Encore Performance is an 831 Stories romance novella, but it’s really more about self-love than romance. Which is exactly what I loved about it.
Emmy is a solo artist who used to be one-third of early-aughts indie band “Deja View”. She’s happy doing her own thing these days. But a crisis with a former bandmate pulls her back in for a reunion tour, and back into the orbit of Bishop, her bandmate she’s had a complicated vibe with since they met.
What really resonated with me was Emmy’s embarrassment about her younger self. The way she struggles to forgive baby Emmy for the things she did and said in her twenties. The way she has a hard time making peace with the person she used to be. It’s so relatable. I wanted to hug her whenever she talked about that struggle.
There’s a twist around the 80% mark that genuinely surprised me. But the last two percent felt very rushed – a complaint I have with 831 Stories novellas more broadly. The ending doesn’t always have to be “I love you and want to spend the rest of my life with you.” Something more like “I like you, I’m excited to see where this goes” can feel more honest at this length. An occasional restrained flash forward is good, too.
Still, this one stands out in the 831 catalog for feeling like something a little more substantial and adult. Recommend, especially for Gen X indie music lovers!
PS: Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an Advanced Reading Copy.
