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Hot Set

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Gilly Bettencourt is almost as fed up with writing witty descriptors for a sportswear catalog as she is with her on-the-sly workplace relationship with the CEO’s son that makes her feel like a dirty little secret.

After catching her boyfriend with another woman, Gilly leaps at the opportunity to head to Ireland as a writer’s assistant on the much-anticipated TV show, The Chieftain’s Son, an Irish historical drama based on an insanely best-selling series of romance novels.

When Gilly meets Jack O’Leary, star of the series, passion blazes between them. Unfortunately, the show insists on branding Jack as an available heartthrob—landing Gilly in the type of hush hush relationship she crossed an ocean to forget.

Can their love affair survive the demands of the show’s PR machine, or is Gilly doomed to be typecast as the girl behind the scenes?

260 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2022

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About the author

Leslie O'Sullivan

14 books167 followers
Leslie O’Sullivan is the award winning author of "Rockin' Fairy Tales," an adult fantasy romance series that shines a new spotlight on favorite fairy tales set against the backdrop of a fictional Hollywood music scene. Her "Fae Destiny" romantasy series explores the collision of the real world with the Faerie realm. The completed "Behind the Scenes" contemporary romcom series peeks into the off-camera sizzle of a wildly popular Irish television drama. She’s a UCLA Bruin with a BA and MFA from their Department of Theater where she also taught for years on the design faculty. Her tenure in the world of television was as the assistant art director on “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Leslie loves to indulge her fangirl side each year at cons.

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5 stars
18 (47%)
4 stars
13 (34%)
3 stars
6 (15%)
2 stars
1 (2%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Inés  Molina.
587 reviews82 followers
August 28, 2022
“You are my heart, my breath, the very blood that flows through my body. Without you, I am as weak as a breeze that dies before it makes a single leaf dance on the rowan tree.”

I loved reading this, the chemistry between Jack and Gillian was a burning passion. Gillian goes to Ireland for a job she kept saying no to but after seeing Treat with a girl against the tree she leaves quickly without looking back.

Playing golf with J and sneaking kisses in the dark. Gilly starts to have feelings for the star of the show, Jack . There will be heartbreaking moments, spicy encounters and lovely ones as well but it ends with love.
Profile Image for Olga Rudnitska.
561 reviews24 followers
September 24, 2022
The more I read, the more I liked this book. How can you not like if you have TV show set, Ireland, hot ginger male character who fall in love with female character in third chapter?
Besides that it had a lot of Ireland culture, words, loyalty partner and adorable characters (mostly).

Some mini spoilers to help you take this book and read:
 - Gillian made Jack braids 
- she didn't know he is a famous actor.
- he googled her. Because he read her book and he liked it.
- moment with Jack and Faerie tree. Magical moment

Just read it. If you liked "Outlander", you will probably also like this story. Interesting about whom will be next book?

Was I expected this book was so good? No. This book is cute, adorable, passioned and make me want to visit Ireland.
Profile Image for Tifany.
315 reviews17 followers
January 23, 2023
This story has it all – ups and downs, passion and tension. I couldn’t put it down.

Quick synopsis: Aspiring writer Gilly finds herself writing copy for a sportswear company and secret girlfriend of an influential coworker. When said coworker is caught fooling around with another woman, Gilly decides to follow an opportunity to write for a TV program based on a wildly popular romance series set in Ireland. Sparks fly between her and leading man, Jack, but when they can’t go public with their relationship, is it doomed to fail?

Gilly is such a smart, intelligent MC who experiences a lot of personal growth throughout this book. She’s always had to sacrifice for her relationships, and she needs to figure out where to now draw a line. Jack is a total cinnamon roll and his interest in Gilly due to her writing is just icing on the cake. Where do we acquire Jacks of our own?

I heartily look forward to the next book in this series. This is a great, fast-paced romance read that is perfect to lose yourself in!

Special thanks to City Owl Press for the ARC. All thoughts in this review are honest and my own.
3,272 reviews10 followers
September 23, 2022
Gillian is a writer who has only written one novella. She has not had success writing anything else. She has been relegated to writing for a clothing company. Her self esteem is low during to not getting anywhere with her writing and the Guy who she is dating does not want to give her time. She is not happy and seeking refuge. She gets an offer to go to another country to write for a movie. The main character was a big fan of her novel and had been the one to bring her on board. Theyare attracted to each other, but like her previous boyfriend he wants to keep their attraction and love a secret so that his show will remain popular. She feels like she is selling her soul. Will she end the relationship or will he finally go public with it? What will happen?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
839 reviews8 followers
September 3, 2022
Gilly caught her bf with another woman and decided to head to Ireland to be a writer's assistant on a much-anticipated tv show. She fell for the star but the show insisted on Jack as an available fantasy and wanted to hush their relationship. It became increasingly difficult for them to be together.... Can their love survive?

I love both characters. Jack is terrific and I love Gilly too. I love their chemistry and their banter especially! :) It's a fun, fast read and I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc
Profile Image for Kristen Lewendon.
8,429 reviews65 followers
September 19, 2022
This story absolutely stole my heart. I have a fondness for any book that will take me behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. This one took that a step farther by also taking me to the stunning vistas of Ireland. I loved watching Jack and Gilly getting swept away by the powerful chemistry between them. It broke my heart to see all the obstacles that kept getting dropped in their way. However, I adored the ending they were able to negotiate, and I can’t wait to see what the author has up her sleeve for the next book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.
1,432 reviews3 followers
September 14, 2023
Hot Set was a great novel filled with romance, heartbreak and plot twists. The struggles that Gilly and Jack go through to try to make their love survive are heartfelt. Jack is a Grade A “book boyfriend” and his dedication to their love and his unwavering want for Gilly was touching. I will definitely be reading future books in this series!
Profile Image for Breen.
1,587 reviews
October 4, 2022
"A different type of my usual reading choice. It's always the right time to try something new and HS proved to be a great story. It's amazing how an unexpected event can turn upside down someone's life. Great story with drama but what's a greatest love type of story without chaos, right? Highly recommended.".
Profile Image for Flo Lee.
14 reviews2 followers
October 4, 2022
I finished this book too soon! Not only was I immersed in the lush Irish countryside, and the exciting, behind the scenes world of a hit TV show, but also the sumptuous love affair of Gillian and her Irish warrior. I loved the characters, the witty prose and the steamy storyline. Can’t wait to read more in this series!
Profile Image for Karen.
5,385 reviews76 followers
September 19, 2022
I love to travel and Ireland is on the bucket list. I loved the characters.
Profile Image for Jeannie Zelos.
2,853 reviews58 followers
September 20, 2022
Hot Set, Behind the Scenes, Book 1, Leslie O'Sullivan

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance

I love this trope, actors. Musicians, fame etc so went into this eagerly.
I loved the characters, Gilly was a sweetheart and she'd been treated shamefully by her boyfriend Treat. Jack was not only gorgeous to look at but genuine inside...except he needs her to do the exact same thing she did with treat, be a hidden secret. I'm not sure I could have acquiesced as quickly as Gilly did, I kind of felt that she really lacked self esteem. Her writing also showed that, her novel was rejected, but all the team of Chieftain's son seem to love it, and she seemed to find it hard to believe they thought it was that good.
There's the usual issues that surround a hidden romance, the difficulties of finding stolen time, leaked photos, and not least for Gilly, does the very close friendship between Jack and his gorgeous co-star Nils, stop just there or is she in another dirty secret relationship.
I really enjoyed this story, but despite the opportunities I didn't feel the drama hit the five star mark for me. I like heartache, heartbreak, long drawn out issues and here there were the beginnings but they seemed to be over almost before they started.

Stars: Four, a really fun read, great characters and interesting story. A bit deeper drama and I'd have gone five. .


ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
Profile Image for L.
476 reviews5 followers
April 18, 2023
Gillian is an writer who may have been a one hit novella wonder. She's dating a man who keeps her as a side secret and has resigned herself to copywriting for a clothing company. She gets offered a job as a writer on the new up-and-coming TV show in Ireland because the showrunner was a fan of her hit novella. With her recent failure of a full-length novel she doesn't feel qualified and repeatedly turns down the job until she catches her boyfriend cheating and wants a way out. Moving to Ireland she shares a secret kiss with a man who turns out to be the star of the new show. Now she has to decide if she's once again ok with being someone's secret relationship so he and the show can succeed in selling him as a heartthrob to the masses.

This book felt like a fan fiction on the set of Outlander, complete with time travel and a steamy show main couple. The book was a fun read, I couldn't put it down and finished in a day but not a lot of depth. Oddly enough most of the romantic lines of dialogue were one or the other of them quoting either from her book or from the show's source material book which seemed like an odd choice for a growing relationship. Moderate amount of spice was fun and varied. I liked the unique shared interests in golf and their creative careers, it made their relationship more believable and almost seem like there was more depth than there was. Overall fun read, I'd read more of the series.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,753 reviews19 followers
September 30, 2023
This book completely swept me up and away to beauty that is Ireland. The idealic scenery (captured with stunning description) and the amazing characters beckoned me to become part of the troop as Gilly and Jack discovered the magic of the Isle.

Gilly was spreading her wings, and blossoming before my very eyes. She had been stunted, both professionally and personally, and seeing her grow into herself was a true joy. Jack not only supported and encouraged her abilities, but celebrated Gilly herself. When their immediate chemistry sparked something profound, the inability to be open about their feelings threatened to extinguish their fledgling love. Gilly had been there, done that - no thank you! And yet, there was just something more to the feelings she and Jack shared. Did they stand a chance despite the odds, and her lingering past? Was it worth fighting for?

Join Gilly, Jack and the whole The Cheiften's Son crew in Hot Set to discover the beauty of Ireland, and the thrill of falling in love. You too will be welcomed with open arms into this fun, exuberant family as they navigate their first season of production.

* I was thrilled to receive an ARC from the author, and hope this voluntary review helps in the selection of your next title. Happy Reading 📚
Profile Image for Brenda Smith.
223 reviews10 followers
October 25, 2023
Gilly is a writer with one novella under her belt and finds herself writing copy for a sportswear catalog until she finds her next inspiration. She’s in a secret relationship that is going nowhere. When she catches her boyfriend with another woman, it’s her now or never moment.

The opportunity to be a writer’s assistant on a wildly popular romance television series is exactly what she needs to regroup. Set in Ireland, the backdrop couldn’t be any more beautiful. When she meets the handsome lead actor, Jack, the chemistry is undeniable. It doesn’t hurt that he’s already a fan of hers (she just doesn’t know it yet).

As Gilly grows more confident in herself, and more enamored of Jack, she’s faced with some difficult choices. Can she stay in the background while his star continues to rise?

O’Sullivan has written an intelligent FMC, with a story fueled by passion and personal growth. It’s a clever and steamy read. I can’t wait for the next in this series.

Thank you Leslie O’Sullivan for the ARC.
91 reviews10 followers
January 7, 2024
This one put you through an emotional roller coaster - it had the fun/cute banter, the sweetness, and then it got steamy... and you ask yourself if we're in the same book with the sudden vibe changes (where talking pg to r), cuz when it gets steamy it was like opening the door to sauna and jumping right in. It was deep and heart felt at times. The problem was you got whiplash with Gilly on deciding whether or not she was in on the relationship with Jack or not. She would be in, then she would run, then she would be in again, and then back out - it got a little tiresome and frustrated and you wanted to yell at her - just go get you piece of "Man flesh" already... The author painted beautiful imagery drawing you right into the Irish country side and had fun cast of characters and definitely had a way of describing them. It is definitely the epitome of a lustful romance looking to give all the good feelz - that is if you can handle all of the on again/off again relationship doubts.
1,716 reviews23 followers
December 24, 2023
Gilly Bettencourt moves to Ireland after she caught her boyfriend cheating. She becomes a writer’s assistant on the TV show The Chieftains Son a historical drama based on the best selling romance novels. Gilly meets Jack O’Leary the star of the show and they spark a romance but the show wants Jack to be an unattached heartthrob. Find out if Gilly will be the girl behind the scenes or will Jack and Gilly’s romance flourish. I really enjoyed this awesome fantasy romance novel. I received this free book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Sarah.
Author 8 books256 followers
September 19, 2025
HOT SET was a joy to read! The love story, the behind-the-scenes elements, descriptions, crackling dialogue, and swoony banter kept me glued to the pages. You can really tell that O'Sullivan knows this world, and brings it to readers in a memorable way. Gilly's distinct, compelling narrative voice really pulled me in, and I felt as though I'd been transported to the set of an Outlander-esque production. A wonderful premise that really delivers on all fronts.
94 reviews3 followers
October 5, 2023
I loved this story!!! It was so funny and sweet! I love Jack and Gillian’s story! From her heart break to having to put trust that he won’t hurt her the same way she’s been hurt in the past and GAHHHH this man!!! I laughed reading this story at times and at others completely SWOONED! Add this to your TBR!!! 💗💗💗
Profile Image for Roan Alessandra.
19 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2023
No spoilers, free from spoilers
Best book ever, beautifully written, it made me cry so hard as I read it further😭😭 I super love this book💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖 Thank you so very much for creating such masterpiece my beloved author. You're the best💕💕💕 infinite rate💗💗💗
Profile Image for K.C. Harper.
Author 6 books100 followers
October 29, 2023
This book was so much fun! It's clear the author has a steeped knowledge of the film/tv industry and it gave this story a unique twist. The romance was super sweet and the setup for the next book was on point!
Profile Image for Taylor O'Keefe.
33 reviews
May 24, 2026
Oh I loved this book! The characters were so easy to fall in love with! I loved the angst and this was such a quick easy read I finished it in 2 days! I highly recommend this book to anyone looking a swoon worthy forced proximity, work place romance.
Profile Image for Jeannie Zelos.
2,853 reviews58 followers
September 20, 2022
Hot Set, Behind the Scenes, Book 1, Leslie O'Sullivan

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: Romance

I love this trope, actors. Musicians, fame etc so went into this eagerly.
I loved the characters, Gilly was a sweetheart and she'd been treated shamefully by her boyfriend Treat. Jack was not only gorgeous to look at but genuine inside...except he needs her to do the exact same thing she did with treat, be a hidden secret. I'm not sure I could have acquiesced as quickly as Gilly did, I kind of felt that she really lacked self esteem. Her writing also showed that, her novel was rejected, but all the team of Chieftain's son seem to love it, and she seemed to find it hard to believe they thought it was that good.
There's the usual issues that surround a hidden romance, the difficulties of finding stolen time, leaked photos, and not least for Gilly, does the very close friendship between Jack and his gorgeous co-star Nils, stop just there or is she in another dirty secret relationship.
I really enjoyed this story, but despite the opportunities I didn't feel the drama hit the five star mark for me. I like heartache, heartbreak, long drawn out issues and here there were the beginnings but they seemed to be over almost before they started.

Stars: Four, a really fun read, great characters and interesting story. A bit deeper drama and I'd have gone five. .


ARC supplied by Netgally and publishers
Profile Image for Marcia - itsabookthing2021 .
886 reviews22 followers
December 30, 2022
Hot Set is the perfect romance setting in Ireland, it has all the cozy hallmark feels.
Gilly leaves her life in America after realising her secret boyfriend is a no good two timing jerk. She takes on a job which propels her into script writing for her favourite novel come TV show.

I loved Gilly and I loved how her character developed throughout the novel, she found her self worth and the romance with Jack was perfection - I have a soft spot for him.
I liked how Jack was the big TV star but his devotion to Gilly never wavered, their chemistry sizzled between them. All the obstacles that kept getting dropped in their way had me gasping with a lot of Nos! I was afraid to see how it was all ending and whether we were gonna get a HEA or just an EA.

I love how Leslie O'Sullivan writes her novels. You get thrown in the mist of it and it takes you on a journey and doesn't let go until the end. You feel every emotion along the way, which connects you to the characters and the world created.
I really hope there's more novels in this world as I thoroughly enjoyed it.
539 reviews
October 5, 2022
This is a fast-paced sweet romance set in beautiful Ireland. Filled with descriptions of Irish scenery and folklore, it features a likeable couple and an enjoyable romance. However, I found it a bit hard to get into, because I wasn't that keen on Leslie O'Sullivan's writing style, and it was over-long.

At the start of the novel, Gilly discovers that her boyfriend is having a fling with someone else, and she is extremely tired of writing for his clothing company. Persuaded to write scripts for a series in Ireland instead, she is soon on her way. But she is on the rebound, and her relationship with her boyfriend was secret. When she falls for the handsome star, she has several doubts. Can she stand another secret romance?

I am not sure if I will read any more books in the series.



I received this free ebook from City Owl Press in return for an honest review.



Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
21k reviews264 followers
November 5, 2022
This is the first in a new series, and this is Gilly and Jake’s journey. Gilly catches her boyfriend cheating on her, and she head to Ireland to become a writer’s assistant. Jake is a heartthrob and star of the series, and there is an instant connection between them. Will their love affair survive the challenges and demands of the show? This is an enjoyable story which has secrets, passion, heartbreak, emotions, and love, which leads to a spicy encounter.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,758 reviews13 followers
September 23, 2022
A new to me author...
The blurb & previous reviewers have outlined the story but it's far from a short story as stated, I found it to be a good length & a charming & disarming page turner. I received an arc & this is my honest & voluntary review.
Profile Image for Christina Bowling.
1,607 reviews15 followers
September 26, 2022
This was a really fun book and I liked it quite a bit. Gilly and Jack were very cute together and I enjoyed their story. I was happy with their HEA as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews