The majority of the story takes place in a beautiful and snowy small national park in Montana. The author does a beautiful job at bringing the town and park to life. I was able to see the moose, the mountains, the waterfall… The setting was simply gorgeous. I would love to visit that park and see those views, but I would not want to hike those 14 plus miles or rough it in those tiny cabins. LOL

This one didn’t quite work for me. I had trouble getting into the influencer storyline and would have preferred the story to focus on the romance a little more and on the other park rangers. The other rangers were fun and a great mix of characters. I also loved the crazy and fun winter activities that were described in this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for this digital arc in exchange for my honest review which is not affiliated with any brand.

An interesting look at social media and the impact it has on individuals. Good, easy read, just like I have come to expect from Melissa Ferguson. Tropes that you can see play out early but a few twists along the way that keeps the reader not totally correct in guessing the ending.

Thank you for the advanced read. I enjoyed this book. It took a few times to get into it, but once I did, I had a hard time putting it down. A fun and light read!

cat cranwell, a social media influencer, discovers that her popularity is dwindling when her business partner is charged with a severe crime. she is instructed to leave new york city, where she has lived for many years, and take a break from social media. uncle terry, who is the closest member of her family, invites her to go to montana and work at kannery national park with him. this is cute and humorous tale about a girl who literally lives on social media then meets ranger zaiah, who despises everything she stands for but is always there for her when she needs help. it’s fun to see cat’s transitions from the hectic life in new york to the highlands of montana. you can’t help but love the characters!

i received a complimentary copy of this book. opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

When famous internet influencer Cat Cranwell falls prey to a scandal brought on by her unscrupulous business partner, who has conveniently disappeared, she finds herself taking refuge in the Montana wilderness, under the care of her beloved Uncle Terry, and a team of green interns and national park employees. As she steeps in the earnestness and openness of a small community, she may learn a thing or two about herself, as well as the handsome Ranger who keeps seeing her at her most awkward.

While this is not the first book I've read about an internet influencer learning balance and gaining a more rounded perspective, there were some unexpected delights in this novel. The cast of characters she ends up befriending in the forest and town all have their own stories and personalities, and the fun quirky traditions that develop in lieu of big city entertainment were truly humorous and unique. Additionally, I really enjoyed that, while she realized she had an addiction of sorts, that is not necessarily uncommon to many of us, perhaps, she was also able to determine that not all parts of her needed to change, and she could blend old and new.

There may have been some bumpy parts in the story, but I enjoyed the setting and the fun people in Cat's circles. I give this book 4 stars.

I received a digital copy of this book, via NetGalley, from the publisher, in exchange for my honest review.

At the beginning of 2023, I began my reading plan for the year (which mostly consists in reading as many books as I can before school starts and leaves me little time for reading. I had a strange experience this year though: I couldn’t find a book I wanted to read, let alone finish once I started reading. I starting reading book after book (you should see the stacks that are still there) but I had no desire to finish the books I started. Not a good start to a new reading year…This book changed all of that. It was a bit of a rough start, but the story gently drew me in and I became invested in the characters and their growth.

When I requested this book as an ARC, I was unaware that I had read anything by the author (Melissa Ferguson) before. Then I read some of those author praise quotes and remembered that I had read (and very much liked) her Cul-de-sac War book. It seems so long ago when I read it that it was hard to remember much from the book aside from the general impression I had: that is was a wholesome and well-written story. So, needless to say I became more excited to read this novel.

At the beginning of the book, I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to finish. Everything was just so realistic with the lifestyle and behavior of top-influencers and the hoops they jump through and the ways they can wind up acting that I wasn’t sure I was going to connect with the story at all. I was oh-so-very-wrong!

Cat Cranwell did have some issues, but her friend Serena was right: she is good. The way that the author had Cat slowly encounter and face and defeat her faults was realistic and touching. I had sympathy for her and her past and for what she had become in her rise as a social media influencer.

This novel may have a romantic aspect to it, but I appreciated that the romance wasn’t the focal point and wasn’t overdone. There was quite a bit going on in the story that was interesting to me as a reader apart from anything romantic. And then what was technically “romance” in the story was presented in a realistic and sweet way. Not overly emphasized at the expense of the characters actually getting to know each other and the reader actually getting to know them too.

Overall, this was quite a delightful read, and I am now hoping to read the other novels Melissa Ferguson has written. She writes wonderful stories with good wholesome characters. I hope to see more books published by her in the future!

**I received this book as an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed are my own.**

This was a warm and sweet story the encourages introspection about your values, relationships, and social media.

Cat was a big media influencer who is totally wrapped up in appearances when circumstances force her to practically give it all up for a period of time.

Zaiah is a handsome park ranger who works for Cat’s uncle in Montana where she goes to escape. He could not be more opposite of Cat. I loved watching their relationship unfold.

I really enjoyed the growth arc of Cat. How she came to value the things and people that are real. The side characters provided a lot of fun and humor.

If you like opposites attract, handsome manly heroes with a soft heart and zany side characters you will like this book. It has a lot of fun twists, turns and surprises which keep you interested.

A beautiful book that managed to hit a little too close to home- and it would probably knock the wind from your chest, too! This is for anyone who finds themselves automatically looking at their phone when they have a second of downtime or anyone who scrutinizes over which picture to post on their socials. The story follows a social media icon through her darkest moments and, ultimately, her brightest.
This story was such a breath of fresh air and exactly what I needed to be reading at the beginning of the year. This book will have you questioning your choices and habits and it will inspire you to make healthy changes.
I truly thought I was starting a romance but I fell head first into a book that had me wanting to change my life. Is the romance there? Absolutely. And the romance is STUNNING and FULL and HONEST. Do I feel like that’s the best part of this book? Absolutely not. This author has gone above and beyond what is asked and the questionnaire and tips at the end were the icing on the cake.

(Review posted to Goodreads, Books-a-Million, and Barnes and Noble)

This book was so fun! I binge read it in 2 days. Although it's listed as a rom-com, I hesitate to call it that because hardcore romance readers will find very little actual romance (the couple have their first date near the end of the book and there's no spice to speak of) but since that isn't me, I had a great time with it!

The story follows a 30 year old an influencer/content creator who gets duped and loses her career overnight. It's a story about finding yourself and recognizing your value outside of social media.

There's a fantastic cast of secondary characters that I wish I had learned more about, and there are definitely some heavier topics that were kind of breezed over, but overall the pacing was excellent and the setting was very vivid. I wish this was a real national park because I would definitely visit!

I think as long as you don't go into this expecting a pure romance, you'll enjoy it, I certainly did!

3,5 stars rounded up.

When I finished this quick read, I found myself thinking it was lacking something. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I felt the romance between Cat and Zaiah was put on the back burner and ended up being rushed. There was much build up - it happened and then the book was over. I felt it wasn't fully resolved. This wasn't so much of a romance book as it was a women's fiction book.

I did enjoy seeing Cat's growth while she was in Montana. I also really liked her friend Serena - she was so sassy and I loved it. I did find some moments, related to social media usage, to be preachy, but once I got through that, it just felt like part of the story. This is a quick, enjoyable read if you are looking for something that fits that category.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced read copy of this book!

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

I was expecting a romance and instead found myself in a storyline geared toward cancel culture. The characters were not ones I could relate to and felt “over the top”. The book was a confusing read for me.

Engaging women's fiction with lighthearted elements, quirky characters and a delightful romantic thread.

I browsed several reviews before writing mine and noticed several disgruntled and disappointed comments, readers mainly complaining this wasn't a romance.

I have to agree... this isn't a romance novel even though the back cover copy leads readers to think it is. This wonderful tale is a bullseye for women's fiction with a sweet romantic subplot.

As a fan of women's fiction, I enjoyed the public rise and fall of Cat Cranwell, her sad family dynamic and her addiction to social media, along with her friendships. Her relationship with BFF Serena in New York rivals the friendships she forms with her new colleagues in backward Montana.

And Zaiah. Though he appears a few times in the beginning, he only shines in the second half of the story.

Because this book is about Cat and her world, which includes feisty friendships, a love-hate tug with the public, and a sweet romance.

I enjoyed Cat's tale, darkness balanced with light, fear with hope, pain with pleasure. And I hope other readers enjoy her journey too.

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

I was hoping for more. I was confused at the beginning. Felt like I picked up the book and flipped to page in the middle and started reading. That’s not a great way to start. And unfortunately, things just did not get better.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher and author for the ARC. ~I was given this book and made no commitments to leave my opinions, favorable or otherwise. ~

I loved Meet Me in the Margins and her newest book was no different.

Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson is a charming romance story.

I thought this was a light story. It was very entertaining. And definitely put a smile on my face.
The characters were believable, relatable, and the chemistry between them was phenomenal
Ferguson has delivered once again with her amazing characters who I deeply adored.
Her books are always fun and exciting and always has me up late at devouring every single page.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for my ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Mix New York, a National Park, a fashionista, and a burly bearded lumberjack and you’ll get Famous for a Living. This charming book was an easy read - cute and full of locations that are fun to travel to in your mind. I enjoyed this book as an easy palate cleanser for some of the dreary reads that I’ve been into lately and it perked me right up.
As someone that is a Social Media Strategist, there is so much about the Cat Cranwell character that Melissa Ferguson gets right. Losing yourself in work is something that everyone experiences but when you are your brand or are speaking on behalf of a brand it can be draining and can really mess with your life. All lessons are great to learn in any job - being present and participating in what is going on around you.

This is by far not a spicy romance if that is what you are looking for - this book might not be for you. It’s more about falling in love with yourself and making boundaries. Overall, it gets 4 out of 5 stars for me as I would have loved a little bit more out of the characters in the ending.

I received this book as a NetGalley digital title.

Thank you to the publisher/author and to netgalley for the opportunity to read an arc copy of this and give an honest review in return.

I feel this is not what I expected it to be, I was expecting a cute romance, fish out of water influencer meets gruff outdoorsy love interest and shenanigans ensue. What it actually is, is more of an influencer story and the romance takes more of a backseat.
I enjoyed the dynamics between the characters and some of the dialogue was quite funny.
But there was a lot of the book written in a way that I found to be a bit annoying.
Short sentences.
Just like this.
Multiple times on one page.
Multiple.
And it was just a bit too much. If you’re looking for an influencer story that touches on cancel culture, women in their 30s with a touch of romance this is probably for you.

A fantastic book! It has a unique story line and great characters! I also LOVED the setting of Montana and have now put it on my bucket list! An honest look into the life of an influencer in today's world. A definite must read!

To be honest this books just fell kind of flat and was disappointing for me. I felt like the whole situation with Cat was pretty painful and uncomfortable to read about and I felt like there wasn't very much chemistry between the two characters. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

I really liked this book! I started off detesting the MC who is obsessed with social media and her life as an influencer, but when she's thrown into country life and becomes a more balanced person, I found I had come to like her. I fear some might find this book "preachy" about technology usage, but since I'm not obsessed, I found it to be just right.
*Bonus points for the author using the correct term 'venemous' when talking about snakes.

Sadly I didn’t love Famous for a Living. I found Serena to be a little too much like a caricature and the story from Zaiah’s past about his former girlfriend to be far fetched. I also found relating social media to drug use in this instance as a stretch.

I really liked the characters in Montana including Zaiah, Peggy, Uncle Terry and Mina. I think more time focused on developing the story and the characters at the National Park would propel this story more. Cat was likeable and the relationship between Cat and Zaiah could have developed more. Also, Cat’s past could have been explained in more depth.