Hilarious and heartfelt, Byron Lane's "A Star Is Bored" was partly influenced by Lane's time as Carrie Fisher's personal assistant. I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook narrated by Noah Galvin. I highly recommend this route as it really elevated the story and brought it to life for me. The relationship between assistant and star is fascinating, funny and warm. I loved how fictional superstar Kathi Kannon brought assistant Charlie out of his shell and into her tribe. A truly lovely, multi-faceted story.

I wasn’t able to listen to this before it was removed from NetGalley app. I had it downloaded and was going to listen to it this week but the archived date was set after I downloaded it and never knew when it was going to be removed. Sorry I couldn’t review this in time.

'Life is new adventure every day, sometimes wonderful and usually a disaster.'

Noah Galvin did an exceptional job on the narration. All the characters were expressed and portrayed so well. You could really feel how depressed Charlie was, and how vulnerable he was by the narration And the shrillness and attitude he gave Kathi was perfect!

A Star Is Bored has a very unique feel to it. It actually felt more a memoir than fiction, even though it was all made up. And it also had a more conversational and casual feel to it. It was refreshing in between the thrillers and romances that I have read lately. It was full of truths, introspection, and lots of zingers and one liners.

You are thrown in to the absurd universe of Kathi Kannon from the start as she talks in riddles (which I enjoyed decoding along with Charlie every time!) and is proud of all her eccentricities. She appears to be strong and to give no f****s. But I really enjoyed watching her relationship with Charlie grow and transform, and her softer and more vulnerable side to emerge, as much as she tried to bury it. Kathi was truly an interesting character. At times she entertained, she irritated, she confused, but by the end she had really grown on me. I am sure that a lot of the crazy things she did, there are many celebrities and rich socialites out here that have actually done all of it and much worse. Her randomness really did keep me giggling.

Charlie's character had so much depth and vulnerability too. My heart ached for him when he recalled his memories of his father and the way he treated him after his mother died. I was cheering him on as he blundered thru through multiple bad relationships and finally tackled his his issues with his dad.


Thank you to the publisher and MacMillian Audio for advance copies in exchange for an honest review.

At first I really didn’t know what I was listening to. It felt a lot like a reality TV show. You know you should turn it off, but it’s such a train wreck that you can’t seem to look away, and then the more you watch the more the characters grow on you.

The main character Charlie leads an unhappy life and thinks about suicide a lot. His mother passed away when he was young and he just has his emotionally abusive father left. He hates his job, and doesn’t seem to have any real support network to speak of.

He gets put forward for a job as an assistant to an aging movie star, Kathi Kannon, who has a lot of problems of her own including drug use, bi-polar disorder, and dwindling finances. It seems like the two of them together are going to combust and be all-round terrible for each other, but somehow they help each other.

What started out feeling like the equivalent of Tweeting what you had for lunch, turned into a sweet love letter to an idol, a friend.

I didn’t read up on this one before going into it, so it wasn’t until the author’s note at the end that he mentions his time working for Carie Fisher and I put two and two together. While the author states that Kathi Kannon isn’t Carie Fisher it certainly seems to fit. The movie star mom living a stone’s throw away, the action movie franchise with a follow-up movie later on, the bi-polar struggles, the cruise-ship speaking gig that goes sideways, the trips they took and so on.

The audiobook is narrated by Noah Galvin and is 11 hours, 37 minutes. I found his performance to be on the slow side, especially in the beginning so it’s certainly one you can speed up a little. I thought he brought Charlie to life well, but I didn’t love the voice he used for Kathi. It really grated on me.

It reads a lot more like a memoir than the novel I was expecting, but it certainly grew on me. Plus, if you idolized Carie Fisher as much as I did as a kid you’ll definitely want to check this one out. Now, the only question that remains is….did she really call him ‘Cockring’ the whole time he worked for her?!

A touching, yet irreverent look into the life of one of Hollywood's most unforgettable icons. Byron Lane's book will make you laugh until you cry and then make you cry before making you laugh again. It's touching, hilarious, and the audiobook narration from Noah Galvin is perfection.

Oh I loved this so much. I laughed. I sniffled and I cheered really hard for Charlie to step into his own life. Surprisingly poignant at times. And the narrator was fabulous. You really have to pick this up. Happy listening!

What happens when Carrie Fischer’s personal assistant writes a book inspired by his experiences? Well you get A Star is Bored and laugh your way through the book. At least I did.
⁣
This book features Charlie Besson, who’s life is changed forever when he becomes an assistant to Hollywood icon Kathi Kannon. He becomes a part of her glamorous life and they form a bond like no other.
⁣
I loved this book, the laughs and the dishy celebrity commentary, but I also appreciated the touches into mental illness, addictions and the underlying message of believing in yourself.
⁣
I listened to this book on audio, which was narrated by @noahegalvin. He did such a good job of bringing these characters and all their idiosyncrasies to life.

This one was a mixed bag for me. I wasn't particularly enthralled by the subject matter, it's set in a world that I find very alien to me and a bit depressing. That said, I believe lots of people would disagree with me, and would actually be very interested in a fictional (wink-wink) account of the ins and outs of being a celebrity assistant, written by Carrie Fisher's assistant. Now, to the good things about "A Star is Bored":
- Byron Lane can write. Given his personal experience, this story was a natural starting point, but I can see him writing other (genuinely) fictional and interesting books after this one.
- This book is filled with funny moments. It's over the top, but rings true.
- The comedy is rooted in tough realities: a star's many struggles. a gay assistant's harsh past with his unaccepting father. You feel compassion for these characters in a story that would otherwise be hard to relate to.
- This would make a great series on TV. It's a collection of moments (rather than one cohesive plot) that would make for very watchable distinct episodes.

I received an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Being a Los Angeles native, growing up in the entertainment industry, and working in it today as an attorney, this book was 100% accurate with how kooky this world is. Now, I've never been given any sort of nickname like Charlie (listen to find out what it is), but I have been asked to do countless things that leave me shocked - like, you REALLY want ME to do that FOR YOU?

Regardless, Lane's story hits home and really gives you a taste of the assistant life. It's not always so glamorous but it is entertaining! One of my favorite things about this book was that, again, being a Los Angeles native, all of the landmarks and LA'isms were perfect - down to the Australian gym Training Mate in which HOT AUSTRALIANS REALLY DO YELL AT YOU AND IT'S WONDERFUL.

All my LA entertainment friends would get a kick out of this novel. If you want something fast and fun, this is for you!

What an awesome book! I read a lot of thrillers, mysteries and horror novels and I am so excited I picked this one up because it was the perfect levity and break I needed from my go-to genres. There were several parts of the book that made me laugh out loud and I really enjoyed that it was also heartbreaking at times too. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for some escapism during this difficult time. Such a beautiful and poignant story. Thank you!

Charlie Besson is about to have an insane job interview. His car is idling, like his life, outside the Hollywood mansion of Kathi Kannon. THE Kathi Kannon, star of stage and screen and People magazine’s worst dressed list. She needs an assistant. He needs a hero.


Byron Lane is the former assistant of THE Carrie Fisher. While this was a fictional story, you could easily see where the author was able to draw up some inspiration. My heart broke on some parts (the beginning stories with Charlie and their father) and also I laughed until my belly hurt (anytime they requested a reminder from Siri)

I do enjoy they discussed mental health in this book. One of my favorite parts was the manic episode from Kathi. The descption of the episode was beautifully written. I could see her dancing and Charlie trying to get her inside. I can see her saying she put Beethoven on repeat and they’ll dance until it’s done. I can see her protesting as she takes her meds and take a swig of her drink. This is a very realistic view of a manic episode and I was thankful it was written so accurately and not dramatized.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! It was fun, quirky, and at some parts raw and eye opening. Noah Galvin is the narrator, and this is exactly how I pictured Charlie. I loved The Real O’Neals, and he was perfect for this audio book. Thank you Macmillan Audio & Netgalley for the advanced listening copy. This is out TOMORROW! (07.28.2020)

This book, written by Carrie Fisher’s former assistant, is less of a tell-all than an ode to their friendship. A beautiful story but also a delightful sneak peek at the highs and lows of Hollywood.
I absolutely adored the story, the pop culture hints and references, the gossip, and the relationship between the fading Hollywood Star and her troubled assistant. It dragged a bit in the middle, but it was a surprisingly meaningful romp of a book.
I loved the narrator, Noah Galvin. He was the perfect mix of naive but insightful; I thought he had the perfect voice for the story and would love to hear more from him.
The characters will stick with me from this one. 4.25 stars

Byron Lane was once Carrie Fisher’s personal assistant and now has a debut novel titled, A Star is Bored, about a personal assistant to an eccentric star. I can’t wait for more from Byron Lane and possibly the movie companion to this book! I really enjoyed a sneak peek behind the scenes of celebrity life and the stories he tells.

Also, I have to say that Noah Galvin did an amazing job narrating this audiobook! His voice is just perfect for this role! Thanks to @netgalley and @macmillin.audio!

The highest praise I can give Byron Lane's A STAR IS BORED is to confess that it felt to me like a memoir: a deeply felt confessional that spares neither the protagonist or his world (and those in it). There is a nuanced exploration here of celebrity worship, mental illness, addiction, depression, and yes, even Millennial ennui.

Charlie, profoundly adrift, believes he'll find salvation in his new job as assistant to his childhood idol, film star Kathi Kannon. But getting a peek behind the curtain -- and indeed, being drawn all the way behind the curtain and deep into the backstage -- reveals more than Charlie bargained for, not least of which are Kathi's myriad imperfections. As Charlie strives to bring order to Kathi's fraught existence, he can't help confronting the chaotic interior world that has trapped him in a cycle of self-doubt, depression, and disconnect. Charlie and Kathi grow together and apart, making progress and losing ground, as they learn to love and accept themselves and one another.

A STAR IS BORED is surprising in its depth and nuance, humor and pathos. Charlie's voice, brought to life brilliantly by Noah Galvin, will draw you in from page one and not let go until long after The End.

FABULOUS. This book gives you some insight into the secret lives of Hollywood’s assistants. A life style that most wonder about, but only a few will experience. My favorite part about books is that you can swap lives with someone else with whom you would never dream of swapping with. This book is especially that.

Byron Lane’s book follows Charlie as he works as the assistant to a hollywood actress, Kathi Kannon. You get to hear about the good, the bad, and the ugly of a famous star’s life. Even though this book makes it very clear that it is a work of fiction, it was fun to visualize real people we know of in place of its characters.

I laughed out loud listening to the audiobook for this book. There were other moments where I felt whole and others were I felt sad. The relationship between Charlie and Kathy was so enjoyable to listen to. To me, it seemed a lot more than just any ordinary boss-employee relationship. There is one specific part of the book that really made me feel warm and cosy, but you will have to find out for yourself!

Than you so much to Macmillan Audio, Byron Lane, and Netgalley for the early access to this audiobook!

Despite it's title, there was not one second of this story where I found myself bored. Byron Lane, previously employed as the personal assistant to the late great Carrie Fisher, has written one of my top ten favorite books of 2020. Despite having all the resources to make this into an incredibly memoir, Lane states emphatically that this is a work of fiction. And what a work of fiction it was - with fairly equal amounts of hilarity and heartfelt tenderness, this is not a story I will forget any time soon.

A Star is bored follows the story of fictional character Charles Bessen as he balances his own personal life whilst finding himself in the incredible role of personal assistant to THE Kathi Kannon, beloved film star and famed Hollywood royalty. Despite her many years in the business, and the many roles she has portrayed she will always be best know for her role as Princess Talara of Nova Quest. (See? Fiction! This isn't Carrie Fisher, and she isn't playing the role of Princess Leia, and it's clearly not Star Wars - it's "Nova Quest"! C'mon people!)

The relationship between Charlie and Kathi goes far beyond that of simple employment though, and the tenderness in which Lane has portrayed his heroine as equal parts charming, hilarious, and so tragically flawed caused me to laugh out loud and also brought me to tears more than once. This is not just a story of a personal assistant and his flawed idol. but one that takes a hard look at the very real challenges of addiction and mental illness.

With a heartfelt view into the his own life and challenges (ie, growing up gay in backwoods Louisiana, the damaged relationship with his father, and incredibly relatable task of trying to find something real in the age of Tinder) what I found most impressive about this novel was that Charlie's own story shined equally as bright throughout.

With the audio wonderfully narrated by Noah Galvin, this is one that I would absolutely recommend.

Awarded my incredibly rare 5/5 rating.

Tap tap tap. “Is this thing on?” [clears throat] “I’d like to thank author Byron Lane of A Star Is Bored, for the entertainment of the month, and to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio: thanks for making this audiobook available for review.”

Humorous, raw, salty and dry, this fictional LA confessional about a personal assistant and his manic Hollywood-celebrity is as addictive as a 2nd round dirty martini in a dark bar. Charlie Besson, a timid 29-year-old gay man out on the job hunt, pulls up to the gates of the home of Kathi Kannon: author, icon of film and stage, daughter of legends, and Hollywood’s favorite burnout. In a house full of cheap thrills, trash fountains, taxidermy and a ball sac for door knockers, Charlie gets a small taste of the eccentric life that his idol and soon-to-be boss, leads. His job: to keep her in line, out of the tabloids and on track for her next book. In a quirky and eventually heartwarming tale of managing up, Charlie learns some hard lessons from the shadows of a bright star and what it means to have courage in life and love.

This was hilarious! There was great pacing and character development, and Charlie’s voice was strong. Here’s one of my favorite passages from Charlie:

“I’m disinterested in my usual time wasters, but I turn to them anyway. Facebook. I scroll through the list of my so-called friends, people I barely see because of my work schedule. I’m free while they’re at work. I’m asleep when they’re free. I resent them. It’s less a friends list and more of a cemetery of acquaintances.” -Byron Lane, A Star Is Bored.

On a final note, I loved the ending. If you enjoy stepping into another’s shoes, then you’ll appreciate the journey Charlie takes in self-discovery while assisting a Hollywood icon.

I LOOOOOOOOOVED this book! Charlie is struggling with his career and when the opportunity opens up to become the personal assistant to a star he has loved his entire life a whirlwind begins the moment he drives through her gate. I loved this book, the narrator did an incredible job and I love the way Byron Lane dove into the lives of all his characters; minor or major they made a big splash while listening. Through all the goofy adventures , sexual encounters, drug induced outbursts and family issues this book keeps the listener engaged from beginning to end. I found myself laughing out loud while I listened and found myself wondering what parts were maybe somewhat true and what was completely fabricated. Great book!

What would it be like to be the personal assistant for your ideal? A Star is Bored is the alternate universe to The Devil Wears. Lane takes us through two lives that intermingle and the journey they take together. Charlie is the fan geek in all of us, trying to forge an authentic relationship with a celebrity they do not understand. Lane gives an intense depiction of Charlie's upbringing and how these experiences lead him to latch into Kathi Kannon, his leading lady. Kathi's life is also revealed slowly through the eyes of Charlie and his many duties as a personal assistant. The pace is fast and witty with intense personal insight sprinkled in. Yet, the story seemed at times too forced and made it seem as if it was being thrown at the reader. While the reader gets an unforgiving look into Charlie's life, Kathi is left mostly as a shell of a person. Almost a charcuterie instead of an authentic fleshed out character. The audiobook gave life to the book and hooked the reader. The narrator was excellent in making distinct voices for each character. Which allowed for the reader to easily decipher who was talking.

I'm thinking...
I'm thinking...
I'm thinking...

That this narrator is so annoying. This might have been a cute touch when reading the book, but on audio it was irritating. I did not love this book or unfortunately the audiobook narrator. He was very monotone and I had to listen at high speed to make it palatable. I would recommend reading a hard copy instead of opting for audio on this one.

As for the book itself, I found the main character to be hard to handle as well. He had no sense of himself and seemed to model after whoever was around. I'm not sure we actually know anything about him.