‘Nora Goes Off Script’

Recommend? Yes!

Read if you like: Emily Henry, Sally Thorne, Beth O’Leary

This is one of my favorites of the year and it’s not even out yet! I love the self-awareness that this book has about romantic comedies and how the conversations about the genre are never talking down to it. I love getting this story from Nora’s point of view; I think she has a great sense of humor and a pretty strong grasp on reality, which is often not the case in romance storylines (a characteristic I accept and love). Leo was great too; it’s always nice to like the characters because then you’re glad when they *spoiler* find Happily Ever After’.
I love so-called ‘second act’ stories about characters who are older than the average ingénue. I find it allows me to get more into the story and appreciate the ending more because the characters have more realistic expectations about life. It makes me more able to look at the ending and think it’s good and solid and permanent. And the kids! How could I forget? Bernie and Arthur are absolutely one of the highlights of this story. They each have such strong characters and carry a lot of weight in the story for better or for worse.
This is my first time reading Annabel Monaghan, and now I’m hungry for more. This book is as sweet as any romantic could want but canny enough to appeal to a cynic and I say that with authority as I am paradoxically both of those things.

Out June 7th 2022 with GP Putnam’s Sons.