Review: Tabloid Star by TA Chase

I've had this book on my TBR pile for months.  I got it because I'd read some good reviews of the book and it also taps into my love of a hero who's a famous person.  Then it sat for ages and I passed it over time after time. Why?  Well, I have to admit it's because TA Chase's books are always hit and miss for me.  I've read some really great ones like Bound by Love, and some not so good ones like Out of Bounds, which everyone else raved about but I didn't like.  So despite the good reviews, I've only just plucked up the courage to take the risk with this book.  Silly me, is all I can say because, despite one or two flaws, this was a pretty good read.

The story begins with bartender Josh who meets cute guy Ryan whilst working.  They have a hot encounter in the alley behind the club and after Josh's shift ends he takes Ryan back to his place for a steamy night of mind-blowing sex.  Ryan leaves Josh sleeping, sad that it was only a one night stand.  Ryan would have liked more but he's the hottest new up-and-coming film star in Hollywood and can't risk his reputation by coming out of the closet.  Unfortunately for Ryan he was spotted with Josh and when the gossip mags get hold of the pictures Ryan has to decide whether Josh is worth risking his career.

There's was quite a lot I liked about this book.  Firstly there was the character of Josh who was a great down-to-earth bloke.  He works three jobs to pay for himself and support his sister who is a single mum with an autistic child.  He lives in Hollywood but views the whole entertainment business with a mix of amusement and obliviousness.  At first I was a little sceptical as to how he could fail to recognise a famous movie star, but later I felt that the fact that he does work so hard and pays little attention to the film industry made it more believable that he would not know who Ryan is.  This also added to the romance in that Josh is attracted to Ryan by his good looks and sweet personality rather than the glamour of his fame.

Another thing I liked about the story was the way it dealt with Ryan's fame and the limits that places on his life.  The character of Ryan's overbearing agent and how Ryan's life is dictated to by press appearances and talk shows, was realistically done, especially in the way that Ryan's agent sees Ryan only as a product to market.

One final part that I felt worked well was in the developing relationship between Josh and Ryan.  It's a bit fast and verges on insta-love, but I thought that Josh's protective personality worked well with Ryan.  Even though Ryan was perfectly able to stand up for himself, and does on several occasions, the fact that Josh is there as a support for him was rather heart-warming, and I finished the book feeling happy for these two nice guys who have found love.

If I have any problems with the book it is that Ryan does behave in ways which border on the TSTL.  He's a little thoughtless and hotheaded (again in contrast to the cooler Josh who thinks things through before he acts) and so instead of taking advice he rushes out and ends up getting himself into more trouble.  I found myself metaphorically rolling my eyes at Ryan's behaviour a few times and wondered how he had managed to make it so far in the cut-throat world of Hollywood without getting himself into trouble sooner.

Overall, I enjoyed this book about finding love in unexpected places.  I liked the characters, especially Josh and Ryan and the way they talked through their problems.  Any misunderstandings were dealt with quickly so I was never left annoyed by an ongoing misunderstanding.  The secondary characters were also well drawn, particularly Josh's sister and his boss and friend, Rachael.  I'd recommend this book with a grade of 'Very Good' to those who like TA Chase's book, but also those who are looking for a reasonably light read on the theme of coping with personal fame.  There's a follow on story to this which is also on my TBR pile and I shall be reading that very soon.

Buy this book HERE.