A Little Bit Country by Brian D Kennedy- book tour

Hello and welcome to my stop for the “A Little Bit Country by Brian D Kennedy” book tour! Thank you so much, Tbr and beyond tours, for having me!

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Publishing date: May 31st, 2022
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Emmett Maguire wants to be country music’s biggest gay superstar – a far reach when you’re seventeen and living in Illinois. But for now, he’s happy to do the next best thing: Stay with his aunt in Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, for the summer and perform at the amusement park owned by his idol, country legend Wanda Jean Stubbs.
Luke Barnes hates country music. As the grandson of Verna Rose, the disgraced singer who had a famous falling out with Wanda Jean, Luke knows how much pain country music has brought his family. But when his mom’s medical bills start piling up, he takes a job at the last place he wants: a restaurant at Wanda World.
Neither boy is looking for romance, but sparks fly when they meet – and soon they’re inseparable. Until a long-lost secret about Verna and Wanda comes to light, threatening to unravel everything.
Will Emmett and Luke be able get past the truths they discover…or will their relationship go down in history as just another Sad Country Love Song?

TW: homophobia, bullying, discrimination, chronic illness

Emmett wants to be a songwriter and become the country music’s biggest gay superstar, but, for now, he’s just happy to spend the summer with his beloved aunt and to perform at her amusement park owned by his idol, Wanda Jean Stubbs. On the other side, Luke is convinced country music ruined his family’s and, mostly, his nana’s life, but his desire to become a chef brings him to accept his ex girlfriend’s offer to work at the amusement park. When Emmett and Luke meet they can’t deny their attraction and they start to date, while battling family’s health issues, long-lost secrets and their own dreams.

“A little bit country” is one of the sweetest and cutest book I’ve read this year. Told by two POVs, Luke’s and Emmett’s, the reader is right away thrust in their lives, with Emmett’s dreams and loving aunt, his struggles in performing and his desire to become a songwriter and Luke’s mother’s chronic illness, money issues and his struggling to be himself as a gay young man, battling homophobia and his fear of disappointing his own family.

While they can’t deny their attraction, they agree to be a secret couple, trying to give Luke time and space to figure out himself and both of them become involved in a long-lost secret regarding Emmett’s beloved idol and Luke’s dead nana, trying to discover the truth behind some words and songs, while, also, trying to understand where they stand and what they are.

The author deals with sensitivity issues like homophobia and bullying, discrimination in the music industry, chronic illness and Luke’s and his family’s struggles with money and works, cheating and being in the closet.

Both characters grow a lot in this book, embracing oneself, fighting for their dreams and desires, accepting help, realizing who they are and what they want and I really loved this book.

With secrets and lies, surrounded by country music, summer jobs and young queer love, A little bit country is pretty amazing and definitely recommended!

Brian D. Kennedy writes books for young adults. Born and raised in Minnesota, he occasionally elongates his vowels still. He now lives in New York City with his husband and their very photogenic dog. When he’s not writing, Brian can be found working at the LGBTQ Center, sitting in the audience at a Broadway show, or out buying more books—despite the stack of unread ones he has at home.  
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

“My love for you is not a cage. It’s a flame, burning bright, one I’ll never let die.”

“I just love the idea that a song can tell a story. My story.”

“I’m falling in love. With the sweetest Rose.”

“Writing a song is personal.”

“I’d rather dream too big and come up short than dream too small and regret it.”