Tune in Tomorrow

Reality television is where truth meets fantasy, a concept this whimsical novel from Dawn (Home for the Holidays) takes to the extreme. Starr Weatherby, née Samantha Wornicker, works as a diner waitress while fruitlessly trying to get her foot in the door as an actor. She gets her big break when she overhears a table talking about their work on a television show and introduces herself, but she has no idea what she’s getting herself into when she joins the cast of struggling, largely staged reality show Tune in Tomorrow, a program characterized by ludicrously melodramatic soap opera antics. Its otherworldly viewership accepts this drama as human nature—and they crave more. Starr, however, doesn’t love the drama that happens off-screen. Star Fiona Ballantine is a nightmare to work with and no one will talk about what happened to Amelia and Joseph, two former cast members who disappeared before Starr’s arrival. With the show falling apart around her—both literally and figuratively—Starr must figure out if she has what it takes to make it in showbiz. Dawn balances over-the-top drama and comedy with genuine intrigue to create a fun story with plenty of heart. Fans of Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett will want to snatch this up. Agent: Bridget Smith, JABberwocky Literary. (Aug.)