Publishers Weekly
10/16/2023
High school senior Wade Westmore isn’t thrilled about losing the lead role in the spring musical, My Fair Lady, to his ex-boyfriend Reese Erikson-Ortiz, who dumped Wade for being “too shallow and self-involved.” On top of that, he feels as if he’s teetering on the edge of his future as he waits for college acceptance letters—particularly from his dream school, NYU. So, when anxious gay sophomore Elijah Brady, who joined stage crew to try and make friends, asks Wade for lessons in confidence, Wade sees this as an opportunity to win back Reese by proving he’s not as self-absorbed and incapable of change as Reese thinks. As Wade slowly turns timid Elijah into a more assured version of himself , the two become friends, which proves beneficial for them both. But when Elijah also befriends Reese, it threatens to upset Wade’s goal and puts a strain on their newfound camaraderie. Kennedy (A Little Bit Country) invokes classic elements of adolescent chaos, complexity, and confusion in this theatrically inspired rom-com. Memorable and sympathetic characters populate this ebullient read as it cheerfully maneuvers toward the inevitable curtain call. Wade and Elijah read as white; Reese has light brown skin. Ages 13–up. Agent: Lauren Spieller, Folio Literary. (Jan.)
From the Publisher
"The high school theater backdrop adds fun and pizzaz to this queer Pygmalion retelling that includes a welcome dash of self-awareness." — Kirkus Reviews
"Kennedy has written an engaging rom-com with just the right amount of drama. His characters are highly empathetic, and Wade and Elijah’s developing relationship is well-handled. Take a bow, kids." — Booklist
"A delightfully cozy revamp of a classic tale.” — School Library Journal
“My Fair Brady perfectly encapsulates all that makes the romcom genre so great. Charming, swoony, and as sweet as a milkshake from Flamin’ Joe’s, Kennedy’s storytelling shines and will leave you grinning from ear-to-ear.” — Rachael Lippincott, #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Five Feet Apart
"My Fair Brady is a love letter to theater kids past and present. Brian D. Kennedy has written a charming and 'loverly' new revival of the teen makeover story with spotlight-stealing characters and heart-warming romance." — Erik J. Brown, bestselling author of Lose You to Find Me
"My Fair Brady is an enchanting romantic comedy that captivates with its lovable characters and undeniable charm. This book is a heartfelt love-letter to all the theater kids out there. Kennedy has written a delightful love story that reminds us that sometimes, the perfect person for you has been right there all along, just waiting for you to notice.” — Sophie Gonzales, internationally bestselling author of Never Ever Getting Back Together
“I could’ve read all night! In this modern She’s All That, Brian D. Kennedy captures that magical moment only theater kids know—when a new part of you gets woken up that you didn’t know was even there. I was utterly swept away by Elijah’s journey from shy tech boy to shining star. Brava!”— — Adam Sass, award-winning author The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers and Your Lonely Nights Are Over
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: "Emmett and Luke's love story is pure joy in book form. Absolutely stunning!" — Mason Deaver, award-winning author of I Wish You All the Best and The Ghosts We Keep
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: “Equal parts emotional, earnest, and entertaining, A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY made my heart sing from the very first line. Emmett and Luke’s joyful, tender story left me swooning, while Kennedy’s lyrical writing captured the beauty and humor perfectly on every page. This impressive debut should be moved to the top of everyone’s TBR immediately!" — Jennifer Dugan, author of Hot Dog Girl and Some Girls Do
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: “I devoured this heartfelt and honest LGBT+ romance in a single sitting, unable to tear myself away from Luke and Emmett’s story. With sweet original lyrics, a heaping serving of comfort food, and the heart-stopping aches and flutterings of first love, A Little Bit Country is a glittering love song of a debut.” — Erin Hahn, author of You’d Be Mine and Never Saw You Coming
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: “Sweetly romantic and completely charming, A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY is a heartfelt celebration of finding out who you are and doing it on purpose. Just as Emmett and Luke fall for each other, you’ll fall head-over-heels in love with Brian D. Kennedy’s fresh, funny new voice. This is a stunning debut, and it shines from start to finish." — Katie Henry, author of This Will Be Funny Someday
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: "Like the best country songs, Brian D. Kennedy hits every emotional note! I found myself remembering the first time I fell in love, the anxieties of when and how to come out, my hopes for the future that I could be out and proud and thriving in the career field I was most passionate about. I immediately wanted to hit repeat like with my favorite music. I'll be singing the praises of A LITTLE BIT COUNTRY everywhere I go!" — Jason June, New York Times bestselling author of Jay's Gay Agenda and Out of the Blue
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: "Kennedy’s dual first-person perspectives earnestly showcase Emmett’s irrepressible passion for his dreams and Luke’s courage in the face of vulnerability, making for a light and hopeful debut." — Publishers Weekly
PRAISE FOR A Little Bit Country: "Fans of Jennifer Dugan will devour this ode to music, summer love, and being true to your own desires." — Booklist
School Library Journal
02/01/2024
Gr 9 Up—After a brutal breakup with his boyfriend, Wade believes the spring musical will be his comeback, ending senior year on a positive note. To Wade's utter dismay his ex Reese, not Wade, is cast as the lead in My Fair Lady. Meanwhile, painfully shy sophomore Elijah bumbles his way onto tech crew, despite having no experience in theater, and from his first rehearsal fails to connect with the other teens. When a chance encounter leads to Wade's agreeing to teach Elijah how to be popular, the boys' vulnerability and blunt honesty with each other may turn into the best deal they've ever made. Kennedy pulls out the great moments of My Fair Lady, throws in classic rom-com movie tropes, and creates an enchanting queer love story about finding the people who embrace one's quirks and faults. Wade is the outgoing teen whose insecurities are buried behind smiles and confidence. Elijah wears his insecurities on his sleeve, preventing him from building relationships. As the two work together, each learns how to own up to and forgive mistakes, while challenging personal growth. The boys are easy to love as Wade's popularity lessons show that everyone is a work in progress and there's beauty in the imperfections. Both Wade and Elijah are cued white. VERDICT A delightfully cozy revamp of a classic tale in which the leads learn self-worth is not based on how others perceive you but on how you value yourself.—Emily Walker
FEBRUARY 2024 - AudioFile
Kevin R. Free and Michael Crouch delight listeners in this charming and heartfelt romance, a combination of MY FAIR LADY and the teen movie classic SHE'S ALL THAT. Wade Westmore has always been the star of the show. But when his ex lands the lead role in the new school musical, his ego is put in check. Elijah Brady, on the other hand, is used to being in the background and agrees to work backstage for the musical. Together these two arrange to help each other get what they want. Free's warm, confident tone complements Wade's charismatic demeanor, while Crouch creates a youthful vulnerable voice that matches Elijah's quiet, shy persona. Listeners' hearts will be warmed when these two teenagers find their happily-ever-after together. J.J.M. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2023-10-21
An actor makes over a techie in a rom-com retelling.
Wade Westmore, who harbors dreams of Broadway and NYU, is a star at his Minnesota private school. But when the gay senior gets cast as Colonel Pickering instead of Henry Higgins in the spring production of My Fair Lady, he feels his light dimming. Worse, Reese Erikson-Ortiz, the ex-boyfriend who dumped him, gets the lead instead. An opportunity for redemption arises when quiet, gay sophomore Elijah Brady (an accident-prone techie) asks Wade to help him become more confident. Wade may get his chance to play Higgins after all—albeit offstage. Could helping Elijah prove that Wade isn’t totally self-obsessed and get senior year “back on track”? The high school theater backdrop adds fun and pizzaz to this queer Pygmalion retelling that includes a welcome dash of self-awareness. Kennedy’s insider-level specificity—from theater games to actor/techie dynamics—will resonate with student thespians and members of stage crews. Alternating first-person point-of-view chapters stoke the slow-building will-they-won’t-they romance and give both boys time in the spotlight. While the makeover plot may seem to some readers to reinforce what it means to be the “right kind of gay,” the story arc lightly pushes back. Wade and Elijah read white; secondary characters are diverse in skin tone and sexuality.
Pretty darn loverly—and cute to boot. (Romance. 13-18)
