Reviewed by Sadonna
TITLE: Washed Up Former Child Star Ryan Lee
AUTHORS: Lisa Henry and J.A. Rock
NARRATOR: Gary Furlong
PUBLISHER: Tales Told LLC
LENGTH: 5 hours and 56 minutes
RELEASE DATE: July 14, 2023
BLURB:
Ryan Lee is a hot mess.
In another lifetime, Ryan had it all. He was a child star in one of the biggest sitcoms on the planet. Now he’s an adult, unemployed, and a poster child for bad decisions. Okay, so he hasn’t robbed a convenience store yet, but only because he’s always either too high or too hungover. When the opportunity to film a reunion show comes up, Ryan jumps at the chance. He needs the money, but more than that, it might be what he needs to drag his career—and himself—out of the gutter.
Except seeing his former onscreen family again means seeing Chase Ellis—the guy who destroyed Ryan’s career by leaving the show, and the first boy Ryan ever kissed. Back when Ryan believed in fairy tales, he thought he was in love with Chase, and the reunion brings all those old feelings racing back. But it drags up old secrets too. Ryan is about to learn that when it comes to Hollywood, the only happy endings are the ones that take place on screen.
Then again, maybe it isn’t a happy ending Ryan needs. Maybe it’s a new beginning.
Washed Up Former Child Star Ryan Lee is a stand-alone contemporary m/m second-chance romance.
REVIEW:
Washed up former child star Ryan Lee is a mess. He knows he’s a mess. He just can’t seem to get out of the rut he’s in. Doesn’t help that his best friend and roommate is also an addict. The both are a study in bad decisions. He continues to associate with people who wants something from him and he needs to the money, so he lets them have it. He’s been getting by on residuals, but every few months, that falls through too.
The opportunity to get paid for a reunion show of his early aughts sitcom is like manna from heaven. But he’s not sure about seeing his first crush/love/kiss costar Chase Ellis again. Chase left the show – no good bye, nothing and the show was cancelled shortly thereafter. Another costar’s wedding is the impetus behind the get together and while he’s happy for her, he’s really looking at this an opportunity to get his life back. He of course has no idea how to do that.
When Chase shows up, he’s obviously got some issues with being there. Ryan is furious with him. They have sort of a two steps forward, one step back the whole weekend. And when dark secrets are revealed, well this sets Ryan off again. His former manager is there to provide some stability, but Ryan is going to have to get himself together to have any chance at a new life – with our without Chase.
This is not an easy listen. Ryan has lived through a lot. He’s luckier than his other costar from the sitcom where he costarred as the youngest child – because he’s dead. The sad thing is that this whole story read as so true to life. Ryan keeps referring to his “Lohan phase” – but insert the name of many a child star here instead of Lindsay Lohan – Dana Plato, Britney Spears, Todd Bridges, Jenette McCurdy – so many who did not have the protections they should have had while their families were living off of their labors. It’s really not a wonder that they did not make good decisions as adults. Add to that what was going on with the predatory nature of the industry and the lack of consideration for the mental health of these kids and the easy access to drugs and alcohol and it’s just a tinderbox that needs very little spark. There are a few people who manage to move on – some with less baggage and more success than others. Chase has the scars to prove it. Ryan just keeps falling into the same traps – being used by people, making bad decisions, getting high, not changing his environment. Rehab will only go so far. It’s a heartbreaking but ultimately hopeful story.
Gary Furlong did a fantastic job performing this book. Ryan Lee is full of self-loathing. He tried to make things other people’s fault, but in the end, he knows he has a lot to answer for himself. It takes him some time to get to the point that he knows what he needs to do to get his life back and he finally realizes that he has to rely on other people to help him. I found this story to be really absorbing and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next. Incredibly engaging audio – highly recommended.
RATING: 
BUY LINK:
[…] Reviewed by Sadonna […]