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Staged
Her future plans are shattered.
His past continues to haunt him.
What they both need right now, is a simple staged distraction....
After the devastating revelation of her fiancé's betrayal, Sam Daniels has sworn off love and marriage, wanting only to piece together the fragments of her shattered life.
All she wants is to escape with a drink in this hotel bar, without the advances of a persistent stranger who seems to want nothing more than to prey on her weakness.
Kolt Davis, once hailed as country music's fastest rising star, finds himself grappling with the fallout of his own mistakes, his career teetering on the brink of collapse with the haunting of his past and his promise to his manager to keep his head down.
But Kolt's world shifts when he notices the sad green eyes of the girl at the bar who is desperately avoiding the unwanted attention of another guy, he acts without considering the consequences and steps in to rescue Sam by announcing himself as her boyfriend.
Little do they anticipate the consequences when their staged relationship inadvertently captures the media's attention. As rumors swirl and public interest peaks, they find themselves thrown in a web of deception.
United by their shared need for escape, Sam and Kolt embark on a precarious journey together. With each passing moment, their fabricated romance blurs the lines between a rehearsed and reality.
But as the spotlight intensifies and the pressure mounts, they must confront the looming can they manage their counterfeit love withstand the scrutiny of the world without truly falling in love? Or will their fragile façade crumble, leaving them more broken than before?
Staged is a gripping fake dating, musician romance with small town elements and characters that readers will fall in love with.
Buy your copy today!
His past continues to haunt him.
What they both need right now, is a simple staged distraction....
After the devastating revelation of her fiancé's betrayal, Sam Daniels has sworn off love and marriage, wanting only to piece together the fragments of her shattered life.
All she wants is to escape with a drink in this hotel bar, without the advances of a persistent stranger who seems to want nothing more than to prey on her weakness.
Kolt Davis, once hailed as country music's fastest rising star, finds himself grappling with the fallout of his own mistakes, his career teetering on the brink of collapse with the haunting of his past and his promise to his manager to keep his head down.
But Kolt's world shifts when he notices the sad green eyes of the girl at the bar who is desperately avoiding the unwanted attention of another guy, he acts without considering the consequences and steps in to rescue Sam by announcing himself as her boyfriend.
Little do they anticipate the consequences when their staged relationship inadvertently captures the media's attention. As rumors swirl and public interest peaks, they find themselves thrown in a web of deception.
United by their shared need for escape, Sam and Kolt embark on a precarious journey together. With each passing moment, their fabricated romance blurs the lines between a rehearsed and reality.
But as the spotlight intensifies and the pressure mounts, they must confront the looming can they manage their counterfeit love withstand the scrutiny of the world without truly falling in love? Or will their fragile façade crumble, leaving them more broken than before?
Staged is a gripping fake dating, musician romance with small town elements and characters that readers will fall in love with.
Buy your copy today!
- GenresMusic
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 19, 2024
70 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 19, 2024
Being a huge country music fan and never having seen a country music MC prior to this I had to be involved. I was lucky to beta read Staged and absolutely loved it from the get go. The FMC walks in to find her partner & best friend in a compromising situation and leaves. Running into the MMC at a hotel bar and where he pretends he is her boyfriend to stop another guy’s unwanted attention. Their relationship causes a media frenzy and Sam & Kolt cannot really get out of this situationship, but do they want to? I fell in love with the characters and the way they fell for each other. Kolt, a damaged musician who doesn’t want to bring Sam into his issues and Sam who didn’t know what she wanted. This fake dating story will have you giggling, awwwing and hoping like hell these two will finally get on the same page. I love this story and you will too.
July 28, 2024
I loved this book so much! It was a quick easy read with an entertaining storyline and romance. Highly recommend for a fun read.
November 1, 2024
I read this book in a day, it was an awesome book that made me feel and when I finished I wanted more but this is the only book by this author, hopefully she writes more because it would be a shame because she is amazing.writer.
August 15, 2024
Sweetly satisfying love story between 2 shattered hearts
Loved the fact that Sam and Kolt were always headed towards the end goal even if they didn't know it. The angst was part of the whole story, but not part of their relationship and the worry I had that there would be misunderstandings that would taunt their love never came to fruition. Sam held her own against the vindictive ex and even came out on top, while Kolt grew into the strong force he needed to be. So refreshing to read a story that had angst and heartbreak in it but that didn't get bigger down in it and the main characters behaved like real people.
Loved the fact that Sam and Kolt were always headed towards the end goal even if they didn't know it. The angst was part of the whole story, but not part of their relationship and the worry I had that there would be misunderstandings that would taunt their love never came to fruition. Sam held her own against the vindictive ex and even came out on top, while Kolt grew into the strong force he needed to be. So refreshing to read a story that had angst and heartbreak in it but that didn't get bigger down in it and the main characters behaved like real people.
September 18, 2024
loved this Book 📕
I really enjoyed reading this book- Staged. Great Musician Romance Novel!
It All started with a small Contract to improve “ Kolt’s image!
He and Samantha, find Love.
I really enjoyed reading this book- Staged. Great Musician Romance Novel!
It All started with a small Contract to improve “ Kolt’s image!
He and Samantha, find Love.
December 2, 2024
A very enjoyable audiobook.
This is the first time I have listened to anything by this author and I did love the story..But there were times when I felt like it was a bit repetative with the dialogue...Otherwise it was a good book.
Despite that little blip I would definately read more from this author because there is so much potential there.
Samantha and Colt meet by chance and they unite through heartbreak...both have been cheated on and are both struggling with life being alone.
Sam's world has fallen apart and she has no idea what she is going to do with her life...She had it all planned she was going to marry a man she thought she would be with forever..But she caught him with her best friend in an intimate way.
Now she is sat in a hotel bar drowning her sorrows away,this is were she meets Colt.
Colt is a country music star he is going through a bad time,his Girlfriend ran away with his best friend..she used him ,got what she wanted from him and left with his friend.
Because of the break-up he went off the rails and now needs to clean up his reputation as the band is suffering because of his behaviour.
When he meets Sam he recognises the same heartache in her eyes that is in his eyes and he helps her get away from a sleazey man who is al over her by pretending that he is her boyfriend,Then he helps to get her to her hotel room because she is drunk...He finds himself feeling protective of her..
But someone takes photos of them together and assume they are a couple they get media attention and Colt's manager has the brilliant idea to pay Sam to be Colt's fake girlfriend through-out the tour they are on and it will make people believe that Colt is over his break-up and reckless behaviour.
But that is easier said than done when the fake starts to feel real,but both d them are scared to open up their hearts again and are adament to protect it instead.
Although this is a romance so they do break the rules and cross the line and have acouple of steamy moments.
Alexandra Brock is the solo narrator for this story and she does a wonderful job at acting out both male and female roles.Her voice was clear and smoothe and was laced with emotion when needed I liked listening to her tell the story.
Staged is a slow burn fake relationship romance between two broken people who help one another heal.
It is well worth a listen.
Fabulous.
41/2 stars.
This is the first time I have listened to anything by this author and I did love the story..But there were times when I felt like it was a bit repetative with the dialogue...Otherwise it was a good book.
Despite that little blip I would definately read more from this author because there is so much potential there.
Samantha and Colt meet by chance and they unite through heartbreak...both have been cheated on and are both struggling with life being alone.
Sam's world has fallen apart and she has no idea what she is going to do with her life...She had it all planned she was going to marry a man she thought she would be with forever..But she caught him with her best friend in an intimate way.
Now she is sat in a hotel bar drowning her sorrows away,this is were she meets Colt.
Colt is a country music star he is going through a bad time,his Girlfriend ran away with his best friend..she used him ,got what she wanted from him and left with his friend.
Because of the break-up he went off the rails and now needs to clean up his reputation as the band is suffering because of his behaviour.
When he meets Sam he recognises the same heartache in her eyes that is in his eyes and he helps her get away from a sleazey man who is al over her by pretending that he is her boyfriend,Then he helps to get her to her hotel room because she is drunk...He finds himself feeling protective of her..
But someone takes photos of them together and assume they are a couple they get media attention and Colt's manager has the brilliant idea to pay Sam to be Colt's fake girlfriend through-out the tour they are on and it will make people believe that Colt is over his break-up and reckless behaviour.
But that is easier said than done when the fake starts to feel real,but both d them are scared to open up their hearts again and are adament to protect it instead.
Although this is a romance so they do break the rules and cross the line and have acouple of steamy moments.
Alexandra Brock is the solo narrator for this story and she does a wonderful job at acting out both male and female roles.Her voice was clear and smoothe and was laced with emotion when needed I liked listening to her tell the story.
Staged is a slow burn fake relationship romance between two broken people who help one another heal.
It is well worth a listen.
Fabulous.
41/2 stars.
December 31, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5)
Spice: 🌶 (2/5)
Some slow-burn romances keep you yearning for the payoff, but this book unfortunately turned that burn into a slow, monotonous fizzle. Despite my initial hesitation after the first two chapters, I decided to persevere, hoping the story would eventually pick up. However, even with the leisure of a holiday break, I found myself unable to stay committed to reading more than a couple of pages at a time.
The relationship between Kolt and Sam had potential but dragged on endlessly. By the time most romance books would have reached a heartfelt confession and mutual decision to try for a happily-ever-after, this book was still spinning its wheels. The romantic payoff finally came—but only in the last few pages, leaving little time to truly enjoy or explore the connection.
The spice level? A lackluster 1 out of 5. For readers hoping for some steamy or passionate moments to break up the slow pace, this book doesn’t deliver.
Additionally, the loose ends surrounding the antagonists, Felix and Emily, left me deeply unsatisfied. It felt as though they emerged victorious in the story, which was frustrating and deflating. There was no sense of justice or closure, making the ending feel incomplete.
I breezed through the last two chapters just to finish, yet I didn’t miss a thing. That’s how little was happening. Despite glimmers of potential, the overly drawn-out pacing and unresolved conflicts make this book hard to recommend. Two stars for effort, but it’s not one I’ll be revisiting.
Spice: 🌶 (2/5)
Some slow-burn romances keep you yearning for the payoff, but this book unfortunately turned that burn into a slow, monotonous fizzle. Despite my initial hesitation after the first two chapters, I decided to persevere, hoping the story would eventually pick up. However, even with the leisure of a holiday break, I found myself unable to stay committed to reading more than a couple of pages at a time.
The relationship between Kolt and Sam had potential but dragged on endlessly. By the time most romance books would have reached a heartfelt confession and mutual decision to try for a happily-ever-after, this book was still spinning its wheels. The romantic payoff finally came—but only in the last few pages, leaving little time to truly enjoy or explore the connection.
The spice level? A lackluster 1 out of 5. For readers hoping for some steamy or passionate moments to break up the slow pace, this book doesn’t deliver.
Additionally, the loose ends surrounding the antagonists, Felix and Emily, left me deeply unsatisfied. It felt as though they emerged victorious in the story, which was frustrating and deflating. There was no sense of justice or closure, making the ending feel incomplete.
I breezed through the last two chapters just to finish, yet I didn’t miss a thing. That’s how little was happening. Despite glimmers of potential, the overly drawn-out pacing and unresolved conflicts make this book hard to recommend. Two stars for effort, but it’s not one I’ll be revisiting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
⭐4
🌶️1.5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 21, 28, 31
📚 Tropes/Themes: country singer MMC, protective MMC, slow burn, fake dating
🎙️ Single narration
⏲️ Approx 10 hours
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🩷 Something I liked: the song Kolt wrote for her 🥹
🙈 Something I disliked: the narrator's attempt at a guy's voice
🧠 Triggers: Implied DV, cheating
🛍️ Available: Now!
💬 Overall, this was a sweet and satisfying story that I enjoyed listening to! The storyline was great, and I was rooting so hard for Kolt and Sam, while simultaneously being desperate for them to get on the same page lol. I also get that it’s kind of the main point of the book but towards the end the “but you’re just a distraction” seemed a little overdone and repetitive.
I like that it’s pretty low angst, but I do wish there had been more resolution with their ex’s. And can I just say what kind of trashy hoe wants to wear her ex bestie’s engagement ring? 😂😂😂 I mean, maybe Felix got it planning to give it to Emily but gave it to Sam first??? I laughed so hard at that.
As for the narrator, I’m really not a fan of her fake man voice. I really wish she would have just read the book straight without trying to differentiate between Kolt and Sam.
🌶️1.5
🥵 Spicy Chapters: 21, 28, 31
📚 Tropes/Themes: country singer MMC, protective MMC, slow burn, fake dating
🎙️ Single narration
⏲️ Approx 10 hours
👀 Dual POV 1st person
🩷 Something I liked: the song Kolt wrote for her 🥹
🙈 Something I disliked: the narrator's attempt at a guy's voice
🧠 Triggers: Implied DV, cheating
🛍️ Available: Now!
💬 Overall, this was a sweet and satisfying story that I enjoyed listening to! The storyline was great, and I was rooting so hard for Kolt and Sam, while simultaneously being desperate for them to get on the same page lol. I also get that it’s kind of the main point of the book but towards the end the “but you’re just a distraction” seemed a little overdone and repetitive.
I like that it’s pretty low angst, but I do wish there had been more resolution with their ex’s. And can I just say what kind of trashy hoe wants to wear her ex bestie’s engagement ring? 😂😂😂 I mean, maybe Felix got it planning to give it to Emily but gave it to Sam first??? I laughed so hard at that.
As for the narrator, I’m really not a fan of her fake man voice. I really wish she would have just read the book straight without trying to differentiate between Kolt and Sam.
December 1, 2024
Loved the narration of Alexandra Brock.
Sam walks in to find her fiancée and her best friend in a compromising situation and leaves. Going to a bar to take a breath and finds herself being hit on. A handsome stranger steps in pretends he is her boyfriend to stop the mans unwanted attention. The man who steps in is Kolt a famous country singer. The media fast learns about Kolt and Sam in a relationship. This puts them in a tricky situation. Keeping the fake relationship causes them them their own problems. Kolt is damaged and wants to stop Sam getting involved. Problem is both Sam and Kolt start enjoying the fake relationship.
This book will have you laughing, and wanting these two to make it. Loved the characters and plot.
Sam walks in to find her fiancée and her best friend in a compromising situation and leaves. Going to a bar to take a breath and finds herself being hit on. A handsome stranger steps in pretends he is her boyfriend to stop the mans unwanted attention. The man who steps in is Kolt a famous country singer. The media fast learns about Kolt and Sam in a relationship. This puts them in a tricky situation. Keeping the fake relationship causes them them their own problems. Kolt is damaged and wants to stop Sam getting involved. Problem is both Sam and Kolt start enjoying the fake relationship.
This book will have you laughing, and wanting these two to make it. Loved the characters and plot.
March 11, 2025
Sam needed to escape from her fiancée who she had just walked in on doing her best friend, the maid of honor. While drinking her sorrows away she’s rescued by Kolt. The next day the hangover is great and thank god he was a total gentleman. He’s a famous singer and when press posts pictures of them walking together towards the hotel, she agrees to help him. She has nowhere to go since her plans were viciously ripped away.
Kolt’s love history wasn’t any better than hers was. Together these two become friends, lovers and all the rest. I really enjoyed their relationship journey, they have great chemistry. When these two got together it was hot, sexy and romantic. The ending was awesome, loved it. I’m giving this book four stars and I recommend it.
Kolt’s love history wasn’t any better than hers was. Together these two become friends, lovers and all the rest. I really enjoyed their relationship journey, they have great chemistry. When these two got together it was hot, sexy and romantic. The ending was awesome, loved it. I’m giving this book four stars and I recommend it.
July 21, 2024
This is an absolute must read! I had the honor of beta reading this, and oh my gracious was it good!! The FMC walks in and catches her significant other macking it up with her so called best friend. Then like a fresh wind blowing comes the MMC and sets the stage for some pretty good comedy and a budding relationship. I'm not going to say much more for fear of spoiling the book, but if you haven't read this, I suggest you have a seat, get some snacks, and get ready to get wrapped up in the story of Samantha and Kolt! C.L. West, you ma'am are a very talented writer and I hope to see more of your work soon!
January 4, 2025
This was surprisingly good. I tend to steer clear of most music industry books due to the drug and alcohol addiction issues that are in so many of them; this one was free of that. It did have both main characters reeling from bad breakups, normally another hard pass from me, but I really liked the way it was dealt with. Most books have the fmc deciding she never really loved the guy, yadda, yadda, but this one acknowledged the pain of lost love and moving on without being angsty. No easy feat. The mmc just needed to realize he was permanently broken and that was also dealt with nicely. I definitely recommend this one and I'll continue on with this series and author.
November 13, 2024
Sooo good !!!
This is a first read from this author, read the blurb, some reviews and took a chance, so glad I did. This story ( Staged ) was beautifully written, the depth and development of the characters was so great I feel like I know them personally. I read the book in one sitting, the story makes you want to keep turning the pages. Highly recommended if you like country stars in a band with great romance and a HEA.
This is a first read from this author, read the blurb, some reviews and took a chance, so glad I did. This story ( Staged ) was beautifully written, the depth and development of the characters was so great I feel like I know them personally. I read the book in one sitting, the story makes you want to keep turning the pages. Highly recommended if you like country stars in a band with great romance and a HEA.
May 14, 2025
The word distraction started feeling fake after reading it a thousand times.
It was cute and entertaining to a point but really, not much happens at all. We never see her ex again and when we see his ex, the scene last 30 seconds.
They like/are attracted to each other immediately and then proceed to not really act on it for so long it makes it boring. I was more excited about cash and mickeys friendship.
If they had an honest chat the book would be 100 pages long.
It was cute and entertaining to a point but really, not much happens at all. We never see her ex again and when we see his ex, the scene last 30 seconds.
They like/are attracted to each other immediately and then proceed to not really act on it for so long it makes it boring. I was more excited about cash and mickeys friendship.
If they had an honest chat the book would be 100 pages long.
October 11, 2024
This was disappointing. The story was slow, at moments boring, there was no exciting banters between two main characters, chemistry was lacking, nothing major was happening, it was predictable. The writing style was not great either.
November 19, 2025
A super fun read
I love Kolt and Sam. CL West did a great job of adding depth and wonderful characters to a music star romance. Forced proximity and fake relationship…you can’t go wrong!
This was a great read.
I love Kolt and Sam. CL West did a great job of adding depth and wonderful characters to a music star romance. Forced proximity and fake relationship…you can’t go wrong!
This was a great read.
July 19, 2024
A great fun easy story to read! Can’t wait for the next one!
August 9, 2024
I loved this book from the first page.
Chefs kiss..perfection
Chefs kiss..perfection
September 2, 2024
four stars
I loved Kolt and Sam! I did not want this story to end! It was a great escape. I got lost on the pages!
I loved Kolt and Sam! I did not want this story to end! It was a great escape. I got lost on the pages!
September 19, 2024
Great love story. R.A
This was a really great love story. It great to read one that fall in love after both had a bad history. Must read.
This was a really great love story. It great to read one that fall in love after both had a bad history. Must read.
October 6, 2024
Couldn't Stop Reading
Loved the story of Kolt and Sam and hoping there will be more of this band and their future as they continue together as country stars.
Loved the story of Kolt and Sam and hoping there will be more of this band and their future as they continue together as country stars.
October 15, 2024
Great Book
Really enjoyed Sam & Kolt's story. Great characters and storyline. Glad that 2 people that had been hurt badly by ex's found happiness with each other.
Really enjoyed Sam & Kolt's story. Great characters and storyline. Glad that 2 people that had been hurt badly by ex's found happiness with each other.
October 16, 2024
This outing by a new writer needs some serious editing.
The characters often talked and behaved like middle schoolers.
The characters often talked and behaved like middle schoolers.
February 28, 2025
Really enjoyed this story of a fake relationship turned real. It had some great twists and still came across light-hearted. Highly recommend.
March 9, 2025
Loved this book so much. I laughed out loud a quite a few spots. I do wish they would go back and take another view at editing, there’s a decent amount of typos and grammar issues.
April 2, 2025
Great read
Love the slow burn Sam and Kole are fantastic together they get it when it seems dark you can find the light
Love the slow burn Sam and Kole are fantastic together they get it when it seems dark you can find the light
March 25, 2025
Sam saw something she wasn't meant to see. Will anything he has to say make things better? (Let's hope not!)
Kolt's behavior has gotten him in a bit of a pickle with everyone. Will meeting a stranger in a hotel bar solve all his problems, or be the start of something else altogether?
It looks like Sam could solve all of Kolt's problems, but will she be willing to fake a relationship and if she does, will they be able to keep all the lines they're blurring in focus long enough to make it to the end without anyone getting hurt?
C.L. West succeeded in bringing together this musician, fake relationship book with no hitch. The characters were endearing (though if I were Sam I would have thrown a few punches at the beginning of this book - but to find out you'll have to read the book, sneaky aren't I?), the book seemed well researched and just gave you all the good feels.
I'd like to thank the author, and StoryOrigin for allowing me to review this book.
Kolt's behavior has gotten him in a bit of a pickle with everyone. Will meeting a stranger in a hotel bar solve all his problems, or be the start of something else altogether?
It looks like Sam could solve all of Kolt's problems, but will she be willing to fake a relationship and if she does, will they be able to keep all the lines they're blurring in focus long enough to make it to the end without anyone getting hurt?
C.L. West succeeded in bringing together this musician, fake relationship book with no hitch. The characters were endearing (though if I were Sam I would have thrown a few punches at the beginning of this book - but to find out you'll have to read the book, sneaky aren't I?), the book seemed well researched and just gave you all the good feels.
I'd like to thank the author, and StoryOrigin for allowing me to review this book.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews