Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Books | Penguin Books for the ARC! *Showmance* by Chad Beguelin is a lighthearted and entertaining rom-com centered around Noah Adams, a down-on-his-luck Broadway playwright who returns to his small hometown after his first Broadway show flops. While dealing with family issues, Noah gets roped into helping the local community theater stage his failed musical. To his surprise, the amateur cast offers some insightful suggestions, and Noah begins to see his hometown in a new light. Along the way, he reconnects with his old high school bully, Luke, who has since grown into a charming and beloved figure in town. The book is full of humor, romance, and snappy dialogue, making it a fun and charming read with a satisfying feel-good ending.

If you like Bobby from the musical Company, you will love this. Noah is a train wreck of a human. Don’t get me wrong, he’s hit a rough patch. But he’s an ass. He is quick to anger. He takes his feelings out with cruel remarks. (He admits it!) These beats are mere seconds on stage or screen, but we are in them for pages in a book. Watching a character be mean to others is not my favorite. This is definitely a personality trait people enjoy, but not me.

The cast of characters around Noah is the best part. The people in this town to come together because they love him, even when he doesn’t deserve it. The quirks of the townsfolk make Noah's NY sass stand out even more. They are almost the greek chorus to his tragedy. They provide perspective not just for the show they are remounting, but for Noah's life.

Luke is the best of cinnamon rolls/golden retrievers. I adore him. I can't say more without spoilers, but he is just too good for this world.

Overall, I feel this book is well written. The ability to write diverse characters with depth to them was the start of the show to me. I would love to see a book or story from Luke's POV. He has my heart.

3.25 stars - Showmance is a heartwarming tale of community, love, and of course, musical theatre. After another crash and burn situation with his latest musical, and his father's recent heart attack, Noah Adams finds himself of a flight back to Plainview, Illinois, the small town he escaped from as soon as he graduated. A trip that was originally only going to last a few days - enough time to check on his family and lick his wounds - turns into a month long stay where he's to direct an amateur production of the very show he's convinced just ruined his career. Throw in a gossiping mother and emotionally stunted father, a (temporarily) long distance boyfriend, and one high school bully who's apparently his father's right hand man, and Noah's not sure how he's supposed to survive these next four weeks.

Noah is one of those characters that comes on strong and can be a bit off-putting - for while he's funny, witty, and charming, he's also stubborn, conceited, and lacking a filter at times. Though I do think these flaws make him real in a way that makes you root for him as often as you want to shake him in frustration. This story was an absolute joy to watch unfold because you could see the character growth happen. As much as I enjoyed the sweet romance, I couldn't help but be drawn even more to the delightful cast of characters and their impact on Noah and his work.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

As former theatre kid (and still a theatre adult 🤪) and a lover of rom coms, this was such a treat! I had such a wonderful time with this story and characters.

Wow, this was an incredible book. From start to finish, it had me reading way into the night to see what would happen next. The author did a fantastic job in handling a few plot twists, and the character development was fantastic. Hghly recommended.

I did receive a copy of the eArC from NetGalley.

This is closer to a 3.5-star book for me, though I don't have any major complaints. I'm not sure I would have chosen this e-ARC if it weren't for the Steven Rowley blurb, but I'm glad I gave it a chance.

Showmance was a quick, fun rom-com. I wasn't a theatre kid myself, nor am I a theatre nerd now, but I still enjoyed that component of the story. The majority of the characters were lovely, and several were also witty and/or sassy (in the best way). I got some Guncle vibes throughout, and also was reminded of Schitt's Creek occasionally.

Thanks so much to the author and NetGalley for the ARC to this adorable book. This book was such a fun and fast read. Loved the setting in the theater 😍

Showmance was a fun read.
The writing style was extremely fast-paced but could be a bit cringey at times. Some of the dialogue, especially, did not feel like it would ever naturally occur in a real-life conversation and there were numerous times when the use of slang felt over the top. However, I noticed these things less as the book went on.
The main character, Noah, was very flawed. He could be selfish, conceited, and stubborn but he was also determined and caring, and when he messed up or hurt people he apologized and tried to make it right. These different sides to him made him feel like a real person. He also developed really nicely into a better version of himself by the end of the story.
Unfortunately, the rest of the characters were pretty flat and felt almost like caricatures of people at times. Noah’s best friend Kiara was fiercely protective, his mom was quirky and liked gossip, his dad was gruff and struggled to talk about his feelings, and his love interest Luke was so kind and thoughtful he was basically an angel on earth. This lack of depth made it difficult to connect with any of the characters or care too deeply about what happened to them.
Even though the love interest was two-dimensional on his own, the romance was cute. Like I said, Luke was a complete sweetheart and he was obviously into Noah from the very beginning though Noah had no clue, which is always a fun dynamic to read about. However, the history between them could have been executed in a stronger way. Noah had hated Luke from the time they were teenagers and the way it was resolved seemed really weak and made the whole “enemies” portion of their relationship feel unnecessary. I also hated that Noah had a boyfriend who wasn’t the love interest for a large portion of the book and, without getting into spoilers, the way that was resolved seemed too convenient as well. That said Noah and Luke were supportive of each other and communicated well most of the time and Luke definitely helped Noah work on his flaws and brought out the best in him so I did like them as a couple.
I also enjoyed Noah’s relationship with his father. The two of them didn’t have a ton of direct on-page interactions but the tension and distance between them was constantly beneath the surface of the story. The exploration of this wasn’t as deep as it could have been but I still enjoyed the way their relationship had progressed by the end.
The theatre elements were some of my favorite parts of this story. There are multiple references to specific musicals and Broadway actors and there’s just a general love of musical theatre deeply ingrained in the narrative that any theatre fan is likely to appreciate. I also enjoyed watching Noah work through his complicated feelings about his professional failures in the theatre business and reignite his love and passion for his art. Overall, I’d recommend this book if you love theatre– especially musicals–and you’re in the mood for a quick and fun, albeit mostly surface level, romance.

I absolutely fell in love with this book. The perfect mix of small town romance and big city personalities.

As someone who grew up in a smaller town and moving to a bigger city, I found Noah’s complicated feelings of going home to be very relatable. The way you can sometimes lose yourself or where you came from. I felt the familial relationships struck the balance to not detract from the romance but add another layer to the story.

While you can see where the story is headed, I still was invested and even found myself a little emotional toward the end. Perfect cheery romance with heart & humor.

This was a delightful read! Noah finds himself back in his small hometown in Illinois after his Broadway show flops. Unfortunately, Luke, a jerk from high school, is still there too. However, it turns out the town isn't what Noah thought it was as a teen.

This is a quick read. The characters are well written and witty. The author nails living in a small Midwestern town. As others said this feels like a hallmark movie. If you enjoy romance, Broadway, and witty books then pick this up on October 1st!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC of Showmance. This book is a delightful and heartwarming read with the best quirky cast of characters. The chemistry between Noah and Luke (the two main characters) is electric, and the behind-the-scenes look at the world of community theater adds an extra layer of charm to the story. The author beautifully balances humor, romance, and a touch of drama, making it impossible to put down. Whether you’re a fan of the theater or love a good love story, Showmance will bring a smile to your face. This book is a must-read for anyone who believes in love, both on and off the stage.

The novel starts out a bit typical of cosmopolitan cities compared to small towns, but with character development and just a general good spirit breaks the mold. Several lovable characters and a sweet romance along with a fun musical plot make this quite a good read. The dialogue is genuine and the story moves at a great pace. I do have to disagree with St. Louis’ claim to fame of toasted ravioli. I’m not from here, but it is not good. At least the author didn’t mention Imo’s.

"Showmance" was an adorable book that felt a little like a coming home hallmark movie. It was so fun to watch Noah come home and discover all the wonder it has to offer.

Noah is a down on his luck Broadway playwright, whose first Broadway show closes before it really gets a chance. Unfortunate circumstances with his father's health land him back at home. WIth no play on Broadway, a reason to stay home, and his home town playhouse wanting him to direct his very own play there he ultimately chooses to stay.

I loved that Noah had to learn to challenge the way he thought about his own play, as well as how he was challenged to change how he saw people. Noah's character development was top notch and it was so much to see him grow and come into himself as this story went. All around helpful Luke helped steal the show.

If you love Broadway, sing show tunes a little too loudly in the shower, and love happy endingings I absolutely recommend you pick this up! Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When I was offered a review copy of this book, it was a no-brainer. Being a huge theatre nerd and having so many wonderful memories of my community theatre days, I had to accept it. While the main character grated my last nerve for about the book's first half, I ended up really enjoying it in the end.

The book focuses on Noah Adams, a small-town boy who now lives in New York. Noah has had a couple of off-broadway musicals that tanked, but his new musical, which just made its premiere on Broadway, may be the one to put him on the map. When the book starts, Noah and his super-hot (of course) British boyfriend Chase are at the opening night afterparty waiting for the New York Times review to post. This review will either make or break the show and much to Noah's horror, the show receives a scathing review, forcing the show to close immediately. To top it off, his father just had a massive heart attack, and Noah needs to return to his hometown of Plainview, Illinois. To make matters worse, the local community theatre (the same theatre that was Noah's safe haven growing up) has decided to stage an amateur production of his recently failed musical and they expect him to direct it.

Surrounded by a group of inexperienced actors and dealing with the constant presence of his high school nemesis, Luke (who has grown up to be the town's golden boy), Noah isn't sure he'll make it through the next month. But he always promised that if the theatre ever needed him, he'd be there to help, and now it's time to pay his debt. It'll only be a month, but Luke seems to be everywhere Noah turns, and their interactions are awkward, fueled by unresolved tension from their past.

The romance that develops between Noah and Luke is a slow burn enemies to lovers that adds a lot of heart to the story. Their chemistry is undeniable, and as they confront their shared history and old wounds, Noah realizes there is much more to Luke than meets the eye. The exploration of their evolving feelings is both tender and humorous, though I will admit that I am soooooooo tired of reading about perfect shoulders, tight chests, washboard abs, and buns of steel. Yeah, I get it, gay men are shallow, and we love a hot body, but as I've gotten older, I care so much less about the roundness of one's ass or their bulging biceps than I do the personality and behavior of the guy. I feel we're way past due for some "normal" guys in our M/M romances.

Now that I've gotten off my soapbox, I will say that Beguelin's writing is sharp and witty, filled with clever dialogue and relatable characters. As I mentioned earlier, I initially found Noah to be insufferably catty and entitled, but as he woke up to his bad behavior, he started to grow on me. I always appreciate character growth.

But it's the supporting cast that really makes the book shine. The community theatre players are all hilarious and add so much heart to the novel. I adored Luke (where can I get one?), but it was Noah's mom who made the book work so well for me. She is hilarious, and I loved every scene she was in!

Overall, I found this to be a delightful read that combined so many of my favorite things: Small towns, gay romance, and community theatre. The storytelling is engaging and entertaining, and it made me want to move to Plainview. Fans of romantic comedies and small-town charm will thoroughly enjoy this light-hearted and feel-good rom-com.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️From Penguin Group Publishing: Noah Adams’s career as a playwright is circling the drain, thanks to a scorching review of his first Broadway musical. So when a family emergency sends him back to his Podunk hometown of Plainview, Illinois, he figures he’ll hide out for a bit. But to Noah’s horror, his agent has secretly arranged for him to stage an amateur version of the career-ruining musical at the local community theater.

As if trying to work with a bunch of artless amateurs wasn’t enough, Noah runs into Luke, the jerk from his high school years, everywhere he goes. Luke somehow grew up to be beloved by everyone in town…and undeniably gorgeous. As rehearsals begin, Noah is surprised by his cast’s insights, the warmth of the town he’d dismissed, and the reality of what happened with Luke all those years ago. Just how much has Noah misjudged?
*******************
My review: I raced through this rom-com in about 24 hours. The dialog and banter and revelations were amazing and realistic. The way Noah talks with his mom and BFF Kiara really made me smile and even LOL. Noah had so much to learn and even though the reader sees some lessons and realizations a mile away, it's satisfying and heartwarming when they come to fruition.
When Noah thinks things about Luke like, "And of course he's wearing a t-shirt with no sleeves. I assume they were ripped off in a tornado," I had to stop and yes, giggle. Noah is self deprecating, sarcastic, and the right amount of insecure. Basically, he's a real person.
I didn't want to put the book down because I was dying to see how it all tied together. The book was funny, real, and romantic. And I teared up at the end, Noah and his dad really got to me. I highly recommend and will read more of this author.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group for an advance digital copy in exchange for my review.

I very much enjoyed this book and I’m so glad I received an arc for it (thank you Netgalley and the publisher). The main character grows on you. He’s a bit much but he realizes that his home town and family mean more to him than he thought. Loved the love interest. Cinnamon roll/golden retriever to the extreme and I love it. Side characters were great. The only thing that I didn’t love was Chase but he doesn’t distract from the story.

When I first heard about this book, I thought it would be my perfect read. A fluffy male-male romance set in the world of theatre! As a former theatre kid, I was expecting to adore this. Sadly, it missed the mark for me. It felt very amateurish and lacking in character development. All of the conflicts got resolved too easily and conveniently which made it feel boring and unrealistic. I thought the main character Noah was extremely unlikable, and while I think the author intended for his snark to be humorous and endearing, he just came off like an asshole. And I didn’t find him funny either. Sadly, Noah just felt like a poor man’s version of Patrick from The Guncle. Overall, it was a fine book, but I think there is a lot of room for it to improve.

This was a cute read!! The main character Noah totally gives me David from Schitt’s Creek vibes especially with the way he talks to his mom! I even think the whole town reminds me of Schitt’s Creek in a way. Quirky characters and found family. So fun. I think the conflicts were a little shallow and I would have liked some more development maybe? The chapters were also too long for my taste but there were section breaks which were helpful as well. Overall I wouldn’t call it an instant recommendation but it was fun enough for me 😘

Chad Beguelin's Showmance was a sparkling read from beginning to end.

When Noah's Broadway musical dies a quick death, he finds himself back in his small Illinois hometown. With some convincing from Chase, his agent/partner, Noah agrees to a month-long stay to put on a local production of his most recent flop. Throughout the month, with the help of his cast of amateur actors and the man he still thinks of as his high school bully, Noah and his musical grow and change for the better.

Two things I especially loved about this book:

1) Noah's mother. She was the perfect blend of tough love and hilarity that, even now, I chuckle when I recall some of the scenes she stole. Her relationship with Noah was the perfect contrast to Noah's relationship with his father, and her understanding, love, and support of both men created the space necessary for them to finally see each other in the final act. She brought so much heart to this story; I can't imagine Noah's HEA without her.

2) My new favorite book-boyfriend, Luke. What can I say? He's just such a good guy. He's understanding and dependable, he stands up for his mother, he's competent and sexy and generous and...yeah, I can see why the entire town loves him.

With so much to love, you'd think this would've been a five-star read for me. So why wasn't it? (Well, I'm glad you asked.) There were just two small things that held me back. First, there's Chase, Noah's seemingly supportive New York boyfriend and agent. If he had just been Noah's agent rather than his monogamous, live-in partner of two years, I likely would have been able to enjoy Noah's growing feelings for Luke. As it was, for the first half of the book, I couldn't quite get on board with Noah's flirting and growing feelings because there was this entire other relationship (in)conveniently just off stage. Then, when everything finally came to light, I was pretty disappointed that Noah, whose need to face his mistakes and shortcomings was central to his character development, was just...conveniently let off the hook. I mean, it worked out in the end and no real lines were crossed, but still. It felt off to me. The other thing was the ridiculous twist at the end that allowed everything, and I mean everything, to fall into place. I'm trying to avoid spoilers here, but that guy called Noah up? Out of the blue? And made that offer? Really?

But, despite these two not-small issues, I still sincerely enjoyed the book. It was well-plotted, the characters were relatable and developed in satisfying ways, and the dialogue was witty and felt natural. If you're looking for a fun vacation read or an evening of escape, give Showmance a read. You're almost guaranteed to have a good time.

Thank you Penguin Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

Showmance was everything I was hoping for and more. I loved the slow-burn romance and the eventual love story between Luke and Noah. I love that their love story wasn't cut and dry, and there was real challenges between them. The supporting characters were also amazing. I hope there is a sequel to this sweet love story!

Thank you again for the ARC!