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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
read on my blog
rep: sapphic side character, gay Black side character, Black side character
cw: mentions of loss of a loved one
I'm partially rewriting this review for a third time after reading it again; it's taken me that long to really put into words how much I love this book. I've quickly fallen in love with all of Emma Mills's works. All of her books are just so good and evocative and heartfelt. Each new book just gets better and better, and Famous in a Small Town is no exception: this is my new favorite Emma Mills book, which I didn't think possible.
Now that being said, I don't want to completely compare all of her books, but I will say that Famous in a Small Town has diverged from its predecessors. Mills's three previous works feature a main character who doesn't realize she's discontent until she meets a new group of people and falls in love with them. In short, she's the newcomer. However, in this book, Sophie has a group of friends and a place in her life; she knows what she's doing and what she wants to do, which is a bit of a change compared to the past protagonists. This time, the newcomer is the love interest, which changes the dynamic of the group more.
Famous in a Small Town also has a darker tone, in my opinion. Of course, it has its hilarious moments (I was actually laughing out loud at some points) and its cute moments (I couldn't stop smiling), but it also deals with heavier issues: of loss, of family, of desire.
Because that's what this book is about, at its core: wanting so badly to do the most for the ones and the things you love. That's really all Sophie wants to do: she wants to raise enough money for the band to go to the Rose Parade, so she starts the Megan Pleasant plot; she wants all of her friends to be happy, so she mediates the fights; she wants to make August feel welcome no matter what, so she invites him along until he goes. She's such a good person, as other characters tell her, and I loved it. I love her!
It's not selfish to want people in your life who care about you.
One of the things I loved the most about Famous in a Small Town is that it doesn't put down small town life. Most YA books you read about being from a small town always features a protagonist who wants nothing more than to leave said small town. However, here, Sophie likes being from Acadia; it's always been enough for her, and I found that very refreshing.
I also loved the friend group more than I possibly thought I could. Sophie's dynamic with her friends is amazing; they've known each other for so long, and they have so many memories and inside jokes. Only Emma Mills could write such hilarious banter so succinctly to make you laugh, and then bring it up later when you've almost forgotten it to make you laugh again. The found family trope is so strong and totally did not make me cry :'))) And they're all so accepting of August, who also fits into their weird little group.
"I have to warn you, I'm an incredible bowler," August said. "Like, truly, staggeringly talented."He bowled an impressive five gutter balls in a row."Is that what you mean by staggeringly talented?"He grinned. "Yeah. I'm the best worst bowler in the world. Try to find a worse bowler than me."
The romance was SO cute. I really can't believe Emma Mills keeps giving us soft boys and I love it. And we may or may not get a lot of kisses [insert smirking face]. One of Sophie's friends is also said to have had crushes/flings with boys and girls, although no label is specified in canon.
Everything in this book just fits together so well; the plot to get a famous country star back to town, Sophie's love for marching band, her texts with her sister. Emma Mills has done it again and given us another textual masterpiece. I can't wait for everyone to be able to read this sweet, angsty, hilarious, swoonworthy book and fall in love with it just like I did.
2nd read:
exactly 2 months later and I’m crying again
original review:
fuck I’m crying
“This was a bad idea, and I knew it. Like Brit trying to dip-dye my hair in seventh grade. But it was borne of wanting. I wanted pink hair. I wanted August.”I don’t think I’ll ever tire of Emma Mills' books. She could come out with a thousand over her lifetime, and I’d devour each and every one in a single sitting like I did tonight.
Although This Adventure Ends is always going to be my favourite, Famous in a Small Town still hits all of Mills' best beats: a wonderful and healthy friend group (I adored every single character, and I’d die for them all), an organic and heart-filled romance (August is such a sarcastic, sublime love interest and I’d marry him, like, five days after meeting him at a minimum), and a protagonists who’s genuinely kind and compassionate and is easy to love (I’d also marry Sophie, like, five days after meeting her, too).
I can’t recommend Famous in a Small Town enough! If you like fluffy romances, complex but beautiful friendships, and lots of snark and banter, pick up any Emma Mills' book and prepare to be entertained.
4 stars
I read a book in less than 24 hours!!!!!! (I had to get that out, I regret nothing.)
Having read all of Emma Mills' previous books, and never having had a bad experience with them, I bought this and then picked it up to read without knowing anything about it at all. And that was fair. And I would do it again.
The instant I started reading I was just sucked in and absorbed. It reads really easily and it's not very long, so before I knew it I was already halfway done. What I love most about Mills' books is the spunky dialogue she creates and the very positive friendships and familial relationships. It's just super feelgood stuff. And the banter had me laughing - out - loud. My boyfriend eyed me suspiciously when this happened, unsure if I was laughing at the book or whatever foolish action he just did in Fallout. No, dear, it was the book.
Anyway. Highly enjoyable. Very banterfluffy. Would recommend, if you're into that kinda thing.
I read a book in less than 24 hours!!!!!! (I had to get that out, I regret nothing.)
Having read all of Emma Mills' previous books, and never having had a bad experience with them, I bought this and then picked it up to read without knowing anything about it at all. And that was fair. And I would do it again.
The instant I started reading I was just sucked in and absorbed. It reads really easily and it's not very long, so before I knew it I was already halfway done. What I love most about Mills' books is the spunky dialogue she creates and the very positive friendships and familial relationships. It's just super feelgood stuff. And the banter had me laughing - out - loud. My boyfriend eyed me suspiciously when this happened, unsure if I was laughing at the book or whatever foolish action he just did in Fallout. No, dear, it was the book.
Anyway. Highly enjoyable. Very banterfluffy. Would recommend, if you're into that kinda thing.
So. Frickin. Sweet. I’ve read most of Emma Mills’ books, and while I don’t know that she’s essential her books are utterly delightful. This one had me laughing out loud and covering my giggling mouth with the collar of my shirt because it was just so. Frickin’. Sweet. And funny. I don’t have a lot to add to that but to say hooray.
(And that generally I dislike all of her character names but I’m not gonna begrudge someone using the most uninteresting of character names. I do think the choice of August and Terrance as names were chosen in service of a joke late in the book. Would be intrigued to know if it was a chicken or egg situation there.)
(And that generally I dislike all of her character names but I’m not gonna begrudge someone using the most uninteresting of character names. I do think the choice of August and Terrance as names were chosen in service of a joke late in the book. Would be intrigued to know if it was a chicken or egg situation there.)
I wasn't a big fan of the country music. I'll definitely pick up another Emma Mills book to see if it was just this that I didn't like.
Didn't love this one as much as Foolish Heats but it was still really good.
I love how Emma writes friendships. The silly inside jokes and the way they interact just makes sense and feels so real and so like many friendships I've had.
I love how Emma writes friendships. The silly inside jokes and the way they interact just makes sense and feels so real and so like many friendships I've had.
4.5 stars. The story itself is a 5 but there are some issues with the execution. The layout is formulaic and extremely comparable to the layout of This Adventure Ends. There’s a girl with a found family who is hyper-focused on meeting a goal that’s hers alone who has a crush on a boy who has emotional issues. However that’s kinda what makes both great? The story and little twists in Famous in a Small Town are both so binge-worthy and sweet. Emma Mills can really write a fantastic banter between friends that is so funny and realistic. My main criticisms come in the fact that I don’t think anyone’s physical description was ever laid out. It may be a style choice, a ~these friends could be anybody~ type deal, but I know a lot of people can’t picture a story without descriptions. I’m lucky to be able to but it’s just because I have no imagination lmao. Also the synopsis on the back of the ARC makes a few small plot points seem way bigger than they were which can be confusing. However, the redeeming qualities of this book are so much more important than its small failings and I think this book will be really well-received and loved. I would love to give it 5 stars and I think I could easily if there are any changes before the final copy is released.
Emma Mills books are:
- funny
- gorgeously covered (this is probably the first most important thing except “don’t judge a book by its cover” or whatever)
- under the dust jacket, ALSO gorgeous (can’t emphasize the aesthetics enough)
- charming
- friendship-filled
- banter-y
- romance-y but not TOO romance-y you know?
Basically they are the perfect contemporary. Always. Without fail.
Okay. Maybe not without fail. This Adventure Ends is kinda meh. First & Then has its charms but it’s nothing to write home about.
BUT.
But but but.
Foolish Hearts is a five star read. A YA CONTEMPORARY THAT’S A FIVE STAR READ. (Mental note to reread Foolish Hearts immediately.)
I have given approximately four YA contemporaries five stars, and Foolish Hearts is one of them.
This one isn’t, but it’s still pretty good. And pulled me out of a reading slump!
Also, I don’t really remember it. But I know it was pretty good, so just...trust me without evidence I guess.
I’m going to end this review now.And reread Foolish Hearts right after.
Bottom line: Do I know what this review was? No. Do I know this book was good? Yes. Kind of.
-------------
pre-review
i would die for emma mills.
review to come
-------------
currently-reading updates
it turns out all i need to break me out of a reading slump is a new emma mills book and some heavy procrastination
-------------
tbr review
somebody......please..........give me this book
i'm a good person kind of. i deserve it, or at least would like it a lot and be excited and stuff so it'd be nice of you to grant me that experience.
2019 IS TOO FAR AWAY THANKS!!!!!
- funny
- gorgeously covered (this is probably the first most important thing except “don’t judge a book by its cover” or whatever)
- under the dust jacket, ALSO gorgeous (can’t emphasize the aesthetics enough)
- charming
- friendship-filled
- banter-y
- romance-y but not TOO romance-y you know?
Basically they are the perfect contemporary. Always. Without fail.
Okay. Maybe not without fail. This Adventure Ends is kinda meh. First & Then has its charms but it’s nothing to write home about.
BUT.
But but but.
Foolish Hearts is a five star read. A YA CONTEMPORARY THAT’S A FIVE STAR READ. (Mental note to reread Foolish Hearts immediately.)
I have given approximately four YA contemporaries five stars, and Foolish Hearts is one of them.
This one isn’t, but it’s still pretty good. And pulled me out of a reading slump!
Also, I don’t really remember it. But I know it was pretty good, so just...trust me without evidence I guess.
I’m going to end this review now.
Bottom line: Do I know what this review was? No. Do I know this book was good? Yes. Kind of.
-------------
pre-review
i would die for emma mills.
review to come
-------------
currently-reading updates
it turns out all i need to break me out of a reading slump is a new emma mills book and some heavy procrastination
-------------
tbr review
somebody......please..........give me this book
i'm a good person kind of. i deserve it, or at least would like it a lot and be excited and stuff so it'd be nice of you to grant me that experience.
2019 IS TOO FAR AWAY THANKS!!!!!
This was CUTE and FAST and the perfect thing to read at the end of a month and/or during a reading slump. I am officially an Emma Mills stan.