I really enjoyed this one! I’d give it around 3.5 to 4 stars. I’m not usually the biggest fan of insta-love and that is definitely what this is, but I still found myself hooked. The chemistry between the characters was so strong and the writing pulled me in right away. I ended up reading it in just two sittings because I couldn’t put it down.

What I especially loved was the yearning from the MMC. For such a short novella, we still got some solid relationship development and the spice scenes were absolutely 10/10. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.

Huge thanks to the author for the ARC! 💕

CJ and Jack spent a memorable night together, and both of them thought that was it until they end up working on the same movie five years later: Jack as a star actor and CJ as the set designer. The sparks are still there, but Hollywood can be an unforgiving career for women, so they hold off until the end of filming. It appears they've found their happily ever after until Jack is offered his dream project in London. Can their relationship survive this new curveball?

I really enjoyed CJ and Jack's story! For the length of the short story, Lana Schwartz did a great job with character development and making the reader care about their outcome.

I loved this book so much. I think it was my favorite of the 831 books. The steam was great, and the characters were mature in a way that made their narrative feel very real. Perfect balance of steamy and sweet.

I thought this book was good and as short as it was, we got a fully formed story in which we got the chance to get to know these characters.

I enjoyed the romance between the Jake and CJ and I liked the chemistry between them especially at the beginning. I like that we got to see their relationship develop however towards the end it does start to drag for me a little bit and fall a bit flat

I feel I did struggle to relate to CJ especially towards the end when she did something that I didn’t really agree with. I also don’t like a third act breakup so I did struggle with that. But it was true to CJ’s character so I can’t be mad at that.

Jake was sweet but other than his looks and his talent, it wasn’t really clear why he was such a catch, I told it was mostly told and not shown to us.

I am very happy I got a chance to read and review this book.

Thank you to 831 stories for this ARC

A chance encounter leaves a breakout TV star and no-nonsense bartender wanting more, but life gets in the way. They find each other again five years later, while working on a movie set—but is there room in their lives for this second chance at romance?

First off, a big thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz!

Listen… the “celebrity falls for normal person” trope? I’ll never get tired of it. Maybe the inner fangirl in me is still holding on to delusional hope 😂 but I was immediately sold on this premise. And Set Piece delivered a fun, quick read that hit some sweet notes, even if it didn’t hit every mark.

The setting was the real star of this book. Lana Schwartz did such a good job capturing the vibe of film production life, I could’ve easily read 500 more pages just about the behind-the-scenes of that Gatsby adaptation.

Now onto the not-so-glamorous stuff. While the setup had all the right ingredients (second chance romance, single mom, forced proximity), the characters fell a bit flat for me. I wanted to love CJ, but I struggled to connect with her, especially toward the end. And Jack… he was sweet, sure, but I needed a little more than golden retriever energy and nerdy charm to feel invested.

The romance started strong, with some lovely tension and banter early on, but it fizzled out faster than I hoped. Maybe it’s the short story format, but I found myself wanting more depth, more emotional build-up, and a little less “wait—that’s it?!”

That said, I still had a good time reading this. The pacing was a bit rushed, and the third-act conflict was predictable, but overall, it’s a solid 3-star read. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something short, sweet, and set in a unique world.

(Thanks to 831 Stories and Netgalley for my ARC.) I really have been loving the short romance novellas from 831 Stories, and this is one of my new favorites from them! CJ is a set designer, but is working as a bartender after taking time off work for personal reasons, and that’s where she meets TV’s newest breakout star Jack Felgate, in LA for a friend’s bachelor party. CJ helps Jack escape some overzealous fans, and the two spend one steamy night together, and then Jack goes back home across the pond. Five years later, CJ and Jack bump into each other again – on set of the film adaptation of The Great Gatsby they’re both working on. I love a book about the “behind-the-scenes” of Hollywood, and this one was such a fun take on it. I loved their chemistry, and the juggling of careers in an industry that’s so built on who you are and who you know.

This famous person-regular person romance was everything!!! I loved everything about this from the Gatsby production to the first bar scene. I can't stop recommending this!

Thanks NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC.

Although this was significantly better than Hardly Strangers, I still didn't love it. This is such a short novella, yet it took me ages to finish because I don't care about these people !

Also the British lingo was wiiiiiild to me. Ma'am, noone speaks like that.

Thank you 831 Stories for a copy of Set Piece!

"For fans of Romantic Comedy and Notting Hill (so, everyone?!), a second-chance celebrity / normal person romance you’ll read in one sitting."

Look, one thing I love about 831 stories and Lana Schwartz is that when they say that a novella is this trope, it is this trope. No miscommunication, no fluff. Just straight to the point. Still so swoony but refreshing -- thanks to Lana Schwartz's writing! Perfect for romance readers who are tired of the miscommunication and third part breakup act.

Another banger by 831! Loved the movie production setting, women empowerment, and the very real push and pull of letting someone in. Jack is like a golden retriever and CJ more rigid and structured, making their relationship the perfect balance of exploration and stability. Left me wanting more in a great way!

Jack Felgate, a rising actor spends one night with CJ who happens to be working in the bar where he's hanging out with friends. When they cross paths on a movie set years later, Jack has shot to stardom and CJ has made quite a name for herself as a set designer. Although they have both changed over the years, the chemistry they felt when they first met is still there, and they both know it. The question is, can they make the compromises they need to turn it into something real?

An easy to read contemporary romance novella, which draws on the second chance and celebrity tropes. I suspect it would be enjoyable for readers who can appreciate this type of read but I came away feeling a little disappointed. The story felt rushed and there wasn't a great deal of character development so they felt one-dimensional. I had hoped for a bit more of a 'Notting Hill' feel and although it was funny in parts, it felt a little flat.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I haven’t read an 831 story I haven’t liked yet!

This one was hot 🥵 and I also loved Jack and CJ. Their character development was great and I thought they had a mature romance. I love how it seems like I read a whole novel from start to finish when this is less than 200 pages.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC’

Biggest 831 Stories fan right here. I was super excited to read this one! I loooove a Hollywood romance and this one did not let me down. Plus the second chance romance aspects were *chef’s kiss.* The original meeting was steamy and exciting, the rekindling was perfect, and I felt like everything was very realistic. I always find that with 831 Stories. The romance is swoon worthy and steamy without being cheesy or annoying. The problems feel real, the relationship feels attainable, and the Hollywood backdrop was exciting. I’m sad the movies mentioned aren’t real, I want to watch them now!! And did I mention the male lead is British? What more could you want!!! This was addicting, I read it all in one day. 10/10 would do again.

whatever you do, do not read the synopsis! it’s gives too much away! i went in blind and i wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if i didn’t. this was such a fun read. the characters were so mature. i loved the friends reference of ross drinking the fat. the third act breakup was so infuriating though!! they held such good communication the entire time and then one miscommunication just appears! still loved jack and cj so much. i loved that it was dual pov, we saw them in their roles, and i love how jack just became part of cj’s family. ALSO THE CHARLIE AND MISCHIEF MENTION, a nod to big fan!!

“i get to be your set piece”

“i know how capable you are of doing anything you set your mind to. there is no one I believe in more to do the things they say they’re going to do, or that i trust to handle something. but just because you can do all of this by yourself…it doesn’t mean you have to. or that you should. or that you’re better off for it.”

*** thank you 831 stories and netgalley for the arc

Okay! 831 Stories you know I love you and this book made me love you even more! So good! Such a fun read! The story was so fun and different, but in the best way!

LOVED this novella! It had everything I look for in a romance but just slightly condensed. I am a sucker for a hollywood/famous person romance and I enjoyed how this one wove in regular, every-day life as well.

I absolutely loved this book, thought it was just the right length, super quick to read, and just beautifully written.

It follows the premise of love that is lost and found and lost and found again, and it made me really root for the characters, and for how amazing their story was. Spanning over 5 or so years, and having both the male and the female POV really stroke a chord for me, and it reminded me of classic rom-com films in the way ir was written and also in the way the story ended up ending. Such a lovely book, and I’m so grateful to Netgalley foe giving me an ARC to read, even though I am a bit behind on reviewing and finishing up the books.

My first 831 book and I’m in love! This was fabulous and needs to be made into a movie. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

Set Piece was a fun and light story to delve into and great to read while recovering in bed!

It's a novella so some quick points without giving away too much:
* Famous actor x bartender who just found out who he is
* It's a little crazy and hot but c'mon what's wrong with getting a little frisky?
* She's career driven
* He's so into her
* Very light read
* The later conflict ain't a vibe but we roll
* Soo easy to read in one sitting!

Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.