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Wishful #3.5

Once Upon a Setup

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The historic Madrigal Theater in the heart of downtown Wishful is on the verge of closing its doors, and Piper Parish is on a mission to save it--even if it means pulling a little deception to get her best friend back up on the stage where she had her heart broken. When new-to-town newspaperman Myles Stewart catches on to his co-star's shenanigans, he has a choice--keep quiet or get to the bottom of things. He's never been able to resist a story...and he's not sure he wants to resist Piper.

*A companion story to Be Careful, It's My Heart*
**This book was recovered and retitled The Matchmaker Maneuver in July 2019**

53 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 22, 2015

230 people are currently reading
401 people want to read

About the author

Kait Nolan

138 books1,334 followers
Kait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.

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Community Reviews

5 stars
145 (36%)
4 stars
161 (40%)
3 stars
70 (17%)
2 stars
21 (5%)
1 star
5 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
Profile Image for TL *Humaning the Best She Can*.
2,290 reviews147 followers
August 25, 2016
This one hit more of the annoying buttons than anything, for a few reasons.
Well intentioned perhaps but still

And the romance failed to hook me... more telling than showing the chemistry between them.

Maybe the full book of them will be better but not sure if I will read it (looks like the full length are just ebooks).

Myles Stewart had been driven by one, single aspiration since he was eight years old: Become Perry White. Upon the disappointing discovery that he could not, in fact, go work for The Daily Planet, he’d set his sights on The New York Times. The Chicago Tribune. The Boston Globe. His family had assumed he’d outgrow the desire and would fall in line with their expectations by the time he graduated college. They figured he’d tire of the life after he bounced from The Times-Picayune up to The Seattle Times, then over to The Philadelphia Daily News. But he never tired of the chase, of the quest to be the first in the know, of the pursuit of truth.
Profile Image for Timothy Hendricks.
477 reviews6 followers
November 8, 2016
Back to Wishful. This was a wonderful story this time about Myles and Piper. One of the things I like about Kait Nolan's books especially in her Wishful series is that we get to visit with all the old characters from her previous books which make them quite nice. Myles has taken over the town newspaper and Piper is a doctor. They are part of a group of people who are putting on a play to help raise funds to save the Madrigal Theater in downtown Wishful. Myles is interested in Piper. Piper is involved in a ruse to help bring her friend Tyler and the love of her life Brody together. Myles becomes aware of Piper's actions and works to get the story. Great story.
Profile Image for Elena Johansen.
Author 5 books29 followers
August 19, 2019
I enjoyed this, but I'm left honestly questioning why it's a novella and not just the first few chapters of book 4, which is going to finish the romance set up here. I checked, and book 4 doesn't break 200 pages, so why is the story chopped in two? (My gut says "marketing" but I hope not.)

I have some of the same issues with this story-bit that I had with book 3, because I still haven't watched White Christmas so I still don't get the references. I'm really hoping that we're going to stop beating that horse in book 4. Please.

All that being said, I like Myles. I like him a lot. It can be hard to write the funny-charming guy as a romantic lead, because humor is so personal and not everyone is going to respond. But beyond the funniness, he's a thoughtful, respectful guy. Piper doesn't get quite as much time put into her personality here, but I mostly remember her from before, so it's okay that Myles gets more development, especially when he's the big draw.

I'm starting book 4 next, so let's hope it pays this off.
Profile Image for Tammy Moldovan.
1,907 reviews22 followers
August 5, 2024
Great prequel teaser

I really enjoyed this teasing beginning to Myles and Piper romance with a side of matchmaking. This prequel does not get us to their HEA, it is just the beginning and gives us glimpses of their pasts and the stories of some secondary characters. As long as you understand that, you’ll enjoy the story. Myles is the new owner of the newspaper in small town Wishful and a newcomer to town. Piper is a hometown girl and a nurse. When they both get leads in the play to save the local theater, sparks instantly fly between them. Despite Piper’s no dating costars rule, they only flame hotter when they decide to do a little matchmaking together. Despite being short, the prequel was well written and included three dimensional characters, and an engaging storyline. I am definitely going to read the rest of their story in book four of the series because I am invested now.
Profile Image for Rachel.
3,841 reviews61 followers
July 2, 2020
This sweet story was number 3.5 in the Wishful series; it was well written and rather amusing being that it's about matchmaking. The story takes place during the events of the third book of the series, Be Careful, It's My Heart, and while a lot of it does retell parts of Tyler and Brody's story from Piper's perspective, it also introduces us to Myles and the interest between him and Piper. In fact, I couldn't believe how well the author developed Myles in such a short time. So, despite it being short and semi repetitive, I really enjoyed this story, and in case you hadn't guessed it, I really am loving this series.
Profile Image for Alethia.
1,017 reviews15 followers
July 20, 2017
Meet cute musical

Of the three meet cute books in the series I've read, this was my favorite so far. I loved the reference to White Christmas (also a family favorite in my house), and how that was the basis for the meeting of Piper and Myles. I also really liked that there was a second chance meeting in for some other characters. I'm planning to read how Piper and Myles' story finishes in their full size book. Even though I know there's more, I'd be okay with where this ended, in case you're worried about a cliff hanger ending (I really don't like those myself).
Profile Image for A.M..
Author 7 books57 followers
April 2, 2018
Myles is new in the small town of Wishful and he’s invested in the community newspaper. Looking for human interest stories he gets involved in the plan to save the Madrigal Theatre. And he meets local nurse, Piper. Before he knows how, he’s auditioning.
Piper has a rule about dating costars but it’s difficult to keep when he keeps looking at her like that.
***
This runs as a side pov for book 2 - Tyler and Brody’s story. [shouldn’t that make it 2.5?]
And the setup for their own romance in book4.
3 stars
Profile Image for Diane.
2,731 reviews22 followers
September 21, 2017
Cute romance is a perfect title for these short reads that give you a nice sample of Ms. Nolan's style of writing. The Cute books don't have to be read in order unless you're reading the Wishful series, which I am. In that case, it serves as an epilogue to Be Careful it's My Heart and introduces more characters that will appear in future books. I like being able to tie the series and the Cute shorts together for a more enjoyable reading experience.
1,725 reviews9 followers
June 18, 2017
Not a standalone

If I had not already read "Be Careful it's My Heart", I would need a playbill to understand who the cast of characters are. This story is more like the " extras" or the deleted scenes you watch at the end of a movie, and a prologue for the "real" story that comes in "Just for this Moment". It's well written, but it's a teaser to buy the next book.
350 reviews3 followers
May 26, 2023
This book was my introduction to Wishful. A delightful and quick read with a meet cute component and I loved it. I promptly bought the books in the series and never looked back. Myles is adorable. So is Piper. And all the shenanigans they get into are things I would love to see happen. A quick quick read with a meet cute. Must buy.
1,347 reviews5 followers
June 23, 2018
5 Stars

Well done small town series with lots of romance and funny with great characters both male and female. I was so caught up in the story that I could not stop reading until the very end.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews97 followers
March 1, 2017
Cute

They were in loves once. Then he left town. She was still there. They may close the local theater a d decide to put on White Christmas. How do you two people back together.
Profile Image for Beverly.
1,292 reviews
July 2, 2017
Set Up

A little hard to follow at first because there are two stories going in this book. Definitely want to know more about Myles and Piper. Will be reading more of their story
15 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2017
Fun to read

I enjoy Ms Nolan writing style. She draws her readers into an alternative mode where they experience the real life relationships she creates.
52 reviews
November 19, 2017
I enjoy the short stories that starts working and keep you thinking about what is to come
351 reviews2 followers
November 22, 2017
Cute Romance

Story is short but fun to read. Will pull you in and wonder if couples will find each other and save the theater. Enjoyed completely.
Profile Image for Taryn.
184 reviews8 followers
March 23, 2018
Having read Tyler & Brody’s story and Myles and Piper’s story, it was fun to go back and read about how Myles and Piper first met amidst the Tyler/Brody drama. It was a charming meet cute.
2,237 reviews3 followers
June 24, 2018
Ebook

He’s the new guy in town and she’s not ready for a relationship but the sparks are there. Can he convince her
Profile Image for Cassey.
1,337 reviews4 followers
August 30, 2018
Having read Myles and Piper's story, getting their meet cute was great. And it's moved Tyler and Brody's story as a want to read higher up my list.
Profile Image for Regina.
1,075 reviews
September 25, 2018
Cute and short setup (ha!) for Piper and Myles's story, set during "Be Careful It's My Heart". Looking forward to reading more about these two!
3 reviews
January 29, 2019
Excellent book would definitely recommend. Great plot and storyline. Makes you feel you live right there in Wishful
1,746 reviews10 followers
June 12, 2019
This is short and sweet and gives a little background to Piper and Myles.
345 reviews1 follower
June 17, 2019
Good four star!

Another good by Kait Nolan which I enjoyed reading. Kait is an excellent author and I am sure you will enjoy her works.
370 reviews2 followers
July 4, 2024
Fun prequel

In true Kit Nolan style this Wishful series prequel is flirty, fun and builds into the storyline perfectly. A very fun quick read. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews

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