17 year old city-boy Emmett wants to be country music’s biggest openly gay superstar. He’s in Tennessee for a summer job performing at an iconic country musician Wanda Jean Stubbs’ amusement park when he meets Luke, a gay and closeted country boy, working hard to help support his struggling family. The two boys hit it off and start spending all their free time together. While Emmett doesn’t want to force Luke to come out, the secrets Luke is keeping from his family are threatening their future.
I thought this was an adorable teen romance! I’ve read a few YA romances lately where the couple doesn’t get together until the very end and it’s a huge pet peeve of mine, so I was delighted when these boys started dating pretty early on. They spend a lot of time together, getting to know each other and just enjoying each other’s company. Both guys are total sweethearts! Even though one of the guys is going through some tough family stuff, this book is not too heavy and mostly just a joy to read. Part of the plot revolves around the past friendship and falling out of Luke’s nana with Wanda Jean Stubbs back in the sixties, and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. Definitely check this book out if you just need a sweet, feel-good romance.

CW: Homophobia, homophobic slurs, internalized homophobia

A firecracker of a debut, Brian D. Kennedy's "A Little Bit Country" has all the hallmarks of a great romance: a perfectly embarrassing meet-cute, vibrant supporting characters, and an undeniable connection between the main characters that leaves your heart aching in the best way. Every single character is complex, the story has a bit of mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and Emmett and Luke will feel like your best friends by the time you reach the last page. A must-read!

This contemporary was so adorable, and pulled at my heart strings constantly. I love how the theme park that this story is set is like Dollywood. The romance between Luke and Emmett was such a joy to read about. There journey throughout the story both separately and together was something I really loved seeing in this story. While at first they may not seem like they would ever match they find something special between them, and they both cherish it. Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this story.

Emmett's dream is to become country's biggest gay superstar. Which is difficult when you're a teenager living in Illinois. So when a summer opportunity came up to perform at Wanda World in Tennessee, Emmett jumps at the chance. After all, Wanda Jean Stubbs is one of country music's biggest stars and Emmett's idol. It's the perfect opportunity to get discovered.

Oppositely, Luke hates country music. Given his family's history with country music, Luke knows how much pain the fame can bring. But as his mom's medical bills continue to build up, he takes a job at Wanda World for the summer. It's there he meets Emmett, and there are sparks. And maybe something more?

Thanks to NetGalley and HaperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! From the description, I thought this seemed like a great summer romance, and I was correct! If you're looking for a book to add to your Pride Month TBR, this one definitely fits the bill.

Luke and Emmett live very different lives, but I loved the dynamic together. Neither of them were really looking for a summer romance. However, it unfolds naturally between them. Right from their first meeting, you're rooting for them. Even if it wasn't necessarily the meet cute that you were expecting. It was awkward and teenager-like and I found it so endearing.

There's also a bit of mystery and intrigue with Luke's family history, and it added another element to the romance. Plus, Wanda was just a great character, and if you're a fan of Dolly Parton at all, you're sure to love her. Honestly, if you like country music in any capacity, you'll find a lot to love here. And if you don't like country music, the characters are sure to still pull you in.

All in all, if you're looking for a fun romance to add to your TBR this summer, definitely pick this one up!

This was a really sweet fairly New Adult romance. I liked it a lot- some heavy issues handled gently, and a great subplot that I was invested in! Of course all I could sing while I was reading was "Jolene" over and over again- and I'm sure that song in particular (along with its singer) inspired the book. And I was there for it! I liked both our lead men, and I thought that they were true to themselves as they grew both personally and as a couple. I really enjoyed this romance and recommend it to fans of country music or readers who are over the cult of masculinity. And especially for fans of the podcast Dolly Parton's America- or conversely, listen to that after reading for a lovely pairing!

4.5 stars

There’s a whole lot of heart in this book! Emmett and Luke are both interesting characters that are trying to find out who they are not separately and together. The country vibe was pretty fun and perfect for summer.

Rep: MM and FF

Content: Sex is directly mentioned but happens off the page once. Underage drinking (once?), homophobia, cheating

Thank you @tbrbeyondtours & @bdkennedybooks for letting me be a part of this tour!


5 Reasons to read A Little Bit Country!

It’s Pride Month and I have the perfect book to start off June with. A Little Bit Country by Brian D Kennedy is a Queer country themed YA romance.

1. LGBTQ rep! - This novel has so much Queer rep. It’s the main reason why I needed to read it.
2. Summer romance - Honestly do I have to say more? I’m obsessed with a sweet summer romance.
3. Country Music! - This is a love story to country music. So many country references!
4. The gorgeous cover - The cover is honestly so pretty! The theme park and the bright colors, love it!
5. Theme park setting - My favorite part about this book is Wanda World, based on Dollywood! It honestly sounds so amazing.

I thought this was such a cute book! I also listened to the audiobook, thanks to @harperaudio for the complementary audiobook.

DRC provided by Balzer + Bray via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review,

This book was everything I hoped for and more. I loved it so much. Pure brilliance.

A sweet story about an aspiring country singer and an upcoming chef falling in love over their summer working at a Dollywoodesque park! I read this sitting outside in the summer heat with a big glass of lemonade, which I think is the perfect way to enjoy it! Highly recommend for country fans, or for anyone wanting a charming summer romance story.

I'm going to be honest I am not a country music fan but the premise of this book sounded so interesting to me. This book is definitely really sweet and a perfect summer romance. The relationship between Luke and Emmitt can be really frustrating in place but I really liked them as a couple. They definitely gave off grump and sunshine vibes which is a beloved trope of mine.
I also loved the settings for this. I love amusement parks especially the one this one is inspired by so that was a major reason I wanted to read this as well.
Overall this really is an adorable gay summer romance book. If you like books like Jay's Gay Agenda or Camp you will love this.

I received an eARC from TBR and Beyond Tours and the publishers. All opinions are my own.
CW: homophobia, internalized homophobia
A Little Bit Country is about two boys figuring out their futures at an amusement park over the summer. Emmett wants to be country music’s biggest gay star, so he’s very excited when he lands a spot in the entertainment group for country music’s biggest theme park. Luke wants to be a chef, but wants to help his family more than he wants to pursue his personal dreams.
I like the emphasis on how these are really hard dreams to achieve and both boys know this, they just go about it in different ways. Emmett has a determination to at least try to make it happen and Luke is more willing to put his dreams on the backburner for his family.
I am usually a lover of slow-burn romances, so I surprised myself with how much I loved these two’s romance! It didn’t feel rushed when I was reading it, and I was rooting for them to work out how it would work with Emmett only being in the area for the summer and Luke still being in the closet.
I’m not sure how to summarize my thoughts on the conflict without spoiling anything. It definitely went in a direction regarding the music industry that I didn’t expect, which I appreciate. I will say, there were parts of the conflict that wrapped up maybe a little too neatly off page and I would’ve either liked to see them not work out so perfectly or at least seen how they were wrapped up on page.
I rated this book 3.5 stars! It was a really nice YA contemporary book! Just make sure you have your country soundtrack of choice all queued up before you start reading (I recommend Orville Peck’s discography, personally).

I read this book as part of the blog tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Tours. Special thanks to HarperCollins for providing an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

TL;DR: Overall, while this didn’t end up being the fun fluffy small-town romance I was expecting, I still really enjoyed it! Emmett and Luke were written with such heart and although their journeys had a lot of angst and struggles, it was satisfying to follow them and watch them grow. This teenage romance had so many adorably cute-awkward moments that had me giggling plus, I don’t think I’d ever mind reading a story with a lot of food/cooking and music. mean, I don’t like all country music but I do love some of it! I thought this was a great debut novel and I’d be keen to see what else the author writes in the future!

I didn’t even have to read the synopsis to know I wanted to read this immediately after seeing its cover. I'm such a sucker for illustrated ones and this ticked all my boxes, plus I love this title too! The cover does give the impression this will be a fluffy contemporary story, but don't be fooled because this turned out to be quite different to what I expected; not in a bad way, just in a more serious way. This has angst galore and explored heavier topics such as internalised homophobia and bigotry in the music industry, amongst other things. I thought the author addressed these issues well but do check content/trigger warnings and read with care.

Emmett and Luke were big dreamers and I loved that for them, even though they struggle a lot. Emmett is an endearing teen who simply wants to be the greatest and gayest country music star ever known but he questions his talent and whether he’ll ever succeed by being true to himself in an industry that would shun him for it. Still, despite his doubts and what he knows of the industry, his positivity never faltered and it only made him try harder. I loved his attitude and his passion for country music was absolutely infectious! Luke dreams of being a chef and creating true Southern cuisine that people from all over will seek out. His family is struggling financially and with a mother who's chronically ill, a step-father who works long hours and two young siblings to care for, it seems like he carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. He also struggled with his sexuality and his fear of being outed or even being seen with Emmett was palpable and it was heartbreaking. He has such a big heart and is so scared to disappoint his family who he loves and cares for so much, especially his mum who he very religious. Their journeys to get to a place where they’re happy in their own skin were tough but ultimately very rewarding! There are a few side characters that do play a small role in their stories but I thought they were fairly two dimensional and simply there to push the story along. I did love Aunt Karen though—her enthusiasm and support for Emmett were the best! 💜

There is also a romance and it does contribute to their growth but I felt like it took a backseat to the personal struggles they face. While this would usually bother me cos I expected more romance, their development is what made this a more enjoyable read for me. That’s not to say their romance wasn’t cute though because they had a lot of adorably cute-awkward moments that had me giggling as they learned about each other and explored firsts together—this was so sex-positive and it was great! I loved how they encouraged each other and how their relationship became a safe space but I have to say that it was also very angsty and perhaps a little too “insta” for me (although technically this does take place over one summer it just felt very fast because the passing of time isn’t really noted)!

While the plot was pretty predictable and I could see how all the storylines would unfold, I still enjoyed reading it as it happened! That said, I wished that the ending had been given more time because it felt a bit simplistic and rushed. There were a few key moments that felt glossed over or were skipped on totally and I found that disappointing considering it’s such a big moment for the character and the culmination of the struggles they’ve experienced in the story, so to have it be skipped was a bit anticlimactic! If more time had been given to this part, I think it would've made the story stronger and I think more satisfying.

Luke hates country music. So, he really hates that he has taken a job at Wanda World, especially since it’s known that Wanda Jean ruined his nana’s life. But he wants to be a chef, and a job in a kitchen at the amusement park is a step toward that. Emmett wants nothing more than to be the biggest gay country superstar, and a job in the Wanda World jamboree will hopefully get him noticed by record execs. But when the two boys meet and fall for each other, they both start to find out truths that make them question what they’ve always believed—about country music, about the past, about themselves.

This book was absolutely adorable and it tackled hard topics without feeling too heavy. Even though Luke struggled to embrace his sexuality, the moments between him and Emmett were sweet and heart-warming. I loved the way Luke's and Emmett’s lives intertwine in unexpected ways and how the truths about Luke’s nana’s history unraveled. This was a fun, fast-paced, and engaging read!

I try to avoid all things labeled country, so this book sat at the bottom of my to-read list for a while. Still, if it has two men on the cover and the promise of kissing, I feel honor-bound to crack it open.

A Little Bit Country doesn’t just lean into the theme, it puts on a ten-gallon hat and yee-haws straight into it, so much that every word on the page seems more focused on making sure you know exactly how Country — purposeful capitalization — everyone is, instead of letting us know who they are as people.

It takes awhile for Luke and Emmett to get fleshed out in the book. All we know for a good portion of the story is that Emmett wants to be a country music star and Luke wants to go to culinary school. Eventually their personalities do start to surface, as the book addresses common LGBTQIA+ themes like a lack of diversity and acceptance in some circles, prejudice, and fear of coming out.

I’m not sure I’d pick this up a second time, but I would recommend it just because this is an underrepresented theme for queer books. So I am glad it exists even if it’s not for me.

Thoughts and Themes: I wanted to read this one because I love country music and theme parks, so this seemed perfect. I am so glad this was the first book that I read for pride month because it killed me with cuteness. I was trying so hard not to squeal from the cuteness while reading this at work.

There was just so much that I loved about this book even the parts that I kind of saw coming. All I wanted for both of these boys throughout the whole book was happy because they both deserved it. There are parts of this book that break your heart for all of the characters but then this author knows how to take those pieces they just broke and make your heart whole again.

Characters: In this book, you are introduced to a few characters through their interactions with Luke and Emmett. You get to meet Luke’s ex-girlfriend, Luke’s family, some of the people in the Jamboree, and Emmett’s aunt.

I really liked getting a glimpse into Luke’s home life and how that dictated his every move. I liked that we got to see what it was like for him to be poor and feel responsible for taking care of his family, and what that all meant for his dreams of being a chef and coming out. I also liked how seeing a glimpse of his home we got to see his mom who has a chronic illness and how that impacts her life as well as Luke’s life.

I liked getting to see how they each viewed their relationship with each other and the fears that they both had about that relationship. The relationship between Luke and Emmett was my favorite part of this book. I liked how Luke calls Emmett out about what it would mean if he was out and how it isn’t always easy for everyone to be out. I also like how they both get in their heads about things and how if they would just communicate things would be so much easier for both of them.

Writing Style: This book is told from a dual perspective going back and forth between Emmett and Luke. I thought this was a great choice for this book because you needed to know what was going on in both of these boy’s heads. I think hearing things from both sides and getting to know them as individuals made their love story so much more precious.

It was good, but holy hell there is a lot of casual homophobia. I get why it was there, and I understand why Luke acted the way he did, but it was still hard.

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy is a love letter to country music and a touching story about following your dreams. Set in a Dollywood-inspired theme park, I was charmed by the unique setting, complicated family history, and contrasting main characters that this one contains. The author’s passion for country music genuinely comes through on every page, making this an entertaining and layered story that is perfect for summer reading.

For Emmett, an aspiring country superstar, working at Wanda World is a great opportunity to launch his career. Luke, on the other hand, dreams of becoming a chef, and finds himself as a dishwasher in a Wanda World restaurant, despite his hatred for country music. When the two meet at the park, the connection is undeniable, however, when family secrets are unearthed, their relationship starts to get complicated. As Emmett and Luke are presented with tough choices, especially ones that influence their own aspirations, they must get past old family drama and stick with one another.

❀ STRONG MAIN CHARACTERS

Emmett and Luke are both strong characters, and I loved the contrast between them. Emmett is a major country music fan and hopes to become country music’s biggest gay superstar. I loved how he stays true to himself and is determined to become successful on his own accord, even when he is presented with an opportunity that could change his life forever, and I loved his efforts to dismantle homophobia in country music. Complementing Emmett’s character, Luke hates country music and struggles to come out to his family. Luke’s family is also wrapped up in high-profile country music drama, leading him to take his job at Wanda World in secret. Both characters make mistakes throughout the book, and I appreciated this realism.

❀ THEME PARK SETTING

One of the most charming parts of this book is the theme park setting and the love for country music at its core. Wanda World itself, based on Dollywood, feels so real, and the author does an excellent job working a bit of magic into the narrative through this attraction. Country music also plays a major role in the story, and I could feel Brian D. Kennedy’s love for this music seeping through every word. I’m not a country fan myself, but reading such vivid descriptions of the impact and beauty of this genre has convinced me to give it another try.

❀ A CHARMING STORY

A Little Bit Country by Brian D. Kennedy is a charming story centred around country music. I loved the contrast between the two main characters, and the Dollywood-inspired theme park setting brings so much intrigue to the story. This is a book that has been crafted with passion, and I would definitely recommend it to country fans and country haters alike.

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY by Brian D. Kennedy is the cutest lil romance there ever was! The setup is very clever with Emmett and Luke seemingly at odds when it comes to their goals and lifestyles, but the sparks fly anyway. Both main characters are kind-hearted and sympathetic, which has the reader rooting for both of them as individuals and as a couple. Meanwhile, they each have to do some self-discovery and face some hard truths. Both characters have compelling and believable journeys throughout the story, and the mysterious scandal surrounding Wanda Jean and Luke's grandmother adds a nice jolt of suspense.

I also loved the setting, which is pretty unique in the young adult literary space. The contrast between the glitzy Wanda World theme park and the natural beauty of the surrounding area and the grittiness of the dive bars and other such locales give the story a lot of variety and make the world of the book come to vibrant life. It also features some charming (and less-than-charming) side characters who are all fleshed out just enough to contribute to the world of the book but not take away from Emmett and Luke's love story.

A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY is absolutely adorable and a perfect summer read, especially for Pride month!

What a cute cute book! I absolutely loved it! The characters are well fleshed out and all have a purpose. Nothing feels like filler.

The story is about Emmett and Luke falling in love after a chance encounter at Wanda World, a theme park for country singer Wanda Jean (a barely disguised stand in for Dolly Parton). Emmett loves Wanda Jean, her music, and everything else about her too. Luke is related to Verna Rose, Wanda’s bitter rival who ran away with Wanda’s husband but faded into obscurity while Wanda Jean rose to superstardom.

Luke’s family is down in their luck as his stepfathers hours get cut and his mother battles MS, causing her to be off work for long stretches of time. Luke cares for his two younger siblings and cooks wondrous meals from his Nana Verna’s old cookbooks to feed his family and practice his love of cooking. Luke is also secretly gay. His family is religious and have made it seem that they do not care for anyone gay. He plans to work another summer at a hose factory, where he had fallen for another worker and had spent the summer with him as his secret lover. That lover doesn’t come back and after one day of harassment from macho man co-workers, Luke accepts a job from his recent ex-girlfriend Vanessa working in the kitchen of a Wanda world restaurant.

Emmett wants to be country superstar, just like his hero Wanda Jean. He writes his own songs and uploads them onto YouTube, hoping to the be discovered. He knows that his sexuality could keep him from achieving his dreams but he isn’t going to go back into the closet. He wants to remain true to himself. He moves to the town outside of Wanda World to stay with his aunt for the summer and work in the musical revue at WW. His aunts boyfriend is a big wig in the park and gets Emmett a part. Emmett hopes to use this as a boost and perform in an open mic night in the middle of the summer that most cast members perform at in hopes of discovery.

Luke and Emmett bump into each other in the early days of their time at Wanda World, and destiny begins to take shape as the two meet and begin to fall in love. This journey will take them from parking lots to abandoned areas of town; from current day to a journey into the past as they work to discover themselves and each other, and try to solve the riddle about just what happened between Wanda Jean and Verna Rose.

* SPOILERS FROM HERE ON OUT*

I enjoyed the pacing of this novel and the characters. I liked their individual dreams and paths to those dreams. The trapped-in-the-closet storyline in some books can be a bit cliche or overwrought but not in this one. Having the element of church being hinted at but not used as a tool of shame and having Luke’s family’s disgust at LGBTQ people shown in ways that are not outright and are the characters reaction to their reactions to inane things felt real and also the character of Luke gleaning this disgust but not having it confirmed but interpreted was an honest way to go.

I also appreciated that Emmett was so sure of himself and lost a potential career when the A&R man told him he could only record if he didn’t do gay songs. That took strength and was a wonderful departure of the parallel to Wanda Jean and Verna Rose.

Okay, I think we’re far enough along for the big spoiler: Wanda Jean and Verna were lovers. Verna ran off with Wanda’s husband for a chance to be “normal”. Wanda was only married to him so she could keep being with Verna and not get noticed. I figured out this twist pretty quickly (before the 1/2 way mark) but the payoff was great nonetheless.

I especially appreciate that this book didn’t rely only on gay trauma to make its story work, and that it provided a happy ending to the characters. Or should I say a happy beginning?

I look forward to possibly seeing a sequel to continue this story and/or more from this author! Check this book out asap!

Dollywood vibes plus a gay wanna be country music star? Count me in immediately. Emmett and Luke are both absolutely adorable and I love their relationship. This book is a wonderful read regardless of who you are. Bonus points for the Brandi Carlisle reference!