Stages by Whitney Amazeen

Dot Bennett has always felt like an outsider. Homeschooled in a small town her whole life, she’s never really had a chance to fit into a large crowd—until now. When her dad takes a job in Boston, Dot is thrust into the unfamiliar world of Fallbrook Christian Prep. As if navigating a new school isn’t hard enough, she finds herself in a summer fling with Carlton Peters, a theater kid from her new school who was there for her when she needed someone most.

Desperate to impress him, Dot joins the drama club, even though acting has never been her thing. But when she lands the lead role in the school play, she’s thrown into the spotlight—both on stage and off. Her co-star is Zayne Silverman—Carlton’s biggest rival, and the last person Dot wants to be stuck with.
It doesn’t help that Zayne is undeniably attractive. And when he criticizes her acting, Dot is determined not to quit, but to prove him wrong.
To her surprise, rehearsing with Zayne helps Dot uncover a side of herself she never knew existed. And the attention she gets from playing the lead comes with a price. Fallbrook’s anonymous gossiper, known only as Little Birdie, takes a sudden interest in her, spreading rumors that threaten to upend her personal life and chances with Carlton.
And the more time Dot spends with Zayne, the more she finds herself drawn to him. But falling for Zayne would be the exact opposite of accomplishing everything she’s worked for.