Reinventing yourself? Epic best friend? Check. Handsome bearded man? Check. Found family? Check. Laugh out loud moments? Check. I could go on, but I digress. The story was full of heart. I smiled through the majority of it. And bonus points to the author because now I know never to get too close to a Moose! The author did a fantastic job showing the MC’s growth in an organic way. Nothing felt forced or rushed. And that epilogue was the cherry on top! I love when we get a glimpse into the future that is done well and adds more depth to the story.

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

When her business partner is accused of serious financial crimes, superstar influencer Cat Cranwell—an engineered marvel of beauty, energy, and fun—falls from her penthouse perch. Des­perate to get away from the online trolls and paparazzi docu­menting her disgrace, Cat accepts her uncle’s offer to work with him in Kannery National Park, Montana. About as far as possible from life as she’s known it.

Cat’s world shifts from the swirling haze of likes and comments to lit­eral blizzards of frostbite temperatures and waist-deep snow. In place of negotiating brand deals, she finds herself negotiating at the ledge of a frozen lake with her die-hard Polar Bear Plunge coworkers. Instead of padding through the marble kitchen of her Manhattan loft, she’s sharing a tent-sized cabin with a roommate eager to bond like characters in sitcoms. But something curious is also happening in this overwhelming breath of fresh air as she reacquaints with the most honest parts of her­self and begins to ask the hard questions. Can Cat love herself with, and without, the world watching?

Then there’s that other tiny problem—she’s falling for Zaiah, the ruggedly handsome park ranger—and he hates anything remotely connected to social media, quite possibly her included.”

**What I enjoyed about this book:
I really enjoyed the plot of the story as well as the overall idea that you’re not always prepared for what life throws at you! While this book did have a bit of romance, it felt more like a women’s fiction novel to me (but I still definitely enjoyed it)!

Read if you like:
*opposites attract
*women’s fiction
*character growth
*found family
*small town setting
*relatable struggles

This one was really hard for me to get into. I think the plot is great and I saw huge potential but the execution didn’t fully grasp my attention. It started off really strong and it sort of flatlined after the first third of the book. But that’s not to say that I wouldn’t pick up another book of this author.

Famous for a Living was so lovely. I don’t know anything about Montana but I feel like through the book, I went on a perfect getaway and made some friends. Not only that, but I had a splash of New York influencer living. This book is described as a “sweet romantic comedy” and the description is apt! Everyone in Kannery makes you feel warm and it’s the perfect place for Cat to recover from a scandal and learn more about herself. Not only is there romance, but there’s also self discovery and a very on the nose realization about where technology, social media, and phones have us as a society.

**Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson

Published: May 16, 2023
Thomas Nelson
Genre: Clean Romance
Pages: 283
KKECReads Rating: 4/5
I received a copy of this book for free, and I leave my review voluntarily.

Melissa Ferguson lives in Bristol, Tennessee, where she enjoys chasing her children and writing romantic comedies full of humor and heart. Her favorite hobby is taking friends and acquaintances and turning them into characters in her books without their knowledge.

“Waiting to see what will happen next.”

Cat is a big deal on the internet. She has established herself as a successful influencer, and her lifestyle reflects that. When a partnership goes bad, Cat finds herself on the outs. Brands are dropping her, fans are abandoning her, and she is heartbroken. Zaiah is a park ranger in Montana, and he loves being away from it all. He carries a flip phone, he isn’t on social media, and he doesn’t know what is trending. When Cat crashes into his life, he isn’t sure what to think.

This was a charming read. The build-up was well-paced, and the plot was well-developed. The scenery was described beautifully; you will almost hear the traffic of New York or feel the frigid wind in Montana.

Cat was a bit shallow in the beginning. Her lifestyle had gone to her head. But she had such fantastic arc development. She was vibrant, intelligent, and loyal to those she loved.

Zaiah was a perfect leading man. He was hardworking, kind, and honest. I enjoyed getting to know him throughout. The side characters in this book were great. They added the perfect amount of comedy and support.

This was an easy read: a light but charming love story. Love can conquer anything.

Cat's life as an influencer is wonderful - until her business parter is accused of financial crimes and she is blacklisted. Desperate to escape what her life has become, she takes a job her beloved uncle Terry offers at Kannery National Park. But she's a city girl and doesn't know how to navigate the wild outdoors - and somehow co-worker Zaiah always seems to see her at her worst. And there's something about him she can't ignore. If only he weren't as much a mountain man as she's a city woman... Then she discovers that everyone at the park is relying on her - her! - to save their jobs. Can she learn to navigate this new world well enough to succeed? And whether or not she does, can she and Zaiah find some way to overcome the many obstacles between them?

I have to admit that I found this a bit harder to get into than previous books by the author, I think because it's told from Cat's point of view and she and I are poles apart - in fact, I have a lot more in common with Zaiah. Somewhere along the way, though, I began to feel for her even if I didn't understand her, and to root for the pair of them. I loved watching as they gradually started to open up to each other, and cheered as they got their happy ending (though it did feel a trifle abrupt). Then there were all the quirky happenings along the way that really made things hum - not least the skijoring championship! All in all, a good read, though possibly better for people who care more about social media (which is most of the world). I'm looking forward to the author's next book already...

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

Cat Cranwell is at the top of her game as a social media influencer but suddenly it all crashes and she’s left picking up the pieces of her life. As she recovers at a remote national park that is managed by her uncle, she learns a thing or two about where she went wrong and looks for an opportunity to find her way back. Along the way, she meets Zaiah, who is not a fan of the social media lifestyle that this interesting new person seems to be hung up on. Famous for a Living is a cute and entertaining read about finding balance and determining what’s important in life.

“With my phone. Or technology in general. Do you think I’m’—my lips shift their hold on a couple of bobby pins as I pull one out and use it to pull back another strand of curled hair— ‘obsessed?’ ‘Sweetie, of course you’re obsessed. Everyone in the world is obsessed. It’s a universally accepted fact. We’ve all taken a vote and decided we’re okay with it.’”

When her business partner is accused of serious financial crimes, superstar influencer Cat Cranwell—an engineered marvel of beauty, energy, and fun—falls from her penthouse perch. Desperate to get away from the trolls documenting her disgrace, Cat accepts her uncle’s offer to work with him in Kannery National Park. Montana. And about as far as possible from life as she’s known it.

Cat’s world shifts from the swirling haze of likes and comments to literal blizzards of frostbite temperatures and waist-deep snow. But something curious is also happening in this overwhelming breath of fresh air as she reacquaints with the most honest parts of herself and begins to ask the hard questions. Can Cat love herself with, and without, the world watching?

Then there’s that other tiny problem—she’s falling for Zaiah, the ruggedly handsome Park Ranger—and he hates anything remotely connected to social media, quite possibly her included.

This book is like taking a magnifying glass to our obsession with social media, our phones, and the perceived perfection we see every day by influencers. There is a sweet slow burn romance but it takes up very little of the storyline if I’m being honest. I loved Cat’s evolution over the course of the story and, I’ll tell ya, it definitely made me stop and think. Let’s all collectively agree to put our phones down and become one with nature every so often!

The audio of this book was fabulous! I found myself listening more than reading because I loved the narrator so much. There are some very funny characters and characters with a lot of sass and she captured them perfectly.

Thank you to Netgalley, Thomas Nelson Fiction, Zondervan Audio, and the author for the ARC and ALC.

OPPOSITES DO ATTRACT!

Melissa Ferguson writes extraordinary romantic comedies! Her latest release, Famous for A Living, is proof positive that, against all odds, opposites attract. Ferguson has created the two characters of Cat Cranwell, a mega influencer, and Ziah, a Montana National Park Ranger, that are as opposite as any two people can be. She has built a spectacular plot around why Cat has relocated from the glitz and glamour world she is accustomed to and is now attempting to blend into the work of the National Park. Ferguson takes readers on a delightful journey that shows the emotional growth in Cat’s life – whether she is ready for it or not! I love Ziah! He is “a man among men” and just what Cat needs even when she does not recognize it.
Ferguson makes her point with readers and gets them thinking about the time they spend on their iPhones, computers, iPads, and social media and the effect this has on every aspect of their real lives. It made me assess my own iPhone/iPad usage and the things I neglect or only partially participate in because I'm reading on my Kindle app, watching a sporting event on the ESPN app, shopping on Amazon, or checking emails.

Já tinha um tempo que eu havia descoberto os livros da Melissa Ferguson, mas ainda não havia tido a chance de lê-los. Até então, pareciam enredos bem leves e gostosos de ler, ainda mais como clean romance, então logo agarrei a oportunidade de leitura para Famous for a Living. O resultado? Pode não ter sido 5 estrelas, mas ainda assim foi um ótimo começo com a autora!

O primeiro capítulo em particular foi o mais complicado para mim, acho, enquanto me inseria no mundo da protagonista em meio a narração dela sobre sua vida sob os holofotes da vida como influenciadora lifestyle. Demorou um pouco para eu me envolver à trama por isso, mas felizmente lá pelo terceiro capítulo eu já estava bem mais imersa na história e conseguindo distinguir melhor os personagens entre si, principalmente junto à protagonista enquanto ela precisa tirar algumas "férias" forçadas após um escândalo de trabalho no qual fora uma das vítimas.

Como primeiro contato com a narrativa de Melissa, gostei da forma leve com que ela transcorre e ao mesmo tempo é direta, sem enrolar muito em descrições ou cenas desnecessárias, ainda que em um momento ou outro isso também tenha feito uma coisa ou outra acontecer rápido demais e ter deixado um ou outro sentimento vago em certas situações, principalmente rumo à resolução do final, diante dos temas abordados até ali. Mas isso não foi suficiente para abalar realmente o livro para mim, inclusive, foi um ponto interessante de se ver na história, a forma como, aos poucos, a autora inseriu uma crítica real e precisa, que começou sútil e mesmo assim foi até que bem firme, sobre nosso uso das tecnologias e eventuais níveis de vício à ela. Mais do que isso até, ela ainda trás um background sério mas realista do que o uso desregulado e irresponsável do celular e afins podem causar na nossa vida, seja fisicamente, mentalmente, financeiramente e além, assim como também àqueles ao nosso redor.

Com isso tudo, fico feliz de ver que meu primeiro contato com a autora foi tão positivo. Única ressalva talvez tenha sido quanto ao romance, que não é o foco da história, já que ela gira mais em torno da Cat e sua reconstrução pós-escândalo de trabalho, mas que ainda assim eu esperava que me cativasse e fizesse suspirar mais - ainda que isso não queira dizer, também, que foi de todo ruim, só não foi aprofundado ou desenvolvido como eu esperava.. Ainda assim, foi uma boa leitura, e me faz querer ler ainda mais de seus livros agora, e esperar gostar deles tanto quanto de Famous for a Living!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Also, thank you Net
Galley for this!

This is a very cute/sweet story following a social media star whose life turns upside down after a poor business decision. She goes to stay in a small mountain town where her uncle is the local head park ranger. Enter a tall, handsome, cinnamon roll of a park ranger that she met once before. This book made me laugh out loud more than once. I needed a warm and fuzzy read this week and as always I can count on Melissa Ferguson to deliver. Very easy, quick and enjoyable read.

“From Park Avenue to the Parks Department—the world’s most beloved social media star is about to get a rude awakening.“

There was much to like with this sweet story. I enjoyed the settings (polar dips and hot springs and mountains, oh my!) the Opposites Attract trope, and the insider look at Insta Influencers.

I found the character development a little lacking, and the spice was non-existent, but I’d still add the next in series (I’m looking at you, Serena and Adam) to my TBR.

6.5/10

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this ARC.

Cat Cranwell is a relatable character who undergoes learning about herself and growth. While I may not be an influencer or full time content creator, the connection to social media was reflective. I loved the setting of the National Park. The found friendships and camaraderie of the park rangers had me chuckling with their antics and support systems. Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson books for an advanced copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

After a scandal with her app ruins social media star Cat Cranwell’s reputation and income, she leaves NYC for Montana. She joins her Uncle Terry at Kannery National Park, with plans to help it attract more tourists. She immediately clashes with colleague Zaire Hudson, who is anti-social media, buts hopes the two will find some common ground.

This book was a fun, quick read with an enjoyable cast of characters. I especially liked Mina, Cat’s energetic and enthusiastic teenage roommate —I thought she brought a lot of sunshine to the story! It’s a sweet, charming book, and overall a good read!

Thank you to NetGalley, UpLit Reads, and Thomas Nelson Publishing for my gifted eARC + physical copy and including me in this book campaign!

Melissa Ferguson does it again! This book is perfect for today. Her relatable characters draw the reader in to a familiar perspective and a somewhat startling reality of too many. Add this to your must read pile for the summer.

I was really excited to receive an arc for this book but sadly it didn’t live up to my expectations. It’s not terrible and I can see others really enjoying it but it wasn’t for me.

It’s a fish out of water story about when the (seemingly most) famous influencer in the world looses everything and has to move to the mountains of Montana when her Park Ranger Uncle is able to offer her a job. And, naturally, his coworker is a mega hot, gruff mountain man.

Unfortunately, neither of the main characters and all the side characters really failed to have any kind of emotional impact on me. Especially the MC who is extremely moronic in certain moments. For example: checking and commenting on her Instagram account while driving in a blizzard and taking a selfie close in front of a moose. Now, a theme that’s brought up is about social media addiction and how the character has it but I didn’t feel like the conclusion of that plot was satisfying.

To me the main couple also lacked chemistry. I didn’t have a single butterflies in my stomach moment reading it. And the book was not just closed door…it was completely doorless! As in, the characters never have sex at all!!! All we get is a measly 1 & 1/2 kisses. The first one being described as timid and having a “controlled propriety”(……swoon?🤨) and then what I’m considering a 1/2 kiss (at the grand reunion ending) that was described as “his lips on mine”. That’s basically it. Also, the next sentence is one of the weirdest “sexy” scent descriptions I’ve read. “The air smells of blossoms and pine (…) my morning perfume mixed with a touch of airport coffee on his breath”. We did so not need to know that he had coffee breath 🙄😂.

I have a copy of her previous book that I still plan to read as I’ve heard it’s good. I’ll just go into it expecting it to be lacking on spice.

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

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson is a sweet story with a great message about social media. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of it and I really related to Cat. The opposites attract trope works so well and I was swept up in this story. Zaiah is a worthy love interest. His calmness and personality made him a great book boyfriend. If you are looking for a funny, clean romance, this is a wonderful option.

If you've ever wondered what might happen if a fallen-from-grace influencer celeb moves to a remote location (Montana anyone?) read this book! Famous for a Living is a fun, although slightly predictable slow build rom com full of interesting details. A downside was the negative and not particularly nuanced portrayal of social media which felt like a message being pushed into my face. I recommend for anyone looking for a clean closed door romance who won't mind the heavy handed moral messaging.

Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙚𝙙, 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙪𝙢𝙥𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙?”

Famous for a Living was one of my most anticipated reads this year and it didn’t disappoint! Cat’s journey was such a beautiful one and the message behind it is so important. I think this is a book that all social media influencers can learn a lot from in a positive way!

The beginning of this book reminded me so much of the beginning of Into the Wild by KA Tucker. City girl heroine goes to small town in the middle of nowhere and is met by the broody, indifferent hero. Cat and Zaiah (like Isaiah without the I) were complete opposites and I absolutely loved this dynamic. It created the best banter and delicious tension and it made the build up to their first kiss 🔥🔥🔥. The romance that follows is so so sweet.

The secondary characters in this story were top notch. From bossy Serena to mother hen Mina, I was cracking up at the antics. You also can’t help but fall in love with the small town charm of Kannery National Park and the rest of the staff. I loved Cat’s relationship with her Uncle Terry! And one of my favorite parts is when Cat and Zaiah learn each other’s backstories and finally understand the people they’ve become. The Instagram posts at the beginning of each chapter were a fun addition to the story. I can’t recommend this sweet, small town romcom enough!

Thank you to Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy. My thoughts are my own.

Cat Cranwell is a famous social media influencer, and when an app partnership goes south, she finds herself cancelled. To get out of the city spotlight and help rebuild her image, she accepts an offer from her uncle to run the social media page for a small national park in Montana. Tasked with helping save the park from being absorbed into a larger park nearby, Cat finds herself experiencing more than she bargained for.

This was a light, fun read that was more of a coming-of-age story with a little light romance sprinkled in. I adored the banter between Zaiah and Cat and enjoyed Cat’s quirky roommate too. This would be a great read for a summer camping adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson and Melissa Ferguson for an advance copy.