THE ASTRONAUT AND THE STAR

A goth, bisexual astronaut takes on the task of training a himbo actor for his role in an Oscar-bait space movie.

Reggie Hayes is determined to be the first woman on the moon, but her icy, anti-social tendencies may put her out of the running for the upcoming mission. To show she can be a team player, she agrees to work with actor and natural charmer Jon Leo. They’ll spend a month together at a NASA base in Arizona where he’ll get an immersive experience of astronaut life and be filmed for behind-the-scenes footage. Jon is most known for his lowbrow comedic roles; he took on this project in hopes of being seen as a serious actor. He’s both intimidated by and in major awe of Reggie. She’s easily frustrated by him, but, try as she might, she can’t ignore their sexual tension. The forced proximity increases their lust, putting their sexual cravings constantly at the fronts of their minds even as they try to be professional. As they continue to gravitate toward each other, Reggie learns Jon is smarter than she expected, and he discovers why she puts up emotional barriers. Fans of grumpy-sunshine pairings will revel in the banter and chemistry between these two even though the overall plot doesn’t flow smoothly. Inner conflicts are deftly handled as Reggie struggles with vulnerability and Jon learns of his ADHD, but some external dramas feel silly and unnecessary.

A bumpy journey, but the delightful characters make it worthwhile.