A review by 30something_reads
Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender

emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

 "Isn't it more satisfying then, to see a happily ever after that has been fought for in the end?

😭😭😭 I'm fine. Just bawling my eyes out on a random Wednesday afternoon. Nothing to see here.

Fuck, this was so good.

This follows the story of two young actors cast as romantic leads in a queer movie. Logan Gray is Hollywood's bad boy—a talented but troubled actor who the public loves to hate. Mattie Cole is an up‑and‑coming golden boy, adored by all but plagued by insecurities. When buzz arises that they hate each other, they must enter a fake relationship in order to promote a positive spin for the movie. But of course, as they spend more time together and get to really know one another, things become a little more complicated.

Heartfelt and heartbreaking, this story deals with a lot of darker themes including: child abuse, SA, mentions of past SA on minors, homophobia, biphobia, suicidal ideations, substance abuse, & mental illness.

The audiobook is a full cast production that really lends itself to the specific formatting of the storytelling. Not only do we get a dual POV from our two main characters, but we also had perspectives from news outlets, social media posts, classified reports, and from one of the main characters memoir excerpts. That's just so unique and I adored it!

CWs: child abuse, SA, mentions of past SA on minors, homophobia, biphobia, suicidal ideations, substance abuse, depression, mental illness, sexual content, racial stereotyping, colorism