Break Me Down by Anna Downes @anna_downes_writer @macmillan.audio @macmillanaudio.bsky.social #Multicast #Fullcast #BreakMeDown

the setup…
Georgia Lane is a former child star from Australia who stepped away from the public view after she reached adolescence and adoration turned sour. After years out of the business, she moves to Los Angeles, ready to prove herself as an actress. Georgia expected to quickly be swept into a swirl of auditions and roles but money gets tight when both fail to materialize. It’s when she meets a charismatic young actor named Henry in a coffee shop that her circumstances change. He folds her into his world, including his exclusive acting class, The Studio, run by a woman named Marianna who uses a unique approach that is often emotionally brutal. But Georgia finds it exhilarating, especially when Marianna singles her out for special treatment, even though it begins to drive a wedge between her and Henry.

the heart of the story…
The Studio soon becomes the heartbeat of not only Georgia’s professional life but consumes her every thought. Marianna’s “voice” is the yardstick she uses to measure everything…her past, her relationships as well as her aspirations. If it sounds cultish I can assure you it felt that way, the sessions psychologically invasive and irresponsible. The story transitions between scenes from Georgia’s past, a podcast and the present, often feeling like it was all blended.

the narration…
It’s a multicast narration, complete with sound effects, making me feel as if I was right there in every scene. It is expertly delivered, so much so that it felt real.

the bottom line…
It initially felt like The Studio was a microcosm of the cutthroat Hollywood arena but with much sharper knives, leaving people raw and exposed. But it moves into a dangerous zone where Marianna directed Georgia’s reality. Even I felt manipulated at times. This was highly unsettling but a cautionary tale. The author’s afterword with members of the cast is a must listen.

Book Info

• Release Date: August 19, 2025
• Narrators:
  -Aimee Horne
  -Airlee Dodds
  -Alan Zhu
  -Angela Tran
  -Elisa Colla
  -Jeremy Waters
  -Lyanna Kea
  -Remy Hii
  -Taylor Owens
  -Yael Stone
• Audio Length: 8 hours, 43 minutes
• Publisher: Macmillan Audio

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(Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)