That Wasn't in the Script

Josie has been dealing with a lot the past year—an unwanted to move NYC, the sudden passing of her father, and trying to help her mom make ends meet. The last thing she expects is for teen heartthrob, Rowan Adler, to fall asleep at a booth during her shift at work—although she doesn’t quite know that’s who he is just yet. Unable to wake him and unsure what to do, she drags him to her apartment across the street. In the morning, Rowan doesn’t seem quite ready to head back to his stifling life so he convinces Josie to spend the day exploring the city with him.

I’m always amazed at books that take place in roughly a 24-hour time frame because that doesn’t really seem like enough time for an entire story to take place, but this one had so much going on that I kept forgetting that it was still the same day. Throughout their time together, Rowan is able to pull Josie out of her shell and show her that she has been hiding and just going through the motions of life. In return, Josie is a much-needed friend to Rowan and gives him the courage to pursue what he really wants out of his career.

This was just a very real story with a lot of really cute moments. Rowan was just the absolute sweetest and I loved getting to explore NYC through Josie’s eyes. I also loved the friendship bracelet scenes with Josie’s litter sister in particular. Overall, this one just made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside which is a plus in my book.

Josie's family move to New York from Ohio for her father's new job but shortly after the move, he falls ill and dies leaving the family struggling for money in a city that Josie does not consider home. She has a plan: study hard at school and work evenings at King Kong across the road so that she can apply for a screen writing course back home in Ohio.
One evening at the end of a shift, she finds Rowan, a very famous face from a viral streaming sensation, asleep in the corner. Thinking that the reason he looks familiar is because he is from her school, she takes him home to sleep it off. The next 24 hours are a crazy adventure around NY city by two people who have lost their sense of direction in their lives.
I liked the balance between Josie and Rowan's characters; Josie is a school swot and rule follower, Rowan is creative and spontaneous. Can Josie learn to let go a little and embrace all that New York has to offer and can Rowan get back some control over his life? This book is a fun, romantic and life affirming read in which Josie and Rowan come to terms with the past and find a way to go forward. I also loved Pru, Josie's little sister, whose character and story weaves into the plot in a delightfully unexpected way.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this book!

I LOVED THIS BOOK! This story was so cute and I wish I could read it again for the first time.