I love me some Viola (Wade)! I live in the area he so fondly writes about and he truly has a grasp on its quirks and characters. This was the perfect in flight read full of charm and small town goodness. My only fear is the impending tourist boom!

Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman. ⭐⭐⭐

Time travel.... Very confusing to read.

Read this book with a clear head. Many people have loved this book. This is just my opinion.
Discover what this small town is famous for. What do you want others to remember about you when you are gone?
I love this line. "Every legend becomes a legend for a reason."

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Another sweet story by Viola Shipman! Her books always give me Fannie Flagg/Mark Twain vibes, and this one is no different. Lots of colorful characters and homespun folksy fun. Famous in a Small Town is a dual timeline story seen mostly through the eyes of "Cherry Mary," once the town's cherry-pit-spit champion in the 1950's, now the proprietor of the general store. Wonderful themes of family, nostalgia, the fast pace of progress, and not settling for less than you deserve run throughout. Being a child of the 1970's, I do think I'm a bit young for the author's demographic, but that is not the story's fault. Readers who grew up during the Cold War and before today's technology explosion will definitely relate more to the characters.

Famous in a Small Town, Viola Shipman, May 13, 2023

Viola Shipman is one of my favorite authors. I have read each book that she (he) has written and decide each one to be my new favorite. Each book is one of a kind, but always stems from different lessons of life with his grandmothers. I appreciate that each book features strong female leads and a story that speaks to your heart and soul.

This story is centered around Good Hart, Michigan, a town known for its cherries and small-town charm. Famous in a Small Town features three generations of strong females that seem to pick abusive men as their mates. Moving past their abusive lives, they bond together to form a strong family, community, and lifelong friendships. The matriarch of the family established a small general store, bakery, and post office, which she lovingly passes on to the next generation. The store is the center of the town and cheerfully centers around all thing’s cherry. As the story starts, third generation “Cherry Mary,” is the entrepreneur. Mary is the last female in her linage and has a vision of whom will next take over her life’s work.

Cherry Merry is a force of nature to be reconned with. She is a vivacious, intelligent, warm, creative elderly woman who seems to be tireless in eliciting joy, and love for her small community. An important piece of the story to note; Mary holds the 65-year -old record for the cherry pit spitting contest.

Each character is well developed and immediately captured my heart. As I read, I felt like I was part their close-knit community. This story brings out the core meanings of life: love, family, friendship, faith, hope, trust, believing in your dreams, and following your inner spirit.

I loved this book, as well as all of Viola Shipman’s books. I would highly recommend Viola Shipman’s books to those who enjoy feel good stories about the life’s true meanings.

I am grateful to Author Viola Shipman, NetGalley, and Graydon House Books for allowing me the opportunity to review this Advanced Reader’s Copy. This is a voluntary review, and all comments and opinions are entirely my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishers for the opportunity to read Famous in a Small Town. by Viola Shipman. This author excels in heartfelt, feel good stories and knocks it out of the park with this one with the perfect touch of magic.

Takes me back to my midwest days ❤️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is definitely a unique story. Dare I say, I even found it a tad odd. It took me more than 50% of the book to settle in and really appreciate the story, the people, and the atmosphere.

As a Midwestern grown Minnesotan myself, I could really relate to the descriptive scenery and the down-home small-town feel that the author delivers in an astute and delightful manner. It really made me homesick for the small-town ways and history!

The characters, plus the unique manner in which Shipman is able to imagine and tell the story, really allow you to feel that Americana vibe and build appreciation for the story. Take your time, read it slowly, and feel the way the words blend to craft this delightful book. A perfect summer story that leaves your soul a bit happier all around the edges, like a warm hug!

I loved this story!
Anybody want to enter the cherry spitting contest? Hmmm?
Come on and open the pages of this wonderful novel to enter the cherry hub in Good Hart, Michigan.
This introduces us to three different, but amazing ladies, mysticism, and just plain old goodness, warmth and friendship along this lakeside village!
Do yourself a favor and take this novel to the beach, or outside to read.
It will absolutely be your favorite!

Thank you to @NetGalley and to @Harlequin Trade Publishing for this ARC and allowing me to read and provide my own review.

I love Viola Shipman books but this one was just OK for me. I couldn't connect to the characters. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for my honest review.

I love Viola Shipman's stories and her women which are always fleshed out and strong.
This is an excellent story and I strongly recommend it.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I really enjoyed how good Viola Shipman wrote this book, it worked well as a concept and the characters were what I was hoping for. The plot worked well overall and it left me wanting to read more. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and how they were written.

Every time there’s a new book by this author I think it’s the best yet! This one too!!! The new books are automatic reads for me and I was pleased to receive an arc of the book from Goodreads and the publisher. Set in the northern part of Michigan the author does an amazing job of describing Lake Michigan, the people, as well as the beautiful town setting. The book is also about multiple generations and how they each leave a legacy. The characters became my friends by the end of the book. Of course I wanted what was best for them! The story includes a history of cherries in northern Michigan and how much everyone loves the them and the festivals. This definitely a book for your summer TBR. All expressed in this review are my own.

knew FIAST was going to be a blast!

Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman is a beautifully told story with characters I absolutely adored.

I loved being in this charming small town called Good Hart, Michigan.
Mary and Becky were amazing and it didn’t take me long to become hooked to this story. The characters brought this book to such life.
I thought this was a beautiful, heartwarming story and it wasn't long before I was emotionally invested in all of the characters.
This is a story filled with love, life, hope, charm, and happiness.
VS did an excellent job writing about this new found family and of female friendships. The character development is top notch, writing is compelling drawing you from the very beginning and will have you routing for these characters throughout the book.
Full of summertime bliss… and sweet, sentimental charm.

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

Thank You NetGalley and Graydon House for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

*****Publishing June 13, 2023******

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Becky Thatcher is an elementary school assistant principal. When the staff and students surprise her with a 40th birthday celebration, her boyfriend Matt shows up to help celebrate. When she thinks he is going to propose, he doesn’t. This makes her realize it’s never going to happen. After she breaks up with him, her best friend, Q, suggests a girls’ trip to Good Heart, Michigan. Will this trip bring the clarity Becky needs to move on and create the life she envisions?

Cherry Mary owns and runs the Very Cherry General Store in Good Heart. She was the only woman to have won the cherry spitting contest 65 years ago, which has made her a local celebrity. When Mary sees Becky spitting a cherry seed, she is impressed and asks her to stop by the store. From there, their friendship begins. Will Mary be the person to guide Becky to a more fulfilling life? Becky enters the cherry spitting contest at the Cherry Festival, but will she be able to beat her record?

I just love Viola Shipman’s writing as it draws you into an entertaining and enjoyable story with laugh-out-loud and heartfelt moments. This book will definitely get you in the summer mood with all the Michigan Cherry facts and history. A great book to put on your summer TBR list as it will keep you entertained for hours!

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing (Graydon House) , I was provided an ARC of Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was delighted to receive an Advanced Reader copy of Famous in a Small Town! Viola Shipman/Wade Rouse is my favorite author. Every book touches your soul and celebrates family legacies. Cherry Mary and Becky Thatcher are women that would make the best friends a girl could have. The history of cherries in Michigan is interesting. After reading this, I want to take a trip to Good Hart General Store, the Tunnel of Trees, and Cherry Republic. This book is outstanding!

Heart warming, charming and inspiring!

I loved this story! Viola Shipman’s tales are “auto” reads for me, but I admit I was none too sure in advance about a plot centered around a once upon a time champion cherry pit spitter (?!).known as “Cherry Mary.” I found absolutely delightful, however, this tale of family, friendships and following one’s dreams, which is also an ode to both the strength and resiliency of women and the joys and charms of small town Michigan. Shipman’s world building is so strong that by the last page, I was wanting to book myself into a cabin in Good Hart for the summer, and was utterly craving cherries. And the various main characters are well developed, relatable and imminently likable.

At times, the story’s meandering musings were a bit much for my personal taste, and I think the book’s messages would actually be more impactful if the tale were tightened up somewhat. That said, I highly recommend this novel to Viola Shipman’s fans, as well as to those loving the works of Sarah Addison Allen and Heather Webber - and anyone else seeking a somewhat quirky, feel good summer read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Graydon House for a complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

The Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan is my happy place and even though I haven't been there in several months, I feel like I just returned after the wonderful descriptions in Viola Shipman's new books. I could hear the waves on the beach, smell the pine in the forest and taste the cherries that are grown in this area. It's time for me to plan another trip!

Mary - known as Cherry Mary - is almost eighty years old and runs the Very Cherry General Store in Good Hart, Michigan. It was run by the women in her family for several generations. The store is a major hub in town because it has the post office plus a bakery and an array of items made of cherries. In the summer it's overrun with tourists. Mary had a difficult marriage and has one son who lives away. She has spent her whole life waiting for the person that she saw in a vision as a child who will take over the store when she dies. She is a strong and tenacious woman who believes that women can do anything that men can and doesn't back down to anyone. When she meets Becky Thatcher and her best friend who are on a girl's vacation - she believes that Becky is the woman she's been waiting for...but Becky is a 40 year old teacher from St Louis and it just doesn't make sense. The more time they spend together, the more Mary is convinced that Becky is the person from her vision. After Becky works at the store for the summer and enjoys her time with the quirky characters in town, the more she begins to believe that Good Hart may be her destiny.

The characters in this book were fantastic - Becky has always followed the rules until she finally realized that her long term boyfriend had no intention of marrying her. When she went on vacation with her best friend "Q" and ended up in Good Hart, she began to realize how strong she really was. The friendship that she and her best friend had was magical - they were always there to help each other in the bad times and enjoy the good times together. And of course, one of the main 'characters' was Lake Michigan at its finest.

This is a book about love, friendship and destiny. It has a little magic, a bit of romance and a group of characters who learn that family is not always created by blood but that it is often formed with the people that we care about most. Famous in a Small Town is a perfect summer read!

I enjoyed Famous in a Small Town. The descriptions of Lake Michigan and the surrounding area makes you want to plan a vacation there. I felt it was a little bit slow at times. Though the story has it all family, friendships, new beginnings and romance. Another winner for Viola Shipman. Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Graydon House for the E-ARC. This is my own opinion.

Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman was wonderful! A beautiful story about family and friendships. I loved the summer in a small town vibe, along with all of the characters. A very memorable and feel good novel with beautiful scenery that makes you feel like you’re in Good Hart, Michigan.

What a fun read - part inspiration, part chick-lit, part midlife crisis switcheroo. Exactly what I needed right now. The lead character, Cherry Mary, is the older lady we all need in our lives - part grandmother, part cheerleader, part friend and 100% ahead of her time. All the mentions of wonderful cherry based baked goods was almost torture. Now I need to plan a visit to this fabulous small town!

Famous in a Small Town
Viola Shipman
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
Graydon House
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I love reading Shipman’s books. They are so varied in content. It makes me want to visit Michigan.
I recommend this book based on the strong characters, storyline and the way it made me feel.
4 stars