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.

The mix of personal growth, past regrets, and a love that refuses to fade makes this a truly heartwarming read.

I shouldn’t have requested this book, it was a mistake on my part but sometimes we need to be adventurous. I’ve been seeing these covers everywhere. There’s something mysterious about 831 stories because they don’t have much info on their instagram. I literally had to hunt down an article where the founders were interviewed. Anyway, I’m a lesbian who requested a straight romance book. I don’t enjoy straight romance. Maybe one day their imprint will publish one and I will be down to read it, or if it’s also any other flavor of queer. This book has its audience, it’s just not me. Their imprint is doing cool stuff though so make sure to check them out.

I really enjoyed this! Love a famous person-normal person romance and this was short and sweet! I’ve enjoyed 831 stories’ approach to romance novellas and this has been my favorite of theirs so far.
Thanks to Netgalley and 831 stories for the advanced reader copy for review!

5 🌟

I absolutely loved this!!

It’s not quiiiite a famous/normal person romance but close enough that it fell into that realm for me and I just adored Jack and CJ. I found the Hollywood aspect really interesting and it was such a treat to spend 150 pages in California.

I thought the pacing here was excellent and while I am always clamoring for an epilogue, it felt like a really complete story despite being on the short side (as all 831 Stories have been so far).

831 is really changing my perception of “novellas” and I adored this as much as a typical length romance. Per usual, the spice was excellent, the emotional depth was there…they can do no wrong.

Last take: Jack 🥰🥰🥰

Really enjoying 831 novellas! This was another solid read, I enjoyed the time jump and character growth / depth especially at this length.

3.5 ⭐️ The 831 novellas are fun and quick romantic reads! The chemistry is always great which is impressive when the stories are short.

I didn’t read the full synopsis on the story so I was actually pleasantly surprised with the time jump. While their first hookup was definitely spicy it felt very sudden, but hey they were in their 20s. So seeing them when they were older and having to navigate their relationship and work dynamic was nice.

They both worked in the cinematic industry, Jack as a A-list actor and her in production design. While I enjoyed getting a glimpse into the behind the scenes of movies, there was wayyy too many movie references. If you are a big movie buff or in the industry - this is the book for you. It was the basis for the characters love connection but did nothing for me but roll my eyes at another movie title name drop.

Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for this ARC, love reading these quick novellas and look forward to more of this publishers stories!

Maybe my favourite 831 yet? I devoured this one, what a joy. And the Mischief easter egg, a gift for us all!

THIS WAS FANTASTIC!

I read Big Fan and devoured it! This was even better. A bartender and famous (British) actor have a chance meeting and then find each other in their lives 5 years later. That synopsis is an oversimplification because it is so much better than that.

Love this novella format so much - will be reading more of them when they come out! I had the best time.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

I devoured this in one sitting! What a treat it was to meet and spend time with CJ and Jack. 5 years after a steamy one night stand, these two reconnect on the set of a movie they're both working on. Trying to find their way with their lives while falling in love left me with lots of smiles but also pride at their growth in less than 200 pages. The movie references and behind the scenes views into making a movie made me love this one even more!

Oh, 831 Stories! You’ve done it again. This novella, “Set Piece”, has just the right dose of romance and spice! From the moment that Cara and Jack met, I was hooked. This story was tender and witty with a dash of old Hollywood banter that I enjoyed immensely!

NetGalley and 831 Stories, thank you for my ARC of Set Piece in exchange for my honest review.

actual rating: 2.75. this was a delightful romp of a story. i liked the characters and the plot. i just wished that the book was longer. yes, i do understand what a novella is. however, i feel like this story could be a million times better if it was longer so the characters and story could grow more. also fuck third act breakups.

A hot new novella has entered the 831 Stories villa! After loving Big Fan I have been gobbling up every new release from this new romance imprint chasing that same high. Well consider this cinephile officially wooed by Set Piece a charming romance set in the film world of La La Land. I loved the setup of a newly famous Brit riding the upward momentum of a steamy BBC hit (so Paul Mescal coded) with a production designer supplementing the ebb and flow of film jobs bartending. After a hot night together the two part ways until 5 years later… where they just happen to be working on the same Gatsby remake and the chemistry is as palpable as ever.

I loved that the two leads are both in their mid-30s and had clearly defined personalities. My big gripe with dual POV is that they so often lack delineation between one character and another. If I’m being given front row seats to a protagonist’s inner thoughts, it should feel convincing, and not just a plot device to shoehorn in some pretty but ultimately generic yearning and/or lusting. Both CJ and Jack felt believable, their insecurities and desires felt genuine and specific to their characters, and most importantly I rooted for them! Loved that the relationship was also given space to grow and deepen as well, something you often miss in romances set over a span of days or weeks. I also appreciated the film references scattered throughout - as a card carrying member of the Jacques Demy fan club, any and all shoutouts to The Umbrellas of Cherbourg are going to be appreciated by moi.

Seek this one in May!