At the beginning of 2023, I began my reading plan for the year (which mostly consists in reading as many books as I can before school starts and leaves me little time for reading. I had a strange experience this year though: I couldn’t find a book I wanted to read, let alone finish once I started reading. I starting reading book after book (you should see the stacks that are still there) but I had no desire to finish the books I started. Not a good start to a new reading year…This book changed all of that. It was a bit of a rough start, but the story gently drew me in and I became invested in the characters and their growth.

When I requested this book as an ARC, I was unaware that I had read anything by the author (Melissa Ferguson) before. Then I read some of those author praise quotes and remembered that I had read (and very much liked) her Cul-de-sac War book. It seems so long ago when I read it that it was hard to remember much from the book aside from the general impression I had: that is was a wholesome and well-written story. So, needless to say I became more excited to read this novel.

At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to finish. Everything was just so realistic with the lifestyle and behavior of top-influencers and the hoops they jump through and the ways they can wind up acting that I wasn’t sure I was going to connect with the story at all. I was oh-so-very-wrong!

Cat Cranwell did have some issues, but her friend Serena was right: she is good. The way that the author had Cat slowly encounter and face and defeat her faults was realistic and touching. I had sympathy for her and her past and for what she had become in her rise as a social media influencer.

This novel may have a romantic aspect to it, but I appreciated that the romance wasn’t the focal point and wasn’t overdone. There was quite a bit going on in the story that was interesting to me as a reader apart from anything romantic. And then what was technically “romance” in the story was presented in a realistic and sweet way. Not overly emphasized at the expense of the characters actually getting to know each other and the reader actually getting to know them too.

Overall, this was quite a delightful read, and I am now hoping to read the other novels Melissa Ferguson has written. She writes wonderful stories with good wholesome characters. I hope to see more books published by her in the future!

**I received this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.**

This was a warm and sweet story the encourages introspection about your values, relationships, and social media.

Cat was a big media influencer who is totally wrapped up in appearances when circumstances force her to practically give it all up for a period of time.

Zaiah is a handsome park ranger who works for Cat’s uncle in Montana where she goes to escape. He could not be more opposite of Cat. I loved watching their relationship unfold.

I really enjoyed the growth arc of Cat. How she came to value the things and people that are real. The side characters provided a lot of fun and humor.

If you like opposites attract, handsome manly heroes with a soft heart and zany side characters you will like this book. It has a lot of fun twists, turns and surprises which keep you interested.

A beautiful book that managed to hit a little too close to home- and it would probably knock the wind from your chest, too! This is for anyone who finds themselves automatically looking at their phone when they have a second of downtime or anyone who scrutinizes over which picture to post on their socials. The story follows a social media icon through her darkest moments and, ultimately, her brightest.
This story was such a breath of fresh air and exactly what I needed to be reading at the beginning of the year. This book will have you questioning your choices and habits and it will inspire you to make healthy changes.
I truly thought I was starting a romance but I fell head first into a book that had me wanting to change my life. Is the romance there? Absolutely. And the romance is STUNNING and FULL and HONEST. Do I feel like that’s the best part of this book? Absolutely not. This author has gone above and beyond what is asked and the questionnaire and tips at the end were the icing on the cake.

(Review posted to Goodreads, Books-a-Million, and Barnes and Noble)

This book was so fun! I binge read it in 2 days. Although it's listed as a rom-com, I hesitate to call it that because hardcore romance readers will find very little actual romance (the couple have their first date near the end of the book and there's no spice to speak of) but since that isn't me, I had a great time with it!

The story follows a 30 year old an influencer/content creator who gets duped and loses her career overnight. It's a story about finding yourself and recognizing your value outside of social media.

There's a fantastic cast of secondary characters that I wish I had learned more about, and there are definitely some heavier topics that were kind of breezed over, but overall the pacing was excellent and the setting was very vivid. I wish this was a real national park because I would definitely visit!

I think as long as you don't go into this expecting a pure romance, you'll enjoy it, I certainly did!

3,5 stars rounded up.

When I finished this quick read, I found myself thinking it was lacking something. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I felt the romance between Cat and Zaiah was put on the back burner and ended up being rushed. There was much build up - it happened and then the book was over. I felt it wasn't fully resolved. This wasn't so much of a romance book as it was a women's fiction book.

I did enjoy seeing Cat's growth while she was in Montana. I also really liked her friend Serena - she was so sassy and I loved it. I did find some moments, related to social media usage, to be preachy, but once I got through that, it just felt like part of the story. This is a quick, enjoyable read if you are looking for something that fits that category.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was expecting a romance and instead found myself in a storyline geared toward cancel culture. The characters were not ones I could relate to and felt “over the top”. The book was a confusing read for me.

Engaging women's fiction with lighthearted elements, quirky characters and a delightful romantic thread.

I browsed several reviews before writing mine and noticed several disgruntled and disappointed comments, readers mainly complaining this wasn't a romance.

I have to agree... this isn't a romance novel even though the back cover copy leads readers to think it is. This wonderful tale is a bullseye for women's fiction with a sweet romantic subplot.

As a fan of women's fiction, I enjoyed the public rise and fall of Cat Cranwell, her sad family dynamic and her addiction to social media, along with her friendships. Her relationship with BFF Serena in New York rivals the friendships she forms with her new colleagues in backward Montana.

And Zaiah. Though he appears a few times in the beginning, he only shines in the second half of the story.

Because this book is about Cat and her world, which includes feisty friendships, a love-hate tug with the public, and a sweet romance.

I enjoyed Cat's tale, darkness balanced with light, fear with hope, pain with pleasure. And I hope other readers enjoy her journey too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was hoping for more. I was confused at the beginning. Felt like I picked up the book and flipped to page in the middle and started reading. That’s not a great way to start. And unfortunately, things just did not get better.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher and author for the ARC. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

I loved Meet Me in the Margins and her newest book was no different.

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson is a charming romance story.

I thought this was a light story. It was very entertaining. And definitely put a smile on my face.
The characters were believable, relatable, and the chemistry between them was phenomenal
Ferguson has delivered once again with her amazing characters who I deeply adored.
Her books are always fun and exciting and always has me up late at devouring every single page.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mix New York, a National Park, a fashionista, and a burly bearded lumberjack and you’ll get Famous for a Living. This charming book was an easy read - cute and full of locations that are fun to travel to in your mind. I enjoyed this book as an easy palate cleanser for some of the dreary reads that I’ve been into lately and it perked me right up.
As someone that is a Social Media Strategist, there is so much about the Cat Cranwell character that Melissa Ferguson gets right. Losing yourself in work is something that everyone experiences but when you are your brand or are speaking on behalf of a brand it can be draining and can really mess with your life. All lessons are great to learn in any job - being present and participating in what is going on around you.

This is by far not a spicy romance if that is what you are looking for - this book might not be for you. It’s more about falling in love with yourself and making boundaries. Overall, it gets 4 out of 5 stars for me as I would have loved a little bit more out of the characters in the ending.

I received this book as a NetGalley digital title.

Thank you to the publisher/author and to netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc copy of this and give an honest review in return.

I feel this is not what I expected it to be, I was expecting a cute romance, fish out of water influencer meets gruff outdoorsy love interest and shenanigans ensue. What it actually is, is more of an influencer story and the romance takes more of a backseat.
I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and some of the dialogue was quite funny.
But there was a lot of the book written in a way that I found to be a bit annoying.
Short sentences.
Just like this.
Multiple times on one page.
Multiple.
And it was just a bit too much. If you’re looking for an influencer story that touches on cancel culture, women in their 30s with a touch of romance this is probably for you.

A fantastic book! It has a unique story line and great characters! I also LOVED the setting of Montana and have now put it on my bucket list! An honest look into the life of an influencer in today's world. A definite must read!

To be honest this books just fell kind of flat and was disappointing for me. I felt like the whole situation with Cat was pretty painful and uncomfortable to read about and I felt like there wasn't very much chemistry between the two characters. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I really liked this book! I started off detesting the MC who is obsessed with social media and her life as an influencer, but when she's thrown into country life and becomes a more balanced person, I found I had come to like her. I fear some might find this book "preachy" about technology usage, but since I'm not obsessed, I found it to be just right.
*Bonus points for the author using the correct term 'venemous' when talking about snakes.

Sadly I didn’t love Famous for a Living. I found Serena to be a little too much like a caricature and the story from Zaiah’s past about his former girlfriend to be far fetched. I also found relating social media to drug use in this instance as a stretch.

I really liked the characters in Montana including Zaiah, Peggy, Uncle Terry and Mina. I think more time focused on developing the story and the characters at the National Park would propel this story more. Cat was likeable and the relationship between Cat and Zaiah could have developed more. Also, Cat’s past could have been explained in more depth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Wow! What an enjoyable book. I really enjoyed this sweet story about the consequences of online life and mountain life. Can I say that I fell in love with Kannery National Park and the gang a little as well?? This book is the perfect sweet read for anyone to enjoy.

2.5 stars

Famous for a Living is the story of Cat Cranwell, a disgraced influencer who—thanks to her park ranger uncle—goes to work at a small National Park in Montana while waiting for the storm of her life to blow over. It was the National Park aspect that first drew me to this book, and I enjoyed all of the descriptions of the mountains and cold northern climate (despite the springtime cover art, the book is set during the winter). I also enjoyed the small town characters who worked at the park and their annual outdoor winter activities/festivals.

While the book starts with Cat being quite vapid, she does experience growth throughout. And, while the story is hinged on the premise of Cat’s content creator job leading to her sudden life change, I didn’t expect the book to be so vehemently preachy against social media use. “Are we meant to know every thought and deed, traumatic event, and triumph of every person in this world?” It asserts that regular social media use is akin to drug addiction. “Social media had changed the region of her brain that controlled emotions, attention, and decision making. Tell me this isn’t about a drug-dependent person.” It was heavy-handed and felt so much like an agenda, that it fully detracted from the story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced copy of this manuscript to review. Before this book’s actual release in May 2023, I hope the copy editing issues and inconsistencies are resolved as well.

📖 Review: Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

Famous for a Living is a sweet and funny romance novel that will have you laughing along with Cat’s antics.

Cat Cranwell is “famous for a living”. She is a sought after social media influencer, and on her thirtieth birthday she is launching a brand new app with her partner, Bobby. Unfortunately, 3 months later, the app is sued with data fraud, and Cat is shunned from her platform. She’s innocent though, and her best friend, Serena, suggests getting off the grid by staying with Cat’s Uncle Terry, at Kannery National Park, in the middle-of-nowhere Montana.

You’ll love Famous for a Living, if you like:
❤️Romance
🏘️Found Family
⭐️Quirky secondary characters (probably my favourite part!)
🌄Beautiful settings
📖Books by Sophie Kinsella

I enjoyed reading this laugh-out-loud novel that addresses the current issue of being addicted to one’s phone through Cat’s internal conflict about why she is an influencer. The story also has some fantastic secondary characters that make for a quirky cast that brighten the frozen Montana tundra and the antics that follow. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with delightful characters and a sweet romance.

Famous for a Living comes out on May 16, and will be a light and charming novel that, despite its wintery setting, will make a perfect beach read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

In my humble opinion, Ferguson has still not topped The Dating Charade, but this book was super cute! If I didn't before, I definitely want to visit Montana now.

"Famous For A Living" takes a light-hearted look at a rather serious topic - technology addiction. Not having a smart phone until I was 19 or 20 (or a phone at all until I was 18) and not getting social media until I was 19, I was able to enjoy growing up unaddicted to SM and technology and I started out with super strict boundaries so I could own it rather than being owned. In the years since, I've had my ups and downs and know how easy it is to get sucked in. I really appreciate Melissa for tackling this topic and being brave enough to call us all out on our dependence - if not addiction - to phones and social media.

I really liked Cat. Yes, she is a social media influencer who is addicted to her phone, but she wasn't shallow. She was a good friend, she recognized her flaws, & she was willing to try out new things. Mina was super sweet and I think I would like to know her in real life. I grew to like Zaiah and the more open and knowable he got, the more I like him.

There were several moments that had me laughing out loud (one I had to read to my brother) and so many moments that were so sweet!!! Some of my favorites were:

- the moose
- the bonfire
- the cabin dinner with the heat and a super sweet compliment. It was all so cozy and I loved it!

And we can't forget "Mama Bear" Cat. I loved that scene and it was made even better when Mina turned around and gave it right back later that same day! Absolutely brilliant!

The ending was straight out of Hallmark but I like that sort of thing (in small doses, that is) and the epilogue was PERFECTION!!! I would definitely re-read this one. It has moved into second place for best Melissa Ferguson books.

This gem is good food for thought: "Are we meant to know every thought and deed, every traumatic event, and triumph of every person in this world?"

Thank you NetGallery for the ARC, but I sadly did not finish this book! I couldn’t get into it and got to page 100 before I finally gave up.