Review – Acting Out (Hollywood #2) by Tibby Armstrong

Description:
Jeremy Ash, an aspiring actor, is single, gorgeous…and openly, quietly gay. When he lands a starring role opposite America’s favorite former child star, 21-year old Kit Harris, he’s ecstatic and more than a little attracted to the enigmatic star.

Kit Harris’s career has been flagging and his agent promises this new film, an edgy coming out story with a famed director, is just the thing to get it back on track. The problem is that the film is relatively intimate in nature, and Kit’s definitely not gay. He’s not even slightly bent.

When the two men collide in a crushing first kiss that leaves both gasping for air, Kit’s left reeling and Jeremy’s left wanting. And that was just the audition. When filming starts and the two men are brought into close proximity every day, passions ignite and souls collide–both on screen and off. The two men find that the only way to assuage their mutual lust is to give in to it. Kit’s sure this strange new attraction will run its course; Jeremy’s hoping it never has to end.

But when a manipulative model obtains salacious film footage of the two men in bed, Kit’s prepared to do whatever it takes to save his career. But how far is too far to push the boundaries of love and how long can one man hide from himself?

NOTE: While “Acting Out” further explores some characters and themes from “No Apologies”, it is not necessary to read the books in any particular order to enjoy them fully.

Once again Tibby Armstrong has blown me away with another emotionally charged book about a former child star coming to terms with his sexuality while filming the movie of his career with a Hollywood newcomer. This book is the filming of the movie, No Apologies, from the first book in her Hollywood series. So yes, you will want to read No Apologies first…trust me. If you are like me all the names you have to remember will get confusing. So, to help you out here’s a guide:
Kit Harris—former child actor—playing Alan in the film who is Aaron Blake in real life (Kit=Alan=Aaron)
Jeremy Ash—–Hollywood newcomer—playing Grant in the film who is Greg Faulkner, screenwriter, in real life (Jeremy=Grant=Greg)

This book opens at the premier of No Apologies where we see Kit and Jeremy have a pretty big argument. It obvious from the argument that during filming these two shared more than screen time but Kit seems to be done with their “research”. We then “flash back” several months to the day Jeremy auditions for his part. I’m not a big fan of flashing back and forth in books, TV show, or movies BUT Tibby did this in both of these books and it was necessary to give us that look into the future. So even if it bugs you (like it does me) bear with it, you won’t be sorry.

While Kit and Jeremy are slightly older than Aaron and Greg were in the first book, this really is a coming of age story. Kit is somewhat jaded and very reckless; he’s grown up in Hollywood with a famous father and an alcoholic/drug dependent mother. He’s pretty much been the golden boy and people fall over themselves trying to get close to him. Jeremy ran away from home at 17 and wound up in Hollywood. He’s done a lot of jobs including street performing and bussing tables. Even before leaving home he had a hard life but he’s a survivor. When these two meet and read their scene for the first time, the sparks fly. We learn early on that Jeremy is gay which is kind of funny since he’s playing Greg who was closeted for a very long time. Kit’s been around the block with more than his share of women so it takes him by complete surprise when he finds himself attracted to Jeremy.

Throughout this book the relationship between Kit and Jeremy really changes. I love the way Kit helps Jeremy navigate through his new found stardom. I’m also floored by how Kit takes care of Jeremy after some very heavy scenes they are filming. This seems so out of character for the Kit the world sees but it shows us the real Kit. I like how Jeremy challenges Kit in so many ways. Jeremy is forever asking questions of Kit that make him think and understand what is happening between the two of them. Together they are remarkable and their love scenes are explosive. While you can feel the love growing between these two, a former girlfriend of Kit’s is determined to keep them apart.

In addition to the burgeoning relationship between Kit and Jeremy, we are treated to the friendship that grows between Greg and Jeremy. These two have so very much in common and because of that they bond on a very special level. Although they are only about 5-6 years apart in age, they seem to form a more father/son relationship. Greg truly understands where Jeremy came from and what he’s had to endure and this makes their friendship very extraordinary. I love, love the scenes between them when they talk about how they aren’t attracted to each other, they are quite humorous.

We also get to see more of the grown up relationship between Greg and Aaron, not a lot but little glimpses. These scenes were especially satisfying to me because even though they were on their way to a happily ever after in No Apologies, we see how that is working.

Tibby Armstrong has written yet another book that is beyond a doubt, special. I absolutely fell in love with Jeremy and Kit as much as I did Greg and Aaron in the first book. This book is an emotional read just like No Apologies, but in a different way. While Kit and Jeremy’s relationship was tumultuous, I always felt they could get through anything together. I’m very pleased to recommend this book and I have no doubt it will be one I revisit often. Tibby hints at the end of Acting Out that there will be another book called Out Takes; I truly hope it’s in the works because I would love to see these four characters again!

4.5 Stars