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Famous #1
Famous
Everyone knows her face. He knows her heart. Emerson Quinn is famous. Girls want to be her. Boys want to date her. Each record outsells the last. All that remains is to continue transitioning her brand from its teenage fan base to a more mature, diverse audience. So she’s under strict orders to play nice with her army of assigned co-songwriters and to knock off the serial dating that keeps landing her in the tabloids. If she follows instructions, she can look forward to an indefinite run at the top of the celebrity ecosystem. There’s only one problem with this Emerson is miserable. So she runs away, impulsively fleeing her L.A. life and heading for a small Iowa college town where a guy she once knew lives. He’s the only person in the world she can think of who might be enough of a nerd to not know about Emerson Quinn the brand. Who might be willing to provide a haven where she can lay low and write her new album by herself, on her own terms. Art history professor Evan Winslow knows a thing or two about leaving your past behind. He’s worked hard to establish himself far from the spotlight of his infamous father. He’s up for tenure soon, which will mean job security for life. All he has to do to lock down his hard-won, blessedly quiet existence is keep his head down. Too bad the most famous pop star in the world—who also happens to be his long-lost muse—has just shown up on his doorstep.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2017
About the author
Jenny Holiday
37 books1,850 followersJenny Holiday is a USA Today-bestselling and RITA®-nominated author whose books have been featured in The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, and Buzzfeed. She grew up in Minnesota and started writing at age nine when her fourth-grade teacher gave her a notebook to fill with stories. When she's not working on her next book, she likes to hang out with her family, watch other people sing karaoke, and throw theme parties. Jenny lives in London, Ontario, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
July 26, 2018
I think a few things about this book. Its set up started out as my catnip... Then quickly fell apart for some reason due to the forced proximity which I also totally love, but in this case I was hoping for some more organic. I also kept getting slightly caught up in the fact this felt like Taylor Swift fan fiction with stuff borrowed straight from tabloids. And the red lips. And she was 26.
Overall, it was a sweet story. Emmy did put me off by betraying there hero's privacy. I know it all worked out in the end, but I want impressed. I guess that's where it falls flat. The hero had a great story. I understood Evan. She was tougher for me.
It was a solid story, low conflict, cheesy ending with some good MN bits. A solid read, though not particularly memorable. 3***
Overall, it was a sweet story. Emmy did put me off by betraying there hero's privacy. I know it all worked out in the end, but I want impressed. I guess that's where it falls flat. The hero had a great story. I understood Evan. She was tougher for me.
It was a solid story, low conflict, cheesy ending with some good MN bits. A solid read, though not particularly memorable. 3***
February 21, 2019
Very entertaining romance between a pop star trying to get some time away from the limelight and an art history professor scarred by his infamous father. This was actually a compelling read that made me smile quite a few times.
April 30, 2020
This is a really strong wish-fulfillment romance. Some elements don't survive any scrutiny at all, but the romance works fairly well even so. And I don't mean Emmy's pop artist career being problematic as that's more or less a given. Evan's paintings don't really work, either, particularly as he's supposedly creating in a stuffy attic late at night for most of the story (and Emmy's lampshading it with "you're painting in the room with the least light in the house" doesn't really mitigate it).
Still, I liked their interactions and that she took a wild chance that he'd let her stay and that he found himself falling for her despite knowing her lifestyle was anathema to his own. My favorite was how they came to support and respect one another and how each became the other's refuge. I love couples who find that kind of complimentary support and particularly when the author can show how that improves their lives in concrete and important ways.
And I don't have a lot else to say, I think. It's good for what it is and I'm going to give it a wobbly four stars. And some of the wobble is all the sex, but I'll put that in my steamy note.
A note about Steamy: There are four or so explicit sex scenes, and the first one is multi-chapter (with a small break in the middle). So this edges into the high end of my steam tolerance, but at least some of that is because they're intrusive, unlikely, and frankly, gratuitous. I frankly skimmed them all, at least partially because all I really cared about was that they established a connection that survived intimacy. And all the important part happened before the intimacy with the declarations of trust and desire.
Still, I liked their interactions and that she took a wild chance that he'd let her stay and that he found himself falling for her despite knowing her lifestyle was anathema to his own. My favorite was how they came to support and respect one another and how each became the other's refuge. I love couples who find that kind of complimentary support and particularly when the author can show how that improves their lives in concrete and important ways.
And I don't have a lot else to say, I think. It's good for what it is and I'm going to give it a wobbly four stars. And some of the wobble is all the sex, but I'll put that in my steamy note.
A note about Steamy: There are four or so explicit sex scenes, and the first one is multi-chapter (with a small break in the middle). So this edges into the high end of my steam tolerance, but at least some of that is because they're intrusive, unlikely, and frankly, gratuitous. I frankly skimmed them all, at least partially because all I really cared about was that they established a connection that survived intimacy. And all the important part happened before the intimacy with the declarations of trust and desire.
July 12, 2017
Review also posted on http://www.afterdarkbooklovers.com/20...
-I think I like taking a Holiday (book). This is the second book by Ms. Holiday that I’ve read and I’ve gotta say - she has a talent for creating the type of romance I like best - character driven. My favorite romances may take their time to unfold but I enjoy the journey so much. Here, Ms. Holiday has managed to create a whole little ‘verse that kept me interested and kept me humming right along (so to speak) while this romance happened.
-The “be careful what you wish for” plot is cool. Emmy and Evan, who meet at his friend’s (and her cousin’s) wedding seven years ago and spent a great night...just talking to each other. Yes, I was kind of shocked, but in a good way. Anyhoodle, Evan is an artist who is determined to not be one. Emmy is a singer who is determined to be one. They each have their brushes with fame, or infamy, as the case may be, that colors their world in ways that they do not want and are determined to change. Emmy is trying to escape her pop star life and just write her own album, on her own with no one’s help. That night with Evan made an indelible impression on her and she decides to google him and show up on his doorstep, seeking sanctuary. Random, yes, a bit of a stretch, definitely, but it worked. Evan is living in the middle of nowhere (aka Iowa) and is trying to focus on getting tenure at Dane College and would rather set himself on fire than be famous again.
- The (popstar) elephant in the room. So, it’s inevitable. I just could not, for the life of me, put aside the image I had of Emmy. I mean, from her physical description (blond, long & lean, cherry red lips), to the commentary on her very public love life, you cannot help but picture a certain blonde someone….c’mon, take a guess.
I tried to put it aside, but I just couldn’t do it. If you love her, you will enjoy this book. If you hate her, you may...not enjoy this as much.
Yes, Tay Tay, people sometimes don’t appreciate you. I personally do not have this problem, so I was willing to go on the ride. Having said that,it was a tad distracting at first and it was only once she settled into Evan’s life and the romance started taking center stage, that I could kind of see beyond the Tay Tay. So, I would say it is an issue when a character is so easily identifiable because it can work against the story.
-Evan is nerdy hot, with just enough angst to make it interesting. Evan gave up his art and while he is striving to put it all behind him, and his pain and struggle is palpable. The way he tried to stay away from painting, like an alcoholic craving a drink was well done and I think his character arc is actually stronger than Emmy’s. I understood why he didn’t just jump on board the Tay, I mean Emmy train and his gradual acceptance of his feelings drove the story in a believable fashion. Evan has that bit of angst that balances out the nerdy vibe (I do love hot men in glasses), and he certainly kept my interest throughout.
-The Firsts save this day. The connection and chemistry between Evan and Emmy is strong and as I said, once you get past the inevitable comparisons, the characters and their interactions really make this story shine. You really get to enjoy Evan and Emmy’s dialogue, their friendships with secondary characters like Ms. Johansen and Jace and even the tension from Evan’s pursuit of tenure even with his horrid department chair nemesis gives the story life and it was the perfect way to spend a weekend.
I really liked this character-driven romance by Ms. Holiday and I would recommend to those who like celebrity/second chance romances.
**ARC provided by author for review**
For more reviews, visit
-I think I like taking a Holiday (book). This is the second book by Ms. Holiday that I’ve read and I’ve gotta say - she has a talent for creating the type of romance I like best - character driven. My favorite romances may take their time to unfold but I enjoy the journey so much. Here, Ms. Holiday has managed to create a whole little ‘verse that kept me interested and kept me humming right along (so to speak) while this romance happened.
-The “be careful what you wish for” plot is cool. Emmy and Evan, who meet at his friend’s (and her cousin’s) wedding seven years ago and spent a great night...just talking to each other. Yes, I was kind of shocked, but in a good way. Anyhoodle, Evan is an artist who is determined to not be one. Emmy is a singer who is determined to be one. They each have their brushes with fame, or infamy, as the case may be, that colors their world in ways that they do not want and are determined to change. Emmy is trying to escape her pop star life and just write her own album, on her own with no one’s help. That night with Evan made an indelible impression on her and she decides to google him and show up on his doorstep, seeking sanctuary. Random, yes, a bit of a stretch, definitely, but it worked. Evan is living in the middle of nowhere (aka Iowa) and is trying to focus on getting tenure at Dane College and would rather set himself on fire than be famous again.
- The (popstar) elephant in the room. So, it’s inevitable. I just could not, for the life of me, put aside the image I had of Emmy. I mean, from her physical description (blond, long & lean, cherry red lips), to the commentary on her very public love life, you cannot help but picture a certain blonde someone….c’mon, take a guess.
I tried to put it aside, but I just couldn’t do it. If you love her, you will enjoy this book. If you hate her, you may...not enjoy this as much.
Yes, Tay Tay, people sometimes don’t appreciate you. I personally do not have this problem, so I was willing to go on the ride. Having said that,it was a tad distracting at first and it was only once she settled into Evan’s life and the romance started taking center stage, that I could kind of see beyond the Tay Tay. So, I would say it is an issue when a character is so easily identifiable because it can work against the story.
-Evan is nerdy hot, with just enough angst to make it interesting. Evan gave up his art and while he is striving to put it all behind him, and his pain and struggle is palpable. The way he tried to stay away from painting, like an alcoholic craving a drink was well done and I think his character arc is actually stronger than Emmy’s. I understood why he didn’t just jump on board the Tay, I mean Emmy train and his gradual acceptance of his feelings drove the story in a believable fashion. Evan has that bit of angst that balances out the nerdy vibe (I do love hot men in glasses), and he certainly kept my interest throughout.
-The Firsts save this day. The connection and chemistry between Evan and Emmy is strong and as I said, once you get past the inevitable comparisons, the characters and their interactions really make this story shine. You really get to enjoy Evan and Emmy’s dialogue, their friendships with secondary characters like Ms. Johansen and Jace and even the tension from Evan’s pursuit of tenure even with his horrid department chair nemesis gives the story life and it was the perfect way to spend a weekend.
I really liked this character-driven romance by Ms. Holiday and I would recommend to those who like celebrity/second chance romances.
**ARC provided by author for review**
For more reviews, visit
April 14, 2020
I enjoyed this contemporary romance, about two people learning to accept themselves and find their own path.
July 11, 2017
Famous by Jenny Holiday is a standalone story with a small town setting about chance encounters and how they can impact you for years to come. It’s a sexy and thoughtful romance with an interesting view of fame and all its consequences.
When Emerson Quinn meets Evan Winslow at a wedding reception, it’s one of those magical nights where two strangers meet and share an immediate connection only to go their separate ways. Emmy is off to seek fame and fortune with her music and Evan is going into hiding to remove himself from a family scandal. Several years later, Emmy has achieved commercial success but is miserable. In desperation, she seeks a quiet Iowa town and the man who once told her she only had to call and he’d be there to help her. So what if it’s been several years since they’ve spoken and they’ve not kept in touch – Emmy is sure that Evan meant what he said.
An art history professor at a small college, Evan doesn’t know what to make of Emmy when she shows up on his doorstep early in summer with a guitar and a suitcase. He remembers their connection but had consigned her to a bittersweet memory – a sweet kiss with a beautiful young woman with dreams very different from his own. The last thing he needs is a famous pop star drawing the paparazzi to his home and dragging up the past, especially while he’s waiting to hear whether he’ll get tenure in the fall. But Emmy’s clear need for a safe space won’t let him turn her away, and a few days of respite soon turns to an agreement to let her stay for the summer (well disguised) while she works on the music of her heart. Emmy’s presence leads Evan to something he’d put aside since realizing his father’s crimes had paid for his art studies – the desire to paint once again. For both of them it’s a rejuvenation of spirit, and naturally, a blossoming of the attraction that drew them together in the first place. But soon they’ll be forced to face the reality of Emmy’s ‘real’ life – will the connection they’ve made keep them together or become a distant memory?
I was drawn to this story by the pairing of these two characters and it absolutely lived up to my hopes and then some. Emmy is a talented young woman who has paid the price of fame willingly but realizes she is burning out and escapes her gilded cage. The small rural area of Iowa is a peaceful, quiet community, far different from L.A. and just what she needs to restore her faith in herself and her music. I particularly loved these small town scenes, the farmer’s market, the center where Evan teaches art to teens, the wonderful and humorous exchanges involving Evan’s elderly neighbor who is trying her hand at internet dating. There’s also a side trip to the Minnesota State Fair which, if you’ve ever been to a state fair, will definitely resonate. Emmy expresses her thanks to Evan for taking her in by assisting him in little ways, seamlessly integrating herself into his daily life until he begins to realize how much he’ll miss her when she’s gone.
Emmy had promised herself that this would be the summer of no men after some disastrous very public breakups caught with glee by the paparazzi. She’s an open, friendly woman who always believes the good in everyone, a definite flaw when in jaded Hollywood society. But she trusts Evan, and though they both believe pursuing their attraction would be a mistake, they come to the point where they throw caution to the winds and do it anyway. Because of their emotional connection, the steamy scenes are not just about sex but show another bond of trust between them.
Evan is doubly challenged by Emmy’s sudden appearance. It’s not just his fear that she will be discovered. It’s also his sudden desire to paint again, after years of self-denial. She’s his muse, and he finds himself secretly sneaking up to his attic and capturing her, and other subjects of interest on canvas. Evan comes across as a really nice man, quiet and funny and protective of Emmy once he understands more of her circumstances. Plus, he’s not shy in the bedroom once he and Emmy agree to explore what’s between them. Eventually, these warring conflicts burst their happy bubble of isolation and they have to face up to the reality of what’s waiting for them out in public. The resolution of these conflicts with the choices they make leads to a very satisfying happy ending. Famous is a lovely, heartwarming and sexy romance and an excellent addition to any contemporary romance bookshelf.
This review appears at : https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
When Emerson Quinn meets Evan Winslow at a wedding reception, it’s one of those magical nights where two strangers meet and share an immediate connection only to go their separate ways. Emmy is off to seek fame and fortune with her music and Evan is going into hiding to remove himself from a family scandal. Several years later, Emmy has achieved commercial success but is miserable. In desperation, she seeks a quiet Iowa town and the man who once told her she only had to call and he’d be there to help her. So what if it’s been several years since they’ve spoken and they’ve not kept in touch – Emmy is sure that Evan meant what he said.
An art history professor at a small college, Evan doesn’t know what to make of Emmy when she shows up on his doorstep early in summer with a guitar and a suitcase. He remembers their connection but had consigned her to a bittersweet memory – a sweet kiss with a beautiful young woman with dreams very different from his own. The last thing he needs is a famous pop star drawing the paparazzi to his home and dragging up the past, especially while he’s waiting to hear whether he’ll get tenure in the fall. But Emmy’s clear need for a safe space won’t let him turn her away, and a few days of respite soon turns to an agreement to let her stay for the summer (well disguised) while she works on the music of her heart. Emmy’s presence leads Evan to something he’d put aside since realizing his father’s crimes had paid for his art studies – the desire to paint once again. For both of them it’s a rejuvenation of spirit, and naturally, a blossoming of the attraction that drew them together in the first place. But soon they’ll be forced to face the reality of Emmy’s ‘real’ life – will the connection they’ve made keep them together or become a distant memory?
I was drawn to this story by the pairing of these two characters and it absolutely lived up to my hopes and then some. Emmy is a talented young woman who has paid the price of fame willingly but realizes she is burning out and escapes her gilded cage. The small rural area of Iowa is a peaceful, quiet community, far different from L.A. and just what she needs to restore her faith in herself and her music. I particularly loved these small town scenes, the farmer’s market, the center where Evan teaches art to teens, the wonderful and humorous exchanges involving Evan’s elderly neighbor who is trying her hand at internet dating. There’s also a side trip to the Minnesota State Fair which, if you’ve ever been to a state fair, will definitely resonate. Emmy expresses her thanks to Evan for taking her in by assisting him in little ways, seamlessly integrating herself into his daily life until he begins to realize how much he’ll miss her when she’s gone.
Emmy had promised herself that this would be the summer of no men after some disastrous very public breakups caught with glee by the paparazzi. She’s an open, friendly woman who always believes the good in everyone, a definite flaw when in jaded Hollywood society. But she trusts Evan, and though they both believe pursuing their attraction would be a mistake, they come to the point where they throw caution to the winds and do it anyway. Because of their emotional connection, the steamy scenes are not just about sex but show another bond of trust between them.
Evan is doubly challenged by Emmy’s sudden appearance. It’s not just his fear that she will be discovered. It’s also his sudden desire to paint again, after years of self-denial. She’s his muse, and he finds himself secretly sneaking up to his attic and capturing her, and other subjects of interest on canvas. Evan comes across as a really nice man, quiet and funny and protective of Emmy once he understands more of her circumstances. Plus, he’s not shy in the bedroom once he and Emmy agree to explore what’s between them. Eventually, these warring conflicts burst their happy bubble of isolation and they have to face up to the reality of what’s waiting for them out in public. The resolution of these conflicts with the choices they make leads to a very satisfying happy ending. Famous is a lovely, heartwarming and sexy romance and an excellent addition to any contemporary romance bookshelf.
This review appears at : https://straightshootinbookreviews.co...
A copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
May 29, 2020
I usually have problems with books about music artists. This one is no exception but I decided to set aside my logical side and just roll with it. And this book was really quite good.
We have Emmy and Evan who meet at her cousin's wedding 7 years before the book starts. They have an instant connection but the timing isn't right and after a night of talking and connecting they both go their separate ways. Emmy, to become a huge singer/songwriter (think Taylor Swift) and Evan becomes an art professor in the middle-of-nowhere Iowa. When life gets to be too much for Emmy, she shows up on Evans doorstep and he takes her in.
The writing was great and I really liked the MCs, but they seemed to circle each other for a bit too long. There was a lot of attraction, and then pulling away. There are awesome secondary characters and I loved how Emmy inserted herself into Evan's life for the better. They both learn a little something from the other. They had great chemistry and the romance was great.
Safety:
We have Emmy and Evan who meet at her cousin's wedding 7 years before the book starts. They have an instant connection but the timing isn't right and after a night of talking and connecting they both go their separate ways. Emmy, to become a huge singer/songwriter (think Taylor Swift) and Evan becomes an art professor in the middle-of-nowhere Iowa. When life gets to be too much for Emmy, she shows up on Evans doorstep and he takes her in.
The writing was great and I really liked the MCs, but they seemed to circle each other for a bit too long. There was a lot of attraction, and then pulling away. There are awesome secondary characters and I loved how Emmy inserted herself into Evan's life for the better. They both learn a little something from the other. They had great chemistry and the romance was great.
Safety:
July 18, 2017
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Emmy met Evan when she was a young bridesmaid, unaware of the world's realities and chasing a dream. As an adult though, her fame as Emerson Quinn means her dreams are managed by somebody else and her happiness and unhappiness is shared with everyone. She impulsively runs away to Evan Winslow, the handsome man who offered her an escape all those years ago. Evan is a quiet Art History professor who keeps to himself, his father's infamy for his crimes dashed his dreams of being an artist long ago. He doesn't want Emmy to ruin his well-crafted life, but when she crashes into it he can't help but let her in and soon his artist urges surge back to life. Together they find harmony, in living side-by side as friends, as fellow artists, but the attraction between them is hard to ignore.
Jenny Holiday delivers an easy, sweet romance with her new release, Famous. It's not your usual rock-star romance or famous girl, meets un-famous guy trope. Emmy and Evan are from different worlds and though they might have had a similar fame at some point, one left the world behind while the other rose to the top. What they do share, though, is a strong connection and a chemistry they fail to ignore. Emmy is hard to get into, she isn't as air-headed as she comes across, but she is stubborn and sometimes a bit of a ditz. Evan is handsome, hardened by life, and a fantastic hero in this novel. I think I loved his story more than I liked Emmy's, thankfully I really enjoyed them together too. Their romance is like a missed-connection, growing stronger with a small town as a backdrop and their shared love of art and hiding from the world.
I'll admit, the first 30% of the book wasn't my cup of tea, I felt like I was reading a story pulled straight from today's gossip columns. It moves slowly and Emmy is as cliche as they come, but overtime the sweet story grew on me. Emmy is your stereotypical pop star (read: Taylor Swift); her fame seems to have come easily and her life follows the same story line we are fed by the tabloids and TMZ. I am a huge TayTay fan, but I don't necessarily want to read a book based on her. What is different, though, is what happens when she steps out of the spotlight. She's no longer this wannabe book version TayTay. There is some really good character development in this book, if you can hang on through the slow stuff and some of the long stuff, like the lengthy push and pull Emmy and Evan engage in.
It was easy to see, from the very start, that Famous comes with an HEA. The journey to get though makes for a fun book and I really enjoyed how art played such an important part for both Emmy and Evan and the secondary characters. It's well written, funny, and a quick read for those that like that sort of thing.
Emmy met Evan when she was a young bridesmaid, unaware of the world's realities and chasing a dream. As an adult though, her fame as Emerson Quinn means her dreams are managed by somebody else and her happiness and unhappiness is shared with everyone. She impulsively runs away to Evan Winslow, the handsome man who offered her an escape all those years ago. Evan is a quiet Art History professor who keeps to himself, his father's infamy for his crimes dashed his dreams of being an artist long ago. He doesn't want Emmy to ruin his well-crafted life, but when she crashes into it he can't help but let her in and soon his artist urges surge back to life. Together they find harmony, in living side-by side as friends, as fellow artists, but the attraction between them is hard to ignore.
Jenny Holiday delivers an easy, sweet romance with her new release, Famous. It's not your usual rock-star romance or famous girl, meets un-famous guy trope. Emmy and Evan are from different worlds and though they might have had a similar fame at some point, one left the world behind while the other rose to the top. What they do share, though, is a strong connection and a chemistry they fail to ignore. Emmy is hard to get into, she isn't as air-headed as she comes across, but she is stubborn and sometimes a bit of a ditz. Evan is handsome, hardened by life, and a fantastic hero in this novel. I think I loved his story more than I liked Emmy's, thankfully I really enjoyed them together too. Their romance is like a missed-connection, growing stronger with a small town as a backdrop and their shared love of art and hiding from the world.
I'll admit, the first 30% of the book wasn't my cup of tea, I felt like I was reading a story pulled straight from today's gossip columns. It moves slowly and Emmy is as cliche as they come, but overtime the sweet story grew on me. Emmy is your stereotypical pop star (read: Taylor Swift); her fame seems to have come easily and her life follows the same story line we are fed by the tabloids and TMZ. I am a huge TayTay fan, but I don't necessarily want to read a book based on her. What is different, though, is what happens when she steps out of the spotlight. She's no longer this wannabe book version TayTay. There is some really good character development in this book, if you can hang on through the slow stuff and some of the long stuff, like the lengthy push and pull Emmy and Evan engage in.
It was easy to see, from the very start, that Famous comes with an HEA. The journey to get though makes for a fun book and I really enjoyed how art played such an important part for both Emmy and Evan and the secondary characters. It's well written, funny, and a quick read for those that like that sort of thing.
August 6, 2017
This is a contemporary romance with a couple for whom fame has very different consequences!
When they first met, Emerson Quinn was a bridesmaid at his friend’s wedding, whilst he was avoiding paparazzi looking to photo and interview because of his infamous father. Now he’s living a quiet, discrete life as an Art History professor and is hoping to overcome the bias of the Chair of the committee who are soon to decide if he should be awarded tenure or not. Emmie, however, has moved on from anonymity to becoming a pop idol but she feels she’s being pushed in directions she doesn’t want to follow, becoming more of a hits factory than the singer songwriter who enjoys performing that she was. She’s had enough and wants a break from the pressures imposed on her and goes, incognito, to see the handsome artist who offered her escape all those years ago. He’s reticent to help her, desperate to avoid any publicity which could affect his tenure opportunities or wreck his privacy, but Emmie awakens the artist in him again! It is actually great to see how their relationship develops and that Emmie is shown to be a somewhat reluctant star, someone who enjoys the 'normal' things in life rather than living the showbiz dream.
There are some noteworthy secondary characters, too, adding to the warmth and interest in the story. His elderly neighbour, Mrs Johansen, is brilliant, with fantastic casseroles and trying online dating with the guidance of Emmie, providing so many humorous incidents. Dane is a troubled teenager who loves music and Emmie relates to, inspiring him too. Watch out for Tony, too. He’s Emmie’s best friend and PA, always has Emmie’s back and is supportive of her seeking more autonomy for her songs and life choices. Together they all add to a lovely, easy read, romance that is truly heartwarming as both characters actually strive to do the best for each other as they fight against their attraction to each other before they attain their HEA together.
I requested and was given a copy of this book via IndieSage and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.
When they first met, Emerson Quinn was a bridesmaid at his friend’s wedding, whilst he was avoiding paparazzi looking to photo and interview because of his infamous father. Now he’s living a quiet, discrete life as an Art History professor and is hoping to overcome the bias of the Chair of the committee who are soon to decide if he should be awarded tenure or not. Emmie, however, has moved on from anonymity to becoming a pop idol but she feels she’s being pushed in directions she doesn’t want to follow, becoming more of a hits factory than the singer songwriter who enjoys performing that she was. She’s had enough and wants a break from the pressures imposed on her and goes, incognito, to see the handsome artist who offered her escape all those years ago. He’s reticent to help her, desperate to avoid any publicity which could affect his tenure opportunities or wreck his privacy, but Emmie awakens the artist in him again! It is actually great to see how their relationship develops and that Emmie is shown to be a somewhat reluctant star, someone who enjoys the 'normal' things in life rather than living the showbiz dream.
There are some noteworthy secondary characters, too, adding to the warmth and interest in the story. His elderly neighbour, Mrs Johansen, is brilliant, with fantastic casseroles and trying online dating with the guidance of Emmie, providing so many humorous incidents. Dane is a troubled teenager who loves music and Emmie relates to, inspiring him too. Watch out for Tony, too. He’s Emmie’s best friend and PA, always has Emmie’s back and is supportive of her seeking more autonomy for her songs and life choices. Together they all add to a lovely, easy read, romance that is truly heartwarming as both characters actually strive to do the best for each other as they fight against their attraction to each other before they attain their HEA together.
I requested and was given a copy of this book via IndieSage and this is my honest opinion after choosing to read it.
December 9, 2018
Mega pop star seeks a bit of quiet to regroup in the corn fields of Iowa; finds true love. Well done love story.
April 30, 2020
This was fine, I guess??? I thought was a pretty big betrayal, but then the book skipped over that, so okay!
I did think it got closer to what I want from a famous person book. Emmy doesn't the fame, but she does love the music and is reconciled enough to the fame because of it.
The romance was nice though! The teenager was fun.
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
I did think it got closer to what I want from a famous person book. Emmy doesn't the fame, but she does love the music and is reconciled enough to the fame because of it.
The romance was nice though! The teenager was fun.
Owned ebook 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 5/5 for the month
May 8, 2018
I fell in love with this book so hard. Famous is sweet yet sexy, with just enough angst to make your heart flail a bit but still remain fluffy. I want to snuggle with this book while listening to Emerson Quinn's music on repeat.
The set up is so sweet - Emmy and Evan meet at a wedding and have a moment, but as he's 26 and she's only 19 they have their one night of PG-13 rated connection, and then go their separate ways. Emmy is just starting on the path toward her future, and Evan's life has basically crumbled around him and he's off to the opposite side of the country to start over himself. Fast forward 7 years and our story truly begins...
Emmy is so great, though I kept having visions of Taylor Swift appear in my head... I have to say that I LOVE that she's from Minneapolis and played her first show at First Ave. Being a Minnesota girl myself, I feel like Emmy and I could totally have been buds. ;) She's so sweet and earnest, and I adore her relationship with her manager, Tony. Her "incognito" look made me laugh, and I love the personal growth the goes through in this book. It's like she started hitting it hard to reach her dreams so early, she didn't really learn to be a "real girl," so I love that she gets to embrace doing "real girl" things.
Evan is a hot nerd and totally swoon-worthy. He's got some shadows in his past with his criminal father, and needs to learn to come to terms with his past in order to embrace his future. I love a tortured artist and this book has TWO OF THEM! Emmy is struggling to find her voice in her music, and Evan is a painter who doesn't paint. Gah! I can't even with these two.
Besides the main characters being adorable and making me want to have a summer BBQ with them, the side characters in this book are also phenomenal, especially Emmy's manager Tony and Evan's next door neighbor Mrs. Johansen. OH MY GOSH, Mrs. Johansen. I just love feisty old ladies, and her online dating exploits are hilarious.
What are you still reading this review for? GO READ FAMOUS RIGHT NOW.
The set up is so sweet - Emmy and Evan meet at a wedding and have a moment, but as he's 26 and she's only 19 they have their one night of PG-13 rated connection, and then go their separate ways. Emmy is just starting on the path toward her future, and Evan's life has basically crumbled around him and he's off to the opposite side of the country to start over himself. Fast forward 7 years and our story truly begins...
Emmy is so great, though I kept having visions of Taylor Swift appear in my head... I have to say that I LOVE that she's from Minneapolis and played her first show at First Ave. Being a Minnesota girl myself, I feel like Emmy and I could totally have been buds. ;) She's so sweet and earnest, and I adore her relationship with her manager, Tony. Her "incognito" look made me laugh, and I love the personal growth the goes through in this book. It's like she started hitting it hard to reach her dreams so early, she didn't really learn to be a "real girl," so I love that she gets to embrace doing "real girl" things.
Evan is a hot nerd and totally swoon-worthy. He's got some shadows in his past with his criminal father, and needs to learn to come to terms with his past in order to embrace his future. I love a tortured artist and this book has TWO OF THEM! Emmy is struggling to find her voice in her music, and Evan is a painter who doesn't paint. Gah! I can't even with these two.
Besides the main characters being adorable and making me want to have a summer BBQ with them, the side characters in this book are also phenomenal, especially Emmy's manager Tony and Evan's next door neighbor Mrs. Johansen. OH MY GOSH, Mrs. Johansen. I just love feisty old ladies, and her online dating exploits are hilarious.
What are you still reading this review for? GO READ FAMOUS RIGHT NOW.
April 28, 2019
When I need a comfort read, I know I can always count on Jenny Holiday. Famous ticks all of my boxes--real, without being heavy. Sexy AND funny (often in the same scene). This book left me with a much-needed boost of happy!
Read
July 5, 2017This book is such a lovely comfort read! Imagine protagonists being nice and decent and caring to one another, and doing nice things for each other without ulterior motives.
Emmy is a top singer-songwriter, but the book focuses on her attempts to recover a regular-person lifestyle in anonymity, and Evan offers her exactly that. Not only does he not ask for anything in return, but he also fights his attraction to her in order to provide the safety that she needs. Their chemistry is palpable nonetheless, and the ways they resist it ends up in a funny and warm vicarious-living subplot featuring a near-octogenarian. However, Mrs Johansen is no prop. None of the supporting cast are: they're fully-drawn individuals with their own problems which feel real and relatable.
Most of all, I enjoyed what this book says about everyday life, about how quiet and joy and fulfilment can be just as satisfying as our socially-sanctioned view of the celebrity lifestyle. The way Emmy and Evan both do small things to one another is both heart-warming and a clear basis for their HEA.
Finally, I love the subtle messages about art. Artistic truth in this novel is the path to the protagonists' individual liberation from external pressures, from received message, from social or familial conditioning, as well as to finding their HEA.
Emmy is a top singer-songwriter, but the book focuses on her attempts to recover a regular-person lifestyle in anonymity, and Evan offers her exactly that. Not only does he not ask for anything in return, but he also fights his attraction to her in order to provide the safety that she needs. Their chemistry is palpable nonetheless, and the ways they resist it ends up in a funny and warm vicarious-living subplot featuring a near-octogenarian. However, Mrs Johansen is no prop. None of the supporting cast are: they're fully-drawn individuals with their own problems which feel real and relatable.
Most of all, I enjoyed what this book says about everyday life, about how quiet and joy and fulfilment can be just as satisfying as our socially-sanctioned view of the celebrity lifestyle. The way Emmy and Evan both do small things to one another is both heart-warming and a clear basis for their HEA.
Finally, I love the subtle messages about art. Artistic truth in this novel is the path to the protagonists' individual liberation from external pressures, from received message, from social or familial conditioning, as well as to finding their HEA.
April 6, 2018
Adored this book.
June 28, 2018
Four and a half stars. How did I miss this little gem? Maybe it was the cover which, frankly, does nothing for me.
I have to admit the start of the book, seven years ago, also left me a little cold but after that i grabbed me by the throat and didn't let me go.
Seven years ago Evan Winslow was at the centre of a s@#t storm as a result of his father's art Ponzi scheme. He goes to his friend's wedding to test how far into persona non grata territory he has fallen and discovers it's pretty much all the way as he's pursued by a pack of paparazzi. Whilst scoffing internally at the atrocious bridesmaids dresses he is struck by the unusual appearance of the oldest/ tallest bridesmaid. As an artist, Evan can almost feel how he would paint this stunning woman in a series of fantastical scenes. When the two of them finally meet it's like an amazing meeting of minds, Emmy's a writer with a way with words to match his imagery. But when Evan finds out that this woman is only nineteen to his twenty-six years old he knows it can go no further, especially when his every move is scrutinised and published in every rag across the country.
Fast forward seven years, Emmy has reinvented herself as an internationally successful pop superstar (think Taylor Swift), she writes, she sings, she plays guitar, but she is slowly being suffocated by the weight of her own success. She feels as though she is stuck in a gilded cage where her every move is scheduled for years in advance and her management team have her on a hamster wheel of touring and albums and personal appearances until she could scream. When she is co-writing a song temporarily entitled Song 58 she snaps and decides to run away, but the sad thing is that there is no-one and nowhere that she can think of that could (or would) keep her safe and respect her privacy. Until that long ago rooftop discussion with Evan comes to mind - he once offered to help in any way she needed and for some reason she believed him. Evan lives in small town Iowa and is a history of art professor seeking tenure at the local college.
What follows is a delicious small town romance between a formerly notorious artist turned art history teacher and a pop star who's never known real life, who can't cook or drive because 'people' have always done that sort of thing for her. Despite her fame, Emmy is the opposite of a diva, she loves people and slowly insinuates herself into Evan's small town life, cleaning and restoring his big run-down house while incubating new songs for her album.
I loved this. The romance was believable and sweet, the way in which Emmy and Evan healed each other without even realising was beautifully written and the interactions with Evan's elderly neighbour, his colleagues and the children he helps in the after-school art club are lovely without being cloying or over-done. even the sex felt realistic, that crazy mix of hawt and funny that only happens in real relationships where you can laugh at yourselves and still feel horny.
I can't wait to read the next one!
I have to admit the start of the book, seven years ago, also left me a little cold but after that i grabbed me by the throat and didn't let me go.
Seven years ago Evan Winslow was at the centre of a s@#t storm as a result of his father's art Ponzi scheme. He goes to his friend's wedding to test how far into persona non grata territory he has fallen and discovers it's pretty much all the way as he's pursued by a pack of paparazzi. Whilst scoffing internally at the atrocious bridesmaids dresses he is struck by the unusual appearance of the oldest/ tallest bridesmaid. As an artist, Evan can almost feel how he would paint this stunning woman in a series of fantastical scenes. When the two of them finally meet it's like an amazing meeting of minds, Emmy's a writer with a way with words to match his imagery. But when Evan finds out that this woman is only nineteen to his twenty-six years old he knows it can go no further, especially when his every move is scrutinised and published in every rag across the country.
Fast forward seven years, Emmy has reinvented herself as an internationally successful pop superstar (think Taylor Swift), she writes, she sings, she plays guitar, but she is slowly being suffocated by the weight of her own success. She feels as though she is stuck in a gilded cage where her every move is scheduled for years in advance and her management team have her on a hamster wheel of touring and albums and personal appearances until she could scream. When she is co-writing a song temporarily entitled Song 58 she snaps and decides to run away, but the sad thing is that there is no-one and nowhere that she can think of that could (or would) keep her safe and respect her privacy. Until that long ago rooftop discussion with Evan comes to mind - he once offered to help in any way she needed and for some reason she believed him. Evan lives in small town Iowa and is a history of art professor seeking tenure at the local college.
What follows is a delicious small town romance between a formerly notorious artist turned art history teacher and a pop star who's never known real life, who can't cook or drive because 'people' have always done that sort of thing for her. Despite her fame, Emmy is the opposite of a diva, she loves people and slowly insinuates herself into Evan's small town life, cleaning and restoring his big run-down house while incubating new songs for her album.
I loved this. The romance was believable and sweet, the way in which Emmy and Evan healed each other without even realising was beautifully written and the interactions with Evan's elderly neighbour, his colleagues and the children he helps in the after-school art club are lovely without being cloying or over-done. even the sex felt realistic, that crazy mix of hawt and funny that only happens in real relationships where you can laugh at yourselves and still feel horny.
I can't wait to read the next one!
November 19, 2017
Originally reviewed at http://goodbadandunread.com/2017/08/2...
What if the world’s leading pop star decided to run away, look up an old acquaintance, and then hide out in his rickety house in the middle of Iowa for the summer? That’s the premise to Jenny Holiday’s latest highly enjoyable contemporary romance. It’s a fun premise for sure. Luckily, the execution is also flawless.
Emerson Grant may be on top of the charts, but success doesn’t always equate with happiness. Her label and managers expect her to produce the same kind of hits that have made her career, but she’s unsatisfied and feels in a rut. Usually, when she tries to break her ruts, things end in disaster. She needs a safe space to let loose and do her own thing, so she embraces the crazy a little and shows up on the doorstep of a near stranger who is understandably pretty perplexed at her appearance.
Evan Winslow is just trying to keep his head down and tow the line. He has built a successful career as an art history professor and is on the cusp of earning tenure at a small Iowa college. He’s managed to put aside the stink of his infamous art-dealer father’s many sordid crimes and forge his own way, but people have long memories and some of them are still willing to blame the son for the father’s misdeeds. He cannot afford for a famous pop star to blow his life to shreds, and yet he’s drawn to her in ways he can’t articulate and it just feels wrong to send her on her way. So he doesn’t.
Here’s where things get good, because Emmy and Evan then spend a good portion of this book just getting to know each other. They hang out on his porch swing every night. They bounce work ideas off each other. They spend many an evening waiting for Evan’s elderly neighbor to get home from her latest internet date. They help mentor a troubled teen and end up at the Minnesota state fair.
They also try to pretend like they aren’t undressing each other with their eyes every second of the day, but that gets harder and harder to maintain as the summer goes on. Emmy’s on a self-imposed man hiatus. Her relationships always end in blazes of public humiliation and she’s determined to stop that cycle. Evan can’t afford to be dragged into the limelight if he wants to stay under the radar. Even though being together feels so right, there’s no way a whirlwind summer can turn into forever, right?
This a great fun summer romance with two people unexpectedly finding just what they needed when they weren’t looking for it. Evan and Emmy are so compatible and it’s really great to see them support and encourage each other and inspire each other’s art. I’m a big fan of Jenny Holiday’s contemporary romances and this is yet another solid hit.
What if the world’s leading pop star decided to run away, look up an old acquaintance, and then hide out in his rickety house in the middle of Iowa for the summer? That’s the premise to Jenny Holiday’s latest highly enjoyable contemporary romance. It’s a fun premise for sure. Luckily, the execution is also flawless.
Emerson Grant may be on top of the charts, but success doesn’t always equate with happiness. Her label and managers expect her to produce the same kind of hits that have made her career, but she’s unsatisfied and feels in a rut. Usually, when she tries to break her ruts, things end in disaster. She needs a safe space to let loose and do her own thing, so she embraces the crazy a little and shows up on the doorstep of a near stranger who is understandably pretty perplexed at her appearance.
Evan Winslow is just trying to keep his head down and tow the line. He has built a successful career as an art history professor and is on the cusp of earning tenure at a small Iowa college. He’s managed to put aside the stink of his infamous art-dealer father’s many sordid crimes and forge his own way, but people have long memories and some of them are still willing to blame the son for the father’s misdeeds. He cannot afford for a famous pop star to blow his life to shreds, and yet he’s drawn to her in ways he can’t articulate and it just feels wrong to send her on her way. So he doesn’t.
Here’s where things get good, because Emmy and Evan then spend a good portion of this book just getting to know each other. They hang out on his porch swing every night. They bounce work ideas off each other. They spend many an evening waiting for Evan’s elderly neighbor to get home from her latest internet date. They help mentor a troubled teen and end up at the Minnesota state fair.
They also try to pretend like they aren’t undressing each other with their eyes every second of the day, but that gets harder and harder to maintain as the summer goes on. Emmy’s on a self-imposed man hiatus. Her relationships always end in blazes of public humiliation and she’s determined to stop that cycle. Evan can’t afford to be dragged into the limelight if he wants to stay under the radar. Even though being together feels so right, there’s no way a whirlwind summer can turn into forever, right?
This a great fun summer romance with two people unexpectedly finding just what they needed when they weren’t looking for it. Evan and Emmy are so compatible and it’s really great to see them support and encourage each other and inspire each other’s art. I’m a big fan of Jenny Holiday’s contemporary romances and this is yet another solid hit.
June 16, 2017
I was given an arc kindle copy for an honest review. I really like Jenny Holiday. This is my favorite of her books that I have read so far. I loved everything about this story. This was both sweet and spicy (with the sex.) I loved the small hometown feel in Dane Iowa. I absolutely adored the hero and heroine. Art professor/artist Evan Winslow. Loved his back story and sympathized with him. And loved singer/songwriter, Emmerson 'Emmy' Quinn. I appreciated that they took their time and didn't jump right into bed. I always appreciate that. I like their back story of meeting 7 years earlier at a mutual friends wedding when she was 19. He 26. Before she became 'famous'. And he a professor. That although attracted to her, he didn't act on it. Because of the age difference at the time. And thinking he'd never see her again. I couldn't stand Emmy's parents. Although it's mostly telling about them. I loved her assistant/bff Tony. Mrs. Johansen. She was a character. Fun. And Jace the shy, quiet. Budding teen musician Emmy befriends in Dane. I liked how real Ms. Holiday made her. Not some obnoxious starlit. You get shades of Taylor Swift a little bit, with the writing songs about every guy she's broken up with. I loved loved her song, Summer. The song she wrote about Evan and Dane. I could also picture Evan's paintings of Emmy and also Mrs. Johansen. I just loved Famous so much.
Did Not Finish
July 15, 2024DNF at 20%
This feels too much like Taylor Swift fanfic. No thank you. I’m also aghast that the FMC tracks down the address and then shows up at the home of a guy she talked to one time seven years ago so she can ask him if she can stay there for a while. Like that’s a reasonable request. WHAT.
Characters: Evan is a 33 year old white art history professor and former painter. Emmy is a 26 year old white singer-songwriter. This is set in Dane, IA.
Content notes: MMC’s dad is incarcerated (art crimes), FMC’s parents kicked her out nine years ago, past parental divorce, past divorce of MMC’s friend who married FMC’s cousin, alcohol, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide and addiction
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle)
Purchased: 2020
This feels too much like Taylor Swift fanfic. No thank you. I’m also aghast that the FMC tracks down the address and then shows up at the home of a guy she talked to one time seven years ago so she can ask him if she can stay there for a while. Like that’s a reasonable request. WHAT.
Characters: Evan is a 33 year old white art history professor and former painter. Emmy is a 26 year old white singer-songwriter. This is set in Dane, IA.
Content notes: MMC’s dad is incarcerated (art crimes), FMC’s parents kicked her out nine years ago, past parental divorce, past divorce of MMC’s friend who married FMC’s cousin, alcohol, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide and addiction
*Love it or Leighve it* (aka cleaning out my Kindle)
Purchased: 2020
April 3, 2018
I got so caught up in this story that I read it straight through, finishing at 3:40am. Dumb move for my ability to function the next day, but did I ever enjoy this story.
Bought from kobo
Bought from kobo
Want to Read
March 24, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/24/2020)! 🎁
July 24, 2017
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-famous...
Being a fan of Jenny Holiday I jumped on the chance to read an early copy of Famous. As you can see from the above blurb this is a rock star romance, Emerson is a famous pop star who is slowly losing herself to managers, song writers and the music industry. What she really craves is the chance to get away from everything and everyone and write the songs she wants in peace and quiet. The only person who she can think of who might possibly be clueless to her famous persona is the man she met at a wedding seven years before. Evan knows her has Emmy, the nineteen year old girl who had big, musical dreams. He believed in her then, and offered to help her if he could and she is finally going to take him up on his offer by showing up at his front door looking for sanctuary.
The only problem is Evan is hiding away in a small town. He’s hiding away from his father’s criminal activities, he’s hiding from the rabid press and he’s hiding his artistic talent and given up painting for good. Of course he’s shocked when the woman he met so long ago suddenly appears on his doorstep, and he has doubts and worries over being thrown back into the public eye if Emmy is discovered in his home, but he can’t say no when he sees how desperately she needs a safe place to rediscover herself.
I think what is so lovely about this romance is that Evan and Emmy connect on such a deep, emotional level. They become friends and confidantes and each other’s safe place. They trust each other. Emmy is a world-famous musician, but Evan sees her for the caring, talented, sometimes insecure woman she is. She becomes his muse, which drives him to take up his brush again to capture her on canvas. Once Emmy is out of the spotlight (the ways she disguises herself are amusing) she finds herself excited to do all the things she can’t when she’s in public as a famous singer. With the help of YouTube she teaches herself to cook and how to hang artwork, she also finally learns to drive and gets to go mall shopping to pick out her own clothes. She finds incredible joy in the simple things in life that because of her celebrity are not open to her. Emmy drinks in small town life and it nourishes her, which in turn allows her creativity to flow out into new and meaningful songs.
In the end both of them have to overcome their fears and have courage. Emmy by standing up to her controlling management and releasing the songs she wrote during her summer with Evan and Evan by letting the world see his art and stepping back into limelight, this time as Emmy’s lover. I liked that their relationship felt balanced and each of them showed growth as the story moved forward. I also liked that they became such good friends before falling into bed. The book ends in a way that left me secure in the fact that they could overcome any odds because they had embraced their strengths and had each other.
Famous is being self-published by Ms. Holiday, but its sequel, which is titled Infamous, will be put out by Riptide Publishing later this year. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
Being a fan of Jenny Holiday I jumped on the chance to read an early copy of Famous. As you can see from the above blurb this is a rock star romance, Emerson is a famous pop star who is slowly losing herself to managers, song writers and the music industry. What she really craves is the chance to get away from everything and everyone and write the songs she wants in peace and quiet. The only person who she can think of who might possibly be clueless to her famous persona is the man she met at a wedding seven years before. Evan knows her has Emmy, the nineteen year old girl who had big, musical dreams. He believed in her then, and offered to help her if he could and she is finally going to take him up on his offer by showing up at his front door looking for sanctuary.
The only problem is Evan is hiding away in a small town. He’s hiding away from his father’s criminal activities, he’s hiding from the rabid press and he’s hiding his artistic talent and given up painting for good. Of course he’s shocked when the woman he met so long ago suddenly appears on his doorstep, and he has doubts and worries over being thrown back into the public eye if Emmy is discovered in his home, but he can’t say no when he sees how desperately she needs a safe place to rediscover herself.
I think what is so lovely about this romance is that Evan and Emmy connect on such a deep, emotional level. They become friends and confidantes and each other’s safe place. They trust each other. Emmy is a world-famous musician, but Evan sees her for the caring, talented, sometimes insecure woman she is. She becomes his muse, which drives him to take up his brush again to capture her on canvas. Once Emmy is out of the spotlight (the ways she disguises herself are amusing) she finds herself excited to do all the things she can’t when she’s in public as a famous singer. With the help of YouTube she teaches herself to cook and how to hang artwork, she also finally learns to drive and gets to go mall shopping to pick out her own clothes. She finds incredible joy in the simple things in life that because of her celebrity are not open to her. Emmy drinks in small town life and it nourishes her, which in turn allows her creativity to flow out into new and meaningful songs.
In the end both of them have to overcome their fears and have courage. Emmy by standing up to her controlling management and releasing the songs she wrote during her summer with Evan and Evan by letting the world see his art and stepping back into limelight, this time as Emmy’s lover. I liked that their relationship felt balanced and each of them showed growth as the story moved forward. I also liked that they became such good friends before falling into bed. The book ends in a way that left me secure in the fact that they could overcome any odds because they had embraced their strengths and had each other.
Famous is being self-published by Ms. Holiday, but its sequel, which is titled Infamous, will be put out by Riptide Publishing later this year. Final Grade- B
Favorite Quote:
He’d thought of her as his muse all those years ago. And maybe she was. Hell, she definitely was. But now that knowledge was joined by a new and utterly astonishing thought: maybe he was also hers. Maybe a muse wasn’t someone you were attracted to, or compelled by, someone who inspired you just by being. Maybe a muse was someone who, somehow, in a way that only that person can do, created space for you to do your thing. Made you safe.
August 5, 2024
Right off the cuff, I'd say that Famous could easily be the best easy going romance I have read in 2017. It checked off every element you need for a sweet and sexy, low angst easy read. It overall will warm your heart and make it sing.
Even though Emmy is a famous pop-star, the story is not what one would expect from a rock-star romance read. The story focuses more on Emmy as an every day person and not a super-star. It's her journey to normalcy with the help of Evan that this story is really about. It's also a second chance of sorts for them. You see, they meet quite a few years back but Evan never acted on it at the time because of their age difference. The age difference is still there but they're older and wiser and maybe ready to act :)
Famous was the perfect balance of sweet romance mixed with sexy-sexy. It had a lovely small-town feel as a backdrop. There is a bit of push-pull between the leads that maaaaaaybe stretched a bit longer than necessary but that's just a silly little thing compared to the big picture of pure happiness this story was. Like I said, it's a really sweet romance hat will warm your heart from beginning to end. #TRUST
Copy provided by IndieSage PR for review
Even though Emmy is a famous pop-star, the story is not what one would expect from a rock-star romance read. The story focuses more on Emmy as an every day person and not a super-star. It's her journey to normalcy with the help of Evan that this story is really about. It's also a second chance of sorts for them. You see, they meet quite a few years back but Evan never acted on it at the time because of their age difference. The age difference is still there but they're older and wiser and maybe ready to act :)
Famous was the perfect balance of sweet romance mixed with sexy-sexy. It had a lovely small-town feel as a backdrop. There is a bit of push-pull between the leads that maaaaaaybe stretched a bit longer than necessary but that's just a silly little thing compared to the big picture of pure happiness this story was. Like I said, it's a really sweet romance hat will warm your heart from beginning to end. #TRUST
Copy provided by IndieSage PR for review
April 17, 2018
I expected this to just be a light and fluffy read (and was totally okay with that!), so I was surprised by the depth of this novel and by just how much I liked it. I got so into it that I found myself pulling my phone out at traffic lights on a walk so I could keep reading. It's thoughtful, poignant at times, definitely sexy, and absolutely hilarious. The pairing of a Taylor Swiftesque heroine with a sort of grumpy professor who is oblivious to pop culture is magical. The supporting characters came to life and were part of what I got so caught up in. I'm not into celebrity culture, but still loved that aspect of the story and didn't find it distracting. I think anyone who follows celebrities at all would enjoy this book even more because of the interesting thoughts it raises about famous people. All in all, a quick, highly enjoyable read that I would recommend to others.
July 15, 2017
review to be posted soon
July 14, 2017
I absolutely loved this! It's a straight A for me.
July 27, 2021
A superstar musician - at a crossroads in her career - shows up at the door of an art history professor’s door, who she met years before at a wedding. Comfy summery romance - loved it.
July 7, 2017
Emmy and Evan met at a wedding seven years ago. What might have been never happened given their age difference and future plans, but neither Emmy nor Evan could seem to forget about each other. Flash forward to the present, and Emmy is now Emerson Quinn, international superstar. She’s the face of the Emerson Quinn machine, stuck in a constant cycle of press appearances and world tours, and she is absolutely sick of it.
Having just finished a ten-month world tour, her label is clamoring for the next album, and Emmy just isn’t feeling the neverending songwriting sessions with “middle-aged Swedish men" who crank out generic pop hit after generic pop hit. She wants to go back to her roots and write this album herself, not stand idly by as somebody tells her what her next album will sound like.
For all her connections, Emmy can’t think of a single friend whose house she could escape to. But then she thinks about the guy she met so many years ago, who believed in her and offered to do anything he could to help. And before she can overthink it, she’s on Evan Winslow’s porch with her suitcase in hand, just hoping he won’t say no.
This is the first book I’ve read by Jenny Holiday, and I loved it! Both Evan and Emmy felt like real people and I really appreciated that there was no over-the-top drama. Emmy might be world famous, but she’s down-to-earth and legitimately just wants to stay out of the spotlight.
I got some serious Taylor Swift vibes while reading this book, which is totally fine with me -- I am a huge fan of hers. A lot of things about Emmy reminded me of Taylor Swift. There’s the blond hair and red lipstick, the singer-songwriter with songs about the details of everyday life, but the thing that reminded me most of Taylor Swift was the ex-boyfriends. Emmy gained a lot of popularity writing about her exes, and that means that the media blames her for all of her relationships gone wrong. I really felt for Emmy and I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to live your life constantly vilified every time you have a breakup. (As if breakups aren’t emotional enough.)
Anyway. I really liked Emmy. But enough about her. Let’s move on to Evan, who was just trying to get on with his life after a huge family scandal made him re-evaluate his plans. Evan, who was just trying to get tenure as an art history professor so he could have some stability in his life. Evan, who was just trying to blend into the background when his long-lost friend, internationally famous pop star Emerson Quinn, showed up unexpectedly at his front door.
There’s obviously a period of adjustment, but Evan welcomes Emmy after only a slight hiccup. (I don’t even know if I’d react that well if my own family showed up on my doorstep, let alone someone I hadn’t seen in seven years.) He’s just. so. nice. He hangs out with his elderly neighbor. He runs an arts program for teenagers. He’s volunteered to coordinate an art show. And he never gets frustrated at Emmy for trying to hide from the paparazzi or lacking basic human skills.
It was so refreshing to read a romance where the main characters actually treat each other well throughout the entirety of the book. Even the big conflict is honestly just these characters wanting what’s best for each other!
If I had one criticism, it would just be that the push and pull really got to be too much for me. I understand that it was Emmy’s Summer Of No Men and that Evan was trying to focus on his career, but they clearly wanted each other and I thought that the amount of effort they put into fighting their attraction was a bit excessive. It started to feel less like a legitimate problem and more like angst for angst’s sake, which always frustrates me.
BUT, the sexual tension just about killed me, which is the sign of an author who knows what she’s doing with her characters. (And is never a problem for me.) It looks like Infamous, the second book in this series, will follow Emmy’s ex as he comes to grips with his attraction to pediatrician Hunter Wyatt. After seeing what Holiday did with Famous, I can’t wait to read what comes next.
I received a free ARC of Famous from the author (via Indie Sage PR) in exchange for an honest review.
Having just finished a ten-month world tour, her label is clamoring for the next album, and Emmy just isn’t feeling the neverending songwriting sessions with “middle-aged Swedish men" who crank out generic pop hit after generic pop hit. She wants to go back to her roots and write this album herself, not stand idly by as somebody tells her what her next album will sound like.
For all her connections, Emmy can’t think of a single friend whose house she could escape to. But then she thinks about the guy she met so many years ago, who believed in her and offered to do anything he could to help. And before she can overthink it, she’s on Evan Winslow’s porch with her suitcase in hand, just hoping he won’t say no.
This is the first book I’ve read by Jenny Holiday, and I loved it! Both Evan and Emmy felt like real people and I really appreciated that there was no over-the-top drama. Emmy might be world famous, but she’s down-to-earth and legitimately just wants to stay out of the spotlight.
I got some serious Taylor Swift vibes while reading this book, which is totally fine with me -- I am a huge fan of hers. A lot of things about Emmy reminded me of Taylor Swift. There’s the blond hair and red lipstick, the singer-songwriter with songs about the details of everyday life, but the thing that reminded me most of Taylor Swift was the ex-boyfriends. Emmy gained a lot of popularity writing about her exes, and that means that the media blames her for all of her relationships gone wrong. I really felt for Emmy and I cannot imagine how difficult it must be to live your life constantly vilified every time you have a breakup. (As if breakups aren’t emotional enough.)
Anyway. I really liked Emmy. But enough about her. Let’s move on to Evan, who was just trying to get on with his life after a huge family scandal made him re-evaluate his plans. Evan, who was just trying to get tenure as an art history professor so he could have some stability in his life. Evan, who was just trying to blend into the background when his long-lost friend, internationally famous pop star Emerson Quinn, showed up unexpectedly at his front door.
There’s obviously a period of adjustment, but Evan welcomes Emmy after only a slight hiccup. (I don’t even know if I’d react that well if my own family showed up on my doorstep, let alone someone I hadn’t seen in seven years.) He’s just. so. nice. He hangs out with his elderly neighbor. He runs an arts program for teenagers. He’s volunteered to coordinate an art show. And he never gets frustrated at Emmy for trying to hide from the paparazzi or lacking basic human skills.
It was so refreshing to read a romance where the main characters actually treat each other well throughout the entirety of the book. Even the big conflict is honestly just these characters wanting what’s best for each other!
If I had one criticism, it would just be that the push and pull really got to be too much for me. I understand that it was Emmy’s Summer Of No Men and that Evan was trying to focus on his career, but they clearly wanted each other and I thought that the amount of effort they put into fighting their attraction was a bit excessive. It started to feel less like a legitimate problem and more like angst for angst’s sake, which always frustrates me.
BUT, the sexual tension just about killed me, which is the sign of an author who knows what she’s doing with her characters. (And is never a problem for me.) It looks like Infamous, the second book in this series, will follow Emmy’s ex as he comes to grips with his attraction to pediatrician Hunter Wyatt. After seeing what Holiday did with Famous, I can’t wait to read what comes next.
I received a free ARC of Famous from the author (via Indie Sage PR) in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2017
4 ½ Stars for Famous by Jenny Holiday! It wasn’t your typical rock star romance which makes it stand out from others in the genre. The biggest difference was that the rock star is a female, and she definitely is not a spoiled diva who makes ridiculous demands. In fact, she has come to hate her fame. She somehow lost sight of who she is and control over what she writes. She’s no long Emmy but Emerson Quinn, and she needs a break, so she makes a run for it to small town Iowa in search of the one man she can count on….or at least she hopes so.
Evan has had his share of notoriety because of his father, and he decided to leave the life he knew behind as well as his passion, painting. Now, he’s an art history professor in a small Iowa town. He enjoys being out of the spotlight, and he has worked hard to establish a normal life. In fact, he’s up for tenure. But, all that changes when a girl from his past shows up on his doorstep hoping to find some peace and quiet…yep, no other than Emerson Quinn. He only knows her as Emmy, his muse, the girl he wanted to paint and who he has never forgotten after a magical night years ago. One kiss and he could never forget Emmy. He has no idea she is a world-famous star, and once he finds out, you better believe his life will never be the same.
I love a magical romance, and this one was magical. Who knew that one kiss on top of a building would be fate for these two! I fell in love with Evan. He’s got that sexy nerd thing going for him, and I admired him for standing by Emmy. He was supportive to her and listened to the songs she was working on. I loved how Emmy brought his passion for painting alive again. She had a way of enchanting some many in town and not because she was famous but just because she was Emmy, and she brought color to other people’s lives.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the setting. Some of my favorite scenes were Evan and Emmy sitting on his porch talking. Holiday did such a wonderful job creating her setting. I felt like I was there. The secondary characters were also well-developed and made the book even better!
This was a great romance. Rest assured there are some sexy moments, but those didn’t overwhelm their love story. It was a perfect balance of sweet and sexy. I’m a new reader of Jenny Holiday’s, and I’m really looking forward to reading future books from her!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
Evan has had his share of notoriety because of his father, and he decided to leave the life he knew behind as well as his passion, painting. Now, he’s an art history professor in a small Iowa town. He enjoys being out of the spotlight, and he has worked hard to establish a normal life. In fact, he’s up for tenure. But, all that changes when a girl from his past shows up on his doorstep hoping to find some peace and quiet…yep, no other than Emerson Quinn. He only knows her as Emmy, his muse, the girl he wanted to paint and who he has never forgotten after a magical night years ago. One kiss and he could never forget Emmy. He has no idea she is a world-famous star, and once he finds out, you better believe his life will never be the same.
I love a magical romance, and this one was magical. Who knew that one kiss on top of a building would be fate for these two! I fell in love with Evan. He’s got that sexy nerd thing going for him, and I admired him for standing by Emmy. He was supportive to her and listened to the songs she was working on. I loved how Emmy brought his passion for painting alive again. She had a way of enchanting some many in town and not because she was famous but just because she was Emmy, and she brought color to other people’s lives.
One of my favorite aspects of the story was the setting. Some of my favorite scenes were Evan and Emmy sitting on his porch talking. Holiday did such a wonderful job creating her setting. I felt like I was there. The secondary characters were also well-developed and made the book even better!
This was a great romance. Rest assured there are some sexy moments, but those didn’t overwhelm their love story. It was a perfect balance of sweet and sexy. I’m a new reader of Jenny Holiday’s, and I’m really looking forward to reading future books from her!
***Read and Reviewed for Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews***
July 17, 2017
The boring stuff: This book totally stands alone – it comes to a satisfying end and *DOES NOT* end on a cliffhanger. There is both cursing (including f-bombs) and on-screen sex in this one so if those will cause you to leave a bad review you should skip this one.
I have to admit that I didn't know what to think of this book before reading it. Spoiled starlets aren't really my thing, but I was intrigued by the premise and I am so glad that I gave it a chance because this book was fabulous. Instead of being a shallow book about a spoiled little brat, this book was character driven and surprisingly frank about the pratfalls of being a superstar. Emmy she was such a great character and watching her grow and change was my favorite part of this book. Evan was a seriously great book hero - he was a blue collar, down to earth kind of guy who just wanted to live his life, help his neighbor, and teach his students. His growth as a character was also really fun to watch.
This was my first book by Jenny Holiday and I was incredibly impressed by her writing style and the way that she can turn a phrase. This story ran the gamut of emotions, and her writing was so creative and expressive that even though it was a substantial book, I found myself dreading the end of the book. I highlighted at least a dozen moments that made me laugh as I was reading (which I LOVE in a book) but also a few where the author phrased something so creatively that I was just blown away by the writing itself (Evan's meltdown in the attic, for instance). It was also incredibly refreshing to read a book that wasn't littered with typos and misused words. I very much look forward to reading more books by this author.
I have to admit that I didn't know what to think of this book before reading it. Spoiled starlets aren't really my thing, but I was intrigued by the premise and I am so glad that I gave it a chance because this book was fabulous. Instead of being a shallow book about a spoiled little brat, this book was character driven and surprisingly frank about the pratfalls of being a superstar. Emmy she was such a great character and watching her grow and change was my favorite part of this book. Evan was a seriously great book hero - he was a blue collar, down to earth kind of guy who just wanted to live his life, help his neighbor, and teach his students. His growth as a character was also really fun to watch.
This was my first book by Jenny Holiday and I was incredibly impressed by her writing style and the way that she can turn a phrase. This story ran the gamut of emotions, and her writing was so creative and expressive that even though it was a substantial book, I found myself dreading the end of the book. I highlighted at least a dozen moments that made me laugh as I was reading (which I LOVE in a book) but also a few where the author phrased something so creatively that I was just blown away by the writing itself (Evan's meltdown in the attic, for instance). It was also incredibly refreshing to read a book that wasn't littered with typos and misused words. I very much look forward to reading more books by this author.
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