Changing the Script

By: Lee Winter

Narrated by: Claire Alain

Length: 13 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's Summary

A funny, small-town lesbian romance about clashing cultures and daring to dream big.

LA-based English indie filmmaker Alex Levitin reluctantly takes a job in New Zealand to save the "worst movie ever", Shezan: Mistress of the Forest. Things might go easier for her if she didn't almost run over the standoffish, beautiful local cop on her first day in town. And it'd really help if her film set wasn't being mysteriously sabotaged. 

When Ika Whenu's Senior Constable Sam Keegan isn't trying to stamp out a motorcycle gang drug problem afflicting her town, she's publicly slamming everything about the exploitative film, Shezan, and the Hollywood blow-ins making it. That includes its nerdy, cute director, Alex, who has woeful driving skills to go with her smart mouth. 

Against the stunning scenery and chaotic film-set backdrop, attraction flares between the two warring women as they're forced to work together to find the set saboteur.

Contains mature themes.

©2019 Lee Winter (P)2020 Tantor

Now THIS is the way to experience this book!

If I needed proof that a narrator can elevate the experience of a book, I can say that I have it and that narrator is Claire Alain. When I read Changing the Script when it was initially released, it was the first time I'd read a Lee Winter novel and wasn't completely blown away by it. There was just something about the book that gave me a very ambiguous feeling like I wasn't quite sure how I felt about it exactly. It's actually the first time I didn't immediately review a book because I wanted to return to it later and see if it was my mood, or what exactly the deal was. Then Winter held out for an Aussie narrator that she felt could adequately bring the book to life and I was excited to learn that she'd chosen Alain. I'd listened to two of Cheyenne Blue's books narrated by her and was especially impressed with Code of Conduct. So I decided when Script was released I'd give it another go. It was a completely different experience for me - in the best way. It's like I finally heard the humor and the sweetness in it and found myself smiling and chuckling throughout. Alain has a beautiful voice and has a good number of accents in her wheelhouse. I loved that. Lee tends to write a LOT of characters in her books and Alain was able to pull them off - male and female alike. And when it came to the romance... *swooooon* she did those scenes and conversations between the lovers beautifully. I can honestly say I'm crushing on the woman's voice and she could easily become one of the top narrators for me. I just hope more people hire her! So my suggestion is if you're going to experience the book, do it this way. I'm sure at some point I'll go back and re-read it, but I think Alain managed to tell the story in the most entertaining way possible. Definitely recommend!

Heads up if you’re a fan of the first book

The story was okay. Not Lee’s best by far, but Lee Winters on a so-so day is far better than most writers in this genre on their best day. The reason for the three star rating is solely regarding the narration. It’s not bad, per say. But I really wish the narrator had bothered to listen to Angela Dawe’s performance of “Breaking Character,” the book this one is spun off of, when developing her voices here. It would have made for a more seamless transition for fans of the first book who were excited to experience more of the characters from BC (like me and I’m sure others). In contrast to Dawe’s performance, Claire Alain’s character voices are MUCH higher pitched. It’s not necessarily bad, just...jarring. Elizabeth “Bess” Thornton’s voice especially is drastically different here. Bess’s voice in BC is very low register and downright throaty. Her voice in CTS is the POLAR opposite - so high pitch it’s just a hair away from whiny. Again, it’s not bad, it’s just a stark difference that makes it feel like a completely different character. Which, for me, was very disappointing since I love Bess and I was looking forward to listening to this book as a continuation of the first one. If you haven’t listened to BC, this won’t bother you. If you have, heads ups - go into this version expecting to hear vastly different interpretations of your fave former characters or maybe just skip the audiobook and read the novel.

Narrator

I’m a huge fan of Lee Winter’s books but a little disappointed in the choice of narrator. My favorite audio book is “ The Brutal Truth”...10s all across the board especially because of excellent narration by Angela Dade. When there is good chemistry with narrators you should consider reusing them especially if it’s in a series they have read before. Angela Dawe and Abby Craden are good choices.

enjoying the mystery

I started listening to Changing the script not realizing how much I was going to enjoy it. I'm telling myself 10 more minutes/1 more chapter because I cant wait to hear what happens next.

Quite Entertaining!

I am a big Lee Winters fan. She is one terrific storyteller. Pair that with an excellent narrator, Claire Alain, who is a new-to-me disvery, and Changing the Script is a winner. The story has fun characters, both new, and familiar (Bess, Summer, Chloe, Summer’s mom (ugh! Can’t think of her name) ones that add extra flavor to the story.Indie film director Alex is “forced”, due tax issues, to take a job directing the “worst movie ever” in New Zealand. She meets Sam, the local cop day one as Alex causes a collision with Sam. Sparks fly. There is adventure, mystery,zaniness, and a love story. Ms. Alain gives a BRAVO performance! You won’t regret the purchase. Get the book!

Refreshingly intelligent, humorous and sexy

Refreshingly intelligent, humorous and sexy. Hope this author and narrator have more titles I haven't heard yet! Above average for this genre.

Mostly great book.

After getting used to the accent, I loved the book, but and this happened for the first time, this one had some part that were completely redundant. Which made the book too long.

Slow!!!!

It was hard to finish this audiobook. I started it, was bored through the first 3 hours, started a different audiobook that got released that day, finished and enjoyed other audiobook, THEN I slowly finished Changing the Script. it wasn't that great in my opinion.

Absolutely loved it!

I really enjoyed this book. The story isn’t cheesy and so predictable that I didn’t need to pay attention.
The writing is really, really good! The plot is funny and touching and clever, and I was pulled into it right away and stayed until the end. It kept me guessing, which is something I long for in a book.
The characters, all of them, were colorful and interesting. They weren’t just background noise. I found myself as caught up in them as the main characters.
The narration was spot on. I could actually visualize this like a movie. In fact, it would make an entertaining show to watch for sure!
I definitely appreciate Lee Winter’s writing style and story telling ability. This one does not disappoint. THANK YOU!

Fell flat

Definitely could’ve been so much better. It fell flat in the end Their resolution made me roll my eyes and check how much time I had left. The way the character just rolled over. Felt like the author was tired and just wanted to be done writing. I checked out.

Story lacked substance.

Story lacked substance, was very predictable. Characters were weak, scene context setting s poor.

Good listen, sweet and funny.

I missed Angela Dawe’s narration very much, this narrator is good but feel there’s so much more put into the character’s in a book when Angela reads them, she’s the ultimate I think. I did adore the inclusion of Bess and Summer from ‘Breaking Character’ and even the Elena Bartel name drop (The Brutal Truth) , Queen of ice queen’s and so far my favourite Lee Winter book, thanks Lee, that was wonderful!

should have come across so much better

I mostly enjoyed the story. Liked the mentions from other stories.

The stereotyping of British accents and culture was a big disappointment though. Pretty cringy at some points.

Changing the voice.

I always enjoy reading and listening to Lee's books. Only one downside who has abducted Bess. Shame her voice was so different, otherwise I loved the narration.

unfortunately not a good read.

unfortunately I spent more time rewinding this book to work who was saying what to whom than enjoying this read. There was no connection between the 2 main characters at all, little to no emotional support and the whole romance was none existent. So bad I'm considering returning this read straight away. A real shame as I was really looking forward to this book.