Outraged, dishy, and surprisingly funny, this plunge into the worst of Los Angeles and its fame machine centers on aspiring actor Kyle Macdonald, whose life takes a dramatic turn after Carlton Dupree, assistant to world-famous director and pedophile Aaron Biedermeier, shares a jolting surprise. At a drunken escapade in Las Vegas six years ago, the mock “Elvis” wedding between Kyle and the director was actually the real thing, despite assurances that the arrangement would be annulled. What follows is a rollercoaster of fragile relationships, greed, power struggles, and Hollywood’s darkest secrets, focusing on a ripped-from-the-headlines scandal: the abuse of young men looking for a break.

Fanning (author of Ghosted) narrates Kyle’s naïve pursuit of fame and fortune with brisk prose, sharp dialogue, and a strong sense of dark ironies. Misguided Kyle strives to connect with the right people to land a coveted audition and earn an actor’s life of luxury. However his journey takes a sinister turn as he becomes entangled in Dupree and Biedermeier’s web of dominance, manipulation, and murder, with devastating consequences for all involved. The characters are deeply flawed and damaged, each grappling with their own demons and insecurities. Aaron Biedermeier emerges as a monster who wields power without regard for the consequences, while Kyle finds himself drawn to Aaron’s current fiancé, Noah Winters, and into the world of lies and deceit, unable to discern the truth. He struggles to break free of the toxic influence of those around him.

Kyle and his counterparts navigate a landscape fraught with moral ambiguity and ethical compromise. The characters’ illogical choices and repeated gullibility can be painful to read, yet the ways these men are manipulated feels true, underscoring the harsh realities of an industry where appearances often negate integrity. Fanning accomplishes his goal to echo the justice that survivors deserve when abusers walk free and to give voice to the silent and hidden tears.

Takeaway: Brisk, surprising novel of the toll Hollywood demands of ambitious young men.

Comparable Titles: Beth O’Leary; Ella Berman’s The Comeback.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A