The Stage Kiss, Amelia Jones's debut romance, is a clever and charming retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice that's sure to appeal to fans of Bridgerton and Abby Jimenez alike. Eden Blake finally catches her big break when she gets upgraded from standby to leading lady in the touring version of the Broadway hit Liz and Darcy: The Musical. The only problem is that Broadway legend Brennon Thorne is playing opposite her as Darcy, and he's broodier and more judgmental than his sterling reputation would have had her believe. But the more Eden's star rises beyond her cringe-worthy past as an infomercial actress--and the fierier each onstage kiss becomes--the more Eden and Brennon begin to realize that their chemistry might not just be an act.
Jones's knowledge of theater brings the Broadway charm of The Stage Kiss to life, offering an old favorite a fresh angle. The tension between standbys and leads, the unspoken judgment of commercial credits versus Julliard degrees, and the high-stakes press circuits all provide perfect opportunities for Jones to communicate the social stressors and class-based nuances that give Austen novels such texture. A well-developed cast of characters, including a handsome but laconic swing, a jealous onstage sidekick, and a naïve but good-hearted best friend, all complement this layered story. And to top it all off, Eden and Brennon prove to be a pairing worth cheering on. Funny, flawed, and yet fundamentally good people, they steal readers' hearts even while they often misjudge each other. --Alice Martin, freelance writer and editor