A fun, quick read with really strong characters and a wonderful setting, but I couldn't quite connect with it all.
The speed and ease with which I flew through this might suggest what a great light summer read it made, but I feel like the amount of very passionate rants I sent my friends about the characters' actions might hint at something different.
Overall, I enjoyed it well enough, but far from a new favourite.

The best thing to come out of Nora’s marriage break down was her best script ever, which is now being made into a Hollywood movie; opposed to her usually straight to TV romance. Unfortunately, the production company have decided her property is the perfect location to film, totally disrupting Nora’s routine. And although she got a nice pay check for this script she couldn’t turn down the money. Which is also why she ends up with the Hollywood actor starring in her movie staying with her; who can turn down $1000 a night??

This isn’t quite enemies to lovers, but it’s pretty close. There’s also a totally mistaken break up which is always a hit with me! I literally had this book on my shelf for over a year and only just got round to it, what a mistake! It was such a good read & makes me want to get up and watch the sunrise; never going to actually happen though!!

I can't believe it took me this long to get around to reading Nora Goes Off Script, especially considering how much I enjoyed reading Same Time Next Summer when I read it last year! The characterisation in Monaghan's novels are just unparalleled - I truly feel as though I went on Nora's whole journey with her, from the aftermath of her separation from the father of her kids, to the whirlwind romance she experienced with Leo, to picking herself back up afterwards! The setting for this was beautiful, and I loved that it almost exclusively took place in and around Nora's home, as it really reinforced the importance of her kids in her life, and the house as a representation of her independence, even after people may leave her. I was so happy that she got the redemption she deserved, and that explanations were finally given. I devoured this and I can't wait for her next one.

Oh my god, this book!
Well, I loved it. Actually, I didn't expect to love it so much.
It read so easily, it had short, sharp chapters and I loved the fact that it didn't go so deep into details, delivering enough of them to know what's happenning. It had the most brilliant characters and sharp dialogues and a great plot with intriguing and fresh storyline. The dynamics between the characters were super, everything happened so quickly and there wasn't too much moping between the lines - written in a no - nonsense way, and it absolutely worked.

It was heartwarming and a bit hilarious and was filled with wit and humour. Can't get over the fact that I didn't read it before, it truly is one of the best romances ever - you want to bang the main characters' heads together, you keep everything crossed for them and you enjoy everything that is in between - just perfect. It will leave you with a big smile on your face!

I veered from feeling warm and fuzzy, and with tears in my eyes, this was a beautifully written book, and I'd thoroughly recommend reading this.
thanks for the opportunity to review this book.

Nora was incredibly likeable and I found myself really keen that things worked out for her. For a romantic novel, there was quite a lengthy spell where the two leads weren't together though, and I was frustrated by the silliness of the misunderstanding that kept them apart. This pulled me out of the story but, otherwise, it was a diverting enough read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely loved this! Read it in one sitting, it was so easy to fly through. Fantastic cast of characters, loved the Hollywood aspect and feel it was done very well. Adored the romance between Nora and Leo, and the family aspect was delightful to read.

Annabel has such a great way of writing, the pacing was also perfect and I always appreciate books that are short but sweet. I often find books are unnecessarily too long, but this was on point.

Will definitely be reading more of her books in the future.

I love books about writers, and books where celebrities date "normies". So this was one of the most perfect books I could have read.

The writing sparkles here too. It's really well written, and Nora feels incredibly real and relatable.

I'm excited to see what Annabel brings next. I'll sure be first in line.

And the Oscar goes to… Annabel Monaghan for Nora Goes Off Script. Imagine your favourite recipe cooked to perfection. That’s what reading this book felt like - like home, but the flavours still surprising you. And what a wonderful family of characters! They feel solid, real, and I have nothing but love for them all. I honestly wasn’t expecting this book to sweep me off my feet, but here we are. I just couldn’t put it down. I must say I have been finding it difficult to get invested in romance with straight characters as leads, but this was just beyond. The narrative was refreshing, surprising and satisfying in a ASMR sort of way - it all comes together beautifully! I feel as if I’ve had the most restful holiday and have woken up fully hydrated and ready to face the world with peaceful joy.

If you need a break or a breath or something you can’t quite name, read Nora Goes Off Script. It’s an injection of life! I couldn’t stop smiling. Grateful to Hodder & Stoughton for inviting me to read this one. I’m sorry it has taken me this long to get to it!

This was an interesting and unusual concept for a story. It was well written and entertaining. I wish I could have liked Leo more but that's just me. Highly recommended.

This was such a nice read. More of a romance than I first thought but it still won me over. Nora Goes Off Script certainly had some predictable moments, there is no denying that. At the same time, it felt like an original story. And the cheeky nod to the Hallmark Channel-style love stories showed that the author knows that writing something original in the romance genre is no easy feat.

I loved Nora. I loved the basic characteristics that make her different from the typical female leads in other love stories: coming up to middle age, divorced, two children. However, it was her personality that truly adorned me to her. She was a strong, independent women. We see this in how she supported her family as the main bread winner in her marriage, how relieved she was to get out of a marriage that wasn’t working for her anymore, and how she raises two wonderful children and maintains her dream home, despite having to heavily budget. On the flip side, she is open and vulnerable to falling in love again, which makes her more real and appealing to the reader.

Leo, I also liked as a character. He doesn’t follow the usual male superstar persona we see in similar books. He enjoyed good character development and weasels his way into our hearts by the end. But he doesn’t stand close to Nora as a main character, and there are times he is even overshadowed by Nora’s wonderfully witty children. I didn’t realise until I met Arthur and Bernadette how rare it is to come across child characters you would want to spend time with.

The story is supported by wonderful writing from the author. It’s witty and entertaining, and there is some great dialogue. This was a surprise 5-star read for me.

Such a lovely book! It had the perfect balance of romance, laughs, and emotional moments. And would be perfect for those just starting reading contemporary romances. I loved all the characters, and the pairing of a movie star and screenwriter. Plus Nora didn’t fall into any common FMC traps and was a very well rounded and realistic character. If you love Nora Ephron films, this book is for you.

This book was so close to being something special and yet lacked that spark that really made it stand out from the rest. There was a truly adult quality to it in the way responsibility and adulthood, loneliness and the value of routine were discussed, and very heartwrenching discussions on financial versus emotional security, but ultimately the book had an almost childlike complaint interwoven in the narrative that made it lack. It might have been the first person perspective, always from Nora's pov (who in my opinion was the major weakest character) that almost seemed whiny and like being left should explain away all her problems, but it ultimately took me out of the story too much with the repetitive use of "I" when in actual fact, her children were struggling, her boyfriend wasn't finding it easy, and the world around her was continuing.

If you like light-hearted, fun, rom-com books, then this is one for you.

Nora is a screenwriter, specifically a screenwriter for a romance channel. When her husband leaves her and her two children, Nora decides she is going to mix things up a bit. She turns her recently lived experience into a screenplay! This works out well for Nora as it turns into a top Hollywood production, with the hottest actor on the scene, Leo Vance, playing the role of her ex- husband.

As the work continuees on the screen play, Nora and Leo spend more and more time together. As they get to know each other, Nora begins to open her heart up again and might possibly let love have another chance.

This was very enjoyable book. It had a great storyline, great characters and a really good pace throughout the book. It is slightly perdictable, but then again, sometimes that is why we read romance books. This is a book to put on your TBR pile.

A very sweet story!

Nora is a romance screenwriter whose story about her husband leaving her is being made into a movie. Leo Vance is starring in the movie, an A-list actor (famous person + normal person, IYKYK) who seems like kinda a mess.

The writing in this was sharp and the steam was v low - It would be a great one to gift to your grandmother or to read in a book club!

A nice easy reading book. Enjoyed Nora's story her relationship with her children after her husband Ben leaves is lovely and when Leo comes into it staring in a film in which Nora wrote the script her life takes on a whole new meaning. A good read

In Nora Goes Off Script, Nora, a script writer turns her divorce into a script, and this leads to a film crew filming some scenes at her house and the casting of Hollywood actor Leo Vance as her ex husband,
This was a fun and enjoyable read but it lacked depth of characterisation, and I wasn't drawn into the plot or invested in the characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This was such a wonderful holiday read and I loved the character of Nora, she was such a strong and likeable woman. I love a romance read, but this was so much more than a love story. There was heartwarming family messages and some lovely uplifting moments. A wonderful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!

A well written book
A book you will definitely get lost in
You will not want to put this book down
Thanks NetGalley

Ahhh this was such a cute romance! I loved Nora, and thought she was such a relatable character. Such a heartwarming little story and was perfect for the summer!