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A review by fiwwa
Off Script by Ashley Marie
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Well, yeah, the tropes seems promising: a workplace romance between movie actor and actress frenemies fake dating for the stunt, but this one doesn't executed well. I know I'm not a big fan of celebrity fake dating and I thought I'd change my mind after this book but nope.
Let's start with the likes. First is the BIPOC main characters that caught my attention when I saw the cover. Though, sadly, it didn't really stand out much in the story, it barely shows that they're BIPOC except Jada's skin tone on the cover and that Tristan spoke in Spanish. Second, we get to know celebrity life behind the scene with all the Hollywood politics.
Now to the dislikes, I can't mention one thing to love about Tristan or Jada's character. Tristan's behaviors to women is just a major red flag, gaslighting a woman for something HE did wrong, and didn't show any effort in apologizing except offering his talent in bed. And Jada has lack of personality, she's an actress but I can't see that in her and she never stood up for herself when someone tries to bring her down. I also don't like the fact that she always brings up her past and compared him to Tristan.
Another thing that sucked even more is the lack of chemistry between the two of them gahhhh!!! They fight more than they talk as a couple and I can't really see that they have a good time together. Their relationship felt forced and it still felt like it was a PR stunt when it was no more.
Not a big fan of the writing style either, it's poorly edited and felt awkward, doesn't feel... alive?
This book was okay and such a fun quick read. I'm actually more invested in Mikayla and Ren, their story would make such a good enemies to lovers.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad books for the ARC!
Let's start with the likes. First is the BIPOC main characters that caught my attention when I saw the cover. Though, sadly, it didn't really stand out much in the story, it barely shows that they're BIPOC except Jada's skin tone on the cover and that Tristan spoke in Spanish. Second, we get to know celebrity life behind the scene with all the Hollywood politics.
Now to the dislikes, I can't mention one thing to love about Tristan or Jada's character. Tristan's behaviors to women is just a major red flag, gaslighting a woman for something HE did wrong, and didn't show any effort in apologizing except offering his talent in bed. And Jada has lack of personality, she's an actress but I can't see that in her and she never stood up for herself when someone tries to bring her down. I also don't like the fact that she always brings up her past and compared him to Tristan.
Another thing that sucked even more is the lack of chemistry between the two of them gahhhh!!! They fight more than they talk as a couple and I can't really see that they have a good time together. Their relationship felt forced and it still felt like it was a PR stunt when it was no more.
Not a big fan of the writing style either, it's poorly edited and felt awkward, doesn't feel... alive?
This book was okay and such a fun quick read. I'm actually more invested in Mikayla and Ren, their story would make such a good enemies to lovers.
Thanks to Netgalley and Wattpad books for the ARC!
Moderate: Body shaming, Racism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent