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Love in the Spotlight #1
The Love Script
Hollywood hair stylist Nevaeh Richards loves making those in the spotlight shine but prefers the anonymity of staying behind her stylist chair, where no one notices her. But when a photo of Nevaeh and Hollywood heartthrob Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.
Lamont Booker's bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent's push for a fake relationship--something he never thought he'd consider in a million years.
With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?
Toni Shiloh dazzles in this irresistible red-carpet romance with spotlight-stealing laughter, faith, and a happily ever after.
Lamont Booker's bold faith has gained him a platform, and the authenticity of his faith is well known . . . until the tabloids cause the world to question everything he claims to be. With his reputation on the line, he finds himself hearing out his agent's push for a fake relationship--something he never thought he'd consider in a million years.
With their careers at risk, Nevaeh and Lamont have to convince the world that their scripted romance is more than just an act. But when fake seems to turn into something real, can Nevaeh trust her heart in a world where nothing is ever as it seems?
Toni Shiloh dazzles in this irresistible red-carpet romance with spotlight-stealing laughter, faith, and a happily ever after.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2023
80 people are currently reading
6372 people want to read
About the author
Toni Shiloh
56 books1,872 followersToni Shiloh is a wife, mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. A native of Texas, she now lives in northern Virginia. Learn more at http://tonishiloh.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 357 reviews
August 2, 2023
Go Toni Shiloh!!!
THIS is what we want to see in Christian contemporary romance!
The deep faith development, the Bible references, the swoon-worthy moments, and the characters ALL made this an EASY five stars.
Nevaeh (gorgeous name btw) and Lamont are thrust together into a fake but supposed to be real relationship when they are caught in a compromising photo together. Lamont is a movie star and Nevaeh is a humble hair stylist. We watch their relationship and their faith grow as they get to know each other.
What I loved the most was the faith content of course. The characters regularly prayed and went to church. One of the character asked for prayer from his friends all the time. I loved reading the texts between them! The message about church being important for fellowship and worshipping God, was fantastic.
The characters were lovely! I enjoyed getting each of their perspectives. The side characters were also great. They served a purpose and I was fine with it hah.
The conflicts were also believable and entertaining. The only unbelievable thing would be that Lamont didn't get more hate for being a vocal Christian. But hey, I read to escape reality, so bring on more of this Mrs. Shiloh!
Overall, this is one of the best romances I've ever read. All time favourite status. Everyone who likes Christian romance needs to read this.
THIS is what we want to see in Christian contemporary romance!
The deep faith development, the Bible references, the swoon-worthy moments, and the characters ALL made this an EASY five stars.
Nevaeh (gorgeous name btw) and Lamont are thrust together into a fake but supposed to be real relationship when they are caught in a compromising photo together. Lamont is a movie star and Nevaeh is a humble hair stylist. We watch their relationship and their faith grow as they get to know each other.
What I loved the most was the faith content of course. The characters regularly prayed and went to church. One of the character asked for prayer from his friends all the time. I loved reading the texts between them! The message about church being important for fellowship and worshipping God, was fantastic.
The characters were lovely! I enjoyed getting each of their perspectives. The side characters were also great. They served a purpose and I was fine with it hah.
The conflicts were also believable and entertaining. The only unbelievable thing would be that Lamont didn't get more hate for being a vocal Christian. But hey, I read to escape reality, so bring on more of this Mrs. Shiloh!
Overall, this is one of the best romances I've ever read. All time favourite status. Everyone who likes Christian romance needs to read this.
July 24, 2023
Toni Shiloh does it again! Loved this so much. The Love Script is a beautifully written Christian contemporary romance that weaves together faith, love and personal growth perfectly. 5 big stars! Toni is truly an auto buy author for me!
This is all about Hollywood movie star, Lamont Booker and his mother’s hairstylist, Nevaeh Richards. Nevaeh is helping his sick mother out one day when the paparazzi capture a photo on his front porch of them that leave the public wondering if Lamont’s Christian values have all been for show. With the public going crazy over this photo and cancel culture looming over Lamont, his team feel it would be best for Nevaeh and Lamont to “fake date” during this time and stay true to their Christian values. Neither Lamont, nor Nevaeh want to lie. They feel they will be dishonoring God. So they decide to try and date for real, get to know one another and see how things go…but will the paparazzi be too much for their relationship?
The faith in this story is what stood out most for me. I LOVED how refreshing this story was with a strong Christian male lead. His friend, Chris and Tuck were awesome. They always made sure to pray for their friend and check in to see how he was doing in every situation. I related to Nevaeh in some of her church going struggles too. The discussions surrounding church attendance really ministered to me and encouraged my faith. Each one of Toni’s books have encouraged my faith in some way and this was just wonderful.
I also appreciate the importance of abstinence of sex before marriage in this story and how it was completely ok to wait. We need more of this portrayed in books, especially for our younger generation. God was ever present in this story and I love how she truly weaved in prayer, church and His plan/will for our lives and decision making here for our characters. The side characters were perfect too and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.
Thank you to Toni for another amazing story with Godly wisdom and a sweet romance. Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review.
This is all about Hollywood movie star, Lamont Booker and his mother’s hairstylist, Nevaeh Richards. Nevaeh is helping his sick mother out one day when the paparazzi capture a photo on his front porch of them that leave the public wondering if Lamont’s Christian values have all been for show. With the public going crazy over this photo and cancel culture looming over Lamont, his team feel it would be best for Nevaeh and Lamont to “fake date” during this time and stay true to their Christian values. Neither Lamont, nor Nevaeh want to lie. They feel they will be dishonoring God. So they decide to try and date for real, get to know one another and see how things go…but will the paparazzi be too much for their relationship?
The faith in this story is what stood out most for me. I LOVED how refreshing this story was with a strong Christian male lead. His friend, Chris and Tuck were awesome. They always made sure to pray for their friend and check in to see how he was doing in every situation. I related to Nevaeh in some of her church going struggles too. The discussions surrounding church attendance really ministered to me and encouraged my faith. Each one of Toni’s books have encouraged my faith in some way and this was just wonderful.
I also appreciate the importance of abstinence of sex before marriage in this story and how it was completely ok to wait. We need more of this portrayed in books, especially for our younger generation. God was ever present in this story and I love how she truly weaved in prayer, church and His plan/will for our lives and decision making here for our characters. The side characters were perfect too and I can’t wait to see what comes next in the series.
Thank you to Toni for another amazing story with Godly wisdom and a sweet romance. Thank you to Baker Publishing and Bethany House for a copy to honestly read and review.
August 6, 2023
Loved this cute contemporary Christian romance! This is my first book by Toni Shiloh, and I can’t wait to read more. It’s a swoony, well written, relatable, fun, fake relationship story that completely drew me in. It was also a refreshing example of people really living their faith and wrestling with the challenges and outside pressures that come from doing that.
Nevaeh was such a likable character. She’s a hairstylist who lands a great opportunity styling the hair of the mother of Lamont Booker, one of Hollywood’s most famous actors. She captures Lamont’s notice when his mother is sick and she stays to fix her some soup. As she’s leaving, she happens to trip and there’s the handsome Hollywood heartthrob there just in time to catch her. Unbeknownst to them, a paparazzi photographer is lying in wait to photograph what looks like an intimate moment, and soon Social Media is buzzing.
Lamont decided to turn his life around when he found his faith. He wants to use his fame to be an example to others and strives to live by the highest standards. So when the photograph of him and Nevaeh starts circulating and threatens his reputation, his agent proposes a fake relationship with Nevaeh to save his image. Soon their fake relationship turns into something more as they spend time together and really get to know each other. But, what happens if his fans learn it was all fake in the beginning?
There were so many aspects I enjoyed about this story. I loved the heartthrob actor falling for the “average” girl. Average sounds wrong because Nevaeh was extraordinary in her kindness, attitude, and faith, but you get the idea. She’s just a normal person who suddenly has the spotlight thrust upon her. She’s faced with overwhelming pressure surrounding everything from her appearance to her standards. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to be herself and stand up for her values. Nevaeh also struggles with wanting to worship, but not feeling particularly comfortable in the church community. I appreciated how she worked through her feelings.
Lamont is such a swoonworthy hero and a great example! I loved the fact that he’s not only this gorgeous Hollywood actor, but also a good, upstanding guy. He wants to help and protect Nevaeh, and isn’t afraid to be who he is. I loved how he inspired Nevaeh, and especially his grand gesture at the end.
Absolutely loved this story and would definitely recommend it to teens and young adults. It’s romantic, yet inspirational. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
Nevaeh was such a likable character. She’s a hairstylist who lands a great opportunity styling the hair of the mother of Lamont Booker, one of Hollywood’s most famous actors. She captures Lamont’s notice when his mother is sick and she stays to fix her some soup. As she’s leaving, she happens to trip and there’s the handsome Hollywood heartthrob there just in time to catch her. Unbeknownst to them, a paparazzi photographer is lying in wait to photograph what looks like an intimate moment, and soon Social Media is buzzing.
Lamont decided to turn his life around when he found his faith. He wants to use his fame to be an example to others and strives to live by the highest standards. So when the photograph of him and Nevaeh starts circulating and threatens his reputation, his agent proposes a fake relationship with Nevaeh to save his image. Soon their fake relationship turns into something more as they spend time together and really get to know each other. But, what happens if his fans learn it was all fake in the beginning?
There were so many aspects I enjoyed about this story. I loved the heartthrob actor falling for the “average” girl. Average sounds wrong because Nevaeh was extraordinary in her kindness, attitude, and faith, but you get the idea. She’s just a normal person who suddenly has the spotlight thrust upon her. She’s faced with overwhelming pressure surrounding everything from her appearance to her standards. I loved how she wasn’t afraid to be herself and stand up for her values. Nevaeh also struggles with wanting to worship, but not feeling particularly comfortable in the church community. I appreciated how she worked through her feelings.
Lamont is such a swoonworthy hero and a great example! I loved the fact that he’s not only this gorgeous Hollywood actor, but also a good, upstanding guy. He wants to help and protect Nevaeh, and isn’t afraid to be who he is. I loved how he inspired Nevaeh, and especially his grand gesture at the end.
Absolutely loved this story and would definitely recommend it to teens and young adults. It’s romantic, yet inspirational. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I received an advanced complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.
August 6, 2023
I. Love. This. Book.
Review over. Everyone can go home.
Ok, yeah, y’all know I have more to say. The Love Script is everything I love about Toni Shiloh’s books! It’s smart, it’s witty, it’s swoony, and it portrays characters who love Jesus and want to follow Him well. It also reminds me in all the best ways of one of my all-time favorite contemporary romances – Newlywed Games by Mary Davis. Not only because both books are smart, witty, and swoony but also because both books wrestle with the spiritual implications of perpetuating a public lie to protect someone’s reputation. Especially when the reputation in question is built on being a new creation.
Nevaeh is sassy, witty, and warmhearted, and readers will instantly adore her, cheering solidly in her corner from word one. Her parents want her to be a teacher, she works as a hair stylist (with occasional jobs on film sets) but she dreams of seeing her name in the credits as a show or movie’s key stylist. Also, shout out for a curvy girl heroine!! I laughed out loud at Nevaeh’s adventures in shapewear, and I so deeply appreciated the discussions on embracing who you are vs. the impossible standards Hollywood & social media push on us. Her spiritual struggles – as well as her reactions to all the things that go along with dating Lamont Booker – are relatable to a lot of us, too, and they just made me love her character even more.
Lamont Booker (yes, I refer to him by both names like Nevaeh hilariously does at first, too) … People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive (aka Mr. SMA) in this fictional Hollywood universe Shiloh has created… is book boyfriend swoonliciousness. He loves Jesus, his momma (who is a fabulous supporting character), and his work as an actor, and he carefully guards his sinner-saved-by-grace image. All of the above causes the attempt at damage control that leads to a quasi-fake dating relationship with Nevaeh, his mother’s hair stylist. Enter romance, stage left. Husky voices, flirty winks, tender concern, a smolder or two, and fanworthy kisses are also due to make an appearance. One of my favorite things about Lamont Booker (aside from all the things I just mentioned) are his group text messages with his two best friends. Not only does this set up the heroes for the next two books but the accountability and prayer support that Lamont Booker gets from his friendships with Chris and Tuck is really special. So often, we see female characters having those kind of bonds, but rarely do we see the heroes having the same. Also, Shiloh absolutely nailed their banter & voices.
Bottom Line: The Love Script is my favorite Toni Shiloh book so far! (And that’s saying a LOT because I absolutely adored In Search of a Prince) It’s a modern day fairy tale, full of plenty of opportunities to grin, swoon, and even laugh out loud. Shiloh incorporates faith themes that are both thoughtful and convicting, without being preachy, and the characters are richly layered and easily loved. All the pluses we would dream go along with dating a famous actor are on full display, but so are the downsides – and the author does a great job of presenting the balance. A character-driven, feel-good romance with depth!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Review over. Everyone can go home.
Ok, yeah, y’all know I have more to say. The Love Script is everything I love about Toni Shiloh’s books! It’s smart, it’s witty, it’s swoony, and it portrays characters who love Jesus and want to follow Him well. It also reminds me in all the best ways of one of my all-time favorite contemporary romances – Newlywed Games by Mary Davis. Not only because both books are smart, witty, and swoony but also because both books wrestle with the spiritual implications of perpetuating a public lie to protect someone’s reputation. Especially when the reputation in question is built on being a new creation.
Nevaeh is sassy, witty, and warmhearted, and readers will instantly adore her, cheering solidly in her corner from word one. Her parents want her to be a teacher, she works as a hair stylist (with occasional jobs on film sets) but she dreams of seeing her name in the credits as a show or movie’s key stylist. Also, shout out for a curvy girl heroine!! I laughed out loud at Nevaeh’s adventures in shapewear, and I so deeply appreciated the discussions on embracing who you are vs. the impossible standards Hollywood & social media push on us. Her spiritual struggles – as well as her reactions to all the things that go along with dating Lamont Booker – are relatable to a lot of us, too, and they just made me love her character even more.
Lamont Booker (yes, I refer to him by both names like Nevaeh hilariously does at first, too) … People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive (aka Mr. SMA) in this fictional Hollywood universe Shiloh has created… is book boyfriend swoonliciousness. He loves Jesus, his momma (who is a fabulous supporting character), and his work as an actor, and he carefully guards his sinner-saved-by-grace image. All of the above causes the attempt at damage control that leads to a quasi-fake dating relationship with Nevaeh, his mother’s hair stylist. Enter romance, stage left. Husky voices, flirty winks, tender concern, a smolder or two, and fanworthy kisses are also due to make an appearance. One of my favorite things about Lamont Booker (aside from all the things I just mentioned) are his group text messages with his two best friends. Not only does this set up the heroes for the next two books but the accountability and prayer support that Lamont Booker gets from his friendships with Chris and Tuck is really special. So often, we see female characters having those kind of bonds, but rarely do we see the heroes having the same. Also, Shiloh absolutely nailed their banter & voices.
Bottom Line: The Love Script is my favorite Toni Shiloh book so far! (And that’s saying a LOT because I absolutely adored In Search of a Prince) It’s a modern day fairy tale, full of plenty of opportunities to grin, swoon, and even laugh out loud. Shiloh incorporates faith themes that are both thoughtful and convicting, without being preachy, and the characters are richly layered and easily loved. All the pluses we would dream go along with dating a famous actor are on full display, but so are the downsides – and the author does a great job of presenting the balance. A character-driven, feel-good romance with depth!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
August 1, 2023
Toni Shiloh has taken the tropes of relationships of convenience and fake dating and turned them on their head. Readers are going to be delighted by this endearing and adorable romance of star-crossed lovers set with a Hollywood backdrop. Fans of Becky Wade and Courtney Walsh will love this addition to the contemporary Christian romance genre.
July 31, 2023
4.5⭐
Toni Shiloh is one of my favorite authors for the perfect mix of contemporary romance and Faith. The faith in her stories isn't part of the page, part a part of the character's lives.
When Nevaeh finds herself in a compromising photo with hearthrob Lamont, when she tripped on the sidewalk and he caught her. The public thinks Lamont is turning from his Christian values. So they decide to fake date, but really date because they don't want to lie. What follows is an enchanting story of being strangers and finding a common love of God and their families.
*thank you to Toni Shiloh and Bethany House for a copy of this book to read and review.
Toni Shiloh is one of my favorite authors for the perfect mix of contemporary romance and Faith. The faith in her stories isn't part of the page, part a part of the character's lives.
When Nevaeh finds herself in a compromising photo with hearthrob Lamont, when she tripped on the sidewalk and he caught her. The public thinks Lamont is turning from his Christian values. So they decide to fake date, but really date because they don't want to lie. What follows is an enchanting story of being strangers and finding a common love of God and their families.
*thank you to Toni Shiloh and Bethany House for a copy of this book to read and review.
July 31, 2023
Oh my stars! What a phenomenal read! I’ve been a huge fan of Toni Shiloh’s books for years, and they are always most anticipated releases for me!
I seriously adored The Love Script so very much! I loved Nevaeh, she is a wonderful heroine and I found myself relating to her faith journey. And Lamont is AMAZING! Where can I find me a man like him?!
I adored all the characters, Nevaeh, Lamont, Ms. Rosie, Tuck, Piper, and Chris. I wish they were real because I would love to be friends with them!
I’m fascinated by Hollywood and if a book is set there and features at least one celebrity character then sign me up! I loved the way the author brought to life the pros and cons of life in the spotlight, and the challenges (and the positives) that come with being a Christ-follower in Hollywood! Loved, loved, LOVED that!
I always love the way Toni Shiloh so beautifully and organically weaves faith into her stories!
This book was an absolute joy to read and I loved every single moment of it!
I love everything that Toni Shiloh writes, but The Love Script is one of my very favorites of her books, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I most highly recommend The Love Script! Grab yourself a copy ASAP! You do not wanna miss this beautiful masterpiece!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
I seriously adored The Love Script so very much! I loved Nevaeh, she is a wonderful heroine and I found myself relating to her faith journey. And Lamont is AMAZING! Where can I find me a man like him?!
I adored all the characters, Nevaeh, Lamont, Ms. Rosie, Tuck, Piper, and Chris. I wish they were real because I would love to be friends with them!
I’m fascinated by Hollywood and if a book is set there and features at least one celebrity character then sign me up! I loved the way the author brought to life the pros and cons of life in the spotlight, and the challenges (and the positives) that come with being a Christ-follower in Hollywood! Loved, loved, LOVED that!
I always love the way Toni Shiloh so beautifully and organically weaves faith into her stories!
This book was an absolute joy to read and I loved every single moment of it!
I love everything that Toni Shiloh writes, but The Love Script is one of my very favorites of her books, and I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
I most highly recommend The Love Script! Grab yourself a copy ASAP! You do not wanna miss this beautiful masterpiece!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.
My review was not influenced in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.
August 11, 2023
I have mixed feelings about this book, but it's staying on my shelves and I've been thinking about it for almost a week now. ;)
The story was really stressful (or maybe that's just how I took it), and I wished for a few more sweet moments to balance that out. I also never quite believed Neveah's love went beyond being a fangirl, so more moments would have helped me with that. I was also expecting more of the show biz side of things, so I was disappointed when they'd arrive somewhere and the scene would end. Again, these were all pretty subjective, personal preference things. ;)
I really enjoyed the fake dating storyline unlike any other I've come across. It was so real, so flawed, and ultimately very interesting seeing how they navigated this lie as Christians. I was also heavily convicted by Neveah's struggles with church. That was an amazing theme to include. *claps*
Lamont and his mom were cute together, and Miss Rosie was generally a highlight. I absolutely loved Neveah, her can-do attitude, and the fact that she was plus-sized and unashamed. (I felt so seen.) I also really enjoyed the bros texting throughout, lol.
All in all, a book I'm very glad I read but felt like it was missing a little something.
The story was really stressful (or maybe that's just how I took it), and I wished for a few more sweet moments to balance that out. I also never quite believed Neveah's love went beyond being a fangirl, so more moments would have helped me with that. I was also expecting more of the show biz side of things, so I was disappointed when they'd arrive somewhere and the scene would end. Again, these were all pretty subjective, personal preference things. ;)
I really enjoyed the fake dating storyline unlike any other I've come across. It was so real, so flawed, and ultimately very interesting seeing how they navigated this lie as Christians. I was also heavily convicted by Neveah's struggles with church. That was an amazing theme to include. *claps*
Lamont and his mom were cute together, and Miss Rosie was generally a highlight. I absolutely loved Neveah, her can-do attitude, and the fact that she was plus-sized and unashamed. (I felt so seen.) I also really enjoyed the bros texting throughout, lol.
All in all, a book I'm very glad I read but felt like it was missing a little something.
July 28, 2023
Wow! I loved, loved, loved this story! What a situation these two characters ended up in! Lamont and Nevaeh were both Christians, although they were in different places in their personal walks. Yet, both of these characters battled the conundrum of trying to tell the truth about the situation, which seemed unlikely to work, or entering into a fake relationship, which would be a lie.
I really ended up liking the scenario that Lamont came up with, which allowed the two of them to enter a dating relationship as friends. They technically were stretching the truth about the events of how they came to be dating, yet that allowed them to get to know each other and grow to care for one another in the story. But would the weight of how their relationship began ever grow lighter on their shoulders?
I loved the way these two connected as they began spending time together. They both had an openness and a willingness to see if things could work out. They genuinely liked each other, yet there were plenty of problems that arose, especially for Nevaeh, as she navigated being thrown into the spotlight for dating one of Hollywood’s top actors.
I simply adored this book from start to finish and did not want it to end. I enjoyed meeting Lamont’s close friend group, which mostly occurred through text messages in the story, and hope to see more of them in the future. This book is one of my favorite reads this year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I really ended up liking the scenario that Lamont came up with, which allowed the two of them to enter a dating relationship as friends. They technically were stretching the truth about the events of how they came to be dating, yet that allowed them to get to know each other and grow to care for one another in the story. But would the weight of how their relationship began ever grow lighter on their shoulders?
I loved the way these two connected as they began spending time together. They both had an openness and a willingness to see if things could work out. They genuinely liked each other, yet there were plenty of problems that arose, especially for Nevaeh, as she navigated being thrown into the spotlight for dating one of Hollywood’s top actors.
I simply adored this book from start to finish and did not want it to end. I enjoyed meeting Lamont’s close friend group, which mostly occurred through text messages in the story, and hope to see more of them in the future. This book is one of my favorite reads this year.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
July 9, 2023
(thank you netgalley and bethany house for an arc in exchange for an honest review)
“The Love Script” is the first book in the "Love in the Spotlight series" and is also my introduction to Toni Shiloh and I can say it did not disappoint.
Lamont Booker is an actor. From the resident bad boy to the country’s sweetheart, Lamont has changed from his days of wild parties and sex to dedicating his life to God and doing his best to serve Him in all ways, such as the roles he plays in movies. Because of this, he’s constantly in the spotlight. Support from his fans and fellow Christians. Criticism from those who don’t believe in his conversion, some Christians themselves. He’s been able to hide his mother’s cancer from the world but it may not be possible anymore when an innocent photo may ruin his entire career.
Nevaeh Richards is a hairstylist. Born of academic parents, she struck out on her own path and followed her passion in making others feel good with their appearance. When Lamont Baker offers her a job helping his mother with her hair after suffering hair loss from chemotherapy, she is quick to accept. She is also a Christian but struggles in attending churches that do not meet her standards.
One day, as she’s leaving an appointment at the Booker house, she stumbles, Lamont catches her and an innocent photo threatens to ruin both their careers. Desperate, they come up with a plan to start fake dating but with neither of them comfortable with telling such a lie, they decide to actually date and see if it would lead anywhere. Technically, that’s not lying, right?
Dating a celebrity isn’t as magical as you would think it would be and this becomes one of the main conflicts that the characters need to deal with but it’s okay. They’re together.
I loved this. This was such a cute wholesome book. It was a rough start with all the references to various celebrities and pop-culture but once I got into it, I practically devoured it. The relationships in this book, the characters with each other and with God was beautiful to read. Nevaeh already had a strong foundation in her faith, though rocky in relation to going to church but the fact that Lamont was able to make friends with people of the same faith, in Hollywood, was just amazing. I can’t wait to read Tucker and Chris’ books. I already know who Tucker's love interest will be :) and I have a slight guess into who’s Chris’ might be (unless a new character is introduced in the sequel)
While I did love it, I can say that I struggled with the narration. We follow both our MCs but while Nevaeh’s chapters are in first person, Lamont’s are in third and that was a bit jarring. I wish they were both in third to be honest but I’m not sure if that will be in the final print.
Still, I highly highly recommend this to anyone looking into clean, christian romance.
Lamont reached out his hand and laced his fingers between mine. “We’ve got this.”
“You’re an actor. You have experience playing a part. I’m the novice here.”
Lamont squeezed my hand. “Just be yourself, and I won’t let you fall.”
“The Love Script” is the first book in the "Love in the Spotlight series" and is also my introduction to Toni Shiloh and I can say it did not disappoint.
Lamont Booker is an actor. From the resident bad boy to the country’s sweetheart, Lamont has changed from his days of wild parties and sex to dedicating his life to God and doing his best to serve Him in all ways, such as the roles he plays in movies. Because of this, he’s constantly in the spotlight. Support from his fans and fellow Christians. Criticism from those who don’t believe in his conversion, some Christians themselves. He’s been able to hide his mother’s cancer from the world but it may not be possible anymore when an innocent photo may ruin his entire career.
Nevaeh Richards is a hairstylist. Born of academic parents, she struck out on her own path and followed her passion in making others feel good with their appearance. When Lamont Baker offers her a job helping his mother with her hair after suffering hair loss from chemotherapy, she is quick to accept. She is also a Christian but struggles in attending churches that do not meet her standards.
One day, as she’s leaving an appointment at the Booker house, she stumbles, Lamont catches her and an innocent photo threatens to ruin both their careers. Desperate, they come up with a plan to start fake dating but with neither of them comfortable with telling such a lie, they decide to actually date and see if it would lead anywhere. Technically, that’s not lying, right?
Dating a celebrity isn’t as magical as you would think it would be and this becomes one of the main conflicts that the characters need to deal with but it’s okay. They’re together.
“Even if you are, I can’t stand by and let you deal with all of this alone. We’re a team now.”
I loved this. This was such a cute wholesome book. It was a rough start with all the references to various celebrities and pop-culture but once I got into it, I practically devoured it. The relationships in this book, the characters with each other and with God was beautiful to read. Nevaeh already had a strong foundation in her faith, though rocky in relation to going to church but the fact that Lamont was able to make friends with people of the same faith, in Hollywood, was just amazing. I can’t wait to read Tucker and Chris’ books. I already know who Tucker's love interest will be :) and I have a slight guess into who’s Chris’ might be (unless a new character is introduced in the sequel)
While I did love it, I can say that I struggled with the narration. We follow both our MCs but while Nevaeh’s chapters are in first person, Lamont’s are in third and that was a bit jarring. I wish they were both in third to be honest but I’m not sure if that will be in the final print.
Still, I highly highly recommend this to anyone looking into clean, christian romance.
December 14, 2023
I’m ALL about a fake dating arrangement! And I was excited to see a Christian take on this trope. That was my favorite part of the story.
The characters felt a little two dimensional to me, and the constant switch in third to first person made it hard for me to figure out who’s head I was in because they both sounded the same to me.
I could see this as a lifetime movie.
I struggled with Nevaeh’s CONSTANT self loathing of her size and bemoaning how she wasn’t the ideal Hollywood look.
The relationship didn’t feel real to me in the sense of “would Lamont have even LOOKED at her if it wasn’t for the ruse”
The pacing and the ending felt funky to me. Nevaeh was struggling with her walk with God and the ending just felt weirdly tied up with a perfect little ribbon. But also not really…
I was saddened by the epilogue and just felt disappointed by the way the book ended.
I loved the steps they BOTH took with their walks with the Lord and how it really was such a focal point of their lives. And how none of us are perfect but He loves us anyways and we just need to take each day as it comes striving to serve Him better.
2.5/5 stars
*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*
The characters felt a little two dimensional to me, and the constant switch in third to first person made it hard for me to figure out who’s head I was in because they both sounded the same to me.
I could see this as a lifetime movie.
I struggled with Nevaeh’s CONSTANT self loathing of her size and bemoaning how she wasn’t the ideal Hollywood look.
The relationship didn’t feel real to me in the sense of “would Lamont have even LOOKED at her if it wasn’t for the ruse”
The pacing and the ending felt funky to me. Nevaeh was struggling with her walk with God and the ending just felt weirdly tied up with a perfect little ribbon. But also not really…
I was saddened by the epilogue and just felt disappointed by the way the book ended.
I loved the steps they BOTH took with their walks with the Lord and how it really was such a focal point of their lives. And how none of us are perfect but He loves us anyways and we just need to take each day as it comes striving to serve Him better.
2.5/5 stars
*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*
December 4, 2023
Story Enjoyment Rating: 6/10 Christian Faith Rating: 2/3 (mostly good faith content except that one of the Christian side characters practices yoga, so I technically rate it 3 minus 1)
The Love Script by Toni Shiloh is a contemporary Christian romance novel set in Hollywood. Nevaeh is a hair stylist hoping to make it in the film industry. One of her clients is the mother of a famous actor. When an accident happens, she finds herself in a seemingly compromising paparazzi photo. In order to save both their reputations, they decide to announce to the world that they are dating.
This book has the fake dating trope but with a lot of faith content mixed in. I appreciated that the characters felt in a dilemma and didn’t know how to do the right thing before God.
On paper, this book ought to have been a good match for me. But sadly, I got bored during the middle. I ended up speed-reading through the second half.
I think the problem for me was that the story stayed very focused on them as a couple. I really needed more subplots and side characters to keep my interest. It had a very linear plot, and I would have liked more layers. I enjoyed Toni Shiloh’s previous duology better because it had much more going on in the story alongside the romance.
The faith content was mostly very strong. However, there was one Christian side character who practised yoga and the author made no mention as to whether she meant the usual Hindu yoga (with the chanting and meditation that it involves) or just stretching exercises.
(Please, Christian fiction authors, if you mean stretching or exercising, please use those words and stay away from the word 'yoga,' which means so much more to most people around the world.)
The Love Script by Toni Shiloh is a contemporary Christian romance novel set in Hollywood. Nevaeh is a hair stylist hoping to make it in the film industry. One of her clients is the mother of a famous actor. When an accident happens, she finds herself in a seemingly compromising paparazzi photo. In order to save both their reputations, they decide to announce to the world that they are dating.
This book has the fake dating trope but with a lot of faith content mixed in. I appreciated that the characters felt in a dilemma and didn’t know how to do the right thing before God.
On paper, this book ought to have been a good match for me. But sadly, I got bored during the middle. I ended up speed-reading through the second half.
I think the problem for me was that the story stayed very focused on them as a couple. I really needed more subplots and side characters to keep my interest. It had a very linear plot, and I would have liked more layers. I enjoyed Toni Shiloh’s previous duology better because it had much more going on in the story alongside the romance.
The faith content was mostly very strong. However, there was one Christian side character who practised yoga and the author made no mention as to whether she meant the usual Hindu yoga (with the chanting and meditation that it involves) or just stretching exercises.
(Please, Christian fiction authors, if you mean stretching or exercising, please use those words and stay away from the word 'yoga,' which means so much more to most people around the world.)
August 23, 2023
I flew through this story. The movie references, the sweet romance (which includes one of my favorite tropes—a fake relationship), plus the likable characters and strong upfront faith thread made for a very enjoyable read.
Read
November 6, 2024Witty, romantic, adorable, and unabashedly faith-filled, The Love Script ticks all the right boxes for this rom-com lover! There's not a lot I can add that hasn't been mentioned by other reviewers already—from the way he treats his mother and Nevaeh to her fights with shapewear and her feelings, it's just all around a great read. I can't wait for the follow on books with Lamont's friends.
June 20, 2023
Toni Shiloh's books are always a delight to read, and The Love Script is no exception. What would you do when your ordinary life is turned upside down and you are thrust into the spotlight? Hair stylist Neveah's life takes an unexpected turn after a photo of her and actor Lamont taken by paparazzi is published and people start drawing the wrong conclusion. A fake relationship between Lamont and Neveah may be the solution, but will it become more?
The characters were great and authentic. Both of them as Christians weren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs. Each of them dealt with their own struggles. I loved how Lamont and his two guy friends have a group text in which they encouraged each other and prayed for each other. I'm looking forward to the rest of the characters' stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGallery. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters were great and authentic. Both of them as Christians weren't afraid to stand up for their beliefs. Each of them dealt with their own struggles. I loved how Lamont and his two guy friends have a group text in which they encouraged each other and prayed for each other. I'm looking forward to the rest of the characters' stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGallery. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read
August 7, 2023The Love Script
Love in the Spotlight, #1
By Toni Shiloh
*No rating*
Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for reaching out and sending me this #gifted copy.
A Hollywood movie star and his mother's hair stylist grapple with faith and feelings in this wholesome Christian romance novel.
This highly-rated book is the perfect choice for readers who like their romance squeaky-clean and faith-focused. I am not the intended audience here, so I did not rate it.
Love in the Spotlight, #1
By Toni Shiloh
*No rating*
Thank you @bethanyhousefiction for reaching out and sending me this #gifted copy.
A Hollywood movie star and his mother's hair stylist grapple with faith and feelings in this wholesome Christian romance novel.
This highly-rated book is the perfect choice for readers who like their romance squeaky-clean and faith-focused. I am not the intended audience here, so I did not rate it.
August 27, 2023
What if your life is suddenly turned upside down and inside out? How would you handle feeling like you were living in a fishbowl? Would you fall apart or strive forward the best that you can?
I love this new book by author, Toni Shiloh. It holds so much in it and is a wonderful depiction of the struggles some celebrities have when mistakenly photographed by the paparazzi and the ripple effect it can have on their lives as well as others related to them.
This story not only showed the struggles, but it also had some tender moments of wise Godly wisdom from a sweet older lady, Ms. Rosie. I loved how she challenged Neveah and also Lamont in their faith and their daily walk with God.
Now, it also had some delightful romance that developed unexpectedly between the two main characters and some really fun banter between Lamont and his friend. (Whom I hope to see in their own books soon!)
Toni Shiloh has written a beautifully touching story with rich word pictures. Many times, I felt deep emotions as I was reading this book. She has a wonderful way of conveying the feelings of each of the characters in this book. I will always pick up one of her books because I know I will be entertained and yet given thoughts to ponder.
This story had all the drama, tension, humor, and romance that will sit with you for a while. It’s truly an enjoyable book to read.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love this new book by author, Toni Shiloh. It holds so much in it and is a wonderful depiction of the struggles some celebrities have when mistakenly photographed by the paparazzi and the ripple effect it can have on their lives as well as others related to them.
This story not only showed the struggles, but it also had some tender moments of wise Godly wisdom from a sweet older lady, Ms. Rosie. I loved how she challenged Neveah and also Lamont in their faith and their daily walk with God.
Now, it also had some delightful romance that developed unexpectedly between the two main characters and some really fun banter between Lamont and his friend. (Whom I hope to see in their own books soon!)
Toni Shiloh has written a beautifully touching story with rich word pictures. Many times, I felt deep emotions as I was reading this book. She has a wonderful way of conveying the feelings of each of the characters in this book. I will always pick up one of her books because I know I will be entertained and yet given thoughts to ponder.
This story had all the drama, tension, humor, and romance that will sit with you for a while. It’s truly an enjoyable book to read.
I was given this book by the publisher which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 20, 2023
Super fun and so sweet.
Their relationship began with a lie, and was all a fake. At least in the beginning....
But, then the fun began.
Nevaeh had been content in her life, she had a somewhat successful career as a hair stylist in Hollywood.
But then. Lamont Booker. Only the greatest celebrity ever.
And she's fake dating him? How can she possibly keep her heart out of it?
Her life takes a major curve because of all of this. And she's forced to re-evaluate.
These characters were fun and funny. Sweet and romantic. But most of all, in spite of the setting, realistic.
I loved the heart and soul that I felt buried beneath the layers.
This is a wonderful book to pick up and read when you need something that's a little more on the light side.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
Their relationship began with a lie, and was all a fake. At least in the beginning....
But, then the fun began.
Nevaeh had been content in her life, she had a somewhat successful career as a hair stylist in Hollywood.
But then. Lamont Booker. Only the greatest celebrity ever.
And she's fake dating him? How can she possibly keep her heart out of it?
Her life takes a major curve because of all of this. And she's forced to re-evaluate.
These characters were fun and funny. Sweet and romantic. But most of all, in spite of the setting, realistic.
I loved the heart and soul that I felt buried beneath the layers.
This is a wonderful book to pick up and read when you need something that's a little more on the light side.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255
October 24, 2025
Author handles the sticky fake-relationship trope in a God-honoring manner. Male MC determines to date the female MC in truth rather than pretend in order to save their reputations. Complete truth is avoided but at least on his end, interest and intent is genuine even though the female MC’s self image and echoes of society’s standards, internet trolls, celebrity level news coverage, and years of judgmental comments from her mother make it difficult for her to believe and accept him at face value. I am hanging on every word. This story was unputdownable and if I hadn’t started reading of an evening, a one-day read. I appreciate the themes of truth (even when inconvenient or seemingly inconsequential), church life, repentance, familial relationships (and obviously, romantic ones, too), body image, celebrity, social media, general Christian culture, and celibacy. I will absolutely reread this book!
November 30, 2023
In The Love Script, Toni Shiloh once again proves she’s a master of modern-day fairytales, pairing a relatable heroine and a dreamy, honor-bound hero. This faith-forward romantic comedy is a refreshing and uplifting addition to the genre—a pleasant reward for readers looking for a true happily ever after.
March 15, 2024
I absolutely adored everything about this book! From the romance to the characters to the plot to the faith aspects...just everything was top-tier for me. Toni Shiloh has such a way with her words and crafting such rich stories that pull me in from the beginning to the end.
Nevaeh is such a relatable character. She enjoys being a hairstylist and is a believer, but she's what many consider a "realist." She was spunky but definitely had her share of insecurities that could be seen throughout the story. I loved that she was learning so much about herself and what she wanted. I love that she was real about where she was in her faith. She wasn't the type of woman to want to be noticed and she had a kind spirit.
Lamont was EVERYTHING!! He stood firm on his faith, and was loving, kind, respectful, honorable, and all. He was a bit of a workaholic. I loved how deep in his faith he was -- for a man and to see it in the novel, was amazing. He was more firm in his faith than Nevaeh. Lamont was simply perfect.
The romance was top-tier. I loved seeing them start off in a fake relationship and begin to really fall for one another. Seeing they communicated and expressed themselves to one another. They worked together helping the other in any way possible. They were equally yoked and I loved it.
The family for both Nevaeh and Lamont were solid in their faith and though sometimes Nevaeh's mom irked me, I ended up loving her in the end. Ms. Rosie is a queen!! Bryan was annoying at times, but I enjoyed him. Chris and Tucker were the BEST friends Lamont could have...they were also solid in their faith so seeing the men talk faith and stand on it was inspiring. Nora simply pissed me off.
Overall, this was a great read. Definitely fast-passed and immersive so it could be read in one-sitting. I am so ready for the sequel,A Run at Love!!! Thankfully I have an e-ARC to read it early!!
Nevaeh is such a relatable character. She enjoys being a hairstylist and is a believer, but she's what many consider a "realist." She was spunky but definitely had her share of insecurities that could be seen throughout the story. I loved that she was learning so much about herself and what she wanted. I love that she was real about where she was in her faith. She wasn't the type of woman to want to be noticed and she had a kind spirit.
Lamont was EVERYTHING!! He stood firm on his faith, and was loving, kind, respectful, honorable, and all. He was a bit of a workaholic. I loved how deep in his faith he was -- for a man and to see it in the novel, was amazing. He was more firm in his faith than Nevaeh. Lamont was simply perfect.
The romance was top-tier. I loved seeing them start off in a fake relationship and begin to really fall for one another. Seeing they communicated and expressed themselves to one another. They worked together helping the other in any way possible. They were equally yoked and I loved it.
The family for both Nevaeh and Lamont were solid in their faith and though sometimes Nevaeh's mom irked me, I ended up loving her in the end. Ms. Rosie is a queen!! Bryan was annoying at times, but I enjoyed him. Chris and Tucker were the BEST friends Lamont could have...they were also solid in their faith so seeing the men talk faith and stand on it was inspiring. Nora simply pissed me off.
Overall, this was a great read. Definitely fast-passed and immersive so it could be read in one-sitting. I am so ready for the sequel,A Run at Love!!! Thankfully I have an e-ARC to read it early!!
January 15, 2025
4.5 ⭐️s | When it comes to rom-coms that integrate faith in a way that feels seamless and organic, Toni Shiloh is unmatched! Lamont and Nevaeh’s story did not disappoint there.
This is my first time reading the fake dating trope (at least that I remember) and I love how Toni did it. I loved how much integrity Lamont had and how intentional he was with Neveah. The wrestling with his choice throughout showed just how serious he was about his relationship with God.
This was a story to get lost in and I did just that! I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic and I loved reading scenes that I read in A Run at Love from Lamont and Nevaeh’s perspectives. Looking forward to reading Chris and Erykah’s story soon!
This is my first time reading the fake dating trope (at least that I remember) and I love how Toni did it. I loved how much integrity Lamont had and how intentional he was with Neveah. The wrestling with his choice throughout showed just how serious he was about his relationship with God.
This was a story to get lost in and I did just that! I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic and I loved reading scenes that I read in A Run at Love from Lamont and Nevaeh’s perspectives. Looking forward to reading Chris and Erykah’s story soon!
August 16, 2023
I have met my new favorite Toni Shiloh book. I mean, I love all her books. My favorites have always been the Maple Run Series – every single one of them. But this book? My goodness it must have been so difficult and yet rewarding to write because you can see all the time, effort and possibly tears that she put into it. This book blew me away.
First of all, I need to talk about the friendship between Lamont, Tuck and Chris. Not only are these guys hilarious (I giggled many times), but they are genuine and offer sound advice to each other. I love how Shiloh added their text messages throughout the book. Let’s face it, that’s how we communicate with each other these days. Plus, there was a scene where they were literally all sitting at the same table, and still texting. Yeah, I giggled a LOT when I read that scene. Anyways, you don’t often see male friendships like this in novels, at least not as much as I would like, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it.
Then let’s talk about Lamont’s sweet mother. I love the spiritual honesty she brought throughout the book. Most of my favorite parts were when she was passing on her spiritual wisdom to either Lamont or Neveah. She reminds me of one of the ladies at my church (who has passed on) that was just someone you could do to with anything and know that she was praying and that she would always give sound advice, even when it was tough to hear. I hope to be like that when I’m older.
Of course we can’t forget the romantic thread. Perfect. Brilliant. Lamont and Naveah are my favorite couple of the year. They are not afraid to share their faith, and stick to the morals and rules that they have set in place. I think they are such an inspiration for young couples today. In fact, I think all young adults should read this book! I cannot praise Shiloh enough for writing their story. They were not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, however they showed how young couples can date, be happy, and set limitations. They were joyful, playful, flirty, tender, and so much more.
I cannot talk about this book without mentioning the faith thread. Not only was it brilliantly and beautifully written, but it was bold. Not once was it in your face, however it was across the entire story, and you could tell it was important to these characters, especially Lamont and his mother. The special thing though was how much it convicted me, and spoke straight to my heart. So many good points and life lessons sprinkled throughout the book that point to the Lord and how He alone deserves our praise, trust, and attention. So many different reminders I needed, and will need for the rest of my life. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and will be reread probably a million times.
The Love Script is a combination of rom-com, fake relationship, strong faith, and fun. With characters to adore, lessons to learn, and laughs that have you crying, The Love Script is a book that needs to be in homes and libraries everywhere. I highly recommend this book. More than that, I plead with you to go get a copy and start reading. Then tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
First of all, I need to talk about the friendship between Lamont, Tuck and Chris. Not only are these guys hilarious (I giggled many times), but they are genuine and offer sound advice to each other. I love how Shiloh added their text messages throughout the book. Let’s face it, that’s how we communicate with each other these days. Plus, there was a scene where they were literally all sitting at the same table, and still texting. Yeah, I giggled a LOT when I read that scene. Anyways, you don’t often see male friendships like this in novels, at least not as much as I would like, and I honestly couldn’t get enough of it.
Then let’s talk about Lamont’s sweet mother. I love the spiritual honesty she brought throughout the book. Most of my favorite parts were when she was passing on her spiritual wisdom to either Lamont or Neveah. She reminds me of one of the ladies at my church (who has passed on) that was just someone you could do to with anything and know that she was praying and that she would always give sound advice, even when it was tough to hear. I hope to be like that when I’m older.
Of course we can’t forget the romantic thread. Perfect. Brilliant. Lamont and Naveah are my favorite couple of the year. They are not afraid to share their faith, and stick to the morals and rules that they have set in place. I think they are such an inspiration for young couples today. In fact, I think all young adults should read this book! I cannot praise Shiloh enough for writing their story. They were not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, however they showed how young couples can date, be happy, and set limitations. They were joyful, playful, flirty, tender, and so much more.
I cannot talk about this book without mentioning the faith thread. Not only was it brilliantly and beautifully written, but it was bold. Not once was it in your face, however it was across the entire story, and you could tell it was important to these characters, especially Lamont and his mother. The special thing though was how much it convicted me, and spoke straight to my heart. So many good points and life lessons sprinkled throughout the book that point to the Lord and how He alone deserves our praise, trust, and attention. So many different reminders I needed, and will need for the rest of my life. This is a book that will stay with me for a long time, and will be reread probably a million times.
The Love Script is a combination of rom-com, fake relationship, strong faith, and fun. With characters to adore, lessons to learn, and laughs that have you crying, The Love Script is a book that needs to be in homes and libraries everywhere. I highly recommend this book. More than that, I plead with you to go get a copy and start reading. Then tell me how much you enjoyed it afterwards!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
October 2, 2023
Fun love story set in Hollywood!
July 4, 2025
The Love Script by Toni Shiloh is an engaing and inspiring fake dating Christian romance with theologically sound principles of faith, identity, and waiting well. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Lamon and Nevaeh, the main characters, and I'm excited to read the other two books in the series. If you're a believer who likes romance novels, The Love Script is definitely a must read because it's fun, well-written, and it will make you think about your faith as well as your intimate relationships.
CW: Bullying, Cancer, Fatphobia, Medical content, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
CW: Bullying, Cancer, Fatphobia, Medical content, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
May 16, 2023
Have you ever read a book, told the characters what they should do at the first sign of conflict, realized they had not followed your advice at that moment, and then watched as they regretted it later on? That’s what happened while reading The Love Script by Toni Shiloh. All I could do was sit back, watch their story unfold, and then give them a gentle, “I told you so” when the time came.
But without their choice to ignore me, there wouldn’t have been this wonderful, moral-driven story in between.
The Love Script is the first book I’ve read by Toni Shiloh, and I enjoyed it. There were times when it had me laughing out loud, and others when I was upset right along with the characters. It also had me pondering my own faith and what I could do better.
I thought the characters were depicted well, each of them dealing with their own struggles yet seeking God in their own way. Lamont Booker was an actor who changed his worldly ways and chose God regardless of what his fans may have thought. And he dealt even more with being under the lens of a microscope because of his open faith. Everyone was waiting for him to fall. Neveah Richards was a hair stylist dreaming of becoming a key stylist in a film or tv production, facing rejection after rejection. She also lacked what Hollywood would call “the perfect body” and received scathing remarks about it when she began dating Lamont and had to deal with paparazzi, reporters, and camera flashes, something she had never had to worry about before.
The two characters also struggled when it came to dating each other. Was Neveah being genuine, or did she want something from Lamont? Was Lamont true to his word, or was he just that great of an actor? These concerns came up throughout the novel, keeping a consistency that I appreciated.
I loved how God was almost another main character in this story as well. He was never too far, and both Lamont and Neveah (along with other fun and special characters) relied heavily on Him. They both sought Him for direction and repented when they chose their own path over His. They even reminded each other of God’s goodness and that they needed to pray on whatever it was they were concerned about at the moment.
The one thing I will nit-pick about is the mention of a few Bachelor’s degrees in Education. It stopped my reading a little too long as I wondered what exactly they majored in. Elementary Education? Special Education? English? History? Science? And I was waiting for them to share student teaching experiences, especially Lamont’s. It was a little too generic for me.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I loved the fake-turned-real relationship, the lessons learned, and the unashamed use of God throughout. This story is for the one who loves reading fake-relationship romances, and for the Christian who could use a reminder of what’s truly important in our faith walk.
I received a copy of The Love Script thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House. Opinions are my own.
But without their choice to ignore me, there wouldn’t have been this wonderful, moral-driven story in between.
The Love Script is the first book I’ve read by Toni Shiloh, and I enjoyed it. There were times when it had me laughing out loud, and others when I was upset right along with the characters. It also had me pondering my own faith and what I could do better.
I thought the characters were depicted well, each of them dealing with their own struggles yet seeking God in their own way. Lamont Booker was an actor who changed his worldly ways and chose God regardless of what his fans may have thought. And he dealt even more with being under the lens of a microscope because of his open faith. Everyone was waiting for him to fall. Neveah Richards was a hair stylist dreaming of becoming a key stylist in a film or tv production, facing rejection after rejection. She also lacked what Hollywood would call “the perfect body” and received scathing remarks about it when she began dating Lamont and had to deal with paparazzi, reporters, and camera flashes, something she had never had to worry about before.
The two characters also struggled when it came to dating each other. Was Neveah being genuine, or did she want something from Lamont? Was Lamont true to his word, or was he just that great of an actor? These concerns came up throughout the novel, keeping a consistency that I appreciated.
I loved how God was almost another main character in this story as well. He was never too far, and both Lamont and Neveah (along with other fun and special characters) relied heavily on Him. They both sought Him for direction and repented when they chose their own path over His. They even reminded each other of God’s goodness and that they needed to pray on whatever it was they were concerned about at the moment.
The one thing I will nit-pick about is the mention of a few Bachelor’s degrees in Education. It stopped my reading a little too long as I wondered what exactly they majored in. Elementary Education? Special Education? English? History? Science? And I was waiting for them to share student teaching experiences, especially Lamont’s. It was a little too generic for me.
All-in-all, this was a great read. I loved the fake-turned-real relationship, the lessons learned, and the unashamed use of God throughout. This story is for the one who loves reading fake-relationship romances, and for the Christian who could use a reminder of what’s truly important in our faith walk.
I received a copy of The Love Script thanks to Netgalley and Bethany House. Opinions are my own.
July 12, 2023
This cute summer read will charm your heart and give you flutters as you experience the life of two people building a relationship under a microscope. I enjoyed that there was realistic moments of what things would be struggles, what things would be fun and that the characters looked like everyday people.
I really thought the author did an incredible job giving us a light, but deep read to get the mind swirling.
I really thought the author did an incredible job giving us a light, but deep read to get the mind swirling.
August 17, 2023
I loved this story.from start to finish. It had me flipping pages and before I knew it I was at the end of the story. Lamont and Naveah ( such a beautiful name) had me by the hooks and I wanted to know every little bit of their story. The fake dating trope was so well written though it was practically all real. I love the respect they had for each other and didn't take advantage of the others weakness.
Lamont friends and their accountability had me smiling. He was willing to do the right thing and wasn't afraid to be called out if he messed up. Another wonder thing was how his faith was so well portrayed. The fact that he took a stand for Christ and wasn't afraid to show it and was a beautiful witness even Naveah was challenged by his faith.
Naveah was an awesome heroine too. I've not read many books with curvy heroines but I loved her and all she represented. She was unapologetically herself and comfortable in her own skin. I love that she didn't let others try to make her feel bad for being herself and even with the sudden thrust into the spotlight she didn't lose herself in the process.
This was a wonderful faith filled story and I enjoyed every minute of it. As with Toni Shiloh this might be my best book yet
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via the publisher. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
Lamont friends and their accountability had me smiling. He was willing to do the right thing and wasn't afraid to be called out if he messed up. Another wonder thing was how his faith was so well portrayed. The fact that he took a stand for Christ and wasn't afraid to show it and was a beautiful witness even Naveah was challenged by his faith.
Naveah was an awesome heroine too. I've not read many books with curvy heroines but I loved her and all she represented. She was unapologetically herself and comfortable in her own skin. I love that she didn't let others try to make her feel bad for being herself and even with the sudden thrust into the spotlight she didn't lose herself in the process.
This was a wonderful faith filled story and I enjoyed every minute of it. As with Toni Shiloh this might be my best book yet
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via the publisher. All opinions expressed are solely mine.
May 24, 2023
I've enjoyed every book I've read by Toni Shiloh and The Love Script certainly is no exception! It was very easy to become engrossed in Neveah's story and I didn't want to stop reading even though I knew I needed to get up in the morning for work. I like how Lamont had good Christian principles and friends he could count on to pray for him. And it was fun how they spoke to each other in lines from movies (our family does that so it was fun to see the movie quotes). You could see both Lamont and Neveah growing as Christians as well.
Overall, this is a really great contemporary Christian romance.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: 4 August 2023
Overall, this is a really great contemporary Christian romance.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Publication date: 4 August 2023
February 28, 2025
I love this faith forward romance. I certainly felt some conviction while reading this. But it is not too over the top either. Toni Shiloh is quickly becoming a favorite author.
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