Showmance

Playwright Beguelin's sparkling debut novel sees Broadway musical writer Noah Adams returning home to rural Plainview, Ill., after his father suffers a heart attack. Noah is suffering, too; Stage of Fools, his adaptation of King Lear, has "joined the list of tragic musicals that opened and closed in one night." Once home, Noah learns his high school nemesis, Luke Carter, is now working for Noah's family; making matters worse, Luke's as attractive as ever. When Noah's asked to direct a production of Stage of Fools for the local community theater, he thinks he's hit a new low--especially once the town's amateur thespians start making changes to the show. But as the superior Noah is humbled, he realizes both that the locals' tinkering has improved his show, and that he might have misjudged Luke. A cozy hot-air balloon ride with Luke releases some of Noah's sarcasm and disdain as he comes to see his former bully in a new light. As the men fall in love, the idea of going back to New York becomes heartbreaking. Peppered with witty one-liners and many musical theater references, this charming, zippy romance hits all the right notes. Agent: Mollie Glick and Lola Bellier, CAA. (Sept.)

Tony Award nominee Beguelin (The Prom) moves from writing musicals to writing a romance novel about musicals in this charming queer rom-com. Playwright Noah Adams makes the trek from New York City to see his family in small-town Illinois after his latest show flops and his dad falls ill. On the trip, surprises abound for Noah--he's tapped to produce his show at the local community theater, his boyfriend/agent back in New York turns out to be a jerk, and his high school bully Luke is now sweet, gorgeous, and working on his family farm. While the people in Noah's hometown are almost unbelievably quirky, the story stays grounded due to the obvious fondness Beguelin has for the type of community where he himself grew up. At times, Noah's drama becomes a bit much, and some of the subplots wrap up too neatly, but the novel will still elicit laughs and maybe even a few tears. The musical theater winks and nods just add to the fun. VERDICT Beguelin's adult debut isn't quite a smash hit, but romance fans and theater nerds alike will have fun reading it.--Jenny Kobiela-Mondor