Road Trip Reads Giveaway (California): The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

today’s book: The Love Script by Toni Shiloh

We are moving right along on our summer-long Road Trip Reads Giveaway where we will be visiting all 50 states on the pages of recently released books. Because road trips are always better with friends – and books – right? So grab your fave snacks, a cold soda or bottled water, an upbeat playlist and let’s head to Hollywood!

today’s stop: California

THE LOVE SCRIPT by Toni Shiloh
SERIES: Love in the Spotlight #1
GENRE: Contemporary Romance (Christian)
PUBLISHER: Bethany House
RELEASE DATE: August 1, 2023
PAGES: 345

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?

“This fake-relationship story is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance!”–BETSY ST. AMANT, author of Tacos for Two

“Shiloh offers a sweet romance with a strong dose of spiritual truth.”–PEPPER BASHAM, award-winning author of Authentically, Izzy

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 which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 5 stars / fantastic!

KissingBook Level: 3+ / will forget to breathe on occasion

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Toni Shiloh is a wife, a mom, and an award-winning Christian contemporary romance author. Her novel In Search of a Prince won the first ever Christy Amplify Award. It has also been praised by Oprah Daily, POPSUGAR, Library Journal, and Booklist, and is a Parable bestseller. Her books have been finalists for the HOLT Medallion and the Selah Award. As a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Toni loves connecting with readers and authors alike via social media. Connect with there by visiting her website.

Other Recently Featured Books by Toni Shiloh

Bethany House is offering a print copy of The Love Script by Toni Shiloh to one of my readers! (US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.) This giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies which can be found here. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

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What about you? What makes you want to read The Love Script by Toni Shiloh? Have you ever visited California?