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Everyone loves a comeback.It's been fifteen years since former boyband member and wine vineyard heir Phillip Firecracker retreated from the spotlight. Since then, he's been happy enough living out the rest of his days as a recluse, with only his murderous tabby, and unpaid intern -slash- best (only) friend for companionship. When his former band members reunite without Phillip, publicly snubbing him, Phillip vows to upstage them. That's where Nostalgia Nation (America's #17 source for D-list reality TV) comes in.When production for a seven-episode streaming series sends Phillip back to his hometown to grand marshal the annual Muscadine Madness fair, his career comeback takes a backseat. Now, his only goal is avoiding Mayor Rivers Rivera, the (alleged) man behind a homophobic prank that led to Phillip’s being crowned 2001’s Muscadine Queen. Unfortunately, with Rivers being mayor, number one local talk talk show host, organizer of this year’s fair, and Phillip’s one-man welcome wagon, that’s going to be a bit tricky.With drama severely lacking, Phillip is given no choice. If he wants this show to be a success, he’s going to have to resort to something tried and true. Like a comeback, everyone loves a love story, even if it’s with the one man Phillip has no desire to associate with. When an old childhood flame begins to crackle, Phillip realizes he’s going to have to make a choice. His comeback, or his mayor.The County Fair Queen is a single-POV, low-heat, slow burn. Heavy humor. Heavy heart. Slightly unhinged.
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This book was a super fun read!
The hijinks are over-the-top and chaotic and clearly meant to be so, but we still get quiet moments that feel like genuine tenderness. And despite all the silliness and chaos, I was all the way in on Rivers’ careful but enthusiastic affection combined with Phillip’s prickly responses from the very first page.
The cast of supporting characters are, each in their own way, very ‘extra’ - some of which was fun and charming (everything about Beau!), and some of which did not work for me (Bernadette, full stop), but the overall effect was a vibrant, ridiculous small town full of quirky humans revelling in their weirdness.
The characters and the relationships didn’t feel fully developed but this is more than ok because I do not think that’s what this book is doing. This book is fun. Ridiculous. Larger than life. A goofy, wild good time. It’s very funny - the joyful chaos and biting dialogue worked together perfectly. And it’s also sweet and playful, with a story arc that’s ultimately about forgiveness, self-discovery, and authentic, unconditional connections. Definitely worth a read.
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