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Famous in a Small Town
For most of her eighty years, Mary Jackson has endured the steady invasion of tourists, influencers and real estate developers who have discovered the lakeside charm of Good Hart, Michigan, waiting patiently for the arrival of a stranger she’s believed since childhood would one day carry on her legacy—the Very Cherry General Store. Like generations of Jackson women before her, Cherry Mary, as she’s known locally, runs the community hub—part post office, bakery and sandwich shop—and had almost given up hope that the mysterious prediction she’d been told as a girl would come true and the store would have to pass to…a man.
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…
Bursting with memorable characters and small-town lore, the enchanting new novel from the bestselling author of The Clover Girls is a magical story about the family you’re born with, and the one you choose.
Becky Thatcher came to Good Hart with her ride-or-die BFF to forget that she’s just turned forty with nothing to show for it. Ending up at the general store with Mary is admittedly not the beach vacation she expected, but the more the feisty octogenarian talks about destiny, the stronger Becky’s memories of her own childhood holidays become, and the strange visions over the lake she was never sure were real. As she works under Mary’s wing for the summer and finds she fits into this quirky community of locals, she starts to believe that destiny could be real, and that it might have something very special in mind for Becky…
Bursting with memorable characters and small-town lore, the enchanting new novel from the bestselling author of The Clover Girls is a magical story about the family you’re born with, and the one you choose.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 13, 2023
709 people are currently reading
14834 people want to read
About the author
Viola Shipman
21 books3,508 followersDear Reader:
My latest novel, The Page Turner, is a story about why we too often judge one another – and the books we read – by a glance at the collective cover without knowing what is inside. It is also a story about how reading and books not only change us but also save our lives. They did mine.
Growing up “different” in rural America in the 1970s – with no one like me and no one to talk to about what I was going through – I felt alone in this world. Books allowed me to escape, understand, heal, hope and realize there was a place for me in the world just as I was. My grandma – my pen name, Viola Shipman – sensed I was “different,” and she loved me unconditionally and made sure I cherished my uniqueness. Even though my grandma never finished high school, she was a voracious reader who pushed books into my hands from the earliest of ages and made it clear that reading and education would not only change my life but quite possibly save it.
Books allowed me to see a vast world beyond the small town in which I lived. They allowed me to not only escape from the cruelty I often experienced but also understand the reasons behind the hatred. They allowed me to see – as my grandma instilled in me – that being unique was a gift. Books aren’t just books. Books are family. Authors are friends. The stories we read are timestamps in our memories. They bookmark important chapters in our lives and growth. Books are a chance to right the wrong in the world, an opportunity to rewrite ourselves. We can reimagine and reinvent, see the world in an entirely new way simply by turning a page. Or, sometimes, we can just escape from our own lives.
As Carl Sagan wrote: “What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic."
That’s exactly how I feel when I read and write: Magical. Like a literary unicorn.
Authors tend to write about the same topics – love, death, hope, loss – and we use the same words, the same linguistic tool belt, but it’s how we bring those stories to life that sets us apart.
That is why The Page Turner is also about voice. Not only the voice Emma Page uses to bring her novel to life, but the voice she owns that makes her special and that she is unwilling to silence. We all have a voice. In fact, I bet yours is talking to you in your head right now. However, there’s a good chance that you’ve forgotten the power of your own voice, the beauty of your own uniqueness. As I address in this book, we tend to bury that out of fear: Fear of being different, as I was; fear of being unpopular; fear that our family or friends will disapprove; fear of, well, everything. And slowly that voice becomes so quiet, so distant, we don’t even hear it anymore, and we are no longer the unique souls we once were. We are far from being the people we once dreamed. This novel is about overcoming fear and rediscovering your voice. As I write: Every voice is important. Every story needs to be heard.
I was once consumed by fear. And then I found my voice again. In fact, when I first started writing and dreaming of being an author, I truly believed that there was a golden key that was passed around New York City. It was handed out — late at night, in a fancy restaurant under gilded lights and over expensive drinks — to “certain” authors. And I would never be one of them. I now know — and you certainly already do — that such a key does not exist. The only key you need you already own: The one that unlocks the door to o
My latest novel, The Page Turner, is a story about why we too often judge one another – and the books we read – by a glance at the collective cover without knowing what is inside. It is also a story about how reading and books not only change us but also save our lives. They did mine.
Growing up “different” in rural America in the 1970s – with no one like me and no one to talk to about what I was going through – I felt alone in this world. Books allowed me to escape, understand, heal, hope and realize there was a place for me in the world just as I was. My grandma – my pen name, Viola Shipman – sensed I was “different,” and she loved me unconditionally and made sure I cherished my uniqueness. Even though my grandma never finished high school, she was a voracious reader who pushed books into my hands from the earliest of ages and made it clear that reading and education would not only change my life but quite possibly save it.
Books allowed me to see a vast world beyond the small town in which I lived. They allowed me to not only escape from the cruelty I often experienced but also understand the reasons behind the hatred. They allowed me to see – as my grandma instilled in me – that being unique was a gift. Books aren’t just books. Books are family. Authors are friends. The stories we read are timestamps in our memories. They bookmark important chapters in our lives and growth. Books are a chance to right the wrong in the world, an opportunity to rewrite ourselves. We can reimagine and reinvent, see the world in an entirely new way simply by turning a page. Or, sometimes, we can just escape from our own lives.
As Carl Sagan wrote: “What an astonishing thing a book is. It's a flat object made from a tree with flexible parts on which are imprinted lots of funny dark squiggles. But one glance at it and you're inside the mind of another person, maybe somebody dead for thousands of years. Across the millennia, an author is speaking clearly and silently inside your head, directly to you. Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, citizens of distant epochs. Books break the shackles of time. A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic."
That’s exactly how I feel when I read and write: Magical. Like a literary unicorn.
Authors tend to write about the same topics – love, death, hope, loss – and we use the same words, the same linguistic tool belt, but it’s how we bring those stories to life that sets us apart.
That is why The Page Turner is also about voice. Not only the voice Emma Page uses to bring her novel to life, but the voice she owns that makes her special and that she is unwilling to silence. We all have a voice. In fact, I bet yours is talking to you in your head right now. However, there’s a good chance that you’ve forgotten the power of your own voice, the beauty of your own uniqueness. As I address in this book, we tend to bury that out of fear: Fear of being different, as I was; fear of being unpopular; fear that our family or friends will disapprove; fear of, well, everything. And slowly that voice becomes so quiet, so distant, we don’t even hear it anymore, and we are no longer the unique souls we once were. We are far from being the people we once dreamed. This novel is about overcoming fear and rediscovering your voice. As I write: Every voice is important. Every story needs to be heard.
I was once consumed by fear. And then I found my voice again. In fact, when I first started writing and dreaming of being an author, I truly believed that there was a golden key that was passed around New York City. It was handed out — late at night, in a fancy restaurant under gilded lights and over expensive drinks — to “certain” authors. And I would never be one of them. I now know — and you certainly already do — that such a key does not exist. The only key you need you already own: The one that unlocks the door to o
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 777 reviews
June 23, 2023
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman is a women’s fiction title that was being compared to Fried Green Tomatoes so of course I had to give this one a try. The story in Famous in a Small Town is one that does have two timelines of the present and the past and different points of view.
Mary Jackson has a lived a long, good life in her small town of Good Hart, Michigan. When Mary was young the town dubbed her with the nickname Cherry Mary. Mary had set a record in the town’s festival cherry spitting contest and to this day no one has even come close.
Becky Thatcher has come to the small town of Good Hart, Michigan with her best friend to recover from a break up and figure out what she wants in life. Becky had always stuck by her man but she just figured out sticking by was turning into settling for something she didn’t want. When Becky crosses paths with Mary the women wonder if it wasn’t their destiny.
A lot of times I see books advertised as being for someone who loved a specific popular book and I think to myself why, this is nothing like what is mentioned. Famous in a Small Town however did have similarities to Fried Green Tomatoes and being a fan I found myself enjoying this one too. The story was a charming one of friends and family and finding oneself in the midst of it all and with lovely characters the pages just flew by. Great story that I’d also recommend to anyone who enjoyed Fried G sreen Tomatoes so for once I agree with their marketing and would definitely return to this author myself.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
Mary Jackson has a lived a long, good life in her small town of Good Hart, Michigan. When Mary was young the town dubbed her with the nickname Cherry Mary. Mary had set a record in the town’s festival cherry spitting contest and to this day no one has even come close.
Becky Thatcher has come to the small town of Good Hart, Michigan with her best friend to recover from a break up and figure out what she wants in life. Becky had always stuck by her man but she just figured out sticking by was turning into settling for something she didn’t want. When Becky crosses paths with Mary the women wonder if it wasn’t their destiny.
A lot of times I see books advertised as being for someone who loved a specific popular book and I think to myself why, this is nothing like what is mentioned. Famous in a Small Town however did have similarities to Fried Green Tomatoes and being a fan I found myself enjoying this one too. The story was a charming one of friends and family and finding oneself in the midst of it all and with lovely characters the pages just flew by. Great story that I’d also recommend to anyone who enjoyed Fried G sreen Tomatoes so for once I agree with their marketing and would definitely return to this author myself.
I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.
For more reviews please visit https://carriesbookreviews.com/
June 15, 2023
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN by Viola Shipman is a wonderful women’s fiction story with romantic elements that is full of Michigan summertime vacation nostalgia, generational family drama, the bonds of friendship, and the discovery and belief in the power of women all delivered with a cherry on top. This is the perfect summertime read, especially if you are a fan of all things tart cherry.
Mary Jackson became “Cherry Mary” as a girl of fifteen when she won the cherry pit spitting distance contest in her small hometown of Good Hart, not only beating all the men, but also obtaining the Guinness World Record. Sixty-five years later, she is now eighty years old, still undefeated and runs her family’s Very Cherry General Store and waits for the girl she was told in her visions would come to carry on.
Becky Thatcher has turned forty and feels stuck in a monotonous life, with nothing to show for it. She and her best friend, “Q” take off for a vacation in Good Hart to relive the fun childhood holidays she remembers with her grandparents. When Becky spits a cherry pit, Mary witnesses the record breaker and believes Becky is the girl she has been waiting for. While not the vacation she was expecting, Becky works under Mary’s wing and soon discovers peace and beauty in the small town and the belief that Mary may be right, and this is where she is meant to be.
Enchanting, emotional, and memorable characters and landscapes are all present in this story. It is summertime memories, trips with grandparents, small town nostalgia all intertwined with everything tart cherry. The strength and power of women is a recurring theme throughout. The sweet romance is a relatively small subplot in this story, but it is relevant to both main characters. I feel this is the perfect summertime read and I loved it.
I highly recommend this very cherry women’s fiction!
FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN by Viola Shipman is a wonderful women’s fiction story with romantic elements that is full of Michigan summertime vacation nostalgia, generational family drama, the bonds of friendship, and the discovery and belief in the power of women all delivered with a cherry on top. This is the perfect summertime read, especially if you are a fan of all things tart cherry.
Mary Jackson became “Cherry Mary” as a girl of fifteen when she won the cherry pit spitting distance contest in her small hometown of Good Hart, not only beating all the men, but also obtaining the Guinness World Record. Sixty-five years later, she is now eighty years old, still undefeated and runs her family’s Very Cherry General Store and waits for the girl she was told in her visions would come to carry on.
Becky Thatcher has turned forty and feels stuck in a monotonous life, with nothing to show for it. She and her best friend, “Q” take off for a vacation in Good Hart to relive the fun childhood holidays she remembers with her grandparents. When Becky spits a cherry pit, Mary witnesses the record breaker and believes Becky is the girl she has been waiting for. While not the vacation she was expecting, Becky works under Mary’s wing and soon discovers peace and beauty in the small town and the belief that Mary may be right, and this is where she is meant to be.
Enchanting, emotional, and memorable characters and landscapes are all present in this story. It is summertime memories, trips with grandparents, small town nostalgia all intertwined with everything tart cherry. The strength and power of women is a recurring theme throughout. The sweet romance is a relatively small subplot in this story, but it is relevant to both main characters. I feel this is the perfect summertime read and I loved it.
I highly recommend this very cherry women’s fiction!
March 18, 2024
At first, I found myself annoyed when I saw the main character being railroaded by her long-term boyfriend of ten years who instead of offering her a proposal of marriage was expecting her to submit more of her hard-earned money to purchase him a vacation home. He had already been living off of her.
The question is…Will she dump this guy?
And then, he had more demands that she gave in to as the story progressed, and all I could do was wonder…why?
The good news is that the focus of the story was on friendship and summer vacation and nostalgia and finding family, and perhaps, even finding oneself after disappointment.
Which eventually, made this a sweet, cherry on top kind of story. It just took a bit of patience on my part to get there.
3.5 stars rounded up.
The question is…Will she dump this guy?
And then, he had more demands that she gave in to as the story progressed, and all I could do was wonder…why?
The good news is that the focus of the story was on friendship and summer vacation and nostalgia and finding family, and perhaps, even finding oneself after disappointment.
Which eventually, made this a sweet, cherry on top kind of story. It just took a bit of patience on my part to get there.
3.5 stars rounded up.
July 8, 2023
Another charming story by Wade Rouse, aka Viola Shipman, that showcases the beauty and magic of a Michigan summer and underlines the fact that there is the possibility for new beginnings around every corner, no matter what your age. You just have to follow your heart.
May 15, 2023
Takes me back to my midwest days ❤️
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is definitely a unique story. Dare I say, I even found it a tad odd. It took me more than 50% of the book to settle in and really appreciate the story, the people, and the atmosphere.
As a Midwestern grown Minnesotan myself, I could really relate to the descriptive scenery and the down-home small-town feel that the author delivers in an astute and delightful manner. It really made me homesick for the small-town ways and the down-home history!
The characters, plus the unique manner in which Shipman is able to imagine and tell the story, really allow you to feel that Americana vibe and build appreciation for the story. Take your time, read it slowly, and feel the way the words blend to craft this delightful book. A perfect summer story that leaves your soul a bit happier all around the edges, just like a warm hug!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/famous-in-a-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This is definitely a unique story. Dare I say, I even found it a tad odd. It took me more than 50% of the book to settle in and really appreciate the story, the people, and the atmosphere.
As a Midwestern grown Minnesotan myself, I could really relate to the descriptive scenery and the down-home small-town feel that the author delivers in an astute and delightful manner. It really made me homesick for the small-town ways and the down-home history!
The characters, plus the unique manner in which Shipman is able to imagine and tell the story, really allow you to feel that Americana vibe and build appreciation for the story. Take your time, read it slowly, and feel the way the words blend to craft this delightful book. A perfect summer story that leaves your soul a bit happier all around the edges, just like a warm hug!
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/famous-in-a-...
April 27, 2023
Becky is an assistant principal who has always played it safe. Just when she thinks her boyfriend of 10 years is going to propose at her 40th birthday party, he shows himself to be the self-centered guy he always was. Finally, Becky sees the light, tells him to leave her house where he lives rent free, and goes on a girls' trip with her best friend Q to Michigan, where her grandparents took her as a child. There she meets Mary, an 80 year old woman who runs the general store, who is known for having won the cherry pit spitting contest 65 years earlier. The small town is known for being in Michigan's cherry producing region, and Becky and Q get caught up in the activities, including meeting some very nice gentlemen . If you are looking for a feel-good story with likable characters, a beautiful setting (which really made me want to visit Michigan), and a happily ever after ending, Famous in a Small Town will fit the bill. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
July 4, 2023
Becky Thatcher is a school administrator who just turned 40 and who just threw her boyfriend of a few decades out.
It is summer vacation, and Becky and her friend decide to head to Michigan for a girl's vacation.
When they arrive, they meet the owner of the Very Cherry General Store in Good Hart, Michigan, and the connection between them is amazing. This is a real store.
Mary has been waiting for someone to take over the store.
Is it Becky she has been waiting for?
Is this what Becky has been waiting for and needs?
FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN makes you want to immediately go to Michigan, even though it took almost until 50% for me to get connected to the storyline.
It is definitely worth the wait, though.
You will love the sentiments throughout the book, and you will find Wade's signature warmth oozing through every word, page, and character.
ENJOY!! 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
It is summer vacation, and Becky and her friend decide to head to Michigan for a girl's vacation.
When they arrive, they meet the owner of the Very Cherry General Store in Good Hart, Michigan, and the connection between them is amazing. This is a real store.
Mary has been waiting for someone to take over the store.
Is it Becky she has been waiting for?
Is this what Becky has been waiting for and needs?
FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN makes you want to immediately go to Michigan, even though it took almost until 50% for me to get connected to the storyline.
It is definitely worth the wait, though.
You will love the sentiments throughout the book, and you will find Wade's signature warmth oozing through every word, page, and character.
ENJOY!! 4/5
This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
September 2, 2023
DNF. Poorly edited book with lots of overkill related to the "woman can do everything men can do and more" message. I stopped reading when I just couldn't stand any more literal or metaphorical messages related to cherries or any more typos.
June 19, 2023
Confession: I don't like cherries...except in a pie. Yes, I am weird that way. However, I loved Famous in a Small Town, which is all about cherries. It's also about friendship between generations and there's some romance too! The setting is a beautiful and cozy town in Northern Michigan, inspired by real locations in that area. It's the perfect idyllic summer escape read! I even cried happy tears.
It's really a sweet story the whole way through. Viola made me want to go to Michigan right away, with all her descriptions that really brought the small town of Charlevoix to life. It reminded me of "You Take Me Home" by LeAnn Rimes. I appreciated Mary for saying what she was thinking and not taking crap from anyone. I was cheering her on quite a few times. I also cheered for Becky when she stood up for herself.
As with any Viola Shipman novel, there's a Hallmark movie quality to it, especially with how everyone talks. The characters get introspective, but they sometimes voice their thoughts out loud. I am used to it by now, but when it comes from a male perspective, it just seems less realistic. (However, if Viola wants to find all these sentimental men - a.k.a. unicorns - and send them in the direction of my single friends, I won't complain.)
Overall, this was another really enjoyable story by Viola. I appreciated that there wasn't as much tragedy in the characters' backstories this time around. It was just a genuine good time to be had by all! I already look forward to her next holiday novel, coming in November, as it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
Movie casting suggestions:
Mary: Lily Tomlin
It's really a sweet story the whole way through. Viola made me want to go to Michigan right away, with all her descriptions that really brought the small town of Charlevoix to life. It reminded me of "You Take Me Home" by LeAnn Rimes. I appreciated Mary for saying what she was thinking and not taking crap from anyone. I was cheering her on quite a few times. I also cheered for Becky when she stood up for herself.
As with any Viola Shipman novel, there's a Hallmark movie quality to it, especially with how everyone talks. The characters get introspective, but they sometimes voice their thoughts out loud. I am used to it by now, but when it comes from a male perspective, it just seems less realistic. (However, if Viola wants to find all these sentimental men - a.k.a. unicorns - and send them in the direction of my single friends, I won't complain.)
Overall, this was another really enjoyable story by Viola. I appreciated that there wasn't as much tragedy in the characters' backstories this time around. It was just a genuine good time to be had by all! I already look forward to her next holiday novel, coming in November, as it sounds like it will be a lot of fun.
Movie casting suggestions:
Mary: Lily Tomlin
Becky: Emily Wickersham
Ollie: Jacob Fortune-Lloyd
Taffy: Christian Kane
Virgie: Jane Fonda
July 7, 2023
Rating: 🍒🍒🍒🍒
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman
Narrated by Nancy Peterson
This is a quintessential feel good summer read with all my favorite nostalgic comfort tropes:
🍒Small town charm (the setting steals the show)
🍒Quirky and lovable characters
🍒Strong Women of all ages
🍒Loving friendships
🍒Family - both born into and found
🍒Magical town lore
🍒 And all things Cherry!
This book is just sweet, happy and feels like a hug when you most need it. I’ve seen it compared to Fried Green Tomatoes and I wholeheartedly agree, so if you like that vibe I think you’ll enjoy this one too.
Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman
Narrated by Nancy Peterson
This is a quintessential feel good summer read with all my favorite nostalgic comfort tropes:
🍒Small town charm (the setting steals the show)
🍒Quirky and lovable characters
🍒Strong Women of all ages
🍒Loving friendships
🍒Family - both born into and found
🍒Magical town lore
🍒 And all things Cherry!
This book is just sweet, happy and feels like a hug when you most need it. I’ve seen it compared to Fried Green Tomatoes and I wholeheartedly agree, so if you like that vibe I think you’ll enjoy this one too.
July 6, 2023
I have never reviewed a book on here, but I can't not with this. (I know this is unfair to all the good books I've read, and I promise to balance this out with a positive review of the next good book I read!) I'll keep it brief. My biggest complaints:
1. The number of typos in this hardcover, non-ARC, fresh-from-the-library edition is insane. I was keeping a mental tally until I got to 1o, and then I gave up. And I'm sure I missed some, as there were definitely a few sections that I skimmed because...
2. I get it, Michigan is great, but a travel brochure would have been less over-the-top about it.
3. The "women can do anything men can do and then some" message was SO heavy-handed. Apparently subtlety is not Shipman's strong suit.
4. Cherry-pit spitting. Could be a fun premise, a cute side story, but good lord, the importance it held in this book was, again, way over the top.
5. The messages about destiny and weird visions of women on the water... not my thing. I know that's a personal preferance, and I could have tolerated it in a good book, but here it was just another piece of the story that was thrown in among the Michigan ads, intense feminism and pit-spitting-as-Olympic-sport theme.
The two stars are for Becky and Q - fun friendship and banter - and the fact that I apparently cared enough about what happened to them to read to the end.
1. The number of typos in this hardcover, non-ARC, fresh-from-the-library edition is insane. I was keeping a mental tally until I got to 1o, and then I gave up. And I'm sure I missed some, as there were definitely a few sections that I skimmed because...
2. I get it, Michigan is great, but a travel brochure would have been less over-the-top about it.
3. The "women can do anything men can do and then some" message was SO heavy-handed. Apparently subtlety is not Shipman's strong suit.
4. Cherry-pit spitting. Could be a fun premise, a cute side story, but good lord, the importance it held in this book was, again, way over the top.
5. The messages about destiny and weird visions of women on the water... not my thing. I know that's a personal preferance, and I could have tolerated it in a good book, but here it was just another piece of the story that was thrown in among the Michigan ads, intense feminism and pit-spitting-as-Olympic-sport theme.
The two stars are for Becky and Q - fun friendship and banter - and the fact that I apparently cared enough about what happened to them to read to the end.
April 30, 2023
The Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan is my happy place and even though I haven't been there in several months, I feel like I just returned after the wonderful descriptions in Viola Shipman's new book. I could hear the waves on the beach, smell the pine in the forest and taste the cherries that are grown in this area. It's time for me to plan another trip!
Mary - known as Cherry Mary - is almost eighty years old and runs the Very Cherry General Store in Good Hart, Michigan. It was run by the women in her family for several generations. The store is a major hub in town because it has the post office plus a bakery and an array of items made of cherries. In the summer it's overrun with tourists. Mary had a difficult marriage and has one son who lives away. She has spent her whole life waiting for the person that she saw in a vision as a child who will take over the store when she dies. She is a strong and tenacious woman who believes that women can do anything that men can and doesn't back down to anyone. When she meets Becky Thatcher and her best friend who are on a girl's vacation - she believes that Becky is the woman she's been waiting for...but Becky is a 40 year old teacher from St Louis and it just doesn't make sense. The more time they spend together, the more Mary is convinced that Becky is the person from her vision. After Becky works at the store for the summer and enjoys her time with the quirky characters in town, the more she begins to believe that Good Hart may be her destiny.
The characters in this book were fantastic - Becky has always followed the rules until she finally realized that her long term boyfriend had no intention of marrying her. When she went on vacation with her best friend "Q" and ended up in Good Hart, she began to realize how strong she really was. The friendship that she and her best friend had was magical - they were always there to help each other in the bad times and enjoy the good times together. And of course, one of the main 'characters' was Lake Michigan at its finest.
This is a book about love, friendship and destiny. It has a little magic, a bit of romance and a group of characters who learn that family is not always created by blood but that it is often formed with the people that we care about most. Famous in a Small Town is a perfect summer read!
Mary - known as Cherry Mary - is almost eighty years old and runs the Very Cherry General Store in Good Hart, Michigan. It was run by the women in her family for several generations. The store is a major hub in town because it has the post office plus a bakery and an array of items made of cherries. In the summer it's overrun with tourists. Mary had a difficult marriage and has one son who lives away. She has spent her whole life waiting for the person that she saw in a vision as a child who will take over the store when she dies. She is a strong and tenacious woman who believes that women can do anything that men can and doesn't back down to anyone. When she meets Becky Thatcher and her best friend who are on a girl's vacation - she believes that Becky is the woman she's been waiting for...but Becky is a 40 year old teacher from St Louis and it just doesn't make sense. The more time they spend together, the more Mary is convinced that Becky is the person from her vision. After Becky works at the store for the summer and enjoys her time with the quirky characters in town, the more she begins to believe that Good Hart may be her destiny.
The characters in this book were fantastic - Becky has always followed the rules until she finally realized that her long term boyfriend had no intention of marrying her. When she went on vacation with her best friend "Q" and ended up in Good Hart, she began to realize how strong she really was. The friendship that she and her best friend had was magical - they were always there to help each other in the bad times and enjoy the good times together. And of course, one of the main 'characters' was Lake Michigan at its finest.
This is a book about love, friendship and destiny. It has a little magic, a bit of romance and a group of characters who learn that family is not always created by blood but that it is often formed with the people that we care about most. Famous in a Small Town is a perfect summer read!
June 15, 2023
So many grammatical errors!
I skimmed through the book after finding the first two mistakes only because I wanted to find out what happened. Very disappointing to pay full price for a book and not really enjoy the book!
I skimmed through the book after finding the first two mistakes only because I wanted to find out what happened. Very disappointing to pay full price for a book and not really enjoy the book!
June 4, 2023
(free review copy) I have never been to the shores of Lake Michigan in northern Michigan but this book took me there so completely! The author’s love for the region leaps off the page, which I adore seeing. This is a sweet story of a woman truly finding herself at 40, as well as of generations of women overcoming bad men. It perhaps needed a bit more “show not tell” for me and was overall a little too twee for me to love it, but if you’re looking for a sweet and simple northern summer story, this is definitely for you!
Source: digital review copy via Edelweiss
Source: digital review copy via Edelweiss
July 2, 2023
A nostalgic small town Michigan summer beach read that if I'm honest wasn't my favorite by this author. The story follows three women, a beloved general store and the older woman looking for the foretold person she can feel comfortable replacing her as owner. Charming with relatable characters and okay on audio read by Nancy Peterson (this narrator wasn't my fav). Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 20, 2023
I’ve got to stop checking out books by Viola Shipman because he disappoints me every time. Why does this man keep trying to write from a woman’s POV? This book was flat and boring for me and I was sick of hearing about spitting cherry pits. It was mentioned too many times. Shipman’s books always sound so good but they let me down every time.
May 29, 2023
Finished reading: May 28th 2023
"Unconditional love, I've learned, is the hardest thing in this world to give and receive."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Graydon House in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
October 30, 2023
Master storyteller Viola Shipman returns following A Wish for Winter and The Edge of Summer with his latest summer charmer, FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN —a delightful and enchanting tale as we return to the simplicity of small-town life. Embrace the magic that lives within you. Learn the true meaning of family—the one you are born with and the one you choose.
Rich in history, character, time, and place, FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is a beach bag essential to kick off the summer season!
In this quaint small town of Good Hart, Michigan, you will find nostalgia, loads of wisdom and wit, magic, family, intergenerational friendships, self-discovery, memories, heartwarming conversations, the historical and friendly Very Cherry General Store, roadside stands, colorful Adirondack chairs, Lake Michigan, farmhouses, scenic highways, breathtaking evergreens known as the Tunnel of Trees, great food, recipes, endearing characters, an escape—a place where everything is coming up CHERRIES! 🍒
Meet Mary Jackson, 80 yrs old, waiting for someone special to walk through her Very Cherry General Store door. She will know this magical person as soon as she meets them.
The General store is a lively hub of the town and the community. A post office, bakery, ice cream, a sandwich shop—it has it all, full of memories and great times. From locals to tourists, Mary is ready to pass on her legacy to the next generation.
Becky Thatcher, age 40, is on a road trip with her BFF. Life has not worked out for her the way she planned.
She ends up at the general store with Mary. Could she live in this quirky community? Is Becky the one to continue Mary's legacy in this magical town?
DAZZLING! No one can spin a small, town-endearing, alluring story like Viola Shipman. Fans anxiously await the summer sizzlers and the winter holidays for an extraordinary journey, and memorable vacations, where you never have to leave your chair. What better way to spend your time than with a Viola Shipman story?
Whenever you open a Viola Shipman book, you are magically transported—a heartwarming journey—your stresses fade. Viola has a rare gift of reaching into the heart and soul, bringing to the surface feelings, wants, desires, love, and memories that warm the heart.
Viola reminds you of simple things, days passed, the special people in your life, childhood memories, grandparents—learning to appreciate the beauty around you, big dreams, all things summer — new adventures await, belief in yourself, and most importantly, believe the legend you were meant to be AND "you cannot wonder if you do not wander"! Wade/Viola's smile will light up a room. His grandmothers would be proud.
A stunning package perfect for book clubs. As always appreciate the Author's note, recipe, readers guide, and a personal message from the President of Cherry Republic.
I adored FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN and hope it brings you as much joy as it did for me. From history, recipes, lore, and storytelling—it is always better with a cherry on top! The perfect beach read.
For fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Heather Webber, Joanne DeMaio, Robyn Carr, and Sherryl Woods.
I cannot wait for November for The Wishing Bridge, a holiday gift set in the magical Michigan Bavarian Christmas town of Frankenmuth!
Thanks to #GraydonHouse for a gifted ARC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
June 2023 Must-Read Books
Rich in history, character, time, and place, FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is a beach bag essential to kick off the summer season!
In this quaint small town of Good Hart, Michigan, you will find nostalgia, loads of wisdom and wit, magic, family, intergenerational friendships, self-discovery, memories, heartwarming conversations, the historical and friendly Very Cherry General Store, roadside stands, colorful Adirondack chairs, Lake Michigan, farmhouses, scenic highways, breathtaking evergreens known as the Tunnel of Trees, great food, recipes, endearing characters, an escape—a place where everything is coming up CHERRIES! 🍒
Meet Mary Jackson, 80 yrs old, waiting for someone special to walk through her Very Cherry General Store door. She will know this magical person as soon as she meets them.
The General store is a lively hub of the town and the community. A post office, bakery, ice cream, a sandwich shop—it has it all, full of memories and great times. From locals to tourists, Mary is ready to pass on her legacy to the next generation.
Becky Thatcher, age 40, is on a road trip with her BFF. Life has not worked out for her the way she planned.
She ends up at the general store with Mary. Could she live in this quirky community? Is Becky the one to continue Mary's legacy in this magical town?
DAZZLING! No one can spin a small, town-endearing, alluring story like Viola Shipman. Fans anxiously await the summer sizzlers and the winter holidays for an extraordinary journey, and memorable vacations, where you never have to leave your chair. What better way to spend your time than with a Viola Shipman story?
Whenever you open a Viola Shipman book, you are magically transported—a heartwarming journey—your stresses fade. Viola has a rare gift of reaching into the heart and soul, bringing to the surface feelings, wants, desires, love, and memories that warm the heart.
Viola reminds you of simple things, days passed, the special people in your life, childhood memories, grandparents—learning to appreciate the beauty around you, big dreams, all things summer — new adventures await, belief in yourself, and most importantly, believe the legend you were meant to be AND "you cannot wonder if you do not wander"! Wade/Viola's smile will light up a room. His grandmothers would be proud.
A stunning package perfect for book clubs. As always appreciate the Author's note, recipe, readers guide, and a personal message from the President of Cherry Republic.
I adored FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN and hope it brings you as much joy as it did for me. From history, recipes, lore, and storytelling—it is always better with a cherry on top! The perfect beach read.
For fans of Mary Ellen Taylor, Heather Webber, Joanne DeMaio, Robyn Carr, and Sherryl Woods.
I cannot wait for November for The Wishing Bridge, a holiday gift set in the magical Michigan Bavarian Christmas town of Frankenmuth!
Thanks to #GraydonHouse for a gifted ARC via #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 13, 2023
June 2023 Must-Read Books
July 7, 2023
⭐️⭐️ Oh gosh, I don’t even know where to begin. This book felt like a chore to finish. It has great reviews on here, so I kept thinking it would get better. Spoiler…it doesn’t. There were SO many typos and errors that I was having to reread paragraphs over and over. While the story was interesting and layered, the writing style was awful. It jumped from scene to scene, never really describing where the characters were or what it looked like or even who was there. There was entirely too much internal dialogue that repeated the same themes over and over again. The idea that seeds (like cherry seeds) grow within us and if we don’t spit them out they can harden into a bitter pit (like a cherry pit) was a really cool analogy, but after reading it a dozen times became annoying and eye roll inducing.
Anyway, all of this to say, the reviews are wrong or paid for or friends of the author - I really don’t know. I would not recommend this book.
Anyway, all of this to say, the reviews are wrong or paid for or friends of the author - I really don’t know. I would not recommend this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2023
This was another good book by this author. The story is so descriptive with great characters. Every book by this author that’s set in Michigan makes me want to go there even more. Definitely recommend
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy
June 16, 2023
Viola Shipman’s charming heartfelt Michigan set novels always are a joy to devour at summertime; the perfect book to slip in your beach bag, and this “cherry special read” is a delight.
At it’s heart, it is a tale of female empowerment and believing in yourself and finding the magic within you that you had all along; Shipman’s characters Mary and Becky both go through great character arcs in the novel reclaiming themselves and dissolving their personal issues.
Viola Shipman does occasionally make me teary eyed and Famous in a Small Town was no exception!
At it’s heart, it is a tale of female empowerment and believing in yourself and finding the magic within you that you had all along; Shipman’s characters Mary and Becky both go through great character arcs in the novel reclaiming themselves and dissolving their personal issues.
Viola Shipman does occasionally make me teary eyed and Famous in a Small Town was no exception!
October 12, 2023
Song Vibes (literally from the book): Famous in a Small Town by Miranda Lambert
I fell in love with Viola Shipman after reading The Secret of Snow, so it's not surprising that I took a break from my regularly scheduled program (October reads 🎃) to read Famous in a Small Town. If you are still trying to hold onto summer at all, or even if you aren't, this is a beautiful novel about friendship no matter what age you are and believing in yourself. The dedication at the front of the book moved me as well, and I will forever love that he said "...Be the legend you were meant to be." Viola Shipman is the pen name for the author Wade Rouse, and I love that he took his grandma's name to write stories like this. I am sure the women in his life are very proud.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Becky and Mary despite their age gap (friendship theme again), and I loved the way the story shifts between past and present. I listened to the audiobook and Nancy Peterson really blew me away. She did an incredible job changing her voice depending on who she was narrating, and there were honestly times when I thought there were 2 narrators. If that's not talent I don't know what is! The visions were an interesting aspect of the story and created a bit of an air of mystery as well. I learned a lot about the history of cherries, and I loved the lore and legend that permeates the pages. Famous in a Small Town is perfect for summer or for any women's fiction lover who enjoys strong female characters.
I fell in love with Viola Shipman after reading The Secret of Snow, so it's not surprising that I took a break from my regularly scheduled program (October reads 🎃) to read Famous in a Small Town. If you are still trying to hold onto summer at all, or even if you aren't, this is a beautiful novel about friendship no matter what age you are and believing in yourself. The dedication at the front of the book moved me as well, and I will forever love that he said "...Be the legend you were meant to be." Viola Shipman is the pen name for the author Wade Rouse, and I love that he took his grandma's name to write stories like this. I am sure the women in his life are very proud.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Becky and Mary despite their age gap (friendship theme again), and I loved the way the story shifts between past and present. I listened to the audiobook and Nancy Peterson really blew me away. She did an incredible job changing her voice depending on who she was narrating, and there were honestly times when I thought there were 2 narrators. If that's not talent I don't know what is! The visions were an interesting aspect of the story and created a bit of an air of mystery as well. I learned a lot about the history of cherries, and I loved the lore and legend that permeates the pages. Famous in a Small Town is perfect for summer or for any women's fiction lover who enjoys strong female characters.
May 29, 2023
I always look forward to Viola Shipman’s new books. This book is all about being in Michigan which makes me want to visit. A heartwarming and inspiring story as all of his books are. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release. To be published June 2023.
July 26, 2023
Not that I’m a fan of drinking games, but if I were and the phrase ‘my whole life’ used in this book was the que to take a shot-well…alcohol poisoning would be on the death certificate.
June 15, 2023
Two women with four decades separating their ages become dear friends. In this sweet small-town setting, a wonderful story of life, friendship, and even love, is told.
Becky’s life as an assistant principal is uneventful and uninspiring. When her ten-year relationship with her boyfriend ends due to disappointment, she decides to go on a girls trip with her best friend Q. They travel to Michigan and Becky’s life changes in unexpected ways. When she meets Mary, a woman, 40 years, her senior, she learns that Mary has held a 65 year record for cherry pit spitting. Admittedly, I did Google this because I did not realize that cherry pit spitting was a “thing”.
Becky and Q love their visit to this small town in Michigan and Becky find herself drawn to Mary for more than one reason. Mary is not the only one that Becky gets close to in this touching story. I love how this story centered around cherries, but also how this drew the strong bonds of friendship and love even tighter. I loved the way this story left me feeling, as is always the case with books by the talented Viola Shipman.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Becky’s life as an assistant principal is uneventful and uninspiring. When her ten-year relationship with her boyfriend ends due to disappointment, she decides to go on a girls trip with her best friend Q. They travel to Michigan and Becky’s life changes in unexpected ways. When she meets Mary, a woman, 40 years, her senior, she learns that Mary has held a 65 year record for cherry pit spitting. Admittedly, I did Google this because I did not realize that cherry pit spitting was a “thing”.
Becky and Q love their visit to this small town in Michigan and Becky find herself drawn to Mary for more than one reason. Mary is not the only one that Becky gets close to in this touching story. I love how this story centered around cherries, but also how this drew the strong bonds of friendship and love even tighter. I loved the way this story left me feeling, as is always the case with books by the talented Viola Shipman.
Many thanks to Graydon House and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
July 3, 2023
First time I’ve read any of Wade Rouse’s Viola Shipman books.
Great story, love the fact that he writes about My beloved Michigan. Places I’ve been to and have great memories of. I will definitely read more Viola Shipman books. Can’t wait to read about other fun places in Michigan like Frankenmuth and the Mackinaw Bridge. I could imagine being right there in the story when I went through the tunnel of trees with my mom many years ago.
Great story, love the fact that he writes about My beloved Michigan. Places I’ve been to and have great memories of. I will definitely read more Viola Shipman books. Can’t wait to read about other fun places in Michigan like Frankenmuth and the Mackinaw Bridge. I could imagine being right there in the story when I went through the tunnel of trees with my mom many years ago.
June 18, 2023
4.3
** A giveaway win from Bookreporter Summer Reading contest 2023. How exciting! **
Throwback, destiny, flaneur…
After the lack of a marriage proposal, 40yo Becky ends her ten year relationship with Matt. Becky and her best friend Q embark on a girl’s getaway road trip to Good Hart, Michigan.
An intergenerational story of old friends, new friends, family, careers, adventures, and choices. A nostalgic, small-time feel!
* Viola Shipman’s writing is like a love letter to Michigan. Author paints a picturesque portrait of Michigan.
* This book reminded me of my visit to Mackinac Island. Beautiful state - been there five times. More info online about actual locations mentioned in the book such as Legs Inn, Tunnel of Trees, and Traverse City.
* I like the down-home feel of this book. I live in a town of approximately 1000 people. Rural but 10 minutes away from all I need! So this was relatable!
* I liked the quote “ When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
* Some quirky characters with some life-changing adventures!
* Viola Shipman fans should enjoy this book!
* Thanks again to Bookreporter and Graydon House Books. A fun read!
** A giveaway win from Bookreporter Summer Reading contest 2023. How exciting! **
Throwback, destiny, flaneur…
After the lack of a marriage proposal, 40yo Becky ends her ten year relationship with Matt. Becky and her best friend Q embark on a girl’s getaway road trip to Good Hart, Michigan.
An intergenerational story of old friends, new friends, family, careers, adventures, and choices. A nostalgic, small-time feel!
* Viola Shipman’s writing is like a love letter to Michigan. Author paints a picturesque portrait of Michigan.
* This book reminded me of my visit to Mackinac Island. Beautiful state - been there five times. More info online about actual locations mentioned in the book such as Legs Inn, Tunnel of Trees, and Traverse City.
* I like the down-home feel of this book. I live in a town of approximately 1000 people. Rural but 10 minutes away from all I need! So this was relatable!
* I liked the quote “ When someone shows you who they are, believe them.”
* Some quirky characters with some life-changing adventures!
* Viola Shipman fans should enjoy this book!
* Thanks again to Bookreporter and Graydon House Books. A fun read!
June 18, 2023
Title: Famous in a Small Town
Author: Viola Shipman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2 out of 5
I enjoyed the first half of this novel. The characters are quirky and interesting and the friendship between Becky and her BFF is great. But then, everything changed. I felt like I was reading an outline of a novel, not an actual novel. There were scenes, but they didn’t follow any logical path and there were no transitions to link them to the preceding scene. Supposedly the road trip/vacation is supposed to last for month, but in one scene the two women had just arrived at their destination, and the next scene the vacation was almost over. This was very jarring to me as a reader. I was not a fan of this novel, because it felt like the author didn’t do the work of actually completing and polishing the novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.)
Author: Viola Shipman
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2 out of 5
I enjoyed the first half of this novel. The characters are quirky and interesting and the friendship between Becky and her BFF is great. But then, everything changed. I felt like I was reading an outline of a novel, not an actual novel. There were scenes, but they didn’t follow any logical path and there were no transitions to link them to the preceding scene. Supposedly the road trip/vacation is supposed to last for month, but in one scene the two women had just arrived at their destination, and the next scene the vacation was almost over. This was very jarring to me as a reader. I was not a fan of this novel, because it felt like the author didn’t do the work of actually completing and polishing the novel.
(Galley courtesy of Harlequin/Graydon House in exchange for an honest review.)
March 28, 2023
Viola Shipman!! What else is there to say!
I have never wanted to visit Lake Michigan as much as I have after reading this book… I want to experience the blue hour, the tunnel of trees, the mysteries of the lake, and of course Fata Morgana
Strong ladies, generations of strong ladies, the past leading to present. Friends from long ago, new friends, past relationships, new relationships,… Hope, love, peace, change.
“ each generation of women, adding something “
I loved this book, these characters, the story, I laughed , and I cried, and I could not put this book down!
I have never wanted to visit Lake Michigan as much as I have after reading this book… I want to experience the blue hour, the tunnel of trees, the mysteries of the lake, and of course Fata Morgana
Strong ladies, generations of strong ladies, the past leading to present. Friends from long ago, new friends, past relationships, new relationships,… Hope, love, peace, change.
“ each generation of women, adding something “
I loved this book, these characters, the story, I laughed , and I cried, and I could not put this book down!
July 14, 2023
I’m surprised by all the 4 and 5 star reviews. I wish I could provide some kind of in-depth analysis of the book but I just couldn’t get into it enough to do that. First, I was distracted by all the grammatical errors. I pressed on and tried to ignore them but ultimately the story never engaged me enough to overlook the poor editing.
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