Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Nora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan is a heartwarming story about love, family, and new beginnings.

My Overview

Nora Hamilton is a romance writer, but has recently gone dark. She’s made a career of writing fun and light movie scripts for a The Romance Channel (TRC). Now that her husband, Ben, has left her and their children though, dark stories are spilling out of her. She believed in marriage up until the point when her own marriage fell apart. Now, she no longer believes in romance. Clearly, her life and writing career are now off script.

It’s not just Nora’s writing that’s in a dark place; so is her life. She’s the middle-aged mother of two, trying to make ends meet financially, as her inspiration for TRC movies dwindles. On top of that, her beloved 100-year old home has an ongoing list or repairs needed. Basically, Nora’s spread too thin and is constantly trying to meet the demands of her 10-year old son Arthur and 8-year old daughter Bernadette.

When Nora’s latest novel is picked for the big screen, she’s elated. It’s both an honor and the paycheck she desperately needs. The movie is autobiographical and will be filmed at her own home. Imagine her surprise when Leo Vance, the most handsome and in-demand actor is cast to play the role of Ben. Pretty good so far, right? I thought so too, but it soon fizzled. Why?

  • Nora wasn’t the witty character I was expecting.
  • The banter between Nora and Leo was lacking.
  • The storyline was at times predictable and repetitive.
  • The children’s ages were too young for the storyline; they acted much older.

What I liked about the story:

  • Nora and Leo were relatable and likable.
  • A twist towards the end strengthened the storyline.
  • Nora’s and Leo’s families added some charm to the story.

My Recommendation

Should you read this book? I think it’s worth a try. I enjoyed the story overall, and am glad I gave it a try. This is my first book by Annabel Monaghan, and I’d be interested in reading some of her other books in the future.

Have you read this or any other books by this author?