Once again author L.A. Witt has written a multifaceted story that was completely compelling but also wholly satisfying. ~ Slick, Guilty Pleasures
Description:
Hollywood is full of dirty secrets, but Carter refuses to be Levi’s.
Retired action star Levi Pritchard has made a quiet life for himself in the sleepy logging town of Bluewater Bay, Washington. But then Hollywood comes to film the wildly popular television series Wolf’s Landing, and Bluewater Bay isn’t so sleepy anymore. His retirement doesn’t stick, either, because he’s offered a part on the show-exactly the kind of complex role he’d always wanted, one that would prove him more than a glorified stuntman. The only catch? He has to stay in the closet-no matter how attractive he finds his costar.
Carter Samuels is the critically acclaimed male lead on Wolf’s Landing. And now, the man who inspired him to take up acting-and made him realize he’s gay-is joining the cast, and sparks fly between them instantly. But Carter is out and proud and determined to stay true to himself.
Remaining just friends is the only thing to do, as both the studio and Levi’s disapproving, dysfunctional family keep reminding them. Except their friendship deepens by the day, tempting them with what they can’t have but both desperately need.
Review copy provided for an honest review
The minute I saw the synopsis for Starstruck I knew it would be a book I had to read and review. Not
only is it by one of my favorite M/M authors, L.A. Witt, but it takes place in Washington State (one of my favorite places to travel) and it involves a closeted gay movie star who walked away from Hollywood at the height of his career. I was sold on the story before I even read the first word and now after reading it I’m totally sold. A complicated and well written story of two men at different stages in their careers and lives who both want each other with abandon but not sure they can risk it all to make it happen.
I’m going to admit I really felt bad for Levi Pritchard who was living a quiet life and seemed fairly content with it until he gets a call about a role in a television show that is being shot right in the town he lives in. He seems to have made peace with walking away from acting but the role is one that he’s always wanted complex and something that would prove his skills are more than the action hero he once played but in signing for the role he has to keep his true self hidden away and the fact that he’s attracted to the show’s lead actor or the studio will replace him.
Carter Samuels can’t believe that the man and actor he idolizes is joining the cast of his hit television show. Meeting Levi and realizing they have so much in common makes him admire the man even more and as their friendship grows Carter knows he wants more from Levi but with Levi’s contract on the line and his strained family relations he tells himself in order to have Levi in his life he’ll have to settle for his friendship.
I loved this story because Levi and Carter spent a lot of time getting to know one another as friends and share a lot during those moments. There was always a sexual tension between them but they let it go and really focused on being friends. I found it so interesting how easy they became around one another and fit each other into their lives and the fact that when they were separated how they felt that loss even though they hadn’t been intimate. Their journey to being more wasn’t easy; Levi not only had career issues at stake but he was dealing with a family situation that wasn’t good and he had some trust issues as well. Carter having been out and proud for many year understood Levi’s concerns but Carter also knew that he would never be anyone’s dirty secret. They both had to so some big time soul searching to move forward with Levi having to do most of the work because of the way he’d lived his life for so long.
Once again author L.A. Witt has written a multifaceted story that was completely compelling but also wholly satisfying. I loved the emotional journey these two men took to be together and how they both realized that together they could and would face anything life throws at them.
Thanks for the review Slick