I have never read anything by this author, but I will definitely be looking out for this author! I love theater so this was right up my alley! The pace was great and I was hooked from just a few pages in!

The Theater Threat by Allie Sarah is a delightful and heartwarming romance that blends the drama of high school theater with a tender coming-of-age story. With witty dialogue, an engaging plot, and strong chemistry between its leads, this book delivers a compelling read for fans of YA romance and theater lovers alike.

The story follows Theo Ashcroft, a music student who is dangerously close to flunking his class and is "sentenced" to participate in the school's theater production of Romeo and Juliet. For Theo, this isn’t so much punishment as it is a stroke of luck—he’s a self-proclaimed theater nerd, and the chance to be involved in the play is a welcome distraction. However, after being outed as gay to the entire school, he faces immense prejudice and hostility from his homophobic classmates, creating a tense backdrop for his participation in the production.

Asher Michaels, the student director for the play, is trying to finish his senior year on a high note, but he's not just dealing with the usual high school drama—he's also managing a sabotaged play, a lack of support from their bumbling faculty advisor, and his growing feelings for Theo, the unexpected new cast member. As their relationship evolves, the two boys must contend with external pressures, personal insecurities, and the constant threat of their production falling apart.

The plot, while centered on the romance, is layered with themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and the challenges of navigating high school as an LGBTQ+ teen in a less-than-accepting environment. Theo's journey, in particular, resonates deeply—he's not only grappling with the social fallout of his outing but also trying to find his place in the world of theater while dealing with internalized fears and doubts. Asher, on the other hand, has his own set of obstacles to overcome, including dealing with the sabotage of the play and the pressure of maintaining his role as both director and confidant to Theo.

The relationship between Theo and Asher is slow-burning and filled with emotional tension, making their eventual connection all the more satisfying. While the romantic arc is a major focus of the book, the chemistry between the two feels organic, and the challenges they face—both as individuals and as a couple—add depth to their relationship. The tension between them is further amplified by the stakes surrounding the play, where the need to keep the show going despite mounting obstacles mirrors their own need to push through their personal struggles.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced, though there are moments where the secondary drama (like the sabotage of the play) takes a slight detour and may feel like it’s stalling the development of the romance. However, the humor and banter between Theo and Asher keep things light, even during the more tense moments. The behind-the-scenes look at a high school theater production is an enjoyable bonus for anyone who has ever been involved in such a setting, and it brings a sense of authenticity to the novel.

One of the standout elements of The Theater Threat is the portrayal of high school dynamics, particularly the homophobia Theo faces. It's raw and realistic without being overly grim, and the support he finds from some unexpected places adds a layer of hope and heart to the story. Asher’s own journey of discovering how to balance his personal feelings with his responsibilities is equally compelling and provides a strong emotional anchor for the plot.

While the book is overall a solid and enjoyable read, it could benefit from a bit more depth in some of its secondary characters, especially the antagonists who act to sabotage the play. They sometimes feel more like plot devices than fully realized characters, and a bit more exploration into their motivations would have added to the tension. However, this is a minor critique in what is otherwise an engaging and satisfying story.

The Theater Threat is a sweet and entertaining YA romance that will appeal to readers looking for a feel-good, character-driven story. With relatable struggles, delightful chemistry, and the charm of a high school theater setting, this book strikes a great balance between lightheartedness and emotional depth. Allie Sarah has crafted a charming tale of love, self-acceptance, and perseverance, and it’s one worth picking up.

This was a really sweet and charming read with a lovely romance and setting. The LGBTQ+ representation was gorgeously done and was very touching.

After failing music class, Theo has no choice but to sign up for the school play being ran by fellow student, Asher. being a theater kid, Theo doesn’t mind taking part, but after a rocky start to the year, and difficulties with his music teacher, things aren’t going smoothly for him. Despite this, he still manages to catch Asher’s eye amid all the chaos and before they know it, feelings begin to grow. Will the stress of the production get in the way of their chemistry? After all, the show must go on.

What a sweet romance book! There were many aspects about this book that I loved. From the musical theater references sprinkled throughout, to the supporting cast of background characters, every page was more endearing than the last. The romance itself was a wholesome YA slow burn and the LGBTQ+ representation was lovingly done, including the highs and lows of both of the main character's experiences. I was also touched by the portrayal of depression too. Overall, a lovely book that I'd recommend to romance loving theater nerds everywhere.

Thank you to NetGalley and Allie Sarah for the advanced readers copy of The Theater Threat — out on the 12th November 2024! 💌

Through reading this there were many emotional moments but I loved the relationship and seeing it develop was sweet and definitely gave me a buzz that lasted long after finishing the book.

The Gossip Games by Allie Sarah was the first e-arc I read on Netgalley and it has since become a book that means so much to me as a reader and one I have turned to for comfort many times since reading it. I also read The Friendship Fight which was book 2 in the Trinity High series about a year ago now as soon as I was approved for the e-arc and also completely fell in love with it and spending more time with the characters I really love. So as soon as I saw The Theater Threat available to request on Netgalley I was right at it,and while I didn’t read it straight away this time for a few reasons I did still absolutely love it once I got to it.

The Trinity High series follows a group of cousins who all go to boarding school together and just the things that they get up to and their individual stories surrounding love and friendship. The Theater Threat specifically follows Theo who was recently outed as gay to the entire school and is trying to deal with the effects of that but also due to failing his music class he is being forced to join the school play where specific characters clearly don’t want him. We also meet Asher for the first time in this book who tries to try and finish his senior year well, he is determined to run a successful production of Romeo and Juliet while not everyone is trying to help him succeed.

Something I really love about this series is how much of the rest of the cousins and friendship group we get to see without it overshadowing the characters who the book follows. I love Gracie, Dean, Raina, and Jesse so much and to see more of them and how their relationships have developed since their book finished. While I would have loved to spend another book with my absolute favourite characters from this series, this was also a great way to see more of them and from other people’s perspectives too.

We also meet more characters who both Zara and Nicole already know as they are Asher’s friends in this book which I really liked as each book the cast of characters we have gotten to know has grown without us losing touch of who is who which I have really enjoyed. It was great to meet more characters and get to know how they view Trinity along with the dynamics that a few had with Zara who I have been desperate to learn more about across the past two books and finally did. In fact, while I would have loved for her to get her own book I would say had her own full subplot in this book giving me what I have needed since the start. Zara’s subplot was so so nice to see and my only complaint about it was that I would have liked to see more of it but as it is interlinked with Theo’s story and happening at around the same time I can understand why we focused on Theo more.

Asher was a character who we slowly learn more about as the book goes on and I really liked learning more about him, who he was as a person and while there are little bits of his plot I wish went slightly differently for a few reasons I did really love him. He was the perfect fit for Theo and what he needed from someone who he wasn’t related to, which I really liked to see for Theo because he truly deserved it after everything. Parts of Asher’s identity I found really comforting to read and see and while there were bits I didn’t connect to myself I can see just how important it would be for someone else to see in ways particular books have meant to much to me.
I loved getting to know Theo too as the book goes on because we’ve seen him so much in The Gossip Games and The Friendship Fight that it was nice to truly get to know him in ways that we haven’t already. He is a fantastic character and I wish that I had paid more attention to him in the first two books because of how much I loved him here.

As in the previous book so many important topics were tackled in this and while there are some that I wish were done slightly more in depth the reasons why they were not tackled in the way I would have liked to see makes complete sense for the author and the characters. The homophobia that these characters face is something that frustrates you to read because you know that they do not deserve and you just want the characters who are treating the ones you really really like poorly to get their copunce but you also know that sadly that isn’t how life works. The way the characters faced it was just fun to see and how they found the positives in the situation and spinned it to work for them results in a great ending.

Overall I loved this series so much if you couldn’t tell and this was the perfect ending to the series and to say goodbye to these characters who have meant so much to me and been with me through some particularly tough periods of my life and I have loved being able to turn to. I cannot wait to come back and reread this series back to back. Theo and Asher were great characters to follow and I could not rate it anything but 5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Snowridge Press for a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Many thanks to SnowRidge Press for a complimentary eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.

Theo Ashford, recently outed to his friends and teachers, is struggling. Some of his classmates have been homophobic and he is struggling to pass music, a subject which he loves. His guidance counselor negotiates a deal in which Theo must perform in the school's production of Romeo and Juliet in exchange for a passing grade. When he attends, he notices the handsome and put-together Asher Michaels who is organising the production. Asher, a senior, meanwhile struggles with a faculty sponsor who couldn't care less about the theatrical production and seems to want to undermine it entirely. Meanwhile, he has to deal with a homophobic lead actor and his own growing feelings for the unexpected star of his show, Theo.

This was a fun, light-hearted romance with low stakes and no spice. For anyone who hasn't read the rest of the series like me, you may be thrown for a loop with a large cast of lovable and zany characters. It wasn't something that detracted significantly and I did find myself wondering about the large supporting cast of characters and their own stories. The book features lots of moving parts: a hostile and homophobic teacher, an arrogant and brash classmate, and family drama. But there is never a strong sense of danger and I felt that things would invariably (perhaps miraculously) resolve in the protagnoists' favour. I enjoyed the slow-burn romance growing between Theo and Asher and their struggle to DTR (define the relationship) even after they had started kissing and cuddling! Despite the relatively low stakes, it was still satisfying to see Theo and Asher triumph in the end.

If you're looking for something light-hearted, comfy, and feel-good, try The Theater Threat by Allie Sarah. It's optimistic and joyful, defiant in the face of bigotry, and features plenty of musical theater references which should satisfy fans of Hamilton, Wicked, and other great musicals. Fans of Brian D. Kennedy's My Fair Brady will find much to enjoy in this book.

A quick note: As a StoryGraph librarian, I was able to add this title to their database since it didn't exist before. Feel free to reach out in case there are any details for correction.

3.5 Stars✨

A Sweet, Drama-Filled Romance, But I Wanted More!

The Theater Threat by Allie Sarah was my first ever NetGalley ARC, and I was so excited to dive into it!! That said, I went in without knowing it was part of a series, so the flood of new characters right from the start left me feeling a bit overwhelmed. I couldn’t help but think, “Am I supposed to know who these people are already?” But that's on me for not checking first!! 😭

This book gave me Heartstopper vibes, which initially had me hooked because Heartstopper was such a feel-good series for me as a kid. I guess I have outgrown the style a little bit, though, because I did not love The Theater Threat as much. Not because the book was not great; rather, I believe my preferences have evolved since then. 🤷‍♂️

Let's talk about the drama now!! I did enjoy the subplot with the music teacher, though. It was one of the better aspects of the novel in my opinion because of the way the author handled it; it felt authentic and rewarding. 🫶

What about Theo and Asher's romance? I was unable to put it down!! 💖 Even though their relationship had its bumps, I was really invested in them. All I wanted to know was what would come next! Although I had some complaints about the pacing, particularly toward the end, which seemed a little hurried, their chemistry was excellent, and I like how their romance developed. I was still left wanting more, though. Surely, there is potential for a sequel?!

This book is perfect for you If you’re in the mood for a low-angst YA romance with sweet, heartfelt moments. 🥰 💫



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Pre-Read:

My first ever NetGalley ARC!! Does this mean I’m better than everyone?? Just kidding!! Honestly though, I’m so freaking excited, I’ve been waiting for this moment forever! 😆 I can’t wait to dive into it and share my thoughts. Here’s to hopefully many more ARCs in the future!!

This made me so sad for people that really go thru this stuff. It was very well written. And I enjoyed the story between Theo and Asher a lot. I’ll be checking out the rest of the series

This was sweet! It did the thing I love in low angst romances where the author dropped just enough hints about how I would get my happy ending that I had a blast figuring it out and watching it come true.

I started this not knowing it was a part of a series so felt a bit overwhelmed by all the new characters I felt I should already know, but that was definitely my fault.

All in all, 3.5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book! I couldn’t put it down, I was desperate to know what was going to happen and how Asher and Theo’s relationship developed throughout the book and I did think the build up was nice and it had a lovely ending however I thought it was very sudden and rushed as I felt like there was still more to explore, so I felt like it was unresolved, but that just gives an excuse for a sequel!

This book was such a great read! I loved Theo’s character and his growing relationship with Asher

They overcame homophobia,sabotage and came outshining everyone!