Set Piece

This is the latest 831 stories Novella (If you are not familiar, these are under 200-page romance novels with whip-smart writing, curated by Erica Cerulo and Claire Mazur. This delivers. It is easily my favorite of all their books so far. It plays into the “famous person/non-famous person” trope with a hint of a “second chance,” and it’s deliciously steamy. When a newly famous (very handsome actor) Jack walks into a bar, he’s immediately mobbed. CJ, the bartender, steps in and helps him out. The chemistry between the two of them is intense, and they proceed to have a sexy night together. Afterward, they go their separate ways. Five years later, Jack is a full-blown celebrity, and CJ is a set designer, also a single mother to a four-year-old. When the two show up to film an adaptation of The Great Gatsby, sparks fly, as does mutual admiration for the other’s craft. That chemistry is still there, but do they have room in their lives for each other? CJ is balancing the demands of motherhood while building her career, and the demands on Jack’s time are never-ending. It’s delightful, thanks to the sharp writing, feminist perspective, and strong female protagonists I’ve come to expect from 831 stories.