DAYTIME DRAMA
Soap opera star by day, harried, single mom by night, Calliope Hart’s life is a delicate balancing act. When the network cancels her show, Callie’s world crumbles and she must decide whether it’s more important to fight to save the show or take a risk and start over from scratch.
By day, for 25 years, soap opera fans have known actress Calliope Hart as Napa Valley’s resident diva, Jessica Sinclair. By night, Callie is a flustered breadwinner, scrambling to provide for her 12-year-old son and her mother. So when the network announces that her show will be canceled, Callie is beyond shocked—she doesn’t know who she is anymore.
At first, driven by financial concerns for her family that include blackmail payments to her son’s biological father, she rallies fans to save the show. But is that what she really wants? When she learns that her mother has been driving her son to auditions she’s strictly forbidden—and worse, that he’s been offered opportunities—Callie sees her own child’s youth and drive in competition with her age and experience. Set in modern-day Hollywood, Daytime Drama is a story about having the guts to reach for the sky. Callie must decide whether to play it safe or summon the courage her son displays to risk her lucky meal ticket and reinvent her career—and, for the first time, test her mettle as an actress and a mom.
Initially published by TouchPoint Press in 2021 and re-released in 2024.
Praise
Amazon #1 Bestseller
Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: General category of the 2021 International Book Awards
Long-listed for the 2021 CIBA Award
Short-listed for the 2021 Page Turner Award
“A fun, frothy tale that will leave readers excited for a sequel.” – Kirkus Reviews
“With heart, humor, and the right dose of drama, Sarahlyn Bruck brings her characteristic insight and literary precision to this story of braving the world outside your comfort zone. Loved every minute.” – Jennifer Klepper, USA Today bestselling author of Unbroken Threads
“With her sophomore novel, Daytime Drama, Sarahlyn Bruck builds on her reputation as a master craftsman of relationships. Prepare yourself for a compelling journey as Bruck’s characters plunge into the depths of self-discovery when love and trust are brought into question by circumstance. Bruck’s deft approach and keen eye for nuance is both clever and ultra-relatable, creating a story and characters that stay with the reader long after the book is done.” – Maureen Joyce Connolly, author of Little Lovely Things
“From the first page of Daytime Drama by Sarahlyn Bruck, readers are drawn into the fascinating world of Callie Hart, the star of a long-running soap opera whose carefully constructed world begins to fall apart. In addition to reading about Callie and her approach to life’s problems, readers are treated to an inside view of Hollywood and how it treats aging female stars. You will love this book—women’s fiction at its best!” – Diane Byington, multi-award-winning author of Who She Is and If She Had Stayed
“Daytime Drama has all the fun of a Jackie Collins novel, but with a more relatable protagonist in Callie, who you root for each step of the way! Five stars.” – Lainey Cameron, author of The Exit Strategy
“Daytime Drama is a beautiful novel about finding oneself at a crossroads and choosing the path of authenticity and fulfillment. Bruck’s honest writing and animated dialogue shepherd the reader on an inspiring and emotional journey. Well placed details about life in the L.A. area make the meaningful story all the more entertaining and enjoyable. I didn’t want this book to come to an end.” – Heather Frimmer, author of Bedside Manners and Better to Trust
“Bruck expertly navigates five different points of view, lending further depth to the plot and authenticity to her characters. Daytime Drama is highly enjoyable and memorable read, guaranteed to stay in readers’ hearts long after the final page. Highly recommend!” – Leanne Treese, author of Their Last Chance and Mother of the Accused
“This is a perfect beach read with a compelling women’s fiction story with heartfelt moments between mother and son, child and parent.” – Suanne Schafer, reviewer at Midwest Book Review and author of Hunting the Devil and A Different Kind of Fire
“Sarahlyn Bruck weaves her magical storytelling into a brilliant page-turner. Brava!” – Carol Van Den Hende, award-winning author of Goodbye, Orchid
“Aptly titled, Daytime Drama plunges you instantly into the world of Calliope Hart: actress by day, single mother at night, keeper of one great big secret and a whole bunch of insecurities. Sarahlyn Bruck deftly manipulates her characters’ strengths and weaknesses and keeps you guessing right to the last page.” – Barbara Conrey, USA Today bestselling author of Nowhere Near Goodbye
“Compelling reading, highly recommended.” – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review