What do you think?
Off Script: The must-read new second chance romance perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez
Bloomsbury presents Off Script by Bianca Gillam, read by Grace Green
Can they rewrite their ending for a second chance?
Lara Francis has finally landed her big break. After years of bar jobs and awkward auditions, she’s been cast in her dream role – the Hollywood adaptation of her favourite book.
There’s just one catch… her co-star.
Avi Kumar is a global phenomenon. He’s an action hero superstar and now he’s taking the indie movie scene by storm too. But, he also happens to be the man who broke Lara’s heart.
On set, Lara is determined to prove that she’s moved on and won’t let anything, or anyone, keep her from the role of a lifetime. But when this leads to the Director encouraging them to work on their chemistry, Lara’s walls start to crumble. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t fall.
In front of the camera, they're investigating a murder. Behind the scenes, it’s starting to look a lot more like a romance...
If you love...
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Second chance
Workplace
The acting world
... you're going to love Off Script.
Readers love Bianca Gillam...
‘Bianca Gillam delivers a fun, swoon-worthy rom-com full of laugh-out-loud moments’ ****
‘Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’ *****
‘Had me swooning and giddy from page 1’ *****
‘I can’t wait to see what Bianca writes next!’ *****
‘The perfect beachy binge read’ *****
‘An exciting new voice in contemporary romance’ *****
‘Adding Bianca Gillam to my must-read authors list!’ *****
Bianca Gillam’s slow burn enemies-to-lovers rom-com, Bad Publicity, is out now.
Can they rewrite their ending for a second chance?
Lara Francis has finally landed her big break. After years of bar jobs and awkward auditions, she’s been cast in her dream role – the Hollywood adaptation of her favourite book.
There’s just one catch… her co-star.
Avi Kumar is a global phenomenon. He’s an action hero superstar and now he’s taking the indie movie scene by storm too. But, he also happens to be the man who broke Lara’s heart.
On set, Lara is determined to prove that she’s moved on and won’t let anything, or anyone, keep her from the role of a lifetime. But when this leads to the Director encouraging them to work on their chemistry, Lara’s walls start to crumble. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t fall.
In front of the camera, they're investigating a murder. Behind the scenes, it’s starting to look a lot more like a romance...
If you love...
Slow burn
Forced proximity
Second chance
Workplace
The acting world
... you're going to love Off Script.
Readers love Bianca Gillam...
‘Bianca Gillam delivers a fun, swoon-worthy rom-com full of laugh-out-loud moments’ ****
‘Perfect for fans of Emily Henry’ *****
‘Had me swooning and giddy from page 1’ *****
‘I can’t wait to see what Bianca writes next!’ *****
‘The perfect beachy binge read’ *****
‘An exciting new voice in contemporary romance’ *****
‘Adding Bianca Gillam to my must-read authors list!’ *****
Bianca Gillam’s slow burn enemies-to-lovers rom-com, Bad Publicity, is out now.
Audible Audio
Published February 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 27, 2026
3.75 stars
November 23, 2025
2.5-2.75 stars - As a major fan of second chance romance, I liked the premise of the book and I think it started off well with a hooking prologue. I was intrigued to find more about Lara’s acting career and her as a person overall. I think it was interesting being on set with her and finding out about filming! I could also feel some of the angst with her and Avi and I found myself wanting to know what happens next between them.
While I wanted to like the book, it felt for me that we didn’t get to know any of the characters, even Lara. I still don’t feel like I know Lara or what makes her her without Avi. At one point, it felt like her personality was just liking Avi and being insecure about filming and making friends. I didn’t feel that there was a “good enough” for her to be so quiet and barely talking to anyone else except maybe Allison and Avi. I would have hoped for some more contemplation and perhaps some more internal contradictions where Lara thinks about these things but doesn’t act on them? It felt like she was confident one moment and insecure the next.
I also don’t think we got to know Avi almost at all. I still don’t see or understand why Lara liked him so much. They only briefly started talking at around 60% and then the main romance occurs at about 75%-85% and then the conflict occurs and then it’s resolved and the book is over. We don’t spend enough time with them to really feel satisfied with the romance. When they got together, they also barely talked about the past, so compared to how hurt Lara seemed to be about it, she forgave him very easily. I don’t mind the miscommunication but I don’t think it was executed well.
I also thought that the chapters felt more like snippets and didn’t flow well. They felt “rigid” in a way, like we were being given facts rather than told a story. Maybe it was because of Lara’s POV and how she is as a person, but I didn’t enjoy the pace or how quickly it moved from one thing to another.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing an ARC for this book.
While I wanted to like the book, it felt for me that we didn’t get to know any of the characters, even Lara. I still don’t feel like I know Lara or what makes her her without Avi. At one point, it felt like her personality was just liking Avi and being insecure about filming and making friends. I didn’t feel that there was a “good enough” for her to be so quiet and barely talking to anyone else except maybe Allison and Avi. I would have hoped for some more contemplation and perhaps some more internal contradictions where Lara thinks about these things but doesn’t act on them? It felt like she was confident one moment and insecure the next.
I also don’t think we got to know Avi almost at all. I still don’t see or understand why Lara liked him so much. They only briefly started talking at around 60% and then the main romance occurs at about 75%-85% and then the conflict occurs and then it’s resolved and the book is over. We don’t spend enough time with them to really feel satisfied with the romance. When they got together, they also barely talked about the past, so compared to how hurt Lara seemed to be about it, she forgave him very easily. I don’t mind the miscommunication but I don’t think it was executed well.
I also thought that the chapters felt more like snippets and didn’t flow well. They felt “rigid” in a way, like we were being given facts rather than told a story. Maybe it was because of Lara’s POV and how she is as a person, but I didn’t enjoy the pace or how quickly it moved from one thing to another.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing an ARC for this book.
Want to Read
May 30, 2025after loving biana's debut this sounds sooo good!!! also a brown mmc?!! yes need that brown boy rep fr
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.5 stars)
Off Script by Bianca Gillam is a second-chance romance that starts off sweet, hopeful, and full of promise. I really liked Lara as a FMC and found myself genuinely rooting for her to get her happily ever after.
Avi works well as the MMC and the chemistry between them is nicely written, making the emotional foundation of the story feel solid. However, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. At times the book felt drawn out, with some chapters reading more like filler, and the slow burn tipped into too slow in places. I found myself drifting from the pages, which is something I hate when I’m otherwise enjoying a story.
That said, this is a well-written, gentle introduction to second-chance romance. If you’re looking for a softer, low-drama read without a heavy focus on action, this will likely work well for you.
Overall, a good and thoughtful story. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Off Script by Bianca Gillam is a second-chance romance that starts off sweet, hopeful, and full of promise. I really liked Lara as a FMC and found myself genuinely rooting for her to get her happily ever after.
Avi works well as the MMC and the chemistry between them is nicely written, making the emotional foundation of the story feel solid. However, the pacing didn’t quite work for me. At times the book felt drawn out, with some chapters reading more like filler, and the slow burn tipped into too slow in places. I found myself drifting from the pages, which is something I hate when I’m otherwise enjoying a story.
That said, this is a well-written, gentle introduction to second-chance romance. If you’re looking for a softer, low-drama read without a heavy focus on action, this will likely work well for you.
Overall, a good and thoughtful story. Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the opportunity to read this ARC.
June 4, 2026
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of Off Script for review.
Unfortunately, Off Script didn't completely work for me. I went into this expecting a second-chance romance with lots of tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff, but I found myself struggling to stay invested throughout the story. 😕
The biggest issue for me was the pacing. I don't mind a slow burn romance—in fact, I love them when they're done well 🥹 But this felt a little too slow at times, and a few scenes didn't transition naturally into the overall storyline. Because of that, I couldn't help feeling that the book could have been shorter without losing anything important 📚
What I found myself wanting more of was the individual character journey, especially Lara's. 🎭✨ While the romance was clearly the main focus, I was much more interested in her personal growth, career aspirations, and her journey as an actress. Those were the moments that really captured my attention. I genuinely rooted for her dreams, her goals, and her determination to make it in such a difficult industry👏
As for the romance... it just didn't give me the emotional explosion I was hoping for 💔 The relationship felt loosely developed. While I understood the history between the characters, I never fully felt the chemistry. I kept waiting for that moment—that scene where everything clicks, where the tension becomes undeniable, and the feelings hit hard. 😮💨 Unfortunately, that moment never really arrived for me. The romance was sweet enough, but it lacked the spark and intensity that I wanted from a second-chance love story ✨
Overall, while Off Script wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't the right fit for me. Thank you, definitelybooks, for sending me a copy of Off Script.
Unfortunately, Off Script didn't completely work for me. I went into this expecting a second-chance romance with lots of tension, chemistry, and emotional payoff, but I found myself struggling to stay invested throughout the story. 😕
The biggest issue for me was the pacing. I don't mind a slow burn romance—in fact, I love them when they're done well 🥹 But this felt a little too slow at times, and a few scenes didn't transition naturally into the overall storyline. Because of that, I couldn't help feeling that the book could have been shorter without losing anything important 📚
What I found myself wanting more of was the individual character journey, especially Lara's. 🎭✨ While the romance was clearly the main focus, I was much more interested in her personal growth, career aspirations, and her journey as an actress. Those were the moments that really captured my attention. I genuinely rooted for her dreams, her goals, and her determination to make it in such a difficult industry👏
As for the romance... it just didn't give me the emotional explosion I was hoping for 💔 The relationship felt loosely developed. While I understood the history between the characters, I never fully felt the chemistry. I kept waiting for that moment—that scene where everything clicks, where the tension becomes undeniable, and the feelings hit hard. 😮💨 Unfortunately, that moment never really arrived for me. The romance was sweet enough, but it lacked the spark and intensity that I wanted from a second-chance love story ✨
Overall, while Off Script wasn't a bad read, it just wasn't the right fit for me. Thank you, definitelybooks, for sending me a copy of Off Script.
January 14, 2026
If you’re a fan of enemies to lovers, forced proximity and second chance romance tropes, this is the book for you.
I think for me, if there hadn’t been the miscommunication trope scattered throughout, this would have been a four star read for me. That being said, it wasn’t that annoying type of miscommunication that has you screaming in frustration at the book, it was actually genuine and believable so don’t let it put you off reading this.
One of my favourite things about this book was getting a bit of behind the scenes knowledge on film making from an actors perspective. No matter how small, it still feels quite special and exciting to see what can happen on a set and how well oiled a machine it needs to be.
Unfortunately I felt like I didn’t get to know the characters at all so had no real connection to them. There was as a lot to each characters stories but no actual depth to it so when, for example, she was having these strong reactions to seeing Avi I would have loved her to have dived deeper into her feelings rather than the surface level of ‘it’s because of our history’.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and I flew through it so if you want a quick and easy read this year, I would pick this up.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early arc of this book.
I think for me, if there hadn’t been the miscommunication trope scattered throughout, this would have been a four star read for me. That being said, it wasn’t that annoying type of miscommunication that has you screaming in frustration at the book, it was actually genuine and believable so don’t let it put you off reading this.
One of my favourite things about this book was getting a bit of behind the scenes knowledge on film making from an actors perspective. No matter how small, it still feels quite special and exciting to see what can happen on a set and how well oiled a machine it needs to be.
Unfortunately I felt like I didn’t get to know the characters at all so had no real connection to them. There was as a lot to each characters stories but no actual depth to it so when, for example, she was having these strong reactions to seeing Avi I would have loved her to have dived deeper into her feelings rather than the surface level of ‘it’s because of our history’.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this and I flew through it so if you want a quick and easy read this year, I would pick this up.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early arc of this book.
March 25, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this new romance from Bianca Gillam! I absolutely adored Bad Publicity so when this popped up on Netgalley I knew I just had to request it.
While a second chance romance is not new to me, the storyline on this felt so different to other romance books I’ve read and I did not want to stop reading it. I’m typically wrapped up in a sports romance or a generic day to day but I loved the ‘co star, film setting approach in this book’.
The characters were fun, likeable and given enough ‘page time’ to really make an impact as their character. The side characters really felt like part of the story but in a way that was appropriate and embedded within the story. The relationship between Avi and Lara felt so really throughout, I felt the frustration, the nervousness, the lust and the love between them.
Bianca writes in a way that is so easy to get lost in and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for their next cute, run, movie themed romance book.
While a second chance romance is not new to me, the storyline on this felt so different to other romance books I’ve read and I did not want to stop reading it. I’m typically wrapped up in a sports romance or a generic day to day but I loved the ‘co star, film setting approach in this book’.
The characters were fun, likeable and given enough ‘page time’ to really make an impact as their character. The side characters really felt like part of the story but in a way that was appropriate and embedded within the story. The relationship between Avi and Lara felt so really throughout, I felt the frustration, the nervousness, the lust and the love between them.
Bianca writes in a way that is so easy to get lost in and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for their next cute, run, movie themed romance book.
February 16, 2026
Such an easy going read that will make you feel like you’re besties with Lara, as well as rooting for her and Avi.
This was such a surprise as second chance romances go it had a great plot and a fab workplace setting. Immediately I’m drawn into the story and Lara - she’s such a relatable FMC. You’ll be laughing and being giddy whilst reading this book. The slow burn was great, although there wasn’t a huge amount of tension between the characters physically, I think it mainly stems from the emotion.
That being said i read a huge amount of DR and Romantasy, this was the perfect book to fill in the romance hole I was yearning for. I can’t wait to read more of Bianca’s books in the future.
Also the director is my spirit bestie! LOVE HIM.
Workplace romance
Second chance
Slow burn
Relatable FMC
Thank you so much Bloomsbury for the physical ARC
This was such a surprise as second chance romances go it had a great plot and a fab workplace setting. Immediately I’m drawn into the story and Lara - she’s such a relatable FMC. You’ll be laughing and being giddy whilst reading this book. The slow burn was great, although there wasn’t a huge amount of tension between the characters physically, I think it mainly stems from the emotion.
That being said i read a huge amount of DR and Romantasy, this was the perfect book to fill in the romance hole I was yearning for. I can’t wait to read more of Bianca’s books in the future.
Also the director is my spirit bestie! LOVE HIM.
Workplace romance
Second chance
Slow burn
Relatable FMC
Thank you so much Bloomsbury for the physical ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
thanks so much to Bloomsbury for the advance copy!! 💕
I was so excited to get to this one and though I had high expectations it seemingly exceeded them! I was gripped by the plot and loved the characters, wanting only the best for Lara throughout. I'm not usually a fan of the second chance trope but this was done in such a good way that honestly I loved the relationship Lara and avi had. however, it is only a 4 star read for me due to the chapter lengths which at points did feel like a slight drag, but also the slow burn was SLOWLY burning
I was so excited to get to this one and though I had high expectations it seemingly exceeded them! I was gripped by the plot and loved the characters, wanting only the best for Lara throughout. I'm not usually a fan of the second chance trope but this was done in such a good way that honestly I loved the relationship Lara and avi had. however, it is only a 4 star read for me due to the chapter lengths which at points did feel like a slight drag, but also the slow burn was SLOWLY burning
October 4, 2026
I feel like I should go and plant a tree to make up for the paper used to make this book. No chemistry between the main characters, and unbelievable plot line (but somehow unbearably dull at the same time?!) A terribly-written sex scene (particularly as the mfc seems completely without any sexual thoughts or urges in the 250-odd pages leading up to it and yet somehow completely blows the mmc's mind) and a sibling relationship so bizarre it beggars belief. Stunned that the author previously worked for a publishing house, stunned that I actually bothered to finish it.
August 26, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ I started this book on holiday and was the perfect beach/pool read. I really enjoyed the first half of the book. I loved the premise and detailing being in a play and on set. I thought it was really interesting and found myself really rooting for our FMC. I thought the MMC fit into the story really well and the dynamics of him.
What bought it down a little bit for me was the miscommunication and a few opportunities to remedy that but wasn’t taken till more towards the end. I felt like at times it got a little frustrating but overall a really enjoyable read and liked the ending!
What bought it down a little bit for me was the miscommunication and a few opportunities to remedy that but wasn’t taken till more towards the end. I felt like at times it got a little frustrating but overall a really enjoyable read and liked the ending!
March 7, 2026
(4.5⭐️) an easy and fun read, especially for my 24hour readathon. Lara and Avi are a good match and Alessandro is a fun character, if a little stereotypical.
I hope i never meet a person like Roman, ever.
I hope i never meet a person like Roman, ever.
May 9, 2026
Ik geef hem 3.5 sterren. Het was een heel makkelijk boek om snel te lezen. Vrij snel kan je al voorspellen hoe het boek gaat eindigen en zo eindigde het ook. Het is dus een easy read romance boek. Het was precies een boek wat ik nodig had en ook heerlijk om te lezen in het zonnetje.
February 18, 2026
Second chance romance
It was an easy read but the storyline didn’t pull me in as much as I’d hoped. It won’t out me off reading her other material
It was an easy read but the storyline didn’t pull me in as much as I’d hoped. It won’t out me off reading her other material
Read
March 14, 2026Mid way through a never ending audiobook this ebook is what I needed to get out a reading slump
March 3, 2026
Quick, cute read and if you fancy an easy romance book this is fine (and available on some library apps). I enjoyed film set setting. It just lacked depth/emotion/anything else to tip it over into 3 star territory.
July 2, 2026
Okay just okay normal Rom com book nice breather
September 8, 2026
Maybe I’m too jaded but this was a bit of a slog. Her insecurities were so strong but I didn’t really understand why she was so upset with him, and definitely not enough to cause the tension that ensued for rest of the book. Also the acting stuff felt a bit stunted (but again, I am jaded on that side of things too). It was a nice ending.
August 17, 2026
The cover and the name tricked me into thinking this was a rom-com, but it was so serious and dull, with very little dialogue between the characters, we’re just trapped inside the main character’s mind as she over thinks things and then repeats those thoughts again.
We’re to understand that Lara and Avi had this great friendship/connection/chemistry, but given zero examples of it past or present.
Really just expected this to be more romantic and fun.
We’re to understand that Lara and Avi had this great friendship/connection/chemistry, but given zero examples of it past or present.
Really just expected this to be more romantic and fun.
February 26, 2026
3.75🌟
A second-chance romance set in the middle of a film set! Lara finally gets her breakthrough role as the lead in the Hollywood adaptation of her favourite book, but the co-star cast opposite her is Avi: global movie star, and the man who shattered her heart years ago.
I loved the behind-the-scenes stuff. The forced chemistry exercises, the awkward filming moments, the press and reputation side of things. It felt fun and very easy to read. The banter was good and I believed their history, which is so important in a second-chance romance.
For me, it didn’t quite hit as emotionally hard as it could have. When things got deeper, I wanted a bit more vulnerability and a bit more gut punch. I enjoyed it the whole way through, but it didn’t completely wreck me or take over my brain.
Overall though, it’s glossy, bingeable and perfect if you like second-chance romance with a bit of celebrity chaos.
3.75 stars feels right.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC of this book
🎬✨🎭💔🔥🎥🌟🫶📸💫
A second-chance romance set in the middle of a film set! Lara finally gets her breakthrough role as the lead in the Hollywood adaptation of her favourite book, but the co-star cast opposite her is Avi: global movie star, and the man who shattered her heart years ago.
I loved the behind-the-scenes stuff. The forced chemistry exercises, the awkward filming moments, the press and reputation side of things. It felt fun and very easy to read. The banter was good and I believed their history, which is so important in a second-chance romance.
For me, it didn’t quite hit as emotionally hard as it could have. When things got deeper, I wanted a bit more vulnerability and a bit more gut punch. I enjoyed it the whole way through, but it didn’t completely wreck me or take over my brain.
Overall though, it’s glossy, bingeable and perfect if you like second-chance romance with a bit of celebrity chaos.
3.75 stars feels right.
Thank you to Bloomsbury for the ARC of this book
🎬✨🎭💔🔥🎥🌟🫶📸💫
August 5, 2026
1.5⭐️ i think this was a really cool concept but it just didn’t work for me. the fmc and mmc had no chemistry, barely even a full conversation until 75% of the way through. it felt very much surface level and lacked any real development of any character. all i know is sienna deserved so much better
April 9, 2026
3 stars
I mean it was okay, It was alot better than her first book, the characters had good chemistry, I felt like it was fanfiction for a celeb lol, i did like lara and avi though they were cute together and i see them lasting
I mean it was okay, It was alot better than her first book, the characters had good chemistry, I felt like it was fanfiction for a celeb lol, i did like lara and avi though they were cute together and i see them lasting
May 14, 2026
Okay, Bianca Gillam books are not for me. I can’t stand her fmc’s and don’t even get me started on the miscommunication
September 2, 2026
ACTUAL RATING: 2.5 stars
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD‼️
When I read the blurb of this book, I was genuinely excited to read it. However, there's a lot of flaws that even the good intentions of the writer cannot overcome, hence my rating of 2.5 stars. Anyways, I just wanted to list the good and the bad about this book.
THE GOOD:
1) I'm eternally grateful to the writer for not making this some cliched, booktok appealing trash and that they were determined to be sincere with the character arcs. Ofc, it had some tropey writing like second-chance romance but they made sense (mostly).
2) I genuinely like the arc between Alison and Lara and it's written well. When they have their fight on Alison's birthday, I understand both of their perspectives and I like how it aids in Lara's character development and their reconciliation is written well too.
3) Lara's character development is...okay. However, I can't call it excellent because of writing issues that I'll discuss later.
4) Some parts of Lara and Avi's dynamic were enjoyable, ngl. I did swoon at the scene where Avi confronts Roman for pranking Lara, it was pretty hot.
THE BAD:
1) This book has kind of an issue of violating the "show-don't-tell" rule. Ofc, Ik it's not a concrete rule that all writers have to follow all the time, but there's a reason why it's insisted upon so much. And it's esp egregious with regards to Avi's characters; we're TOLD a lot of things but we only get to see glimpses of it, which is pretty frustrating when you realize that he's the main love interest, and a major main character.
2) S Note that I'm an Indian myself. Speaking of Avi, his writing is pretty much what turned me off the most. Like by the end of the book, I feel like I barely know the character. Who is his family? How is his relationship with them? Does he even have other friends except Sienna (we know Lara doesn't count since he stopped talking with her) ? I knew why he had such an extreme reaction to Roman being mean to Lara, but it was pretty much clear that Roman had fucked with Avi before and we don't know the exact details, and considering Roman was being hyped up as the Big Bad Evil, it's only fair we get to see what his feud with Avi was about. I do appreciate the author acknowledging how hard it is for Avi as a British-Indian actor, and how he feels as though his movies have to reflect what the audiences want out of him, even if acting in them doesn't leave him necessarily happy. And that he has to work twice as hard to prove he's not a diversity hire. And it would've been so much interesting to explore the specific kind of disillusionment and cynicism Avi has perfected after years of Hollywood bullshit, but alas, we only get glimpses into him. Ik, the point of the whole story is that Avi and Lara are thrust into each other's company after months of no-contact, and that Lara doesn't know Avi anymore, but STILL there were so many ways the author could've weaved in details about Avi's life. It just really disappointed me, bc by the end of the story, I don't know much about one of the MAIN characters of this book, idk who his family what they do what is his relationship with them. Even his friendship with Sienna and their fake dating arc is done in service of exploring Lara's character, rather than Avi's. Idk what hobbies Avi has apart from watching movies with Lara when they used to be friends. Ik he's an actor but does he really not have any hobbies? And if he abandoned them bc of Hollywood, then at least mention them! Most of Avi's writing is exploited in favour of Lara, his white love interest and it kind of irks me. I like that Avi wasn't written as a stereotypical Indian character, but there's so much the writer missed with this character that I can't even pretend to like Avi because I don't know him!!
3) The tense in this book kind of annoyed me at times, ngl.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD‼️
When I read the blurb of this book, I was genuinely excited to read it. However, there's a lot of flaws that even the good intentions of the writer cannot overcome, hence my rating of 2.5 stars. Anyways, I just wanted to list the good and the bad about this book.
THE GOOD:
1) I'm eternally grateful to the writer for not making this some cliched, booktok appealing trash and that they were determined to be sincere with the character arcs. Ofc, it had some tropey writing like second-chance romance but they made sense (mostly).
2) I genuinely like the arc between Alison and Lara and it's written well. When they have their fight on Alison's birthday, I understand both of their perspectives and I like how it aids in Lara's character development and their reconciliation is written well too.
3) Lara's character development is...okay. However, I can't call it excellent because of writing issues that I'll discuss later.
4) Some parts of Lara and Avi's dynamic were enjoyable, ngl. I did swoon at the scene where Avi confronts Roman for pranking Lara, it was pretty hot.
THE BAD:
1) This book has kind of an issue of violating the "show-don't-tell" rule. Ofc, Ik it's not a concrete rule that all writers have to follow all the time, but there's a reason why it's insisted upon so much. And it's esp egregious with regards to Avi's characters; we're TOLD a lot of things but we only get to see glimpses of it, which is pretty frustrating when you realize that he's the main love interest, and a major main character.
2) S Note that I'm an Indian myself. Speaking of Avi, his writing is pretty much what turned me off the most. Like by the end of the book, I feel like I barely know the character. Who is his family? How is his relationship with them? Does he even have other friends except Sienna (we know Lara doesn't count since he stopped talking with her) ? I knew why he had such an extreme reaction to Roman being mean to Lara, but it was pretty much clear that Roman had fucked with Avi before and we don't know the exact details, and considering Roman was being hyped up as the Big Bad Evil, it's only fair we get to see what his feud with Avi was about. I do appreciate the author acknowledging how hard it is for Avi as a British-Indian actor, and how he feels as though his movies have to reflect what the audiences want out of him, even if acting in them doesn't leave him necessarily happy. And that he has to work twice as hard to prove he's not a diversity hire. And it would've been so much interesting to explore the specific kind of disillusionment and cynicism Avi has perfected after years of Hollywood bullshit, but alas, we only get glimpses into him. Ik, the point of the whole story is that Avi and Lara are thrust into each other's company after months of no-contact, and that Lara doesn't know Avi anymore, but STILL there were so many ways the author could've weaved in details about Avi's life. It just really disappointed me, bc by the end of the story, I don't know much about one of the MAIN characters of this book, idk who his family what they do what is his relationship with them. Even his friendship with Sienna and their fake dating arc is done in service of exploring Lara's character, rather than Avi's. Idk what hobbies Avi has apart from watching movies with Lara when they used to be friends. Ik he's an actor but does he really not have any hobbies? And if he abandoned them bc of Hollywood, then at least mention them! Most of Avi's writing is exploited in favour of Lara, his white love interest and it kind of irks me. I like that Avi wasn't written as a stereotypical Indian character, but there's so much the writer missed with this character that I can't even pretend to like Avi because I don't know him!!
3) The tense in this book kind of annoyed me at times, ngl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Lara is ecstatic to finally have landed her first big break in acting, in a Hollywood film as well! There is a catch though (of course), her co-star, and global star, is Avi and they have a past. When he got his break he moved away and left Lara and their friendship in the dust, no looking back. Lara decides she can’t let Avi ruin her chance in a real movie and so resorts to keeping him at arms length - polite, but professional, but as the movie keeps throwing them together (both in front of and behind the camera) it’s getting increasingly difficult with their sizzling on screen chemistry, and especially as Avi seems to want her forgiveness...
The Pros:
1) I’ve always loved acting - (a bit difficult when you are a shy introvert though lol). Not only that but the behind the scenes of the movie sets etc. I find it all fascinating - so a story with all this is is really appealing!
2) Give me a book that has PR stunts/manipulation of the media and the public and I love it
3) Both the main characters are likeable
4) ‘Second chance romance’ and ‘One’s a celebrity’ tropes
5) There is an ‘eccentric’ character in the book that I found hilarious
6) There are some surprises.
7) I was a fan of the ending
The Cons:
1) In a spice scene it felt like the word length was used a lot (in a short amount of time) and stood out to me, it made the scene feel a bit awkward?
The Quotes:
1) This is everything my life has been so far. Moving on from one role to the next. One job to the next. One flat to the next. Picking up mementoes, but not people. Never stopping for too long. Never putting down roots, anywhere. Because I assumed I couldn’t. And I’m still not sure that I can, or want to. I like my life small. It’s safe, and manageable.
2) ‘The list. I thought everyone had one.’ Mine is in a notebook in my parents’ garage somewhere - written in glitter gel pen as part of a manifestation exercise Alison had me do when I was fourteen. She wrote down what kind of house and family she wanted; I wrote down all the awards I wanted to win. When she saw it, she rolled her eyes. Told me I was probably going to end up living alone with several cats. Which, to be honest, as long as I made it in the meantime - didn’t sound like a bad proposition. I like cats.
3) ‘...But then I started doing school plays. And it was like... I felt like I could breathe for the first time.’ I take the champagne from him, feeling a little vunerable here. Because this is the closest we’ve come to talking like we did before. “I get that feeling,’ he says. ‘I used to feel that way too. Like... you’re the most yourself when you’re up there being someone else.’
The Summary:
This is my first read of the authors but the story was right up my street. I have always loved acting and film sets, behind the scenes secrets and the manipulation of the pubic and media. ‘Second chance romance’ and ‘One’s a celebrity’ tropes are also a favourite. I found both the main characters likeable and relatable. The ‘eccentric’ character was a really fun element in the book and gave a bit more suspense in the story. I thought the ending was brilliant and one of my favourite parts. I have the author’s other novel (Bad Publicity) on my TBR and now I’ll be bumping it up the list for sure.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Lara gets her big acting break but opposite former friend and global star, Avi
I rated the book 4 stars.
The Pros:
1) I’ve always loved acting - (a bit difficult when you are a shy introvert though lol). Not only that but the behind the scenes of the movie sets etc. I find it all fascinating - so a story with all this is is really appealing!
2) Give me a book that has PR stunts/manipulation of the media and the public and I love it
3) Both the main characters are likeable
4) ‘Second chance romance’ and ‘One’s a celebrity’ tropes
5) There is an ‘eccentric’ character in the book that I found hilarious
6) There are some surprises.
7) I was a fan of the ending
The Cons:
1) In a spice scene it felt like the word length was used a lot (in a short amount of time) and stood out to me, it made the scene feel a bit awkward?
The Quotes:
1) This is everything my life has been so far. Moving on from one role to the next. One job to the next. One flat to the next. Picking up mementoes, but not people. Never stopping for too long. Never putting down roots, anywhere. Because I assumed I couldn’t. And I’m still not sure that I can, or want to. I like my life small. It’s safe, and manageable.
2) ‘The list. I thought everyone had one.’ Mine is in a notebook in my parents’ garage somewhere - written in glitter gel pen as part of a manifestation exercise Alison had me do when I was fourteen. She wrote down what kind of house and family she wanted; I wrote down all the awards I wanted to win. When she saw it, she rolled her eyes. Told me I was probably going to end up living alone with several cats. Which, to be honest, as long as I made it in the meantime - didn’t sound like a bad proposition. I like cats.
3) ‘...But then I started doing school plays. And it was like... I felt like I could breathe for the first time.’ I take the champagne from him, feeling a little vunerable here. Because this is the closest we’ve come to talking like we did before. “I get that feeling,’ he says. ‘I used to feel that way too. Like... you’re the most yourself when you’re up there being someone else.’
The Summary:
This is my first read of the authors but the story was right up my street. I have always loved acting and film sets, behind the scenes secrets and the manipulation of the pubic and media. ‘Second chance romance’ and ‘One’s a celebrity’ tropes are also a favourite. I found both the main characters likeable and relatable. The ‘eccentric’ character was a really fun element in the book and gave a bit more suspense in the story. I thought the ending was brilliant and one of my favourite parts. I have the author’s other novel (Bad Publicity) on my TBR and now I’ll be bumping it up the list for sure.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Lara gets her big acting break but opposite former friend and global star, Avi
I rated the book 4 stars.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was attracted to this book by the storyline & the cover. Bianca Gillam is a new author for me so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I started reading Off Script but I needn’t have worried as I was quickly drawn in & was soon engrossed in the story.
Avi & Lara first met when working together in a bar whilst trying to get started in the acting career that they each dreamed of. Avi was the first to get a big break, he soon moved to LA & broke contact, breaking Lara’s heart. Three years later, Lara finally gets a break when offered her dream role; however, her co-star is Avi, now a Hollywood action superstar. Lara is determined that this won’t get in the way of achieving her dreams. It’s tense on set together at first. It’s a new work environment for Lara, which she is unprepared & ill-equipped to handle. It takes a while before she & Avi are comfortable together & they are able to spend down time going over lines or discussing the next days scenes. Lara does her best to keep her boundaries in place, especially as she knows from the gossip pages that Avi has a girlfriend. However, things begin to heat up between them when they get to the scenes which require input from the intimacy co-ordinator.
It’s a great story, with believable characters & a good cast of supporting characters. I became engrossed in the struggles of Lara & Avi on & off set as they tried to make sense of their relationship in the context of a career in an industry where pressures are high & choices are not always yours alone to make. The story is much more than just a second chance romance. There’s a theme about making choices. Lara, new in the industry, is impetuous in some of her decision making & doesn’t yet have advisors in place to help her with this. Avi on the other hand, tends to overthink & has an agent who has his own ideas about the direction of Avi’s career. Avi struggles with the responsibility he feels as a role model to his community, a hugely successful Anglo-Indian actor in a creative industry where too many face discrimination or derogatory comments. I enjoyed the book’s setting in the film industry, & getting some insight into its workings & some of the issues that actors can face. I also liked the way Avi & Lara communicated through the words & gestures of their characters in the film. I really enjoyed reading this book & will look out for more from Bianca Gillam.
Thanks to Netgalley & Bloomsbury Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
Avi & Lara first met when working together in a bar whilst trying to get started in the acting career that they each dreamed of. Avi was the first to get a big break, he soon moved to LA & broke contact, breaking Lara’s heart. Three years later, Lara finally gets a break when offered her dream role; however, her co-star is Avi, now a Hollywood action superstar. Lara is determined that this won’t get in the way of achieving her dreams. It’s tense on set together at first. It’s a new work environment for Lara, which she is unprepared & ill-equipped to handle. It takes a while before she & Avi are comfortable together & they are able to spend down time going over lines or discussing the next days scenes. Lara does her best to keep her boundaries in place, especially as she knows from the gossip pages that Avi has a girlfriend. However, things begin to heat up between them when they get to the scenes which require input from the intimacy co-ordinator.
It’s a great story, with believable characters & a good cast of supporting characters. I became engrossed in the struggles of Lara & Avi on & off set as they tried to make sense of their relationship in the context of a career in an industry where pressures are high & choices are not always yours alone to make. The story is much more than just a second chance romance. There’s a theme about making choices. Lara, new in the industry, is impetuous in some of her decision making & doesn’t yet have advisors in place to help her with this. Avi on the other hand, tends to overthink & has an agent who has his own ideas about the direction of Avi’s career. Avi struggles with the responsibility he feels as a role model to his community, a hugely successful Anglo-Indian actor in a creative industry where too many face discrimination or derogatory comments. I enjoyed the book’s setting in the film industry, & getting some insight into its workings & some of the issues that actors can face. I also liked the way Avi & Lara communicated through the words & gestures of their characters in the film. I really enjoyed reading this book & will look out for more from Bianca Gillam.
Thanks to Netgalley & Bloomsbury Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.
May 4, 2026
I went into Off Script by Bianca Gillam with high hopes because it was all over my Bookstagram feed. It has all the ingredients I usually love second-chance romance, slow burn, longing, and a British-Indian actor. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite work for me.
The one thing I genuinely liked about this book was how fast-paced it felt. The short chapters made it easy to keep turning the pages. But beyond that, I honestly felt the story was unnecessarily dragged out. In my opinion, the entire novel could have been told in 50–100 fewer pages without losing anything important.
I was especially disappointed by the longing. It had so much potential, but the emotional tension never hit as hard as it could have. Also, this book is falsely advertised as enemies-to-lovers. By the time the story begins, the “enemies” phase is already over, they have already been lovers, and readers are simply expected to catch up. If I’m reading a book, I want it to either inform me or entertain me. Sadly, this one did neither.
Off Script follows Lara Francis, a struggling actress who has been auditioning for films and chasing a Hollywood breakthrough since childhood. Because of personal tragedy and constantly moving around while growing up, she became introverted. Theatre became the one place where she could fully express herself, and that is when she realized she wanted to become an actor. But Hollywood is a difficult dream full of competition, uncertainty, and the constant fear of being replaced. One mistake can make people forget you, and PR teams work around the clock to carefully build and maintain an actor’s image.
Avi, a successful actor who has already landed his big Hollywood break, once shared a close bond with Lara. They were more than friends, but everything fell apart when Avi dismissed what they had as a mistake, breaking Lara’s heart. So when Lara finally gets her own big break and finds out Avi is cast opposite her as the male lead, she is understandably unhappy. But she cannot afford to be selective, so she accepts the role and decides to give it her best.
Avi is overly protective of her throughout the story, and then there is the so-called villain presented as threatening, but really just a method actor who keeps playing unsettling pranks on Lara during filming. That entire subplot didn’t work for me at all.
The frustrating part is that the core idea of this novel had so much promise. It could have been turned into something genuinely beautiful and emotionally gripping, but it never quite got there for me.
The third-act breakup felt especially unnecessary and painfully stretched out. Even though the book moves quickly on the surface, it never gave me the butterflies I wanted from a romance. And honestly, I’m pretty sure this is the kind of book I’ll forget after a while.
The one thing I genuinely liked about this book was how fast-paced it felt. The short chapters made it easy to keep turning the pages. But beyond that, I honestly felt the story was unnecessarily dragged out. In my opinion, the entire novel could have been told in 50–100 fewer pages without losing anything important.
I was especially disappointed by the longing. It had so much potential, but the emotional tension never hit as hard as it could have. Also, this book is falsely advertised as enemies-to-lovers. By the time the story begins, the “enemies” phase is already over, they have already been lovers, and readers are simply expected to catch up. If I’m reading a book, I want it to either inform me or entertain me. Sadly, this one did neither.
Off Script follows Lara Francis, a struggling actress who has been auditioning for films and chasing a Hollywood breakthrough since childhood. Because of personal tragedy and constantly moving around while growing up, she became introverted. Theatre became the one place where she could fully express herself, and that is when she realized she wanted to become an actor. But Hollywood is a difficult dream full of competition, uncertainty, and the constant fear of being replaced. One mistake can make people forget you, and PR teams work around the clock to carefully build and maintain an actor’s image.
Avi, a successful actor who has already landed his big Hollywood break, once shared a close bond with Lara. They were more than friends, but everything fell apart when Avi dismissed what they had as a mistake, breaking Lara’s heart. So when Lara finally gets her own big break and finds out Avi is cast opposite her as the male lead, she is understandably unhappy. But she cannot afford to be selective, so she accepts the role and decides to give it her best.
Avi is overly protective of her throughout the story, and then there is the so-called villain presented as threatening, but really just a method actor who keeps playing unsettling pranks on Lara during filming. That entire subplot didn’t work for me at all.
The frustrating part is that the core idea of this novel had so much promise. It could have been turned into something genuinely beautiful and emotionally gripping, but it never quite got there for me.
The third-act breakup felt especially unnecessary and painfully stretched out. Even though the book moves quickly on the surface, it never gave me the butterflies I wanted from a romance. And honestly, I’m pretty sure this is the kind of book I’ll forget after a while.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Synopsis:
Off Script follows Lara Francis, an actress who has finally landed her big break in a major film after years of struggling in the industry. Her excitement is quickly complicated when she discovers that her co-star is Avi Kumar — a hugely successful actor and her former flame. As filming begins, Lara and Avi are forced to work closely together, blurring the lines between acting and reality. With unresolved feelings, on-set tension, and a director keen to capitalise on their chemistry, both must confront their past while navigating their present.
Review:
I really enjoyed Off Script and would rate it around 3 out of 5 stars. While it was a fun and engaging read, it wasn’t one I felt obsessed with or likely to reread. That said, it definitely delivered as a cute, quick rom-com.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the writing style. Following Lara and Avi’s relationship throughout the filming process, with lots of dialogue and behind-the-scenes moments, made the story feel immersive and fast-paced. It was very easy to read and kept me turning the pages.
I genuinely liked both main characters and found myself rooting for them. Lara’s character arc stood out in particular — I loved seeing how she grew in confidence and self-assurance over the course of the story. Avi was also likeable, but I felt that we didn’t get to know him as deeply as we could have. Overall, I think both characters had more potential for development. In particular, Avi being Indian American was only briefly mentioned, and I would have loved to see this explored in more depth.
The ending was the part that didn’t fully work for me. While it wasn’t bad, it felt like something was missing, and I was left wanting a bit more emotional payoff and closure.
Overall, Off Script is a cute, quick romantic comedy with a fun Hollywood setting, strong dialogue, and likeable leads. While it didn’t completely win me over, it’s an enjoyable read that I’d recommend to fans of light, easy romances.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Off Script follows Lara Francis, an actress who has finally landed her big break in a major film after years of struggling in the industry. Her excitement is quickly complicated when she discovers that her co-star is Avi Kumar — a hugely successful actor and her former flame. As filming begins, Lara and Avi are forced to work closely together, blurring the lines between acting and reality. With unresolved feelings, on-set tension, and a director keen to capitalise on their chemistry, both must confront their past while navigating their present.
Review:
I really enjoyed Off Script and would rate it around 3 out of 5 stars. While it was a fun and engaging read, it wasn’t one I felt obsessed with or likely to reread. That said, it definitely delivered as a cute, quick rom-com.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was the writing style. Following Lara and Avi’s relationship throughout the filming process, with lots of dialogue and behind-the-scenes moments, made the story feel immersive and fast-paced. It was very easy to read and kept me turning the pages.
I genuinely liked both main characters and found myself rooting for them. Lara’s character arc stood out in particular — I loved seeing how she grew in confidence and self-assurance over the course of the story. Avi was also likeable, but I felt that we didn’t get to know him as deeply as we could have. Overall, I think both characters had more potential for development. In particular, Avi being Indian American was only briefly mentioned, and I would have loved to see this explored in more depth.
The ending was the part that didn’t fully work for me. While it wasn’t bad, it felt like something was missing, and I was left wanting a bit more emotional payoff and closure.
Overall, Off Script is a cute, quick romantic comedy with a fun Hollywood setting, strong dialogue, and likeable leads. While it didn’t completely win me over, it’s an enjoyable read that I’d recommend to fans of light, easy romances.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for providing me with an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 5, 2026
Some books feel like a perfect cup of coffee on a hot summer day - light, comforting, and exactly what you need. Off Script is one such read that blends romance with emotional depth in a way that feels both immersive and heartfelt. I picked up this book wanting something fun and engaging, and right from the cover, I had a strong feeling I was going to enjoy it. The line “Can they rewrite their ending for a second chance?” instantly sparked my curiosity, making me reflect on how rare second chances can be, and how, when life offers them, we should make the most of them. This story beautifully explores that very idea.
The story follows Lara Francis, an aspiring actress who finally lands her dream role in the Hollywood adaptation of her favorite book after years of struggle. But there’s a twist- her co-star is Avi Kumar, a global superstar and the man who broke her heart three years ago. As they are forced to work together, their past resurfaces in ways neither of them expected. Old emotions, unresolved misunderstandings, and unspoken truths linger between them. Lara is determined to prove that she has moved on, focusing on her career and maintaining professionalism. But as they spend more time together, it becomes harder to ignore the connection they once shared, raising the question of whether their relationship can remain strictly professional or if this second chance will change everything.
What makes Off Script more than just a second-chance romance is the emotional layering within the story. It explores ambition, identity, family dynamics, friendship, and the courage it takes to face your fears and speak your truth. The narrative captures Lara’s inner turmoil, especially in moments shared with Avi, while also giving us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking—the politics on set, media pressure, and glamorous events, all of which add an interesting dimension to the story, even if at times these elements feel slightly repetitive.
Read the full review here
https://vidhyathakkar.com/book-review...
The story follows Lara Francis, an aspiring actress who finally lands her dream role in the Hollywood adaptation of her favorite book after years of struggle. But there’s a twist- her co-star is Avi Kumar, a global superstar and the man who broke her heart three years ago. As they are forced to work together, their past resurfaces in ways neither of them expected. Old emotions, unresolved misunderstandings, and unspoken truths linger between them. Lara is determined to prove that she has moved on, focusing on her career and maintaining professionalism. But as they spend more time together, it becomes harder to ignore the connection they once shared, raising the question of whether their relationship can remain strictly professional or if this second chance will change everything.
What makes Off Script more than just a second-chance romance is the emotional layering within the story. It explores ambition, identity, family dynamics, friendship, and the courage it takes to face your fears and speak your truth. The narrative captures Lara’s inner turmoil, especially in moments shared with Avi, while also giving us a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of filmmaking—the politics on set, media pressure, and glamorous events, all of which add an interesting dimension to the story, even if at times these elements feel slightly repetitive.
Read the full review here
https://vidhyathakkar.com/book-review...
November 27, 2025
Marketed as a second-chance romance, Off Script follows our protagonist Lara Francis, a struggling actor who lands her big break starring in a live-action adaptation of her favourite childhood mystery novel. It’s her second chance romantically—with her former friend and now hugely popular co-star, Avi. They lost touch years ago due to a misunderstanding, and now we watch them navigate their complicated history on set.
What I loved most was how deeply relatable Lara’s inner world felt—her insecurities, her spiralling over people’s opinions, her talent clouded by nerves, and her difficulty connecting even with those who genuinely care about her. I also related a little too much with the mentor relationship with the director-the way she's trying to prove herself to her mentor who believed her from the beginning, her admiration for her favourite fictional detective, and her admiring the qualities in a fictional character that you lack in yourself. For a second book, Gilliam’s writing impressed me—the small details that I mentioned here were handled in a way that felt too real, and I’ll definitely look out for her future work.
Criticisms: I wish it wasn’t a romance novel. The leads barely speak properly until more than halfway through the book, and the romance ended up feeling forced—I genuinely didn’t think they were a good match by the end. Avi’s character also felt underdeveloped, especially considering his Indian-American identity and how typecasting affects his career; it was mentioned but never fully explored. Roman, the villain actor, felt unnecessary and served no real purpose. On the positive side, I loved the women-supporting-women element (although it could've been explored more)—with a celebrity rumoured to be Avi’s girlfriend actually helping Lara instead of competing with her. More of that in contemporary fiction, please.
⭐ Rating: Rounding it up to 3/5
P.S. This was my first NetGalley ARC. Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley. The book releases in February next year.
What I loved most was how deeply relatable Lara’s inner world felt—her insecurities, her spiralling over people’s opinions, her talent clouded by nerves, and her difficulty connecting even with those who genuinely care about her. I also related a little too much with the mentor relationship with the director-the way she's trying to prove herself to her mentor who believed her from the beginning, her admiration for her favourite fictional detective, and her admiring the qualities in a fictional character that you lack in yourself. For a second book, Gilliam’s writing impressed me—the small details that I mentioned here were handled in a way that felt too real, and I’ll definitely look out for her future work.
Criticisms: I wish it wasn’t a romance novel. The leads barely speak properly until more than halfway through the book, and the romance ended up feeling forced—I genuinely didn’t think they were a good match by the end. Avi’s character also felt underdeveloped, especially considering his Indian-American identity and how typecasting affects his career; it was mentioned but never fully explored. Roman, the villain actor, felt unnecessary and served no real purpose. On the positive side, I loved the women-supporting-women element (although it could've been explored more)—with a celebrity rumoured to be Avi’s girlfriend actually helping Lara instead of competing with her. More of that in contemporary fiction, please.
⭐ Rating: Rounding it up to 3/5
P.S. This was my first NetGalley ARC. Thank you to Bloomsbury and NetGalley. The book releases in February next year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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