This was a really cute celebrity romance. I loved how there was a time jump between when the characters originally had a one night stand that led them to reunite and being a relationship. It had good narratos which is just so important.

I really enjoyed this audiobook and am delightfully relishing the 831 Imprint stories. The narrators were perfectly cast and did not over-act in this audiobook. I like that these characters are both successful with rich careers and back stories. I will keep reading these books!

This was a fun concept, and I’m known to love a book about fictional celebrities, so I was really excited to read. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed that the execution fell very flat for me.

For a novella, it is understandable that there is less room to work with to make this a believable love story. But honestly there was nothing believable about these two for me. An obsession for years and falling in love because of a one night stand? And they didn’t even exchange numbers after this supposed amazing night? I’m sorry, I can’t buy in.

A lot of this book hinged on these two refusing to properly communicate, which is something I’ll dislike in any romance.

This was unfortunately across the board just not for me. Thank you NetGalley and 831 stories for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Set Piece, An 831 Stories Romance, by Lana Schwartz was goooood and tres spicy!

Andi Arndt nails it as Cara, and Shane East makes Jack sound like a smoke show.

Overworked Cara meets famous Jack Felgate one night while bartending, and let's just say that it is spicy. These two have mucho chemistry that leaves nothing to the imagination. After this chance encounter, both parties often think of the other over the five years that follow.

Life goes on. Jack becomes more famous. Cara becomes a mother.

Everything is strumming a long until another chance encounter. The two collide once again and there is again chemistry. This time, it is more complicated.

This is a quick listen with some steamy scenes.

Thank you to NetGalley and AE Titles/S&S Audio for the advance listen. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This one is a 4.5/5.

This was my first book by 831 Stories Publishing, and it was a hit. This story was a delight! Thank you, Netgalley and 831 stories, for my advanced listening copy.

CJ and Jack have a steamy one-night stand and reunite five years later. CJ is a production designer, and Jack is an up-and-coming actor after a breakout role, which premiered right before he met CJ five years ago. They have delicious chemistry shown through witty banter. The story is quick and entertaining, and is the perfect companion for my morning commute. I loved the two narrators, and both actors did a great job bringing CJ and Jack to life.

I highly recommend it if you like romcoms with steam and prefer a shorter story (no 500-page romances here).

4.5 stars rounded up

"Set Piece" is a delightful second-chance romance that offers exactly what it promises: heartfelt moments, sizzling chemistry, and just the right touch of Hollywood sparkle. The dynamic between CJ, a grounded single mom working behind the scenes in film, and Jack, a newly famous actor grappling with his new reality, feels authentic and charming. Their reunion on the set of a Great Gatsby remake adds a fun meta-layer, and the story moves at a breezy, enjoyable pace perfect for a weekend read. While the plot hits familiar beats, it’s elevated by sharp writing, likable characters, and genuine emotional stakes. If you’re a fan of “Notting Hill” or love rooting for opposites-attract pairings, this book will absolutely hit the mark. One star short of perfect only because I wished for a bit more exploration into CJ’s world and struggles as a single mom—but still, a thoroughly satisfying read.

Received as an ARC through NetGalley. I liked the premise of the story but felt a bit rushed and one of the main characters was a bit annoying. However, there was character growth in the end. Overall decent read. First time listening to an audiobook via NetGalley and don’t be the last.

I had a lot of fun with this one! it was a nice quick listen, and I loved id. 831 Stories is really delivering with every release, I can't wait for more!

I was so happy when I was approved for this one. I couldn't listen to it fast enough. I found myself going the long way on my commute in order to get just a little more time. This was definitely a fast paced story and I loved the romance. The tension was *chef's kiss* Dual narration is one of my favorite ways to go. I haven't read any of the other 831 books, but now I really want to.

This was a short and sweet romance story between Jack, a famous actor, and CJ, a film production set designer. After a one-night-stand from years ago, they end up working together on a film adaptation of The Great Gatsby and their romance reblooms.

I listened to this as an audiobook and it had dual narrators which I love!

Thanks to NetGalley and 831 for the ARC!

3.5*

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed the dual narrator, made even better by the fact that the MMC was literally british and when he did girlie voices I laughed every time. the audiobook was just really fun and a great listening experience.

that being said, second-chance romance is quite a hard trope to execute and I found their (re)meeting to be slightly too insta-lovey, especially since they aren’t given many pages to fall back in love. perhaps why the story felt a bit rushed overall.

what I really really enjoyed about this book was the bts info about the movie industry, cj being a badass film production designer, and how fixated everyone is on producing great gatsby retellings in stages that get progressively more insane.

‘I get to be your set piece’ - Jack

This is a one sitting read, full of wit and charm and is wonderfully clever. Classic romance tropes had a subtle twist and ultimately the whole story between Jack and CJ felt warm and gentle.

Jack is a hollywood star that has his breakout role go viral for an intimate scene in a new show. But really, he’s a family man who just loves film. The fame and demand isn’t something that he wants to keep up with. CJ is just a normal girl who loves classic film and set production design and is determined to make it on her own. Together, their chemistry and love feels natural and beautiful, full of yearning and devotion.

Their story does a great job of discussing the rat race of hollywood and every day life, and the never ending difficulty to stay relevant in a constantly changing world, when deep down, having a family and a safe haven is the most important part of our days.

The narration from Andi and Shane was phenomenal, as to be expected. Two power houses in narration and a duo that truly knows how to tell a story full of emotion!

🌶️🌶️🌶️ open door, multiple scenes, explicit language.

Tropes:
- second chance
- one night stand
- workplace romance
- Notting Hill-esque
- Single mom
- Hollywood romance
- British MMC

I want to start by saying that my mom and I are huge Notting Hill fans. She watched it constantly while I was growing up, so I kind of grew up with it too—it holds such a special place in my heart.

So when I saw that this was a gender-swapped Notting Hill reimagining, I was thrilled to check it out. (Also, the cover? STUNNING.)

I enjoyed the story overall, though I do think it could’ve used a bit more comedic relief, and the central relationship could’ve been developed with more emotional depth. I’m not going to lie—CJ was tough to like at times. I didn’t always understand her, and that made it harder to root for the romance.

That said, there were definitely highlights. The spice was well-executed, and Jack? An incredibly lovable male lead.

While it didn’t quite reach the emotional heights I was hoping for, it was still a fun read with a unique spin on a beloved classic. If you’re a fan of celebrity romances, swoony male leads, and a little steam, this might be worth picking up. Not perfect—but definitely charming in its own way.

This was better than a lot of the romances I've read this year, and I really enjoyed the characters! (partly because I pictured Sam Heughan as Jack) (no thank you, I don't want to know why I'm wrong).
This story was kindly very compact- it sweeps you along at the same pace as the characters are swept into their romance (minus the multiple years in the middle there). And I feel like that is a good thing for a story of this nature! I sometimes have a problem with romance novels that are 300, 400, 500 pages and have five, six, whatever detailed sex scenes- I hate to say it but there comes a point where I stop caring! I am in no way bashing erotica as a genre (I believe everyone should read what they want and who am I to tell anyone what to do?), that's just not why I show up to the romcom table. Give me trials, tribulations even, give me yearning
Soap box aside, I was very entertained by CJ and Jack and their silly little lives and 'cant be together' romance, and I didn't need it to be 300+ pages to understand them, root for them, and see their personal growth. I felt the yearning, so I would absolutely read this author again! :)

Thank you netgalley and 831 stories for the advanced reader copy!

Fantastic novella between a celebrity and a production manager. Loved the characters and the tension. If you need a quick read, pick this one up. Narrators were amazing!!

I received an arc from netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Ok 831 Stories thanks for reading the room and understanding no one has time for long books and creating these short and sweet HEA.

Set Piece is actually my first read from this publisher and I will say it won’t be my last. My afternoon was spent with Jack an up and coming actor and CJ a bartender turned production designer and their chance encounter 4 years after a one night stand. This is a spicy little book. Gimme all the books with themes of film industry/Hollywood/The Great Gastby. Also Jacks narration… Shane East 🔥

Thank you 831 Stories

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Such a fun romance! Just what I needed coming off a serious nonfiction piece. This is my first foray into the 831 Stories. I'd heard only good reviews from my trusted sources, and, well, I just love the covers! This was excellent. I love a grown-up romance with nuance, and this delivered. I enjoyed the development of the relationship and the setting within the film industry. The FMC is strong and independent and thoughtful. Don't worry, the MMC is still hot. The spice comes pretty early. And although you get the typical third-act breakup, it isn't icky, just part of the growth. And the fun part of these shorter stories is that it doesn't last long. If you are a romance reader, you will love it. The audio is outstanding; And Arndt and Shane East are perfect. Thank you to AE Titles, S&S Audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook and the opportunity to share my review.

Thank you Netgalley and AE Titles / S&S Audio | 831 Stories for the free alc. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I love the books releasingnunder this new small pub I fell in love with big fan that i read back in January. Hope the publisher opens up their arcs to Canadians as well. I loved the narration Shane east could read the most boring text and I would be enraptured by his voice. I loved the development I lived the spicy scenes.

Will continue to read books under 831 stories.

4.5/5☆

3.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC. This is probably my favorite 831 story yet. The steam was good but not icky and honestly packed a heartfelt punch in such a short amount of time.

This book was overall an interesting story. The story was short and to the point, Jack and CJ were great. Not seeing each other in such a long time and then seeing each other it was fun to read. I got the chance to listen to this book audibly and though the narrator did a good job. I liked their chemistry and can't wait to read their continuation of it.

I want to thank @Netgalley and @S&SAudio for allowing me to listen to this story.