindo de um péssimo relacionamento com dois filhos para cuidar, ela até que estava sustentando bem a relação, mas também se permitia seus momentos de fraqueza. Já Leo, pela narração ser apenas de Nora e o comentado no parágrafo anterior, eu não tenho muita opinião formada porque realmente eu não consegui me conectar com ele.

Apesar dos pesares, houve uma reviravolta que eu nunca nem em mil e um anos iria imaginar chegando e me deixou de queixo caído e foi o que fez a história ganhar mais uma estrelinha na sua nota final.

Nora has a quiet comfortable life, and then everything changes. SHe can't quite trust her new happiness, and watching her fall in love and then deal with all the complications was both fun and heart wrenching, alternately. Great book.

I loved reading this book and am disappointed it ended. I want Nora to be my best friend and be able to watch Arthur and Bernadette grow up. Nora was a great narrator and told a wonderful story that made me feel all the emotions. I wish I could give this rating than 5 stars!

Confesso que esse eu li pela capa!
Nora se separou de seu marido Ben há um ano. Para exorcizar de vez seu casamento ela, que é roteirista, acabou escrevendo um filme a partir dessa experiência. E o script foi um sucesso e logo foi vendido para um estúdio. A equipe de filmagens vai então gravar em sua propriedade, que tem mais de 100 anos e é linda. Leo Vance, um dos atores mais bonitos de Holywood, é escalado para o papel de Ben e Nora não consegue ver como isso poderia funcionar. Na manhã depois do fim das filmagens Nora encontra Leo em sua porta com uma garrafa de tequila pela metade e uma proposta, ele gostaria de ficar por uma semana. Mas uma semana pode mudar tudo na vida de Nora e dos filhos.

Esse foi meu primeiro contato com a escrita da autora e eu fiquei tão vidrada que fui dormir as três da manhã para finalizar o livro. Eu simplesmente não conseguia parar de pensar nele.
Nora teve uma jornada muito bonita. Seu ex marido era um imprestável e ela aprende a amar novamente nos braços de Leo e quando as coisas parecem não dar certo ela não se deixa abater, mas sofre e segue a vida.

Leo, por sua vez, é aquele moreno com passado sombrio. Ele também tem suas questões, mas encontra em Nora e sua família o que sempre procurou, um senso de pertencimento.

Confesso que os momentos que eles ficaram separados foi o que me deixou mais vidrada no livro. Aquela sensação de " não é possível" me deixou vidrada. Mas o final feliz veio.



Enfim, foi uma ótima experiência e eu recomendo.

At the beginning, I didn’t think I would ever like Leo Vance. As the story progressed I was swayed a little, then completely. Then, I didn’t think I would ever be able to forgive him. I didn’t think there was anything he could say, or anything that could be done to convince me he was meant for Nora in the end. I was proved wrong repeatedly.

Nora Hamilton’s story of accidentally finding love post-divorce, with one of the most popular movie stars on the planet, had the ability to be one of the cheesiest tropiest rom-coms out there, but it wasn’t. It told a genuine heart-felt story of the hurt from her first marriage, and showed the life of someone who turned her whole life around for the sake of herself and her adoring children.

I truly enjoyed this read, and getting to know Nora and her family, both past and present.

A fresh take on the genre, with engaging characters and several nice twists. I love when the children of a protagonist are more than window dressing. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy!

In full transparency, I did not expect to love this book as much as I did, definitely did not think I would leave 5 stars. I thought it was going to be an easy, fun, light rom-com (which it was), but was not expecting some of the depth and attachment I felt to the characters when it was over. I had a slight book hangover after this one.

Newly single mom Nora, is just trying to make ends meet. As a screen writer for quickly produced romance movies (think a certain always happy ending movie channel).. Nora knows romance. But what she doesn’t know is that writing a script about her own life garners WAY more interest than those romance scripts. When Hollywood comes knocking, Nora answers as the money could get her family in a comfortable place. But with Hollywood comes a handsome (once sexiest man alive) actor who quickly integrates himself into her and her kids lives. And then, just as quickly, disappears from their lives. I had so much fun following Nora as she dealt with loss, motherhood, heartbreak and eventually her own happy ending!

If you are iffy about this book at first like I was.. JUST READ IT. It is NOT just another rom-com.

Nora Goes Off Script was a fun, light read that surprised me by evoking a few tears, a result of having truth and substance to back up its sweet story, not to mention creating a family that I cared about. I love when a romance novel pokes fun at itself, calling attention to the genre's often formulaic plots full of tropes. Nora writes scripts for The Romance Channel and refers to the writing process as more or less Mad Libs (insert gender, location, career, community activity, get a story). This meta aspect was enjoyable. While I liked the book, it took me weeks to get through because I thought it was good but not gripping. Perhaps the biggest thing working against it was merely that it reminded me of a mashup of two other summer blockbuster romcoms that I recently read: The Bodyguard with its celebrity romance and Book Lovers with its "I'm in the industry so I know the romance rules and my life isn't a scripted rom-com/rom-dram". I also didn't fully buy the romance between Nora and Leo. It felt like there was zero flirting or banter or any signs of interest before suddenly they were sleeping together, then saying I love you. I also thought Leo's "proposal" was actually rude... ask the girl, don't tell her and assume she'll say yes. It gave me a sour taste. Still, I enjoyed finding out the reason behind their breakup/ghosting situation, Nora's character and her children, and what the book had to say about the fear of abandonment and its impact on future relationships. It's a book I'd recommend as an easy, feel good read but I wouldn't give the impression that it's going to become a new favorite.