An engaging romance read. This will look great on your bookshelf or in an oh-so aesthetic instagram post, and the book inside matches the vibes.

My favorite from 831 Stories by leaps and bounds! Though it’s another example of the “celebrity/normal person” trope for which this sexy little imprint has come to be known—here with a male movie star instead of a rockstar—this is the first time I truly understood the emotional center of the trope. These two characters couldn’t not be together, in spite of the immense difference in their situations—the contrast of which serves to throw into only greater relief how perfect they are for each other. There are also real-life issues that any “normal” reader can relate to: illness, complicated family dynamics, workplace politics, single parenting.

This is the first 831 novella that I would say has been more hurt than helped by its short form. The supporting characters and Hollywood backdrop could have easily supported 150 more pages. With more time in this world, the book could have been even more memorable. As it is, I’m just eager to see where this writer sets her sights next.

Thank you to Netgalley, 831 Stories, and author Lana Schwartz for the advanced reader’s copy. Set Piece becomes the fourth member of the 831 family on May 6, 2025.

831 Stories is a publishing company that I've been wanting to read. And y'all, I'm so glad that I finally did. This was such a great read in just 160 pages. Jack has found unexpected fame, and one night he meets Cara who is a bartender who doesn't exactly know who he is. They have one night together and then go their separate ways. Five years later, they find each other again on a film set. Things have changed since they first met, but also their lingering connection remains. Y'all, I love a novel with good banter, and this had that! I also loved how this was a romance, but also some really good character development and plot happenings for each of them. I cannot wait to read more from this publisher and this author! Thanks to NetGalley for the look at this May 2025 release!

This was my second 831 Stories publication that I’ve read and I really enjoyed it!! I love being able to learn about different industries through books, so it was cool seeing that side of cinema! A lil bit of spice but lots of story & family!

I really enjoyed this story! It felt exciting and "movie like" with still having real world elements that most relationships face. I enjoyed seeing growth and give between the two characters as the book progressed. Stuart was a favorite side character!

This was a short and sweet read that features CJ, a set designer for films, and Jack, a rising actor, who end up working together in a remake of The Great Gatsby years after a one-night stand. I thought this book was the perfect length, with a flushed-out plot and just enough romance packed in!

CJ and Jack’s relationship was mature. They supported each other and learned each other’s boundaries while taking the time not to rush into something on set and waiting for their moment. I loved how CJ could stand up for herself, both in her relationship with Jack and in her career, which heroines don’t always do in romance novels. She has so much to her character besides her romance with a celebrity, which I appreciated.

I adored CJ’s family, Agnes, and Stuart, and how they accepted Jack into the fold as his relationship with CJ grew. There were so many cute moments between Jack and Agnes, and we got to know Jack as a well-rounded character through his growth with CJ’s loved ones.

As a massive fan of The Great Gatsby, I also loved the snippets we saw of CJ’s set work and some behind-the-scenes moments. Lana couldn’t have picked a better story to include in her book!

I look forward to seeing what else 831 Stories publishes and will be digging into their other stories immediately!
Thank you to Netgalley and 831 Stories for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Set Piece follows CJ and Jack, both working in the movie business and follows the evolution of them balancing life, work and love.

This was a cute and at times, steamy romance. I personally found CJ to be a more developed character than Jack, I found Jack to be a bit two dimensional (one of the reasons for not giving this a higher rating). The chemistry of the characters was electric at the start and I felt this waned a bit as the novella went on. This may be an intentional difference due to the characters aging up in the book.

A very enjoyable and easy read, particularly great as a quick read due to its succinct length! This gets 3.5 stars from me 🌟

Thank you to Netgalley and 831 publishers for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

eARC provided by NetGalley!

The latest installment of the 831 Stories!! I was so excited to get this ARC. I have read all the stories and this one is just as great as the rest. Sometimes I felt like the story got a little slow and I would’ve like more humor and romance, but overall I still really liked this story!

Brilliantly cozy. I’m not sure I’ve ever read a more all around comforting romance. My only regret is that I spent the first half of the novel convinced of a very untrue premise. It’s frustrating being so excruciatingly excited by a novel that you ruin your first read with false notions. For that reason, I finally have a story I wish I could read again for the first time.

Truly, no complaints. A lovely body of writing.

Thank you #NetGalley for this ARC.

4⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley & 831 Stories for my ARC!🌟✨🤍

I loved this read! I felt myself getting attached to CJ & Jack as I continued to read. I loved the dual point-of-view of how you were able to go into each of their minds before, during, and after Gatsby.

“I know how capable you are of doing anything you set your mind to. There is no one I believe in more to do the things they say they’re going to do, or that I trust to handle something. But just because you can do all of this by yourself…it doesn’t mean you have to. Or that you should. Or that you’re better off for it.” I loved this quote🥲🥲

831 Stories continues to produces high-quality pieces, even if they are only 160 pieces. They have a way of highlight authors that write the BEST celebrity / normal person troupe (👩‍🍳🤌💋).

I can totally envision the “The Just OK Gatsby” sweatshirts on their shop and cannot wait to get my hands on one!!

I will continue to recommend/buy and book this publishing company puts out now and forever! Thank you again NetGalley & 831 Stories for this advanced read 🤍🤍🤍🤍

Another fun novella from 831 Stories - this follows an actor and a set designer and it’s just as rompy as you’d expect. It’s quick, it’s fun, it’s easy, and it packs a punch in a short amount of time. It also surprised me - I didn’t expect the conflict to happen when/how it did, and I liked how it all was resolved. I’ve found the pacing on 831 Stories’ novellas perfect for how short the reads are; it didn’t leave me hanging and wrapped things up neatly with a bow, but it also didn’t feel rushed.

This book was so cute and so cosy. I don’t usually read romance but I’m so glad and so thankful to have received an ARC of Set Piece because I really enjoyed it.

Pacing wise, it was great. There wasn’t a wasted word and there were no lulls or dips in the story. It kept pushing forward, making a satisfying read that I was compelled to get through. I actually read it in a single sitting because I didn’t want to put it down.

I felt the book avoided a lot of pitfalls of the genre. The stakes were realistic and understandable, the obstacles were genuine and the characters were likeable, self actualising and treated each other well, so there was a real feeling of satisfaction in the resolution. I was really rooting for them and the pay off was great.

Altogether a really enjoyable read that I could not put down!

Downloaded this immediately upon approval, knowing I wanted it to be my first completed read of 2025. The 831 stories have been an obsession for me, and this one lived up to my expectations. The insta connection followed by fate intervening and love growing - the handling of grief, complicated family dynamics, and two flawed individuals growing and learning to love together - it was all so well done. I loved that Jack was the down bad partner here, willing to do whatever he could to win this love and this family for himself. All of this in a short novel is just so impressive and lovely.

Thanks to 831 stories and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was a pleasant surprise for me. Two chapters in and already having a 5 year time skip threw me off and I wasn’t so sure about it for a little, but the story won my heart in the end.

This characters are sensible and mature. Mistakes that are made, issues that are had, were all realistic and dealt with in an appropriate manner, if that makes sense. No stupid miscommunication that ruined relationships, no petty arguments, some things that unfortunately many romances, specifically ones that are shorter stories like this, end up resorting to for quick drama.

The issues women in the movie industry, or even just workplace, go through especially when it comes to their partners overshadowing their achievements was a discussion I really enjoyed seeing played through in this story. With the first 831 Stories book, “Big Fan”, having dealt with the repercussions women face (specifically in politics and the media) when it comes to affairs, scandals, or dating, I was happy to see this similar side of women’s issues being addressed in a different industry.

I really don’t have any complaints, I enjoyed this one and as someone who has read every 831 stories book (published and arcs), I must say I believe this is my favorite.

Just one comment: the line “…and my dick finds her opening on its own, like to knows the way. Because it does.” (p. 155) was painful to read.

Five years after a sizzling one night stand, bartender and budding designer CJ and hot Brit actor Jack reunite on a movie set. Only now CJ is a single mum and with her hyper independent nature, will she find room to let Jack into her life when his life is peripatic and often unplanned?

Short and sweet, this well paced and plotted novella hit the spot as a final 2024 read. CJ is hyper independent and likes to plan every aspect of her life. Jack was such a darling, he was all in with CJ from the start, admiring her talents and championing her to aim higher in her career. I loved how both of them connected through their love of cinema and also the scenes showing how a production designer works.

Structurally I don't think we needed Jack's point of view as he was all in with CJ and had no hurdles to overcome relationship-wise. The conflict was primarily with CJ unable to make space for Jack and make adjustments for his work, so losing Jack's POV would've allowed for more page time to work through CJ's issues.

A wonderful second chance celebrity romance.

Thanks to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC.

** A copy of Set Piece was provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review **

Set Piece is the story of Cara, a production designer moonlighting as a bartender, and Jack, an up-and-coming British actor. This is a second-chance celebrity/normal person romance about work-life balance, taking chances and learning to evolve together.

Another solid offering from 831 Stories!

A snappy little story about a set designer and an actor who met once, 5 years ago, and are now fatefully brought back together on a remake of The Great Gatsby- and have to figure out how their lives work together, what they really want out of their careers, and if love is worth it!

This was cute, very fast paced (I mean skipping weeks or months ahead at a time between chapters level of fast-paced) and introspective. It had some great takes about what it means for a woman to succeed in show business, how instant fame can change your life and pull you along without much choice in the matter, and how important finding your people can be!!

Thank you so much to Lana Schwartz, 831 Stories, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I went into Set Piece only knowing it was coming from 831 Stories and had one heck of a great time. So, if you want to avoid any spoilers or trope information, let me just say - this is a picture perfect romance where you get actual character development and growth using some very well thought out time jumps in the span of only 160 pages. Set Piece is a novella to get anyone out of a reading slump.

If you're looking for the nitty-gritty - we have a hyper competent single mom, CJ, who is a Hollywood designer and a rising Hollywood star, Jack Felgate, who can't get her out of his head after a chance one night stand five years prior. Fear not, readers are treated right off the bat to some excellent spice in the recounting of the one night stand. Part second chance romance, a little grump-sunshine, all of this adds up to a great time.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to 831 Stories for an advanced copy.

I found this to be an extremely well done Hollywood Romance. I appreciated that it didn’t take standard plot line for the 3rd act break up and I’m really excited to read upcoming works from 831 stories.

Some books just make you feel good, and Set Piece did that for me. Lana Schwartz created characters that I genuinely liked and enjoyed spending time with. CJ in particular was a strong, independent female who knew how to get what she wanted. The level of spice was perfect, the setting was a character in-and-of-itself, and the story was propulsive.