I had to take some time to process this book before I could write my review. But even now that I have, I'm still not entirely sure what my opinion is. I have very complicated feelings about this book, let me get into it:

When I first heard of this book I was very excited. It sounds right up my alley and it has good reviews so I was already pretty sure I would like it. Once I actually started reading though I was just confused. The writing was strange and didn't manage to capture me at all. I had no idea what was even going on and I was mostly just annoyed by the characters. For the first third of the book I continuously just wanted to dnf it. We start off with our mom protagonist who meets a bunch of actors and producers who are shooting a movie on her yard. The movie was written by Nora herself about how her ex-husband left her. And said ex-husband gets played by the most handsome and famous actor ever, Leo Vance. Leo is a weird and entitled guy. He's also an alcoholic. He is constantly in her house (where he shouldn't be) and takes her things (mainly alcohol, some of which is very expensive) and fills out her crossword puzzles which she loves doing. It's safe to say I was very annoyed by him and I was just hoping that he isn't the love interest (he is). After filming is done Leo just won't leave. He hides on her porch and sleeps there and no matter what Nora tries he just doesn't leave. So eventually she allows him to stay for a week in exchange for 1000$ per day. That one week turns into two, turns into a month and Leo and Nora grow close. Until Leo leaves to go film a movie and is never heard from again. He told her he loves her and he will come back but suddenly he just doesn't respond to her texts or calls. He just sends her a bunch of money.

This is when the story actually becomes interesting. Noras struggle with being left once again was very interesting. Leo grew close to her kids as well so now she doesn't just have to deal with her own broken heart but also be strong for her kids who are still hurting from when their father left. It's a very tough situation especially because everyone constantly asks after Leo and where he is and when he will come back. Nora eventually finds out that Leo had just been broken up with by his co-star, a very famous and beautiful actress and now apparently they are back together again. This breaks her heart again and when she sees him at the movie premier and he doesn't even look at her or acknowledge her existence she has to leave. I did like the aspect of trust & abandonment issues and her trying to pick herself up again but I didn't really root for the two of them. In the end I think this book would have been better if it was about an actually toxic relationship and Nora dealing with how to be happy on her own without a man. The miscommunication was stupid and there would have been SO MANY WAYS that they could have avoided all this happening. The proposal in the end felt rushed and unneccesary. I also don't really feel the chemistry between Nora and Leo. I think this book was mainly written as escapism and fantasy for stressed out moms who want to date a hot rich famous guy. Which is fine, I can just not relate much to that and the book didn't really give me much else. 

All in all this was a strange book. The characters where quite boring and I mean it really says a lot that the huge stupid miscommunication is my favourite part about this. Because it's the only interesting thing happening. I enjoyed certain aspects of the book but I just don't think it was very good. I don't think I will read another book by this author.

This is a fun, lighthearted rom-com about a screenwriter who falls in love with a movie star. I really enjoyed most of this book: the characters, setting, story were all likable until about the last 15% of the book. However, one of my biggest pet peeves is the miscommunication trope that could have been solved by a simple text or phone call or even an email. I think the author did an ok job of trying to explain it in the end, but it definitely fell a little flat after an otherwise well-written story. I still recommend it because overall I thought it was fun and entertaining. It's just personal preference that I can't understand that trope in a modern world. 

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!