Well, This Was Excellent
5 out of 5 stars
The Set Piece is an exciting and unique audiobook that tells the story of a former soccer player who is down on her luck, Amy, and Diego, who are drawn into a fake relationship for Diego’s image. Amy is asked to be the “beard” for Diego, who needs to appear straight for his image as he is coming up in the MLS circuit.
Despite some small and large bumps at the beginning and the unconventional setup, Amy and Casey quickly find themselves drawn to each other, seemingly being pulled into each other’s orbit closer and closer. However, it takes some time for them to overcome the obstacles and find their way to each other. Once that happens, it’s just the beginning because of Amy’s contract and obligations to Diego (and his PR/Lawyer teams)
Diego is a great character. He is sweet and caring, and I couldn’t help rooting for him as he tries to hide his true self in the cutthroat world of professional sports. The mystery of who is trying to frame Diego adds an extra layer of excitement to the story, making it a fast and engaging story that flies by.
Overall, The Set Piece is a sports romance that is sure to please. The specificity of the fake relationship aspect adds a unique twist, and the characters are well-developed and likable. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook and would highly recommend it to fans of sports fiction and romance. The combination of mystery and romance kept me engaged, and I loved reading about two former athletes surrounded by the sport they love.
Book Description:
Smart and athletic, Amy Kimball should have it all, but her life’s in a tailspin. She’s working two menial jobs to make ends meet, barely a paycheck away from financial disaster, and women aren’t exactly lining up at her door.
Enter soccer star Diego Torres, who’s keeping a big secret: he’s gay. His manager fears that if he’s found out, his endorsements and his chance to play for the national team will evaporate into the wind.
Amy jumps at the chance to act as Diego’s fake fiancee, even though it means signing her life away in a non-disclosure agreement. On the surface, the job couldn’t be better: the money’s great; the living accommodations are luxurious, and she gets to watch her favorite soccer team from the players’ box at the stadium.
But she soon realizes that this new life is even harder to navigate than her old one. Diego’s manager is as sleazy as they come, and this easy job soon turns complicated, possibly even dangerous. More important, all the lies Amy is forced to tell are starting to eat away at her soul, especially when she finds herself attracted to Casey Palmer, Diego’s pretty assistant.
Will Amy find the courage to get back into the game?
Contains mature themes.
The Set Piece by Catherine Lane
Narrator: Abby Craden
Length: 6 hrs
Published by Tantor Audio on November 22nd 2022
Genres: Fauxmance, Sports Romance, LesFic/Sapphic Fiction
Format: Audiobook
Buy from Audible
Also by this author: Romancing the Kicker
Thanks so much Brian for this great review! Abby Craden did a great job with the narration and I’m thrilled that my debut novel held up.