Allyson Parker, the stereotypical shy librarian, finds an outlet for her wilder side by performing in community theater. There she can become someone else, someone infinitely more interesting and confident. Partnered in her first romantic lead with newcomer Matt Dauer, she begins to hope that life can imitate art. But can she overcome her bashfulness and self-doubts, cultivated by years of frequent locations, in order to keep his interest?

Matt moved to Washington, D.C. from Chicago to escape a cheating, diva ex-girlfriend, but he's now also far from his parents and two brothers. His greatest desire is to create a new family as close-knit as the one he left behind. He must return to that past, though, when his ex is involved in a serious car accident and he is called on to help. Will his benevolent act mean the end of his blossoming relationship with Allyson?

The last scene of Act One involved only Allyson and Matt’s characters. They had blocked the scene late one evening just before breaking for the night, but hadn’t had the chance to rehearse it beyond that. The script called for Victoria and James to share their first tentative kiss just before the blackout and intermission. Peter had explained that it would be one of those moments often seen in movies, where the two characters stare at each other for an uncomfortably long period and then draw in agonizingly slowly for the kiss. Allyson and Matt had heard the description, but they hadn’t acted it yet. 

Allyson was nervous about it. 

She tried hard to just think about the words she said and what they meant. Plus, as much as possible with a script in her hand, she maintained the eye contact Ginny and Clark demonstrated. 

“What is it that you want?” was Matt’s final line, then she and Matt stood, three feet apart, gazing into each other’s eyes. 

Most of Allyson’s brain forgot that she was playing a part as she looked at him. His blue eyes fixed on hers, and she couldn’t have torn her gaze away if she’d tried. 

He took a step toward her, and her heart fluttered with joy. 

She took her own step, bringing her close enough now to see the yellow flecks in his irises. They circled his pupils like fire, and when he took another step, she fancied she could feel the flame. 

One more step and she forgot to breathe, thinking only of his eyes and of his scent and of the hand that reached out to touch her own. 

As their fingers laced, he bent his head down. Her neck stretched back, allowing her to maintain the gaze that linked them tighter than their hands until she felt his breath on her face. Then she focused on his plump, pink lips, which inched closer and closer to her own. 

The instant before their lips touched, she closed her eyes, prepared to savor it. And savor she did. At first, their meeting was feather light and sweet, and she relished the soft teasing. But it quickly grew more intense, their mouths pressing hard into each other as if to become one. Warmth radiated from their joining down her back to pour into her arms and legs. 

She’d never experienced such delight and such yearning need at the same time. She relaxed into it, hearing a thud that momentarily puzzled her until she realized she’d dropped her script onto the stage. That and the catcalls and whistles from their cast mates in the seats brought her back to her senses. With her cheeks burning, she pulled away from Matt. His face looked red, too, and she thought she saw reluctance in his eyes. She blinked, trying to get her bearings. 

“Curtain,” Peter called, joining the two of them on the stage. “End Act One. Take a break, everybody.” The cast in the audience scattered. 

Peter cleared his throat and told his leads in a low voice, “Um, guys, that was not tentative. It looked great, but save it for Act Two, okay?” He cleared his throat again. “And those private times.” His eyes sparkled as he ambled away.

Rating:

Reviewer: Stevi B.

Quiet, shy, librarian Allyson Parker finds an outlet for things she only dreams of by performing in the local community theater. It is very freeing to be someone else very different from her normal personality in a play. Paired for the first time in a romantic lead with a new artist to their group, Matt Dauer, Allyson begins to wonder if life could possibly imitate art.

Matt moved to the Washington, D. C. area to get away from the drama of a cheating diva ex-girlfriend and he is not expecting to find any woman interesting. But the quiet reserved Allyson begins to get under his shields and reminds him of his dream of a close knit family life, like the one he grew up with. Until he must return to Chicago to help his ex get through a bad car accident… Can his new relationship survive the separation and will Allyson see his act as kindness he intends and not because he is still hung up on his ex?

The Show Must Go On is a very charming and cute romance. Allyson is beautiful inside and out but doesn’t recognize her own worth. Matt, however, sees the beauty hidden inside Allyson and begins to dream of a future. He is determined to move slow and get to know Allyson and slowly build up her confidence in their relationship but returning to Chicago may cost him everything. Allyson isn’t confident enough in her own appeal to believe Matt will come back for her and that was the saddest part of the whole story. Everyone else could see what Allyson couldn’t, that she is beautiful and a prize to be treasured and that Matt is falling in love with her. I loved the main characters but I was so sad that Allyson couldn’t or wouldn’t believe that she was special. This story was defiantly a tear jerker as I struggled to read about Allyson’s self doubts and how that affects the seemingly perfect relationship she was headed for. Matt was also a little on the dense side and defiantly contributed to the problem. It wouldn’t have taken much extra effort on his part to reassure Allyson since he sensed she might be upset… Will Allyson and Matt be able to work past this hitch or is it a killing blow? If you want to know you’ll have to read the book!

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