🎥🎞️📖 Unscripted 📖 🎞️ 🎥 (2019) - Book Review

MY REVIEW

Paperback: 368 pages

Publisher: Revell (November 1, 2019)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0800727878

ISBN-13: 978-0800727871

“Young line producer Danny Byrd is well-known in Hollywood for being someone who gets things done on time and under budget. But when his reputation takes a beating after his partner--and former best friend--makes off with their investors' money, Danny has but one chance to redeem himself and restore his ruined career.

LA lawyer Megan Pierce has sacrificed years of her life proving herself to her impossible bosses only to find herself disgusted at their snobbery and their specious business practices. When an opportunity to actually make a difference comes her way, she knows she has to grab it--even though she's not entirely clear what "it" is.

Danny and Megan are each other's best hope for redemption. What they never could have imagined was that they might also be each other's best hope for love.

Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn takes you into the beating heart of Hollywood with two characters determined to thrive in a cutthroat business.”

Thank you in advance to JustRead Publicity Tours and Revell for sending this copy to review. A positive review was not required and all words are my own.

This was my first introduction to author Davis Bunn.  

["Unscripted" - Davis Bunn]

This novel centers around line producer Danny Byrd who is well-known in Hollywood for being someone who gets things done on time and under budget. Because of his former partner (and former best-friend), RJ, taking off with some money from investors, Danny’s reputation is tarnished. And, he even faces criminal prosecution.

That is until Megan Pierce enters the scene.

Megan Pierce, a Los Angeles lawyer, has sacrificed years of her life proving herself to her impossible bosses only to find herself disgusted at their snobbery and their specious business practices. When an opportunity to actually make a difference comes her way, she knows she has to grab it--even though she's not entirely clear what "it" is.

Danny and Megan are each other's best hope for redemption. What they never could have imagined was that they might also be each other's best hope for love.

And with that, Bunn takes readers deep inside the film industry. One that is notorious with scandal, accusations of misconduct, as well as its own snobbery.

Now, Danny has a chance to redeem himself. Part that comes when he inherits a hotel, or at best the majority ownership. He’s wondering what that has to do with the restoration of his career and reputation.

Everything.

There he meets a young talent who has the makings of a star. Without a script and the only idea being a “Valentine’s Day” project – Megan, Danny, and a few colleagues set out to redeem his career.

As everything begins to look good, it goes bad – issues with the lead actor and other trouble behind the scenes. Still despite the adversity, they continue on, and the story develops even more from there. Even when RJ comes back into the picture, Danny is able to let go of that connection and form and romance with Megan.

This had twists and turns like a Hollywood movie, and some of the insight into the industry was exciting, frustrating, uplifting, and disheartening. Realism at its best in a fictional package.

Some of the story involving the script and filming felt forced and out of place, at least to me. It was hard, even by the end to tell what the plot of the “movie” was or was supposed to be – so the titled “Unscripted” works. The characters of both the “movie” and the book seemed out of place, but still worked in some manner of cohesiveness.

The concept of second chances, redemption, and overcoming odds was beautiful, as was the test of everyone’s faith. Bunn didn’t overly preach in the book, and some might find the references to God and faith are too light. Others might take issue with a song “That Old Black Magic”. I would say it was a balance.

This book was definitely a look into the film industry as well as challenges, hope, and forgiveness. Definitely an interesting book with raw emotions, and determination.

I was expecting a bit more suspense in this. It had a great premise and I feel more could’ve been added on the suspense.



3.8 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Davis Bunn is the award-winning author of numerous national bestsellers, with sales totaling more than eight million copies. His work has been published in twenty languages, and his critical acclaim includes four Christy Awards for excellence in fiction. He and his wife, Isabella, divide their time between England and Florida.

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