So lol – I don’t read a synopsis and get in trouble. This time I DID read the synopsis and get in trouble. But I’m very glad I read this book! Check out my Review of Famous In a Small Town!
Famous in a Small Town by Emma Mills
To be published by Henry Holt on January 15, 2019. ARC from publisher for review.
Synopsis from Goodreads: For Sophie, small-town life has never felt small. She has the Yum Yum Shoppe, with its famous fourteen flavors of ice cream; her beloved marching band, the pride and joy of Acadia High (even if the football team disagrees); and her four best friends, loving and infuriating, wonderfully weird and all she could ever ask for. Then August moves in next door. A quiet guy with a magnetic smile, August seems determined to keep everyone at arm’s length. Sophie in particular.
Review of Famous in a Small Town
I’ve read WAY too many YA books about a teenage girl in a small town who falls in love with a celebrity who comes to town. Those plots always seem way too young for me and too overdone. (I do like celebrity in disguise sort of plots, but YA rarely has those). Based on the synopsis (which is super vague) I was certain that was the story I was getting. And I felt VERY unenthusiastic about this, even though I’m a big fan of Emma Mills.
Well the surprise was on me, because this is NOT about a girl who falls in love with a celebrity. And (but not because of that) I loved it. Like all Mills’ books, it’s about friendship and relationships, with some romance thrown in. Plus plenty of witty banter.
Sophie is a high school senior who has lived in Acadia, Illinois forever. She’s thinking about college, but she’s nervous to leave home, like her older sister did. A new guy comes to town and she starts to fall for him.
When I write this I realize that this book doesn’t have a ton of plot. But I didn’t care, because it did have beautifully written characters that I really felt I got to know over the course of the story. I think Mills always does a fantastic job of writing characters who are real and imperfect and relationships that are messy and complicated.
The only thing I wished were different was that there were a couple of surprising revelations toward the end of the book that I wish had been made a bit sooner and been explored a little more. But I will read whatever Emma Mills writes – she is one of my absolute favorites!
Check out my Review of Lucky Caller by Emma Mills!
Yay! My copy comes Tuesday and I’m pumped. I love her books.
I almost picked this up this weekend! Darn.
I’ve only read only one Emma Mills book so far and liked that one. Unlike you, I can’t get enough of reading celebrities/”normal people” romances. Lol. So definitely looking forward to reading this.
lol I do think a lot of people love that trope. For me it’s more a YA issue – the teenager and teenage “star” is just not that interesting to me. When it’s adults I don’t mind that much…
We’re review twins today! I totally agree- the synopsis is totally vague but I really love what this book turned out to be. Emma Mills doesn’t disappoint! That twist at the end came out of nowhere but it was different from her previous books so I liked it 🙂
Yay – yes the synopsis was very vague! And I wish the twist had come a tiny bit sooner so it could have been dealt with a bit more. But otherwise I loved this!
First of all, I was really happy to see you liked this book. I adore Mills. Her books work for me, though I agree, these is not a ton of plot in this book. It’s more a friendship story and coming to terms with one’s past too (maybe).
Hahaha finally we agree on a book. I have loved all Mills’s books except her first.
I’ve never read any books by Emma Mills although I’ve always been eyeing them. Their covers are too pretty. You had me witty banters. I also like that it’s a friendship & relationships kind of YA rather than a romance one.
SO much witty banter. You might want to start with This Adventure Ends (very John Green-esque) or Foolish Hearts (kind of Shakespeare retelling.)
This is a new author for me, but sounds like the main character is all kinds of normal and adorable. It sounds like a book I’d enjoy, and my daughter would LOVE.
Definitely get and share with your daughter!
I just looked up her books because I couldn’t remember if I’ve read anything by her or not.
I read and reviewed First & then and said almost the same thing about that one as your review for this one. Cute, not a lot of plot, wish a few things were developed more but I liked it.
Karen @ For What It’s Worth
Admission: I DNF’d First and Then but have loved her books since that.
I have often admired the covers for Mill’s books, yet have never read any. It sounds as though this one should go on my TBR. I love a great contemporary and it sounds like this has some great aspects despite the lack of plot. I am glad that you enjoyed it so much. 🙂
Her books are really great. If you like more plot, then try This Adventure Ends. I loved them both!
I wonder what the title refers to if the love interest if not a celebrity. Maybe our protagonist is popular…? Nice review!
There is a celebrity, but that person is not the love interest!