Thank you to Author Amelia Jones, Alcove Press & Netgalley for providing me with an ARC of this fun book! All opinions shared are my own.

I'm a huge fan of the theatre and had high hopes... and boy did this book deliver! I loved this behind the scenes view into the spicy lives of those involved in the touring production of Liz and Darcy: the Musical. FMC Eden was such a relatable personality and I appreciated that she acknowledged her flaws and went after her dreams whilst having being authentic to herself.

MMC Brennon was a great compliment to Eden, and I adored the supporting characters. Both friend and foe, they brought all the drama and I felt connected to Eden's besties right away. I also appreciated that the story had a set timeline and the tension built in preparation to the finale.

I really enjoyed this book and its available now!

First off I’d like to thank NetGalley for the opportunity and I read this.. it’s not my typical read but I enjoyed it. If you like enemies to lovers, pride and prejudice and theatre you’ll love this book.

This was a fun and unique read - I picked it up a long time ago because it was a storyline I thought was similar to the life a friend of mine was living (sort of similar to what I imagined it to be but didn’t know for certain), a stage actor who had just started seeing someone when we reunited after over 20 years and kinda started hanging out.

It turns out to be very similar to his reality, so reading it and knowing it paralleled his story while living life as an actor on a traveling stage show and dating a co-actor, knowing I never had a chance because of the closeness the cast has - maybe I felt a kinship to certain characters in the book that I might not have, otherwise.

I did really enjoy Eden and Brennon and how they didn’t have the greatest meeting with him making fun of her acting history (embarrassing commercials), and her being just an understudy but taking over a lead role - for now. They end up having great on-stage chemistry and end up doing a whole run together until certain circumstances change things up … and of course, bring in the extra drama.

A great read, and I do recommend it, but perhaps I feel a different connection to it because of it being something I had imagined my hopeful friend experiencing at work while I waited, uselessly, on the sidelines.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Alcove Press, and this is my honest feedback.

DNF @ 24%. I am not into "The Stage Kiss" at all. The book thus far has been so, so slowly paced and ridiculously hard to get into. I hate all of the characters in this book and do not want them to end up with each other. Brennon is such a huge jerk! If I don't like one or both of the main romantic partners, it's hard to immerse myself in the story of their love. The fact that I want to stop the book this soon should tell you everything you need to know. If it weren't for Brennon's NSFW daydreaming about Eden, this could be a young adult novel thus far. I hate not finishing ARC books, but with such bad energy coming off of this story, I just can't do it. I'm sure Brennon gets progressively less atrocious, and Eden comes to under him and forgive him for being such a prick, but I can't and won't. If I was Abby Jimenez, I'd be mad that I was being compared to a book like this

Thanks to NetGalley, Amelia Jones, and Alcove Press for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for my review.

I really enjoyed this book!

3.75/5 star
2/5 spice

Tis book was a slow burn retelling of Pride and Prejudice from a group of actors who are putting on a musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. As someone who was very involved in theater growing up, this made my little thespian heart so happy.

The story was fun and enjoyable. I liked the pacing of this story, and the spice was pretty decent. I loved all of the theater elements and I think this book was well researched into the theater aspect of things. This book made me feel like I was back in my theater days, and it was nostalgic and fun in that aspect.

There was a lot that could have been better in this book. Some of the characters were really one note and fell flat, and some of the characters were just plain annoying without having clear character motivations.

Overall this was a very typical contemporary romance slow burn with some milder spice that put a smile on my face.

"The Stage Kiss", a Pride & Prejudice re-telling within a Pride & Prejudice re-telling storyline is written in the third person. It's protagonists are Brennon Thorne and Eden Blake, actors in "Liz & Darcy: The Musical".

Eden is a fledgling actor on her first tour and is the stand-in for the leading lady. Brennon is a Tony winner who is replacing the original performer in the musical. He has a very good reputation but for some reason acts like an ass upon first meeting Eden. He mocks her mercilessly about her previous commercial work in an ED ad. Seems the actor is a jerk.

Brennon is described as someone who only dates leading ladies and goes through them like Kleenex. This character doesn't really have any redeeming qualities. So, why would I root for him?

Although well written, the backstage antics are not enough to keep me interested in this romance. The protagonists are also completely unlikeable in my opinion.

"The Stage Kiss" was definitely not for me. The cute cover and premise sucked me in but the main characters took me out of any enjoyment I could have. I will try the author again in the future but hope she portrays more likeable people.

I received an advance e-copy of this novel and thank the publishers for the opportunity to review it honestly.

Listen I love miscommunication but this book was too much. I don't feel like they ever had a real conversation. She was always angry at him or doubting him and I don't understand how he was in love with her. The whole thing was way too long for the miscommunication to have happened the whole book.

I received an arc through netgalley.

Eden may finally have her big break when the female lead on a national Broadway tour quits. The downside is she's going to have to kiss Brennon, Broadway's sweetheart, who is also a jerk.
This celebrity, grumpy sunshine, miscommunication, slow burn romance is a Pride and Prejudice retelling in a Broadway setting. The setting of the story was really good, but it took me a while to really get into it, and I've sais it before, although I do like me a good grump, there has to be something likable about him too-there's a difference between being a grump and being an ass. He was the perfect reflection of Mr. Darcy.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Eden Blake, is an understudy for in the musical adaption, known as ‘Liz and Darcy’ in what is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. She has been acting in bad commercials for years and this production, is her chance to finally get a break. Yet Brennon Thorne, the new Mr Darcy, and all-round theatre god joins the next leg of their tour and makes his contempt for Eden well known. However, their animosity soon changes when the actress playing Elizabeth drops out and Eden has to take her place. When Eden and Brennon spend time on-stage together and have to share an on-stage kiss, they start to see each other different. Soon one kiss leads to another.
This was an entertaining read with some sweet romance. Whilst at times this retelling of Pride and Prejudice was a bit predictable, it was a clever twist on a classic tale with the story playing out as part of a musical on tour in the USA. I didn’t really feel it was about two enemies; however, as like Elizabeth and Darcy in Pride and Prejudice, these two characters lacked a full understanding and appreciation of the other. I must also admit to finding the links to Taylor Swift quite sweet.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First off, thank you to Alcove press for the eArc of this book!

Unfortunately I found that this was not for me quite quickly. I know it is a Pride & Prejudice retelling, so it is logical that the MMC would be dislikable. However, I realized that I needed his dislikability to be offset by something else endearing in the writing in order for me to enjoy the part in the beginning when he is at his worst, like humor, chemistry, friendship or other antics.

I just realized that I was finding him to be SO dislikable that I did not want to pick the book up again, even when he starts behaving better and beginning his redemption arc. I did not feel connected to the other characters either, and the "com" aspect of this rom-com just weren't working for me. I also hoped that the show-biz side of the story would endear me to it as I have many friends who work in theatre and acting, and I did a lot of this as well in my younger years. However, it really focused entirely too heavily on the materialistic, competitive and sometimes cruel side of this industry. It just overall left me feeling disappointed and bothered, despite it being a promising premise.

Both the plot and the writing was amazing, but I couldn’t stand either of the two main characters. Both Eden and Brennan seemed like people who was very annoying to be around and the way they acted towards each other was just plain wrong. If there had been a great character development I probably would have liked it more, but I felt like they were both awful from the start and to the end.
I really adored a few of the side characters though and the whole setup was very intriguing.

4.5 rounded up, I enjoyed this one! I’ve never read a Broadway romance, the tension while they rehearsed and performed together and the touch of forbidden romance was really great. These two definitely got in their own way when it came to being together which was a little frustrating but I enjoyed watching them fumble around and figure it out. Loved that Brennon became so enamored with Eden and the spice was steeeamy!

This was a really fun read. I am a theater lover so I really enjoyed being immersed in the world of a touring production. It was a setting I don't see much and all of the theater details were on point. Brennon wasn't my favorite hero, but I did enjoy watching him and Eden find their way to one another.

Format - EARC (NetGalley)

Rating- ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️💫

Spice- 🌶 🌶

Series- N/A

Troupes- enemies to lovers, actors on stage, Pride and Prejudice retelling, work place romance, miscommunication

Representation- N/A

CW- food shaming, misogyny

Ok I have to preface this by saying that I work in the Theatre Industry for a prominent regional theatre that regularly sends new work to Broadway and I have also worked on tour. I feel I need to say this because I have lived experience in the world in which this book in set and did affect my opinions when reading this book.

This book is about a 20 something standby actor getting her big break while playing along side one of Broadways biggest stars and them falling in love. Set to a show that is Pride and Prejudice musical and a plot that is Pride and Prejudice retelling. So if that sparks your interest this book is for you.

Things I liked, Brennon’s self awareness, he is a huge asshole at the start and does Darcy credit by the end. I loved the details about the backstage goings on, live theatre is a weird environment all by its self, so make it a touring show and things get weirder. I read in the acknowledgments that Jones interviewed a touring stage actor and it shows that she has done her research. I love the found family of touring shows and Eden definitely has found one. Jones’s writing style in easy to read and understand, and her characters are dynamic.

Here a things I took issue with, Eden, while I lover her name, she was hard to root for as she continued to sabotage herself. She’s perfectly pleasant and easy to like at the start but the deeper things got with Brennon the more frustrated I got with her. The miscommunication troupe is heavily relied on to keep the tension and drama playing for this story and while some of it worked, some of it felt very forced. The end I was no longer anticipating how things would work out and just waiting for it to happen. At the end Eden somehow is able to be ready to take the stage 5 mins before the performance, which as a person who works wardrobe backstage this is where my disbelieve could not be suspended. 1 Touring broadway actors do not share costumes with their understudy or standbys, everyone has their own set of costumes and wigs and such. 2 Regency costume does not include a corset, and if they were in fact wearing a historical accurate undergarment is would have been stays. 3 No sex in costume.

Overall is was an interesting read, if anything I know now that reading about the thing I do in real life is maybe is not for me, but this book and it plot were solid and there was a lot that was entertaining.

Thank you Alcove Press and Amelia Jones for the advanced copy, all opinions are my own.

If you enjoy modern romances based on Pride and Prejudice, then this is just the book for you. The premise is that the Lizzy character, Eden, is an understudy in a musical production of P and P. The Darcy-like character is famed actor, Brennon Thorne. They have the predictable meeting in which Brennon demonstrates his arrogance and snobbery against nobody actresses who got their start in embarrassing commercials instead of attending Juillard as he had done.

Then they start to get to know each other and start falling in lust/love. Complications ensue. It’s all rather predictable especially when you realize which characters are modern versions of Austen characters. But the plot and setting are different enough that you don’t have to love Pride and Prejudice to enjoy this book. Either way, it ia a fun read.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

The Stage Kiss is what is says it is--Pride & Prejudice meets Broadway, both of which I adore. Unfortunately I couldn't stand Eden's character which made the book meh for me.

I was a theater kid growing up and so I love a romance set in a theater! I was also intrigued by the idea of a Pride and Prejudice retelling where the characters are performing the musical.

I really enjoyed The Stage Kiss! I thought Brennon was a spot-on Darcy with his arrogance and privilege. I also thought the idea of an actor's reputation being compared to the Regency's idea of reputation was a really interesting idea. The acting world is small in the same way that regency high society was and also has a similar competitive aspect.

Eden has less of Elizabeth's personality to me. She wants to make it as an actress in a way that Lizzy did not care about high society. I thought she was a sympathetic character but lacked some depth. I really liked the first two-thirds of this book but the last third fell apart a little bit. Some of the major scandals in the original like Lydia running away didn't have exact parallels in this retelling and I felt like it lost some of the needed reasons for Eden/Lizzy to change her mind about Darcy/ Brennon. She ended up seeming a bit flip flopy to me which I am not a fan of in a heroine.

If you are a theater lover and you like a retelling this one is a definite yes. I also think people who are interested in modern interpretations of reputation or Austen retellings in general might enjoy this one. It is a fun read with an interesting take on a classic story.

I knew from the opening lines of this book that I was going to love it. Being a theatre nerd and a Pride & Prejudice fanatic, this story was already in my wheelhouse. Eden is the understudy in a Pride & Prejudice musical (does this exist? if not, please can someone write it so I can go see it?)

Brennon is an established Broadway star who ends up playing Darcy to her Lizzy. Of course there are parallels to P & P in this story, but the romance between Brennon and Eden has something new and fresh about it that I really enjoyed.

Plus, the steam was rising of the pages.

A really well written, funny and warm story. I hadn't read anything by this author before but I will be watching out for her books in the future.

I received an ARC of this book from Alcove Press and Netgalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I was so excited to read this book because I love musicals, and the idea of a romance set in the world of theatre was so intriguing to me. I did plays in high school, and I could relate to all of the backstage drama of the musical. The musical in 'The Stage Kiss' is a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and the elements from that story are all over this book.

Eden is just starting her musical career, as the standby to the lead actress. When Eden gets the chance to take over as the lead, she is excited, but she's also intimidated. She will be working with Brennon, who is a Tony Award winning actor. Their first meeting is definitely not a meet cute! They get off on the wrong foot, and it takes some time for them to break through each other's well built walls.

When they kiss on stage during the show, both actors feel the sparks! Using the idea of a stage kiss to springboard into real feelings was very clever.

Overall, I really enjoyed this slow burn, enemies to lovers romance.

Read if you like:
-enemies to lovers
- Theater settings
- He falls first
- Steamy stories
- Age gap
- Forced proximity

Thanks to NetGalley and Alcove for an ARC of this book.

So I love a Pride and Prejudice retelling, and I love a romance set in the theatre, so theoretically this should have been right up my street, but sadly it didn’t really work for me. While I’m usually pro a split perspective narrative, being inside Brennan’s head doesn’t actually make the the way he’s treats Eden any better or understandable - he's actually kinda awful in his head too, even if he says he likes her. At least with Mr Darcy you don't see his inner struggle - which makes it easier to come round to him when he's nice.

And Eden herself is hard to like at times, particularly towards the end of the book. And you never really see Brennan and Eden spending much time together as an actual functioning couple, so you never really understand what they see in each other beyond that they’re both hot and have good singing voices. Then there were a few other bits that annoyed me that I probably wouldn’t have noticed if I’d been enjoying the rest of it and caught up in the plot, but because I was exasperated it all started to rub me up the wrong way. Never mind.