| Title | : | Nora Goes Off Script |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0593420039 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780593420034 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Hardcover |
| Number of Pages | : | 272 |
| Publication | : | First published June 7, 2022 |
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. No one is more surprised than her when it's picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her 100-year-old-home. When former Sexiest Man Alive, Leo Vance, is cast as her ne'er do well husband Nora's life will never be the same.
The morning after shooting wraps and the crew leaves, Nora finds Leo on her porch with a half-empty bottle of tequila and a proposition. He'll pay a thousand dollars a day to stay for a week. The extra seven grand would give Nora breathing room, but it's the need in his eyes that makes her say yes. Seven days: it's the blink of an eye or an eternity depending on how you look at it. Enough time to fall in love. Enough time to break your heart.
Filled with warmth, wit, and wisdom, Nora Goes Off Script is the best kind of love story--the real kind where love is complicated by work, kids, and the emotional baggage that comes with life. For Nora and Leo, this kind of love is bigger than the big screen.
Nora Goes Off Script Reviews
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I need to let this simmer more, but I think 4.5 stars!!! For some reason I feel like people who liked Book Lovers by Emily Henry would like this.
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I loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, loved it, LOVED IT!
A love story blooming between middle aged romance screenwriter, with two kids and a highest paid-actor, 40, deliciously charismatic with his famous smoldering who loses the meaning of his life, suffering from grief.
Nora is dumped by her self absorbed, narcissistic husband Ben , who doesn’t have proper job to assist his family so he sharpens his over spending skills to buy himself for more unnecessary merchandises because HE CAN and it makes him feel SO GOOD! Finally he leaves his wife and his children to travel around Asia without offering alimony or any financial support!
Nora accepts this situation: she gets relieved because she’s better without him! She is famous with her special formula to write heartfelt- sweet-swoon TV romance movies! She changes the location, occupations, switching genders and write the same screenplays over and over again : conclusions are exactly same: one of the parties always come back- grand gesture and happy ending seal the entire deal!
But when she decides to write about her marriage, things get darker and instead of her TV channel, her agents pitches the script to the higher authorities and guess what ? a major studio buys the script. She’s not gonna only paid for her writing services, the production team will also use her home as one of the locations of the movie!
This means the leading actor- sexiest man alive- best smoldering hottie Leo Vance will be at her backyard with his trailer!
But she realizes Leo starts to invade more of her space than she expected. He’s at the her patio for watching the sunset with her, appearing in her kitchen to criticize her turkey meatball cooking skills, befriending her daughter Bernadette, giving advises her son not to chase his acting dreams when he becomes adult!
When the filming is over, he has no intention to leave. He even offers her to pay for one week for renting her tea house to stay!
Of course Nora has no power to resist this man’s charm, drooling over and daydreaming when he insists to join her run errands including grocery shopping, directing elementary school theater play, cheering for Bernadette at her soccer matches!
Nora thinks she finally finds something to hold on in her life! Could Leo be her forever? Could a movie star and an ordinary woman asking the boy to love her relationship last forever?
Well, at some parts, I truly bang Nora and Leo’s heads together! They acted a little stubborn to lose their chance for happiness! But overall , this is epic, lovable and Sooooooooo romantic to skip!
I’m still angry at myself for not reading this amazing book before! One of the best romances and women’s fiction of the year I highly recommend you to read! -
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. -
Looking for a book that will leave you with a full heart and a smile on your face? Look no further, this is the book for you!
Nora is a screenwriter for a romance channel, as well as a single mom to two kids. When her lazy, entitled jerk of a husband left her and the children, she set aside her usual HEA stories and instead wrote a screenplay based on the disaster of her life, which is the opposite of what would be shown on the romance channel (thus, the book’s title). It’s her best yet and is optioned for a movie on the big screen. None other than Leo Vance, perhaps the sexiest man alive, is chosen for the lead. The film location is set in her very own writing studio on her property.
Rom-coms are all about the appeal of the characters, the dialogue, and the journey. Despite familiar themes, this felt fresh and new to me, and was simply delightful. I especially loved Nora’s relatability, her down-to-earth attitude, and her relationship with her kids and extended family.
When filming is complete, Leo asks to stay on for a bit and reflect on his life while experiencing normal simple family things with Nora and her children. Nora hesitates but could use the rent money.
You can guess where this is going…..
I loved the budding relationship between Nora and Leo. Witty banter and snark gets me every time. Nora’s children are adorable, but in a realistic way. Sure, there’s a misunderstanding that a simple conversation would have solved, but what would be the fun in that? Were some things unrealistic? Of course, but who cares?
Meanwhile, Nora finds a measure of peace and happiness and in the process finds herself. I appreciated the deeper message that she wanted love but didn’t NEED it to be happy or complete. Still, I was rooting for Nora and Leo from beginning to end.
This is a perfectly charming and fun uplifting read with a sweet message. The writing was great and the audiobook narrator, Hillary Huber, was terrific. But it was the characters that truly won me over and I was sorry to see the book end.
This is author Annabel Monaghan’s first novel for adults and I’m now officially a fan! -
Nora is a movie writer for The Romance Channel (TRC). Think Hallmark with all of the recycled plots.
Her pr!ck of a husband recently left her and her two children, and she’s mainly okay with it because, well…he’s a pr!ck.
She recently stepped out of her rom-com box and wrote a screenplay based on their marriage and the ending of it. It is now a full-fledged Hollywood production with none other than the hottest actor of the moment, Leo Vance, playing the role of her ex-hubby. The movie studio decides to film at Nora’s house for a few days. She’s looking forward to that extra money.
All of a sudden, equipment trucks, wardrobe trucks, and Leo’s trailer end up on her front lawn. When he first meets her, he’s quite rude and walks right by her with neary a word. Two days later, when filming has finished at this location, he decides he’d like to stay with her for a week (he’s become quite accustomed to watching the sunrise with her on her front porch). That same day, he charms her children and asks to hang with her while she runs errands. A few days later, they’re in love. A perfect family of four, and it is so realistic…NOT! I wonder if there will be any conflict. 🤔
SLIGHT SPOILER AHEAD ⚠️
.
.
.
Then, out of nowhere, they’re not together for about 40% of the book. Per usual, it turns out to be a ridiculous misunderstanding that any ADULT would have nipped in the bud by sending a simple text or making a phone call. But not here.
.
.
.
END SPOILER
This is a rom-com that is rom for maybe 40%, and very little com…although I smiled once or twice. It’s completely unrealistic, and the ending had my eyes rolling as if on loop. Yet, I did enjoy reading it. I really liked the character of Nora and found her to be very fleshed out. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that this has cheese written all over it. Nora could’ve written the story for one of her TRC movies. Did she?
Overall, an enjoyable rom-com with little rom-com, but excellent writing and a great main character to help balance things out.
Thank you to G.P. Putnam’s Sons and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected Publication Date: 6/7/22.
Review also posted at:
https://bonkersforthebooks.wordpress.com -
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 liked this one. It ended up being clever and deeper than I had been expecting but at the same time a little bit silly.
Nora, writes for TRC (The Romance Channel) but has recently written a more darker story that mimics her life. It is being made into a movie (on the big screen) and her quaint little home in a small town in New York is being used as the location. She meets up with the star of the movie and sparks fly!
Most of my friends enjoyed this one more than me. I liked it but I don't think it will end up being very memorable. The audio was entertaining and well-done. -
4.5⭐
I am grinning big time, ear to ear!
I picked this up after seeing glowing reviews from GR friends so thank you to all the friends who read this book before me. 💞
Thirty-nine-year-old mother of two Nora Hamilton is a screenwriter who writes light and fun TV movies for The Romance Channel. Her most recent script after her husband Ben left them was darker and her agent sold it for a real movie. She hits a jackpot when Hollywood wants to use her property in Laurel Ridge, NY for the production. Nora can kiss her financial debts goodbye. When the movie wraps, Nora is surprised that Leo Vance, the heartthrob lead actor wants to pay her rent and stay on. He's enjoying the simple small-town life and watching the sunrise from her porch.
Nora Goes Off Script is funny with endearing characters. I think it's probably my first single mom rom-com. It is clean. I love Nora and Leo together. I love that their romance was gradual. I love how he criticized her Wednesday Meatloaf. I love that it felt fresh and the ending was a bit of a surprise.
This is my first novel by Annabel Monaghan and I must read more from her. The audio read by Hillary Huber was excellent. -
I really needed to read this palate cleanser after some of the heavier books I've been reading lately.
This is such a cute, feel-good romantic comedy. Yes, looking back at the end there's a misunderstanding that could have been easily remedied with a phone call, but as I was reading it I didn't get mad like I usually would have. It felt really believable to me and I just went with the story. I loved Nora and her grit and love for her family. I thought Leo's fascination with everyday life was hilarious and I laughed out loud more than a few times at some of the things he said and did.
I also really adored the kids and thought they were a great addition to the story. The one thing that gave me slight pause was that I didn't think Nora protected the kids enough from Leo--I would have said "Hey, if you break my heart, fine, but if you mess with my kids' hearts you're dead." Her actions in those moments were what made this not quite a 5-star read.
Overall though, this is totally worth reading, especially if you want a light, humorous romance with a lot of heart.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own. -
Audio Review
Narrated by: Hillary Huber
Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
I also had an ebook, but the audio was so much more enjoyable that I listened to 80% of the novel.
Hillary Huber did an excellent job with all the characters. A nice summer treat that gave me some happy vibes! All I needed to add was some homemade strawberry shortcake topped with fresh berries and a wallop of cream. Yum!
It was nice to read about a "normal mom"! No worries that she would drown herself with pills or murder her neighbor in the foreseeable future, wink wink.
A little sappy, very charming, with a too good to be true "sexiest man alive" (yes, please). It all added up to an uplifting, but unrealistic read!
Released 6/7/2022 -
Nora goes off script when she meets Leo Vance the start of her film “The Tea House’ and Oh boy, does she deserve it. She has the surveyed the wreck of her much loved house and the wreckage of her marriage to useless Ben but looks with pride at the solidly built teahouse in her garden and the subject around which her darker than usual movie script is woven. Hollywood arrives, trundling over her lawns bringing Leo with his smouldering looks and his beautiful co-star Naomi Sanchez. After three days of filming Leo stays on as he rather like being at Nora‘s, of course the path of true love (down to the teahouse) never runs smooth.
This is a really enjoyable glide through read, it’s witty and smart in places sufficient to raise more than a few smiles. The dialogue is great and also has a real feel. The characterisation is excellent, they all feel authentic. Leo is, well, smouldering but also a darn good bloke, Nora is fab and her children Arthur and Bernadette almost steal the show! Nora’s house and the surrounding area make you feel a warm glow, it’s wonderfully described and you definitely want to be there preferably with Leo!
I really like the premise which comes through in several ways not just via the movie. Nora especially is reconnecting to her old self and taking back the power after Ben drains her in more ways than one. Leo also reconnects to his true self not the movie version people expect. There’s also a lovely message about family which is heartwarming.
Overall, is it fantasy or real? Nora deserves the real, she deserves the sunrise and the promise of a good day and you will that to happen! It’s a sweet book but not in a saccharine way. It’s good escapist reading in the company of lovely people. Sighs!
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Hodder and Stoughton for that much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. -
Thank you GR friend Lisa for giving this a 5 star rating which is a rare occurrence for her. “Nora Goes Off Script” is a fun rom/com that is predictable yet so satisfying! I think it’s author Annabel Monaghan’s ability to create relatable, realistic, and charming characters. Yes, she throws in two adorable children to add some whimsy and cuteness. This is formula driven and it works!
Nora is a recently divorced romance-channel screenwriter. She decides to write a screenplay about her collapsed marriage, and it’s being made into a major motion picture staring the “Sexiest Man Alive”. Part of the movie is being shot in Nora’s home that she shares with her 2 adorable children.
We get to learn Nora’s inner thoughts which is fun. Nora is a normal mom just trying to support her babies and herself. You know how it’s going to end. Monaghan takes the reader on a charming tale of finding love unexpectedly.
I listened to the audio narrated by Hillary Huber. It’s a 7-hour entertaining listen. Highly recommended! -
If you want a book that warms the cockles of your heart then this is it!,,
Nora is screenwriter for a romance channel she is a mum of two kids single due to her break up of her marriage to a dumbass jerk of a husband, she meets a gorgeous sexy Leo Vance a Hollywood actor who will play the part of her ex.
Things get more cosy between the two as Leo wants to stay longer well this sets Nora’s heart fluttering instead of writing her her Usual HEA stories & writes a screen play on her own love life to that entitled deadbeat of a husband.
Things get interesting when Leo wants to stay longer in the house, this sets Nora’s heart fluttering they become close but a sequence of mixed messages could ruin it all.
LOVED,LOVED,LOVED this book by Annabelle Monaghan it was an uplifting novel that made me smile had plenty of laughs & the characters were wonderful such a joy to read. -
Nora makes her living writing romance movies for The Romance Channel but when her jerk husband leaves her she switches things up and trades her happily ever after's with the story of how her marriage ended and much to her surprise it's picked up by a major movie executive. Nora's hit the big time and she could sure use the extra money!
The director wants to film on location and at HER house! Not only that but Luke Vance, voted The Sexiest Man Alive, has been given the role of her ne'er-do-well husband. Nora's life is about to be flipped upside down over the next couple weeks of filming.
When filming wraps and the works crews have packed up Nora can't help but to sigh with relief. She finally has her house and life back. All things normal from here on out. Imagine her surprise when she ventures out on the front porch, cup of coffee in hand, to watch the sunrise and see's Leo Vance wrapped up in a blanket and sleeping soundly. What is he still doing here? Leo offers Nora a thousand dollars a day for the next 7 days if he can stay with her and from here the sparks fly between the pair and my heart was all a pitter patter hoping for the very best for them. Of course no relationship is that easy and an unexpected roadblock comes between them leaving the reader to wonder: will they or won't they?
That's all I'm willing to say about this sweet but completely far-fetched story. This book served as a wonderful escape from the real world so the fact that it's really unbelievable did not hinder my enjoyment and most of my enjoyment stemmed from these wonderful characters. I loved Nora and her two children Arthur and Bernadette and Leo Vance isn't too shabby either with his smoldering good looks! The banter was super cute between Nora and Leo and I appreciated that the bedroom scenes were PG rated. I also imagine that this is EXACLTY what would happen if Leonardo DiCaprio came and stayed with me and don't you dare tell me otherwise! 😉
"Woman pass me in heels I could never stand in. I look down at my peasant top, jeans, and sandals and think, When did I turn into Carole King?"
She just described my exact outfit so she isn't the only one channeling her inner Carole King!
If you want an escape from reality with a side of swoon then this is one I highly recommend! 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group - Putnam for my complimentary copy. -
This is a Women's Fiction/Romance. I have to say that I was so scared to pick up this book because so many women's fiction/romance fell short for me this year so far, but this book was so great. I loved this book from the beginning to the end. There was nothing I did not like about this book. The characters were not fun and cute characters, but they felt real which I really loved. I loved the slow moving romance in this book, and I really loved the ending. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (G.P. Putnam's Sons) or author (Annabel Monaghan) via NetGalley, so I can give an honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
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Audiobook….read by Hillary Huber
…..6 hours and 57 minutes
“Readers who loved Emily Henry’s “Book Lovers” stand a great chance in loving Annabelle Monaghan’s “Nora Goes off Script” ….(a ‘tad’ less for me)….but definitely enjoyable….
….a fitting beach read with my own beach stay here in ‘Capitola-by
-the-Sea’, this week.
Protagonist Nora Hamilton, a thirty-nine year old divorce women with full custody and full financial responsibility of her two children, is screen writer…..(usually romantic
happily ever after themes)
She has recently written a new script that’s been picked up by Hollywood studios.
Modeling her own situation—[scumbag husband Ben left her and his kids]….her new script doesn’t have a happily ever after ending... [which I presume is where the title of this book comes from] — her script is a little darker than what she usually writes. (if this was dark — I’d drown in her lighter work)….
What does ‘goes off’ actually mean?
Dictionary definition:
“to suddenly become very angry and start shouting or behaving violently …..
or
…..”to enter recklessly on a course”
I suppose the ‘Goes Off’ is ‘partially’ true —but only ‘partially’. Actually, Nora, herself, is rather conservatively reasonable—a ridiculously relatable character acting very appropriately to her new single mom status.
but….
readers can forgive somatics and suspend a little belief…
because….
this wholesome summer rom com is heartwarming addictive.
Part of the deal is that we readers forgive predictably — in exchange for our fantasy Mr. Night and Shining-Amour to passionately and emotionally devours us with all the goodies:
…. luscious steamy storytelling fantasy with ‘you’re the only ‘forever love!
[nobody matters more].
Sex has never felt so good and Leo gets Nora’s down-to-earth greatness.
Leo can financially embellish Nora but neither of them are purposely about the money. Leo owns a plane and can take Nora anywhere, but financial elite frivolous wealth is a minor asset.
And..
our Night-and-Shining- Armor, Leo is an ideal surrogate father to Nora’s children.
The storytelling, it’s plot, narrative, humor, and developing swooning romantic development between Nora Hamilton and Leo Vance is supreme summertime make believe guy-loves-girl fairytale entertainment.
The kids are okay too.
Leo is (of course) the gorgeous sexiest man of the year —puts all other men to shame, and is the popular romantic TV star playing the part of the divorce husband in Nora’s new made for TV movie.
A couple of puzzling surprises—nothing earth shaking shocking—but just enough to keep our minds wondering ‘why’….
All’s well that end’s well.
All in good fun!!!
Alternative Title
“Leo is Top Banana…puts other men to shame”. -
[4.5] I started Nora Goes Off Script as my flight from Denver took off and finished as I landed at La Guardia airport. I can't remember a more enjoyable flight - even though I wore a mask the entire time and didn't eat or drink anything. How wonderful to find a rom-com that is smart, fresh, romantic and funny without syrup or corniness. I've never given a rom-com 5 stars before - maybe I'm getting soft!
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When one phone call could have saved the misery, and people choose to act dumb.
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I get it, Nora. It’s not always easy when life goes off script. It’s messy, and it makes you feel as if you’ve lost all control. But sometimes, shaking things up a bit is just what a woman needs ...
Annabel Monaghan has written a winner of a love story. Nora Goes Off Script is absolutely divine.
It’s a breath of fresh air. A standout in a deep, populous sea of romance novels. And I think it’s because for one, as a lead character, Nora skews slightly older and is a divorced mother of two children, and for two, her relationship with Leo reflects her maturity. As she and Leo grow close, realistic concerns about how their love affair will affect her children arise, which is something I typically don’t see in the genre.
But for all Nora’s sensibilities, Monaghan employs a huge no-no in the way of plot devices: a misunderstanding caused by a lack of communication. It’s irritating and unrealistic. (Authors, this is way too easy an out for you to take. Your characters are grown adults; they can, and should, talk to each other.)
This frustration aside, Nora Goes Off Script will charm you and delight you. It will lift your spirits and warm your heart, all while sticking a smile on your face for days.
And the audiobook is terrific. Hillary Huber’s voicing skills are superb. Go that route if you’re in the mood for a good listen. -
Hold up. Did I read a different book than everyone else? 😅
Everyone’s an outlier at some point and I guess my time has come again!
Did I hate it? No. Not at all.
Did I like it? Ehhhhh….
I didn’t find it had much depth and that might be due to the fact that it isn’t a very long book with lots of different things happening. So a lot of situations felt rushed.
Everything about this book seemed rom-com to me. (There I go judging books by their covers again. 🙄) However, it was all the rom and no com. I don’t even think there was a line I smiled at. It seemed very serious a lot of the time which made it difficult for me to entirely connect with. I also didn’t think the story was very convincing.
Nora was pretty neurotic and I felt like she focused wayyyyy too much on having a lot of money. Not that she ever came out and said that but just from random comments that seemed a bit avaricious in nature. Those comments didn’t seem like they lined up with her love of small town, easy living and frugal ways. Her sister was a thousand times worse.
I did enjoy the ‘twist’ as I didn’t see it coming, but the trope is very common in these kids of books and definitely not original.
The kids in the book were cute too and I did think they added a good layer to the story.
All in all, not entirely convincing story, but fine enough since it was a pretty quick read. Not my cup of tea though….hah! No pun intended (for anyone who’s read the book)! 😂 -
I really enjoyed this romance. Nora has been supporting her family well before her do-nothing husband left them. Ben had grown up rich and didn’t realize that to make his own money would take more than endless ideas, it took actual work. Nora is glad to see him go to a degree because he only ever belittled the work she did—writing scripts for The Romance Channel—but of course it’s hard on 10-year-old Arthur and 8-year-old Bernadette to have a father who occasional calls and makes promises about visits that never happen. Instead of sticking with the formulaic scripts that have been paying the bills for years, Nora writes a version of her life story. The sexiest man alive, Leo Vance, plays Ben, and the drop-dead actress Naomi Sanchez plays Nora.
The shooting on Nora’s 100-year-old property only takes a couple days, but when it’s done, Nora finds Leo camped out on her porch well on his way to being drunk. He asks if he can hide out from the spotlight in her old, out-of-the-way home for a week. He’ll pay $1,000 a day, money that would help her fix up some things and help with the debt that Ben racked up. Yes, Nora and Leo fall for each other and yes, there are misunderstandings along the way, but I loved Nora, Leo, her friends and parents, and Arthur and Bernadette. The conflict and resolution were well done.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this novel, which RELEASES JUNE 7, 2022. -
I flew through Nora Goes Off Script and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Nora Hamilton is a screenwriter for The Romance Channel. After her lazy husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora writes a new script that gets picked up in Hollywood. The movie is filmed at Nora’s own property in the tea house, where she writes most days. Nora meets actor Leo Vance, who plays her ex in the movie. When filming wraps, Leo offers Nora $1000 a day to stay there for an extra week. Nora isn’t sure what’s going on with Leo but she could really use the extra $7K and reluctantly agrees.
Over the next week, Nora finds herself curious about Leo and his interest in routine, suburban life. She also feels drawn to him, but cautious. What will happen when this unexpected and unusual week is over?
Nora Goes Off Script definitely has familiar themes yet still felt pretty original. It was cute, had a little humor, and I really liked Nora, who was authentic and didn’t pretend to be anyone else. -
NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT was much more than I expected and also exactly what I hoped for.
I was in need of a feel good novel, with a strong new voice in the romance genre, and I found it!!
NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT had a different kind of feel to it.
I’m getting so tired of all the rehashed romance tropes we all have read hundreds of time. Reading something new is really refreshing but is pretty rare lately. NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT is a book that I can only recommend, and not just because the reviews are well deserved. It’s just really nice to read something different for once in a while.
This romance is for everyone who loves a bit of Hollywood, with a big movie star hero, kids who steal the show, and a strong down to earth heroine.
I think what I loved the most about this book was the easy and effortless connection between Nora and Leo, and of course the wonderful way Leo bonds with Nora’s kids. I love the single parent trope, especially the bonding that happens between kids and the love interest, and Leo didn’t disappoint. Also, I’m a big fan of low drama, and the level of drama in NORA GOES OFF SCRIPT was just right.
Also Nora is such a cool heroine. She doesn’t complicate matters too much, goes with the flow, gives space when needed, and just is her own awesome person. Btw, her being a romance channel screenwriter was such a great idea!!
And the ending was just the icing on the cake.
Overall, a very enjoyable read!! -
Big smile on my face!
Nora Hamilton is a scriptwriter. When her husband leaves her and her kids, she writes a script about that too. To her surprise, a studio buys it and then decides to make it into a movie. To her shock, the most coveted actor, Leo Vance is playing her ex-Ben.
Leo, who is handsome, rich, and famous is staying in his trailer next to her home since the filming is done at her house. How awesome is that!
After the movie wraps, she is ready to pay her debts and start writing a new script until she realizes that Leo didn't leave with the rest of the crew. Quite the opposite, he wants to pay her $1000 a day for one week to continue staying with them. Yet, when the week is done, nobody wants Leo to leave. Her kids have become used to him and she is falling for him. But, how can it work?
Loved the book, loved the audio. Nora and Leo were both very likable characters. They felt real and honest. I was rooting for their HEA the whole time.
Cliffhanger: No
4.5/5 Fangs
MrsLeif's Two Fangs About It |
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*CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Where, oh where, do I begin with this book?
Nora and Leo - they were so bland. There was ZERO chemistry. I felt like I was missing parts because it read very much like “I sat on his bed, we made love, I woke up the next day, then we ate dinner, and I went to bed.” It’s missing so much plot. I just couldn’t understand how these two fell in love. Where was the build up??
When Leo had to leave for another movie, why did Nora freak out? He’s an actor doing actor things and you would think someone who writes movies scripts for a living would understand that. How are you upset at this?
Let’s talk about how when Leo ghosted her Nora went off the rails. Calling him nonstop, texting him constantly, creeping on his Instagram, and then showing up at his apartment like a stalker ex girlfriend. I can’t wrap my head around only after a few weeks with him she was behaving this way, and almost a year later she was still in her feelings about him. Girl. GO DIRECTLY TO THERAPY DO NOT PASS GO. This was insane.
While I’m at it, Leo: go to therapy as well. Instead of either of them actually having an adult conversation about their relationship they acted immaturely. I don’t care that Noras’ son told him a lie because he was hurt Leo left - he’s 10 years old and reacted like a 10 year old would. Nora and Leo are grown ass adults, and both acted like they were the ones that were 10 years old. Communication people.
The alcohol consumption was out of control. Listen, I enjoy my drinks as well but sh*t, I’ve never read a book that brings up people drinking every single day and not addressing it. I mean at Thanksgiving Leo drank a whole bottle of scotch. A WHOLE BOTTLE. I thought he had gone to rehab and that’s why he ghosted her.
And then at the end he just… proposes?? And they live happily ever after??? They still aren’t talking about their problems with each other. Sigh.
I’m exhausted from this book. If you enjoyed it I’m glad you did, but I had so many issues with it. -
This was so good! I got a super early copy of it (so early, this Goodreads listing wasn't even up yet). It's bingable and one of my favorite tropes, celebrity meets regular person and they fall in love. It felt very real, like you might know Nora in real life. The characters were flawed and believable. A great beach read!
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the setup…
Nora Hamilton is a screenwriter for the romance channel (think Hallmark). She’s a recently divorced mother of two who decided to write something other than her usual formulaic story, this time more close to home and personal. It’s about the end of her marriage to Ben, a man who never worked during their relationship and was, at best a casual father to Arthur and Bernadette. Turns out that real life has its rewards as that script was optioned for big screen development and filming will be at her 100-year old home. Even more exciting is the casting of film star Leo Vance in the lead role. But, when filming ends, Nora finds Leo left behind on her front porch, offering serious cash if she’ll allow him to stay for one more week. What could go wrong?
the heart of the story…
Unlike most women whose husbands leave them, Nora remembers that day as liberating. It was the moment when she stopped being a pleaser and began embracing her own needs, wants and dreams. Leo was obviously searching for something and likes the ordinariness of Nora and her children’s lives. Though initially wary of this man who oddly seemed to like her lack of glam, Nora came to see his inner soul and slowly let him worm his way into her family’s lives and her own heart. I kept waiting for the inevitable and when it came, I remember thinking, “I knew it.” But then the script change I hadn’t anticipated came and everything went in unpredictable directions. I was on pins and needles, wondering if Nora and Leo could ever find a way back to what had been special and lovely.
the narration…
I enjoyed Hillary Huber’s performance (I always do) but really loved her voice for Nora. Before she was even described as being like Carole King that was who I’d envisioned in terms of style and personality because that’s what I heard. She nailed her as well as everyone else.
the bottom line…
I delayed listening to this story because I didn’t think it would live up to my expectations borne from the hype. Silly me because I fell in love with the story, characters and emotional journey almost from the start. I liked who Nora became, even when she felt victim to the predictable behaviors a broken heart can force you into. It’s a tender, unusual love story that blossomed from the ordinary patterns of life but with two people who didn’t seem to be a likely couple. Be careful of stereotypes as you may just miss your destiny, just like I almost missed out in listening to this book.
Posted on
Blue Mood Café -
When life gives Nora lemons, she writes it all down and sells it to Hollywood where A-list actors will star in a movie version. What she doesn’t know is one of said A-lister Leo will want to squat in the “Tea House” in her backyard for a week after filming wraps. Good news is he’s willing to pay her a thousand bucks a day for the accommodations. As the week progresses, Leo realizes he’s quite inclined to live like a normal instead of as one of the sexiest men alive and Nora realizes she doesn’t mind having his company. And then of course romance happens – because duh.
This was just what the doctor ordered. The perfect mashup of chick lit and rom com that actually had some real humor . . . .
“Stop smoldering the other unsuspecting middle-aged ladies around here. Come on.”
Nora Goes Off Script even contained a couple of not insufferable children (and generally I despise all children that are not my own both in real life and in my fiction).
If you’re looking for some lighter fare for the poolside this summer . . . .
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley! -
DNF @ 11%: Ooof, I haven't had this immediate of a negative reaction to a book in ages. I cannot stand the writing style / voice of the main character so I am v happily DNFing to hopefully pick up something I will enjoy more!
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This book irritated the crap out of me. I have been trying to think of a more clever opening sentence, but nothing better describes my feelings about this book. These two characters annoyed me so very much. The story is told from the heroine’s point of view, so maybe that is not the hero’s fault exactly, but this literally all could have been avoided with one simple conversation and so I RAGE.
Nora Hamilton is a romance channel screenwriter: she knows all the tropes and uses them on the small screen. Or at least she used to. A few months prior, her college sweetheart husband, Ben, left her and her two children, Arthur and Bernadette. Nora had been, if not unhappy, simply resigned to her marriage with him and doing her best to raise the kids and provide for her family. She is the (only) breadwinner in her household, as Ben usually spent too much money or time on his next failed venture. She lives about 90 minutes from New York City in a crumbling Victorian home that Nora absolutely loves, including a small tea house in the back, which she uses as her writing studio. To help process her feelings, Nora writes a script about her failed marriage and is surprised when her agent sells it to be made into a feature film, starring Oscar winner and heartthrob actor, Leo Vance, who has been cast as the husband. To lend authenticity to the movie, the director decides to use Nora’s home and her Tea House as the film set.
It is clear that this is a monumental moment in her small hometown and her smallish life. When Nora first meets Leo, he appears slightly intoxicated and he doesn’t introduce himself but barges directly into her kitchen. Then he does that several more times and she never ever confronts him about this strange behavior, but just seems to roll with it. She is all “homey,” with her buying chicken on sale, etc., and all I can really tell about Leo is that he is handsome and apparently charming? But we don’t really see him being charming, just that people are charmed around him. There is a lot of exposition about how they talk about a lot of things, but not exactly what those things really were, so Leo remains a mystery. When he has to leave suddenly, even after he has promised Arthur’s school that he would direct the play, and then he stops responding to Nora’s texts, I think— yeah, this sounds plausible. Like, who even is this guy?
ALSO! If my calculations are correct, he stayed about 20 days after the movie and they were really only together for two weeks. He is a world famous movie star and not to say he would not be happy in her small town or whatnot, but they literally never spoke about any of those logistics so when all of the sudden they were declaring they were in love with each other, and he is basically living at their house and taking the place of her children’s father, I thought– this seems a tad fast? This might be confusing to the kids? Shouldn’t we discuss how this might look as a future together?? OR MAYBE WE WON’T DO THAT at all. These people are 40 years old. She like pines for his love for 10 months and they knew each other for 3 weeks. I am tired.
ALSO, ALSO! After Arthur’s big confession, I was ANNOYED when Leo told Nora that he was coming back after he filmed in New Zealand and if she thought he wasn’t coming back, she should say something to him “like a normal woman.” Ummm, hello? You received a text from a 10 year old, who, given his experience with his own father, would obviously be upset with you for missing his play that you previously promised to attend, and YOU DID NOT ASK HIS MOTHER FOR ANY FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS?? Like, I heard from your minor child that you are back with your ex-husband so good luck with that?? Who are YOU to say that to HER? She also described his placing the wedding band on her finger like he was “capturing a hostage.” I. Don’t. Like. Where. This. Is. Going. It just made me rethink of the scene where Leo finds out that Ben cheated on her with Vicky and he is surprised that Nora was not more upset about the whole thing. He kisses her in the middle of the sidewalk in the afternoon (presumably so everyone could see and gossip about it) and then he laughingly says, “I knew it. You are so into me.” It just sounded creepy.
Nora dislikes any confrontation, which I can understand, but this all could have been handled in a 2 minute phone call by either of the two adults in this relationship and so, no thank you. NEXT.
Rating: 🌟🌟/5
For more of my reviews, please visit my blog RomancingTheNovels.com!
