'Showmance' introduces us to Noah on the precipice of a career success or failure.

We meet him as a nervous writer waiting on reviews of his first Broadway show. It's not a spoiler to say it doesn't go well.

But it helps us understand Noah as an anxious & self conscious man. He's wrapped his self worth into his career, his image with his picture perfect boyfriend. Then it all tumbles down.

He ends up back in his hometown for an extended amount of time and is forced to face some misconceptions he had about his friends and family and himself.

Through the journey there's laughter and tears and of course some romance. It's so fun to go on this journey with Noah (and the colorful supporting cast).

Things can get a little trite and wrap up a little too neat-- but that's any romance for you.

In Showmance, we follow Noah as he works to collect himself from a Broadway failure and produce a musical in his hometown in Illinois. I really did enjoy the beginning, but as it went on, it was clear every character was fairly one dimentional and the relationship building was told to us instead of shown. While Showmance had its moments, overall it fell short of expectations. The chemistry between the leads was lacking and the storyline felt cliché and predictable. The humor also mostly felt forced at times and didn't fully land. Despite some charming moments, it didn't quite deliver the emotional depth or originality that I hoped for. Overall, it was an average romcom that didn't quite live up to my expectations.

Do you like FUN? Do you like LAUGHING?

This was the perfect book to get me out of my end of summer reading slump. I had so much fun reading this! You almost had me in the first half Chad Beguelin because I HATE that trope but I should have known those red flags were accurate.

Thank you for the opportunity to read!!

3.5 stars

I’m familiar with Chad’s work on the Broadway musical Aladdin so I was excited to see that he had written a book! I thought this was a solid debut M/M romance however, it read a bit like a YA novel even though the leads were around 30. Totally fine if you like that but I just wanted a bit more maturity from the leads.

I love that this book is very theater oriented and contains a lot of lingo. However, if you’re not into theater, this book may not resonate as much.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC! I look forward to future books from Chad.

Noah Adams’s career pinnacle has turned into a career disaster — his first Broadway musical has been panned. So for the first time, he’s not sad to be back to his hometown of Plainview when he has a family emergency. But Noah is less than excited when he learns that his agent has made arrangements for him to direct his failed musical at the community theater where he got his his start.

He reluctantly agrees to stay in Plainview and leave his life, and boyfriend, behind in New York. To make matters worse, he keeps running into Luke, who was always mean to him in high school but now has turned into the most beloved member of Plainview, including by Noah’s parents. Luke works on Noah’s family farm and is helping to build the sets for the community theater show.

Although he was skeptical, Noah is increasingly impressed by the insights the community theater cast brings to the show he wrote. And he finds that there may be more to Luke than he has expected. Was Noah wrong to write off Plainview — and Luke — all those years ago?

This was a moving story about coming home again. Noah’s journey was touching, as he realizes that he may have underestimated his hometown, it’s inhabitants, and his father all those years. And it is impassible not to root for Noah and Luke and for the success of the hometown production of Noah’s show.

Highly recommended!

3 stars for Showmance! I don't think I've read a theatre romance before this book so I really enjoyed getting a peek into that world. This book is a quick read that I did enjoy for the majority, but sometimes Noah got on my nerves and the story wrapped up too quickly right at the very end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Showmance hits shelves on October 1, 2024.

The writing in this book is painfully awful. Great premise but nothing other than that. Dave your money!

Noah Adams has the life he’s always dreamed of. Hot British boyfriend? Check. A new musical that he wrote opening on Broadway? Check. His musical being a disaster and shutting down after one performance? Okay maybe things aren’t so great, especially when his opening night ends with a family emergency that sends him back home to the middle of nowhere. Back home is the last place Noah wants to be, what with a strained relationship with his dad and his high school enemy everywhere. To his horror, Noah finds himself sucked into directing a local community theater adaptation of his failed musical. Anxious to get back home to his life and his boyfriend, Noah quickly learns that not everything or everyone are as they once seemed and that it’s okay to make changes.

This book was too cute! I loved all the Broadway references and the character development with Noah and Luke. It checks all the boxes of a quintessential rom com, hitting all the major cliches. While this could be bad, it works well here because it feels familiar, and to be that’s comfortable. Sure I could see what was going to happen a mile away, but it somehow made the payoff even more worthwhile. If you’re looking for a lighthearted new romcom, look no further than Showmance!

2.5 stars

I want to start that from a sentence level, I think there is some decent writing. However, I'm sad I didn't love this because I really expected I would. A queer romance with musical theater and a return to hometown is right up my alley. Unfortunately, I had a lot of issues with this one. The timeline was a complete mess in my mind. The original boyfriend plotline was too long and ultimately pointless (why do you not have any trust issues after that? and to immediately jump into something new after 2 years and a horrible heartbreak?). The actual romance plot felt rushed and like every key point of a typical romance novel was hit within 2 chapters. At times the book felt like an outline that just jumped from scene to scene with no real flow and just really needed more time. Maybe if the original relationship ended in the first 10-20% of the book and the new romance started at 40%, I could have had more of a chance to actually build. I am always willing to suspend my disbelief in books but there was almost nothing in this that I felt was believable.

My favorite thing in this book was the mother calling the theater Theodore. That's actually a hilarious bit I might use in my real life.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Noah ends up back in his hometown putting on his failed Broadway show and licking his wounds while life continues to throw challenges his way.

Usually you don’t start a review with a negative, but to explain the positive I kind of have to go through the negative first. The blurb is slightly misleading as Noah isn’t “marooned” in his hometown. His agent? Is actually his boyfriend of two years that he is madly in love and lust with. I don’t know about you, but having someone be completely committed to their partner of two years suddenly “fall out of love” and “in love” with someone else in a month’s time…ummm yeah, doesn’t really work for me.

I think the most difficult part is that Chase is a wonderful partner to Noah. They are truly together. Chase takes excellent care of Noah. Chad Beguelin does an excellent job of selling us this fantastic relationship. I’m not going to say that there is a hint or two that Chase could stray, but when they break up Chase tells Noah exactly why. None of that makes what happens justified, BUT you can see the whys of it.

Now, the quick romance of Luke and Noah doesn’t really make sense on Noah’s part. Luke’s part of the romance makes complete sense, but Noah has never had any romantic feelings for Luke. He actually hates him and for good reason. There are also other landmines regarding Luke and Noah’s own family that hit the pause button on romance.

What really sells me on this book is everything else. Beguelin brings texture and depth to the secondary cast in Noah’s friends from NYC and Plainview. His language is the same, no matter who he is hanging with and I speak it fluently. (chuckle) I also adore the family dysfunction storyline. It runs parallel to the growth of the musical and to Noah’s own ideas. The musical’s cast is a highlight that cannot be ignored. I don’t even know who to single out because everyone brings value.

The author ties it all up nicely and then extends it to a true “happily-ever-after”. I think I would have preferred it if they did an epilogue three years in the future with Luke and Noah finally committing. Rushing the romance doesn’t do love justice. Showmance should have focused on one romance and not given such care to the first one if the goal is to write a romance.

Showmance has lots of humor. I adore Kiara, Melissa, and Nancy Kay. I must also confess that I love my crock pot too Nancy Kay.

Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

This books is about Noah and Luke. Noah is a musical writer who just had a flop of a Broadway play. After a family incident sends him back home, he is convinced to help the town local theatre group put on his musical. Luke is a farm hand on his family farm, and has had a long time crush on Noah, much to Noah’s chagrin. They grow close and Noah has thoughts that maybe his hometown is not as bad as her remembers.

I loved this book, the main characters had off the charts chemistry! I felt for what Noah was going through and finding himself at a crossroads in life. The supporting characters help round out the book and were so loveable and unique in their own rights. I could have kept reading this book for 500 more pages. This is for fans of Timothy Janovsky!

With his tail between his legs, Noah Adams heads home to rural Illinois. See, his latest musical premiered on Broadway and was panned by critics, closing after only one day. Despite his failure, at least he has his handsome, hunky British boyfriend, Chase, by his side.

But home feels small and Noah is overwhelmed by memories of his childhood - school bullies who mercilessly teased a young queer kid - especially when he comes face to face with Luke, his arch nemesis…and his dad’s number one guy on the family farm.

But don’t worry, the Plainview Players are eagerly awaiting Noah’s arrival at the small town theater that served as his lifeline before he headed to NYC.

Oh, and they’re expecting him to produced his musical flop with them on stage.

But the townsfolk surprise him with their heart and commitment and belief in the jaded Noah. Noah, who realizes he has a lot to learn. Not only about himself but also about some misconceptions he’s held on to for over a decade, one of them about Luke.

I absolutely adored this book! The people of Plainview will remind you of those lovably goofballs from Schitt’s Creek. I loved that as Noah grew and changed as a person, the rewrites and additions to his musical matched him step by step. Plus the romance arc from Chase to Noah is just done so brilliantly, you’ll feel cheated.

Listen, Stephen Rowley of Guncle fame blurbed this book and the vibe is so similar - feel good, laugh out loud charm! Don’t sleep on this one!

Thanks to @netgalley and @penguinbooks for the ARC to read and review. This one is due October 1, 2024 and I’ll be buying my trophy copy!

Places people! Noah Adam has been a struggling playwright for many years and just as he thought he was getting his big break, the reviews caused his career to go up in flames. On the very same night as his Broadway failure, his father has a heart attack, and he heads back home  to small town Illinois. While there, he is pressured into putting on an amateur stage production of his failed Broadway musical. But like a phoenix, maybe he can rise from the ashes too.

Sometimes in life, you just need a short and cheesy romance to reset. This isn’t to say that there isn’t a lot of heart in this book. Noah, while occasionally one-note and the slightest bit unlikeable and often just downright mean (at least in the first half of the book), has his whole world rearranged. Everything he thought to be true was turned on its head and stomped on. He has to turn inwards and realize that maybe he isn’t right about everything. Once he does that, then his relationships with his family, past enemies, his career and himself start to heal.

To avoid major spoilers, it is best to leave the romance to the pages (though I think at the end you will agree that we all need a Luke). Where I think the plot line that shines the brightest is Noah’s relationship with his family, especially his father. The dynamic was so well written and the growth both father and son had in the book was heartwarming. It goes to show that while words may be nice, sometimes the actions of people are more telling and sincere than any words could ever be.

Overall, this low-stakes, small town (show)mance was way more than I was expecting. While this might not be everyone’s cup of tea, this is the first book in a long time that made me root for the characters and just have a good time. I rate this Tony worthy.

#netgalley #showmance #penguinbooks

This was beyond adorable! It's cute and sexy but also absolutely made me cry at the end (several times actually!). The way the author weaves together a romance with self-discovery and beautiful notes on family relationships was masterful. If you are a fan of musical theater, this is an absolute must read.

Showmance is a breezy queer romance dealing with coming back to a small town, reconnecting with your past, and realizing that maybe people can grow and change. The musical that Noah Adams wrote opened on Broadway… and closed the very same night after terrible reviews. When he receives news that his father had a heart attack, he goes back to Plainview, Illinois to try and recover from his failures while spending time with his family. But the town has other ideas, they want to put on their own version of his musical. And to add salt to the wound he keeps seeing Luke, one of his bullies from high school who has everyone charmed.

I really loved seeing Noah’s character arc throughout the story. At times he can be very dismissive, quick to judge, and unwilling to give people a second chance. It’s understandable that he’s on edge around people who gave him a hard time in the past, but sometimes he doesn’t acknowledge the ways that he is being unfair in the present day. It was great getting to see his moments of introspection, growth, and change. Outside of the romance, it was also wonderful to see the ways he and his dad started to connect more.

Luke was a great love interest, he pushes back against Noah and challenges him when he says things without thinking. They have great romantic chemistry and it was fun learning about Luke’s perspective of their high school days. I do think that the timeline of the romance was a bit rushed with where they end up with their feelings. This is a closed door/fade to black romance, which isn’t my preference for romance novels. But I think that does fit with the romcom vibes it was going for.

Fans of queer romantic comedies should give this a try. I’m not a big musicals/Broadway fan so I’m sure a lot of those references went over my head. But it would probably be a lot of fun for readers who are into that world.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC of Showmance by Chad Beguelin.

Showmance by Chad Beguelin is a delightful romp that combines humor, heart, and a touch of nostalgia in this vibrant queer rom-com. The story follows Noah Adams, a down-on-his-luck Broadway playwright banished to his small hometown of Plainview, Illinois, after a scathing review sends his career spiraling. What unfolds is a beautifully crafted tale of second chances, not just in love but in life.

Noah's initial reluctance to engage with the community theater—and his former high school nemesis, Luke—creates a tension that is both relatable and engaging. The chemistry between Noah and Luke is electric, and as they navigate their complicated past, the narrative blossoms into a heartwarming exploration of redemption and understanding.

Beguelin excels at blending witty dialogue with poignant moments, making you laugh out loud while also tugging at your heartstrings. The small-town cast of characters is charming and endearing, showcasing the unexpected wisdom and warmth found in a place Noah had long dismissed.

As Noah wrestles with his insecurities and the ghosts of his past, the community theater becomes a metaphor for his own growth. The insights from the amateur cast not only help Noah rediscover his passion for theater but also challenge him to confront his own biases and fears.

Showmance is a celebration of creativity, love, and the importance of community. Beguelin's storytelling captures the magic of theater and the transformative power of second chances. This book is a must-read for anyone who appreciates a good laugh, a heartfelt romance, and a story that reminds us of the beauty of coming home.

This is a fun little silly good time about a man struggling in his career, going home where he is somewhat of a local celebrity. While he sees himself as a failure, they think he is amazing. They don’t care that his most recent musical flopped. They are all prepared to perform a small town show of his musical, much to his dismay.

Overcoming hometown bullies from childhood and realizing his true potential, our protagonist has an eye opening experience being back in the town he tried so hard to get away from.

I struggled with aspects of this book. Some of the ways in which Noah is treated by family, then made to look like the dramatic one… that was too much. He is supposed to change who he is for others, while they have wronged him, treated him poorly, or misunderstood him.

Overall, this was good. I loved the characters. Some of the people in the town were really great and made the book!

Noah Adam's is almost the next big thing, but when the promising playwrite's musical flops on Broadway, closing on opening night, he has nowhere to go. Well, except back to his small, farming hometown visit his ailing father. The local community, though naive and a little backwards, embraces their fallen star with open arms, surprising Noah with a run of his failed musical. And they want him to direct it.
What more could go wrong? Oh, maybe the fact that his high-school bully now works for his family, and the theater, and is constantly nearby, acting like they're best pals??

I laughed aloud so many times reading this. Noah is quick-witted, his mother hilarious, and his friends ridiculously funny. Any time I get annoyed at Noah's uppity attitude, someone else takes him down a notch for me. The book has a lot of heart, and some real vulnerability wrapped in the rom-com of it all. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting a light, funny read. 4.75 stars.

I'm a huge fan of broadway musicals and was absolutely thrilled to have the opportunity to read Chad Beguelin's debut novel Showmance. If you don't recognize the author's name, he is known for having written the lyrics to The Wedding Singer and one of my personal favorites, Elf the musical. He's no stranger to the process that goes into a Broadway Musical and his writing is showmance is a testament to that. Showmance is a charming and light gay romance read. Noah has finally done it. He has his first show on Broadway....no small feat for anyone. And then, before he knows it, it's over. He heads back home to Illinois to visit some family and finds himself helping the town put on an amateur community theater version of his show.
I've got to be fully honest, in that, I really don't like Noah. I found him rude, self-centered, pretentious and an overall pain in the ass. He's not a person that I was endeared to at any point in this book. And that is sometimes tough to deal with when it comes to a main character. I contemplated downgrading my review because I disliked him so much. But....here's the thing. For me to dislike him so much, means that the author wrote him really well. The descriptions were real enough that I felt like I knew him (and still didn't like him).
There are some nice themes to the book. There are some lovely themes around being able to do what you love, the ease of misperception and differing perceptions and beliefs, and coming home again. I did find myself particularly enjoying Noah's mom, an eclectic, no-nonsense woman, who was a minor character, but genuine to herself and those she loves.
The romance was interesting in that it didn't follow the general tropes, but it was also fairly predictable.
Overall, this is a nice lighthearted read that's perfect for those who already love romance, or for someone seeking a palate cleanse from heavier books. I would definitely recommend adding it to your to-read list.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Showmance.

Review will be added to amazon and linked as soon as allowed following publication date!

Noah's career is on a downward spiral after a particularly bad review of his broadway musical. He ends up back in his small mid-western town and learns a lot about second chances, and the value of family.
This book is just really delightful. Anyone who likes some mm romance, small towns, theatre, and witty dialogue will love it. I think the only thing that could improve the book a bit would be a little more spice between the main characters but it was definitely worth the read!