I can't get over these cute covers, they just draw me into a book for some reason. Loved the concept and love a girl who does social media for a living. Cute read overall, would recommend.

This was a fun rom-com book. It was a bit hard for me to get into and not sure I would recommend it but I really appreciate the arc from NetGalley and the publisher!

I could not get into this book. At all. I stopped reading it for a while and then decided to try and go back to it but it really didn’t interest me.

I feel like I don’t really have that much to say about this book because I read so little of it. But I’ll try and say a few things to explain why I stopped reading it. First of all, I didn’t like the writing style. It seemed really childish and explained too much about how nice Cat’s apartment was. And also, she hasn’t seen her uncle for years but then he just happens to show up on her birthday while she’s throwing a party. I know that those kinds of interactions are how to make something happen in a book, but I just didn’t like that.

There was some other stuff but that was my main problem with it. Honestly, this book might be good but I just couldn’t get into it.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Talking about this book… I don’t know how to begin.

When I read the synopsis I was immediately interested in this story because I thought It would be fantastic, but It was kind of the opposite.

There were a few things I didn’t like. For example, the story didn’t keep me entertained enough and became a little boring for me. Also, I didn’t like the romance in it, I thought It was very poor because they started to fall in love at the end very fast and I feel it like a insta love (which I don’t like in books). The characters were meh, they could’ve been better in my opinion.

Overall, I think this is a book that had a great potential but the idea wasn’t well executed. Although I recommend this book if you’re interested in this kind of stories about nature and that stuff.

Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson is a lovely rom-com about an influencer who suddenly loses her job. The story revolves around Cat Cranwell, who is at the top of the world when her world starts crumbling down. Now, she needs an image rehab and is working at a national park in nowhere, Montana. She's hopelessly lost. But not everything is bad. She's getting closer to Zaiah, a park ranger. If only he didn't hate spoiled city girls like her...

Here is a hilarious excerpt from Chapter 1:

"One doesn't intentionally wear itchy, viridian-green jumpsuits to match the elaborate wainscoting on the walls around oneself. Did I know it would match?
Of course.
Was I aware it would look fantastic in pictures?
Naturally.
But to actually pick out my birthday-party-turned-surprise launch-party ensemble for the sake of matching the walls?
That'd be ridiculous."

Overall, Famous for a Living is a fantastic rom-com that will appeal to fans of Sophie Kinsella or Ali Hazelwood. First off, when I saw that the author of Meet Me in the Margins had a new book out, I knew that I had to read it right away! I absolutely loved Meet Me in the Margins. It was one of the best rom-coms I've ever read. So I came into this book with high expectations. Thankfully, the romance and wit was exactly what I expected.

Another highlight of this book is how heart-warming it was. It is like a warm hug in book form. Not many rom-coms focus on the background characters and plot beyond the main romance. Here, you get to know everyone who works in the national park office, and they're all integral to the plot. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of romantic comedies in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in May!

Thank you to Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I had taken a break from reading when I first requested this book, so it took me a while to finally find the time for it. I don't know why it took me so long to read it because once I started I couldn't put it down. The story is pretty typical of a big-city socialite who goes through a struggle and moves to a small town for a different opportunity, and Cat was no different. There were some differences that appealed to me, one being her overall personality. Cat is a very nice woman who values her family and no point in the book displays any kind of rude, privileged behavior I sometimes see in this book. I was able to connect with her and that made reading this book more enjoyable.

The overall structure of the book was nice, if not a little short. This is listed as a romance book but the romance aspect of it was not really there. You could see throughout the book that Cat and Zaiah were attracted to each other and there were small moments together that showed they were interested, but the act of them getting together was kind of fast. Once they finally had their first date, something happened that caused her to leave as well so we really did not get many scenes of them together as a couple. I still found the book enjoyable because it followed Cat and her story more which I like in a book.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a cute romance book that doesn't focus heavily on the romance aspect but has it in small moments.

A few months passed between when I first read a synopsis of this book and when I started reading it. In that time I completely forgot what it was about. So when I began to read about Cat Cranwell, the big-city socialite media influencer, I was really bummed. I thought I was going to hate the book. Until Cat's uncle the park ranger showed up. I smiled and kept reading.

The big-city socialite and media influencer finds herself in the tiny Kannery National Park. There is this adorable found-family vibe as she connects with people so far removed from her previous life. Her roomie, Mina, is an aboslutely fantastic character. I'd like to hop on a plane and head to the middle of nowhere, Montana and meet her!

Full of lovable characters, a fun story, found family, and some opposites attracting, this book is just so much fun!

I read an arc of this book, compliments of #netgalley , in exchange for my honest (and very enthusiastic) opinion!

Was this suppose to be a romance book? Because where the heck was the romance? This book was mainly about a stuck up girl who looses everything; and then gets humbled. This was just not that good of a book. I wanted to read a romance book not a book about a stuck up women. Oh well I guess this book was just not for me.

I received the arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion on this book.

I wanted to like this one. I saw the cover and immediately got it. However, the romance was very short lived in the last few chapters of the book. We get a brief snippet of how the park was saved, when there were a few chapters that were focused in it. There was also a lot of short sentences or one word thoughts all the time. But I still gave it 3 stars because the characters were great! The story expresses the danger of what social media can do, which I think is awesome. Overall, this one just wasn’t for me.

This romantic comedy was surprising because it was lighthearted on one hand, but on the other hand it had a message about the effects of social media on our lives that was thought provoking. I throughly enjoyed this book of Cat, a social media star, finding out what life is really like after she steps away from her phone.

Cat Cranwell in a second of time goes from being famous and loved to famous and hated. Given the opportunity to help her uncle at the Kannery National Park and escape scandal, Cat finds herself in a place she never imagined. The description of Montana in the winter was spot on and had me smiling as Cat is juggling all of her suitcases in her heated parka before she heads into a blizzard. “I can do this. I am a grown woman. I am thirty years old. I have dealt with far more technical things than dragging six suitcases through an airport.” She is used to luxurious penthouses and is quite shocked after a harrowing drive to find her cabin is “ a square house the size of my closet.”

The vulnerability and truthfulness of a painful accident that affected park ranger Zaiah made him a hero in my book. Working through his feelings of his past and his attraction for Cat made him my favorite character. He didn’t push Cat to change, but challenged her by telling her about his experiences.

The secondary characters were delightful and made this story seem like you were part of Cat’s story. Uncle Terry, Mina, and Serena were all supportive and her greatest cheerleaders. Sometimes family doesn’t have to be mom, dad, and siblings. Sometimes it is those who choose to be there for you.

There are questions and a social media usage guidelines from Cat’s perspective at the end of the book that you will want to be sure and read. It made me stop and think. I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Melissa Ferguson has produced another gem that delves into the very real world and pitfalls of social influencers. The juxtaposition of New York and Montana punches home the points of conflict that are inherent in Cat Cranwell's chosen lifestyle. As this heartwarming story unfolds we share in the growth of all the characters, and fall in love with a community of people who aid in this process. I highly recommend 'Famous for a Living'.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

3 Stars Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson was a cute found-family romcom. After her business partner is indicted for fraud, social media influencer Catherine “Cat” Cranwell’s world of being famous for a living falls apart. Cat accepts an offer from her beloved Uncle Terry to join him out in Kannery National Park in Montana where he works as a park ranger. Terry needs Cat’s help to turn around their social media and draw more tourists to the small national park. New Yorker Cat isn’t quite cut out for Montana living, but gives it her best shot and befriends the others working in the park—Mina, Peggy, Jax, Kevin, and Zaiah. Cat is attracted to the gruff and grumpy Zaiah, and can’t seem to figure out how he feels about her.

This was a very easy read and I flew through it. I love stories with the found family trope and this one was done perfectly. The HEA was the cherry on top of a cute ending.

I enjoyed this new (upcoming - May 16!) book by @our_friendly_farmhouse!

It takes all the evils and goodness of social media and lumps them into one book about a 30-something influencer, Cat. She’s hit with backlash after her manager indicts her in a scheme to sell user information.

She runs to the mountains of Montana to lay low and find herself while she’s waiting for her life and name to sizzle back in the big city.

I didn’t love it at first but ended up really enjoying it when everything hits the fan and she’s got to work her way out of the mess she’s in.

Thanks to @netgalley @thomasnelson and @our_friendly_farmhouse for the advanced copy.

This book was a lovely romantic book that really hit the topic of social media and how it has a hold on people in a way that can be both detrimental and useful.
I saw a lot of myself in Cat and feel that many other readers will feel the same way. Her connection to Zaiah is intense and slow-building throughout the book and it draws the reader in and keeps them wanting to read more. This is my first introduction to Melissa Ferguson, but I know I will be reading more from her!

A fun light-hearted romance that taps into our current generation of social media addicts. A social media influencer disgraced from society turns to escape in rural Montana with her Uncle Terry but finds a whole lot more while she is there. Cat is used to the hustle and bustle of NYC, but as time goes on, she realizes why people pack up and escape to Montana. The author does a great job describing the vast beauty.

I am typically a huge fan of fast paced thrillers, but love the occasional romcom, and this book did such a great job representing the quintessential romcom that we all love!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is out 5/16/23!

This book was a lot of fun! Though mostly lighthearted, the commentary on social media use and abuse was a much needed reminder for me to unplug a bit more. I found myself rooting for Cat and hoping things would turn in her favor.
Ferguson’s descriptions of the town, national park, and daily life made me want to visit Montana (a phrase I never thought I’d say)! Overall, I give the book 4/5 stars—a lighthearted, fun rom-com novel with a strong underlying message to live your real life, not just your online one.

Thank you Thomas Nelson and Netgalley for an ARC. Options expressed in this review are completely my own.

2.5/5 🌟

I requested an ARC for this book from the description and the cover being so cute and after finishing reading this book I feel indifferent.

The main character Cat is a social media content creator based in NYC before she is accused of fraud and is advised to head to her uncles job in a national park in Montana to better her image. Zaiah is a park ranger working at said national park and hates anything to do with social media.

The genre of this book falls under romance but definitely felt more self reflecting from the main character rather than any romance. There was barely any romance until the last 20% of the book and just felt very awkward and forced. I can appreciate the theme of social media and how damaging it can be to an individual and how reliant we are as a society on social media but I just didn’t enjoy the whole book being solely based on this idea. I didn’t really feel the connection between the characters and didn’t see them falling in love it wasn’t really until halfway through the book did they start to become friends and talk.

There also really wasn’t any character development besides the main character leaving her phone at home during a date. We barely get to know the characters personally besides a few facts that are sprinkled throughout the book. I just didn’t feel any emotions reading this book, I didn’t start to fall in love with the characters and their story I just couldn’t connect with the book.

ARC - thanks, NetGalley!

Would give a 3.5 if that was allowed on GRs

Talk about a slowwwww burn. I really wish some details/events were cut down and we sped up/got more details on Cat and Zaiah’s relationship because it came to be randomly? The big “confession” was a little bit of a stretch, too. Epilogue was SUPER cute and I wish that was incorporated more into the main story.

Fame and Fortune
Cat Cranwell is famous for a living. That is, until disaster strikes. She and her business partner Bobby Braswell are launching Club, a new social media app. Bobby promises it will soon outdo Instagram and Facebook.

The extravagant celebration party is held on Cat’s 30th birthday, in her newly acquired posh Manhattan apartment. As it’s about to begin, her woodsy park ranger Uncle Terry and his assistant ranger Zaiah turn up at the door. Just as her best friend Selena sets off a calamity with the caterer. In the middle of Bobby urgently trying to convince her to sign an international contract written in several different languages.

Fast Paced
Yes, Melissa Ferguson really knows how to move a story along at a breakneck pace. The whole story is written in first person. At first, I felt uncomfortable in Cat’s skin, as she’s not much like me. But when she was compelled to leave the city and take refuge in the mountains of Montana with her uncle, I began to feel there might be hope for her.

Will Cat be able to remain famous for a living? Or will she even want to? I won’t spoil the story by telling you. There are a few twists and turns. I had to go back and re-read the beginning before writing this review. The first time I skimmed and missed the details that launched Cat into dire straits. You have to read slowly enough to take in everything going on in those first few paragraphs because it’s all important in the story.

This is the second book by Melissa Ferguson that I’ve read. I recommend it to readers who like a fast pace with humor and some underlying serious thought. Thanks to Net Galley for providing me the ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.

This book was cute and I loved the cover!!!!

The flip phone cracked me up and I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the main characters.