Review: Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney

Title: Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney
Publisher: Hyperion
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction (with Romantic Elements)
Length: 309 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

Maddy Carson is a mass of contradictions. She loves her job as Script Supervisor on a hit TV show, but hates “Hollywood.” Super-organized and down-to-earth, Maddy is clearly one of the best at her job, and her strict dating rule – “No Actors!” – helps her keep focused on her career. However, a budding relationship with Craig, one of the executives at her company, may even propel her into the big leagues. Could Wolf County, her beloved hometown in the mountains, be saved from a financial crisis by creating a reality show featuring the eccentrics in the small ski village? Maddy is determined to try, even when she learns that Craig’s agenda doesn’t exactly line up with her altruistic goal.

Meanwhile, Maddy still has a full-time job to manage, her family to deal with, and a gorgeous new actor, Adam Devin, determined to wear down her resistance. Eventually Maddy must learn to break all her self-imposed rules and simply follow her heart.

Scared Scriptless offers an engagingly relatable heroine, laugh-out-loud humor, and a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how television is made.

The Review:

A wonderful journey of self-discovery, Alison Sweeney’s Scared Scriptless is an entertaining novel with a slight romantic element. Set in Hollywood, this light-hearted story has a cast of well-developed, appealing characters and an engaging storyline. It is also an interesting behind the scenes peek into the less than glamorous side of filming a TV series.

Although she has been working in show biz for ten years, Maddy Carson is down to earth, close to her family and not easily impressed by the actors she works with. Well-organized with a meticulous eye for details, she is a by the book, stick to the schedule, rule follower who is easily stressed when she is not in control. Maddy excels at her job, but often lacks confidence when faced with the prospect of stepping out of her comfort zone.

Despite her long time in Hollywood, Maddy is a little naive and this comes back to haunt her when she begins dating her co-worker, Craig. Craig is ambitious and although there are numerous red flags about his intentions, Maddy ignores her instincts and collaborates with him on a reality show project set in her hometown. It is through this story arc that she finds the confidence to step out of her safe world, stand up for herself and not back down when her reputation and that of her beloved town are threatened.

The romantic aspect of the storyline happens late in the novel when Maddy breaks her rule about dating actors. Heartthrob Adam Devin has been interested in her since their first introduction, but Maddy has steadfastly rebuffed his advances. Their romance is very sweet but Maddy’s insecurities quickly threaten their fragile relationship.

Scared Scriptless by Alison Sweeney is a fun, easy to read story that has a surprising amount of depth and substance. The characters are endearing, the plot is refreshingly unique and although it is a bit predictable, it is an immensely satisfying and highly enjoyable novel.