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Staged: A Cupid/Psyche Fake Dating Novella
Alma Blake is looking for a way out of town.
A talented theater actor, she’s between roles and done with the way her high-powered attorney turned politician father tries to dictate her decisions. When a nightclub owner offers her a job pretending to be his girlfriend during opening weekend, she takes the opportunity.
There is a she can’t see his face or know his last name.
Will Caron knows his mother’s plan is a bad one.
But he’s given a either he entraps her rival’s daughter in a scandal, or he loses the funding for his club. He doesn’t expect to fall for Alma or the lengths his mother will go through to make sure he gets the job done.
It's just three nights. They won't fall for their own acting.
Each fake kiss is leading them down a dead-end road, and when the weekend is over, Will and Alma will both be left to pick up the pieces.
A talented theater actor, she’s between roles and done with the way her high-powered attorney turned politician father tries to dictate her decisions. When a nightclub owner offers her a job pretending to be his girlfriend during opening weekend, she takes the opportunity.
There is a she can’t see his face or know his last name.
Will Caron knows his mother’s plan is a bad one.
But he’s given a either he entraps her rival’s daughter in a scandal, or he loses the funding for his club. He doesn’t expect to fall for Alma or the lengths his mother will go through to make sure he gets the job done.
It's just three nights. They won't fall for their own acting.
Each fake kiss is leading them down a dead-end road, and when the weekend is over, Will and Alma will both be left to pick up the pieces.
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 15, 2023
About the author
Rebecca V. Archer
3 books16 followersRebecca V. Archer writes contemporary romance about characters who are afraid of their own emotions. She lives in Florida with her soulmate, drinks copious amounts of tea, and is always looking for a new cocktail or food recipe to try.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
August 23, 2026
Staged by Rebecca V Archer
Contemporary romance novella.
Alma Blake loves acting and has had some successful roles. She eventually wants to move where there would be more opportunities, but she’s stuck in Denver until she can save more money.
Alma is approached for a role off stage to be a pretend girlfriend for a nightclub owner. She will be supplied with an apartment for the week of the club opening, all food and clothing and makeup for the masquerade each night. Totally platonic and she will never know who the owner is since he will be masked as well. She take the job for the money and clothes.
Will Caron is being blackmailed essentially by his mother, the mayor. She’s partially funding the nightclub and wants dirt on the Blake family. Will was never going to provide his mother with anything and the more time he spends with Alma, the more he’s tempted by her.
Can they both walk away at the end of the weekend with their hearts intact?
Short romance hiding behind masks and pretend. He cooks for her. He pays her honest compliments. They seamlessly connect at the club in front of all the also masked dignitaries and VIP’s. They fall for the person behind the mask. Decision time. Neither wants to walk away but the reason behind the mask doesn’t make for a friendly parting.
An adult venue with plenty of temptations but these two are surprisingly open and honest even when masked. His personality is a bit abrasive and abrupt at times but paired with worry.
Feelings first then the steamy parts. All before being unmasked. Being loved for who you are. Swoony.
Contemporary romance novella.
Alma Blake loves acting and has had some successful roles. She eventually wants to move where there would be more opportunities, but she’s stuck in Denver until she can save more money.
Alma is approached for a role off stage to be a pretend girlfriend for a nightclub owner. She will be supplied with an apartment for the week of the club opening, all food and clothing and makeup for the masquerade each night. Totally platonic and she will never know who the owner is since he will be masked as well. She take the job for the money and clothes.
Will Caron is being blackmailed essentially by his mother, the mayor. She’s partially funding the nightclub and wants dirt on the Blake family. Will was never going to provide his mother with anything and the more time he spends with Alma, the more he’s tempted by her.
Can they both walk away at the end of the weekend with their hearts intact?
Short romance hiding behind masks and pretend. He cooks for her. He pays her honest compliments. They seamlessly connect at the club in front of all the also masked dignitaries and VIP’s. They fall for the person behind the mask. Decision time. Neither wants to walk away but the reason behind the mask doesn’t make for a friendly parting.
An adult venue with plenty of temptations but these two are surprisingly open and honest even when masked. His personality is a bit abrasive and abrupt at times but paired with worry.
Feelings first then the steamy parts. All before being unmasked. Being loved for who you are. Swoony.
December 22, 2023
“Let’s see if we have any chemistry then.”
First and foremost, congratulations on your debut novel(la)! What an amazing start to your publishing journey.
Secondly, I'm in LOVE with the Eros/Cupid and Psyche mythology story. I have seen almost every sculpture/painting out there and even have it tattooed on my body. I will read any and all re-tellings that are written. So this book was definitely on my list to read.
“Here’s to love.”
“To love.”
I love how the author made the story her own. How she intertwined the original mythology and characteristics and made it more modern and relatable.
“He thought he was above it all.
But he was falling fast for the tricks he had set up to encourage others to fall into someone else’s arms.”
Oh, Will. Hit by your own bow!
Hiding behind masks at club "Eros" and Alma, your "Soul".
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. I can't wait to read more from this new author!
First and foremost, congratulations on your debut novel(la)! What an amazing start to your publishing journey.
Secondly, I'm in LOVE with the Eros/Cupid and Psyche mythology story. I have seen almost every sculpture/painting out there and even have it tattooed on my body. I will read any and all re-tellings that are written. So this book was definitely on my list to read.
“Here’s to love.”
“To love.”
I love how the author made the story her own. How she intertwined the original mythology and characteristics and made it more modern and relatable.
“He thought he was above it all.
But he was falling fast for the tricks he had set up to encourage others to fall into someone else’s arms.”
Oh, Will. Hit by your own bow!
Hiding behind masks at club "Eros" and Alma, your "Soul".
Overall, I really enjoyed this novella. I can't wait to read more from this new author!
July 27, 2026
"Staged" by Rebecca V. Archer was a really fun book to read. I sometimes cringe when I read the fake dating troupe, but Rebecca did a wonderful job with Will and Alma's story. I liked how Alma was a go with the flow character and didn't let anything really bother her. I didn't like Will's mother at all and hated how sneaky she was. Will definitely changed my view on him when he stood up for himself.
June 16, 2026
Fake dating & retelling are two of my favorite tropes. Smashing them together made this the perfect easy vacation read for me! The story moves at just the right pace and left me wishing I too could spend an evening at Eros.
September 8, 2026
Fake dating, hidden identities
Mystery and intrigue with romance
Well written and the characters are relatable
Great blend of spicy and steamy
Mystery and intrigue with romance
Well written and the characters are relatable
Great blend of spicy and steamy
May 28, 2025
This book had all the ingredients of a captivating read
I, and I was excited to dive in.
The premise was intriguing - fake dating, hidden identities, and a dash of scandal - and Alma's character shone brightly. Her talent, determination, and refusal to back down from challenges made her a compelling protagonist. Will, however, was a tougher nut to crack. His motivations were murky, and I yearned for more emotional depth from him.
Still, the tension between Alma and Will was palpable, especially when they had to navigate their feelings in public. While the pacing was uneven, the book's themes of self-discovery and growth made it a worthwhile read. If you're looking for a romantic, glamorous tale with a strong heroine, this might be the perfect fit.
I, and I was excited to dive in.
The premise was intriguing - fake dating, hidden identities, and a dash of scandal - and Alma's character shone brightly. Her talent, determination, and refusal to back down from challenges made her a compelling protagonist. Will, however, was a tougher nut to crack. His motivations were murky, and I yearned for more emotional depth from him.
Still, the tension between Alma and Will was palpable, especially when they had to navigate their feelings in public. While the pacing was uneven, the book's themes of self-discovery and growth made it a worthwhile read. If you're looking for a romantic, glamorous tale with a strong heroine, this might be the perfect fit.
February 11, 2024
I was so intrigued my the premise of this book. A fake dating, he-falls-first story with a masquerade nightclub and political scandals made for a perfect novella. I was able to finish this fast-paced story in one sitting, and it was a delight. I love mystery and intrigue when it comes to romance, and not being able to see your pretend lover's face adds an interesting element to their relationship. I love the ending too, where both Will and Alma found a way to be together while making both of their dreams happen. I highly recommend this to romance fans, especially fake-dating fans, who want a quick read between larger novels. 5 stars!
December 30, 2023
I absolutely loved this contemporary romance! The anticipation for the reveal was invigorating, and love story was easy to fall for. I loved how it was all backdropped by their political families and expectations of who they represent. I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a romance they can read in one sitting 😁
April 3, 2025
Staged: A Cupid/Psyche Fake Dating Novella was a great read. It didn't take long at all to finish the book. It was very well written, and the characters were relatable. I loved that Alma couldn't see who Will was, yet she still developed feelings for him.
September 1, 2026
An interesting twist of having a fake girlfriend. Alma takes an acting job as a nightclub owners’ girlfriend for his grand opening. Only, Will is under the thumb of his mother and has been tasked with getting embarrassing dirt on her. Enjoyed watching the couple fall in love.
August 17, 2023
Sweet as ice cream
I loved that for the majority she couldn't see him. Sometimes love is blind and you have to just follow your heart and instincts.
I loved that for the majority she couldn't see him. Sometimes love is blind and you have to just follow your heart and instincts.
February 12, 2025
3.5⭐ I enjoyed this book but there were quite a few times where I would have to reread a paragraph due to grammar/spelling.
June 24, 2026
good
This is a new author to me. I found the story premise interesting. Will offers Alma a job pretending to be his girlfriend. Alma agrees. At club Eros everyone wears a mask so they are free to be themselves. Falling in love was not part of the plan.
This is a new author to me. I found the story premise interesting. Will offers Alma a job pretending to be his girlfriend. Alma agrees. At club Eros everyone wears a mask so they are free to be themselves. Falling in love was not part of the plan.
August 17, 2023
Perfect blend of spicy and steamy! Really cute story! Was the perfect light read for my plane ride.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews