Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan Book Review

Welcome to my review of Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan. I am always looking for new authors and this one is brand new, here with her first novel, and what a treat it is!

Click me to go to my Review

Synopsis

Nora’s life is about to get a rewrite . . .

Nora Hamilton knows the formula for love better than anyone. As a romance channel screenwriter, it’s her job. But when her husband leaves her and their two kids, Nora turns the collapse of her marriage into the best script of her life. When it’s picked up for the big screen and set to film on location at her picturesque Hudson Valley home, Nora’s life will never be the same – especially after world-famous Hollywood actor and former ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ Leo Vance is cast as her ex-husband.

The morning after 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 an extra week. Seven days: it’s the blink of an eye or an eternity, depending on how you look at it. It’s 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.

About The Author

Annabel Monaghan is the author of two young adult novels: A Girl Named Digit, optioned by The Disney Channel, and its sequel Double Digit. She is also the author of ‘Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?’, a selection of laugh-out-loud columns that appeared in The Huffington Post, The Week, and The Rye Record. Nora Goes Off Script is her debut adult novel.

My Review

This was a real emotional ride as Nora discovers herself and that she is a fabulous person with a future, and awesome children. When her entitled, selfish husband leaves her all she feels is a relief. So much so that she writes a script about it and sells it to Hollywood who make it into a film… the stuff of dreams.

This was a light and witty read that I blasted through in a few hours. The love affair with Leo, the famous actor is central to the script but somehow you fall for all of the characters despite the attention-seeking and meddling. The characters are well written, as was the plot, which although somewhat unrealistic, kept me interested throughout.

The story is told from Nora’s post of view throughout and we get to know her well, thoughts and fears, everything is included. She is a strong character and a survivor, she will survive anything life throws at her. 

I really enjoyed Arthur and Bernadette’s relationship with Leo, which contrasts with their relationship with their dad and how he behaved towards them. Also, every morning when Nora sits on her porch watching the sunrise, it made me want to do the same. It was so well described I could picture being there myself. 

A great, light summer read to take away with you or read in the garden sun and an excellent debut novel.

Rated