Sweet, heartfelt, and super solid second chance romance from Daniel de Lorne. There's a good deal going on beneath the surface in Set the Stage and de Lorne gives us enough credit to know it. He delivers the bones of the story on a platter: terminally ailing mom, history of abuse, lost love, and deceitful ex-best friend. As I've found with the de Lorne stories I've read, this author paints the story with broad brushstrokes and lets the pieces fall where they may. Which results in a story which might bring out a different result to each reader. One of the main reasons I've never turned down the chance to read and review one of his novels.

This was a decent read. I liked both main characters. While I didn’t like this one as much as the first book in the series, it was enjoyable. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

This book was ok, not a bad read. While this was the first time I read any of this author's work, I did enjoy the writing and liked watching how Gabriel and Bruce both overcame past hurts. I did feel like the overall conflict was a bit of betrayal, but I'm petty, so...
Also not sure if the overdramatic bits were due to "stage presence" but it worked with the setting and things ended happily enough.

3.5 Stars

Having not read book one in this series, I went in blind, which didn't cause too much of an issue. I was able to catch up quickly with the characters and their dynamics.

We're introduced to two characters, Gabriel and Bruce, early on, both with distinctive voices and both likable personalities. It's clear from the onset that these individuals have a history--a trope I always enjoy.

The conflict as the narrative pushed forwards felt a little forced and overdramatized at times, though the overall development is sweetly done and tied up nicely.

The bottom line: An enjoyable read offering great romantic escapism.

A bit overdramatic, but to be expected of the theater. The characters were likable, though the conflict seemed to be blown out of proportion to me. The characters took it seriously enough to make it believable, though. Generally predictable, but a nice read.

It's probably incumbent on theater-romance novels that they indulge in a bit of 'magic of the stage' schmaltz, and this novel by the prolific Daniel De Lorne certainly does. In it, the Rivervue Community Theatre needs an architect for its redevelopment and a stage manager for its production of a trendy new play - enter Gabriel and Bruce, who are both a) great at their jobs, b) attractive, and c) crazy for each other. And while some elements of the novel that follows are intensely predictable, De Lorne writes winningly along both the 'second chance at love' line and that tried old "magic of the stage" line, so the book leaves you smiling.

Well, this was my first gay romance and shock, horror, the walls didn’t fall down around me. Set The Stage, by Daniel de Lorne is a love story pure and simple and as such I enjoyed it. I loved the vulnerability displayed by both Gabriel and Bruce as each of them confronted their demons. I loved their tenderness towards Gabe’s mother Sofia as she dealt with cancer and the way each of them slowly came to grips with their move for each other.
Aside from the love story between Gabe and Bruce,this is a story about two sensitive men growing stronger in themselves, developing confidence and ultimately revealing that part of their inner selves that has held them back from truly relaxing into love. It’s well written, definitely a page turner and a thoroughly entertaining read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for access to this arc.

I thought I would enjoy the backbone plot for this series more than I did as I've discovered I care very little about the nuts and bolts of staging a play. That is a huge portion of the story and definitely is a "it's not the book, it's me." I also don't care for an "enemies to lovers" plot either and during the first few chapters of the book, one of the heroes makes it almost impossible to like him with his cloddish behavior. I'm sure he'll improve but since I'm not enthusiastic about so much of the other things, I'm not going to keep reading. DNF

Bruce and Gabriel. Will they or won't they? Author Daniel De Lome sets the stage for romance with this novel, Set the Stage. He creates interesting characters and a heartwarming environment. The plot is not complicated, but Bruce and Gabriel are reunited, however coldly, back in the hometown as they work on a theater getting ready for its last play. Gabriel hasn't been very honest. How much of an impediment will that be? It's easy to predict the answer, but it's an enjoyable ride.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC.