A review by thathappyreader
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman

5.0

Viola Shipman once again shows his ability to write a great story in Famous in a Small Town. The story is entertaining and meaningful. The characters are well-developed with interesting backstories and are likeable.

Mary Jackson is an eighty-year-old woman who comes from a line of strong women with abusive husbands who worked hard for the success of their Good Hart Michigan small-town general store. She is well-known and respected in her town and visitors for her baking and a world record she set sixty-five years ago.

Becky Thatcher is a school administrator who was expecting her long-term boyfriend to propose but he has no desire to marry. Needing an escape, Becky and her long-time friend decide to take their summer break and visit Good Hart- the scene of happy vacations of her childhood and her sighting of Fata morgana.

These two women develop a relationship that changes both of them forever. The book highlights the importance of friendship, family, survival and respect. The beauty of this area and the small-town vibe of Good Hart are well-described and the reader is easily transported there. Personal growth, romance and deciding what is important to each of us are prominently featured.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy General Fiction set in small towns.

4.5 stars (rounded up to 5).