“The perfect staycation escape… and exactly the uplifting summer read we all need.” –Entertainment Weekly The best drama happens offstage in this undeniably charming novel about an idyllic summer theater where hot stars, has-beens and hopefuls chase roles–and each other. Recommended by Glamour * Bustle * Popsugar * Booklist * Playbill Charlie Savoy was once Hollywood’s hottest A-lister. … Hollywood’s hottest A-lister. Now, ten years later, she’s pushing forty, exiled from the film world and back at the summer Shakespeare theater in the Berkshires that launched her career–and where her old flame, Nick, is the artistic director.
It’s not exactly her first choice. But as parts are cast and rehearsals begin, Charlie is surprised to find herself getting her groove back, bonding with celebrity actors, forging unexpected new friendships and even reigniting her spark with Nick, who still seems to bring out the best in her despite their complicated history.
Until Charlie’s old rival, Hollywood’s current It Girl, is brought on set, threatening to undo everything she’s built. As the drama amps up both on the stage and behind the curtains, Charlie must put on the show of a lifetime to fight for the second chance she deserves in career and in love.
“A page-turner set in the intoxicating theater world, The Summer Set considers the price of fame, the power of second chances and the enduring nature of love. A truly enjoyable read!” –Elyssa Friedland, author of The Floating Feldmans
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The Summer Set by Aimee Agresti was a fun read that kept me captivated. A story of the drama around a summer theater and the actors, which includes currently famous, has-beens and hopefuls all vying for the same roles. Charlie was the it girl until she wasn’t. Now she is back where she started and though she was not excited about the opportunity, is finding her place among them and Nick, her ex. What I loved most was the interactions and what goes on in the theater itself. Excited to read more from this author!
Happy reading!
I don’t typically read a whole lot of contemporary romance but in light of everything going on, I’ve been gravitating towards some light reads lately and this one was just what I was craving. And I liked that there was more than just romance here.
This was a fun book. It’s about second chance love and I’m always up for that. But it was so much more than that. It’s about trying to save something that is meaningful and realizing just who you are in the middle of that.
There are a lot of moving parts to this book and at first, it’s hard to keep everyone straight, especially the younger set, but eventually everyone stands on their own. Of course, Charlie and Nick are really the stand-outs and while I enjoyed their stories, I do wish the younger set had equal screen time…there was a lot of potential for them.
I loved all the drama that was brought forth over the course of this book. It made for a fun book and again, this was what I needed. It might have been a little over the top at times, but set against the backdrop of the theater, it fit perfectly. This was a good story, filled with well-rounded characters that I was invested in from start to finish. I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I would definitely read her again!
I thoroughly enjoyed this “insider look” at a summer Shakespeare camp where teens learn from the pros. Everything about it rang true (and brought back fond memories). The characters were likable (except for the ones I loved to hate), and I liked how the teens (unknowingly) mimicked Charlie and Nick’s experiences. The cycle of the theater world is well-illustrated. It was a good read, and I will be on the lookout for this author’s next book. For a full review, please visit Fireflies and Free Kicks. Thank you to Harlequin and NetGalley for a digital ARC of the book.
If I had to pick a beach read for this summer, this one would certainly make the list of possibilities. Aimee Agresti has penned some terrific characters in The Summer Set, and they’re sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys the theater. For me, those characters are what kept me turning the pages. They’re interesting and fun, and it’s easy to become invested in what happens to them. The story itself was a bit slow at times, but there is a lot of drama to keep things moving along. I’m usually not a big fan of drama, but it does seem to work for this one. In the end, I did enjoy the characters and their story was definitely worth the read.
Takes place in a summer Shakespeare theater with personal drama offstage. Highlights the complex relationship of the two main characters past and their shaky present. The Summer Set offers a varied cast of characters and an interesting storyline. I liked the mix of current stars, past A-lister, and upcoming talent and their interactions together. Is how I imagined a summer theater “camp” to be. A good read, no wow factor for me, but as I came away very satisfied.
Reviewed by Comfy Chair Books/Lisa Reigel (May 5, 2020)
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley