When seventeen-year-old Emmy finds out that her rockstar father, who abandoned her before she was even born, wants to reconnect, she’s forced to join him and his band on tour for a couple of weeks. Along the way, Emmy uncovers secrets that could change her life as she knows it.

I had an enjoyable time reading this book, but it didn’t evoke any strong emotions in me. Most of the characters didn’t go through much development, aside from Nick, which left me wanting more depth and growth. While I liked the author’s writing style, some of the word choices felt weird and overly complicated, and I often had to look them up, which pulled me out of the story.

Emmy herself came across as a bit bland at times, though her occasional sarcasm was refreshing—I just wish we’d seen more of it. Oddly enough, I found the side characters more engaging and fun to read about. As for the romance, it was fine, but it could have been fleshed out more to make it impactful.

The ending was bittersweet, though it leaned more on the bitter side for me. Overall, while this wasn’t a standout read, it had its moments.

Almost Infamous is layered and detailed in the best way. From Ainslee's plethora of pop culture references/memes to the toxic ex-boyfriend Travis and family drama/intensity of Nick's dementia, the book really has something for everyone (in addition to young-adult audience). The taste of vegan grilled cheese with gushers combination is palpable on the Mayfair tour bus and a hint of Sully's cinnamon gum. If the increasingly dark audio books of the bus driver are any foreshadowing indication, it is so much more than a "wild ride". The story feels extremely self-aware and relevant, from the real discussion of alcohol awareness (and Rohpynol), and feelings of inadequacy post-breakup that many people can relate to. It feels like the chic younger cousin to Daisy Jones, and holds some similarities to Lynn Painter's Nothing Like the Movies (mainly with Emmy's workaholic tendencies). Thank you to Sarah Ainslee and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this incredible book. All words are my own independent thoughts.

An absolutely fantastic easy read. I really rooted for all the main characters and the ending was PERFECT

I am incredibly grateful to both NetGalley and Sarah Ainslee for the opportunity to read and review Almost Infamous. Being selected to explore this captivating story before its official release has been such a treat, and I can’t wait to share my thoughts on it with all of you. A huge thank you to the team at NetGalley and Sarah Ainslee for their generosity and for making this advanced reading experience possible.

What do you do when your dad is a legendary rockstar but you're the only one who knows it? For Emmy Harper the answer is simple, pretend he doesn't exist. After all, Nick Addison bailed before she was even born.

Emmy's summer plans are set until her mum drops a bomb, Nick wants to meet her. The catch? She has to spend two weeks on tour with his band, Mayfair, completely incognito. After two decades of fame, scandals and tabloid drama he suddenly wants to get involved? Hard pass. It turns out though that Emmy doesn't have a choice.

Now stuck on the road with a bunch of rockstars, Emmy's world is flipped upside down. Alongside the charming drummer's son, Sullivan, she uncovers truths about Nick's supposed abandonment and how everything she's been taught about her family might be the farthest thing from reality.

This book rocked me to my core. It is quite literally the first book in Y-E-A-R-S that made me cry. It was just such a beautiful book. I loved each and every page.

It was never short on things happening and it had me wondering what was going to happen next with each turn of the page.

If you are a fan of the Jessie Jefferson series by Paige Toon you will absolutely love this book.

I know that Sarah Ainslee has one other book so that is now automatically a must read for me for 2025. I can't wait to see what else she has in store for us.

Almost Infamous is a wonderfully written book that covers a broad umbrella of subjects and Sarah Ainslee did a stellar job.

It almost felt criminal picking up another book this morning because I just wanted to stay immersed in Emmy Harper's world a little longer.

And for the record, Lionel was my favourite character. I don't know what it was about him but I felt glad for Emmy that he was there. He was just everything he needed to be.

Seventeen-year-old Emmy is the daughter of Nick Addison, the lead singer in an iconic rock band, not that many people know that because Nick left her mother before she was born and there has been no contact since. Out of the blue, Emmy’s summer plans have to change when her mother sends her to spend two weeks on tour with the band and a father she has never met.
How can Emmy survive two weeks with a group of total strangers including her father and uncle? Will she be able to forgive her father and build some kind of relationship with him? Although the story includes themes of addiction and unhealthy relationships, they are handled well making this book suitable for Younger YA readers who will love this mix of on tour chaos, slow simmering romance, and found family.

Thank you Netgalley and Sarah Ainslee for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Sarah Ainslee’s “Almost Infamous” is a heartfelt, layered story that takes you on a journey of self-discovery, family dynamics, and the complexities of love. Told from the perspective of Emmy, a 17-year-old thrust into the chaotic world of touring with her estranged father’s rock band, the book offers a unique blend of humor, emotion, and introspection that will resonate most with younger YA audiences. While I would recommend this book for younger YA readers, be aware that there is an age-gap romance involving Emmy’s ex-boyfriend who she dated when she was 16 and he was 21. While the book does note this romance was toxic between the two of them, it still may be a sensitive topic to some readers, especially when Emmy mentions she was mature for her age, which is part of why she was interested in someone who was in college.

The plot centers on Emmy’s attempts to connect with her father, Nick, a rock star who suddenly reenters her life after years of absence. To keep her existence a secret from the media, Emmy joins the band as their photographer, and through her lens—and her passion for photography—she begins to piece together her identity and her father’s role in it. Nick’s character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of the novel, transforming from an initially unlikeable figure into someone worthy of Emmy’s forgiveness and respect. Their growing father-daughter bond, while slow and sometimes strained, feels authentic and deeply moving.

Ainslee captures the highs and lows of life on the road with vivid detail, giving the story a distinctive "on-tour" vibe. The band itself becomes a kind of found family for Emmy, with younger members like the hilariously charismatic Eighty bringing lightness to the story. These relationships add a sense of camaraderie and belonging that contrasts with Emmy’s internal struggles, making her emotional growth even more poignant.

Romance takes a backseat in this story but is still present in a sweet, slow-burn relationship between Emmy and Sully, one of the crew members. The book also addresses Emmy’s problematic past relationship with an older ex-boyfriend, illustrating her immaturity at the time and the unhealthy nature of their dynamic. As mentioned earlier, this relationship is handled with care and serves as a stepping stone in Emmy’s journey toward understanding self-worth and consent.

The pacing lags slightly in the middle, and there are moments where the plot feels meandering, but Ainslee makes up for it with her sharp wit and emotionally rich storytelling. The themes of fame and addiction add depth and weight to what might otherwise seem like a standard coming-of-age tale. Emmy’s revelations about her parents’ past and her father’s struggles bring a bittersweet complexity to the story, especially as Nick’s health becomes a central focus toward the end.

Ultimately, “Almost Infamous” is more than a story about music and fame. It’s about growth—both personal and relational—and the courage to navigate life’s messiness with honesty and vulnerability. With relatable characters, touching relationships, and moments that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect, this book offers an emotional experience that lingers long after the final page. Fans of layered YA contemporaries with strong family themes and quirky settings won’t want to miss this one. “Almost Infamous” is a beautiful, bittersweet story that captures the complexities of growing up and finding where you belong.

Emmy has lived with her mom her whole life without knowing who her father is until one day out of the blue when she’s 17 he decides to be apart of her life again so she is forced to travel with her dads band on tour. The catch is that she must disguise herself as their photographer since no one knows her famous father has a kid. They slowly start to bond by nick talking about his past and how much he’s changed for the better.

I’ve been in a reading slump for the past week and I’m so happy that i finally found this book that took me out of it! Almost famous by Sarah Ainsley is a beautiful story told in the first point of view by Emmy. I really loved reading this and seeing the father daughter relationship growth throughout the story. The slow burn relationship between Emmy and Sully was so cute! That plot twist towards the end was shocking and sad.

My favorite characters
-Emmy : She had a really great character growth and I loved her passion for photography.
-Eighty : He’s hilarious
-Nick : I initially didn’t like him but I was really proud of who he turned out to be. His character growth was the strongest.

My least favorite character:
-Kayla

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Almost Infamous by Sarah Ainslee
Received as an ARC from author.
Em’s dream trip to New York City with her friend comes to a crashing halt when her mother tells her she has to visit her father. Her non existent father Nick of the rock band Mayfair had recently been in a near death accident and now finally wants to spend time with his daughter. Catch is she has to be on tour with the band.
Em isn’t happy her true identity being hidden as an intern doing photography for the band and their socials.
She befriends Sully a son of another band member who is here for divorced father custody time.
They have a bond that becomes stronger.
Em finds out more from her dad Nick that her mother hid.
When the whole world finds out who she is it comes crashing in on her to finally deal with

Thank you Net Galley and Sarah Ainslee for this arc!

This book started off slow at first, but picked up towards the middle and was amazing from then on. Throughout reading this book you grow to love each character and appreciate the depth each of them have individually. This book is very witty and there were times while reading that I was giggling to myself because of how hilarious the banter is. I am so glad this book was my first ever arc!

----> Almost Infamous by Sarah Ainslee

the plot: DAMN. this is such a good idea !! not completely original, of course, but the way it was executed is super cute. long story short: emmy (adorable name btw), a seventeen-year-old who loves photography, comes back home one day to find out that she's being sent to her chronically absent rockstar dad and his bandmates on tour for a few weeks. i kid you not, the moment i saw that this book is said to give olivia rodrigo's SOUR vibes, <b>i was in</b>. no ifs, no buts, i just smashed the request button and my gosh am i honoured to have gotten it !! the plot is really fun and heartwarming at the same time. i loved the spontaneous actions, and nick's bandmates (despite them being middle-aged and wrinkly), but what i loved the most were the emotional connections. moreover, the bonds that we witnessed being built between the characters are what truly made this book delightful for me to read.

the connections + characters, wrapped:

> emmy + bel: this is the kind of friendship i strive for !! the bond that these two have is one i wish to have with at least one person standing on this earth. i love how they understand each other, fight and then forgive, and communicate wonderfully.

> emmy + laura: rory and lorelai gilmore fr !! they had such a deep and beautiful mother-daughter bond, and i'm glad to have one similar like theirs. seeing them becoming a little distant while emmy was with nick was a little painful, but it's all a stage of life - and they got through it, too!

> emmy + nick: sure, in the beginning, they didn't have <u>any</u> semblance of a bond, but as the book progressed, so did their father-daughter relationship. the end results of their character development and bond creation is really heartwarming, and it shows just how much your parents really love and appreciate you.

> emmy + sully: weird name couple, people !! just kidding, their names aren't even all that weird. emmy, short for emerson, and sully, short for sullivan, were such a cute pair! i love how we didn't focus on their romance but more on their budding friendship (and emmy and nick's bond) with a happy ending for these two at the end.

> the mayfair band: all the members of the band were so unique and fun!! personally, i loved eighty's (adam's) character the most out of the band members. but overall, the whole vibe of the band was literally the same feeling i get when i look at a band of teenagers lol.

my overall thoughts: overall, this was such a cute and fun book!! it doesn't seem like much in the beginning, but as the book goes on, you warm up to the characters and the general vibe. honestly, this TOTALLY gives off olivia's SOUR vibes. and omg how did i not mention this: emmy's photography hobby is such a lovely addition to the book! anyways, i would definitely recommend this!!

thank you to NetGalley and the author for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

I really enjoyed this as a coming of age story and enjoyed the characters going through this and enjoyed the overall feel that I was looking for. The plot was everything that I was looking for and enjoyed the overall feel of this. The characters were everything that I wanted and enjoyed the feel of them in this story. Sarah Ainslee has a strong writing style and was glad I was glad to read this.

thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I finished this book yesterday and I can not get it off my mind. this book is so touching, sweet and amazing. this book made me go through a range of emotions, to the point when im thinking about it im still smiling and giggling to myself and sometimes tearing up. this is such a good book I really enjoyed it.

THANK YOU TO SARAH AINSLEE IT WAS A RIDE I LOVED IT.