Eight weeks in Paris

Actor Nicholas Madden has spent years trying to bring The Throne, a long-lost novel set in Belle Epoque France, to the big screen. Now just as Nicholas is set to bring Frederick, the book's closeted protagonist, to life, he considers walking away from the whole production when he hears that Christian Lavalle is booked to play Frederick's lover, Angelo. Nicholas is convinced that Christian, who is better known for his high-fashion modeling career, is nothing more than a pretty face. However, as the cast and crew begin eight weeks of filming in Paris, Nicholas discovers that Christian is not only open to taking acting notes, there are things he can teach Nicholas about life and love as well. Lane effectively frames her stunningly romantic, exquisitely sensual debut against a perfectly evoked Parisian backdrop, while at the same time deftly charting Nicholas' realistically nuanced journey to naming and claiming his sexual identity. As heart-wrenching yet infinitely hopeful as any ballad sung by Edith Piaf, this prompts the exclamation: c'est magnifique.

Lane debuts with a steamy, thoughtful queer romance set in 2024 Paris. Hot-tempered film star Nicholas Madden is furious when Instagram model Chris Lavelle is cast opposite him in The Throne, an adaptation of a queer period novel dear to Nicholas's heart. Despite Nicholas's reservations, however, Chris proves to be a skilled actor, and their on-set chemistry is undeniable. Nicholas's gruff attitude marks him as exactly Chris's type, while closeted Nicholas is caught off-guard by his instant attraction to out-and-proud Chris's bravery and beauty. They eventually give into their feelings, but the risk of being caught by production or the swirling media circus--which Lane cleverly incorporates through excerpts from discussions boards, social media threads, tabloid articles, and interviews that open each chapter--looms large, threatening their careers, privacy, and blossoming relationship. That they'll get together--and that they'll be outed--both seem inevitable from their first meeting, so readers will feel they spend much of the opposites-attract slow burn waiting for disaster, and may be disappointed by how comparatively little time is spent on the aftermath. Still, Lane's critique of celebrity is well done, and the men's heated connection--evidenced by a two-chapter-long sex scene--makes for scorching reading. This smart, sexy romance marks Lane as a writer to watch. (June)