Today I’m sharing my book recommendation for Toni Shiloh’s new release. The Love Script is a fabulous contemporary Christian romance set in the City of Angels. Here’s the book description:
A 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 A-lister Lamont Booker goes viral for all the wrong reasons, her quiet life becomes the number-one trending topic.
The silver screen’s latest heartthrob.
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.
A love that goes off script.
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?
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Love Script, set in Hollywood, California. Nevaeh is a hair stylist and makeup artist who wants to land a key stylist role on a movie or tv series. To supplement her stylist income, she works in a hair salon and visits clients in their homes. Her home visits include a client recovering from cancer who happens to live with her famous Hollywood actor son.
Lamont Booker is known as SMA (sexiest man alive) and Nevaeh is one of his biggest fans. She jumps at the opportunity to look after Lamont’s mom’s hair needs when he approaches her while working together on a set. Nevaeh is the invisible help in his home who Lamont doesn’t notice until a photo of them together is misrepresented and threatens his livelihood.
Lamont is a Christian who has made a public celibacy pact. When his agent proposes that Lamont starts a fake relationship with Nevaeh to save Lamont’s endorsement deals and stop him being cancelled, he views it as a logical answer to his problems. Nevaeh’s life is turned upside down after she’s outed as Lamont’s love interest.
I loved how the fake relationship trope played out in the story. The morality clauses in Lamont’s contracts had unintended consequences. At the core of their fake relationship is a lie that they announced to the world. In a Christian romance, that deception needs to be addressed, and the consequences played out in the story. As a result, Lamont and Nevaeh’s faith is challenged as they spend time together and fall in love for real.
The body positivity message in the story is fantastic. Nevaeh is not a skinny Hollywood starlet, and the expectations that Lamont should be paired with someone who meets society’s perceptions of beauty and body type is explored in the story. I recommend The Love Script to contemporary romance readers who like compelling fake relationship romances set in the Hollywood celebrity world with a strong faith element in the story.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House for the advanced reader copy.
We chatted with Toni and discussed The Love Script at StoryChats @ InspyRomance in Episode 134 that dropped yesterday.
Are you fan of the fake relationship trope in Christian romances? Have you read The Love Script? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
A fun loving Aussie girl at heart, Narelle Atkins was born and raised on the beautiful northern beaches in Sydney, Australia. She has settled in Canberra with her husband and children. A lifelong romance reader, she found the perfect genre to write when she discovered inspirational romance. Narelle's contemporary stories of faith and romance are set in Australia and international locations.
Happy Saturday Narelle! This retired teacher and grandmother is NOT a fan of the fake relationship trope, especially not it Christian romances. Seems rather dishonest. I have not read The Love Script. This Oma is preparing for a 3 day Barbie themed Cousins Camp for my granddaughters ages 6 and 9. The last hooray for the girls before school starts – one starts August 21 and the oldest on August 28. Been a busy summer. Enjoy your weekend. Best wishes.
This sounds s great read, thank you for the review.
I dobenjoy the fake relationship trope, but I think for a CCR in particular it has to be done really carefully, we need to see why acting a lie is necessary and understand the consequences – it sounds like ‘The Love Scipt’ does this well and has a great new angle on this trope. I love a body positive message too! I will definitely look out for this one.
Thank you so much for recommending it! I appreciate the review!
I haven’t read Toni’s story; however, I do like fake relationships! There’s usually a lot of chemistry there, and can make for a very entertaining read!!
I haven’t read it but would like to.i like fake relationships .
yes I do enjoy them. no I have not read this book.
It is fun to read. I have not had the opportunity to read it yet. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
Hi Renate, Your Barbie themed Cousins Camp sounds like a lot of fun. Enjoy the rest of your summer and thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Ruthie, You’re very welcome. The fake relationship trope can be tricky in CCR, and I love reading books where it’s done well. I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read Toni’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Toni, It’s a pleasure to read and recommend your book. 😊
Hi Trudy, yes! The chemistry between the characters in the fake relationship can be fun and entertaining. I hope you’ll have a chance to read Toni’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Kendra, I hope you’ll have a chance to read Toni’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Lori, I hope you’ll have an opportunity to read The Love Script. Thanks for commenting. 😊
Hi Debra, They’re fun stories, and I hope you’ll have a chance to read Toni’s book. Thanks for commenting. 😊