Off Screen

Off Screen #1

by J.A. Armstrong

To the world looking in, actress Emma Bronson has it all; fame, talent, wealth, and beauty. But, Emma spends most of her nights alone wondering how her life became so secluded. Surrounded by people constantly, she remains lonely. Skeptical of people’s true motives, and guarded in her personal attachments; it seems the one thing Emma craves most in life is destined to allude her; love.
Addison Blake is a charming and witty aspiring writer. She sees life as an endless adventure full of possibility and prides herself on taking chances. When Addison accidentally collides with Emma; sparks immediately ignite. Friendship and companionship are rivaled by an attraction that neither woman has ever experienced. But, Addison seems reluctant to pursue a romantic relationship with the popular television star, challenging Emma to finally demolish all of her self-imposed walls.
Off Screen is the story of two women’s discovery of love and passion and the courage to embrace both.

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, Celebrity, Lesbian Romance, Contemporary, Adult

70 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 12, 2015

Reviews

[Fia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just...blah. Too unrealistic, too cheesy, too flat, too everything. This 'insta love' aka being hopelessly in love after like three meetings is too much.

Not my cup of tea.

But at least I actually finished it - maybe because it was short (thank God) - so that's why 2 stars.

[Lexxi Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect with this short story. Everything seemed to indicate, everything being the reviews and the description, seemed to indicate a "sweet slow story". With some seeming to imply sappy sweet, overly sweet. Maybe sickeningly sweet.

All of which through me off guard for when I actually read the story. I mean, bloody hell. I think I might be a little in love with Em and Addy myself, and I'm just the reader reading a fictional story. And a "sweet slow story" doesn't lend itself to imply in my mind "exciting graphic sex scenes."

This was a fun little story on many levels. I got the next three stories in the series before I even read this one. But now I'm kind of scared to read the next one. I mean, I read this one, I don't want to be let down. It could be said that I'd always have this story, if any future one disappointed me. But that isn't the fear. The fear is that something would be done or said that would cause me to reinterpret this story in a displeasing way. But enough of that, and enough of this "review".

[Harrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

"They say real-life is stranger than fiction. Guess there is always a little ray of hope."

I loved the coffee dates of the MCs. Their conversations felt effortless and smooth. Nothing extraordinary here but it was still a very quick and very cute read.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nicely done pure romance.

[Kexx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread as in early days didn't review. Lovely story, short, can see why I gave it 5*s but on rereading it's too short to be 5* so reduced to 4*. Feels like a 'first draft' of an on going project. Wow, not kidding, there are 9 of them! Think I'll leave them happy... too much angst upsets me!

[Kaye · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing off or catching up on Armstrong's other four series on kindle unlimted I started this one. I was surprised at the shortness even for a novella. (In the last series it was mostly full length novels and a few 125-175 novellas.) The main characters meet when they literally bump into each other spilling coffee. Emma Bronson is a successful actress in a tv series. She's from small town Kansas and likes acting but not necessarily everything else about the business. Addison Blake is a writer from a small town in Maine. She makes a living tutoring and taking on various writing and editing jobs while hoping for her big break. In a cute start the two agree to a weekly coffee date where they can talk about anything but their work. Of course by the end they know they have more than friendship feelings.

[Angie Engles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Off Screen is just a bit short for my tastes, but I love the writing, how sweet the story is and how both lead characters take their time getting to know each other. Becoming friends first, but secretly hoping for more, each woman is adorably endearing in her uncertainty about how the other feels.

Other pluses for me include: a vulnerability and earnestness found both in the writing itself and both women. I love the author's observations on so many things, but especially how writing can heal and the fears of falling in love (and not being loved back.)

What it lacks in length, Off Screen makes up for in substance. Well under one hundred pages, this novella sets things up nicely for what I hope will be a super sequel (see: The Red Carpet).

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I've read this again and I'm revising from 2 to 3 stars. They're pretty cute and I like the coffee dates deal. I can't stand the semicolon overuse and still think this could benefit from a copy edit, but it's worth reading because things definitely get better after this one.

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

She did it again.

Another great book by J.A. Everything starts with coffee and then the uncertainty, friendship that you don't want to lose, the love that you feel. As always, beautifully described. I really enjoyed this beginning of a new series.

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice and sweet.

[Best Lesfic Reviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

Avoidable.

Read the review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, it is like season like...

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good start to a new series!

This novella nicely sets up the friendship and romance between actress Emma and writer Addison. JA's writing is very different from most authors as she sets up each book in this ten book series as an episode. It's like watching a tv series. It's the beginning of a cute celebrity romance with humorous dialogue and some loving sizzle. But... and this is big in my opinion, there are so many proofreading mistakes. You are too good a writer to have so many mistakes! They won't stop me from reading the rest of the series, but it will stop me from giving you five stars!

[Ginger Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting pairing

Love and more love. Everything is so perfect in these little books. Real life never seems to intrude. That is cute and fun and completely unrealistic. That's okay. Not sure I know the characters that well yet so I will read a couple more short books and reserve judgment for a future review.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the 'Off Screen" series. This series is set in the background of Hollywood. It is different from her other series so I was anxious to read this book. Although, it is not as tightly written as her other books, it is enjoyable. It should be noted that this is one of her earlier series written in 2015.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

This is a brilliantly written first book in the serial love story of Emma and Addison. It is heartfelt with characters that seem to jump off the page without needing any additional embellishment to bring it to life. It has its own voice and speaks directly to the reader's heart. This is another J A Armstrong series that belongs on your must-read list!

[Marty Preslar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

Two fascinating main characters, a best friend with attitude, a mom who is wise enough to push her daughter in the direction of love as opposed to convention, and a romance that promises to be one for the ages. Yep... I'm liking this!

[Lyric Vickers · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I feel the book was a bit too fast-paced. After a month of talking the MCs confess their love. The MCs are a prime example of the stereotype that lesbians move extremely fast. But I did love the MCs and main idea of this book. I’m very intrigued about the next book so off I go!

[Zureena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow, how did i miss this..

Rollercoaster emotions that gives you epic 🔥 sizzling scenes. A 5🌟 most definitely for this amazing spellbound series that I'm about to read till the end.

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Very good start to this series. It was a sweet friends to lovers and I seriously loved all of the characters. It's short but does a great job setting everything up and the ending was precious. On to the next one because I need more.

[Melomaniac · Rating 3 out of 5]

the series is quite different and extraordinary concept wise but it's way too short

[Amy Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is amazing. Can't wait for more.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you just have to read a story that is wholesome and pure and delights the heart. This series is perfect for that occasion.

[Line · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read, just a bit short.

[Reneetc · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Emma's character, but I'll need to read more of the series to understand Addison. Also, certain things she says makes me wonder if her feelings are a reflection of the author's thoughts.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

hmmm

This is the beginning of a cute celebrity romance. Everything falls into place fairly swiftly. The main characters are well suited. Looking forward to the next chapter.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

I have enjoyed this sweet heartfelt story of young writer that meet a actress that like her from the start and become friends.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. This is a great beginning. I would have loved it twice as long, though. I loved the blossoming relationship of Addy and Emma.

[Maliha · Rating 3 out of 5]

even though intsa love is not something I usually enjoy, I get it in this book. but between it being a novella, and their love for each other being based on them feeling like themselves with each other in a world where they’re rarely themselves, it was validated for me.

I am very excited for the series as a whole, and this seems like the perfect introduction!

[Michelle Schuler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1

JA Armstrong has set the scene for Addison and Emma. I look forward to this series. Friendship to lovers. I have read this several times and will continue to do so.