Not How I Pictured It - by Robin Lefler (Paperback)

About the Book

"Twenty years after Ocean Views went off the air, the beloved TV show about teenage romance and angst is back. No one is more surprised than its former star, Agnes 'Ness' Larkin, that she's agreed to step back into the role of Hailey Grant. After her father/manager took off with her earnings, Ness ran away from the spotlight in shame. But maybe it's time to stare her past, and her castmates, in their discreetly Botoxed faces. That enthusiasm lasts until the first table read, which, in co-star Coco's words, is 'like a high school reunion without the dim lighting or booze.' Ness assumed her old fling Hayes Beaumont would be too busy doing Big Hollywood Things to take part, but there he is, seated beside her, exuding pheromones and success. En route to the deluxe Bahamas resort where they're to start filming, the cast gets stranded by a storm. Stuck on a tiny island with a paltry cache of food and quite possibly the most useless survival group in history, Ness tries to reconcile her youthful dreams with where she's ended up -- figuratively and literally. The producers wanted drama on and off-screen, and they're going to get it, but where will Ness be when it's all over?"--

Book Synopsis

A sharply hilarious and ultimately heartfelt novel about a former teen superstar who grudgingly agrees to a reboot of the show that made her (in)famous... only to find herself stranded on an island with her former co-stars - and quite possibly the most useless survival group in history. For fans of Lizzy Dent, Linda Holmes, and Katherine Center. Twenty years after Ocean Views went off the air, the beloved TV show about teenage romance and angst is back. No one is more surprised than its former star, Agnes "Ness" Larkin, that she's agreed to step back into the role of Hailey Grant. After her father/manager took off with her earnings, Ness ran away from the spotlight in shame. But maybe it's time to stare her past, and her castmates, in their discreetly Botoxed faces. That enthusiasm lasts until the first table read, which, in co-star Coco's words, is "like a high school reunion without the dim lighting or booze." Ness assumed her old fling Hayes Beaumont would be too busy doing Big Hollywood Things to take part, but there he is, seated beside her, exuding pheromones and success. En route to the deluxe Bahamas resort where they're to start filming, the cast gets stranded by a storm. Stuck on a tiny island with a paltry cache of food and quite possibly the most useless survival group in history, Ness tries to reconcile her youthful dreams with where she's ended up-figuratively and literally. The producers wanted drama on and off-screen, and they're going to get it, but where will Ness be when it's all over?

Review Quotes

Praise for Not How I Pictured It

"There's no one I'd rather be trapped on a desert island with than Ness Larkin and the rest of the hilariously dysfunctional cast of Not How I Pictured It. Both a nonstop-entertaining survival romp and a heartwarming exploration of second chances, Robin Lefler's sophomore novel is a MUST for your 2024 beach bag." --Nicolas DiDomizio, author of Nearlywed

"Not How I Pictured It was full of suspense, adventure, backstabbing old friends, middling survival skills, and best of all, a swoony second chance romance with a sexy movie star. When the entire cast of a decades old TV show gets stranded on a Caribbean Island on route to film their reboot, they have no choice but to mend their relationships and learn to work together to survive. I loved seeing Ness grow as she came to terms with her past...and wrestle with a snake! What an incredibly fun book!" --Farah Heron, author of Jana Goes Wild and Accidentally Engaged

"Not How I Pictured It is a zany, rollicking good time with a powerful emotional reckoning at its core. Lefler grapples with fame, growing up, and what we owe the people we love, all the while keeping up the Romancing the Stone-style hijinks." --Jenny Holiday, author of Canadian Boyfriend and Earls Trip

"What if the cast of 90210 unwittingly reunited for a season of Survivor? Not How I Pictured It is fun, funny and full of drama. The perfect beach read from one of my must-read authors!" --Chantel Guertin, bestselling author of Two for the Road

"Robin Lefler fires up the page with sharp wit, dazzling imagination, and pulse-jumping plot twists! Not How I Pictured It is an epic adventure romcom where top-tier tropes meet a gripping mystery. The end result is a sexy, thrilling, and at turns hilarious modern nod to Gilligan's Island. I could not put this book down." --Courtney Kae, author of In the Event of Love and In the Case of Heartbreak

Praise for Reasonable Adults

"Reasonable Adults has everything I look for in a rom com; a relatable heroine, dialogue that zings, an original setting and most importantly - a dog. This is fresh, fun, feel-good fiction." --Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

"Reasonable Adults is smart, romantic comedy filled with madcap moments that will leave you laughing out loud. An absolute delight!" --Trish Doller, international bestselling author of The Suite Spot

"A sparkling debut novel about reinvention, self-discovery, and second chances. With a memorable setting at a troubled artists' colony, a quirky cast of characters, and a double serving of romance and redemption, Reasonable Adults is sure to satisfy." --Kate Hilton, author of Better Luck Next Time

"Smart and stylish, Reasonable Adults is a fresh, funny, vividly told story of one woman's journey from down and out to up and coming. A sparkling debut destined to become the must-read romantic comedy of the season." --Bobbi French, author of The Good Women of Safe Harbour

"Written with humor, passion, and oh-so-much romance, this book is spell-binding. I couldn't put it down. Robin Lefler has built a world that rivals the like of all the great rom-coms onscreen and off. I can't wait to see what she does next. Her wit, warmth, and honesty shine through these pages. I will be returning to Treetops as frequently as I rewatch When Harry Met Sally, which is to say I will be re-reading it once a month every month." --Ava Bellows, author of All I Stole From You

About the Author

Robin Lefler grew up near Toronto, Canada and pursued a variety of careers, including equine massage therapy, before settling into technology sales. Outside of her day job and writing, Robin can be found reading, walking her dog, indulging in a high quality baked good, and spending time with her family. Readers can connect with her at RobinLeflerAuthor.com