Set the Stage

Rivervue Community Theatre #2

by Daniel de Lorne

He's the Banksy of the international theatre scene - daring, anonymous, renowned. So when playwright 'Draven' bequeaths his latest play to the rural Rivervue Theatre, the stage is set for drama.

While the redevelopment brief for Rivervue Community Theatre moulders on his desk, a phone call from an unrequited past love sends architect Gabriel Mora running back to his artsy hometown. Afraid of worsening his mother's health, Gabriel is forced to hide his involvement in the redevelopment. It's just one more secret to keep, along with his feelings for a certain red-headed stage manager.

Bruce Clifton can build anything. But the jobs mean nothing if he's not getting paid. On the cusp of losing his home, Bruce needs to find a way to call in those debts without showing his community how much trouble he's got himself into. With Gabriel's return to town stirring up past hurts, soon it's not just his home Bruce has to worry about losing, but his heart.

Can Bruce and Gabriel work together for the good of Rivervue, or will their hope for a second chance exit stage right?

200 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2020

About the author

Daniel de Lorne writes about men, monsters and magic.

In love with writing since he wrote a story about a talking tree at age six, his first novel, the romantic horror Beckoning Blood, was published in 2014. At the heart of every book is a romance between two men, whether they’re irresistible vampires, historical hotties, or professional paramours.

If you take your LGBT romance fiction with supernatural, urban fantasy or contemporary flavoring, Daniel de Lorne delivers.

In his other life, Daniel is a professional writer and researcher in Perth, Australia, with a love of history and nature. All of which makes for great story fodder.

And when he’s not working, he and his husband explore as much of this amazing world as they can, from the ruins of Welsh abbeys to trekking famous routes and swimming with whales.

To get to the real heart of the matter, visit danieldelorne.com.

Reviews

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet, heartfelt, and super solid second chance romance from Daniel de Lorne. There's a good deal going on beneath the surface in Set the Stage and de Lorne gives us enough credit to know it. He delivers the bones of the story on a platter: terminally ailing mom, history of abuse, lost love, and deceitful ex-best friend. As I've found with the de Lorne stories I've read, this author paints the story with broad brushstrokes and lets the pieces fall where they may. Which results in a story which might bring out a different result to each reader. One of the main reasons I've never turned down the chance to read and review one of his novels.

a copy of Set the Stage was provided to me by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review

[Tanya Nellestein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had ALL the feels! Bruce and Gabe are made for each other, which makes the long and twisted road they have to take to find each other so heart wrenching. I read this book in one sitting...just couldn’t put it down 🥰

[Jolene · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was ok, not a bad read. While this was the first time I read any of this author's work, I did enjoy the writing and liked watching how Gabriel and Bruce both overcame past hurts. I did feel like the overall conflict was a bit of betrayal, but I'm petty, so...
Also not sure if the overdramatic bits were due to "stage presence" but it worked with the setting and things ended happily enough.

[Shelagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, this was my first gay romance and shock, horror, the walls didn’t fall down around me. Set The Stage, by Daniel de Lorne is a love story pure and simple and as such I enjoyed it. I loved the vulnerability displayed by both Gabriel and Bruce as each of them confronted their demons. I loved their tenderness towards Gabe’s mother Sofia as she dealt with cancer and the way each of them slowly came to grips with their love for each other.
Aside from the love story between Gabe and Bruce,this is a story about two sensitive men growing stronger in themselves, developing confidence and ultimately revealing that part of their inner selves that has held them back from truly relaxing into love. It’s well written, definitely a page turner and a thoroughly entertaining read.

[Two Nerds With Words · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Having not read book one in this series, I went in blind, which didn't cause too much of an issue. I was able to catch up quickly with the characters and their dynamics.

We're introduced to two characters, Gabriel and Bruce, early on, both with distinctive voices and both likable personalities. It's clear from the onset that these individuals have a history--a trope I always enjoy.

The conflict as the narrative pushed forwards felt a little forced and overdramatized at times, though the overall development is sweetly done and tied up nicely.

The bottom line: An enjoyable read offering great romantic escapism.

[Claire Louisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second book in the series, running roughly at the same time as book 1 we get to know Bruce in this book and his old friend Gabriel. This book also has secrets that have been kept and that cause big issues between Gabriel and Bruce. Bruce has a tendency to jump to conclusions without listening to the other person's reasons, but eventually they work things out. They are so good together, they just needed to get their acts together. I look forward to the next book. I'm hoping there's a resolution to the fate of Rivervue Theatre.

[Coltostallion · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit overdramatic, but to be expected of the theater. The characters were likable, though the conflict seemed to be blown out of proportion to me. The characters took it seriously enough to make it believable, though. Generally predictable, but a nice read.

[Angel Hatfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent read. I liked both main characters. While I didn’t like this one as much as the first book in the series, it was enjoyable. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book