Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

This was so much fun and such a good read!! I am so glad that 831 is taking on these shorter, wonderful romance reads.

I loved the writing in this and how we actually see two characters have separate lives and careers and how they just want to make it work with each other. I loved the realness of our FMC and the simp our MMC turns into (but honesty, he always was).

For fans of anything short n sweet, instant infatuation, second chance (if you can call it that?), and just all things great that are found in romances.

Another banger from 831 stories that paints the story between a young bartender/aspiring production designer and the star on the very precipice of his stardom. They have one night together and find themselves both working on the same set five years later and that spark is still there. I ate this book up - the chemistry between Jack and CJ is incredible. I found that we got a bit more depth from CJ in terms of her relationships outside of Jack but I still liked how he fit into her world.

Set Piece is a quick, fun romance novella set against the backdrop of Hollywood filmmaking. This second-chance, celeb/non-celeb romance will have you kicking your feet whenever TV and movie star Jack Felgate makes a romantic gesture towards production designer CJ. They have chemistry, but are their lives too different to make it work? You'll love finding out.

This was a cute, quick little romance. I love these novellas from 831 stories. This story of a set designer falling in love with a British actor (I kept picturing Jonathan Bailey) was exactly what happened in my 12 year old mind when I imagined what it was going to be like working in movies. Really loved this and will recommend!

Short and sweet romance novels are definitely the vibes these days, and this story did not disappoint!

Jack and CJ's story was a second-chance twist, where although they didn't have a past relationship, they did have a one-time connection in the past that didn't go anywhere, and now the universe is giving them a second chance at love.

I loved the dynamics between these two, and I liked how adult this love story felt. The characters were complex, with depth to their personal lives, and both were interesting characters to me outside of the context of one another.

My only gripe with this was the third act breakup but thankfully these two finally got it together!

Looking forward to more 831 stories!

Thank you 831 Stories and net galley for an eARC copy of this story in exchange for an honest review!

Short stories can be really hard to pull off, especially in the romance genre but this was super cute. I felt the connection & chemistry and linearly, it made sense! Would've loved to read a longer version. 3-5-4ish stars

Happy Pub Day, Set Piece! I like to read these @831storieshq totally blind. I have no idea what the plot is before opening them, so I expected this one to be tennis smut…but it’s my other fave genre…Celeb Romance!!! PS- Hey 831, I’d love some tennis smut, so consider “serving” us some of that in the future! K, thanks.

CJ is a set designer and who is also working as a bartender when up and coming British actor and hottie, Jack strolls into her bar. One thing leads to another and they defile said bar, which I believe is the dream of every bartender ever born. 5 years pass and CJ and Jack meet up again on set, where they are both working. Jack is immediately obsessed (which I am here for) and CJ tries to play it cool, but obvi wants to get in this fine man’s pants again.

Like all of 831 stories, this is such a nice little read. What I love about these stories is that they are so dependable- I know I am going to get a smartly written, solid romance with flawed, horny adults. Set Piece delivers the complications of a normy dating a celeb with low-medium spice, but great pacing and storytelling. Overall- I really like this one and as with all of the 831 stories…I def recommend for a low spice, high romance beach read!

Smut- 2.11 stars
Romance- 4.56 stars
Story- 4.72 stars
Jack taking “tip your bartender” very literally- 15.92 stars

h-o-t-t hot hot hot!!! i could probably read 1000 more pages of cj and jack’s love story! the time jumps messed with the pacing of their relationship in my head a bit but i think that’s the nature of a novella that i’m getting used to. cj and jack have oscars in my heart

A great little snack of a book filled with great characters (with big personalities and even bigger character growth) and twists and turns that keep you intrigued but ultimately rooting for Jack and CJ to bring their lives together and hold on to their love!!

Thank you NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC!

831 Stories does not disappoint again! I loved this one from the first page. These are such great romances -- they feel authentic, they are steamy and they are always fun. The banter/conversations between the characters are always great, too. I can't wait for more from this imprint and highly recommend Set Piece!!

Set Piece comes out next week on May 6, 2025, and you can purchase HERE!

This evening is the wrap party for Gatsby. When
you're in the middle of filming a movie, time
stretches out before you in a way that makes it
hard to imagine that you'll ever work on anything
else, that you won't be on this set for the rest of
your life. You're in a bubble, like kids away at
summer camp. But eventually, it does end, and
everyone returns to their lives.

This is a quick and witty novella following the connection between a single mom and a celebrity. While I would have enjoyed a deeper dive into Jack and CJ’s initial connection, I still enjoyed their story.

LOVED this newest release from 831 Stories - I love a short romance. I need the romance to move along more quickly and that's exactly why I love 831 Stories so much. This is my second read of theirs (the first was Big Fan, which I also adored).

Set Piece is set in L.A., and I loved how the author showed how L.A. is viewed differently between a lifelong L.A.-er (CJ) and a celebrity figure who only lived there for work (Jack). When I picture L.A., I picture celebrities and tourists, but when described from CJ's point of view, L.A. seemed more charming and live able, vs. just somewhere you travel to.

Jack was such a great boyfriend and I was rooting for him the entire time; I love how much he loved CJ from the very beginning. He would have done anything for her and I was obsessed with that aspect of their romance. I also loved the relationship between Agnes and CJ, and CJ and her own father.

Thank you so much to the publisher for an ARC of Set Piece in exchange for an honest review.

"Set Piece" is a short, sweet, and spicy story. Jack and CJ had a one night stand a few years before they reunited on the set of Jack's new project. This wasn't my favorite as I didn't connect with the characters or the plot, but I can see the appeal.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

I was immediately drawn into Set Piece because, like (I assume) many readers, I harbor the deeply held fantasy that a handsome British man will spot me across a crowded bar and fall instantly in love. But what kept me hooked wasn’t just the charm of the MMC—it was the truth at the heart of Lana Schwartz’s newest novella from 831 Stories.

Cara is a single mom and a production assistant in Hollywood, juggling the daily grind while trying to carve out a space for herself in a chaotic industry. A chance reconnection with Jack, a man from her past with whom she shared one unforgettable night, throws her off balance. She doesn’t expect to see him again—until they end up working together on a new production of The Great Gatsby, where Jack is cast as Nick Carraway. Cue a deliciously tropey one-bed scenario, the kind of setup that brings unresolved feelings and unexpected intimacy bubbling to the surface.

Schwartz’s writing is quick, sharp, and full of heart. She has a gift for creating vivid, emotionally resonant characters who feel both messy and real. Like all the best 831 Stories, I found myself surprised by just how much I saw of myself in these pages. It’s funny, it’s tender, and it captures that uniquely modern longing for connection—even when life has taken you off-script.

Set Piece is a sparkling, smart romance with depth, charm, and just enough angst to keep things interesting. An absolute star of a book—and an easy four stars from me.

I usually love 831 Stories books, but this one wasn't a hit for me. I love the one-night-stand to lovers trope, but this one felt forced and fast. At least it was spicy!

(Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Thank you so much to 831 Stories for the complimentary copy of this book!

This book is out now!

Holy moly - I love this book! I say often how books are Stephanie books and this book is certainly a Stephanie book.
Pretty much any time a celebrity romance is a trope - it is for me!

This is my 4th book from this publication and I just love how they focus on romance novellas. They are super bingeable to read especially like this one that has tropes that are my favorite. I started this one on a whim while reading another and I just kept coming back to this and before I knew it, I was half way through the book.

The book starts off 5 years prior when newly famous actor Jack Felgate walks into a bar and has this immediate connection with the bartender Cara. After their one night stand, Jack goes off and continues to become a famous actor while Cara who also goes by CJ has a career in set design. They reconnect while both working on a new movie remake of The Great Gatsby. Neither have forgotten about their one night together but CJ did not want to get involved with someone she was working with especially the lead actor. I love watching them reconnect and have a friendship before they decided to get romantically involved again. Jack learns that CJ has a daughter whom is her primary focus and I love seeing them have a relationship.

My only small quip is that I do wish we got to see what happened between them the night they met and why they didn't proceed further.

This book just truly made me smile from start to finish. I just love Jack and CJ so much! I love their chemistry and their relationship from start to finish. I read this one with my eyes but I did see that the audio is being done by Andi Arndt and Shane East which honestly you can't get better than them two! They will be a fabulous CJ and Jack.

If you are looking for a quick celebrity romance that will give you all those swoony feelings - give this one a read!

3.75 rounded up to 4
I love everything 831 Stories puts out and this is no different, but I do think this needed to be full length rather than a novella :(
What I loved: I loved Jack and CJ when they were together, the concept was so fun, and I loved the ending
What I think needed more workshopping: them getting together in the first place! I think they were a really good pair but it wasn’t compelling for them to get together after one one night stand. There were a lot of time skips that made the story feel less impactful. Also the third act breakup??

Thank you so much to 831 Stories and NetGalley for an arc

I wasn’t familiar with the 831 stories but picked up Set List and loved it!

Although it was short, the author did a good job establishing the characters and the plot. I was immediately sucked into this book and didn’t want to put it down. I am a sucker for a celebrity romance and this one was adorable! Although this one worked well at its length, I think I would have liked it even better as a longer book- I wanted more of the characters!

I’m definitely going to check out the other books now that I have read Set List. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

I really liked this one! I am a huge fan of celebrity romances, and even with being on the shorter side, this definitely delivered. Even though I personally love a celebrity romance, I do think that people who don't love that trope could really like this one too. There is just enough sprinkled in about being on a movie set/being famous, without the story feeling like it is about that. I feel like both of the characters were really well fleshed out and I was definitely rooting for them! I also think the third act conflict made sense, which is a big gripe for me with a lot of romance books.

Overall I really enjoyed this one and can't wait to see what this author, and 831, come out with next!

Very cute. Will spend my days thinking about a British man throwing away his career so he can spend more time with me

Absolutely loved this new addition to the 831 family! I devoured this in a couple of hours on a flight and it was the perfect bite sized romance that I've come to know and love from 831. The 5 year jump from the first chapter surprised me (must have missed that part in the synopsis LOL), but I loved seeing the immediate growth and character arc that we saw from our characters. I find with time jumps there isn't enough differences in the character to justify the gap in time, but I had no issues with this one. I think the only thing I would have loved more of (or less of really) was seeing our protagonists sort through their feelings and frustrations during the third act breakup. This could be a factor of not having enough pages to really flesh out this narrative, but otherwise I had a lot of fun with this one.

Thank you 831 for the ARC!