Book Reviews

Book Blurb

Eli Gold has worshipped renowned Shakespearean actor Brandon Lee Williams from afar for years. The actor led the kind of life homeless, painfully shy Eli could only dream about, until Brandon disappeared from the spotlight after a disastrous production of King Lear. Now Eli’s coworker at Beth El Synagogue needs his help. Her production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream is falling apart, and she needs a trained actor, stat. Fighting his crush on Brandon becomes secondary to the stage fright they’re both battling, and when a famous name in local theater crashes the performance, the stakes get even higher. The show must go on—but can Eli and Brandon’s newfound romance continue after the curtain falls?

Book Review

Stage fright is something I can totally relate to, so Eli and Brandon, who both suffer from it, had my immediate sympathy. Brandon was a successful, promising actor in New York before he froze and vanished from the public eye; Eli wanted to be an actor but never made it beyond drama club in high school. Both men have steered their lives in a different direction, but when Fate decides to make them meet, it is actually on the stage. I couldn’t wait to see what happens!

Eli leads a quiet life as an office manager for a synagogue, while his best friend manages an amateur theater group. Then one of the actors leaves without notice, and Eli’s friend “recruits” Brandon on a temporary replacement. This brings back memories for Eli, who adored Brandon from afar for many years, even sent him fan mail during a tough period in his own life. How is he supposed to deal with actually meeting the object of his adoration?

The encounter brings surprises for both men, and I loved watching them bond over Brandon’s performance, Eli’s ingenuity in a few tight spots, and the challenge of having to go onstage that Eli faces when another amateur actor quits. Fear becomes secondary to curiosity and romance, and the final revelation is simply marvelous.

If you like stories about men who overcome their fear, if you want to see romance blossom in somewhat stressful circumstances, and if you’re looking for a short, fun read with a cute ending, then you will probably like this short story.

 

 

 

 

DISCLAIMER: Books reviewed on this site were usually provided at no cost by the publisher or author. The anthology this shot story was published in has been provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.

Additional Information

Format	ebook and print
Length	Short Story, 21 pages
Heat Level
Publication Date	12-September-2016
Price	$6.99 ebook, $17.99 paperback, $17.99 bundle
Buy Link	https://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/books/starstruck-7505-b