Layla Beckett has a secret. For the past ten years, she’s run the most trafficked fan site on the Internet for her favorite band—under an alias, naturally. When she lands a job at the prestigious New York City music magazine The Rock Paper, she’s suddenly thrust into the world she’s only observed from the cheap seats. Now that she’s brushing elbows with sexy guitarists and hot frontmen, she wants to play it cool and keep her superfan status on the down low. Although she’s dying to gush on her forum, posting her insider adventures online could expose her real-life identity and blow her cover. And that’s all before one of those sexy musicians becomes a fan of her.
This was a decent read. It was light and quick to read. The characters were likable and the overall plot was good. My one complaint is that there didn’t seem to be a whole lot of relationship between the two characters. Sometimes I’m ok with this, but in this one, it bugged me. I haven’t read any other books in this series, but this one was good enough, I might go back and read the others. I recommend.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

Layla Beckett’s lifelong dream has come true! After the last ten years as a number one fan and incognito fansite administrator, Layla has landed her dream job at a prestigious NYC magazine called The Rock Paper. A small town girl, she is both nervous and excited for her new life in the Big Apple. On Layla’s very first day she serendipitously meets and befriends a famed photographer/girlfriend of a rockstar, leading Layla to a life she never dared to imagine. Introduced to guitarist handsome Shane Morgan at a backyard bbq, she learns quickly the ins and outs, along with the many ups and downs of the music industry which is filled with these beautiful talented young artists. If you love music and fun romcoms, this is the latest sexy story from author Mary Ann Marlowe. Perfect snack for a much needed day at the beach.

Very hard to get into, might have enjoyed more if I had read some of the other titles in the series. My try to pick it back up at a later date. It truly didn’t keep my interest.

When I received this eARC, I didn't realize this was part of a series of books. That realization quickly had me noticing that I was a bit out of the loop. In sayin this, it was just ok for me. The characters weren't very relatable, so that kept me from being invested in the entire story. It was a predictable story and one that I found entertaining but not superb. It would be a great beach read for its ease and story line.

Thank you so much Mary Ann Marlowe & NetGalley for my complimentary eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Mary Anne Marlowe is fast becoming one of my favorite authors when it comes to easy romantic comedy stories. This one is actually the third in a series of books in the Flirting with Fame series. Each book seems to be a standalone, while part of the whole theme, so it is easy to read any in the series without reading the others, which I did. Layla, the main character, seems like the kind of girl we all are: wondering how the famous live and wanting to be part of their world. However, at the same time, Layla struggles to lead a double life between fan and fiercely real.

The only real issue I have with this book is that the men (with the exception of one) caused me to really hope the heroine would just be single and true to herself. While they are completely real and flawed, in some ways I wish they were more endearing to me. I wanted to fall in love with them like the other women do. However, I will say there are redeeming qualities and the journey is what is important in the end.

I was so excited about this book but it really fell flat for me. The whole thing moved unrealistically fast (even for fiction) and felt more like poorly written fan fiction. I didn’t realize this was part of a series so maybe if I had read the others first I would have felt more of a connection to the characters.

I received an ARC through Net Galley.

I like the rock star trope but this book didn't do it for me. Maybe I expected a bit more glamor. The book was just ok.

.~* 4 Stars *~.

This book has officially ROCKED my world!

I have read multiple books revolved around our beloved Rock Stars but I have never read anything quite like "Kind of Famous"!

This book is full of hot sizzling moments, and coy attraction.

Let me repeat that for the ladies in the back!

Mary Ann Marlowe captivates an audience with her amazing writing and continues to do so effortlessly.

*Huge thanks to NetGalley and the Publisher for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

If you're looking for steam factor look no further cuz this one was 🔥🔥🔥! (To be clear, explicitly so lol)

Kind of Famous is about Layla Beckett, your normal, run of the mill, blog host of her favorite band's most well known fan site (under a different name of course). She starts a new job at a rock magazine and suddenly finds herself becoming friends with the very same people she blogs about. Well mostly friends, except for the hot drummer who's expressed interest... Between managing her new job, new famous friends, new love interest, AND keeping her blog life a secret while still blogging, Layla definitely has her hands full. She begins to understand the other side of celebrity scrutiny, but by the time she realizes that drummer boy's trust issues are somewhat valid is it too late?

What I appreciated most about this novel (no I'm not discussing the hot hot scenes! Although I will say that the chemistry was 👌🏻, definitely did not disappoint) was how real the author made the relationships. The challenges that came up were very valid and realistic and weren't easily solved. It was easy to overlook the ease with which Layla was ushered into this new world because I just enjoyed the story and was happy to go along with it. It exuded a bit of a YA vibe at first- probably because the entire time we're inside Layla's head, which was stuck in the blogging world even though she outgrew it. (I mean the sex scenes beg to differ, so definitely not YA!) I had no idea that this was the third book of a series! Needless to say it can definitely be read as a stand alone. The previous books, Some Kind of Magic and A Crazy Kind of Love are each about a different band member's love story. I think I may go back and read those... Thank you @xpressotours for introducing me to this great new author @mary_ann_marlowe . This was the perfect light read with some steam and substance mixed in= exactly what I needed right now!

The premise of this sounded awesome (fangirl gets job at music mag and dates drummer), if a bit fanfic-y. The problem was the insta-love and lack of conflict. Maybe because this is the third book in the series?

Kind of Famous by Mary Ann Marlowe is a romantic page turner. I love the New York music scene! I really liked that Layla came from a social media background. Mary Ann Marlowe knows how to write powerful characters: They are confident with their occupational skills. That aspect is very satisfying. The romance between Shane and Layla is terrific. There's great character development happening. And the romance is swoon worthy. If readers like Kylie Scott's (Stage Dive series) then they might love Mary Ann Marlowe's Flirting with Fame series.

I did not read the first two books in this series, and maybe that was a reason why I didn't particularly like this one.
I had a difficult time connecting with the main character, and it just seemed like we didn't really get to know her throughout the book. The romance felt a little forced and lacked the depth that I typically enjoy in romance books.

Having not read the first two books I was pleasantly surprised that after I familiarized myself with the characters I didn't feel like I missed much by just reading this book. I found myself routing for the main characters and found that the author did a nice job of having just enough romance, humor, and likeability that I found myself not being able to put the book down. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants a fun read that just makes you feel good.


I just reviewed Kind of Famous by Mary Ann Marlowe. #KindofFamous #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

Thank you NetGalley and Mary Ann Marlowe for this ARC for my honest review

I have not read the two previous books in this series, but that did not stop me from loving this book.

Layla is off to her first real job. Until now she's been running a fan site for her favorite site, putting her coding skills to work. She's immediately thrown into the world she was writing about when she is befriended and taken in by the band and befriended. Which is how she meets Shane, a drummer, used to be in the background to his other bandmates. Shane and Layla instantly hit it off. But will his insecurities win out when he's find out her secret or will he believe that she's more than a fangirl?

I enjoyed how much this book had to say about putting yourself out there versus being anonymous on the internet. Both Shane and Layla had insecurities that they had to overcome to be together. The only unbelievable part was how Layla was immediately befriended and asked to move in. Otherwise I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was fun, light and with plenty of steam.

I will definitely be reading the other books in this series.

I am sucker for gingers! I’ve mentioned it before but in case you didn’t know, I’m married to a hot redhead. So anytime the love interest has flame colored locks, it’s fire.

This book is about a New York transplant named Layla who lands her dream job at Rock Paper, music magazine It’s the perfect place for Layla because she anonymously runs a fan site dedicated to her favorite band, Walking Disaster. During her first hour on the job, she meets Jo, a freelance photographer, who happens to also be the girlfriend of the brother of the wife of the lead singer of Walking Disaster! You follow me? For whatever reason, Jo invites Layla to stay at her house after finding out that Layla is currently staying at a hotel and didn’t make any living arrangements prior to moving to a new city. Layla meets Shane and sparks fly! And guess what, he’s also in a band!

It’s an insta-love story but with relationships that progress quickly, the drama is revealed just as fast. I really enjoyed this read. It definitely ticked off a lot of boxes for me; steamy scenes, drama, hot musicians, big act of love, and a happy ending. If this sounds like it’ll rock your world, give this book a try.

Thanks Netgalley for the read!

I absolutely adored this book and couldn't get enough, so you can imagine my excitement when I found out this was book three in a series, meaning I have book one and two still to get through now! I really connected with Layla in which she is the ultimate fangirl, but my gosh I wish my life had turned out as magnificently as hers! I couldn't imagine going from a fangirl to befriending not one, but two bands and dating one band member - this woman is the life I have only dreamt about! The chemistry between Shane and Layla is so intense and gripping, you will not want to put this book down whatsoever. And be prepared for just the right amount of smut! Congratulations Mary on a gorgeous story - I will now go and divulge myself in the previous two!

I've been in a bit of a famous troupe book slump but found myself really enjoying this book! I felt like Layla is someone that is so relatable to me (& my love of fandoms!) so the premise for this book really brought me back to my one direction / tumblr fan fiction days. haha! Being able to read as her & Shane's story progressed was done in such a way that made me want to keep reading and seeing how everything would play out. And that ending... was ... soooo sweet.

Overall this was a super easy read, it wasn't too emotionally deep and it was more insta-love than anything (which is not my favorite type of romance) But I felt it was well written. This was my first read from this author, but I'll be checking out more for sure!


***Thank you to NetGalley and Mary Ann Marlowe. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book. All opinions are my own.***

This was not my first Mary Ann Marlowe book. I have read her books before and this one was Shane and Layla's story.

To be honest, I have mixed feeling about this book. I did connect with Layla the way I was looking forward to. She was a strong protagonist though who just landed her dream job and got to meet the people whom she was observing for so long. Suddenly she was a part of their group and starting to get close to one of the band members of her favourite band but but she had her secrets and that was bound to be a train wreck for her later on. It was fun and sweet romance and I read it in one go. I loved Layla's POV and she was kind of a relatable character. I loved the chemistry that the protagonists shared and this book exceeded my expectations. I was expecting the show down that occurred at the end but if you read the book you would expect it too. This book was witty and fun to read. The supporting characters were great too. I loved the characters from the previous books and it was lovely to see them again. A bit nostalgic too. Don't judge this one by its cover because the chemistry between Shane and Layla was intense. I loved it. If you are a looking for a good romantic/women fiction book to read then I will definitely recommend you to check this one out.
It's now Availble on all platforms and I sincerely thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read and review it early.

Happy reading!

Kind of Famous by Mary Ann Marlowe is a stand-alone rom/ com.
This is Layla and Shane's story. Layla keeps a secret, with a new job, new city.
Shane is everything you could love in a hero, a famous musician, loves his life.
KoF is a well written read, I enjoyed the storyline, the writing is great and I liked the characters just fine.
4 sweet stars.

I had read the other books in this series and loved them. I was beyond excited to get to this one, sadly I’m a bit disappointed.

I liked Layla and Shane? Yes, that’s a question. They’re both well meaning people and there’s a lot of potential, but I didn’t feel like we actually got to know them. Layla was A Fan and Shane was A Drummer and those are the only attributes that seemed to matter. Of course I loved seeing the couples from the previous books.

Plot wise it didn’t go anywhere. The two of them fell into bed and that was where the majority of their interactions took place. Yes, there’s a bit of conversation, but not much. Even a mention of them talking or texting while Shane was on tour could have turned it around. The conflict was swift, the resolution was the same, and the epilogue had me sharing my head instead of being excited.

Overall, it was a great set up, but it didn’t have the same spark and warmth the other stories did. If Noah gets a book, I’ll definitely be reading.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**