By joe navratil

Second Act

A speculative romance

In the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge, he brings her back to life.
Can she do the same for him?

While Bradley Joseph strategizes how to overcome his fears and social anxiety disorder that confine him to his Silicon Valley home, a bold woman on a dating app conscripts him to watch the classic film Roman Holiday. There’s only one problem: Bradley is the world’s premier alternate reality creator and Nicole is a technology journalist with an agenda.

After his CEO launches Bradley’s latest masterpiece that pairs dead actors with live ones, Bradley uses it to write alternate scenes for Audrey Hepburn’s films. He premieres his work with Nicole, who then challenges Bradley to reincarnate Audrey Hepburn.

Bradley produces a faithful stand-in of her and adapts his technology to travel to 1953 San Francisco and romance pre-stardom Audrey. Bradley then casts himself with her movie characters and even questions her former beaus. He loses himself in the affair, orchestrating Audrey to cure his phobias and dormant love life.

As technology expands along with their relationship, Audrey asks if she can direct the action. Both Nicole and Bradley’s colleague Ara disappear, perhaps with key secrets. Audrey transports Bradley to the hard truths of her life and he becomes her vehicle to revive her leading legacy. The unscripted advances force Bradley to choose whether to axe his love to save the world from the proliferating technology or ride their unique relationship to an award-winning climax.

Amazon

Apple Books

Barnes and Noble

Ingram Spark

Tertulia

!

Author

Joe Navratil

Hi, I’m Joe Navratil, a seasoned storyteller and retired communication director in the San Francisco Bay Area. I needed a break from writing press releases and communication plans, so I started researching and writing a novel I knew I would finish. My mom looked like Audrey Hepburn, and I’ve been a classic movie junkie since childhood, so SECOND ACT combines the nearby tech industry and Audrey, who debuted in San Francisco in 1953. Readers will appreciate the historic and scientific rigor behind my debut novel.

Visiting Audrey's gravesite in March 2025

A Deeper Look at Second Act

The Subject

Audrey Hepburn is one of Hollywood’s (and the world’s) most enduring stars. There have been quite a few biographical fiction novels about Hollywood stars, but none about Audrey.

The Technology

The artificial intelligence revolution is making speaking to deceased loved ones a possibility. Bradley Joseph is led to reincarnate Audrey Hepburn…and falls for her. But it isn’t that simple.

The Setting

Before Roman Holiday was released, Audrey did an American tour of the play Gigi, ending in San Francisco. She wasn’t yet famous and wasn’t yet THE Audrey Hepburn. What better time for Bradley to travel to 1953 to woo her?

Upcoming Events

June 13 5:00pm ET: Author Talk with Mike Krentz.

July 5: Severna Park MD. Host screening of SABRINA (CLOSED EVENT)

July 24 6:00pm: Book signing and Author Talk. Napa Bookmine, Napa CA.

August 28 2:00: Introduce Funny Face at Napa Library.

Sep 12 6:00 – 8:00pm: Book signing and Author Talk at Downtown Book and Sound. 213 Main Street, Salinas CA.

Oct 3 4:00pm. Wine and book talk. Piedmont Bistro, 1265 S. Cotner Blvd, Suite 38, Lincoln NE.

Dec 17 6:00pm. Book discussion and signing. Napa Library, Napa CA.

Dec 26-27 12-4pm. Meet the Author at Wooden Valley Winery, Fairfield, CA.

Reviews for Second Act

Golded92

A Smart, Inventive, and Joyful Ride Through Time with Audrey Hepburn

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025

Second Act is a wildly imaginative and timely reimagining of Audrey Hepburn’s legacy that had me hooked from page one. The premise—using cutting-edge tech to bring a beloved film icon back to life—is both clever and surprisingly moving. What could have felt like a gimmick instead becomes a heartfelt, entertaining, and thought-provoking story. Joe Navratil clearly cherishes Audrey’s memory

I especially loved how the book blends futuristic concepts with classic Hollywood charm. It never drags—this is a nonstop narrative carnival, full of inventive twists, and emotional turns. I found myself learning more about Audrey’s life than I ever expected, and I was inspired to visit filmography with fresh eyes (prior to reading, I had only seen Breakfast at Tiffany’s, which I now realize, while charming, is not her best work).

Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife or Her will absolutely love this. Second Act doesn’t just resurrect Audrey Hepburn—it gives her voice, agency, and a new kind of stardom. Highly recommend.

Anne A Wilson, acclaimed author of Hover

A Class Act!

Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2024

Joe Navratil leaps out of the gate in his debut novel, SECOND ACT, pulling the reader into an engaging tale that offers a compelling blend of science fiction and old Hollywood. It’s a book that features artificial intelligence, a virtual Audrey Hepburn, and a unique love story where the lines between what is real and what is not become thought-provokingly blurred. Navratil gives exquisite life to Audrey Hepburn, inviting the reader to get to know her both personally and professionally, but most importantly, he showcases her legacy of vital humanitarian work. He does so by using a seemingly unrelated storytelling vehicle—an immersive virtual experience powered through artificial intelligence. I was both excited by—and yes, slightly terrified of—the technology that the author so adeptly describes. If even half of what he writes about is actually on the horizon . . . well, yikes. But for now, anyway, this reader is content to sit on her real couch, put her feet up on a real ottoman, open a real book, and enjoy the wonderfully real experience of diving into a truly creative story!

Alyssa Luchini

Pageturner!

Reviewed in the United States on January 19, 2025

Second Act takes you on a journey that shows how the possible near-future of AI could bring those we’ve lost before us, such as Audrey Hepburn herself, back into of our current reality. Navratil illustrated the protagonist’s journey overcoming his phobias and finding true happiness in such an engaging way. Couldn’t put it down!

navyguy

Joe Navratil has a hit with Second Act

Reviewed in the United States on October 27, 2024

Joe Navratil’s stunning debut novel couldn’t be more topical, as this imaginative book weaves together a cautionary but moving tale about AI and love. Well-written and cleverly plotted, Second Act offers a well-researched look at technology that may be just over the horizon, and how an unexpected character turns it into a force for good. This would make a terrific film. Buy this book!

“A unique, captivating journey across the time/space continuum, rendered believable by the author’s skill in portraying characters and settings. Not only does the world’s most beloved actress return to a present-day life through technology, but her presence, personality, voice, and-yes, her emotions-pop off the page. An unputdownable read.”

-Mike Krentz, author of the Dr. Zack Winston and Mahoney & Squire series

“Second Act is a masterful, true-to-life blend of mystery and science fiction DNA that keeps the pages turning. Part Isaac Asimov, part Michael Crichton, all compelling. Strongly, unequivocally recommended.”

-Daniel Charles Ross, author of the critically acclaimed thriller Force No One

“A thoroughly researched, well-written work of fiction wrapped around the hottest technological issue of our time. Navratil forces the reader to come to grips with the implications of artificial intelligence for creativity, creatives, and lovers.”

-R. Kenward Jones, author of Buried at Sea and The Face in the Grave

“Creative and thought-provoking, Navratil’s Second Act is a treat to read and imagines the possibilities an AI future holds for all of us.”

-Kathleen Toomey Jabs, author of Black Wings



Schedule an Event

jnavratilauthor@gmail.com



Contact Author