A Little Bit Country

3.5 stars. I enjoyed this debut novel by Brian D. Kennedy, although I found the love story to be the weakest part of the book. Emmett is an aspiring country music singer, fortunate enough to land a last-minute spot in the summer “Wanda's Good Time Jamboree” that takes him from Chicago to Jackson Hollow, Tennessee, site of a Dollywood-like amusement park. He's ready to be noticed by a talent scout who will offer him a big recording contract as the first gay country superstar.

Luke is a Jackson Hollow native who takes a dishwashing job at a Wanda World restaurant after his ex-girlfriend tells him about the opening. He dreams of opening his own restaurant someday, but his main concern for now is helping to support his family, including a mother with a chronic disease and a stepfather whose shift work hours are in danger of being cut. Luke has to keep his new job a secret, though, because there's bad blood between his family and the actual Wanda Jean Stubbs. Years ago, Luke's grandma ran away with Wanda's husband and became a pariah in the country music world. Wanda went on to basically become Dolly Parton, and Luke's grandma died in obscurity.

Despite a meet-cute involving the back end of a donkey costume, Luke and Emmett's relationship develops slowly. Emmett likes Luke, but worries that he's spending time with him that should be devoted to his music. Luke likes Emmett, but he is deeply closeted and afraid that his family will turn against him if he comes out. Plus even if he were to acknowledge his relationship with Emmett, he could never be with someone who is associated with the woman who is persona non grata to his family.

I liked Emmett and Luke separately, and their attempts to reach for their personal dreams are poignant and heartfelt, especially for Emmett who has to decide if he can compromise his plans by hiding his queerness from country music fans. Luke's connection to his family is admirable, and his ambivalence between acknowledging his relationship with Emmett and keeping it a secret from his deeply religious (and sick) mother is easy to sympathize with. There are several funny scenes, most of which involve the singular Wanda Jean herself.

But I never quite felt that the two boys were truly in love. Maybe it was the fact that almost all of their encounters were furtive and secretive. Maybe it was the fact that Luke was downright awful to Emmett on several occasions when their relationship was almost revealed. Mostly though it was the lack of substantial interaction between them. A few conversations and some kissing didn't convince me that they were soul mates. Their personal journeys were more carefully detailed and compelling.

The truth about Wanda Jean and Luke's grandma is finally revealed in a surprising way, and Luke and Emmett end up with a nice HFN ending. I wouldn't mind reading a sequel that shows what happens when Emmett goes back to Chicago, but I would want more of a focus on the two boys together.

ARC received from Net Galley in exchange for honest review.