Reviews with content warning for Death of parent - Nora Goes Off Script

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Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan

22 reviews

efulham's review

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.5

Surprisingly emotional and heartfelt. Reads quickly but not boring. Great beach or travel read, or to just get out of a literary rut!

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beyourbestshelf's review

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hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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pagesfromhome's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This is one of those weird books to review because, all in all, this book was fine. Nora is a decent character and I appreciated her independence and she’s clearly a great mom. Arthur and Bernadette are straight up the best parts of this book. Bernadette in particular is an excellent character. But I didn’t like Leo at all. I’m putting most of this review behind spoilers so I don’t accidentally really spoil anything if you want to go in fully unaware, but suffice it to say, this is a story about a divorced woman who had a truly terrible first marriage finding a new love and all of the shenanigans that ensue with that. It certainly wasn’t bad, but it is quite shallow when it comes to plot of character development.

I didn’t love the audiobook version (I think the narrator just wasn’t a favorite for me), so that may have also affected my experience with the book, too.

I did like the writing, but I think I just couldn’t root for the characters in the way that I think you need to in a romance.

I could not STAND Leo - like the whole time. He starts off being a completely entitled ass and then all of a sudden Nora and Leo fall in love. He has all of the power in their relationship and lets a single miscommunication get in the way of their relationship and even proceeds to blame her for not trying to get him back when he was the one who left a person who CLEARLY has some issues with being left and having to be okay. I do wonder if I would have liked him more if there had been some chapters from his POV, but I just couldn’t stand him which, in a romance, makes it very difficult to cheer for the relationship.

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frantically's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Such a good romance! I got through it in a day and it definitely made the day better. Nora is such an engaging main character and I loved the focus on her kids. Leo seemed like he would be such a dick but he pleasantly surprised me (and Nora 🤫)! Wish the drama had been wrapped up a bit quicker at the end but that's my only criticism.

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hayleyelaine's review

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emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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thevioletfoxbookshop's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Ok, first of all... THE. PLOT. TWIST.

Second... THE FEELS!!!

I adored this book from start to finish. It was equal parts heart-wrenching and utterly delightful. I normally find the miscommunication trope to be both stressful and annoying, but Annabel Monaghan does it so well that it didn't bother me at all. In fact, I kept turning those pages like this was some kind of psychological thriller instead of the perfect rom-com. I've read a few other reviews saying that the book was a bit unrealistic... which, fair enough, but it is FICTION! Sometimes fiction should be fantastic, otherworldly, and more of an escape from reality, right?

I loved all of the characters so much. Each one felt so well written and deeply developed. I also really loved that the story is just as much about self-love and being a whole and happy person without a romantic partner as it is about a romantic relationship bringing the characters joy.

If you've read any of my other book reviews, you know I'm a sucker for nature. And Nora Goes Off Script does not disappoint in this respect either! From the sun rise and hydrangeas to the magnolia trees and bird sanctuary, there's such a clear appreciation for the natural world that surrounds us and it makes the story all the more beautiful for it.

I laughed out loud, I swooned, and I even yelled "WHAT?!" out loud a bunch of times at the end. It's the quintessential charming love story that you'll be able to devour in one weekend, with a twist!

If you're a fan of Emily Henry's work, I'd highly recommend you check out Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan!

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rusereviews's review

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan is cute contemporary romance, and her adult debut. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at just under seven hours and is narrated by Hillary Huber.

"As long as I can keep getting men to leave me I'll be a huge success. Shouldn't be a problem."

Nora Hamilton is a 39-year-old recently divorced writer with two kids who crafts screenplays for The Romance Channel. Her script about her clunker of a marriage is currently being filmed for the big screen, a major step in her career. It's also being filmed on-location at her 100-plus-year-old home. Leo Vance, a former Sexiest Man Alive, is cast as her too-good-to-work ex-husband. The day after shooting wrapped and everyone left, Nora finds him on her front porch with a bottle of alcohol and a request to stay for an extra week for $7,000.

This was really cute! I mostly read this all in one sitting, and it was quite enjoyable. I feel like you don't often see kids having a big role in rom-coms, but Nora's two children really shine here. The narrator did a great job, and was very entertaining. Sexy scenes are closed-door.

If you are not a big fan of the miscommunication trope, or if you can't suspend disbelief in your novels, this book may not be for you.

That being said, I really loved the author's writing. Her prose was layered and her characters run deep. I felt like I really got to know her small, upstate New York town.

I think this book presses the very important idea that you don't need a romantic partner to be whole.

Tropes in this book include: miscommunication, "out of their league," single mom, heroine over 35, closed-door

CW: mentions of parent death from cancer

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karina_dreamsinwords's review

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Am I a hater-turned-sucker for a Hollywood romance???

Nora Hamilton is a screen writer for The Romance Channel, delivering those cheesy romance movies with its Happily Ever Afters. When a movie script based around her marriage and subsequent divorce gets optioned for the big screen, Nora plays host to a whole production team on her property as filming takes place. After filming ends, the movie's leading man Leo, offers Nora $1,000 per night to stay in her tea house for a week. Strapped for cash and thinking about her family, Nora agrees to Leo’s proposition. Will Nora’s close proximity and flirty banter with a Hollywood heatthrob lead to something more???

"He was blind to my best qualities, and eventually I was too."

This quote broke a my heart a little bit. I think many people will be able to relate to this line specifically. It can be easy to lose ourselves in the midst of a relationship, but watching Nora grow and shine anew on her journey was beautiful. Her strength as a mother was inspiring. Leo’s relationship with Nora’s children was literally the cutest. I am an absolute höe for a story that features a strong bond between one's partner & their children. It really does something for me 🥵😮‍💨

I absolutely adored this book! Monaghan writes a beautiful novel with a sweet romance. The relationship and banter is something I truly enjoyed watching blossom on page.

This story left me feeling hopeful and smiling. I can definitely see myself rereading this when I need a fast paced pick me up that is for sure!!

PICK THIS UP IF YOU:
-love a forced proximity romance
-need a quick/fast paced read
-want some banter between the mmc+fmc
-adore strong familial bonds
-enjoy the Hollywood romance trope

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twistykris's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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purplepenning's review

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

I enjoy the single mom, writer's life perspective and the self-referential meta-Hallmark-movie-ness of it all but I was expecting a little more depth to that aspect. Something a little more subversive. There are a couple of tropes here I don't enjoy and pacing that didn't quite work for me. An enjoyable, fast, meta-Hallmark-movie read with a few amusing and relatable lines and scenes.

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