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Off Script
“I kissed Edward Wolverton once. It was everything it was supposed to be—and then some... maybe I’ll kiss him again.”
TV Producer Bea Douglas’s last confession to her former business partner and ex-best friend wasn’t meant to tempt the fates. She’s eager to escape the hypocrisy of the television industry and years of hiding her faith for the convenience of other people. Edward Wolverton may be hot, smart, and funny—but he’s also two steps out of rehab with a self-proclaimed allergy to Christianity.
But after a club night turns violent, Bea loses her sense of self while Eddie teeters on the edge of relapse. Their connection to each other is the only certainty. To be together, each will have to let go of past pain and have faith in a love that never fades.
Off Script is an uncommon story of the power of love and resilience to bring people together in a society that does its best to tear them apart.
TV Producer Bea Douglas’s last confession to her former business partner and ex-best friend wasn’t meant to tempt the fates. She’s eager to escape the hypocrisy of the television industry and years of hiding her faith for the convenience of other people. Edward Wolverton may be hot, smart, and funny—but he’s also two steps out of rehab with a self-proclaimed allergy to Christianity.
But after a club night turns violent, Bea loses her sense of self while Eddie teeters on the edge of relapse. Their connection to each other is the only certainty. To be together, each will have to let go of past pain and have faith in a love that never fades.
Off Script is an uncommon story of the power of love and resilience to bring people together in a society that does its best to tear them apart.
261 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2018
3 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 2, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. It is a great story that doesn't always make you feel bubbly and great, or even "oh no, there are problems, but they always work out". It brings in reality and the understanding that some things are hard but you can work through them. It is a romance but unlike any romance I've ever read. And it brings up a lot of hard topics and the effects that choices have not only on the chooser but on those close to him/her. It's amazing and I love it for its uniqueness. I was glued to the pages, especially after some very unexpected twists and turns. The characters were real and flawed, and struggling with additions and choices they had made. It was a powerful book and I honestly loved it. The author was amazing at holding my attention and keeping the plot moving along, farther than I thought it would go. And thus showing that a good story takes time and redemption, forgiveness, and overcoming also take time. They don't immediately happen. I highly recommend this book!
May 7, 2018
This was my first book by this author. Off Script is a very powerful book. I was, and still am, full of many emotions. A story about a girl who loses herself to the world. Bea is lost in the life she has created for herself. She is a strong woman while facing her trials and her search to find God again. Eddie is every fan girls dream. He is funny, charming, and handsome. He only has eyes for Bea and his addiction to alcohol. Watching his growth and change of heart was so emotional for me.
There were many times I wanted to put the book down because I was angry with the characters. I wanted to slap them. They would not see what was happening right in front of their faces! I am so happy that I finished it! I was in tears by the end.
This is a fantastic story of love and forgiveness. The author does a great job and I cannot wait to read more by her. This read is a must!
*Please note I received a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
There were many times I wanted to put the book down because I was angry with the characters. I wanted to slap them. They would not see what was happening right in front of their faces! I am so happy that I finished it! I was in tears by the end.
This is a fantastic story of love and forgiveness. The author does a great job and I cannot wait to read more by her. This read is a must!
*Please note I received a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 6, 2018
Off Script is the second in the Monkey & Me series by Liv Bartlet. I had the pleasure of reading the first novel, Production Values, last year. I highly suggest you read the first book to receive the full benefit of the second book’s story, although Off Script can certainly be read independently and thoroughly enjoyed.
Off Script is a literary breath of fresh air in the indie author world. I read plenty of books by self-published authors, and like its forerunner, this second book in the series is smart, sassy, funny, has heart, and makes you actually think, all the while entertaining you. It’s rare to find a book that has all those qualities.
I am a writer, an author, and an avid reader. The more I read and write, the more persnickety I get. Liv Bartlet knows her stuff. Not only does she have excellent insight into the workings of the making of television shows and movies, but she understands human interactions with a depth that few writers can convey so believably in their dialogue.
Bea Douglas has spent years in the world of Hollywood and the like. She thrives on her work. She’s the sort of woman who needs to be doing something to feel useful. When she’s not producing a show or running PR, she’s a volunteer nurse. She’s sassy, witty, and quick. She shows a tough exterior to a world where she has to be tough for the sake of keeping her head above the water.
But behind all that glamor is a broken soul who longs for more. She wants to be a mother. She is in love with heart-throb actor Eddie Wolverton, who is the male lead in her TV show Void. She is also a woman a faith, a Mormon, who believes, against the conventions of society, in waiting until marriage to have sex.
Before you turn away at this point because of the mention of religion, let me just say that this book does not preach or try to throw religious dogma in the reader’s face. I admire Bea for sticking to her convictions in a world where many would snub her. Bea’s faith is a real part of her character, just as Eddie’s aversion to religion is a necessary and believable part of his character. As Bea loves Eddie, so he loves her. Their religious differences are one of the obstacles they must overcome to be together. People face these kinds of obstacles every day in relationships. Bea is open-minded and non-judgmental of those who are different, and Eddie loves Bea more for her conviction of knowing what she wants. This is admirable. They complement each other the way bacon and chocolate together works. They may seem strange at first glance, but look deeper, and you find that the complexities and layers are rich and meld together beautifully.
Eddie is a recovering alcoholic. Bea doesn’t drink, even though she spends time around crowds who do. This is yet another road block for their relationship, but no one just falls in love, and boom, it’s happily ever after. Even though Eddie has his vice of alcohol and his ex, Siena, he is a likeable guy. Having written a couple of male characters in my books who suffer from alcoholism and seeing it in my own extended family, I know the stumbling block it is. Alcoholics are not bad people. They are often quite charming and outgoing, but their outward smiles and living it up during the good times are a cover for the desperation of turning to the bottle.
Bea is trying to figure out her life after the partnership of Monkey & Me was destroyed when her best friend, Kat, decided to pursue her own dreams in the industry. She figures it’s finally time to walk away from the Hollywood life and settle down into her dream of a family life. When things turn disastrous for her at a club one night, she is left hollow and broken. She reaches out to Eddie. Although Eddie is very much in love with Bea, he has his own problems and is perhaps not the best support for Bea to lean on.
What ensues is a balancing act of Bea and Eddie each working independently and together to overcome their obstacles. Love is the starting point, but is it enough to break through their weakness and make them stronger as one? Bea is clear: she wants marriage if Eddie wants sex. She also wants a baby and is pregnant with another man’s child (it’s not what you think).
I appreciate Liv’s honesty with these characters. She doesn’t dance around the hard topics: like faith, family life, marriage, rape, drugs, alcohol, and more. In the messiness, a masterpiece painting is created.
I recently heard someone say that when God is creating a lovely tapestry, if you turn it around and look at the back, you will see all the messy threads, the pieces that had to go together to create this work of art. We often don’t understand why life plays out as it does, but trusting in God, as Bea tries to do, is better than trusting in ourselves alone.
Full disclosure: I am a Christian, so Liv’s story resonated with me. I understand Bea’s struggle with her faith. I also believe that anyone can read this story and enjoy its message of love being stronger than our weakness.
This is a beautifully rendered women’s fiction story.
Off Script is a literary breath of fresh air in the indie author world. I read plenty of books by self-published authors, and like its forerunner, this second book in the series is smart, sassy, funny, has heart, and makes you actually think, all the while entertaining you. It’s rare to find a book that has all those qualities.
I am a writer, an author, and an avid reader. The more I read and write, the more persnickety I get. Liv Bartlet knows her stuff. Not only does she have excellent insight into the workings of the making of television shows and movies, but she understands human interactions with a depth that few writers can convey so believably in their dialogue.
Bea Douglas has spent years in the world of Hollywood and the like. She thrives on her work. She’s the sort of woman who needs to be doing something to feel useful. When she’s not producing a show or running PR, she’s a volunteer nurse. She’s sassy, witty, and quick. She shows a tough exterior to a world where she has to be tough for the sake of keeping her head above the water.
But behind all that glamor is a broken soul who longs for more. She wants to be a mother. She is in love with heart-throb actor Eddie Wolverton, who is the male lead in her TV show Void. She is also a woman a faith, a Mormon, who believes, against the conventions of society, in waiting until marriage to have sex.
Before you turn away at this point because of the mention of religion, let me just say that this book does not preach or try to throw religious dogma in the reader’s face. I admire Bea for sticking to her convictions in a world where many would snub her. Bea’s faith is a real part of her character, just as Eddie’s aversion to religion is a necessary and believable part of his character. As Bea loves Eddie, so he loves her. Their religious differences are one of the obstacles they must overcome to be together. People face these kinds of obstacles every day in relationships. Bea is open-minded and non-judgmental of those who are different, and Eddie loves Bea more for her conviction of knowing what she wants. This is admirable. They complement each other the way bacon and chocolate together works. They may seem strange at first glance, but look deeper, and you find that the complexities and layers are rich and meld together beautifully.
Eddie is a recovering alcoholic. Bea doesn’t drink, even though she spends time around crowds who do. This is yet another road block for their relationship, but no one just falls in love, and boom, it’s happily ever after. Even though Eddie has his vice of alcohol and his ex, Siena, he is a likeable guy. Having written a couple of male characters in my books who suffer from alcoholism and seeing it in my own extended family, I know the stumbling block it is. Alcoholics are not bad people. They are often quite charming and outgoing, but their outward smiles and living it up during the good times are a cover for the desperation of turning to the bottle.
Bea is trying to figure out her life after the partnership of Monkey & Me was destroyed when her best friend, Kat, decided to pursue her own dreams in the industry. She figures it’s finally time to walk away from the Hollywood life and settle down into her dream of a family life. When things turn disastrous for her at a club one night, she is left hollow and broken. She reaches out to Eddie. Although Eddie is very much in love with Bea, he has his own problems and is perhaps not the best support for Bea to lean on.
What ensues is a balancing act of Bea and Eddie each working independently and together to overcome their obstacles. Love is the starting point, but is it enough to break through their weakness and make them stronger as one? Bea is clear: she wants marriage if Eddie wants sex. She also wants a baby and is pregnant with another man’s child (it’s not what you think).
I appreciate Liv’s honesty with these characters. She doesn’t dance around the hard topics: like faith, family life, marriage, rape, drugs, alcohol, and more. In the messiness, a masterpiece painting is created.
I recently heard someone say that when God is creating a lovely tapestry, if you turn it around and look at the back, you will see all the messy threads, the pieces that had to go together to create this work of art. We often don’t understand why life plays out as it does, but trusting in God, as Bea tries to do, is better than trusting in ourselves alone.
Full disclosure: I am a Christian, so Liv’s story resonated with me. I understand Bea’s struggle with her faith. I also believe that anyone can read this story and enjoy its message of love being stronger than our weakness.
This is a beautifully rendered women’s fiction story.
February 5, 2018
I didn't think I would like this story. First off it was a gift and I have the worst luck with books given as gifts and secondly it is in first person present tense. I hate the present tense because my dyslexic brain freaks out when it reads it. The fact that I love this book is a testament to how brilliant it is.
I stuck with it because one of the characters has my name and that made me feel like I was part of the story. That was the theme of the day because, man, I am so Bea. Okay, not the high powered job but I can tell you every LDS single woman contemplates artificial insemination by the time they hit thirty. I don't get to read many characters that are like me. I live on the other side of the world from where books are marketed for so the chances are slim to find a character that has a life much like my own.
This book deals with some series issues. Some I'm glad I've never had to face but some that came close to the bone. The author doesn't shy away from the ugliness of the world. Warning you will need a box of tissues. I swear I went through half a pack by the time I finished. Which was well after 1 am in the morning. I couldn't put it down.
Now I want my own Eddie.
A well deserved five stars. Especially since I'm writing this after 1 in the morning because I couldn't get my head to shut up.
I stuck with it because one of the characters has my name and that made me feel like I was part of the story. That was the theme of the day because, man, I am so Bea. Okay, not the high powered job but I can tell you every LDS single woman contemplates artificial insemination by the time they hit thirty. I don't get to read many characters that are like me. I live on the other side of the world from where books are marketed for so the chances are slim to find a character that has a life much like my own.
This book deals with some series issues. Some I'm glad I've never had to face but some that came close to the bone. The author doesn't shy away from the ugliness of the world. Warning you will need a box of tissues. I swear I went through half a pack by the time I finished. Which was well after 1 am in the morning. I couldn't put it down.
Now I want my own Eddie.
A well deserved five stars. Especially since I'm writing this after 1 in the morning because I couldn't get my head to shut up.
May 24, 2018
This is the second in the series, but a first for me. I felt a bit lost in the beginning due to not knowing the back story that I am sure the first explains. However, the backstory is explained to a fair extent so as the story unfolds so the reader isn't as confused as the story continues. Some readers say you can read this as a stand-alone..which I am sure you can but, you get the full story and understanding by reading both stories. I am glad I read this book as it was a good reminder that there are truly talented indie authors out there. Not every indie book I have read have been as cohesive and fun in their writing or as talented or creative as this author is. I could never be a writer so I truly tip my hat to writers. Even though I was a little lost in the story in the beginning and at times through the story, the author still managed to keep my interested pulled in and entertained. The characters have depth, charisma, charm, and mystery. I loved the reality of Bea with her struggle within her faith. Anyone who belongs to a faith or religion goes through periods of struggle and, we are all human and make mistakes and errors of judgment. After reading this book, I look forward to having the opportunity to read the first one and hopefully the next installment.
For my full post, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
For my full post, go to:
http://bookjunkiemom.blogspot.com/201...
May 20, 2018
Ooooooooo couples like this drive me to the point of insanity! JUST BE TOGETHER!! *takes a deep breath* Okay. Back to the beginning.
The story follows Eddie and Bea. Eddie is the hot and smexy TV star who is freshly out of rehab after a huge break-up with his co-star. Bea is a TV producer who is a secret Mormon. The two are friends, but they have a lust and love for each other. Life is never easy and in the society, they are in it is impossible.
This was not an easy romance at all. They love each other, but they have so many of their own demons to deal with. They help each other as best as they can. It drove me up-the-wall...I just wanted them to be together. It is so obvious! Sighs. It makes sense that they are not right for each other at first because of their demons they are fighting.
Yes, there is lots and lots of drama going. Sometimes it seemed a little over-the-top. But it was realistic especially in that line of work.
I felt so bad for Eddie and Bea. They deserved all happiness and joy. People are evil!! Especially that ex of his! Grrr. But yes, I loved both of these characters even with their flaws and issues. Good people who are dealing with lots of stuff.
I want to read more about Michael! Maybe a short story!!
In the end, I did enjoy this. Lots of drama that was a little over-the-top at times, but I enjoyed it overall. It took FOREVER, but Bea and Eddie need each other. They fit well together. I'll stamp this with 3 stars.
The story follows Eddie and Bea. Eddie is the hot and smexy TV star who is freshly out of rehab after a huge break-up with his co-star. Bea is a TV producer who is a secret Mormon. The two are friends, but they have a lust and love for each other. Life is never easy and in the society, they are in it is impossible.
This was not an easy romance at all. They love each other, but they have so many of their own demons to deal with. They help each other as best as they can. It drove me up-the-wall...I just wanted them to be together. It is so obvious! Sighs. It makes sense that they are not right for each other at first because of their demons they are fighting.
Yes, there is lots and lots of drama going. Sometimes it seemed a little over-the-top. But it was realistic especially in that line of work.
I felt so bad for Eddie and Bea. They deserved all happiness and joy. People are evil!! Especially that ex of his! Grrr. But yes, I loved both of these characters even with their flaws and issues. Good people who are dealing with lots of stuff.
I want to read more about Michael! Maybe a short story!!
In the end, I did enjoy this. Lots of drama that was a little over-the-top at times, but I enjoyed it overall. It took FOREVER, but Bea and Eddie need each other. They fit well together. I'll stamp this with 3 stars.
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February 12, 2018In the interest of disclosure, I had more than a little to do with this book. I'm very proud of the final product - it features a strong-minded, faithful LDS woman who rocks at her job. She deserves the love she finds, but the path to get there is more than a little rocky. This book deals with some heavy issues, but they're issues that need to be part of the public discussion, especially in LDS communities.
January 29, 2018
I loved this book. Couldn't put it down once I started it. The characters are alive and interesting and the plot well-developed. Thanks for such a lovely read.
February 21, 2018
This isn't my usual genre, but it is very well written. The characters are the big focus here and their journey is believable and touching. Their problems are realistic and relateable, and end in a good happy place. I highly recommend it to readers of romance and women's lit who don't want things super explicit.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews