4,5 stars rounded up to 5
Famous For A Living checks all of my boxes for a feel-good book, with its slow to grow romance, beautiful natural setting, wit, and lessons learned. I simply loved this book, with its shift of setting leading to personal growth for the female lead.

Cat Cranwell at the peak of fame as an influencer based in New York City, surrounding by cameras, influential people, famous brands, and continuously attached to her phone. Scandal suddenly erupts when her business partner is accused of crime. She heads to the most unlikely of settings for a break, the isolated yet stunning Kannery National Park in Montana. Her new circle of people, Park Ranger Zaiah, her uncle Terry, and tiny-cabin roommate, Mina, have quite different priorities and lifestyles.

Scene after scene unfolded amid adventure, splendid scenery, and introspection as Cat gains fresh perspectives on her values and goals. I was all in for Cat's story, told with Ferguson's engaging style of writing.

Thank you, Net Galley and Thomas Nelson, for an advance reader's copy. My review is my own.

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson is such a fun and easy read. I love how current this story is especially with social media and the influencers. It’s centered around Cat’s journey in a totally new place, well outside of her comfort zone. She is an addict to her phone and social media. There is a grumpy male lead, a bit of a small town feel, a beautiful setting, and very lovable characters, too. I really enjoyed this book!

🌲Pub Day🌲

📗Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson
🗓️Pub date: May 16, 2023 (out today!)

✏️Blurb:
“From Park Avenue to the Parks Department - the world's most beloved social media star is about to get a rude awakening. With her millions of followers, Cat Cranwell is adored around the world. But when an app partnership goes very, very wrong, Cat suddenly finds herself shunned from the community that not only fed her soul all these years but paid her bills. When Cat's closest living relative, Uncle Terry, offers her a position on his staff at a small national park in Montana to get away from the city, Cat hesitantly accepts the opportunity. What she doesn't realize is that as the new social media strategist her goal is to save Kannery National Park from being absorbed into Glacier National Park by boosting the number of visitors. And at least one of her new colleagues-namelv handsome and rugged ranger Zaiah Hudson-thinks social media is the root of everything that's wrong with the world.
Written with bestselling author Melissa Ferguson's signature wit and charm, this romantic comedy of opposites attract is full of hilarious romp and a romance that will melt readers' hearts.”

🌲Mini Review:
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

Overall, I thought it was a cute story. I could tell from the beginning that it wasn’t going to be as romance focused as I like, but more about Cat and her journey. I just felt like when it came to the romance aspect, there wasn’t much chemistry with Cat and Zaiah so it wasn’t very believable for me. I think maybe getting Zaiah’s POV could’ve been helpful with this.

I did enjoy Cat’s journey and really seeing her grow and develop. To see her grow outside of who she was as an influencer was one of the best parts of the story.

I would consider this more of a journey of self discovery, rather then a romance.

Thank you @uplitreads for the #gifted copy to read in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for the ARC.

🌟🌟🌟 3/5 stars

Famous For a Living is a cute fish-out-of-water story about a disgraced social media star forced to work at a national park in Montana. She falls for a hot ranger and may find herself along the way.

I love this storyline and it is a very charming read. However, I wanted a bit more from the romance. It had the potential for a fun opposites attract romcom, but the chemistry wasn’t quite there for me. Overall, this was an entertaining read that leans more toward contemporary fiction (vs. romcom).

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun read. This book has the right amount of descriptive language that keeps it interesting and appealing.
I have read every book by the author, the tone and rhythm she sets always lends itself to a delightful read. Great characters help as well as interesting settings.
Likeable main characters, endearing supporting characters, delightful banter. A strong cast.
A romance that is witty is a winner. This book is a definite winner.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.
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What a fun and easy read!

I really enjoyed Cat’s story and I appreciate the discussion of a serious problem, which is a phone and social media addiction. I liked Cat as a character and her interactions with others. I would have definitely expected more romance but it was still cute!

Many thanks to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.

It’s been awhile since I’ve read a book by Melissa Ferguson, and I was pleased that I really liked how she built this story! We’re introduced to Cat in her old life, which serves as a great contrast to her new life in the rugged mountains working for the park service. Time is spent showing that she is out of her element but Ferguson spends a lot of the novel showing the reader, through Cat’s eyes, the wonders of this area. I think we all feel the need to reach for our phones and check email and social media, so it was easy to relate to Cat and her addiction to the adrenaline she received with each like and comment. I thought her recovery and setting rules for that side of her life was so interesting! We all read about the dangers of social media and how it affects children, and in this novel the impression was made that it affects more than just kids and adults need to make changes too. I loved that.

What can I say about Zaiah. He was the bearded mountain warrior who won over Cat with his quiet persistence and won over this readers heart too. He was definitely a part of this story and he was a big reason for the changes Cat made in her life, but he was also not a character that drew attention. He was quiet, calm, and kind of subtle in his affection for Cat. I liked how his past was a big part of the story, but it was her need to make a change that overcame any conflict in the story. This romance really made me think and then it made me feel. Which is the reverse of how I usually feel when reading a romance.

If you like to laugh, smile, and get an adrenaline rush over silly mountain activities, this is the novel for you! If you like a quiet hero and charming heroine, than again, this is the novel for you! I turned the last page while smiling and that’s the best feeling when you’ve finished a book. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review and it was honest!

Famous for a Living is a fun, quirky, feel-good, humorous contemporary novel I thoroughly enjoyed reading! The story hit all the right spots, including a surprisingly impactful message about savoring the moment rather than looking at it through a phone screen to capture for social media. Melissa Ferguson did a great job with each character arc. Zaiah was the perfect romantic interest, and Cat’s personal growth was inspiring. I loved their meet-cute and how their relationship developed from misunderstanding to mutual respect. While romcoms aren’t typically known to include transformative life lessons, Famous for a Living left me pondering my attachment to my phone and social media. In a world where most things are only a tap away, it’s challenging to disconnect, but Cat’s journey into the wilderness provided a valuable lesson I hope to hold onto. Perhaps it’s time to plan my own mountain getaway ;)

Fans of The Cul-de-Sac War and Meet Me in the Margins will undoubtedly enjoy Melissa Ferguson’s latest release. I believe it’s her best writing to date!

*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own*

2⭐️

It’s not that I disliked the book, I actually found it entertaining once I was about halfway through it. I think what it desperately lacked – and subsequently what it desperately needed – was originality. The city to country bumpkin trope is tired, and what’s more was the narrative of all women are addicted to social media.

My review might sound harsh, but it felt more of a setback for and a sad way to represent young women who engage in social media. Maybe what Melissa Ferguson was attempting to do was comment on social media itself, however this felt more of an attack on social media of users I.e, young women, and impressionable youth (despite the main character’s redeeming qualities). Perhaps exploring more of Cat’s background, her relationship with her Uncle, and her entire family dynamic could give the story more nuance.

This was such a fun, enjoyable read! I didn’t exactly connect with Cat as her life and self worth seemed to revolve around posting and getting those likes and comments, but as more was revealed about her throughout the book, she really grew on me. Zaiah was quite the swoony outdoorsy hero, and I loved his grumpy “man of few words” vibe from the start, much like Cat’s Uncle Terry. More importantly, I liked who the two characters were when they were together, and their band of merry men gave some laugh out loud moments. The icing on the cake was the epilogue…I’ll just leave it at that, but don’t skip it! The audiobook read by Talon David was impeccable and I highly recommend. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and was not obligated to leave a positive review.

This book was so good! It's well written and was a joy to read. It's a sweet romance that will keep you turning the pages to see what happens next. This is a book you don't want to miss!
I received a complimentary copy from Thomas Nelson--FICTION via NetGalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Another hit by Melissa Ferguson! I haven’t read a book by her that I didn’t love.

Opposites attract, slow burn, comedy…what’s not to love?

The formatting of this book on kindle was challenging but when I kept it within the netgalley app I was able to see that the chapters began with the cutest drawings/insta posts that match the chapter. I liked it.

This book was a great “falling and re-rising” of an influential/influencer personality. The connection formed between our main characters is well paced out and you’ll really like them.

Actual rating; 4,5

I received this book from NetGalley in return for my honest opinion

I adored this book. The writing style was easy and quick but not in a bad way

Need to admit that the romance wasn’t really there until it happened. Not really a slow burn that is really present in the book, but very cute any way

I liked cat, she really shows what it is like to be a influencer and addicted to your phone all the time. It did make me realize some things. So this book also has a important message and I think it was necessary.

Oh this book was just the breath of fresh air I needed! I have been slammed with work and running around, and this was a delightful, quick escape. And one that gave me a bit to think about as well.

Cat is a very famous and very successful influencer, and when we meet her she is on the verge of launching an even more high-profile project. It's her birthday, and she is surprised by a visit with her very sweet Park Ranger Uncle and his brooding but handsome colleague Zaiah.

Fast forward a few months and not only has that project imploded, but in such a serious and law-breaking way that Cat is a bit lost. She's been implicated and accused of a lot, and without many other options, ends up in Montana at the national park her Uncle Terry rangers.

What follows is such a heartfelt, entertaining, and comical journey. Cat is forced to adjust quickly to cabin and mountain life. But with the help of an adorable, caring, and wonderful supporting cast, including Zaiah, she gets there. And learns a lot about herself in the process.

This was such a quick read, but one that I couldn't put down, and it gave me such a smile on my face when I finished. I also appreciated the serious look at the use of social media and the impact that it has on our world, particularly on mental health. The irony is not lost on me to be posting about this, but proof that it can sometimes be a tool for good as well.

I'll be posting this review on goodreads, my bookstagram @scottonreads and on retail sites.

This is a cute Rom-Com story about a social media influencer named Cat and what happens when her life as a influencer changes drastically.
If you want to read a easy and light fast Rom-Com about social media and it’s ups and down in a fun story pick this book up I think you will enjoy it.

A lovely story about fame, the perils of social media, and escaping it all in the mountains of Montana. It gives a look at the dangers of technology and social media with fun characters and a beautiful setting. The author uses this beautiful story to show us the dangers and pitfalls of being addicted to social media.
I found this story well worth the read. It was fun but also thought provoking. This was an inspirational, heartfelt story with a slow build romance. The steam factor was low but the emotions were not, and the story was not lacking in anyway.

This was my first Melissa Ferguson book, but it will not be my last! I adored this book. I thought the plot was super unique, I loved the character development, I loved the chemistry between Cat and Zaiah, it was just all around a huge win for me.

I can't wait to read more by Melissa! Thank you so much for an advanced copy, it was such a joy to read.

Famous for a Living touches upon a young woman, Cat, who makes a living on being famous on social media. She has everything in the world she could want until she is blindsided by her partner who runs away with her business causing her life to crumble. To save money and to hide from the media, Cat escapes to Montana to work with her uncle, a park ranger. Her new life couldn't be more opposite from the life she left, but this change opens her eyes to the world beyond social media and NYC.

This was a slow start for me and a bit corny with her lavish life in NYC, but as she falls for the her "enemy", the story starts to warm up to me. Overall the story is entertaining and I enjoyed it.

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy and the narration was well done in two different narrators.

Thank you to UpLitReads and Libro.Fm for the finished & ALC copies!

I really enjoyed this one. Because of #bookstagram, I very much enjoy stories about social media and an online presence.

This book is also a stark reminder that we shouldn't be so connected to our phones all of the time.

While the cover might look like a romcom, this was more about a woman's journey to really find herself, rather than a partner. There is some romance, but it's not the primary focus. Instead, it's centered more around Cat's journey in a totally new place, well outside of her comfort zone.

There is a grumpy male lead, a bit of a small town feel, a beautiful setting, and very lovable characters, too. I really enjoyed this book!