Love Unscripted by Tina Reber

Love Unscripted

Tina Reber

Adult

(Read using a NetGalley copy)

What can I say about this title, other than Wow?! I was quickly drawn into this novel. Truth be told, it was rather shocking. From the get go Taryn is a protagonist most of us would love to have as a friend. She is a hard working, down-to-earth, honest and loyal almost to a fault. 

Enter Ryan Christensen, the current heartthrob actor. Ryan cannot believe how crazy his fans get. They drive him to escape into Taryn’s pub one afternoon and immediately he is drawn to her calming presence. She does not fall all over herself trying to get him to like her. She even turns him down twice!

What could have been a simple novel about two people from different backgrounds getting together turns into something much more. We are thrust into their world as they learn about each other, fall in love and learn to be a couple in Ryan’s crazy world.

I could not help but be drawn into their story as they navigate the ups and downs of life in the spotlight. Reber has created characters that I could just not help but like, sympathize and root for in this debut novel. So much so, I stayed up WAY too late having to finish it. With Love Unscripted, we can immerse ourselves into an unlikely world by living vicariously through Taryn.

Now that is not saying that the story is not without its faults. There are some contradictory moments such as discussion of Taryn being wealthy but then worried about money at moments. Part of that contradiction lies in her money is tied up in investments--something important but not liquid assets. Other parts that may grate on others might be Taryn and Ryan both have moments of self-deprecation and can come off whiny but we can all do that at times too. I feel that it leads to a feeling of authenticity because while as a reader we might assume their lives are glamorous and perfect, Reber does a nice job balancing it with real life too.  

If you enjoy the story as much I did, be sure to check out Love Unrehearsed to read how Taryn and Ryan’s story continues.