If you enjoy a wholesome romance with plenty of swoon and characters that will appeal to your heart, you will love this book. Denise Hunter knows how to deliver romance at its finest which will pull on your heart strings. The two main characters were seemingly complete opposites, but you soon learn they have more in common than you first realized.

Chloe Anderson had her heart broken. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, she decided to pen a novel and illustrate the perfect boyfriend. She never dreamed that her book would not only become a best seller, but now it is being made into a Hollywood movie. She has a particular type of man in mind to play the part of her main character. When she learns that Hollywood heartthrob Liam Hamilton is being offered the part, she is not pleased. Liam has a bad reputation for being a bad boy. He does not fit the wholesome image of her character. She is not afraid to let them know her displeasure. She, however, is mortified to learn that she is on speaker phone with the producer and Liam.

Liam Hamilton has been a bad boy at times and has developed a bad reputation. He needs a lift to his look and this wholesome romance is perfect to elevate him back to the ranks of most loved actor. His agent and PR people decide the perfect way to clean up his image is a fake romance with none other than Chloe. They decide to give it a shot not realizing where this will end up. As they get to know each other better, Chloe begins to see Liam in a different light. I do not want to share too much, but suffice it to say that these two were made for each other.

Both characters had family issues in their past that made them the people they are today, but it had also jaded both of their viewpoints on romance in different ways. Liam's character showed the downfall of being in the public eye 24 hours a day, and how things can get twisted. His life was not as merry as it appeared in the gossip magazines. Where Liam lived in the spotlight constantly, Chloe was content to live in the shadows. The characters came alive off of the page and wended their way into my heart. This entire story was filled with Denise Hunter's signature heart which I know and love. Romance lovers will be held captive by this book until the final pages.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Denise Hunter writes the absolute sweetest & wholesome romance stories.
Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter put the biggest smile on my face!
A delightful small town, fake dating story with the best characters to cheer for you’ll love this feel good story.
The setting was descriptive and vivid. I could picture everything so perfectly in Stillwater, North Carolina.
Chloe and Liam are realistic, engaging and entertaining.
The storyline was fun and original and engaged me, making me feel invested in a positive outcome.
This story should appeal to those who enjoy clean contemporary romance.

Thank You NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

I thought Denise Hunter did a lovely job around two tropes that are hard sells for me--miscommunication that lasts too long, and fake celebrity dating. The latter seems to be a think in this day of "influencers" and weddings that are designed to be mostly theater.. I'd assumed from the way the blurb was written that it would be funnier, about a heroine who discovers a real guy instead of an ideal book boyfriend.

That said, Hunter wrote a sweet romance of the sort you can read late at night and pick up the next day. Chloe and Liam are lovely characters, their families are interesting, and all in all a four star read.

Love, Unscripted in a beach read set in the coastal town of Stillwater, North Carolina. Chloe Anderson has written a romance novel that is being made into a movie. She isn't wild about the lead, Liam Hamilton, who is portraying her perfect man. Surprisingly, she meets him and he suggests they have a publicity romance for the summer for the sake of the movie. She agrees. As they become involved in their pretend romance real feelings spark -- and complications occur!

I wanted to read this novel because I love Denise Hunter's books. I also enjoy beach reads and southern settings.

This was a delightful read! Chloe is a character to pull for - and Liam is too! I loved the way their romance started very tentatively but then became emotionally intense (in a good way). I also liked Chloe's best friend and her family and their back story of building a good life after a serious betrayal.

I liked the little town of Stillwater, the details of the movie filming, and Chloe's rescued cat, Buttercup!

I recommend Love, Unscripted for fans of beach reads, southern fiction, and sweet love stories.

This was a fun premise of an author and the actor hired to play the lead in the film adaptation of her book. Chloe is not thrilled with the bad reputation of playboy, Liam, who is hired to play her perfect book boyfriend on screen. She voices loudly her distain over speaker phone in the presence of said actor. That is their first interaction and the first in person meeting is not perfect either and yet the two end up in a fake public relationship to help build a positive PR. I really enjoyed Chloe and Liam's progression in their relationship. The way they slowly brought down walls and tried to overcome the false narratives and misconceived notions perpetrated by the public. I was so impressed initially how the two had grownup conversations which included genuine apologies and forgiveness. Their friendship to something real was organic and sweet. Our main couple both had traumatic backstories so you could easily see how both would be fearful of truly investing their heart. However, that adult relationship gets thrown out the window in the last part of the story for the third act breakup. Sigh. I was so frustrated by the way Chloe didn't listen to her heart and what she knew of Liam (who is true book boyfriend material!) She instead jumps to conclusions based on the misgivings of her best friend and brother. Ugh! Which was even more disappointing considering Chloe's brother also had a less than stellar reputation. Yet she is totally okay with him dating her best friend because he is suddenly reformed, and she willingly gives him the benefit of the doubt. Pot meet kettle! Chloe wouldn't even listen to Liam and his explanation instead only believing the worst of him...
We have the predictable aha moment, some groveling/grand gesture, instant forgiveness and happily ever after.

3.5 stars

Spring has sprung and Summer is on the way and I have found the perfect beach read for you my friends! Denise Hunter is releasing a new novel titled Love, Unscripted. The release date is March 12th and I totally enjoyed this story when I wasn’t too sure I would. I had to read it because I have enjoyed everything I’ve read that Denise Hunter has written. 

Let me explain. I think my main hang up before diving into this book was that it revolved around the filming of a Hollywood movie. I do love a good movie and will binge watch them but at my age I’m not particularly into keeping up with the lives of all the stars. This story did not disappoint. It was Hollywood filming in a small town. You know how I love small towns so this turned out to be right in my wheelhouse.

The main character is a debut author. Sound familiar? I love to promote new authors. The author's name was Chloe Anderson and she was fresh from a breakup and wrote a novel about the perfect boyfriend. It was a bestseller and climbed the charts. Her best friend Meghan owns the local independent bookstore. This just keeps getting better. Her book is picked up for a new movie. The star of the movie is Liam Hamilton. This is where the fun begins!

This book is not all fluff. It deals with some neglect, alcoholism, abandonment, cheating and several other things that disrupt our lives and we carry with us for a long time. Some of those things shadow our lives for a long time until sometimes we are forced to deal with the consequences. 

The character development was superb. It had to be or the book would have flopped. I immediately was involved in the lives of these characters and what they were thinking and dealing with. I couldn’t put this book down! Although the author describes this book as a beach read, it is so much more than that.

If you love a book that gives you something to think about, people to care about and settings that draw you in, then Love, Unscripted needs to be high on your to be read list. I highly recommend this novel. Until next time…Happy Reading!

Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley, Thomas Nelson and Denise Hunter. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I am always happy to see a new book by Denise Hunter! She provides the kind of book I pick up when I need a break from more serious books with heavier topics or lots of descriptive prose and the covers are always beautiful!

I enjoyed the banter between Chloe and Liam as well as their backstories which gave them a little more depth. Is being famous really all it's cracked up to be? Does the ideal man really exist? Can love in its truest form really be found or are we destined to follow the example of our past relationships and family dysfunction?

The miscommunication was a little frustrating but it happens in real life all too often, right??

I think you will like this one if you like clean romances that have a little bit of depth and lots of food and fun!

Thanks to @Netgalley and @thomasnelson for offering a review copy for me to read in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Chloe's story is a joy to read! It's beautifully written and hooks you on the first page. Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. It's a sweet heartwarming story that leaves you with a smile. Loved it!!
I received a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Thomas Nelson via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Love, Unscripted by Denise Hunter is a very beautiful story. I love happy endings. The story had mystery, happiness and love.

I’ve been escaping to the beautiful beaches of North Carolina through Denise Hunter's latest inspirational romance, Love, Unscripted. You can’t help but root for the characters in this story through the obstacles they face, and personal wounds they overcome. The ending left me happy-sighing. Especially with the last line.

Love, Unscripted is a stand-alone novel by Denise Hunter. The main female character, Chloe Culpepper has written a first novel which has become a runaway hit with a movie now being made. Chloe has strong feelings concerning the main male character in her clean wholesome book. Liam Hamilton is cast in that important part but she doesn’t necessarily see him as clean or wholesome. Easy to see where the conflict is going to come just from the introduction at the beginning of the book.

This story has several unexpected, never-saw-that-coming turns in the characters’ lives, the conflict and the making of the movie. I am not actually a fan of celebrity characters or their stories, but Denise Hunter made this an entertaining, interesting and an enlightening tale. Fans of her books will love the book, Love, Unscripted. New readers will want to check this one out too, it will make them fans of hers.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a complimentary digital copy. I have voluntarily decided to read and review, my personal opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Chloe is thrilled that her first book, with her perfect boyfriend, is going to be a mayor motion picture filmed in her hometown. But when news of the male lead been playboy Liam Hamilton, she isn’t sure he can really make justice to Ledger. Can they fake a relationship for both their gains and not fall in love when their time together has an expiring date? A sweet story about facing your demons, friendship, family and finding your soulmate.

I really enjoyed this. I think the main thing holding me up was the fame of the male main character. I typically don’t enjoy stories that revolve around celebrities of any kind. I much prefer the average Joe. I was also a bit distracted by the horrible formatting of the ARC that I was reading. It’s hard to know if that took away enough enjoyment to affect my rating or not. Overall, this is probably a great read for people who enjoy or at least don’t mind the fame aspect.

The characters were pretty well rounded, and the relationship was mostly believable. I do wish there had been some faith content. I had expected that from a Christion novelist and publisher, but there was nothing. Overall, a good read but not one I’m likely to remember for long or that I’ll revisit.

This was such a good story. Chloe wrote a best seller that was being made into a movie. She was not happy about who they cast for the male lead. He even heard her say so when he was signing the contract. He came to her town (where the move was being shot) to get to know her and change her mind. What she didn't like about him was his reputation. Her character in the book was the perfect boyfriend and she didn't think he fit the bill. I loved how they learned about each other and their friendship grew until a story came out that she thought he leaked. It broke her heart She finally learned Liam had not done it, so she tried her hardest to correct her error.
This was a very good story that kept me quite entertained

4.5 stars. I love books written about authors and usually hate books written about the super popular movie stars. Denise Hunter was able to blend the two worlds together to give one of her normally delightful romances.

Chloe and Liam's first interaction was pretty rough (there may have been an insult or two!). When the two meet face to face, the attraction is front and center. Chloe is desperate to have her hero portrayed the way she wants in the movie and the two strike a deal. They are thrown together and love is in the air! But can she trust Liam? Can he trust her?

A very enjoyable read of two people trying to manage what life throws at them and find their way together.

Thanks to Harper Collins Christian Publishing and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own.

4.5-5 stars

This was my first Denise Hunter book, and I loved it! It wasn’t quite a five-star read for me, but it was very, very close, so I went ahead and rounded up. It’s a clean contemporary romance that doesn’t have any language or spice, which are my preferred stories, so I really appreciated that aspect of it.

At first, I thought this was just a light, cute, fluffy romance. I was enjoying it but not totally blown away, but then, it took a turn in the second half of the book, especially in the last quarter of the story, and it went deeper, past trauma surfaced, and strong emotions rose. I was already invested, but the last part of the book really pulled at my heart and made me fall in love with the characters and their story even more. I’m always looking for good character development along with an interesting, entertaining plot. This book hit all of my favorite elements.

I loved the two main characters, Chloe and Liam, and their romance. They were from two completely different worlds, but when they got together…sparks! There was so much great chemistry between them. The banter was on point, and it got deep with their emotions. There was a level of maturity and emotional intelligence from the couple, which I always prefer in my romances. It wasn’t a surface-level romance. There was depth, authenticity, relatable problems, and miscommunication. I connected with both characters in so many ways. I also enjoyed the scenes where they were each taking care of the other when they got sick, even though it was still new and fresh into their “relationship.” They were already starting to care for each other. It was so endearing and cute. There are so many great scenes of them together!

I think I loved the side characters as much as the main characters. Getting to know Chloe’s family and friends as well as the other town’s people immersed me more into this sweet story. I loved how they rallied around Chloe, and she had their love and support during this whole ordeal. We were also introduced to some of Liam’s family and friends, which helped add layers to his backstory. There were some great messages about letting go, forgiveness, not jumping to conclusions, and communication.

I also loved the charming Southern town in North Carolina as the setting. It gave small town vibes and felt very cozy. This would be a perfect read for spring, summer, or as a beach read.

Read if you like:
+ (Slightly) Enemies-to-lovers
+ Opposites attract
+ Movie star/Celebrity romances
+ Fake dating
+ Forced proximity

Overall, I loved this charming, adorable story. I laughed, teared up a little, and smiled the whole way through it. This is one of those romances that makes you giddy the entire time while reading it! It was such an easy read because I wanted to know what was going to happen next and couldn’t put it down. Now, I want to read everything by Denise Hunter. I can’t wait to get my hands on another one of her books! Highly recommend!!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. These are my own thoughts and opinions.

Review ☀️🌊👙🏝️

To give you just a taste of this adorable book…

“Where will you call home, Liam?”
“Whenever Chloe is.” ❤️

I love a good love story, and this one was so charming! Chloe wrote a book, and her best friend Mariah has it in her bookshop on the beach- (like how fun is that!) She got the call that her book is going to be made into a movie! Dream. Come. True. But she wants it to be perfect. She’s gone through a lot and she wants it to be told perfectly. They chose Liam, and actor who has been in the tabloids for all the things she doesn’t want her “perfect guy” in the book to be. Liam is a gorgeous guy, but the tabloids have made him to be out to be a flirt, and not great with relationships. On accident she says all this while he listens. Liam though shows Chloe he is not what the tabloids make him out to be. He is learning the area, reading the book to study the part, and has a lot to show Chloe who he really is. The producers think it would help the film, and his reputation (that also becomes hers now with this book becoming a movie) to fake date. So they do! They play the part, she helps him get the idea of the dreamy man she has written about. But as they begin to spend so much time together they both fall for each other. Sadly, past things get brought to the surface, miscommunication, and the tabloids come into the picture in not the best of ways. This book was absolutely adorable! A fun, lighthearted, and extremely charming love story. I have always admired Denise Hunters writing and her sweet love stories she tells.

Add Love, Unscripted to your to be read lists! It comes out March 11.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love , Unscripted by Denise Hunter comes out on March 12th, and it is beautiful! Liam and Chloe have two of the most awkward *not* meet-cutes. Reading it definitely gave me some Pride and Prejudice feelings at first.
Liam and Chloe have such amazing depth, their characters nuanced, and deeply motivated by old wounds. When pictures from their first in-person meeting circulate, the need to salvage Liam’s reputation comes up front and center. To make sure Liam is willing to present the character she wrote well, she agrees to fake-date Liam for publicity. Before long, fake dating includes real kisses and even more real feelings. But of course, not everything is sunshine and roses…heartbreaking news from Chloe’s past is used in the media to drag her name and family through the mud, and she blames Liam. Watching as Liam and Chloe work through towards the happily ever after brought both tears and smiles.

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

Another cute contemporary romance from Hunter! I always love how much depth and backstory each of her characters have and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed the small, east coast town setting and how it played a part in the film. I enjoyed that the book was about film and movie stars, but it wasn't inundated with those things and was mostly focused on the character growth. Overall, a cute story about learning how to trust and love and realizing people aren't perfect.

<b><i> “Welcome to middle-class America, Liam Hamilton.” </b> </i> ☕📚

This is a contemporary romance new release on March 12, 2024, by Denise Hunter.

This book was, in a word, delightful!

<b><i>WHAT’S TO LOVE? </b> </i> This clean contemporary romance was such a fun spin on the “fake dating a celebrity” trope. This story had me laughing out loud more times than I can count. And it wasn’t only the funny thoughts of our female lead, Chloe. It was the witty banter between her and Liam, and HILARIOUS words from Chloe’s brother. Every. Single. Character in this <i>small-beach-town-breath-of-fresh-air </i>story felt authentic and had the best dialogue. You will fall in love with all of them (even the cat!) and want to move to this North Carolina beach pronto! And you’ll be cheering Chloe on until the very end.

Now that I think of it… amid all the lightheartedness, the author expertly slid in some pretty darn serious topics like alcoholism, rehab, abandonment, divorce, and bigotry. However, there was not one swear word - thank you! And it was clean romance, albeit, lots of touches and kissing - thank you!

<b><i>CAUSE FOR PAUSE? </b></i> Speaking of kissing and touching, if you don’t like mentions of his hotness, his muscles, his tan skin, his full lips, his muscular chest, and his six-pack, etc, etc, etc, you won’t like this one. While the physical attraction was seriously intense and was a bit much, I’m just thankful it stopped there. Some of it was pretty funny too - so it's all good in my eyes.

<b><i>CONSIDER READING IF… </b></i> you want a modern story with lots of southern charm, realistic problems, and several characters that'll make you chuckle, go now and get yourself a copy of this book! I am stingy with my stars, but this one gets 5. 😀

<b><i>MY RATING </B></i> 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 This will be released March 12, 2024.

☕📚 <i>Thanks to HarperCollins Christian Publishing/Thomas Nelson and NetGalley. I received a complimentary ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.</i> ☕📚