Set Piece has all the makings of a great rom-com: a chance encounter between a bartender and a rising TV star, a one-night tryst that leaves a lasting impression, and a five-year time jump where both characters are completely different people. Now, CJ is a production designer juggling single motherhood, and Jack is a full-blown celebrity trying to keep up with fame. Sounds like a recipe for sparks, right?

While the setup is fun and the chemistry between CJ and Jack is undeniable, I found myself wanting more. The romance didn’t feel as developed as I’d hoped. And CJ? Let’s just say she’s not my favorite fmc. Her prickly demeanor didn’t win me over, and I had a hard time connecting with her choices.

That said, the story is undeniably cute, with some fun and heartwarming moments sprinkled throughout. It’s a quick, light read that’s perfect for a cozy weekend. I gave it 3 stars: enjoyable but not a standout. If you’re in the mood for something breezy with a touch of Hollywood glam, this one’s worth a shot!

Thanks NetGalley and 831 Stories for an early Arc!

Oh my gosh. The chemistry between Jack and Cara is explosive! Undeniable. From the very beginning you can feel the tension and the angst. I was quickly obsessed with these two. I loved this story. One night stand with the hot it celebrity??? Yes. From there though, I was rooting so hard from them. I don't always get so quickly attached in a novella style book but you really get to know these two. The way Cara deals with grief, how that grief has affected her and her relationships is so relatable and so frustrating...for me the reader (in a good way) and for Cara herself. I really enjoyed the moments she overcomes it in the little ways that she really doesn't even notice. Then you have Jack. Jack!! The man that you are. I picture Jack as an Andrew Garfield type. Soft, funny, open, eager, SEXY! He's too good. The side characters added so much to the story and made you fall in love so quickly. Everything was just so well done. Loved.

Set Piece follows Cara, a set designer and single mom, and Jack, a british actor, as they meet one night in a bar and again five years later. They receive a second chance at romance but endure some roadblocks, including their careers, along the way. I thought that the story was a good length. I did want more simply because the story was so good and I wanted more time with the characters, but it didn’t need to be longer to be an effective story. An epilogue might have been a good addition though.

I loved that Jack was British. I think it definitely added to his character and made him more swoon-worthy, I do have a thing for accents but that’s beside the point. I also liked that the way he said her name was endearing to Cara and that it added to their banter and connection. Cara is a single mom and I liked that it was her choice. This made her more empowering and removed any potential shame that usually surrounds single parents in books. I also appreciated that she was able to have a career and a child, she didn’t have to give up one for the other. Women can have both and be happy and successful.

This book was spicy but it did not overpower the plot. This good balance bolstered their chemistry but it didn’t feel like the relationship was all about sex. Towards the, I found myself watching the pages disappear with no resolution in sight. This made me anxious but in a good way as it kept me guessing if there would be a happy ending or not. I enjoyed that the story was less predictable and more enjoyable. Overall, I really enjoyed Set Piece.

The prologue was *chef’s kiss.* The best way to start a book is with a sexy scene, in my opinion. But once we got into things, I wanted more! More back story, more time for anticipation to build, more luxurious details. I wish every scene had been twice as full, and the ending left me hanging in an oddly abrupt and unsettling way. Again, I wanted more! At least an epilogue?

I loved it but think it would have been better in full novel format.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. A one night stand turns into something much more in this short, sweet, and steamy rom com.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC of this lil' delight!

I'm breathing a sigh of relief that I loved this one because my inner high school self squealed with delight when I saw the cover of this book. This color combination summarizes my entire high school (and college and post-college) existence.

I went into reading this knowing nothing at all about it (other than my love for the cover and other 831 Stories novellas) and I think that's the way to go as I've seen some other reviews reference the point that the synopsis gives away too much. Lana Schwartz does a great job of fitting SO much into this novella and I absolutely love the meaning of the title. It’s got all the essential romance ingredients: spice, character development, just-right conflict, and pop culture references that hit perfectly. If you are a movie buff or work in the industry, you may even appreciate some of the references more than I did.

I found both Jack and Cara/CJ (and many other side characters) to be extremely likeable which I feel like isn't always the case in a shorter novella when there isn't a lot of time to get to know the characters. There were even some humorous moments sprinkled in there that made me actually laugh out loud.

Big Fan from 831 Stories set the bar high for these novellas but Set Piece really delivers. Excited to see what's next from 831 Stories!

I LOVED Set Piece! A really awesome concept with an awesome second-chance plot. I loved how short and quick this was while also pulling you in and making you wonder what's next. I'm also a big fan of the total strangers to lovers story here and the jump to present times. I feel like I really got to know what it's like to work on a movie and the main character CJ really gave strong female presence. Great book overall!

I requested this after hearing good things about Big Fan (also from 831 Stories), and I wasn't disappointed! This is a cute, short story about CJ, a set designer, and Jack, a London-born actor who's starting to make it big. Five years after a chance encounter in LA, Jack is back in town filming another movie and they happen to be working on the same remake of The Great Gatsby. This book was cute and romantic without being overly cheesy like I find many romance novels to be, it was actually funny, and had some good pop culture references (loved that Jack went on Hot Ones). I was also pleased Would definitely recommend to any romance lovers looking for a good, short read, and I look forward to reading other books from 831 Stories!

Lana Schwartz’s Set Piece is a sharp, witty exploration of love, ambition, and the complexities of friendship, set against the vibrant backdrop of the hollywood industry between Jack and CJ. With well-drawn characters and a fast-paced narrative, it balances humor and heartfelt moments beautifully. While a few plot points feel slightly rushed, the book’s charm and clever insights make it a standout read. A solid 4 stars—perfect for fans of smart, character-driven stories!

I've been loving all the fast-paced, swoony fiction coming out of 831 Stories, and SET PIECE by Lana Schwartz is no exception. The book is a perfect read for anyone who loves Hollywood-set stories, and I appreciated all the nods to pop culture and the film industry. Both CJ and Jack are well-developed, realistic characters, and the steamy tension between them delivers from start to finish.

Thank you 831 Stories for another ARC!

I read this right off the heels of another 831 story and I have to say that I enjoyed this one more. I wasn’t CJ’s biggest fan but her character was flushed out enough that liked reading her story. I do wish that she owned up to her actions at the end.

As for Jack, I liked his character and you could see that his character developed by the end.

I would say that this was the right length for a short romance read - the pacing/timing made sense with the time jump.

Another great story from 831 stories! I loved the premise and the chemistry between the characters. There was great character development for a short story which isn’t always the case. I’d definitely recommend this to a friend.

Thank you 831 Stories, Lana Schwartz, and NetGalley for this arc of Set Piece in exchange for an honest review.

This is a perfect little romance novella that will take you a couple hours tops to read. It's a chance encounter turned one night stand between a movie star and bartender, who see each other again on the set of a movie 5 years after their whirlwind hook-up. In only 170 pages this managed to have character development, move quickly enough to keep me entertained, and have real substance. I loved CJ's rationale for being a single mom, and her avoidant attachment style felt real. I loved that Jack fell first, but I was so disappointed in his reaction with the third act conflict. Overall this was a fun, short read. Kept me engaged and had a fun plot.

This book was short - like really short - so that factors into this review heavily. I didn’t think the characters were developed enough for my liking. I love dual perspective romances and reading about Hollywood so this was a fun, enjoyable read - I mostly thought it could have been longer. The banter between the characters was funny, I loved the mix of British/American humor.

(Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for an honest review)

I am so glad that romance novellas are becoming more of a thing! The great thing about a romance under 200 pages is that it hits most of the beats of a romance/rom-com movie, which sometimes is exactly what you want to read. Despite the shorter length, SET PIECE does not skimp on the character development and well-drawn side characters (the nepo-baby director of the Gatsby remake was my favorite). The details about the film industry were an added bonus.

Set Piece was a wonderful romance story, but went even further with strong & healthy relationships, informative background knowledge (I never knew about set design!), and a complex FMC who captured being a mom perfectly. I love 831 stories!

I had a great time reading this! The early chapters, especially the back-and-forth between CJ and Jack, really hooked me — their dialogue sparkled, and the tension felt so real. But after the Gatsby production wrapped, things lost a bit of steam for me. The pacing sped up, and I didn’t feel as connected to their journey as I wanted to. Still, there were so many moments I loved, and the writing was solid throughout!

Thank you NetGalley & 831 Stories for the ARC!

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz is about a chance encounter between a popular movie star and a bartender who wants to be a production designer.

A lot of the story takes place on a movie set and has a ton of pop culture references that movie buffs might enjoy. I liked how short it was, but I didn't feel like I connected with the characters.

This wasn't my favorite book. I like a little more comedy and levity in my romance than this provided. It wasn't the content that was heavy, just the tone of the writing.

This might be for you if you like:
Movie star romances
Famous person x normal person trope
One night stands
Open door spice
Hollywood setting

A quick, fun read that actually has some depth to it. I really liked the unexpected play on the celebrity/regular person trope with the MMC being the celebrity, I feel like it’s usually the opposite. I did feel like the ending was a little abrupt though. I even thought that maybe I was missing some pages.

Set Pieces by Lana Schwartz 4 stars
This novella may only be 160 pages long, but wow, it delivers! Cj & Jack are adorable—funny, sweet, and with chemistry that just clicks. I loved the LA setting, with its film sets and behind-the-scenes vibes. It added a nice layer to the story.

Honestly, this felt like the perfect little palette cleanser, especially for readers who don’t usually gravitate toward romance. It’s short but well-done. I struggle with 400-page romances lol.

This was my first dive into the world of 831 Stories, and now I must read everything else they’ve published. Don’t sleep on this one—make sure to check it out when it drops on May 6, 2025!

Big thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!