I love me a story about someone in a crisis fleeing the big city to find themselves in a small town so I had high expectations for this. While it wasn’t a 5 star or favourite read it was definitely the fun, sweet and breezy escape that I needed. Ferguson's writing was witty and engaging, with well-drawn characters that are relatable and likable. Cat is a messy protagonist, but relatably so. It was a lot of fun getting to witness a ‘girl boss’ at the top of her game go through this fall from grace. There’s a lot to be said about the hustle culture and scarcity mindsets social media produces so it was interesting to read about her having to recalibrate and shift away from the spoils and privileges she’d grown accustomed to. Her quirks and insecurities felt very authentic to me as a chronic perfectionist and people pleaser. Ferguson’s portrayal of the anxiety that comes with the cost of ‘performing’ perfection online felt incredibly raw and relatable. The message of stepping away from one’s phone is one that I’m relating quite a lot right now.

I think the biggest sell for me is the backdrop against the beautiful national parks of Montana. I mean we must have all had a fantasy about running away from life and hiding out in nature, right? It was a lot of fun getting to see Cat adapt as she’s quite literally forced to ‘touch grass.’ I loved the small-town feel of the story and getting to know the locals. I love myself a chosen family storyline! Cat’s relationship with her uncle was lovely and I only wish we’d gotten to see a bit more of her spending time with him as well as Zaiah and just goofing about the park in general.

Zaiah was a great MMC. I really appreciated the friendship he and Cat formed initially, and it was a lot of fun seeing them blossom into something more. I think the way the relationship panned out was done well. Zaiah really balances out Cat’s chaos and really helped her grow. Though it was a bit slow I think it was perfectly paced for this story, and it meant Cat’s transformation wasn’t completely reliant on him but rather her own journey that was merely enhanced and encouraged by his presence. Broody at first, Zaiah turned out to be a lovely, warm, and thoughtful love interest with baggage that was quite unexpected but felt very authentic. The tension at the beginning of the book made a lot more sense and I liked that they were both able to grow from their respective issues throughout the story. The banter, playful personality and hidden vulnerabilities added depth to his character. The supporting cast of characters at the park was equally endearing, making the story feel like a lovely ensemble tale.

Overall, "Famous for a Living" is a fun and charming novel with a surprisingly deep message sure to give the reader an occasional giggle and perhaps even a bit of pondering to do. With its engaging plot, likable characters, and witty dialogue, it's a perfect pick for anyone looking a quick, wholesome and feel-good read.

The book does read slightly more women's fiction or contemporary than I was expecting based on the cover and synopsis. It was really marketed as a rom-com but it had a bit of a lighter touch on the romance, which I didn’t mind at all. I think it made it all the sweeter but I can see how this would be misleading for many readers.

Wonderful story! The writer is very talented; this is my first story and I enjoyed it. This isn’t just the basic story you read for fun, it depicts our reality.
“Here we are. In the middle of ab-so-lutely nowhere. I clasp my carry-on and stare at what Uncle Terry described over the phone as my “cozy cabin.”
This, though. Whatever this was, was not cozy. Or even, a cabin. I look at the single cutout window that’s smaller than they use at prisons. A hole in the floorboards of the porch is so big it threatens to swallow my foot whole. Not really a tiny home. Not a shack. More like, if the three little pigs went into business but were hurried because the bank was getting tetchy about the building deadline for the construction loan and a wolf was on their tail, this would be a very realistic end result. A square house of logs the size of my closet. I tilt my head. No. This had to be smaller. I inhale. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. Because no matter what, even if it were two sticks propped up against a tree, there is no way I will do anything after this whole road experience except look at this structure as if it were exactly what I am expecting. And I’m just thrilled with it. Just. Positively. Thrilled. In fact, I’m going to smile now.”
I received an ARC of this book for review. I was not required to write a favorable review. All opinions in this review are my own.

I really enjoy Melissa Ferguson's clean romantic fiction and this book did not disappoint. When scandal breaks for social media influencer Cat Cranwell, she accepts her park ranger uncle's offer to go work with him (as a social media strategist of course) at Kannery National Park. Cat is way outside of her comfort zone in all the snow and rustic conditions. Park Ranger Zaiah is very much against social media, but naturally ends up being the one to show Cat the ropes in regards to park living. A cute, funny book filled with lots of banter and wonderful characters.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Cat Cranwell was a famous social media lifestyle influencer living the high life and showing her millions of followers what they need in order to be in the know. Unfortunately, she collaborated with an unscrupulous business partner and now she has been scorned and canceled by her followers and the general public. She fled to Kannery National Park, Montana at the invitation of her park ranger uncle in order to clear her head and provide the park with needed assistance in her area of expertise, social media engagement and promotion. There she met Zaiah, an intriguing and extremely low tech (think flip phone) park ranger who fascinated her. I loved their opposites-attract relationship which both made me think about the issues they dealt with and also made me laugh out loud on occasion. I was challenged in a gentle way to consider the benefits as well as the pitfalls of using the technology we now have access to through our phones, tablets, computers, and smart phones and to avoid becoming addicted to it. It would be a fantastic book club pick as it would generate lots of conversation. Highly recommend! I received a complimentary advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley and this voluntary review contains my honest opinions.

My first Melissa Ferguson book was The Dating Charade. I liked it, but I wanted more. So much of the story was devoted to things aside from the romance. That caused me to avoid some of her next releases. I prefer books to be relationship focused. The description of Meet Me in the Margins pulled me in and I decided to read it. And well, I loved it. I did have the same complaint--that I wished more of the story focused on the romance--but the subject of writing, editing, and publishing was so dear to me that I didn't mind as much as I normally might have. Famous for a Living was really good. I devoured it, but when I look back I can see that this book also could have used a little more romance.

Cat is a social media influencer. Every moment of her life is curated for her next photo, video, and post. She thinks about her next caption and post more than her friends and family. Her business partner screws her over and drags her name through the mud. Of course, her followers and pretty much everyone online turn on her. She leaves the city to help her uncle as social media manager for the small national park where he is the head park ranger.

Zaiah is a park ranger and he hates all things technology. He has a flip phone and shows open disgust for Cat's profession. It's only when he sees the good she's able to do with helping Mina, a park coworker, and the park itself does he sway his opinion, and even then only slightly. See, Zaiah has a past with influencers that didn't end well. He appreciates Cat as a person but sees that she's addicted to social media and her phone which worries him.

I didn't exactly feel like Melissa Ferguson was preaching the woes of social media and phone addictions to the reader, but it came close. This is an interesting and relevant topic in today's society. It's something to consider at least.

I read Famous for a Living in two days right before Christmas, which is kind of amazing with 3 kids 7 and under. Looking back the relationship feels like it could have been further developed and I wouldn't have minded more romance. The bigger story of social media and phone addictions made the story feel relevant and even dare I say important. Famous for a Living gets 4 Stars. Have you read Famous for a Living? What did you think? Let me know!

May 15, 2023
Thank you Uplit Reads and Melissa Ferguson for my complimentary copy of Famous for a Living. Thank you to Libro.fm for my complimentary audiobook.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed this book ! I paired the physical book with the audio. Talon David do a wonderful job with the character voices.

I was pulled into the drama from the first page. I would say this is a life journey with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure.

I appreciated the hard look into the world of social media and how it has taken over our lives. The tips at the end of the book are very helpful. I have made a few changes to my phone habits since finishing this book.

Perfect for readers who enjoy:
Opposites attract
Forced proximity
Found family
Life lessons

This was a light and fast read, I can’t stand the influencer/famous main character arcs. This was more of a coming of age story than an actual romance.

This was a 5 ⭐️ for me! I really enjoy Melissa Ferguson books (if you want another rec - Check out Meet Me in the Margins)! With her books, I can anticipate something is coming but I usually can’t put my finger on what exactly it will be!

I also appreciated the way the book pushes you to find your balance with your connection to your phone / use of social media and living the life in front of you.

Thank you to @Melissaferguson @thomasnelson and @netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading this book by Melissa Ferguson! It made me think a lot, and there were sweet moments and good character growth, which I liked. I know the blurb says it’s a romcom, but it felt more like women’s fiction with comedic elements and romance to me. And I liked that about it!

This story made me think a lot about social media usage and how big a part of modern life it is at this point. I felt for Cat and the things she went through, and I appreciated how she grew and changed throughout the story.

The side characters were fun to read about, and I loved the scenes that took place in Kannery National Park! They were so much fun, and I thought the contrast between what Cat was used to and what was at the park was well written.

I’m glad I read this story!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cat Cranwell is a social media darling with millions of followers and companies begging for her endorsements, but when she partners with the wrong man on an app deal and is under investigation for financial crimes, she becomes a pariah. When her Uncle Terry offers her a job at his park in Montana, she thinks it's out of pity, but he's desperate for her social media knowledge. Their beloved Kannery National Park is about to be absorbed by nearby Glacier National Park unless they can get more visitors and her uncle and his ragtag team of rangers will lose their jobs. As she adjusts to a drastically different world of freezing temperatures, polar plunges, and dangerous wild animals, she is saved more than once by ruggedly handsome senior ranger Zaiah Smith. He looks down on her city life and very public lifestyle, but he just can't stay away. Can two people so very different ever be together?
As I started this book I found myself rolling my eyes at Cat's obsessive need for likes and urge to document everything in her life for her audience. As the story went on I was cheering for her to put the phone down and actually experience life. Just by looking at the cover, you can expect the usual hilarity of a city girl dropped into the wild and this book doesn't disappoint. It's an entertaining and fun clean romance.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Famous For A Living 📸

This was a quick, cute read about an influencer finding herself after a public scandal. I really liked Cat and how she was willing to self-reflect and make changes to better her life and mental health. Her found family with the crew in Montana and Uncle Terry was sweet and I loved how supportive they were of each other. The romance took a bit of a backseat to Cat’s personal growth, but I think the interactions we got with Cat and Zaiah were great and I really loved their interactions. Her female friendships in this one were also really caring and loving.

I’m a fan of hiking and nature, so the scenic parts and the details of the area were really cool to me. I loved the descriptions of wildlife and the love everyone had for the park. Cat’s social media posts at the beginning of each chapter was a really cute touch and added an extra element to the book that made me feel more connected to the setting and characters.

This novel will have you wanting to throw on your hiking books and take a breath of fresh mountain air. It was an enjoyable read for me and was also a great reminder for me to not get so caught up on social media and to enjoy the life I have without feeling the need to post about it. Happy Pub Day @our_friendly_farmhouse and thank you @thomasnelson for the gifted arc copy of this novel!

This contemporary romance was more than just romance. It had witty humor, sass, romance and social realism. Social media can have it dark moments and really destroy a person but to be able to walk away from a life like that, it must be difficult. Cat accepts the offer to help her uncle at the national park. City girls meets park ranger.
This romance was more of a women's fiction of social realism.

This was a cute and fun read. I really had fun listening to this one. I thought the concept was very interesting and well done. It was a great story of self discovery sprinkled with a little bit of clean romance.

I really enjoyed the characters, they were all very likeable. Cat and Zaiah were really great together, had some good banter. It was a very slow burn romance, where I did feel like they could've had more flirty moments before getting into the relationship, but they were adorable. The side characters were all amazing, they were such a big family by the end.

This was a good wholesome read with a great life lesson.

If you're looking for a cute fun read sprinkled with a bit of romance pick this one up !

✨️Thank you @netgalley, @thomasnelson, @melissaferguson for my free ARC & ALC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Cat Cranwell is the most famous social media influencer around when she is suddenly canceled after an app partnership gone wrong. She takes a break by working for her uncle Terry in a small National park in Montana. She finds herself doing their social media to attract people to come to the park but also to save the park from being absorbed by another local park. She meets a handsome, rugged ranger named Zaiah Hudson. He unfortunately thinks social media and phones are the root of all things evil.

This was a cute, fun, easy read that was light on romance. I adored the characters and Zaiah was such a gentleman. The relationship was slow to start but they were such a cute, opposites attract, couple. I always like a small town, rustic setting and this would be a great summer read.

Thanks to @netgalley and @thomasnelson for the arc for review.

I love Melissa Ferguson and her writing. This book, however, just didn't do it for me. It was all over the place and I couldn't figure out where the story was going. I will try it again in print form as I had already pre-ordered it and my physical copy arrived today. I will always recommend her books to everyone I know.

4.5 stars rounded up to 5

Famous for a Living is a look into the life of influencers, especially those that are super popular. It examines the positives and the negatives without being preachy about either. While I know this is a work of fiction, several good points are made in the book about how people use social media.

When readers first meet Cat, she seems to be a bit of a snob and only cares about what image she gives out. Meanwhile, Zaiah seems to hate being in the city and around other people. The more you learn about them, the more you understand their actions. Uncle Terry is a proud uncle, and Peggy is my idol! I want to be like her when I grow up!

While set in the winter, the descriptions of the settings are enough to make you want to visit the National Parks in Montana. Just be prepared to feel the chill and maybe need to snuggle under a couple of blankets to warm up.

Overall, the Famous for a Living is a fun read. As a clean romance, I feel this is a read that people of any age could enjoy reading. This is the second novel written by Melissa Ferguson that I’ve read, and it won’t be the last. If you enjoy exploring new places, I say you should give Famous for a Living a read!

I listened to the audiobook of this novel. While in the beginning I wasn't sure whether I would like this at all, I quickly became involved in the story. I started to like the characters, the romance, and the plot. The setting was just perfect, and it sounded very idyllic. I really enjoyed this book, and I can definitely recommend it!

Cat Cranwell uses her 30th birthday bash to announce the launch of new social media app Climb with business partner Bobby Bradwell. But instead of leaving Instagram in its highly fashionable dust, everthing falls apart within months. Turns out Cat blindly signed one too many contracts, and is facing security and fraud charges, sponsors gone and in the news more than ever but - no matter what They Say - not all publicity is good.

In attempt to rehab her reputation and status, and distance herself while her lawyers work, she leaves her city penthouse heading to Montana to work for her park ranger uncle. Her new job doing social media for the Kannery National Park is meant to make her appear more humble and relatable. The cabin she’s moving into might be rundown, but with potential for cozy. Close quarters with enthusiastic roommate Mina will either make the settling in easier or so much worse.

She soon realizes that her job there is more vital than her uncle let on - they’re all hoping her promo work will translate into enough visitors to save the park from being absorbed into the neighboring one (eliminating their jobs, and losing the appeal of hidden gem status)

I didn’t have any real expectations going in. I was looking for a nice fluff read, and got that for *most* of the book.
Zaiah and Cat were a classic opposites attract couple in the making. The relationship takes a back seat to the plot, and it is closed door, but it’s there. It was interesting to learn more about their upbringings/past lives and how they effected where they each ended up.

I really liked all the illustrated graphics of Cat’s Instagram posts. Their roller coaster stats are great for showing changes in her current social status after a very public fall from public grace and how she’s climbed back up.

Unfortunately at about 3/4 through the vibe took a turn.
Instead of the expected message that lives need balance, and everything shouldn’t be about technology etc etc the anti social media angle gets pretty heavy handed. The MMC goes off on a monologue about his ex with a storyline seemed implausible. IMO it seemed too conveniently preachy and that frankly turned me off the story.

Thank you to netgalley and Thomas Nelson for the ARC

A very timely read filled with important messages on social media usage and how we connect nowadays. A fun slow burn romance with important character growth.

When i started reading this i was expecting a light, breezy read that i could just fly through and enjoy. While the storyline was cute and I did like the story i was confused by the flow of the book. To me the book felt choppy and like it was missing some key moments. I was confused many times when i set the book down and went to pick it back up because i thought i had missed a chunk of the storyline. Other than the flow of the book i thought it was a nice story.