[Blog Tour] Not In The Script (If Only # 3) by Amy Finnegan: Review
Author: Amy Finnegan
Release date: October 7th 2014
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's
Series: If Only # 3
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Add to your library: Goodreads
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. (via Goodreads)
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. (via Goodreads)
I received an e-copy of this from Tara Gonzales and Bloomsbury Children's through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This however did not influence my opinion of the book or of the author in any way..
Review
I have never really read a novel with hollywood actors as characters. So my expectations were all about swoony moments (knowing that some friends loved it because of Jake.)
I got hooked right from the start. It was easy to read and there was a smooth flow as to what the plot is all about. Besides the characters being actors and a good writing style, I particularly felt that I was reading a usual contemporary romance novel. Given that Jake and Emma were all about flirting, that there was a jealous friend, a judgmental society, overprotective parents, assuming friend and just about everything present in one.
What I enjoyed the most is definitely the swoony moments and the characterization. It's not everytime you get to read a novel wherein the characters were explained well. Even with minor characters like Brett and Kimmi. As for the swoony moments, you have to read them for yourself. I'd just say that I kept smiling and giggling to myself like a fool while reading.
I can't say I liked Emma from the start. For me, she was this whiny young actress with a lot of complaints. I never really understood where she was coming from. Knowing that she was an actress, I know that it is just normal for her to be like that. But as the story progressed, I realized that she was just as human as we are. I know that real-life actors are just like us though some have this different sense of reality already. With Emma, I saw how she struggled and tried to correct things. Of course, there were things and reasons that Emma had that I didn't like. Like how she waited a long time to do something that she should have done already. Nonetheless, Emma is one delightful character. Oh, and I admire her for setting up a foundation like that. That's one of my dreams in forever.
Moving with 'The Bod.' Can someone give me a Jake now? I can use all the sweet thoughts and all through this stressful period. Seriously though, Jake grew up like that given his family circumstances. Not everyone would have done that so salute to him. I practically saw the difference between a male and a female when it comes to relationships. That thing and reason that Emma had was not entirely clear with Jake. Sure, he respect her decision but he was all confused as to why she cannot just do it immediately. See? Gentleman right there. He may have been a little stupid in the end but he figured that out anyway. And hey, this guy was so goal-oriented and the love he had for his family is admirable.
The Hollywood filming was so evident. The filming, the paparazzi, the annoying co-stars. Their TV series reminded me of Gossip Girl and the like. It was entertaining reading about them shooting. There was drama on and off screen. So Hollywood.
I cannot finish this without saying how much I swooned over Jake and Emma. Their not-so-flirtatious moves made my heart go giddy and excited. Yeah, I know. I have mentioned that earlier but it is worth mentioning more than once.
Not In The Script is one funny and sweet novel about two young actors trying to find who they are and what they want in life amidst the chaotic world of Hollywood. You'll get an inside scoop of shooting a series, handling paparazzi and everything about an actor's life.
I got hooked right from the start. It was easy to read and there was a smooth flow as to what the plot is all about. Besides the characters being actors and a good writing style, I particularly felt that I was reading a usual contemporary romance novel. Given that Jake and Emma were all about flirting, that there was a jealous friend, a judgmental society, overprotective parents, assuming friend and just about everything present in one.
What I enjoyed the most is definitely the swoony moments and the characterization. It's not everytime you get to read a novel wherein the characters were explained well. Even with minor characters like Brett and Kimmi. As for the swoony moments, you have to read them for yourself. I'd just say that I kept smiling and giggling to myself like a fool while reading.
I can't say I liked Emma from the start. For me, she was this whiny young actress with a lot of complaints. I never really understood where she was coming from. Knowing that she was an actress, I know that it is just normal for her to be like that. But as the story progressed, I realized that she was just as human as we are. I know that real-life actors are just like us though some have this different sense of reality already. With Emma, I saw how she struggled and tried to correct things. Of course, there were things and reasons that Emma had that I didn't like. Like how she waited a long time to do something that she should have done already. Nonetheless, Emma is one delightful character. Oh, and I admire her for setting up a foundation like that. That's one of my dreams in forever.
Moving with 'The Bod.' Can someone give me a Jake now? I can use all the sweet thoughts and all through this stressful period. Seriously though, Jake grew up like that given his family circumstances. Not everyone would have done that so salute to him. I practically saw the difference between a male and a female when it comes to relationships. That thing and reason that Emma had was not entirely clear with Jake. Sure, he respect her decision but he was all confused as to why she cannot just do it immediately. See? Gentleman right there. He may have been a little stupid in the end but he figured that out anyway. And hey, this guy was so goal-oriented and the love he had for his family is admirable.
The Hollywood filming was so evident. The filming, the paparazzi, the annoying co-stars. Their TV series reminded me of Gossip Girl and the like. It was entertaining reading about them shooting. There was drama on and off screen. So Hollywood.
I cannot finish this without saying how much I swooned over Jake and Emma. Their not-so-flirtatious moves made my heart go giddy and excited. Yeah, I know. I have mentioned that earlier but it is worth mentioning more than once.
Not In The Script is one funny and sweet novel about two young actors trying to find who they are and what they want in life amidst the chaotic world of Hollywood. You'll get an inside scoop of shooting a series, handling paparazzi and everything about an actor's life.
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.
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