Nora knows romance - it's literally her job.

But the romance screenwriters life gets a huge rewrite when her husband suddenly leaves her and their children behind and she uses that heartbreak and resentment to create her best work yet - the tea house.

There's no time to think about the loss as her home is filled with cameras and crew, shooting her own story on location and providing plenty of distraction - including the smouldering Leo Vance, the man playing her ex-husband only much sexier and more successful. But soon enough, filming ends and she's left alone with her thoughts - but not for long. Leo appears on the doorstep, a little drunk, with an interesting proposal. If she lets him stay for just another week, let him live a somewhat normal life with her, he'll pay a thousand pounds a day.

Seven days - it's not a long time at all. But Nora writers romance movies, so she should know that seven days is plenty of time to fall in love, or break your heart, or change your entire life.

"There will have to be boundaries of some sort. I don't want to walk in here tomorrow and find him smouldering at my dish-washer."

We've all read this story before - a rich, out of touch and troubled bad boy meets a down-to-earth beautiful woman and they find unexpected common ground. Nora has written that exact story a thousand times so the self-awareness and irony was simply delicious. But this story oozes charm, creating a perfectly cosy and indulgent romance. Think a classic and comforting hallmark romance movie with a fresh contemporary twist and plenty of wicked humour and wit.

But even between all the playful flirting, there was a story about a woman on a journey. Her growth page by page was beautiful, she finds herself as a mother, a lover, a friend, a writer and most importantly she starts to find herself and her worth after her ex-husband left her doubting everything. Their relationships were all so painfully real, Nora being both the provider and carer in her marriage and her husband hating her for it - so being able to finally see herself through someone else's eyes gives her the power to reframe her entire life.

Warm, witty and wonderfully sweet - this story takes it's time to fully explore the characters and their building relationships - not just rushing to the inevitable HEA but showing a real love forming and not just rushing past any problems to get to that magical ending.

This book is so unbelievably sweet it will give you a toothache, so consider yourself warned.

An entertaining read with some laughs mixed in with some emotional bits. I liked how having Leo around made helped Nora realise her self worth and loved how she interacted with her kids. An enjoyable romance read.

What a lovely story, the perfect romance when you need something sweet, a bit of sadness, and a lot of laugh.
I loved the characters, rooted for them, and thoroughly enjoyed the story.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I loved this! I know, I know but it's really fun. Nora, who keeps her family afloat by writing formulaic movies, has scored with a script that's not at all an HEA because it's based on her real life- her life after her husband Ben left her and their kids Bernadette and Arthur. And now, a film crew and the gorgeous Leo Vance have come to her home to film. Wow. Leo stays for a bit when the filming is over because he needs, well, he needs to reconnect with real life- go to the grocery store, the hardware store and so on. Nora's skeptical but then he helps Arthur with his role as Fagin in the elementary school play. All is delightful until he gets the call to audition for a role in a blockbuster and heads to California for what's supposed to be a few days- and it's not. Nora is heartbroken but there's some light. No spoilers from me because I so enjoyed the tension surrounding her career and her life. And her kids! This has terrific characters from the practical Nora to the smoldering Leo to the people in town to her sister and so on. Even Ben (rat that he is) seems very real. This is the sort of novel that pulls you in and keeps you reading and if it's a little, oh I don't know, just go with it because it's a gem. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A feel good read.

Couldn't put it down: amazing!😍

This story had so much heart. I loved its highs, like the gradual development of the relationship between divorced mother/screen writer Nora and celebrity actor Leo, and the heady days of the romance. I was heartbroken right along with Nora and her kids when things went south and touched by the beautiful relationship with her children. And the ending? Perfectly sublime! This really should be made into a movie, like Nora's taken from real life scripts.

One of the best romances I've read over the past year.

Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

This is a refreshing take on a romance, I loved the depiction of Nora’s life as a divorced mum of two, her friendships and her relationship with her family.

The knowing nods towards the familiar romance tropes worked really well, with Nora’s screenwriter background and knowledge of the romance genre. I was invested in Nora and Leo’s story, I loved Nora’s kids and Leo’s assistant Weezie.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of "Nora Goes Off Script" by Annabel Monaghan.

From the start, I thought that this would be a book I would devour and fall in love with. Sadly, this fell flat for me. I didnt love the characters and the story. However, I know plenty of people who would love Monaghan's storytelling so I will definitely recommend it to others.

This was a really cute storyline. I really enjoyed the two characters and how they grew.

It was one of those stories where you just want to relax and read and it gave me that vibe.

Thank you netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this arc in exchange for a review

Nora Goes Off Script is a much lighter book than those I usually read but I loved it. Nora is a strong character and her kids are great. Bring in Leo and we have a great story. Plenty of ins and outs and a happy ending. What's not to love. Thanks to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an e-ARC of this book to read and review.

This is such a fun read one minute I was laughing the next I felt tears forming. Loved the characters, loved the storyline. It was the perfect escape

This was the PERFECT rom-com. It follows writer Nora, whose divorce is the subject of her latest novel which has been adapted into a huge film starring the heartthrob to end all heartthrobs... Leo Vance. Nora agrees to let Leo stay with her after they finish filming her in her home and she shows him around her tiny town and teaches him how to live like a proper person and not a Hollywood celeb.

I adored Leo and Nora and their story! My favourite part was that it was self-aware, Nora is a writer of romance movies (Hallmark-style) and that has led her to be incredibly cynical of *actual* romance, so when this picture perfect man comes into her life she can't help thinking it's all a bit ridiculous. It's cheesy and insta-love isn't a trope I usually like, but somehow it just works so well.

The only reason it's not a five star is because the miscommunication near the end REALLY annoyed me - but apart from that... I loved it!

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan - 4 ⭐️

Review ⭐️- Introducing Nora, no stranger to romance as a screen writer, who has successfully written a number of romances in her time but for her next screen write decides, to write her own story following the recent collapse of her marriage. Nora finds the words to turn what could have been the worse time of her life, into the best future for her two kids - she really does take her life back and literally runs with it. As the scenes are being filmed on her dream property set in the ‘tea house’ at the bottom of the garden, Nora is introduced to the one and only Leo Vance, which is exactly where Nina finds herself going off script... and allows Leo to stay following the end of filming.

Honestly, this was one of them books that you simply cannot put down! Not only did I read this in 24 hours, but I smiled, laughed and even cried my way though this book. It’s the reminder we all need sometimes that life tests us but only for better things to fall into place.

As Nora is originally a screen writer for movies that we’d normally see on the Hallmark channel, this book does give of them vibes but in such a witty and wonderful way! This won’t be the last book that I read by Monaghan - I just hope there’s more to come from Nora as I loved her character, her kids characters and of course the character of Leo. This was exactly what I needed to read, at exactly the right time - thank you to net galley for a pre-release copy!

Quote 💌 - “That the best things come back. Sometimes it’s right after the commercial, sometimes it takes longer but time and sunshine bring growth, and life unfolds just the way it’s supposed to.”

Good. Nice romantic story that sends you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It does start of as your typical romance story but once the twist and turns start coming you soon realise that it isn't.

DNF @ 20%
I just couldn’t get into this. Nora is so bland and boring. She and the entire story lack emotion and is very surface level. Nothing goes into that much detail or has any spark or chemistry, especially between her and Leo. It just wasn’t a fun read from the get go and felt quite negative and sad but without any progress or reward. The writing felt choppy and too matter of fact. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.

Its been a pleasure to read this book as a NetGalley arc.

Nora is a romance channel movie screenwriter and when her husband leaves her and her 2 kids she turns it into a script that Hollywood picks up. During filming at her home Hollywood actor Leo Vance who is playing her ex husband in the film decides he likes being in a small town and offers Nora money to stay for 7 days. Nora accepts and Leo fully integrates into the family and the town. He then gets offered the movie of a lifetime but promises Nora that he will be back. Will he return or will Nora have to watch another man walk away from her and her kids.

I loved this book. The characters and the storyline just had me hooked from the start. Absolutely brilliant

If you need a cute, fun read with the occasional it-will-make-you-ugly-cry moment this is the book for you. The plot is original and the writing is good and light hearted. The romance between Mora and Leo will keep a permanent smile on your face. The only complain I have is that it felt slightly rushed.

This is definitely a rom-com that will be a favourite of many people and you have to read it!
Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an eARC of this book!

I picked this book because the description sounded interesting and it didn’t disappoint. I loved the plot and found it was quite original and it certainly had me on the edge of my seat. There was a lot going on and I couldn’t put the book down because I needed to see what was going to happen next but thankfully everything worked out in the end.

This book made me smile and laugh but it also brought tears to my eyes on multiple occasions. It certainly makes you think about how not everything is what it seems.

I loved Nora and Leo and was rooting for them from the very beginning. I loved how their relationship started off slowly as they started spending more time together and opening up to each other. They both had a lot going on and had a lot of baggage, but they found comfort in each other and I just loved their connection and how their relationship helped them grow and heal.

And Nora’s kids, Bernadette and Arthur, were adorable as well! Honestly, I loved them so much!! Seeing them grow closer to Leo and find in him the father figure they’d been missing was heartwarming.

I will say though, that while I liked the fact that they had time to get to know each other, the first few chapters were a bit too slow for me. I had a bit of a hard time getting into this book but once I did I couldn’t put it down!

I also wish we’d got some chapters in Leo’s POV. While I understand why it wouldn’t work in this book, I often found myself wishing to know what he was thinking and feeling.

Overall, I really liked this book, and hope it gets the recognition it deserves when it comes out. While I wouldn’t say it’s a romance per se (probably closer to Women’s Fiction, in my opinion), if you’re looking for a book with amazing characters, a plot that will keep you on your toes and good romance, definitely check this one out!

I find myself reading different genres but occasionally I enjoy a good romance. However, these are hard to find because I don't want cheese and schmalz and unbelievable situations or characters (ironically just the sort of scenarios Nora appears to be able to whip up in a couple of weeks!) Luckily Nora Goes Off Script really delivered what I look for and I couldn't put it down.

I loved Nora, her house, her town, her children and of course I fell for Leo. All of these were very three dimensional and I think the addition of Arthur and Bernadette gave the story it's own kind of gravitas. I loved it!

However, I should point out that I dislake the title and really don't like the cover so if I'd come across it in a bookshop I wou;dn't even have picked it up and what a loss that would have been.

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc

i really wanted to like this; the story held promise and could’ve been the perfect rom-com had it have been executed properly

first of all, i liked reading about nora’s independence and strength and her children were super cool; the relationship that leo forms with the kids and how easy it is was nice to read, but that’s where the good things end for me.

there was no depth to any of this, the characters were bland, the dialogue was flat, there was zero chemistry or anything that gets you rooting for the mc’s. the way everything was written felt so stilted and read like a shopping list.

i didn’t care for any of the characters and felt like the promising storyline was wasted on the poor writing. how does leo suddenly turn up in the kitchen and nora is okay with it? how does he say absolutely nothing to her, yet they suddenly somehow have a friendship that very suddenly turns into “love” after practically zero actual conversation?? i just genuinely don’t understand how this was supposed to be believable and interesting.

you want to root for the main characters and want them to be together, yet i couldn’t care less and when it did happen, it was so out of left wing that i thought i’d missed 6 chapters. that final conflict felt like that unnecessary drama plot that’s added at the end of a book when there’s nothing else interesting to say, so the author has to grab at straws to make one final “gripping” scene happen.

overall, i don’t think this writing style is for me, but it’s a quick and light read which i can appreciate

~thank you to the publisher Hodder & Stoughton and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review ~

Tropes include: celebrity, small-town, single mother and forced proximity

First of all, I should say I don't often read much women's fiction but 'Nora Goes Off Script' will be definitely be changing that in the future.
Secondly, adding to the above, this is definitely leans more towards women's fiction than your typical contemporary romance but managing expectations aside, this was an enjoyable read!

'Nora Goes Off Script' follows Nora Hamilton - newly divorced, mother of two, screenwriter and overall girlboss - who after writing numerous scripts for TRC (aka hallmark 2.0) essentially catches her big break by selling a screenplay. But you see, this is not just any screenplay. This is the screenplay of Nora's marriage to her (now) ex-husband, from the beginning of their romance to the subsequent downfall.
Enter Leo Vance, Hollywood's most famous A-List actor cast as Nora’s ex-husband, armed with smouldering looks and witty humour who ends up at Nora's door to continue filming. And the rest as they say, is history.

I’m honestly surprised by how much I enjoy reading this, so much so that I read it all in one sitting (albeit it’s not the longest read). I think the main reason for this was because it went in thinking it would be this grandiose, almost over-the-top spicy hollywood romance and that is most definitely not what this is, and I am not mad at it all.
There is so much to love about this read - strong (for the most-part) girlboss lead, the dynamic between the kids (Arthur and Bernadette) and Nora/Leo, the way Nora and Leo would bond over TRC and all the hallmark references and side-characters all being the highlights.

However, I did have a few issues being pacing, writing and the main ‘conflict’.
Pacing ~ I would argue the book is almost too short, in that I feel like things were never fully fleshed out. Case in point, the romance between Nora & Leo was not there one minute, and suddenly there the next. We don’t really see the ‘falling in love’ part, we’re just suddenly thrusted into it and it was a tad jarring. I think this story would have benefited more from being dual-POV and seeing certain scenes from Leo’s point of view.
Additionally, there was quite a few time jumps which made a mess of the pacing. It just felt at times you couldn’t fully enjoy/relish a scene.

Writing ~ The writing also felt a bit disjointed in places. There was the odd occasion where it felt we were straying a little too much into the telling, not showing aspect but not to the extent that it hindered the overall reading experience.

Conflict ~ If there is one thing I despise, that’s the miscommunication trope. It wasn’t done awfully here, but I struggled through these chapters the most. The separation felt longer than in needed to be, especially compared to how much we are led to believe these characters’ felt for each other.

All that being said, this was a lighthearted fast read, filled with tender moments, witty humour and characters you can’t help wishing would get their HEA, no matter the form in which it would appear.

3.5 ☆