Review: Not in the Script by Amy Finnegan

Title: Not in the Script
Author: Amy Finnegan
Series: If Only..., book #3
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Publication Date: October 7, 2014
Source: ARC received from publisher
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Audible

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.

Not in the Script was kind of adorable. And I expected as much, having read the previous two novels in the IF ONLY series and finding them each decidedly cute. I'm never sure what to expect with a story based on movie star characters, though, whether the book will glorify Hollywood or whether the characters will be over-the-top and stereotypical. Lucky for me, Not in the Script felt genuine and though some of the characters did come off as obnoxious and over-bearing, those were the exceptions and not the rule for this book.

Emma is a rising star who has been burned several times in the dating department. So, for her next project, she's put love on the back burner in order to focus on her career and keep her name out of the tabloids. She tries, anyway. Somehow, the paparazzi are always there. And, of course, so is gorgeous former model-turned actor Jake Elliott. The two attempt to keep their relationship strictly platonic and focus on the show, but their chemistry is off the charts.

Though there are a lot of external factors complicating their relationship -- including but not limited to a former crush on her heartthrob of a co-star, the fact that Emma's BFF has had dibs on Jake "The Bod" Elliott since before Emma met him or even put a name to the face, and most importantly, Emma's desire not to date another co-star -- despite all of that, Emma and Jake's budding romance is really mature. They discuss all of the reasons they shouldn't be together, why it might not work out and what the repercussions could be. They also really get to know each other by hanging out platonically off of the set. Jake never pushes Emma for more, but he doesn't hesitate to let her know what he wants and that he's willing to wait until she's ready for that type of commitment. What they have is so genuine and scorching hot at the same time...it's hard to believe they were able to deny themselves each other for as long as they did.

That heartthrob co-star does complicate matters further when he shows genuine interest in Emma, but I promise you, no legitimate love triangle develops. Actually, Brett reminded me a lot Reid in Tammara Webber's BETWEEN THE LINES series, and his character's role in this novel played out in much the same way. Even the budding actress/main character shares the same given name. I really enjoyed that series, so it's no surprise that I loved this novel so much. However, I think I liked this one just the tiniest bit more because it showed the more technical side of acting: all the time spent in the makeup chair, the drama on set and the director's reaction, the last minute changes to the script, etc. I think including those aspects made this book that much more realistic, and it's my favorite so far in what I'm now going to coin the "bringing Hollywood to the page" subgenre.

Pretty much, I really just liked Emma and Jake and what it took to get those two together. The side characters all seemed pretty one-dimensional and none of them really stand out in comparison. I'd kind of like to see their stories expanded on in subsequent novels, though, much like the series I've already compared this book to. However, I will say that I truly enjoyed how important family was to the main characters in this story. They both craved some kind of normalcy, and we all know how easy it is for family to knock you off your pedestal and bring you back down to earth. Emma's and Jake's family situations were completely different, but they were still similar in that this was what kept each of them grounded, made it so that they continued to pursue their dreams but did so with level heads.

Not in the Script was a clever, humorous read, and though the characters are out of high school and living on their own, nothing explicit or untoward happens, so it's still perfect for a YA audience. Labeling it as a new adult novel might change some opinions toward the book prematurely, but it's new adult in the way that Fangirl was new adult, if that makes sense. I liked how the author approached the growing-up situations and did so without becoming preachy or making a lesson out of the story. She let her characters make mistakes but expressed through them how easy those mistakes were to fix if one relied more on open communication. That's a biggie for me.

Actually, now that I think about it, Not in the Script wasn't kind of adorable...it was unbelievably adorable. I pretty much wore a smile on my face the entire time I was reading. It was kind of light and fluffy, but while it wasn't silly, it also didn't deign to take itself too seriously. All in all, it was exactly my kind of read. The slow-burn of a romance itself is worth giving this book a try. Like Emma, you'll be caught off guard by Jake's genuine charm before you know it!

GIF it to me straight:

No, it's not in there...this kind of love can't be scripted! =)

About the author:

Amy Finnegan writes her own stories because she enjoys falling in love over and over again, and thinks everyone deserves a happy ending. She likes to travel the world—usually to locations where her favorite books take place—and owes her unquenchable thirst for reading to Jane Austen and J.K. Rowling. Her debut novel, NOT IN THE SCRIPT (Bloomsbury, Oct 2014), came about after hearing several years of behind-the-scenes stories from her industry veteran brother. She’s also been lucky enough to visit dozens of film sets and sit in on major productions such as Parks and Recreation and Parenthood.

Find Amy:

Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram

Read More

Labels: all the swoons, amy finnegan, bloomsbury, contemporary, favorites, funfunfun, if only, movie star, new adult, post hs ya, reviews

Goals for Italy: #wishyouwereitalian Release Day Fun!

So, today's the release day for Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae, which I thought was incredibly adorable. And to help celebrate, the author's asked us early readers and supporters to share our own Ten Goals for Italy, much like the list Pippa creates in the story. I had a lot of fun creating and researching my list, especially discovering that it's now against the law to feed the pigeons in St. Mark's Square! Check out my list below and then create your own list and share with #wishyouwereitalian.

Title: Wish You Were Italian
Author: Kristin Rae
Series: If Only, book #2
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love?

The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad.

About the author:

Kristin Rae was born and raised in Texas though her accent would suggest otherwise. She’s addicted to books, music, movies, crafty things, and chocolate. A former figure skating coach, LEGO merchandiser, and photographer, she’s now happy to create stories while pretending to ignore the carton of gelato in the freezer. Kristin lives in Houston with her husband and their two boxers.

Find Kristin:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Etsy | Instagram

Read More

Labels: bloomsbury, funfunfun, if only, italy, kristin rae, wish you were italian

Reviews: Fool Me Twice by Mandy Hubbard & Wish You Were Italian by Kristin Rae

Title: Fool Me Twice
Author: Mandy Hubbard
Series: If Only, book #1
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Mackenzie and Landon were the perfect couple . . . until he dumped her and broke her heart. Fast-forward a year and they're back where they first met—Serenity Ranch and Spa, where they are once again working together for the summer. Talk about awkward.

Then, Landon takes a nasty fall and gets amnesia. Suddenly, he’s stuck in the past—literally. His most recent memory is of last summer, when he and Mack were still together, so now he’s calling her pet names and hanging all over her. It's the perfect chance for revenge. The plan is simple: keep Landon at arm’s length, manipulate him so he’s the one falling love, and then BAM, dump him. There’s just one problem: Mack can’t fall for Landon all over again.

The If Only romance line is all about wanting what you can't have, and Mandy Hubbard's hilarious break-up/love story is sure to captivate anyone who has ever wished for a second shot at love.

I was quite intrigued by the premise of this book when I first saw it pop up on Goodreads. I mean, who among us hasn't wanted to get revenge on an ex after a really nasty break-up? But despite the manipulation aspects, this book turned out to be cute and kind of fluffy, if not a bit juvenile at times.

On top of Mack's plan to make Landon fall hard for her and then unceremoniously dump him in much the same way he dumped her a year ago, Mack is full of pranks she's dying to play on him. They ranged from the mundane to cheesy, but it was kind of gratifying to see Landon take it all in stride and retaliate with pranks of his own. I had a hard time reconciling the Landon we meet at the very beginning of the book with the one that appears after the "accident". Even after the whole story is revealed -- and I totally saw it coming -- it felt like he was two different people: the jerk who doesn't even officially break up with a girl before kissing another and the sweet cowboy who goes above and beyond on the ranch.

Mack's character didn't feel all that authentic, either. Her new sense of style -- self-imposed after the break-up -- feels forced, as if she can't own it herself but only owes it to Landon dumping her. I did appreciate, though, that she realized that the Mack she had shown Landon the previous summer was just the girl she thought he wanted to see, that only this summer has she deigned to show him her true self. And it was nice that he seemed even more attracted to the real Mack.

The romance was kind of adorable at times. And though I at first suspected Adam's character was included only to involve a love triangle in the story, my doubts were slowly assuaged as it became evident that Mack's best friend Bailey was interested in him. Mack only has eyes for one guy, and it's the one she should be staying clear of.

This is my first Mandy Hubbard book, so I'm not sure if her other stories are as lighthearted and fun as this one, but I'm definitely interested in checking them out now. Even if Fool Me Twice wasn't serious or deep, it was still pretty entertaining, and I can't fault it for that.

GIF it to me straight:

Cute and distracting, but not terribly deep.

About the author:

Mandy Hubbard is the author of PRADA & PREJUDICE and YOU WISH, both novels for teens now in stores. In 2011, her releases include BUT I LOVE HIM (written as Amanda Grace) and RIPPLE. She is also a literary agent for D4EO Literary Agency. For more information, visit her website.

Find Mandy:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Title: Wish You Were Italian
Author: Kristin Rae
Series: If Only, book #2
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children's
Publication Date: May 6, 2014
Source: from publisher via Netgalley
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Pippa is in Italy for the summer and, despite her parents’ wishes, she has no intention of just studying the local art! She has a list of things of her own to do: from swimming in the Mediterranean Sea to getting a makeover – and falling for an Italian boy! As Pippa explores the dramatic ruins of Rome and Pompeii, she is swept into her own drama with two guys: an irresistible local she knows is nothing but trouble and a cute American archaeology student . . . Will she find her true love?

The perfect reckless romance to enjoy whether you are home or abroad.

This adorable little romp in Italy is exactly what I needed after the more serious and fantastical fare I've been reading lately. Whenever I need a good palate-cleanser, I turn to fluffier YA contemporary novels, and sometimes I hit the jackpot and end up reading really endearing stories like this one. I enjoyed this one so much that it made me not want to cross back over to the dark side of YA fantasy, so as soon as I was done with Wish You Were Italian, I immediately picked up the other book in the IF ONLY series. (See review above.)

I was pretty impressed with the story and the writing in this book, especially considering that this is Kristin Rae's debut novel. (That's not to say that I haven't loved debut novels before, but they're not usually contemporary stories if I did.) This novel is so charming, so delightful, and I just didn't want Pippa's adventures abroad to end. Even though I've never traveled to Italy, Rae's beautiful descriptions of the country, the monuments, and the people instantly transported me there, as if I were seeing everything through Pippa's eyes for the first time. And the way she captured the moments that were truly important to Pippa...I wanted to be there experiencing them with her. Italy essentially became a character in its own right, thanks to the gorgeous imagery in Rae's writing.

Pippa is going to be in SO much trouble when she gets home. But for now, she's having the time of her life, gallivanting across Italy's countryside, seeing all the sights and sounds she would've missed had she stuck to her mother's original plan. Pippa is really going against the grain with her little excursion, but it's easy to see why this little escape was so necessary for her, considering the strained relationship she has with her parents, most especially her mother. But she keeps in touch with her best friend Morgan and her Gram, and though it's risky being on your own in a foreign country, I commend her bravery because I'm not sure it's something I could've done myself at that age. Though, looking back, I wish I'd had an opportunity like this...I don't think I could have let it pass me by either.

Besides, Pippa makes friends with a local girl who changes the whole course of her summer, and she also has that homework assignment Morgan gave her to keep her busy. Plus, Pippa met someone her very first day in Italy. Okay, she actually meets TWO someones. Darren is an archaeology student working on digs across Italy, and "by chance", he and Pippa keep running into each other. Their little tête-à-têtes are always unbelievably cute, but it's kind of obvious that both struggle with starting something they can't finish once summer is over, despite how in-tune with each other they might be. Also, Darren also suspects something might be going on with the brother of the girl Pippa is staying with...and with good reason.

I don't worry about love triangles as much as some, and this one really didn't bother me because Pippa has a good head on her shoulders and realizes the likelihood of anything lasting with either guy is slim. Still, one of her "goals" thanks to Morgan's homework assignments is to fall in love with an Italian guy, so I don't discredit her for trying to determine if there was something between her and Bruno. It's the summer before her senior year, after all, and she does figure things out for herself before they get too complicated and someone gets hurt.

That's another thing. I really liked how everyone actually communicated in this story. That's one of my biggest pet peeves in a story: when there's so much unnecessary drama because no one a) talks to each other, b) asks one another the right questions, or c) admits what they're feeling. And though there are plenty of misunderstandings and wrinkles along the way in this story, they manage to get ironed out pretty quickly, with little suffering on anyone's part.

I really enjoyed this debut from Kristin Rae, and it makes me curious to see what other stories she's working on if she can craft such a fun, fanciful read with so many positive elements. There may not be a perfect summer read for everyone, but this one comes pretty darn close. Also, it made me buy gelato, which is never a bad idea. =)

GIF it to me straight:

Awwwww's all around.

About the author:

Lover of books, music, chocolate, and crafty things. YA writer represented by Marietta Zacker of the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. WISH YOU WERE ITALIAN comes out May 6, 2014 from Bloomsbury!

Find Kristin:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Etsy

Read More

Labels: bloomsbury, contemporary, if only, kristin rae, mandy hubbard, reviews