Cover Image: Famous for a Living

Famous for a Living

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Member Reviews

This a fun read, but I didn’t feel like this was a romance. There was romance but very little and more towards the end of the book. It was more of a chick-lit book about Cat’s journey and self-discovery. I did enjoy it! I loved seeing Cat, a NYC girl, adapt to her new setting in the mountains in Montana, and there was a great cast of quirky characters. It was charming read that shed light on the toxicity of social media and the dangers of being way too dependent on it. I recommend this one to those that enjoy reading about influencers and books about self - disovery.

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This book was cute, but predictable and just left me wanting a little more. I enjoyed the characters but don't feel like we got to know any of them super well. Overall it was a fun read and perfect for summer.

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First I want to say thank you to the publisher for sending me an ARC.

This book is the reason I wish Goodreads had half star ratings. I don’t want to rate this a three or a four. It’s somewhere in between. I really liked it, but there were some parts that kept me from fully enjoying it. I loved all the side characters. They each had so much personality that was overflowing on the pages. Following Cat on her journey of social media fame and the ups and downs it brings with life felt realistic. I think the author did a wonderful job at portraying the addiction to technology we see today. I loved the romance between Cat and Zaiah. However that’s where the book started to fall for me. I needed more. The relationship felt rushed, where the first 80% of the book focused mainly on the social media aspect. The last 20% was when all the romance occurred. If you like a slow burn then this book is definitely for you. I enjoyed it, just wanted more time with the relationship.

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Cat’s influencer career has blown up and she escapes to a small national park in Montana where her uncle is a Ranger. While there she goes on a journey to put down her phone, embrace imperfections, and notice the real world around her.
The romance doesn’t really pick up until the last quarter of the book, so I consider this to be women’s fiction with a bit of romance rather than a romcom. Which is fine, unless you are expecting chemistry, conversation, dates, and getting-to-know you between the female and male leads. There just isn’t much of it. We do get a tiny glimpse into a past tragedy for each of them, and I wish these plot points had been developed further. I think exploring these episodes in their history would develop the characters more fully.
Once again, the supporting cast does an amazing job of rounding out the setting and storyline. I loved Cat’s friends, family, and coworkers. Each was unique, and their foibles and banter were spot on. I loved the setting and descriptions of the natural beauty and wildlife in the park. I even enjoyed the social media aspects of the story. The author did a great job touching on pros and cons of using our phones and apps on a daily basis. Although, I can see how this could come off as preachy to some readers. This issue can be a hot button and it’s hard to pull off in a novel. Kudos to the author for even trying!
All in all, this was a quick, fun, easy, very clean read with super cute Instagram post drawings at the beginning each chapter. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC and physical book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

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A very nice slow burn that introduces us to two people who are really opposites who support each other unconditionally (although at first it doesn't seem like it).

I love slow burn books and I loved this one because the relationship developed slowly and I also liked that not everything is focused on romance, but also on the growth of the protagonist who comes from a very bad period in her personal and professional life. .

It is interesting what he presents about social networks and how he manages them. It is not something that one is unaware of (situations like this have already been heard many times or one has come to experience them, not to the extreme, but if you are on the networks or follow artists you are internalized on the subject), and this means that one can empathize more with the protagonist because it is something that really happens and we have it closer.

At times it seemed rushed but it is not something that has prevented the book from being enjoyed.

A light read, which deep down invites us to reflect and a beautiful slow burn. And many funny scenes!

Thanks NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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A relevant, clean, and inspirational story with a fun setting and look into influencer culture. I enjoyed it and felt like it was a fun read! Had a feel of opposites attract and small-town romance. Definitely more focused on character growth than the romance but I still really enjoyed it.

My only critiques are:
- this is published by Thomas Nelson but it had no faith elements in the story at all. I was disappointed in that. I get that it’s teaching an inspirational message about handling social media, but this could’ve easily been published by a standard non-Christian publisher. I am expecting a little bit more “Christian content” from this publisher. It was nice to have a clean romance with no language, but outside of that there were no faith elements. Other books I’ve read from TN have been more faith-based than this but still not overtly faith based.
-I don’t feel like this cover accurately represents the book. Most of the story took place in cold months, and if Montana is anything like where I live in the winter, nothing is green until May at the earliest. The cover makes this look like a summer romance and I think it would’ve been more accurately done if the cover has been winter themed, but I also know this is coming out in May so maybe that was part of the reason for the cover. I just feel it was misleading to me when so much of the story was centered around how cold it was-even until the end.

Overall, an enjoyable new release and I would put this in the inspirational/women’s fiction category. I enjoyed it just as much as this author’s other books I’ve read.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the opportunity to review this book!

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Famous for a Living is a great opposites attract romance. The two romantic leads really teach one another about both themselves and their points of views. I think if you are looking for a fun new romance book to read, then this would definitely be a good choice.

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This one was a laugh out loud, romantic comedy of opposites attract. It took me awhile to get into this book, but once I was about halfway through I couldn’t put it down.

I enjoyed this one and especially loved the instagram posts before each chapter!

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Thank you to @thomasnelson for my copy!! This book is out now! Famous for a Living by @our_friendly_farmhouse Melissa Ferguson follows mega influencer Cat who goes from A list to Z list when she is framed for embezzling money. She retreats to the mountains of Montana where her beloved uncle lives as a Park Ranger for Kannery National Park.

This city girl in the cold mountains has a lot to learn with lots of laughs sprinkled throughout. But Cat sees past the frigid ice and snow to find a new family who doesn’t care about Likes and Comments and just values her, no strings attached.

This was more Womens Fiction than romance so I was hoping for a liiiiitle more in that area but was still a great read. Cat’s love interest was really swoony and had such great depth. I loved Ferguson’s sometimes brutal look at our obsession with social media and how it can rule our lives in big and small ways. I enjoy her books and fans will love this newest one too.

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I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

This was a hilarious sweet swoon worthy read. The book follows Cat who is insta famous but has a fall from grace when her partner is accused of a crime. She goes to Kannery National Park, Montana. with her uncle to run away from it. There she discovers her self, meets quirky characters in the form of a roommate and of course falls for the one that doesn't care for social media. This is a clean book with the sweetest romance , lovable characters and overall theme about self discovery ,love and family.

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Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I admit, I don't have much interest in "influencers, so the main character of Cat took me a little while to warm up to due to that role. However, once her life spirals and she moves to where her Uncle lives in Montana my feelings shifted. She comes across a cast of quirky characters and a sweet romance with Zaiah who is a park ranger and her opposite when it comes to social media and big city living. There is a deeper story for both of them and it gives a new viewpoint and a better understanding of the characters and their actions. I enjoyed watching Cat discover who she really was and what was truly important to her. This is low on angst, a little predictable, but still manages to make you smile. Lovely ending!

3. 5 stars

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Thank you @uplitreads, @librofm, and @thomasnelson for my gifted copies! This was such a fun read! I really enjoyed the narration!⁣

Cat Cranwell’s whole life falls apart when a partnership goes wrong. Her uncle invites her to come work with him and manage the social media for their small national park in Montana, a far cry from her typical Manhattan. Their staff is small but very enthusiastic about their work and it was interesting to see Cat learn more about the park and her band of colleagues. I loved the enemies to friends with Zaiah. This is definitely a closed door book, but the chemistry between Cat and Zaiah was so palpable for me. I liked how Zaiah helped to change Cat’s perspective on social media usage. It definitely made me think. I also enjoyed the descriptions of the park and its beauty! It made me wish it was real and I could visit!⁣

I can’t wait to read more from Melissa Ferguson!

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This book was so charming! There were so many different parts in this book that had me smiling/laughing.

I loved the relationship that Cat had with Terry, and Serena, and so many others.

****possible spoilers, read on with caution****

AND ZAIAH! OMG, he was so sweet. He was a little grumpy, but was the literal calm to Cat's storm. I love the way he balanced her out, and all the different times that he stopped her from thinking too hard and stressing herself out of something. (Like, specifically during the polar plunge) and the way that he created an Instagram just so he could show her support, by following her and liking her posts... And I appreciate that there wasn't some huge blow up miscommunication between the two.

I like how this book (maybe) makes you think about how much you're using your smart devices, and how that also in a way disconnects you from the real world.

There were a few things that I wish had been a little more fleshed out, which is why it didn't get a full 5 stars, but it's still one of my favorite books so far this year.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson, Melissa Ferguson, and Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this title. All thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

*This review is currently posted on my blog, and has been submitted to Amazon, I am waiting to be approved*

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Cat Cranwell is a famous Instagramer with millions of followers until an app partnership leads her to be “canceled”. Cat had partnered up with a shifty friend, got pressured to sign last minute documents and then it was discovered it wasn’t aboveboard. Many followers and brands dropped and vilified her. Now as the case goes to court her best friend, Serena, encourages Cat to take Uncle Terry’s offer of a job in Montana working for the small Kannery National Park, to get her out of the city and out of the public eye. Uncle Terry is Cat’s closest family member, and beloved father figure and she knows part of the offer is to help Cat get out of the spotlight. But the park does really need her help to get it noticed more so it’s not absorbed into the giant Glacier National Park.

Famous for a Living was very much about Cat’s journey figuring out what’s important in life without trading in her identity. Cat was likeable and thoughtful from the beginning, so it wasn’t like she needed major positive changes, but more that she got swept up by fame and maybe missed the important bits of living, like being in the moment and not concerned with every “like” or with being at the top of popularity. Social media can be really great, but it can also overtake a person’s life, and I thought the story captured the positives and negatives well.

Zaiah, even though he clearly didn’t like social media, wasn’t judgmental and appreciated all Cat could do, but he had a history that made his position make sense. He was an absolute sweetheart and I loved seeing them get close and fall in love.

I loved the setting! The rustic cabins, the snowy mountains, pines, wildlife, and the fun local winter festivals! The cast of secondary characters from Uncle Terry, Cat’s BFF Serena, Mina, to Kevin were quirky and so much fun! I laughed out loud so many times!

Famous for a Living was engaging, low drama, and a just a pure delight! Loved everything about it!

I alternately read an e-copy and listened to the audio version. I really enjoyed Talon David’s performance of both female and male characters! She enhanced an already wonderful story! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed. I recommend either version!

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Synopsis: Cat is a social media influencer, until one decision breaks everything. Now desperate to get out of town, she goes to a small National Park in Montana to work as a Park Ranger.

My thoughts: I’m a huge fan of small town romances, but when you have a “celebrity” taken out of luxury and thrown in the rugged terrain with a sexy ranger, it’s bound to be a winner!

I liked the characters and especially the growth Cat went through as the book progressed. I also enjoyed the scenic descriptions through out the book, which made me really want to visit a hiking trail!

Read if you love:
📱 Social Media
📱 Small town romances
📱 Closed door romance
📱 Nature and Wildlife
📱 Personal growth

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This was exactly the cute rom-com I was expecting and hoping it to be—no disappointment here! Big city influencer culture mixed with small town charm, and the characters (at least the main couple) had some actual depth and backstory that made me really appreciate them, their similarities and their differences. As a fan of both city living and the great outdoors made this story so much fun to read—and made me want to travel somewhere! I do think it’s interesting to read about the effects of social media and our collective addiction to our phones and devices—and a little ironic that I did so on a Kindle (better than on my phone, I suppose?). It highlighted both good and bad that can result from the use of technology and social media, a balance that we probably all need to work on in our own lives.

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Could you live without social media?⁣

I just adore Melissa Ferguson’s books and Famous for a Living might be my new favorite! ⁣

So my answer would probably be no… because social media introduced me to her! 😆⁣

When an app partnership blows up in her face, influencer Cat reluctantly goes to work with her Uncle at a National Park to boost their socials, attract more visitors, and help save the park’s future. There she meets hot and handsome - but grump of a park ranger - Zaiah, who thinks social media is ruining the world. ⁣

She’s Insta-famous…
He uses a flip phone.⁣

I love the opposites attract trope and this sweet rom-com is full of all the best things: hilarious antics, sweet friendships, witty banter and snark, and it is such a fun reminder to get out and enjoy life beyond the screens.

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Following Cat Cranwell's journey was very entertaining! As an influencer Cat has all eyes on her following her every move. But when she trusts the wrong people her followers begin to turn on her and that is when she turns to the only person she has every really trusted, her Uncle Terry.
Cat trades her exciting city life for a quiet, sometimes uneventful life in the mountains with her Uncle Terry and his co-workers. It is here that she finds out who she wants to be in life.
I truly loved each character in this book but Cat's roomate, Mina, may have been my favorite! They each were unique and fun. People I would love to be friends with if given the chance.
The storyline was a true journey of self-discovery for Cat. She thought she had the world in her hands, until she found out that her followers were just that followers. She found out that true friends were the ones who mattered in her life and the social media followers were just a way to make money.
This was a carefully crafted story that had so many laugh out loud moments mixed in with heartwarming moments. I loved this book from beginning to end.
I highly recommend this very entertaining book. I am extremely grateful to Thomas Nelson Publishing and Netgalley for the opportunity to read a digital copy of this wonderful book in exchange for an honest review.

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Thank you NetGalley and Thomas-Nelson Fiction for the electronic copy! All thoughts are my own.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Synopsis:
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—namely, 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.

Overall thoughts:
This book was a JOURNEY. Both because it was a slow burn but also because it follows the characters on quite the journey as well. It is marketed as a romance, but I would not say that the main journey is the romance portion. I think this book is more about the journey Cat goes on with her own life and learning what is truly important.
Being someone who is a (self proclaimed, lol) 'bookfluencer', this book and the characters were somewhat relatable. I often struggle with the balance of social media vs real life. I love sharing my life, or at least my reading life, with my community on Instagram, but the internet can also be an overwhelming place at times. I think that 'Famous For A Living' really tackles that in the plot and just how easily social media can get away from us, given the results of the failed app partnership.
Overall the book was cute but it was a very slow burn. I would go into this one more looking for a chic-lit book versus the romance portion, but it was still a pretty fun read.

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This was a really cute read about learning to find meaning outside of the world of social. media for an influencer. While marketed as a rom-com this felt more like women's fiction with a side plot of romance. But overall, this was a quick and easy read that left me feeling good. I enjoyed all the characters and loved all their growth.

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