Millions of people witnessed Emma Taylor’s first kiss—a kiss that needed twelve takes and four camera angles to get right. After spending nearly all of her teen years performing on cue, Emma wonders if any part of her life is real anymore . . . particularly her relationships.
Jake Elliott’s face is on magazine ads around the world, but his lucrative modeling deals were a poor substitute for what he had to leave behind. Now acting is offering Jake everything he wants: close proximity to home; an opportunity to finally start school; and plenty of time with the smart and irresistible Emma Taylor . . . if she would just give him a chance.
When Jake takes Emma behind the scenes of his real life, she begins to see how genuine he is, but on-set relationships always end badly. Don’t they? Toss in Hollywood’s most notorious heartthrob and a resident diva who may or may not be as evil as she seems, and the production of Coyote Hills heats up in unexpected—and romantic—ways.
This novel in the deliciously fun If Only romance line proves that the best kinds of love stories don’t follow a script.
Jaime’s Thoughts
Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Not In The Script is part of the “If Only” series from Bloomsbury. They aren’t a series in the sense that that word is typically used in the book world. These are written by three different authors, and they are three completely different stories, so you don’t have to read them all if you don’t want to.
That said, I jumped at the chance to get on the blog tour for Not In The Script. I absolutely love light-hearted stories and looking at the covers from these books that’s exactly what you should be expecting… and that is exactly what you get.
Emma Taylor lives the life so many people wish they had. She’s a top star in Hollywood and she’s tapped to start a new television series. But the charmed Hollywood life isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be. Her life has been gossip fodder for years, and after several failed romances with co-stars she’s sworn off them for good. Add to the mix a jealous best friend, a mom who’s more manager than caring mother, and Emma is just trying to stay afloat. Then she meets her co-star, and he’s not like the typical Hollywood guys.
So what did I like? I really enjoyed Emma as a character and watching her traverse the Hollywood life… trying to find people who like her for herself, trying to manage her mom and trying to assuage the guilt she carries because she got the part that changed her life while her best friend didn’t. I have to say that I also really liked both of the guys in this book too. Both Jason and Brett were great to get to know and while there was a bit of a triangle here… I’m not even sure that’s what I would call this, they were both really a great part of the story.
Which leads me to the complaints… I truly felt that this story was bogged down a bit by a lot of the filming that was expounded upon here. I don’t think it was necessary to the story and it really took me out at times and kind of made the story drag in parts.
Also… I really kind of hated all the other female characters here. From Kimmi, the co-star to Rachel the best friend, I honestly thought they were both horrible. I didn’t like them and while I get the jealousy that Rachel had, I really wish that Emma had had a friend that was supportive of her and not just what she could do for her. It made me keep questioning the friendship and I think part of that was because I didn’t buy the extreme guilt that Emma had about getting the part that changed her life.
So, overall, a cute, light, fun read. If you’re looking for something in the YA category that fits that bill, then definitely check this one out.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
