Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Stage Presents
AUTHOR: Aidan Wayne
PUBLISHER: Harmony Ink Press
LENGTH: 180 pages
RELEASE DATE: June 25, 2019
BLURB:
It’s dislike at first sight—or first email—for two girls who are accepted into the Disney College Program and get assigned as roommates.
Dana has worked hard, and she sees this opportunity with a Fortune 500 company as her first step toward becoming a successful businesswoman. In contrast, Ashlee is a Georgia peach who’s led a sheltered life that has left her shallow, vapid, and ignorant—or so Dana thinks.
Ashlee’s dream of becoming a princess is about to come true! She’s been preparing all her life, dancing since she was three, and she plans to use this chance to boost her performing career. On the other hand, Dana is cynical, even if she is kind of pretty…. But what’s up with the whole trans thing?
Can enemies become friends and then more as each girl gradually sees what’s beneath the surface?
REVIEW:
Finally, this is the Disney College romance I’ve been searching for! For years, I thought that real-life princes and princesses working at Disney Parks would make an excellent romance, and though I’ve read a few short stories that go with the basic premise, this is the first in-depth one I’ve read. It’s both an adorable story and an awesome peek into the Disney College Program.
This book alternates between Dana and Ashlee, two college students who earned the chance to be a part of the Disney College Program and work in Florida in various roles at the Disney Parks. Dana is driven and career-oriented, eager to learn about the business side of such a lucrative company. And Ashlee is a dancer and performer who dreams of being a Face character, especially one of her favorite princesses.
The two girls couldn’t be more different, so when they are assigned as roommates, things go sour quickly. Dana thinks Ashlee is loud and inconsiderate, in addition to being possibly transphobic. And Ashlee wishes Dana would loosen up and appreciate the magic of working for Disney a bit more. For the first half of the book, the girls skirt around each other, slowly getting to know each other and letting the ice thaw a bit. And when they finally become friends, it doesn’t take long for them to start seeing each other in a new light.
I don’t know of Aidan Wayne’s personal background, but their knowledge of the Disney College Program seems to realistic and detailed that I’d be shocked if they didn’t work for the company themselves at some point. We get a totally in-depth narrative about what goes on “backstage” at Disney parks, from the vendors to the performers. It feels like a real glimpse into something not many people know or even consider about the most magical place on earth. Sometimes I think the details could’ve been integrated a bit better into the actual plot. There are some info-dumps here and there, and some dry parts that could’ve been edited out. But mostly, I really like the unique perspective.
Of course, Disney makes the perfect backdrop for romance. Dana, the more grounded and logical character, isn’t really looking for love, but once she starts seeing Ashlee for the driven and passionate woman she is, the sparks just fly. And I think Ashlee’s initial hesitance at dating a transwoman is understandable—especially since she takes the time to learn and apologize for her behavior. They got the difficult parts of living together and dealing with quirks out of the way before they even started dating, so once they made the next step, everything was so much easier.
Though there are some slower, awkward spots in the narrative, this is a really sweet, unique little enemies-to-lovers romance that will be a huge treat for Disney fans. It’s a lovely, inclusive new-adult read.
RATING: 
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