Crazy Scripted Love
by Elizabeth Drummond
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Pub Date 4 Jun 2026 | Archive Date Not set
Avon Books UK | Avon
Description
“I was genuinely cheering!” Reader review⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“Left me feeling all the feels.” Reader review ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
“Five stars hands down!” Reader review⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
"Studio shenanigans, sexy screenwriters, the Manhattan skyline and smart women finishing on top: this one has ALL the feels." Natalie Cox, author of It Takes Two
The real story happens behind the scenes…
Lucie is overworked and underappreciated. She’s sick of putting her life on hold to be available to her boss 24/7, all in the hopes of finally landing her dream job as a film producer. When she gets the chance to fly to New York and work on a major movie script she’s determined not to let anything, or anyone, stand in her way.
Elliot is overlooked and overqualified. If he can re-work the script into something award-worthy, he’ll finally get the chance to direct his own films. The stakes couldn’t be higher, so the last thing he needs is some upstart amateur from London swooping in.
Cue the bickering and late-night rewrites. The more Lucie and Elliot are forced together the more sparks begin to fly, and soon they realise they might just make the perfect pair— but, soon they’ll find themselves tested in ways they never could have imagined …
Can they come together to script their very own happily-ever-after, or is this love story destined to end in tragedy?
Tropes
🎬 🎥Workplace rivalry
💥 ❤️Enemies-to-lovers
💂♂️ 🗽 London and New York set!
❤️🔥Slow burn angst
✨ 🥰HEA guaranteed
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9780008798154 |
| PRICE | £2.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 384 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 72 members
Featured Reviews
Anne T, Reviewer
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I loved how complex the characters were. So many times, main characters will have one specific trait that is exaggerated, which is fun, but in this case they had multiple. She was very career focused, and that caused problems until it didn't. But she was also very organized and efficient, which made for great dialogue. Of course those two traits fit together, but they also weren't married to each other. She was a fully fleshed out character that felt more real than most FMCs. I liked the arc of the story, with the mix of mistakes and successes, and the growth of both her character and their relationship throughout those ups and downs.
And I want to make a note of how I loved the side characters and how they fit into everything. The two tech people were both a bit of comic relief but they were also real people who had real feelings and made real mistakes. The actress was both beautiful and famous but you could tell she loved things beyond just being a kind person to the people around her and she had ambition outside her acting. And the whole weird relationship between the rich engaged assistant and the junior production guy was a total wrench in everything that was the perfect way to blow things up so the good guys could put everything back together.
I definitely enjoyed my time reading this book and I'd definitely explore more from this author. Her grasp of character development is top notch.
3.75 rounded up. Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Crazy Scripted Love in exchange for an honest review.
Oooo a workplace “enemies” to lovers with the back drop of the film industry set in New York? Say less!
Lucie is an overworked, undervalued PA in London who puts work above everything else life has to offer in the hopes of furthering her career. She unexpectedly gets the chance of a lifetime to travel to New York and work on a huge movie script - this could finally be the break she’s been working for.
Once she arrives in NYC, Lucie finds herself working on the script alongside Elliot, who has dreams of becoming a director and stepping out of the shadows of his boss. Unfortunately, Lucie and Elliot can’t seem to agree on anything and spend their time arguing over every single detail. The bickering soon becomes flirty banter, and they can’t ignore the firey tension for long..
This was an easy, fun read. The film industry was a great backdrop, as it really laid the groundwork for the burnout, stress, exhaustion and cutthroat reality of working in media both Lucie & Elliot were experiencing.
I wanted to shake Lucie at times, bless her. She was so naive, Ralf got my hackles up immediately and was a walking red flag, and I cannot fathom WHY she would have believed a single thing that came out of his mouth! Girl!! I also could have done with a bit more of her struggling to maintain her friendship with Bex from halfway across the world - it kind of felt as though she was an afterthought. On the flip side, her friendship with Sol was amazing and Sol was easily the best character in the book!
Elliot was a bit of a grump, but honestly he was just like moderately annoyed most of the time - I cannot blame him with the fools he was surrounded with (excluding Lucie!).
The romance was fine, though I actually didn’t really feel that they had palpable chemistry. Their flirty banter was fun, but their relationship really went from 0-100 pretty damn quick. I guess when you know you know, and this IS a romance so I can’t really complain about that. It was slow burn until it wasn’t, as always I could have just done with a touch more yearning. Maybe this being a dual POV would have made the romance work better for me?
There were more “twists” than I was expecting for this kind of book, though every single one of them was broadcasted like a flashing neon sign well in advance. Again, not necessarily a bad thing..just an observation!
Crazy Scripted Love is a fun, low stakes read. If you’re into movies, or “enemies” to lovers/forced proximity/workplace romance/found family vibes, I think you’ll have a good time!
Reviewer 1771800
3.75 rounded up ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
"Crazy Scripted Love" is a workplace romcom set in the messy, high-pressure world of film production. Lucie and Elliot have both spent years of their lives making sacrifices and working hard to achieve their dream jobs in the film world - Lucie as a producer, Elliott as a director. An accidentally sent email leads to Lucie moving from London to New York and working with Elliott on a script. He is less than thrilled and not afraid to let Lucie know it. The tension and chemistry are fun from the start. The banter is quick and witty and keeps the story moving at a steady, addictive pace. Overall, this is a light, entertaining read full of friends, achieving your goals and swoony romance.
🎬 Workplace enemies (ish) to lovers
🎥 Forced proximity
🎬 Slow burn
🎥 Found family
🎬 Film industry
🎥 New York (and London)
🎬 First person single POV
Thank you Elizabeth Drummond, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for a copy of "Crazy Scripted Love" in exchange for my honest review.
Reviewer 1756860
Really loved this one!
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Setting ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Pace ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Personal enjoyment ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m used to cringing at British-isms in books written by American authors and set in the UK and it was nice to not have that, but the New Yorker in me did laugh at the use of ‘Tipp-Ex’, Vacations to Coney Island, and the idea you could walk from the Met to the East Village in 40min. Not enough to take away from the story and otherwise it was such a lovely escape back to NYC <3
Reviewer 992366
I enjoyed learning more about what happens behind the camera to make movies and tv shows happen in this book. The connection between Elliott and Lucie was present from the start and Elliott's professions to her at the in the back third were really beautiful. I understand calling this enemies to lovers but I definitely didn't feel they were real enemies for very long. The character of Ralf got annoying to me by the middle and I called some of the plot twists that happened toward the climax. Lucie was hard to like at times but she grew on me by the end. I really enjoyed the character Sol too!
This is my first read from this author and it won't be my last!
3.5 stars
Rosamond C, Reviewer
I found this a slow read to start with but it got better and better. It was a love story with all the drama of the film industry . Throw in a best friend and it is great .A perfect Saturday afternoon escape and read. Set mainly in New York. Loved how the two main characters worked . Some good twists and a perfect ending.
Emma A, Reviewer
If you love the enemies to lovers troupe, then you will love Crazy Scripted Love. From the very first page I was hooked and I kept reading until the end as I wanted to know what happened. I loved the chemistry and tension between the main characters and I wanted them to have their happy ending. A brilliant novel, that I highly recommend to other readers.
Account D, Reviewer
Crazy Scripted Love by Elizabeth Drummond was a really fun enemies-to-lovers romance set in the high-pressure world of film production. The story follows Lucie, who is determined to finally prove herself and land her dream job as a film producer, and Elliot, an ambitious writer hoping that reworking a script will finally give him the chance to direct. When the two are forced to work together on a major movie project in New York, the tension between them quickly turns into something much more complicated.
One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the concept. The behind-the-scenes look at script writing, rewrites, and the pressure of trying to make a film successful felt fresh to me, and it’s not something I’ve read much of in romance before. It made the story stand out and added an interesting layer to the usual workplace rivalry dynamic.
I also liked that the heroine, Lucie, was a bit older and more established in her career. It was refreshing to read about a character who has already spent years working toward her goals and is trying to push past being overlooked in her industry. That element made her feel relatable and added more depth to her motivations.
The bickering and competitive dynamic between Lucie and Elliot was entertaining, and their banter helped build the enemies-to-lovers tension. As they spend more time together working late nights on the script, their relationship slowly shifts, and the slow-burn aspect of the romance really worked for me.
Sarah W, Reviewer
This book was so cute!! I adored the characters, the ending was satisfying and the tension and build up through the slow burn was brilliant. I would absolutely recommend this book!
I love a beautiful romance especially one set in the Hollywood world. This one is fun because it features the people who make things work behind. The scenes. I loved the chemistry, inside look at the industry and it left me feeling all the feels. Please check this one out you won’t regret it
I actually REALLY liked crazy scripted love!! The whole “scripted vs real” thing was really interesting and made the story feel different from other romance books. And the MAIN CHARACTERS?? Their chemistry was so good. Like the tension and little moments between them had me smiling and freaking tffff out.
I also liked that it wasn’t just romance, there was drama and stuff going on too which made it more exciting😛 The only thing is some parts felt a bit rushed and I wish certain scenes were longer or more detailed, especially the emotional ones. But it didn’t ruin the book for me or anything. definitely will be recommending!!
This was such a fun ride and I really loved the characters. I felt as if I was really in their lives and getting to see more of who they are and I just love their banter so much!
Reviewer 1568194
An easy 5/5.
I found this gem during a random Instagram scroll and was so excited to snag it on NetGalley—and it completely delivered. While a New York or London setting is usually enough to win me over, this book brought so much more than just a great backdrop.
From the very first chapters, Lucie is introduced as a deeply relatable character with clear flaws, which made it so easy to connect with her and root for her throughout. The romance between Lucie and Elliot is a slow burn, but the workplace tension and drama keep the pacing engaging the entire time.
And yes—I have to mention the setting. The author fully leans into it, crafting a version of Manhattan so vivid it feels like you’re walking the streets alongside them.
If you love character-driven stories with a strong sense of place and a perfectly balanced slow-burn romance, I’d absolutely recommend this one.
As soon as I seen this book I new I wanted to read it. I love the cover 😍
Highly recommend
Thanks Netgalley for letting me read this book for an honest review
I rounded up to 4 stars! ⭐️
A big thank you to Avon Books UK & NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
This story was so cute and the perfect romance palate cleanser between my other reads!
The workplace enemies-to-lovers trope was done really well, in my opinion. You could really feel the tension, frustration, and dislike between the FMC and MMC at the start—and I loved how naturally that grew into something more.
Overall, a fun, easy, and enjoyable read!
The side characters were also done really well… and Ralf can definitely suck it! 😌
Enemies to lovers?, workplace forced proximity?, slow burn?, Crazy Scripted Love has it all. This is the first novel by Elizabeth Drummond I have read and I was blown away. The characters were perfectly written in my opinion, I could not put this one down. I just know I'm going to be speaking about this one for a while. A 4 star review from me!
“I guess I like things that can be bad for me”
Starting with the FMC, Lucie, she is a driven individual who has always put her work before anything else. She has never experienced love and doesn’t necessarily want to. Lucie is given an opportunity to move to New York from London to pursue her dreams and further her career, but something, or someone, interrupts this.
Lucie is extremely likeable having a range of relatable traits, you always want the best for her. Another thing that I liked about Lucie was that she was further along in life in comparison to other FMC’s in this genre of book. It was refreshing.
Elliot our MMC, a mysterious, grumpy individual that captures your heart the moment the first meet cute occurs. He is an overworked man who puts more time in for others than he should. The slow burn between the two characters has you on your feet from the start and has you wondering what’s going to happen next. Enemies to lovers is a favourite trope of mine and I feel that this lasted for the perfect period of time. Adding onto this, the amount of spice was respectable.
The setting of the book was interesting, it’s set in New York City working behind the magic of the movies. The reader gets a glimpse behind the scenes, not only of Lucie and Elliot’s life, but the film industry in general. The side characters that are introduced were all necessary and fun, they all had a key plot in the book, nobody was forgotten which meant that they had a purpose.
This definitely won’t be my last read from this author, I can’t wait to see what Drummond conjures up next.
Thankyou to NetGalley and Avon Books for an ARC of Crazy Scripted Love.
I love an enemies to lovers storyline and Crazy Scripted Love did not disappoint. The characters were great, I loved the banter and laughs and appreciated the chemistry. Such a fun, enjoyable fast paced story!
Kristen G, Reviewer
I really enjoyed Crazy Scripted Love by Elizabeth Drummond. It was such a fun, feel-good read with a sweet romance and plenty of emotional moments that pulled me in. I loved the chemistry between the characters and how their story unfolded—it felt both heartfelt and a little bit messy in the best way.
Educator 281599
I really enjoyed Crazy Scripted Love, especially the character of Elliot—he was a definite highlight for me. It was so satisfying to see the ‘bad guys’ get their comeuppance; I was genuinely cheering it on. If you enjoy an enemies-to-lovers romance, this is definitely one to pick up.
A fun and romantic book, I liked a lot the characters and the story in general. It was very enjoyable.
This book was a little predictable (we were told we’d have a HEA), it was such a fun read! I really enjoyed reading Lucie and Elliot’s story , and I especially loved that the author gave us all someone to collectively hate. Ralf was the ultimate sleazeball and I LOVED to hate him!
Thank you to #netgalley and #avonbooksuk for the e-ARC!
Crazy Scripted Love by Elizabeth Drummond is a fun, flirty romance that plays with the line between fiction and reality in the best way. With a clever premise and plenty of behind-the-scenes charm, the story delivers witty banter, lovable characters, and a chemistry-filled connection that feels both playful and genuine. Drummond’s light, engaging style makes this an easy, entertaining read packed with humor, heart, and just the right amount of swoon.
This was such a great read! so freaking cute! five stars hands down! my only gripe about the entire book is how quick to anger the male main character was at the beginning. Other than that no notes! fantastic contemporary romance!
Overall, this was a cute rom-com. It had some funny moments, and I liked the film setting. It was enjoyable, though it didn’t necessarily stand out, and it was pretty predictable as well. I think it could have benefited from multiple POVs, especially near the beginning; it would have been helpful to know Elliot’s thoughts then. I also really liked Sol as a side character, and I appreciated that the female characters were ambitious. Overall, if you’re looking for a lighthearted read and are interested in the film industry, you’d probably enjoy this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Rating: 3.5⭐️
Reviewer 1491639
i got to admit i do love the whole putting the "whats in this book" list to books now. there is a certain peace that now comes to an old gal like me when i see HEA certain tag. because books compete for their angst and heart tugs at the moment dont they. all make us fall for the characters than get far too invested and worried over their happy ever after! especially with the current third act trope. so yeh, just a little something i thought id praise that ive been liking.
this was a sumptuous read. we have enemies to lovers(are they ever really) and different locations on film sets. yeh, im in too.
Lucie is overworked. and boy do we feel it and feel for her. she needs this though, she needs to show she can be it all whenever they need her. she needs to further her career so all else goes by the wayside. so when she gets the chance to travel to THE New York and work on a movie script. well, its all paying off right???
but when she arrives she finds she will be working on said script with Elliot. and he has big dream of his own. hes been giving just as much and just as much time and effort into his furthering of career. this is his time to shine he thinks too. so these two might just clash a little. and they might just bicker there way through meetings....at first. because come on the moment they met we were smiling weren't we. go on you guys pretend its because you dont get on. we all saw the spark. so when arguing over the details start bring smiles. when the bickering become banter. well. we are all here for it.
i liked the surface and deeper levels to this book. the film industry and the people in it were great story moments. not least as we once again see how it might be easy for us to "see something, or someone" from the outside. but when you are the eye of the storm or should we say the persons storms its so easy to be naive. especially when you might be desperate for the lie they give. but my oh my didn't we all see the red flags of you know who.
i liked how we had those side characters that played their own parts really well. there were some stars in there which i loved.
this was a book i needed to read today. and it made me smile, and gave my heart enough tugs but then hugs which is what i needed.
loved the cover design of this one too.
Laura G, Reviewer
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc.
Such a cute book. I enjoyed every bit of this one. Writing style was great and I enjoyed the MMC and FMC's chemistry and dynamic. They had fun banter. Enemies to lovers and work place romance, slow burn and lighthearted.
ROMCOMS ARE SO BACK!!! 💞💞💞
Is there anything more scrumptious than a slow burn enemies to lovers with forced proximity? I think not 🫦
The tension, the flirting, the secret glances, the hidden feelings, the delicious jealousy, the urge to touch each other AHHH!!! It was so intense and the pay off was EVERYTHING! God bless angry tension fuelled kissing 💫
Crazy Scripted Love played like a movie in my mind, it’s the epitome of a feel good romantic comedy! If the love doesn’t have you racing across the city to confess your feelings, we don’t want it ✋🏼
The characters are SO lovable, the plot was SO fun and the drama had me at the edge of my seat (Ralf you better count your days!!!)
Lucie and Elliot’s chemistry was insane, it literally jumped off the page. They were both overlooked and under appreciated by people in their lives but NEVER by each other, they saw each other and LOVED who they saw. My hopeless romantic heart is SOARING 🥹
“If you're a risk, Lucie Clifton, you're one worth taking”
Elliot I’m available Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday and Sunday. I’m ready to fly to NYC and fall in love💞💞💞💞
If there’s anything to take from Crazy Scripted Love its to dream big, take risks and love fiercely.
Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC 🤍
Thank you to Avon Books UK and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of Crazy Scripted Love in exchange for an honest review.
You know a book is good when it has you staying up hours past your bedtime to finish it.
Crazy Scripted Love is an workplace rom-com about the film industry set in New York. We follow Lucie, a PA in London (who is very overworked and very underpaid) who, after a very unfortunate computer mishap, is given the career opportunity of a lifetime to help edit a script in New York. Here, she meets Elliot, the scriptwriter's PA who has bigger dreams than remaining a director's assistant. They are tasked with editing this script together, which soon proves difficult as they disagree with every word they say to each other. However, being stuck together in a closet-size room will eventually lead to sparks flying, right?
I absolutely adored Elliot and Lucie! I really appreciated the slow burn of their relationship and how realistic the chemistry felt once it transitioned from barely tolerating each other to falling in love. The banter going from hostile to fliry just felt so natural. I especially appreciated the end in which Lucie and Elliot knew that they were going to be together, but they needed to get their lives figured out first in order to be happy.
Beyond their relationship, I also felt that the characters individually were well fleshed out and had personalities of their own. However, my one single gripe was that I wish we had maybe gotten a little more out of Elliot's background and feelings for Lucie.. Although, we didn't get his POV which means that there just won't be any internal thoughts on his own life and feelings.
As for the plot, I'm glad that there were some stakes to everything! For Lucie, this was her one real chance to truly break into the film industry and get away from her demanding boss. For Elliot, he was potentially going to be chosen for a director role if the script got picked up. And externally there was a bit of suspense as well. Even though I saw everything coming from a mile away, this wasn't a mystery so I didn't mind and was still entertained.
Overall, I loved this book and highly recommend it for anyone wanting to read about a film setting, workplace romances, and lots of banter!
Julie M, Bookseller
Thank you for the opportunity to read so early for review! I thought this started off a bit slower but really paid off with how much it built from the foundation and was really satisfying. The multiple layers of scripted vs real is something I've always hoped got played with in past things I've read when it's writers/actors/etc. - so it was incredibly cool to see how much it was worked in here!
Jennifer F, Reviewer
My first time reading a book by Elizabeth Drummond and it won't be my last.
An enemies to lovers Romcom set in the cut throat world of the film industry.
There are characters to love Lucie and Elliot and plenty to loathe... Vivien,Ralf, RJ to name a few!
There are lots of highs and lows but ultimately you are just furiously turning the pages in the hope that Lucie gets the happy ending she deserves in both her personal life and her work life.
A great mix of New York and London with some yorkshire-isms littered throughout which made me smile.
A perfect summer read.
Released 4th June (UK)
Ella C, Reviewer
I really enjoyed the story! The characters and their relationship was enjoyable to read about and I appreciated their interactions. Sometimes it was hard to tell whether he liked her or not, in an actual way not he's faking disliking her because he's actually in love with her. I also liked the focus on them both being in similar spots in their careers and feeling stuck, and I would have loved to see more of them getting out of that stuck spot and teaming with each other to achieve their career goals.
This was charming, witty, and full of tension in the best way. I loved the banter and the characters, though I wanted just a bit more depth toward the end.
Crazy Scripted Love 🎬✨
Thank you so much NetGalley and AvonBooksUk for providing me with an ARC copy for exchange of an honest review.
Wow… what a fantastic romance read! I absolutely adored our main female character, Lucie. Her character growth throughout the story was so well done and honestly one of my favourite parts of the book.
Lucie is the definition of a workaholic — constantly letting life pass her by as she prioritises her career over everything else in the hopes of progressing in the film industry. Her biggest dream is to one day produce a movie adaptation of Twin Roses, and she is determined to make it happen no matter what.
After letting down her best friend Bex on her birthday in favour of work, a computer error suddenly turns into the opportunity of a lifetime when Lucie is sent to New York to work on her script. And honestly… this is where the story really took off for me.
Enter Elliot — our male main character. I’ll be honest, he took me a little while to warm to because at first he felt a bit all over the place. But as we learned more about his background and difficult upbringing, I completely understood him more, and I really started to see why Lucie and Elliot worked so well together.
One thing I absolutely loved about this story was that Lucie never sacrifices her dreams or career for a man — something we see so often in romance novels. Watching her chase her ambitions whilst still allowing herself to fall in love felt so refreshing.
I also loved the fact I have visited New York and London where the book is set I could picture it all the better and just made me fall in love with the city all over again 🥰
If you love:
🎥 Workplace romance
⭐️ Film drama
💔 Betrayal
🫶 Strong friendships
✨ Ambitious female characters
…then this is definitely a book you’ll want to read!
I had a good time throughout my read. This is about enemies to lovers, force proximity, found family and Slow burn.
As Lucie moves to NYC for a work assignment, she finds herself unwelcomed at first.
Her main co-worker is not welcoming of her at first.
As she tries to connect to her new co-workers and discover the city, her original thoughts are changed.
The story that starts slow, changes as we progress throughout. From a slow burn to good pace the story has a satisfying positive ending.
Holly L, Reviewer
I devoured this book in less than 24 hours! Lucie is an overworked, underpaid PA in the film industry so when she has the chance of a lifetime, she grabs it with both hands. It just so happens that this chance is in New York and who doesn't love a book set in the glory that is NYC? This is where we meet Elliot who is also chasing dreams. The question is do Elliot and Lucie have time to chase dreams outside of work?
This book is about dreamers and doers. I think those of us who love reading probably all have at least a little dreamer in us and this book was a perfect escape. To dream about the glitz of the film industry, about finding true love and about achieving dreams! I really enjoyed the fast-paced, witty dialogue and all of the different characters. I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from Elizabeth Drummond!
Recommended for fans of Sophie Kinsella and Beth O'Leary.
Hayley W, Reviewer
I really enjoyed this book - a well written workplace, rivals to lovers story with a strong plot. The non-romantic plot didn’t feel underdeveloped or weak in comparison to the love story. I felt like Elliot’s family dynamic could have been fleshed out more - felt very blink and miss it considering the implication it has in the story. I liked the dynamic between Lucy and Bex - felt like a good driving force for the story too. It’s nice to see slightly more realistic friendship dynamic between women rather than just perfect without flaws.
Sometimes the amount of secondary characters felt overwhelming but overall a really enjoyed book I would recommend!
Reviewer 1886017
This book is a thoughtful, engaging read that balances emotional depth with an entertaining storyline. The author creates characters who feel real, with struggles and triumphs that make their journey compelling.
🌟 Highlights
- Authentic characters: Their growth and vulnerability make them easy to connect with.
- Emotional themes: Love, resilience, and self‑discovery are explored with sensitivity.
- Atmospheric writing: The setting adds richness and enhances the mood.
- Romantic tension: The chemistry between the leads is believable and satisfying.
✨ Minor Drawbacks
- A few pacing issues slowed the momentum.
- Some plot turns were predictable, though still enjoyable.
📖 Overall Impression
This is a novel that draws you in emotionally and keeps you invested, even if it doesn’t quite reach perfection. It’s warm, heartfelt, and memorable, making it a solid recommendation.
Verdict: A beautifully written story with minor flaws—well worth 4 stars.
Crazy Scripted Love by Elizabeth Drummond
This book was such a fun enemies to lovers romance with great behind the scenes movie industry vibes. I picked it up because I love workplace rivalry romances, and the idea of two ambitious people forced to rewrite a script together sounded like the perfect setup for tension and chemistry.
What I enjoyed most was the banter between Lucie and Elliot. Their late night writing sessions and constant clashing made the romance feel natural and entertaining, especially as the slow burn started turning into something deeper. The New York and London settings added extra charm, and the story balanced humor with emotional moments really well. It’s a great pick for readers who love witty romcoms with ambitious characters and plenty of romantic tension. 🎬❤️
Reviewer 967419
I had so much fun reading this! I've read a lot of rom-coms and this stood out from the rest. The film industry backdrop worked so well and added such a unique element to the story. All the characters were distinct and well developed, even the side characters. The romance between Lucie and Elliot was really sweet and I thought it was well paced too.
I guessed what the third act conflict would be - the hints could have been a little more subtle but that didn't take away from the story at all.
Reviewer 1775593
This was so fun and cozy! I adored Lucie and Elliot, and this book balances both an instant attraction and a slower burn relationship really well. The two are tasked to work on a script together, and they're coming into this project with their own negative experiences in the industry. Both are desperate for growth and see this project as their opportunity, which leads to tension, but through working together, they begin to understand and like each other. Their whole dynamic was super well written and also pretty unique! I also love reading about the film industry, and the side characters were all really fleshed out to make Lucie's feelings towards the industry so much more relatable. While reading, I did wish there were some Elliot POV sections, as I think that would've really solidified his background and emotions for me.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC!
Beach read alert! This is a solid, entertaining rom-com that won't change your life but will keep you turning pages.
I will note that I generally don't like show business as a setting for romance--my inner fact-checker starts questioning how far off base the people and processes depicted are from reality. But this one kept me interested in the characters.
Lucie is an overworked PA in London, desperate to finally break into film producing. Elliot is an overqualified AD in New York, desperate to finally direct his own project. They're thrown together to edit a script, forced to share a tiny workspace, and immediately start bickering. You know where it's going. But the getting there is more charming than I expected. I also appreciated that Lucie never sacrifices her career ambitions for the relationship. And it's been a while since I've seen a "Harry and the Hendersons" tactic deployed in a romance.
I did lose a little patience with how the villains are so obviously villainous and yet Lucie took a while to catch on. Also, single POV means we only get Elliot through her eyes, and I wanted more of his interiority. All in all, though, a solid summer read!
Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the ARC.
romcoms are SO SO SO back 💕✨
this was such a fun, feel good read and honestly exactly what i wanted from an enemies to lovers romcom. from the banter to the tension to the little moments where lucie & elliot slowly started letting each other in, i was completely invested!!
i absolutely loved the film industry setting. it gave the story something a little different while still delivering all the romance goodness. lucie and elliot had great chemistry from the start & i loved watching them go from frustrating each other to becoming each other’s biggest supporters. there was so much flirting, so much tension, and enough secret glances to keep me grinning the entire time 🤭💕 ( the amount of giggling and kicking of my feet is wild )
one of my favorite things was how both characters were dealing with their own insecurities and struggles. lucie spends so much of the book trying to prove herself, while elliot slowly learns his own worth outside of what other people expect from him. watching them grow individually made their relationship feel even more satisfying.
i also have to mention ralph because every time he showed up i was ready to throw hands ngl
while i really enjoyed the story overall, i do think it could have benefited from multiple povs, especially earlier on. i would’ve loved more insight into elliot’s thoughts from the beginning, and some parts of the story felt a little predictable. still, the characters, humor, chemistry & overall charm more than made up for it.
sweet, funny, swoony && packed with enough romantic tension to keep me hooked!! if you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, workplace romcoms, and characters finding the courage to go after what they really want, this is definitely worth picking up 💖
thank you netgalley for the arc!
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Abigail Johnson
General Fiction (Adult), Parenting, Families, Relationships, Women's Fiction