Are you a fan of fiction featuring authors of fiction? I’ll admit it’s a mixed bag for me, but I’ve read some I really enjoyed. Love, Unscripted is one that works, because the heroine literally could not be anyone else for the story to work… or even be conceived!
I’ve tried to decide if I generally think being an author is so ordinary (I’m laughing even as i write that) that no one else could possibly be interested, sort of like my previous job in flooring sales. Ho hum. Why would THAT make a good career for a hero or heroine? Are readers really interested in the ins and outs of an author’s life? Dear Reader… I hope you’ll answer that in comments!
So what was it about Love, Unscripted that made me want to read it? Well, two things. The author, Denise Hunter, is a favorite of mine, having penned many romances that I’ve enjoyed, romances that are well-written, entertaining, and firmly full of faith. Secondly, the fact that this fictional author’s novel is being made into a movie. How fun is that?
The perfect boyfriend only exists on paper… doesn’t he?
Fresh off the heels of a bad breakup, Chloe Anderson poured her heart into penning the perfect boyfriend—and the result was an off-the-charts debut beach read that resonated with women worldwide. Now, Chloe’s scripted hero is headed for Hollywood, with her book destined to become a major motion picture.
When Chloe gets wind that silver screen bad boy Liam Hamilton has been cast as the ideal-in-every-way hero of her novel, she’s horrified by the film director’s choice. How could a player like Liam possibly do Chloe’s perfect hero justice? Unafraid to speak her mind, Chloe lets her executive producer know she’s one hundred percent opposed to the casting. And oops—the call is on speakerphone, where the annoyingly attractive Hollywood star hears Chloe’s unbridled outrage firsthand.
With Liam’s reputation already on the rocks, his agent concocts a PR plan to upgrade Liam’s image while putting the story—and the film—in the spotlight. The catch? During the movie’s filming in Chloe’s cute hometown of Stillwater, North Carolina, Chloe and Liam will fake a wholesome, committed relationship. Both stand to gain something from the arrangement. Liam’s fans will see him in a new light, while Chloe can boost her struggling social media following and further her writing career. What could possibly go wrong?
As author and actor navigate the waters of the PR relationship, they’re unprepared when their professional agreement turns into an actual friendship. And when serious sparks start to fly—well, that’s an unread chapter for both of them.
Seriously, what’s not to love? We have a (perceived) Hollywood bad boy trying to redeem his reputation. We have an author who is, so far, a one-hit wonder… meaning her day job is working at her family’s restaurant. We have a charming beachside town… I love seaside reads! We have a fake relationship… and I’m trying to think why I love those so much! I mean, it’s basically lying on a grand scale, and it’s pretty clear what the Bible has to say about lies. But don’t we often rationalize things we know are wrong, telling ourselves this one thing is okay in this specific instance? And also, with a solid faith arc, there’s room for characters to grow. Room for their consciences to catch up with them. They have to come clean to those around them at some point, and come clean with each other. There are so many nuances that can be explored in a fake relationship story. I think that’s what appeals to me.
Denise Hunter writes heartwarming, small-town love stories, peopled with layered characters who struggle with real-life issues. Her readers enjoy the experience of falling in love vicariously through her characters and can expect a happily-ever-after sigh as they close the pages of her books.
Huh. Sounds like me!
I was offered a review copy of Love, Unscripted from the publisher via NetGalley, and I was not required to leave a positive review.
