Stage Struck

by Ellie Thomas

As a humble scribe living out a humdrum existence in the City of London in Elizabethan times, Stephen finds his escape across the river amongst the crowds of the teeming theatres where he is transported by the spectacle.

But poetry isn’t everything. When a young Welsh actor called Ioan catches his eye, he’s tempted to overcome his shyness and make his acquaintance. Is Stephen out of his depth in this colourful world with its undertones of danger? Or might there be a slim chance that Ioan can return his feelings?

Genres: Historical

18 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 21, 2021

About the author

Ellie Thomas lives by the sea. She comes from a teaching background and goes for long seaside walks where she daydreams about history. She is a voracious reader especially about anything historical. She mainly writes MM historical romance.

Ellie also writes historical erotic romance as L. E. Thomas.

Reviews

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

In just 18 pages, it's hard to put together a complete story. What Ellie Thomas has done in Stage Struck though, is beautifully create a feeling for time and place, and introduce the reader to two very likable protagonists, Stephen, a scrivener to a notary, and Ioan, a young Welch actor.

One can only hope that Stephen and Ioan will return soon in a full length novel of their own.

[SJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable slice of life in Tudor England. The setting is the theater world and shy scribe Stephen having his actor crush liking him back. Ioan was handsome, charismatic, and sexy. I didn’t blame Stephen for asking Ioan, “Why me?” His reply was sweet as was this story.

[MM Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet and short historical romance. Ioan and Stephen were wonderful characters. But I was surprised that their coupling was accepted during that time period..

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Utterly delightful short historical with a couple of very compelling MCs. Really enjoyed this. Excellent!!

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very short but very sweet, two young men eeking out a living in Elizabethan London. It's written so tenderly it's a joy to read.

[Arsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is barely a short story--more like a vignette. It's sweet and things happen, but we have zero sense of Ioan--who he is and whether anything will work between him and Stephen. Bssically you can't summarize the plot because there's so little that the summary is the spoiler. That said, it's a nice slice of life in Tudor times.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little nugget of a read!

[Hannah Morse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an adorable short with immensely likeable characters. Stephen, a clerk, doesn't think he's anything special, but he enjoys taking himself across the Thames to the big playhouses of the late 16th century. As an aside, everything is really well researched, from the scents to the politics, which makes the experience all the more immersive. Ioan is a bit player, but Stephen has a crush on him, and when he dredges up his courage to see if he can meet Ioan in an ale house, Stephen gets so much more than he could have ever imagined. I had a good chuckle over how things never change (about the Welsh in London) and Beth and her husband made me so happy, especially Beth with how she knows and loves her brother, and how quickly that love extended to Stephen. I highly recommend this short and an enjoyable way to spend an hour.