Audio Review: How to Be a Movie Star by TJ Klune ~ Narrated by Michael Lesley

Title: How to Be a Movie Star

Series: How to Be: Book Two

Author: TJ Klune

Narrator: Michael Lesley

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Run Time: 12 hours and 12 minutes

Category: Contemporary Romance

At a Glance: While I wasn’t one hundred percent on board with a couple of Lesley’s creative choices, for the most part he killed it. And, his voice for Josy was unquestionably my absolute favorite thing about the performance. Pure perfection. I don’t want to give anything away about how Klune gets us from the beginning to that completely fantastic and frustrating ending, but I will say that the journey is so, so good.

Reviewed By: Jules

Blurb: Josiah Erickson wants to be a movie star. The problem with that is so does half of Los Angeles. But he’s on his way, what with memorable roles as a TV show background cadaver and a guy in a commercial for herpes medication. All he needs is his big break. And that break may come in the form of a novelist who goes by the enigmatic name of Q-Bert.

Q-Bert, who is ready to make his directorial debut in a film Josy would be perfect for. Q-Bert, who Josy may or may not have a friend-crush on, and potentially something more. Being demisexual can be confusing.

From the City of Angels to the small mountain town of Abby, Oregon, Josy will give his all to make sure his dreams come true – even the ones he never thought possible.

Review: How to Be a Movie Star, TJ Klune’s follow up to the wonderful How to Be a Normal Person, is every bit as funny and charming as the first book. At times thought-provoking and sweet, and at other times utterly ridiculous, How to Be a Movie Star was everything I expected it to be. And, Michael Lesley’s damn near perfect performance of the audiobook elevated it to an even higher level of fabulous. In fact, I’m so glad I decided to hold off until the audio was released to absorb this story. I started reading the book right away when it came out back in February, but for whatever reason I couldn’t get into it. It was obviously my mood at the time or something, because I enjoyed every single second of the audio. I mean, what’s not to love about hipster stoners, Gustavo Tiberius, Abby Oregon, more internet shenanigans, and the perfection that is Josiah Erickson?

In the book—and by the author in various book promo pieces—Josy is described as “literal sunshine,” and I could not possibly agree more. He truly is Literal. Sunshine. And I don’t want to cause any alarm here, but…ImightloveJosyevenmorethanGusorCasey. There. I said it. Heh. It’s true, though. As much as I adore all the inhabitants of Abby, Oregon, I honestly think I love Josy more than all of them. He’s ridiculous, sweet, thoughtful, oddly good at trivia, and doesn’t have an unkind bone in his body. He’s also demisexual, meaning he only experiences physical attraction for someone after they’ve formed a strong connection. Which is why, when Q-Bert asks Josy out when they meet at Q-Bert’s reading, Josy tells him he doesn’t really date, and declines. However, Josy DOES desperately want to be friends with Q-Bert, and thus begins stalking him on social media. So many giggles.

I also love, love Q-Bert. He takes Josy’s quirks in stride, along with all the other crazy things and people he encounters, and instead of freaking him out, it only solidifies his attraction and affection for Josy. One of the things we learn immediately about Q-Bert is that he is living with extreme anxiety and depression. Klune does a fantastic job of portraying what that’s like for a person. I love how he used Q-Bert’s blog and Instagram posts to convey the feelings and struggles. And, also the triumphs. There aren’t only bad days after all; Q-Bert has some good days as well. Maybe even more good than bad with a certain ray of sunshine in his life.

I don’t want to give anything away about how Klune gets us from the beginning to that completely fantastic and frustrating ending, but I will say that the journey is so, so good. As in so many of Klune’s books, the cast of characters is unforgettable, and Lesley’s talent for voices gets the usual workout. While I wasn’t one hundred percent on board with a couple of his creative choices, for the most part he killed it. And, his voice for Josy was unquestionably my absolute favorite thing about the performance. Pure perfection.

Does Josiah Erickson successfully figure out how to become a movie star? You’ll have to read or listen to the book to find out! The story is so good, and another outstanding performance by Michael Lesley. I can’t recommend it highly enough.