I was excited for this book because it gave me Evvie Drake vibes, but it seemed like something was missing. It took a bit to connect with the characters. Overall this book was a good read.

I felt like this book was definitely missing the beginning i felt like i was starting in the middle of the book. Just jumped into this weird actor acting like a creepy stalker and I just couldn't get on board with it.

I was delighted to receive an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This book occupies the same universe as formulaic Hallmark Channel romances and does so with intent and purpose while simultaneously wanting to move into the universe of more complex, less straightforward romance genre resolution.

Even though it takes on some heavy themes by way of its heroine's backstory and gives her plenty of heartbreak to navigate in the present and future, the author summarizes a lot of the emotional beats and plot points in a sentence or two without adding much in the way of depth. The first-person POV wasn't used as effectively as it might have been and none of the big moments (e.g., the principal pair falling in love, the resolution of the misunderstanding that led to their rift, etc.) feel earned. In more than a few places I thought to myself "No person would actually say that, do that, react that way. . ." It was hard to feel emotionally invested in the couple because their coming together was reported rather than conveyed through humor or emotion. I just didn't buy that this guy would fall for this woman (or vice versa) based on what was written.

Not every romance needs a dual POV structure, but this one might have benefitted from leveraging that construct.

Side note: The author makes it clear that her couple has an active love life, but all the scenes are closed-door/not described, so if you're looking for something like that, this will satisfy that criterion.

All this said, I still found myself curious enough about how the misunderstanding would be resolved that I never once considered not finishing. It's a sweet if wholly hollow narrative.

I absolutely loved this book! It was such an enjoyable read. I flew through it and treasured every page! The main character, Nora, was such a strong woman. I loved reading about her as a single mother and a talented screen writer. Leo was such a lovable character. I was attached to him from the very start. This love story was so sweet and is definitely one you don’t want to miss! Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This books is great. The characters are real and the dialog is funny. People are going to love reading this and I could totally see this becoming a movie. I wish that these people and this story were real. Kudos to the author. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

It took me a minute or two to connect with the book but once I did I really enjoyed it. At first I didn't like Leo; I wasn't sure if I could ever like Leo but by the end I was rooting hard for Leo. I really didn't like Ben so that helped a bit too. I have a soft spot for Hallmark movies so all the references to those made me laugh. I adored the children and want a Tea House of my own in the backyard. Once you give yourself permission to go with the story a bit it was fun writing, great dialogue and a solid romance. Lots of zingers and one-liners that made me laugh out loud and cheering for Nora and her happily ever after.

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan was recommended on a podcast that I listen to. I immediately read the description of the book after hearing the podcaster's raving reviews. The book sounded exactly like something I would love to read so I made the request on NetGalley.

I was ecstatic to be given an ARC of this story and I can let you know that it has lived up to the high expectations that I had for it! Thank you to the publisher, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Annabel Monaghan for letting me read this book early!

This is the story of Nora Hamilton. She is a romance screenwriter but one day, her husband leaves her and the two kids. This causes Nora to write a new story based on her failed relationship. Surprisingly, the story gets picked up for a film adaptation with big movie stars (Like Leo Vance) and is filmed at Nora's 100 year old house.

The day after shooting ends, everyone leaves and Nora finds Leo Vance on her porch. He tells her that he will pay a thousand dollars a day to stay at her house for the week. Being that Nora is recently single, with children, she gladly accepts the $7,000.

What will happen over the week that Leo Vance is at Nora's house?

This story is cozy, funny, and full of vivid descriptions that made me feel like I was a part of the book and charming town. I love when celebrities meet regular people and could see this story being adapted for its own big screen adaptation.

I would pair this book with a glass of lemonade! It is the perfect story and I adored it!

Nora is a screenwriter who normally focuses on the steady work of happy ever afters for The Romance Channel. But the script she wrote about the end of her marriage is poised to be her breakout, and the big stars show up at her house to film. She never expected a story right out of Hollywood when leading man Leo stays on after filming for a bit of real life experience. While this story recognizes all the romance tropes readers expect, it's filled with real life and a love story with an enormous heart that will leave readers both pining for more and fully satisfied.

Nora Goes Off Script is a charming and funny novel of a struggling single mom who thrives on her routines. Nora is a writer of romance movies for television, but when she writes about her ex, Hollywood comes calling and wants to film the movie at her home and in her Tea House in the backyard. Suddenly everything about Nora’s quiet life is upended. The handsome lead is enamored with her family life and cozy home, and he asks to stay for awhile. I love a romantic comedy and I did not want it to end! Thank you to Putnam and to NetGalley for an early copy. Available June 7th.

DNF at about 20%!

I didn't hate this book so far but I had a really hard time connecting with it. There's not a lot of time setting up the MMC and developing a connection before he decides to post up at the house. I like the FMC but something about it isn't connecting with me and isn't meshing!

I don't fully know how to describe how this book made me feel. I really enjoyed it and I loved the journey that Nora took. I wish we got a tad bit more of her figuring out who she was but the ending was so cute!

I received an arc through netgalley.

There was so much to love about this title: a fun celebrity/normie romance, a woman reinventing herself in midlife, a peek inside a Hallmark Channel-eque romance writer's life! But it's 2022, let's stop with the body shaming comments. There are two instances here that would be SO DARN EASY to edit out, and it would be far better for the book and its readers were that done.

Set time aside when you pick this book up.....you won't want to put it down! Nora is a middle aged writer of two kids. When her husband, Ben, decides that this life is no longer for him, she writes the story and sells it as a screenplay. The director of the movie requests that part of the movie be shot at her house. One day, Hollywood rolls up to her small, relatively out dated, house to film. And with this bunch is Leo Vance. The once voted sexiest man alive. After the 3 days of filming, Leo offers Nora money if he can stay for an additional 7 days. Since she could use the money, Nora agrees. Over these 7 days, Leo worms his way into everyone's heart....including anyone reading this book.
What happens after Leo's time is done? When his career calls him away to another coast. Where does that leave Nora and her two children who have opened their lives to Leo?
This love story is one that will stay with you. Nora is relatable and funny. You will find yourself rooting for her and being proud of her. Grab yourself a cup of coffee and settle into a comfortable spot. This is a great read! Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.

Very sweet, light romance novel whose only flaw was that that it was at times was a little too over the top. Meaning Leo is the hottest actor in Hollywood making a B-list Hallmark movie that's actually going to be on the big screen and everyone thinks is going to be a major blockbuster. I would have preferred something less unbelievable but Leo and Nora were adorable and their relationship just worked. The drama at the end was a bit unnecessary and could have been resolved with communication but it didn't ruin the romance for me. Very cute book and I'd like to read more adult novels from this author, who I think primarily is known for YA.

I loved this book! This book made me love the celebrity, non-celebrity romance trope! I loved Nora and Leo so much. I did find the “misunderstanding” to drive me nuts and I wanted to throw my kindle across the room, but I loved it none the less and this is a must read!!

Nora is a divorced mom of two romance screenplay writer. Her steady income comes from writing romance movies for a Hallmark-like romance channel. Then she writes about her break-up story, a major studio picks up the script and now Hollywood actors are cast to play Nora and her terrible husband Ben. Part of the movie will be shot in Nora's home, specifically in the tea house in Nora's backyard so Nora hosts the film crew in her property for a few days, When the filming ends everyone leaves except Leo. The most-sought after actor of Hollywood, known for his smoldering looks. Leo and Nora gets close but more importantly Nora's kids Arthur and Bernadette warms up to Leo and in a short time Leo sort of fills the space left out from Ben's abandonment. Then Leo leaves for work, and promises to come back but he doesn't. But why? That is the question.

In the synopsis of the book, this one is compared to Evvie Drake Starts Over and I can see why this is an accurate comparison. We have a woman in her thirties just out of a bad marriage, in a way starting over. Leo is not satisfied with his life, mourning his mom's loss and wants normalcy. I think Nora with her daily set schedule (because she is a single mom of two, duh) and the simple family life attracts him. Their romance takes off easily and kind of quickly. There is a lot of good, funny one liners in this book, two very endearing kids (who are portrayed realistically), a picturesque setting (an old house with a tea house in the garden with a gorgeous view of forest behind it) and lots if sunrises witnessed by Nora and Leo sitting side by side on the porch coffee in hands.

The first half of the book is them falling in love and the second part is Nora going back to her old life with her kids, writing her formulaic romance stories, trying to leave Leo behind but also trying to figure out why Leo didn't come back. The conflict is partly due to miscommunication so that part was a bit frustrating.

Nora Goes Off Script was a quick and sweet read with mature, lovable, and relatable characters. I just couldn't buy into their connection/romance. It felt more infatuation than love to me. But the setting was great. The small upstate NY town, the house (Nora is in love with the house and I get it) and the garden. You almost want to be there in July/August to see blue hydrangeas in full bloom framing the tea house, open the windows and write there like Nora does or drink your coffee on the porch and watch the sunset. The piece and quiet... I close my eyes and I feel like I am there. I don't blame Leo for wanting to stay :)

Thank you to G.P. Putnam's Sons for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I'm gonna need a minute to scream about how much I loved this book!

Nora Goes Off Script follows Nora, a screenwriter and mother of two. After her husband walked out on her and the kids, Nora turned her heartache into a new movie. The movie is being partially filmed in her backyard and the actor playing her ex-husband is a former Sexiest Man Alive. She expects him to leave with the rest of the crew and is surprised when he offers to pay her (a lot of money) in exchange for a week at her place.

This book is absolutely amazing. I need a physical copy in my hands right now so that I can sob into the pages. It's part romance and part fiction. I loved watching Leo (the actor) interact with Nora and her kids. Each character had their own challenges to overcome and my favorite part was that none of them were alone. These characters were really united. I could feel the love and warmth between everyone, even through the cold hard screen of my phone.

I binged this book in one day and I hope everyone else will do the same. Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan comes out June 7. I will be picking up a copy and re-reading as soon as possible.

Wow, this was a delight to read! There is romance, angst, resilience, sparkly shoes, and professional growth and success! It is a little bit cheesy, somewhat implausible, and a whole lot of fun.

Our protagonist is Nora, a recently divorced screenwriter and mother to two children. Nora typically writes scripts for romance movies, primarily for The Romance Channel (i.e. Hallmark), but after her husband leaves her, she channels her experience into a darker script that is optioned for a major motion picture. Her life is changing and she is surprised as anyone when she finds herself connecting with a movie star who plays her ex-husband in the film she wrote.

Nora narrates the story and is an extremely likable character, she is funny and vulnerable, and I was rooting for her to succeed and felt proud when she achieved some major career wins.

Nora Goes Off Script is a wonderful, lighthearted story and I recommend this to fans of women’s fiction, romance (novels and films), and books with lovable leads and side characters.

Thank you very much to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Nora is a single mom of 2 and is a screenwriter. She meets a celebrity that is in her film they are shooting and they fall in love. The writing was very light and uplifting on heavier topics. While I’m a big fan of dual POV, this is only told in Nora’s perspective but in the end it makes sense and I enjoyed it. Nora goes off Script was a great read and definitely binge worthy.

Rating: 4/5
Genre: Women’s Fiction with a Romance
Warnings: Infidelity, Divorce, Death of a Parent
Read if You Liked: Evvie Drake Moves On
Steam: 2/5
Tropes: Single-Parent, Celebrity Romance, Second-Chance Romance

Things I loved: The tiny humans, I loved them so much, their dialogue and their relationship with Leo. Leo’s fascination with being a real person and shopping for his own food. Nora’s family; parents were hysterical and her sister gave really great advice. The small town antics. Coming of mid-age story with such authenticity. Nora giving herself permission to spend money on things that made her happy. Sunrise coffee and runs. Honestly, this conflict was unique and pretty believable. I did like the ending but it did feel rushed…another 50+ pages would have done this book good.

Things I didn’t love: It was easy for me to get distracted in this story and do other things. There were times when elements of the story didn’t feel fully fleshed out, the sentences didn’t feel complete and the timeline jumped without any indication. There was a comment where Nora compared her eye make-up to “mildly like an assault victim”, this is completely unnecessary and offensive to the trauma assault victims face. I hope this is removed in the final copy.