My Review: I requested this book since I have enjoyed the books that Davis Bunn published with Janette Oke, and I am glad I signed up to review this one. It is wonderful! The producing side of Unscripted and the law side of Unscripted were both different and yet went together well, it was interesting to read about a wrongly accused man and a woman trying to leave behind an unkind law office.

Rating: 3 and 1/2 stars rounded up to 4.

Recommendation: 16 up for romances and such.

Verse: Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. (King James Version.)

Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

58115

Excellent! ( )

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.

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”.

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.

Overall rating: 3.8 stars ( )

There was a time when I couldn't get enough of Davis Bunn's books (He wrote under the name T. Davis Bunn back then.) At some point though, his writing style began to get to me and I haven't read that much by him lately.

WARNING: SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW. READ AT YOUR OWN DISCRETION

*****

Danny Byrd has good reason not to trust people. His foster-care-friend-turned-brother, Johnny, has double crossed him by taking off with all their money, leaving behind unpaid contractors and landing Danny in jail.

Enter Megan Pierce, who comes to Danny through Sol Fiennes, even though she works for a different law firm. Megan quickly gets the charges dropped and Danny out of jail. Sol reveals that Danny owns 51% of a hotel. Oddly enough, many of the people hurt by Johnny's double cross are still willing to work with Danny because his reputation is honesty and being able to deliver the project on-time and on-budget. In fact, Greg brings Danny in on a film deal because of what happened--and Megan quickly takes the negotiating reins and gets them a better deal than what they'd have gotten on their own.

A story that fits the title they've been given sort of falls into their laps and they're off and running. At the same time, many impediments come up that lead Megan to conclude that there's some underlying deal behind what's going on. I have to admit that I didn't follow all of that part or how she put it all together.

It has the "happily ever after" type ending that is so common to these books. ( )