I’m not gunna lie. I only read this book becuase of the name Nora in the title. It was cute but not something I would typically go for. All in all I wouldn’t recommend

To continue my celebrity dating romance kick...

This time with a relatable mom, who could easily be one of my friends. Self-sufficient and down-to-earth, Nora has two adorable, funny school-aged kids that participate in soccer and the school play. She even has an organized nightly meal schedule (think Taco Tuesday and Meatloaf Wednesday). Sure, she is a screenwriter for the Romance Channel, but she's also has that job down to a simple formula for success.

But then the former Sexiest Man Alive Leo showed up literally on her doorstep to shoot one of her movies. My heart melted when he wanted to stick around and then attempted to bond with her children. Often Leo seemed more interested in being part of their family than together with Nora, which is likely the root cause of the later "conflict" as neither person fought for their relationship.

Overall, I loved her style of writing with funny one-liners sprinkled in and a few over-the-top moments. It was easy to lose track of time reading this book, a sign of a good book to me. Thank you, Annabel Monaghan!

This book was quite the ride! It started a bit slow for me but picked up quickly. A few shocking moments, which made it so much fun! Would definitely recommend.

Nora writes movies for the romance channel but when a script about the collapse of her life is picked up for the big screen her life changes. The movie shoots partly at her house and the lead actor decides he wants to stay after the shooting wraps. Nora sees it as a way to climb out of debt, he's going to pay her $1000 a day to stay, but instead finds so much more.

Nora tells the story of her divorce in a screenplay which sells to Hollywood and now they are filming the demise of her marriage in her house. Filming wraps and the male star asks to stay and pay for his room for a week. Reading about Nora's growing strength and her positive relationship with her children is a joy. The romance part of this romance novel is light as the focus is primarily on Nora's growth and a satisfying read.

Nora was known for crafting low stakes HEA screenplays for The Romance Channel, but found herself working with A-list actors when she veered from her normal formula. When filming had wrapped, leading man, Leo, was not ready to leave. What started as an a way for Leo to experience “normal” led Nora to explore who she was, is, and would like to be.

Wonderful. Simply, wonderful. This book was such a pleasure to read. Yes, it was an emotional rollercoaster at times, but its humor, warmth, and joy had me overwhelmed with happiness. I think getting those glimpses into Nora’s past with her husband made me appreciate her present so much more. I was furious with this man, and like Nora, happy he was gone. Now Nora could shine, and I wanted to cheer with each new glorious thing that happened for Nora. Her budding romance, her screenplay’s success, and everything that followed was celebrated with massive enthusiasm by me. I absolutely loved where the story went for Nora as far as her professional life, and bided my time until her personal life was moving in the right direction as well.

I embraced this scenario full-on. An almost forty year old who had been left to raise her kids on her own met and fell in love with a Hollywood heartthrob. It’s a fantasy come true, and Leo was something else. He was a bit off-putting at first, but I beg you to be patient. Just wait for that sweet and tender side to be revealed. It, and everything that followed, was well worth the wait.

The romance was a major part of this story, make no mistake that this was all about Nora. Although she was not torn up about her husband’s departure, he left scars with the way he treated her. Nora slowly worked through her past while also coming to realize what she wanted from her life and from those she gave her heart to in the future.

Monaghan did an incredible job crafted characters that I care for, and I was extremely invested in the outcome for each and every one of them. They were presented with challenges and setbacks, but also gifted some stupendous successes. This book made me laugh, cry, and jump for joy. It was such a pleasure to be part of Nora’s journey, and I adored every second of it.

I was so glad to hear from Fabled Bookshop in Waco that this was one of their favorite summer reads - I was in the middle of reading it at the time. Thanks to Putnum and Netgalley for early access to this title! Nora is a romance screenwriter who suddenly goes bigger than Hallmark Channel-level when she writes the story of her ex walking out on her and their kids - the movie gets picked up by a major studio, scenes are shot at her house with a former Sexiest Man Alive. He decides to stay with her longer. I loved a real portrayal of mom life on top of the romance, and I loved Nora's and Leo's banter. It was fun to see small town life through Leo's eyes. I also enjoyed getting to know Nora's support system in her community - I could see other books written about those characters. This would be a great beach read!

I read this in a day which I never do so if that tells you anything it should be that it’s a very good one! This book started off so strong it made me nervous and I knew there was gonna be something to change everything up. And honestly until the very end I was very very confused and a little angry, but the ending made everything make sense and now I’m just happy everyone got their happy ending.

This has been the year of the recovering Hollywood Hearthrob and regular (or in this case, semi-regular!) person novel, and now that I've read five or so this year, this one does stick out because of how well the main characters are developed and interact with each other, and that there is more to the plot than just their relationship. Furthermore, the main characters children were also developed. I did like the touches of Los Angeles and the film development process, but it still have a very "too smooth" and polished vibe to it.

a romance screenwriter writing a screenplay about how her marriage collapsed? count me in! great story, great plot, great characters, great author!

This book, was so great. I easily devoured it in one sitting. I loved Nora and Leo and most of all I loved how much Leo loved Bernie and Arthur. I was a little nervous getting towards the end wondering how she could ever forgive him but I think the reason was sufficient enough. The ending tied things together nicely and I thoroughly enjoyed.

Synopsis : 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. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne'er do well husband Nora's life will never be the same.

Review: It was like a lifetime book about a lifetime movie. When you read it you'll understand what I mean. Anyway, it was super cute. There was a point in the first 3rd of the book where I was thinking come on already. I need more action. Then there was more action and I was happy. 😄 I laughed, my heart melted over and over watching the relationship between Nora and Leo play out. This is a perfect beach read or cuddle under your favorite blanket with a glass of wine read.

Read this is
✒️ you like when the MC is a writer
✒️ you like celebrity & normal people romances
✒️ you like happily ever afters
✒️ an easy read romance novel

Thank you to @netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an ARC of this book for my review.

“As long as I can keep getting men to leave me, I’ll be a huge success.”
““You’re a grown-up person,” I tell my reflection. “Don’t act like a teenager.””
““I’ll fix you,” he says, and I turn around to face him. He’s joking, but I love the idea of being on the other side of the fixing equation. I love the idea that he thinks I’m worth the trouble. I love that buried deep in that sentence is a hint of the future tense.”

My heart is so full. It took a whole day to even begin putting my feelings into words, but I’m still not sure they’re eloquent enough to truly convey how deeply this book gripped my entire being and forced me to feel just about every emotion I’m capable of experiencing.

Everything about this book, for me, was perfection. The writing, where I felt like not only was I getting to know Nora, but also like I WAS her. At times it almost felt like she was an unreliable narrator but then, she herself would feel like she was. When she over-romanticized a moment, SHE would be right at her heels, telling herself to cut it out and remember the facts. Her pragmatism and optimism were the on-again, off-again relationship of the book, each dispute between them being resolved by the interference of her friends and family, each having their own point of view to offer.

Every single character of this book was so mesmerizingly written, I know I’ll be thinking about them for weeks. Which I guess just brings me back to the absolutely brilliant writing. I was not at all prepared for the way this book consumed me so entirely. I’m always wary of single POV romance novels but I knew right away that the romance was secondary, a fact I was surprisingly not just okay with, but happy with. For this story, Nora’s story, it almost felt more real, to fall in love with Leo the way she saw him, without being in his head and knowing what was really going on with his feelings. Nora’s joy and hurt, her denial and acceptance, and the absolute humanness of her; everything, all the more rich because she got to tell it herself, on her own terms.

Stories where the partner becomes a total fool for the single parent’s kids are my kryptonite. Every part of Leo’s interactions with Arthur and Bernadette felt real and perfectly flawed in the best way possible.

I cannot emphasize enough how much I absolutely fucking loved this book.

MVP: Nora.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Thank you Putnam Books and NetGalley for the gifted ebook.

Read for:
• Evvie Drake Starts Over meets Win a Date With Tad Hamiliton-ish
• Small town setting
• MCs in their late 30s
• Single mom with 2 kids

Recently divorced Nora takes a departure from writing her typical Hallmark-style films and channels her emotions into something much more serious. When a Hollywood film crew shows up to shoot a few scenes at Nora’s house, she’s confronted with ultra famous, Leo Vance who wants to stick around and experience some small town living.

Right book, right time. I flew through this very highly anticipated read and greatly enjoyed it! It made me smile, laugh, and even tear up at one point.

I loved the setting and the characters- I really felt like I was visiting Nora’s house. Nora and Leo are both navigating new chapters in their lives as each are recovering from different kinds of loss. The children, who are also navigating their own challenges due to an absentee father added so much to the story.

Was I ever so slightly frustrated with the lack of communication? Yes. But did I see where both characters were coming from? Absolutely. It worked for the story and tugged at my heart.

I’d highly recommend this for those that love literary fiction with romance. I so appreciate stories like this that can find such a nice balance between the heavy, the light, romance, humor, and heartbreak.

A rom-com about an author of rom-coma, what’s not to like? I read this book in less than 24 hours. The strong female lead drew me in quickly and while the other characters where equally engaging and entertaining. I loved the story, the relationship, the troubles. This book has it all.

When I first started this book I wasn't into the characters. That changed a few more chapters into the plot. I really enjoyed this lighthearted romance about a family. Of course my background in TV production and love of movies - including Hallmark ones- made me like it even more. Great summer read. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #NetGalley #NoraGoesOffScript

After her husband and father of her children up and leaves (good riddance, he was a gaslighter), Nora pens a heartfelt screenplay that gets picked up as a movie using the teahouse in her backyard as a setting. The lead actor is famous and scorchingly hot - read on to see how Nora's own personal romance story pans out!

I had been getting a little tired of RomComs, but this novel rescued me! Ironically, the main character is a writer or cheesy rom coms and pokes fun of their repetitive formulas!

I received a e-copy of this novel for free from NetGalley; all thoughts are my own and the fact that it was free does not change my opinion.

I finished this book in 24 hours. I couldn’t put it down. This was the first book in awhile where I felt so connected to and invested in the character’s lives.

Nora is a fantastic female lead; she’s strong and sensible. She’s a mom in her 30s and she actually has responsibilities and routines. I really empathized with her character (maybe because I am also a mom in my 30s???). And Leo manages to be relatable and down-to-earth while also being a movie star. The relationship between him and Nora’s kids is great and added a nice dimension to the story.

This book will have you smiling, it’ll have you laughing…and oh yes, you will be crying! The perfect recipe for a five-star rom com!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Nora is an up and coming screen writer. Presently she writes formula-driven romance screenplays. Simply switch characters names, locations and boom, you basically have the next movie. Little to no creativity involved. But now she’s spreading her wings and trying something totally different. She’s writing about her own life. The collapse of her marriage. And like a true Hollywood dream, the screenplay has been purchased by a major studio! The filming with an A-list set of stars will even take place in her own backyard. Literally on her property!

As the production trucks and crew arrive, filming gets started. All the while Nora tries to maintain her strictly-set schedules for both she and her two children. School, homework, meals, etc. In other words, a semblance of normalcy.

But issues arise when lead actor Leo keeps showing up every morning on her porch to share the incredible view of the sunrise. It’s not long before he’s slowly working his way into Nora’s life… maybe her heart as well.

I so adored both Nora and Leo! Always pulling for them from the very start. The engaging banter between the characters is both charming and witty. My face nearly cramping from a permanent smile through most of the book. The key word here is “most”!

In the blink of an eye tears started flowing and wouldn’t be held back.

I sobbed, cried, and blubbered my way through the final third of the book. Emotionally exhausted, undone, left in a puddle of tears.

Without any hesitation, this is one of my favorite-rom coms of the year. Hope it’s on your list! Don’t miss out!

A rom-com buddy read with Susanne that we both could not put down!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK!!! LOVE!!

A book about a writer – I’m in! This was just the book I needed right now – down-to-earth, likable characters, sweet with just the right amount of imagery to picture the steam, uplifting and fully understanding about what’s important in life.

Nora is a writer for TRC – The Romance Channel (think Hallmark movies), where every script is positive, with sweet people, minimal conflict, and a happy ending. When Nora’s husband leaves her, she decides to write a script about raw emotion, letting go, and not being the victim a/k/a where the person leaves and decides to never come back. Picked up by a huge movie director and casted with A-List celebrities, The Tea House is filmed at her house, where heartthrob Leo stars as her ex. When Leo decides to stay at Nora’s property for a week after filming to escape, he realizes that the homey family lifestyle may be more his cup of tea than his glamorous Hollywood one.

Nora Goes Off Script - Annabel Monaghan’s debut adult novel – is perfect. You can tell she (Monaghan) is a mom that understands balance and parenting, and crazy Saturdays . . . seriously go to her website and read her thoughts on carpooling! I was laughing! Likewise, here, Nora is a single mom with two young children, doing everything from school drop-offs and homework to balancing the budget and being the chauffeur. Leo – who has never grocery shopped for himself, begins to take on directing her son’s school play and charms all of the school moms. I couldn’t stop turning the pages!

I do believe this may be perceived as a bit more women’s fiction than romance (definitely romance – but there is more of a family storyline in the second part of the novel). I was a little fearful nearing the end that the romance would never pick back up and that the book would end parallel to Nora’s previously script for The Tea House. And, I do feel the ending was a little rushed and I wish it would have lingered on a little more for my own selfish reason of loving the book, the story, and the characters.

This is the first book I’ve read in one day in a while; it was a light and comfortable / effortless read where I didn’t have to mentally connect a lot of dots and could just enjoy! This book is the palate cleanser between heavy novels that you will end up being pleasantly surprised with and feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I will be looking forward to reading anything else Monaghan writes in the future – including her articles/column on her website! Highly recommend for a fun, sweet read. (Again – 4.8 stars based on this book, not comparing it to heavy/crazy reads or in-depth mystery novels.)

Thank you to NetGalley for this amazing ARC; all opinions are my own!