{Review} NOT IN THE SCRIPT by Amy Finnegan

O P E N I N G   H O O K:

   "CELEBRITY SEEKER CLAIMS that I'm dating Troy again," I say as I skim the pages of the gossip magazine. Tabloids are scattered like fall leaves all over Rachel's bedroom, and I want to take them up and stuff then into trash bags. "How stupid do they think I am?"

(Page 1, US ARC edition)

NOT IN THE SCRIPT was a book that really had me falling in love with the Hollywood trope all over again!

Emma Taylor has grown up on the silver screen for the entire country to see. She's everyone's sweetheart, which means the tabloids are circling like vultures, ready to rip her apart if she sticks so much as a toe out of line. Now cast as one of four leads on a buzzing new teen series, even more eyes are on her. Her childhood crush, Brett Crawford, has also been cast, and the media is already pairing the two together. Emma, however, finds herself gravitating toward acting newcomer Jake Elliott,  even though she's sworn off dating actors. Even though her best friend is "in love" with Jake for to his modeling career. If Emma and Jake decide to get together, it will have to be in secret because if word gets out, all hell will break loose.

l loved the fun, entertaining world of NOT IN THE SCRIPT. I wasn't ready for the book to end... either of the two times I've already read it!  I'd love to return to the set of Coyote Hills, either by going on new adventures with Emma and Jake, or through new characters. Kimmi, for example. She's new to the acting world and gets a bad rap in the press off the bat. And, of course, seeing if Brett can truly change and become a decent guy.

NOT IN THE SCRIPT alternates POV between Emma and Jake. It's fun to see two different aspects of Hollywood. I really loved getting into both their heads. This was one thing I liked so much about the novel! I also love how grounded and "real" Emma and Jake come off. They're very down-to-earth for actors, the kind of boy/girl next door friends you want to hang out with.  I also liked the way Emma's family and friendships centered her character and kept her so grounded. Likewise, Jake's background and reasons for entering the industry were touching, and I loved seeing the importance of both friends and family in this novel. 

Bloomsbury's If Only line of novels is good, clean fun. It will appeal to tweens, teens, and even adults.  I wish Bloomsbury still published new titles because they are such great books.

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C O N T E N T R A T I N G S

Content Ratings: highlight between ( ) for details

Romance: PG13 ( kissing; paparazzi innuendo )

Language: PG13 ( paparazzi innuendo; I think the most explicit word was "crap" )
Violence: --

Other:  ( underage teens living on their own )

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C O V E R   D E S I G N:

I  like the way this cover is a mix of real photography and illustration. It creates a dreamlike atmosphere that really works for the wish-fulfilling nature of the If Only series! 

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O F F I C I A L   I N F O:

Title: NOT IN THE SCRIPT

Author: Amy Finnegan

Release Date: Oct. 7, 2014

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Received: For Review 

SUMMARY:

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.