love, unscripted

by Denise Hunter

The “fake boyfriend/girlfriend” trope is a popular one, but it has never appealed to me. When Denise Hunter, an author I like, published one, I decided to give it a try.

In love, unscripted, Chloe has just published her first novel and it is a huge success. So successful that she already has sold the movie rights. Having been hurt and rejected by several men, including her father, Chloe has written a protagonist into her book who is heroic and “exhibits all the qualities that every woman yearns for in a partner.” Unfortunately, Liam, the actor chosen to play that role in the movie has a reputation as a handsome and charming lady’s man who moves quickly from one romantic interest to another. The tabloids love to use him for their headlines, and not everything they print is true.

Chloe’s first encounters with Liam are not positive, but they make a deal with each other. Her publisher wants her to increase her social media presence, and Liam’s publicists want him to shine up his image to fit the wholesome character portrayed in the movie. She agrees to pretend to have a relationship in exchange for his committing to work with her on his lines to better understand the character she created.

It’s easy to guess the direction the plot will take, but it is entertaining to watch their relationship develop. The hiccups along the way are caused by the paparazzi and by their own individual pasts which make it hard for them to trust others. Misunderstandings arise causing some hard lessons in forgiveness. Although this fake dating trope will never be my favorite, I did enjoy this clean romance with characters I liked. Most of the characters grew during the story, but realistically a few were unable to admit past mistakes or make good choices.
The events in the book take place over the course of three months showcasing how a movie is filmed, and I enjoyed participating vicariously in that process.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Romance, Women’s Fiction

Notes: no inappropriate language or sex

Publication:  March 12, 2024—Harper Collins Christian Publisher/Thomas Nelson

Memorable Lines:

“When you reach a certain level of success, people often want something from you other than friendship. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who’s genuine and who’s not.”

She’d felt closer to him since their illnesses. There was something about seeing a person at his weakest—and being seen at your most vulnerable—that lowered a person’s walls.

“You’ve gotta get good at forgiving. “Cause believe me, you’ll be the one needing it the next time.”

If you’re looking for a feel-good romance to kick off your shoes and relax on the couch, Love, Unscripted is a great pick. It’s light, sweet, and entertaining—classic Denise Hunter with vivid setting descriptions and a fun, engaging cast.

I liked the lovers’ meet scene—it was unexpected and funny, even though it leaned into the cliché a bit. I usually prefer to spend more time getting to know the protagonist before the love interest shows up, but in this case, we’re thrown into the story right away with Chloe. While that felt a bit rushed for my usual taste, the fast pace kept things light and engaging overall.

One of my favorite things about Denise’s writing is how she reveals physical descriptions. She doesn’t dump them all at once but gives us small, delightful glimpses through each protagonist’s eyes over time. That technique worked especially well here.

Chloe’s nervous energy in the early scenes made for some adorable and humorous moments. I liked both protagonists a lot—especially Liam, who is written with such warmth, character, and emotional depth. He’s steady, kind, and just so easy to root for. Chloe, on the other hand, charmed me at first but started to frustrate me towards the end. I noticed something similar in the last Denise Hunter book I read: while the male protagonist is well-rounded and grounded, the female protagonist ends up acting in ways that feel unnecessarily irritating or immature.

However, I loved Chloe’s relationship with her brother. He was protective of her in a way that felt real and sincere, and their honesty with each other—about both strengths and flaws—was refreshing. Their sibling dynamic was the kind of close, dreamy bond that reminded me of my own relationship with my siblings. It added warmth and emotional richness to the story.

Beyond the romance itself, what stood out to me was that both protagonists had experienced their own form of trauma—and their meeting became the catalyst for healing. It was satisfying to see how they influenced each other in quiet but meaningful ways. Their growth felt earned, not forced, and added emotional depth to the story.

The chemistry between Liam and Chloe keeps the romance enjoyable, and their banter adds levity. Even with a storyline that feels familiar, the characters and setting make the journey worthwhile.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the complimentary copy. Opinions expressed in this review are 100% mine.

I have read all of Denise Hunters books and this is one of the top ones that is my favorite . I love the ones that feature actors . Chloe wrote a screen play for her book and is set to become a major motion picture and enters Liam ( the bad boy high profile actor)
They have a meet cute on the boardwalk and a funny meet cute I must add ,
They both learn together Chloe learns how to unwind and Liam works with a PR to get rid of his bad boy image .
Thank you net galley for the ARC

Love, Unscripted is one of those rom-coms that feels like a warm hug and a laugh-out-loud girls’ night rolled into one. The story follows Chloe Anderson, a writer who’s fresh off a breakup and accidentally creates the “perfect boyfriend” in her debut novel. When her book gets picked up for a movie, she’s horrified to learn that Hollywood’s favorite bad boy, Liam Hamilton, is set to play her dream man. Cue the chaos.

What I loved most about this book is how relatable Chloe is. She’s smart, a little bit awkward, and fiercely protective of her work (and her heart). Her reaction to Liam’s casting—especially the infamous speakerphone moment—had me cringing and laughing at the same time. The fake relationship setup isn’t new, but it’s done with so much heart here. Watching Chloe and Liam go from reluctant partners to actual friends (and more) felt authentic and sweet.

The small-town setting in North Carolina adds a cozy vibe, and the side characters—Chloe’s friends, nosy neighbors, and the Hollywood crew—are genuinely fun. The banter between Chloe and Liam is sharp and funny, but there’s a vulnerability underneath that makes their connection believable. I also appreciated how the book explores the difference between fantasy and reality, both in love and in life.

If you’re a fan of Emily Henry or Christina Lauren, I think you’ll really enjoy this one. It’s light and funny but also has enough emotional depth to keep you invested. I finished it with a big smile on my face, rooting for Chloe and Liam to get their happy ending—unscripted, of course.

**4.5/5 stars.**
A perfect pick-me-up for anyone who loves a good romance with a side of Hollywood sparkle.

I've read other books by this author and enjoyed this one as much as the others. While the story was predictable with the usual 3rd act break up, it kept my interest and I enjoyed reading it. If you enjoy a light romance with a small town setting you would probably enjoy this book. There are issues including alcoholism & abandonment in the book. I would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in return for an honest review.

This was an unexpected surprise. A first time author and the actor starring in the movie adaptation of her book decide to fake date to help one another. Of course it becomes more than fake dating. Both Chloe and Liam bring some baggage to the relationship and I enjoyed reading about them working through their respective issues.

This book had a lot of tropes that I love:
—hurt/comfort
—small town
—celebrity romance
—main characters who love to read

Overall, a heartwarming read. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book. Chloe, a restaurateur, writes a novel projecting her perfect mate onto the pages. It’s so popular that it’s turned into a movie. Will the actor actually be able to portray what she’s written? This book also demonstrates abandonment issues.

Denise Hunter does it again ! another love story that will sit with me until I read the next one. The way this author writes is so captivating I feel every emotion I feel the love seeping through the pages. Wonderful story I'm making my way through this authors entire backlog. Autobuy/Auto read author for sure. Small town romances, clean only kissing , no language, faith elements, fake dating trope (my fave), short chapters, the list goes on everything I could ever want in a story Denise has it!

Aww this was a cutie. 2 sweet characters with an easygoing story.

A lovely Sunday afternoon read.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC.

Cute romance of a non-relationship guy and a novelist waiting for her perfect man. He is an actor chosen to play the perfect man in her novel when it is optioned for a movie. She is adamant he is the wrong person due to his reputation. Plus, because of his reputation being in shambles, he and the studio convince her to fake date him. Her request-let her teach him about the character. Will this be the best thing to do or will it mortally fail?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book quickly pulled me into the story and led me on a journey of emotional ups and downs before the final happy ending. There were plenty of relationship highs and lows throughout this story that definitely pulled on the heartstrings and left me invested in the characters and their story.
Not everything you see or read is the reality and for Liam that is definitely the truth. He needs a fresh start, a rebrand and a break from his parents. The chance to be in a small town filming a new movie might give him the chance to reset but can he do it without anyone being hurt in the process?
Chloe dreams and writes of her perfect boyfriend after a failed relationship - when it becomes a best selling book and now a movie being filmed it seems like a dream come true, except she still doesn't have a boyfriend, let alone a perfect one! When sparks fly with Liam will Chloe make the right decisions to preserve her heart or will she be caught up in the movie excitement and moment?
This story had lots of layers and threw in a few curveballs which made it a really satisfying read. I liked the length, there was plenty of time for character building and subplot development which I really enjoyed. It is a clean book I anticipate sitting down and reading again one summer afternoon.

A heart warming romance with a lot of fun elements sent in small town North Carolina. Wonderful characters and very well written! I would highly recommend this book to anyone! Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

Love, Unscripted was so sweet and cute! I love a good enemies to lovers trope done well, and Hunter did a great job with this one! I'm not usually into "bad boys" but I loved Liam and he was such a sweet character and had heart despite his reputation. I loved the intentionality he put into his relationship with Chloe. Chloe was a very sweet and likable main character as well! Overall, such a cute rom-com-y type story!

I absolutely love Denise Hunter. She writes amazing contemporary romances that have more than just a romance at the center of the book. I loved the main characters in this book and the self discovery as well. I will read anything that Denise Hunter puts out and highly recommend.

Love, Unscripted was a fun romance story. It was a little unrealistic at times, but a good read.

The characters were fun. It was interesting how he was a celebrity and she didn't like him because of his reputation. I liked how their relationship grew to being a true one and the ending was sweet.

All in all, Love, Unscripted was an easy read. I wouldn't classify it as Christian Fiction because I can't recall any faith elements in the book, but it was a mostly clean romance. Recommend for fans of Hallmark movies or easy romance stories.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter is a nice story that is quick to read and is filled with romance. It is a story that definitely has the makings of a Hallmark movie. I read all of Hunter's books because I know I'm going to be left with warm and fuzzy feelings when I have finished the book. This one is no different.
Chloe is an author who's book is going to be made into a movie. Liam is the actor chosen to play Chloe's main character in the movie. A fake dating trope follows and since it is a romance novel I"m sure you can guess what eventually happens. The road to their happily-ever-after is beautifully written and it's a fun journey.

I always enjoy Denise Hunter's novels, and Love, Unscripted is well-written. I appreciate the author's consistency. I know what I'm getting when I pick up one of her books.

A romance novelist enters a fake dating relationship with the star of the movie adaption of her book. She ensures he gets the main character right, and he rehabilitates his playboy image. As you’d guess, they fall in love, but there are some hurdles preventing them from getting together.

My only disappointment that was in a story that nearly begged for a faith theme, one that would easily fit the heroine's arc, it was completely absent. It could've been a better novel had that element not been left out. I was puzzled by the omission since it's published by Thomas Nelson and is at odds with the author's other novels.

This was an enjoyable if not particularly memorable chaste romance with a fake dating plot and a little bit of a side character romance. I did expect there to be more Christian content than one reference to prayer though as I've found in other books by Denise Hunter. That was disappointing.

An enjoyable book by Denise Hunter. She has been a longtime favorite author of mine, and I always look forward to her new releases.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

What a lovely story. Two people with abandonment issues find love unexpectedly. Chloe Anderson (and her mother and brother) was first abandoned by her bigamous father and then by several boyfriends. Encouraged by her best friend, she puts to paper her perfect man and writes not only a best seller, but one that is picked up for adaption to be made into a movie. The production company even uses her property for filming. But she's not happy with the the actor that they chose to play her hero, Ledger Ford. Liam Hamilton has the reputation as a womanizer. But as she gets to know him, she learns that the reputation was created by gossips and paparazzi. To help him and also get her own social media numbers up, she agrees to a fake relationship, but it's not long before it is no longer fake. But of course there will be miscommunications and sabotage before they get their HEA.

Nice relationship development, personable characters, strangers to friends to lovers, fake relationship. I really enjoyed reading this story.

I read an Advanced Readers' Copy that I received from the publisher via NetGalley.com. this is my honest, unbiased and voluntary review.