Starr Weatherby dreams of being an actor. She hails from a small town and grew up with her unhappy, hoarder mother before escaping to Los Angeles to become a star.

Working primarily as a waiter and getting the very occasional, tiny gig (the mango!) Starr gets her big break when an unusual set of people have lunch at the diner she works at. One of these people, a producer, gives her an opportunity to star in a show called “Tune in Tomorrow”, and very particular instructions for how to get to the set.

Before Starr knows it, she’s introduced to a whole new world, well, a parallel one, where human actors star in the extremely long-running show that’s watched avidly by a mythic audience (centaurs, dryads, etc.) Starr ends up getting a part, and must contend with jealous costars, particularly one named Fiona, the star of the show. Fiona feels deeply threatened by Starr’s addition, and tries to get Starr to quit or get her fired.

Starr, on the other hand, is captivated by the mythic world, and, quickly wise to Fiona’s efforts, is very determined to stay on “Tune in Tomorrow”. She also soon learns that one previous actor on the show disappeared mysteriously, and begins digging, determined not to end up like that other woman.

This book was such a hoot! Randee Dawn pulled me into this story immediately and kept me hooked right to its satisfying end. I loved how passionate Starr was to be an actor and how amazing (and silly) the mythic world was.

At first, I thought this was going to be an “All About Eve” story with Starr being Eve, but it was so much funnier and zanier. I enjoyed the on set and behind the scenes hijinks, and Fiona’s increasingly desperate plots to oust Starr from the show where Starr felt she really came alive.

The parallels to real-world reality shows and their melodrama were nicely drawn, as well as the repercussions if Starr were kicked off the production.

I thoroughly enjoyed the pacing, plot, characters and humour, and love to spend more time beyond the Veil with Starr and her costars, and watch Starr “be the mango”.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Rebellion for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I don’t even know where to start with this review. This was by far the most bonkers book I have ever read. To give it the justice it deserves and explain its premise would require the writing of another book. But I’ll try and keep it short and sweet...

We all enjoy the odd binge of reality TV right? But what if, the reality TV shows we could watch were the lives and drama of another unknown mythical world?

Behind the Veil, mythics of all walks of life share a love of their favourite reality TV show, Tune in Tomorrow. Except, the reality is that of which of humans who are gathered from the mortal realm to act out, not quite real, reality television for the entertainment of mythical creatures.

Starr Weatherby is an aspiring actress, meeting rejection after rejection whilst working in a dead-end job in New York City. That is, until a couple of unusual characters enter her diner and pique her interest.

Starr quickly comes to realise that the big, bustling city that she resides in, is not all there is of the world as she takes on a new acting role on the other side of the Veil. Her main purpose? To use her mundane mortality to entertain creatures she had only ever seen in movies and read in books.

The complexity of this story is done so in a way that keeps you interested without entirely losing you. There are so many characters, creatures, plots and adventures to keep up with, but not in the usual ‘I have no idea what’s going on’ way.

“Humans are not spells. They do not ‘fix’ things in an instant. They come with pointy bits and curved surfaces and squishy, delicious hearts. Human creativity keeps immortality interesting. But that creativity can lead to unexpected consequences.”

Starr must compete for the limelight against Fiona, the show’s main star. But turns out, the beloved actress isn’t as innocent as she seems and as Starr gets more invested in her role, the long-kept secrets of the Grand Damn unravels.

Missing mortals, a security-guard dragon and tiny, adorable creatures called Brownies who are assigned to be at the actor's beck and call in exchange for glitter, are only a drop in the water to the absolute masterpiece that is Tune in Tomorrow.

“A person with all the time in the world doesn’t have to restrict herself at life’s banquet.”

Dawn has simultaneously blown my mind and made me question every aspect of reality.

Fantasy at its finest. Be the mango.

Highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley and Rebellion Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

As fun of a read this was, I did feel like it was too long. There was nothing that stood out to me as mystical either so that was a little disappointing but it was a good read

A different book in so many ways. Not just in that it shamelessly mixes about a dozen different genres, but also in its ability to place dull reality in a world which is so bizarre but somehow so believable. Starr is a magnificent creation and tethers the book well in the context of changing environments and realities. It’s funny, too, and the author has a real knack for nonsense.

This was such an imaginative, unique and wildly fun story! A cuckoo mix of reality and fantasy in which a human lands the starring role in a reality show for the entertainment of the fae, a laugh (and gasp) out loud romp of a book, I read this over the weekend and I'm so sad its over, I highly recommend this if you enjoy urban fantasy and want a funny feel good read, great world building and a real mix of characters (some likeable some not) honestly, I just loved this, it reminded me of Molly Harper whom I love, fantasy soap operas (literally in this lol) are my weakness

Book Review: Tune in Tomorrow by Randee Dawn

Tune in Tomorrow by Randee Dawn is a quirky, genre-blending romp that mixes the charm of small-town dreams with a supernatural twist, offering readers a fresh and imaginative take on the concept of reality TV. Set against the backdrop of a secret television show produced by and for the entertainment of the Fae, this novel is a whimsical, yet thought-provoking, exploration of fame, ambition, and the unexpected corners of show business.

Plot Overview
The story centers on Starr Weatherby, a young actress who moves to New York City with dreams of making it big. Despite a decade of auditions, struggling to pay rent, and enduring the hustle of city life, Starr’s aspirations for fame remain stubbornly unfulfilled. Just as she contemplates abandoning her ambitions, she receives an offer for a mysterious role on a show she’s never heard of. Intrigued, she steps into a world that is both familiar and fantastically bizarre—an underground reality show where the viewers and producers are all part of the magical Fae realm.

The premise of Tune in Tomorrow is at once imaginative and witty: a human drama reality show staged for supernatural beings, blending the glitzy allure of show business with the darker, more enigmatic elements of the Fae. Dawn plays with the conventions of both fantasy and entertainment, using Starr’s journey from naïve newcomer to rising starlet as a lens through which to examine the price of stardom, the nature of performance, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.

Characters
Starr Weatherby is a protagonist many will find relatable, a dreamer who longs to prove her worth and finally seize the spotlight. Her drive and determination are tempered by her vulnerability, making her a character readers can root for, even as she faces the surreal challenges of her new role. She starts off as the classic underdog, unsure of herself in a competitive environment, but as she learns to navigate the eccentric demands of her new job, she discovers hidden reserves of resilience and wit.

The supporting cast is equally rich, populated with a colorful array of supernatural beings—Fae producers, shape-shifting directors, and actors with powers beyond the ordinary. Each character brings their own brand of charm, humor, and sometimes menace to the story, adding depth to the otherworldly showbiz world Starr finds herself in. Particularly compelling is the mystery surrounding the sudden disappearance of Starr’s predecessor, a plot thread that introduces a sense of foreboding and raises the stakes as Starr’s popularity on the show grows.

Themes and Tone
One of the most engaging aspects of Tune in Tomorrow is how Randee Dawn navigates themes of identity, performance, and ambition. At its core, the novel is about the lengths to which people will go to achieve their dreams, and the compromises they are willing to make along the way. Starr’s struggle with the ethical dilemmas of the show—balancing her desire to succeed with the darker truths she uncovers about its production—reflects a broader commentary on the cutthroat nature of the entertainment industry.

Dawn’s narrative is laced with humor and satirical wit, poking fun at the absurdities of reality TV while maintaining a fondness for the genre’s inherent drama and appeal. The behind-the-scenes antics of the Fae showbiz world are filled with clever, often laugh-out-loud moments, and the author’s love for storytelling shines through in the meta-commentary on what it means to perform for an audience. Yet, beneath the humor, there’s a thread of tension as Starr begins to understand the consequences of her new job, especially as she digs deeper into the mystery of her missing predecessor.

Writing Style and Pacing
Randee Dawn’s writing style is crisp and engaging, making for a fast-paced read that keeps the pages turning. She strikes a balance between vivid descriptions of the fantastical elements and the gritty realities of Starr’s life, creating a world that feels both familiar and enchantingly strange. The pacing is particularly well-managed; while the story takes time to build the unique setting and introduce its ensemble cast, it quickly ramps up as Starr’s story grows more complex.

The blend of the ordinary and the magical is handled deftly, and Dawn seamlessly integrates elements of folklore with modern storytelling. The narrative is peppered with cultural references and knowing nods to television tropes, which should delight readers with a taste for pop culture and entertainment. Yet, these elements never overshadow the core emotional journey of the protagonist, making the story accessible even to those who aren’t die-hard fans of reality TV.

Strengths and Weaknesses
One of the novel’s key strengths lies in its originality. The concept of a reality show for Fae viewers is unique and provides a fun twist on the usual tropes of both urban fantasy and showbiz tales. Dawn’s world-building is immersive, drawing readers into a richly detailed environment where magic is woven into the fabric of everyday life.

However, the novel’s complexity might be a double-edged sword for some readers. With so many supernatural elements, side characters, and subplots, the story can feel a bit overwhelming at times, especially in the middle sections where Starr is still acclimating to her new reality. While the mystery subplot adds intrigue, it can occasionally feel secondary to the broader story of Starr’s rise in the Fae TV world. Some readers might wish for a tighter focus on the central narrative thread.

Final Thoughts
Tune in Tomorrow is a delightful and imaginative read that offers a refreshing twist on both the fantasy and entertainment genres. It’s a book that will appeal to readers who love stories about hidden worlds, ambitious underdogs, and the sometimes surreal nature of show business. Randee Dawn skillfully crafts a tale that is at once whimsical and introspective, filled with colorful characters, clever dialogue, and a protagonist whose journey is as heartfelt as it is entertaining.

For those looking for a story that mixes humor, mystery, and a dash of magic with the drama of reality TV, Tune in Tomorrow is a great choice. It’s a book that will leave readers pondering the nature of performance, both in front of the camera and behind it, long after the final scene has faded to black.