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Misdirected
Hattie Murton never dreamed of TV stardom. A straight-from-a-fairytale encounter with a casting agent somehow landed her a part on what she’d thought would be a one-off pilot for Leicester Square, a bodice-ripping drama adapted from a bestselling romance novel. Buoyed by a surge in demand for romantic dramas, the show instead propelled its core cast to household-name status within a month.
Hattie tries to look on the positive side of all situations, but four seasons of brutal press, overly invested fans, and a cutthroat industry that’s never quite felt like the right fit would give even Pollyanna an edge of cynicism. And high on the ‘con’ list when it comes to her current and unintended career is having to share a set and some horrendously early starts with Anthony Rafe. Leicester Square villain. A-lister. Absolute prat.
In the new season’s scripts, it appears that her previously sane, rational character is about to lose her mind and begin an unexpected and unsettlingly graphic affair with the series villain. Forced into close—very close and very…intimate—proximity with the man everyone loves to hate, Hattie’s horror is matched only by Anthony’s drawling disdain. But when very real chemistry sparks during their scripted love scenes, Hattie begins to think the industry’s legendarily heartless Bad Guy might just have a pulse after all. And Anthony, for his part, is caught off-guard by the way his heart races when he’s around his aggravating onscreen lover.
As reality starts to imitate art a little too close for comfort, the world’s most unlikely couple might just have more in common than they thought…
Hattie tries to look on the positive side of all situations, but four seasons of brutal press, overly invested fans, and a cutthroat industry that’s never quite felt like the right fit would give even Pollyanna an edge of cynicism. And high on the ‘con’ list when it comes to her current and unintended career is having to share a set and some horrendously early starts with Anthony Rafe. Leicester Square villain. A-lister. Absolute prat.
In the new season’s scripts, it appears that her previously sane, rational character is about to lose her mind and begin an unexpected and unsettlingly graphic affair with the series villain. Forced into close—very close and very…intimate—proximity with the man everyone loves to hate, Hattie’s horror is matched only by Anthony’s drawling disdain. But when very real chemistry sparks during their scripted love scenes, Hattie begins to think the industry’s legendarily heartless Bad Guy might just have a pulse after all. And Anthony, for his part, is caught off-guard by the way his heart races when he’s around his aggravating onscreen lover.
As reality starts to imitate art a little too close for comfort, the world’s most unlikely couple might just have more in common than they thought…
Audiobook
First published February 4, 2025
77 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Parker
15 books1,999 followersLucy Parker lives in New Zealand, where she feels lucky every day to look out at mountains, lakes, and vineyards. She has a degree in Art History, loves museums and art galleries, and doodles unrecognizable flowers when she has writer’s block.
When she’s not writing, working or sleeping, she happily tackles the towering pile of to-be-read books that never gets any smaller. Thankfully, there’s always another story waiting.
Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.
When she’s not writing, working or sleeping, she happily tackles the towering pile of to-be-read books that never gets any smaller. Thankfully, there’s always another story waiting.
Her interest in romantic fiction began with a pre-teen viewing of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Firth-style), which prompted her to read the book as well. A family friend introduced her to Georgette Heyer, and the rest was history.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
February 5, 2025
I firmly believe narrating this book is one of the funniest things Nicola Coughlan could have done and for that I think it deserves its stars alone but I also ended up really enjoying it and couldn't stop listening. We love a man who everyone believes is a self-involved asshole (himself included) but would actually lay his own life down for anyone he cares about. The way Hattie and Anthony saw each other and made each other feel safe and loved throughout the whole book was wonderful and obviously no third act breakup always gets an extra star from me.
dnf
March 28, 2025unfortunately, Nicola Coughlin did not work for me as an audiobook narrator. The reading cadence just felt off to my ear. I just could NOT get my brain to parse what was going on. I didn't make it to the male narrator because I just couldn't keep focus on the plot.
this MIGHT work for me in the future, if I read the book with my eyes first, but unfortunately for now it is a DNF.
I'm learning, I do not enjoy celeb narration unless it is their own memoir. Professional narrators are where it is at, for me.
this MIGHT work for me in the future, if I read the book with my eyes first, but unfortunately for now it is a DNF.
I'm learning, I do not enjoy celeb narration unless it is their own memoir. Professional narrators are where it is at, for me.
Read
February 17, 2025Cute! Not my favorite Parker, but lovely. This was my first romance audiobook and I don’t think it’s my preferred experience, though the narration was well done.
My biggest takeaway was a memory of my grandmother, who was blind and a voracious reader (I remember walking home from the mailbox with audiobooks stacked from chin to navel like Gus Gus with the chicken feed in Cinderella.) She read whatever genre the blind association sent her way, and I remember that whenever she got to an explicit romance scene, everyone in the house knew because she’d start shouting ‘goodness gracious!’ And fast forwarding the tape in annoyance. As a shithead teen, this was very funny. As a shithead adult: I get it.
My biggest takeaway was a memory of my grandmother, who was blind and a voracious reader (I remember walking home from the mailbox with audiobooks stacked from chin to navel like Gus Gus with the chicken feed in Cinderella.) She read whatever genre the blind association sent her way, and I remember that whenever she got to an explicit romance scene, everyone in the house knew because she’d start shouting ‘goodness gracious!’ And fast forwarding the tape in annoyance. As a shithead teen, this was very funny. As a shithead adult: I get it.
February 7, 2025
I listened to this bc of Nicola and sat through the whole thing for Nicola and gave it one star for Nicola. If she hadn’t been apart of it, I would’ve dnf-ed after the first chapter.
February 18, 2025
Hattie and Anthony’s reluctant chemistry is electric, and the novel does a fantastic job of weaving tension, wit, and emotional depth into their evolving relationship. The narrative takes a sharp, self-aware look at celebrity culture, the pressures of fame, and the complexities of on-screen romance translating into real-world emotions.
Please read Act Like It it is very similar to this book but in my opinion much much better...
🎶 "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
🎶 "The Archer" – Taylor Swift
Please read Act Like It it is very similar to this book but in my opinion much much better...
🎶 "Nothing Breaks Like a Heart" – Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus
🎶 "The Archer" – Taylor Swift
April 27, 2025
Reviewed for Dear Author. 4.5 stars.
https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
https://dearauthor.com/book-reviews/o...
February 28, 2025
I've rated most of Ms. Parker's books with 5 stars, but this didn't quite stand up to many of her previous books for me. I can't exactly put my finger on why, but it took me longer to get into the book than it usually does. In the end, however, I liked the story, and would rate this a B-/B.
The narration was spectacular, as I expected. The majority of the book -- told from Hattie's POV -- was narrated by Nicola Coughlan, while a few chapaters were narrated by Gwilym Lee (Charlie Nelson from Midsomer Murders!!!). They both did a great job.
The book was unusual in that there was no misunderstanding, no temporary break-up between the two leads. Instead, they moved slowly over the course of the book to a very believable HEA. The book was a bit reminiscent of the author's London West End series, only this time featuring TV stars. However, instead of loving their careers, they both wanted to do something else.
Now that I've finished, I may listen to this again at some point. I wonder if now that I know how it ends up, I might like it more right from the beginning.
The narration was spectacular, as I expected. The majority of the book -- told from Hattie's POV -- was narrated by Nicola Coughlan, while a few chapaters were narrated by Gwilym Lee (Charlie Nelson from Midsomer Murders!!!). They both did a great job.
The book was unusual in that there was no misunderstanding, no temporary break-up between the two leads. Instead, they moved slowly over the course of the book to a very believable HEA. The book was a bit reminiscent of the author's London West End series, only this time featuring TV stars. However, instead of loving their careers, they both wanted to do something else.
Now that I've finished, I may listen to this again at some point. I wonder if now that I know how it ends up, I might like it more right from the beginning.
February 25, 2025
I was already prepared to love this book on the basis that it’s a Lucy Parker book and she’s one of my favorite contemporary authors. Additionally, it was narrated in part by Nicola Coughlan and I adore her as an actor. I wasn’t familiar with Gwilym Lee’s game so let me now take this opportunity to say the following: his voice is pure sex and I would absolutely listen to this man recite the phone book. Probably my favorite male narrator to date.
I loved the story as well, it had remnants of Act Like It and Anthony Rafe was similar to Richard (human Richard, not to be confused with Cat Richard who remains, to this day, unparalleled) and love a grumpy, gruff hero laid low by love.
Content note: toxic father, deceased mother, deceased best friend, illness and scenes of hospitalization of minor character,
I loved the story as well, it had remnants of Act Like It and Anthony Rafe was similar to Richard (human Richard, not to be confused with Cat Richard who remains, to this day, unparalleled) and love a grumpy, gruff hero laid low by love.
Content note: toxic father, deceased mother, deceased best friend, illness and scenes of hospitalization of minor character,
February 21, 2025
The story was meh but tbh I just listened to this to hear the most precious baby, Nicola Coughlan, narrate.
March 2, 2025
⭐️ Absolutely nothing happens in this story
February 13, 2025
This brought back happy memories of Parker's London Celebrities series which I loved (especially Act Like It)! In Misdirected we have actors working on a TV series and it was fun to be behind the scenes at a Bridgerton-like show. Hattie plays a well-loved character that in their latest script, is supposed to fall for Anthony, who plays the villain in the show. Anthony is handsome and comes from a wealthy family. He comes off as standoffish and arrogant while Hattie is sweet and tries her best to get along with everyone. She is ready to try doing something different with her life but is afraid to make changes. Her family didn't have a lot of money growing up and she is trying to save her money while she can. She hears there are going to be bonuses and she really wants one.
She and Anthony end up living in flats next to each other and she gives him a special gift she made with hopes they can get along as they work closely in their scenes with the new script. The story peels away in layers and I hate to say much more because I don't want to reveal too much as we learn more about the characters, work drama, their dreams and their families. I loved how protective Anthony is of Hattie as they begin to fall for each other.
This is narrated by Nicola Coughlan, who I recognised as Penelope from Bridgerton. It took me a minute to get used to her accent and understand what was going on in the beginning of the story. But once I realized they were actors starring in a period production of a Bridgerton style, TV show and caught on to all of the humor, it was a lot of fun and had me laughing so hard. Hattie is snarky and she makes Anthony smile (and me too). There is another narrator that had chapters with Anthony's voice and I enjoyed their dual POVs. My full review should be up at All About Romance soon.
She and Anthony end up living in flats next to each other and she gives him a special gift she made with hopes they can get along as they work closely in their scenes with the new script. The story peels away in layers and I hate to say much more because I don't want to reveal too much as we learn more about the characters, work drama, their dreams and their families. I loved how protective Anthony is of Hattie as they begin to fall for each other.
This is narrated by Nicola Coughlan, who I recognised as Penelope from Bridgerton. It took me a minute to get used to her accent and understand what was going on in the beginning of the story. But once I realized they were actors starring in a period production of a Bridgerton style, TV show and caught on to all of the humor, it was a lot of fun and had me laughing so hard. Hattie is snarky and she makes Anthony smile (and me too). There is another narrator that had chapters with Anthony's voice and I enjoyed their dual POVs. My full review should be up at All About Romance soon.
February 6, 2025
Some of the fate stuff was pretty ham-fisted and this was extremely low conflict, but it had a lot of the hallmarks of a delightful Lucy Parker romance. The heroine is too whimsical to live, but she has a core of steel. The hero is rich, beautiful, and grumpy and who claims he can't comfort people but immediately starts caretaking the heroine. All in all a delightful read.
March 29, 2025
So sweet and funny, it’s a typical Lucy Parker — dour cynic of a MMC who is absolutely gone for the FMC. 😍😍
The historical television show setting is delightful— both Anthony & Hattie are stars on a Bridgerton-esque show — and I love romances with no third act breakup.
The historical television show setting is delightful— both Anthony & Hattie are stars on a Bridgerton-esque show — and I love romances with no third act breakup.
February 13, 2025
I’ll say it again, I wish this had been a book so I could have plowed through it the way I wanted. As it is I used three hours of time I should have been working on my thesis listening instead. Lucy Parker never disappoints.
The chutzpah to have Nicola read a story set in the filming of a beloved but soapy, poorly-written period romance is just *chef’s kiss*
The chutzpah to have Nicola read a story set in the filming of a beloved but soapy, poorly-written period romance is just *chef’s kiss*
May 23, 2025
This was light and funny. There was a romance, but it wasn’t what I was expecting.
I felt like I missed a portion of the book where Hattie and Anthony… I don’t know actually decided to let each other in to their lives.
I probably haven’t explained it all that well but it felt a bit like insta-love but the characters had chemistry and I liked them being together. But it felt like there were portions of the book missing.
I liked the narrating – Nicola Coughlan and Gwilym Lee – Gwilym has a real talent for voice acting I feel. I enjoyed Nicola’s voices but it kind of sounded like she had a cold.
The book itself felt a bit too wordy, like it was self-satisfied with the quirky quips used to describe the characters. It took away from my enjoyment because I was trying to figure out if what I just listened to was actually something integral to the plot or just another funny one liner.
The characters were a little bland but again, I liked them. I wanted Hattie and Anthony together, I cared about what happened to them. But will I remember them/do they stand out against the hoards of other romance characters? No. Not even slightly. I don’t even know what Hattie looks like, except that she had “swamp water green eyes.” Not the most flattering description in my opinion.
I felt like I missed a portion of the book where Hattie and Anthony… I don’t know actually decided to let each other in to their lives.
I probably haven’t explained it all that well but it felt a bit like insta-love but the characters had chemistry and I liked them being together. But it felt like there were portions of the book missing.
I liked the narrating – Nicola Coughlan and Gwilym Lee – Gwilym has a real talent for voice acting I feel. I enjoyed Nicola’s voices but it kind of sounded like she had a cold.
The book itself felt a bit too wordy, like it was self-satisfied with the quirky quips used to describe the characters. It took away from my enjoyment because I was trying to figure out if what I just listened to was actually something integral to the plot or just another funny one liner.
The characters were a little bland but again, I liked them. I wanted Hattie and Anthony together, I cared about what happened to them. But will I remember them/do they stand out against the hoards of other romance characters? No. Not even slightly. I don’t even know what Hattie looks like, except that she had “swamp water green eyes.” Not the most flattering description in my opinion.
skim-or-dnf
May 10, 2025DNF middle of ch 3, 1hr 39mins into the audiobook. I might wait for the ebook to come out to read this bc it's just not grabbing me rn and I'm finding the audiobook a little difficult to follow. Also Nicola Coughlan's voice is lovely but a little monotonous here.
April 11, 2025
This was boring. So, so boring. I kept reading at first by inertia and then as a personal challenge and then just to finish and make it stop. Boring. Boring characters, boring plot, boring writing. Boring.
November 18, 2025
lucy parker is really giving the most to girlies loving romance and daydreaming about an english tall dark sexy grumpy lover <3
May 26, 2025
This was a fun read - while not my favourite of Lucy Parker's books, but still has all of her charm and wonderful characters. The audiobook narrators , Nicola Coughlan and Gwilym Lee, were both excellent.
February 16, 2025
v charming v lucy parker
Read
March 13, 2025DNF
November 18, 2025
Grade=B+
February 27, 2025
4.5/5 rtc
July 28, 2025
This was really cute, and I loved the story however I kept getting lost in the dialog and had to rewind to figure out what was happening, The Love story was really sweet, and I Enjoyed that it had no drama between the main couple.
February 6, 2025
What in fan fiction did I just listen to??? Hahahaha
I actually really loved this book. Narrators were great!
I actually really loved this book. Narrators were great!
March 8, 2025
I would have given this a higher rating but this is literally Parker’s earlier novel Act Like It but with a Bridgerton/ Sexy Downton Abbey tv twist. There are so many beats that are the same. The female lead in some sort of acting job with an ex and the Male lead who seems like an asshole but actually just has a bigger asshole father. The FL having a loved one die of an illness and also unsafe work place conditions and reporters blood thirsty for scoop on the leads relationship. I really enjoyed Act Like It when I read it so was excited to listen to this one so it was disappointing to basically just get the same plot all over again.
If you haven’t read Act Like It and enjoy British contemporary romance you will probably enjoy this. Anthony’s humor in particular is great. Coughlan and Lee as audio performers were great and makes me feel I can’t get this a lower rating than 3. I would have loved a bit more of Lee’s performance though.
If you haven’t read Act Like It and enjoy British contemporary romance you will probably enjoy this. Anthony’s humor in particular is great. Coughlan and Lee as audio performers were great and makes me feel I can’t get this a lower rating than 3. I would have loved a bit more of Lee’s performance though.
February 21, 2025
With her Bridgerton fame and fan speculation/media clickbait about possible real life romance with her co-star, it was a clever bit of casting to get Nicola Coughlin as the female narrator in Misdirected! The FMC, Hattie, is an actress in a popular bodice-ripping TV drama called Leicester Square. In season five, Hattie's character begins an explicit relationship with the series villain, played by Anthony. There's dislike to lovers, forced (and intimate!) proximity, and tension and banter between Hattie and Anthony. It's not duet narration (argh, that would have been incredible), but Nicola's male voices were as amazing and varied as her female voices to be honest. Gwilym Lee, the male narrator, did a really good version of Nicola's light Irish accent as Hattie too. He had a lot less chapters to narrate, but I enjoyed them when they popped up!
Narration aside, I loved the plot of Misdirected. I absolutely love a regency romance (both book and on-screen versions) so it really felt like you got to peek behind the curtain of how the TV shows are made. How realistic it is, I have obviously no idea! (Hopefully Health and Safety is more rigorous in real life.) But it was fun to have both the modern romance and the regency setting for the show together. There was no annoying and unnecessary third act breakup or miscommunication tropes, hurrah! It was just a really fun listen and I definitely recommend for a no-drama romance audiobook!
Misdirected is currently available on the Audible Plus catalogue.
Narration aside, I loved the plot of Misdirected. I absolutely love a regency romance (both book and on-screen versions) so it really felt like you got to peek behind the curtain of how the TV shows are made. How realistic it is, I have obviously no idea! (Hopefully Health and Safety is more rigorous in real life.) But it was fun to have both the modern romance and the regency setting for the show together. There was no annoying and unnecessary third act breakup or miscommunication tropes, hurrah! It was just a really fun listen and I definitely recommend for a no-drama romance audiobook!
Misdirected is currently available on the Audible Plus catalogue.
February 10, 2025
The narrators were brilliant. Nicola Coughlan has such a warm voice and I loved how she distinguished each character, Gwilym Lee was also perfect as Antony with his slight disdain for everyone. This book has a lot of similarities with Lucy Parker’s ‘Act Like It’ - grieving but upbeat with a touch of snark female actor ends up falling for her grumpy rich boy with daddy trauma co-star. My only complaint is I’d loved an epilogue to see how all the changes Hattie wanted to make to her life ended up. Encore! Encore!
March 19, 2025
I love lucy (parker), i love nicola, and i thoroughly enjoyed this lil audiobook romp! Nicola was phenomenal as a narrator (her voice is so lively! she brings so much to the table! more please!) and the guy who voiced Anthony was really giving Wesley from Princess Bride- all simmering, low voiced longing. I will say it did do that thing that often happens when I'm listening to contemproraries where the book dips a bit in the middle/third act BUT i was still charmed, 4ish stars from me!
July 29, 2025
Listened to this on audio because it’s narrated by Nicola Coughlan (Penelope from Bridgerton). Cute story and it did kind of remind me of Bridgerton in way.
Con: the longgggest chapters. I didn’t think that bothered me but it did with this book for some reason. Lots of Irish and British accents which I guess forced me to pay more attention to the book but I did struggle with some pronunciation, etc
Con: the longgggest chapters. I didn’t think that bothered me but it did with this book for some reason. Lots of Irish and British accents which I guess forced me to pay more attention to the book but I did struggle with some pronunciation, etc
Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews