Lights, Camera, (Almost) Love – A Review of Set Piece

First off, a big thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz!

I’ve always been lowkey obsessed with celebrity/normal person romances, maybe the fangirl in me is still a little delusional 😂. So the second I read the synopsis, I was like, YES PLEASE, sign me up! And honestly? I had a great time reading this short story. It was fun, quick, and exactly what I needed.

Summary of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

Even one year ago, no one would have recognized Jack Felgate at a bar. But after his steamy breakout TV role, he’s surprised to be swarmed by fans during a night out with friends. When the practical bartender CJ intervenes to fend off his admirers, he’s grateful—and more than a little eager to stick around for an after-hours drink–turned–tryst.

Five years later, Jack shows up to set for his starring role in (yet another?!) adaptation of The Great Gatsby only to find CJ is the film’s production designer. But neither of them is the same person they were back CJ is a single mom with a four-year-old, and Jack is a bona fide celebrity managing ceaseless demands on his time and attention.

Their chemistry hasn’t dimmed since they saw each other last, but is there room in their lives for anything more than one very memorable night together?

Review of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

I really enjoyed reading Set Piece by Lana Schwartz. The setting in this book was seriously so good, I could’ve easily read 500 pages just for the atmosphere alone. Unfortunately, the characters didn’t quite do it for me, and that’s what kept it from being a higher rating. I gave it 3 stars, but it was still an enjoyable read overall!

Plot Analysis of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

CJ is just your regular girl, smart, grounded, and absolutely obsessed with classic films and set design. Jack? A year ago, no one would’ve blinked twice at him in a bar. Now? Thanks to one steamy breakout scene, he can’t step outside without fans swarming him. So when he ends up at a bar where CJ works, and she swoops in to rescue him from the chaos, sparks fly fast, like, after-hours drink turned tryst fast. 👀

Fast-forward five years: Jack’s now a full-on Hollywood A-lister starring in (yet another?!) Great Gatsby remake, and guess who’s the production designer on set? Yep, CJ. But life’s moved on. She’s now a single mom, juggling work and a four-year-old. Jack’s stretched thin between fame and constant obligations.

When these two cross paths, the chemistry is instant and their connection? So tender, so real. It’s the kind of slow, magnetic love story that feels cozy and full of longing. I ate it up.

Characters of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

CJ Ericson : I’m gonna be honest, I just couldn’t connect with CJ’s character. Like, at all. I definitely felt sympathy for what she was going through (she’s got a lot on her plate), but that connection never really went beyond that. And by the end of the book? She REALLY started to frustrate me. 😅 I get that she was dealing with a lot emotionally, and sure, I can understand her hesitations… but some of her reactions? Way too dramatic for me. Jack was literally just trying to help, and instead of leaning into that, we got all this unnecessary pushback and chaos. I found myself just sitting there like, “Girl… why are we like this?” 🙃 . It made it harder to root for her when she kept making things more difficult than they had to be.

Jack Felgate : Jack’s character just didn’t do it for me. He was sweet… and that’s about it. Nothing more, nothing less. Your classic golden retriever MMC with a side of film nerd energy. I felt like the author really tried to give him layers, but it just didn’t land. I kept thinking, “Go king, give us nothing” oops, sorry. 😅 That said, I actually loved his group of friends. Their dynamic was super fun and added some much-needed charm to the story.

The romance : The tension between them at the beginning? Chef’s kiss. I was so into it, the build-up, the spark, the flirty energy? Yes, please. But after that? Meh. I just… felt nothing. It was like I kept waiting for something more, and it never really came. I found myself just going “okay… okay… next.” Maybe it’s because the book was short, or maybe the emotional depth just wasn’t there. Either way, it fell short of what I was hoping for.

Pacing & writing style

The writing in Set Piece by Lana Schwartz was solid for the most part, especially when it came to the setting. I loved the film-making backdrop, and honestly? I could’ve read 500 more pages just about that. Lana really nailed those behind-the-scenes vibes. My only real issue was with the character development. The emotional growth felt a little flat, and I saw the third-act breakup coming from a mile away, mostly because of CJ’s character. And as for Jack… he was sweet, but a little too bland for my taste. I kept wanting more from him, something to make him stand out, but it never quite happened.

The pacing in Set Piece by Lana Schwartz felt a bit rushed to me, maybe because it’s a short story, but honestly, that’s not always an excuse. I’ve read short books that didn’t feel this way. Here, the story moved so quickly that the characters ended up feeling underdeveloped, like we only scratched the surface of who they were. That said, despite the rushed feel, it was still an enjoyable read overall. Just wish we had more time to really feel everything.

Tropes and Trigger warnings of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

Tropes of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

• Second chance
• Opposites attract
• Forced proximity
• Workplace romance
• Single mom

Trigger warnings of Set Piece by Lana Schwartz

• Death of a parent
• Grief

Final Thought

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz was a quick, sweet, and satisfying read. It gave me exactly what I needed in the moment, ,a dose of escapism with just the right amount of drama, film magic, and that celebrity/normal person romance trope I secretly (or not so secretly 😅) love.

Sure, I had a few issues. The characters didn’t hit as hard as I hoped, and the pacing felt a little rushed, but that’s kind of the deal sometimes with shorter stories. That said, I still really enjoyed reading it. The setting was a total standout, and the film production details were so vivid and immersive, I would’ve happily spent 500 more pages just living in that world.

Was it perfect? Nah. But was it enjoyable? Definitely. It’s a solid 3-star read for me, and honestly, sometimes that’s exactly what you need. I’d totally recommend it to anyone looking for a breezy second-chance romance with a unique backdrop and some heartfelt moments tucked in there.

Thanks again to NetGalley and 831 Stories for the ARC! 💛📚

About the author

Practical Information for Readers

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz Book Formats

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz is available in various formats to suit every reader’s preference:

• Paperback: Ideal for readers who enjoy the tactile experience of holding a physical book.
• eBook: Convenient for on-the-go reading, available on all major e-reader platforms.
• Audiobook: Narrated with emotional depth, available on platforms like Audible.
• PDF Set Piece : While some may search for a PDF version, it’s recommended to opt for legal eBook options to support the author.

Where to find Set Piece by Lana Schwartz PDF

1. Amazon Kindle: Offers a user-friendly interface with customizable reading settings.
2. Barnes & Noble Nook: Another popular platform with a wide selection of e-books.
3. Apple Books: Provides seamless integration with Apple devices and a smooth reading experience.

Set Piece by Lana Schwartz Age Rating

I recommend Set Piece by Lana Schwartz to readers 17 and older, as it contains some explicit content and touches on a few heavy themes that may be difficult for younger readers.