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.

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.