Thank you @NetGalley and Wattpad publishing for the arc of Off Script.

This was a fun read. I love a good fake dating trope. I did think that a few parts of the book felt out of place, but it didn't take away from the story. I also thoroughly enjoyed references to being nerdy fans of shows. I relate to that so much!

If you are looking for a light hearted rom-com with spice, this read is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

I really loved this book!

The things I loved:

-I enjoyed the romance between Jada and Tristan. I liked how it progressed over time. From friendly coworkers to frenemies who are fake dating to lovers.

- I love when both the MC and the LI are both famous because there’s that level of understanding of what comes with it.

-I loved both of their arcs. Jada in learning and accepting that she is good enough and Tristan learning to forgive and love those around him better.

- I’m always a sucker for dual POV’s.

- The pacing was done well and never felt like it dragged.

-I liked how the supporting characters Mikayla, Alia, and Angela were well-rounded.

All the warm and fuzzy feels! This was such a fun and quick read, perfect for a vacay or just hiding away somewhere and reading it in one sitting. Our hero and heroine are flawed, but work through their issues and conclude in such a fun way. I also love when the obvious villain is redeemed a bit. I hope she does 2 more books, one on each bestie!

I really wanted to love Off Script but unfortunately the story fell flat for me. I found the characters hard to read and very closed off. I would have loved some deeper meaning within the characters, I feel like we only got to know them on a surface level.

Off script - Netgalley

I liked it Nice enough, the story was sweet, predictable but sweet. The characters very one dimensional we got a peak into Tristan, But Jada was a closed book.

🎬 - Jada was in all words Elegant i loved this part of her character Just wish we had a little more Of her History, Jada's excuses for not wanting to pursue a real relationship fell on deaf ears after shooting for the Love locket wrapped.... The whole reason she was against it was having to work together when/if things turn sour.

🎬 - Tristan was cute and Lovable as well as being a bit of a dog.

🎬- Tristan's Mother Leaving, the excuse the author Gave for me was unforgivable it all seemed a bit rushed just to give a conclusion this brought the book down alot for me, A person chooses to have a child, a child doesn't choose to be born, there is no excuse for leaving a child, Choosing a new love over your kid! especially leaving them with someone possibly abusive!

🎬 - I loved how we got the Ins and Outs of Making a movie along with internet trolls this part I Loved!

🎬 - Mikayla and Ren need a book!

All in all It was a nice enough light read!

I had a hard time finishing this book. I just couldn’t connect to Tristan at all. I love faking dating, and Hollywood romances. But this one really didn’t grab attention. I still would love to read more book from this author. I think the premise of the book was good but there was something missing.

Thank you again NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. I tried my hardest to finish and see it through but from the storyline to the trashy leading man, I just could not. The storyline was boring and there was nothing there to grab my attention. Considering most of the books I’ve read via NetGalley were around 600 or so pages, I’m disappointed that this 360 page book could not hold my attention. I did not like how aggressive Tristan was. I’m not sure if the author was trying to make him out to be the good boy turned bad or what. I also didn’t like how soft Jada was, almost like she didn’t have a backbone or how to stand up for herself. Now all of this could very well be biased as I only got to chapter 11 before I called it quits. I’m not sure if I will finish this book or read another one by this author.

Off Script by Ashley Marie was a book I wanted to love so much. However, I could not connect with the leading male character. The whole point of a romance novel is to have the dream man every female reader connects with and wants as her "book boyfriend". I couldn't get the warm fuzzy from him. Otherwise, it was a good, fun read and I'm sure many readers will love it.

I had high hopes for this book and I felt like it was a bit messy. When I began the story it felt like a lot of information was given to me about the main character’s friends as well as all the people onset of the film, it was a lot that I felt wasn’t needed in a way.
I did enjoy the fake dating Hollywood actor & actress vibe it had going on I don’t doubt that real-life actors do these stunts with one another.
I also enjoyed that both characters Jada and Tristan were POC. I enjoyed Tristan having the background he was given with both parents, I found myself wanting a bit more of Jada’s past life besides being an upcoming actress. I felt like Jade and Tristan needed a bit more chemistry fire than a fight going on… Tristan being the playboy I didn’t really care for I feel like he could’ve been more detailed & softer if that makes any sense lol. Jada & Tristan at times came off a bit childish and I didn’t really care for it the lack of communication & apologies wasn’t it for me. I enjoyed the steamy scenes nevertheless. 😉
Please keep in mind that this is an honest review.
I thank NetGallery and Wattpad for allowing me the opportunity to read this book I just don’t think it was for me that doesn’t mean it’s not someone else’s cup of tea.

Received an e-ARC from the publisher on NetGalley. I like the idea of this book but I don’t think it is executed properly. The writing is okay. Jada was a super compelling character to follow. I was not the biggest fan of Tristan. I don’t think he grows enough in this book or is a particularly captivating love interest. I also felt that the relationships with other characters in the book could have been more fleshed out. Overall, I do see the author improving and will look out for what they write next.

Off Script already starts off on the wrong foot with the main character and love interest commiting sexual miscondut, and I just couldn't find myself forgiving him after that. Overrall it is just a weird decision to make as an author, branding one of the most important parts of your novel as unlikeable right at the beginning. Don't get me wrong, I love a character with shady morals, just not in a romance. Pile that on top of a bland main character and spotty writing, this book did not work for me.

This was a cute fake dating trope, this one is even better because the two main characters are strong people of color.

Jada is a new up and coming actress who is trying to get back on track after a messy breakup. Tristan is a well known Hollywood playboy who Jada catches cheating on his current girlfriend. Once the gossip sites get ahold of a video of Jada and Tristan fighting over what she saw it becomes a PR nightmare for both of them. Tristan's agent suggests that they spin this nightmare in order to save both of their reputations. The decision is that they pretend to be a couple and suggest that the leaked fight is rehearsal for a scene. They agree, but pretending brings more drama than either one wanted.

This book was very likeable. To me a likeable book has characters that I could see myself being friends with. The author did a great job in creating likeable characters, the main ones and their friends. I enjoyed seeing Jada grow in her profession and get her career back on track. As she did this she became more confident and was finally able to face her past and stand up for herself. At first Tristan is awful, but as Jada gets to know him she realizes that he isn't as awful as he seemed. He's actually quite sweet, he just has baggage just like she does. As the characters get to know each other, while fake dating, they get to know each other and start being honest about their true feelings.

This is definitely a book that everyone should read. It was quite enjoyable and one that I would recommend to everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad Books, W by Wattpad Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

I’m a fan of fake dating and this was enjoyable. Predictable but enjoyable. Great character development . A great beach read

TW: Sexual Misconduct.

Almost a DNF at 25%. But pushed through. The sexual misconduct from the male main character was horrendous and not at all anticipated. This made me extremely uncomfortable. His character arc didn't get better either.

Usually I enjoy fake dating tropes but this was not it. Writing was subpar.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

This story captured the glitz, glamour and hardships from the world of Hollywood. Full of drama, diversity, romance and a surprising amount of heart, Off Script tells the story of Jada and Tristan and how fake dating each other may just lead to something a lot more real.

Jada Berklee’s acting career is finally heating back up after an on-set romance with her ex ruined her last job on a popular TV show. When she gets a second chance with a desirable supporting role in a hot new romantic comedy, Jada’s determined not to let on-set politics or her off-set ex get in the way again. She’s prepared, polished, professional--and she’s going to knock their socks off.

Still, despite Jada’s best efforts to keep her head down she accidentally walks in on leading man, a former child star and notorious playboy, Tristan Maxwell cheating on his latest fling. A confrontation ensues, and like all things in Hollywood, nothing stays secret. So in an attempt to right both of their reputations Tristan’s agent suggests that the two fake date to get the press of their backs about their big on set blow out. But soon the lines begin to blur as the two get closer, and they have to decide if things are real or just for the cameras.

I feel like this book captured a lot of what I would expect a Hollywood actors fake dating romance to entail. Lots of constant drama, needing connections to move up the ladder, and a lot of “office” politics. The knowledge of the behind the scenes of the entertainment industry was insightful, and clear that Ashley Marie’s experience as a screenwriter was helpful in making parts of this story more believable.

Some things that I enjoyed:

-The representation in both main characters. It is a topic I think we see getting discussed more in more in media, but rarely do I see the execution in a lot of books. Jada’s experience as a black woman in Hollywood was a vital part of her story, and it’s a story that tends to not get told or is frequently silenced. Tristan’s latino background gave him plenty of obstacles, the biggest being typecast, and it added a layer to his story that was needed to understand him.
- A great cast of female characters. Side characters like Alia and Mikaela are rare, where they too are portrayed as successful women in their own professions and are great support systems for the main female character. More often than not its a stereotypical friend or friends that say all the same things and we see little of what makes them, them.
- I always enjoy the fake dating trope, and honestly even more so when it’s done with the Hollywood background! So of course I enjoyed that trope in this book

Some things that I didn’t enjoy:
I feel like at times Tristan lacked the depth that we needed to like him. Of course he was the playboy who was secretly a bit more of a sweetheart than what he wanted anyone to think. I just feel like we could of gone more in depth about his experience as a former child star and as a Latino man in Hollywood than we got.
I also felt at times that Jada and Tristan lacked chemistry. There was of course some, but not nearly enough for a couple that ended up together in my opinion. They spent more time fighting than enjoying each others company, and so in the end I couldn’t quite suspend the disbelief that of course those two ended up together.
The writing could of been better. At times it was clunky and a bit awkward. It also suffered from the lack of showing people what was happening, there was too much just telling the reader what was happening or how people were feeling than just experiencing.

Overall I think that this book was a solid kind light read, there were a few steamy scenes, but nothing too crazy. Great for people that enjoy the fake dating trope and the Hollywood backdrop for their romances and who need a quick read.

Thank you Netgalley and Wattpad books for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Jada Berklee gets a second chance at living her dreams when she gets an acting job for a new movie. Left to lick her wounds after her ex got her kicked off a popular TV show, this is her shot at redemption. Jada’s priority is to be professional and blow them away, only that gets thrown out of the window when she walks in Tristan Maxwell, the male lead, in a compromising position. Once their feud becomes public, Tristan and Jada agree to fake date to smooth things over and capitalize on the publicity. Lines soon become blurred, and Tristan and Jada have to decide what’s real and what’s fake.

I have to admit, fake dating is one of my favorite tropes. There was a lot of potential to explore the characters, but the writing fell a little flat. I did not like Tristan’s character, but it was enlightening to learn more about Tristan’s personal life and why he struggled with relationships, but we didn’t dive as deep on Jada’s end. This story is a quick read, and I finished it in a day. However, once I finished, I was not blown away and left wanting more. It was a little unrealistic for the main characters to end up due to major differences and the chemistry was lacking.

Thank you to Net Galley and Wattpad Books for the ARC!

Rating: 2.5 stars

From the get go, I just couldn’t get into this story. The characters were all very two-dimensional and the plot was just a generic and predictable fake dating / enemies to lovers trope in the usual contemporary setting. It was pretty poorly written and edited, with sentences ending part way through a line and continuing two lines below quite often; which led to a bit of a headache while reading. Many times I became so bored that I wanted to DNF the book but persevered to the end by skim-reading sections.

The sexual misconduct of the male MC was a big no no for me, and made me feel uncomfortable from the start. His character arc didn’t even attempt to resolve this wrongdoing in any way, or perceive the real impact of his reductive views on women and behaviour towards them. Whereas, the female MC had no personality other than wanting to be part of what she called “the Black Women Hall of Fame”. The racial microagressions that were tackled in this book were done very well and felt appropriate, but the characters themselves/the plot could have been developed further to prove just how significant these microaggressions are to people in the movie industry, rather than just used as off-handed side comments. The female MC also never stood up to this or made others aware of how damaging and unfair racism is in this industry.

As such, the author’s style of writing didn’t really work for me as a reader, due to lots of information dumping at times and a lack of any substance at others.
Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending this to others.

A better enemies to lovers book with a fantastic POC female MC, as well as great chronic disability representation would be “Get A Life, Chloe Brown”. A book that I would strongly recommend.

Holy Smokes!! This book was Auh-mazing!! I loved the characters and story. This book is perfect for someone wanting to get away into another persons story!

I love a good fake dating story, but the main characters failed to draw me in at times due to the main part of their relationship being arguments and fighting. There wasn’t a true reconciliation until the last 20 pages of the book and I feel like even though there were some steamy scenes, it always ended negatively between Jada and Tristan. I also felt that Tristan was a jerk, and not what people would want to read as a love interest, despite having a slight redemption arc. I also liked Jada’s character, but I feel like she could have had more character development. She is a strong-willed, good woman, but that’s about it.

I liked the premise of this book, but many times I found the writing to be overly descriptive, with a lot of filler content. I feel like it could have been 100 pages shorter and still gotten the points and plot across. I also noticed that this book lacked in the editing department. There were many grammar gaffes and sometimes parts that didn’t make sense in the context of the chapter or story.

In addition to the majority of Tristan and Jada‘s interactions being arguments, I feel like they didn’t get much time together in the story at all. That ties into the lack of character development for both of them.

I enjoyed this book, but I honestly felt more of a connection and likeness to the supporting characters than to Jada and Tristan themselves. I can definitely see an audience thoroughly enjoying this book, but it’s not something that I would recommend to anyone who reads fake dating romance novels.