OVERVIEWI have read most of Viola Shipman's books with the exception of the Christmas books. Normally, I look forward to Viola's books, but this book was a BIG disappointment to me.
This was a contemporary fiction novel set primarily in Good Hart, Michigan in the northern part of the state. It is a real town where cherries and Lake Michigan are a big draw for the tourists who invade every summer and fall. The main characters are the cherries, Mary (a town native), and Becky (a vacationer) who meet and form a STRONG friendship almost immediately. It seems like all of the characters have had horrible childhoods and some with a lack of familial support. I especially dislike the description of Becky's boyfriend and parents' treatment of her - it just struck a real nerve in me. I couldn't get past it and it just ruined the book for me. I read the book quickly because I just wanted it to be over.
I also didn't like the name-dropping in the book of Jeff Daniels - I get enough of that living in Los Angeles. Also, the appropriation of the "vision" of the four women bothered me. The overt Roman Catholicism impacting life choices was out of place in a contemporary novel like this.
The ending just wasn't fulfilling to me. It was just TOO perfect!
REVIEW: 3.0 stars
Writing: 3.0 stars
Famous in a Small Town did not have the normal writing by Viola Shipman. It felt like it lacked editing and was written quickly. Although I could tell that it was well-researched, it wasn't written to me.
Character development: 3.0 stars
This novel has two main human characters, Mary and Becky. They both come from abusive backgrounds and bond over a shared "vision". The characters were just not developed enough for me. I wanted and needed more about the human characters before they meet.
Of course, the OTHER main character, cherries, was fully developed. It almost felt like the book was an advertisement for Good Hart, Michigan.
Storyline: 3.0 stars
The storyline was weak and not believable. Becky comes into Mary's life and everyone's life is perfect again. It just didn't ring true to me.
Book cover: 3.0 stars
Meh!
Book title: 3.0 stars
It felt like an excuse to feature a Miranda Lambert song (name-dropping again).
Gut feeling: 2.0 stars
I was disappointed!!
Lukewarm RECOMMEND
INFORMATION/LINKS
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman
304 pages
2 days to read it (It is an EASY read)
Read it as a LAPL (Los Angeles Public Library) ebook
Release date of 06/13/2023
https://violashipman.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5382664743
https://www.harpercollins.com/pages/graydonhousebooks
https://lapl.overdrive.com/
Happy reading,
Dorothea 💜
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