Steamy on Set

by D.S. Walls

After a devastating breakup leaves her questioning everything, Farrah Darby trades her flailing life in San Francisco for a fresh start in Hollywood as a movie set stylist. Her fashion expertise should be her ticket to success, but there's one problem: Director Errol Davis seems determined to make her life hell. Every costume choice becomes a battle, every interaction a test of wills.

Farrah gives as good as she gets – if Davis wants war, she'll show him exactly what she's made of. But between their heated arguments, she can't help noticing other things too: his intense focus when he's directing, the rare smile that transforms his face, and yes, that irritatingly perfect ass. When a crisis on set forces them to work closely together, Farrah glimpses a different man beneath the harsh exterior – one who might be worth the risk of letting her guards down again.

Now she's facing a dilemma bigger than any wardrobe decision: trust her head, which warns her to keep her distance, or her heart, which whispers that their rivalry might be disguising something much more intriguing.

Genres: Romance

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 21, 2025

About the author

D.S. Walls is a wine loving, cat mom who devours books. Having spent most of her life in a plus size body, it became her mission to create the representation she wished to see. A firm believer that all women deserve love, her stories focus on complex women who aren’t always the most likeable. Her books will always give you banter, spice and a curvy woman getting all the love she deserves.

Reviews

[Neek Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy on Set is an enthralling tale that expertly intertwines personal growth, sizzling romance, and genuine representation. From the very first page, the chemistry between Farrah, an ambitious wardrobe designer, and Errol, a charismatic, feisty bisexual director, ignites the narrative. Their initial encounter brims with tension, setting the perfect stage for an irresistible enemies-to-lovers storyline.

Farrah’s transformative journey stands out, showcasing her evolution both personally and professionally. As a plus-sized Black woman, Farrah's character breaks the mold of traditional romance protagonists, offering refreshing and authentic representation. Walls portrays her with nuance, celebrating her confidence, beauty, and resilience without reducing her to stereotypes. Farrah’s self-assuredness in embracing her body and identity shines through, making her relatable and empowering to readers who often don’t see themselves reflected in such dynamic roles. Watching her navigate career complexities while embracing her authentic self is inspiring, with DS Walls painting her growth with heartfelt authenticity. Her triumphs resonate deeply, making her story both relatable and empowering.

Errol’s character brings refreshing bisexual representation to the forefront. Vibrant, nuanced, and unapologetically himself, his witty banter and irresistible charm add both humor and warmth. Walls handles representation with sincere care, making it a standout feature of the novel.

Beyond the steamy romance, Steamy on Set delves into themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and acceptance, adding layers of depth to the story. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic unfolds delightfully, with Errol’s eventual fall for Farrah delivering those heart-fluttering moments that romance enthusiasts crave.

In conclusion, Steamy on Set is a must-read for anyone seeking authentic characters, heartfelt representation, and a romance that’s as satisfying as it is delightful. Highly recommended for fans of heartfelt, steamy, and character-driven love stories.

[Robyn Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

catchy from thr start but more a ya with a little spice. does try and tackle body positivity it was a platte cleanser.

[Johanna Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review- I love a good rom-com and this book is that! Farrah Darby is a San Francisco native who just went through a horrible breakup where her best friend of 10 years and boyfriend of 1 cheats on her, so she and her other best friend move to LA. She gets a job in wardrobe on a movie set and clashes immediately with Errol Davis the director and writer of the movie. Farrah is a plus size girl who is direct and not always well liked, but she is real. I really enjoyed the fact that she was comfortable in her skin and that people stood up for her (even though she was capable and did stand up for herself). I like that she knew her worth. I like that she was misunderstood but the people who took the time to get to know her learned that she wasn’t coming from a bad spot and the others just missed out. Farrah and Errol have fun banter and develop a great friendship before they find love (steam comes towards the end but it’s there) and I can’t wait for Monty’s story. As a white woman I especially liked to see Farrah being able to say Tiffany can’t do my hair and she needs to learn to do different textures of hair and that the author developed Tiffany enough to have her follow up on that and have Tiffany own up to the fact that she was lacking and she thanked Farrah for pushing her. I wish more of that happened in real life. I’m also from Chicago so it made me smile that Errol was from there. I’m glad Farrah and Errol get their HEA and I can’t wait to see what is in store for Monty. I hope Mira ends up working in a thrift shop lol, what a miserable person she was. Which I guess is good writing if you hate the person you’re supposed to.

[LaTosha Webber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is what I like to call a feel good book. It’s got a moderate pace,banter, a little angst, good chemistry and enough details that you feel connected to and invested in the characters. Farrah is such a great FMC because you don’t always necessarily like her but you respect the hell out of her. Davis is solid and sweet and I would have given my left (insert body part) for just a little bit of his POV. That and the fact that no one ever slapped the taste out of Mira’s mouth are the what kept this from being a story I loved. But I liked and enjoyed it very much!! The end felt dramatic but very Farrah in a way so I still enjoyed it too, even if it was a zinth hour not quite 3rd act. One of my favorite things about the book is that Davis was bi and it just was information about him without being anything to discuss or overcome. And that Farrah was a stunningly beautiful and wealthy woman who was also fat, it was there but just a touch more than Davis’s being bi was.

I feel so lucky to have been given a PR copy of this book and I think D.S. Walls has a promising writing career ahead!

[Chapter Chirp (Jessica)]

ARC Review-
“Steamy on Set” follows San Francisco native Farrah Darby as she is left reeling from devastating breakup with boyfriend and long time friend. When her best friend Monty suggested they leave SF behind to start fresh in Los Angeles, Farrah decides to contact an old acquaintance to scout for job prospects. Once in LA, she lands a job on a movie set as a stylist but not everyone is so happy for her to be there including grumpy director, Errol Davis who is determined to knock her down a notch. This was such a fun read, I loved Farrah, as she was confident in her skin and proud to be a curvaceous Black woman. Her best friend Monty, was a class act and always had Farrah’s back which is what we all want in a best friend. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope and I thought the queer MMC rep was refreshing and beautiful. If I had to describe “Steamy on Set” to friends I would say it’s a little bit romance and a little bit comedy with a delicious splash of spice. Will definitely be recommending this read to romcom fans! Also I’m looking forward to Monty’s story!

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is slow burn goodness. Thi book felt real. By that I mean the relationship grew organically and the characters are imperfect and flawed and that's my favorite type of character.
The build from bad first impression, to understand the others motivation and unnerworkings while life around is messy and complex kept me turning the pages. And when that slow burn became a freaking fire, my heart exploded with it.
Because on the first person narrative, it was easy to understand Farrah but I loved how " unlikable" she came off to the other characters. A huge part of this (in my opinion) is due to her growing up with a white privilege background, making her reaction taken as "the angry black lady" when everything is quite justified. She does have a direct personality but it is always done with heart and respect. To me this was an important point to make. Speaking up shouldn't vilified a person, a characters and the difference between how others expect her to act and how she is unapologeticly herself shows that. I loved this so much, and I can't wait for the next installment.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, it’s very rom-com with a lil spice towards the end. This is a great debut book and I’m excited to see what else she does.

[K.G. Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Steamy on Set: FULL OF SPOILERS

This debut by @dswallswrites has to be on your list! It was such a great slow burn with such a sassy main character! She was fierce and fiery.

After a painful breakup, Farrah Darby leaves San Francisco to start over as a movie set stylist in Hollywood but quickly butts heads with difficult director Errol Davis. When they are forced to work closely during a set crisis, Farrah starts to see a different side of him and has to decide if getting involved is worth the risk.


What I loved:
The banter and tension in this story was 🔥 - I was flipping the pages so quickly every time they were stuck in a room together (IYKYK)

I really loved how self assured and confident Farrah was, there was great plus sized body positivity in this book but it was about that. Farrah was already so confident in her body the characterization focused on WHO she was and what she wanted. I loved that!

Errol was dreamyyyy - everything he said and did made me absolutely melt and I LOVED seeing bisexual rep in this book. It’s so wonderful to see that incorporated so intentionally as a part of his character.

This author had so many things to say about the person we are versus who we present ourselves to the world as. I just loved seeing so many different ways to show that.

What I held me back from 5 ⭐️:
-at times, Farrah was very unlikeable, honestly most of the characters were extremely unlikable at points. There was quite a bit of development and they turned around at the end but I was pretty turned off by how rude and sometimes just mean they were. (One of the characters at one point said she didn’t like another character because the vibes were off and while she was right, I didn’t pick up on that and it made me dislike her for most of the book)
-the plot does a lot of time skips which makes me feel like I missed out on some of the action and it’s more told to me than shown which sometimes felt a little rushed.


Overall, this story was so fun and I really had such a great time. Highly recommend for your next romance read!

Thank you so much to this author for an advanced copy for my honest review ❤️

[Lyssa J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Full review at ihavetosay.blog

Thank you to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are mine.

This is currently a standalone, contemporary, romance book told from the first person of Farrah.

Farrah is our plus-size and confident FMC, who commands a room. She loves styling and showing her personality through clothes.

The director, Errol, is bothered from her the minute he meets her, taking her confidence for arrogance.

I enjoyed Farrah. She self-admittedly has an attitude, is getting over a breakup, and cares deeply (sometimes to a fault). She’s not insecure, even when others think she should be.

Errol matched her energy. He wasn’t afraid of speaking his mind and giving her attitude back, even when he was wrong. I liked him too and liked learning about him through her pov.

With time, a friendship forms that was natural and honest to me. I loved reading them open themselves up and get to know each other, while recognizing their own faults.

Read for
🎬 Bi MMC
🎬 Plus-Size FMC
🎬 Director x Stylist
🎬 Workplace Romance
🎬 Movie Set Setting
🎬 Enemies/Dislike to Lovers
🎬 Drunken Confessions

OVERALL
Overall, I give this a 4.5 out of 5 stars. I liked how social aspects were weaved into the story and I really liked these characters and the conversations they had. It was fun seeing Farrah and Errol together, both when they were beefing and when they were friendly.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

🎬 Enemies to Lovers
🎬 Workplace romance
🎬 Opposites Attract
🎬 He Falls First
🎬 Sassy FMC
🎬 Plus-size FMC
🎬 Bisexual MMC

From page one, Farrah is wallowing and annoying. I knew going into it, she was healing from a broken heart, but I guess I didn't expect her to be wallowing in self-pity on top of being rude to people (she’s called out on her behavior and doesn't deny she acts that way, even admits to the behaviors). And honestly, I feel like it if it wasn't a book and a major plot point that she and Errol work together, she'd have been fired in the real world, since the subpar quality of her work is brought up with multiple examples (it’s not her work, but she doesn't defend herself and say whose work it is). Like, yeah, she's a pretty awesome human with well deserved reasons to be as confident and unapologetically herself as she is, and I even know and admire the real women I've met who are like her, but unfortunately it didn't translate well in book form for me. :/

Mira is extremely unlikeable and such a fake friend, and I wish Farrah had realized that sooner because she deserves better. Monty is a pretty good friend, though, and I really liked her.

I received a free copy of this book from the author.

[Traveling Bookie Monster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farrah has been through some TRAUMA! Whew! It's the betrayals from those closest that do the most damage, but as Farrah learns, they also come with the biggest lessons.
Sometimes shitty things happen and you can’t do anything about it, but sometimes shitty things happen and your life gets the best kind of wake up call ever.
From small-time stylist to big-time star, Farrah’s journey is full of laughter, love and tears. Her sharp wit and confidence make her the ultimate MAIN CHARACTER.
Errol worms his way into Farrah’s heart with banter and natural talent. A bi-sexual man with “communal dick” and a soft spot for confident women. Although they have a hell of a rocky start, these enemies to lovers will have you clutching your heart in shock and then awe.
Steamy on Set is a great reminder to follow your dreams, but to also take chances. Just cause it’s not what you thought it would be, life can always surprise you in the best ways.

[Christi Lawson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this strong and sassy romance! Farrah is a character I haven’t seen a lot, with her confidence and strength in so many areas of her life where we all tend to falter or be insecure. She’s not perfect, of course, but she’s not perfect in very realistic ways. At some moments, you may not even like her, and you may see how those fighting with her could be right about her…but she’s still very human and very real, and I loved it. I also loved the way her identity as a Black woman was addressed - it was relevant and important, but also not the only focus of the story. This book is listed as first in a series, and I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest as they come out!

I did receive an advance copy of this book from the author, but I ended up reading again via KU after it was published.

[Charleys Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steamy On Set by D.S. Walls is a fun romance novel with snarky banter, set in on a movie set where the two MCs work!

Farrah, after getting dumped and ghosted by her friend-turned-boyfriend, leaves San Francisco with her best friend to move to LA for a fresh start. There, on set for her new job as a movie stylist, Farrah has a run with none other than Director Errol, who already seems to not like her or her work.

I had such a fun time reading this book, and I loved the banter between these characters throughout the whole book. I was obsessed that D. S. Walls kept the same level of playful and little mean banter throughout the book and in their relationship. Them getting locked in the closet was everything!! I love that Farrah was loud and proud of who she was and was pissed every time someone shamed her or called her entitled! Farrah is a strong female lead, and I loved that she had style and was plus-sized.

This is a great debut novel for D.S. Walls, and she is starting a fun series! I am excited to see where it goes and what else D. S. Walls has in store for us. I highly recommend picking up this book if you like Black main characters, banter, enemies to lovers, and workplace romance.

ARC REVIEW! Thank you to @dswallswrites for the copy to review early!

[Tracy D · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bad breakup Farrah follows her friend on her move to new year and lands a job as an assistant stylist on a movie set. Things start off on the wrong foot on her first day as she butts heads with the director, Errol. He always seems to want to pick a fight with her and Farrah is not one to back down. She is confident and stubborn. The heat between them starts to change as Farrah realizes her attraction to Errol but can she open her heart again?

This is a slow burn with lots of tension and a spicy payoff! It’s a fun fast read with fabulous banter and great characters.

I received an eARC from the author, all options are my own.

Content warnings include cheating, alcohol, toxic friendships, fatphobia, racism and sexual content

[Nikita Francois · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC Review* “Steamy on Set” was a fun, fast-paced slow burn. Walls did a great job in building the tension between our FMC Farrah and MMC Errol. It was fun relishing in her enemies-to-lovers trope within such a quick read. When we do get to the “lovers” section, the spice is perfectly fitting the pent up tension that’s been building throughout the story.

Farrah’s humor and self-awareness were refreshing to see, especially considering we don’t often get to enjoy the POV of a protagonist who’s unapologetically Black and confidently curvy. The contrast between Farrah and her jealous antagonist was also an interesting dynamic, and the nature of how that was revealed was very well executed. Overall, the storyline and characters felt relatable (especially Monty), pulling you in from the first page and keeping you invested throughout.

At just over 250 pages, I read this in a little over 3 hours. I’m truly looking forward to enjoying Monty’s story next year.

[Escape_withStephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
This started so well and then started getting fast-paced. When I say Farrah is all confidence and attention, I mean she is all attention and confidence; she's so confident in her skills and body and the way Errol just literally goes with it. It's her world, and he's lucky enough to live in it. Them getting locked in the closet was everything!! I love that Farrah was loud and proud of who she was and was pissed every time someone shamed her or called her entitled! Farrah is a strong female lead, and I loved that she had style and was plus-sized. I do feel that it was jumbled all over the place and a rushed ending, sorta but it was terrific.

[Angela Batchelor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Farrah moved to Los Angeles from San Francisco for a fresh start, and a job as an assistant costume designer on a movie set. She immediately butted heads with the film’s director, Errol, and her headstrong nature also caused her issues with other members of the crew. When the leading lady has to leave, though, Errol offers Farrah the job and they start working closely together. They find out that neither is exactly what they seemed upon first meeting and the friendship that goes from there sparks into even more. I loved the plus-sized FMC rep and the truth about BIPOC trying to make it in a white-dominated industry. Just a wonderful book all around.

[Nicke M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

****3.5 stars****
This was a solid debut novel! I loved Farrah’s sassiness, independence, & that she wasn’t well liked but rolled with in most cases while also showing vulnerability. It felt very real. The tension between her and Errol was definitely tensioning! It was a slow burn but definitely kept me intrigued.
Farrah & Monty’s friendship seemed really special and I’m excited for Monty’s story coming soon!
Thank you to the author for allowing me the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.


📱 EARC
🖤🖤🖤.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
(How I rate books & spice is pinned to my Insta @novelnicke for more info!)

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has my trifecta: 1) Dislike to lovers is one of my weaknesses, and I really loved how it was written in this book. 2) I love a fat FMC, and one who knows her worth and happily shows off her body is my favorite kind of fat FMC. 3) Queer representation. As a queer person in a straight-presenting relationship, I love seeing us in books. I appreciate that Errol’s queerness is just part of him, rather than a point of angst.

I highly enjoyed reading this book, and I’m looking forward to the next one!

⭐️: Barely finished, almost DNF
⭐️⭐️: Finished, but was nothing wonderful
⭐️⭐️⭐️: Enjoyed, but would probably not read again
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: Highly enjoyed, would likely read again
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️: This book is now a part of my regular rotation to re-read and/or changed my brain chemistry

[Synthia Littleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet

Erron and Farrah are a Perfect match. I will not talk plot but this story had such great tension even when the relationship switched They still had the best tension. The dialog was fresh and relatable and the pacing of the story was absolutely delicious. I enjoyed both of them It just was a very fresh take on instant enemies To friends And finally to lovers. It was absolutely delightful light and fluffy just what the doctor ordered. This was such a good read.

[Nayeli Regan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best romance of the year

This book grabbed me and did not let me go. From the beginning to the end I felt completely submerged in Farrah’s world. The writing was amazing and the characters came alive. Not only that, but my goodness have I been inspired to be my full self and to accept no less from others. I will be reading everything D.S. Walls is willing to share with us because she’s got a gift.

[Alisha Pascual · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was good. The whole enemies to lovers, back and forth dynamic between Errol and Farrah is always good because it builds the sexual tension between the two characters. And makes it even better when they finally get together. Then there’s the characters, I love the difference between all the characters and their developments throughout the book. Loved it 💕 ❤️

[Shandra David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved Steamy On Set! Back and forth banter, dislike to lovers, confident and caring FMC, insecure but talented MMC. These two complimented each other so well! Farrah fought the chemistry at first, but after being forced to work together every day—a little getting locked in a closet!—and some heart to heart confessions, there was no escaping the heat between them.

[Samone Webber-Blount · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this enemies to lovers romance!! I enjoyed the flow of the romance & that there were no games played! Farrah was my fav, because I connect with her so deeply & really love the plus size representation! Definitely recommend my besties pick this book up ASAP!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful

Loved the depth of the characters and the push-pull of their romance

Slow burn, hate-each-others-guts to lovers, with themes of strong friendships and learning to heal from baggage

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review, I really enjoyed this rom com. It was a fun, light read that drew me in right away, and kept me engaged the whole book. I did not want it to end, which is great as I can’t wait to find out more about Monty! The banter between Farrah and Errol was fun, and kept things moving.

[S.M.Mulroney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and easy read, the tension was amazing and the spice satisfying. I very much enjoyed this one.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it 🥰

This was my first time, reading a book by this author, and it was a page turner! I can’t wait to read what she comes out with next

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars! Thoroughly enjoyed it! I think if the last couple of chapters would have been spread out over an extra two-ish chapters, the emotions of those chapters would have hit even harder, and it would have been a perfect 5.

If you are looking for an easy read, rom-com, with a little but GOOD spice, this is for you!

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

oh i love love loved this. from the beginning the writing pulled me in, i’m super surprised this is a debut book because i really loved the writing!

re. the characters; god i loved them both so much! Errol was your typical grump, but i felt so bad for him and his past & his insecurities, i wanted to give him a big hug🥹 the way he was such a softie for farrah while still being able to give her shit was everything, and their banter was top top tier. farrah darling😩 was the shit. her take-up-space attitude had me wanting to feel more confidence myself! i loved the way she stood up for herself & didnt have trouble speaking her mind. her growth was wonderful to watch *spoiler below*

fuck mira

thank you thank you for the arc! (all opinions are my own)