Stages

Little Birdie #1

by Whitney Amazeen

Dot Bennett has always felt like an outsider. Homeschooled in a small town her whole life, she’s never really had a chance to fit into a large crowd—until now. When her dad takes a job in Boston, Dot is thrust into the unfamiliar world of Fallbrook Christian Prep. As if navigating a new school isn’t hard enough, she finds herself in a summer fling with Carlton Peters, a theater kid from her new school who was there for her when she needed someone most.

Desperate to impress him, Dot joins the drama club, even though acting has never been her thing. But when she lands the lead role in the school play, she’s thrown into the spotlight—both on stage and off. Her co-star is Zayne Silverman—Carlton’s biggest rival, and the last person Dot wants to be stuck with.

It doesn't help that Zayne is undeniably attractive. And when he criticizes her acting, Dot is determined not to quit, but to prove him wrong.

To her surprise, rehearsing with Zayne helps Dot uncover a side of herself she never knew existed. And the attention she gets from playing the lead comes with a price. Fallbrook’s anonymous gossiper, known only as Little Birdie, takes a sudden interest in her, spreading rumors that threaten to upend her personal life and chances with Carlton.

And the more time Dot spends with Zayne, the more she finds herself drawn to him. But falling for Zayne would be the exact opposite of accomplishing everything she's worked for.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

310 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

Whitney Amazeen's love for reading started in third grade and has been going strong ever since. She studied cosmetology before pursuing writing, where she used to hide in the laundry room to read and write instead of working on clients. As a result, Whitney has evolved into a full-fledged daydreamer with more stories in her head than she can count. When she's not immersed in reading or writing a novel, Whitney spends the majority of her time playing with her kids and watching Disney movies. Whitney lives in Arizona with her family and can often be found drinking tea, talking about fictional characters, and obsessing over Jesus. Learn more at www.WhitneyAmazeen.com.

Reviews

[Anisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have been 5 stars but the 3rd act breakup killed the vibe for me. I really enjoyed this story the enemies to loves was done very well. I'm not big on the love triangle trope but the author did a phenomenal job at not making it cringy. some topics discussed are dealing with a parent who suffers from substance abuse, divorce, loss of a parent, sibling with autism.

The story follows a girl whose new in town. Eager to make friends, and finally get the guy she's crushing on to ask her out, she auditions for the school play. Never thinking she'll get the lead role, she's finds herself having to act with her crushes long time rival. Now faced with her on stage love turning into her offstage love as well.

I loved the gossip girl vibes I got from this I couldn't got the life of me figure out who the anonymous gossip blogger was. definitely didn't see it coming. The MMC was such a sweetheart, the FMC was a bit annoying at first but I grew to like her the more I read. Clean romance, no language, only kissing.

10/10 recommend

[aundrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

EXCUSE ME WHY WAS THIS SO ADDICTING

zayne and dot were LITERALLY SO CUTE. HE GAVE HER AN ANNOTATED COPY OF EMMA TO READ AND SHE ACTUALLY READ IT 😭 their interactions had me giggling like he is a Book Boyfriend for sure

the way my jaw was dropped for like 50% of the things he did/ said 🤭🤭🤭

there were also so many funny moments that had me laughing out loud. rip carlton’s cat 💀

WHAT was that plot twist though 😭 someone get that man in jail IMMEDIATELYYY

there are a lot of random things i didn’t like *cough* carlton *cough* (as a person but just the way he was handled as a character. like…he has issues and i feel like they were just overlooked at the end lol) and just some of the drama didn’t hit but i enjoyed myself immensely and i will definitely be checking out the authors other books 👀

can we also take a minute to appreciate the way the text messages were formatted? because there were amazing

[Courtney Shevchenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book. I loved trying to solve the mystery of who Little Birdie was. I teared up when Dot was wrestling with the issues going on with her mom. I cheered as she hit personal goals through the storyline. The character development was fantastic!

I believe that it is geared towards YAs, and as such, I docked a star for content warnings. Two uses of the word "p*ssed", several descriptions of heavy kissing. Other than that, it was a really cute and lighthearted read, and I enjoyed it.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Jan (Kavanagh's wifey) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review.

First of all, I wanna talk about how cute Dot looks on the cover. I seriously love her so much, she's really pretty.

Now let's get to the main and my favorite part of the book, Zayne Silverman. I don't have enough words to tell you how much I love him. He definitely is the book character I will date in real life.

I love how cute and dramatic this book was. I absolutely hate Little Birdie (the anonymous school gossiper), but I love the highschool drama little birdie caused. This book was the perfect and cozy fall read, I totally enjoyed it!

[BarbieTheeReader🎀🫦 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ ARC Review

Thank you to the author for an E-ARC of Stages!

“I want to go for me.”
“You’re worth more to the play than you think.”
“His eyes, so fierce on mine like they have a voice of their own, saying I won’t leave without you.”

First off , I already was intrigued with the synopsis but the cover of Stages is what sold me. The cover is the cutest thing ever!

I really enjoyed this young adult story, it’s set in a Christian Prep School and has Lady Whistledown vibes within the drama club! If that doesn’t peak your interest I don’t know what will!

I thoroughly enjoyed the story and i love that the pov of the story is through Dot’s viewpoint! We get to see her real raw emotions and inner dialogue as she transitions into an in person school / high school drama. I think her character is extremely loveable and I love her sense of style with her clothes and how she styles her individual braids! Which brings me to Zayne, I love that he is described with having locs for his hair, it’s always a breath of fresh air when Black characters have braids / locs/ natural hair ! Zayne was definitely a heart throb for Bardot who goes by Dot. Their connection and chemistry was always on point and I like that their inner connection and way of reading one another face to communicate to show how deeply they care for one another.

The side characters all had an important part to the story and at times some of them were annoying than others, it was needed!

I think the author did a good job with setting the scene for high schools and the highs and lows of having a crush, friendship drama, extra curricular wants / desires, figuring out schooling after high school, parents expectations, older sibling priorities, mental health, boy drama within friend groups, maternal strained relationship, change in family dynamics, and more! The author incorporated so many important themes and lessons that always come about for young people in high school! I think it was unique and written well concerning the back and forth Dot has (inner dialogue) on how she addresses certain situations to appease others , those moments may be annoying to some readers but i personally loved that aspect because it only humanizes her even more as a character.

The drama and lady whistledown vibes was extremely
messy and it added more for Dot to grow and come into her own person / finding what interests her. I felt so bad for Dot, but I really liked how it brought her and Zayne even closer! Zayne’s subtle moments of showing he likes her throughout the book was so precious. My heart was fluttering for them!

The only downside I would say is that the person behind Little Birdie… I wanted more repercussions… especially of who it is… That needs to be addressed in book 2 of the series !

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

*I received a free ARC in exchange for an honest review*
*2.75 Stars*
Summary: A cute high school romance that doesn’t take itself seriously, and that’s a problem for the topics they discuss.

Overall, I’m bummed I didn’t like this more than I did. It’s told in first person and is relatively short. The beginning was a bit rocky, but the story really gripped me in the middle, only to fall quickly downhill in the last third or so. More about what I did and didn’t like below.

Things I Liked:

- Dot’s (Mostly) Character Development: At first I was getting annoyed at Dot getting manipulated left and right by the characters at her new school, telling her exactly what to think and feel. But it makes sense for someone of her age and experience to readily believe what people tell her, and I thought her arc of growing into herself and making her own choices and opinions worked really well. I love the strength!

- Zayne & the Romantic Developments: I thought Zayne and his development with Dot was super cute and wholesome! It didn’t feel rushed and the pacing was great. I love how understanding he was. One of their scenes really reminded me of Warren and Layla from Sky High. I also appreciate the way Dot’s relationship with Carlton was handled, it was mostly very well written.

Things I Didn’t Like:

- Unrealistic High School Behavior: This gossip column hosted by Little Birdie — Dot gets on their radar, and as soon as she does, she has random people in the halls snapping pictures of her and asking for her signature as if she’s some type of celebrity?? Seriously? Trust me, no one cares that much. Also Dot is constantly making out in the middle of school, during lunch, in the halls, in front of her friends or her S.O.’s sibling. It felt very gross and disrespectful.

- Dot’s Hypocrisy: What bothered me the most about Dot was her hypocrisy — she would complain and complain about something (whether it’s a person or something they did or something that happened), but then when she finally gets a moment to confront someone or do something about it, she chickens out and does nothing! Every single time! Stop complaining if you’re never going to do something about it. And her motives to continue pursuing the play in the beginning were also terrible — she was seriously trying to deliberately sabotage someone she didn’t know’s chance of getting into college on scholarship just because her non-boyfriend told her he did something wrong. I don’t even have to unpack why that’s just terrible. Also, at one point she even says it’s more jarring to her that the guy she just met (Zayne) is actually nice (when she only heard he was mean by word of mouth), than the fact that the guy she knew longer (Carlton) isn’t who she thought he was. Also also, something else that was pretty terrible of Dot to do: the whole novel she’s worried her mother will relapse and not be able to come home, but when everyone is expressing this same thing to Dot, Dot (for no apparent reason) becomes extremely selfish and withholds important information about her mom’s condition so she won’t have to leave again. She literally risks her mom not only harming herself but her family. It was really terrible and OOC.

- Third Act Conflict: All of these books have some sort of third act conflict, so of course I was expecting one here. At first, it seemed like this book would avoid the trope and I was pretty happy, especially since the book hit a groove. Then the dreaded third act conflict hit, and it was terrible. Without spoilers, there’s more miscommunication and very obvious manipulation of Dot (again, just like the beginning), and Dot again believes someone’s claims by word of mouth rather than listening to and having a conversation with the actual person in question. This unfortunately drags on for a while.

- Reveal of Little Birdie/Lack of Consequences: I suspected who Little Birdie was from the beginning (amongst a few other red herrings, so the mystery was done well), but when my suspicions were confirmed, I was… disappointed. Not by the reveal, but by the aftermath of it. There are no consequences, what’s so ever. This person committed crimes against minors, why aren’t we reporting them? What they did was such a gross invasion of privacy, and they get away with it! The motivations were also terrible and lackluster. We also find out some of the people who submitted gossip to Little Birdie, including very close people that we trusted, and we never confront them, and they never face consequences, either! Seriously? These loved ones went behind their backs and we’re just not going to address it? Also, at the end of the book, Dot expresses how much she loves her friends, but throughout the whole book, they’ve abandoned her or were scared to talk to her for fear of angering their other friends. Sure there was one or two moments where they came through, but Dot, honey… those aren’t your friends.

- Lack of Appreciation for Stage Crew: This might be small, but as a previous stage crew member myself, it grew very aggravating for there to be all this praise and attention and admiration given to the actors in this story without so much as a peep to the people making the production a success behind the scenes. Dot asks once who makes the sets, someone responds “the crew” and that’s it. That’s literally it. No more mention of any students working on crew (literally, they don’t even exist, not even a name or reference to them working while the actors are rehearsing). There’s no mention of where the costumes or mics or lighting comes from… sigh. Productions would look terrible and would go nowhere without crew. I even thought there would be a cool plot where Little Birdie will be a crew member because no one ever notices or acknowledges their presence in this book, but… no.

There was also a few typos/errors but I’m sure that’ll get addressed before publication.

That being said, the Dot/Zayne relationship was cute enough to carry me through most of the book, but the rest severely disappointed.

I also love the name Bardot, and was sad that she went by Dot.

[Maylovebugs · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - 5⭐️

Nothing.
Not a single butterfly. - Favourite Quote

Dear Amazeen,

I loved this book. I loved how each character was woven into the story, I loved their character development, I loved trying to guess who Little Birdie was, and most especially, I loved being a fledgling. It felt like I was part of the story with the drama on and off stage. Little Birdie made my blood boil in a good and amazing way, and so did Carlton and Zayne's rivalry. I would love to see this adapted into film. It's beautifully written.

Thank you for sharing this ARC with me.

Your loyal fledgling,

Maylovebugs

[Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this, but it sadly didn't live up to my expectations. For over half of the book, Dot pissed me off by being such a doormat for Carlton and her other so-called friends. Even after finding out he was a liar, she was still pathetically begging for his approval and constantly apologizing for doing nothing wrong.

Also, I couldn't get over how selfish she was, in regards to her Mom. Her brother clearly clicked that she wasn't okay, but Dot chose to ignore the signs, even after getting confirmation from her Aunt. She kept her father in the dark, all because of her school play.

The third act conflict.... Honestly, what was that?¿ Instead of taking a moment to just listen to Zayne, she decided to just blindly believe "little birdie" and avoid him. At this point, I had to ask myself if I was reading a middle grade book.

For my last point, it was genuinely very laughable that little birdie was the art teacher. This grown ass man is publishing malicious gossip about his students, to attract an audience to his plays???? Make it make sense.

[elyssa ꫂ ၴႅၴ · Rating 3 out of 5]

arc review: dot and zayne were so cute throughout the whole beginning and middle of the book with their banter and slow burn feelings for each other, but then the dreaded third act had a disappointing and weird reveal of who little birdie is and also the worst miscommunication when dot could of just let zayne explain and they could of just TALKED

thank you whitney amazeen for the arc 🫡

[Hana · Rating 1 out of 5]

wdym they let the birdie bitch get away

[Zariah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. For one, the plot was fun. I never really read books about acting, let alone the theater, besides All’s Well, and that’s extremely different from this. I loved the Little Birdie aspect, it gave extremely nosy “A” from Pretty Little Liars without out the m*rder. This was a good balance of romance, character development and drama. For the most part, I enjoyed the characters even if I couldn’t stand Meredith and Carlton and they honestly deserve each other. And even Dot could get on my nerves sometimes. She was a bit wishy washy at times and for sure jumped down Zayne’s throat without even talking to him. But there are something’s I’m thinking about. Like how did Dot get a place at a prestigious acting school when this is literally her first foray into acting; I would be a little mad if this untested new girl took the lead and got a spot I worked for years out of nowhere. Also Zayne thinking about giving up his place if Dot didn’t also get in made me unreasonably mad. This was literally his greatest dream and he was thinking of giving it up over a high school girlfriend he was only dating for a few months. Don’t piss me off sir. But lastly, I enjoyed the writing and I would be open to reading the next book in the series.

[evelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

arc review 🎭

this book was exactly what i needed!!! it was absolutely perfect! not only does it have all the cozy fall vibes, it’s a fast but not so fast paced YA that just reels you in 😆

BARDOT WHO GOES BY DOT & ZAYNE 🤎 the chemistry was there from the beginning. from when they first laid eyes on each other to the banter AND the stolen glances 😫 puuulease i was over here rooting for them. i was just waiting for dot to just drop carlton 😒 no but seriously their relationship is actually like genuinely heartwarming ☺️ were they rivals at first…yes BUT with their relationship we actually got to read how it came together. we got to read when dot “hated” zayne. how within the time they were forced to be together these two started opening up to each other and eventually starting to seek comfort in each other.

i had so much fun trying to figure out how little birdie was and i did have my guesses, but was i right…no 🫣

[Estelle]

Content guidance: MC’s mother is navigating a pill addiction, which is witnessed on the page.

A new-to-high school (previously homeschooled) gal tries out for the school play in hopes of winning over a boy; she lands the lead opposite of his nemesis who is very cute and talented and loves books.

Read for: a lot of drama thanks to a a gossip app and well, people, in general, slow burn friendship to more, side character siblings were great, and so much theatre shenanigans.

MC navigating so many life changes because of her mom’s addiction and treatment was tough and heavy. I wish there had been acknowledgment about it before the book began or in an author’s note.

I liked this but I wish there has been more development in the characters and a few more threads to make the it that much stronger.

[Elizabeth Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Whitney for the advanced copy of her book!

What started off as a seemingly fluffy high-drama-low-stakes read, which on its own was quite good, turned into a complex plot-twisting teen romance about a girl finding the courage to stand up for herself and become the person she wants to be. I read the second half of the book in 24 hours because I simply couldn’t put it down. It’s sweet and had me click-clacking on my notes app at midnight, as well as on the verge of tears a couple times. The end had me so excited for the next book. I just want more of these characters and their lives. While I really liked my previous read by Whitney, I LOVED this one and I have a feeling that Whitney Amazeen is well on her way to being one of my favorite indie authors.

(PG rating)

Grades 8-12

[Stenasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for the arc read 🫶🏾

This book was utterly adorable .

The fmc was interesting , considering she was trying so hard to fit in only to realize what she wanted.

This came off to me as a fluffy romance along with a mystery aspect? Overall I was shocked by the ending because I was guessing ALOT

[tach (readwithtach) · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨Ahhhh I loved this book, it was just too cute. First of all, the cover art??? Stunning! I loved being left to figure out who Little Birdie was, it gave gossip girl vibes. Overall, it was a quick and easy read and I highly recommend! Thank you Whitney for the ARC 💕

[ray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is the kind of YA novel that pulls you in from the very first page and doesn’t let go. It’s a perfect mix of high school drama, personal growth, and just the right amount of slow-burn romance. I couldn’t put it down and found myself thinking about the characters whenever I wasn't reading.

Let’s start with Zayne. omg Zayne is everything! From the moment he’s introduced, you can’t help but be intrigued by him. He’s quiet, intense, and has that brooding, mysterious vibe that draws you in. But what I loved most about Zayne was that there’s so much more beneath the surface. Throughout the book, you see glimpses of his vulnerability, especially in how he opens up to Dot, and it makes him feel so real. His chemistry with Dot was incredible; every interaction between them was charged with tension. Even when they’re not on the same page, you can tell there’s a deep connection. He’s the type of character who’s impossible to forget, and the more you learn about him, the more you root for him.

Then there’s Bardot (Dot), who is such a relatable FMC. She starts off feeling out of place, trying to fit into a new school and social circle, but by the end of the book, she’s completely owning her space. I loved her inner strength and how she handled the overwhelming situations thrown her way—like unexpectedly getting the lead role in the school play and being thrust into the spotlight. Her growth throughout the novel was one of my favorite aspects. Dot’s journey isn’t just about the romance (though that’s a huge part!) it’s also about self-discovery and learning to trust herself. She’s witty, vulnerable, and just real, which made her such a compelling character.

The romance between Zayne and Dot is chef’s kiss. It’s a slow burn in the best way, filled with banter, stolen glances, and moments that make your heart flutter. Their dynamic is electric—there’s so much tension between them, but it’s clear from the start that they understand each other on a deeper level. Amazeen did an amazing job at building their relationship organically. Nothing felt rushed, and by the time they finally started to open up to each other, it felt so well-earned. Their relationship isn’t perfect, and they both have their own baggage, but that’s what makes it feel so real and raw.

One thing I also really appreciated about this book was the drama club setting. The way the school play (a retelling of Wuthering Heights) mirrored the relationships and emotional journeys of the characters added such a nice layer to the story. It gave us a chance to see the characters in different lights and added depth to their interactions. The play’s tension spills over into real life, and that’s where so much of the conflict and character growth comes from.

Side note: I absolutely despise carlton!!!!!!

Overall, I'm so grateful to have received such an amazing ARC and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of reading it!

Stages by Whitney Amazeen is out on November 19th! 🧡

[vis.bookshelf · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75!! <3

I got to read an arc for this and I really really enjoyed it!!

Except for Carlton.. Carlton, count your days. Lmao.

[ara · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book was actually insane, even for drama kids.
firstly, dot. i get her story and everything around it but everything with her mom ended just a little too nicely. after she’s been complaining about it before. and also with her, it was like lights are on and no one is home.

secondly, the little birdie. so much potential just for it to be a teacher?????

and then both of them getting into underwood. that whole plot point needed to be further explored so that we could actually understand why zanye and carlton were fighting over that spot.

then her friends??? caught in the most insane situation and they all just forgive each other and move on???? there needed to be wayyyy more here. this is a type of thing you show, not tell. specifically talking about meredith.

there was potential here. there really was.

[Malia Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

*3.5

- ALL THE AUTUMNAL VIBESSSS
- TRULY a YA story: only kisses, NOTHING more!
- Loved the homeschool rep
- The school setting was super fun! Especially the theater classes! Kinda gave me High School Musical vibes with the non-theater kid finding out they are a pretty talented actor
- The characters: Dot & Zayne really see each other
- The mystery behind Little Birdie was fun. I guessed the culprit in the middle, and I wish they got more repercussions for their actions.
- Lenny's autism rep & Zayne's dyslexia rep
- A boy reading and loving Emma by Jane Austen?!! YES PLS
- Addiction & the effects on the whole family

[Alyssa Zearbaugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first want to thank Whitney Amazeen for giving me this opportunity to ARC read her new book that comes out next month! Super super cute story that has you wanting more!

Dot is such a cutie and I love seeing her thrive. As the new girl and thrown into her prep school, pining for belonging and friends, all while an anonymous gossiper, Little Birdie, puts her through the wringer all semester long. I’m so glad my high school experience was not like hers because wow.

She enters school with great status already, dating (but not official) the popular theater kid and by the side of all his cool friends, snagging the lead in the school play, her life was perfect… on the outside. We learn that her family is going through a hard season.

What I loved in this book was the Gossip Girl-esque air in the high school and the cut throat, messy relationships. I loved some of the side characters that Dot finds refuge in. I LOVED Zayne. I think he always made his intentions with Dot very clear and they were the cutest together. No notes on Zayne. I loved seeing the very different family dynamics portrayed throughout this story and we get to see how messy families can be.

I know I am pretty removed from high school now, so some of the issues Dot dealt with in regard to needing to belong, to be accepted, and just overall drama, felt a little silly. Obviously, I think everyone can relate to this in some manor and can look at a point in their life where they see themselves. I just wanted to hug Dot and tell her that none of that stuff matters.

Oh oh, what I did love was trying to figure out who Little Birdie was. What a shock! In the newsletter/author site, we get a little peak at who sent in what tips to Little Birdie, which I thought was such a cool touch!!

I highly recommend this if you want a fun, dramatic, fall, high school romance!

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 🌟
Format: E-Book
TW: Substance Abuse, Injury, Drug Addiction
If Fall was a book, it’s this book. Whitney wrote such a comfy and cozy YA novel that includes a bit of mystery and drama along with an adorable romance. I especially like that Dot (aka Bardot) was a character that clearly is a people pleaser (like me) and that it’s clear this characteristic is something she needs to outgrow. I think this is evident as most of her mistakes revolve around her worries to impress those she loves and/or admires most. This makes the Little Birdie reveal even more important to her character arc. I will say I was a little underwhelmed that nothing else happened to Little Birdie. I was hoping for more drama and “justice” since many of the characters were hurt, especially Dot and her mom. I thought this book also presents Dot’s family life in a way that was realistic and could be a great opportunity for readers (especially young ones) to empathize with those who struggle with addiction and their loved ones. Another well represented part was the difference between an unhealthy and healthy relationship. Although this book features a love triangle, it’s very skewed since one of the love interests is very VERY toxic. Thankfully, Whitney made this clear while also not villainizing this teenage character.

This story was fairly fast-paced and very easy to absorb. It was especially great for my reading slump while providing me with a very autumnal East Coast setting. I also loved the idea of a gothic-esque school setting mixed with the theater kids and a Wuthering Heights play. Whitney definitely knows how to present fall through her words. So if you need something that screams fall fun, pick this book up!!! 🎃🍂☕️

[Cariore Rembert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Arc Review
Rating: 3.7 stars
Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
Slow burn
Prep school
Forced proximity
Fall vibes

The setting of this book was such a cozy fall vibe, which gave the right scenes for this book. I enjoyed reading how we are able to see the drama unfold in a prep school that normally is very realistic. The fall themes of this book were absolutely so perfect for the young adult setting for these characters.

Dot is still trying to navigate between her life between the balance of having friends and learning who she truly wants the best for her. Dot has a true passion for acting and a desire to put her emotions into what she does. It was very cool to see how she balanced all of her feelings between the two people in her life.

Zayne wants nothing but to do his best in the hobby and passion he has, which is acting. He takes such pride into what he does. He has such a charm to himself that is irresistible even to Dot who doesn't know how to control her feelings for him. Zayne wants to be heard and seen in different ways by people, and not only judge on his egotistic personality. As he slowly navigates his feelings for Dot it was such a joy to see how he was able to control them. With having such a personality, he really shows how much of a gentleman he is.

I want to give a HUGE thank you to Mrs. Whitney Amazeen for letting me read a second book from her, it's been so fun getting to know her writing style and how her fun ideas come to life on pages. I loved the first book I've read for her and couldn't get enough.

[Courtney S · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love the cover of Stages as much as I do, you won’t be disappointed with what’s inside. This story offers everything you’d want from a cozy fall read: forced proximity, fall vibes, theater drama, and a slow-burn romance. Plus, there’s a hint of a Whistledown-style mystery that adds just the right amount of intrigue.

The plot follows Dot and Zayne as they navigate a rivals-to-lovers journey that’s packed with witty banter and plenty of heart-fluttering moments. Their relationship develops slowly, in a way that feels real and satisfying, making every interaction between them even more rewarding. If you enjoy stories with a mix of self-development, high school drama, and romance, Stages delivers on all fronts.

What makes this book even more perfect for the season are the vivid fall settings: crisp New England weather, a pumpkin patch scene, a winter formal dance, and cozy moments with hot apple cider. There’s even a Halloween party crash that adds an extra layer of fun to the story.

I can’t wait for the physical copy released November 19th!


ARC Review

[Lilly Guirguis · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first read by Whitney was amazing!

No spoilers, but there is some emotional scenes and great writing and Swoony, closed door romance!

Best lines: “We dated to improve the way our characters interacted onstage. But that was the only time I’ve ever done that, and it was Cassidy’s idea to begin with. You and I, Dot… you’re real.” He swallows hard, motioning at the air between us. “We’re real. I’ve never loved anyone like I love you.” I nod, taking his hand. I hold it against my chest. My pulse thuds like crazy. “I know. I—I feel the same way about you.” His eyes shine. “Can I please kiss you?” I try to speak, but there’s emotion clogging my throat. Instead, I grab the front of his shirt and pull him to me, kissing him with a ferocity that leaves us both breathless.”

“We’ll take them one at a time, stage by stage. Zayne’s fingers intertwine with mine, his lips brushing my knuckles in a silent promise. I don’t need to ask him where we go from here. We’ve mastered the script, and this is just the beginning of our story—onstage and off.”

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stages was so sweet and cute with just a touch of fallish vibes!

Stages follows as former home school student that transfers to a private school. Dot auditions for the school play to impress a boy and is cast as the lead in the play. While rehearsing for the play, Dot deals with being the subject of her school’s Gossip Girl, Little Birdie.

Stages definitely has Gossip Girl/High School Musical vibes, and it was so much fun. I loved seeing Dot discover her love and passion for acting, even though it deviated from her original life plan. It was nice to see her develop friendships at her new school. My favorite part of the book was her fallish date at the pumpkin patch. Make sure to check this one out, when it’s released on 11/19!

I was selected to be part of the ARC team for Stages by @whitneyamazeen . I’ve had my eye this book, since the cute cover was released, and I was so excited to get a chance to read this book early.

[Diego Busmail · Rating 2 out of 5]

I rate this book 2 out of 5. I picked it up hoping for a change of pace after a long run of hockey romances, but from chapter one it felt like hard work. Bardot joins drama club purely to impress a crush, and her treatment of Zayne—based on nothing more than that crush’s gossip—made her difficult to root for. Zayne, the lone bright spot, stays in his lane, highlights his favorite lines in Emma for her, and wins her a stuffed bee when she’s overwhelmed at the pumpkin patch. 

Unfortunately, the rest falls flat. Bardot’s only growth is discovering she likes reciting lines and ditching Ivy School for the elite Underwood Academy. Character arcs are thin, and the “Little Birdie” subplot—an anonymous gossiper who turns out to be their teacher, Mr. Saltzman—ends with a quick, unearned forgiveness after blackmail. Without real development or believable stakes, the story never finds its footing, and I closed the book more disappointed than refreshe

[Joana Damasceno · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50⭐️
I got the arc from the author and I’m so grateful for that! Seriously, this was not a bad read at all, but I just think the “gossip girl” influence that I found here was not my thing. I see a lot of people loving this book, after all it has a lot of drama, it’s a school environment, it’s about acting, there’s enemies, love interests, friendships and it’s fun! The thing I loved the most was the relationship that Dot (main character) had with her mother and the focus on her struggle with addiction, I even shed a tear or two because of it, it reaches to close to home and I appreciate the author’s way of writing about this strong theme.
In general , it’s nice and fun and as I said, I see a lot of people LOVE this book ❤️ I hope it gets to be read by a lot of people as soon as it’s out! 🤍

[drusilla duke · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25

'Stages' was a fun, quick and easy read. I loved how the writing style allowed me to be drawn into the world of Fallbrook Christian Prep almost immediately. It took me a while to connect with Dot, as there were moments she infuriated me and I wished she knew how to communicate instead of assuming. Like Dot, I was captivated by Zayne and knew I would have no problem rooting for him. I enjoyed how the book revolved around the world of theatre as it wasn't one I had much experience reading. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery element in trying to find out who 'Little Birdie' was and I liked that it was not the person I guessed. However, I wish the repercussions for their 'crime' were shown more.

Thank you to the author for giving me a free copy in return for an honest review.