I was really excited to see that Fearne Cotton had written a novel, as I’ve been following her career and projects for years. She is big on body positivity, mental health awareness and supporting good causes, so I was intrigued to see whether any of that made it into her first foray into fiction.

Jade is a serious people pleaser and it means that she has now lost control of her life. Her family, boss and boyfriend all demand various things from her and she can’t seem to get back to what she really wants. Then she finds a strange script outside her flat. It appears to be a conversation between her and her boyfriend Adam, except it’s not a conversation they’ve had yet. Until later that day, when it does… Over the following weeks, Jade continues to find scripts of infuriating interactions in her near future and every time they unfold, she can’t seem to say what she really wants to. She just can’t change the script. And who the hell is writing them?

The scripts are generally arguments or conversations where Jade could have said something different that would have changed what happens to her. I was completely hooked by the mystery of them and really wanted to find out where they were coming from. So, I was a bit disappointed for it to transpire that the mystery wasn’t really the point of the story. I wanted more neat ties at the end and I didn’t really get them.

Right from the start, we know that Adam is no good for Jade. He’s not at all present and is clearly much more interested in himself and his brand. Jade feels that the flat is roomy without him there, indicating that she can breathe better and perhaps relax more when he’s not there.

I am also a people pleaser and with this comes constant anxiety about communicating my inability to give people what they want. This is something that Jade deals with too and there was a lot about her personality that I could really relate to. It is genuinely scary to write a message to someone who you really want to please but can’t. You overthink every word and analyse the tone over and over again before sending and I know a lot of other readers will completely get that too.

Jade is lucky to have such lovely friends. It is their love and support that she needs to believe that she is worthy of having a life of her own. I was really glad that she gets closer to that through the scripts and that she actively works to try to change them. Recognising that you do have the power to change the things you don’t like about your life is sometimes really difficult but Jade does this really well.

Scripted is a very easy read with a heroine that I found it really easy to root for. She has some extremely frustrating, self-centred family members and I found myself actively telling them to wake up and see what their demands were doing to Jade. The book is set in London but I felt like it really had that quintessentially London rom-com vibe to it. I was dashing around London with Jade and I loved it.

Jade Shaw has lost control of her life.

Pushed around by her warring family, and taken for granted by a boyfriend who's more interested in his "brand" than their relationship, she knows that somewhere along the path to being an adult she's lost her way. And she can't seem to find it again.

The last place she expects to discover answers is on the floor outside her flat. But there it is: a script. Containing her name, and her boyfriend Adam's - and depicting another huge argument in which Jade fails to stand up for herself. The weird thing is: this argument hasn't happened yet.

The row becomes reality. Jade tries and fails to find her voice. Then more scripts appear, predicting infuriating scenarios in which Jade's boss, mum, and bridezilla sister walk all over her.
Whoever is leaving these scripts knows Jade inside-out. But who is writing them? How are they able to predict her future so accurately?

And what can Jade do to re-write the script?

I loved the concept of this book and the writing felt so familiar. As personable and likeable as Jade is, her family are as infuriating and annoying. I would love a sequel.

I received this book in exchange for an honest, independent review.

Jade stumbles upon a series of scripts that eerily predict her life events, word for word. As she navigates the complexities of her relationship with her boyfriend Adam and her choices, the stage is set for a thought-provoking journey.

Scripted is Fearne Cotton’s debut novel, and is both engaging and humorous, drawing readers into Jade’s world with vivid and relatable descriptions. Jade emerges as a well-crafted character, whose struggles with the implications of her newfound knowledge resonate deeply.

One of the standout qualities of Scripted is its life-affirming message. Cotton infuses humour throughout the narrative, making Jade's journey not only relatable but also entertaining. The witty dialogue and light-hearted moments provide a refreshing balance to the more serious themes, ensuring that readers are both amused and inspired.

The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, as Cotton weaves in themes of self-discovery and empowerment, encouraging readers to take charge of their own lives.

While the concept of scripts predicting the future is a fantastical element, Cotton grounds the story in relatable human experiences, making it resonate on a deeper level. The moral dilemmas Jade faces as she contemplates whether to follow the scripts or to forge her own path add layers of complexity to the plot.

Scripted is a thought-provoking and entertaining read that will appeal to fans of contemporary fiction.

i was looking forward to this after reading the summary but sadly i didn’t love it.
it was an easy read with humour in parts but sometimes i found it was lacking in direction

I really enjoyed this book. It helped me out of a reading slump too. These characters were so well written. I felt for Jade at every turn and I’m glad she got the ending she deserved. I wanted to slap certain characters, mainly Lily and Adam for their utterly selfish ways. The true sign of a good story in my opinion! I’d recommend this to anyone who needs a change in their lives

Must admit I’m not a fan when celebrities from other fields write books but this could be an exception!

It’s funny and easy to read, perfect book for by the pool or if you have a couple of days to yourself.

Not my usual type of read but enjoyable nonetheless.

It was so original! I loved the plot and everything. It was very thrilling and unexpected to see that type of actions. I love Jade, she's a great main character. I loved the end and the whole ambiance.

On finishing the book I understand the nice messaging around how to have healthy boundaries & how to find your voice if you struggle in life.

However I struggled to finish the book or care about Jade. The storyline for me felt drawn out & I ended up skimming it towards the end.

Jade's life is a bit of a mess. She is treated like a pushover by those closest to her - her boyfriend, her sister, her other and her boss - and she just does what they ask to keep the peace. But one day she finds a script with hers and her boyfriend's names as the main parts - but it depicts a conversation that hasn't yet happened. When the exact same conversation happens later that day, Jade finds that she can't change the words from the script - it plays out as written. As the days and weeks roll by, more scripts appear and play out word for word, and Jade realises that her life is spiralling out of control. How can she rewrite the script and take back control of her life?

I really enjoyed this story. Jade's frustration with her life was clear but so was the way that she felt unable to change things without upsetting those close to her. She wanted to do the right things but they came at a cost to her.

A fun summer read.

Scripted by Fearne Cotton: "If you say no to someone and they don't like it, that is their issue and not yours".

I really liked the message given in this book about the importance of setting boundaries and taking care of yourself within the chaos of family life. The logical part of me would have liked an explanation for the scripts, but despite this I was absorbed and it was an enjoyable holiday read.

Thank you to Fearne Cotton, NetGalley and the the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, Fearne Cotton and the publishers for the opportunity to read this arc in response for an honest review. I have to say I’m quite impressed at Fearne’s delve into fiction. I was curious and I’m pleased I gave it a go. The premise and the plot is quite interesting, I enjoyed getting to see Jade’s life change and alter for the better as she slowly develops some courage and a back bone. I would have loved to have seen more of her being strong and watching her life unfold a little more. And maybe to get some understanding of where the scripts were coming from. That said it was an interesting read and by the second half of the book I was hooked on seeing what happened.

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.

Hmm... not sure about this one. I did like some of the characters, although others were downright horrible! I did enjoy the descriptions, particularly at the beginning of the story but found it all a little tedious and felt like the story went on and on. Seemed to be overly long and drawn out.

**"Scripted" by Fearne Cotton** is a gripping psychological thriller that dives deep into the complexities of identity and mental health. Known primarily for her work in television and radio, Cotton ventures into fiction with a narrative that is both intense and thought-provoking. The story follows the protagonist, Lucy, as she grapples with the reality of her life being manipulated by an external force—quite literally scripted by someone else.

Cotton's writing is sharp, and she adeptly builds suspense throughout the book, keeping the reader engaged. The themes of control, freedom, and self-discovery are explored in a way that resonates with anyone who has ever felt trapped by their circumstances. While the book is a departure from her usual work, Cotton proves herself to be a versatile storyteller.

However, the book may feel somewhat familiar to fans of the genre, as it touches on concepts that have been explored in similar narratives. Despite this, "Scripted" is a strong debut novel that showcases Cotton's ability to tackle complex emotional landscapes with sensitivity and insight. It's a recommended read for those interested in psychological thrillers with a unique twist.

A great debut novel from Fearne Cotton. The main character of Jade reminds me so much of myself, trying to get out of the day to day rut.. I'm off to find some scripts haha!

This will be a great beach read and I'm looking forward to any future novels that Fearne writes.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC

A very fun concept very well delivered.
Jade's response to finding the first script is precisely what anybody else's would be, and her next actions ring wholly true. Stuck in a rut of being agreeable to the point of utter doormat, Jade needs a push to get her moving and rediscovering her own self - for those reading this who might recognise some of Jade's troubles, with work or with family or with their partner, this book almost provides a script for getting themselves out of it. A self-help book disguised as a fun and funny novel - very clever.
And, of course, the all-important happy ending makes this a very satisfying read.

This was such an easy relaxing read. This is escapism at its best. I have never read anything by Fearne before but will be now looking for more by her. A real fun summer read

I loved this. It was sweet, glorious, and indulgent. I adored the characters and felt them realistic and likeable, and they have definitely lingered in my brqin

The perfect, uplifting Summer read. Follow Jade who spends her life prioritising everyone else’s wants and happiness over her own. That is until she finds a magical script which shows her parts of her life still to come. Does she have the confidence to change her destiny ? Well you’ll need to read the book to find out.

Found this book to be a charming read that explored the concept of finding your true self in your 30’s.

A strong debut novel and I look forward to her future releases. This would have been a 5 star but I felt there was a romantic aspect which I felt was unnecessary, I can’t say anymore without risking spoilers.

I hadn't read anything by Fearne Cotton before and I was really excited about the premise of this book. What really stands out about this novel is not how the main protagonist keeps finding scripts that outline scenes from her life, but how she grows to be the best version of herself. It was a very easy read and although I didn't think Jade was right all the time, it was a heartfelt story and I think it will make people smile. And honestly, we need that!