Famous in a Small Town: A Novel by Viola Shipman

(Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!)

 

about book:

Fried Green Tomatoes meets Midnight at the Blackbird Café in USA Today bestselling author Viola Shipman’s FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN, a heartwarming story about intergenerational friendship and self-discovery, set in beautiful Northern Michigan.

In 1958, 15-year-old Mary Jackson became the first woman ever crowned The Cherry Pit Spittin’ Champion of Good Hart, Michigan, landing her in the Guinness Book of World Records, and earning her the nickname Cherry Mary. Nearly 80 years old at the story’s start, Mary runs The Very Cherry General Store, a business that has been passed through three generations of women in the family. While there is no female next of kin, Mary believes the fourth is fated to arrive, as predicted by “Fata Morgana,” a Lake Michigan mirage of four women walking side by side.

Becky Thatcher (yes, like the Mark Twain character), an Assistant Principal from St. Louis, has just broken up with her long-term boyfriend and heads to Good Hart for a healing girl’s trip with her best friend. When Becky drunkenly spits a cherry pit an impressive distance, Mary urges her to enter the upcoming contest, and wonders if Becky could be the woman she’s been waiting for. 

Inspired by, and paying tribute to, Michigan’s National Cherry Festival, to the Tunnel of Trees, to lake life, and to the beauty of intergenerational friendship, FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is "full of summertime delight…and sweet, nostalgic charm” (Heather Webber, USA TODAY bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café). 

Bursting with memorable characters and small-town lore, FAMOUS IN A SMALL TOWN is a magical story about the family you’re born with, and the one you choose.

“[A] charming coastal tale.”—KATIE COURIC MEDIA

“Fans of nostalgic small-town charm and quirky characters will love Viola Shipman’s latest book for summer.”

—READER’S DIGEST, Best Summer Books 2023

“Famous in a Small Town is a beautiful reminder to…fully embrace the magic that lives inside you.”

—Heather Webber, USA Today bestselling author of Midnight at the Blackbird Café

my thoughts:

Loved this charming and quirky story to bits! Famous in a Small Town by Viola Shipman is sweet, tender, and will give you all the feels. It's about friendship, family, and hope. 

Mary's nearly 80 years old. She lives in Good Hart, Michigan and runs the general store, which has been in her family for ages. In fact, the women of her family are the ones who ran the store. So, the problem is that Mary has a son, not a daughter. She needs to find the right woman to run her store and she's decided to  base her decision on a vision she had as a kid. 

Becky is turning 40 and convinced her boyfriend will finally propose. Well, he doesn't. In fact, she finally wakes up to the fact that he's a selfish jerk and dumps him. And, she goes on a girl's trip with her BFF, Q. They wind up in Good Hart. Once there, Mary takes notice of her and begins to wonder if she is the woman from her vision. Could Becky be the one to take over the general store?

And, that is all I will write about this lovely book - you must check it out for yourself. You are going to LOVE it! I would happily recommend Famous in a Small Town. 

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book!