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Set the Stage
Emilie Danvers wins a place in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s company and gets a second chance to launch her acting career. She’s vowed never to repeat the mistakes she made the first no following her heart, no putting herself second to someone else, no relationship drama. She won’t let any woman keep her from reconnecting with her dreams.
Arden Philips has stood on the outskirts of the festival for years, tending the gardens of nearby Lithia Park. She’s seen actresses come and go and only allows herself the occasional dalliance. But when she comes across Emilie rehearsing on a mossy riverbank, Arden realizes her heart might not listen to her head.
The stage is set, the house lights dimmed. Is true love merely make-believe or can these two women write it into the script of their lives?
Arden Philips has stood on the outskirts of the festival for years, tending the gardens of nearby Lithia Park. She’s seen actresses come and go and only allows herself the occasional dalliance. But when she comes across Emilie rehearsing on a mossy riverbank, Arden realizes her heart might not listen to her head.
The stage is set, the house lights dimmed. Is true love merely make-believe or can these two women write it into the script of their lives?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2017
5 people are currently reading
173 people want to read
About the author
Karis Walsh
34 books153 followersKaris Walsh is a native of the Pacific Northwest and an adopted citizen of Texas. When she isn’t wrapped up in a book—either reading or writing one—she spends her time with her animals, playing music on her viola or violin, or hiking among the prickly pears.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
October 17, 2017
3 1/2 Stars. I’m a fan of Walsh. Most of her books aren’t exciting page turners, or filled with tons of angst and drama, instead they are well written, traditional romances that make you feel comfortable when reading them. I feel like I can depend on Walsh to deliver a book I am going to enjoy, and I appreciate that.
This book is about Emilie, who is returning to the stage to act in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Once a promising actor, Emilie gave up a career to follow her ex-girlfriend to Europe. This is her time to take back control of her life, and not let anyone else get in her way. Arden is a gardener who works in the nearby Lithia Park. She has a history of dating actresses, only to have her hart broken when they leave her behind. Can these two have a chance at a relationship, or is it doomed before they can even start?
One thing that Walsh absolutely excels at is settings. She makes every place seem real to us readers, the Shakespeare Festival was no exception. This place in Oregon just seems so magical. I’m going to have to look it up to see if it is real, if so, Walsh has convinced me it’s a place I have to visit.
Walsh also is really good at writing about jobs that other authors may overlook, and making them interesting to readers. Arden is a gardener/groundskeeper/artist, not the most exciting job, but I liked the scenes in the park. Walsh takes realistic settings, realistic jobs, and realistic people, and just makes it work.
I liked how the characters absolutely made each other better. They grow right before your eyes. The connection they have together is absolutely there and you hope somehow they can find a HEA. My only main complaint, I could have used just a little more heat, a tiny bit more passion or sparks, and this would have been a 4+ stars book.
If you are a Walsh fan, grab this book, you won’t be disappointed. Walsh is not a flashy author. But she is an author I can depend on and will continue to read her books.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
This book is about Emilie, who is returning to the stage to act in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Once a promising actor, Emilie gave up a career to follow her ex-girlfriend to Europe. This is her time to take back control of her life, and not let anyone else get in her way. Arden is a gardener who works in the nearby Lithia Park. She has a history of dating actresses, only to have her hart broken when they leave her behind. Can these two have a chance at a relationship, or is it doomed before they can even start?
One thing that Walsh absolutely excels at is settings. She makes every place seem real to us readers, the Shakespeare Festival was no exception. This place in Oregon just seems so magical. I’m going to have to look it up to see if it is real, if so, Walsh has convinced me it’s a place I have to visit.
Walsh also is really good at writing about jobs that other authors may overlook, and making them interesting to readers. Arden is a gardener/groundskeeper/artist, not the most exciting job, but I liked the scenes in the park. Walsh takes realistic settings, realistic jobs, and realistic people, and just makes it work.
I liked how the characters absolutely made each other better. They grow right before your eyes. The connection they have together is absolutely there and you hope somehow they can find a HEA. My only main complaint, I could have used just a little more heat, a tiny bit more passion or sparks, and this would have been a 4+ stars book.
If you are a Walsh fan, grab this book, you won’t be disappointed. Walsh is not a flashy author. But she is an author I can depend on and will continue to read her books.
An ARC was given to me by BSB, for a honest review.
November 26, 2019
Received this ARC from Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for an honest review
I cannot claim that this is a book that I’ve been waiting a long time to read, as I’ve occasionally mentioned for other books, but it is one I knew about and had on my to-read list. And I’m quite happy the book popped up when it did and I was able to read it.
This is the story of Emilie Danvers (hmm, Danvers, wonder if she’s related to Kara and Alex), and Arden Philips. Specifically the story of how the two first meet, and had a slow burn romance against the backdrop of an acting festival. Both have their chance to be the point of view, and both get their chance to be known by the reader.
The book opens with Emilie finishing a shift at a fast food restaurant. She’s greasy, and smells like fries. She’s made a few bad choices with her life to get to this point, but this is her last shift. Before she gives her two week notice. So there’ll be two more weeks of shifts. She’s moving on, getting a second chance at her first career choice – acting. She’s signed a contract to act in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival – a multi-month festival (many months, I forget now how many). There are many reasons for how she came about making some of the mistakes she made, but one of her solutions for not allowing herself to fall into that place again, is to focus on her acting – excluding all possible romantic entanglements from her life.
Meanwhile we have Arden Philips. Arden has spent her life in Ashland, both a small town near where Emilie has been working fast food, and the town that happens to hold the Oregon festival previously mentioned. She’s spent her life following her grandfather around a specific park, watching as he worked, learning, and helping. Grandfather’s gone now, but his impact on the park remains. As does his granddaughter – now working there after getting a college degree in landscaping. She has a tendency to fall into relationships almost exclusively (maybe exclusively) with actresses who she knows will be in the town for only a brief period of time. She’s gotten used to people leaving her life. Not how she planned her life, but she’s used to it now (something ‘forced’ upon her when her own parents left her with her grandparents in Ashland to pursue their own careers when Arden was something like 4 years old).
Arden and Emilie meet for the first time when Arden ‘stumbles’ across Emilie standing in the park practicing one of her acting roles (part of the acting job consists of acting in multiple plays at the same time). They both like what they see in the other, but Emilie stresses, immediately, that all they could be is friends. So that’s what they become, friends. Though both have these feelings and stuff.
I’m not certain about either main character’s actual age, though evidence seemed to suggest that both are somewhere around mid-to-late twenties. Probably closer to late twenties.
I quite enjoyed the story. And really want to go live in Ashland myself. Though I’ve no clue what I’d do there, job-wise. Sounds like a lovely place, though. Town and park.
Rating: 5.00
Expected Publication Date: November 1 (publisher website), 14 (everywhere) 2017
October 6 2017
I cannot claim that this is a book that I’ve been waiting a long time to read, as I’ve occasionally mentioned for other books, but it is one I knew about and had on my to-read list. And I’m quite happy the book popped up when it did and I was able to read it.
This is the story of Emilie Danvers (hmm, Danvers, wonder if she’s related to Kara and Alex), and Arden Philips. Specifically the story of how the two first meet, and had a slow burn romance against the backdrop of an acting festival. Both have their chance to be the point of view, and both get their chance to be known by the reader.
The book opens with Emilie finishing a shift at a fast food restaurant. She’s greasy, and smells like fries. She’s made a few bad choices with her life to get to this point, but this is her last shift. Before she gives her two week notice. So there’ll be two more weeks of shifts. She’s moving on, getting a second chance at her first career choice – acting. She’s signed a contract to act in the Oregon Shakespeare Festival – a multi-month festival (many months, I forget now how many). There are many reasons for how she came about making some of the mistakes she made, but one of her solutions for not allowing herself to fall into that place again, is to focus on her acting – excluding all possible romantic entanglements from her life.
Meanwhile we have Arden Philips. Arden has spent her life in Ashland, both a small town near where Emilie has been working fast food, and the town that happens to hold the Oregon festival previously mentioned. She’s spent her life following her grandfather around a specific park, watching as he worked, learning, and helping. Grandfather’s gone now, but his impact on the park remains. As does his granddaughter – now working there after getting a college degree in landscaping. She has a tendency to fall into relationships almost exclusively (maybe exclusively) with actresses who she knows will be in the town for only a brief period of time. She’s gotten used to people leaving her life. Not how she planned her life, but she’s used to it now (something ‘forced’ upon her when her own parents left her with her grandparents in Ashland to pursue their own careers when Arden was something like 4 years old).
Arden and Emilie meet for the first time when Arden ‘stumbles’ across Emilie standing in the park practicing one of her acting roles (part of the acting job consists of acting in multiple plays at the same time). They both like what they see in the other, but Emilie stresses, immediately, that all they could be is friends. So that’s what they become, friends. Though both have these feelings and stuff.
I’m not certain about either main character’s actual age, though evidence seemed to suggest that both are somewhere around mid-to-late twenties. Probably closer to late twenties.
I quite enjoyed the story. And really want to go live in Ashland myself. Though I’ve no clue what I’d do there, job-wise. Sounds like a lovely place, though. Town and park.
Rating: 5.00
Expected Publication Date: November 1 (publisher website), 14 (everywhere) 2017
October 6 2017
December 18, 2017
Another 4 STAR Karis Walsh book! (Edit - or what Lex said first! I didn’t realize I was mirroring her review)
Set the stage indeed. This is what Karis Walsh does best. For most if not all of her books she is able to immerse the reader in her character’s environment that you can feel, hear & see along with them. I love that you learn what it might be like to live the life of a musician, a mounted policeman, a brewmaster, a biologist, a scientist, an artist, a landscaper or an actor. Be it a small town or city and many (all?) in the Northwestern US.
In this case we spend the summer in a small town in Oregon which holds a Shakespeare Festival every year. They put on numerous plays in multiple theaters throughout the summer that draws many visitors and tourists. Next to the Festival grounds is a public botanical garden/park. This is where we find the our two main characters - Emilie Danvers, an actress who is hoping this Festival will jumpstart her stalled career and Arden Phillips, who tends the gardens at Lithia Park which is outside the Festival grounds. Emilie is determined to stay focused on her acting and not to be distracted by the intriguing landscaper, Arden. Arden has lived her whole life connected to the Festival be it working at the park or through her absentee parents, both with successful careers, her father a director and her mother an actress. They left Arden with her Grandparents when she was four and she has a nonexistent relationship with them. Arden often has had summer romances with a Festival actress, each knowing the relationship would end when the Festival was over. Well, Arden knows this in her head but her heart doesn’t pay heed.
And so we get a slow burn romance - friends determined to remain just friends no matter how attracted they are to each other. We watch their friendship and love develop as each grow and change in the weeks/months they are together.
I’m looking forward to Walsh’s next book, in the meantime I’m sure/hoping this will become an audiobook which I’m certain I’ll pick up!
Set the stage indeed. This is what Karis Walsh does best. For most if not all of her books she is able to immerse the reader in her character’s environment that you can feel, hear & see along with them. I love that you learn what it might be like to live the life of a musician, a mounted policeman, a brewmaster, a biologist, a scientist, an artist, a landscaper or an actor. Be it a small town or city and many (all?) in the Northwestern US.
In this case we spend the summer in a small town in Oregon which holds a Shakespeare Festival every year. They put on numerous plays in multiple theaters throughout the summer that draws many visitors and tourists. Next to the Festival grounds is a public botanical garden/park. This is where we find the our two main characters - Emilie Danvers, an actress who is hoping this Festival will jumpstart her stalled career and Arden Phillips, who tends the gardens at Lithia Park which is outside the Festival grounds. Emilie is determined to stay focused on her acting and not to be distracted by the intriguing landscaper, Arden. Arden has lived her whole life connected to the Festival be it working at the park or through her absentee parents, both with successful careers, her father a director and her mother an actress. They left Arden with her Grandparents when she was four and she has a nonexistent relationship with them. Arden often has had summer romances with a Festival actress, each knowing the relationship would end when the Festival was over. Well, Arden knows this in her head but her heart doesn’t pay heed.
And so we get a slow burn romance - friends determined to remain just friends no matter how attracted they are to each other. We watch their friendship and love develop as each grow and change in the weeks/months they are together.
I’m looking forward to Walsh’s next book, in the meantime I’m sure/hoping this will become an audiobook which I’m certain I’ll pick up!
October 26, 2018
For some reason this one didn’t click with me at all! The writing was very good that’s why I gave the 2 stars, but the plot was so boring. I couldn’t wait to finish the book unfortunately! The passion between the 2 characters was non existent, there was no connection and finally the romance was very mediocre.
October 18, 2017
I really adored this book. From the characters to the setting and the slow burn romance, I was in it for the long haul with this one. Karis Walsh to me is an expert in creating interesting characters that often have to face some type of adversity. While this book was no different, it felt like the author changed up her game a bit. There something new, something fresh about this book from Walsh.
When we first meet Emilie Danvers, Emilie is saving every cent she gets from her fast-food gig to save up enough capital to start over with her new career as an actor in an Oregon Shakespeare Festival company. Emilie has one a coveted lead role and is about to get her acting career back on track after a long hiatus. Nothing will deter her from her passion for acting. She’s learned this the hard way after giving up promising roles to travel with her ex-girlfriend. A relationship that left more scars than happy memories.
Arden Philips is a gardener at the nearby park from the theater festival. While Arden has had dalliances with the performers over the years, but she carefully guards her heart knowing that they are just passing through Ashland on the way to the next career move. Arden is unknowingly kind of stuck in a rut. Abandonment issues from childhood have caused her to settle for a career she likes but doesn’t truly love. When she meets Emilie, these two have an instant connection and draw each other out of their proverbial shells.
I have always enjoyed Walsh’s work. I think you are guaranteed a solid read each time you pick up one of her stories. This one felt different, it gave more, it felt like more. It’s not a page burner but a slow fulfilling story with beautiful characters that had a deep connection. You have an amazing backdrop that is laid out perfectly that just pushes the story to flourish even further. I absolutely enjoyed my time with this one. It is a great book to escape with! 4.25 stars
When we first meet Emilie Danvers, Emilie is saving every cent she gets from her fast-food gig to save up enough capital to start over with her new career as an actor in an Oregon Shakespeare Festival company. Emilie has one a coveted lead role and is about to get her acting career back on track after a long hiatus. Nothing will deter her from her passion for acting. She’s learned this the hard way after giving up promising roles to travel with her ex-girlfriend. A relationship that left more scars than happy memories.
Arden Philips is a gardener at the nearby park from the theater festival. While Arden has had dalliances with the performers over the years, but she carefully guards her heart knowing that they are just passing through Ashland on the way to the next career move. Arden is unknowingly kind of stuck in a rut. Abandonment issues from childhood have caused her to settle for a career she likes but doesn’t truly love. When she meets Emilie, these two have an instant connection and draw each other out of their proverbial shells.
I have always enjoyed Walsh’s work. I think you are guaranteed a solid read each time you pick up one of her stories. This one felt different, it gave more, it felt like more. It’s not a page burner but a slow fulfilling story with beautiful characters that had a deep connection. You have an amazing backdrop that is laid out perfectly that just pushes the story to flourish even further. I absolutely enjoyed my time with this one. It is a great book to escape with! 4.25 stars
Did not finish
December 25, 2017
I was sent this book as an advance copy by the publisher via NetGalley for reviewing purposes, but all opinions are my own.
First ever buddy read with the lovely Emma ♥
DNF (for now?) @ 19%
Theater and wlw girls sounded really cute but unfortunately this wasn't working for me. I actually liked almost everything so far except the interactions between the main characters, which I'm only assuming are going to be more prominent from now on. I'm not giving a rating because I think in this case the problem was more my attitude towards it than the book itself, because I know from experience that under certain circumstances I can look past an overused trope and enjoy the book for the most part.
But here it wasn't even the instalove that bothered me, but how the characters were basically talking about dating (or not dating) from like, the second sentence they said to each other. I might have looked past it in another mood or during a less busy time but it's the end of the year and I deserve to be reading books I love without forcing myself to finish ones I find annoying.
First ever buddy read with the lovely Emma ♥
DNF (for now?) @ 19%
Theater and wlw girls sounded really cute but unfortunately this wasn't working for me. I actually liked almost everything so far except the interactions between the main characters, which I'm only assuming are going to be more prominent from now on. I'm not giving a rating because I think in this case the problem was more my attitude towards it than the book itself, because I know from experience that under certain circumstances I can look past an overused trope and enjoy the book for the most part.
But here it wasn't even the instalove that bothered me, but how the characters were basically talking about dating (or not dating) from like, the second sentence they said to each other. I might have looked past it in another mood or during a less busy time but it's the end of the year and I deserve to be reading books I love without forcing myself to finish ones I find annoying.
Read
December 27, 2017dnf @ 25%.
I’m really struggling to get into this, and I think this one just isn't going to be for me. There's not anything wrong with it, but I don't usually read contemporary romance and I'm really not in the mood for it at the moment.
(This was also an attempted buddy read with Silvia....hopefully we will have an actual buddy read sometime soon <3)
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’m really struggling to get into this, and I think this one just isn't going to be for me. There's not anything wrong with it, but I don't usually read contemporary romance and I'm really not in the mood for it at the moment.
(This was also an attempted buddy read with Silvia....hopefully we will have an actual buddy read sometime soon <3)
I received a copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 30, 2019
This was a lot of fun and most of that is due to Walsh making the setting and environment vividly real and effective in the story. And the characters are pretty good, too, as long as the author isn't messing with them.
I was drawn to both leading women from the start, and even appreciated how their expectations and future plans were at odds with each other. Emilie is an actor working this festival to bring her career back on track. She has been weak in the past and followed the dictates of others and compromised on her career and goals and she's done with that nonsense. I liked seeing her learning to assert herself even as she appreciates the needs of others and takes their points seriously. I particularly enjoyed her stepping up professionally. Walsh does an incredible job making that career understandable so you could see both Emilie's potential and her struggles to reach it.
And Arden was content with her life and profession and more than a little tired of falling for actors all the time because they invariably leave. Unfortunately, she lives in a town with a strong theatrical contingent and lots of the women she's interested in are in that cadre.
The problem this puts on their relationship is that both characters' motivations are essentially negative*. So they're both doing a push-me-pull-you dance and I kept waiting for one or the other to develop something to aspire to in a relationship so they'd have a means for compromise beyond "I don't want to repeat the past." And I was outraged when . And that hurt more than a little and felt, frankly, manipulated by the author.
I tell you, if the author hadn't made this setting so alive and present (and that includes the parts of the setting that affects and interacts with the characters), I'd probably be ripping this thing apart right now. As it is, I have a shaky 3½ stars that I'm rounding up to four because I just enjoyed seeing these two grow, both separately and together.
A note about the Publisher: This is another of those niche presses that insists $10 ebooks are a thing. And heaven knows, they might be right. All I can say is thank heaven for Inter-Library Loans and a generous local library. I'd otherwise have missed out on this story (which would be a shame, despite the spoiler-tagged peeve above).
A note about Steamy: There is a single explicit sex scene putting this on the low side of my steam tolerance. It was very well done and matched the emotional arc of the characters very well. This contributed, at least in part, to the rounding up.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
I was drawn to both leading women from the start, and even appreciated how their expectations and future plans were at odds with each other. Emilie is an actor working this festival to bring her career back on track. She has been weak in the past and followed the dictates of others and compromised on her career and goals and she's done with that nonsense. I liked seeing her learning to assert herself even as she appreciates the needs of others and takes their points seriously. I particularly enjoyed her stepping up professionally. Walsh does an incredible job making that career understandable so you could see both Emilie's potential and her struggles to reach it.
And Arden was content with her life and profession and more than a little tired of falling for actors all the time because they invariably leave. Unfortunately, she lives in a town with a strong theatrical contingent and lots of the women she's interested in are in that cadre.
The problem this puts on their relationship is that both characters' motivations are essentially negative*. So they're both doing a push-me-pull-you dance and I kept waiting for one or the other to develop something to aspire to in a relationship so they'd have a means for compromise beyond "I don't want to repeat the past." And I was outraged when . And that hurt more than a little and felt, frankly, manipulated by the author.
I tell you, if the author hadn't made this setting so alive and present (and that includes the parts of the setting that affects and interacts with the characters), I'd probably be ripping this thing apart right now. As it is, I have a shaky 3½ stars that I'm rounding up to four because I just enjoyed seeing these two grow, both separately and together.
A note about the Publisher: This is another of those niche presses that insists $10 ebooks are a thing. And heaven knows, they might be right. All I can say is thank heaven for Inter-Library Loans and a generous local library. I'd otherwise have missed out on this story (which would be a shame, despite the spoiler-tagged peeve above).
A note about Steamy: There is a single explicit sex scene putting this on the low side of my steam tolerance. It was very well done and matched the emotional arc of the characters very well. This contributed, at least in part, to the rounding up.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, here's a cache of the original) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
November 3, 2017
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I like Karis Walsh novels, the characters are generally interesting and she takes time to build the relationships between them. That’s a feature of this story as well. Emilie is an actress taking a second shot at her career and Arden works at the local park and wants to stay in one spot due to abandonment issues. Both women have issues actually and they are in direct counter point, so it seems as though they shouldn’t be together, only problem is they have an instant connection and genuinely like each other.
I found the beginning/middle of their relationship lovely and sweet and filled with some charming dialogue. The end played out much as expected (although it didn’t end quite as I expected, so I was happy to be a bit surprised there). And there was still the obligatory break up that probably could have ended sooner if they had both been a bit braver but it didn’t bog the book down.
There was a lot of repetition around the issues both women had though, and it did get a bit tiresome. The supporting characters also didn’t have much to do other than pop up when the two main characters needed someone else to talk to.
Still the romance was sweet, and I enjoyed both the theatrical and park backgrounds. The chemistry between the characters was believable (so much so that I was surprised by the relative lack of sex scenes). Overall, it’s a nice sweet romance, but could have used a bit less introspection. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I like Karis Walsh novels, the characters are generally interesting and she takes time to build the relationships between them. That’s a feature of this story as well. Emilie is an actress taking a second shot at her career and Arden works at the local park and wants to stay in one spot due to abandonment issues. Both women have issues actually and they are in direct counter point, so it seems as though they shouldn’t be together, only problem is they have an instant connection and genuinely like each other.
I found the beginning/middle of their relationship lovely and sweet and filled with some charming dialogue. The end played out much as expected (although it didn’t end quite as I expected, so I was happy to be a bit surprised there). And there was still the obligatory break up that probably could have ended sooner if they had both been a bit braver but it didn’t bog the book down.
There was a lot of repetition around the issues both women had though, and it did get a bit tiresome. The supporting characters also didn’t have much to do other than pop up when the two main characters needed someone else to talk to.
Still the romance was sweet, and I enjoyed both the theatrical and park backgrounds. The chemistry between the characters was believable (so much so that I was surprised by the relative lack of sex scenes). Overall, it’s a nice sweet romance, but could have used a bit less introspection. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
November 22, 2017
Edited the day after. I didn't finish this at around the 80% mark or so. The initial review was too much in the heat of the moment.
I was super excited to see a new Walsh book come out. I've read all of her novels. This one just wore my patience down to the point where I just gave up. Too many road blocks. Which then lead to bad feels. When everything is stacked against the couple getting together, it's super frustrating. One thing after another, whether it be career, station, whatever. I mean I get the whole, against all odds kind of concept but I guess I just wasn't in the mood for it in this one. I'll bump my star count up one just for the sake of loyalty.
I was super excited to see a new Walsh book come out. I've read all of her novels. This one just wore my patience down to the point where I just gave up. Too many road blocks. Which then lead to bad feels. When everything is stacked against the couple getting together, it's super frustrating. One thing after another, whether it be career, station, whatever. I mean I get the whole, against all odds kind of concept but I guess I just wasn't in the mood for it in this one. I'll bump my star count up one just for the sake of loyalty.
July 22, 2018
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I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Theatre with a lesbian romance. Set the Stage incorporates theatre into the narrative really well. Emilie's love for theatre is a big part of the narrative and it leads to a slow burn element to the romance. Both Emilie and Arden have a certain amount of baggage and why the romance takes it time to really come.
But the author took the perfect amount of time. Both characters needed time to work through their baggage before getting to the relationship. For Emilie it was that she wanted to focus on her career and her a certain amount of insecurity due to wanting to work hard to being a successful theatre actor. Arden has fears Emilie will leave right after they form a relationship. Both of their feelings make sense and their journey through it was well done.
I enjoyed both of the characters. I loved Emilie's passion for theatre especially. And I liked how Arden had a certain boldness to her. I also thought the lesbian rep was done pretty well.
If you're looking for a f/f romance with a theatre element, I definitely recommend.
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I received an arc from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Theatre with a lesbian romance. Set the Stage incorporates theatre into the narrative really well. Emilie's love for theatre is a big part of the narrative and it leads to a slow burn element to the romance. Both Emilie and Arden have a certain amount of baggage and why the romance takes it time to really come.
But the author took the perfect amount of time. Both characters needed time to work through their baggage before getting to the relationship. For Emilie it was that she wanted to focus on her career and her a certain amount of insecurity due to wanting to work hard to being a successful theatre actor. Arden has fears Emilie will leave right after they form a relationship. Both of their feelings make sense and their journey through it was well done.
I enjoyed both of the characters. I loved Emilie's passion for theatre especially. And I liked how Arden had a certain boldness to her. I also thought the lesbian rep was done pretty well.
If you're looking for a f/f romance with a theatre element, I definitely recommend.
Did not finish
April 15, 2018DNF @ 36%. Honestly I almost feel like I already wasted too much time on this. But I kept thinking "ah it's short and I'm sure it'll get more interesting soon". Over a third into it I can say.. no, it did not. It's just really booooring. The theatre aspect is falling flat because I feel like we see a lot of "I just had a really horrible rehearsal" or "The way she acted was so sincere" (these are made up quotes, whatever, you get it) but not the real PROCESS of acting and rehearsing which is what I wanted from it.
And don't get me started on the romance. Over a third into it we're still at the exact same point we started at? Both like each other AND THEY KNOW IT and they're already involved but they don't wanna date because they don't wanna get hurt... guurl, your ass is already in too deep, you're gonna get hurt anyway. JUST MAKE OUT ALREADY.
Overall nothing about this book is exactly BAD (so far) but it was just really, REALLY boring.
And don't get me started on the romance. Over a third into it we're still at the exact same point we started at? Both like each other AND THEY KNOW IT and they're already involved but they don't wanna date because they don't wanna get hurt... guurl, your ass is already in too deep, you're gonna get hurt anyway. JUST MAKE OUT ALREADY.
Overall nothing about this book is exactly BAD (so far) but it was just really, REALLY boring.
November 1, 2017
This is definitely one of my favorite of Karis Walsh's books. I thought the characters were really well portrayed. I found Emilie to be really witty and fun to read about. Arden was a bit more serious but laid back in that odd balance. The two just worked well together and I found the read super sweet.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
I was given this book by NetGalley for an honest review.
November 7, 2017
Received this ARC from Netgalley and Bold Stroke Books for an honest review
I was struggling to decide between 3 and 4 stars for this book... and decided to go with 4. the setting of the story is nice and it draws a nice picture of Ashland and the Theater community there and the Parks. I liked the characters but I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between them - there weren’t any sparks. I have to admit that I likes Emilies character a lot more than Arden’s but still both characters were likable and well portrait.
I was struggling to decide between 3 and 4 stars for this book... and decided to go with 4. the setting of the story is nice and it draws a nice picture of Ashland and the Theater community there and the Parks. I liked the characters but I didn’t feel a lot of chemistry between them - there weren’t any sparks. I have to admit that I likes Emilies character a lot more than Arden’s but still both characters were likable and well portrait.
May 3, 2018
I was pleasantly surprised with this book. With no real background in Shakespeare, theater, or gardening, I wasn't sure I would be able to get into the personalities of this book. I'm happy to say that not only did I love the premise and the setting, I really enjoyed this book.
Walsh's ability to build a scene is impeccable, I could see the stages in the parks and gardens, I could feel the curls of Emilie's snarled hair going through Arden's hands. The romance wasn't a 'trip, fall, now we're in love' which is so prevalent in this genre. They both had obstacles to overcome, personal journeys to go through, and confidence to build.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone looking for a realistic romance with an abundance of imagery.
A copy of this book was given to me by Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a honest review.
Walsh's ability to build a scene is impeccable, I could see the stages in the parks and gardens, I could feel the curls of Emilie's snarled hair going through Arden's hands. The romance wasn't a 'trip, fall, now we're in love' which is so prevalent in this genre. They both had obstacles to overcome, personal journeys to go through, and confidence to build.
I strongly recommend this book for anyone looking for a realistic romance with an abundance of imagery.
A copy of this book was given to me by Bold Strokes Books in exchange for a honest review.
October 25, 2017
I enjoy a good slow burn romance. Walks in the park. Dinner out with interesting conversation and mutual respect. Arden Philips is understandably relationship shy, not living up to her potential and wanting so much to be in a committed relationship. Emilie Danvers is understandably relationship shy, working to gain control of her life, and a talented actor. When they meet, there is instant like of the other. I thought the back story for each of them was helpful in not only making them likeable but as a reader you wanted to care about them. The should I or shouldn't I push and pull was a little prolonged but considering their previous relationship experiences, I can kinda see why they struggled with moving forward.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes via NetGalley.
ARC provided by Bold Strokes via NetGalley.
October 22, 2017
Emilie has been out of the industry for several years when she lands her dream job in Ashland, performing in a Shakespeare festival for the season. Arden has been burned many times over the years, by actors who show up for a season and then leave, breaking her heart. She promises herself she'll keep her distance this year. That is until she comes across the enchanting Emilie performing in the gardens where she works. They try to remain as friends but the attraction is too great. Will they be able to make it work or are they destined for separate paths?
I loved this! It was magical! The garden, the stages, the sets, the plays, the town... I don't even like Shakespeare but all the plays were written about with such love I couldn't help but have so much respect for what Emilie does and what Ashland stands for. It was beautiful.
Emile was a fantastic character. She was real, real body, real flaws, real roommates. I loved her process for acting and getting in the character, and I liked that it wasn't perfect. It made her relatable when nothing about her career or passions is relatable to me. I loved Arden too. She was unique and strong and fascinating. Their relationship was beautiful - it progressed naturally and believably. Nicely paced and not rushed. The conflict wasn't a secret from the beginning but it was nicely resolved and not too obvious.
This book far exceeded my expectations! I have to put it on my list to buy as a paperback! This is a book I would definitely read again - a perfect cozy, sweet, romance.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved this! It was magical! The garden, the stages, the sets, the plays, the town... I don't even like Shakespeare but all the plays were written about with such love I couldn't help but have so much respect for what Emilie does and what Ashland stands for. It was beautiful.
Emile was a fantastic character. She was real, real body, real flaws, real roommates. I loved her process for acting and getting in the character, and I liked that it wasn't perfect. It made her relatable when nothing about her career or passions is relatable to me. I loved Arden too. She was unique and strong and fascinating. Their relationship was beautiful - it progressed naturally and believably. Nicely paced and not rushed. The conflict wasn't a secret from the beginning but it was nicely resolved and not too obvious.
This book far exceeded my expectations! I have to put it on my list to buy as a paperback! This is a book I would definitely read again - a perfect cozy, sweet, romance.
I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2017
4.5
Arden is a gardener at the local park, following in her grandad’s footsteps. She has a creative spark but resists adding her own design to the landscaping despite her obvious skills. Lithia Park is the home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s open-air performances, with which she has a love hate relationship; she adores Shakespeare and sees every show, but hates the transient nature of the company – including her parents who left her behind for the bright lights elsewhere.
Every year she has a short relationship with one of the cast or crew, and each year gets hurt when they leave. So when she meets Emilie rehearsing in the Park she is determined to keep her emotional distance.
Emile has recently escaped a domineering relationship where she was constantly second and is resolutely staying single and putting herself and her career first. She sees the season in Oregon as a last chance to establish the career she too easily gave up to follow her heart. So the stage is set but the players determined to resist, always a clear sign they are drawn to each other despite their best intentions.
Karis Walsh write some of the best descriptive settings and scenes out there. Her use of colour, visual narrative and the senses draws us in to the scene and makes it real, to the point you could walk round the park or through the backstage theatre in your mind long after the scene is over.
Her characters are similarly well drawn; rounded, flawed and both have lessons to learn and growing to do. The small supporting cast of established locals and the Shakespeare company are equally well sketched and add to the colour and flavour of the whole.
Well written and edited, Walsh’s romances flow across the page with delightful ease. A mixture of humour and angst, self-doubt and learning, the main characters form a solid friendship and support each other’s professional development, grounding the whole in a sense of reality.
I never miss a new Karis Walsh and she continues to deliver new characters, setting and plots with consistently good stories and charming romance.
Arden is a gardener at the local park, following in her grandad’s footsteps. She has a creative spark but resists adding her own design to the landscaping despite her obvious skills. Lithia Park is the home to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s open-air performances, with which she has a love hate relationship; she adores Shakespeare and sees every show, but hates the transient nature of the company – including her parents who left her behind for the bright lights elsewhere.
Every year she has a short relationship with one of the cast or crew, and each year gets hurt when they leave. So when she meets Emilie rehearsing in the Park she is determined to keep her emotional distance.
Emile has recently escaped a domineering relationship where she was constantly second and is resolutely staying single and putting herself and her career first. She sees the season in Oregon as a last chance to establish the career she too easily gave up to follow her heart. So the stage is set but the players determined to resist, always a clear sign they are drawn to each other despite their best intentions.
Karis Walsh write some of the best descriptive settings and scenes out there. Her use of colour, visual narrative and the senses draws us in to the scene and makes it real, to the point you could walk round the park or through the backstage theatre in your mind long after the scene is over.
Her characters are similarly well drawn; rounded, flawed and both have lessons to learn and growing to do. The small supporting cast of established locals and the Shakespeare company are equally well sketched and add to the colour and flavour of the whole.
Well written and edited, Walsh’s romances flow across the page with delightful ease. A mixture of humour and angst, self-doubt and learning, the main characters form a solid friendship and support each other’s professional development, grounding the whole in a sense of reality.
I never miss a new Karis Walsh and she continues to deliver new characters, setting and plots with consistently good stories and charming romance.
October 9, 2021
Walsh is a great author. One that I have come to appreciate. She makes her characters very lifelike. I also like the way she describes her characters jobs. Although they may not be the fanciest of occupoations you come to understand and enjoy what they do.
For me, Walsh makes me feel this is more than fiction but more realistic.
A gardener and an actress. Do they match or is it unreachable?
My only real complaint was they spent a lot of time in their heads, trying to work out what they did wrong and right in the past. This part I felt Walsh over done. Why worry about the past you can't change it. Yes you can improve but each relationship is different. Those past wrongs may never see the light of day again.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading Walsh again.
Merged review:
Walsh is a great author. One that I have come to appreciate. She makes her characters very lifelike. I also like the way she describes her characters jobs. Although they may not be the fanciest of occupoations you come to understand and enjoy what they do.
For me, Walsh makes me feel this is more than fiction but more realistic.
A gardener and an actress. Do they match or is it unreachable?
My only real complaint was they spent a lot of time in their heads, trying to work out what they did wrong and right in the past. This part I felt Walsh over done. Why worry about the past you can't change it. Yes you can improve but each relationship is different. Those past wrongs may never see the light of day again.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading Walsh again.
For me, Walsh makes me feel this is more than fiction but more realistic.
A gardener and an actress. Do they match or is it unreachable?
My only real complaint was they spent a lot of time in their heads, trying to work out what they did wrong and right in the past. This part I felt Walsh over done. Why worry about the past you can't change it. Yes you can improve but each relationship is different. Those past wrongs may never see the light of day again.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading Walsh again.
Merged review:
Walsh is a great author. One that I have come to appreciate. She makes her characters very lifelike. I also like the way she describes her characters jobs. Although they may not be the fanciest of occupoations you come to understand and enjoy what they do.
For me, Walsh makes me feel this is more than fiction but more realistic.
A gardener and an actress. Do they match or is it unreachable?
My only real complaint was they spent a lot of time in their heads, trying to work out what they did wrong and right in the past. This part I felt Walsh over done. Why worry about the past you can't change it. Yes you can improve but each relationship is different. Those past wrongs may never see the light of day again.
Overall an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading Walsh again.
November 26, 2020
Oh, I liked this a LOT. It caught my eye because of the Ashland Shakespeare Festival setting and it definitely made me want to go to the festival and/or rewatch Slings and Arrows.
The relationship was really well done. Both women's reasons for not wanting to jump into a relationship made so much sense and the conflicts felt realistic, as did the ultimate solution. You felt like they could make it. Also, each of them goes through their own personal journey, mostly related to their careers, and YES. More of that, please. Stories where people are still figuring out their career lives, too.
Also . . . I appreciated that the f/f-ness of this story was presented matter of factly. No one had to come out or face homophobia. There's a brief mention that one of the woman's family might not be totally accepting of her being a lesbian, but in the same way they don't accept her being an actor--because it doesn't fit their vision of her.
The relationship was really well done. Both women's reasons for not wanting to jump into a relationship made so much sense and the conflicts felt realistic, as did the ultimate solution. You felt like they could make it. Also, each of them goes through their own personal journey, mostly related to their careers, and YES. More of that, please. Stories where people are still figuring out their career lives, too.
Also . . . I appreciated that the f/f-ness of this story was presented matter of factly. No one had to come out or face homophobia. There's a brief mention that one of the woman's family might not be totally accepting of her being a lesbian, but in the same way they don't accept her being an actor--because it doesn't fit their vision of her.
January 10, 2018
Boy did I really enjoy this book. I do read all Karis Walsh books, but I think this was my favorite so far. It doesn't hurt that I am a huge Shakespearian fan. Emilie is an aspiring actress that gets a job at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. She put her plans to become an actress on hold for a former girlfriend so it's her time to get back to her goals at the festival. Arden (love the name) is a landscaper in the local parks that the festival surrounds. She's lived here her whole life watching woman come in and leave as well as her parents who were also involved in acting. Her grandfather who worked in the parks as well brought her up with a love of the festival as well as the local area and especially the parks he devoted his life to. Arden and Emilie meet in the park and there are sparks from the start but they both decide they will just be friends in order to protect themselves from heartache. Needless to say the sparks never go away and as their friendship deepens, so do their romantic feelings. I really loved the behind the scenes of the plays and all that goes into them and I would love to go to this festival one day. I'd suggest this book to anyone that would like to read a really good romance and learn a little bit about acting in a company.
February 8, 2018
Set the Stage was a romance story that wouldn’t stick out in a crowd other than it’s setting, the theater. Arden is a landscaper in the Lithia park and Emilie is the newly arrived actor who will perform during this year’s Oregon Shakespeare Festival – held in and around said park.
Their attraction is immediate, but they decide to stay just friends to keep it from getting complicated. Emilie needs to focus on her career and Arden can’t invest her heart in a doomed relationship (yet again) as Emilie is bound to leave after the season is over.
What I liked about this book was the over-the-shoulder-look into the world of theater and stage performance (makes a nice change from all the books about Hollywood actors on movie sets).
What I didn’t like was this perpetual resistance-to-romance which was mainly going on inside the minds of both characters. As a plot device it felt stifling and the prolonged push and pull became therefore annoying. The solitary small love scene that occurred didn’t start a fire in my loins and when finally the ‘aha-moment’ arrived and our protagonists knew what to do to get their HEA it left me completely underwhelmed.
Karis Walsh is a solid writer and she did a good job creating a believable and entertaining set. Her characters were well written and had an adequate back story… except for the romance part. That was not a performance that gets a standing ovation from me.
f/f
Themes: I liked the geocaching element, again with the uncomfortable places to have sex, your first time together is going to be in a herb garden... freezing your ass off, what is wrong with a bed? That part was rather méh...
3.4 stars
Their attraction is immediate, but they decide to stay just friends to keep it from getting complicated. Emilie needs to focus on her career and Arden can’t invest her heart in a doomed relationship (yet again) as Emilie is bound to leave after the season is over.
What I liked about this book was the over-the-shoulder-look into the world of theater and stage performance (makes a nice change from all the books about Hollywood actors on movie sets).
What I didn’t like was this perpetual resistance-to-romance which was mainly going on inside the minds of both characters. As a plot device it felt stifling and the prolonged push and pull became therefore annoying. The solitary small love scene that occurred didn’t start a fire in my loins and when finally the ‘aha-moment’ arrived and our protagonists knew what to do to get their HEA it left me completely underwhelmed.
Karis Walsh is a solid writer and she did a good job creating a believable and entertaining set. Her characters were well written and had an adequate back story… except for the romance part. That was not a performance that gets a standing ovation from me.
f/f
Themes: I liked the geocaching element, again with the uncomfortable places to have sex, your first time together is going to be in a herb garden... freezing your ass off, what is wrong with a bed? That part was rather méh...
3.4 stars
November 4, 2017
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the publisher for an honest review*
I have read only a few books by this author so I can't give a comparison to her other works but this book was, for me, a very comfortable read.
The author doesn't do anything different with her characters and she tends to keep a very traditional storyline between Arden and Emilie but that doesn't make the book a bad read. This is one of those book that you pick up when you just want a happily ever after.
*3.5 stars
I have read only a few books by this author so I can't give a comparison to her other works but this book was, for me, a very comfortable read.
The author doesn't do anything different with her characters and she tends to keep a very traditional storyline between Arden and Emilie but that doesn't make the book a bad read. This is one of those book that you pick up when you just want a happily ever after.
*3.5 stars
April 1, 2018
Walsh always gives s slow building romance with not a lot of angst. This is another example of that. Her descriptions of scenery are amazing and put you right in the story. I found this to be a bit slow going, but the story itself is good. 3.5 stars for me.
December 17, 2020
4.5 stars...I really enjoyed this super sweet romance- great characters with a slow burn, and a lovely setting.
February 4, 2018
Rep: lesbian MC and LI
The book started pretty okay; Emilie is trying to reconstruct her life after a breakup. She is now focusing on her acting career, her outcoming plays at a Shakespeare festival. Arden has lived in the same town, working at the same park, watching people move in and out of her life. They are not supposed to fall in love, they are not supposed to start a relationship; Emilie wants to work on her dreams, Arden doesn't want another heartbreak.
I didn't enjoy Set the Stage as much as I thought I would because I really don't care about theater at all. There were many references to Shakespeare and his plays that I didn't find funny. The information about the theater and how it works was boring. I wanted to care, but I'm not a fan of the topic.
The book has instalove which I don't like a lot. It was okay at first, mostly because they don't want a romantic relationship so they decided to be friends. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so it worked out pretty good in the beginning. However, I didn't fall in love with the characters nor with their relationship. They fought so much and everything happened so fast. Seriously, they fought three times in the same week, THREE TIMES. It was exasperating.
It wasn't a bad book but there was ableism, anti-immigrant jokes (never funny, please stop) and anti-fat comments. Why was everyone in this book white? People of color don't exist in theater or small towns it appears, quite interesting.
Recevied a copy through NetGalley in exchange an honest review.
The book started pretty okay; Emilie is trying to reconstruct her life after a breakup. She is now focusing on her acting career, her outcoming plays at a Shakespeare festival. Arden has lived in the same town, working at the same park, watching people move in and out of her life. They are not supposed to fall in love, they are not supposed to start a relationship; Emilie wants to work on her dreams, Arden doesn't want another heartbreak.
I didn't enjoy Set the Stage as much as I thought I would because I really don't care about theater at all. There were many references to Shakespeare and his plays that I didn't find funny. The information about the theater and how it works was boring. I wanted to care, but I'm not a fan of the topic.
The book has instalove which I don't like a lot. It was okay at first, mostly because they don't want a romantic relationship so they decided to be friends. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes so it worked out pretty good in the beginning. However, I didn't fall in love with the characters nor with their relationship. They fought so much and everything happened so fast. Seriously, they fought three times in the same week, THREE TIMES. It was exasperating.
It wasn't a bad book but there was ableism, anti-immigrant jokes (never funny, please stop) and anti-fat comments. Why was everyone in this book white? People of color don't exist in theater or small towns it appears, quite interesting.
Recevied a copy through NetGalley in exchange an honest review.
February 28, 2018
I really like Walsh's books. I enjoy her writing style and have never been disappointed in a book of hers. I think she did a fantastic job of creating a beautiful setting in this book. Walsh can write in such a way that even the smallest details are easily pictured by the reader. This isn't an easy task and she really is great at it. I enjoyed both characters but Arden was by far my favorite. If you have read other books by this author and enjoyed them this one should be added to your read list. Like her other books the writing is solid, and I will continue to look forward to Walsh's future books.
November 22, 2017
Emilie is finishing her shift at a fast food restaurant. Emilie is giving her two week notice as she is returning to her true passion the stage to act at the Oregon Shakespeare festival. Emilie had been a promising actress but had given up her career to follow her then girlfriend to Europe . But they didn't end up working out. Emilie had more scars than happy memories from her ex girlfriend. Now Emilie is getting a second chance at acting and she is very excited. Arden was a gardener/ groundskeeper/artist who works in the nearby- to where the festival is being held- Lithia Park. Arden has a history of dating actresses but only ends up being heartbroken. Emilie has already signed a contract for the Shakespeare festival. EWnilie is determined to concentrate in her acting no romance. Arden had followed her grandfather around Lithia Park and watched the work he did. But her grandfather had passed away now. Then Arden went to school and got a degree in Arden was used to people leaving her. Arden’s parents had left her with her grandparents to pursue their own careers when Arden was about four. Arden stumbles across Emilie for the time when Emilie is in the park practicing one of her roles. Emilie and Arden are immediately attracted to each other but Emilie says they can only be friends.
I liked this book for the most part just not into reading about lesbians and their romantic relationships. I did feel this was well written. I also like how the setting was portrayed. This book lacked passion but considering about a lesbian couple that was okay with me, I also liked the double POVS. I did like the romance was slow burning. But I did think there was too much repetition about Arden’s and Emilie’s issues.
I liked this book for the most part. I liked there wasn’t a lot of sex involved. I don’t judge women together I just don’t want to read about it. I did like how Arden and Emilie supported each other. I loved the ins and outs of this story and I recommend it.
I liked this book for the most part just not into reading about lesbians and their romantic relationships. I did feel this was well written. I also like how the setting was portrayed. This book lacked passion but considering about a lesbian couple that was okay with me, I also liked the double POVS. I did like the romance was slow burning. But I did think there was too much repetition about Arden’s and Emilie’s issues.
I liked this book for the most part. I liked there wasn’t a lot of sex involved. I don’t judge women together I just don’t want to read about it. I did like how Arden and Emilie supported each other. I loved the ins and outs of this story and I recommend it.
April 7, 2019
Emilie Danvers escapes an abusive relationship and, rather than return to her dream of becoming a Broadway star, takes a low-end job at a fast-food restaurant while she heals her wounds. But she hasn’t completely given up on her dreams and is accepted to be a member of Oregon Shakespeare Festival troupe. She suffers from stage fright, but once on stage she shines. She can’t cast aside the insidious self-doubt about her talent, though.
Arden Phillips is a gardener at the nearby Lithia Park and is perfectly happy tending the plants. She’s the daughter of well-known actors and enjoys watching the various plays put on by the OSF every year. She meets Emilie in a secluded part of the park where Emilie is running through her lines for her first play of the season. She sees Emilie’s talent shining through and is instantly attracted to her even though she knows Emilie will be leaving at the end of the season. When she is given an opportunity to become a part of the OSF back-stage team, she jumps at the chance.
This is a very well written book with well-drawn and likable characters set in an unusual venue. Walsh makes no missteps as she moves her characters along their chosen paths. There is none of the cloying angsty whining that many books have allowing other writers to move their characters to the inevitable happy ending. In this books, the characters are self-aware and own their own feelings.
I was very surprised to find this was a 2017 book because I thought that this was the latest Walsh book and I was looking forward to reading another excellent outing by one of my favorite authors. This was an excellent outing and I have no idea how I could have missed it when it first came out. If you haven’t read it and you love well-crafted lesbian romances, this is the book for you.
Arden Phillips is a gardener at the nearby Lithia Park and is perfectly happy tending the plants. She’s the daughter of well-known actors and enjoys watching the various plays put on by the OSF every year. She meets Emilie in a secluded part of the park where Emilie is running through her lines for her first play of the season. She sees Emilie’s talent shining through and is instantly attracted to her even though she knows Emilie will be leaving at the end of the season. When she is given an opportunity to become a part of the OSF back-stage team, she jumps at the chance.
This is a very well written book with well-drawn and likable characters set in an unusual venue. Walsh makes no missteps as she moves her characters along their chosen paths. There is none of the cloying angsty whining that many books have allowing other writers to move their characters to the inevitable happy ending. In this books, the characters are self-aware and own their own feelings.
I was very surprised to find this was a 2017 book because I thought that this was the latest Walsh book and I was looking forward to reading another excellent outing by one of my favorite authors. This was an excellent outing and I have no idea how I could have missed it when it first came out. If you haven’t read it and you love well-crafted lesbian romances, this is the book for you.
November 14, 2017
Walsh is the kind of author I’ve come to enjoy because she dependable when it comes to needing a book that provides a decent romantic storyline that feels breezy and well written. The one you want to read on a bright, shiny day that will make you feel just as warm and sunshiny on the inside as you are experiencing on the outside. No stressed out, drama filled, angst ridden plots for her and this one continues in that tradition.
Settings are an artwork for her as she creates these places that feel so real and vivid you wish you could hop in a car or plane to go walk where her characters are to experience what they get to on the pages of her book. I really wanted to attend the Shakespeare Festival by the time I was finished reading this.
Her character work is as good as the places she’s created so they feel like realistic people making the whole picture enjoyable. What Emilie is going through, trying to regain some control in her life, is something most of us have been through so how she has her handling it and how she feels is believable. Arden hasn’t seemed to have learned from her past dating history, something we can all again relate to, so you both want to tell her to stop repeating the same choices but encourage her as well because this time it might actually be worth it.
I liked how their relationship played out and where Walsh took them as individuals and as a potential love interest for the other.
If you’ve read and loved her books before then you’ll feel good about this one too.
Settings are an artwork for her as she creates these places that feel so real and vivid you wish you could hop in a car or plane to go walk where her characters are to experience what they get to on the pages of her book. I really wanted to attend the Shakespeare Festival by the time I was finished reading this.
Her character work is as good as the places she’s created so they feel like realistic people making the whole picture enjoyable. What Emilie is going through, trying to regain some control in her life, is something most of us have been through so how she has her handling it and how she feels is believable. Arden hasn’t seemed to have learned from her past dating history, something we can all again relate to, so you both want to tell her to stop repeating the same choices but encourage her as well because this time it might actually be worth it.
I liked how their relationship played out and where Walsh took them as individuals and as a potential love interest for the other.
If you’ve read and loved her books before then you’ll feel good about this one too.
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