Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams

By: Brent Hartinger

Narrated by: Josh Hurley

"There was no way moving to Los Angeles was going to make me give up my soul. After all, I'd already seen all the movies about Hollywood. I knew how things worked."

Twenty-four-year-old Russel Middebrook and his boyfriend have moved to Los Angeles so Russel can try to make it as a screenwriter.

Almost right away, in a forgotten old house off of Sunset Boulevard, Russel meets Isaac Brander - a once-famous film producer who is convinced he can turn Russel's screenplay into a movie.

Russel knows that success can't possibly come this easy. After all, most of Russel's Los Angeles friends are so desperate to make it that it's downright scary. His ex-boyfriend, Otto, is trying everything to become an actor, and Daniel, the sexy neighbor, doesn't even need a casting couch to get naked.

So what's the catch with Mr. Brander? Could it be that movies about Hollywood don't tell the whole truth? But what does that mean for Russel's soul?

Barefoot in the City of Broken Dreams, a companion book to Brent Hartinger's The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know, is a fast-paced, funny story about the price of fame in Hollywood: the hilarious lengths people will go to achieve it, and the touching secret to survival when things don't work out exactly as planned.

©2015 Brent Hartinger (P)2015 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A sharp, canny, highly engaging tour through a Hollywood of cunning characters and colorful intrigues, guided by the clever voice of Russel Middlebrook as an eager young screenwriter trying to bust in. I was charmed by every sly, sexy page." (Barry Sandler, screenwriter of Making Love and Crimes of Passion)

"With his trademark wit, warmth, and economy, Brent Hartinger brilliantly captures what it's like to move to L.A. and try and make it Hollywood: the highs and the lows, the friends and the phonies, the fun and the frustration. And by the way, is it too late for me to be Russel Middlebrook when I grow up?" (Dennis Hensley, co-screenwriter of Testosterone; author of Misadventures in the 213)

Interesting continuation

Hurley narrates it well again. we pick up relatively where we left off and again Russell and Kevin gace somr challenges but we get closer to there HEA instead of a HFN.

Great series

Completely enjoying this series looking forward to number three. I love the narrators versions of his characters.

Two for two…

Once again, the🎙️ was spot on and SO well done. I thoroughly enjoyed the story, especially the care that’s put in to the supporting characters. The difference between this and the first 📕 for me is that the supporting characters in the first 📕 are certainly far more likable and redeeming than it’s sequel, but then that makes sense because there are a lot of sad, broken and desperate people in the “city of broken dreams”, which is why it has that moniker.
The relationship between Russel and Kevin is far more front and center in this sequel, but then that would make complete sense now that they are back together and having relocated to Hollywood, putting the focus on them primarily, as opposed to the will they, won’t they of the first 📕.
As an aside (which is going to make me sound lecherous), the character of Zoe’s brother, Daniel, was really, really hot, ripe with sexual tension, even more so because Russel and Kevin didn’t fall prey to it, even as titillating as they found him. A wonderfully unexpected addition to the 📕…

Russel Moves to Hollywood

Kevin and Russel, who have recently gotten back together, move to L.A. so Russel can pursue a career in writing screenplays. When a producer wants to turn one of Russel's scripts into a movie, Russel thinks he's avoided the long slog to success in Hollywood. It starts to become apparent things may be too good to be true, but Russel goes into denial. Will Russel sacrifice his relationship with Kevin to make it in Hollywood?

The story is an amusing look at Russel's quest for success in Hollywood. The sections of the story describing the inner workings of Hollywood are perhaps a little longer than necessary, but overall I liked it.

Once again, Josh Hurley does a fantastic job narrating Russel's journey. I can't think of a better voice for Hartinger's characters.

Recommended.

What if you dream you know what you don't know?

Another fine exibition of the ideals and realities of life as people struggle at surviving in Los Angeles. Of course the usual characters lie, steal, and cheat each other, sometimes not knowing or meaning to do so. But the young hot boy disappears for exposure, the scarred actor finally gets noticed for his scars, the old producer is impotent at movies, others just walk away from the slight of tongue tricks. The dream is magical, the reality is miserable, and the life is unbearable. Sex and money drive the SoCal scene just like in the movies, but without pleasure or reward for most.

LA is where everyone is taking advantage of everyone else and they all get screwed in the end, usually without closing credits. The sun may shine and the beaches may be beautiful, but the whole area is a dump surrounded by mountain top experiences before washing away in the sewers into the ocean.

Those trying to live there lie to themselves and everyone else about how great it is life in the perfect weather and scenery, but deny the reality that their dream will not happen and they will struggle until they die.

Anywhere else is a place to live, but does not have the dream. To live in the "virtual reality" of a bad computer game with worthless rewards are better than enjoying the real reality of life for most of the rest of the world.

Hollywood has created a dream to entertain others, but cannot hang on to the broken dreams of those living and dying there in the sun and sans. Wearing shoes anywhere else is better than bare feet without dreams filled with love and emotions.

Excellent

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s fun, easy, relatable. Hard to imagine someone not liking it.

Good listen....

I enjoyed this book for the most part. The only thing I would say negative is that sometimes Russell's internal monologues get a bit out of hand. If he actually thought all these things the characters waiting for his responses would be waiting hours.
Other than that it is s great story. The narrator was excellent.

A great ending to a fun coming of age series

This was a fun book to listen to and a great happy ending to a really enjoyable series.

Awesome

Great book, kept my attention all the way to the end, amazing audio delivery, loved it. Will be reading again, every chapter was received amazingly do recommend you give it a read.

A good follow up

In general, I liked the story although Russell did drive me a bit crazy at times with him being so neurotic. I would have liked to have more of Kevin in this story though. The narration was so well done.