3.5⭐️ rounded up.
The dual narration on this was AMAZING and it made the experience really enjoyable. There wasn’t as much yearning as I typically like in a second-chance romance but there’s only so much that can be done in a novella. Both characters were interesting and I loved the chemistry. This is my first book from 831 stories and let’s just say my interest is piqued. If you’re looking for a quick, spicy second-chance romance this might be for you!

Thank you to the author, AE Titles / S&S Audio | 831 Stories, and Netgalley for the ALC!

I really enjoyed this story. It was well written. This is my first book from this author. I have found a new author to look out for.

Thank you for the advanced copy.

This book fell flat for me. The narrators were great- I loved the duo together and hearing each of them narrate the main characters. This story didn’t build the characters at all. C. J. Is a driven single mom and Jack is an aspiring actor who have a one night stand and 5 years later end up working on the same set. The story was predictable, the “conflict” was weak and very unrealistic and resolved almost immediately. In the end, this book was not a hit for me.

I really enjoyed this story - and had the opportunity to access both the ARC and ALC.
I did however finish the ARC before starting the ALC which I think impacted how I felt about the ALC.

With regards to the Audiobook - I had already finished reading the story when I gained access to the Audiobook. As a result I had some conceived notions about how these characters would sound. I found both the narrators sounded older/ more serious than I felt the characters were portrayed in the book. As someone who consumes a lot of British media and shows, I kind of also expected Jack's English accent to be a little more posh/refined even though it's noted he didn't grow up wealthy in London.

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.

I look forward to reading more by Schwartz in the future, as well as checking out other novels published by 831 Stories.

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 was cute!! I really enjoyed the story and I liked that it wasn’t too long. I love a quick read. Both narrators were great!

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

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.

THIS WAS SO CUTE! For being a novella I thought it was really solid and had a great cast of characters and lots of emotional depth. I think this would be a great little beach read!

4.5 ⭐️ Fast spicy short story, I was able to listen to it in a day. Love a dual POV and the narrators were enjoyable. Recommend to anyone who wants an easy, breezy romance palette cleanser.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this 🎧 ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

I’ve read every book from 831 Stories so far and this is definitely my favourite yet! I loved the dynamic between Jack and CJ - he had such golden retriever energy when it came to her and I enjoyed that immensely!

Big thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for this audiobook!

Thank you to NetGalley, 831 Stories, and AE Stories/S&S Audio for this ALC! I am always a fan of celebrity/normie romances and this didn’t disappoint. Jack is just joining the Hollywood crowd when he meets bartender Cara. After a one night fling, they don’t see each other for 5 years when they end up on the same movie project. Feelings haven’t changed and there are multiple swoony moments. It was a little heavy on the behind the scenes of the entertainment industry, but the main characters distracted me plenty. Really loved both narrators as the added so much to the story!

Why did I think this was a book about chess? It's not! It's about love, family, work, and identity. While it wasn't at all what I expected (as I mentioned, NO CHESS), it was a fun, interesting romance book. It's a regular person-meets-famous person trope, if you happen to love those. Los Angeles, movie sets, Great Gatsby, a British MMC...there is a lot to love here! I also really enjoyed the discussions about set design, moviemaking, and other industry business. The book was also brief, which made it easy to read in a few sittings.

VERY SPICY if that is or is not your thing. Proceed accordingly.

Definitely a fun read for your summer travels. Would read another book by the author. Listened to this on audio and both narrators were great.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

This book was quick, spicy, fun, and still so easy to connect to! CJ and Jack are so clearly meant for each other you can’t help but root for them!

When they first meet Jack is an up and coming actor who has recently had a streaming series explode! CJ is a woman who is trying to keep her life afloat as she cares for her ailing mother. The two spend one steamy night together that neither forget.

Fast forward five years and they are working together on a film remake of The Great Gatsby. They’ve both changed as people but their chemistry hasn’t. If you love a Hollywood romance with stolen moments, sizzling chemistry, and found family, this is an excellent read!

This was a decent quick read that I finished in a single day. I appreciated the ARC opportunity from NetGalley and the publisher. While the storyline didn’t fully grab me.. it dragged a bit and felt repetitive in places & I did enjoy the dynamic between the leads.

What stood out most was how Jack treated CJ. He respected her, admired her ambition, and genuinely saw her beyond just a romantic interest. I loved that. There was a sense of emotional maturity in their connection that made the romance feel grounded.

That said, some of the “behind the scenes in Hollywood” talk just wasn’t my thing. It’s a fun setup for a second chance romance, but I didn’t feel super invested in the film industry backdrop or the plot progression overall. I do think readers who enjoy movie-set drama or celeb/non-celeb pairings will enjoy this more than I did.

Still, a quick, easy read that highlights chemistry, timing, and growth and the male lead was definitely swoon-worthy in the way he supported and appreciated her.

3.5 ⭐️

This was really sweet. I am such a sucker for books set in the Hollywood kind of scene/on movie sets! The romance between the two main characters was really cute, the MMC was so down bad and I loved him so much. I liked the single mother aspect too! I wish we got a little bit more of the story, I felt like parts were glossed over and the story felt a bit rushed at the end - but overall I had a good time. I listened to this as an audiobook and I really liked the narrators!

Thank you to NetGalley, AE Titles and S&S Audio for the advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review.

Such a fun fast listen with lots of heart! I loved the dual narration, very much enjoyed hearing Jack’s accent 😊

The book starts our with a bang, Jack a hot British actor has a one night stand with Cara the bartender and up and coming production designer. Then we just 5 years forward and both their careers are thriving. Unknowingly they end up working on the same movie. Cara doesn’t know that Jack has looked for her on every movie set he’s worked and in the credits of every movie he’s watched. Jack doesn’t know that Cara’s name is actually CJ, she now has a 5 year old daughter, and thinks he won’t even remember who she is.

This was my first 831 book and it was so much fun, I can’t wait to dive into more of them!

This was interesting, a very upmarket romance. I loved it! Highly recommending this book to upmarket/book club fiction readers.

Thank you AE Titles / S&S Audio & NetGalley for the advanced audiobook of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not usually a romance reader but Set Piece by Lana Schwartz was a fun detour from my usual picks. The story follows a successful set designer and a famous actor as they navigate a workplace romance under the spotlight of the entertainment industry. It’s got a very modern, behind-the-scenes Hollywood feel that kept things interesting.

What I really appreciated—and what stood out most to me—was the main character’s dedication to both her career and her role as a mom. That balance felt honest and refreshing, and I loved seeing a character who didn’t have to sacrifice one for the other. Schwartz writes her with a lot of respect and realism, which I think adds depth to the story.

That said, the romance itself didn’t totally pull me in. Some of the plot felt a bit predictable, and since I’m not a die-hard romance fan, the emotional beats didn’t always hit as hard for me. Still, the writing is witty, the setting is fun, and the chemistry between the characters works.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read—even if it didn’t fully convert me to the genre.

Rating: ★★★

Short, spicy, and unashamedly dramatic. Set Piece is a fun ride full of lusty tension, sharp dialogue, and just the right amount of cheesy charm. Lana Schwartz crafts a fast-paced tale that doesn’t try to be more than it is—and that’s what makes it so enjoyable. Not life-changing, but it’s a blast to listen to.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

This was okay. I enjoyed it but it was also so far fetched and frustrating.

They had no real connection. They hooked up the first time after like. 5 minutes of talking. And both loved it so much that they thought of each other for five years. But they work in the same industry and couldn't have tried to find each other? And then her getting so mad at him over the job thing? Girl did NOT want to claim him in public i swear.

And the ending at the Oscars was so unsatisfying.