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Superpowered Love #7
The Playhouse
Summer has been Lily McBride’s favorite time of year since she was a kid, because that’s when the Brookesville Playhouse opens its doors. Now that she’s an adult and works as their tech director, Lily wants more for her beloved Playhouse: a larger audience, a longer season, and exciting shows to draw new patrons.
This year, though, she also wants Genevieve Mason, a pretty starlet-in-the-making from the local university, recruited for the season’s tech crew. Genny throws her heart and soul into the place too, adding her own dreams of representation to the ‘must-have’ list, and using her sweet voice and surprising flare for pyrotechnics to draw the crowds in droves. They work so well together, it’s not long before their summer crush blossoms into a steamy affair.
Lily’s falling hard, but always feels like Genny’s holding something back. And then there’s the dreaded Brookesville Arts Council—supposed to be a support system for all things cultural, instead dragging the Playhouse down with their old-fashioned stubbornness. There are a lot of hurdles to jump and egos to deflate before they can get what they want, both for the theater and from each other.
This year, though, she also wants Genevieve Mason, a pretty starlet-in-the-making from the local university, recruited for the season’s tech crew. Genny throws her heart and soul into the place too, adding her own dreams of representation to the ‘must-have’ list, and using her sweet voice and surprising flare for pyrotechnics to draw the crowds in droves. They work so well together, it’s not long before their summer crush blossoms into a steamy affair.
Lily’s falling hard, but always feels like Genny’s holding something back. And then there’s the dreaded Brookesville Arts Council—supposed to be a support system for all things cultural, instead dragging the Playhouse down with their old-fashioned stubbornness. There are a lot of hurdles to jump and egos to deflate before they can get what they want, both for the theater and from each other.
103 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2015
34 people want to read
About the author
Katey Hawthorne
60 books157 followersHi! I'm Katey. I write superpowered and fantasy romance of an LGBTQIA bent. I live at Superpowered Love -- kateyhawthorne.com.
I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:
Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks
I know, I know, it looks like I don't read anything here at GoodReads. But I do, I swear. My reviews and stuff are all over at my other GoodReads thingie, KV Taylor. Relevant shelves to Katey Hawthorne stuff:
Romance
LGBTQ
and
Comics, Graphic Novels, and Trade Paperbacks
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 8, 2019
Reviewed by Robin
Book provided by the publisher
I found this to be a rather interesting book. I haven’t read any other books by this author but, having disclosed that piece of information I found that although there were some issues I had with this book, it really had a nice storyline.
We all have that special place that as a kid for whatever reason we find solace in. For Lily it was the playhouse during the summer. But the small things that caught Lily’s attention as a child have now turned to bigger things…like not wanting the summer/season for the playhouse to end.
I liked that Ms. Hawthorne introduced a lot of characters but sometimes it is better to stick with a few then too many. I found myself getting rather overwhelmed at times because of the onslaught of characters that were paraded throughout the story at first.
Sometimes just a look is all that you need to meet or find that one person that you are attracted to. For Lily it was Genevieve or Genny for short. Genny had fallen in love with the playhouse just as Lily had. That look across the room connected these two not only for the love of the playhouse but also romantically. As the two worked for the greater good of the playhouse and things get heated as the town or rather the council drags their feet; their relationship becomes very emotional and intimate. Sometimes it would have been nice for a little more emotion outside of the bedroom getting rather steamy at times. But all in all it was good…
Another item that I had a bit of a problem with is that I like to be shown things instead of being told. Not much room to use your imagination. But this of course is just my opinion.
The entire entire premise of the story was fun and very entertaing. An easy read for one of those nights or days you just want something that is different and out of your comfort zone. So get to know Lily and Genny as they explore their relationship and she what happens as they join forces to help the local playhouse. Things tend to get hot in the relationship department so you might just need a nice cold drink as you settle in your comfy chair to see what happens.
Book provided by the publisher
I found this to be a rather interesting book. I haven’t read any other books by this author but, having disclosed that piece of information I found that although there were some issues I had with this book, it really had a nice storyline.
We all have that special place that as a kid for whatever reason we find solace in. For Lily it was the playhouse during the summer. But the small things that caught Lily’s attention as a child have now turned to bigger things…like not wanting the summer/season for the playhouse to end.
I liked that Ms. Hawthorne introduced a lot of characters but sometimes it is better to stick with a few then too many. I found myself getting rather overwhelmed at times because of the onslaught of characters that were paraded throughout the story at first.
Sometimes just a look is all that you need to meet or find that one person that you are attracted to. For Lily it was Genevieve or Genny for short. Genny had fallen in love with the playhouse just as Lily had. That look across the room connected these two not only for the love of the playhouse but also romantically. As the two worked for the greater good of the playhouse and things get heated as the town or rather the council drags their feet; their relationship becomes very emotional and intimate. Sometimes it would have been nice for a little more emotion outside of the bedroom getting rather steamy at times. But all in all it was good…
Another item that I had a bit of a problem with is that I like to be shown things instead of being told. Not much room to use your imagination. But this of course is just my opinion.
The entire entire premise of the story was fun and very entertaing. An easy read for one of those nights or days you just want something that is different and out of your comfort zone. So get to know Lily and Genny as they explore their relationship and she what happens as they join forces to help the local playhouse. Things tend to get hot in the relationship department so you might just need a nice cold drink as you settle in your comfy chair to see what happens.
December 6, 2021
Lily McBride has always loved the summer when The Playhouse was open. Now she is the technical director and she wants to improve and revitalize the Playhouse. Genevieve Mason, a new talent from the university, has signed on to help for the summer. She works hard and has captured the attention of Lily. She has a flare for pyrotechnics and soon they are doing just as Lily wanted, attracting new patrons and putting on fabulous shows. Lily is falling hard for Genny but knows she is hiding something and that makes her tentative.
Lily had to over come so much to make her beloved Playhouse popular. She had to deal with the Brooksville Arts Council. Most of the members had their feet firmly in the past and did not want things to change. Lily had to prove herself constantly and often still had non-believers. Fortunately, he had Genny on her side. It was a story filled with lots of hidden motives and undermining. It is a wonderful, unique addition to the Superpowered Love series.
Lily had to over come so much to make her beloved Playhouse popular. She had to deal with the Brooksville Arts Council. Most of the members had their feet firmly in the past and did not want things to change. Lily had to prove herself constantly and often still had non-believers. Fortunately, he had Genny on her side. It was a story filled with lots of hidden motives and undermining. It is a wonderful, unique addition to the Superpowered Love series.
December 15, 2021
Lily is what you would call a tech geek (nothing wrong with that) and she absolutely loves it as well as Summer, summer is her favorite season of the year. Lily is a tech director for the playhouse, a job she loves very much until Genny comes along. The chemistry is off the charts between the two of them and things move fast for them. Thier love only grows throughout the book as they work together to save the playhouse. This series has been amazing from the beginning & i cant believe its coming to an end but i have completely enjoyed it. ❤️❤️😀😀
December 19, 2021
This story is a bit of a departure from the rest of the books in the series. At the center is Lily, who wants to see a successful and better than ever season for the Playhouse that she has loved every summer since she was a child. To add to that she finds herself interested in Genny who is on the tech crew. They share a love of and hopes for the Playhouse. And a growing affection for one another. There is some drama but not a lot in this installment which made it a nice change of pace in the series.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.
I received an ARC from GRR for an honest review.
December 18, 2021
If you loved all those movies where folks get together and put on a play, this may be right up your alley. The Brookesville Playhouse is getting ready for their summer season and sparks are also flying between Lily and Genny on the tech crew. There's plenty of romance, backstage doings and the stress of dealing with a stodgy arts council that keeps everything interesting and rolling along in this story.
December 18, 2021
This story was so super sweet and I absolutely adored these characters! Lily and Genny were so incredibly adorable together! Their chemistry was fire! They worked thfether throughout the book to save the playhouse that Lily loved. It was a sweet and cute and steamy story! I loved it so much!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 18, 2021
This book was alright and well written, but I guess I am just used to more drama, danger and action from this series. The chemistry and love were there, but it just didn't grab me. YMMV. Good series overall and I am looking forward to the next book.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest reviewing.
I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest reviewing.
December 21, 2021
She is in charge of the theatre recruitment and she has plans to make it better. She knows she needs them involved and yet feelings may just become involved. The council has it own rules and she is not what they truly want. Will they fall in love? What will the others do when they find out? How will it all go? See if they have a happy ending
December 18, 2021
Lily and Genny's story was steamy and oh so sweet! I loved their journey together and I though for the most part it was well written. I read an advanced copy of this story and this is my unbiased review!
January 1, 2022
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Great characters and storyline. The book flows and keeps me reading from beginning to end.
December 20, 2021
I think the story of Lily and Genny complemented perfectly the big picture this series is creating. I loved the characters, the interesting plot and all the feelings and dreams they shared together. A great addition to the series!
May 31, 2015
The Superpowered Love series may feature superpowers, but they're more for the Tumblr crowd than the blockbuster crowd. The characters are deliberately diverse and also vivid, young, punky and passionate. Hawthorne's stories always feature themes of openness, tolerance and acceptance as well as the kind of witty commentary on social justice topics that we might expect on Tumblr but seldom find in novels—especially in romance, a genre which (as all of us queer readers well know) has been reluctant to modernize its approach to gender roles and expectations.
Superpowered Love is a series of standalone stories set in a modern world in which some people have hidden elemental superpowers. The narrator of The Playhouse is Lily, a pink-haired theater enthusiast who dedicates her summers to the eponymous Playhouse theater. The novella spans the summer theater season, as Lily creates sets and directs three plays and falls for the gorgeous theater student Genny.
Genny is a talented performer and a social media expert who helps Lily build hype for the theater. She also has supernatural control over fire, which she conceals under the guise of pyrotechnic skills. She's confident and adorable, and on an admirable mission to make the theater exciting and inviting to young girls of color.
One of Hawthorne's strengths is creating deeply believable characters and a world it's easy to get immersed in. The Playhouse has a fleet of well-drawn secondary characters who all have their own motivations and cares. Hawthorne's research shines through in the vivid and realistic descriptions of theater life and the theater community.
I have a limited knowledge of theater so there were references that went over my head, but not enough to damage the story. I'm sure a theater fan would get a huge kick out of the references to plays and songs, and anyone with access to Wikipedia would understand them.
Lily is the narrator of The Playhouse and it's her voice that flavors the story. Lily can be described in one word: Passionate. She's deeply invested in the plays she puts on, in the theater's success, in her small-town community and in Genny. She's dedicated and open and nearly fearless. Although she isn't the one with superpowers, Lily is like a blazing flame that all the other characters orbit around.
Lily's love of the Playhouse theater is realistic and well-written and makes her story compelling. But the romance and the theater story are each so strong that they battle for prominence, and later in the story the relationship seems to come second. Genny and Lily are so great together and have such interesting conversations that although their sex is incendiary I would like one less sex scene and one more scene of the couple just goofing around and chatting together.
Superpowers are synonymous with superheroes, but the Superpowerd Love series steps away from the nefarious plots and loud action scenes of blockbuster movies. The Playhouse has all the beloved superhero themes—friendships and teamwork and the triumph of good over evil. It's just written on a smaller scale and in a local setting. And—best of all—with heroes that we can all relate to. Genny may have superpowers, but Lily and Genny get their happy ending through the human powers of hard work and the strength of friendship.
Superpowered Love is a series of standalone stories set in a modern world in which some people have hidden elemental superpowers. The narrator of The Playhouse is Lily, a pink-haired theater enthusiast who dedicates her summers to the eponymous Playhouse theater. The novella spans the summer theater season, as Lily creates sets and directs three plays and falls for the gorgeous theater student Genny.
Genny is a talented performer and a social media expert who helps Lily build hype for the theater. She also has supernatural control over fire, which she conceals under the guise of pyrotechnic skills. She's confident and adorable, and on an admirable mission to make the theater exciting and inviting to young girls of color.
One of Hawthorne's strengths is creating deeply believable characters and a world it's easy to get immersed in. The Playhouse has a fleet of well-drawn secondary characters who all have their own motivations and cares. Hawthorne's research shines through in the vivid and realistic descriptions of theater life and the theater community.
I have a limited knowledge of theater so there were references that went over my head, but not enough to damage the story. I'm sure a theater fan would get a huge kick out of the references to plays and songs, and anyone with access to Wikipedia would understand them.
Lily is the narrator of The Playhouse and it's her voice that flavors the story. Lily can be described in one word: Passionate. She's deeply invested in the plays she puts on, in the theater's success, in her small-town community and in Genny. She's dedicated and open and nearly fearless. Although she isn't the one with superpowers, Lily is like a blazing flame that all the other characters orbit around.
Lily's love of the Playhouse theater is realistic and well-written and makes her story compelling. But the romance and the theater story are each so strong that they battle for prominence, and later in the story the relationship seems to come second. Genny and Lily are so great together and have such interesting conversations that although their sex is incendiary I would like one less sex scene and one more scene of the couple just goofing around and chatting together.
Superpowers are synonymous with superheroes, but the Superpowerd Love series steps away from the nefarious plots and loud action scenes of blockbuster movies. The Playhouse has all the beloved superhero themes—friendships and teamwork and the triumph of good over evil. It's just written on a smaller scale and in a local setting. And—best of all—with heroes that we can all relate to. Genny may have superpowers, but Lily and Genny get their happy ending through the human powers of hard work and the strength of friendship.
May 18, 2015
ThreeStar
The beginning of this story was chocked full of characters. I couldn't keep up with who was who and what was going on. I never full understood who owned the Playhouse and why Lily felt as passionately about it as she did other than the fact it helped her escape when her mother had been sick.We weren't given a lot into background as to whether Lily had known she was a lesbian before Genevieve showed up and they went from one sly smile to so much more at a party.
A lot of this story was just hard to follow. There is time jumps, lots of telling instead of showing.. Scenes start with showing and then jump to just being told what happened the rest of the scene.. By the end of the book, I didn't find that I connected to any of the characters at all in any way since there was no emotions shown except in the naughty scenes. The few times there were emotions, we were simply told how the character felt. Like falling in love with Genny because she didn't like that Lily got hit on by one of the board members. Another part of the story I totally didn't get.. All the characters acted like Lily had been raped or molested or something when Wes had simply hinted that if she slept with him he'd help her... NOT the same thing as rape.
The actual plot line wasn't bad.. She is trying to save a playhouse that she loves and the appearance of Genny with her skill and 'ideas' helps. But overall, I really felt like it fell short in many ways.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Renee
The beginning of this story was chocked full of characters. I couldn't keep up with who was who and what was going on. I never full understood who owned the Playhouse and why Lily felt as passionately about it as she did other than the fact it helped her escape when her mother had been sick.We weren't given a lot into background as to whether Lily had known she was a lesbian before Genevieve showed up and they went from one sly smile to so much more at a party.
A lot of this story was just hard to follow. There is time jumps, lots of telling instead of showing.. Scenes start with showing and then jump to just being told what happened the rest of the scene.. By the end of the book, I didn't find that I connected to any of the characters at all in any way since there was no emotions shown except in the naughty scenes. The few times there were emotions, we were simply told how the character felt. Like falling in love with Genny because she didn't like that Lily got hit on by one of the board members. Another part of the story I totally didn't get.. All the characters acted like Lily had been raped or molested or something when Wes had simply hinted that if she slept with him he'd help her... NOT the same thing as rape.
The actual plot line wasn't bad.. She is trying to save a playhouse that she loves and the appearance of Genny with her skill and 'ideas' helps. But overall, I really felt like it fell short in many ways.
I was given this in return for an honest review by Inked Rainbow Reads.
~Renee
February 28, 2020
Probably my favorite in this series thus far. For the theater babies out there, this may not be your theater but you’ll recognize it. You’ve lived here, you’ve loved here. Now with more girl-love and superpowers.
Read
May 4, 2015The latest in Superpowered Love from The Other Me~
Read
May 4, 2015Coming May 12, the latest in Superpowered Love. You know what's a GREAT use for pyrokinesis? Stage special effects!
... no, really!
... no, really!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews