Set Piece is a compelling read that captures the behind-the-scenes chaos of a live TV show with wit and authenticity. Schwartz's storytelling feels genuine, and she paints a vivid picture of the industry's quirks and pressures. The characters are well-developed, and I appreciated how the humor seamlessly blends with the more serious moments. While it’s incredibly engaging, a few plot twists felt a bit predictable. Still, it’s a solid debut that balances entertainment and insight. Definitely worth checking out if you enjoy sharp, character-driven stories with a Hollywood twist.

This was a quick love story with your typical third act breakup. Jack is an English actor and CJ is an American set designer. After the beginning, the rest of the story did not necessarily connect. If you take out the very beginning, it is a sweet story.

This was a very short romance that, didn’t quite work for me. At just 224 pages, it lacked the depth needed to make the emotional beats land. I struggled to feel any connection to the main characters or sense any chemistry between them. Their initial hook-up felt like pure insta-love, so when the story jumped five years and they were still pining over that one brief, lackluster encounter, I was left wondering… why? We've all had a random one night stand and gotten over it, right?

The time jumps could have worked, but with such limited length, the relationship didn’t have enough room to develop in a believable or satisfying way. Towards the end I didn't care if they stayed together or not.

I also listened to the audiobook and found the narration distracting. Specifically, the male British narrator’s attempt at an American accent and the American female narrator’s attempt at a British one. Oof!

At least it was short!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

4.6/5 stars — okay so in the first half-ish I felt a bit like I was convincing myself I was having fun, but post-gatsby was like 5 stars for real!!! lana schwartz is putting the COM in romcom like why was I laughing OUT LOUD?? Ive never laughed this much reading a book, I swear. whoever said they fancasted Jonathan Bailey as Jack, I owe you my life because you were so right for saying that. I loved CJ entirely because, unfortunately, I am CJ (control freak alert). this is the only valid third act breakup I’ve ever experienced in my life. I immediately ordered my physical copy. this review is so disjointed but idk what to tell you man 831 stories are just for the girlies !!! they get it!!! a delicious, romantic romp- i want what they have.

Plot: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Pacing: 5/5
Writing: 4/5
Enjoyment: 5/5

This was my first 831 book. I must say I didn't know what to expect. As I began to read it, I was glad that I requested to review this Set Piece. I absolutely love second chance romance. There were tons of hot spots filled with spice. I look forward to reading more by this author. I read this as I listened to the audiobook; this made my reading experience very enjoyable. I would gladly listen to more books using these narrators.

A sparky one night stand that makes an impact gets another chance on a movie set five years later. There's a lot packed into this short read and yet I enjoyed the ride. I could easily have seen this as a novel instead of a novella and that would have given more time for the relationship to be fleshed out. Though for the amount of time we were able to spend we them, it was certainly rather enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for the ALC! I binged this character driven story so quickly. This was like a fanfic in the best way! Jack and CJ feel like real people, I wish we got more time with them!

First off, I got the audiobook, Andy Arndt & Shane East ~ chef kiss! I like both of them individually, so this combo was way fun.

You have an up and coming male star met a bartender, who turns out to be a set designer. She's more tied to the industry than he is. But his star rose to fame, and however brightly it shines. They have a one-night stand. Most Memorable (Hottest) night for both of them.

Fast forward 5 yrs later, they met again on set. He so desperately want to rekindle what they have but have his insecurities. She knew she's technically a nobody even though she has a great career, how does that compare?

This is a second chance, famous + layman type romance, he's following her around like a great pup is super adorable. All the insecurities that comes with a relationship, added with their past, plus their current situations it all comes up to a wonderful story.

This is my first 831 Stories, can't wait to read the others. Thanks NetGalley & AE Titles / S&S Audio for the ARC.

Really happy these are on audio, I really enjoyed this one. Lana Schwartz's "Set Piece" is a delightful and steamy second-chance romance novella that perfectly executes the beloved celebrity/normal person trope.

Thank you NetGalley and AE Titles / S&S Audio for the ALC

This was a fun romcom novella that I binged in one sitting. I loved that while this was a second chance romance, it wasn’t because of a misunderstanding or breakup, more a right person, wrong time situation. The narration was amazing, Andi Arndt was perfect as always as CJ, and Shane East was excellent as Jack. I only wish this was full novel length because I could have spent a lot more time with these characters.

I looooooved this!!

I honestly don't read romance very often because I usually find it to be too cheesy for my taste, but this one was super cute and not at all cheese filled. I listed to the audiobook and I enjoyed the use of two narrators for CJ's chapters and Jack's chapters. I noticed sometimes that the narrators seemed to lose the thread of Jack's British accent after a long monologue in his voice, but that was the only "criticism" I had, if you could even call it that, because it didn't bother me. It was actually mildly entertaining.

I loved the movie industry setting of the story (especially love blossoming between male actor, Jack, and female crew member, CJ), the dreamy coincidence of running into an old flame (pun intended) and reuniting again after 5 years apart, the female main character (CJ) finding love in LA as a single working mother, CJ's unique mixed family dynamic, the spicy scenes (naturally), and the minimal amount of drama overall. Of course, there was some drama but it was never frustratingly insurmountable - it felt like realistic conflict that could occur between two mature adults. I genuinely appreciated that. The supporting characters (Stewart mostly) were fun additions to the story and added depth to the main characters.

Would highly recommend to people who want a short and sweet love story! I can't wait to read more of Lana Schwartz's work and other 831 Stories.

Thank you, NetGalley and AE Titles/S&S Audio/831 Stories for the AudioARC!! <3

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz is a breezy, charming romance that blends the glitz of Hollywood with a down-to-earth emotional core.

At the heart of the story is the rekindled connection between Jack, a delightfully awkward British actor, and CJ, a strong, guarded production designer and bartender. Their journey, from a chance encounter years ago (the normal person celebrity trope) to a reunion on a film set, offers readers a classic second-chance love story with a modern twist.

One of the book’s strengths is its setting — it’s not just another celebrity romance. Schwartz brings authenticity and detail to the behind-the-scenes world of film production, making the backdrop feel immersive without overwhelming the emotional arc of the characters. The Hollywood elements are well-drawn, adding flair without veering into cliché.
While the story doesn’t necessarily reinvent the genre or dive into particularly deep emotional territory, it delivers exactly what it promises: a light, enjoyable, and emotionally satisfying read. CJ and Jack’s chemistry is palpable, and their banter and emotional push-and-pull make it easy to root for their happily-ever-after. Secondary relationships, like CJ’s dynamic with her father, add subtle emotional layers to the narrative.

The audiobook version deserves a special mention. With dual narrators for Jack and CJ, the performance enhances the experience, making character perspectives clear and engaging. The narration adds a layer of intimacy and charm that makes the story even easier to fall into — perfect for those who enjoy romance in audio format.

Set Piece might is a heartwarming, quick escape — ideal for anyone in a reading slump or simply in the mood for something sweet and low-stress. Fans of celebrity romance, second chances, or stories with a Notting Hill vibe will likely find plenty to enjoy here.

Thanks to NetGalley for the alc.

3.75 stars rounded up

Jack is a Hollywood star. CJ is a bartender who dreams of being a film production designer. This cross path at the bar CJ works at when fans won't leave Jack alone. They had one passionate night and didn't cross paths for five more years. They reconnected on the set of a movie adaptation of The Great Gatsby.

This was a quick and relaxing read. This was a short read, but the characters were well-developed, and the pacing was perfect. I enjoyed the audiobook. I LOVED Andi Arndt and Shane East's narration. They had me laughing out loud and brought the story to life.

I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Set Piece is a second chance love story between two individuals working in the TV industry. The relationship between the two characters is emotional and messy but worth the read. The sex scenes are spicy but not overly done. The only reason I'm not giving this book a higher rating is because I would have liked a deeper connection to the characters - this book is just too short to get fully immersed. If you're looking for something short and emotional to read this summer, this could easily be the winner for you.

Loved this! The narration was fantastic, and the story is perfect for anyone who enjoys a normal person/celebrity trope. It definitely reads like Paul Mescal fan fiction but in the very best ways. The emotional beats feel authentic and the chemistry is spot on. Five stars, no notes.

Okay, Lana you are a freaking genius with this book! I was hooked from chapter 1! I loved this forbidden and workplace romance! SO SO Good! Such a fun read, how delicious was the CHEMISTRY! How hooked Jack was in CJ was everything and the history in her life that makes her a deep connection to her current job! OBSESSED with this book!! I want everyone to read it!

Welp finished this one so fast. Thoroughly enjoyed these characters so much. This was my first 831 Stories and it won’t be my last

Thanks so much NetGalley and AE Titles/S&S Audio for the audio of Set Piece

3 Stars: Audiobook of "Set Piece" by Lana Schwartz is a cute little "snack" that can be digested quickly! This was fun. I really enjoyed a few aspects particularly: the celebrity/normal person trope, the five year gap between their first encounter and second meeting, and all "The Great Gatsby" references. Unfortunately, I think I would have enjoyed this one more reading with my eyeballs rather than the audiobook. The narrators' voices did not align with the characters, in my opinion. While I found his voice very pleasing to listen to, the performance of the male narrator was too dramatic, especially compared to the female narrator. There was just a mismatch between the two narrators. Additionally, I disliked the male narrator's female voice. This audio would be much better if it was true dual narration where the female narrator reads the dialogue from the female characters. Regardless, I did overall enjoy listening to this book.

This was a lovely story that reminded me a bit of Notting Hill (navigating Hollywood, actors, British-ness, etc.). This was also a rare audiobook where I wish I had read the book rather than listened to the audiobook. The main narrators were both wonderful with their respective main characters, but their voices for the broader cast often took me out of the story, particularly with accents and the child character. Still, I really loved the structure of the novel and the detailed world of Hollywood sets. Both the main characters felt grounded, sexy, and compelling and I would have happily stayed in their world longer. I really enjoyed this (despite the narration issues) and look forward to reading more from this author.

This was such a well done novella! I think it is always a testament to good writing when you can read a novella and feel totally satisfied! I like the behind the scenes elements of the filmmaking world, especially from the set designer perspective which made it unique. I think this relationship grew at just the right pace, and I like how they started as a one night stand and then we jump ahead on their timeline. Their chemistry was very believable and I was definitely rooting for them the whole time!

The dual narration was fantastic! Shane East and his accent never disappoint and Andi brought the perfect voice and personality to her character as welL!