Showmance

A Novel

By: Chad Beguelin

Narrated by: Michael Crouch

"Showmance is ready for the big time....Beguelin crafts a story you never want to end.”—Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants

A down-on-his-luck Broadway playwright is marooned in rural Illinois in this sharply funny queer rom-com

Noah Adams’s career as a playwright is circling the drain, thanks to a scorching review of his first Broadway musical. So when a family emergency sends him back to his Podunk hometown of Plainview, Illinois, he figures he’ll hide out for a bit. But to Noah’s horror, his agent has secretly arranged for him to stage an amateur version of the career-ruining musical at the local community theater.

As if trying to work with a bunch of artless amateurs wasn’t enough, Noah runs into Luke, the jerk from his high school years, everywhere he goes. Luke somehow grew up to be beloved by everyone in town…and undeniably gorgeous. As rehearsals begin, Noah is surprised by his cast’s insights, the warmth of the town he’d dismissed, and the reality of what happened with Luke all those years ago. Just how much has Noah misjudged?

©2024 Chad Beguelin (P)2024 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Showmance is the most fun you’ll have off-off-off Broadway! The zingers fly, the romance sizzles, and the dialogue sparkles like the best Dom Perignon. A novel so charming it somehow bursts into song. What more could you want? Patti Lupone? She’s in here too!” —Andrew Sean Greer, Pulitzer Prize winning author of Less and Less Is Lost

“No out of town tryouts needed here -- Showmance is ready for the big time. Stage of Fools, the show within the novel, might open and close in one night, but Beguelin crafts a story you never want to end. Showmance sings.” —Steven Rowley, New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants

“Peppered with witty one-liners and many musical theater references, this charming, zippy romance hits all the right notes.” —Publishers Weekly, STARRED review

My heart beats for this.

This novel is a love letter to theatre. But also to the process that transcends the art. The characters bubble to the top like the champagne of life. You end up loving them for everything they go through. Please read it will be rewarding.

Witty and Heartwarming

I wanted something more humorous than romantic, but I was lucky enough here to get both. Enjoy this sweet and witty tale tailor made for the musical enthusiast.

Hilarious dialogue

EVERYTHING about this book and Audible narration was pure joy and a fun ride!! I sure hope the author has another book in the works 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

1,000% Yes!

This checked all the boxes for me: cute rom-com set in a quirky town with a musical! Add in the fantastic Michael Crouch as narrator and you have an incredibly enjoyable experience. My one constructive feedback would be that the protagonist bordered on being unlikeable sometimes (I like for the hero to have more positive behaviors than negative). Just know he's a flawed hero that has a bit of a journey ahead of him, but it's such a rewarding ride! Don't miss out, get this audiobook now! Would love a sequel to his story.

Laughed out loud

Showmance was the perfect distraction from this crazy world in which we live! The story is fun and the characters are truly endearing. With Michael Crouch’s extraordinary narrative talent this book came alive. Such a pleasure to listen to!

If you’re a Broadway fan you’ll most likely enjoy

It’s fine for a long drive and I liked the theater references, only because I knew most of them. I wanted a little more heft though.