If you are needing a sweet, fun, rom-com, Nora Goes Off Script fits the bill perfectly!! This book was exactly what I needed right now. The storyline felt fresh and intriguing to me and I loved the characters. As a mother, I found it appealing that this story had children that were heavily involved, which doesn’t seem to be the case with a lot of typical romance novels. I had a hard time putting this book down. Highly recommend!

Thank you Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

I don't know how, but this book owns me. I always fall harder for women's fiction books. It really shows off the female character's struggles as they navigate their new beginnings in their lives. It's not perfect nor messy; it's unpredictable yet realistic. And that's how I felt while reading Nora Goes Off Script.

Nora's completely flawed yet relatable to readers. She may be stoic when she faces hardship at the beginning of the book, but that just means she is human. It's just a reflex for her so she won't break down. Don't worry, she will slowly reveal pieces of herself as she allows changes in her life by letting Leo stay in her spare space.

Leo was an unexpected surprise in Nora's life. She does not know what to think of him or what to do with him. But she does know that she wants him to be there. Not half-time, full-time. It’s shocking to hear because Nora is closed off, but yet she feels more with him than her ex-husband.

Really enjoyed this story however I did find some parts a bit confusing and wordy. However, that could be my own fault as I can't picture things when I read so I find it hard when books get too descriptive. I really did like this story and Nora's journey.

Thank you #Netgalley @PenguinRandom @PutnamBooks for a complimentary e ARC of #NoraGoesOffScript upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Nora is a romance scriptwriter (think Hallmark Channel). Nora’s husband has walked out on her and their two children, and Nora uses her real-life experiences as the basis for her latest script. Because of the unique “tea house” setting, the movie is being filmed in her own home. Leo, recently named “sexiest man alive,” is cast as the husband and Nora’s life is changed forever. After the shooting wraps, Nora finds Leo on her porch offering her a thousand dollars a day to rent her “tea house” for one week, Movie making intersects with real life, and It all gets complicated!

I adore fast-paced, lively, and witty writing and a story with a cute premise! Nora Goes Off Script is warmly told and, in my opinion, the best part is the likable characters. Nora is relatable, Leo is endearing, and the children are winsome! These are characters you can cheer for! The predictable miscommunication/misunderstanding trope makes an obligatory appearance but it comes from an unexpected source which makes it forgivable. This story is also meta in that it’s a romance about a romance writer (also Nora is a nod to Nora Ephron).

There are a couple of steamy (open door romance) scenes that are easy to skip or scan if this is not to your taste.

All in All, I think this would be a fun and engaging beach or pool-side read this summer. I’m recommending Nora Goes Off Script for fans of romance and women’s fiction (chick-lit). Perfect for your beach bag!

So what’s the deal: Nora is a screenwriter. And when her very awful (seriously, the worst!) husband leaves her, she decides to channel in her anger and write their love story—only it’s far from a love story, but a tragic story. And from what it looks like, it’s going to make a massive movie hit! And it is going to be film in her propriety!
Enter, Leo Vance, Hollywood star, once Sexiest Man Alive; ready to portray Nora’s terrible (very terrible) husband. On screen, he might act like the despiteful husband (I can’t emphasis this enough); but off screen, he’s a complete sweetheart, not even Nora can resist him.
Everything turns very interesting when they finished filming the movie and Leo makes a proposition to Nora, to let him stay in her propriety for a week.

Any who loves these, should read this book:
1. Normal heroine/Famous hero.
2. Sweet, very sweet guy—Leo. He’s freaking cute. He also has imperfections that makes him even more lovable.
3. A second chance at love.
4. Funny heroine. Nora’s inner dialogue made me crack up a lot of times.
5. Single parent and adorable kids. Bernadette and Arthur will have my heart forever.
6. Freaking cute hero being even cuter with adorable kids. Leo interacting with Bernadette and Arthur were one of the highlights of this book. Annabel Monaghan nailed it on their relationships.
7. Both worlds—we get to see Nora’s small town life; and then a bit of Leo’s famous life.
8. Addicting plot. There’s a reason I couldn’t stop reading this book, especially at the end where I only wanted to know what was happening and how it would resolve.

What I wish was expanded:
1. Leo and Nora’s interaction. Though I loved every single part after they were stablished as a couple (I even loved the problem), I wished we had seen more of their interactions at the beginning. More conversations, more connections to ship the relationship more. I felt it was a bit generalized how they spent time together, and it was fast when they became a couple.

Nora Hamilton is a romance channel screenwriter, but for the first time, she's writing about her own life. When her husband leaves her and her two kids, she writes the best script of her life. The script gets picked up for a film and the location is none other than Nora's house. The man who plays Nora's husband in the film is Leo Vance — the sexiest actor at the moment (literally, he was named Sexiest Man Alive). After shooting ends, Leo and Nora come up with a plan: he's allowed to stay an extra week and he'll pay her a thousand dollars a day. What ensues is a sweet story about all kinds of love — and the complexities that come along with it.

I was so excited to get an ARC for this book because it sounded like the perfect romcom after a heavy thriller. I really enjoyed Nora as a character, and her development throughout the book. I also enjoyed that the characters were in their late 30’s-40’s as I feel like we don’t get enough of this in romance novels. This was definitely a cute romcom but had a few things that prevented me from giving it a higher rating. First, it seemed like the book was a bit disjointed. I would be reading a particular scene and then the book would jump to another scene so quickly that I thought I accidentally skipped ahead on my kindle. It also was a little too Insta-love for my taste. It seemed like the two MCs fell in love within a week, which just doesn’t do it for my cynical dark and twisty heart. I did love the twist at the end and how it all came together, but getting there was a bit of a journey. Although I rated this a 3, I would still encourage you to try it out and form your own opinions.

I thought this one was a charming but with meaning summer read. Perfect for that beach vacation or any place that you can sit your butt down and enjoy a few moments of peace. (I have kids so sometimes that means hiding in the closet with my Kindle; no shame.)

I really appreciated how Nora was a regular, no frills, woman that realized she was worth the love she would write about in her scripts and being content with the simple things in life. The quirky small town vibe and the dialogue really upped the likeability, too.

What I wouldn't give to witness a sunrise from her porch.

I was completely charmed by this sweet, funny romance! Hallmarkish-romance-screenwriter Nora Hamilton has been burned…by a good-for-nothing ex-husband who up and leaves her and their two kids when she dares suggest he actually work and help with the family bills. She channels her anger and pain into the best script of her life—one that gets her a movie deal, including a three-day film shoot at her house. Little does she expect to become enamored by Leo Vance—the Hollywood heartthrob who, nursing some emotional baggage of his own, decides to stay at her house for a few weeks. While there he, surprisingly, fits in quite well with her ordered yet quiet family life. Still, he IS a product of Hollywood…will their romance be able to survive outside their homey oasis?

A great best mix of romantic fantasy and real-life touches (schlepping kids to activities, planning dinners, dealing with money woes, etc.), this book is a perfect summer read and a wonderful addition to the romance genre. Monaghan’s writing is pitch-perfect: wonderfully descriptive and smoothly conversational. And who can resist the addition of cute kids? This one’s a keeper.

Happy pub day! Since Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan has something to do with acting, I will give my acceptance speech… @PutnamBooks, thank you for #gifting this absolute BEAUTY of a book!. Thank you to the generous @bookswithnopictures who hooked me up! Slide to see my dork overreaction when I was opening what I thought could be it. @annabelmonaghan thank you for this lovely story that I truly enjoyed. (Do I have to thank my husband for making a dumb joke and harshing my mellow while I was opening the package? No? Okay, good.)

Nora is an author of TRC (The Romance Channel) romances. When her jerk husband Ben left her, she had the inspiration and content to write a new, darker, not-made-for-TRC movie. The movie stars Leo Vance, and part of it is being filmed at her house. Leo sure makes himself at home, and decides to pay her to extend his stay! What do you think happens? Then what? Then what? I will not tell you but it’s worth finding out for yourself. It is not as formulaic as a TRC movie, and I found myself very surprised at different points.

I adore so much about this book. Anyone who has a child or has met a child knows that they force themselves into center stage in their parent’s lives. (Well that is, if the parent stays in the picture.) Books where the children are on the side are a bit hard for me to digest. Nora’s kids Arthur and Bernadette are believable and Nora’s personality, character, mothering and menus are realistic; it was a breath of fresh air.

I love it when people learn that the grass truly is greener on the other side of the street, and alternately, that your grass is perfectly, wonderfully fine on your own side.

@PutnamBooks, thank you again for the book, already so proudly displayed on my shelf.

No one can tell me what to do; these opinions are ALL mine!

Favorite line: “If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother.”
Door situation: there’s a lot of talk about it but no play-by-plays
4/5 stars

THIS BOOK. If you only read one of my four recs, make it this one. I wish I could experience it all over again for the first time. Yes, it’s a romcom, but it’s so much more. Every single character is complex and interesting (even the kids!), the house as a character is one I wish I could visit (I pictured it as a cross between Father of the Bride and The Notebook). If you read The Idea of You and didn’t get the hype, pick this up – it satisfied my celebrity romance craving in a much more heartwarming way. For fans of Kerry Winfrey.

I while I loved Nora and Leo, Bernie and Arthur stole the show! This was a quick read that hit me right in the feels. I wanted to throw Leo across the room, while also giving him a big hug. I’d really like to see some of this book from Leo’s POV!

I found Nora to be a strong woman who adored her children. As a mother myself, I related to her need to balance her own wants and desires, while also being cognizant of the affect those choices had on her children. Some days we’re just doing the best we can with what we have.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

LOVED this unexpected romance. Great, light hearted read with some subtle female empowerment mixed in. I really enjoyed how Nora didn’t wallow in her sorrows, she got up and went on with her life. No pining, minimal self pity. Very inspiring.

Rating: 4.5/5⭐️
Pub day: Today!

Guess what? I branched out, read a rom-com, and loved it!

This is a charming book with endearing characters and a refreshing resilience from the oldest to the youngest of them. I truly enjoyed the hilarious and witty children being thrown into the mix and conversing with adults in enchanting ways.

I ended up binging this lovely book in two days. There was so much to unpack and even a twist in the mix that I didn’t see coming. I really enjoyed the writing, especially as I was transported to Nora’s front porch to experience each sunrise alongside her.

If you enjoy a book with comedy and depth, add this to your beach bag asap!

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin group Putnam for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nora is a romance channel screenwriter so when her no-good husband leaves her and their two kids, she writes about it. She writes the best script of her life that's picked up for the big screen. Filming occurs at her house and she finds Leo Vance, the man cast as her ex-husband, drunk with a proposition to stay an extra week for a thousand dollars a day, Nora agrees. Those seven days change Leo and Nora's lives. But then complications, like work and kids get in the way of their love.

I read this in one sitting, which isn't that unusual, but part of that was because I had to know how it ended. Monaghan takes us on an emotional roller coaster ride that had me crying in the club. I loved that this focused on Nora's journey to find herself and heal from her past. I found Nora to be inspiring as she tried to keep it all together for her kids and as she searched for internal strength while her world was crashing around her. I was rooting for Nora from the beginning and this heartwrenching journey is worth the read.

CW: spousal and child abandonment

Thank you to Putnam Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Happy Pub Day to this sweet love story! The last couple of romance books I've read have focused on the two characters being from two totally different worlds, and it's honestly becoming my favorite type of troupe, if that's a thing. Nora being from a "normal" lifestyle where her daily routine consists of shuttling kids to their activities, fulfilling her motherly duties as a single mother, all while trying to advance her career, is what made her so likeable to me. She truly cares for her children and just wants to be able to juggle her career with her role as a mother. Then enters Leo, a celebrity actor who is swoon worthy, and not a member of "normal" society, who just wants to hide away from the glitz and glam of Hollywood. The chemistry between Nora and Leo was fun and filled with witty banter. I sped through this one in only a matter of a few hours, and I have to say I loved every page.

I'm jealous of Nora's porch swing with a view of the sunrise! It sounds like the perfect reading spot to me, and not to spoil anything too much, but I feel like the best conversations between characters in the book, happened when they were sitting on the porch swing!

If you're looking for a lighthearted, fun, cute, and small town romance book, definitely give this one a try!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC in return for my honest review!

Happy pub day! @annabelmonaghan
Nora Goes Off Script

This was such a cute read!! I loved Nora’s outlook on life. And I love a single-mom, main character!! Nora’s a screenwriter (think Hallmark romcoms) but after the wreckage of her marriage, she writes something much more dark and intricate and it makes it big. In comes Leo, the hot movie star to play the main character. They are filming the movie at Nora’s Teahouse and once done, Leo doesn’t leave. One thing leads to another & they fall in love. Or do they? Leo gets his next big break as a star in another movie and has to leave almost suddenly. At first things are fine, but then Leo ghosts Nora and Nora is left to pick up the pieces of her life.

Do they get a happy ending? You’ll have to read it and see! This was a quick, fun, cheesy-Hallmark read but I’ll take all the cheese every day 🧀

Thank you to @netgalley & @putnambooks for the eARC — out today!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4 stars!

This book had such wonderful potential to be great. Perhaps even one of my favorites for the year. I plot and characters were strong and likeable. The specific setting the story wrapped around was unique. And I loved that both characters were in their late 30s. The dialogue was also good and I though writing style was strong as well.

That being said, there was almost no depth to this story. Everything, every interaction, every character building moment, every conflict, was all surface level. The author rushed through every moment in this book way too quickly. Each beat, each interaction between the main characters maybe last four sentences? Even the important ones. So when the characters said they loved each other, I was literally like, “wtf? Why? How?” There were many moments between the male lead and the kids that were very sweet and I loved, but the author passed over them so quickly, and over the story in general, that I felt like I had whiplash during each scene.

If the author had expanded the book, given us internal motivations and emotions during the scenes, this book would have been phenomenal. I just don’t understand why it was all surface level. There was so much potential here. I enjoyed it enough to give it three stars, but I know it could’ve easily been five stars if the author had gone deeper in even just a couple scenes.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this book! Is the premise a little far fetched...absolutely. But isn't that what fiction is all about? I loved how Leo infiltrated the house and the family....his relationship with the kids is adorable. I think he truly fell for Nora, while I felt like hers was more of an infatuation with a star that grew into something more.
The miscommunication really frustrated me, but it is totally something I could see an 11 year old kid doing.

OVerall, this was a fun, quick, adorable read which had me smiling throughout!

I loved this book, and that took me by surprise. More books about moms in their late thirties taking care of shit, being awesome parents, and also getting a super hot romance because MOMS DESERVE!

Nora Goes Off Script was way more than I expected—at first it felt like just an excellent post-divorce romance fantasy, but then it also because this emotionally rich story and just…go read it!

Thank you @putnambooks for the e-galley!