A Little Bit Country was one of the sweetest, most heart-warming books I have ever read. The novel follows two young queer boys, who live very different lives. Through their differences, they both grow tremendously, and learn to hold onto happiness and all the things that bring joy to their lives.

There is a depth to the story that I really appreciated. Both Emmett and Luke are struggling for different reasons. Emmett, though out and proud, grapples with self-confidence, while Luke struggles to accept his sexuality. This book conveys the fear of being outed so effortlessly. The way Luke alters his personality in certain environments for his own safety, even in his own home, is heart-breaking, but unfortunately so fitting. There is a moment, right before you find the courage to speak your truth, that feels frighteningly invigorating. Luke learns lessons, primarily from Emmett and the secrets of the past, that push him towards this moment. A Little Bit Country explores how much courage it takes to be out, to expose yourself to the world. Sometimes, our biggest barriers are ourselves. Luke and Emmett learn that, if they are going to live the lives they want, happiness must be their priority. I loved the message that, while your identity is personal, there is power in sharing yourself with the world.

Amidst the hardships, queer joy is hidden little nuggets of gold throughout the book. The ending was so beautiful and symbolised the famous phrase that everyone loves to throw at queer youth – it gets better. Yet, that is not always the case. This book does a wonderful job of exploring why it may be more difficult for some people to come out than others, and why there should never be a timeline. Hope is a very powerful thing, and it’s lovely to read a story where queer teenage dreams become reality.

I don’t really listen to country music, so I relate to Luke in that sense, but am definitely more of an Emmett. There is something so special in both boys, and I love that together, they are so much better than they are alone. Seeing queer boys let themselves be loved, and embracing the love they feel for others, will never get old.

Wanda, you were so cute. Did I just picture Dolly? Yes. Do I care? No. The backstory was the best part of the novel, and I adored everything that Wanda brought to the story.

Thank you to the author and Harper360ya for sending me an ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review!

I post about queer books on: Instagram Twitter TikTok152 s Claudia LomelíAuthor 8 books80.9k

3.5 estrellas.

Estuvo ligero y cute :).2023152 s Marieke (mariekes_mesmerizing_books)593 565

Country music gave me a home.

I all kinds of music and I loved the way Emmett talked about his music in A Little Bit Country. Don’t we all have songs that make us feel we belong?

This book about two boys falling in love and country music, including a Dolly Parton looka made me feel so many things. While reading, a constant smile tugged at my lips. Warmth seeped through my body when I curled up on the couch, staring at my screen. Once in a while, my heart skipped a beat, and soft feathers whirled in my belly. Going through the last part of the book, goosebumps danced on my skin and tears sprang to my eyes.

A Little Bit Country ticked so many of my boxes. The dual narrative, the first-person/present tense writing, the fluffiness covering heavier stuff, and Emmett and Luke as two cute cinnamon rolls. It’s as sweet as Simon James Green’s books. As warm as Becky Albertalli’s. As relatable as Phil Stamper’s. But Sophie Gonzales’s Only Mostly Devastated is the book that most comes to mind when I think of A Little Bit Country.

This is a book to read in just a few sittings. I can guarantee that you don’t want to quit reading when you dive into the story. Just take a seat, let the spring sun warm your face, and let A Little Bit Country comfort you when it comes out in May. Thank you so much, Brian, for allowing me to read this cute and beautiful story! I loved to be in Emmett’s and Luke’s world and can’t wait to read what you have in store for us next!

I received an ARC from Brian D. Kennedy and HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Follow me on Instagramarc-netgalley-edelweiss lgbtqia young-adult77 s Brian KennedyAuthor 3 books324 Read

I wrote this book as a love letter to Dolly Parton and country music. Not that anyone asked, but here are my Top Ten Dolly Parton Songs.

1. I Will Always Love You
2. Jolene
3. False Eyelashes
4. Hard Candy Christmas
5. Islands in the Stream
6. My Tennessee Mountain Home
7. Little Sparrow
8. Light of a Clear Blue Morning
9. Wildflowers
10. Mule Skinner Blues

**And for anyone who says "Here You Come Again," "Two Doors Down," or "The Bargain Store" are missing from here--you're right! I'm sorry. Humans are flawed by nature.61 s Noah299 181

You know how people are always , “oh, I all music… except for country!” I’ve never been able to say that because I actually country music. Well technically I folk music, and my favorite folk band is Hurray for the Riff Raff. Anyway, A gay love story that’s both character-driven and has an interesting plot? I’m all in.

There are a lot of big moments in this book, but it’s the small ones that really stuck with me. There’s a part (small spoiler?) where Luke, who is still in the closet, is having his friend give him a fashion make-over, and the inner monologue is intensely relatable. When he finally finds an outfit that he s, he has to imagine the way other people will see him, judge him, worrying about whether or not he’ll be seen as too gay or too whatever. What I’m getting at is that I wasn’t expecting to be hit a freight train in chapter 5 or 6.

Music discussion can always be tricky in books because it’s so easy to enter pretentious territory. Which can be fine, if that’s the point, but it’s always hard for me not to roll my eyes at music snobbery. It’s pretty funny because I was waiting for a scene in “La La Land,” where Ryan Gosling explains what jazz is to Emma Stone. Only I was worried that it would be Emmett explaining what “real” country music is to Luke. So if anyone else shares my incredibly specific fear of Ryan Gosling mansplaining what jazz music is to Emma Stone in stories about music, you can rest easy. Hmm… since this review is already off-rails, I’m going to list a few of my favorite songs in or around the country genre:

• Big Yellow Taxi- Joni Mitchell
• Watercolor Canvas- Bobby Darin
• (Ain’t That) Good News- Sam Cooke
• Baby Blue- Hurray for the Riff Raff
• Truly Do- The Fleetwoods

That last one isn’t even close to the genre; I just it
contemporary lgbt romance ...more58 s Chelsea205 59

Completely acceptable words on a page that exist. ?51 s19 comments Heather K (dentist in my spare time)3,977 6,104

This book will probably always be memorable to me because I bought it while in upstate NY in a tiny country town. Indie bookstores, FTW! They had a Pride Month display, and I happily paid full price for this book because I was so excited to find gay romance IRL in this little store.

I'm going to be honest, my expectations weren't super high.

A Little Bit Country is Brian D. Kennedy's debut, and debut books can be a bit... rough. I've been burned many times trying new authors, and even though this is trad pubbed, which does say something, I was still hesitant. But, I'm telling you, this book was adorable. I couldn't put it down.

I'm actually not exactly sure why this book was just so damn addictive for me. The romance parts of the book are pretty underdeveloped, especially for a dedicated romance reader myself, and I usually don't love books with main characters who are so young. And, to be expected, the steam level is nearly nonexistent. However, this book was really carried by an intriguing, snappily paced plot and characters that really shone.

I could tell that this book MEANT something to the author. It felt really passionate, which is a nice change from the rote feeling of some books from authors who just churn out one after another. I really enjoyed the whole story, and this is coming from someone who has zero interest in country music.

I really think you can't go wrong with A Little Bit Country, and I'm very excited to see what else Brian D. Kennedy has in store for readers.

goodreads|instagram|twittercontemporary little-to-no-sex-content m-m ...more46 s Claude's Bookzone1,549 244

3.5 Stars

Country cute y'all!

A pretty sweet YA LGBTQIA+ coming out romance. There was a nice level of predictability in there which made it a comfortable love story with a Dolly Parton energy about it. Emmett and Luke are both working hard to be true to themselves but sometimes that isn't what those around them want or need. They each have to 'walk the line' in order to figure out what will make them happy. I enjoyed the romance despite it being pretty 'insta'. This would make a nice addition to a high school library with some minor content warnings. It was such an easy listen and before I knew it I'd almost finished it in one sitting!

CW: off page sexual content, anti-LGBTQIA sentiments but not abuse e.g. what is wrong in the eyes of god type stuff, unwell mothercountry-music lgbtqia nz-y10 ...more41 s Nenia ? I yeet my books back and forth ? CampbellAuthor 56 books19.9k Want to read

GAY COUNTRY MUSIC THEMED ROMANCE28 s Sol ~ TheBookishKing318 188

this was EVERYTHING
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