I really enjoyed this "second chance" love story. Given the female main character is a set designer (combined with the author's writing style), many of the scenes were particularly descriptive when it came to details of the setting/ physical locations. It made we want to also experience this story visually - through a tv show or movie.
Despite one of the character's being a movie star - it felt realistic (as a result of her industry profession) and mature.
Jack's character and career trajectory reminded me a bit of Paul Mescal - from hit romantic limited series (with a well known sex scene haha) to movie star. His relationship with former co-star Ginny also reminds me a bit of the air of mystery around Paul and Daisy Edgar-Jones' friendship and chemistry. All that to say - Jack's character felt like getting a hypothetical look into hollywood's favourite young stars and the industry dynamic. While completely different genre than comedic show "The Studio" which just aired this past season on Apple - the background look into set-studio-star-crew dynamics in Hollywood and call back to the lore of Old Hollywood across the two stories in different mediums felt tangibly related/ relevant.

831 Stories does it again! Love their stories, and this one is no exception. Jack and CJ’s chemistry was well thought out, and their story never felt like it lacked anything. I liked how they also pushed each other to be better, and also pushed each other’s relationship boundaries. I also loved Stuart (I visualized him as larger than life lol), Agnes, and all the behind-the-scenes knowledge of working on a movie set :)

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for a review!

I flew through this book. A perfect read for lovers of old hollywood and a little spice. It reminded me a bit of Notting Hill or other classic rom-coms. The story was fairly short but a fun read throughout.

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC.

This is my favorite 831 Stories book yet. This was so sweet and swoony. I loved the Hollywood setting and the vibe of an old Hollywood movie. It was so sweet and felt so heartful. Read it all in one sitting, I couldn't put it down!

831 does it again! I love the celebrity x normal person trope and Set Piece didn’t disappoint. I was sad when it ended because I wanted more!

2 stars
Thank you, Net Galley and 831 Stories for the ARC!

Unfortunately, this wasn’t my cup of tea, either due to the fact I’m in a bit of a reading slump or because a romance novella is not the easiest thing to accomplish.

Of course, novellas just cannot contain the same amount of character development, but, it just seemed…very lacking.
The characters didn’t seem to have much development, together, or separately.
The love story itself was, essentially, insta love. More of their instant infatuation, than the actual relationship building up.

Additionally, CJ being a mom didn’t *add* anything to the story, other than having a familial connection/conversation that I believe would’ve been very sweet if we had seen more of that relationship.

Also the smut…was almost emotionless to me. It felt rushed and had zero chemistry.

4.5 stars

I haven’t been in a big romance mood lately, but I devoured this. The build up was so good and this short book packed a lot into it. I loved the characters, MCs and more.
I really liked CJ and Jack. I wouldn’t necessarily say it is a celebrity and normal person romance as CJ worked on set, but I had a great time.
The audio was super fun and enjoyable. The two narrators brought the characters to life so well.


*thank you so much 831 stories for the ARC and ALC and physical copy in exchange for an honest review.

I can't get enough of 831 Stories, and this one did not disappoint! I LOVED Set Piece - it's one of my favorite romance tropes and it was a great balance of sweet and spice. I enjoyed the characters and story and wouldn't be mad if they ever decided to do a sequel ;) Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this e-ARC.

I enjoyed how both characters were professionals and lived their lives pretty much together. I thought the spin on the famous/not-famous person part was great. Every character was incredibly well-developed, and I admired the personal development they experienced to reconcile and maintain their relationship.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. I love this east short romances! So wonderful

This book was capital H hot from page one until the end. Love how the fmc is a real whole adult not just pining for the boy .

I loved the synopsis but the book itself was just okay. There is nothing wrong with it but there is also nothing special about it.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I love reading the 831 stories, especially as palette cleansers between longer or more serious books. This one might be my fave! I really liked that both characters were professional and had their lives pretty much together. Loved the twist on the element of famous/non-famous person, Definitely recommend!

Another banger from 831 stories!! I lovedddddd Cj and Jack - they were so cute. I loved that there was little-to-no miscommunication between the characters, and when there was, it was handled in a way that normal adults handle things. The romance and relationship between CJ and Jack felt realistic. I need a Tom and Molly spin-off, please!

I really want to like the books coming out of this publisher but they leave much to be desired and this is the same for this book as well. It’s cute but that’s about it.

I loved this story! Each of the characters was so well developed and I loved the personal growth they had to do in order to come together and make their relationship work. I'd love to see this Gatsby adaptation come to life!

This was the second book in the 831 Stories series I read and I loved it so much! I would have happily read a longer book with these characters but also felt like a lot was accomplished in this short format and it worked well. I felt a real connection with the characters and there was quite a bit of plot and tension.

I love books that give you a glimpse in to Hollywood and really enjoyed the production design aspect -- that felt very unique to me and not a perspective we often get to read.

I loved both CJ and Jack, and Jack was so swoony. I loved the side characters, especially CJ's father and daughter.

I'm excited to read more by Lana Schwartz and the others in the 831 Stories series -- I love the idea of it!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

A funny, loving and real love story that had me giggling and crying at the same time. Loved how the relationship between the characters grew and evolved and the amazing glimpses the author gave us of movie making and hollywood. Also very much enjoeyd the real life aspects that were included like real name actors, movies and moments.

My biggest complaint about some romance books is that they are too long and there is not alot of romantic development. "Set Piece" packs itself to the brim with romantic interactions and tension with less than 200 pages. I had a lot of fun with this. Both Jack and CJ have chemistry that doesn't feel forced and were both very mature. They both needed to grow and re-realize their priorities when they come into each others lives again and it was so satisfying to watch. I'm personally not a big fan of celebrity romances but here Jack is a real person who knows he's flawed. I look forward to re-reading this either on a Friday night in or when I need a rom-com I can read.

I so loved the idea of this book! Set designer CJ meets hot new heartthrob Jack and they have an unforgettable one night stand, only to find out that they’re working on the same Great Gatsby remake four years later. He’s now our fav leading man, and she’s a badass single mom. I loved the plot of this book, loved the writing, the spice was soooo good, and the characters were fantastic. 831 Stories has continued to put out consistently solid novellas (this one is my second fav), and the writers are so talented at fitting so much into so few pages.

The only place where this book lost me was the niche movie industry and film history aspects. It’s clear that Lana Schwartz is knowledgeable, passionate, and so smart about the industry. I am none of those things, and I found myself getting bogged down in it a little bit. I took quite a few Wikipedia breaks, so on the plus side, I learned a lot! But it made the story feel clunkier and slower for me.

I would absolutely recommend reading this book, and I am so excited for the fanfic about Jack and CJ!!

Thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the eARC!!