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Big Fan
A political strategist, tainted by a scandalous ex, finds an unexpected career detour when her teenage boy band crush offers a second chance at the spotlight…and maybe something more. The debut book from 831 Stories, a modern romantic fiction company that prioritizes pleasure reading and the genre’s enthusiastic fans.
Maya was a rising star in the political world until her ex-husband’s high-profile sex scandal nearly derailed her career. Landing a gubernatorial candidate like Teresa Powell is the fresh start she desperately needs � a chance to focus on meaningful work and leave the drama behind.
But then an email from her past sends her world spinning: Charlie, former lead singer of Mischief, the boy band that fueled her teenage obsession, is staging a solo comeback and wants Maya’s help to make it happen. Turns out, she likes the grown-up Charlie and his genuine engagement with the world.
Maya’s not about to ditch her political ambitions for a teenage crush, but if she can leverage Charlie to draw attention to the policies she cares about, shouldn’t she give it a try?
Maya was a rising star in the political world until her ex-husband’s high-profile sex scandal nearly derailed her career. Landing a gubernatorial candidate like Teresa Powell is the fresh start she desperately needs � a chance to focus on meaningful work and leave the drama behind.
But then an email from her past sends her world spinning: Charlie, former lead singer of Mischief, the boy band that fueled her teenage obsession, is staging a solo comeback and wants Maya’s help to make it happen. Turns out, she likes the grown-up Charlie and his genuine engagement with the world.
Maya’s not about to ditch her political ambitions for a teenage crush, but if she can leverage Charlie to draw attention to the policies she cares about, shouldn’t she give it a try?
176 pages, Paperback
Published September 10, 2024
1,069 people are currently reading
19.5k people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,709 reviews
September 17, 2024
I’ve never read a romance novel that discusses universal basic income so much
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September 2, 2024big win for big fanfic girlies
August 25, 2024
My first novella (I think?). What a delicious little bonbon of a book.
Loved that I could start and finish it in a couple hours. It was especially good for a day I was feeling a little distracted and scattered.
We love a famous person/normal person romance where the FMC has a serious job of her own and isn't just a groupie. Maya's job as a disgraced political strategist added some real emotional heft to this delightfully frothy romance (said as a high compliment!).
Loved that I could start and finish it in a couple hours. It was especially good for a day I was feeling a little distracted and scattered.
We love a famous person/normal person romance where the FMC has a serious job of her own and isn't just a groupie. Maya's job as a disgraced political strategist added some real emotional heft to this delightfully frothy romance (said as a high compliment!).
October 18, 2024
what is wrong with me why am I crying for the nostalgia of a band that isn’t even real
November 7, 2024
SPECTACULAR, GIVE ME 14 OF EM RIGHT NOW
February 5, 2025
devoured and adored this oh my GOD
January 2, 2025
HARRY STYLES, I HAVE LOVED YOU SINCE I WAS 11 🧎🏽♀�
“the passions of young girls are worth nurturing no matter how frivolous they may seem�
retired fangirls have never been represented like this before. the fangirl to PR pipeline has now been memorialised in literature FOREVER! the balance of nostalgic fandom memories, political discourse and raw sex appeal worked so well. it’s a book written for a very particular type of woman and i am glad to be here as one of them!!!!
“the passions of young girls are worth nurturing no matter how frivolous they may seem�
retired fangirls have never been represented like this before. the fangirl to PR pipeline has now been memorialised in literature FOREVER! the balance of nostalgic fandom memories, political discourse and raw sex appeal worked so well. it’s a book written for a very particular type of woman and i am glad to be here as one of them!!!!
February 6, 2025
Political strategist Maya is finally gaining a foothold in Washington again now that gossip over her breakup with her high-profile husband has begun to die down. She’s working on a gubernatorial campaign and stumbles across the perfect celebrity spokesperson for her candidate’s universal basic income platform…who also happens to be a former member of the band she was obsessed with as a teen. Charlie is handsome, well-spoken and a creative genius. The only hitch is that their interest in one another is not purely professional. Maya’s floundering career can’t deal with the pressure of another relationship in the spotlight…but can she walk away from her connection with the guy of her teenage dreams?
This was a smart and well-written romance with likeable characters. Maya’s choice between her relationship and her job felt like an actual conflict, not just a plot contrivance. This book isn’t among my favourite recent reads but I still had a great time reading it.
This was a smart and well-written romance with likeable characters. Maya’s choice between her relationship and her job felt like an actual conflict, not just a plot contrivance. This book isn’t among my favourite recent reads but I still had a great time reading it.
September 3, 2024
Oh I fucking loved this. Big Fan is quick and sexy and perfect for the girlies who are rewatching Scandal to feel something.
September 10, 2024
They're simply not writing fun, GOOD, romcom novels like this anymore! I was indeed giggling and blushing on my commute to work. I've heard if you grew up reading fanfics you would like this and I have to agree. Really enjoyable, quick read. Exactly what you need to drag you out of a slump or as a palate cleanser.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
January 10, 2025
3.5
This is if “The Idea Of You� didn’t have the uncomfortable age gap dynamic and neither the clear inspiration from HS’s real life relationships. A book for the slightly delusional fangirls that even a decade after One Direction’s ‘hiatus� still like to escape to secret gardens in their minds when they hate it here 😉.
I enjoyed the fast pace, however, this did sacrifice some well-appreciated (sexual) tension. Writing and character development were nothing groundbreaking, but appropriate and enjoyable for the story it told. A type of book that fell right into its place of tropes and characters I enjoy. I did miss a little bit of additional info at the end about how the story with Terasa played out as it was the big point of conflict in the relationship and the character development.
[special thanks to Netgalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an arc]
This is if “The Idea Of You� didn’t have the uncomfortable age gap dynamic and neither the clear inspiration from HS’s real life relationships. A book for the slightly delusional fangirls that even a decade after One Direction’s ‘hiatus� still like to escape to secret gardens in their minds when they hate it here 😉.
I enjoyed the fast pace, however, this did sacrifice some well-appreciated (sexual) tension. Writing and character development were nothing groundbreaking, but appropriate and enjoyable for the story it told. A type of book that fell right into its place of tropes and characters I enjoy. I did miss a little bit of additional info at the end about how the story with Terasa played out as it was the big point of conflict in the relationship and the character development.
[special thanks to Netgalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an arc]
March 14, 2025
�...the passions of young girls are worth nurturing no matter how frivolous they may seem.�
What a pleasant surprise!
I was hesitant to pick this up at first, because this type of story doesn't usually appeal to me but after a few positive recs from people I trust, I decided to give it a try.
It's exactly what it promises to be: a romance novella with the plot of an aged-up boy-band fanfic. But it also has a lot of heart, which is surprising considering the page count. It doesn't shy away from the silliness of the plot, but asks why that silliness is something to be ashamed of - which I found lovely.
Unrelated to the story itself, but I'm always surprised when Jimmy Fallon or someone like that gets written into a story with actual dialogue. How does this work? Does one need Jimmy Fallon's permission before writing a scene where we have him interview a fictional boy-band member turned philanthropist clothing designer? Or can anyone just... use Jimmy Fallon's name in a story? Like if someone - hypothetically - wanted to write a reimagined Thumbelina where Jimmy Fallon inexplicably narrates the entire thing, how would they go about that?
Overall, this was fun and I'm glad I read it.
What a pleasant surprise!
I was hesitant to pick this up at first, because this type of story doesn't usually appeal to me but after a few positive recs from people I trust, I decided to give it a try.
It's exactly what it promises to be: a romance novella with the plot of an aged-up boy-band fanfic. But it also has a lot of heart, which is surprising considering the page count. It doesn't shy away from the silliness of the plot, but asks why that silliness is something to be ashamed of - which I found lovely.
Unrelated to the story itself, but I'm always surprised when Jimmy Fallon or someone like that gets written into a story with actual dialogue. How does this work? Does one need Jimmy Fallon's permission before writing a scene where we have him interview a fictional boy-band member turned philanthropist clothing designer? Or can anyone just... use Jimmy Fallon's name in a story? Like if someone - hypothetically - wanted to write a reimagined Thumbelina where Jimmy Fallon inexplicably narrates the entire thing, how would they go about that?
Overall, this was fun and I'm glad I read it.
November 28, 2024
This was such an insanely, tender, earnest breath of fresh air. I was so thrown by the concept of a politician falling in love with her childhood celebrity crush, but a booktoker who I trust with my entire soul said it was amazing so I gave it a go - and wow, just wow. Initially, the politics of it all had me nervous but it worked - really well, in my opinion at least. It’s a short novel, so we don’t dive insanely deep, but it was just such a beautiful romance and an ode to being a fan? Alexandra did so much in so little time, but it didn’t feel rushed or limited by its page count in any way.
If you need a palette cleanser with tremendous heart and intelligence I cannot recommend this enough. So intrigued by this new publishing imprint - will be keeping an eye out.
If you need a palette cleanser with tremendous heart and intelligence I cannot recommend this enough. So intrigued by this new publishing imprint - will be keeping an eye out.
December 17, 2024
GODDAMN this was boring
i feel bad but like i was trying so hard to finish this� ughh yeah publishing more fanfiction inspired books is beating a dead horse imo! also everyone is in their 30s here and it was giving JT backstreet boys like yeah i don’t think this was made for me! 2.5 stars 😓
i feel bad but like i was trying so hard to finish this� ughh yeah publishing more fanfiction inspired books is beating a dead horse imo! also everyone is in their 30s here and it was giving JT backstreet boys like yeah i don’t think this was made for me! 2.5 stars 😓
September 4, 2024
I think all romance books should be novellas and also scenarios that Tumblr imagines had me dreaming about.
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Books for the ARC!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and 831 Books for the ARC!!!
November 10, 2024
Really fun.
January 21, 2025
3 stars
This was a very average book. I sort of expected more but it served up a generic romance of a woman and a famous guy. It wasn’t particularly bad but apart from the political background, it didn’t feel like anything new.
This was a very average book. I sort of expected more but it served up a generic romance of a woman and a famous guy. It wasn’t particularly bad but apart from the political background, it didn’t feel like anything new.
January 19, 2025
Inhaled this one in less than 24 hours! So cute and fun—the perfect palate cleanser novella!! I’m considering starting a petition for more romance covers to look like this. Also, I’ve never seen so many mentions of universal basic income in any book let alone a romance.
Very much one direction fanfiction vibes in the best way, and in the author blurb, we learn her fave 1D member is Louis, so she can absolutely be trusted.
Very much one direction fanfiction vibes in the best way, and in the author blurb, we learn her fave 1D member is Louis, so she can absolutely be trusted.
June 22, 2024
I’m a big fan of this book! I wish it was longer, I would have loved to see more of them but I definitely enjoyed the build up.
In Big Fan we follow Maya, a political strategist, who has just gone through a scandal with her ex husband and her teenage crush, Charlie. We watch Maya navigate starting over late in her career and how to choose herself over her work.
This book felt so mature and sexy. I loved that they were both restarting themselves in their late thirties and didn’t have it all figured out. Really loved the quote that the world doesn’t end when you think it will.
In Big Fan we follow Maya, a political strategist, who has just gone through a scandal with her ex husband and her teenage crush, Charlie. We watch Maya navigate starting over late in her career and how to choose herself over her work.
This book felt so mature and sexy. I loved that they were both restarting themselves in their late thirties and didn’t have it all figured out. Really loved the quote that the world doesn’t end when you think it will.
January 6, 2025
Charlie! 🥰 He stole the show! My only complaint was the beginning was a bit slow for me as we had the deeper dive into Maya's history with her ex husband. I felt like it was important, but I was obviously more interested in the swoony romance with Charlie! For a novella, I really thought this was well rounded and gave us a good story. Enjoyed!
February 16, 2025
this is one of those potato chip books, it’s not going to be a life changing.. but is it damn good.. absolutely.
just a fun short fanfic type book, really just brings you back to the roots of “reading is fun�
just a fun short fanfic type book, really just brings you back to the roots of “reading is fun�
February 10, 2025
Cute & quick read to get me out of a slump!!!
December 28, 2024
fanfiction-inspired romance novella, the female protagonist is in her 30s and works in politics, the male protagonist is justin timberlake or something, whatever
January 7, 2025
I never want to take a recommendation from anyone again.
September 22, 2024
fanfic girlies are gonna eat this up lol
January 8, 2025
Another banger from 831 stories! I completely ate this one up! I loved the romance between Maya and Charlie! The whole time I was reading it I was like "yesss Maya you deserve this". I also loved that Charlie was just absolutely gone for her! Ahh! the whole book made me want to melt! Alexandra is truly an incredible author and I can't wait to read the sequel once it comes out in a few months!
June 12, 2024
the novella of my fangirl dreams!!
the boy band references made my one direction heart skip a beat and the (semi) forbidden relationship aspect was very fun! all around a very cute, sexy, short story!!
special thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC of this book!
the boy band references made my one direction heart skip a beat and the (semi) forbidden relationship aspect was very fun! all around a very cute, sexy, short story!!
special thanks to NetGalley and 831 Stories for providing me with an ARC of this book!
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July 22, 2024If Harry Styles and Audrey Gelman dated
September 16, 2024
This was f-u-n. Read in an afternoon. The idea of you, but written sooo much better
December 8, 2024
What a delightful, swoon-worthy romance. I fell hard for this one and it was sheer delight.
A smidge of THE IDEA OF YOU vibes, minus the age gap. Regular person + famous person and delicious chemistry and such great fun! Loved!
A smidge of THE IDEA OF YOU vibes, minus the age gap. Regular person + famous person and delicious chemistry and such great fun! Loved!
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